Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs
June 3, 2024

Today’s Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060324.cfm

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Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control,
self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.
2 Peter 1:5-7

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Is there a “formula” for holiness? Not a magic one, for sure. But Peter offers us, in logical sequence, some common elements that lead us deeper into God. As we pray with Peter’s advice, each element opens a whole chapter in self-examination and spiritual reorientation.

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Poetry: Batter My Heart – John Donne

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town to another due,
Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

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Music: Holiness – Micah Stampley

Micah Stampley has a multi-octave vocal range spanning from bass-to-first soprano and is well known for that. His voice has literally staggering power and sensitivity. He has never had any formal vocal training. He says about his own voice: “It’s just a sound that God has given me, I think He just kind of fine tuned my vocal chords and gave me this high register. I can sing bass and/or soprano naturally. It’s pretty amazing and to be honest, I can’t explain it. It’s just something that happens whenever I feel the presence of God come over me. I sing at heights that I never thought any man would sing.
(Wikipedia)