SAINT QUOTE OF THE DAY : Wednesday - September 30, 2020

 

Wednesday - September 30, 2020

To think ourselves imperfect, and others perfect---- that is happiness. That creatures recognize we are without virtue takes nothing from us, makes us no poorer; it is they who by this lose interior joy; for there is nothing sweeter than to think well of our neighbor.

 

-- St. Therese of Lisieux

Wednesday of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

September 30, 2020

 

Reading 1

JB 9:1-12, 14-16

 

Job answered his friends and said:I know well that it is so;

but how can a man be justified before God?

Should one wish to contend with him,

he could not answer him once in a thousand times.

God is wise in heart and mighty in strength;

who has withstood him and remained unscathed?

 

He removes the mountains before they know it;

he overturns them in his anger.

He shakes the earth out of its place,

and the pillars beneath it tremble.

He commands the sun, and it rises not;

he seals up the stars.

 

He alone stretches out the heavens

and treads upon the crests of the sea.

He made the Bear and Orion,

the Pleiades and the constellations of the south;

He does great things past finding out,

marvelous things beyond reckoning.

 

Should he come near me, I see him not;

should he pass by, I am not aware of him;

Should he seize me forcibly, who can say him nay?

Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

 

How much less shall I give him any answer,

or choose out arguments against him!

Even though I were right, I could not answer him,

but should rather beg for what was due me.

If I appealed to him and he answered my call,

I could not believe that he would hearken to my words.

 

Responsorial Psalm

PS 88:10BC-11, 12-13, 14-15

 

R. (3) Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

 

Daily I call upon you, O LORD;

to you I stretch out my hands.

Will you work wonders for the dead?

Will the shades arise to give you thanks?

R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

 

Do they declare your mercy in the grave,

your faithfulness among those who have perished?

Are your wonders made known in the darkness,

or your justice in the land of oblivion?

But I, O LORD, cry out to you;

with my morning prayer I wait upon you.

Why, O LORD, do you reject me;

why hide from me your face?

R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord. 

 

Alleluia

PHIL 3:8-9

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I consider all things so much rubbish

that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

 

Gospel

LK 9:57-62

 

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding

on their journey, someone said to him,

 “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus answered him,

“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,

but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

And to another he said, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”

But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.

But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”

And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,

but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”

Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow

and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO LOSE?

 

In today's first reading, because Job had lost nearly everything that was dear to him, he is now in danger of also losing his trust in God. Isn't that how we feel when bad things happen to us? We wonder why God has let us down. We think he's being unfair and cruel. It feels like his love has abandoned us, and we choose to trust in our feelings instead of what we cannot see, hear or feel from the Lord.

 

God never abandons us. The fact is we need to abandon everything that is not Godly.

 

This does not mean that all of us are called to give everything away and embrace poverty in order to be holy, like some of the Saints have done. There are other ways to abandon everything to God, namely, by considering everything as less important than Jesus. Everything is less important than our obedient dependence upon God.

 

Even those activities that God has called us to do, and even the possessions he has provided for us through our jobs, and even the people he has given to us in relationships: All must be abandoned into an awareness that God is more important.

 

God and me alone - that's the foundation of true holiness. From this intimate friendship everything else is built up: our families, our friends, our ministries, our jobs, our homes, our possessions, etc. Whatever is good and right for us, whatever will enhance our friendship with God, whatever is a gift of his love for us, these come from the solitude and solidarity we experience with God.

 

Job protected himself from a loss of faith by recalling God's awesomeness. He realized that nothing truly matters except God, for he is far greater than all else. He recognized this awesomeness in the vast difference between God and himself: "If I appealed to him and he answered me, how amazing that he would hear my words!" Humility put his terrible situation into the right perspective.

 

Nothing really matters but God. We can lose everything, and as long as we still have God, we are doing exceedingly well. It might not feel that way, but it's the reality.

 

Today's Gospel passage reminds us that we have to lose (abandon, sublimate, reduce in priority) everything earthly to follow Jesus. He set the example: He gave up his home, his career in carpentry, and his earthly life for our sake. If we look back and miss what we've given up, wishing to once again make them a higher priority than our union with Christ, we break our unity with him. Who, then, are we following? Where will it lead us?

 

We must keep our eyes on Jesus. By abandoning everything into his hands, he gives back to us whatever truly is right and good.

 

Today's Prayer

 

Beloved Jesus, Today I let go everything that stops me from following You unconditionally. Today I accept being filled with Your Holy Spirit for the great mission of spreading Your word. Amen.

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God Bless You.....

