Archive for March, 2008

To desire to be poor but not be inconvenienced by poverty, is to desire the honor of poverty and the convenience of riches.

March 15, 2008

When: Monday, March 10, 2008 12:00 AM to Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.

John 8:7

To desire to be poor but not be inconvenienced by poverty, is to desire the honor of poverty and the convenience of riches.

— St. Francis de Sales

Abba, Father, Lord God, thank You for all Your blessings and for loving me enough to help make me see, feel and know just how blessed I am. Thank You Jesus! In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 <http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Dan&ch=13&bv1=1&ev1=9&bv2=15&ev2=17&bv3=19&ev3=30&bv4=33&ev4=62>

1 In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim, 2 who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah; 3 her pious parents had trained their daughter according to the law of Moses. 4 Joakim was very rich; he had a garden near his house, and the Jews had recourse to him often because he was the most respected of them all. 5 That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, of whom the Lord said, "Wickedness has come out of Babylon: from the elders who were to govern the people as judges." 6 These men, to whom all brought their cases, frequented the house of Joakim. 7 When the people left at noon, Susanna used to enter her husband's garden for a walk. 8 When the old men saw her enter every day for her walk, they began to lust for her. 9 They suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments. 15 One day, while they were waiting for the right moment, she entered the garden as usual, with two maids only. She decided to bathe, for the weather was warm. 16 Nobody else was there except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and were watching her. 17 "Bring me oil and soap," she said to the maids, "and shut the garden doors while I bathe." 19 As soon as the maids had left, the two old men got up and hurried to her. 20 "Look," they said, "the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us; give in to our desire, and lie with us. 21 If you refuse, we will testify against you that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you." 22 "I am completely trapped," Susanna groaned. "If I yield, it will be my death; if I refuse, I cannot escape your power. 23 Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord." 24 Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her, 25 as one of them ran to open the garden doors. 26 When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden, they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her. 27 At the accusations by the old men, the servants felt very much ashamed, for never had any such thing been said about Susanna. 28 When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day, the two wicked elders also came, fully determined to put Susanna to death. Before all the people they ordered: 29 "Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, the wife of Joakim." When she was sent for, 30 she came with her parents, children and all her relatives. 33 All her relatives and the onlookers were weeping. 34 In the midst of the people the two elders rose up and laid their hands on her head. 35 Through her tears she looked up to heaven, for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly. 36 The elders made this accusation: "As we were walking in the garden alone, this woman entered with two girls and shut the doors of the garden, dismissing the girls. 37 A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her. 38 When we, in a corner of the garden, saw this crime, we ran toward them. 39 We saw them lying together, but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we; he opened the doors and ran off. 40 Then we seized this one and asked who the young man was, 41 but she refused to tell us. We testify to this." The assembly believed them, since they were elders and judges of the people, and they condemned her to death. 42 But Susanna cried aloud: "O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: 43 you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me." 44 The Lord heard her prayer. 45 As she was being led to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel, 46 and he cried aloud: "I will have no part in the death of this woman." 47 All the people turned and asked him, "What is this you are saying?" 48 He stood in their midst and continued, "Are you such fools, O Israelites! To condemn a woman of Israel without examination and without clear evidence? 49 Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her." 50 Then all the people returned in haste. To Daniel the elders said, "Come, sit with us and inform us, since God has given you the prestige of old age." 51 But he replied, "Separate these two far from one another that I may examine them." 52 After they were separated one from the other, he called one of them and said: "How you have grown evil with age! Now have your past sins come to term: 53 passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent, and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says, "The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.' 54 Now, then, if you were a witness, tell me under what tree you saw them together." 55 "Under a mastic tree," he answered. "Your fine lie has cost you your head," said Daniel; "for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him and split you in two." 56 Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought. "Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah," Daniel said to him, "beauty has seduced you, lust has subverted your conscience. 57 This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel, and in their fear they yielded to you; but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness. 58 Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together." 59 "Under an oak," he said. "Your fine lie has cost you also your head," said Daniel; "for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two so as to make an end of you both." 60 The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those that hope in him. 61 They rose up against the two elders, for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury. According to the law of Moses, they inflicted on them the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor: 62 they put them to death. Thus was innocent blood spared that day.

