Enjoy today's meditation from Richard Rohr on healing. đ
Hello John,
Todayâs saint, Oliver Plunkett, exemplifies resilience, faith, and sacrifice. His story sheds light on a dark period of Irish and English history. From his early life to his ultimate martyrdom, the tale of Oliver Plunkett is both compelling and inspiring. If you find Oliver Plunkett's story as inspirational as I have, please consider supporting Franciscan Media, the source of this rich and enlightening content. Your donation can help us continue to spread knowledge, insight, and inspiration to countless individuals. Donate today! |
Saint of the Day for July 2: Oliver Plunkett (November 1, 1629 â July 1, 1681) Saint Oliver Plunkettâs Story The name of todayâs saint is especially familiar to the Irish and the Englishâand with good reason. The English martyred Oliver Plunkett for defending the faith in his native Ireland during a period of severe persecution. Born in County Meath in 1629, Oliver studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained there in 1654. After some years of teaching and service to the poor of Rome he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland. Four years later, in 1673, a new wave of anti-Catholic persecution began, forcing Archbishop Plunkett to do his pastoral work in secrecy and disguise and to live in hiding. Meanwhile, many of his priests were sent into exile, schools were closed, Church services had to be held in secret, and convents and seminaries were suppressed. As archbishop, Plunkett was viewed as ultimately responsible for any rebellion or political activity among his parishioners. Archbishop Plunkett was arrested and imprisoned in Dublin Castle in 1679, but his trial was moved to London. After deliberating for 15 minutes, a jury found him guilty of fomenting revolt. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered in July 1681. Pope Paul VI canonized Oliver Plunkett in 1975. Reflection Stories like that of Oliver Plunkett seem to fit history. âThings like that donât happen todayâ is often our thought. But they do. False accusations, prejudice, anti-Catholic sentiments, racism, sexism, etc. are still an active reality in our day. Perhaps a prayer to Saint Oliver for peace and justice might be appropriate.
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Surrender Yourself to Healing To finally surrender ourselves to healing, we have to have three spaces opened up within usâand all at the same time: our opinionated head, our closed-down heart, and our defensive and defended body. That is the work of spiritualityâand it is work. Yes, it is finally the work of âa Power greater than ourselves,â and it will lead to great luminosity and depth of seeing. Where do you instinctively make decisionsâyour head, heart, or gut? Which do you consider the most trustworthy? Which do you most distrust? Imagine a dialogue with one of these three areas of your being. What would it tell you about your need to be more open? âfrom the book Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps
by Richard Rohr |
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Let Nothing Disturb or Distress You Reflect Our lives are made so much richer by the saints; they reinforce the beauty of the Gospels. Today, see what comes to your mind and heart after reading these exquisite words of St. Teresa of Avila: âLet nothing disturb you, nothing distress you. All things fade away; God is unchanging.â Pray God, thank you for these precious words from St. Teresa.
I will carry these words inside my heart all day, and remember them
before fears have a chance to arise.
What a relief to let go and accept: all of life is in flux.
But you, God, are steadfast.
How I long to live with more faith today then I had yesterday.
With these words within me, I begin againâ
with a renewed heart opening to fresh possibilities. Act Is there someone in your life who might really appreciate hearing St. Teresaâs words? Text it to them with love. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Maureen O'Brien. Learn more here! |
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