The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”

SAINT QUOTE OF THE DAY : Tuesday - September 29, 2020

 

Tuesday - September 29, 2020

September 29, 2020

Feast of Saints  Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

Reading 1

DN 7:9-10, 13-14

 

As I watched:

 

Thrones were set up

and the Ancient One took his throne.

His clothing was bright as snow,

and the hair on his head as white as wool;

His throne was flames of fire,

with wheels of burning fire.

A surging stream of fire

flowed out from where he sat;

Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,

and myriads upon myriads attended him.

 

The court was convened, and the books were opened.

 

As the visions during the night continued, I saw

 

One like a son of man coming,

on the clouds of heaven;

When he reached the Ancient One

and was presented before him,

He received dominion, glory, and kingship;

nations and peoples of every language serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

that shall not be taken away,

his kingship shall not be destroyed.

 

or

 

Rv 12:7-12ab

 

War broke out in heaven;

Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.

The dragon and its angels fought back,

but they did not prevail

and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,

who is called the Devil and Satan,

who deceived the whole world,

was thrown down to earth,

and its angels were thrown down with it.

 

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have salvation and power come,

and the Kingdom of our God

and the authority of his Anointed.

For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,

who accuses them before our God day and night.

They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony;

love for life did not deter them from death.

Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,

and you who dwell in them.”

………………………………………………………………

 

Responsorial Psalm

 

PS 138:1-2AB, 2CDE-3, 4-5

 

R. (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

 

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,

for you have heard the words of my mouth;

in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;

I will worship at your holy temple

and give thanks to your name.

R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

 

Because of your kindness and your truth;

for you have made great above all things

your name and your promise.

When I called, you answered me;

you built up strength within me.

R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

 

All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD

when they hear the words of your mouth;

And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD

“Great is the glory of the LORD

R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

……………………………………………………………………

 

 

Alleluia

 

PS 103:21

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Bless the LORD, all you angels,

you ministers, who do his will.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

……………………………………………………………………..

 

GOSPEL

 

LK 9:46-50

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,

“Here is a true child of Israel.

There is no duplicity in him.”

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

Nathanael answered him,

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“Do you believe

because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?

You will see greater things than this.”

And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,

you will see heaven opened

and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” 

……………………………………………………………………………………..

The Ministry of Angels

What kind of relationship do you have with your personal angels? Are you aware that you might have more than one angel working for you, according to your needs and prayer requests and the work you do for God's kingdom? Do you realize that even the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael know who you are and, because of this, they want to be involved in God's plans for you?

Belief in angels is popular even among non-Christians, but unless it unites us to Jesus, it can do more harm than good. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus says, "You shall see heaven open up and the angels of God ascend and descend on the Son of Man."

The word "you" in the original Greek is plural; it's meant for all of us. Jesus wants us to know that angels travel between heaven and earth to work for our benefit, but their ministry depends upon him. Angels deliver God's messages to us. Angels help us every day, in big ways and in small ways. Angels love us; they enjoy assisting us - but only through Jesus and under the authority of Jesus.

When the archangel Michael battled the dragon, as depicted in Rev. 12:7-12, he defeated Satan and his minions because of the future victory that Jesus would win on the cross. The holy angels defeated the evil ones "by the blood of the Lamb" that would be shed millennia later for our sake. Their victory depended upon what Jesus was eventually going to do for us.

The responsorial psalm is a song with the angels. Whenever we praise God, angels sing with us. If we praise God in the midst of difficulties, angels surround us in a chorus that fills the air with their trust in God and their love for us and their holiness. Then, evil spirits won't stay near us! Why not? Because this trust and love and holiness surround us with the presence of Jesus; He is always in the midst of our praise.

No concern of yours is too small - or too big - for your angels. Have you lost something? Ask your ministering angels to lead you to it. Are you waiting to get through the red tape of bureaucratic paperwork? Send an angel to put your papers on the top of the pile. Are you going on a long drive? Ask the angels to clear the way before you. Ever need a parking space near the store on a rainy day? Ask an angel to go save a spot for you. Try it, it works!

Angels listen to us and wait for permission to minister to us. We need to ask them for their help. I rely on this fact daily, with good results every time! For example, once when I was in the Holy Land, our group was climbing a steep hill and I was running out of breath and energy. I said, "Ministering angels, push me!" Immediately, I moved faster and easier to the top of the hill. What a great witness to the exhausted people who heard me and saw the results!

Today's Prayer:

Beloved Jesus, You always amaze us with Your work in our lives. Give us the grace to be docile to be led into the wonderful paths of Your Spirit! Amen.

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God Bless You.....

