From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
    -- James 4:6 --    
   -   
   But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:   
   "God opposes the proud   
   but gives grace to the humble."   
   ========================   
   Humility is saying, "I need God. There is much I do not know and cannot do   
   on my own. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm inadequate to save myself now   
   or for eternity." Grace fuels humility, and grace comes from God. In fact,   
   James wrote that God "gives grace to the humble." More grace, more humility.   
   More humility, more grace. Tell God what you don't know and let His grace   
   lead you to a greater dependence on Him.   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   March 8th – SS. Philemon and Apollonius, Martyrs   
   Died c. 305.   
      
    Apollonius was a deacon at Antinoe in the Thebaid, Egypt, and was   
   said to have converted Philemon, a popular musician and entertainer.   
   According to legend, he was arrested during the persecution of   
   Diocletian and, fearful of torture, offered the pagan Philemon four   
   gold pieces if he would perform the rite of eating food sacrificed to   
   false gods in his place. Philemon agreed. He dressed himself in   
   Philemon's clothes and his hooded cloak to hide his face. Philemon   
   appeared before the judge, who asked him to carry out the rite. The   
   Holy Spirit entered Philemon, and he claimed himself a Christian and   
   refused to partake of the sacrifice.   
      
   The judge Arrian argued with him, and finally thinking he was speaking   
   to Apollonius, asked that Philemon be brought to him. Unable to find   
   Philemon, the court officers brought Philemon's brother, Theonas.   
   Asked where his brother was, he pointed out Philemon in Apollonius's   
   cloak.   
      
   The judge saw the situation as a joke but insisted that Philemon   
   perform the rite. Philemon refused. Arrian responded that it was   
   foolish of him to refuse when he was not even baptized. Philemon   
   prayed, and a cloud miraculously appeared and rained upon him. He   
   claimed that he was thus baptized.   
      
   Arrian appealed to him, begging him to think of what a terrible loss   
   of musical skill such resistance would mean. The musician's pipes were   
   then said to have been destroyed by Philemon himself or to have   
   spontaneously burst into flames. Officers arrested Apollonius,   
   proclaimed the two men as Christians, and they were condemned to   
   death.   
      
   One legend says that before the execution, Apollonius and Philemon   
   asked that a great pot be brought before them and a living baby be   
   placed inside it. They then asked soldiers to shoot arrows at it,   
   which they did, the arrows piercing the pot. The baby remained   
   unharmed. The judge then ordered the soldiers to shoot the men with   
   arrows, but all the arrows hung suspended in the air, except one,   
   which blinded Arrian.   
      
   Despite this and several other miracles, Apollonius is said to have   
   been tied in a sack, thrown into the sea, and drowned. Arrian's sight   
   was said to have been restored when clay from Apollonius's tomb was   
   applied to his eyes. This led to the conversion of Arrian and four   
   other officials (Benedictines, Encyclopedia, White).   
      
   In art, Apollonius is depicted on a funeral pyre or drowning in the   
   sea or being crucified (White).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "Heaven pulls you upwards; you drag yourself downward.  And don't seek   
   excuses, that is what you are doing.  If you go on like that, you will   
   tear yourself apart."   
   --St. José Maria Escriva, Furrow, 851   
      
   Bible Quote:   
    "Where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start?  Is   
   it not precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves?  You   
   want something and you lack it; so you kill.  You have an ambition   
   that you cannot satisfy; so you fight to get your way by force.  It is   
   because you do not pray that you do not receive; when you do pray and   
   do not receive, it is because you prayed wrongly, wanting to indulge   
   your passions."   [James 4:1-3]   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   O most merciful Jesus   
      
   O most merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I beseech Thee,   
   through the agony of Thy most holy Heart and through the   
   sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, wash in Thy Blood the   
   sinners of the whole world who are now in their agony and   
   will die today. Amen.   
      
   V. Heart of Jesus once in agony.   
   R. Pity the dying.   
      
   (a) V. Praised be Jesus Christ.   
   R. Amen - or - Forever.   
   (b) V. Praised be Jesus and Mary.   
   R. Today and forever.   
   (c) V. Glory to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.   
   R. Glory to the immaculate heart of Mary.   
      
   Graciously grant, O Lord, peace in our times, that, aided by   
   the help of Thy mercy, we may always be free from sin and   
   secure from all disturbance. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.   
      
   Burn, O Lord, our loins and our hearts with the fire of the Holy   
   Ghost, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body and   
   please Thee with a pure heart. Through Christ Our Lord.   
   Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)