Homosexual group publishes the 'Queen James Bible'

Don't like the Bible? Well, you could just create your own version. At least that's what a homosexual group has done. The world's first "gay friendly" Bible [book] has been published as the "Queen James Bible."

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online)- The Queen James Bible seeks to legitimize the homosexual equivalency movement by changing the language of the Bible. Multiple verses throughout the book have been rewritten so they read in a fashion different from their original intent.

According to the group behind the publication, the anti-homosexual prohibitions in Scripture are a modern addition. They point out that the word "homosexual" did not appear in the Bible until 1946.

The website promoting the book says, "The Queen James Bible resolves any homophobic interpretations of the Bible, but the Bible is still filled with inequality and even contradiction that we have not addressed... No Bible is perfect, including this one. We wanted to make a book filled with the word of God that nobody could use to incorrectly condemn God's LGBT children, and we succeeded."

Unfortunately, what they have succeeded in doing is misrepresenting the word of God. Nowhere in Scripture does God condemn any of his children who come to him in loving faith. What scripture does condemn are specific immoral acts, including sexual congress outside the context of marriage which can only exist between one man and one woman.

The claim that the Bible is imperfect is simply a postmodern assessment, the well-known byproduct of a bankrupt worldview.

In addition to changing scriptures throughout the Bible, the authors of the book claim that King James I was bisexual, despite the fact there is no concrete historical evidence to verify this. Even if it were true, it would have no effect on the veracity Scripture, since King James I merely commissioned the popular English translation. The actual work was done by clergy.

We will not cite here, the perverse translations generated by a group that endeavors to use Holy Scripture to promote a secular, sexuality agenda.

It is not expected that this book will catch on anytime soon, even in the homosexual community.

My advice to us all is to repent for the Kingdom of God is damn so near!!!
© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

Monday, July 30, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
God told me, "God replied to me," they assert--- and yet most of the time they are talking to themselves.
-- St. John of the Cross

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Linen Shorts 13
1 The Lord told me to go and buy myself some linen shorts and to put them on; but he told me not to put them in water.
2 So I bought them and put them on. 3 Then the Lord spoke to me again and said,
4 “Go to the Euphrates River and hide the shorts in a hole in the rocks.”

Tuesday, July 10, {St. Veronica Giuliani, Virgin (Feast)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little. Remember that he of whom you are speaking is your brother, and, as he is in the way of salvation, God can make him a Saint, in spite of his present weakness.
-- St. Thomas of Villanova

READINGS FOR TODAY
Tuesday, July 10, {St. Veronica Giuliani, Virgin (Feast)}First Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:6-11, 16, 176 The God who said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!” is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ.
7 Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us.
8 We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair;
9 there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.

Monday, July 09, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If we say less than we should, it is easy to add. But having said too much, it is hard to take it away.
-- St. Francis de Sales

READINGS FOR TODAY
Monday, July 09, 2012 (Weekday)First Reading: Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22
16 Then once again she will call me her husband—she will no longer call me her Baal.
17 I will never let her speak the name of Baal again.
18 At that time I will make a covenant with all the wild animals and birds, so that they will not harm my people. I will also remove all weapons of war from the land, all swords and bows, and will let my people live in peace and safety.
21-22 At that time I will answer the prayers of my people Israel.
I will make rain fall on the earth, and the earth will produce grain and grapes and olives.

Psalm: Psalm 145:2-9
2 Every day I will thank you; I will praise you forever and ever.
3 The Lord is great and is to be highly praised; his greatness is beyond understanding.
4 What you have done will be praised from one generation to the next; they will proclaim your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of your glory and majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
6 People will speak of your mighty deeds, and I will proclaim your greatness.
7 They will tell about all your goodness and sing about your kindness.
8 The Lord is loving and merciful, slow to become angry and full of constant love.
9 He is good to everyone and has compassion on all he made.

Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26
(The Official's Daughter and the Woman Who Touched Jesus' Cloak)
18 While Jesus was saying this, a Jewish official came to him, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and place your hands on her, and she will live.”
19 So Jesus got up and followed him, and his disciples went along with him.
20 A woman who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only I touch his cloak, I will get well.”
22 Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well.” At that very moment the woman became well.
23 Then Jesus went into the official's house. When he saw the musicians for the funeral and the people all stirred up,
24 he said, “Get out, everybody! The little girl is not dead—she is only sleeping!” Then they all started making fun of him.
25 But as soon as the people had been put out, Jesus went into the girl's room and took hold of her hand, and she got up. 26 The news about this spread all over that part of the country.

