July 31 - Today is the feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA Priest (1491-1556)

St. Ignatius was born at Loyola in Spain, in the year 1491. He served his king as a courtier and a soldier till his thirtieth year. At that age, being laid low by a wound, he received the call of divine grace to leave the world. He embraced poverty and humiliation, that he might become more like to Christ, and won others to join him in the service of God.

Prompted by their love for Jesus Christ, Ignatius and his companions made a vow to go to the Holy Land, but war broke out, and prevented the execution of their project. Then they turned to the Vicar of Jesus Christ, and placed themselves under his obedience. This was the beginning of the Society of Jesus. Our Lord promised St. Ignatius that the precious heritage of his Passion should never fail his Society, a heritage of contradictions and persecutions.

St. Ignatius was cast into prison at Salamanca, on a suspicion of heresy. To a friend who expressed sympathy with him on account of his imprisonment, he replied, "It is a sign that you have but little love of Christ in your heart, or you would not deem it so hard a fate to be in chains for His sake. I declare to you that all Salamanca does not contain as many fetters, manacles, and chains as I long to wear for the love of Jesus Christ."

St. Ignatius went to his crown on the 31st July, 1556.

Words of Wisdom

From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God! 

~Blessed Pope John Paul II

Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, July 29, 2012 with Reflection

1^ST READING - 2 Kings 4:42-44

P S A L M - Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18

R: The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 15 The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food in due season; 16 you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. (R) 17 The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. (R)

2^ND READING - Ephesians 4:1-6

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A great prophet has risen in our midst. God has visited his people.

John 6:1-15

1 Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. 2 A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish feast of Passover was near. 5 When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” 6He said this to test him, because he himself  knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. 12 When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” 13 So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. 14 When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” 15Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

SABBATH

THE MIRACLE OF THE BAON People wanted to follow Jesus even if they had to cross deserts and mountains, even if they would go hungry. But Jesus proves to be more realistic than them. They would go hungry — definitely. Thus, the miracle. But behind the miracle is a boy who had five barley loaves and two fish. He brought provisions for himself. It seems odd that a mere child knew what to do while many other people, older than him, forgot about their needs for such long journeys and stints with Jesus. We see another simple miracle here: a boy who was ready to let go of his own bread and fish so that others may not go hungry. Surely, he must have been listening to Jesus and lived His teaching. The miracle needed to start somewhere, somehow, from somebody who had bread and fish. I don’t know how the Apostles convinced the child to give all that he had at the moment. But I’m sure he happily did it with the disposition of a child. Jesus has always been fascinated by children. They’re pure and simple, kindhearted, selfless, obedient, faithful, trusting. He believed that he could part from his baon(packed meal) knowing that Jesus will provide for him. It took a young, simple and selfless individual like him for a great miracle to happen. His selflessness and willingness to share is a miracle in itself. Not all people would do the same. And it happened. About five thousand got their fill of bread and fish. It must have been one great picnic. And when they gathered the leftover, 12 wicker baskets of fragments were collected. Jesus gave them more than they needed. His love is simply overflowing — just like what happened in the days of Elisha when a hundred people were fed and some leftovers were collected. God’s generosity remains the same yesterday, today and forever. Today, we remember the great miracle performed by Jesus and overflowing generosity and sensitivity to our needs. We also remember the boy who shared his own bread and fish. We don’t know his name, but we hope to find him in our midst — today. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, SFO REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you willing to share whatever you have for the sake of the greater good? Lord, help me to discover the joy of sharing and giving. St. Martha, pray for us. Do you want to receive this in your email?  To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.

Let us pause for a moment and pray for the Sanctity of Human Life:

O God, our Creator, all life is in your hands from conception until death. Help us to cherish our children and to reverence the awesome privilege of our share in creation. May all people live and die in dignity and love. Bless all those who defend the rights of the unborn, the handicapped and the aged. Enlighten and be merciful toward those who fail to love, and give them peace. Let freedom be tempered by responsibility, integrity and morality.

