Marriage of St Francis to Lady Poverty
Sassetta
1437-44
Panel, 88 x 52 cm
Musée Condé, Chantilly
Posted on 06/24/2013 10:26:53 PM PDT by Salvation
JUNE 25, 2013
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
READING 1 GN 13:2, 5-18 Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.
Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support them if they stayed together; their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and those of Lot’s. (At this time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were occupying the land.)
So Abram said to Lot: “Let there be no strife between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land at your disposal? Please separate from me. If you prefer the left, I will go to the right; if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.” Lot looked about and saw how well watered the whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar, like the LORD’s own garden, or like Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot, therefore, chose for himself the whole Jordan Plain and set out eastward. Thus they separated from each other; Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain, pitching his tents near Sodom. Now the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked in the sins they committed against the LORD.
After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram: “Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west; all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted. Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it.” Abram moved his tents and went on to settle near the terebinth of Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar to the LORD.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 15:2-3A, 3BC-4AB, 5
R. (1b) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; By whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
GOSPEL MT 7:6, 12-14
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”
Thanks. I just wish I could get the nice html formatting short cut that I used to have. and make this look better.
Information: St. William of Vercelli
Feast Day: June 25
Born: 1085 at Vercelli, Italy
Died: 25 June 1142 at Guglietto, Italy
http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/0625.asp
St. William of Monte Vergine
Feast Day: June 25
Born: 1085 :: Died: 1142
William was born into a wealthy family at Vercelli in Italy. His parents died when he was a baby and he was raised by relatives. When William was fourteen, he went on a pilgrimage to Saintiago de Compostela in Spain. There he decided that he wanted to live only for God and became a hermit.
One day he worked a miracle where he healed a blind man, and suddenly found himself famous. William was too humble to be happy with the people’s admiration. He really wanted to remain a hermit so that he could give all his attention to God. He went away to live alone on a high, wild mountain. No one would bother him now.
But even there he was not left alone. Men gathered around the saint and they built a monastery dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. His followers became monks at the monastery. Because of William’s monastery, people named the mountain, the Mountain of the Virgin.
After a while, some of the monks began to complain that life at the monastery was too hard. They wanted better food and easier work. William would not relax the rule for himself. Instead, he chose a new head for the monks. Then he and five faithful followers set out to start another monastery, as strict as they were used to.
One of his companions was St. John of Mantua. Both William and John of Mantua were leaders and great friends, but they saw things differently. They soon realized that they would do better if they split up, each to start a monastery. John went east and William went west. They both did very well. In fact, both became saints.
Later, William became the advisor of King Roger I of Naples and the king helped St. William in return. William’s good influence on the king made some evil men of the court very jealous. They tried to prove to the king that William was evil, that he was hiding behind a holy habit.
They sent a bad woman to tempt William to sin, but she failed. Instead she was sorry for what she had done. She repented and gave up her life of sin. St. William died on June 25, 1142 at Guglietto in Italy.
Liturgical Color: Green
CATHOLIC ALMANAC
Today is the optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Devotion to Mary is traced to Apostolic times. Paintings in the catacombs of the earliest Christians show the developing reverence to her.
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-06-25
Ordinary Time: June 25th
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time
Daily Readings for: June 25, 2013
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: Father, guide and protector of your people, grant us an unfailing respect for your name, and keep us always in your love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
RECIPES
o Monastery Soup
ACTIVITIES
o Scripture in the Home
PRAYERS
o June Devotion: The Sacred Heart
Old Calendar: St. William, abbot
Saint William was born to noble parents at the beginning of the twelfth century. He was orphaned while still an infant and was raised by relatives. He built a monastery on the summit of Monte Vergine near Naples, and established a community of hermits, to whom he gave a rule inspired in great measure by that of St. Benedict. He died in 1142. According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is his feast.
________________________________________
St. William of Monte Virgine, Abbot
William was born in Vercelli, Italy, in 1085. His parents died when he was a baby. Relatives raised him. When William grew up, he became a hermit. He worked a miracle, curing a blind man, and found himself famous. William was too humble to be happy with the people’s admiration. He really wanted to remain a hermit so that he could concentrate on God. He went away to live alone on a high, wild mountain. No one would bother him now. But even there he was not to remain alone. Men gathered around the saint and they built a monastery dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Because of William’s monastery, people gave the mountain a new name. They called it the Mountain of the Virgin.
After a while, some of the monks began to complain that the lifestyle was too hard. They wanted better food and an easier schedule. William would not relax the rule for himself. Instead, he chose a prior for the monks. Then he and five faithful followers set out to start another monastery, as strict as they were used to. One of his companions was St. John of Mantua. Both William and John of Mantua were leaders. They realized as time went on that they would do better if they split up, each to start a monastery. They were great friends, but they saw things differently. John went east and William went west. Both did very well. In fact, both became saints.
