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Keep alive within you and bring under wise control that courage which makes you long to undertake great works, which others might consider it folly to attempt.
- Sr. Elizabeth Euphrasia Pelletier, Embrace the World
(What kind of "great works" are you drawn to pursue these days?) |
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1 TM 6:2C-12; PS 49:6-10, 17-20; LK 8:1-3
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Why should I fear in evil days when my wicked
ensnarers ring me round? They trust in their wealth; the abundance of their riches is their boast.
Yet in no way can a man redeem
himself, or pay his own ransom to God; Too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough to remain alive always and not see destruction.
Fear not when a man grows rich, when the wealth of his house becomes great, For when he dies, he shall take none of it; his wealth
shall not follow him down.
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed, “They will praise you for doing well for yourself,” He shall join the circle
of his forebears who shall never more see light.
USCCB Lectionary
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Our privilege as children of God and disciples of Jesus is to serve as Jesus served with humility, selfless love, generosity, joy, and a willingness to do whatever God asks of us. God, in his turn, gives us every good gift and grace we need to carry out our task and mission. God in his infinite power needs no one, but in his
wisdom and love, he chooses to entrust his work through each one of us. His Holy Spirit equips us with all that we need to love and serve others. No one is unimportant or unnecessary in God's economy. The least in his kingdom find a home and a mission at Jesus' side. Do you know the joy of serving Jesus in company with others who love and serve him willingly?
Lord Jesus, set my heart on fire
for you that I may give freely of the gifts, talents, and resources you give me, for your sake and for the work of the Gospel. DailyScripture.net
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The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Describes the recollection which should be practiced after Communion. Concludes this subject with an exclamatory prayer to the Eternal Father.
Why is this, my Lord and my God? Do Thou bring the world to an end or give us a remedy for such grievous wrongs, which even our wicked hearts cannot endure. I beseech Thee, Eternal Father, endure it no longer: quench this fire, Lord, for Thou canst do so if Thou wilt. Remember that Thy Son is still in the world; may these dreadful things
be stopped out of respect for Him, horrible and abominable and foul as they are. With His beauty and purity He does not deserve to be in a house where such things happen. Do this, Lord, not for our sake, for we do not deserve it, but for the sake of Thy Son. We dare not entreat Thee that He should no longer stay with us, for Thou hast granted His prayer to Thee to leave Him with us for to-day -- that is, until the end of the world. If He were to go, what would become of us? It would be the end
of everything. If anything can placate Thee it is to have on earth such a pledge as this. Since some remedy must be found for this, then, my Lord, I beg Thy Majesty to apply it. For if Thou wilt, Thou art able.
O my God, if only I could indeed importune Thee! If only I had served Thee well so that I might be able to beg of Thee this great favour as a reward for my services, for Thou leavest no
service unrewarded! But I have not served Thee, Lord; indeed, it may perhaps be for my sins, and because I have so greatly offended Thee, that so many evils come. What, then, can I do, my Creator, but present to Thee this most holy Bread, which, though Thou gavest it to us, I return to Thee, beseeching Thee, by the merits of Thy Son, to grant me this favour, which on so many counts He has merited? Do Thou, Lord, calm this sea, and no longer allow this ship, which is Thy Church, to endure so
great a tempest. Save us, my Lord, for we perish. - Chapter 35
(Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.) Paperback (Kindle edition available)
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