† Quote of the Day Quote of the Day
"The fast of Lent has no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual renewal. It is necessary while fasting to change our whole life and practice virtue. Turning away from all wickedness means keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, avoiding all gossip, lying and swearing. To abstain from these things—herein lies the true value of the fast." — St. John Chrysostom Today's Meditation "Wait a little while, my soul, await the promise of God, and you will have the fullness of all that is good in heaven. If you yearn inordinately for the good things of this life, you will lose those which are heavenly and eternal. Use temporal things properly, but always desire what is eternal. Temporal things can never fully satisfy you, for you were not created to enjoy them alone . . . for your blessedness and happiness lie only in God, who has made all things from nothing." —Thomas a' Kempis, p. 133-134 An excerpt from Imitation of Christ Daily Verse "Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, 'Be holy because I [am] holy.'" — 1 Peter 1:13-16 | Pope Saint Hilary Pope Saint Hilary (5th c.) was Bishop of Rome from 461 to 468. Not much is known of his early life other than that he was from Sardinia. He rose to prominence in the Church when he became archdeacon under Pope St. Leo the Great, working closely with him as a trusted aid. St. Leo sent Hilary as one of the papal legates to the Council of Ephesus in 449. There St. Hilary fought bravely against the monophysite heresy, for which his life was threatened. He was forced into hiding and fled back to Rome for safety. He was so highly esteemed that after Pope Leo's death he was elected to the papacy. As pope, St. Hilary fought for the rights of the papacy in spiritual matters against the Roman Emperor, and increased organization and discipline between the bishops and the Holy See. He also did much work in building, remodeling, and decorating Roman churches and other public places. Pope St. Hilary's feast day is February 28. | Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Sirach 6:5-17 A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies,
and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
Let your acquaintances be many,
but one in a thousand your confidant.
When you gain a friend, first test him,
and be not too ready to trust him.
For one sort is a friend when it suits him,
but he will not be with you in time of distress.
Another is a friend who becomes an enemy,
and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
Another is a friend, a boon companion,
who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
When things go well, he is your other self,
and lords it over your servants;
But if you are brought low, he turns against you
and avoids meeting you.
Keep away from your enemies;
be on your guard with your friends.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
he who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy,
such as he who fears God finds;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly,
and his friend will be like himself. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35 R. (35a) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
In your statutes I will delight;
I will not forget your words.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands. Alleluia John 17:17b, 17a R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mark 10:1-12 Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan.
Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom,
he again taught them.
The Pharisees approached him and asked,
"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"
They replied,
"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her."
But Jesus told them,
"Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate."
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery."
| Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Sirach 6:5-17 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. (Sirach 6:14) Our first reading today comes from the Book of Sirach. Written in 175 BC, it contains practical, godly wisdom about family and relationships, wealth and poverty, the importance of education, and living out one's faith with integrity. Today Sirach sings the praises of a faithful friend. It's interesting that he uses words like "shelter" and "treasure," the very same metaphors that Scripture often uses to describe God (Sirach 6:14; see Psalm 32:7; 19:11). But even more important, Sirach is attributing these virtues to friends who are "faithful" (Sirach 6:14, 15, 16). It's almost as if he is telling his readers that their friendships should reflect the very faithfulness of God. A faithful person is true and loyal, keeps his commitments, and is steadfast in his affection. He or she doesn't waver depending on circumstances or walk away when the going gets hard. We all know how helpful it can be to have a friend who is a "sturdy shelter" when we undergo grief or suffering (Sirach 6:14). By their willingness to listen and their steady companionship, faithful friends can calm frayed nerves and soothe our wounded souls. They rejoice in our blessings, weep over our sorrows, and bear with our faults. In so doing, they reflect the patient fidelity of our God. We can also see this in our Gospel today, when Jesus describes God's intention for marriage (Mark 10:6-9). He desires that a couple's faithfulness give evidence of the promises they made to love one another in good times and in bad. In that way, their marriage can give us a glimpse of God's steadfast love for his people. Steadfast, loyal friends are a blessing from the Lord that point us to the most faithful friend of all: Jesus. He is God. He is always available, always loving, always ready to forgive. He is our truest and best Friend, "more loyal than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Today, praise Jesus for being such a faithful friend. Then ask him to help you cultivate friendships that reflect his faithful love. "Lord, thank you for your faithfulness to me." Psalm 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34-35
Mark 10:1-12 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: "Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate......" - Word of the Lord! | From Bishop Robert Barron:
"We can look at human sexual relationships at a number of different levels. Two people can come together purely for physical pleasure, for economic reasons, or for psychological companionship. And we might witness two people coming together out of authentic love. But none of these levels is what the Bible means by marriage. When I was doing parish work I would invariably ask young couples, "Why do you want to get married in church?" Most would say something like, "Because we love each other." But I would reply, "Well, that's no reason to get married in church." Usually, they looked stunned, but I meant it.