We ask these things in the Name of Jesus, Amen

July 26 - Today is the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne

SAINT JOACHIM and SAINT ANNE Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Memorial

These names are given to the mother and father of the Blessed Virgin by a tradition dating back to the second century.

As St John Damascene wrote: "Joachim and Ann, how blessed a couple! All creation is indebted to you. For at your hands the Creator was offered a gift excelling all other gifts: a chaste mother, who alone was worthy of him."

A Christian Approach to Working Out and Eating Right

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In the process, you will develop your noble ability to reason, strengthen your faculties of mind, perfect your physical capacities for beauty of form and grace, nurture your ability to act angelically, and prepare yourself to live that life which is proper to a being made in the image of God. Do you know what your ten talents are? Do you know what God wants you to do with your life? As He gave ten talents to each of the souls in the parable, so He has given ten particular talents to you. Don't ignore them any longer, or leave them buried. Let Kevin Vost help you unearth them, and show you how to multiply them a hundredfold.   Save 25% when you order the set! Click here to order BOTH books and enter code HLFit25 at checkout.   (*Shipping not included. Not eligible for any other discount. Offer ends 8/1/12.) Order online above,  or call 1-800-888-9344  www.SophiaInstitute.com Sophia Institute Press Box 5284, Manchester, NH 03108 USA   ____________   Fine Catholic Books  from SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS    1-800-888-9344 We always welcome contributions to our non-profit apostolate. If you would prefer not to use the PayPal button below, you can add a contribution  directly to your shopping cart at our on-line store.    Sophia Institute Press is the publishing division of

Think about..........

Walls of worries surround us everyday and we cannot run away.  Remember, walls only block the sides and never the sky.  Look up God is smiling at you! Rise and shine in GOD's grace.


Have a nice day!

Think About.....

I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.



~Lou Holtz 

Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, July 22, 2012 with Reflection

1^ST READING - Jeremiah 23:1-6

Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

2^ND READING - Ephesians 2:13-18

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

Mark 6:30-34

30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. 32 So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 33 People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.34 When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

SABBATH

SERENITY IN THE MIDST OF COMPLEXITY Jeremiah’s world was complex. There were shepherds who led righteously, and shepherds who not only misled but scattered the flock. St. Paul refers to a “dividing wall of enmity,” and to the reality that at some point in our lives we were far off from God. The Gospel of Mark alludes to a busy band of 12, who, along with their Master, “had no opportunity even to eat,” caught up by the many demands of people who “were coming and going in great numbers.” Christ, we are told,“was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.” But the Lord did more than just pity them. First of all, He showed Himself as the fulfillment of the promise given through Jeremiah the prophet: “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock... and bring them back to their meadow... I will appoint shepherds for them so that they need no longer fear and tremble...” Secondly, as our peace, He “broke down the dividing wall of enmity... thus establishing peace... He came and preached peace to [those] who were far off and peace to those who were near....” Thirdly, He invites us today and every busy day to “come away by [ourselves] to a deserted place and rest a while.” Sunday, like today, is the Good Shepherd’s gift for us to have some quiet, rest, reflection and prayer. Today, the Liturgy invites us to re-appropriate Sunday for what it was meant to be: a day for the Lord, as much as a day for ourselves. Rather than seeing Sunday as a day for self-absorption and self-preoccupation, it is to be seen as a day for legitimate rest and solitude, not for one’s selfish motives but eventually to get closer to God and Christ through prayer and reflection. Through intimate communion with the Lord, we may rise victorious amidst the complexities of life in this globalized world. Such intimacy with God, in and through this Eucharistic celebration, ought then to make us capable of proclaiming sincerely and more effectively: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SSP REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you spend your Sundays? Thank You, Good Shepherd, for the peace that Your presence gives me. May I always seek Your presence in my daily life. St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us. Do you want to receive this in your email?  To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.

