Today's Readings:
Is 50:4-9
Ps 69:10,21-22,31,33-34
Mt 26:14-25
In our Gospel Judas denies being the one who is going to betray Jesus. It is much easier to deny our wrong doing than admitting it, yet it is only through facing our sinfulness that it can be overcome. As we approach the Passion of our Lord, let us bring those things that we struggle with to light of Christ and allow him to heal us. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, may the flame of your love consume our sins and it brightness illumine our hearts. Amen.
Saint of the Day - Blessed Joan of Toulouse
In 1240, some Carmelite brothers from Palestine started a monastery in Toulouse, France. The great Carmelite priest, St. Simon Stock, passed through Toulouse twenty-five years later. A devout woman asked to see him. She introduced herself simply as Joan. She asked the priest earnestly, "May I be part of the Carmelite order as an associate?" St. Simon Stock was the head of the order. He had the authority to grant the woman's request. He said "yes." Joan became the first lay associate. She received the habit of the Carmelite order. In the presence of St. Simon Stock, Joan made a vow of perpetual chastity. Joan continued her quiet, simple life right in her own home. She tried to be as faithful as possible to the rules of the Carmelites for the rest of her life. Joan went to daily Mass and devotions at the Carmelite church. She filled the rest of the day with visits to the poor, the sick and the lonely. She trained the altar boys. She helped the elderly and infirm by performing useful tasks and running errands. Joan prayed with them and brightened many lives with her cheerful conversations. Blessed Joan carried a picture of the crucified Jesus in her pocket. That was her "book." Every now and then, she would pull out the picture and gaze at it. Her eyes would light up. People said that Joan read some new and wonderful lesson every time she studied the picture.
Reflection: Cheerful conversation can brighten many lives. What difference does it make to others?
Saint informaiton comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/march/0331.asp
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Call to follow Christ
Today's Readings:
Is 49:1-6
Ps 71:1-6, 15,17
Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him, that Peter was going to deny him, and that the others would run away; yet he still called each of them to himself. Christ has called each of us, what we do with that call is up to us. We will fail sometimes and in those times we must be willing to admit it and return to our Lord knowing his mercy is always available to us. The call to follow Christ is a great gift we have received, as Easter approaches let us thank our God for that generosity. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord you call us to yourself this day, help us to always follow you where ever you may lead us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day - St. John Climacus
It is believed that St. John was born in Palestine in the seventh century. He seems to have been a disciple of St. Gregory Nazianzen. He could have become a famous teacher, but he decided to serve God with his whole heart. He joined a monastery on Mount Sinai when he was sixteen. Then he went to live for forty years by himself. He spent all his time praying and reading the lives of the saints. At first, St. John was tempted by the devil. He felt all kinds of bad passions trying to make him give in and sin. But he put all his trust in Jesus and prayed harder than ever. So the temptations never made him fall into sin. In fact, he only grew holier. He became so close to God that many heard of his holiness. They came to ask him for advice. God gave St. John a wonderful gift. He was able to bring peace to people who were upset and tempted. Once a man came to him who was having terrible temptations. He asked St. John to help him and said how hard it was for him to fight these temptations. After they had prayed together, peace filled the poor man's soul. He was never again troubled with those temptations. When the saint was seventy-four years old, he was chosen abbot of Mount Sinai. He became the superior of all the monks and hermits in the country. Another abbot asked St. John to write the rules which he had lived by all his life. This way the monks could follow his example. With great humility, St. John wrote the book called The Ladder of Perfection, or The Climax of Perfection. And that is why he is called "Climacus." St. John died in 649.
Reflection: May Christ's peace take root in our hearts-planted in the unshakeable belief in his love for each one of us, regardless of our struggles or weakness.
Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/march/0330.asp
Is 49:1-6
Ps 71:1-6, 15,17
Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him, that Peter was going to deny him, and that the others would run away; yet he still called each of them to himself. Christ has called each of us, what we do with that call is up to us. We will fail sometimes and in those times we must be willing to admit it and return to our Lord knowing his mercy is always available to us. The call to follow Christ is a great gift we have received, as Easter approaches let us thank our God for that generosity. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord you call us to yourself this day, help us to always follow you where ever you may lead us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day - St. John Climacus
It is believed that St. John was born in Palestine in the seventh century. He seems to have been a disciple of St. Gregory Nazianzen. He could have become a famous teacher, but he decided to serve God with his whole heart. He joined a monastery on Mount Sinai when he was sixteen. Then he went to live for forty years by himself. He spent all his time praying and reading the lives of the saints. At first, St. John was tempted by the devil. He felt all kinds of bad passions trying to make him give in and sin. But he put all his trust in Jesus and prayed harder than ever. So the temptations never made him fall into sin. In fact, he only grew holier. He became so close to God that many heard of his holiness. They came to ask him for advice. God gave St. John a wonderful gift. He was able to bring peace to people who were upset and tempted. Once a man came to him who was having terrible temptations. He asked St. John to help him and said how hard it was for him to fight these temptations. After they had prayed together, peace filled the poor man's soul. He was never again troubled with those temptations. When the saint was seventy-four years old, he was chosen abbot of Mount Sinai. He became the superior of all the monks and hermits in the country. Another abbot asked St. John to write the rules which he had lived by all his life. This way the monks could follow his example. With great humility, St. John wrote the book called The Ladder of Perfection, or The Climax of Perfection. And that is why he is called "Climacus." St. John died in 649.
