ye..!! we have two Saints..!!

Until today morning, when the Padre, during the service mentioned it, I never knew St. Bartholomew, had preached in India. Pardon my excitement but don't you think we have been so blessed a nation, I thought St.Thomas - so sweet a disciple of our lord Jesus, has been the only disciple to have come to our land, but then now I feel so excited. If so, just think about all those brutalities and ferreting towards God's anointed.
Dear in Christ, if you believe that you are part of the body of Christ and that he is in you, a part of you, through the Eucharist, does it not hurt your body too.. when they are tortured - "... love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.." But then pa has also said, revenge is mine... lets plea to papa that our world does not plunge into more grave sin and negligence. What if papa asks us, his children, why where they not informed of the truth, the light and the way.. he will scold us for each soul that falls into fire... what do we do, STAND firm in faith, wear the shield and armor, arm yourself with the tools of God. Brethren, we have won this war already, but our enemy is finding all those little chances possible to make all the souls as dirty as possible so that Pa and our family take more pain and trouble to clean us back into shape. We cannot let that happen...



Saint of the Day (August 24, 2007) - St. Bartholomew

In the New Testament, Bartholomew is mentioned only in the lists of the apostles. Some scholars identify him with Nathanael, a man of Cana in Galilee who was summoned to Jesus by Philip. Jesus paid him a great compliment: Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him (John 1:47b). When Nathanael asked how Jesus knew him, Jesus said, I saw you under the fig tree (John 1:48b). Whatever amazing revelation this involved, it brought Nathanael to exclaim, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel (John 1:49b). But Jesus countered with, Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this (John 1:50b).

Nathanael did see greater things. He was one of those to whom Jesus appeared on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection (see John 21:1-14). They had been fishing all night without success. In the morning, they saw someone standing on the shore though no one knew it was Jesus. He told them to cast their net again, and they made so great a catch that they could not haul the net in. Then John cried out to Peter, It is the Lord.

When they brought the boat to shore, they found a fire burning, with some fish laid on it and some bread. Jesus asked them to bring some of the fish they had caught, and invited them to come and eat their meal. John relates that although they knew it was Jesus, none of the apostles presumed to inquire who he was. This, John notes, was the third time Jesus appeared to the apostles.

Comment:

Bartholomew or Nathanael? We are confronted again with the fact that we know almost nothing about most of the apostles. Yet the unknown ones were also foundation stones, the 12 pillars of the new Israel whose 12 tribes now encompass the whole earth. Their personalities were secondary (without thereby being demeaned) to their great office of bearing tradition from their firsthand experience, speaking in the name of Jesus, putting the Word made flesh into human words for the enlightenment of the world. Their holiness was not an introverted contemplation of their status before God. It was a gift that they had to share with others. The Good News was that all are called to the holiness of being Christ's members, by the gracious gift of God.

The simple fact is that humanity is totally meaningless unless God is its total concern. Then humanity, made holy with God's own holiness, becomes the most precious creation of God.

Quote:

Like Christ himself, the apostles were unceasingly bent upon bearing witness to the truth of God. They showed special courage in speaking the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31) before the people and their rulers. With a firm faith they held that the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.... They followed the example of the gentleness and respectfulness of Christ (Declaration on Religious Freedom, 11).


(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

"In humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)

Today's Word You can improve your relationship with anyone, a child, neighbor or even your boss! It starts with creating an atmosphere of peace in your relationships. Sometimes we feel we just can't get along with certain people. But God puts us with people who are different from us on purpose. They have a lot to give us if we'll just seek to understand them. We have to focus on meeting their needs, filling their "emotional tank," instead of just looking for what they can do for us. If you do these things, your life will be much richer. You'll resolve conflict quicker. You'll be able to more easily overlook each other's faults and be more forgiving. You'll be content and satisfied in life.And don't worry, God hasn't forgotten about your own needs. Because God is faithful, He will pour out His favor and abundance into your own life even while you are focused on blessing others!

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for giving me my family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and all of the people You have put in my life. Help me to appreciate each one as a unique person with something valuable to teach me and share with me. Help me to learn from them, and make it a priority to do whatever I can to meet their needs. Thank You for Your promise that as I focus on others, I will also be blessed and grow in my relationship with them and with You. In Jesus' Name – Amen.