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From: James 1:1-11

Address and Greetings

[1] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in
the Dispersion: Greeting.

The Value of Suffering

[2] Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, [3] for you know
that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness
have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously
and without reproaching, and it will be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, with
no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed
by the wind. [7,8] For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man,
unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.

[9] Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, [10] and the rich in his humilia-
tion, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away. [11] For the sun
rises with its scorching heat and withers with the grass; its flower falls, and its
beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1. The author of the letter is St. James, who was in charge of the Christian com-
munity of Jerusalem for a number of years (cf. Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:19), a close
relative of our Lord....

James introduces himself as a “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. The
title of “servant of God” was given to people in the Old Testament who were out-
standingly faithful to the Lord (cf. Psalm 34:22), such as Moses, David, the pro-
phets; the title applies in a special way to the Messiah, the “Servant of Yahweh”
(cf. Isaiah 42-53). In the New Testament it is applied to all Christians, particularly
the Apostles (cf. Acts 4:29; 16-17; Revelation 1:1). At the start of their letters, St.
Peter, St. Paul and St. Jude sometimes describe themselves in this way to
make the point that they are mere messengers of divine truth.

The term “Lord”—’Kyrios’ in Greek—which is applied to Jesus Christ is used in the
second-century B.C. Septuagint Greek version of the Old Testament to translate
the name of Yahweh. St. Paul also uses it frequently. It is an explicit profession
of faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ, part of the Christian creed from the very be-
ginning.

The letter is addressed “to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion” or Diaspora. The
term “diaspora” originally meant Jews domiciled outside Palestine. Here it refers
to Christians—the twelve tribes of the new, true Israel—who were to be found all
over the Greco-Roman world. It is very likely that it refers particularly to Jewish
converts to Christianity.

The salutation used by James—which the New Vulgate translates as “health” and
the RSV gives as “greeting”—literally means “rejoice”. It was the customary form
of greeting in the Greek of the time. The same word is used in verse 2, perhaps
to make it quite clear what kind of joy he means.

2-12. In these opening verses, St. James points out how Christians should be-
have in the face of trials and sufferings: they should accept them with joy (verses
2-4); if they find it difficult to see why they are experiencing difficulties, they
should ask God to give them the necessary wisdom (verses 5-8); the poor and
well-to-do should have the same attitude to things (verses 9-11); finally, he re-
minds them that the reward God promises to those who endure trials is blessed-
ness (verse 12). The whole passage clearly reflects the Beatitudes of the Ser-
mon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 5:1-12).

The problem of the suffering experienced by the righteous in contrast with the
prosperity of the impious in this life is one often dealt with in the Old Testament,
particularly in the Psalms and in the Book of Job. But it was not fully and finally
solved until the coming of Jesus Christ, who by His teaching and His life re-
vealed the redemptive value of suffering, and the great reward which Heaven holds.
“It is through Christ and in Christ that light is thrown on the riddle of suffering and
death which, apart from His Gospel, overwhelms us” (Vatican II, “Gaudium Et
Spes”, 22).

Human suffering has a redemptive value when borne in union with Christ: “The
Gospel of suffering”, Bl. John Paul II says, “is being written unceasingly, and it
speaks unceasingly with the words of this strange paradox: the springs of divine
power gush forth precisely in the midst of human weakness. Those who share in
the sufferings of Christ preserve in their own sufferings a very special “particle of
the infinite treasure” of the world’s Redemption, and can share this treasure with
others” (”Salvifici Doloris”, 27).

2-4. The “trials” referred to here do not seem to be persecutions, but rather every-
day adversity — perhaps poverty especially (cf. 1:9; 2:5-7)—which tests the Chris-
tian’s faith: for this reason the word is sometimes translated as “temptations”.
These trials act as a test of perseverance in the pursuit of good and help the soul
to grow in patience, a much needed virtue: “There is nothing more pleasing to
God”, St. Alphonsus comments, “than to see a soul who patiently and serenely
bears whatever crosses it is sent; this is how love is made, by putting lover and
loved one on the same level [...]. A soul who loves Jesus Christ desires to be
treated the way Christ was treated—desires to be poor, despised and humiliated
(”The Love of Jesus Christ”, Chapter 5).

Patience, steadfastness, is quite different from mere passive endurance of suf-
fering; it comes from the virtue of fortitude and leads one to accept suffering as
something sent by God. It is grounded on hope (cf. Thessalonians 1:3) and on
faith put to the test (James 1:3); it is very fruitful (cf. Luke 8:15), particularly in
terms of Christian joy (cf. Acts 5:41), and implies sustained effort to the point
of perfection.