Reflection: May Christ's peace take root in our hearts-planted in the unshakeable belief in his love for each one of us, regardless of our struggles or weakness.
Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/march/0330.asp
Friday, March 12, 2010
Golden Rule
Today's Readings:
Hos 14:2-10
Ps 81:6-11, 14, 17
Mk 12:28-34
All of Scriptures, in fact all of our faith can be summed up in 2 lines: Love the Lord you God with all your soul, mind, & strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. Obviously this is easier said than done, yet it is what we are called to do by our professing to follow Christ. Let us recognize those places in our lives where we do this and thank God for his grace, as well as seeing those time we struggle to live out these commands and ask for our loving Father's help. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Enflame the fire of you love within me Lord, that it may become a perfect love that reaches out to all. Amen.
Saint of the Day - St. Fina (Seraphina)
Fina was born in a little Italian town called San Geminiano. Her parents had once been well off, but misfortune had left them poor. Seraphina, or Fina, as her family called her, was their daughter. Fina was pretty and lively. She had a generous nature. Each day she saved half of her dinner for someone in the town poorer than she. During the day she sewed and spun cloth to help pay the family debts. At night, she usually spent a long time praying to Jesus and Mary. When she was still quite young, her father died. Fina was struck with an illness that deformed and paralyzed her. Movement became almost impossible and Fina lay for six years on wooden planks. Pain rushed through her whole body. The only way she could bear it was to concentrate on Jesus as he was nailed to the cross. "I unite my sufferings to yours, Jesus," she would whisper. Sometimes, when the pain was horrible, she would say, "It is not my wounds but yours, O Christ, that hurt me." Fina was left alone for many hours every day because her mother had to go out to work or beg. The neighbors knew about Fina, but her sores had become so foul smelling that people made excuses for not going to visit her. Unexpectedly, Fina's mother passed away. Now the girl was left alone. Only one neighbor, her good friend Beldia, came to care for her. Beldia tried to give Fina as much attention as she could, but Fina was usually left alone. It was obvious that she could not live much longer. She refused to lose heart. Someone mentioned to her about the tremendous sufferings St. Gregory the Great had endured. Fina became devoted to him. It is said that one day, as she groaned in pain, St. Gregory appeared to her. He said kindly, "Child, on my feast day God will grant you rest." His feast day in older calendars had been celebrated on March 12, because he had died on March 12, 604. So on March 12, 1253, St. Gregory came to take Fina home to heaven.
Reflection: From St. Fina's example we come to know the power of living hope-filled lives, with trust in God's dream for each one of us.
Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/march/0312.asp
Hos 14:2-10
Ps 81:6-11, 14, 17
Mk 12:28-34
All of Scriptures, in fact all of our faith can be summed up in 2 lines: Love the Lord you God with all your soul, mind, & strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. Obviously this is easier said than done, yet it is what we are called to do by our professing to follow Christ. Let us recognize those places in our lives where we do this and thank God for his grace, as well as seeing those time we struggle to live out these commands and ask for our loving Father's help. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Enflame the fire of you love within me Lord, that it may become a perfect love that reaches out to all. Amen.
Saint of the Day - St. Fina (Seraphina)
Fina was born in a little Italian town called San Geminiano. Her parents had once been well off, but misfortune had left them poor. Seraphina, or Fina, as her family called her, was their daughter. Fina was pretty and lively. She had a generous nature. Each day she saved half of her dinner for someone in the town poorer than she. During the day she sewed and spun cloth to help pay the family debts. At night, she usually spent a long time praying to Jesus and Mary. When she was still quite young, her father died. Fina was struck with an illness that deformed and paralyzed her. Movement became almost impossible and Fina lay for six years on wooden planks. Pain rushed through her whole body. The only way she could bear it was to concentrate on Jesus as he was nailed to the cross. "I unite my sufferings to yours, Jesus," she would whisper. Sometimes, when the pain was horrible, she would say, "It is not my wounds but yours, O Christ, that hurt me." Fina was left alone for many hours every day because her mother had to go out to work or beg. The neighbors knew about Fina, but her sores had become so foul smelling that people made excuses for not going to visit her. Unexpectedly, Fina's mother passed away. Now the girl was left alone. Only one neighbor, her good friend Beldia, came to care for her. Beldia tried to give Fina as much attention as she could, but Fina was usually left alone. It was obvious that she could not live much longer. She refused to lose heart. Someone mentioned to her about the tremendous sufferings St. Gregory the Great had endured. Fina became devoted to him. It is said that one day, as she groaned in pain, St. Gregory appeared to her. He said kindly, "Child, on my feast day God will grant you rest." His feast day in older calendars had been celebrated on March 12, because he had died on March 12, 604. So on March 12, 1253, St. Gregory came to take Fina home to heaven.
