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.

15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Psalms: Psalm 94:12-15, 18-19
12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, Yah, And teach out of your law;
13 That you may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For Yahweh won’t reject his people, Neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15 For judgment will return to righteousness. All the upright in heart shall follow it.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping!” Your loving kindness, Yahweh, held me up.
19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
Gospel: Mark 8:14-21
(The Yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod)
14 They forgot to take bread; and they didn’t have more than one loaf in the boat with them.
15 He charged them, saying, “Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”
16 They reasoned with one another, saying, “It’s because we have no bread.”
17 Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason that it’s because you have no bread? Don’t you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened?
18 Having eyes, don’t you see? Having ears, don’t you hear? Don’t you remember?
19 When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Twelve.”
20 “When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?”
They told him, “Seven.”
21 He asked them, “Don’t you understand, yet?”