From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   We are ambassadors for Jesus Christ   
      
   Paul the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be ambassadors for   
   Jesus Christ. Just as ambassadors are appointed to represent their   
   country and to speak on behalf of their nation's ruler, we, too are   
   appointed by the Lord Jesus to speak on his behalf and to bring others   
   into a close and personal encounter with the Lord and Ruler of heaven   
   and earth. This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives   
   to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this   
   task - to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus   
   Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in   
   this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of   
   his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours   
   out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body   
   of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and mission   
   world-wide. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel and the   
   hope of the resurrection?   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   June 24th - The Birth of St. John the Baptist   
      
   The birth of Saint John was foretold by Saint Gabriel, Archangel of   
   the Lord, to his father, Zachary, who was offering incense in the   
   Temple. The son of Zachary was to be the prophesied Messenger, Zachary   
   was told, whose mission would prepare the way for Christ. Before he   
   was born into the world John had already begun to live for the   
   Incarnate God; even in the womb he recognized the presence of Jesus   
   and of Mary, and leaped with joy at the glad coming of the Son of man.   
   Before Christ’s public life began, a divine impulse sent Saint John   
   into the desert; there, with locusts for his food and wearing   
   haircloth, in silence and in prayer, he chastened his soul. In his   
   youth he remained hidden, because He for whom he waited was also   
   hidden.   
      
   Then, as crowds broke in upon his solitude, he warned them to flee   
   from the wrath to come, and gave them the baptism of penance, while   
   they confessed their sins. At last there stood in the crowd One whom   
   Saint John did not know, until a voice within told him that it was his   
   Lord. He affirmed: “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize   
   with water said to me, ‘He upon whom thou wilt see the Spirit   
   descending and abiding, He it is who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ”   
   With the baptism of Saint John, Christ began His voluntary abasement   
   for the sins of His people; and Saint John indeed saw the Holy Ghost   
   descend, under the visible form of a dove, indicating in the humble   
   Jesus of Nazareth the divine Perfection of the peaceable Eternal King   
   and High Priest. Then the Saint’s work was done. He had but to point   
   his own disciples to the Lamb, he had only to decrease as Christ   
   increased. He saw all men leave him and go after Christ. “I told you,”   
   he said, “that I am not the Christ. The friend of the Bridegroom   
   rejoices hearing the Bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, is fulfilled.”   
      
   Saint John was cast into the fortress of Herod on the east coast of   
   the Dead Sea by the tyrant whose crimes he had rebuked; he would   
   remain there until beheaded at the will of a girl and her cruel   
   mother. During this time of imprisonment, some of his disciples   
   visited him. Saint John did not speak to them of himself, but sent   
   them to Christ, that they might witness His miracles and hear His   
   doctrine, proofs of His mission. After Saint John’s death, the Eternal   
   Truth pronounced the panegyric of the Saint who had lived and breathed   
   for Him alone: “Verily I say unto you, among those born of women there   
   has not risen a greater than John the Baptist.”   
      
   Reflection. Saint John was great before God because in complete   
   forgetfulness of himself he lived only for Jesus Christ, who is the   
   source of all greatness. Sacrifice every day some of your natural   
   inclinations to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord, and learn little by   
   little to lose yourself in Him.   
      
   Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on   
   Butler’s Lives of the Saints, and other sources by John Gilmary Shea   
   (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   I have never seen a compassionate and charitable man die a bad death.   
   --St. Augustine   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ   
   lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the   
   Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  [Galatians 2:20]   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   To Prevent One Mortal Sin   
   IF EVERY DAY WE BEGGED MARY FOR GRACE TO HINDER ONE MORTAL SIN,   
   WHAT A YEAR'S SERVICE TO GOD AND SOULS!   
      
   O MARY, Immaculate Mother of Jesus, we beseech thee, offer to the   
   Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, to prevent at least   
   one mortal sin from being committed somewhere in the world today. Amen.   
      
      
   God's angels watch over us as his guardians   
      
   The angels are not only messengers but protectors and guardians as   
   well. "For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all   
   yours ways" (Psalm 91:11). We are not alone in our struggle against   
   sin and evil in the world. The armies of heaven fight for us and with   
   us in the spiritual battle for our hearts, minds, and wills. Do you   
   know the peace and security of a life submitted to God and to his way   
   of peace and happiness?   
      
   Send your holy angels   
      
   God our Father, in your loving providence you send your holy angels to   
   watch over us. Hear our prayers, defend us always by their protection   
   and let us share your life with them forever.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)