The Present

Today's Readings:
Gn 1:1-19
Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35
Mk 6:53-56

In the beginning God created out of nothing, and God continues his creative act every day of our lives. Each moment is created for us to live and grow closer to our Lord. Let us always remember that yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not been created yet, all we have is right now. Today let us live in the present, thanking our God for all the gifts that we have been given and use those gifts in the service of Christ and each other. Have a great day and God Bless


Saint of the Day - St. Apollonia & the Martyrs of Alexandria
A holy virgin, Apollonia, lived in Alexandria, Egypt, in the third century. Christians were being persecuted there during the reign of Emperor Philip. Apollonia had spent her whole life serving God. Now that she was growing old, she was not about to take time to rest. She bravely risked her life to comfort suffering Christians in prison. "Remember that your trials will not last long," she would say. "But the joys of heaven will last forever." It was just a matter of time until Apollonia, too, was captured. When the judge asked her name, she courageously said, "I am a Christian and I love and serve the true God." Angry people tortured Apollonia, trying to force her to give up her faith. First, all her teeth were smashed and then knocked out. Strangely enough, that is why people frequently pray to St. Apollonia when they have a toothache. But even this painful ordeal did not shake the woman's faith. Apollonia was then told that if she did not deny Jesus, she would be thrown into a raging fire. The woman would not let her fear overcome her. She chose to die by fire rather than abandon her faith in Jesus. When the pagans saw how heroic she was, many were converted. Apollonia died around 249.
Reflection: Today we can ask the grace to be strong enough to bear inconvenience without complaining.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/february/0209.asp