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JULY 21
ST. LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI

Caesar Rossi was born in Brindisi, Italy, in 1559. Brindisi was part of the Kingdom of Naples, Italy. Caesar took the name Lawrence when he became a Capuchin Franciscan at the age of sixteen. He was sent to the University of Padua to study theology. Lawrence surprised everyone by learning six languages also. His first language was Italian. But he could also speak French, German, Greek, Spanish, Syriac and Hebrew. St. Lawrence had a wonderful knowledge of the Bible, too.

After he was ordained a priest, he became a popular preacher. Because he could speak Hebrew, he worked for the conversion of the Jews living in Rome. Later, St. Lawrence was sent to establish his order in Austria. The emperor, Rudolph II, did not want them to come. But Lawrence's tender care for victims of a plague won Emperor Rudolph to his cause.

Next, the emperor asked Lawrence to persuade the German princes to fight the Turks. The Turks were trying to wipe out Christendom. Lawrence did convince the princes. However, the leaders insisted that he go with the army into battle to make the victory certain. When the soldiers saw how large the Turkish army was, they wanted to quit. So St. Lawrence himself rode in the lead. He was armed only with the crucifix. The Christian soldiers took heart and fought bravely. The Turks were completely defeated. St. Lawrence received the praise. But he never prided himself for success. He put his trust in God and gave him the glory.

In 1602, St. Lawrence became the master general of his order. He worked, preached and wrote to spread the Good News. He went on important peace missions to Munich, Germany, and Madrid, Spain. The rulers of those places listened to him and the missions were successful. But St. Lawrence was very sick. He had been tired out by the hard traveling and the strain of his tasks. He died on his birthday, July 22, in 1619. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1881.

He was honored as "apostolic doctor" by Pope John XXIII in 1959.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Friday (7/21): "I desire mercy and not sacrifice"

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." 3 He said to them, "Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is lord of the Sabbath."

Meditation: What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom: In their hunger, David and his men ate of the holy bread offered in the Temple. Jesus also quoted of the Sabbath work involved in worship in the Temple. This kind of work was usually double the work of worship on weekdays. Jesus then quotes from the prophet Hosea (6:6): I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. While the claims of ritual sacrifice are important to God, mercy and kindness in response to human need are even more important. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day?

"Lord, make us to walk in your way: ‘Where there is love and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance; where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor annoyance; where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice; where there is peace and contemplation, there is neither care nor restlessness; where there is the fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter; where there is mercy and prudence, there is neither excess nor harshness'; this we know through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)

  

Spirit

There were two men both whom decided to get a horse. One man found a red Rhone with much spirit. The other chose one more docile. They would go riding together every day. It so happened on the route they would take around the countryside, there was a ditch about eight or nine feet wide, after a time it was apparent that the Rhone's spirit could not be shaken and he gave everything he had in all he did. When coming up to this gap in the trail he hurled it the first time. Because of the spirit in him he was quick to respond and jumped it with no problem. Yet the more docile horse would balk every time he came to the edge. He wasn't sure of the distance; he would stand on the edge trembling with indecision and doubt because the distance to him looked too great. Then one day after awhile, coming up to the ditch and watching his companion take it with ease, something happened within him, a knowing was born that he could too. So with agility and ease he gracefully bounded over the barrier.

Life is much like the two horses. When we as people come up against trials or situations we just don't feel like we can make the distance or that it just is too big and we don't know if we'll make it. So we balk standing on the edge trembling. It's not until we depend upon the spirit within. Then we are able to make it with ease. Until we quit looking at the obstacle or trial through our eyes, they will always seem too big for us. But there is a spirit within us that can judge the distance to the other side and will give us the strength to make it through it.

As long as we let it.

It all comes to a choice whether we look for the spirit within or just stand on the edge and balk. We will always have a choice.

Strange Human Facts...

The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.

It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body.

The average human will eat an average of 8 spiders while sleeping.

The average women consumes 6lbs of lipstick in her lifetime.

On average, a 4-year-old child asks 437 questions a day.

Only 7% of the population are lefties.

The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.

A human brain weighs about 3lbs.

1/4 of the bones in your body are in your feet.

You blink over 10,000,000 times a year.

When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop ... even your heart.

If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

If you farted consistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb.

The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body to squirt blood 30 feet.

Koala and humans are the only animals with unique fingerprints.

The scent of apples and/or bananas can help you lose weight.

The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.

Children grow faster in the spring.

On average a human will spend up to 2 weeks kissing in his or her lifetime A one-minute kiss burns 26 calories.

Marikina City - Shoe Capital Of The Philippines

Description
A city once threatened by a residential housing pandemonium, Marikina has emerged to reap various national awards for excellence in local governance and environmental preservation. In 2002 alone, it was a “Clean and Green” awardee of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran – a category for which it has already been a Hall of Famer as early as in 1996, when it was still a municipality. On the same year, Marikina was also recognized for having a healthy workplace and marketplace. In various occasions, the city has been awarded as well as the “Best Local Government Unit.”

