 |
Just A Minute (Listen) Some of EWTN's most popular hosts and guests in a collection of one minute inspirational messages. A different message each time you click. |
Posted on 01/10/2014 11:03:38 PM PST by Salvation
January 11, 2014
Reading 1 1 Jn 5:14-21
Beloved:
We have this confidence in him
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,
we know that what we have asked him for is ours.
If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,
he should pray to God and he will give him life.
This is only for those whose sin is not deadly.
There is such a thing as deadly sin,
about which I do not say that you should pray.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.
We know that anyone begotten by God does not sin;
but the one begotten by God he protects,
and the Evil One cannot touch him.
We know that we belong to God,
and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.
We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true,
in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against idols.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel Jn 3:22-30
Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea,
where he spent some time with them baptizing.
John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,
because there was an abundance of water there,
and people came to be baptized,
for John had not yet been imprisoned.
Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew
about ceremonial washings.
So they came to John and said to him,
“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan,
to whom you testified,
here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”
John answered and said,
“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease.”
|
Just A Minute (Listen) Some of EWTN's most popular hosts and guests in a collection of one minute inspirational messages. A different message each time you click. |
|
|
|
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. |
Feast Day: January 11
Born: 423 at Garissus, Cappadocia (modern Turkey)
Died: 529 at Cathismus
St. Theodosius
Feast Day: January 11
Born:423 :: Died:529
Theodosius was born at Garissus, Cappadocia in Asia Minor which today is called Turkey. He came from a very pious family and became a lector early in his youth. As a young man, he set out on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
He was inspired by Abraham's journey of faith recorded in the Bible's book of Genesis. After visiting the holy places, he decided to leave home and lead a life of prayer so he could properly follow God.
He met Saint Simeon Stylites in Antioch who recognized him as a holy man and leader and invited Theodosius to join him in prayer, blessing and advice. He later traveled to Jerusalem where he worked with a holy man named Longinus.
Soon people realized how holy Theodosius himself was. Many men asked to join him. They, too, wanted to be monks.
Theodosius built a large monastery at Cathismus, near Bethlehem. Soon it was filled with monks from Greece, Armenia, Arabia, Persia and the Slavic countries. In time, it grew into a "little city." One building was for sick people, one for the elderly and one for the poor and homeless.
Theodosius was always generous. He fed an endless stream of poor people. Sometimes it seemed like there would not be enough food for the monks. But Theodosius had great trust in God. He never turned travelers away, even when food was scarce.
The monastery was a very peaceful place. The monks lived in silence and prayer. It was going so well that the patriarch of Jerusalem appointed Theodosius head of all the monks in the east.
Theodosius died in 529 at the age of 106. The patriarch of Jerusalem and many people attended his funeral. Theodosius was buried where he had first lived as a monk. It was called the Cave of the Magi. The cave received its name from people who believed that the Wise Men had stayed there when they came in search of Jesus.
Saturday, January 11
Liturgical Color: Green
Today the Church honors Blessed
William Carter. William worked for a
printer during a time of Catholic
persecution in England. He was arrested
for printing and distributing Catholic
pamphlets. William was martyred for his
actions in 1584.
Daily Readings for:January 11, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: Almighty ever-living God, who were pleased to shine forth with new light through the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that, just as he was pleased to share our bodily form through the childbearing of the Virgin Mary, so we, too, may one day merit to become companions in his kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
RECIPES
o Salata de Cartofi (Greek Potato and Olive Salad)
ACTIVITIES
o Practical Suggestions for Christian Living (Baptism)
PRAYERS
o Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Christmas Season (2nd Plan)
o Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Christmas (1st Plan)
· Christmas: January 11th
· Saturday Christmas Weekday
Old Calendar: St. Hyginus, pope and martyr; St. Theodosius, abbot (Hist)
According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Hyginus. During the four years of his pontificate (138-142), he had to oppose the heresy of Valentinus who at this period came to propagate his errors in the heart of the Christian community in Rome.
It is also historically the feast of St. Theodosius, abbot, born in Cappadocia in the village of Magarisso, who after having endured great sufferings for the Catholic faith, took his rest in peace at the monastery which he had erected on a lonely hill in the diocese of Jerusalem.
The Eighteenth Day of Christmas
St. Hyginus
The crown of the empire belonged to Antonius Pius. Hyginus, as Telesphorus' successor, not only had to endure his relentless persecutions but also had to cope with the heretics who made their way to Rome.
