† Quote "Put aside your hatred and animosity. Take pains to refrain from sharp words. If they escape your lips, do not be ashamed to let your lips produce the remedy, since they have caused the wounds. Pardon one another so that later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an injury is itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sin and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight." -St. Francis of Paola Today's Meditation "When he was younger, St. Martin of Tours dedicated himself to military service. When he heard the call of Christ, he realized that his call was to fight a spiritual battle. His armor and weapons were virtue and a life guided by the Spirit of God. Do I consider my spiritual life to be a type of battle against the forces of evil?" —Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM, p.164
An excerpt from Daily Meditations with the Holy Spirit Daily Verse "Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life." -1 Timothy 6:17-19 | St. Martin of Tours (c. 316-397 A.D.) was born into a pagan family in what is now Hungary. He was raised in Italy where his father, a senior officer in the Roman army, was stationed. At the age of ten Martin joined the Church as a catechumen soon after Christianity was legalized across the Roman Empire. Taking after his father, he joined the cavalry at the age of fifteen and was stationed in Gaul. At one point during his time of service he encountered a poor beggar who lacked adequate clothing on a cold winter day. St. Martin took his sword and cut his heavy woolen officer cloak in half, and gave the other half to the beggar. Following this act of charity, St. Martin had a vision in which he saw Jesus wearing the portion of his cloak he gave to the beggar, while telling the angels that it was Martin who had clothed him. After this vision Martin sought baptism, at the age of eighteen, and proclaimed himself a soldier for Christ. He left the military and adopted the penitential life of a hermit, attracting followers which eventually resulted in the founding of a monastery. St. Martin gained a reputation for holiness and performing miracles so that, when the bishop of Tours died, the people demanded that Martin take his place. As bishop he continued his austere life, took great care to train holy priests, destroyed pagan worship sites, and worked to spread Christianity throughout his diocese. St. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of cavalry, soldiers, innkeepers, horses and riders, beggars, and those in need. His feast day is November 11th. | Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop • Readings for the Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop Reading 1 Wisdom 2:23–3:9 God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it. But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 R. (2a) I will bless the Lord at all times.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad. R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. R. I will bless the Lord at all times. Alleluia John 14:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Luke 17:7-10 Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
| Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Wisdom 2:23–3:9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God. (Wisdom 3:1) We can be so accustomed to the gospel message that we sometimes forget how outlandish it can sound. Take the central concept in today's first reading: "God formed man to be imperishable" (Wisdom 2:23). On a strictly human level, this shouldn't make sense to us. We know from looking at the world around us that all living things die. Nature doesn't give us any indication that we will exist after death. And yet Scripture proclaims that "God formed man to be imperishable" (Wisdom 2:23). It was only through the work of the devil that "death entered the world" (2:24). Death wasn't meant to be our natural destiny. It is now, however. And it's also an ominous, ever-present reminder of the consequences of our sin. But the passage doesn't end on such a grim note. Speaking of the just, whose souls are already "in the hand of God," it tells us that "their hope [is] full of immortality" (Wisdom 3:1, 4). Yes, they can hope and trust in God's promise of life everlasting! Death, as pervasive and unavoidable as it may seem, simply cannot overcome the power of the Lord. How can we read today's passage and not think of Jesus? Jesus was the "just" man whose death was "thought an affliction" and "utter destruction" (Wisdom 3:1-3). But because he entrusted himself to his Father even in the face of his unjust death, God raised him to life again. The amazing hope of immortality that this passage proclaims is now fulfilled. Jesus is the victor who can proclaim, "Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever." He is the ultimate Just One who holds "the keys to death" (Revelation 1:18). Let this good news bring joy to your heart. Death, the ancient tyrant, has been overcome. And not only death but even the fear of death has been destroyed. Everyone who lives in justice and faith can walk through life confident and joyful. You can be confident. Why? Because your life is in God's hands. Stay close to him. Remain in his promises and his commands, and you will have nothing to fear. "Jesus, risen Lord, I praise and magnify you for destroying death!" Psalm 34: 2-3, 16-19
Luke 17:7-10 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Ai Audio 2cents | From today's Holy Gospel: "....Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?....." Word of the Lord. | From Roberto Juarez: "The expression may sound negative, but it is not. Jesus does not say that we are useless in the sense of being incapable or worthless, but in the sense of not claiming merit before God. The original Greek term, achreioi, could be translated as "unassuming servants," "servants who claim nothing."
It is an attitude of humility and inner freedom. The disciple knows that everything he does—praying, working, helping, educating, forgiving—is a response to a previous love. We are not good to earn God's love; we serve because we are already loved by Him.
That awareness changes everything. It frees us from the need for recognition, gives us joy even when no one thanks us, and makes us able to persevere when service becomes difficult.
This teaching would not be understandable if we did not look at Jesus himself. He, being the Son of God, became a servant. "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28). Jesus not only spoke of humility, he lived it to the extreme: washing the feet of his disciples, eating with sinners, giving his life on the cross without asking for anything in return.
Therefore, when He asks us to say "we are useless servants", He is not demeaning us, but inviting us to be like Him, to serve with gratuitous love, as He did. The humility of Jesus is our measure, and in it we find true greatness." end quote.
Bishop Barron says: "A courtier or a messenger might not understand the rationale for, or consequences of, what the king has told him to do, but he does it, trusting in the wisdom and power of the one who sends him. The word "obey" is derived from the Latin obedire, to listen attentively, to heed. In the presence of God the Lord, we his servants should listen, bending our ears and our wills to his word." end quote.
How many of us like recognition, and to be thanked for our services?
How many of us like to be applauded? How many of us don't like to be left behind and forgotten?
Today, we must recognize what this is all about. Is pride showing its face?
Who likes to be unprofitable? What have we to lose? Our ego?
One day we will see what all the applause will earn us.
One day we will see what sacrifice means.
One day it will be revealed to us. And we are facing the day, all of us, before our Lord.
The scriptures speak about purgatory, and suffering, and being exonerated.
And here we are...with a great opportunity before us, of letting God do His thing, because He is King. Do you even deserve His face to look at you? He loves to look at us...but not in the exterior, but the interior.
A loving heart He desires...to Love Him above all...and then others.
May we recognize His glance and live for it...like a true lover. |  Audio of Random Verse | Random Bible Verse 1
Luke 12:29–31 "And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his1 kingdom, and these things will be added to you." . . . . . . . . Word of the Lord! | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
