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Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 01-27-14, OM, St. Angela Merici, Virgin
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 01-27-14 | Revised New American Bible

Posted on 01/26/2014 6:59:23 PM PST by Salvation

January 27, 2014

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

 

 

Reading 1 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10

All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said:
“Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the children of Israel out and brought them back.
And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel
and shall be commander of Israel.’”
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,
King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,
and they anointed him king of Israel.
David was thirty years old when he became king,
and he reigned for forty years:
seven years and six months in Hebron over Judah,
and thirty-three years in Jerusalem
over all Israel and Judah.

Then the king and his men set out for Jerusalem
against the Jebusites who inhabited the region.
David was told, “You cannot enter here:
the blind and the lame will drive you away!”
which was their way of saying, “David cannot enter here.”
But David did take the stronghold of Zion, which is the City of David.

David grew steadily more powerful,
for the LORD of hosts was with him.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 89:20, 21-22, 25-26

R. (25a) My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
Once you spoke in a vision,
and to your faithful ones you said:
“On a champion I have placed a crown;
over the people I have set a youth.”
R. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
R. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
I will set his hand upon the sea,
his right hand upon the rivers.”
R. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.

Gospel Mk 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and
“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
“How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”
For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”



TOPICS: Catholic; General Discusssion; Prayer; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; ordinarytime; prayer
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To: All
Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Angela Merici


Feast Day: January 27
Born:1474 :: Died:1540

Angela was born in the small Italian town of Desenzano, Lake Garda, Italy. Her parents died when she was ten. She and her only sister, who was three years older, loved each other very much.

A rich uncle took the girls into his home. While still suffering from the loss of her parents, Angela's sister also died. The older girl died even before a priest could arrive to administer the last sacraments.

Angela worried about her sister's soul but Jesus revealed to her that her sister had been saved. Angela felt peace return to her own soul and thanked the Lord in prayer. She wanted to do something to show her gratitude. So she promised to spend the rest of her life serving Jesus totally.

She joined the Secular Fransiscan Order when she was fifteen and received a vision telling her that by her example she would lead other holy women to God.

In Crete, while on a pilgrimage to Holy Land, she was struck blind. Her friends wanted to return home, but she insisted on going on, visiting the shrines with as much devotion and enthusiasm as if she could see. On the way home, while praying before a crucifix, she got back her sight at the same place where it had been lost.

When she was about twenty-two, Angela began to notice that the children of her town knew little about their religion. Angela invited some of her girlfriends to join her in teaching religion classes. Angela's friends were anxious to help her with the children.

At that time there were no religious orders of teaching sisters. No one had ever thought of such a thing. St. Angela Merici was the first to gather together a group of women to open schools for children.

On November 25, 1535, twenty-eight young women offered their lives to God. It was the beginning of the Ursuline order. Angela placed the congregation under the protection of St. Ursula and this is how they got their name.

The women stayed in their own homes at first. Because of many difficulties, it was a long time before they could live together in a convent. Angela died on January 27, 1540, when her congregation was still in its beginning stages.

Her trust in God had seen her through many hard tests in her lifetime. There was no doubt in her mind that the Lord would take care of the mission she had begun. And so he did.

The Ursuline Sisters have now spread to many countries. The order continues its works for Jesus and his Church, especially in the education of children and young adults.


21 posted on 01/27/2014 8:02:05 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Monday, January 27

Liturgical Color: Green

Today is the optional memorial of St.
Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline
Sisters. In 1524, she was struck blind
while preparing for a pilgrimage to the
Holy Land. She went anyway and her
sight was miraculously restored upon
her return.

22 posted on 01/27/2014 3:48:23 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Catholic Culture

 

Daily Readings for:January 27, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: May the Virgin Saint Angela never fail to commend us to your compassion, O Lord, we pray, that, following the lessons of her charity and prudence, and express it in what we do. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o    Genoise Book Cake

o    Overnight Basic Italian

o    Pasticcio di Polenta

o    Polenta

o    Risi e Bisi

o    Rose Petal Coconut Cake

o    Rose Petal Pound Cake

o    Salmon Primavera with Lemon Butter Sauce

ACTIVITIES

o    Nameday Celebration Prayers and Ideas for St. Angela Merici

o    Practical Suggestions for Christian Living (Holy Orders)

PRAYERS

o    Litany of St. Angela Merici

o    Novena for Purification

·         Ordinary Time: January 27th

·         Optional Memorial of St. Angela Merici, virgin

Old Calendar: St. John Chrysostom, bishop, confessor and doctor; St. Angela Merici

St. Angela was born in northern Italy. In 1516, she founded the Order of Ursulines, the first teaching order for women approved by the Church. According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. John Chrysostom. St. Angela Merici's feast is celebrated on June 1, except in the convents of her order where it is also celebrated today.