Thriving proof of the city’s continued quest for excellence is the Marikina River Park. Spurred by the death of natural resources resulting from the continuous growth in residential area, Marikina took pains in rehabilitating and converting the 220-hectare Marikina River into a sports and recreational park.

The city is no stranger to popularity. It has long been famous for its export-quality shoes, the products that gave Marikina the monicker, Shoe Capital of the Philippines. The city’s former Bigasang Bayan is presently being rehabilitated to become the Shoe Museum, showcasing no less than Marikina shoes. Part of the collection are the famous Imelda Marcos shoes. Don Laureano Guevarra, popularly known as Kapitan Moy, who hailed from Marikina, is considered as the founder of the country’s footwear industry.

Marikina also used to be a fulcrum of regional sports events when it was still a part of the province of Rizal. It used to be the training ground of some of the best athletes the country has ever produced.

Geography
Marikina, a lush valley bounded by mountain ranges and sliced by a river, is one of the twelve cities and five municipalities comprising the Metro Manila area. It is approximately 16 km. away from Manila, passing through Quezon City. It occupies a total land area of 38.9 sq. kilometers.

Population
The total population was 357,231 as of the 1995 census.

Political Subdivision
The city is composed of 14 Barangays under one Congressional District. It has been classified as a Highly Urbanized City.

Mandaluyong City - The New Tiger Of Metro Manila

Description
Mandaluyong, the heart of the “Golden Triangle” (Manila, Makati, and Quezon City), has finally emerged as a veritable boom city. It is one of the leading business and industrial centers in the country today, the “New Tiger” of Metro Manila, which made an unprecedented giant leap to progress.

A popular landmark of Mandaluyong is the EDSA Shrine. Located along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA, the shrine serves as a monument to the Virgin Mary, considered to be the protector of those who participated in the People Power Revolution of 1986, the country’s first peaceful and bloodless revolution, which led to the downfall of the corrupt regime under President Ferdinand Marcos.

What used to be a swampy, stagnating town is now the haven of industrial giants and business conglomerates. The astonishing growth of Mandaluyong gained headway because its local and foreign investors hone a conducive climate for capital growth. The city today boasts top-class amenities, from deluxe hotels and commercial centers to high-rise offices and residential condominiums.

Geography
Mandaluyong lies on a heart-shaped 26 sq. km. of land, 7 km. southeast of Manila and 8 km. west of Pasig. To the south lies Makati, to the northwest, San Juan, and to the northeast, Quezon City. Thus, Mandaluyong is located at the very center of Metro Manila. With this geographical advantage, it has in recent years emerged as a veritable boomtown, the leading business and industrial mecca of the country.

Population
The total population was 286,870 as of the 1995 census.

Political Subdivisions
Mandaluyong City is composed of 27 Barangays under one Congressional District. It has been classified as a Highly Urbanized City.

JULY 20
ST. JOSEPH BARSABBAS

Today's saint is named in the Bible's Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter wanted to replace Judas after Jesus' resurrection. Peter asked the community to suggest someone. He wanted a person who had been among the disciples from the time Jesus was baptized by John until the Lord's death and resurrection. The first Christians proposed two men, both of whom were qualified to be apostles. One was Joseph, called Barsabbas, and the other was Matthias. "One of these men must become a witness with us of Jesus' resurrection," Peter said.

The community prayed. "Lord," they said, "you are familiar with each of us here. Help us to know the person who should take the place of Judas." Then they "cast lots." The man selected was Matthias. He was added to the company of apostles. Not much is known of Matthias or Joseph Barsabbas. The early Church writer, Eusebius, considered Joseph one of the seventy-two disciples.

Soon the disciples spread out and went to other places. This was necessary to avoid persecution. It is believed that Joseph Barsabbas preached in many places. He spent his energy to spread the Good News. Little else is known. In fact, his death is not even recorded. But his love for the Church and his dedication whether he was chosen or not, are his gift to us.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Thursday (7/20): "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me"

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Meditation: What does the yoke of Jesus refer to in the gospel? The Jews used the image of a yoke to express submission to God. They spoke of the yoke of the law, the yoke of the commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of God. Jesus says his yoke is "easy". The Greek word for "easy" can also mean "well-fitting". Yokes were tailor-made to fit the oxen well. We are commanded to put on the "sweet yoke of Jesus" and to live the "heavenly way of life and happiness". Jesus also says his "burden is light". There's a story of a man who once met a boy carrying a smaller crippled lad on his back. "That's a heavy load you are carrying there," exclaimed the man. "He ain't heavy; he's my brother!" responded the boy. No burden is too heavy when it's given in love and carried in love. Jesus offers us a new kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. In his kingdom sins are not only forgiven but removed, and eternal life is poured out for all its citizens. This is not a political kingdom, but a spiritual one. The yoke of Christ's kingdom, his kingly rule and way of life, liberates us from the burden of guilt and from the oppression of sin and hurtful desires. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us. Jesus used the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a burden of glory and yoke of freedom from sin. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of grace and freedom from the power of sin. Do you trust in God's love and submit to his will and plan for your life?