Thursday, June 07, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The pure soul is a beautiful rose, and the Three Divine Persons descend from Heaven to inhale its fragrance.
-- St. John Vianney
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-158 Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from death, who was a descendant of David, as is taught in the Good News I preach.
9 Because I preach the Good News, I suffer and I am even chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not in chains,
10 and so I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen people, in order that they too may obtain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings eternal glory.
11 This is a true saying:
 “If we have died with him,
 we shall also live with him.
  If we continue to endure,
 we shall also rule with him.
 If we deny him,
 he also will deny us.
13 If we are not faithful,
 he remains faithful,
 because he cannot be false to himself.”
 An Approved Worker
14 Remind your people of this, and give them a solemn warning in God's presence not to fight over words. It does no good, but only ruins the people who listen. 15 Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth.

Psalm: Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14
4 Teach me your ways, O Lord;  make them known to me.
5 Teach me to live according to your truth, for you are my God, who saves me.
 I always trust in you.
8 Because the Lord is righteous and good, he teaches sinners the path they should follow.
9 He leads the humble in the right way and teaches them his will.
10 With faithfulness and love he leads all who keep his covenant and obey his commands.
14 The Lord is the friend of those who obey him and he affirms his covenant with them.

Gospel:   Mark 12:28-34
(Matthew 22.34-40; Luke 10.25-28)
28 A teacher of the Law was there who heard the discussion. He saw that Jesus had given the Sadducees a good answer, so he came to him with a question: “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
29  Jesus replied, “The most important one is this: ‘Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. 
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with
all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 
31 The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more
important than these two.”
32  The teacher of the Law said to Jesus, “Well done, Teacher! It is true, as you say, that only the Lord is God and that there is no other god but he. 
33 And you must love God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength; and you must love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is more important to obey these two commandments than to offer on the altar animals and other sacrifices to God.”
 34 Jesus noticed how wise his answer was, and so he told him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” After this nobody dared to ask Jesus any more questions.

Monday, June 04, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Those who trust in themselves are worse than the devil!!
-- St. John of the Cross

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Peter 1:2-72 May grace and peace be yours in full measure through your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
 God's Call and Choice
3 God's divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own  glory and goodness.
4 In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature.
5 For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge;
6 to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness;
7 to your godliness add Christian affection; and to your Christian affection add love.

Psalm: Psalm 91:1-2, 14-16
(God Our Protector)1 Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty,
2 can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.”
14 God says, “I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will reward them with long life; I will save them.”

Gospel: Mark 12:1-12
(The Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard)
(Matthew 21.33-46; Luke 20.9-19) 1 Then Jesus spoke to them in parables: “Once there was a man who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to tenants and left home on a trip.
2 When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent a slave to the tenants to receive from them his share of the harvest.
3 The tenants grabbed the slave, beat him, and sent him back without a thing.
4 Then the owner sent another slave; the tenants beat him over the head and treated him shamefully.
5 The owner sent another slave, and they killed him; and they treated many others the same way, beating some and killing others.
6 The only one left to send was the man's own dear son. Last of all, then, he sent his son to the tenants. ‘I am sure they will respect my son,’ he said.
7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the owner's son. Come on, let's kill him, and his property will be ours!’
8 So they grabbed the son and killed him and threw his body out of the vineyard.
9 “What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do?” asked Jesus. “He will come and kill those tenants and turn the vineyard over to others. 
10 Surely you have read this scripture? ‘The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.
11 This was done by the Lord; what a wonderful sight it is!’”
12 The Jewish leaders tried to arrest Jesus, because they knew that he had told this parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

Sunday, June 03, 2012 {The Most Holy Trinity (Solemnity)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Whenever we suffer some affliction, we should regard it both as punishment and as a correction. Our holy Scriptures themselves do not promise us peace, security and rest. On the contrary, the Gospel makes no secret of the troubles and temptations that await us, but it also says that he who perseveres to the end will be saved. So we must not grumble, my brothers, and for as the Apostle says: some of them murmured and were destroyed by serpents. Is there any affliction now endured by mankind that was not endured by our fathers before us? What sufferings of ours even bear comparison with what we know of their sufferings? How then can you think that past ages were better than your own?
-- St. Augustine

