Jun 10 2008

God’s Gift of Life

The first International Eucharistic Congress was held in France in 1881. The 49th Congress will be held next week in Quebec City, Canada and will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of that city and the first Catholic diocese north of Mexico City. In his Mission Intention this month Pope Benedict has asked us to pray for the upcoming Congress. Let us do so today by reflecting on part of the Introduction to the “foundational theological document” which was issued to help the Church prepare for the Congress.

The central theme of the Congress, approved by Pope Benedict XVI, is “The Eucharist, God’s gift for the life of the world.” It is particularly important today to remember God’s gift, for, in the midst of remarkable technological progress, notably in the area of communication, our world experiences a deep interior emptiness that it perceives as an absence of God. Fascinated by its own creative capacities, contemporary humanity tends to forget its Creator and set itself up as the sole master of its own destiny. …

But today human beings are constantly pushing back the limits of our mastery over the transmission and end of life. Unchecked, this power over life and death, although technologically possible, threatens humanity itself. For, in the strong words of Pope John Paul II, a “culture of death” has taken over many secularized societies. The death of God in the culture leads almost inevitably to the death of human beings. We see this, not only in currents of nihilistic thought, but above all in the conflictual and broken relationships that are multiplying at all levels of human experience, disrupting marriage and the family, multiplying ethnic and social conflicts, and increasing the gulf between the rich and the huge majority who are the poor.

Today’s Readings:  1 Kings 17:7-16; Psalm 4:2-5,7b-8;  Matthew 5:13-16

1 Kings 17:7-16
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
7But after some time the torrent was dried up, for it had not rained upon the earth.
8Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying:
9Arise, and go to Sarephta of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed thee.
10He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11And when she was going to fetch it he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand.
12And she answered: As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse: behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13And Elias said to her: Fear not, but go, and do as thou hast said: but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me: and after make for thyself and thy son.
14For thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruse of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth.
15She went and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day
16The pot of meal wasted not, and the cruse of oil was not diminished, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.
Psalm 4:2-5,7
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
2When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
3O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
5Be angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
7The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.
Matthew 5:13-16
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
14You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
16So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

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May 12 2008

St. Nereus & St. Achilleus (1st Century)

These early Church martyrs were brothers and soldiers who, according to tradition, were baptized by St. Peter the Apostle. They gave their lives as Jesus and Peter did—in witness to the truth. May they intercede today for all Christians, that we will be courageous in standing for the truth of human dignity and in working against a culture that demeans the human person. Our reflection is from Pope Benedict’s 2008 Message for World Communications Day.

Man thirsts for truth, he seeks truth; this fact is illustrated by the attention and the success achieved by so many publications, programs or quality fiction in which the truth, beauty and greatness of the person, including the religious dimension of the person, are acknowledged and favorably presented. Jesus said: “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). The truth which makes us free is Christ, because only he can respond fully to the thirst for life and love that is present in the human heart. Those who have encountered him and have enthusiastically welcomed his message experience the irrepressible desire to share and communicate this truth. As Saint John writes, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life … we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:1-3).

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to raise up courageous communicators and authentic witnesses to the truth, faithful to Christ’s mandate and enthusiastic for the message of the faith, communicators who will “interpret modern cultural needs, committing themselves to approaching the communications age not as a time of alienation and confusion, but as a valuable time for the quest for the truth and for developing communion between persons and peoples” (John Paul II, Address to the Conference for those working in Communications and Culture, 9 November 2002).

Today’s Readings:  James 1:1-11Psalm 119:67-68,75-76Mark 8:11-13

1 Kings 17:7-16
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
7But after some time the torrent was dried up, for it had not rained upon the earth.
8Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying:
9Arise, and go to Sarephta of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed thee.
10He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11And when she was going to fetch it he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand.
12And she answered: As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse: behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13And Elias said to her: Fear not, but go, and do as thou hast said: but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me: and after make for thyself and thy son.
14For thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruse of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth.
15She went and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day
16The pot of meal wasted not, and the cruse of oil was not diminished, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.
Psalm 4:2-5,7
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
2When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
3O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
5Be angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
7The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.
Matthew 5:13-16
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
14You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
16So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
John 8:32
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
1 John 1:1-3
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life:
2For the life was manifested; and we have seen and do bear witness, and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us:
3That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship may be with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
James 1:1-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1James the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing.
5But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind.
7Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.
9But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:
10And the rich, in his being low; because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away.
11For the sun rose with a burning heat, and parched the grass, and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof perished: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Psalm 119:67-68,75-76
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
67Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.
68Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.
75I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.
76O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
Mark 8:11-13
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, asking him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
12And sighing deeply in spirit, he saith: Why doth this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, a sign shall not be given to this generation.
13And leaving them, he went up again into the ship, and passed to the other side of the water.