Later, King Roger of Naples helped St. William. William’s good influence on the king angered some evil men of the court. They tried to prove to the king that William was really evil, that he was hiding behind a holy habit. They sent a bad woman to tempt him, but she was unsuccessful. It seems that she repented and gave up her life of sin. St. William died on June 25, 1142.
He is also known as St. William of Vercelli, or St. William of Monte Vergine.
Symbols: Wolf; trowel; lily; passion flower.
Often Portrayed as: a pilgrim, usually near Santiago de Compostela; abbot near a wolf wearing a saddle; receiving an appearance by Christ; saddling a wolf that killed his ass.
Things to Do:
• William’s pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James the Apostle in Spain was the turning point of his life. Is it not easily possible for you to make a pilgrimage to some holy place in your neighborhood now during the summertime? First of all, however, are you familiar with the relics in your own parish church? Remember that any visit to a church is a pilgrimage to the grave of a saint!
• Read more about the life of St. William here and the monastery he founded, Monte Vergine.
http://wau.org/meditations/current/
Meditation: Matthew 7:6, 12-14
12th Week in Ordinary Time
Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. (Matthew 7:12)
This one verse from the Gospel of Matthew has been enshrined for centuries as “The Golden Rule.” And yet for all the attention it gets, we can all admit how difficult it can be to live it out! It’s not uncommon for us to take a more restrictive approach to this saying: “Treat me as I feel I should be treated, and then we’ll see if I want to treat you the same way.”
It’s interesting to note that immediately after this saying, Jesus tells us to enter through the “narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13). On the one hand, we can imagine this to mean that the narrow gate involves our doing all sorts of things to please the Lord and earn our way into his favor. But that is the exact opposite of the central truth of the gospel message. That message tells us that we are saved by grace, something God gives us freely and without regard to our actions. We are saved by Jesus’ death on the cross—because we can’t save ourselves!
Perhaps we should look at this narrow gate as the gate of surrender. Perhaps it is a matter of our allowing Jesus into our hearts and into our relationships so that he can teach us a new way of living and a new way of loving. And the truth is, it’s hard to humble ourselves to such a degree. It’s hard to give Jesus control of our lives, even if he promises to rule us in love and compassion, in tenderness and mercy.
Brothers and sisters, the Golden Rule works only to the degree that we let Jesus work in us. He can teach us to offer forgiveness and love instead of judgment and hatred. His love can soften our hearts so that he can reshape them to reflect his own compassion, peace, and eagerness to serve. The Golden Rule works only as we seek the grace to treat other people the way Jesus has treated us. And we can only do that if we let Jesus treat us the right way.
So open the narrow gate of your heart. Invite Jesus in. Let him take up residence, and he will teach you a new way to live.
“Jesus, come live in me so that I can become an instrument of your mercy and grace.”
Genesis 13:2, 5-18; Psalm 15:2-5
Marriage = One Man and One Woman
Til’ Death Do Us Part
Daily Marriage Tip for June 25, 2013:
If your child has a problem and wants your input, but you are caught off guard, try saying “Tell me more about that.” or “What do you think you should do?” Responses like this can buy you time and clarify the situation. Works with spouses too
The Difficult Path
| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Father Edward McIlmail, LC
Matthew 7:6, 12-14
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”
Introductory Prayer: I believe in the power of prayer, Lord. This time spent with you is the most important time of my day. Let me be confident of your presence and your love, in order to take full advantage of these privileged moments.
Petition: Lord, help me appreciate better the beauty of the Christian faith.
1. Our True Values: We take great care to guard what is most valuable to us, right? The truth is, we often take great risks with what is most precious. We say we value life and limb, but think nothing of speeding in heavy traffic. We say we want to get to heaven, but we dabble in sin, even serious sin, almost daily. We surf racy Web sites. We cut down people in office gossip. We close our hearts to the needy. We habitually vote for politicians who defend abortion. We take sin oh-so-lightly. Likewise, we might let the holy things of our faith languish. We might neglect the sacrament of reconciliation. We receive Communion unworthily. We stay silent when a relative brags about using contraception. We do nothing when a child withdraws into the world of Internet for five hours a day. Is there something about which I should be speaking up?
2.
3.
4. Do unto Others: To decide what to do in any given situation, we can ask ourselves how we would like to be treated. “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you” (Luke 6:38). The respect we have for ourselves is often reflected in the respect we show others. Rudeness, indifference and irritability toward others bespeak a problem in us. The Golden Rule isn´t just for others; it is also to guard our own dignity. Are there people toward whom I am routinely uncharitable? Do I realize that this lack of charity can hurt my character more than it hurts their feelings?
