From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Cleansed by Jesus' word   
      
   "So the world--life enslaved by carnal passions--can no more receive   
   the grace of the Spirit than a weak eye can look at the light of a   
   sunbeam. First the Lord cleansed his disciples' lives through his   
   teaching, and then he gave them the ability to both see and   
   contemplate the Spirit. He says, 'You are already made clean by the   
   word I have spoken to you' (John 15:3). Therefore 'the world cannot   
   receive him, because it neither sees him nor knows him... You know   
   him, for he dwells with you' (John 14:17). Isaiah says, 'He who   
   settled the earth and the things in it; and gives breath to the people   
   on it, and Spirit to them that tread on it' (Isaiah 42:5). From this   
   we can learn that those who trample earthly things and rise above them   
   become worthy to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (excerpt from   
    by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53)   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   April 30th – St. Maximus of Ephesus, Martyr   
      
   Died May 14, c. 251. Maximus, a citizen of Ephesus, was a merchant by   
   profession. On the publication of the edict of Decius against the   
   Christians in 250, he presented himself to Proconsul Optimus as a   
   Christian and was martyred. His proconsular Acta which are still   
   extant state that when Optimus asked his name and state in life,   
   Maximus responded: "I am born free, but am the slave of Jesus Christ."   
   Optimus: "What is your profession?"   
      
   Maximus: "I am a plebeian, and live by my dealings."   
      
   Optimus: "Are you a Christian?"   
      
   Maximus: "Yes, I am, though a sinner."   
      
   Optimus: "Have not you been informed of the edicts that are lately arrived?"   
      
   Maximus: "What edicts, and what are their contents?"   
      
   Optimus: "That all the Christians forsake their superstition,   
   acknowledge the true prince whom all obey, and adore his gods."   
      
   Maximus: "I have been told of that impious edict, and it is the   
   occasion of my appearing abroad."   
      
   Optimus: "As then you are apprised of the edicts, sacrifice to the gods."   
      
   Maximus: "I sacrifice to none but that God to whom alone I have   
   sacrificed from my youth, the remembrance of which affords me great   
   comfort."   
      
   Optimus: "Sacrifice as you value your life: if you refuse to obey, you   
   shall expire in torments."   
      
   Maximus: "This has ever been the object of my desires: it was on this   
   very account that I appeared in public, to have an opportunity offered   
   me of being speedily delivered out of this miserable life, to possess   
   that which is eternal."   
      
   Then the proconsul commanded him to be beaten, and in the meantime   
   said to him, "Sacrifice, Maximus, and you shall be no longer   
   tormented."   
      
   Maximus: "Sufferings for the name of Christ are not torments, but   
   comfortable unctions; but if I depart from his precepts contained in   
   the Gospel, then real and eternal torments would be my portion."   
      
   Next, Optimus ordered him to be stretched on the rack, and while he   
   was tortured, said to him, "Renounce, wretch, your obstinate folly,   
   and sacrifice to save your life."   
      
   Maximus: "I shall save it if I do not sacrifice; I shall lose it if I   
   do. Neither your clubs, nor your our iron hooks, nor your fire, give   
   me any pain, because the grace of Jesus Christ dwells in me, which   
   will deliver me out of your hands to put me in possession of the   
   happiness of the saints, who have already, in this same conflict,   
   triumphed over your cruelty. It is by their prayers I obtain this   
   courage and strength which you see in me."   
      
   Optimus: "I command that Maximus, for refusing to obey the sacred   
   edicts, be stoned to death, to serve for an example of error to all   
   Christians."   
      
   Saint Maximus was immediately seized by the executioners and carried   
   outside the city walls, where they stoned him to death. The Greeks   
   honor him on May 14; the Roman Martyrology today (Benedictines,   
   Husenbeth).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   The joy of this life is nothing; the joy of the after life is everlasting.   
   --Blessed William Hart   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   But the Lord sits enthroned for ever,   
       he has established his throne for judgment;   
   and he judges the world with righteousness,   
       he judges the peoples with equity. [Psalm 9:7-8]  (RSVCE)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   IT'S RAINING TEARDROPS FROM HEAVEN   
      
   It's raining teardrops from Heaven   
   The gates are opened anew   
   To show to Jesus and Mary   
   The souls that haven't been true.   
   Their heads are bent low in sorrow;   
   Their hearts are bleeding with care,   
   For they have asked to love Them,   
   And sent our hearts up in prayer.   
   I stroke His face with compassion,   
   I kiss the face wet with tears-   
   For time has not erased His heartache;   
   He's suffering more in our years.   
   His children turn from His pleadings,   
   For worldly cares means forgetting   
   The One who begs us to love Him;   
   To save our souls from regretting.   
   He'll take a crumb of affection;   
   The smallest sign He does seek-   
   But why must we give rejection,   
   When sinful ways make us weak?   
   He puts His hand out in pity;   
   To touch us is all He can do-   
   For God gave man a born conscience   
   To choose to be faithful and true.   
   The pleasures are steeped more in evil;   
   The goodness inspired by God.   
   The road to satan is easy;   
   But Heaven is earned very hard.   
   The only ladder to Heaven is found   
   In our climbing in prayer;   
   Each step will be shorter and higher   
   If we just try a little to care.   
   We'll accept all the burdens and sorrows;   
   The joys will be just added graces.   
   We'll reserve our bright spot up in heaven   
   By accepting here lowly places.   
   By St. Teresa   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)