- 2 Peter 3:10-14 -
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will
disappear
with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and
everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people
ought
you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to
the day
of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of
the
heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping
with his
promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home
of
righteousness.
________________________________________________________________________
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make
every
effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
The day of the Lord is the day of God's judgement on earth. Here it is
used
in reference to Christ's return. Christ's second coming will be sudden and
terrible for those who do not believe in him. But if we are morally clean
and
spiritually alert, it won't come as a surprise. Realizing that the earth
is
going to be burned up, we should put our confidence in what is lasting and
eternal and not be bound to earth and its treasures or pursuits. Do you
spend
more of your time piling up possessions, or striving to develop
Christ-like
character?
<<>><<>><<>>
August 21st - St. Bernard Tolomeo
Founder of the congregation of the Blessed Virgin of Monte Oliveto; born
at
Siena in Tuscany in 1272; died in 1348. He received at baptism the name of
Giovanni, but took that of Bernard out of admiration for the saintly Abbot
of
Clairvaux. He was educated by his uncle, Christopher Tolorneo, a
Dominican, and
desired to enter the religious life, but his father's opposition prevented
it,
and he continued his studies in secular surroundings. After a course in
philosophy and mathematics lie devoted himself to the study of civil and
canon
law, and of theology. For a time Bernard served in the armies of Rudolph
of
Hapsburg. After his return to Siena he was appointed by his fellow
citizens to
the highest positions in the town government. While thus occupied he was
struck
with blindness. Having recovered his sight through the intervention of the
Blessed Virgin he retired (1313) to a solitary spot about ten miles from
Siena,
where he led a life of the greatest austerity.
The fame of his virtues soon attracted many visitors, and Bernard was
accused of
heresy. He went to Avignon and cleared himself of this charge before John
XXII
without difficulty. Upon his return he founded the congregation of the
Blessed
Virgin of Monte Oliveto, giving it the Rule of St. Benedict. The purpose
of the
new religious institute was a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
Guido,
Bishop of Arezzo, within whose diocese the congregation was formed,
confirmed
its constitution, (1319), and many favours were granted by Popes John
XXII,
Clement VI (1344), and Gregory XI. Upon the appearance of the plague in
the
district of Arezzo, Bernard and his monks devoted themselves to the care
of the
sick without any personal ill effects. After having ruled the religious
body he
had founded for twenty-seven years Bernard died at the age of seventy-six.
His
death was followed by many miracles and the congregation became a nursery
of
saints. In 1634 the Congregation of Rites declared that the Blessed
Bernard
Tolomeo was deserving of veneration among the saints. In the Roman
Martyrology
he is commemorated on 21 August.
Saint Quote:
Humility, to be true, must be always accompanied by charity; that is,
loving,
seeking, and accepting humiliations to please God, and to become more like
Jesus
Christ; to do otherwise, would be to practice it in the manner of the
heathen.
-St. France de Sales
Bible Quote
12 Now therefore saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart,
in
fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. (Joel 2:12)
<><><><>
Canticle Apocalypse 4,5
The song of the redeemed
You are worthy, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and
power;
for you made all things, and it is by your will that they existed and were
created.
You are worthy, Lord, to receive the book and open its seals,
for you were killed, and with your blood you have ransomed people from
every
tribe and language and people and nation,
and made them rulers and priests for God; and they will rule over the
earth.
The Lamb is worthy, who was killed, to receive power and riches and
wisdom,
strength and honour, glory and blessing.
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.
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