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Quote of the Day Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be, and becoming that person.
— St. Therese of Lisieux
Today's Meditation "The queen bee never settles in her hive without being surrounded by her swarm, and charity never takes possession of the heart without bringing in her train all other virtues, exercising them and bringing them into play as a general his troops. But she does not call them forth suddenly, all at once, nor in all times and places. The good man is like a tree planted by the water-side that will bring forth its fruit in due season, because when a soul is watered with charity, it brings forth good works seasonably and with discretion." —St. Francis de Sales, p. 117
Daily Verse "In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other." — Ecclesiastes 7:14a | St. Kilian (c. 640-689 A.D.), also known as St. Cillian, was born to a noble family in Ireland. As a child he was known for his piety and love of study, which led him to the priesthood. He became a traveling bishop on the island, and in 686 A.D. left Ireland with eleven companions to travel throughout Gaul (present day France and parts of Germany) to preach the Gospel. From there he traveled to Rome to get official sanction from the Pope to become a missionary. Once obtained, St. Kilian returned north and settled in Würzburg as his base of activity along with two of his original companions. He began his work evangelizing the pagans in large parts of Franconia and Thuringia (north and central Germany), earning the name 'Apostle of Franconia.' Saint Kilian converted the Duke of Würzburg and convinced him to end his unlawful marriage. This greatly angered the Duke's wife, who resisted St. Kilian's attempts to convert her. While her husband was away, she had St. Kilian and his two missionary companions beheaded as they were preaching. A cathedral was built on the spot of their martyrdom by the first bishop of Würzburg. On St. Kilian's feast his relics, along with those of his two companions, are paraded through the streets and put on display in the Würzburg Cathedral, which is dedicated to him. St. Kilian's feast day is July 8th. | Genesis 32:23-33 In the course of the night, Jacob arose, took his two wives, with the two maidservants and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had taken them across the stream and had brought over all his possessions, Jacob was left there alone. Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob's hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled. The man then said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go until you bless me." The man asked, "What is your name?" He answered, "Jacob." Then the man said, "You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed." Jacob then asked him, "Do tell me your name, please." He answered, "Why should you want to know my name?" With that, he bade him farewell. Jacob named the place Peniel, "Because I have seen God face to face," he said, "yet my life has been spared." At sunrise, as he left Penuel, Jacob limped along because of his hip. That is why, to this day, the children of Israel do not eat the sciatic muscle that is on the hip socket, inasmuch as Jacob's hip socket was struck at the sciatic muscle. Psalm 17:1-3, 6-8, 15 R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
Hear, O Lord, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. R. From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me. R. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee from their foes. R. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence. R. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me. -Jn 10:14
Alleluia, alleluia. Matthew 9:32-38 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He drives out demons by the prince of demons." Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." | Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Matthew 9:32-38 The crowds were amazed. (Matthew 9:33) Have you ever noticed how two people can witness the same event but come away with two completely different reactions? Today's Gospel shows just that. Jesus casts out a demon that is rendering a man mute—and miraculously, the man speaks! Most of the people who see this are "amazed" and filled with awe (Matthew 9:33). But some Pharisees are suspicious and see the miracle as a sign that Jesus is in league with the devil. This sharp contrast invites us to consider: am I open to seeing God's work, or do I let fear or doubt or suspicion cloud my perspective? We live in an era that prizes skepticism about anything we can't explain scientifically. At the same time, many of us carry past hurts and disappointments stemming from times when we felt sure that God would come to our aid, only to be let down. Setbacks like these can make us cynical and hesitant to trust in the Lord again. So how can we deepen or recapture a sense of amazement at the works of the Lord? It may sound simple or naïve, but the best way is by opening our eyes—and our hearts—a little more. When you start actively looking for God's presence, you may be surprised by where you find him. You might see his hand in a beautiful sunset. You might hear his voice speaking through a friend's words of encouragement. Maybe you'll sense him in a quiet moment after the kids have gone to sleep. These are all little signs from God that he is with you and that he loves you. But today's Gospel shows us that we might also witness powerful miracles from the Lord. A friend might have a dramatic conversion. We might pray for a loved one's healing—and see their symptoms disappear without any medical explanation. Or we might find new unexpected strength in the fight against a persistent temptation. Jesus is still active today! He is still working miracles. Don't let suspicion or fear cloud your vision. Try to set aside your doubts. If you ask, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes. He will start healing your wounded heart. Even if you don't fully understand how, he will help you rest in the assurance that he is near, always inviting you to see his goodness. "Lord, open my eyes and my heart!" Genesis 32:23-33
Psalm 17:1-3, 6-8, 15 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: "Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest....." end quote. | The other day we heard about our Lord sending out the 72 in pairs to go to towns that He Himself had intended to visit. They too, were charged with a mission.
Did you know that you are charged with a mission? Often, a diocesan priest will be "stationed" at a parish...that is their mission.
And where else do we here about "missions"? We hear about them in terms of war. I am ever amazed that it seems a battle is waged constantly on us, a continuous assault, of whatever it may be, all types of assaults, from impurity in pornography, to debauchery, and dissension, to pride fights, where people's "feelings" are the center of the fight. It just keeps going and going. The onslaught is continuous. I even wonder about the death of so many in the recent floods where I heard about two little sisters found holding each others' hands and a rosary. They died giving witness, in m opinion, a martyrdom, as they were swept away for miles and miles in dark raging waters of the night...all the while, holding each other, and their rosary, the faith, the prayer, the hope.
And the nonbelievers will ask "where was their god then?". He was with them until the end, just like you and me, He will be with us always. He promised it before ascending to Heaven and charging us all on a mission, to go preach and baptize to all corners of the world, and this is a mission.
The end of the Mass, the final blessing is called the "co-mission". That we are to go on mission with and for Christ. Sometimes alone, but He desires at least pairs to cover the earth. For where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name....He is there. |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Matthew 5:6 [Matthew 5] 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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