Be humble

Do nothing out of selfishness
or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others
as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also for those of others.

Have in you the same attitude
that is also in Christ Jesus,
Who,
though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient
to the point of death,
even death on a cross.

Because of this,
God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven
and on earth
and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

(from today's Epistle - Philippians 2:1-11)

What were you thinking?

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.

Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.

As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

(today's first reading - Isaiah 55:6-9)



Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me - a sinner.

Pope Benedict on 10th Anniversary of 9/11

To my Venerable Brother

The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan

President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops



Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

On this day my thoughts turn to the somber events of September 11, 2001, when so many innocent lives were lost in the brutal assault on the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the further attacks in Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. I join you in commending the thousands of victims to the infinite mercy of Almighty God and in asking our heavenly Father to continue to console those who mourn the loss of loved ones.

The tragedy of that day is compounded by the perpetrators' claim to be acting in God's name. Once again, it must be unequivocally stated that no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism. Every human life is precious in God's sight and no effort should be spared in the attempt to promote throughout the world a genuine respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of individuals and peoples everywhere.

The American people are to be commended for the courage and generosity that they showed in the rescue operations and for their resilience in moving forward with hope and confidence. It is my fervent prayer that a firm commitment to justice and a global culture of solidarity will help rid the world of the grievances that so often give rise to acts of violence and will create the conditions for greater peace and prosperity, offering a brighter and more secure future.

With these sentiments, I extend my most affectionate greetings to you, your brother Bishops and all those entrusted to your pastoral care, and I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and serenity in the Lord,



From the Vatican, September 11, 2011

Benedict XVI

God is our refuge and strength

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear,
though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains
be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof
roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake
with the swelling thereof.

There is a river,
the streams whereof
shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place
of the tabernacles
of the most High.

God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be moved:
God shall help her,
and that rightearly.

The heathen raged,
the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice,
the earth melted.

The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.


Come,
behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease
unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow,
and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.

Be still,
and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge

(Psalm 46 - read by President Obama at this morning's September 11 commemoration)

Protection, but not vengeance

Wrath and anger are hateful things,
yet the sinner hugs them tight.

The vengeful will suffer the LORD's vengeance,
for he remembers their sins in detail.

Forgive your neighbor's injustice;
then when you pray,
your own sins will be forgiven.

Could anyone nourish anger against another
and expect healing from the LORD?

Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,
can he seek pardon for his own sins?

If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,
who will forgive his sins?

Remember your last days,
set enmity aside;
remember death and decay,
and cease from sin!

Think of the commandments,
hate not your neighbor;
remember the Most High's covenant,
and overlook faults.


(Today's first reading Sirach 27:30-28:7)

Warning! Warning!

As Christians
in a world that enshrines selfishness and atheist mythologizing,
you and I must speak prudently,
we must speak effectively,
we must speak lovingly,
we must speak humbly,
we must speak contritely,
but we MUST speak truthfully.

As today’s first reading (Ezekiel 33:7-9) tells us:

You, son of man,
I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel;
when you hear me say anything,
you shall warn them for me.

If I tell the wicked,
"O wicked one, you shall surely die, "
and you do not speak out
to dissuade the wicked from his way,
the wicked shall die for his guilt,
but I will hold you responsible for his death.

But if you warn the wicked,
trying to turn him from his way,
and he refuses to turn from his way,
he shall die for his guilt,
but you shall save yourself.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me – a sinner.

Flooding overwhelmed the city

Buildings were destroyed, food supplies wiped out, commerce annihilated, and death was everywhere.

The government at every level seemed to be helpless. Only one man stood out in the minds of the beleaguered people as someone who could get them out of this crisis...

The abbot of the local monastery.

He was subsequently chosen to be the new bishop of the city, over his strong objections.

Gregory, the Abbot of St. Andrew’s monastery, was literally dragged out of his monastery and consecrated Bishop of the flood and disease ravaged city of Rome on this very day in the year 590.

He went on to restore the city, reform and build up the Church, and write a treasure house of spiritual wisdom for the ages.

Today we celebrate the memory of Pope St. Gregory the Great.

(from an earlier post)