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
32 “Search the past, the time before you were born, all the way back to the time when God created human beings on the earth. Search the entire earth. Has anything as great as this ever happened before? Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?
33 Have any people ever lived after hearing a god speak to them from a fire, as you have?
34 Has any god ever dared to go and take a people from another nation and make them his own, as the Lord your God did for you in Egypt? Before your very eyes he used his great power and strength; he brought plagues and war, worked miracles and wonders, and caused terrifying things to happen.
39 So remember today and never forget: the Lord is God in heaven and on earth. There is no other god.
40 Obey all his laws that I have given you today, and all will go well with you and your descendants. You will continue to live in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to be yours forever.”

Psalm: Psalm 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22
4 The words of the Lord are true, and all his works are dependable.
5 The Lord loves what is righteous and just; his constant love fills the earth.
6 The Lord created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word.
9 When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared.
18 The Lord watches over those who obey him, those who trust in his constant love.
19 He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine.
20 We put our hope in the Lord; he is our protector and our help.
22 May your constant love be with us, Lord, as we put our hope in you.

Second Reading: Romans 8:14-17
14 Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.
15 For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!”
16 God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children.
17 Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
(Jesus Appears to His Disciples)
(Mark 16.14-18; Luke 24.36-49; John 20.19-23; Acts 1.6-8)16 The eleven disciples went to the hill in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, even though some of them doubted.
18 Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”

Sunday, May 27, 2010 Pentecost Sunday (Solemnity)

REFLECTION FOR TODAYPrayer is to our soul what rain is to the soil. Fertilize the soil ever so richly, it will remain barren unless fed by frequent rains.
-- St John Vianney

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading:  Acts 2:1-11
The Coming of the Holy Spirit 1 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place.
2 Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a
strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there.
4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, religious people who had come from every country in the world.
6 When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages.
7 In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, “These people who are talking like this are Galileans!
8 How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages?
9 We are from Parthia, Media, and Elam; from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia; from Pontus and Asia,
10 from Phrygia and Pamphylia, from Egypt and the regions of Libya near Cyrene. Some of us are from Rome,
11 both Jews and Gentiles converted to Judaism, and some of us are from Crete and Arabia—yet all of us hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things that God has done!”
Psalm:  Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 341 O Lord, my God, how great you are! You are clothed with majesty and glory;
24 Lord, you have made so many things! How wisely you made them all! The earth is filled with your creatures.
29 When you turn away, they are afraid; when you take away your breath, they die and go back to the dust from which they came.
30 But when you give them breath,   they are created; you give new life to the earth.
31 May the glory of the Lord last forever! May the Lord be happy with what he has made!
34 May he be pleased with my song, for my gladness comes from him.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 or  Galatians 5:16-251 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
3 I want you to know that no one who is led by God's Spirit can say “A curse on Jesus!” and no one can confess “Jesus is Lord,” without being guided by the Holy Spirit.
4  There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
5 There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served.
6 There are
different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service.
7 The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.
 One Body with Many Parts 12  Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts.
13 In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink.
OR
Galatians 5:16-25
The Spirit and Human Nature 16 What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. 
17 For what our human nature wants is opposed
to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.
18 If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law.
19 What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions;
20 in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups;
21 they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires.
25 The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.
Gospel: John 20:19-23 or  John 15:26-27;  John 16:12-15; John 20:19-23
Jesus Appears to His Disciples (Promises to Send a Helper)
(Matthew 28.16-20; Mark 16.14-18; Luke 24.36-49) 19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.
20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”
22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 
23 If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
OR
John 15:26-2726 “The Helper will come—the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God and who comes from the Father. I will send him to you from the Father, and he will speak about me.
27 And you, too, will speak about me, because you have been with me from the very beginning.
OR
John 16:12-1512 “I have much more to tell you, but now it would be too much for you to bear. 
13 When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he
will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come.
14 He will give me glory, because he will take what I say and tell it to you.
15 All that my Father has is mine; that is why I said that the Spirit will take what I give him and tell it to you.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 {Saint Isidore the Farmer (Optional Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Unless you strive after virtues and practice them, you will never grow to be more than dwarfs.
-- St. Theresa of Avila

READINGS FOR TODAY
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 {Saint Isidore the Farmer (Optional Memorial)}
First Reading: Acts 16:22-34
22 And the crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas.
Then the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be whipped.
23 After a severe beating, they were thrown into jail, and the jailer was ordered to lock them up tight.
24 Upon receiving this order, the jailer threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet between heavy blocks of wood.

