† Quote of the Day "Prayer is the best armor we have, it is the key which opens the heart of God." -Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina Today's Meditation "In the case of biblical parables we must always expect that the addressees will be brought into a situation in which they believe they are going to enjoy a thrilling story—and then all at once everything changes: they are confronted with the will of God or the evil situation in which they are living in God's eyes." —Gerhard Lohfink, p.17 Daily Verse "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you." -John 14:15-17 | Pope St. Cornelius (d. 253 A.D.) was a Roman citizen and a holy priest who became the twenty-first successor to the chair of St. Peter, following a fourteen-month vacancy when Pope St. Fabian was martyred by Roman Emperor Decius. When the Emperor temporarily left Rome, the persecution against the Christians subsided long enough for the Church to elect St. Cornelius as the new Roman Pontiff. During Pope St. Cornelius' two year reign a great controversy arose as to what to do with Catholics who apostatized from the Christian faith under threat of death during the persecution. Many were being received back to the sacraments without any penance. In response to the scandal, some maintained that apostates could not be forgiven and could only be admitted back to the sacraments if they were re-baptized. Chief among them was a priest named Novatian, who, as a result of the scandal, caused a schism when he had himself consecrated as an anti-pope. In response, Pope St. Cornelius convened a synod of bishops to confirm his rightful authority as Pope. Novatian was excommunicated and his doctrine was condemned as heresy. Pope St. Cornelius proclaimed that the Church had the power and authority to forgive repentant apostasy, and that converted apostates could be readmitted to the sacraments after true contrition with adequate penance. Soon a new wave of persecution against the Christians broke out, and Pope St. Cornelius was driven into exile and martyred. His feast day is celebrated on September 16th. | Gospel
Luke 7:11-17 Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
"Do not weep."
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
"A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"
and "God has visited his people."
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region. | Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Luke 7:11-17 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." (Luke 7:13) There are moments in the Gospels when Jesus' empathy stands out sharply and makes the words of Scripture even more penetrating for us. Today's reading about Jesus' encounter with a widow from Nain is one such example. When Jesus comes upon a group of mourners for a young man who has died, he approaches the man's mother, a widow. He sees her grief, and compassion wells up within him. Even though he is a stranger, he says to her, "Do not weep" (Luke 7:13). He knows that she is utterly alone now. She has lost any assurance of being cared for as she grows old. But he does not want her to lose heart. Perhaps, as he gazed at this woman, he even thought of his own mother's coming sorrow. Next, Jesus steps forward and touches the coffin. With this action, Jesus runs the risk of becoming ritually unclean. Yet he doesn't hesitate for a moment. No obstacle will hold him back. With a command, he raises the young man from the dead and gives him "to his mother" (Luke 7:15). In the same way that Jesus noticed this grieving widow and had compassion for her, he sees you and is filled with compassion. Jesus sees you especially when you are hurting in some way. He wants you to experience his love and receive his words of comfort and peace. No obstacle will prevent him from reaching out to you in your need. You may feel this as you read a favorite Scripture or speak with a trusted friend or even have your heart lifted by a beautiful sunset. You know you are not alone; he is beside you. But Jesus goes even further. Just as he touched the casket, he reaches out to touch you and bring healing to every part of your life. Maybe he will bring reconciliation and life to a difficult family situation. Or maybe he will help you see and uproot a pattern of sin that is plaguing you. No matter how he does it, Jesus will reach out to you with his loving mercy. So be alert for his presence! Be ready to receive him when he comes to you today. "Jesus, you know my needs. Thank you for showing me your healing compassion." 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Psalm 101:1-3, 5-6 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: "When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
"Do not weep."
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
"A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"
and "God has visited his people."...." Word of the Lord. | From Bishop Barron: "Friends, our Gospel today gives us Jesus's raising of the son of the widow of Nain. This is a prime exemplification of the key Gospel truth that everything Jesus said and did, in one way or another, is an anticipation of his Resurrection. The God of Israel, the God of Jesus Christ, is a God of life, a God of the living. He hates death and the ways of death. The death in today's Gospel goes beyond the tragic loss of a loved one, as awful as that is. In the context of Jesus's time and place, this is a disaster for the widow. There is no social safety net, no insurance, no guaranteed income. Unless she finds kindly neighbors who will support her, she is lost without her husband and, importantly, her "only son." This is why the heart of Jesus is especially moved with pity. Notice please that the reaction of the bystanders is fear. This is the fear that comes from the turning upside down of a world. This is also the reaction of the women at the tomb on Easter Sunday morning. An evangelization that isn't a little scary is an inadequate evangelization." end quote.
There are sentiments involved, the good kind, the ones of compassion, the pity, the Lord had pity and compassion on the poor lady, a widow, losing her only son, and the Lord said "I shall raise up her only son". Jesus is in the person of God the Father. Jesus is showing us what the Father is doing....with Him and the Blessed Mother, the dolorous, the sorrowful widow. That Jesus would Himself be raised up in the glorious resurrection, but...into eternity. Hold on...to this faith.
Everyone was filled with fear when they witnessed the resurrection.
Wouldn't you be frightened if during the middle of a funeral the deceased got up, walking and talking? It would be even more strange today since most funeral homes take out the human blood and inject other liquids in the system right?
But, the dead are rising. Just tune into it. Near death experiences are more communicated. My dad had a near death experience. They die, and they come back, and live to tell what is on the other side. Some talk about the horrors of hell. Others talk about meeting the most powerful love experience that connects them with everything. I do not believe anyone truly has entered the gates of Heaven, because only Jesus has, but, a book of Heaven explains the experience of being with Jesus is Heaven (I am at volume 18 of 36).
Truly, then, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
We see it in revelation. We see it in all sorts of revelations among us...if only we take the time...to show...that we care. Lord, thank You for Your compassion and pity on us and the Blessed Mother.
We live for You. Help us Love for You, both now and forever. |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
Word of the Lord! | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
