Daily Thought

Pentecost & Leaving The Nest If we go back to the day of Pentecost, we discover that the first task of the Church is proclamation. Yet we see that the Apostles do not prepare a strategy; when they were shut in there, in the Upper Room, they did not make a strategy, no, they do not prepare a pastoral plan. They could have divided people into groups according to their roots, speaking first to those close by and then to those far away... They could have also waited a while before beginning their preaching in order to understand more deeply the teachings of Jesus, so as to avoid risks... No. The Spirit does not want the memory of the Master to be cultivated in small groups locked in upper rooms where it is easy to “nest.” And this is a bad disease that can come to the Church: the Church not as a community, not as a family, not as a mother, but as a nest. He opens doors and pushes us to press beyond what has already been said and done, beyond the precincts of a timid and wary faith....

Beautiful Prayer For Peace In The Holy Spirit The Church with her heart which embraces all human hearts implores from the Holy Spirit that happiness which only in God has its complete realization: the joy “that no one will be able to take away,” the joy which is the fruit of love, and therefore of God who is love; she implores “the righteousness, the peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit” in which, in the words of St. Paul, consists the Kingdom of God. Peace too is the fruit of love: that interior peace, which weary man seeks in his inmost being; that peace besought by humanity, the human family, peoples, nations, continents, anxiously hoping to obtain it in the prospect of the transition from the second to the third Christian Millennium. Since the way of peace passes in the last analysis through love and seeks to create the civilization of love, the Church fixes her eyes on him who is the love of the Father and the Son, and in spite of increasing dangers she does not cease to trus...

The Real Purpose of Holiness The fact that we are distinct from the world does not mean that we are entirely separated from it. Nor does it mean that we are indifferent to it, afraid of it, or contemptuous of it. When the Church distinguishes itself from humanity, it does so not in order to oppose it, but to come closer to it. A physician who realizes the danger of disease, protects himself and others from it, but at the same time he strives to cure those who have contracted it. The Church does the same thing. It does not regard God's mercy as an exclusive privilege, nor does the greatness of the privilege it enjoys make it feel unconcerned for those who do not share it. On the contrary, it finds in its own salvation an argument for showing more concern and more love for those who live close at hand, or to whom it can go in its endeavor to make all alike share the blessing of salvation. St. Paul VI– Ecclesiam Suam, 1964

For The Class of 2020 Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive! He is in you, he is with you and he never abandons you. However far you may wander, he is always there, the Risen One. He calls you and he waits for you to return to him and start over again. When you feel you are growing old out of sorrow, resentment or fear, doubt or failure, he will always be there to restore your strength and your hope. Pope Francis - Christus Vivit  - #1-2

Fr. Cantalamessa's Message In Preparation For Pentecost The Acts of the Apostles recounts this episode in Paul’s life: “The crowd joined in the attack on them, and the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After inflicting many blows on them, they threw them in prison and instructed the jailer to guard them securely. 24 When he received these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and secured their feet to a stake. Deliverance from Prison. 25 About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, 26 there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose.” (Acts 16: 22–26) With their clothes torn, covered in blows, and shackles on their feet, Paul and Silas did not pray to God to help them, but instead sang the praises of God. What a message for us members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal...

"I'm Gonna Make It" Through so many dangers and toils of this life I have already come, but He keeps on giving the Grace and the strength, to just keep pressing on. He’s given a promise and I’m gonna stand, on Every word His holy word has said, and holding His hand I’ll never fear whatever lies ahead. I’m gonna make it, He’s already said that I would. I’ll keep on trusting that He’s working everything for my good. He walks beside me and heaven is in my view, I’m gonna make it through. In spite of the good intentions I’ve had Sometimes my strength can fail, though I have tried The very best that I could, my weaknesses prevailed But then I remember the promise he made, that in my weakness He is strong and that’s when I know whatever may come His steady hand will lead me on, and on and on, He walks beside me and Heaven is in my view. I’m gonna make it, He said I’ll make it. I’m gonna make it through. Words and Music by Geron Davis Click  Here f...

Prayer For Memorial Day God of power and mercy, you destroy war and put down earthly pride. Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears, that we may all deserve to be called your sons  and daughters. Keep in your mercy those men and women who have died in the cause of freedom and bring them safely into your kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord. from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

Powerful Scripture With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.  New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition, Eph 6:18–20). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Hearts On Fire If you love God, you will pleasure in speaking of him and in hearing him spoken of.  St. John Vianney - Signs of true Love for God (A.). 