Wednesday, March 07, 2012 {Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (Commemoration)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
She [Mary] stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from him. After a long period of waiting the times are fulfilled in her, the exalted Daughter of Sion, and the new plan of salvation is established.
-- Lumen Gentium
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Jeremiah 18:18-20(A Plot against Jeremiah)18 Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
19 Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me.
20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The person with fortitude is the one who perseveres in doing what his conscience tells him he ought to do. He does not measure the value of a task exclusively by the benefit he derives from it, but rather by the service he renders to others.
-- St. Josemaria Escriva
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Readings: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
(Justice, Not Sacrifices/ An Invitation from the Lord)
10 You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah! So listen to the Lord God:
16 Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong and learn to live right.
See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help those in need.”
18 I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.

Monday, March 05, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
As iron is fashioned by fire and on the anvil, so in the fire of suffering and under the weight of trials, our souls receive that form which our Lord desires them to have.
-- St. Madeline Sophie Barat

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Daniel 9:4-10
4 I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,

5 we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances;

6 neither have we listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

Sunday, March 04, 2012 (Second Sunday of Lent)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Irrational feeding darkens the soul and makes it unfit for spiritual experiences.

-- St. Thomas Aquinas

READINGS FOR TODAY

First Reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18

(God Commands Abraham to Offer Isaac)

1 It happened after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

He said, “Here I am.”

2 He said, “Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, even Isaac, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.”

9 They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood.

Saturday, March 03, 2012 {St. Katharine Drexel, Virgin (Commemoration)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Laetáre, Jerúsalem: et convéntum fácite, omnes qui dilígites eam: gaudéte cum laetítia, qui in tristítia fuístis: ut exsultétis, et satiémini ab ubéribus consolatiónis vestrae. Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.
-- Introit, Laetáre Sunday, St. Andrew's Missal, 1945

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:16-19
(The Lord's Own People)
16 This day Yahweh your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances: you shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart, and with all your soul.
17 You have declared Yahweh this day to be your God, and that you would walk in his ways, and keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his ordinances, and listen to his voice:
18 and Yahweh has declared you this day to be a people for his own possession, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments;

Friday, March 02, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Inordinate love for the flesh is cruelty, because under the appearance of pleasing the body, we kill the soul.
-- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:21-2821 But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 None of his transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?

Thursday, March 01, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Our Lord knew that to draw strength and efficacy from fasting, something more than abstinence from prohibited food is necessary. Thus He instructed His disciples and, consequently, disposed them to gather the fruits proper to fasting. Among many others are these four: fasting fortifies the spirit, mortifying the flesh and its sensuality; it raises the spirit to God; it fights concupiscence and gives power to conquer and deaden its passions; in short, it disposes the heart to seek to please only God with great purity of heart.
-- St. Francis de Sales

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Esther 12: 14-16, 23-25
14 In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
16 So Esther was taken to king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Go to your adoration as one would go to Heaven, to the divine banquet. Tell yourself, in four hours, in two hours, in one hour our Lord will give me an audience of grace and love. He has invited me; He is waiting for me; He is longing for me.
-- St. Peter Julian Eymard

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
(Jonah Obeys the Lord)
1 The word of Yahweh came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.”
3 So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey across.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
When we contemplate the blessings of faith even now, as if gazing at a reflection in a mirror, it is as if we already possessed the wonderful things which our faith assures us we shall one day enjoy.
-- St. Basil, De Spiritu Sancto
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-1110 For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

Monday, February 27, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Let us faithfully transmit to posterity the example of virtue which we have received from our forefathers.
-- St. Peter Damian

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
(Laws of Holiness and Justice)
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I Yahweh your God am holy.
11 “‘You shall not steal; neither shall you deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
12 “‘You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.

