Quote of the Day "Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." — St. Francis de Sales Today's Meditation "Motherhood is such an incredible mystery! And the Blessed Virgin Mary, the masterpiece of motherhood, experienced all of its blessings. After having been courted by God and swept off her feet in the divine romance, she becomes the Theotokos (the God-bearer) and the New Eve and mother of all the living. Never was there a mother so fruitful. Theologically, Mary is even the spiritual mother of Eve and the spiritual mother of the Old Testament prophets! Yes, even Adam and Eve call her mother." –Donald C. Clloway, MIC, p. 269
An excerpt from Under the Mantle Daily Verse "And they prayed and said, 'Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.' And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi′as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles." — Acts 1:24-26 | St. Matthias the Apostle (1st c.) followed Jesus during his entire earthly ministry and was one of his 72 disciples. Matthias was chosen by the 11 Apostles to replace Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Christ and subsequent suicide. After Christ's Ascension into heaven, St. Matthias devoted himself to preaching Christianity among the pagans, some of them barbarians and cannibals, all over Judea, Cappadocia, and Ethiopia for over 30 years. Many miracles are ascribed to him as the pagans sought to kill him: that he was unharmed after being forced to drink poison, that he once hid by becoming invisible, and that the earth opened up and swallowed his attackers. St. Matthias also preached the need for mortification of the flesh as an aid to growth in holiness. Eventually, at God's appointed time, he was martyred for the cause of Christ, though there are conflicting traditions as to exactly where and how. St. Matthias is the patron saint of carpenters, tailors, and reformed alcoholics. His feast day is May 14th. | Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle Lectionary: 564
Reading I Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters
(there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons
in the one place).
He said, "My brothers and sisters,
the Scripture had to be fulfilled
which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand
through the mouth of David, concerning Judas,
who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus.
Judas was numbered among us
and was allotted a share in this ministry.
For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it.
and: May another take his office. Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men
who accompanied us the whole time
the Lord Jesus came and went among us,
beginning from the baptism of John
until the day on which he was taken up from us,
become with us a witness to his resurrection."
So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas,
who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
Then they prayed,
"You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,
show which one of these two you have chosen
to take the place in this apostolic ministry
from which Judas turned away to go to his own place."
Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,
and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 R. (8) The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever. R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is his glory. R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high and looks upon the heavens and the earth below? R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
To seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people. R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia See John 15:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel John 15:9-17 Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments
and remain in his love. "I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another." | Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Acts1:15-17, 20-26 . . . become with us a witness to his resurrection. (Acts 1:22) Who was St. Matthias? Chosen by lot, this disciple took the place of Judas, who had betrayed Jesus. In fact, today's account of his selection is the only reference to Matthias in all of Scripture, so we don't know much about him. But we do know that Matthias, whose feast we celebrate today, had been a disciple since Jesus' baptism, and that made him uniquely qualified to bear "witness to his resurrection" (Acts 1:22). After praying, the apostles chose Matthias to become one of the Twelve, fulfilling the Scripture: "May another take his office" (Psalm 109:8; Acts 1:20). This completion was important because, just as the twelve tribes were the foundation of Israel, there should be twelve apostles who could play a founding role in the Church. Like Peter and the others, Matthias' witness would help bridge the gap between the time when people knew the historical Jesus and the age of the Church. He would join the others who had followed Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem, witnessed his crucifixion, and "ate and drank with him after he rose" (Acts 10:41). Once the Holy Spirit came, they were filled with power and proclaimed the risen Christ. Their bold witness, along with the grace of the Spirit, moved thousands to believe in Jesus, to accept Baptism, and to become the next generation of witnesses. In Baptism, you, too, were filled with the Spirit and called to bear witness to Jesus. You're not an apostle like Matthias, but the word "apostle" means "one who is sent," and you have been sent by God. You can testify to the new, resurrected life you have experienced! How has Jesus changed your life? Has he freed you from guilt? Has he helped you to love someone? Do you have a new confidence in prayer? All of these demonstrate the power of the resurrection! So look for a chance to share these stories. They are your witness to the risen Lord! "Holy Spirit, help me to proclaim the good news of Jesus' resurrection!" Psalm 113:1-8
John 15:9-17 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: In the Gospel we hear today:
"I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you........" - Word of the Lord! | From Roberto Juarez: "Jesus calls me friend. Not a servant who obeys without understanding, but a friend who knows his heart. Do I seek to understand His will? Do I cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Him?
The commandment is clear: "Love one another as I have loved you." It is not enough to love "in my own way", but according to his example: with humility, dedication, sacrifice and tenderness. • What does it mean to me to be chosen by Jesus? • Do I live my faith as friendship with Christ or as a simple obligation? • Do I love with the measure of Christ's love or do I set conditions? Lord Jesus,
Thank you for choosing me, calling me a friend and entrusting me with your mission.
Enséñame a amar como Tú,
to live united to your will,
and to bear fruit that remains:
fruit of faith, of peace, of communion.
Like St. Matthias,
Make me a faithful witness of your love in the midst of the world.
Amen.
... End quote.
From brother Adrian:
Our Lord sends out a perplexing message to those of us who have a hardened heart:
" love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Let's lay down our life for the friend! What friend?
He says a hidden hint: "You are my friends if you do what I command you".
Wow.
He laid down His life for you, is He now asking that we lay our life for Him?
Yes! Why not? Why wouldn't we? Isn't He GOD! In the Holy Trinity we say He is one with God, and the Holy Spirit.
And the bible says that God is love.
And today's message has our Lord speaking to us about love.
A sacrificial love.
A Holy Mass is an act of love. Thanksgiving, out of love. I attempt to go to daily Mass out of love, nothing else, to show Him that I love Him back.
And this is the message I try to teach. But how do you teach people to love God? It's hard! And so all we can do is invite all to love like God, and to seek God, and to love Him, every day, more and more.
Wouldn't it be wonderful, that after passing from this world, we can love all the more and better? Without so many limitations, of the human mind and heart?
Love is a fuel. Love is what propels us, isn't it? You do what you love, don't you? So...do you love God more than anything or anyone else?
Our Lord is calling us to just that, and this is a phenomenal invitation that should not go unheard or unanswered.
And this is exactly what I see missing in the world...that love of God, in each other, in obedience, in humility, all things grace, that He offers Himself...to love better with, to reach the Heavens with our hearts, minds, and souls.... |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Galatians 5:24 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