St. Angela Merici
The saint was born in 1474 in the diocese of Verona. Early in life she dedicated herself to Christ as His bride. After the death of her parents, she desired to live solely for God in quiet and solitude, but her uncle insisted that she manage his household.

She renounced her patrimony in order to observe most perfectly the rule for Franciscan Tertiaries.

During a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1524, she lost her eyesight temporarily. Pope Clement VII, whom she visited in Rome, desired her to remain in the Holy City. Later she founded a society for girls, under the protection of St. Ursula; this was the beginning of the Ursuline Order. St. Angela was almost seventy when she died; her body remained incorrupt for thirty days. Remarkable phenomena occurred at her burial in the Church of St. Afra.

— Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patron: Bodily ills; disabled people; handicapped people; illness; loss of parents; physically challenged people; sick people; sickness.

Symbols: Cloak; ladder.

Things to Do:


23 posted on 01/27/2014 4:14:46 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Mark
  English: Douay-Rheims Latin: Vulgata Clementina Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
  Mark 3
22 And the scribes who were come down from Jerusalem, said: He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of devils he casteth out devils. Et scribæ, qui ab Jerosolymis descenderant, dicebant : Quoniam Beelzebub habet, et quia in principe dæmoniorum ejicit dæmonia. και οι γραμματεις οι απο ιεροσολυμων καταβαντες ελεγον οτι βεελζεβουλ εχει και οτι εν τω αρχοντι των δαιμονιων εκβαλλει τα δαιμονια
23 And after he had called them together, he said to them in parables: How can Satan cast out Satan? Et convocatis eis in parabolis dicebat illis : Quomodo potest Satanas Satanam ejicere ? και προσκαλεσαμενος αυτους εν παραβολαις ελεγεν αυτοις πως δυναται σατανας σαταναν εκβαλλειν
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. Et si regnum in se dividatur, non potest regnum illud stare. και εαν βασιλεια εφ εαυτην μερισθη ου δυναται σταθηναι η βασιλεια εκεινη
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Et si domus super semetipsam dispertiatur, non potest domus illa stare. και εαν οικια εφ εαυτην μερισθη ου δυναται σταθηναι η οικια εκεινη
26 And if Satan be risen up against himself, he is divided, and cannot stand, but hath an end. Et si Satanas consurrexerit in semetipsum, dispertitus est, et non poterit stare, sed finem habet. και ει ο σατανας ανεστη εφ εαυτον και μεμερισται ου δυναται σταθηναι αλλα τελος εχει
27 No man can enter into the house of a strong man and rob him of his goods, unless he first bind the strong man, and then shall he plunder his house. Nemo potest vasa fortis ingressus in domum diripere, nisi prius fortem alliget, et tunc domum ejus diripiet. ουδεις δυναται τα σκευη του ισχυρου εισελθων εις την οικιαν αυτου διαρπασαι εαν μη πρωτον τον ισχυρον δηση και τοτε την οικιαν αυτου διαρπαση
28 Amen I say to you, that all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and the blasphemies wherewith they shall blaspheme: Amen dico vobis, quoniam omnia dimittentur filiis hominum peccata, et blasphemiæ quibus blasphemaverint : αμην λεγω υμιν οτι παντα αφεθησεται τα αμαρτηματα τοις υιοις των ανθρωπων και βλασφημιαι οσας αν βλασφημησωσιν
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, shall never have forgiveness, but shall be guilty of an everlasting sin. qui autem blasphemaverit in Spiritum Sanctum, non habebit remissionem in æternum, sed reus erit æterni delicti. ος δ αν βλασφημηση εις το πνευμα το αγιον ουκ εχει αφεσιν εις τον αιωνα αλλ ενοχος εστιν αιωνιου κρισεως
30 Because they said: He hath an unclean spirit. Quoniam dicebant : Spiritum immundum habet. οτι ελεγον πνευμα ακαθαρτον εχει

24 posted on 01/27/2014 5:35:41 PM PST by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex
22. And the Scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casts he out devils.