Sunday, February 26, 2012 (First Sunday of Lent)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Frequent and daily Communion is greatly desired by our Lord and the Church. 
-- Pope St. Pius X

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15
8 God spoke to Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
9 “As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you,
10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every animal of the earth with you. Of all that go out of the ark, even every animal of the earth.

Saturday, February 25, 2012 (Saturday after Ash Wednesday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The first step to be taken by one who wishes to follow Christ is, according to Our Lord's own words, that of renouncing himself - that is, his own senses, his own passions, his own will, his own judgement, and all the movements of nature, making to God a sacrifice of all these things, and of all their acts, which are surely sacrifices very acceptable to the Lord. And we must never grow weary of this; for if anyone having, so to speak, one foot already in Heaven, should abandon this exercise, when the time should come for him to put the other there, he would run much risk of being lost.
-- St. Vincent de Paul

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Isaiah 58:9-14
9 Then shall you call, and Yahweh will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly;
10 and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity be as the noonday;
11 and Yahweh will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make strong your bones; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters don’t fail.

Friday, February 24, 2012 (Friday after Ash Wednesday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The devil doesn't fear austerity but holy obedience.
-- St. Francis de Sales

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-9
(True Fasting)
1 Cry aloud, don’t spare, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and declare to my people their disobedience, and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: as a nation that did righteousness, and didn’t forsake the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.
3 Why have we fasted, say they, and you don’t see? why have we afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast you find your own pleasure, and exact all your labors.
4 Behold, you fast for strife and contention, and to strike with the fist of wickedness: you don’t fast this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is such the fast that I have chosen? the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Yahweh?
6 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
7 Isn’t it to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your healing shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of Yahweh shall be your rear guard.
9 Then shall you call, and Yahweh will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly;
Psalms: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 18-19
3 For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.
4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in your sight; That you may be proved right when you speak, And justified when you judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15
(The Question about Fasting)
14 Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
15 Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Thursday, February 23, 2012 {St. Polycarp, Bishop, Martyr (Commemoration)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The first stage of contemplation, dear brothers, is constantly to consider what God wants, what is pleasing to him, and what is acceptable in his eyes. We all offend in many things; our strengths cannot match the rectitude of God's will, being neither one with it nor wholly in accord with it; let us then humble ourselves under the powerful hand of the most high God and be concerned to show ourselves unworthy before His merciful gaze, saying: Heal me, Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved. And again, Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul because I have sinned against you.
-- St Bernard

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
15 Behold, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil;
16 in that I command you this day to love Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that Yahweh your God may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it.
17 But if your heart turn away, and you will not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 (Ash Wednesday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If we try to escape sadness by seeking our consolation in sleep,we will fail to find what we are seeking, for we will lose in sleep the consolation we might have recieved from God if we had stayed awake and prayed.
-- St. Thomas More

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Joel 2:12-18(A Call to Repentance)
12 “Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “turn to me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”
13 Tear your heart, and not your garments, And turn to Yahweh, your God; For he is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, And relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind him, Even a meal offering and a drink offering to Yahweh, your God.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
You must realize that when the Father shows His works to Christ's members, it is to Christ that He shows them. He shows them to the members through the Head. Suppose you wish to take hold of an object with your eyes closed. Your hand does not know where to go, yet your hand is your member. Open your eyes and your hand will now see where it must go. The member follows the way indicated by its head!
-- St. Augustine

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: James 4:1-10
(Friendship with the World)
1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
2 You lust, and don’t have. You kill, covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.
3 You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.

Monday, February 20, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
We cannot be sure whether we are loving God, although we may have good reason that we are. But we can know quite well whether we are loving our neighbor.
-- St. Teresa of Avila

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: James 3:13-18
(The Wisdom from Above)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

!!!!Beaten to Death by Church members!!!!

