Enjoy today's mediation on Jesus' sacred heart. ❤️
Dear Friend, As the world struggles with war, violence, and aggression, I think about St. Francis of Assisi. In particular when... The poor man championed interreligious dialogue. In our polarized world, it seems almost like fiction that we might have the courage to step outside our comfort zones and embrace those on the periphery or those we perceive as different. But Francis traversed wars and foreign lands to preach the Gospel to Sultan Malik al-Kamil in 1219. With these two men, it was a stalemate: Francis could not convert his new friend to Christianity, and the sultan could not coax his visitor to abandon Lady Poverty. But a real friendship was born, nonetheless. Differences should not mean division. Our directive at Franciscan Media is to build bridges, not walls. Following Francis, our message of hope and fellowship is needed in a world battered by grief. And that is where you come in. Join us and our faithful community of donors with a gift to Franciscan Media today. Peace and all good! |
Christopher Heffron Editorial Director |
Saint of the Day for June 30: First Martyrs of the Church of Rome (d. 64) Listen to the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome’s Story Here There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in 57-58 A.D. There was a large Jewish population in Rome. Probably as a result of controversy between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in 49-50 A.D. Suetonius the historian says that the expulsion was due to disturbances in the city “caused by the certain Chrestus” [Christ]. Perhaps many came back after Claudius’ death in 54 A.D. Paul’s letter was addressed to a Church with members from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death because of their “hatred of the human race.” Peter and Paul were probably among the victims. Threatened by an army revolt and condemned to death by the senate, Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. at the age of 31. Reflection Wherever the Good News of Jesus was preached, it met the same opposition as Jesus did, and many of those who began to follow him shared his suffering and death. But no human force could stop the power of the Spirit unleashed upon the world. The blood of martyrs has always been, and will always be, the seed of Christians.
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Grace Is a Bridge Pope Francis summarized many times the importance of Sacred Heart devotion, which has always had very practical consequences. “If we believe that grace can bridge every distance,“ he writes, “this means that Christ by his sufferings united himself to the sufferings of his disciples in every time and place. In this way, whenever we endure suffering, we can also experience the interior consolation of knowing that Christ suffers with us. In seeking to console him, we will find ourselves consoled.” —from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “Jesus’ Sacred Heart Connects Everything“
by Pat McCloskey, OFM |
Who Rules Your Life? Reflect There is an old saying: “Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it.” In 1 Samuel the people of Israel demand a king. God warns them against it. A king will tax them, enslave them, even steal their property. But their minds are made up—they want a king. Why? Sometimes a life of faith can feel overwhelming, more like a burden than a gift of grace. Like Israel, we might look around and see that other people seem to have it easier. We may wonder: Why can’t I be like them? But is that really the life we want? A life free from faith and sacrifice? A life free from obligations? A life free from God? Pray Lord,
You tell me that your yoke is easy
and your burden is light,
but sometimes the kingdom of God feels like too much,
when all I really want is just the kingdom of my couch!
Renew my spirit, Lord.
Turn my gaze away
from others, and from envy, and let it rest always on you.
True peace, and true rest come not from wealth or ease
but from the life-giving power of your love. Act Pay attention to the times and places when you feel envy stirring in your heart. Offer those moments to God. Sit in silence and let God’s presence expand to fill the emptiness you fear. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Herman Sutter. Learn more here! |
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