Minute Meditations - Forgive Me, Lord

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Forgive Me, Lord

Jesus, often I still judge others too quickly despite what I have learned in my life experience. I can still be unwilling to consider the needs and motivations of others. I excuse myself too easily.

— from The Challenge of the Cross

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Minute Meditation for 2/21/2012

Minute Meditation for 2/23/2012

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John XXIII: Although few people had as great an impact on the 20th century as Pope John XXIII, he avoided the limelight as much as possible. Indeed, one writer has noted that his “ordinariness” seems one of his most remarkable qualities.
<p>The firstborn son of a farming family in Sotto il Monte, near Bergamo in northern Italy, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was always proud of his down-to-earth roots. In Bergamo’s diocesan seminary, he joined the Secular Franciscan Order. </p><p>After his ordination in 1904, Angelo returned to Rome for canon law studies. He soon worked as his bishop’s secretary, Church history teacher in the seminary and as publisher of the diocesan paper. </p><p>His service as a stretcher-bearer for the Italian army during World War I gave him a firsthand knowledge of war. In 1921 he was made national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith; he found time to teach patristics at a seminary in the Eternal City. </p><p>In 1925 he became a papal diplomat, serving first in Bulgaria, then in Turkey and finally in France (1944-53). During World War II, he became well acquainted with Orthodox Church leaders. With the help of Germany’s ambassador to Turkey, Archbishop Roncalli helped save an estimated 24,000 Jewish people. </p><p>Named a cardinal and appointed patriarch of Venice in 1953, he was finally a residential bishop. A month short of entering his 78th year, he was elected pope, taking the name John, his father’s name and the two patrons of Rome’s cathedral, St. John Lateran. He took his work very seriously but not himself. His wit soon became proverbial, and he began meeting with political and religious leaders from around the world. In 1962 he was deeply involved in efforts to resolve the Cuban missile crisis. </p><p>His most famous encyclicals were <i>Mother and Teacher</i> (1961) and <i>Peace on Earth</i> (1963). Pope John XXIII enlarged the membership in the College of Cardinals and made it more international. At his address at the opening of the Second Vatican Council, he criticized the “prophets of doom” who “in these modern times see nothing but prevarication and ruin.” Pope John XXIII set a tone for the Council when he said, “The Church has always opposed... errors. Nowadays, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than that of severity.” </p><p>On his deathbed he said: “It is not that the gospel has changed; it is that we have begun to understand it better. Those who have lived as long as I have…were enabled to compare different cultures and traditions, and know that the moment has come to discern the signs of the times, to seize the opportunity and to look far ahead.” </p><p>He died on June 3, 1963. Pope John Paul II beatified him in 2000.</p>

Dear God, help us have the courage, tenacity, and love needed to show the world our faith, never in an obnoxious way but never shrinking through reticence or fear either.

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CATHOLIC GREETINGS

	Ash Wednesday
	Throughout these 40 days we allow our pride to fade into humility as together we ask for forgiveness.

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	Promise this Lent to do one thing to become more aware of God in yourself and in others.

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	Make the most of God’s graces and blessings throughout the coming year!

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	Share your devotion to the Blessed Mother with a Catholic Greetings e-card.

	Encouragement
	Are you convinced that God is great and life is good? Share your belief today with someone who is discouraged.

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