Faith and Prayer

Today's Readings:
1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
Ps 119
Lk 18:35-43

In our Gospel today, a blind man calls out to Jesus to heal him. This man had faith that Christ could and would help him if he asked. Do we have that same faith? When we go to our Lord in prayer, do we believe that he hears us and will answer our prayers? Like the man in our Gospel, let us call out to God with true faith; believing that the Father does hear us and will always answer us when we go to him. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord you hear and answer us each time we go to you in prayer, continue to help our faith and love for you grow. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Margaret of Scotland
Margaret was an English princess born in 1046. She and her mother sailed to Scotland to escape from the king who had conquered their land. King Malcolm of Scotland welcomed them. He fell in love with the beautiful princess. Margaret and Malcolm were married before long. As queen, Margaret changed her husband and the country for the better. Malcolm was good, but he and his court were very rough. When he saw how wise his wife was, he willingly listened to her good advice. Margaret helped him control his temper and practice the Christian virtues. She made the court beautiful and civilized. The king and queen were wonderful examples because of the way they prayed together and treated each other. They fed crowds of poor people. They tried very hard to imitate Jesus in their own lives. Margaret was a blessing for all the people of Scotland. Before she came, there was great ignorance. Many people had bad habits that kept them from growing closer to God. Margaret worked hard to obtain good teachers to help the people correct evil practices. She and Malcolm had new churches built. She loved to make the churches beautiful to honor God. In fact, Queen Margaret embroidered some of the priests' vestments herself. Margaret and Malcolm had six sons and two daughters. They loved all their children very much. The youngest boy became St. David. But Margaret had sorrows, too. In her last illness, she learned that both her husband and her son, Edward, had been killed in battle. They died just four days before Margaret's death. She died on November 16, 1093. Margaret was proclaimed a saint by Pope Innocent IV in 1250.
Reflection: Margaret and Malcolm witnessed to the grace of the sacrament of matrimony by striving to grow in holiness together.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/november/1116.asp