Hyginus was a Greek from Athens who, like his contemporary Justin Martyr, was a philosopher. He is said to have done some organizing of the clergy, and it is likely that he addressed the Roman clergy on the subjects of sin in general and of obedience to the Church.
The emergence of Gnosticism is probably the most significant development of Hyginus' pontificate. Cerdo came from Syria and Valentinus from Egypt, and together they taught this system of mystical belief, which was a combination of Greek philosophy and Oriental superstitions regarding Christ. For years Cerdo vacillated between teaching error and repenting, returning to the Church, then falling from grace. Valentinus, however, staunchly defended his cause. Hyginus perceived this as heresy, for it deviated greatly from the true teachings of the Apostles.
Hyginus was said to have suffered gloriously and he was buried on Vatican Hill.
St. Theodosius
St. Theodosius was so inspired by Abraham's example of leaving his loved ones and homeland for God that he left his homeland of Cappadocia to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. There St. Theodosius took as his guide the holy man Longinus, who placed him in charge of a church near Bethlehem. Theodosius did not stay there long, however, but he went to live in a cave on a nearby mountain. He was known for his holiness, and many desired to dedicate their lives to God as monks under Theodosius. He built a monastery at Cathismus, as well as three hospices: for the sick, the elderly and the mentally ill. When Emperor Anastasius was persecuting Christians who did not accept the Eutychian heresy, which states that Christ has only one nature, St. Theodosius preached orthodoxy throughout Palestine, even stating from the pulpit in Jerusalem: "If anyone receives not the four general councils as the four gospels, let him be anathema." The Saint renewed the courage of those in whom the Emperor's edicts had instilled fear. Anastasius banished Theodosius, though he was later recalled by Anastasius' successor. Theodosius died at the age of 105; many miracles occurred at his funeral.
— Excerpted from Saints Calendar and Daily Planner, Tan Books
Christmas Weekday
He … rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. (John 3:29)
There is a story about St. Francis de Sales’ conversation with the mayor of his town. “You know, Bishop Francis,” said the mayor, “I have so much to do that I just can’t spend an hour in prayer.” Francis responded, “Anyone as busy as you are needs two hours of prayer!”
For some reason, the mayor looked on prayer as a burden, another weighty obligation to be added to his already packed schedule. But John the Baptist had a different approach. During his years in the wilderness, he discovered that prayer was not a matter of sitting still while God recounted his failings and issued heartless commands. No, John discovered that prayer was a matter of listening for “the bridegroom’s voice” and finding great joy when he heard it (John 3:29).
John is often presented in movies as a fiery, ill-tempered prophet who liked nothing better than castigating the people who came to him. But today’s Gospel reading shows us a different picture. Here is a man of great passion but also of great humility—a man who was eager to finally meet the Messiah and then stand aside so that Jesus could take center stage. He had seen the Lord, and that was enough for him. His joy was complete.
John tells us that God’s voice—the voice that we all long to hear—is the voice of a smiling, exuberant bridegroom on his wedding day. It’s a voice filled with eagerness, longing to whisper words of love to his bride. It’s a voice of hope and love, a voice of tenderness and yearning, a voice that brings hope and joy whenever it speaks.
As we listen for the voice of Jesus in prayer, there will be times when we will hear words of direction, words of comfort, words of wisdom, and even words of correction. But no matter what he hear, the words will always be spoken in a voice of love, acceptance, and friendship.
So take the time today to pray. Quiet your heart. Open your Scriptures. And listen closely. Jesus has something he wants to say to you.
“Here I am, Lord, ready to hear your voice. Let your words of truth and love awaken my heart so that I can follow you wherever you lead.”
1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149:1-6, 9
Daily Marriage Tip for January 11, 2014:
Even if it’s not your cup of tea, sometimes it’s worth doing something with your honey, just because it pleases the other person. For example, watch her favorite movie or his favorite sport, try dancing together, take a lesson…
Listen, my priest!
Saturday, 11 January 2014 14:24
Leave aside the things
that distract you from Me.
I am the One Thing Necessary to you
in this life.
Save your eyes, your ears,
your mouth, your hands, and your heart,
your whole being for Me,
and I will unite you to Myself.
Close your eyes to vanities,
and your ears to flattery and deceit.
Open your mouth to praise Me,
to sing My glory, to speak of Me,
and to speak good things to your neighbour.
Keep yourself for Me
as I keep Myself for you
in the Sacrament of My Love.
Know that I wait for you.
There is a consolation
that only you can give Me.
It is your friendship that My Heart desires
and this friendship of yours cannot be replaced by any other.