3. The Broad Road and the Narrow Gate: Modernity is like a 24/7 convenience store. We can get anything, anytime. We can end up thinking that everything about life should be easy, be it marriage, self-discipline or even our salvation. The illusion of ease shouldn´t fool us. Working toward our salvation is hard work. Original sin left a deep mark on all of us. Struggling toward salvation takes prayer, sacrifice and constant vigilance. Do I sense that the living of my faith in today´s world is easy? If so, I´m probably not living it well. Where have I avoided the narrow road of holiness? Am I too attached to food, clothes or the opinions of others?
Conversation with Christ: Help me to see, Lord, that my real dignity lies in treating others well, and in renouncing my disordered passions. Let me shake off mediocrity in my spiritual life and make the most of the time you give me.
Resolution: Today, I will make a special sacrifice for a loved one.
| Matthew | |||
| English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
| Matthew 7 |
|||
| 6. | Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you. | Nolite dare sanctum canibus : neque mittatis margaritas vestras ante porcos, ne forte conculcent eas pedibus suis, et conversi dirumpant vos. | μη δωτε το αγιον τοις κυσιν μηδε βαλητε τους μαργαριτας υμων εμπροσθεν των χοιρων μηποτε καταπατησωσιν αυτους εν τοις ποσιν αυτων και στραφεντες ρηξωσιν υμας |
| [...] | |||
| 12. | All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets. | Omnia ergo quæcumque vultis ut faciant vobis homines, et vos facite illis. Hæc est enim lex, et prophetæ. | παντα ουν οσα αν θελητε ινα ποιωσιν υμιν οι ανθρωποι ουτως και υμεις ποιειτε αυτοις ουτος γαρ εστιν ο νομος και οι προφηται |
| 13. | Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat. | Intrate per angustam portam : quia lata porta, et spatiosa via est, quæ ducit ad perditionem, et multi sunt qui intrant per eam. | εισελθετε δια της στενης πυλης οτι πλατεια η πυλη και ευρυχωρος η οδος η απαγουσα εις την απωλειαν και πολλοι εισιν οι εισερχομενοι δι αυτης |
| 14. | How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it! | Quam angusta porta, et arcta via est, quæ ducit ad vitam : et pauci sunt qui inveniunt eam ! | τι στενη η πυλη και τεθλιμμενη η οδος η απαγουσα εις την ζωην και ολιγοι εισιν οι ευρισκοντες αυτην |
http://catholicexchange.com/pearls/
Pearls
by Food For Thought on June 25, 2013 •
While it is our Christian duty to spread God’s Word and the gospel, we should also be very prudent and cautious that we ourselves are not converted or seduced by those who oppose and abuse our Christian doctrine (dogs), or influenced by those who are corrupt, impure or profane (swine). Our faith is holy and precious as pearls and we must be always on our guard not to lose it to the faithless or evildoers. Let us be careful in admonishing persons where we see no hope of success, or we may end up the losers.
Whatever it is that we expect of others in similar circumstances, do to them. Let us not behave unjustly or selfishly towards others but rather, let us put ourselves in their place and behave as we would expect them to behave towards us.
Jesus tells us that entering heaven will not be easy. The wide gate is the worldly gate, the easy one through which many will enter and lose their way. Because of our humanity, we are weak and easily succumb to temptation. If we are careless and do not cling to Jesus and Mary’s mantle, we will be carried away by the flow of the crowd that goes through that gate and to our destruction. Therefore, we should search for the narrow gate – the gate that leads men to heaven.
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
One Bread, One Body
<< Tuesday, June 25, 2013 >>
Genesis 13:2, 5-18
View Readings
Psalm 15:2-5 Matthew 7:6, 12-14
THE MASTER’S-PIECE
“But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it!” —Matthew 7:14
God has a plan for your life. He knows exactly how many children He wants you to have. He’s got a house picked out for you. He knows the day, hour, minute, and second of your death. The Lord is orchestrating the details of your life to create an unprecedented and unrepeatable symphony of praise to the Father through the Son and in the Spirit. The Master is painting a Master-piece, using the little pieces of your life as His brush strokes.
All we have to do is obey Him, “not turning aside to the right or to the left, but following exactly the way prescribed” for us (Dt 5:32-33). We should get out of God’s way, lose our lives (Lk 9:24), choose the narrow way (Mt 7:13), let God do His thing, have His way, and be Lord of our lives. He knows what He’s doing, even if we don’t. We should trust Him rather than trust ourselves. He died for us and rose from the dead. His love and power are proven. To run our own lives would be the height of foolishness. We are privileged to have the opportunity to surrender our lives to Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, I repent of my sins. Take over my whole life now and forever.
Promise: “Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west; all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth.” —Gn 13:14-16
Praise: Roger and his family gave Jesus all the details of their lives and have never looked back with regret.
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No problem.Can’t have too much prayer.
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