5-8. The wisdom St. James refers to views everything in the light of Christ cruci-
fied — the wisdom of the cross in the phrase of St. Paul (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18
ff), which is the only type of insight that enables one to be joyful in the midst of
adversity and suffering, because it allows one to see these things as an oppor-
tunity to share in our Lord’s suffering. When we find it difficult to view things in
this light, we need to ask God to give us wisdom.

Our prayer for wisdom should be a prayer full of faith: “Whatever you ask for in
prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:22). The “St. Pius V Ca-
techism” reminds us that “believe, we must, both in order to pray, and that we
be not wanting in that faith which renders prayer fruitful. For it is faith that leads
to prayer, and it is prayer that, by removing all doubts, gives strength and firm-
ness to faith. This is the meaning of the exhortation of St. Ignatius to those who
approach God in prayer: ‘Be not of doubtful mind in prayer; blessed is he who
had not doubted’ (”Ep. X Ad Heronem”). Therefore, to obtain from God what we
ask, faith and an assured confidence are of first importance, according to the
admonition of St. James: “Let him ask in faith, with no doubting” (James 1:6)”
(IV, 7, 3).

5. “Who gives to all men generously and without reproaching”: God always lis-
tens to our requests, and He answers them without humiliating us, without remin-
ding us of our unworthiness. This should help us address the Lord with complete
confidence, not being inhibited by our shortcomings and sins. “You are so con-
scious of your misery”, St. Escriva says, that you acknowledge yourself unwor-
thy to be heard by God. But, what about the merits of Mary? And the wounds of
your Lord? And...are you not a son of God? Besides, He listens to you ‘”quoniam
bonus..., quoniam in saeculum misericordia ejus”’: because He is good, because
His mercy endure forever’” (”The Way”, 93).

7-8. “A double-minded man”: an indecisive soul who is unsure whether to trust
in the efficacy of prayer or not. St. Bede comments: “A double-minded person is
one who kneels down to ask God for things and beseeches Him to grant them,
and yet feels so accused by his conscience that he distrusts his ability to pray.
A double-minded person is also one who, when he does good deeds, looks for
external approval rather than interior reward. The wise man is right when he says,
‘Woe to the sinner who walks along two ways!” (Sirach 2:12) [...]. People of this
type are inconstant in all their ways, for they are very easily overpowered by ad-
verse circumstance and entrapped by favorable ones, with the result that they
stray from the true path” (”Super Iac. Expositio, ad loc.”).

9-11. Apparently poverty was one of the hardest trials these Christians were ex-
periencing. The Semitic mind was fond of expressing itself in terms of contrasts,
and this may make it difficult for us to grasp the full thrust of St. James’ maxims:
to do so we need to draw on our general knowledge of Christian doctrine. God
and the Church have a predilection for the poor, and Christ describes the poor
as blessed (cf. Matthew 5:3 and paragraph): this teaching applies in the first in-
stance to those who experience material need, but material need is a symbol of
the truly poor, that is, those who, independently of whether they have many or
few material possessions, realize that they are in dire need of God (cf. note on
Luke 6:24). In principle, it may be easier for a materially poor person to feel in
need of God, whereas someone who is well off needs to be detached from pos-
sessions in order to trust fully in God.

The sacred writer does not require people who have possessions to give them up:
what they have to do is to realize that material possessions are transitory, imper-
manent things to be used in the service of others and of society, and not just for
oneself.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: Mark 8:11-13

The Leaven of the Pharisees

[11] The Pharisees came and began to argue with Him (Jesus), seeking from Him
a sign from Heaven, to test Him. [12] And He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given
to this generation.” [13] And He left them, and getting into the boat again He depa-
rted to the other side.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

11-12. Jesus expresses the deep sadness He feels at the hardheartedness of
the Pharisees: they remain blind and unbelieving despite the light shining around
them and the wonderful things Christ is doing. If someone rejects the miracles
God has offered him, it is useless for him to demand new signs, because he asks
for them not because he is sincerely seeking the truth but out of ill will: he is try-
ing to tempt God (cf. Luke 16:27-31). Requiring new miracles before one will be-
lieve, not accepting those already performed in the history of salvation, amounts
to asking God to account for Himself before a human tribunal (cf. Romans 2:1-11).
Unfortunately, many people do act like this. But God can only be found if we have
an open and humble attitude to Him. “I have no need of miracles: there are more
than enough for me in the Gospel. But I do need to see you fulfilling your duty
and responding to grace” (St J. Escriva, “The Way”, 362).

12. The generation to which Jesus refers does not include all the people of His
time, but only the Pharisees and their followers (cf. Mark 8:38; 9:19; Matthew
11:16), who do not want to see in Jesus’ miracles the sign and guarantee of His
messianic mission and dignity: they even attribute His miracles to Satan (Mat-
thew 12:28).

