From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   God treats us as his own sons and daughters   
      
   What does Jesus' prayer tell us about God and about ourselves? First,   
   it tells us that God is both Father in being the Creator and Author of   
   all that he has made, the first origin of everything and transcendent   
   authority, and he is eternally Father by his relationship to his only   
   Son who, reciprocally is Son only in relation to his Father (Matthew   
   11:27). All fatherhood and motherhood is derived from him (Ephesians   
   3:14-15). In Jesus Christ we are reborn and become the adopted   
   children of God (John 1:12-13; 3:3).   
      
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   January 4th - Blessed Angela of Foligno   
   (1248-1309)   
      
   "Mistress of Theologians"   
   “God is the one who leads me and elevates me to that state. I do not   
   go to it on my own, for by myself I would not know how to want,   
   desire, or seek it. I am now continually in this state. Furthermore,   
   God very often elevates me to this state with no need, even, for my   
   consent; for when I hope or expect it least, when I am not thinking   
   about anything, suddenly my soul is elevated by God and I hold   
   dominion over and comprehend the whole world. It seems, then, as if I   
   am no longer on earth but in heaven, in God.”   
      
   Blessed Angela was born into a wealthy Italian family. In her own   
   words, she lived a “mortally sinful” life for her first 40 years,   
   proud and comfortable in her wealth and privilege. Angela was   
   reportedly so embarrassed of her life, she made “false confessions”   
   during the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that she could publicly   
   receive the Eucharist and avoid the scrutiny of others. Following one   
   such occasion, overcome with shame, she prayed in earnest for   
   forgiveness and was visited by a vision of St. Francis of Assisi who   
   offered help.   
      
   Shortly after this initial vision, Saint Angela’s remaining family   
   members (husband, mother, and children) died, and she fully converted   
   to Christ. Angela joined the Third Order of Saint Francis, and grew a   
   large community committed to poverty, chastity, and obedience and   
   serving the poor of the community. Throughout her life, Angela   
   continued to experience mystical visions during her deep and reverent   
   prayer. She came to record her conversion and visions in the Book of   
   Visions and Instructions, and based on this work came to be known as   
   the “Mistress of Theologians.”   
      
   For Angela “the whole world was filled with God,” and she was in   
   almost constant communion with Him. Angela herself tells us that at   
   times she was overcome with grief because she could see nothing but   
   the extraordinary goodness of God and, in contrast, the vanity of   
   earthly things and the ingratitude of creatures. The sight of a   
   crucifix produced in Saint Angela torrents of tears.   
      
   Angela’s incorruptible remains repose at the church of Saint Francis   
   in Foligno. Numerous miracles are reported to have occurred at her   
   tomb.   
      
   Today we look to Saint Angela’s life, inspiring us to sincerely and   
   contritely ask the Lord for forgiveness for our worldly “mortally   
   sinful” lives. We pray for all of us, struggling with temptations that   
   distract our hearts and minds from the goodness of the Lord. We pray   
   for those who are afraid to ask for forgiveness.   
      
      
   Saint Quotes:   
   "Humility exists only in those who are poor enough to see that they   
   possess nothing of their own."   
   --Blessed Angela of Foligno   
      
   "O my soul, how can you refrain from plunging yourself ever deeper and   
   deeper into the love of Christ, who did not forget you in life or in   
   death, but who willed to give Himself wholly to you, and to unite you   
   to Himself forever?"   
   --Blessed Angela of Foligno   
      
   "It is the Sacrament of Love that excites the soul to ardent prayer.   
   It stirs up the virtue of impetration and, as it were, forces God to   
   grant our petition. It deepens the abyss of humility, above all it   
   enkindles the flame of love in the heart; hence the Sacrament is the   
   Gift of gifts, and the Grace of graces."   
   --Blessed Angela of Foligno   
      
      
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   Almighty God,   
   You caused blessed Angela to excel   
   in contemplating the mysteries of Your Son.   
   Through he merits and prayers   
   may we share in the same mysteries on earth   
   and rejoice exultantly in the revelation of Your glory.   
   Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)