This post was originally published on this site
St Pantaleon came from Nicomedia, near the Black Sea, in Asia. He was such a famous doctor that the Emperor himself chose him for his own doctor. Pantaleon was a Christian, but the bad influence from the pagan court caused him to give up his Christian faith entirely. A holy priest named Hermolaos made him realize what a sin he had committed. Pantaleon listened to him, detested his sin and joined the Church once more. To make up for what he had done, he greatly desired to suffer and die for …
This post was originally published on this site
Jesus is the divine Sower who sows the seed of his word in the community of followers that he calls apart from the world. The seed takes root in us when we hear the word of God. To hear, to really hear, to absolutely hear the voice of God and not the myriad other distracting voices that call out for our attention, we must do something that is very difficult. We must cultivate silence.
Most retreatants discover that on the first day or so of a retreat, in the quiet of the retreat house with nothing to do except listen to God’s voice, that a thousand other voices—strident and loud—all of a sudden appear, clamoring for attention. Listening to those stories and letting them go can be an essential first step in creating the silent soil that is able to receive God’s Word. But we don’t need to be on a retreat to enter into this atmosphere of silent recollection. It is possible to spend a short period every day as a mini-retreat to cultivate the soil of our heart.
We can start by disconnecting from social media and our phones. At first it may seem frightening to be cut off from the torrent of words and images that flood our media-saturated consciousness. We might feel nervous as we wait in silence for the work of the divine Sower. Our soul may feel fragmented and untilled and unprepared for the seed. In patience we will acquire the stillness that longs to receive the fullness of God’s Word. It is a spiritual art and discipline to be able to distinguish the harmony of God’s voice from the discord of worries, temptations, desires, and ambitions. This discernment comes precisely from the experience of entering into silence.
Pope Benedict XVI said, “‘Only in silence can the word of God find a home in us, as it did in Mary, woman of the word and, inseparably, woman of silence’ (Verbum Domini, n. 66). This principle — that without silence one does not hear, does not listen, does not receive a word — applies especially to personal prayer as well as to our liturgies: to facilitate authentic listening, they must also be rich in moments of silence and of non-verbal reception” (General Audience, March 7, 2012).
How does God desire you to open wide your heart in silence? Ask the Lord what practical steps he desires you to take to recover this contemplative dimension of life.
Jesús es el Sembrador divino que siembra la semilla de su palabra en la comunidad de seguidores a los que llama aparte del mundo. La semilla echa raíces en nosotros cuando escuchamos la palabra de Dios. Para escuchar, para escuchar de verdad, para escuchar absolutamente la voz de Dios y no la miríada de otras voces que nos distraen y llaman nuestra atención, debemos hacer algo que es muy difícil. Debemos cultivar el silencio.
La mayoría de los participantes de los retiros descubren que en el primer día del retiro, en la tranquilidad de la casa de retiro, sin nada que hacer menos escuchar la voz de Dios, de repente aparecen mil otras voces, estridentes y fuertes, clamando por su atención. Escuchar esas historias y dejarlas pasar de la mente puede ser un primer paso esencial para crear tierra silenciosa que sea capaz de recibir la Palabra de Dios. Pero no es necesario estar de retiro para entrar en este ambiente de recogimiento silencioso. Es posible pasar unos momentos cada día como un mini retiro para cultivar la tierra de nuestro corazón.
Podemos empezar desconectándonos de las redes sociales y de nuestros teléfonos. Al principio puede parecer aterrador verte aislado del torrente de palabras e imágenes que inundan nuestra conciencia, que normalmente está saturada de medios de comunicación. Podríamos sentirnos nerviosos mientras esperamos en silencio la obra del divino Sembrador. Nuestra alma puede sentirse fragmentada, sin labrar y sin preparación para la semilla. Con paciencia adquiriremos la quietud que anhela recibir la plenitud de la Palabra de Dios. Es un arte y una disciplina espiritual poder distinguir la armonía de la voz de Dios de la discordia de las preocupaciones, las tentaciones, los deseos y las ambiciones. Este discernimiento proviene precisamente de la experiencia de entrar en el silencio.
El Papa Benedicto XVI dijo: “…sólo en [el silencio] la Palabra puede encontrar morada en nosotros, como ocurrió en María, mujer de la Palabra y del silencio inseparablemente» (Verbum Domini, n. 66). Este principio —que sin silencio no se oye, no se escucha, no se recibe una palabra— es válido sobre todo para la oración personal, pero también para nuestras liturgias: para facilitar una escucha auténtica, las liturgias deben tener también momentos de silencio y de acogida no verbal.” (Audiencia general, 7 de marzo de 2012).
¿Cómo desea Dios que abras de par en par tu corazón en el silencio? Pregúntale al Señor cuáles pasos prácticos desea que tomes para recuperar esta dimensión contemplativa de la vida.
Sr. Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, is an author and offers online evangelization as well as spiritual formation for people on their journey of spiritual transformation and inner healing. Website: www.touchingthesunrise.com My Books: https://touchingthesunrise.com/books/
Public Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/srkathrynhermes/ HeartWork Spiritual Formation Group: https://touchingthesunrise.com/heartwork/
Feature Image Credit: ThePixelman, https://pixabay.com/photos/girl-miss-sea-bulgaria-seagull-583917/
This post was originally published on this site
Return, rebellious children, says the LORD,
for I am your Master;
I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan,
and bring you to Zion.
I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart,
who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.
When you multiply and become fruitful in the land,
says the LORD,
They will in those days no longer say,
“The ark of the covenant of the LORD!”
They will no longer think of it, or remember it,
or miss it, or make another.
