From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
    -- John 10:10-11 --   
      
       "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come   
   that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good   
   shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."   
   ===================   
   Jesus gives us a rich abundant life. In a hot oppressive desert, sheep   
   are vulnerable to the elements and predators. They need a shepherd who   
   can lead them to water and food each day and keep them safe each   
   night. Jesus tells us that He is that shepherd. Unlike the thief who,   
   "comes only to steal and kill and destroy," Jesus has come that we   
   might "have life, and have it to the full." He knows us by name and is   
   committed to our care. Life as one of Jesus' sheep is indeed   
   full--full of his abundant love, faithful attention, and amazing   
   grace.   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   February 15th - Sts. Faustinus and Jovita, Martyrs   
      
   The two Brothers, whom we are to honour today, suffered martyrdom in   
   the beginning of the second century, and their memory has ever been   
   celebrated in the Church. The glory of the great ones of this world   
   passes away, and men soon forget even their very names. Historians   
   have oftentimes a difficulty in proving that such heroes ever existed,   
   or, if they did exist, that they flourished at such a period, or   
   achieved anything worth notice. Brescia, the capital of one of the   
   Italian Provinces, can scarcely mention the names of those who were   
   its governors or leading men, in the second century; and yet here are   
   two of her citizens, whose names will be handed down, with veneration   
   and love, to the end of the world, and the whole of Christendom is   
   filled with the praise of their glorious martyrdom. Glory, then, to   
   these sainted Brothers, whose example so eloquently preaches to us the   
   great lesson of our Season,--fidelity in God's service.   
      
   The sufferings which merited for them the   
   crown of immortality, are thus recorded in the Liturgy.   
      
   The two brothers, Faustinus and Jovita were born of a noble family in   
   Brescia. During the persecution under Trajan, they were led captives   
   through various cities of Italy, in each of which they were made to   
   endure most cruel sufferings, by reason of their brave confession of   
   the Christian faith,which nothing could induce them to deny. At   
   Brescia, they were for a long time confined in chains; then were   
   exposed to wild beasts, and cast into fire, from neither of which   
   tortures did they receive hurt or harm. From Brescia they were sent to   
   Milan, still fettered with the same chains: and there their faith was   
   put to the test of every torment that cruelty could devise; but, like   
   gold that is tried by fire, their faith shone the brighter by these   
   sufferings. After this, they were sent to Rome, where they received   
   encouragement from Pope Evaristus; but there, also, were made to   
   endure most cruel pains. At length, they were taken to Naples, and   
   there, again, put to sundry tortures; after which, they were bound   
   hand and foot, and cast into the sea; but were miraculously delivered   
   by Angels. Many persons were converted to the true faith, by seeing   
   their courage in suffering, and the miracles they wrought. Finally,   
   they were led back to Brescia, at the commencement of the reign of the   
   Emperor Adrian; there they were beheaded, and received the crown of a   
   glorious martyrdom.   
      
   from the Liturgical Year, 1870   
      
      
   Short Acts Of Trust   
      
   Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy love for me.   
   Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee!   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it   
   even more fully in your heart.   
   --Saint Francis of Assisi   
      
   Bible Quote-Judging Others.   
   37 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you   
   will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.   
   38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed   
   together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.   
   For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out   
   to you.”  Luke, chapter 6   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer of Perseverance in Grace for Parents   
      
   O God of grace, Source of supernatural virtues and of meritorious   
   works! You enlighten and vivify our souls, elevate them above   
   themselves, and make them like unto angels, and even to Your own   
   children and the spouses of Jesus Christ. Be praised, O Heavenly   
   Father, for Your boundless goodness, wisdom, and power, which You   
   manifest in us! Enclose us in Your innermost Heart and espouse us to   
   our Heavenly Bridegroom and Brother, Jesus Christ. May no happiness   
   and no suffering of this earth, no desire and no fear, no pleasures   
   and no pain, no temptation and no trial ever estrange us from Your   
   love, nor cast us again into the horrible darkness of sin, into the   
   hideous death of the soul, into Your disgrace!   
      
   Deign, O my God and Father, to grant this also to my children whom, in   
   baptism, You have made Your own, and whom You have entrusted to me,   
   that I may rear them in supernatural love of You, and may maintain and   
   strengthen them in that same supernatural love. Grant that they may   
   ever look upon their privilege of being children of God as the highest   
   good they possess on earth: that they may walk so circumspectly,   
   earnestly, and courageously in the ways of Your love, that they may   
   never lose their high prerogative, never disgrace it, but, rather, may   
   increase it daily, and at last die in full possession of it. Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)