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May 06 2008

Children and the Media

In our General Intention we are praying with Pope Benedict that Christians may use literature, art, and mass media to create a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person. Our prayer is not only for those who create art and media but also for all of us who use them. We pray that our use of these things may not support a culture of death but a culture of life. Let us reflect today on part of Pope Benedict’s 2007 Message for World Communications Day—“Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education.”

Educating children to be discriminating in their use of the media is a responsibility of parents, Church, and school. The role of parents is of primary importance. They have a right and duty to ensure the prudent use of the media by training the conscience of their children to express sound and objective judgments which will then guide them in choosing or rejecting programs available. In doing so, parents should have the encouragement and assistance of schools and parishes in ensuring that this difficult, though satisfying, aspect of parenting is supported by the wider community.

Media education should be positive. Children exposed to what is aesthetically and morally excellent are helped to develop appreciation, prudence and the skills of discernment. Here it is important to recognize the fundamental value of parents’ example and the benefits of introducing young people to children’s classics in literature, to the fine arts and to uplifting music. While popular literature will always have its place in culture, the temptation to sensationalize should not be passively accepted in places of learning. Beauty, a kind of mirror of the divine, inspires and vivifies young hearts and minds, while ugliness and coarseness have a depressing impact on attitudes and behavior.

Today’s Readings:  Acts 20:17-27Psalm 68:10-11,20-21John 17:1-11a

1 Kings 17:7-16
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
7But after some time the torrent was dried up, for it had not rained upon the earth.
8Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying:
9Arise, and go to Sarephta of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed thee.
10He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11And when she was going to fetch it he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand.
12And she answered: As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse: behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13And Elias said to her: Fear not, but go, and do as thou hast said: but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me: and after make for thyself and thy son.
14For thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruse of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth.
15She went and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day
16The pot of meal wasted not, and the cruse of oil was not diminished, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.
Psalm 4:2-5,7
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
2When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
3O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
5Be angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
7The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.
Matthew 5:13-16
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
14You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
16So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
John 8:32
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
1 John 1:1-3
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life:
2For the life was manifested; and we have seen and do bear witness, and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us:
3That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship may be with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
James 1:1-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1James the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing.
5But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind.
7Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.
9But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:
10And the rich, in his being low; because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away.
11For the sun rose with a burning heat, and parched the grass, and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof perished: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Psalm 119:67-68,75-76
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
67Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.
68Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.
75I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.
76O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
Mark 8:11-13
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, asking him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
12And sighing deeply in spirit, he saith: Why doth this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, a sign shall not be given to this generation.
13And leaving them, he went up again into the ship, and passed to the other side of the water.
Acts 20:17-27
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
17And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church.
18And when they were come to him, and were together, he said to them: You know from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you, for all the time,
19Serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and temptations which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews;
20How I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22And now, behold, being bound in the spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there:
23Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.
24But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now behold, I know that all you, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26Wherefore I take you to witness this day, that I am clear from the blood of all men;
27For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Psalm 68:10-11,20-21
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
10Thou shalt set aside for thy inheritance a free rain, O God: and it was weakened, but thou hast made it perfect.
11In it shall thy animals dwell; in thy sweetness, O God, thou hast provided for the poor.
20Blessed be the Lord day by day: the God of our salvation will make our journey prosperous to us.
21Our God is the God of salvation: and of the Lord, of the Lord are the issues from death.
John 17:1-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1These things Jesus spoke, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said: Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee.
2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him.
3Now this is eternal life: That they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5And now glorify thou me, O Father, with thyself, with the glory which I had, before the world was, with thee.
6I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou hast given me out of the world. Thine they were, and to me thou gavest them; and they have kept thy word.
7Now they have known, that all things which thou hast given me, are from thee:
8Because the words which thou gavest me, I have given to them; and they have received them, and have known in very deed that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them whom thou hast given me: because they are thine:
10And all my things are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are.