Psalm 23:1-6<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=23&bv1=1&ev1=6>

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

John 8:1-11<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=8&bv1=1&ev1=11>

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

It is clear through unlearned men that the cross was persuasive; in fact, it persuaded the whole world.

March 15, 2008

When: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:00 AM to Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world… When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.

John 8:23, 28-29

It is clear through unlearned men that the cross was persuasive; in fact, it persuaded the whole world.

— St. John Chrysostom

Abba, Father, Lord God, this day I missed You, unable to start my day with You, the entire day I questioned my priorities, I blamed others, I closed my eyes and shuck my head at my weak state and lack of discipline. Questioning of I was again taking advantage of Your love and Jesus' passion. For who am I to expect anything more then what I get. After all I have You, I know that Jesus' suffered and was crucified for me. So what is wrong with me. How can these contradictions exist. I may never know while under the sun, but this I know I must turn to You. For only in You do I feel complete, only with You can I be and do that which is righteous, and only through You can I love and forgive unconditional; for this I know is why I must seek You and ask that You continue to mold me in the image of Jesus through the Holy Spirit that I know lives within me. For I know You planted the need for You in my heart at conception, You became the Holy Spirit at baptism, and You awakened me to You through Jesus in the Holy Spirit and all my blessings. So what else can I do, but serve You. Help me provide me the opportunities to do so now. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Numbers 21:4-9<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Num&ch=21&bv1=4&ev1=9>

4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food." 6 Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Psalm 102, 2-3, 16-21<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=102&bv1=2&ev1=3&bv2=16&ev2=21>

2 Do not hide thy face from me in the day of my distress! Incline thy ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! 3 For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace. 16 For the LORD will build up Zion, he will appear in his glory; 17 he will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their supplication. 18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD: 19 that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, 20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die; 21 that men may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise,

John 8:21-30<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=8&bv1=21&ev1=30>

21 Again he said to them, "I go away, and you will seek me and die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come." 22 Then said the Jews, "Will he kill himself, since he says, `Where I am going, you cannot come'?" 23 He said to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he." 25 They said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Even what I have told you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge; but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him." 27 They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father. 28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him." 30 As he spoke thus, many believed in him.

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

You suffer and you want to bear it in silence. It doesn’t matter if you complain; it’s the natural reaction of our poor flesh; as long as your will wants, now and always, only what God wants.

March 15, 2008

When: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:00 AM to Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

John 8:31-32

You suffer and you want to bear it in silence. It doesn't matter if you complain; it's the natural reaction of our poor flesh; as long as your will wants, now and always, only what God wants.

— St. Josémaria Escriva

Abba, Father, Lord God, I think of You, I seek You, I fear You, I want to understand You and I want You to help me understand myself. For next to You the fact is I must be honest to myself; what I am, what I do, and what I want. But I feel that You know me better than I know myself, and I wrestle in confusion with myself. O how You continue to guide me when I look for You, why do I let so many things distract me. As St. Josemaria speaks to me 'it doesn't matter if I complain, and choose to suffer and bear my weakness to sin in silence'; now and always only You can bring me what I want, and only Jesus can help me find it, treasure it, nurture it and strengthen it. O my Jesus forgive me, save me from the fires of hell that surround my weak will; take my hand and lift me out of myself and place my feet on the solid rock of Your passion. You know this is what I seek, enable me now, open that door today, place me where You want me to do Your work. The time has come, hear my pray, answer my cry. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Dan&ch=3&bv1=14&ev1=20&bv2=91&ev2=92&bv3=95&ev3=95>

14 King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? 15 Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! 18 But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up." 19 Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual 20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into thewhite-hot furnace. 91 King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered. 92 "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God." 95 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Daniel 3:52-56<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Dan&ch=3&bv1=52&ev1=56>

52 "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. 53 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. 54 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 55 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 56 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.

John 8:31-42<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=8&bv1=31&ev1=42>

31 Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham, and have never been in bondage to any one. How is it that you say, `You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, every one who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not continue in the house for ever; the son continues for ever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." 39 They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God; this is not what Abraham did. 41 You do what your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

Far, far from the Christian be the love of novelty! God hates the proud and obstinate mind.

March 15, 2008

When: Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:00 AM to Friday, March 14, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God. But you have not known him; I know him. If I said, I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad."

