Understanding the Voice of God

July 31, 2025 Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest Readings for Today Readings for Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Video “Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” Matthew 13:51–52 At times, Jesus’ words are difficult to understand. How well do you understand what He teaches you? He often teaches in figures of speech, as well as with parables. The passage quoted above concludes a section in which He speaks three subsequent parables. The third of these parables, the parable about the fishnet, is contained in the beginning of today’s Gospel passage. But just prior to that parable are the parables about the pearl of great price and the treasure buried in a field. Upon the conclusion of these three parables, Jesus asked His disciples, “Do you understand all these things?” After they affirmed that they did understand, Jesus gave an overview of the mission to which they had been entrusted. These soon-to-be bishops would become the new scribes who were instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven. Their mission would be to bring forth both the “new and the old.” Many Church Fathers identify the “new and the old” as a reference to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Thus, the Twelve are being entrusted with the mission of being the scribes of the full revelation contained in what will become the full Bible as we have it today. Other commentators suggest that the “old” refers to the old life of sin and the “new” refers to the new life of grace. It will be the mission of the Twelve to instruct people in the full Gospel message, so as to draw them from their old life of sin to the new life of grace. Though Jesus’ words can be difficult to understand from the perspective of a biblical scholar, the first of His words quoted above are very straightforward. “Do you understand all these things?” As we ponder that question in particular, try to hear our Lord asking that question of you. Though many scholars and saints of old have offered much clarity on what Jesus’ teachings actually mean, the question that Jesus posed to the Twelve must be answered in a more personal way for each of us. As you hear Jesus ask you if you understand these things, the answer you give is not primarily based upon whether or not you have sufficiently studied the text of His teaching and can rationally explain it as a scholar. Instead, the answer He is seeking is whether or not you can respond from faith. He wants you to say, “Yes, I hear You speaking to me, Lord. Yes, my heart is convicted by the words You have spoken. Yes, I understand what I must do. Yes, Lord, I believe.” The Word of God is alive and can only be “understood” properly when we allow our Living Lord to speak to us, personally, as we listen to His holy Word. Reflect, today, upon this question that Jesus posed to the Twelve. As you do, hear Him asking you this question. How fully do you understand what God is saying to you, right now at this moment in your life? As you read the Scriptures, do you sense God revealing Himself to you? Do you understand what He wants of you? If hearing the voice of God is a challenge at times, then spend more time prayerfully pondering His holy Word so that His Living Voice will more clearly resonate within your soul. My revealing Lord, You speak to me day and night, continuously revealing Your love and mercy to me. May I learn to become more attentive to Your voice speaking within the depths of my soul. As I hear You speak, please give me the gift of understanding to know Your will and to embrace it with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.

How do I stop muscle loss in old age?

Matthew Kireken

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How do I stop muscle loss in old age?

I am a warrior! I absolutely LOVE crushing the gym and I am 67 years young - personally I believe everything is possible, that is my modus operandi! Look, muscle loss (also called sarcopenia) doesn't have to be part of getting older, and anyone is actually in the perfect position to turn things around or keep the muscle they've got. Here's what I've learned after watching too many of my friends and agemates just accept getting weaker - resistance training is literally like a fountain of youth for your muscles. I'm talking about lifting weights, using resistance bands, or even just doing bodyweight stuff like push-ups against the wall. Your muscles absolutely love HIIT..I personally started doing this 4 times every single week more than a decade ago when I hit fifty, and holy crap, I feel stronger now than I did in my forties! You don't need to become a gym rat though - just 20-30 minutes of challenging your muscles consistently is still okay. I get that some folks got arthritis...Less is still more. Personally I do at least 2 hour sessions, people are different though plus I am a member of Sprfuel frequency therapy, I unlock greater strengths..Hardcore mode. If you go to the gym or do some home workouts at least once a week, you are still crushing it..FIND HOPE my friends.

But here's the game-changer though, most people miss - PROTEIN, and lots of it. To slow down muscle loss, eat a lot of protein. As people age, our bodies get lazy at using protein, so we need way more than younger folks. I aim for about twenty to thirty grams of protein at each meal.. I love to eat some eggs, chicken, fish, greek yogurt, whatever works. My energy levels went through the roof when I figured this out...You definitely need to TRY this, it will change everything.

My other secret weapon is getting enough sleep (at least 9 hours of good night sleep) and managing stress. I know it may sound boring to some folks, but your muscles love sleep and rest, they literally rebuild themselves while you sleep. Plus, chronic stress pumps out cortisol which eats muscle like crazy. If you want to stop losing muscle you need to do your best to avoid stress. Try to enjoy yourself, practice gratitude...I love to pray and or worship, it definitely helps get you closer to the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of God chases away anxiety..I can't remember the last time I had stress by just doing this, I highly recommend it.

