From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"   
      
   This parable presents both an opportunity and a warning. Pride leads   
   to self-deception and spiritual blindness. True humility helps us to   
   see ourselves as we really are in God's eyes and it inclines us to   
   seek God's help and mercy. God dwells with the humble of heart who   
   recognize their own sinfulness and who acknowledge God's mercy and   
   saving grace. I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him   
   who is of a contrite and humble spirit (Isaiah 57:15). God cannot hear   
   us if we boast in ourselves and despise others. Do you humbly seek   
   God's mercy and do you show mercy to others, especially those you find   
   difficult to love and to forgive? [Luke 18:9-14]   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   May 22nd – St. Hemming of Finland BM   
      
   Born at Balinge near Uppsala, Sweden, in 1290; died May 22, 1366.   
   After studying theology in Paris, France, Hemming became a canon of   
   Abo cathedral in Helsinki, Finland, and, in 1339, its bishop. Hemming   
   was involved in the border disputes with Uppsala, from where Saint   
   Henry of Finland evangelized Finland. He is also associated with Saint   
   Bridget of Sweden, whom he accompanied to France. Saint Bridget and   
   Hemming worked together to bring peace to the Hundred Years War   
   between England and France and to end the Avignon papacy.   
      
   In 1352, Hemming convened a diocesan synod in which he demonstrated   
   his zeal for proper celebrations of the feasts of the Church and the   
   local saints of Scandinavia. He was also concerned with the custody of   
   the Eucharist, the administration of Church property, and releasing   
   poor people from the payment of stipends for dispensations or for   
   funerals.   
      
   Saint Hemming was buried in his cathedral, where miracles were   
   reported at his tomb. In 1514, his relics were translated and   
   enshrined. A surviving, embroidered altar frontal survives which   
   depicts Saints Hemming and Bridget together as an angel holds the   
   mitre over the bishop's head (Farmer).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   “I have never regretted my silence, but often the words I had spoken.”   
   --St. Arsenius   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer To Saint Michael For Powerful Aid   
      
   Glorious Prince of the heavenly hosts   
   and victor over rebellious spirits,   
   be mindful of me who am so weak and sinful   
   and yet so prone to pride and ambition.   
   Lend me, I pray,   
   thy powerful aid in every temptation and difficulty,   
   and above all do not forsake me   
   in my last struggle with the powers of evil.   
      
   Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)