A middle-aged young man has been beaten to death for stealing church offerings at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Eha-Alumona, Nsukka, Enugu State; (The Town were of my alma mata is located)
The deceased, Chinedu Ugwuodo, with one other now at large was caught right inside the Parish Priest apartment ransacking the entire place, hauling a good amount of money into his pocket unknown to him that his colleague have escaped through the fence when the parish stewards and other attendants noticed an unusual human movement.
Crime Guard gathered that the unrepentant thief was alleged to be a habitual thief who had severally stolen the church offerings by worshipers at St. Mary’s Parish.
When apprehended in the act, the suspect was beaten to pulp and handed over to police who in turn asked the worshipers to take him to hospital for medical attention before carrying out investigations into the matter.
He was driven to Bishop Shanahan hospital, Nsukka in company of agile policemen in case the worshipers decide to dump him on the way.
He reportedly died few hours after arriving at the hospital. Crime Guard gathered that the deceased had a previous stealing case pending in the police but continued to tamper with church offerings while worshipers vowed to catch him in the act.
It was learnt that when the suspect, with one other culprit now at large were caught by the worshipers, they scaled the high fence wall but the deceased was not that lucky as he was over powered while his colleague escaped.


Well, for more info and comments by other well-wishers and ill-wishers of the faith can be located @ Vanguard New online

PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS!!!

All powerful and merciful Father. You are the God of Justice, Love and peace, you rule over all the nations of the earth. Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you. We present our country Nigeria before you, we praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.

 We are sorry for all the sins we have committed and for the good deeds we have failed to do. In your loving forgiveness, keep us safe from the punishments we deserved. Lord, we are weighed down not only by uncertainties but also by moral, economic and political problems. *we are weighed down by clueless and inept leaders*. Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you.

God of infinite goodness, our strength in adversity, our health in weakness, our comfort in sorrow. Be merciful, to us your people; spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom. *Spare us bad leaders*. Bless us with your kingdom of Justice, Love and Peace.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, February 19, 2012 (Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me forget myself entirely so to establish myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace or make me leave you, O my unchanging God, but may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery! Grant my soul peace. Make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling and the place of your rest. May I never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action.
-- Prayer of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity.


READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25
(Israel's Sin)
18 Don’t remember the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
21 the people which I formed for myself, that they might set forth my praise.

Saturday, February 18, 2012 (Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.
-- St. Philip Neri

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: James 3:1-10
(The Power of the Tongue)
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
2 For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

Friday, February 17, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
To purposely allow one's mind to wander in prayer is sinful and hinders the prayer from having fruit.
-- St. Thomas Aquinas

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: James 2:14-24, 26
(Faith and Actions)
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?
15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,
16 and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled;” and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it?

Thursday, February 16, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and said with incomparable majesty: "Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven." When I heard these words, a strong force came upon me and seemed to place me in the middle of a street, so that I might say in a loud voice to people of every age, sex and status: "Hear, O people; hear, O nations. I am warning you about the commandment of Christ by using words that came from his own lips: We cannot obtain grace unless we suffer afflictions. We must heap trouble upon trouble to attain a deep participation in the divine nature, the glory of the sons of God and perfect happiness of soul."
-- St. Rose of Lima

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: James 2:1-9
(Warning against Prejudice OR Having Favourites)
1 My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality.
2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue ,
and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in;
3 and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool;”

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
To think ourselves imperfect, and others perfect---- that is happiness. That creatures recognize we are without virtue takes nothing from us, makes us no poorer; it is they who by this lose interior joy; for there is nothing sweeter than to think well of our neighbor.
-- St. Therese of Lisieux

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: James 1:19-27
(Hearing and Doing)
19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
20 for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 {Saints Cyril, Monk and Methodius, Bishop (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
To pray for those who are in mortal sin is the best kind of almsgiving. For the love of God, always remember such souls when you pray.
-- St. Teresa of Avila

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: James 1:12-18
(Testing and Tempting)
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.
14 But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

Monday, February 13, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If you want God to hear your prayers, hear the voice of the poor. If you wish God to anticipate your wants, provide those of the needy without waiting for them to ask you. Especially anticipate the needs of those who are ashamed to beg. To make them ask for alms is to make them buy it.
-- St. Thomas of Villanova

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: James 1:1-11
(Faith and Wisdom/ Poverty and Riches)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers , when you fall into various temptations,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 

Sunday, February 12, 2012 (Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The Blessed Eucharist is the perfect Sacrament of the Lord's Passion, since It contains Christ Himself and his Passion.
-- St. Thomas Aquinas

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
(Laws concerning Skin Diseases)
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
2 “When a man shall have a rising in his body’s skin, or a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes in the skin of his body the plague of leprosy, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons the priests:
44 he is a leprous man. He is unclean. The priest shall surely pronounce him unclean. His plague is on his head.

