Today’s story about the workers who get paid the same thing but work different hours is instructive to us. All of us are so blessed, blessed with things we don’t deserve. Let us be thankful for how God blesses us with mercies, with graces we don’t deserve — and let us be thankful for how he blessed others with mercies, with graces they don’t deserve.

None of us is smarter than ALL of us

Today our readings speak against two cultures that have crept into our world and our church for thousands of years-  the culture of idolatry, and the culture of minimalism….let us fight these cultures and transform them!

BJ Pungitore’s Last Video Message

May God’s love and peace be with you, each and every day.
This is BJ, a Eucharistic minister and your friend.
I hope you have had a beautiful day that God has created for you.
Each and every one of us have a blank canvas, and that is a gift from God. Whatever we choose to do with it, how we choose to fill it, it is in our hands.
In the same token, though, we are in God’s hands. We are loved by him, we were created by him, and God doesn’t make any junk. That I know for sure.
I haven’t been able to do much in art for two years. I was in a coma for nine months last year. I’m not in one now. It doesn’t bother me much that I can’t walk or do the things I used to do.
All I prayed for: “Please give me the ability to pray, please give me the ability to draw and do my art.”
Guess what? Today I finished a project.
It took me two years, but I finished one. It might not have been as big as I usually do.
It wasn’t much, but I tried.
If you have had a hard day, don’t worry about it. God still loves you and he knows you tried or are trying your very best.
Know this: I love you with my whole heart. And God loves you with his whole heart.
Whatever God gives us, he gives us with strength and power and love, and we are to help each other as well as we can.
Today wasn’t easy because of the heat, but we go through it, didn’t we?
I know there are struggles, there are times when you want to give up. But please don’t. I’m a great believer in faith and I’m an example of not giving up. Everybody thought I’d be gone by now. I heard that about 100times. I’m 55 years old and I’m still hearing it and I’m still here.
I don’t know why God put me on this planet, but my Dad always told me to do a good thing for someone else. And they will pass it on to someone else, too.
God doesn’t give up on any of us, and he loves us in the same way.
I hope God has given you a great canvas for you to work on today. And I hope that God has given you one purpose and a great one for this day.
One moment is like 1000 years, a drop of tears on God’s face is like 2000 years. So don’t worry about it. Let go and let God. Don’t worry, he has us in the palm of his hand.
It took a long time for me to let go and to trust, to let go and let God. I didn’t always believe that, but I said it. Now I believe it.
So what I’m telling you is: I hope you have a great day. Hug your family and your pets, and say a special prayer for anyone who is in need.
I love you and God bless you. If you need someone, just say a prayer and God will hear. Keep up the good work. See you tomorrow, BJ.

Sent from my iPhone

“I gave you a land that you had not tilled and cities that you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.”

“I think the Eastern notion of the Dormition of Mary deepens our understanding of the Blessed Mother’s humility. Even in her Assumption she desires to pass quietly and remain hidden.” – Fr Todd Goodson

Saint Maximilian Kolbe quotes on his feast day today:

“Be a Catholic: When you kneel before an altar, do it in such a way that others may be able to recognize that you know before whom you kneel.”

“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers.”

“If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his Mother, he will not have Christ for his Brother.”

“The Cross is the school of love.”

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”