BEDE; The Scribes also coming down from Jerusalem blaspheme. But the multitude from Jerusalem, and from other regions of Judea, or of the Gentiles, followed the Lord, because so it was to be at the time of His Passion, that a crowd of the people of the Jews should lead Him to Jerusalem with palms and praises, and the Gentiles should desire to see Him; but the Scribes and Pharisees should plot together for His death.

23. And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24. And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.
27. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
28. Verily I say to you, All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29. But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost has never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
30. Because they said, He has an unclean spirit.

PSEUD-CHRYS. The blasphemy of the Scribes having been detailed, our Lord shows that what they said was impossible confirming His proof by an example. Wherefore it says And having called them together to him, He said to them in parables, How can Satan, cast out Satan?

As if He had said, A kingdom divided against itself by civil war must be desolated, which is exemplified both in a house and in a city. Wherefore also if Satan's kingdom be divided against itself, so that Satan expels Satan from men, the desolation of the kingdom of the devils is at hand. But their kingdom consists in keeping men under their dominion. If therefore they are driven away from men, it amounts to nothing less than the dissolution of their kingdom. But if they still hold their power over men, it is manifest that the kingdom of evil is still standing, and Satan is not divided against himself.

GLOSS. And because He has already shown by an example that a devil cannot cast out a devil, He shows how he can be expelled, saying,

No man can enter into a strong man's house, &c.

THEOPHYL. The meaning of the example is this: The devil is the strong man; his goods are the men into whom he is received; unless therefore a man first conquers the devil, how can he deprive him of his goods, that is, of the men whom he has possessed? So also I who spoil his goods, that is, free men from suffering by his possession, first spoil the devils and vanquish them, and am their enemy. How then can you say that I have Beelzebub, and that being the friend of the devils, I cast them out?

BEDE; The Lord has also bound the strong man, that is, the devil: which means, he has restrained him from seducing the elect, and entering into his house, the world; The has spoiled his house , and his goods, that is men, because He has snatched them from the snares of the devil, and has united them to His Church. Or, He has spoiled his house, because the four parts of the world, over which the old enemy had sway, He has distributed to the Apostles and their successors, that they may convert the people to the way of life.

But the Lord shows that they committed a great sin, in crying out that that which they knew to be of God, was of the devil, when He subjoins, Verily I say to you, All sins are forgiven, &c. All sins and blasphemies are not indeed remitted to all men, but to those who have gone through a repentance in this life sufficient for their sins; thus neither is Novatus right, who denied that any pardon should be granted to penitents, who had lapsed in time of martyrdom; nor Origen, who asserts that after the general judgment, after the revolution of ages, all sinners will receive pardon for their sins, which error the following words of the Lord condemn, when He adds, But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, &c.

PSEUD-CHRYS. He says indeed, that blasphemy concerning Himself was pardonable, because He then seemed to be a man despised and of the most lowly birth, but, that contumely against God has no remission. Now blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is against God, for the operation of the Holy Ghost is the kingdom of God; and for this reason, He says, that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost cannot be remitted. Instead, however, of what is here added, But will be in danger of eternal damnation, another Evangelist says, Neither in this world, nor in the world to come. By which is understood, the judgment which is according to the law, and that which is to come. For the law orders one who blasphemes God to be slain, and in the judgment of the second law he has no remission. However, he who is baptized is taken out of this world; but the Jews were ignorant of the remission which takes place in baptism. He therefore who refers to the devil miracles, and the casting out of devils which belong to the Holy Ghost alone, has no room left him for remission of his blasphemy.

Neither does it appear that such a blasphemy as this is remitted, since it is against the Holy Ghost. Wherefore he adds, explaining it, Because they said, He has an unclean spirit.

THEOPHYL. We must however understand, that they will not obtain pardon unless they repent. But since it was at the flesh of Christ that they were offended, even though they did not repent, some excuse was allowed them, and they obtained some remission.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Or this is meant; that he will not deserve to work out repentance, so as to be accepted, who, understanding who Christ was, declared that He was the prince of the devils.

BEDE; Neither however are those, who do not believe the Holy Spirit to be God, guilty of an unpardonable blasphemy, because they were persuaded to do this by human ignorance, not by devilish malice.