The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”

SAINT QUOTE OF THE DAY : Monday - September 28, 2020

Monday - September 28, 2020

"Our true worth does not consist in what human beings think of us.

What we really are consists in what God knows us to be."

 

~St. John Berchmans

September 28, 2020

Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

JOB 1:6-22

 

One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,

Satan also came among them.

And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?”

Then Satan answered the LORD and said,

“From roaming the earth and patrolling it.”

And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job,

and that there is no one on earth like him,

blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”

But Satan answered the LORD and said,

“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?

Have you not surrounded him and his family

and all that he has with your protection?

You have blessed the work of his hands,

and his livestock are spread over the land.

But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,

and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”

And the LORD said to Satan,

“Behold, all that he has is in your power;

only do not lay a hand upon his person.”

So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

 

And so one day, while his sons and his daughters

were eating and drinking wine

in the house of their eldest brother,

a messenger came to Job and said,

“The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,

and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.

They put the herdsmen to the sword,

and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was yet speaking, another came and said,

“Lightning has fallen from heaven

and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;

and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,

“The Chaldeans formed three columns,

seized the camels, carried them off,

and put those tending them to the sword,

and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was yet speaking, another came and said,

“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine

in the house of their eldest brother,

when suddenly a great wind came across the desert

and smote the four corners of the house.

It fell upon the young people and they are dead;

and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.

He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,

 

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,

and naked shall I go back again.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

blessed be the name of the LORD!”

 

In all this Job did not sin,

nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.

………………………………………………………………

 

Responsorial Psalm

 

PS 17:1BCD, 2-3, 6-7

 

R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

 

Hear, O LORD, a just suit;

attend to my outcry;

hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.

R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

 

From you let my judgment come;

your eyes behold what is right.

Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,

though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.

R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

 

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me; hear my word.

Show your wondrous mercies,

O savior of those who flee

from their foes to refuge at your right hand.

R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

…………………………………………………………………… 

 

Alleluia

 

MK 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

The Son of Man came to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

……………………………………………………………………..

 

GOSPEL

 

LK 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples

about which of them was the greatest.

Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child

and placed it by his side and said to them,

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,

and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

For the one who is least among all of you

is the one who is the greatest.”Then John said in reply,

“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name

and we tried to prevent him

 because he does not follow in our company.”

Jesus said to him,

“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” 

……………………………………………………………………………………..

Who's Better than You?

How easy it is to identify with the feelings of the disciples in today's Gospel reading! We want to know that we've got greatness within us, that we are not garbage, that we have important value. We all too easily feel inferior. Most of the time, we're controlled by an unmet need to feel better about ourselves. In an effort to convince ourselves that we're okay, we use words like a shrinking ray to diminish others.

This is why Jesus gave the disciples - and us - a couple of examples of how equally special everyone is to him, and why. It's based on what he preached in Matthew 25: What we do to others we do to him. In this case, the caring and acceptance that we give to a child is caring and acceptance that we give to Jesus. We are not greater than (superior to) children, for through them we encounter God, who alone is superior.

Children know less than we do. But once in a while, they come up with a gem of wisdom or an insight that challenges us, and because they are children, we dismiss it with a condescending smile and "Ahhh, how cute." But that's not how Jesus treats them. That's not how Jesus wants to treat them through us.

What about adults? We expect them to believe us when we tell them what's right and what's wrong, and when they challenge us with an insight that goes against our perception of the truth, we diminish what they said so that we can protect ourselves from feeling inferior.

But that's not how Jesus treats them. That's not how Jesus treats us.

At some point in our lives, we discovered that we could feel good about ourselves if we belonged to "the right group" - the "in" crowd, the "elite" club, the "high status" jobs, the "most respected" parish ministry. Christ's disciples, because they were members of his inner circle, assumed that they'd been given special privileges. When an outsider acted as if he had the same privileges, they didn't think he was equally qualified.

We all know people who don't match our idea of who's qualified, but if they're not working against God's kingdom, we'd better not do anything against them, for that's the same as being against Jesus!

Know that you are not inferior. It's only God's opinion of you that really matters. In his eyes, you are as important as anyone else. Jesus loves you as much as he loves his own mother! Once you realize this and let it heal your wounded heart, the temptation to feel superior will diminish. And every time you feel inferior to others again, ask God what hidden wound needs more healing, and if you do whatever it takes to open up to that healing, eventually the temptation to feel superior will disappear.

Today's Prayer

Beloved Lord, thank You for the simplicity with which You talk to me and guide me every day. Give me the grace to receive You and give You to my neighbors, whole-heartedly and humbly. Amen.

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God Bless You.....

The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”