COMPLETE IN HIM
It pleased the FATHER,
that in HIM all fullness dwell.
The FATHER loveth the SON, and hath given all things
into HIS hand. hath highly exalted HIM, and given
HIM a name which is above every name: that in the
name of JESUS every knee shall bow, of things in
Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST
is LORD, to the glory of GOD the FATHER. For above
all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this world,
but also in that in which is to come. By HIM were
all things created, that are in Heaven, and are in earth,
visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by HIM, and for HIM.
CHRIST both died, and rose, and revived, that HE
might be LORD both of the dead and living. And ye
are complete in HIM, which is the head of all principality
and power. Of HIS fullness have all we received.
AMEN and AMEN
<<>><<>><<>>
June 23rd - St. Mary Of Oignies, Mystic, Recluse
(Died 1213)
Mary of Oignies was born in the diocese of Liege in Belgium in 1167, of
very
wealthy parents. But while still very young, she rejected everything
childish or
vain - games, beautiful clothing, ornaments. At the age of fourteen,
despite her
desire to be a nun, she was obliged to marry a virtuous young lord. Her
holy
life caused admiration in her spouse and decided him to follow her
examples; and
together they resolved to practice continence for life, to distribute
their
wealth to the poor and consecrate themselves to works of piety. The demon
tried
every artifice to make them relent in their holy resolution, but failed.
They
drew down on themselves the most abundant blessings, as well as sarcasms
and
insults from the worldly.
Mary had the gift of tears, and could not look at a crucifix without
breaking
into a torrent of tears or being ravished in ecstasy. When a priest told
her to
cease these exhibitions, she asked God to make him understand that it is
not
possible for a creature to arrest tears which the Holy Spirit obliges to
well
up. And the priest, that same day while saying his Mass, began to shed so
many
tears that the altar cloths and his vestments were wet with them.
She had a great devotion to Saint John the Evangelist and conversed with
him as
well as with her Guardian Angel. By vision and revelation she often knew
the
temptations and secrets of the hearts of the persons who consulted her.
She
converted many, obtained graces by her prayers for the living and
especially for
the dead, for whom she offered prayers and sacrifices, and suffered
various
illnesses with invincible patience. Her many visitors made her life of
contemplation difficult, and she decided to change her residence; her
husband
permitted her to go to Oignies, where she lived in retreat amidst her
heavenly
favors and conversations.
She saw the place destined for her in heaven, and gave up her holy soul
surrounded by angelic songs of bliss. The faithful who have addressed her
were
so impressed with the value of her intercession that her relics became the
object of great respect. Buried at Oignies, her remains in 1609 were
placed in a
silver reliquary in its parish church of Our Lady; in 1817 they were
transferred
to the Church of Saint Nicolas at Nivelle, near her birthplace.
Source: Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin
(Bloud et
Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 7.
Saint Quote:
We therefore grossly deceive ourselves in not allotting more time to the
study
of divine truths. It is not enough barely to believe them, and let our
thoughts
now and then glance upon them: that knowledge which shows us heaven, will
not
bring us to the possession of it, and will deserve punishments, not
rewards, if
it remain slight, weak, and superficial. By serious and frequent
meditation it
must be concocted, digested, and turned into the nourishment of our
affections,
before it can be powerful and operative enough to change them, and produce
the
necessary fruit in our lives. For this all the saints affected solitude
and
retreats from the noise and hurry of the world, as much as their
cir***stances
allowed them.
-St. Apollinaris
Bible Quote
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave
thyself
in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and
ground of the truth. (1 Tim 3:15)
<><><><>
Action Saints Renewal
Compassionate heart of Jesus,
To offer Love Divine
To children who will turn away,
Engrossed in earthly time-
The wounds will bleed anew,
The tears commence to flow,
For wickedness and thoughtless child
Will lose the hearts, that's true.
He stands there at the door
Of happiness and light,
And watches the stars flicker,
As souls descend to night.
The darkness settles in
To cover peace and joy;
For satan laughs and continues to treat
Some souls just like a toy.
A prayer went up from Heaven,
The battle cry anew:
To save these souls from evil lures,
In every way they knew.
A light descended earthward,
A figure flying in.
It was for sure another saint,
To save a soul from sin.
The saints, in all their glory,
Are out to find a way,
To help their loving Jesus
In some new earthly way.
Spread over on the earth
Are souls who'll understand;
Who'll welcome them into their hearts,
And want to lend a hand.
A saint will find a body
To cover a bare soul;
For how can they approach us all.
When last seen in a hole?
So they'll come down from Heaven
A miracle they will say-
Well, let them all be miracles,
If they will make you pray.
We owe so much to Jesus;
He gave us all His heart.
Did we show any love at all,
Or were we worldly smart?
It doesn't take much learning,
To speak right up and say:
I'll always pray and follow
The road to Jesus every day.
For one day we'll be waiting
To meet Him face to face;
And Heaven help our anguished hearts
If sent to that other place!
So let's all play it safe,
And lead our life with God:
If practiced every single day,
The habit won't come hard.
But, most of all, remember:
In love, it's always true:
You'll always find it's easy
To care in everything you do.
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