Quote: "Keep to the ancient way and custom of the Church, established and confirmed by so many Saints under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And live a new life. Pray, and get others to pray, that God not abandon His Church, but reform it as He pleases, and as He sees best for us, and more to His honour and glory." -St. Angela Merici Today's Meditation "Now surely I do see what an immense effect such a doctrine [of the Holy Trinity] must have upon life. It is no mere question for theologians, but one that concerns every living soul. Whatever is allowed by God's power must be guided by His wisdom and urged on by His love. All that happens to me in life, the little worries and the great anxieties, the crises and the daily annoyances, the sorrows and the joys, the harms that reach me through the sins of others, the great crimes of history, the huge and devastating wars, the partings and loves and the whole cycle of human experience are permitted by Power, which is itself wise and loving. These three Persons determine my life, and, since I walk by faith, I must surely grow very patient in my attitude toward life. For how can I complain or criticize God's Providence, since it all comes under that triple influence of Power, Wisdom, and Love? Under the guidance, then, of this mystery, I can walk through the valley of death or the more perilous borders of sin without loss of courage or hopefulness. Nothing can make me afraid. How these are separate, yet one, I do not know, nor can I reconcile in my concrete experience the claims of each. It is always a mystery, but a mystery in which I believe. Whatever Power allows on earth is designed in Wisdom and attuned by Love." —Fr. Bede Jarrett, p. 10
An excerpt from Classic Catholic Meditations Daily Verse "Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it." -1 Corinthians 10:12-13 |  EWTN Daily Saint | | Saint Angela Merici St. Angela Merici (1474 – 1540) was born in the region of Lombardy, Italy. Her deep piety drew her to make a private vow of virginity at a young age. Her parents died when she was ten, and soon afterwards she lost her sister with whom she was very close. Angela went to live with her uncle, and, despite lacking a formal education, she grew in wisdom and virtue. She committed herself to prayer, penance, and serving the poor, eventually joining the Third Order of St. Francis at the age of fifteen. When her uncle died she returned to her home, and, seeing a great need for the education of young girls in the Christian faith, began a school for girls in her house. She daily gathered all the little girls of her village and taught them the faith. St. Angela became known for her holiness, and soon she was invited to establish another school in a neighboring town. One day while in prayer she received a vision that she would start a religious order intended for the religious education of girls. This was realized when St. Angela founded the Ursulines under the patronage of St. Ursula. St. Angela Merici is the patron saint against illness, death of parents, and of the disabled and handicapped. Her feast day is January 27. | Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 318 Reading 1 2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19 David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom
into the City of David amid festivities.
As soon as the bearers of the ark of the LORD had advanced six steps,
he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.
Then David, girt with a linen apron,
came dancing before the LORD with abandon,
as he and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD
with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn.
The ark of the LORD was brought in and set in its place
within the tent David had pitched for it.
Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
When he finished making these offerings,
he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
He then distributed among all the people,
to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel,
a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake.
With this, all the people left for their homes. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Alleluia See Matthew 11:25 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mark 3:31-35 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
"Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you."
But he said to them in reply,
"Who are my mother and my brothers?"
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother." | Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Mark 3:31-35 Who are my mother and my brothers? (Mark 3:33) Jesus' family was perplexed. They were accustomed to the way he had lived for thirty years. But recently he had been traveling the countryside, healing and drawing crowds that were so insistent that he didn't even have time to eat! He was wearing himself out and putting himself in danger by offending religious leaders. No wonder his "brothers" set out to bring Jesus back home! Even Mary, who likely wasn't surprised by his ministry, was probably concerned for his welfare. When Jesus heard that his family had come for him, he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" (Mark 3:33). We might think that sounds disrespectful, especially toward his mother. But Jesus isn't dismissing his family; he is inviting them to relate to him in a new way. He is asking them to see him differently, to be like the people gathered at his feet, who are listening to him and doing the will of God. Jesus wants us to know him in a new way, too. We might have our routines that we're accustomed to. We go to Mass; we read the Scriptures. But are we listening attentively to what he might have to say to us today? Or have we, like his family, settled into the status quo in our relationship with Jesus and are happy to stay that way? Maybe we, too, could be more like those crowds gathered at Jesus' feet, hanging on his words, letting them change our hearts, and learning to do the will of God. If even his Blessed Mother was invited to reevaluate her approach to Jesus, how much more will it help us to be stretched to embrace a new way of relating to him! Today, accept Jesus' invitation to approach him anew as Teacher and Lord. Take the next step toward a deeper faith in him. Align yourself with the family of believers who listen to his voice and obey God's will. Then, as Mary told the servants at the wedding in Cana, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5). "Lord Jesus, I want to see you with fresh eyes. I want to listen to your voice and do your will." 2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19
Psalm 24:7-10 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Audio of 2 Cents | From today's Holy Gospel: "... "Who are my mother and my brothers?"
