REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Let us understand that God is a physician, and that suffering is a medicine for salvation, not a punishment for damnation.
-- St Augustine
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
(Jerusalem's Sin and Redemption)
1 Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, the oppressing city!
2 She didn’t obey the voice. She didn’t receive correction. She didn’t trust in Yahweh. She didn’t draw near to her God.
9 For then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that they may all call on the name of Yahweh, to serve him shoulder to shoulder.
Showing posts with label Virgin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virgin. Show all posts
Monday, 9 January 2012
Monday, 12 December 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 {St. Lucy, Virgin, Martyr (Memorial)}
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Let us understand that God is a physician, and that suffering is a medicine for salvation, not a punishment for damnation.
-- St Augustine
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
(Jerusalem's Sin and Redemption)
1 Jerusalem is doomed, that corrupt, rebellious city that oppresses its own people.
2 It has not listened to the Lord or accepted his discipline. It has not put its trust in the Lord or asked for his help.
9 “Then I will change the people of the nations, and they will pray to me alone and not to other gods. They will all obey me.
Let us understand that God is a physician, and that suffering is a medicine for salvation, not a punishment for damnation.
-- St Augustine
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
(Jerusalem's Sin and Redemption)
1 Jerusalem is doomed, that corrupt, rebellious city that oppresses its own people.
2 It has not listened to the Lord or accepted his discipline. It has not put its trust in the Lord or asked for his help.
9 “Then I will change the people of the nations, and they will pray to me alone and not to other gods. They will all obey me.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 St. Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr (Memorial)}
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family.
-- St Angela Merici
Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family.
-- St Angela Merici
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Daniel 2:31-45
31 “Your Majesty, in your vision you saw standing before you a giant statue, bright and shining, and terrifying to look at.
32 Its head was made of the finest gold; its chest and arms were made of silver; its waist and hips of bronze,
33 its legs of iron, and its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011 {t. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)}
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
It is God's way to give much for little. Our Lord does not attend to how much we give, but to the generosity of our will, and for this very reason He makes much of a little.
-- St. John Chrysostom
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Romans 4:13, 16-18
(God's Promise Is Received through Faith)
13 When God promised Abraham and his descendants that the world would belong to him, he did so, not because Abraham obeyed the Law, but because he believed and was accepted as righteous by God.
16 And so the promise was based on faith, in order that the promise should be guaranteed as God's free gift to all of Abraham's descendants—not just to those who obey the Law, but also to those who believe as Abraham did. For Abraham is the spiritual father of us all:
17 as the scripture says, “I have made you father of many nations.” So the promise is good in the sight of God, in whom Abraham believed—the God who brings the dead to life and whose command brings into being what did not exist.
It is God's way to give much for little. Our Lord does not attend to how much we give, but to the generosity of our will, and for this very reason He makes much of a little.
-- St. John Chrysostom
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Romans 4:13, 16-18
(God's Promise Is Received through Faith)
13 When God promised Abraham and his descendants that the world would belong to him, he did so, not because Abraham obeyed the Law, but because he believed and was accepted as righteous by God.
16 And so the promise was based on faith, in order that the promise should be guaranteed as God's free gift to all of Abraham's descendants—not just to those who obey the Law, but also to those who believe as Abraham did. For Abraham is the spiritual father of us all:
17 as the scripture says, “I have made you father of many nations.” So the promise is good in the sight of God, in whom Abraham believed—the God who brings the dead to life and whose command brings into being what did not exist.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Saturday, October 01, 2011 {St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)}
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Think well. Speak well. Do well. These three things, through the mercy of God, will make a man go to Heaven.
-- St. Camillus de Lellis
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
(Comfort for Jerusalem)
5 Take courage, my people, you are the ones who keep Israel's name alive.
6 You were sold to Gentile nations, but not to be destroyed. Because you made God angry, he handed you over to your enemies.
7 When you offered sacrifices to demons instead of to God, you angered the one who made you.
Think well. Speak well. Do well. These three things, through the mercy of God, will make a man go to Heaven.
-- St. Camillus de Lellis
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
(Comfort for Jerusalem)
5 Take courage, my people, you are the ones who keep Israel's name alive.
6 You were sold to Gentile nations, but not to be destroyed. Because you made God angry, he handed you over to your enemies.