The Grace of Converts Certainly, every convert is a gift to the Church and represents a serious responsibility for her, not only because converts have to be prepared for Baptism through the catechumenate and then be guided by religious instruction, but also because - especially in the case of adults-such converts bring with them a kind of new energy, an enthusiasm for the faith, and a desire to see the Gospel lived out in the Church. They would be greatly disappointed if, having entered the ecclesial community, they were to find a life lacking fervor and without signs of renewal! We cannot preach conversion unless we ourselves are converted anew every day. St. John Paul II - Redemptoris Missio - #47

We Have Good News Jesus’ whole life, his way of dealing with the poor, his actions, his integrity, his simple daily acts of generosity, and finally his complete self-giving, is precious and reveals the mystery of his divine life. Whenever we encounter this anew, we become convinced that it is exactly what others need, even though they may not recognize it: “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23). Sometimes we lose our enthusiasm for mission because we forget that the Gospel responds to our deepest needs, since we were created for what the Gospel offers us: friendship with Jesus and love of our brothers and sisters. If we succeed in expressing adequately and with beauty the essential content of the Gospel, surely this message will speak to the deepest yearnings of people’s hearts: “The missionary is convinced that, through the working of the Spirit, there already exists in individuals and peoples an expectation, even if an unconscious one, of kno...

Contemplative Prayer Contemplative silence is a silence of adoration and listening by a person who stands in the presence of God. To stand silently in God’s presence is to pray. Prayer demands that we successfully keep quiet so as to hear and listen to God. Sarah, Robert Cardinal. The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise (p. 69). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition. 

All Is Well Do one thing after another, calmly and quietly. I am with you to assist you in this work, and if you are attentive to My inspirations and obedient to the sound of My voice speaking to you inwardly, you will discover that everything is unfolding according to My plan of wisdom and love for you. All that is happening now is in My hands, and My love has ordered all things, even down to the smallest details, so as to make My care for you shine before the eyes of men. Thus will I confound the naysayers who doubt that I am at work in what you are doing by My inspiration. Go forward fearlessly and joyfully, trusting Me absolutely to provide for you, to protect you, to feed and clothe you, and to instruct you in the mysterious designs of My Heart over you and over those whom I am sending to you.  Some of those who are most in need of what I am doing will resist and criticize it. Do not let their resistances and criticisms slow the pace of your progress. The work is Mine ...

No Longer Slaves But Friends Lectio John 15:12–17 Meditatio “I no longer call you slaves … I have called you friends, because I have told you everything.…” We are not slaves of Jesus, but his friends. So why, in the previous line, does he say, “you are my friends if you do what I command you”? That’s a little confusing. Don’t slaves do what they’re commanded to do? But Jesus explains that a slave isn’t “in on” the master’s plans. Slaves do what they’re told without any understanding of the bigger picture, of what part they play, or what the goal is. Friends are different. We can tell things to our friends and share our plans with them. Think back to friends from childhood. Even then, friends were kids we shared things with—secrets, fears, hopes, and dreams. Adult friendships are different in many ways, but it’s still true that our friends are those we can confide in and, of course, who want to listen to what we tell them: “Tell me everything!” For some friends, that’s as...

The Slow Work of God Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are, quite naturally, impatient in everything to reach the end Without delay. We should like to skip The intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on The way to something unknown, Something new, And yet it is the law of all progress That it is made by passing through Some stages of instability --- And that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you. Your ideas mature gradually --- Let them grow, Let them shape themselves, Without undue haste. Don't try to force them on, As though you could be today What time will make you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit Gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing That his hand is leading you, And accept the anxiety of Feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J..

The Gift of Peace Wishing a person peace was, and still is, the usual form of greeting among Jews and Arabs. It is the greeting Jesus used, and which the apostles continued to use, as we can see from their letters (cf. 1 Pet 1–2; 3 Jn 15; Rom 1:7; etc.). The Church still uses it in the liturgy: for example, before Communion the celebrant wishes those present peace, a condition for worthily sharing in the holy sacrifice (cf. Mt 5:23–25) and also a fruit of that sacrifice. On our Lord’s lips this common greeting acquires its deepest meaning; peace is one of the great messianic gifts (cf. Is 9:7; 48:18; Mic 5:5; Mt 10:22; Lk 2:14; 19:38). The peace which Jesus gives us completely transcends the peace of the world (cf. the note on Mt 10:34–37), which can be superficial and misleading and compatible with injustice. The peace of Christ is, above all, reconciliation with God and reconciliation of men with one another; it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22–23); it is “s...