John 8:54-56

Far, far from the Christian be the love of novelty! God hates the proud and obstinate mind.

— St. Pius X

Abba, Father, Lord God, it must be through Jesus Christ and for You that I replace pride with faith and a humble spirit, and obstinacy with love and hope. For as human beings we cannot overcome ourselves and pursue our true purpose in becoming the image of Him who bought us salvation and the opportunity for oneness with You. Under the sun the battle to discipline of body and mind is never ending, and an awareness that it is through Jesus Christ and for You is the first step finishing the race and fight an good fight. For as Jesus spoke in John 8:23 and 38-29; 'we are from below, He is from above; we are of this world, He is not of this world' and it is only when we realize the truth of these words 'When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him', that we know so must do. Therefore through faith we can achieve what may seem impossible but we must know that it is Your will; and it is in love for Jesus that we must be determined to finish the race and fight a good fight against ourselves along the way with the hope that in the end we will have served Your purpose for us under the sun. For without You I can do nothing, but in and with You all things are possible. These things I know and Your grace and mercy I humbly pray for now. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Genesis 17:3-9<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Gen&ch=17&bv1=3&ev1=9>

3 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, 4 "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come forth from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8 And I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." 9 And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.

Psalm 105:4-9<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=105&bv1=4&ev1=9>

4 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually! 5 Remember the wonderful works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, 6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 8 He is mindful of his covenant for ever, of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 9 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,

John 8:51-59<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=8&bv1=51&ev1=59>

51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death." 52 The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, `If any one keeps my word, he will never taste death.' 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you claim to be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God. 55 But you have not known him; I know him. If I said, I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad." 57 The Jews then said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." 59 So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

It is certain that the love of God does not consist in this sweetness and tenderness which we for the most part desire; but rather in serving Him in justice, fortitude, and humility. His Majesty seeks and loves courageous souls.

March 15, 2008

When: Friday, March 14, 2008 12:00 AM to Saturday, March 15, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

`I am the Son of God'? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."

John 10:37-38

It is certain that the love of God does not consist in this sweetness and tenderness which we for the most part desire; but rather in serving Him in justice, fortitude, and humility. His Majesty seeks and loves courageous souls.

— St. Teresa of Avila

Abba, Father, Lord God, only You know if the hearts of evangelist of today as compared to the Saints and Prophets of the Church and Bible, but I know Your Word is a living Word and that should be and is my focus not the messenger. I know this because of Jesus spoke, who said seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened. And so it is, that when I look and wait on You, You deliver the Words I need through a messenger that I will hear. And though in my human weakness I know I will always be weak and susceptible to the seven deadly sins, I also know that in and through Jesus I can overcome because I am forgiven, and can learn to release and give to others that which He has given to me. Thus the words of St. Teresa ring loud today, telling me that the fruit of the Spirit is the result of the courageous soul that keeps getting up and coming back, like David always seeking Your heart in humility, justice and fortitude. Thank You Lord God the Father, thank You Lord Jesus the Son and thank You Holy Spirit that from the Father through the Son lives within me to help me see and hear Your Words regardless of who the messenger is, Amen.

Jeremiah 20:10-13<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Jer&ch=20&bv1=10&ev1=13>

10 For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! "Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall. "Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him." 11 But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. 12 O LORD of hosts, who triest the righteous, who seest the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance upon them, for to thee have I committed my cause. 13 Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.

Psalm 18:2-7<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=18&bv1=2&ev1=7>

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 4 The cords of death encompassed me, the torrents of perdition assailed me; 5 the cords of Sheol entangled me, the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. 7 Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry.

John 10:31-42<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=10&bv1=31&ev1=42>

31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we stone you but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, `I said, you are gods'? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, `You are blaspheming,' because I said, `I am the Son of God'? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." 39 Again they tried to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. 40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John at first baptized, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him; and they said, "John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true." 42 And many believed in him there.

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

The good thoughts which God gives you in prayer are relics. Gather them carefully together in order to translate them into acts, and you will gladden the heart of God.

March 15, 2008

When: Saturday, March 15, 2008 12:00 AM to Sunday, March 16, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

Luke 2:49

The good thoughts which God gives you in prayer are relics. Gather them carefully together in order to translate them into acts, and you will gladden the heart of God.

