Thanks

Today's Readings:
Acts 15:22-31
Ps 57:8-10, 12
Jn 15:12-17

As we approach the last few days of school it is easy to get caught up in all we have to get done and forget about taking time out to thank our Lord for all he has already done for us. He states in the Gospel that it was not us who chose him, but he chose us first. He called us to himself so that we may go and bear fruit in all that we do. Today let us thank him for this great gift he has given us in his calling us to himself and let us celebrate with joy all the gifts he has filled us with. Have a great day and God Bless.
Lord God, thank you for calling us to yourself; and we just ask that you help us to spend this day for your greater glory and honor, and that we may give you praise in all that we do. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Isidore the Farmer
This saint was born in 1070, in Madrid, Spain. His parents were deeply religious. They named their son after the great St. Isidore, archbishop of Seville, Spain. We celebrate his feast on April 4. Isidore's parents wanted to offer their son a first-rate education, but they could not afford it. They were tenant farmers. Their son would spend his life in the same occupation. Isidore went to work for a rich land owner in Madrid. The man's name was John de Vargas. Isidore worked all his life for Mr. de Vargas. He married a good girl from a family as poor as his own. The couple loved each other very much. They had one child, a boy, who died as a baby. Isidore and his wife offered to Jesus their sadness over the child's death. They trusted their son was happy with God forever. St. Isidore began each day at Mass. Then he would go to his job. He tried to work hard even if he didn't feel like it. He plowed and planted and prayed. He called on Mary, the saints and his guardian angel. They helped him turn ordinary days into special, joyful times. The world of faith became very real to St. Isidore, as real as Mr. de Vargas' fields. When he had a day off, Isidore made it a point to spend extra time adoring Jesus in church. Sometimes, on holidays, Isidore and his wife would visit a few neighboring parishes on a one day pilgrimage of prayer. Once the parish had a dinner. Isidore arrived early and went into the church to pray. He arrived in the parish hall late. He didn't come in alone. He brought a group of beggars, too. The parishioners were upset. What if there wasn't enough food for all those beggars? But the more they filled up their plates, the more there was for everybody else. St. Isidore said kindly, "There is always enough for the poor of Jesus." Stories of miracles began to circulate about this farm worker saint. Isidore was totally unselfish. He was a loving and compassionate human being. He is one of Spain's most popular saints. Isidore died on May 15, 1130. In March, 1622, Pope Gregory XV proclaimed five great saints together. They were St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Philip Neri and St. Isidore the Farmer.
Reflection: Caring for the gifts that surround him marked the life of this saint. He let his faith in Jesus and the Church light up his whole life. Perhaps we can make an effort to share the gifts we have especially with the poor.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/may/0515.asp