If I am to rate..out of 10, I give consistent strength training combined with high protein a solid 10, it is very good for keeping us strong and independent... You go from accepting that weakness is inevitable to realizing you can actually build muscle and strength well into your seventies and beyond. At least that is my target, what do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section, also I am curious what some of my young 50, 60 and 70 year olds are doing to avoid muscle loss.. A few last words for the team..Don't let anyone tell you that getting older means getting weaker - that's just lazy thinking from people who gave up too early! Most people think getting weaker is just part of aging, and that's complete BS. I'm pushing almost seventy and I'm stronger now than I was in my forties, no joke.

Discovering the Riches of Heaven

July 30, 2025 Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial

Possibly Rembrandt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Video Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44 Today’s Gospel presents us with two very short and similar parables. In the first, quoted above, the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a “treasure.” In the second parable, the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a “pearl of great price.” Though these parables are very similar to each other, there are also subtle differences worth pondering. It appears that the treasure mentioned in the first parable is discovered almost by accident. The person simply “finds” it. This is in contrast to the second parable, in that the merchant who finds the pearl of great price did so after “searching” for it.  We often encounter the Treasure of the Gospel without even looking for it. We do so any time God intervenes in our lives without us seeking His intervention. For example, if someone were to offer an act of charity to you without you seeking it out, this is God giving you a treasure of His Kingdom. Or if someone shares with you their faith, or an inspiration they received, this is indeed a treasure given to you by God. The problem is that many times when we are given these treasures of the Gospel, we do not always see them as treasures. Imagine, for example, if the person in this parable were to stumble upon the treasure in the field and fail to open it out of indifference. They see it from a distance, have a bit of curiosity about what is in the box, but they are not energetic enough to actually open the box and look inside. In that case, the person would have no reason to go and sell all that they have so as to buy the field in which the treasure is found. One clear message that this first parable reveals is that we must be attentive to the countless treasures of God’s graces given to us each and every day. God is so prolific in offering us grace, that we truly do stumble upon His grace all the time. Thus, having eyes to perceive His actions and ears to Hear His Voice is essential. A second message clearly given in both of these parables is that once we discover the graces God gives us every day, we must foster within ourselves a desire for those graces that is so strong that we are willing to do anything necessary to obtain them. The discovery is made through the gift of faith, but the discovery by faith must then be followed with a zeal that drives our will to conform to that discovery. Reflect, today, upon two things. First, have you discovered the treasures God has given to you? If you hesitate in answering this, then it’s most likely the case that there is much you have yet to discover. Secondly, as you do discover the riches that come with the gift of faith, then have you allowed that which God has spoken to you to consume you to such a point that you are willing to sell all you have, meaning, do whatever it takes to further accept all God wants to bestow? Resolutely determine to go forth on this holy search and you will find that the riches of grace that you obtain are of infinite value. My Lord of all riches, You bestow upon me and upon all Your children countless graces every day. The treasures of Your mercy are of infinite value. Please open my eyes so that I can see and my ears so that I can hear so as to discover all that You wish to bestow. May You and the riches of Your Kingdom become the one and only, all-consuming focus of my life. Jesus, I trust in You.

Why Dried Prunes Are Good for Your Bowel Health

Barbara O'Neill Healty Tips

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Why Dried Prunes Are Good for Your Bowel Health

Dried prunes, also known as dried plums, have been used for centuries as a natural remedy for constipation. Their effectiveness comes from their unique combination of dietary fiber, sorbitol, and antioxidants.

1. Rich in Dietary Fiber

Prunes are an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which play a crucial role in digestive health:

Soluble fiber absorbs water and forms a gel-like consistency, softening stools and making them easier to pass.

Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools, stimulating bowel movements and preventing constipation.

2. Natural Laxative Effect

Prunes contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that acts as a mild, natural laxative. It draws water into the intestines, helping stools move more easily through the digestive tract.

3. Supports Gut Microbiome

The fiber and polyphenols in prunes feed beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a balanced and healthy microbiome. A well-functioning gut microbiome aids digestion, reduces inflammation, and enhances overall health.

4. Prevents Colon Cancer and Supports Heart Health

Regular consumption of prunes has been linked to improved colon health and a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Additionally, prunes contain antioxidants and potassium, which support heart health by reducing inflammation and maintaining healthy blood pressure.

How to Use Dried Prunes for Bowel Cleansing

Incorporating dried prunes into your diet is simple. Here are a few effective ways to enjoy them:

1. Eat Them as a Snack

Enjoy 4–6 prunes daily to help regulate bowel movements. They make a great natural, sweet treat without added sugars.

2. Make Prune Juice

Blend 1 cup of dried prunes with 2 cups of water and let it sit overnight. Strain and drink the juice in the morning for a gentle bowel cleanse.

3. Add to Smoothies

Toss a handful of prunes into your morning smoothie for a fiber-rich boost that keeps your digestion on track.

4. Include in Meals

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