THE CATHOLIC TEMPERAMENTS GUIDE (to help you figure out yourself, your spouse, and your kids)

The Temperament God Gave You The Classic Key to Knowing Yourself, Getting Along with Others, and Growing Closer to the Lord by Art and Laraine Bennett$18.95 ppbk 288 pgs	Unlock the secret of your personalityand learn how to be a better spouse, parent, friend, and Christian In the womb God doesn't merely mold our body; He also gives each of us the temperament that, all our days, colors our understanding, guides our choices, and serves as the foundation of our moral and spiritual life. Ancient philosophers identified four basic temperaments, and over the centuries, countless wise souls have used these four to understand human nature. Now comes The Temperament God Gave You, the first Catholic book on the subject in 70 years.
Here veteran Catholic counselor Art Bennett and his wife Laraine provide an accessible synthesis of classical wisdom, modern counseling science, and Catholic spirituality: a rich understanding of the temperaments and what they mean for you and for your family. Drawing on decades of study, prayer, and practical experience, Art and Laraine show you how to identify your own temperament and use it to become what God is calling you to be: a loving spouse, an effective parent, and a good friend. Best of all, they give you a Catholic understanding of the four temperaments that will bring you closer to God and help you discover the path to holiness that's right for you. Peace. Happiness. Holiness. You'll find yourself growing in each of these qualities as you come to understand -- and learn to use as you should -- the temperament God gave you.
And for those who are married . . . For countless years, personality differences in marriage have baffled, frustrated, and often angered even the happiest couples. In less happy marriages, they've caused painful --- though completely unnecessary --- fights, and sometimes even divorce. Now comes The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse, rich withtemperament wisdom designed specially for couples and guaranteed to improve your marital communication, intimacy, and happiness. For in no other human relationship is knowledge of the temperaments so critical --- and so helpful --- as in Christian marriage. It's only through mutual understanding of our own patterns of reaction, and those of our spouse, that we can motivate, nurture, respect, and above all, love each other with the selfless patience to which Christ calls us in the sacrament.	The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse Improving Your Marriage by Understanding Your Spouse by Art and Laraine Bennett 208 pgs ppbk $17.95
In The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse,Art and Laraine Bennett explain: *The four kinds of spouses --- which kind did you marry? *How temperament affects the way you and your spouse work, pray, argue, socialize, and show affection *Tips for developing the communication skills that your temperament needs most, and for nurturing them in your spouse *All the possible temperament combinations in marriage, and how to handle the unique challenges that yours creates *Proven ways to figure out what really makes your spouse tick! So often we wish we could make our spouses different, yet the Bennetts show that true marital contentment lies not in changing the way God made our loved ones, but in appreciating it --- and helping them to perfect it. Read The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse and discover a new world of understanding and respect for the person you married.
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We always welcome contributions to our non-profit apostolate. If you would prefer not to use the PayPal button below, you can add a contribution directly to your shopping cart at our on-line store. Sophia Institute Press is the publishing division of

Think About....

“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops, like bishops, and your religious act like religious.”


 Archbishop Fulton Sheen

A man named Pilo....

Once there was a man named Teofilo, nicknamed Pilo. Pilo is a country person who decided to look for opportunities in the city. Arriving there, he was surprised to see lots of street children and beggars in the streets. Some of them gathered around him, asking for alms. He took pity at their condition, started to give each child a penny from his pocket. This amused the children, informing others, turning a small group into a mob around him. A policeman nearby saw the commotion and whistled, frightening the children and they scurried away, until it is only Pilo that is left. The policeman stared at Pilo in disdain, swung his handcuffs to Pilo's hands and started to drag him to the nearest police station. As they walk, the police talked:

" I know you have no bad intentions with those children, but what you had done is prohibited. We have an anti-mendicancy law here, and it is forbidden to give anything to those street children and to the beggars for if they fare well to the likes of you, they will remain close to danger in the streets. Better for them to stay away from the streets in order not to make trouble. Do you see where i am pointing to?"

"Yes, sir". replied Pilo. "Spare me this time sir, and I will never do it again."