Never Alone “Jesus: ‘My child, life on earth is a struggle indeed; a great struggle for my kingdom.  But fear not, because you are not alone.  I am always supporting you, so lean on Me as you struggle, fearing nothing.  Take the vessel of trust and draw from the fountain of life – for yourself, but also for other souls, especially such as are distrustful of My goodness.’”  St. Faustina Kowalska Divine Mercy In My Soul  (No. 1488)

The Joy of Encounter When Jesus draws close, joy takes possession of us. Luke the Evangelist, who composed his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles so meditatively, kept this theme constantly before him. The last sentence of his Gospel tells us, for instance, that when the disciples had seen Jesus ascend into heaven, they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Lk 24:52). The Acts of the Apostles repeats the theme: “… they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46). They went their way after they had seen the Lord ascend into heaven—and their hearts were filled with joy. From a purely human point of view, we would expect their hearts to be “filled with confusion”. But no! One who has seen the Lord not just from the outside; whose heart has been moved by him; who has accepted the Crucified One and, precisely because he has done so, knows the grace of the Resurrection—his heart must be full of joy. In the acceptance of the Cross, the Resurrection...

The Primacy of Prayer The stillness of prayer is the most essential condition for fruitful action. Before all else, the disciple kneels down. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla

The Light of the World Lectio John 12:44–50 Meditatio “I came into the world as light.…” Today’s Gospel focuses on one of John’s great theme—light! This word has many facets: light is powerful yet gentle, explicit yet mysterious, common yet extraordinary. Jesus identifies himself with light: “I came into the world as light.” This proclamation of Jesus’ mission communicates a powerful truth—the radiance of Christ will deliver us from darkness and enlighten our journey in life. I once read that the sun is a giant nuclear fireball radiating energy in all directions. This energy is made visible to the eye as rays of light. We can see everything around us because these rays reflect off objects and into our eyes. If the source of light were obstructed or removed, then the objects would disappear. They wouldn’t cease to exist, but they would disappear from our world of sight. Haven’t we all tripped over or run into something in a dark room? Now Jesus announces: “I came into t...

Through The Right Door   JOHN 10:1–10   FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER       «“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.       “But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice”. Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be sav...

The Good Shepherd I am the good shepherd. I know my own- by which I mean, I love them - and my own know me. In plain words: those who love me are willing to follow me, for anyone who does not love the truth has not yet come to know it.  My dear brethren, you have heard the test we pastors have to undergo. Turn now to consider how these words of our Lord imply a test for yourselves also. Ask yourselves whether you belong to his flock, whether you know him, whether the light of his truth shines in your minds. I assure you that it is not by faith that you will come to know him, but by love; not by mere conviction, but by action. John the evangelist is my authority for this statement. He tells us that anyone who claims to know God without keeping his commandments is a liar.  Consequently, the Lord immediately adds: As the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. Clearly he means that laying down his life for his sheep gives evidence of hi...

The Refreshing Power of Prayer Dear brothers and sisters, the pastoral problem that induced the Apostles to choose and to lay their hands on seven men charged with the service of charity, so that they themselves might be able to devote themselves to prayer and to preaching the word, also indicates to us the primacy of prayer and of the word of God which, however, then result in pastoral action. For pastors, this is the first and most valuable form of service for the flock entrusted to them. If the lungs of prayer and of the word of God do not nourish the breath of our spiritual life, we risk being overwhelmed by countless everyday things: prayer is the breath of the soul and of life. And there is another precious reminder that I would like to underscore: in the relationships with God, in listening to his word, in dialogue with God, even when we may be in the silence of a church or of our room, we are united in the Lord to a great many brothers and sisters in faith, like an ensemble...

The Bread of Life Lectio John 6:52–59 Meditatio “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” In truth, we don’t understand these words of Jesus any more than did those who heard them from the lips of the Savior himself. Jesus does not offer any explanation to satisfy their curious intellects. He simply calls for their faith. “Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you.” Belief is a matter of life and death, not of understanding. His Flesh and Blood are the medicine of immortality. Such belief keeps us in the place of the creature, the recipient of the Creator’s love and the follower of his plan. Why should we believe something so preposterous as these words recorded in the Gospel of John? We are perfectly free to judge from the point of view of our puny intellect that they are nonsense. We are also free to say that though we cannot understand, we will believe, because the word of God can be trusted. What follows upon bel...