Hope in the Lord

Today's Readings:
Jer 17:5-10
Ps 1:1-4, 6
Lk 16:19-31

The antiphon to our psalm today sums of our readings wonderfully: "Blessed are they who hope in the Lord." Lazarus in our Gospel had a very hard life but constantly kept his eyes on the Lord, we are called to do the very same thing. We are called to place our trust in Jesus who died and rose for us, and to follow him wherever he leads us. The road may not always be easy, but we know that with our God, nothing is impossible and that he will never leave us. We also have the promise of eternal life, a gift worth more than anything. Today let us place our faith and hope in Christ and allow him to guide through this day so that we may live it for his glory. Have a great day and God Bless.
Lord God, you are our hope and our joy, fill us with your grace this day that we may live for you and all that we do may be for your greater honor. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 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