— Colossians 3:1-4 —

 =E2=80=94 Colossians 3:1-4 =E2=80=94

If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are
above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.  Set your
mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the
earth.  For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When
Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with
him be manifested in glory.  [Colossians 3:1-4] DRB
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
There are four powerful evidences of a centered life in Jesus Christ:
You are gladly identified with Christ. You recognize Jesus as the
authority in your life. You have a deep sense of spiritual and
personal security. And you rest in Christ, knowing that he is the
master of your destiny. In Christ you live a brand new life in a brand
new way. When everything else is out of control, set your affections
on the One who is in control. Everything you put your hope in other
than Jesus will fail. Jesus Christ alone is faithful and changeless,
and will never fail you.

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May 29th - Bl. Richard Thirkeld, Martyr

d. 1583
RICHARD THIRKELD was already an old man when he was ordained a priest
in 1579, after having studied at Douai and Rheims. He had been a
student, probably a =E2=80=9Cscholar=E2=80=9D, at Queen=E2=80=99s College, =
Oxford. He was born
in the diocese of Durham, and for 8 years he had prayed daily to be
allowed to suffer death for the faith. He was sent upon the English
mission, where he exercised his ministry chiefly at York and in the
neighbouring districts. A night visit to a Catholic prisoner aroused
suspicion, and nine days after the execution of Bl. William Hart he
was arrested on the charge of being a priest. He at once acknowledged
his priesthood, explaining the purpose for which he had come to
England, and he was accordingly imprisoned in the Kidcote prison at
York.

 Two months later he was tried by a jury which pronounced him guilty
of treason, mainly on the score of his admission that he had absolved
and had reconciled to the Church of Rome some of the Queen=E2=80=99s subjec=
ts.
Remitted to the condemned cell, he spent the whole night instructing
some of the criminals by whom he was surrounded and preparing them for
death. The following day he came up again before the court, and was
condemned to die with the usual barbarities: he fell upon his knees
and gave thanks to God, saying, =E2=80=9CThis is the day which the Lord hat=
h
made: let us be glad and rejoice therein.=E2=80=9D The sentence was duly
carried out, but no details are available because extraordinary pains
were taken by the authorities to prevent the public in general from
being present, so universal was the admiration and sympathy felt for
the holy and venerable-looking old priest.

An account is printed in Challoner, MMP., pp. 79-83, but more fully in
Camm, LEM., vol. ii, pp. 635-653.

Reflection. Ask Our Lord to make all earthly joy insipid, and to fill
you with a constant desire for heaven. This desire will make labor
easy and suffering light. It will make you fervent and detached, and
bring you a foretaste of that eternal joy and peace to which you are
hastening.


Saint Quote:
"And should you ever hear a sister [someone] speak ill of others, be
careful neither to encourage her uncharitableness nor to appear
pleased with her language; otherwise you will partake of her guilt.
You should either reprove her, or change the subject of conversation,
or withdraw from her, or at least pay no attention to her.
Your words must be full of charity, so as to cover as much as possible
the defects of others, or at least to excuse their intention, if their
actions be inexcusable."
--St. Alphonsus de Liguori (Doctor, 1696-1787)--"The True Spouse of
Jesus Christ"

Bible Quotes:
"Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbour? let it die within thee,
trusting that it will not burst thee"  (Ecclesiasticus 19:10)

"Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth: but that which is good,
to the edification of faith: that it may administer grace to the
hearers"  (Ephesians 4:29)

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Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead

"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because
the hand of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.

28th DAY

In Purgatory, the just and loving soul loses sight of everything but
the purity of God, which it loves and the necessity of making itself
worthy of this purity.   This suffering is so intense, because it is
ignorant of the length of its exile from the sight of God.

Prayers:  Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.

De Profundis

   Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
   Let Thine ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplication.
   If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand it?
   For with Thee there is merciful
forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word;
my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
   From the morning watch even until
night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy;
And with Him plenteous redemption.
   And He shall redeem Israel from
all its iniquities.
   Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them:
   May they rest in peace. Amen.

Jesus meek and humble of Heart, hear our prayers in behalf of the
souls suffering in Purgatory, particularly those paying the debt
exacted for pride. Release them from their pain today, that they may
evermore glorify Thee in Heaven and intercede for us in the hour of
need.