AUG. Or else impenitence itself is the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost which has no remission. For either in his thought or by his tongue, he speaks a word against the Holy Ghost, the forgiver of sins, who treasures up for himself an impenitent heart. But He subjoins, Because they said, He has an unclean spirit, that he might show that His reason for saying it, was their declaring that He cast out a devil by Beelzebub, not because there is a blasphemy, which cannot be remitted, since even this might be remitted through a right repentance; but the cause why this sentence was put forth by the Lord, after mentioning the unclean spirit, (who as our Lord shows was divided against himself,) was, that the Holy Ghost even makes those whom He brings together undivided, by His remitting those sins, which divided them from Himself, which gift of remission is resisted by no one, but him who has the hardiness of an impenitent heart. For in another place, the Jews said of the Lord, that He had a devil, without however His saying anything there about the blasphemy against the Spirit; and the reason is, that they did not there cast in His teeth the unclean spirit, in such a way, that that spirit could by their own words be shown to be divided against Himself, as Beelzebub was here shown to be, by their saying, that it might be he who cast out devils.

Catena Aurea Mark 3
25 posted on 01/27/2014 5:36:10 PM PST by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex


Temptation of Christ

12 c.
Monreale, Sicily


26 posted on 01/27/2014 5:36:46 PM PST by annalex (fear them not)
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To: All
The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 3:22-30

Saint Angela Merici, Virgin

How can Satan drive out Satan? (Mark 3:23)

If you’ve ever been near an airfield as a huge jet takes off, you know that it can be a very powerful experience. The deafening noise, the forceful gust, and the shaking ground can make your pulse quicken and your whole body tingle.

Now imagine that you can erase the airplane and the noise, but keep that excited feeling. That’s how some people have described their experience of the Holy Spirit: a quickened pulse, a sense of awe, and an excitement over all that his power can accomplish.

Sometimes, however, the Holy Spirit’s work can be very subtle: perhaps a chance encounter or an answer to an unspoken prayer. It’s this kind of experience, this subtle work of God, that can be overlooked all too easily.

In today’s Gospel reading, the people see Jesus’ miracles and fear that his power is of demonic origin. But Jesus is quick to attribute the miracles to the Holy Spirit. He even rebukes them for slandering the Holy Spirit. It’s striking to see him defending the Spirit as if he were a brother or a close friend.

This close relationship with the Holy Spirit is something that God wants us to develop as well—a relationship so close that we can detect his subtle movements just as easily as his more obvious ones. Pope Francis recently urged us along the same lines:

“Let’s ask ourselves: are we open to the Holy Spirit? Do I pray to him to enlighten me, to make me more sensitive to the things of God? This is a prayer we need to pray every day, every day: ‘Holy Spirit, may my heart be open to the Word of God, may my heart be open to good, may my heart be open to the beauty of God, every day.’ ”

Today, try to identify the Spirit’s work in your life. Pray that you may be open to the word of God, to the goodness in the world, and to the beauty that we experience in creation and in our relationships. Don’t wait for the noise of the jet!

“Holy Spirit, show me the ways that you are working in my life and the path that you have planned for me. Help me to recognize and acknowledge the big and little miracles you have done in my life.”

2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10; Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26


27 posted on 01/27/2014 6:55:28 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for January 27, 2014:

“Marriage is a lifelong partnership of the whole of life.” (USCCB, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan) Partnership here means sharing in life together, helping each other, journeying together toward heaven. Does that describe your marriage?

28 posted on 01/27/2014 7:15:57 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Regnum Christi

Identity Confusion
| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY
Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Mark 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Introductory Prayer:Lord, I believe that you are the source of all goodness. I know that your goodness is both a challenge and a promise. I trust that your goodness will envelop me if I allow myself to be found by you. I love you for wanting to fight the battle against evil for my sake.

Petition:Lord, help me not to be afraid of the battle against evil.

1. Not Indifferent:With Jesus on earth, another world becomes evident around us: the world of evil spirits. Jesus has come to take control of the kingdom. The devils are in a panic and begin to lose ground. Jesus is a threat to evil. His goodness, truth and holiness are capable of putting the devils into submission. When Christ takes a stronger hold on my life, things begin to change. Do I let Christ challenge evil in my heart? In the world around me?

2. Not One of Them  Jesus brings change: But change is not evil per se. The change that Jesus brings is good, since he comes to put demons in their place, bringing about good. This awakening of the good worries the devil. The conquest over evil is not always done in peace and tranquility. Does the spiritual opposition I face as I try to overcome evil in my life cause me to hesitate in the fight or to wish that Jesus and his teachings would not be so demanding? Do I realize that facing difficulties is a sign of growth in Christian authenticity? Do I let the goodness of Christ radically define my life? Even in the face of opposition?