The police, sensing the country accent of Pilo, assumed that Pilo is new in the city, so he decided to let him go.

This has made Pilo realize that the police is right, he will be endangering the children in the streets. Pilo then applied to be a house help in a rich man's mansion. Since Pilo is innately diligent, his master has become fond of him and trusted him more than anyone in the house. He was given the right to arrange and manage things in and around the mansion. One day he saw beggars waiting at the gate, asking for alms. He took pity at their condition, so after meals, Pilo gathers the leftovers and the excess foods and put them in plastic bags, and secretly he let the beggars enter the mansion's compound in the back gate, and there he let them eat. One day, his master caught him and summoned him upstairs. His master then said:

"Pilo, I know you had no bad intent with the people whom you let in here, nor to me, but what you had done, I may not speak well of. You see, all my riches I have gained through my hard work and I endured a lot in order to attain my comfort now. I believe that man can be successful if he tries to support and work for himself. But giving them our supplies for free, you will only teach them to gain their food easily without effort. You will teach them how to be lazy. If you really want to help them, you must let them work for their needs."

This made Pilo realize that his master is right. In order to really help people, he must help people work for their own needs at their own expense. So with the master's help, Pilo has received a lot of opportunities. Startlingly, Pilo has become rich. He had now his own mansion and his own company. He called some of the able vagrants and beggars to work in his business. He discovered their own abilities and arranged their affairs properly. In his place, there is hardly a beggar in the street, for all of them worked and lived in his own compound. Pilo regularly attends to the needs of the people under him, to the extent that all those former beggars have only relied on his generosity, without doing their own initiatives themselves. This the local bishop has noticed, and summoned Pilo to his diocesan office. The bishop then said:

"Pilo, I know you had no bad motive with the people whom you helped to make their lives better, but as I see it, it seems you need to refine them a bit more. Teach them livelihood programs, so that they can start having their own means of income. It is not forever that they had to depend on you. In order to really help them, you should start teaching them to stand in their own feet."

This has made Pilo realize that the good old bishop is right, helping them will also entail helping them help themselves. So he took a course in entrepreneurship in a nearby college, and after he graduated, formed a sector in his company to teach them further opportunities and how to start businesses which they like. It did not take long until his cause becomes effective. Many of his men became self-sufficient and started to go yonder to initiate their own businesses in town. Their businesses has become successful too, to the extent that they can now compete with Pilo's. Many had nurtured contempt and envy with him, so that many of the former beggars whom he had helped, has now disliked him.

Pilo saw another need that has to be met. These people, in order to be really helped, has to be brought to the Lord. He realized that there is no total development that can happen in man save when a man decides to give back to God his very self. This will also help them pass on to others good deeds, as what Pilo had done for them. So in his car, he went to their places, persuading them to come with him to church. The former beggars who are now rich businessmen ignored and laughed at Pilo's plea. Sad to know that they had been blinded by worldly greed, Pilo went to church all by himself.

Just on his way to the church, Pilo saw a vagabond at the sidewalk. He took pity at his condition, told the driver to stop, and opened the window. He beckoned the man to come closer to give him something, not knowing that the man was mentally deranged. As the vagabond approached, and as Pilo is about to give him a bag of goods, suddenly the vagabond became frightened and stabbed Pilo directly to the chest. Pilo was rushed to the hospital, and died that day, on his way to church.

News of his death swept the area. The former beggars whom Pilo had helped were suddenly awakened from their numbness and they realized that they had rejected the person who helped them. All of them attended his funeral, paying their respects and salutations to the man who gave them hope, a new direction in life. At last, Pilo has made them go back to the Church and to the Lord again.

And certainly, the Lord has summoned Pilo infront of Him. The Master of All, upon seeing him, smiled sweetly and said: "Well done, good and faithful servant..."

PROPERS FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL (July 16, 2012)

INTROIT
Let us all rejoice in the Lord celebrating a festival day in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary on whose solemnity the angles rejoice and give praise to the Son of God. My heart has uttered a good word. I speak my works to the King.