Saturday, February 11, 2012 {Our Lady of Lourdes (Optional Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
We must never glance at what is good in ourselves, much less ponder over it, but we should search out what is wrong and what is lacking. This is an excellent way of remaining humble.
-- St. Vincent de Paul

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34
(The Worship at Bethel Is Condemned/ Jeroboam's Fatal Sin)
26 Jeroboam said in his heart, Now will the kingdom return to the house of David:
27 if this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem, then will the heart of this people turn again to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me, and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.
28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold; and he said to them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: see your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

Friday, February 10, 2012 {St. Scholastica, Virgin (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The bread which you use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.
-- St. Basil

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19
29 It happened at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; now Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field.
30 Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it in twelve pieces.
31 He said to Jeroboam, Take ten pieces; for thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to you

Thursday, February 09, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
What you do with those who beg from you is what God will do with His beggar, you! You are filled and you are empty. Fill your empty neighbor from your fullness, so that your emptiness may be filled from God's fullness.
-- St. Augustine

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Kings 11:4-13
4 For it happened, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father.
5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
6 Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and didn’t go fully after Yahweh, as did David his father.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Help yourself during this troubled period by reading holy books. This reading provides excellent food for the soul and conduces to great progress along the path of perfection. By no means is it inferior to what we obtain through prayer and holy meditation. In prayer and meditation it is ourselves who speak to the Lord, while in holy reading it is God who speaks to us. Before beginning to read, raise your mind to the Lord and implore Him to guide your mind Himself, to speak to your heart and move your will.
-- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Kings 10:1-10
(The Visit of the Queen of Sheba)
1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Yahweh, she came to prove him with hard questions.
2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she was come to Solomon, she talked with him of all that was in her heart.
3 Solomon told her all her questions: there was not anything hidden from the king which he didn’t tell her.

Tuesday, February 07, 2012 {St. Colette of Corbie, Virgin (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
He is generous even to exhaustion; and what is most wonderful is, that He gives Himself thus entirely, not once only, but every day, if we wish it. Every fresh Communion is a new gift which Jesus Christ makes of Himself.
-- St. Ignatius Loyola

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30(Solomon's Prayer)
22 Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;
23 and he said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above, or on earth beneath; who keep covenant and loving kindness with your servants, who walk before you with all their heart;
27 But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!

Monday, February 06, 2012 {Sts. Peter Baptist, OFM, Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The Church teaches us that mercy belongs to God. Let us implore Him to bestow on us the spirit of mercy and compassion, so that we are filled with it and may never lose it. Only consider how much we ourselves are in need of mercy.
-- St. Vincent de Paul

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13(Solomon Brings the Sacred Chest to the Temple)1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ houses of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the city of David, which is Zion.
2 All the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
3 All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

Sunday, February 05, 2012 (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Jesus invited us to be like Him, humble of heart. But what is humility of the heart? It consists in receiving humiliations from God with a submissive love, in accepting one's state of life and one's duties whatever they are, and in not being ashamed of one's condition.
-- St. Peter Julian Eymard

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
1 “Isn’t a man forced to labor on earth? Aren’t his days like the days of a hired hand?
2 As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, As a hireling who looks for his wages,
3 So am I made to possess months of misery, Wearisome nights are appointed to me.

Saturday, February 04, 2012 {St. Joseph of Leonessa, Capuchin, Priest (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR SATURDAY
Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth.
-- Dei Filius

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 Kings 3:4-13
4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer on that altar.
5 In Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give you.
6 Solomon said, You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

Friday, February 03, 2012 {St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr (Optional Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Let nothing trouble you. Let nothing frighten you. Everything passes. God never changes. Patience obtains all. Whoever has God wants for nothing. God alone is enough.
-- St. Teresa of Jesus

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Sirach 47:2-11
(David)
2 As the choice fat portion of the fellowship offering is reserved for the Lord, so David was chosen from among the Israelites.
3 He played with lions and bears as if they were lambs or little goats.
4 When he was still a boy, he killed a giant to rescue his people. He put a stone in his sling, took aim, and put an end to Goliath's bragging.