3. Only Good: Think of the joy that people experienced when Jesus freed them from the power of the Evil One. Think of the joy we feel after making a good confession, attending a good retreat or progressing in virtue. Jesus comes into our life to bring the joy of freedom from evil. He is God’s goodness made flesh. Do I rejoice to have Christ as my friend? Do I try to listen to his teachings with a willing heart, thankful for the chance I have to abide in God’s heart by living the life of grace? What an amazing friend I have! I can trust in his power to lead me along the path of life.

Conversation with Christ: Christ, I know that you are more powerful than evil. Help me to face up to evil in my life, encouraged by your friendship and strength. In your name Lord, I will walk with confidence.

Resolution: I will do something to share my faith with others today.


29 posted on 01/27/2014 7:28:04 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
One Bread One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 1

<< Monday, January 27, 2014 >> St. Angela Merici
 
2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10
View Readings
Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26 Mark 3:22-30
Similar Reflections
 

INTIMACY OR BLASPHEMY?

 
"I give you My word, every sin will be forgiven mankind and all the blasphemies men utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven." —Mark 3:28-29
 

The Holy Spirit is pictured as a dove, a symbol of Israel (see Ps 74:19), re-creation (see Gn 8:11ff), love (e.g. Sg 5:2), and peace. The Holy Spirit knows the depths of God (1 Cor 2:11) and the depths of our hearts, from which He cries out "Abba" ("Father") (Gal 4:6). The Spirit dwells within our bodies as His temple (1 Cor 6:19) and is the Spirit of truth (e.g. Jn 14:17), that is, of true, faithful love. We can have a true, deep, tender, intimate relationship with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

On the other hand, we can refuse intimacy with the Spirit and abuse Him by blaspheming (Mk 3:29), grieving (Eph 4:30; Is 63:10), quenching (1 Thes 5:19), insulting (Heb 10:29), and "always opposing" Him (Acts 7:51). We can lie to the Spirit (Acts 5:3) and even evict Him from the temple of our bodies by "trashing" His temple through committing mortal sin.

In our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we tend to go to extremes — a docile tenderness and intimacy or a brutal, violent, blasphemous rejection. Let us stop our abuse of the Holy Spirit. Let us love the Spirit, Who is Love (see 1 Jn 4:16).

 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, You are all the Love I will ever need. Teach me to love You.
Promise: "David grew steadily more powerful, for the Lord of hosts was with him." —2 Sm 5:10
Praise: St. Angela's parents and older sister all died when she was a young teenager. Angela then dedicated her life to discipling and caring for troubled girls.

30 posted on 01/27/2014 7:37:58 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

Just forming....anyone think it's not a baby? Pray to end abortion.

31 posted on 01/27/2014 7:41:37 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

Beautiful.


32 posted on 01/27/2014 7:43:00 PM PST by Jane Long (While Marxists continue the fundamental transformation of the USA, progressive RINOs assist!)
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To: Jane Long

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit?

by Food For Thought on January 27, 2014

For our reflection today, we concentrate on one verse: “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, never have forgiveness.” What exactly is this unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit has two functions: to reveal God’s truth to people and to enable people to recognize that truth when they see it and hear it. If a person refuses the guidance of the Holy Spirit long enough and often enough, he will in the end become incapable of recognizing the truth when he sees it. He can no longer recognize God’s beauty and goodness. He comes to a stage when his own evil seems to him good and when God’s good seems to him evil. He so often and consistently disobeys God’s will to a point that this sinful behavior becomes a way of life with no qualms or conscience. That was the stage to which the Scribes and Pharisees had come. That is why they could look at Jesus and say that he was Beelzebul, the prince of devils, the all evilone.

Why should a sin against the Holy Spirit be unforgivable? What differentiates it from all other sins? When a person reaches that stage, repentance becomes impossible. There is only one condition of forgiveness and that is penitence. But if a person, by repeated refusing God’s guidance, has got his moral values inverted until evil to him is good and good to him is evil, he is conscious of no sin, he cannot repent and therefore he can never be forgiven.

So long as a person sees loveliness in Christ, so long as he hates his sin even if he cannot leave it, there is still hope for repentance and forgiveness. It is only when serious sin means nothing at all, when Christ means nothing anymore, that’s when a person has shut himself out from the love of God and his kingdom. There is a dreadful warning here. We must listen to God in all our days that our spiritual hearing never becomes spiritual deafness.


33 posted on 01/27/2014 8:08:00 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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