If they do not accept the signs offered to them, they will be given no other sign
of the spectacular kind they seek, for the Kingdom of God does not come noisily
(Luke 17:20-21) and even if it did they in their twisted way would manage to mis-
interpret the event (Luke 16:31). According to Matthew 12:38-42 and Luke 11:29-
32, they are offered yet another sign—the miracle of Jonah, the sign of the death
and resurrection of Christ; but not even this remarkable proof will lead the Phari-
sees to shed their pride.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Readings at Mass

First reading

James 1:1-11 ©

From James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes of the Dispersion.

My brothers, you will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; you understand that your faith is only put to the test to make you patient, but patience too is to have its practical results so that you will become fully-developed, complete, with nothing missing.

If there is any one of you who needs wisdom, he must ask God, who gives to all freely and ungrudgingly; it will be given to him. But he must ask with faith, and no trace of doubt, because a person who has doubts is like the waves thrown up in the sea when the wind drives. That sort of person, in two minds, wavering between going different ways, must not expect that the Lord will give him anything.

It is right for the poor brother to be proud of his high rank, and the rich one to be thankful that he has been humbled, because riches last no longer than the flowers in the grass; the scorching sun comes up, and the grass withers, the flower falls; what looked so beautiful now disappears. It is the same with the rich man: his business goes on; he himself perishes.

Psalm

Psalm 118:67-68,71-72,75-76 ©

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

Before I was afflicted I strayed

but now I keep your word.

You are good and your deeds are good;

teach me your statutes.

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

It was good for me to be afflicted,

to learn your statutes.

The law from your mouth means more to me

than silver and gold.

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

Lord, I know that your decrees are right,

that you afflicted me justly.

Let your love be ready to console me

by your promise to your servant.

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

Gospel Acclamation

Ps94:8

Alleluia, alleluia!

Harden not your hearts today,

but listen to the voice of the Lord.

Alleluia!

Or	Jn14:6

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;

No one can come to the Father except through me.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Mark 8:11-13 ©

The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him. And with a sigh that came straight from the heart he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.

Perpetual Novena for the Nation (Ecumenical)

Prayers for The Religion Forum (Ecumenical)

Jesus, High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

Pray the Rosary

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+

A Prayer for our Free Nation Under God
God Save Our Country web site (prayer warriors)
Prayer Chain Request for the United States of America
Pray for Nancy Pelosi
Prayer and fasting will help defeat health care reform (Freeper Prayer Thread)
Prayer Campaign Started to Convert Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians to Pro-Life
[Catholic Caucus] One Million Rosaries
Non-stop Rosary vigil to defeat ObamaCare

From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:

"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"

PLEASE JOIN US -

Evening Prayer
Someone has said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.
Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Please forward this to your praying friends.

February Devotion: The Holy Family

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of February has been primarily asociated with the Holy Family, probably due to the feast of Our Lord's presentation at the temple, celebrated on February 2. At the very outset of Christ's work on earth, God showed the world a family in which, as Pope Leo XIII teaches, "all men might behold a perfect model of domestic life, and of all virtue and holiness." The harmony, unity, and holiness which characterized this holy Family make it the model for all Christian families.

INVOCATION
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph most kind, Bless us now and in death's agony.

FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Roman Missal

CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, three times.

IN HONOR OF THE HOLY FAMILY
O God, heavenly Father, it was part of Thine eternal decree that Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, should form a holy family with Mary, His blessed mother, and His foster father, Saint Joseph. In Nazareth home life was sanctified, and a perfect example was given to every Christian family. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may fully comprehend and faithfully imitate the virtues of the Holy Family so that we may be united with them one day in their heavenly glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Holy Family Chaplet

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me in my last hour.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul
in peace with you.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Amen.

Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Mary's, and 3 Glory be's.

The Holy Family Icon by Nicholas Markell

PRAYER TO
THE HOLY FAMILY
=====================================================================================

GOD our Heavenly Father, You call all peoples to be united as one family in worshipping You as the one and true God. You willed that Your Son become man, giving Him a virgin mother and a foster father to form the Holy Family of Nazareth.

WE pray: may the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, image and model of every human family unit walk in the spirit of Nazareth and grow in the understanding of its particular mission in society and the Church. May our families be living cells of love, faithfulness and unity, thus reflecting God's covenant with humanity and Christ's redeeming love for His Church.

JESUS, Mary and Joseph protect our families from all evil; keep us, who are away from home, one in love with our dear ones.

The Holy Family

"The Holy Family with the infant St. John the Baptist ( the Doni tondo )" by Michelangelo c.1506, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence Parent's Prayer

Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man, and Son of Mary, I thank you for the gift of life you have entrusted to my care. Help me be a parent both tender and wise, both loving and forgiving.