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother." ...." Word of the Lord. | From the last part of Roberto Juarez today:
"Jesus' gesture is very significant: "looking at those who were sitting in a circle around him". He does not point to the most important, nor to the most perfect, but to those who have put themselves in an attitude of listening. Sitting around Jesus is the image of the disciple: the one who approaches, the one who listens, the one who wants to learn and let himself be transformed. Fulfilling God's will is not simply obeying rules. It is to live in harmony with God's will, which is always love, mercy, justice and full life for all. Mary, the first to fulfill that will, is the best example of what Jesus is saying. She is not excluded; on the contrary, he is fully part of this new family. This Gospel invites us to review our understanding of the Christian community. Do we live the Church as a family or as a space of obligations? Do we recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters of one another or do we continue to establish distances, labels and exclusions? Jesus breaks down the barriers that separate. In his family there is room for all who sincerely seek God's will. It does not ask where you come from, but where you are willing to walk. It does not ask about your past, but about your present availability. In a world marked by loneliness and fragmentation, this word of Jesus is profoundly timely. He reminds us that no one is alone, that no one is superfluous, that we can all find a home around Him. The Christian community is called to be a visible sign of this new family, where we cared for, accompanied and forgave. Let us ask the Lord to grant us a heart docile to his will, capable of listening to his Word and of living it. May our communities be spaces where this true fraternity, born of the following of Jesus, is experienced. May He recognize us today, as He looks at us, as His family."
From Bishop Robert Barron's last part of reflection today: "...Mind you, listening to commands is tied closely to love on the part of the one who commands, and since love is nothing but the willing of the good of the other, the obedience that Jesus speaks of is a surrender to the one who massively wants what is best for the surrenderer. When, through faith, we see every moment and every creature as an ingredient in the divine plan, we live in joyful surrender and with a sense of wonder. What is God doing for me now? What path is opening up to me? Why did God send that person, that trial, that pleasure to me just now?"
From Brother Adrian
I will try to make this short as I have already shared so many reflections (excerpts) for you.
But only one thing I can add, is my learning experience and the purpose of 2 cents, is to share the learning experience.
Two things come to mind. The Book of Heaven, in which Luisa Piccarreta, a Dominican Tertiary, speaks in literally volumes and volumes of the Divine Will of our Heavenly Father. I'm about halfway through the audio versions I found, about 30 hours in of listening. I guess you could say I am attempting to learn about His Divine will!
So what is it? In a nutshell, as Mother Mary puts it "Do Whatever He Tells You".
Is it hard? Our biggest obstacle is ourselves. We get in our own way, don't we? The battle of the wills surges on. Why can't we just do what God wants?
Our Lord said today of those who do what God wants: "Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother."
And you are one of them, whence you find yourself at His side, being His arms, feet, mind, heart, and soul.
I ask God to let me affect those around me. Since I cannot journey on missions every day, the daily mission is where I am at every day. Conquer self, and conquer souls for Christ.
And this cold frozen morning, a new worker comes in, we talk about jobs to do, and then he says "I see you are a religious guy". And that opens up the door...to conquer souls. God heard my prayer, to reach souls in His name. I told the young man, 'we are pilgrims in this world, and Our Father is calling us to a greater love. Many enticements and temptations that are temporary will vie for your attention and love...and become gods. But our Father, call us to Himself. What do you desire? What is your will?". And I leave you with the Words our Lord taught us to pray: "Our Father who art in Heaven, Holy Be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, They Will Be Done, On Earth, As it is in Heaven." |  Click for Audio | Random Bible Verse 1
John 10:27–30
" My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,1 is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." . . . . . . . . Word of the Lord! | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