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Apr 25 2008

St. Mark the Evangelist

Published by jrutchik under Missions, Pope, Pope Benedict XVI, Saint

The author of the Gospel that bears his name is identified with John Mark, whose mother Mary’s house was used as a meeting place by the early Church in Jerusalem (see Acts 12:12,25). His cousin was St. Barnabas and, when Sts. Paul and Barnabas went on a missionary journey, Mark accompanied them. But Mark left them and St. Paul’s loss of confidence in him led to a split with Barnabas. Even in the early Church there were conflicts and hard feelings. In time they were reconciled and Mark helped Paul when he was in prison in Rome (Colossians 4:10). It was while Mark was in Rome that he got to know St. Peter (1 Peter 5:13) from whom he acquired the material he used to write his Gospel. As we continue our prayer with a focus on this month’s Mission Intention, let us pray that future priests may develop a deep love for Scripture. By meeting the Lord Jesus present in the Scriptures may they grow closer to him and be filled with a desire to share the Good News of Jesus with everyone they meet and serve.

In October the Synod of Bishops will meet to discuss the importance of the Scriptures. Our reflection today is from Pope Benedict’s January 21, 2008 address to the committee that is preparing for that Synod.

The next General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will reflect on “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church”. Among the Ecclesial Community’s many and great duties in today’s world, I emphasize evangelization and ecumenism. They are centered on the Word of God and at the same time are justified and sustained by it. As the Church’s missionary activity with its evangelizing work is inspired and aims at the merciful revelation of the Lord, ecumenical dialogue cannot base itself on words of human wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:13) or on neat, expedient strategies, but must be animated solely by constant reference to the original Word that God consigned to his Church so that it be read, interpreted and lived in communion with her. In this area, St Paul’s doctrine reveals a very special power, obviously founded on divine revelation but also on his own apostolic experience, which confirmed anew the awareness that not wisdom and human eloquence, but only the power of the Holy Spirit builds the Church in the faith (1 Corinthians 1:22-24; 2:4f).

Today’s Readings:  1 Peter 5:5b-14;  Psalm 89:2-3,16-17Mark 16:15-20

1 Kings 17:7-16
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
7But after some time the torrent was dried up, for it had not rained upon the earth.
8Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying:
9Arise, and go to Sarephta of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed thee.
10He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11And when she was going to fetch it he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand.
12And she answered: As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse: behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13And Elias said to her: Fear not, but go, and do as thou hast said: but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me: and after make for thyself and thy son.
14For thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruse of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth.
15She went and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day
16The pot of meal wasted not, and the cruse of oil was not diminished, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.
Psalm 4:2-5,7
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
2When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
3O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
5Be angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
7The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.
Matthew 5:13-16
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
14You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
16So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
John 8:32
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
1 John 1:1-3
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life:
2For the life was manifested; and we have seen and do bear witness, and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us:
3That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship may be with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
James 1:1-11
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1James the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing.
5But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind.
7Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.
9But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:
10And the rich, in his being low; because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away.
11For the sun rose with a burning heat, and parched the grass, and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof perished: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Psalm 119:67-68,75-76
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
67Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.
68Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.
75I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.
76O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
Mark 8:11-13
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, asking him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
12And sighing deeply in spirit, he saith: Why doth this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, a sign shall not be given to this generation.
13And leaving them, he went up again into the ship, and passed to the other side of the water.
Acts 20:17-27
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
17And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church.
18And when they were come to him, and were together, he said to them: You know from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you, for all the time,
19Serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and temptations which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews;
20How I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22And now, behold, being bound in the spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there:
23Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.
24But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now behold, I know that all you, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26Wherefore I take you to witness this day, that I am clear from the blood of all men;
27For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Psalm 68:10-11,20-21
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10Thou shalt set aside for thy inheritance a free rain, O God: and it was weakened, but thou hast made it perfect.
11In it shall thy animals dwell; in thy sweetness, O God, thou hast provided for the poor.
20Blessed be the Lord day by day: the God of our salvation will make our journey prosperous to us.
21Our God is the God of salvation: and of the Lord, of the Lord are the issues from death.
John 17:1-11
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1These things Jesus spoke, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said: Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee.
2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him.
3Now this is eternal life: That they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5And now glorify thou me, O Father, with thyself, with the glory which I had, before the world was, with thee.
6I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou hast given me out of the world. Thine they were, and to me thou gavest them; and they have kept thy word.
7Now they have known, that all things which thou hast given me, are from thee:
8Because the words which thou gavest me, I have given to them; and they have received them, and have known in very deed that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them whom thou hast given me: because they are thine:
10And all my things are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are.
Acts 12:12,25
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12And considering, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.
25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark.
Colossians 4:10
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10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin german of Barnabus, touching whom you have received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him:
1 Peter 5:13
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13The church that is in Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you: and so doth my son Mark.
1 Corinthians 2:13
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13Which things also we speak, not in the learned words of human wisdom; but in the doctrine of the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24; 2:4
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122For both the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:
24But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
24And my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but in shewing of the Spirit and power;
1 Peter 5:5
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5In like manner, ye young men, be subject to the ancients. And do you all insinuate humility one to another, for God resisteth the proud, but to the humble he giveth grace.
Psalm 89:2-3,16-17
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2The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation.
3For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: thy truth shall be prepared in them.
16Blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation. They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance:
17And in thy name they shall rejoice all the day, and in thy justice they shall be exalted.
Mark 16:15-20
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15And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned.
17And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues.
18They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.
19And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God.
20But they going forth preached every where: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

