†Saint Quote:“The Rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, who loves His Mother.” -St. Louis de Montfort Today’s Meditation"If we do not die to ourselves, and if our holiest devotions do not incline us to this necessary and useful death, we shall bring forth no fruit worth anything, and our devotions will become useless. All our good works will be stained by self-love and our own will . . . We must choose therefore, among all the devotions to the Blessed Virgin, the one which draws us most toward this death to ourselves, inasmuch as it will be the best and the most sanctifying. For we must not think that all that shines is gold, that all that tastes sweet is honey, or that all that is easy to do and is done by the greatest number is the most sanctifying." —St. Louis De Montfort, p.40
An excerpt from True Devotion to Mary Daily Verse"But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust." -Matthew 5:44-45
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EWTN Daily Saint
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St Louis De MontfortSt. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673 – 1716) was born in Brittany, France, to a large farming family. As a child he displayed an unusual spiritual maturity and spent much time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. At the age of 19 he went on foot to Paris to study theology at a prestigious school with the support of a benefactor; along the way he gave his possessions to the poor and made a lifelong vow to live in poverty supported entirely on alms. He was ordained a priest at the age of 27, and at 32 discovered his calling to be an itinerant preacher, receiving the title of "Apostolic Missionary" from the Pope after his bishop tried to silence him. For the next 17 years he preached missions in countless towns and villages throughout France with an emphasis on renewal and reform. His fiery devotion, oratory skill, and identification with the poor led many souls to conversion. He was persecuted by the Jansenists, who, in their spiritual pride, poisoned him, banished him from preaching in their dioceses, and made an assassination attempt on his life. He had a profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and taught on the power of the Holy Rosary. He also wrote a number of classic works on Marian devotion, the most famous being True Devotion to Mary. His feast day is April 28th.
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of EasterLectionary: 280 Reading 1Acts 11:19-26 Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians. Responsorial PsalmPsalm 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. (117:1a) All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia. AlleluiaJohn 10:27 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. GospelJohn 10:22-30 The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
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Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ!
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From Word Among Us WAU.org
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Daily Meditation: Acts 11:19-26Those who had been scattered by the persecution . . . went. . . , preaching the word. (Acts 11:19) There is an adage that says, “God writes straight with crooked lines.” It means that God has a way of accomplishing his plans through—and perhaps despite—the twists and turns of human history. Surely, when a severe persecution arose after the death of Stephen, the first martyr, it looked like a premature and swift end to the Church. How could this band of believers survive such violent opposition? But the passion and rage of men and women cannot defeat God. As Paul told the Corinthians, had the rulers of Jesus’ day understood God’s wisdom, they would never have crucified Jesus—but they did, and God vindicated Jesus by raising him from the dead (1 Corinthians 2:8). Similarly, though the persecution in Jerusalem was meant to put an end to these upstart followers of Christ, it actually spread the proclamation of the gospel so that “a large number of people was added to the Lord” (Acts 11:24). The same is true in your life. Twists, turns, and crooked lines are sure to occur. They weren’t in your plans, and some of them may seem to have set you back impossibly. Yet none of them can thwart God’s plan for you. No matter what developments arise in your life, he is infinitely creative and always able to bring about his deepest desires for you. He wants you to serve him now and to live with him forever, and he will do everything to help you get there. But what can you do when all that you can see is the bend in the road? Start by reminding yourself as you face that curve: God always has a plan in mind. Hold fast to what you know, despite what you can’t see. Those early believers, though hounded out of Jerusalem, continued to proclaim the good news. In the same way, you can continue to love and serve the Lord, wherever you are, whatever has happened. Cling to the truths you know, even as you wait for God to show you the next steps he has planned for you. As you pray, listen for the Lord’s gentle encouragement. He will help you negotiate all of life’s curves. “Lord, I can’t see where you’re leading me, but I trust that you will work out your good plan for my life.” Psalm 87:1-7
John 10:22-30
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From today's Holy Gospel: "..The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one... ”
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From Roberto Juarez: "Finally, Jesus reveals his deepest identity: "I and the Father are one." Here is the foundation of everything. Our faith is not based on an idea, but on a Person who is one with God. That's why we can trust.
Today the Lord invites us to live with a deeper trust: to listen to his voice, to follow him faithfully, and to rest in his hands. In the midst of an insecure world, of uncertain situations,
of fears and difficulties... this Gospel gives us a certainty: we are not alone.
Let us ask that faith may grow in us, that we may not be afraid to follow Jesus of Nazareth, and that we may live with this assurance in our hearts: that we are in his hands... and that no one can take us away from them." end quote.
Our Lord said: "The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. "
Did they believe the works? No.
Do we believe the works today? Some.
The ones who do NOT believe are not of His flock.
But the ones who believe...they follow the Good Shepherd.
Sometimes we see, and sometimes we follow in the dark...and that is when He asks us to hold His hand tight.
Our Lord said: "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand."
Does this make you feel secure...in His hand?
Some will trust in Him. Some will not.
Those who will not will trust in something else, like their own strength, their own minds, their own will.
And it is folly, temporal, and detrimental to the greater whole.
Look back on all the times you did what you wanted away from Him...look at the pains it caused, look at the damage to the relationships, and we are talking about the pains and relationship with our Lord on the cross ultimately. He deserved better. In this light...there is a light of hope. He is saying "look at what I can do with your misery...if you turn to Me...if you trust Me...if you desire Me....if you really love Me...hold My hand, and never let go!"
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Random Bible Verse 1
Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."
Word of the Lord!
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