Monthly Scripture Reading and Meditation

 Wednesday (September 11):  "Blessed are you poor - yours is the kingdom of God"   Scripture: Luke 6:20-26
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger. "Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Meditation: When you encounter misfortune, grief, or tragic loss, how do you respond? With fear or faith? With passive resignation or with patient hope and trust in God? We know from experience that no one can escape all of the inevitable trials of life – pain, suffering, sickness, and death. When Jesus began to teach his disciples he gave them a "way of happiness" that transcends every difficulty and trouble that can weigh us down with grief and despair. Jesus began his sermon on the mount by addressing the issue of where true happiness can be found. The word beatitude literally means happiness or blessedness. Jesus' way of happiness, however, demands a transformation from within – a conversion of heart and mind which can only come about through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit.

How can one possibly find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? If we want to be filled with the joy and happiness of heaven, then we must empty ourselves of all that would shut God out of our hearts. Poverty of spirit finds ample room and joy in possessing God alone as the greatest treasure possible. Hunger of the spirit seeks nourishment and strength in God's word and Spirit. Sorrow and mourning over wasted life and sin leads to joyful freedom from the burden of guilt and oppression. God reveals to the humble of heart the true source of abundant life and happiness. Jesus promises his disciples that the joys of heaven will more than compensate for the troubles and hardships they can expect in this world. Thomas Aquinas said: "No person can live without joy. That is why someone deprived of spiritual joy goes after carnal pleasures." Do you know the joy and happiness of hungering and thirsting for God alone?

"Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for you and show me the way that leads to everlasting happiness and peace. May I desire you above all else and find perfect joy in doing your will."

http://www.dailyscripture.net/
(c) 2011 Don Schwager

August Meeting Recap

Hi Connect!

It has been busy this past month, I apologize for sending out last month's recap today, the day of our September meeting. =)

Volunteer opportunities we discussed: Birthday Box, Habitat of Humanity, Cocoon House, senior citizen assisted living

Social events: Sounders game, college or pro football game, musical, concerts, Bubble Run

Cy led the discussion on St. Vincent de Paul.

St. Vincent was born in 1581 in Gascony, in the Province of  Guyenne and Gascony, the Kingdom of France, to a family of peasant farmers. He was ordained in 1600 at the age of nineteen. In 1605, on his way back from Marseille, he was taken captive by Barbary pirates, who brought him to Tunis. De Paul was auctioned off as a slave to the highest bidder, and spent two years in bondage.

In 1617, De Paul founded the "Ladies of Charity" from a group of women within his parish. He organized these wealthy women of Paris to collect funds for missionary projects, found hospitals, and gather relief funds for the victims of war and to ransom 1,200 galley slaves from North Africa.

After working for some time in Paris among imprisoned galley-slaves, he returned to be the leader of what is now known as the Congregation of the Mission, or the "Vincentians". These priests, with vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability, were to devote themselves entirely to the people in smaller towns and villages.

 Vincent lived to be eighty. He was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1737, and was named patron of all charitable societies by Pope Leo XIII in 1885. His feast day is September 27.

St. Vincent de Paul is the patron of all works of charity. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a charitable organization dedicated to the service of the poor, was established by French university students in 1833, led by the Blessed Frederic Ozanam. The Society is today present in 132 countries.
(wikipedia)
Thank you Cy for the information. I did not know his charitable organization has been around for 180 years! I'm happy our group has chosen to help with this organization every year with the Thanksgiving baskets. 

I read in our parish bulletin, SVDP is in need of a few things: canned tuna, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, canned soup, macaroni and cheese. If you can pick up a few of these things on your way to the meeting tonight and drop it off in the vestibule bin marked SVDP, greatly appreciated! Or you can drop it off any time.

We ended the meeting in quiet prayer in the Chapel.

See you tonight, 9/10, in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's youth room at 7 PM! It was hard for me to decide on one topic for today. I prayed for help, and I think I'm being led to discuss evangelization or new evangelization. =)

God Bless,
Reggie