† "I Wish That Where I..... "

† Saint Boniface's Story Boniface, known as the apostle of the Germans, was an English Benedictine monk who gave up being elected abbot to devote hi

Web Version   Subscribe   Forward   † Saint Boniface's Story Boniface, known as the apostle of the Germans, was an English Benedictine monk who gave up being elected abbot to devote his life to the conversion of the Germanic tribes. Two characteristics stand out: his Christian orthodoxy and his fidelity to the pope of Rome. How absolutely necessary this orthodoxy and fidelity were is borne out by the conditions Boniface found on his first missionary journey in 719 at the request of Pope Gregory II. Paganism was a way of life. What Christianity he did find had either lapsed into paganism or was mixed with error. The clergy were mainly responsible for these latter conditions since they were in many instances uneducated, lax and questionably obedient to their bishops. In particular instances their very ordinations were questionable. These are the conditions that Boniface was to report in 722 on his first return visit to Rome. The Holy Father instructed him to reform the German Church. The pope sent letters of recommendation to religious and civil leaders. Boniface later admitted that his work would have been unsuccessful, from a human viewpoint, without a letter of safe-conduct from Charles Martel, the powerful Frankish ruler, grandfather of Charlemagne. Boniface was finally made a regional bishop and authorized to organize the whole German Church. He was eminently successful. In the Frankish kingdom, he met great problems because of lay interference in bishops' elections, the worldliness of the clergy and lack of papal control. During a final mission to the Frisians, Boniface and 53 companions were massacred while he was preparing converts for confirmation. In order to restore the Germanic Church to its fidelity to Rome and to convert the pagans, Boniface had been guided by two principles. The first was to restore the obedience of the clergy to their bishops in union with the pope of Rome. The second was the establishment of many houses of prayer which took the form of Benedictine monasteries. A great number of Anglo-Saxon monks and nuns followed him to the continent, where he introduced the Benedictine nuns to the active apostolate of education. Reflection Boniface bears out the Christian rule: To follow Christ is to follow the way of the cross. For Boniface, it was not only physical suffering or death, but the painful, thankless, bewildering task of Church reform. Missionary glory is often thought of in terms of bringing new persons to Christ. It seems—but is not—less glorious to heal the household of the faith. Saint Boniface is the Patron Saint of: Germany Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial) Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead." When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him into the compound. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. or R. Alleluia. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the Lord, "My Lord are you." O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. R. I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia. May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord. - Jn 17:21 Alleluia, alleluia. John 17:20-26 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them." Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! Daily Meditation: John 17:20-26 . . . that they may all be one. (John 17:21) Today's Gospel reading brings to a close both Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper and his final discourse to his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. These verses represent his highest hopes for his followers as well as the clearest expression of his saving mission: that his disciples' unity and love for each other would shine so brightly "that the world may know that you sent me" (John 17:23). There are many things that Jesus could have prayed for that night: that his disciples would help the poor and the sick, perhaps, or that they would speak the most prophetic words to their listeners. But this twofold prayer—that they would be one and that the world would come to know him through their witness—revealed the deepest intentions of Jesus' heart. Let's take a look at these two prayers more closely. . . . that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me (John 17:22-23). Jesus exists in an eternal, perfect union with the Father. But it's not a union that we are meant to admire from afar. Jesus is praying that all of his followers—including us—would come to join this divine communion of endless self-giving love. He's praying that as we are filled with his love and his life, we would be moved to treat one another with the same love and reverence that he and his Father have for each other. And in order for that to happen, every wall that divides us, whether on a global or a personal scale or anywhere in-between, has to be broken down! . . . that the world may know that you sent me (John 17:23). Jesus knew that the unity he prayed for us to experience would stand out in a world marked by division, envy, and animosity. He knew that our love for one another could be so pure and so striking that it would draw other people to us. They would sense that there is something special—even divine—about our love for each other. If Jesus' final prayer for us tells us nothing else, it makes this one truth crystal clear: everything comes back to love. God loves his Son completely and fully. And he loves you completely and fully. May we all come to taste that love today, and may that love heal all our divisions—so that the world may believe! "Jesus, teach me to live in love!" Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 Reflections with Brother Adrian: Hear AI Read it for u From today's Holy Gospel: " Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them......" Our Father wants us to be one...and one with Him! He prays that we may be with Him! And this since before the world began? What is is God wanting? Jesus, in God, says He wants the world to come to know God....and God is love. He wants us to do what? To make His name known... And He speaks more about love: "that the love with which you loved ME, may be in them and I in them"... Love wants to be in you! Do You Want the Love of God in you? audio Random Bible Verse 1 Hebrews 13:15 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com God Bless You! Peace Going4th For questions or comments contact Adrian@going4th.com. For more go to www.Going4th.com ©2025 Going4th | Andrews TX Preferences   Subscribe   Forward   Unsubscribe     Powered by GoDaddy Email Marketing ®

