Saturday, January 21, 2012 {St. Agnes, Virgin, Martyr (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Oh how precious time is! Blessed are those who know how to make good use of it. Who can assure us that we will be alive tomorrow? Let us listen to the voice of our conscience, to the voice of the royal prophet: "Today if you hear God's voice, harden not your heart." Let us not put off for one moment to another what we "should" do, because the next moment is not yet ours!
-- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27
(David Learns of Saul's Death)
1 It happened after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2 it happened on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
3 David said to him, From whence come you? He said to him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4 David said to him, How went the matter? Please tell me. He answered, The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. 
11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men who were with him:
12 and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
19 Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How are the mighty fallen!
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, In their death they were not divided:
They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.
24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant have you been to me: Your love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women.
27 How are the mighty fallen, The weapons of war perished!
Psalms: Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us!
3 Turn us again, God. Cause your face to shine, And we will be saved.
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in large measure.
6 You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Turn us again, God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, And we will be saved.
Gospel: Mark 3:20-21
(Jesus and Beelzebul)
20 The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him: for they said, “He is insane.”