Signs of Christ

Today's Readings:
Jon 3:1-10
Ps 51:3-4,12-13,18-19
Lk 11:29-32

The people in our Gospel ask Jesus for a sign but refuse to see the sign right in front of the them; the fact that the Son of God stood before them. Through baptism we are called to be signs to the world of Christ's love. The question is though what kind of sign are we when we fail to live out Christ's call to love. Today let us truly be a sign to the world that Christ is present through each of us and that through us he is still very much active as well. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be a sign of you love and presence to all that we meet this day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Montanus, St. Lucius, & Companions
Emperor Valerian persecuted Christians with vengeance during the days of the early Church. He had permitted St. Cyprian's execution in September 258. The Roman official who had actually sentenced Cyprian died himself soon after. The new official, Solon, was nearly the victim of an uprising which included a plot on his life. It seems he suspected the plot to be in revenge for the death of St. Cyprian. He arrested eight innocent people. All were Christians; most were clergy. Each had been a devoted follower of St. Cyprian. The Christians were taken down into dark dungeons. They found others there whom they knew. The filth and dampness circled the group. They realized that they would soon be facing death and eternity. The Christians were kept many months in the prison. They worked during the day and often were denied food and water without any reason. Somehow in such inhuman conditions, the little Christian community bonded and helped one another. The lay people protected the bishops, priests and deacons who were especially targets of the emperor's cruelty. When the Christians were finally called to the place of execution, each was permitted to speak. Montanus, who was tall and strong, spoke bravely to all the Christian crowd. He told them to be true to Jesus and to die rather than give up the faith. Lucius, who was small and frail, walked quietly to the place of execution. He was weak from the harsh months in prison. In fact, he had to lean on two friends who helped him arrive at the spot where the executioner waited. The people who watched called to him to remember them from paradise. As each of the Christians were beheaded one after another, the crowd became more and more courageous. They wept for those who suffered such injustice. But they were joyful, too. They realized that these martyrs would bless them from heaven. Montanus, Lucius and their companions were martyred in 259.
Reflection: Kindness and love for one another marked these saints’ lives. Today, we might consider thinking of doing something good for someone with whom we do not particularly find it easy to get along.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/february/0224.asp