Monday, November 21, 2011 {The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
O God, who in the heart of Thy Son, wounded by our transgressions, dost mercifully vouchsafe to bestow upon us the infinite wealth of your love; grant, we beseech Thee, that revering it with meet devotion, we may make a worthy reparation for our sins.
-- Collect, Feast of the Sacred Heart - 1945 Missal

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20
(THE STORY OF DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS-The Young Men at Nebuchadnezzar's Court)
1 In the third year that Jehoiakim was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia attacked Jerusalem and surrounded the city.
2 The Lord let him capture King Jehoiakim and seize some of the Temple treasures. He took some prisoners back with him to the temple of his gods in Babylon, and put the captured treasures in the temple storerooms.
3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief official, to select from among the Israelite exiles some young men of the royal family and of the noble families.

Thursday, November 10, 2011 {St. Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
When our hands have touched spices, they give fragrance to all they handle. Let us make our prayers pass through the hands of the Blessed Virgin. She will make them fragrant.
-- St. John Vianney

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Wisdom 7:22 -- 8:1
(The Nature of Wisdom)
22 because Wisdom, who gave shape to everything that exists, was my teacher. The spirit of Wisdom is intelligent and holy. It is of one nature but reveals itself in many ways. It is not made of any material substance, and it moves about freely. It is clear, clean, and confident; it cannot be harmed.  It loves what is good. It is sharp and unconquerable,
23 kind, and a friend of humanity. It is dependable and sure, and has no worries. It has power over everything, and sees everything. It penetrates every spirit that is intelligent and pure, no matter how delicate its substance may be.
24 Wisdom moves more easily than motion itself;

Wednesday, November 02, 2011 {The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The devil will try to upset you by accusing you of being unworthy of the blessings that you have received. Simply remain cheerful and do your best to ignore the devil's nagging. If need be even laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Satan, the epitome of sin itself, accuses you of unworthiness! When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!
-- St. Theresa of Avila

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Wisdom 3:1-9
(The Destiny of the Righteous)
1 But righteous people are protected by God and will never suffer torment.
2 It is a foolish mistake to think that righteous people die and that their death is a terrible evil.
3 They leave us, but it is not a disaster. In fact, the righteous are at peace.