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Apr 24 2008

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1578-1622)

Published by jrutchik under Jesus, Pope, Pope John Paul II, Saint

St. Fidelis, a name which means “Faithful”, was born in what is now Germany and became known as “the poor man’s lawyer” because he generously gave his time to defend the rights of the poor who could not afford the services of a lawyer. In 1612 he left this profession and became a Capuchin Franciscan. In 1622 the Pope created a special office in the Vatican to coordinate the Church’s missionary activities around the world—the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. St. Fidelis was placed in charge of the Capuchin mission in Switzerland and he was so successful in bringing back Catholics who had left the Church during the Protestant Reformation that he was martyred, making him the Proto-martyr of the Propagation of the Faith. We ask this faithful witness to intercede with us for future priests: may they be courageous and faithful in bringing the Catholic faith to their people. Our reflection is from Pope John Paul’s Apostolic Exhortation, “Shepherds After My Own Heart,” on the Formation of Priests, #46.

There are spiritual and religious values present in today’s culture, and man, notwithstanding appearances to the contrary, cannot help but hunger and thirst for God. However, the Christian religion is often regarded as just one religion among many or reduced to nothing more than a social ethic at the service of man. As a result, its amazing novelty in human history is quite often not apparent. It is a “mystery,” the event of the coming of the Son of God who becomes man and gives to those who welcome him the “power to become children of God” (John 1:12). It is the proclamation, nay the gift, of a personal covenant of love and life between God and human beings. Only if future priests, through a suitable spiritual formation, have become deeply aware and have increasingly experienced this “mystery” will they be able to communicate this amazing and blessed message to others (1 John 1:1-4).The [Second Vatican] Council…, while taking account of the absolute transcendence of the Christian mystery, describes the communion of future priests with Jesus in terms of friendship. And indeed it is not an absurdity for a person to aim at this, for it is the priceless gift of Christ, who said to his apostles, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).Today’s Readings:  Acts 15:7-21Psalm 96:1-3,10John 15:9-11

1 Kings 17:7-16
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7But after some time the torrent was dried up, for it had not rained upon the earth.
8Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying:
9Arise, and go to Sarephta of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed thee.
10He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11And when she was going to fetch it he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand.
12And she answered: As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse: behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13And Elias said to her: Fear not, but go, and do as thou hast said: but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me: and after make for thyself and thy son.
14For thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruse of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth.
15She went and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day
16The pot of meal wasted not, and the cruse of oil was not diminished, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.
Psalm 4:2-5,7
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2When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
3O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
5Be angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
7The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.
Matthew 5:13-16
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13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
14You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
16So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
John 8:32
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32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
1 John 1:1-3
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1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life:
2For the life was manifested; and we have seen and do bear witness, and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us:
3That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship may be with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
James 1:1-11
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1James the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing.
5But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind.
7Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.
9But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:
10And the rich, in his being low; because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away.
11For the sun rose with a burning heat, and parched the grass, and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof perished: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.