Mary, Holy Mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and our Motherly Queen of Heaven, nourish our family with your heavenly grace. Help us to remain faithful to The Most Holy Trinity, in all our sorrows and joys.

Joseph, Earthly father to our Lord God, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

Holy Family of Nazareth, help our family to walk in your footsteps. May we be peace-loving and peace-giving.
Amen.

Imitating the Holy Family: Four Traits that Make It Possible
[Catholic Caucus] On the Holy Family [Angelus]
Biblical Teachings on Marriage and Family. A Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Recovering God’s Plan for Marriage and Family: A Sermon on the Feast of the Holy Family

“Why were you looking for me?" (On the Feast of The Holy Family)
U.S. Postal Service Issues Holy Family Forever Stamp
On Prayer in the Life of the Holy Family
The Holy Family - held together by Love through all their problems [Ecumenical]
Feast of the Holy Family: The Christian Family is a Domestic Church
Chesterton on "The Human Family and the Holy Family"
Joseph, Mary and Jesus: A Model Family
ADVICE TO PARENTS by Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
The Holy Family
St. Joseph as Head of the Holy Family (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)

Feast of the Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family (Dom Guéranger OSB)
The Feast of the Holy Family
The Holy Family vs. The Holy Innocents: A Christmas season reflection [Catholic Caucus]
Vatican creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop
The Redemption and Protection of the Family [Feast of the Holy Family]
Study Backs Tradition of Loreto House - Stones in Altar Match Those in Nazareth, It Says
Unraveling Jesus' mystery years in Egypt
Gaudi’s Church of the Holy Family to be ready for worship in 2008
Imitating the Holy Family; Four Traits that Make It Possible
Lots of Graphics: Post your favorite image of the St. Mary and Child, the Holy Family...

February 2014 Year A
Pope's Intentions:
Universal: That the Church and society may respect the wisdom and experience of older people.

For Evangelization: That priests, religious, and lay people may work together with generosity for evangelization.

Daily Gospel Commentary

Monday of the Sixth week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint [Padre] Pio de Pietrelcina (1887-1968), Capuchin
CE,57 ; Ep 3,400f.

"Why does this generation seek a sign? "

The greatest act of faith is that which rises to your lips in total darkness together with the sacrifices, sufferings and wholehearted efforts of a determined will to do good. This act of faith strikes through the darkness of your soul like lightening. In the midst of tempest it raises you up and leads you to God.

Living faith, unshakeable certainty, and an unwavering cleaving to the Lord's will: these are the light that illumines the steps of the People of God in the desert. It is this same light that shines at every moment in every soul pleasing to the Father. It is this light, too, that guided the Magi and caused them to worship the newborn Christ. It is the star that Balaam foretold (Nb 24,17), the torch guiding the steps of everyone who seeks God.

Even so, this light, star, torch are what enlighten your soul and direct your steps to keep you from stumbling. They are what strengthen your spirit in God's love. You don't see it, you don't understand it, but that isn't necessary. You will see only darkness, not, to be sure, that of the “sons of perdition”, but rather that which encompasses the everlasting Sun. Hold it as certain that this Sun is shining in your soul: about this the prophet of the Lord sang: “In your light we see light” (Ps 36[35],10).

Monday, February 17, 2014
Weekday

First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

James 1:1-11
Psalm 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76
Mark 8:11-13

It is necessary, too, that we shun the occasions which have been the cause of sin. We must have recourse to fervent prayer, receive frequently and worthily the sacraments. He who does this will be sure to persevere.

-- St John Vianney

Just A Minute (Listen)
Some of EWTN's most popular hosts and guests in a collection of one minute inspirational messages. A different message each time you click.

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Thanks for the daily readings. I started a new job, in the morning I go over the readings and soak them in, helps me get through the day.

I think that’s true for a lot of us.

The Seven Founders of the Order of Servites, religious

The Seven Founders
of the Order of Servites, religious
Optional Memorial
February 17th

Abbot L Jaud,
Life of the Saints for tous.les.jours of the year,
Turns, Mame, 1950.

Seven members of a Florentine Confraternity founded the Order of Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Servites lead a life of prayer and mortification, meditating constantly on the Passion of the Lord and venerating the Blessed Virgin as Our Lady of Sorrows.

Collect:
Impart to us, O Lord, in kindness
the filial devotion with which the holy brothers
venerated so devoutly the Mother of God
and led your people to yourself.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: Romans 8:26-30
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom He predestined He also called; and those whom He called He also justified; and those whom He justified He also glorified.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 19:27-29
Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed You. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.