† Quote of the Day "Totally love Him, Who gave Himself totally for your love."
— St. Clare of Assisi
Today's Meditation "In the hustle and bustle of our lives, it is a great consolation that the Lord Jesus takes the initiative and approaches us. The providence of God, His fatherly care for us, is a humbling mystery that allows us to know of His presence in our lives. The Lord shows us this providence and comes directly to us "on the road" of our lives, of our suffering, confusion, anxiety, and of our joys, accomplishments, and hopes. The Lord is with us. Just as He asked the disciples about the events in Jerusalem, the Lord asks us: "What is happening in your lives?" He walks with us, listens to us, cares for us, and desires to be with us along the road of our lives." —Father Jeffrey Kirby, STL, p.101-102 Daily Verse "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
— Psalm 27:1 | St Clare Of Assisi
St. Clare (1194–1253) was born in Assisi, Italy, to an aristocratic family, the daughter of a wealthy count. From childhood she was pious after the example of her mother, and as she grew up her longing for God increased. When she was eighteen she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach a Lenten mission in the local church. His holy example kindled her desire to renounce the world and follow Christ. She secretly begged Francis to help her live as he did, in simplicity according to the Gospel. St. Francis agreed. On Palm Sunday, Clare attended High Mass in all her finery for the final time. There she received a mystical experience which confirmed her desire to renounce the world and follow Christ after the example of St. Francis. That same night she secretly fled her father's house, along with two companions, to a chapel where St. Francis awaited her with his friars. She exchanged her fine clothes for a rough tunic and veil, and had her hair cut off. Francis placed Clare for a time with Benedictine nuns to escape the wrath of her family. She was soon joined by her sister, Agnes, and other young women whom St. Francis inspired. He permanently housed the women, with Clare as abbess, in the Church of San Damiano outside Assisi. This became the first foundation of the Poor Clare nuns. St. Clare lived there for the next forty years in prayer, penance, and fasting. She is the patroness of eyes and eye diseases, the telephone, and television. Her feast day is August 11th. | Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin • Readings for the Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin Reading 1 Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Moses said to the people:
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD, your God, ask of you
but to fear the LORD, your God, and follow his ways exactly,
to love and serve the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul,
to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD
which I enjoin on you today for your own good?
Think! The heavens, even the highest heavens,
belong to the LORD, your God,
as well as the earth and everything on it.
Yet in his love for your fathers the LORD was so attached to them
as to choose you, their descendants,
in preference to all other peoples, as indeed he has now done.
Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and be no longer stiff-necked.
For the LORD, your God, is the God of gods,
the LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome,
who has no favorites, accepts no bribes;
who executes justice for the orphan and the widow,
and befriends the alien, feeding and clothing him.
So you too must befriend the alien,
for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
The LORD, your God, shall you fear, and him shall you serve;
hold fast to him and swear by his name.
He is your glory, he, your God,
who has done for you those great and terrible things
which your own eyes have seen.
Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy strong,
and now the LORD, your God,
has made you as numerous as the stars of the sky." Responsorial Psalm Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you. R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word! R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia. R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. Alleluia See 2 Thessalonians 2:14 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called you through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Matthew 17:22-27 As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."
And they were overwhelmed with grief. When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
"Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?"
"Yes," he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?"
When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him,
"Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you."
| Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Deuteronomy 10:12-22 What does the Lord, your God, ask of you? (Deuteronomy 10:12) The Israelites knew they were special. God had chosen to reveal himself to them "in preference to all other peoples" (Deuteronomy 10:15). He had reached out to rescue them from slavery—something he had never done for any other nation—and he had bound himself to them in a covenant that set them apart as holy. What a privileged position they were in! But in today's first reading, Moses reminds the people that being special and privileged doesn't make them superior. God "has no favorites," Moses says (Deuteronomy 10:17). He loves people from every nation equally, and he has called Israel to be a light of revelation to those people. Israel was the chosen people, but they were chosen for a mission. What was their mission? To reveal God's own glory and holiness to the nations around them by their acts of justice and love. God was calling them to "befriend the alien" and to do "justice for the orphan and widow" (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). He wanted them to imitate the love that he has for all people and not just reserve it for their own clan or family or friends. Just as he did for the Israelites, our heavenly Father has a calling for us as well: to reveal his love to those who don't know it yet and invite them into a relationship with him. And part of the way we do this is by treating them as beloved children of God, made in his own image and likeness. This message is just as urgent today as it was thousands of years ago. In a world that focuses on differences—a world that divides and discriminates and denigrates based on people's nationalities or backgrounds—Jesus wants us to show that there is a better way. He wants us to show that the way of love and self-sacrifice is far better than the way of domination and division. "What does the Lord, your God, ask of you?" (Deuteronomy 10:12). To love him with your whole heart and to serve him by loving your neighbor as yourself. The One who privileged Israel to be part of his plan of salvation now asks you to play a part as well. So embrace your calling. There is no higher vocation than the vocation to love! "Jesus, give me the heart of a servant so that I can reveal your love to everyone I meet today!" Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
Matthew 17:22-27 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: "Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?"
When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him,
"Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you." | Firstly, thank you for your prayers this past weekend.
All prayers are efficacious as our Lord sees fit.
In today's Gospel...we are asked to step out in faith with the Apostle, our first Pope Peter, this time to go fish for....money.
The fish has 2 coins, just enough to pay tax to enter the temple.
Why does Jesus have to pay?
Because...we do not believe Him.
So...our doubts bring chaos.
Peter, a fisherman, now had to go in faith...to pull coins out of a fish. And so...our Lord pays for two....you and Him....but with our help...our obedience.
The whole story gears us towards many things....in faith...in trust...in being one with Him.
If only...we obey...if only.... we do this in faith.
Its like this weekend.
A brother friend of mine helped pay for 2 young men's entry into the Cursillo....he did it in faith...and hope....that these would grow in their faith...hope...love...obedience.
One of the young man came to me in tears at the end of the cursillo...after meeting his family...saying his godparent had passed over the weekend. They were close.
Thinking inside...I just told him ...." now is the moment of faith ". De Colores! |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Hebrews 13:8 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
