Daily Reflection – Just Do the Next Right Thing
Minute Meditation – The Power of Enough
We know there is power in the word enough. We carry this capacity to honor the present into every encounter and relationship, meaning that we honor the dignity that is reflected by God’s goodness and grace. Every encounter, every relationship, is a place to include, invite mercy, encourage, receive, heal, reconcile, repair, say thank you, pray, celebrate, refuel, and restore.
— from the book This Is the Life: Mindfulness, Finding Grace, and the Power of the Present Moment by Terry Hershey
//Franciscan Media//
Saint of the Day – May 4 – Saint Florian
St. Florian (C. 250-304 A.D.) was a commander in the Roman army in what is now Austria. He served during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, who violently persecuted Christians. Among Florian’s military duties was the organization of firefighting brigades. St. Florian was secretly a Christian and was known for miraculously saving a town from being destroyed by fire; after praying to God for help, he extinguished a raging fire with a single bucket of water. Word reached the Emperor that Florian was not enforcing the ban against Christianity in his territory. He was put under investigation and was discovered to be a Christian. In one account, it was for refusing to offer sacrifice to the gods; in another, for refusing to execute a group of Christians. He was then condemned to be tortured and executed for his Christian faith. Refusing to recant, St. Florian was then flayed alive, scourged, and martyred by being dumped in the river with a millstone attached to his body. His body was later recovered, and today his relics are venerated at a church named for him in Kraków, Poland. St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters, chimney-sweeps, brewers, drowning victims, Austria, Poland, and against floods, fires, and battles. St. Florian’s feast day is May 4th.
//The Catholic Company//
Meditation of the Day – It is Truly Easy to Become Holy
“My Jesus, it is truly easy to become holy; it just takes a little good will! And if He finds this minimum of good will in a soul, He quickly gives Himself to her. And nothing can stop Him, neither our faults nor our falls, absolutely nothing. Jesus hurries to help that soul; and if the soul is faithful to this grace from God, she can in a short time reach the highest levels of holiness that a created being can attain here below. God is very generous and does not refuse His grace to anyone. He gives even more than we ask for. The shortest road is faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.”— St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, p.142
//The Catholic Company//
Sermon Notes – The Good Shepherd
“The Good Shepherd“
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
April 24 – 25, 2021
Gospel: John 10:11-18
I have been meditating on the Gospel of the Good Shepherd. Where in the Gospel do we first hear about the Good Shepherd? You’ll find it in Genesis when God went looking for Adam and Eve. They had sinned and were trying to hide, but God looked for them to bring them back. Why did they run from God? They were “necked.” That’s naked for all you Yankees. They hid because they had sinned. They ran away from God, but God went after them. God goes after sinners, because He does not want us to succumb to the evil one. Adam and Eve were afraid, because sin causes fear. They were afraid of the One who loves us. Sin makes us stay away from the One who has the power to heal sin. “We’re going to be punished!” But, this is a great act of love as we see on the Crucifix. He asks us to partake of His love by receiving and asking for His forgiveness. If we run from God after we have sinned, it is an offense against God.
I have heard this statement from a number of priests and others: “I have to forgive myself.” Excuse me..WHAT?? That’s a sin right there. The sin wasn’t against you. You egotistical jerk! The sin was against God and no one else. That statement is blasphemous. It’s pop psychology, and it’s blasphemous. It’s your own fertilizer excuse…you know the word. It’s a fertilizer excuse justifying the act. “I have to forgive myself.” You cannot bring healing to yourself. That would require penance and divine forgiveness. Only God can absolve sin, and only God can heal it. Sin in this world is made manifest by fear. What do people do when they are afraid? They try to hide. They lay down conditions for coming back. “I’m not coming back to the Church until priests can get married.” Do you ask any of the professionals in your life if they are married? “I’m not coming back until Mass is in English, until Confession is face-to-face, or until people can marry whoever or whatever they want.” Really?
Sin causes fear and anger which distorts reality. So, people try to deny that they did anything wrong. “I didn’t do anything!” “It wasn’t that bad.” “You cops are all crooked.” “You priests are all perverts.” They try to deny what they’ve done by lashing out. When a dog is afraid, it may snarl at you. People try to deny their sin and will do anything but say “I’ve done wrong, and I’m sorry.” That fear changes your perspective and it changes your attitude.
I was driving up to the VA hospital the other day, and I always try to find the State Troopers and the Sheriff’s deputies. It keeps you aware, and it’s kind of fun to see where they might be hiding. I appreciate the art form. But, I can always tell where they are just by watching people in front of me slam on their brakes. Why are you afraid? Just do the speed limit. Come on! But, they are afraid. What are they afraid of? They are only afraid if they’ve done something wrong. But, God’s love casts out all fear…not self-love… but God’s love.