You come to church to be married before God and his people when you are convinced that your marriage is not, finally, about you. That it is about God and about serving God's purposes, that it is, as much as the priesthood of a priest, a vocation, a sacred calling......." end quote.
From Roberto Juarez:
"This passage speaks not only of marriage, but of every relationship based on true love. Do I seek fidelity, respect, and commitment in my family, friendly, and community ties?
Sometimes, like the Pharisees, I can justify selfish actions by the "hardness of my heart." Am I willing to open myself to forgiveness, reconciliation and sincere surrender in my relationships?
Whether in marriage, in the family, or in the promises I make to others, am I aware that God is also present in those commitments?..." end quote.
Our Lord speaks about marriage, from the beginning, how the two shall join to make one flesh. And then what happens? Children. Procreation. All things that evil hates. Why? Because, it is a sign of life, all things evil hates. All things reminders of God and Humanity, creating goodness in the world through us. All things that are good. Therefore, marriage is constantly under attack. Holy Matrimony that is. And therefore, the unborn are seriously under attack, the pregnancies that are not wanted are children that are not wanted. We want the pleasure of living together and pleasures of intimacy, but not the fruit of it, the very intention of it.
We want all the glory, but no guts. It takes guts to give glory to God.
Just try to be an authentic Christian, a Christ follower, and see what happens. It is not all glitz and glam, it is many times, an uphill struggle, and why? Because the evil one wants separation, a divorce if you will, from God Himself.
I was appalled one time, as I walked upon a wedding about a year ago. The lady was dressed in all black, a black veil, a revealing chest, and the groom was normally dressed. Afterwards, I asked the priest why this scandalous attire and non Catholics were doing at the altar. He said the Church was simply con-validating the Sacrament. Which means, he was more of a minister than a priest giving a Sacrament like in Baptism, where God and Humanity meet for Salvation, integrating into the Body of Christ. No, in marriage something different happens before God. A man and a woman are committing themselves before His very eyes. That is why non-Catholics can marry a catholic and so forth.
What's the point of marriage? It should be an outward sign of an inward reality, the very definition of a Holy Sacrament.
The two are joining for life, and for true Love. What is life? Jesus. Who is Love? GOD HIMSELF!
The world has made a mockery of marriage, always has before. It has always been an issue. But remember, we must strive to be perfect, that is, holy. That means, to be a light to the world. That's how I see marriage. I blurted out from the pulpit, I don't know why, upon inviting men to men's conference, that it is rare to see righteousness, and then I said what a priest said "people don't get married nowadays", and that we need more holy marriages, and that this year, I only knew of one marriage of a young couple in our parish, that was not already shacked up together,and it was exciting. It must've been a big deal in our Lord's time. They would spend at least a whole week for a wedding feast!
We need to make things special again. Make Marriages Great Again! LOL. And in doing so, we glorify God all the more as was the original intent or marriage, to magnify the Lord's gift of love and life.
I could go on and on, I will not take more of your time. One cannot cease to speak about the wonders of God's love, and for that, Heaven was designed.
"Lord, I want to be like a child of God, one that is amazed and happy, and grateful. I want to be the fruit that gives fruit, from a marriage bond of Jesus with us all, to a giver of life of God's love to the world. Help me love with Your heart, united both now and forever! AMEN!". |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Isaiah 40:30–31 "Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Word of the Lord. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