Thursday, February 02, 2012 {The Presentation of the Lord (Feast)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
We must neither doubt nor hesitate with respect to the words of the Lord; rather we must be fully persuaded that every word of God is true and possible, even if our nature should rebel against the idea -- for in this lies the test of faith.
-- St. Basil the Great

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!” says Yahweh of Armies.
2 “But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap;

Wednesday, February 01, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
To know whom to avoid is a great means of saving our souls.
-- St. Thomas Aquinas

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17
2 The king said to Joab the captain of the army, who was with him, Go now back and forth through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number you the people, that I may know the sum of the people.
9 Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
10 David’s heart struck him after that he had numbered the people. David said to Yahweh, I have sinned greatly in that which I have done: but now, Yahweh, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 {St. John Bosco, Priest (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOT TODAY
The father of the just rejoiceth greatly, let Thy father and mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore Thee.
-- Proverbs xxiii. 24,25


READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30 -- 19:3
9 Suddenly Absalom met some of David's men. Absalom was riding a mule, and as it went under a large oak tree, Absalom's head got caught in the branches. The mule ran on and Absalom was left hanging in midair. 
10 One of David's men saw him and reported to Joab, “Sir, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”
14 “I'm not going to waste any more time with you,” Joab said. He took three spears and plunged them into Absalom's chest while he was still alive, hanging in the oak tree.

Monday, January 30, 2012 {St. Hyacinth Marescotti, Virgin (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved.
-- St. Robert Bellarmine

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13
(David Flees from Jerusalem/ David and Shimei)
13 There came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.
30 David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people who were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

Sunday, January 29, 2012 (Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Be assured that he who shall always walk faithfully in God's presence, always ready to give Him an account of all his actions, shall never be separated from Him by consenting to sin.
-- St Thomas Aquinas

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
15 Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers, like me; to him you shall listen;
16 according to all that you desired of Yahweh your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of Yahweh my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.
17 Yahweh said to me, They have well said that which they have spoken.

Saturday, January 28, 2012 {St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
He who faithfully prays to God for the necessaries of this life is both mercifully heard, and mercifully not heard. For the physician knows better than the sick man what is good for the disease.
-- St. Augustine

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17
(Nathan's Message and David's Repentance/ David's Son Dies)
1 Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds,
3 but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter.

Friday, January 27, 2012 (Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Whereas in the Lord's Prayer, we are bidden to ask for 'our daily bread,' the Holy Fathers of the Church all but unanimously teach that by these words must be understood, not so much that material bread which is the support of the body, as the Eucharistic bread, which ought to be our daily food.
-- Pope St. Pius X

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-10, 13-17(David and Bathsheba)
1 It happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.
2 It happened at evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look on.
3 David send and inquired after the woman. One said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

Thursday, January 26, 2012 {(Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
I know whom I have believed, and I am certain that I have committed to Him against that day, being a just Judge.
-- 2 Tim. i. 12

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
2 Timothy 1:1-8
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as did my fathers, when I remember you constantly in my prayers.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 {The Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle (Feast)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
An action of small value performed with much love of God is far more excellent than one of a higher virtue, done with less love of God.
-- St Francis de Sales

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Acts 22:3-16 or 9:1-22
Acts 22:3-16
(The Conversion of Saul to Paul)
3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day.
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5 As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 {St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Pride makes us forgetful of our eternal interests. It causes us to neglect totally the care of our soul.
-- St John Baptist de la Salle

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19
12 It was told king David, saying, Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertains to him, because of the ark of God. David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with joy.
13 It was so, that, when those who bore the ark of Yahweh had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14 David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

Monday, January 23, 2012

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The phrase "heart of Christ" can refer to Sacred Scripture, which makes known his heart, closed before the Passion, as the Scripture was obscure. But the Scripture has been opened since the Passion; since those who from then on have understood it, consider and discern in what way the prophecies must be interpreted.
-- St. Thomas Aquinas, Expositio in Psalmus

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10
(David Becomes King of Israel and Judah)
1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel: and Yahweh said to you, You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh: and they anointed David king over Israel.

Sunday, January 22, 2012 (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood Thy testimonies O Lord: I have seen and end of all perfection: Thy commandment is exceeding broad.
-- Psalm cxviii. 95-96

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
(Jonah Obeys the Lord)
1 The word of Yahweh came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.”
3 So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey across.