"In the same way the spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are for we do not know how we oug
ht to pray; the spirit himself pleads with god for us in groans that words cannot express. And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the spirit is; because the spirit pleads with god on behalf of the people and in accordance with his will".It’s a new day, a set of fresh blessings.. !! best wishes for the upcoming week to all dear readers. A friend of mine, Shijo sebastian, had send me a prayer,I met him in an online community, I have posted below the prayer. I must admit it is such a B E A utiful..!! prayer. If you will go deep into the words in the prayer you will literally feel the power of the passion.
PRAYER TO JESUS CRUCIFIED -
Here I am, good and gentle Jesus, kneeling before you. With great fervor I pray and ask you to instill in me genuine convictions of faith, hope and love, with true sorrow for my sins and a firm resolve to amend them. While I contemplate your five wounds with great love and compassion, I remember the words which the prophet David long ago put on your lips: "They have pierced my hands and my feet, I can count all my bones." (Psalm 22/17-18).
I couldnt post yesterdays' 'saint of the day' so am adding that below after todays update.
St. Bridget (1303?-1373)*
From age seven on, Bridget had visions of Christ crucified. Her visions formed the basis for her activity always with the emphasis on charity rather than spiritual favors.
She lived her married life in the court of the Swedish king Magnus II. Mother of eight children (the second eldest was St. Catherine of Sweden), she lived the strict life of a penitent after her husband's death.
Bridget constantly strove to exert her good influence over Magnus; while never fully reforming, he did give her land and buildings to found a monastery for men and women. This group eventually expanded into an Order known as the Bridgetines (still in existence).
In 1350, a year of jubilee, Bridget braved a plague-stricken Europe to make a pilgrimage to Rome. Although she never returned to Sweden, her years in Rome were far from happy, being hounded by debts and by opposition to her work against Church abuses.
A final pilgrimage to the Holy Land, marred by shipwreck and the death of her son, Charles, eventually led to her death in 1373. In 1999, she, Saints Catherine of Siena and Edith Stein were named co-patronesses of Europe.
Comment:
Bridget's visions, rather than isolating her from the affairs of the world, involved her in many contemporary issues, whether they be royal policy or the Avignon papacy. She saw no contradiction between mystical experience and secular activity, and her life is a testimony to the possibility of a holy life in the market place.
Quote:
Despite the hardships of life and wayward children (not all became saints), Margery Kempe of Lynn says Bridget was kind and meek to every creature and she had a laughing face.
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)*the above mentioned are added to this post from the mails recieved from - "AmericanCatholic. org" goodnews@americancatholic.org
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A good friend of mine, shreedhar (http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=4285683754807292048), used to pen me daily with the word of god for that day, at times from the reading of that day or otherwise. And what I used to like so much is the prayer and thought that he is used to add. With his permission I have added it below, so will do everyday possible.
Today's Scripture
"If you live by the Spirit, you'll not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)
Today's Word Did you know that we make over 2,500 choices everyday? Because of that, choosing to live according to the Spirit is the most important decision you can make. One way God speaks to you is through your spirit, or conscience. The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your decisions.
When you choose to obey God's leading, that "inner prompting," you will always make the right choice!It says in I John 3:21 that a guilty conscience hinders communication with our Heavenly Father. That's why it is so important to stay true to your conscience and quickly repent if you've made a mistake.
Remember, Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has great plans in store for you and when you choose to follow His leading, He'll guide you on a path of victory in every area of life! You really were born to win!
A Prayer for Today
God, When I listen to my inner voice, the one that tells me right from wrong, and make the right choice I know it pleases You. May my choices today honor You and demonstrate my commitment to being Your disciple in this world.
In Jesus' Name – Amen.
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July 22nd - St. Mary Magdalene *
Except for the mother of Jesus, few women are more honored in the Bible than Mary Magdalene. Yet she could well be the patron of the slandered, since there has been a persistent legend in the Church that she is the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50.
Most Scripture scholars today point out that there is no scriptural basis for confusing the two women. Mary Magdalene, that is, “of Magdala,” was the one from whom Christ cast out “seven demons” (Luke 8:2)—an indication, at the worst, of extreme demonic possession or, possibly, severe illness.
Father W.J. Harrington, O.P., writing in the New Catholic Commentary, says that “seven demons” “does not mean that Mary had lived an immoral life—a conclusion reached only by means of a mistaken identification with the anonymous woman of Luke 7:36.” Father Edward Mally, S.J., writing in the Jerome Biblical Commentary, agrees that she “is not...the same as the sinner of Luke 7:37, despite the later Western romantic tradition about her.”
Mary Magdalene was one of the many “who were assisting them [Jesus and the Twelve] out of their means.” She was one of those who stood by the cross of Jesus with his mother. And, of all the “official” witnesses that might have been chosen for the first awareness of the Resurrection, she was the one to whom that privilege was given.
Comment:
Mary Magdalene has been a victim of mistaken identity for almost 20 centuries. Yet she would no doubt insist that it makes no difference. We are all sinners in need of the saving power of God, whether our sins have been lurid or not. More importantly, we are all, with her, “unofficial” witnesses of the Resurrection.
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)
*the above mentioned are added to this post from the mails recieved from - "AmericanCatholic. org" goodnews@americancatholic.org
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Thank you, all dear readers.
God bless, lots of love and prayers.
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