Spirit Daily - Daily spiritual news from around the world:
" Men, you have an obligation to join your wives and mothers, your sisters, in defending and filling and reviving the Church. It cannot go on forever without you. It is time for real men to stand up. Do you really want to see the Church destroyed? It is also time to kneel. It is masculine to love God. It is masculine to love others. It is masculine to fight for Jesus while we are on this battlefield, this playing field, in this boxing ring called earth.
Want real power? Want real masculinity? Pray. Go the Mass. Fast. See if you are tough enough for that"
USCCB - (NAB) - November 19, 2007
Gospel
Lk 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
USCCB - (NAB) - November 18, 2007:
Gospel
Lk 21:5-19
"'Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.' "
Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds):
"Psalm 8
The greatness of God, the dignity of man
How wonderful is your name over all the earth, O Lord, our Lord! How exalted is your glory above the sky! Out of the mouths of children and infants you have brought praise, to confound your enemies, to destroy your vengeful foes. When I see the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars, which you set in their place – what is man, that you should take thought for him? what is the son of man, that you should look after him? You have made him but one step lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour; you have set him over the works of your hands. You have put everything beneath his feet, cattle and sheep and the beasts of the field, the birds in the air and the fish in the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the waters. How wonderful is your name above all the earth, O Lord, our Lord!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
USCCB - (NAB) - November 17, 2007:
Reading 1
Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9
"For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew, serving its natural laws, that your children might be preserved unharmed. The cloud overshadowed their camp; and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging: Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road, and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood. Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand, after they beheld stupendous wonders. For they ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising you, O Lord! their deliverer."
Universalis: Office of Readings: "Offer a sacrifice to God – a sacrifice of praise; to the Most High, fulfil your vows. Then you may call upon me in the time of trouble: I will rescue you, and you will honour me."
USCCB - (NAB) - November 17, 2007
Gospel
Lk 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.’”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Universalis: Office of Readings:
"Psalm 49 (50)
True reverence for the Lord The Lord, the God of gods has spoken; he has summoned the whole earth, from east to west. God has shone forth from Sion in her great beauty. Our God will come, and he will not be silent. Before him, a devouring fire; around him, a tempest rages. He will call upon the heavens above, and on the earth, to judge his people. “Bring together before me my chosen ones, who have sealed my covenant with sacrifice”. The heavens will proclaim his justice; for God is the true judge."
".=: S A I N T O F T H E D A Y :=.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)
In her short life Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people throughout Europe. For more, click the link below! Saint of the Day: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/ "
Universalis: Vespers:
"Let all your creatures proclaim you, O Lord, let your chosen ones bless you. Let them tell of the glory of your reign, let them speak of your power – so that the children of men may know what you can do, see the glory of your kingdom and its greatness. Your kingdom stands firm for all ages, your rule lasts for ever and ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
P5:...In the Presence of God:
"Today's Prayer: May the Word of God come alive for us and may we be filled with the Wisdom of the Lord. "
The Today Show : A Catholic Reflection: "Let's pray, prepare for the future, and not dread it. We should pray to not be subjected to the trial but to stand erect by faith and hold our heads high 'when these things begin to happen' (Lk 21:28). We prepare for the future by using fully the opportunities of the present. We have wasted enough time doing 'what the pagans enjoy' (1 Pt 4:3). We are not to spend what remains of our 'earthly life on human desires but on the will of God' (1 Pt 4:2). 'It is now the hour...to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith' (Rm 13:11).
PRAYER: Father, today is the only day I'm certain I have left. I live my life and day fully for You.
PROMISE: 'For she [wisdom] is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of His goodness.' –Wis 7:26
PRAISE: St. Albert spent his days learning about God through both natural and supernatural revelations. "
