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February 15, 2018February 15, 2018

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

“The Son of man must suffer many things[…]”

What must we do in life? As the old saying goes, “There are only three things you must do in life: be born, die, and pay taxes.” I don’t think anyone actually lives like that though. We all have hopes, desires, expectations, plans, responsibilities, schedules, etc. The most needful things are the ones we have or feel like we have control over and that affect our happiness. If something affects our happiness negatively – not just our feeling of joy or contentment – and we have no control over it we should probably reexamine why it seems so important. read more

February 14, 2018February 14, 2018

Ash Wednesday

Hide yourself today under the banner of ash that will cover your foolish head. Look into your soul to see if you have made space for your Maker. Have you not rather focused on your flesh and all that is passing away? Have you not nearly allowed the eternal spark He has place within you to be extinguished? Stand today to receive the mark of penance and multiply your unseen acts of prayer and fasting. Fan into flame the smoldering wick of your heart with acts of repentance and sorrow over a life spent so selfishly and pridefully. Will not God respond to your humility and contrition with an abundance of mercy and love? read more

February 13, 2018February 13, 2018

Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Contemplative prayer may seem like a lofty spirituality accessible only to an enlightened minority, but it is the only way we can truly respond to St. James’ exhortation to joy in the midst of trials. Contemplative prayer is no more complicated than breathing or gazing upon someone we love. Contemplative prayer is difficult only when we are unacquainted with obscurity and expect or prefer something obvious.

The Word of God, though extremely nourishing for our faith, still obliges us at some level to plunge into obscurity. The only obvious thing that can directly and immediately develop our faith is the suffering due to trials. We don’t need to go out looking for trials, they are already present in our daily lives: I can experience my life, my habits, my sins as a burden; I can also experience other people as a burden: responsibility, injustice, rudeness. read more

Daily Readings

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
by USCCB on December 26, 2024 at 9:30 am
Reading 1 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Stephen, filled with grace and power,was working great wonders and signs among the people.Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,and people from Cilicia and Asia,came forward and debated with Stephen,but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.When they heard this, they were infuriated,and they ground their teeth at him.But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,looked up intently to heavenand saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,and he said,"Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Manstanding at the right hand of God."But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,and rushed upon him together.They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.The witnesses laid down their cloaksat the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.Be my rock of refuge,a stronghold to give me safety.You are my rock and my fortress;for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.Into your hands I commend my spirit;you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.Let your face shine upon your servant;save me in your kindness.R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Alleluia Ps 118:26a, 27a R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD:the LORD is God and has given us light.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 10:17-22 Jesus said to his disciples:"Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courtsand scourge you in their synagogues,and you will be led before governors and kings for my sakeas a witness before them and the pagans.When they hand you over,do not worry about how you are to speakor what you are to say.You will be given at that moment what you are to say.For it will not be you who speakbut the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.Brother will hand over brother to death,and the father his child;children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.You will be hated by all because of my name,but whoever endures to the end will be saved." - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Thursday after Ash Wednesday

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Ash Wednesday

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Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

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