-- Psalm 37:23-24 --

[Rich]

-- Psalm 37:23-24 --

If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
=================================
A lot of us have a fear of failure, but if we desire to be used by God
to further his Kingdom and bring glory to his name, we must ask him to
help us overcome this. Imagine the amazing things we could do in God's
name if we never let fear hold us back! We might stumble along the
way, but in the end, God's name would be glorified, and we would set
an example for those around us that it's okay to try big things for
God, even if we fail along the way to success.

<<>><<>><<>>
October 22nd – St. Philip of Heraclea B and Comp., MM (RM)

Died 304. The aged, revered bishop Philip of Heraclea, his deacon
Severus, Eusebius (priest), and Hermes (priest) of Constantinople were
arrested under Diocletian. First, the authorities closed the church.
At which time Philip said to the police, "Do you imagine that God
dwells within walls, and not rather in the hearts of men?" He simply
summoned the brethren for worship in the open air.

He was ordered by the governor, Bassus, to hand over the church's
sacred vessels and books: to the first Philip agreed, but, for the
Scriptures, 'It is not fitting,' he said, 'that you should ask for
them or that I should give them up.' The bishop and his deacon,
Hermes, were then scourged and the wanted goods seized. Afterwards,
Philip and Hermes refused in turn to make an act of worship of the
emperors or of the goddess Fortune or of Heraclea's name-deity,
Hercules.

Later there was a fruitless interrogation by Bassus' successor,
Justin, after which Philip was dragged back to jail by his feet.
Together with Hermes and a priest called Severus, he was confined
rigorously for seven month before all three were taken to
Adrianopolis.

Justin interviewed them twice again, and he had Philip unmercifully
beaten for his contumacy; they were then sentenced to death by fire at
Adrianopolis. St. Philip had been so badly beaten that he had to be
carried to the stake. St. Hermes, who was not much better, joked
cheerfully and sent a last message to his son: "Tell them to pay back
whatever I owe, and to work hard for his living as I have done, and to
behave well to everybody." When the fire was lit the martyrs praised
and gave thanks to God until the smoke suffocated them. St. Severus
followed them the next day (Attwater, Encyclopedia).

The Benedictines say that Severus was the deacon and the other two
were 'inferior clergy.' They also report that we have a copy of the
legal document processed against them of undeniable authenticity. By
mistake recent editions of the R.M. register them as martyrs under
Julian the Apostate (Benedictines).


Saint Quote:
Better that only a few Catholics should be left, staunch and sincere
in their religion, than that they should, remaining many, desire as it
were, to be in collusion with the Church's enemies and in conformity
with the open foes of our faith.
--St. Peter Canisius

Bible Quote
But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth.
For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear,
he shall speak; and the things that are to come,
he shall shew you. (John 16:13)

<><><><>
"Come and see"
--the Lord Jesus personally draws each of us to himself

"Come and see" is the Lord's invitation for each one of us to discover
the joy of friendship and communion with the One who made us in love
for love. Saint Augustine of Hippo reminds us that it is God, our
Creator and Redeemer, who seeks us out, even when we are not looking
for him: "If you hadn't been called by God, what could you have done
to turn back? Didn’t the very One who called you when you were opposed
to Him make it possible for you to turn back?" It is God who initiates
and who draws us to himself. Without his mercy and help we could not
find him on our own.