God is love itself. We see His love when we look at the Crucifix. We see that love portrayed at every altar, at every confession, at every hospital visit by a priest, at every marriage ceremony, and at every baptism and confirmation. This is God’s great love manifested. I’ll give you some homework for tonight. Read the poem, “Hound of Heaven” by Francis Thompson. Francis was a drug addict and alcoholic. He had fear, and he kept running and running afraid a great beast was going to kill him. Finally, he ran out of energy and said, “Fine, kill me. I don’t care anymore.” When he stopped, he saw that the beast was actually a puppy that wanted to kiss him. The last part of the poem is: “Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee, Save Me, save only Me?”
God is the Good Shepherd. But, we have to be willing to be led. Remember what the first sin was? It wasn’t by Adam and Eve, but by Lucifer who would not serve. It’s the same thing when we want to be led by God. We have to say, “I will serve.” “I will follow.” It is sinful to say, “I will not serve.” “I will not listen to you.” “I know what’s best.” We are all sinners, that’s why we are all here. He is the Good Shepherd and brings us home if we want to be led.
How will you apply this message to your life? Are you running from God? Are you fearful and angry? Stop running and let God lead you.
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to https://annunciationcatholicalbemarle.com/ and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” and then “Sermon Notes. From a cell phone, click on “Blog” then “Menu” and then “Categories” (located at the end of page). There is also a search box if you are looking for a specific topic.
Minute Meditation – Building God’s Kingdom
The willingness to work with God will unleash Joseph’s full potential. His inherent aptitude for organization and for building is well suited to the rearing of God’s Son. First and foremost, it situates Jesus in the same condition as the vast majority of people. He isn’t raised with wealth, prestige, or influence but in ordinary obscurity. Many in Nazareth who hear him announce the kingdom of God will be astonished. “What is the wisdom given to him? …Is not this the carpenter?” (Mark 6:2, 3). In his manual labor Jesus becomes part of the process by which the earth is subdued. The real experience of forming and shaping concrete objects prefigures Jesus’s work of redemption: “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
— from the book Joseph, the Man Who Raised Jesus
by Fr. Gary Caster
/Franciscan Media//
Daily Reflection – Ask Him to Help You
Saint of the Day – May 2 – Saint Arthanasius
Saint Athanasius’ Story
Athanasius led a tumultuous but dedicated life of service to the Church. He was the great champion of the faith against the widespread heresy of Arianism, the teaching by Arius that Jesus was not truly divine. The vigor of his writings earned him the title of doctor of the Church.
Born of a Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt, and given a classical education, Athanasius became secretary to Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, entered the priesthood and was eventually named bishop himself. His predecessor, Alexander, had been an outspoken critic of a new movement growing in the East—Arianism.
When Athanasius assumed his role as bishop of Alexandria, he continued the fight against Arianism. At first, it seemed that the battle would be easily won and that Arianism would be condemned. Such, however, did not prove to be the case. The Council of Tyre was called and for several reasons that are still unclear, the Emperor Constantine exiled Athanasius to northern Gaul. This was to be the first in a series of travels and exiles reminiscent of the life of Saint Paul.
After Constantine died, his son restored Athanasius as bishop. This lasted only a year, however, for he was deposed once again by a coalition of Arian bishops. Athanasius took his case to Rome, and Pope Julius I called a synod to review the case and other related matters.
Five times Athanasius was exiled for his defense of the doctrine of Christ’s divinity. During one period of his life, he enjoyed 10 years of relative peace—reading, writing, and promoting the Christian life along the lines of the monastic ideal to which he was greatly devoted. His dogmatic and historical writings are almost all polemic, directed against every aspect of Arianism.
Among his ascetical writings, his Life of St. Anthony achieved astonishing popularity and contributed greatly to the establishment of monastic life throughout the Western Christian world.
Reflection
Athanasius suffered many trials while he was bishop of Alexandria. He was given the grace to remain strong against what probably seemed at times to be insurmountable opposition. Athanasius lived his office as bishop completely. He defended the true faith for his flock, regardless of the cost to himself. In today’s world we are experiencing this same call to remain true to our faith, no matter what.
//Franciscan Media//
Meditation of the Day – Mary Provides Extraordinary Graces and Wonderful Miracles
“When needed, Mary provides for the defense and salvation of her children extraordinary graces and wonderful miracles. What wonders have caused, sustained, spread everywhere, a confidence among Christian people! What striking proofs of her protection the Church recalls to our memory in solemn feasts and devout practices, enriched by precious indulgences! What titles Christians give her to testify to their gratitude, ‘Help of Christians, health of the sick, comfort of the afflicted, refuge of sinners, gate of heaven, our life, our sweetness, our hope!’ What a multitude of people gather to the places where she is most honored, where she obtains the most assistance to those who call on her! What prayers and acts of thanksgiving are offered at the foot of her altars! In our days, what conquests have been made by Our Lady of Victories! What favors have been bestowed on all hearts devoted to the heart of Mary!”— St. Ignatius of Loyola, p.156
//The Catholic Company//
Morning Offering – We Must Not Wish For Anything Other Than What Happens From Moment to Moment
“We must not wish anything other than what happens from moment to moment, all the while, however, exercising ourselves in goodness. And to refuse to exercise oneself in goodness, and to insist upon simply awaiting what God might send, would be simply to tempt God.”
— St. Catherine of Genoa
//The Catholic Company//