COLLECT
O God who hast honoured the Order of Carmel with the special title of Thy most Blessed Mother Mary ever Virgin, mercifully grant that we who celebrate her memory this day with solemn office may be shielded by her protection and deserve to come to everlasting joys. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

LESSON (Sirach 24:23-31)
As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.
I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.
In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue.
Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits.
For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb.
My memory is unto everlasting generations.
They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst.
He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin.
They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL
O Virgin Mary, blessed and venerable art thou who without blemish to thy maidenhood did become the Mother of the Saviour. O Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world cannot contain, enclosed Himself within thy womb and became man.
Alleluia. Through thee, O Mother of God, has the live we had lst been restored. From heaven didst thou beget thy Child to the world brought forth a Saviour.

GOSPEL (Luke 11:27-28)
And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.

SECRET
Sanctify O, Lord The Sacrifice we bring and by the most salutary intercession of Blessed Mary Mother of God, grant that it may avail us unto salvation. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

PREFACE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: and that we should praise and bless, and proclaim Thee, the Blessed Virgin Mary, ever-Virgin: Who also conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:

COMMUNION
Most noble Queen of the world, Mary ever Virgin, intercede for our peace and salvation who didst bring forth Christ our Lord, the Saviour of all mankind.

POSTCOMMUNION
May the holy intercession of Thy glorious Mother Mary, ever Virgin help us, we beseech thee, O Lord, that those on whom she has lavished unceasing favors may be freed from all dangers and by her loving kindness become of one mind. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, July 15, 2012 with Reflection

1^ST READING - Amos 7:12-15

Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

R: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord — for he proclaims peace. 9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13]The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

2^nd READING - Ephesians 1:3-14

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.

Mark 6:7-13

7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

SABBATH

THE COM FORT ZONE God makes me laugh sometimes. Just look at the readings today. In the First Reading, He calls Amos, a farmer and attendant of sycamore trees, and in the Gospel, He calls fishermen to spread His Word. The Lord will have His way. He calls all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds. And when He calls, they follow. Amos responds to the resistant priest in Bethel, “It’s not my fault, I am here; I am just a shepherd, God sent me to you.” Amos is forbidden to enter the Temple and asked to leave the area. Israel was enjoying prosperity, economically and politically. The news from Amos seemed out of place and unworthy of attention. Of course, God was trying to warn them through His prophet against conformity and self-contentment. All that they had was due to God’s blessing, not their own. Amos’ words fell on deaf ears and closed minds, so he began to write down his prophecies as a way of communicating the will of God. He became one of the earliest writing prophets. We have to be aware of our comfort zone. It is that place of self-contentment and reliance on our own efforts. The part that says, “Thank you, Lord, but I am doing fine without You now.” It’s that part of us that settles for “second best” even though things could be better. We are afraid to move out of our comfort zone because we fear the loss of control. When we are comfortable, we are in control. The Lord challenges us to step out of our comfort zone just as He did that day when Peter questioned the presence of Jesus on the water (Matthew14:28-30). Or when the disciples were called to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Amos was called out of his comfort zone of attending sycamore trees. He took up the challenge from moving up north, away from his comfort zone down south. He didn’t like it but he acted in obedience to the Lord’s will. Even when he was abused and ridiculed by those in authority, he stood his ground: “The Lord took me from the flock and said, ‘Go prophesy!’” Fr. Brian Steele, MGL REFLECTION QUESTION: Let us move beyond our comfort zone. What is the Lord asking you to do, to be detached from, and to surrender to His loving care? Lord, help me to see where my comfort zone lies. Help me to move beyond this to accept Your will in my life.

St. Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

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The Truth about St. Therese Revealed

"Sentimental hogwash!"
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Author Henri Gheon was once among those put off by Thérèse’s popularity. Then he discovered how many good Catholics, at home with simple devotions, were soon freed from the pretty-pretties that led them on.

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The Truth about Thérèseby Henri Gheon
168 pgs ppbk $18.95

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