Today's Minute Meditation is a prayer for sinners everywhere. 🙌
Dear Friend, Every morning, you receive this newsletter with three of our daily blessings, as we call them. But you may not know of our many other offerings. For instance, did you know that our website offers thousands of pages of information and inspiration? Or did you know about our more than 100-year old magazine St. Anthony Messenger? We here at Franciscan Media want to use every possible communication tool to help spread the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis. But we can't do that on our own. We need your help. If you find these daily messages helpful and would like to continue seeing more in the future, please consider making a gift to Franciscan Media. Donate today! May God give you peace! Susan Hines-Brigger Executive Editor |
Saint of the Day for July 9: Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companion (d. 1648 – 1930) Listen to Saint Augustine Zhao Rong’s and Companions’ Stories Here Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China’s relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly. The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and 1930. Eighty-seven of them were born in China, and were children, parents, catechists, or laborers, ranging in age from nine years to 72. This group includes four Chinese diocesan priests. The 33 foreign-born martyrs were mostly priests or women religious, especially from the Order of Preachers, the Paris Foreign Mission Society, the Friars Minor, Society of Jesus, Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians), and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier who accompanied Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Mission Society to his martyrdom in Beijing. Not long after his baptism, Augustine was ordained as a diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815. Beatified in groups at various times, these 120 martyrs were canonized together in Rome on October 1, 2000. Reflection The People’s Republic of China and the Roman Catholic Church each have well over a billion members, but there are only about 12 million Catholics in China. The reasons for that are better explained by historical conflicts than by a wholesale rejection of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Chinese-born martyrs honored by today’s feast were regarded by their persecutors as dangerous because they were considered allies of enemy, Catholic countries. The martyrs born outside China often tried to distance themselves from European political struggles relating to China, but their persecutors saw them as Westerners and therefore, by definition, anti-Chinese. The Good News of Jesus Christ is intended to benefit all peoples; today’s martyrs knew that. May 21st-century Christians live in such a way that Chinese women and men will be attracted to hear that Good News and embrace it.
|
The Weight of Our Sins When it comes to past sins, I have the regret part down. Self-reflection? Exhausting, but essential. Chronic sinners like me should take comfort in knowing that we have a forgiving God and that we can experience forgiveness in the sacraments. Regardless, no sin can keep us from grace if we are truly sorry and granted forgiveness. If we are made in God’s image, then there is far more room in our souls for salvation than for sin. God knows our flaws and loves us in spite of them. We are not irredeemable. To believe otherwise is the real sin. —from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “I Am a Sinner“
by Christopher Heffron |
Sacred Interruptions Reflect Interruptions can feel like roadblocks. But what if they’re divine detours? Jesus didn’t see interruptions as inconveniences; he saw people. Maybe the person who needs your attention today is your mission for the moment. Pray Lord,
Slow me down enough to see interruptions as invitations.
Let me receive each person as you would—
with patience, curiosity, and love. Act The next time someone needs your time today, pause. Look them in the eyes. Listen fully. Be present. That might be the holiest part of your day. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Christopher Wesley. Learn more here! |
|