You are Mine and I am yours.
Abide in Me and I will abide in you,
speaking through you,
and touching souls through your words.
Allow Me to be the physician of souls and bodies through you.
I want to live in you and pursue on earth
all of those things that I did out of love and compassion
when I walked among men in My flesh.
You are My flesh now,
and you are my presence in the world.
It is through you that I make myself visible to men.
It is through you that I will speak to them,
and comfort them, and heal them,
and draw them to My Father in the Holy Spirit.
There is nothing that I will not do for souls through My priests.
Let them be visible and present in the world that needs them
and, without knowing it, seeks them
and waits for a word from them:
a word of life, a word of hope,
a word of compassion, a word of forgiveness.
Let my priests be visible,
not in order to make themselves seen and admired by men,
but in order to make Me seen, and known, and loved
in them and through them.
The world is looking for fathers,
and in My priests I have given souls the fathers whom they need.
There are false fathers who would abuse souls
and lead them along,
and exercise seduction and power over them.
These are not the fathers whom I am sending into the world.
The fathers whom I send to souls are men in My own image and likeness:
humble, meek, self–sacrificing, tender, and strong.
I will give to these fathers, chosen and sent out by Me
a wisdom and a courage that the enemies of My Cross
will not be able to confound.
Let My priests forsake all selfishness and worldly aggrandisement
and so become fathers to souls in need of love, of comfort,
of direction, and guidance, and courage.
It is through My priests that the world will be healed
of the sufferings inflicted upon it by the absence of true fathers,
fathers in whom the tenderness and mercy of My own Father
will be revealed to His children in this valley of tears.Let my priests be fathers!
Let them beg Me for the grace of spiritual fatherhood,
and I will give it to them in abundance.
Such a man was Saint Joseph.
He was the living image of My Father,
and he was chosen by My Father to be a father to Me in My sacred humanity.
Let my priests go to Saint Joseph.
He will obtain for them this priceless gift of spiritual fatherhood,
and he will guide them in the delicate and difficult work
of being true fathers to souls.
From In Sinu Iesu, The Journal of A Priest
| Where Less is More | ||
|
||
|
Saturday After Epiphany
|
||
 |
||
|
John 3:22-30 Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him." John answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said (that) I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom´s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease." Introductory Prayer: Lord, in spite of so many efforts, my self-love and vanity cloud my intentions, reducing the merit of my labors for you. Therefore I come before you empty-handed. Nevertheless, I’m confident in your forgiveness, knowing that you are pleased to refresh and renew me as often as I turn back to you with hope. I love you ardently, good Jesus, and long to love you ever more. Petition:Lord, help me to practice true humility. 1. “He Must Increase; I Must Decrease”: This is the petition that must burn in the heart of every authentic apostle and leader in the faith. Often we seek ourselves in our vocation, in our apostolate, in our service to the Church. Some offer themselves only when the work to be done brings them honor or enhances their self-importance. We claim to serve Christ, but if we have our status compromised by criticism or see someone less capable moved ahead of us in rank, our heart crumbles in discouragement and our commitment wanes. In moments when humility is asked of us, may we pass the test that John passes in today’s Gospel. Every day we must look into our hearts to see if they are mirrors reflecting back only self-centered motivations, or if they are windows to the heart of Christ in the world, centered only on humble service. Mirrors weaken the mission; windows empower it. 2. “Rejoices Greatly at the Bridegroom´s Voice”: Breaking the grip of self-love is eminently positive work. We can let go of a lesser love only for a greater one. Everyday John’s heart had set its aspiration and love on the Messiah to come. All his ministerial action and spiritual ideals were centered on Christ. His solitude in the desert permitted this love to grow without distraction, communicated as it was in prayer and contemplation. As John states, all he has received he received from heaven—from the supernatural life given by contemplation and grace. Love for Christ was no overnight endeavor, but was the work of years of prayer, self-conquest and fidelity to the life of conversion he was to preach. Conversation with Christ:Lord, I hear now what John heard: your beautiful voice summoning union with your beloved, the Church. No greater honor and love can I have than to ensure this union happens continuously, perfectly and selflessly. May I learn to accept humiliation and forget myself a thousand times over, so that the needs of your Mystical Body may be brokered over my humble service and self-effacing manner. I pray that my ignoble need to be praised and appreciated apart from your glory never becomes the reason to find you separated from your spouse. Resolution:I will pray a litany of humility with great fervor today before I go to bed. |
Language: English | Español
All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 1
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pray a Rosary for a newborn!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
