From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   — Colossians 3:1-4 —   
      
   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   
   ========================   
   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 28: - Saint Bernard of Montjoux   
      
   (923-1008)   
   Today, May 28, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Bernard of   
   Montjoux, the patron saint of skiers, alpinists, hikers, and travelers   
   in the mountains, and minister to Alpine travelers for over 40 years.   
   He is remembered for his devotion to the Lord, and tireless preaching   
   of His word to travelers, living and working in the most inhospitable   
   of places, and through warmth and comfort offered to travelers,   
   converting many.   
      
   The early life of Saint Bernard is lost to Holy Legend. Sources   
   suggest that Bernard was born of nobility, likely in Italy or France,   
   and left home to study in Paris. Upon the arrangement of an honorable   
   marriage by his parents, Bernard returned home to profess his   
   preference to devote himself to the Lord, entering the religious life.   
   Some scholars suggest that his parents, pagans perhaps, were not   
   pleased with this and locked him in the tower of their chateau. Saint   
   Bernard is said to have thrown himself from the tower, only to be   
   carried by angels the forty feet to the ground and set gently upon it.   
   He is said to have fled to the monastery.   
      
   Church scholars agree that Saint Bernard found his way to the   
   Benedictine Order, entering the monastery at Aosta, Italy, and   
   eventually becoming ordained a priest. Recognized for his patience and   
   obedience, as well as his knowledge and virtue, Saint Bernard was made   
   archbishop of the Alpine Diocese, a most inhospitable route through   
   the mountains between Italy and Switzerland. This was a common path of   
   pilgrimage for those journeying to Rome, and was also quite dangerous   
   due to weather and thieves.   
      
   Saint Bernard undertook his charge with vigor, establishing two   
   hospices in the pass that would eventually be named for him--one at   
   the highest point (8,000 feet) and one at the 2nd highest point (7,076   
   feet)--both perpetually covered with approximately 8 feet of snow. He   
   further built and dedicated a church to Saint Nicholas there. He   
   filled the buildings with warmth and love, catering to travelers and   
   strangers, always finding time to speak with them about the love of   
   God. Bernard organized roving patrols throughout the mountain pass,   
   driving out the thieves and brigands. Having obtained permission from   
   Rome, he invited members of the Augustine Order to help him minister   
   to travelers. With their help, he patrolled the mountains searching   
   for lost travelers, oftentimes with dogs carrying water around their   
   necks--the same dogs that would eventually be named for him. The Order   
   offered food, clothing, and shelter to the travelers and took care of   
   the unfortunate who perished during the journey. They depended solely   
   on gifts and collections for sustenance.   
      
   Saint Bernard’s life was one of simple service in a difficult   
   environment. His hospitality was legendary, and his works survive   
   today in the form of the hospices he established. His community--the   
   Houses and Congregations of Saints Nicholas and Bernard--remains   
   active today, maintaining the Alpine hospices as well as one in the   
   Himalayas. Upon his death, he was interred at the cloisters of Saint   
   Lawrence. Numerous miracles were reported at the site of his burial,   
   as well as in Saint Bernard’s pass. We are inspired by the love of   
   Saint Bernard to extend ourselves to those in need, never missing an   
   opportunity to show God’s love. Saint Bernard reminds us of the   
   epistle of Saint Peter (1 Peter 4: 7-11):   
      
   7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and   
   self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other   
   deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer   
   hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use   
   whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully   
   administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks,   
   he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone   
   serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all   
   things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory   
   and the power for ever and ever. Amen.   
   by Jacob   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   But when does the flesh receive the bread which He calls His flesh?   
   The faithful know and receive the Body of Christ, if they labour to be   
   the Body of Christ; and they become the Body of Christ if they study   
   to live by the Spirit of Christ: for that which lives by the Spirit of   
   Christ is the Body of Christ.   
   --St. Augustine of Hippo   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   The just shall stand with great constancy against those that have   
   afflicted them, and taken away their labors. These seeing it, shall be   
   troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of   
   their unexpected salvation, saying within themselves, repenting, and   
   groaning for anguish of spirit. These are they whom we had some time   
   in derision, and for a parable of reproach. We fools esteemed their   
   life madness, and their end without honor. Behold how they are   
   numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.   
   (Wisdom 5:1-5)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   O Jesus King Most Wonderful:   
   From The Raccolta   
      
   O Jesus, King most wonderful,   
   Thou Conqueror renowned!   
   Thou Sweetness most ineffable,   
   In Whom all joys are found!   
      
   When once Thou visitest the heart,   
   Then truth begins to shine;   
   The earthly vanities depart;   
   Then kindles love Divine.   
      
   O Jesus, Light of all below!   
   Thou Fount of life and fire,   
   Surpassing all the joys we know,   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)