Reflection: From St. Fina's example we come to know the power of living hope-filled lives, with trust in God's dream for each one of us.
Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/march/0312.asp
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Living our Faith
Today's Readings:
Is 1:10, 16-20
Ps 50:16-17,21,23
Mt 23:1-12
Saying 'I believe' and living that faith out are two very different things. Jesus admonishes the scribes & Pharisees because they preached the law but did not live it out in their own lives. Being a Christian is much more than a proclamation of faith, it is a way of life. As we journey into this season of Lent, let ask ourselves where it is we need to work on living out our faith more in action and not just in word. Have a great day and God Bless
Prayer: Preach the Gospel at all times, and only when necessary use words.- St. Francis of Assisi Lord help me to do just that this day and every day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day - Blessed Charles the Good
Count Charles of Flanders, was called "the good" by the people of his kingdom. They named him for what they found him to truly be. He was the son of St. Canute, king of Denmark. Charles was just five years old when his father was murdered in 1086. When Charles grew up, he married a good young woman named Margaret. Charles was a mild and fair ruler. The people trusted him and his laws. He tried to be an example of what he expected the people to be. Some nobles accused Charles of unjustly favoring the poor over the rich. He answered kindly, "It is because I am so aware of the needs of the poor and the pride of the rich." The poor of his realm were fed daily at his castles. Charles ordered the abundant planting of crops so that the people would have plenty to eat at reasonable prices. Some wealthy men tried to hoard grain to sell at very high prices. Charles the Good found out and forced them to sell immediately and at fair prices. An influential father and his sons had been reprimanded by Charles for their violent tactics. They joined the little group of enemies who now wanted to kill him. The count walked every morning barefoot to Mass and arrived early at the Church of St. Donatian. He did this in a spirit of penance. He longed to deepen his own spiritual life with God. His enemies knew that he walked to church and also that he prayed often alone before Mass. Many people who loved Charles feared for his life. They warned him that his walks to St. Donatian could lead to his death. He replied, "We are always in the middle of dangers, but we belong to God." One morning, as he prayed alone before the statue of Mary, his attackers killed him. Charles was martyred in 1127.
Reflection: "We are always in the middle of dangers, but we belong to God."
Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/march/0302.asp
Is 1:10, 16-20
Ps 50:16-17,21,23
Mt 23:1-12
Saying 'I believe' and living that faith out are two very different things. Jesus admonishes the scribes & Pharisees because they preached the law but did not live it out in their own lives. Being a Christian is much more than a proclamation of faith, it is a way of life. As we journey into this season of Lent, let ask ourselves where it is we need to work on living out our faith more in action and not just in word. Have a great day and God Bless
Prayer: Preach the Gospel at all times, and only when necessary use words.- St. Francis of Assisi Lord help me to do just that this day and every day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day - Blessed Charles the Good
Count Charles of Flanders, was called "the good" by the people of his kingdom. They named him for what they found him to truly be. He was the son of St. Canute, king of Denmark. Charles was just five years old when his father was murdered in 1086. When Charles grew up, he married a good young woman named Margaret. Charles was a mild and fair ruler. The people trusted him and his laws. He tried to be an example of what he expected the people to be. Some nobles accused Charles of unjustly favoring the poor over the rich. He answered kindly, "It is because I am so aware of the needs of the poor and the pride of the rich." The poor of his realm were fed daily at his castles. Charles ordered the abundant planting of crops so that the people would have plenty to eat at reasonable prices. Some wealthy men tried to hoard grain to sell at very high prices. Charles the Good found out and forced them to sell immediately and at fair prices. An influential father and his sons had been reprimanded by Charles for their violent tactics. They joined the little group of enemies who now wanted to kill him. The count walked every morning barefoot to Mass and arrived early at the Church of St. Donatian. He did this in a spirit of penance. He longed to deepen his own spiritual life with God. His enemies knew that he walked to church and also that he prayed often alone before Mass. Many people who loved Charles feared for his life. They warned him that his walks to St. Donatian could lead to his death. He replied, "We are always in the middle of dangers, but we belong to God." One morning, as he prayed alone before the statue of Mary, his attackers killed him. Charles was martyred in 1127.
Reflection: "We are always in the middle of dangers, but we belong to God."
Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/march/0302.asp
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