† "I Wish That Where I..... "

† Saint Boniface's Story Boniface, known as the apostle of the Germans, was an English Benedictine monk who gave up being elected abbot to devote hi

Web Version   Subscribe   Forward   † Saint Boniface's Story Boniface, known as the apostle of the Germans, was an English Benedictine monk who gave up being elected abbot to devote his life to the conversion of the Germanic tribes. Two characteristics stand out: his Christian orthodoxy and his fidelity to the pope of Rome. How absolutely necessary this orthodoxy and fidelity were is borne out by the conditions Boniface found on his first missionary journey in 719 at the request of Pope Gregory II. Paganism was a way of life. What Christianity he did find had either lapsed into paganism or was mixed with error. The clergy were mainly responsible for these latter conditions since they were in many instances uneducated, lax and questionably obedient to their bishops. In particular instances their very ordinations were questionable. These are the conditions that Boniface was to report in 722 on his first return visit to Rome. The Holy Father instructed him to reform the German Church. The pope sent letters of recommendation to religious and civil leaders. Boniface later admitted that his work would have been unsuccessful, from a human viewpoint, without a letter of safe-conduct from Charles Martel, the powerful Frankish ruler, grandfather of Charlemagne. Boniface was finally made a regional bishop and authorized to organize the whole German Church. He was eminently successful. In the Frankish kingdom, he met great problems because of lay interference in bishops' elections, the worldliness of the clergy and lack of papal control. During a final mission to the Frisians, Boniface and 53 companions were massacred while he was preparing converts for confirmation. In order to restore the Germanic Church to its fidelity to Rome and to convert the pagans, Boniface had been guided by two principles. The first was to restore the obedience of the clergy to their bishops in union with the pope of Rome. The second was the establishment of many houses of prayer which took the form of Benedictine monasteries. A great number of Anglo-Saxon monks and nuns followed him to the continent, where he introduced the Benedictine nuns to the active apostolate of education. Reflection Boniface bears out the Christian rule: To follow Christ is to follow the way of the cross. For Boniface, it was not only physical suffering or death, but the painful, thankless, bewildering task of Church reform. Missionary glory is often thought of in terms of bringing new persons to Christ. It seems—but is not—less glorious to heal the household of the faith. Saint Boniface is the Patron Saint of: Germany Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial) Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead." When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him into the compound. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. or R. Alleluia. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the Lord, "My Lord are you." O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. R. I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia. May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord. - Jn 17:21 Alleluia, alleluia. John 17:20-26 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them." Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! Daily Meditation: John 17:20-26 . . . that they may all be one. (John 17:21) Today's Gospel reading brings to a close both Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper and his final discourse to his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. These verses represent his highest hopes for his followers as well as the clearest expression of his saving mission: that his disciples' unity and love for each other would shine so brightly "that the world may know that you sent me" (John 17:23). There are many things that Jesus could have prayed for that night: that his disciples would help the poor and the sick, perhaps, or that they would speak the most prophetic words to their listeners. But this twofold prayer—that they would be one and that the world would come to know him through their witness—revealed the deepest intentions of Jesus' heart. Let's take a look at these two prayers more closely. . . . that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me (John 17:22-23). Jesus exists in an eternal, perfect union with the Father. But it's not a union that we are meant to admire from afar. Jesus is praying that all of his followers—including us—would come to join this divine communion of endless self-giving love. He's praying that as we are filled with his love and his life, we would be moved to treat one another with the same love and reverence that he and his Father have for each other. And in order for that to happen, every wall that divides us, whether on a global or a personal scale or anywhere in-between, has to be broken down! . . . that the world may know that you sent me (John 17:23). Jesus knew that the unity he prayed for us to experience would stand out in a world marked by division, envy, and animosity. He knew that our love for one another could be so pure and so striking that it would draw other people to us. They would sense that there is something special—even divine—about our love for each other. If Jesus' final prayer for us tells us nothing else, it makes this one truth crystal clear: everything comes back to love. God loves his Son completely and fully. And he loves you completely and fully. May we all come to taste that love today, and may that love heal all our divisions—so that the world may believe! "Jesus, teach me to live in love!" Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 Reflections with Brother Adrian: Hear AI Read it for u From today's Holy Gospel: " Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them......" Our Father wants us to be one...and one with Him! He prays that we may be with Him! And this since before the world began? What is is God wanting? Jesus, in God, says He wants the world to come to know God....and God is love. He wants us to do what? To make His name known... And He speaks more about love: "that the love with which you loved ME, may be in them and I in them"... Love wants to be in you! Do You Want the Love of God in you? audio Random Bible Verse 1 Hebrews 13:15 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com God Bless You! Peace Going4th For questions or comments contact Adrian@going4th.com. For more go to www.Going4th.com ©2025 Going4th | Andrews TX Preferences   Subscribe   Forward   Unsubscribe     Powered by GoDaddy Email Marketing ®