† Quote of the Day "We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God." — St. Francis de Sales Today's Meditation "Always give good heed to the Word of God, whether you hear or read it in private, or hearken to it when publicly preached: listen with attention and reverence; seek to profit by it, and do not let the precious words fall unheeded; receive them into your heart as a costly balsam; imitate the Blessed Virgin who 'kept all the sayings' concerning her Son, 'in her heart.' And remember that according as we hearken to and receive God's words, so will He hearken and receive our supplications." —St. Francis de Sales, p. 99
An excerpt from An Introduction to the Devout Life Daily Verse "Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works." — Hebrews 10:23-24 | St. Francis De Sales St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622) was born to a noble family in France. He enjoyed a privileged upbringing and education, earning a doctorate in law and theology. He was a well-liked and intelligent man, yet quiet and reserved. When struggling with thoughts of his possibly being predestined to eternal damnation, Francis went into a deep two-year depression. God healed him of this fear, and afterwards Francis consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He later became a priest, rejecting the lucrative career and advantageous marriage his father had prepared for him. As a priest, St. Francis became a prolific writer and preacher, and at the age of 35 was made bishop of the Calvinist stronghold in Geneva, Switzerland, at the height of the Protestant revolt against the Church. Through his gentleness, preaching skill, zeal for the faith, and his clear explanations of Catholic doctrine, he returned thousands of obstinate heretics to the true Faith. He also used sign language to convert the deaf. St. Francis de Sales is a Doctor of the Church, known especially for his writings on practical spiritual direction for lay people. He is the patron of teachers, the deaf, the Catholic press, confessors, educators, and authors. His feast day is January 24th. | Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church • Readings for the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Reading 1 Hebrews 8:6-13 Brothers and sisters:
Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry
as he is mediator of a better covenant,
enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless,
no place would have been sought for a second one.
But he finds fault with them and says:
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of
Israel and the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers
the day I took them by the hand to lead
them forth from the land of Egypt;
for they did not stand by my covenant
and I ignored them, says the Lord.
But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds
and I will write them upon their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying,
"Know the Lord,"
for all shall know me, from least to greatest.
For I will forgive their evildoing
and remember their sins no more. When he speaks of a "new" covenant,
he declares the first one obsolete.
And what has become obsolete
and has grown old is close to disappearing. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 85:8, 10, 11-12, 13-14 R. (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.
Show us, O LORD, your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Kindness and truth shall meet.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Kindness and truth shall meet.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. Kindness and truth shall meet. Alleluia 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mark 3:13-19 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter;
James, son of Zebedee,
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
| Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Mark 3:13-19 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. (Mark 3:13) If the kingdom of God were a corporation, then Jesus, the "CEO," would follow the business world's best practices for screening candidates to be his apostles. He would announce the job openings, people would apply, and Jesus would conduct a series of interviews to screen out unsuitable candidates. He would pick only the "best of the best." But that's not what he did. The men Jesus chose in today's Gospel surely didn't seem to be "elite." They bickered over who was the greatest. They fell asleep during his agony in Gethsemane and ran away after his capture. Peter denied Jesus three times, and Judas betrayed him. But the kingdom of God is not a corporation. It's more like a garden. As St. Francis de Sales, whose feast we celebrate today, once wrote, At creation God commanded plants to bear fruit, each according to its kind (Genesis 1:11-12). In the same way, he commanded Christians, who are the living plants of his church (John 15:5), to produce fruits of devotion, each according to ability and state in life. (Introduction to the Devout Life) Jesus knows what kind of fruit he's looking for, and he knows who can produce that fruit—because he's the one who "planted" them in the first place. He chose them because he knew who they could become. That's why he picked the men he did. He knew that the time they spent with him and the working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts would lift them up and change the way they thought and acted. He knew that each of these men could bring his gospel to the world. Jesus still summons those he wants today—and he wants you! Maybe you're not called to be an apostle, but you are called to be a disciple. Jesus knew what he was doing when he chose you. Yes, he sees your flaws and weaknesses. But, as with the apostles, he sees your goodness as well and all that you can become. He knows the fruit you will bear, and it's fruit that only you can bear. The Lord wants you in his garden. He has a special place for you. "Lord, here I am. Help me to bear fruit for your kingdom today!" Hebrews 8:6-13
Psalm 85:8, 10-14 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: "Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons........" - Word of the Lord! | From Bishop Barron: "St. Thérèse of Lisieux tells us that she endeavored to write down her spiritual memoir at the prompting of her sister, who was also her religious superior to whom she was bound in obedience. After praying that she say nothing displeasing to Christ, she took up the Gospel of Mark, and her eyes fell on these words: "Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him."
This verse, she says, is the interpretive key to her life, for it describes the way Christ has worked in her soul: "He does not call those who are worthy, but those whom he pleases." Hers was a story of a divine love, graciously willing the good of the other, that awakens an imitative reaction in the one who is loved.
It is not a narrative of economic exchange—rewards for worthiness—but of the loop of grace, unmerited love engendering disinterested love, the divine life propagating itself in what is other..............." end quote.
From Roberto Juarez reflections; "Jesus is not looking for perfect people, but for willing hearts. Do I accept that God can use me, with my limitations, to be a witness of his love?
The apostles are given the mission of preaching the Gospel, healing and delivering, thus continuing the work of Jesus in the world. This apostolic mandate also extends to us as baptized persons, called to be witnesses of the Kingdom of God in our lives.
How am I responding to God's call in my daily life? Do I share the good news with those around me, not only in words, but also in actions?" end quote.
How do we respond to His call to do what now?
The Apostles are our current bishops. And they are charged with making discipes of all men (and women of course, meaning mankind). What was His command to all that would be His disciples?
Wait just a moment. Who are the disciples? Ask AI, artificial intelligence and it says what is basically what we understand in the Catholic understanding: "Catholic disciples are followers of Jesus Christ who are dedicated to learning from him and living their lives like him. The term "disciple" can refer to anyone who follows Jesus, but it can also refer to a smaller group of followers known as the apostles"
When our Lord was about to ascend into heaven, He commissioned the Apostles, commanded them to make disciples of all in the world, baptizing them in the Holy Trinity.
And so, we are called to do what God says, as a Christ follower.
We are on duty Christians. The non believers will know we are Christians by our Love. Your response to them will distinguish you from the common world.
Everything then, may very well depend on our response to all the happenings in our lives.
How do you respond to the issue that is pressing on you from one moment to the next? Or how do you respond to a comment or remark? How do you respond to an invite to give more of your life to God? How? Invites from church. Or a calling, you just feel something pulling you, to visit the abandoned, to do that ministry, even in your own way, to show Love in a dark place. Such is the will of God, because Christ entered the realms of death to deliver us to salvation.
The realms of deep love with God is simple, yet difficult, therefore, it is the path less traveled, the narrow way.
But we must be known as true Christians, and it starts in your heart, where Christ wants to be, to live, to beat, and to thrive.
Then, demons can be expelled inside of you and others. Then we can preach the message of God's love and salvation, for all the souls that are doomed to hear that saving grace has appeared in your life, and the world must know it. Lord, I desire to do Your Holy Will, may we begin with the first step towards You, because You already took the first step towards us, before we were born. |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Proverbs 27:5–6 5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