— St. Vincent de Paul

Abba, Father, Lord God, I surround myself with the promise of Your Word; I listen for any spoken message from every source, I look for any story and testimony that will help me feel closure to You. Yet the feeling comes and goes; just as the day becomes night, the sound becomes silence and the business becomes solitude. I use try to use the darkness, silence and solitude to reflect on what You have taught me through Jesus, I look to You to help me become His image in the Holy Spirit. Then a light is turned on, a sound rings out and the business under the sun breaks in to my quite rest, just as I feel I am uniting with You in the moment; and all of a sudden I feel disconnected from You. My reaction is to turn away and close myself off as if the light was to bright, the sound to high pitch, the need an annoyance until the Spirit and the Message of Jesus awakens me as sudden thunder from above and convicts me as the crackle of a bolt of lightning. I am torn between meditating on my reaction and putting it behind me as just another lost opportunity to serve You; I mean while I want to learn from my failings, but do not want to dwell in them. So in shame I try and look to You from help and guidance, but my shame is hard to turn into humility. So I try to remind myself that I just need to immediately get back to than moment of oneness, and grasp onto the yoke of Jesus where no burden is to heavy or great, even the shame of things done wrong and failure of doing right. O my Lord God for the sake of His sorrowful passion have mercy on me and on the whole world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=_2Sam&ch=7&bv1=4&ev1=5&bv2=12&ev2=14&bv3=16&ev3=16>

Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=89&bv1=2&ev1=5&bv2=27&ev2=27&bv3=29&ev3=29>

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Rom&ch=4&bv1=13&ev1=13&bv2=16&ev2=18&bv3=22&ev3=22>

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 <http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=1&bv1=16&ev1=16&bv2=18&ev2=21&bv3=24&ev3=24> or Luke 2:41-51<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Luke&ch=2&bv1=41&ev1=51>

A video life message Very much worth watching

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw


Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

The good thoughts which God gives you in prayer are relics. Gather them carefully together in order to translate them into acts, and you will gladden the heart of God.

March 15, 2008

When: Saturday, March 15, 2008 12:00 AM to Sunday, March 16, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Words of Jesus

And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

Luke 2:49

The good thoughts which God gives you in prayer are relics. Gather them carefully together in order to translate them into acts, and you will gladden the heart of God.

— St. Vincent de Paul

Abba, Father, Lord God, I surround myself with the promise of Your Word; I listen for any spoken message from every source, I look for any story and testimony that will help me feel closure to You. Yet the feeling comes and goes; just as the day becomes night, the sound becomes silence and the business becomes solitude. I use try to use the darkness, silence and solitude to reflect on what You have taught me through Jesus, I look to You to help me become His image in the Holy Spirit. Then a light is turned on, a sound rings out and the business under the sun breaks in to my quite rest, just as I feel I am uniting with You in the moment; and all of a sudden I feel disconnected from You. My reaction is to turn away and close myself off as if the light was to bright, the sound to high pitch, the need an annoyance until the Spirit and the Message of Jesus awakens me as sudden thunder from above and convicts me as the crackle of a bolt of lightning. I am torn between meditating on my reaction and putting it behind me as just another lost opportunity to serve You; I mean while I want to learn from my failings, but do not want to dwell in them. So in shame I try and look to You from help and guidance, but my shame is hard to turn into humility. So I try to remind myself that I just need to immediately get back to than moment of oneness, and grasp onto the yoke of Jesus where no burden is to heavy or great, even the shame of things done wrong and failure of doing right. O my Lord God for the sake of His sorrowful passion have mercy on me and on the whole world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=_2Sam&ch=7&bv1=4&ev1=5&bv2=12&ev2=14&bv3=16&ev3=16>

Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=89&bv1=2&ev1=5&bv2=27&ev2=27&bv3=29&ev3=29>

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Rom&ch=4&bv1=13&ev1=13&bv2=16&ev2=18&bv3=22&ev3=22>

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 <http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=1&bv1=16&ev1=16&bv2=18&ev2=21&bv3=24&ev3=24> or Luke 2:41-51<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Luke&ch=2&bv1=41&ev1=51>

A video life message Very much worth watching

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw


Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>