- Philippians 3:12-14 -
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made
perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took
hold of
me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But
one
thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I
press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
heavenward
in Christ Jesus.
____________________________________________________________________
Paul had reason to forget what was behind - he had held the coats of those
who
stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr. We have all done things for
which we
are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we
want to
be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt
and
look
forward to what God will help us become. Don't dwell on your past. Instead
grow
in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with him
now.
Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and
obedience, Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of
your
hope in Christ.
<<>><<>><<>>
January 29th - St. Sulpicius 'Severus,' B (RM)
Born in Aquitaine; died 591. There was a great writer named Sulpicius
Severus,
not numbered among the saints, who authored the Life of Saint Martin of
Tours.
This is not he, though his moniker has often caused confusion. Saint
Sulpicius,
bishop of Bourges from 584 until his death, was born into a wealthy and
illustrious Roman family. He was highly learned in secular literature and
the
law, which he practiced for a time.
Sulpicius began to consider the religious life following the death of his
beloved wife, from whom he inherited even greater wealth. For a time he
continued to live in the same household as his pious mother-in-law,
Bassula,
with whom he shared a mutual affection. Her example and exhortations
confirmed
the resolution of Saint Sulpicius to turn his life over to Christ
unreservedly.
His conversion at about age 32 occurred during the same year of Saint
Paulinus
of Nola's conversion about 392. (Some of what we know about Saint
Sulpicius
comes from the testimony of the latter saint.)
He was venerated by Saint Gregory of Tours (Attwater, Attwater2,
Benedictines,
Coulson, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth).
Saint Quote:
"Where music and dancing are, there are blindness of men, ruin of women,
sadness
of the angels, and the feast of devils."
-St. Ephrem (Ephraem, Doctor 300-379), "Instructions On Christian Morality
Bible Quotes:
"But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them: and
pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath, to give her whatsoever
she
would ask of him. But she being instructed before by her mother, said:
Give
me
here in a dish the head of John the Baptist. And the king was struck sad:
yet
because of his oath, and for them that sat with him at table, he commanded
it to
be given. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison" (Matthew 14:6-10
)
"And rising in the morning, they offered holocausts, and peace victims,
and
the
people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play. And the Lord
spoke
to Moses, saying: Go, get thee down: thy people, which thou hast brought
out
of
the land of Egypt, hath sinned. And when he came nigh to the camp, he saw
the
calf, and the dances: and being very angry, he threw the tables out of his
hand,
and broke them at the foot of the mount" (Exodus 32:6-7, 19)
<><><><>
Litany of The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
This Litany in honor of Jesus in His Most Precious Blood was drawn up
by the Sacred Congregation of Rites and promulgated by Pope John
XXIII on February 24, 1960. The devotion to Jesus in His most Precious
Blood was first popularized by St. Gaspar del Bufalo (1786-1837) who
founded the Missioners of the Most Precious Blood. A partial indulgence
is granted to the faithful who recite this litany.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, save us.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in Agony, save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons, save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs, save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors, save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins, save us.
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us.
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, save us.
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, save us.
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, save us.
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, save us.
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life, save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, save us.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O
Lord.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O
Lord.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.
R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.
Let us pray; Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-
begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by
his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price
of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of
the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen
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