† Quote of the Day "The patient and humble endurance of the cross—whatever nature it may be—is the highest work we have to do." — St. Katharine Drexel Today's Meditation "If, then, we wish to persevere and to be saved—for no one can be saved without perseverance—we must pray continually. Our perseverance depends, not on one grace, but on a thousand helps which we hope to obtain from God during our whole lives, that we may be preserved in his grace. Now, to this chain of graces a chain of prayers on our part must correspond: without these prayers, God ordinarily does not grant his graces. If we neglect to pray, and thus break the chain of prayers, the chain of graces shall also be broken, and we shall lose the grace of perseverance." —St. Alphonsus Liguori, p. 201
An excerpt from The Sermons of St. Alphonsus Liguori Daily Verse "And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." — John 3:19-21 | St Olivia St. Olivia (448 – 463 A.D.) was the beautiful daughter of a noble family living near Palermo on the island of Sicily. She desired to serve God through her life as a consecrated virgin, and gave her wealth to the poor. When the King of the Vandals invaded Italy and came to Palermo, many Christians were martyred at his hands. The young Olivia would visit and encourage the Christians in prison. Her piety, which was greatly admired, caused the local authorities to send her to Tunis to face the governor. There she converted many to the Christian faith, and as punishment she was banished into the wilderness to starve to death or be devoured by wild beasts. She was later found alive by hunters, and upon being brought back to civilization she continued to convert many pagans with her zeal. She was again sent to the governor for punishment and was cruelly tortured. After being dipped in a vat of hot oil and miraculously suffering no harm, she was finally beheaded. In Tunisia there was an ancient Christian basilica dedicated in her honor and built on the site of her tomb; today a mosque rests on the site, yet it retains her name and the memory of her relics. St. Olivia is a virgin martyr venerated especially in Sicily and Tunisia. Her feast day is June 10th. | 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Brothers and sisters: As God is faithful, our word to you is not "yes" and "no." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment. Psalm 119:129-133, 135 R. Lord, let your face shine on me. Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them. R. The revelation of your words sheds light,
gives understanding to the simple. R. I gasp with open mouth
in my yearning for your commands. R. Turn to me in pity
as you turn to those who love your name. R. Steady my footsteps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity rule over me. R. Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes. R. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia. Let your light shine before others
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
Mt 5:16 Alleluia, alleluia. Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." | Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13) If you've ever eaten salty food—like potato chips or salted nuts—then you know how thirsty it can make you. Jesus had a similar effect on people. His words and actions were like salt to the people he met. The witness of his life—his joy and peace and compassion—was so attractive that they wanted it, too. They saw his relationship with his Father and yearned to have the same. In today's Gospel, Jesus says that you are the salt of the earth! That means that your life can have an impact on the people around you, just as Jesus' did. So what makes you "salty"? Christ's life in you! That's what draws people. It creates a thirst in them, a curiosity or hope that there's something more to this life. You bring the goodness of God into this world through your gifts, through your actions, and even through your demeanor. As they see you standing firm amid the ups and downs of life, they want to know what's different about you. As they see the peace that comes from your relationship with Jesus, they begin to thirst for that same peace. As they see you overcome patterns of sin, they begin to desire God's grace in their lives. They might even come to you and ask for a "drink"! Jesus also warns about the danger of salt losing its taste. So how do you stay "salty"? By avoiding the things that can dilute or reduce the flavor of Jesus' life in you. Obviously, things like sin or division can dilute your saltiness. So seek God's mercy. Be quick to ask forgiveness when you have hurt someone. Never let sin fester! Above all, cultivate your relationship with the Lord. Stay close to him. The more you receive God's grace, the more you hold fast to his love, the "saltier" you will become and the more clearly you will witness to the people you encounter. It's true—you are the salt of the earth! So let Jesus' life in you draw everyone you meet to thirst for him. "Jesus, thank you for all the ways you have changed my life. Let your joy and peace and mercy always be visible in me." 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Psalm 119, 129-133, 135 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: " A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."....." | From Roberto Juarez; "Good works are not for show, but for others to glorify God. This is humility: to be instruments of light, not the source. That by seeing us, others will discover the love and truth of God. • Am I salt that gives a Christian flavor to my environment? • Do I radiate light, or do I hide my faith out of fear or comfort? • Do my actions reflect the gospel, or do they rather dull the testimony? Being salt and light is not an option for a few, but a call for all disciples. The world needs flavor, truth, hope... and God calls us to be visible signs of his love. Lord Jesus,
make it not lose the flavor of your Gospel.
Make me salt that gives joy to life,
and guiding light in the darkness.
May my works not seek their own brilliance,
but that they are a reflection of you,
so that those around me
glorify Thee,
Father of light and love.
Amen." end quote.
Into the darkness...in the beginning...there was light. The Lord commanded the light to come into the darkness. And it is true until today. Our Lord wants us to be that light. All we need is oil for the light to burn. How else will the Sacred Heart of Jesus burn within us?
It is the month of the Sacred Hearts. In the Catholic Church, June is traditionally recognized as the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion to the love and compassion symbolized by the heart of Jesus. This devotion involves prayer, contemplation, and acts of reparation for sins, with the goal of drawing closer to the divine love and mercy. The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart is celebrated on a Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost, usually in June.
And so, our Lord came from Heaven...to set the world on fire. How? By setting our hearts on fire. So that the light may shine in the darkness.
You know I was at that prison retreat this past weekend. On the first day, I didn't see much of a purpose for me being there. There seemed to be plenty of helpers and I wasn't really needed for music. Then our Lord came in, for continuous adoration in a chapel on a side of the building. As I write, I've never put on music, but wau.org, the reflections Word Among us meditations puts on songs, ,and my latest heart warming song comes on: "Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All" from the prayer "Sweet Sacrament" started playing as I write. It brings me to the adoration times on my knees. In silence, in His still presence. A stillness and quietness that I am not used to in the busy hustle of my life in a ton of activities of faith, family, and work. I will not bore you with the long list, but you can figure, there is not a still moment in my life...except when I stop to purposely pray. And then...a kindling begins...the fire, that flickering fire ignites with the Holy Spirit. And the oil? The oil can only be described as grace. We can obtain grace, in prayer, and in the Holy Sacraments, all we need is to be empty ourselves of ourselves, and let Him fill our hearts with His....His precious heart that is on fire of love...because God Is Love.
And with this, your world can see the light of God, the light of Love, something that eventually I saw the prisoners needed, as did I.
By the second day, I was helping our table speak more as I translated to spanish speakers. By the third day I was moved to my own table because team members had to leave early due to car troubles. I no longer needed to question God. Faith told me I was needed. And then, the culmination...the men gave a witness, of thankfulness...for strangers to come inside with inmates....to show them the faith, and more importantly....Love...the very Love of God!
And so...now, I know I needed to be there, just as they did. God united us, in the fire of His love. If only, we answer the call....with our lives. |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
John 3:16–17 [John 3]
For God So Loved the World 16 "For God so loved the world,1 that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
