Meditation of the Day – The Heaven of Our Souls
Meditation of the Day – Wait a Little While, My Soul
“Wait a little while, my soul, await the promise of God, and you will have the fullness of all that is good in heaven. If you yearn inordinately for the good things of this life, you will lose those which are heavenly and eternal. Use temporal things properly, but always desire what is eternal. Temporal things can never fully satisfy you, for you were not created to enjoy them alone . . . for your blessedness and happiness lie only in God, who has made all things from nothing.”— Thomas a’ Kempis, p. 133-34
Meditation of the Day – The Journey
“This is the difference between a journey on earth, and that which leads to Heaven. For in the former, not only may we stop without fear of going backward, but rest is necessary that we may sustain our strength to the journey’s end; however, in the latter journey which leads to perfection, our growth in strength is proportionate to our advance, inasmuch as the inferior appetites which throw all possible obstacles in our path to Heaven, grow gradually weaker while our good inclinations acquire new strength. Thus as we advance in piety, our early difficulties fade into the background, and a certain delight, with which God sweetens the bitterness of this life, increases in our souls. Going cheerfully on from virtue to virtue, we finally reach the summit of the mountain.” — Dom Lorenzo Scupoli, pp. 117-18
Meditation of the Day – God’s Delays Are Mysterious
Morning Offering – Accept Your Cross
“You must accept your cross; if you bear it courageously it will carry you to Heaven.”
— St. John Vianney
Sermon Notes – Pennies From Heaven
“Pennies From Heaven”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
September 28-29, 2019
Scripture: Luke 16:19-31
I was born with multiple birth defects…awfully good looks and no money. Another common birth defect is no looks and lots of money. Yet, you cannot judge people from the outside…just look at me. I have a weak heart. My insides are not nearly as good as the outside. Recently, while I was meditating, I thought about my evil twin brother. When he passed away, he took his wallet with him, and I got zilch. Most often, people judge the amount of our wealth by what we have in our wallets. When I empty mine, all that’s there are pennies. Even though my parents were poor, they gave me a nest egg…the gift of faith. They took my brothers and me to church and had us baptized which infused the faith in us. The gift of faith was kept alive through the sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation. Later, my brother received the Sacrament of Matrimony, and for me, it was Holy Orders.
When we blame God for our shortcomings…if our inventory is depleted, our accounting work is incomplete. Our gifts can be placed into three columns. The middle column which contains the gift of faith makes the other two columns balance….to make sense. Some people think they don’t have talents and gifts. Not true. Everyone has them…it all depends on how they are used. I have two talents. One is as an Army chaplain, but I’m too old for that now. My mind still wants to write checks my body cannot cash. My other talent is as a hospital chaplain. What we do with our talents is the key to a rich life. If you don’t think you are rich, you are using the wrong accounting method.
All of our sufferings, fears, pains, sorrows, and joys make us far richer than any amount of money ever could. People in nursing homes are very wealthy because they have lots of crosses. They are wealthy because they can share with others the wisdom, knowledge, and grace gained from carrying those crosses….and that only comes from Christ and it is priceless. We all have the potential to share way more with others than we think. The more we give to others, the more we get back. So, if we use our talents and gifts correctly, we can all be rich, because as children of God, we will inherit His kingdom.
How will you apply this message to your life?
Are you using the right accounting method? Does the middle column on your balance sheet need adjustment? Focus on the middle column, the gift of faith, and everything else will fall into place.
The Bible in a Year – Day 36 – Manna From Heaven
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 36: Manna from Heaven
Fr. Mike talks about how God trains the Israelites to trust him in the wilderness, and how we can grow in our own faithfulness to the Lord. Today we read Exodus 15-16, Leviticus 11, and Psalm 71.
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The Bible in a Year – Day 152 – Being Forgotten
The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz – Day 152: Being Forgotten Fr. Mike reminds us that, eventually, all of us will be forgotten by the world. He encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on heaven, focusing on surrender and trust in God, rather than control. Today’s readings are 1 Kings 10, Ecclesiastes 8-9, and Psalm 8. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children – parental discretion is advised.
