Wednesday, October 12, 2011 {St. Seraphin of Montegranaro, Religious (Memorial)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If you commit any sin, repent of it at once and resolve to amend. If it is a grievous sin, confess it as soon as possible.
-- St. Alphonsus Liguori

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Romans 2:1-11
1     Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.
2     We know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who do such things.
3     Do you suppose, O man, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God?

Thursday, May 19, 2011 {St. Crispin of Viterbo, Religious (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 13:13-25
13     Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphyl'ia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem;
14     but they passed on from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisid'ia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.
15     After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."
16     So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: "Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen.
17     The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
18     And for about forty years he bore with them in the wilderness.
19     And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years.
20     And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
21     Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22     And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; of whom he testified and said, `I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'
23     Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
24     Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25     And as John was finishing his course, he said, `What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

Psalms: Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27
2     For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.
3     Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:
21     so that my hand shall ever abide with him, my arm also shall strengthen him.
22     The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.
25     I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
27     And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth.

Gospel: John 13:16-20
16     Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
17     If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
18     I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'
19     I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
20     Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me."

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Let us relieve the poverty of those that beg of us and let us not be over-exact about it.

-- St. John Chrysostom

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 {St. Paschal Baylon, OFM, Religious (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 11:19-26
19     Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoeni'cia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews.
20     But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyre'ne, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21     And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord.
22     News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23     When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose;
24     for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord.
25     So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul;
26     and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

Psalms: Psalm 87:1-7
1     On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2     the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3     Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. [Selah]
4     Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia -- "This one was born there," they say.
5     And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her.
6     The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." [Selah]
7     Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."

Gospel: John 10:22-30   
22     It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem;
23     it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
24     So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25     Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me;
26     but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.
27     My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;
28     and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
29     My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
30     I and the Father are one."

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
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

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 {St. Ignatius of Laconi, Religious (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 8:1-8
1     And Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Sama'ria, except the apostles.
2     Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
3     But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
4     Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
5     Philip went down to a city of Sama'ria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6     And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did.
7     For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
8     So there was much joy in that city.

Psalms: Psalm 66:1-7
1     Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
2     sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!
3     Say to God, "How terrible are thy deeds! So great is thy power that thy enemies cringe before thee.
4     All the earth worships thee; they sing praises to thee, sing praises to thy name." [Selah]
5     Come and see what God has done: he is terrible in his deeds among men.
6     He turned the sea into dry land; men passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him,
7     who rules by his might for ever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations -- let not the rebellious exalt themselves. [Selah]

Gospel: John 6:35-40
35     Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.
36     But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.
37     All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.
38     For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me;
39     and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day.
40     For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
Those who trust in themselves are worse than the devil!!

-- St. John of the Cross