Victory over sin

Today's Readings:
Rom 7:18-25
Ps 119
Lk 12:54-59

St. Paul speaks to us today about the struggle with sin. We wish to do what is right, though at times we find ourselves doing things that we know we should not; it is something we all have to deal with. Alone this fight would be impossible, but we are not alone, we have Christ who we know has already defeated sin and death. Today let us rejoice in that victory and ask our Lord to help us to continue our daily struggle against sin so that we may always walk in his light with the help of his grace. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Through the victory of your cross Lord Jesus, we have been set free from sin and death; help us to live out the new life you have won for us. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. John Capistrano
St. John Capistrano was born in Italy in 1386. He was a lawyer and governor of the city of Perugia. When enemies of the city threw John into prison, he started to think about the real meaning of life. John's political enemies were not in a hurry to release him. He had plenty of time to realize that what mattered most was the salvation of his soul. So when he was miraculously set free, John entered a Franciscan monastery. He was thirty at the time. For John, life as a poor friar was a big change. He had to sacrifice his independence for the love of Jesus. And he tried with all his heart to do this. After he became a priest, John was sent out to preach. He and his former novice master, St. Bernardine of Siena, spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus everywhere. John preached throughout Europe for forty years. All who heard him were moved to love and serve the Lord better. An outstanding moment in the life of this saint came at the battle of Belgrade. The Turks had made up their minds to conquer Europe and to wipe out the Church of Jesus. The pope sent St. John Capistrano to all the Christian kings of Europe to beg them to unite to fight the mighty Turkish army. The kings obeyed this poor, barefoot friar. He stirred up their love of God and their courage with his fiery words. But even though a big army of Christians came to fight Mohammed II and his Turks, it looked as though they would lose. The enemy army was much bigger. Then it was that the saint himself, though he was seventy years old, ran to the front lines and encouraged the men to keep fighting. Holding his crucifix up high, this thin, small old man kept crying, "Victory, Jesus, victory!" And the Christian soldiers felt full of more courage than ever. They fought until the enemy ran away in fear. St. John Capistrano died a short time later, on October 23, 1456. He was proclaimed a saint in 1724.
Reflection: "[Priests] have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord."

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/october/1023.asp