At that time they will call Jerusalem the LORD’s throne;
there all nations will be gathered together
to honor the name of the LORD at Jerusalem,
and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
– – –
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This post was originally published on this site
Saints Joachim (sometimes spelled “Joaquin,” pronounced “wal-keem”) and Anne, are the parents of the Virgin Mary. There are no mentions of them in the Bible or Gospels, what we know comes from Catholic legend and the Gospel of James, which is an unsanctioned, apocryphal writing form the second century AD. We do know from scholarship that the Gospel of James was not written by James, the Brother of Jesus, despite its claim to be so authored.
Even the early Church fathers expressed skepticism …
This post was originally published on this site
My third child is one of the most joyful, energetic, and helpful kids I know. He loves to spend time with his mommy, which he has professed to be “even better than playing video games”. He often anticipates the needs of his siblings and parents before being asked and is usually the first to share a toy or a treat. While playing sports, he typically has a smile on his face the entire time. He is just a happy kid.
His middle name happens to be the Spanish version of today’s saint and I can imagine the Apostle James living with much the same happiness as my seven year old. He had the distinct privilege of being one of the Lord’s closest friends. Several times in the Bible we hear that Jesus took with him “Peter, James and John” when he was going up a mountain to pray or healing a sick individual. These three were what in today’s terms we might call Jesus’ BFFs. Surely that was cause for much joy!
Now don’t get me wrong, I know that neither Jesus’ life nor that of his disciples was a bowl full of cherries. We all know the persecution and hardships they suffered. We all know how Christ’s life tragically ended and that most of his apostles followed in His footsteps. Yet, the simple fact of being able to accompany our Lord so closely, to experience his presence, his light and his friendship must have filled them with so much peace. I can only fathom it as something like a positive “addiction” to His holiness, that once experienced, they could no longer live without.
Today’s first reading seems to portray these thoughts perfectly: “We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.” No matter what happens to us, we shall not be overcome because the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection has already overcome.
For this reason, let us take to heart the words of the Psalm Response: “Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.” With this in mind, let us also proclaim “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed”!
Mi tercer hijo es uno de los niños más alegres, enérgicos y serviciales que conozco. Le encanta pasar tiempo con su mamá, lo cual, según él, es “incluso mejor que jugar videojuegos”. A menudo anticipa las necesidades de sus hermanos y padres antes de que se lo pidan y suele ser el primero en compartir un juguete o un dulce. Mientras practica deportes, normalmente tiene una sonrisa en su rostro todo el tiempo. Simplemente es un niño feliz.
Su segundo nombre es el mismo que el santo de hoy y puedo imaginarme al apóstol Santiago viviendo con la misma felicidad que mi hijo de siete años. Tuvo el claro privilegio de ser uno de los amigos más cercanos del Señor. Varias veces en la Biblia escuchamos que Jesús llevó consigo a “Pedro, Santiago y Juan” cuando subía a una montaña para orar o iba a sanar a un enfermo. Podríamos decir que estos tres eran los mejores amigos de Jesús. ¡Seguramente eso fue motivo de mucha alegría!
Ahora, no me malinterpreten, sé que ni la vida de Jesús ni la de sus discípulos fue color de rosas. Todos sabemos la persecución y las dificultades que sufrieron. Todos sabemos cómo terminó trágicamente la vida de Cristo y que la mayoría de sus apóstoles siguieron sus pasos. Sin embargo, el simple hecho de poder acompañar tan de cerca a nuestro Señor, de experimentar su presencia, su luz y su amistad, debió llenarlos de mucha paz. Sólo puedo entenderlo como algo así como una “adicción” positiva a Su santidad, que una vez experimentada, ya no podrían vivir sin ella.
La primera lectura de hoy parece retratar perfectamente estos pensamientos: “sufrimos toda clase de pruebas, pero no nos angustiamos. Nos abruman las preocupaciones, pero no nos desesperamos. Nos vemos perseguidos, pero no desamparados; derribados, pero no vencidos. Llevamos siempre y por todas partes la muerte de Jesús en nuestro cuerpo, para que en este mismo cuerpo se manifieste también la vida de Jesús.” No importa lo que nos pase, no seremos vencidos porque el poder de la muerte y resurrección de Jesús ya ha vencido.
Por esta razón, tomemos en serio las palabras del Salmo Responsorial: “Entre gritos de júbilo cosecharán aquellos que siembran con dolor.” Teniendo esto en cuenta, proclamemos también “Y estábamos alegres, pues ha hecho grandes cosas por su pueblo el Señor”!
Feature Image Credit: Warren, unsplash.com/photos/smiling-man-standing-near-green-trees-VVEwJJRRHgk
Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works full time at Diocesan, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.
This post was originally published on this site
So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,
according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,
we too believe and therefore speak,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
– – –
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This post was originally published on this site
Let me pause as I begin this new day to give it to You, Lord.
Before the tumult of activities breaks in;
before breakfast plates crash through my still sleepy mind;
for this last moment in my bed, thank you, Lord.
Let me hold Your promise of new life.
Keep me from slipping back
for I know that what is forgiven is as if it never were.
Each new day,
Your grace gives me a fresh start to walk in Your light again.
May the Lord support us all the day long,
till the shades …
This post was originally published on this site
Nothing is known of St. James the Greater’s early life, though it has been established that he is the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of John the disciple.
The title “the Greater” was added to St. James’ name to help distinguish him from the Apostle James “the Less,” who is believed to have been shorter than James “the Greater.”
Saint James the Greater was one of Jesus’ first disciples. James was fishing with his father and John the Apostle when Jesus came to the shores of the Sea of …