7 When you offered sacrifices to demons instead of to God, you angered the one who made you.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011 {St. Clare of Assisi, Virgin, Foundress of II Order (Feast)}
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22 or 2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18
16 I promise that from that day on, you will call me your husband instead of your master.
o 2.16 husband ... master: In Hebrew the word “master” is the same as the name of the god Baal. But the Lord promises that his people will have a deep personal relationship with him (like a devoted wife and husband) rather than merely a legal tie (like a wife and her “master”).
17 I will no longer even let you mention the names of those pagan gods that you called “Master.”
21 I will command the sky to send rain on the earth, 22 and it will produce grain, grapes, and olives in Jezreel Valley.
OR
2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18
6The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.
7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.
8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up.
9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.
10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us.
Faith in the Lord
16 We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day.
17 These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.
18 Things that are seen don't last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That's why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.
Psalms: Psalm 45:11-12, 14-16
11 Your beauty will make the king desire you;
he is your master, so you must obey him.
12 The people of Tyre will bring you gifts;
rich people will try to win your favor.
14 In her colorful gown she is led to the king,
followed by her bridesmaids,
and they also are brought to him.
15 With joy and gladness they come
and enter the king's palace.
16 You, my king, will have many sons
to succeed your ancestors as kings,
and you will make them rulers over the whole earth.
Gospel: John 15:4-10
4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.
6 Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. 8 My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.
9 I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love.
10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Even though I had committed but one little sin, I should have ample reason to repent of it all my life.
-- St Francis of Assisi
First Reading: Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22 or 2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18
16 I promise that from that day on, you will call me your husband instead of your master.
o 2.16 husband ... master: In Hebrew the word “master” is the same as the name of the god Baal. But the Lord promises that his people will have a deep personal relationship with him (like a devoted wife and husband) rather than merely a legal tie (like a wife and her “master”).
17 I will no longer even let you mention the names of those pagan gods that you called “Master.”
21 I will command the sky to send rain on the earth, 22 and it will produce grain, grapes, and olives in Jezreel Valley.
OR
2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18
6The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.
7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.
8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up.
9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.
10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us.
Faith in the Lord
16 We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day.
17 These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.
18 Things that are seen don't last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That's why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.
Psalms: Psalm 45:11-12, 14-16
11 Your beauty will make the king desire you;
he is your master, so you must obey him.
12 The people of Tyre will bring you gifts;
rich people will try to win your favor.
14 In her colorful gown she is led to the king,
followed by her bridesmaids,
and they also are brought to him.
15 With joy and gladness they come
and enter the king's palace.
16 You, my king, will have many sons
to succeed your ancestors as kings,
and you will make them rulers over the whole earth.
Gospel: John 15:4-10
4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.
6 Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. 8 My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.
9 I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love.
10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Even though I had committed but one little sin, I should have ample reason to repent of it all my life.
-- St Francis of Assisi
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Wednesday, July 06, 2011 {St. Maria Goretti, Virgin, Martyr (Optional Memorial)}
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24
55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do."
56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
5 Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; he it was who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came, and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
7 Joseph saw his brothers, and knew them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. "Where do you come from?" he said. They said, "From the land of Canaan, to buy food."
17 And he put them all together in prison for three days.
18 On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:
19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined in your prison, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households,
20 and bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so.
21 Then they said to one another, "In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us and we would not listen; therefore is this distress come upon us."
22 And Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you not to sin against the lad? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood."
23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them.
24 Then he turned away from them and wept; and he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
Psalms: Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19
2 Praise the LORD with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song, play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nought; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.
Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7
1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.
2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zeb'edee, and John his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,
6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
I have no greater desire to die than to live; if Our Lord gave me the choice I would choose nothing; I only will what He wills; It is what He does that I love.
-- St. Therese of Lisieux
First Reading: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24
55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do."
56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
5 Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; he it was who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came, and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
7 Joseph saw his brothers, and knew them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. "Where do you come from?" he said. They said, "From the land of Canaan, to buy food."
17 And he put them all together in prison for three days.
18 On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:
19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined in your prison, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households,
20 and bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so.
21 Then they said to one another, "In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us and we would not listen; therefore is this distress come upon us."
22 And Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you not to sin against the lad? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood."
23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them.
24 Then he turned away from them and wept; and he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
Psalms: Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19
2 Praise the LORD with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song, play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nought; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.
Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7
1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.
2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zeb'edee, and John his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,
6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
REFLECTION FOR TODAY
I have no greater desire to die than to live; if Our Lord gave me the choice I would choose nothing; I only will what He wills; It is what He does that I love.
-- St. Therese of Lisieux
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
