From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
    -- 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.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)