Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 01-14-15

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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.

Information: St. Sava

Feast Day: January 14

Born: 1175

Died: January 14, 1235, Tarnovgrad, Bulgariaa

Major Shrine: Temple of Saint Sava (Belgrade)

Patron of: Serbia

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Macrina

Feast Day: January 14
Died:(around) 340

St. Macrina, was the grandmother of St. Basil the Great. She helped raise St. Basil and was one of his favourite people. As an adult, he praised his grandmother for all the good she had done for him. He especially thanked her openly for having taught him to love the Christian faith from the time he was very small.

Macrina and her husband paid a high price for being true to their Christian beliefs. During the Roman persecutions of Galerius and Maximinus, Basil's grandparents were forced to go into hiding. They found shelter in the forest at Pontus near their home and somehow managed to escape the Roman soldiers who were looking for them.

They were always hungry, almost starving and afraid, but they would not give up their faith. Instead, they patiently waited and prayed for the persecution to end. They hunted for food and ate the wild vegetation and somehow managed to live like this for seven years.

During another persecution, Macrina and her husband had all their property and belongings taken from them. They were left with nothing but their faith and trust in God's care for them. St. Macrina died around 340.

St. Macrina survived her husband but the exact year of each of their deaths is not recorded. It is believed that Macrina died around 340. Her grandchild, Basil, died in 379.

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Wednesday, January 14

Liturgical Color: Green

Today the Church remembers Bl. Peter
Donders. Ordained a priest, he traveled
to Batvia in 1856, to work in a leper
colony. Peter was a constant irritant to
authorities as he fought for better
conditions for the lepers, but always
got what he wanted.

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 1
29.	And immediately going out of the synagogue they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.	Et protinus egredientes de synagoga, venerunt in domum Simonis et Andreæ, cum Jacobo et Joanne.	και ευθεως εκ της συναγωγης εξελθοντες ηλθον εις την οικιαν σιμωνος και ανδρεου μετα ιακωβου και ιωαννου
30.	And Simon's wife's mother lay in a fit of a fever: and forthwith they tell him of her.	Decumbebat autem socrus Simonis febricitans : et statim dicunt ei de illa.	η δε πενθερα σιμωνος κατεκειτο πυρεσσουσα και ευθεως λεγουσιν αυτω περι αυτης
31.	And coming to her, he lifted her up, taking her by the hand; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.	Et accedens elevavit eam, apprehensa manu ejus : et continuo dimisit eam febris, et ministrabat eis.	και προσελθων ηγειρεν αυτην κρατησας της χειρος αυτης και αφηκεν αυτην ο πυρετος ευθεως και διηκονει αυτοις
32.	And when it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all that were ill and that were possessed with devils.	Vespere autem facto cum occidisset sol, afferebant ad eum omnes male habentes, et dæmonia habentes :	οψιας δε γενομενης οτε εδυ ο ηλιος εφερον προς αυτον παντας τους κακως εχοντας και τους δαιμονιζομενους
33.	And all the city was gathered together at the door.	et erat omnis civitas congregata ad januam.	και η πολις ολη επισυνηγμενη ην προς την θυραν
34.	And he healed many that were troubled with divers diseases; and he cast out many devils, and he suffered them not to speak, because they knew him.	Et curavit multos, qui vexabantur variis languoribus, et dæmonia multa ejiciebat, et non sinebat ea loqui, quoniam sciebant eum.	και εθεραπευσεν πολλους κακως εχοντας ποικιλαις νοσοις και δαιμονια πολλα εξεβαλεν και ουκ ηφιεν λαλειν τα δαιμονια οτι ηδεισαν αυτον
35.	And rising very early, going out, he went into a desert place: and there he prayed.	Et diluculo valde surgens, egressus abiit in desertum locum, ibique orabat.	και πρωι εννυχον λιαν αναστας εξηλθεν και απηλθεν εις ερημον τοπον κακει προσηυχετο
36.	And Simon, and they that were with him, followed after him.	Et prosecutus est eum Simon, et qui cum illo erant.	και κατεδιωξαν αυτον ο σιμων και οι μετ αυτου
37.	And when they had found him, they said to him: All seek for thee.	Et cum invenissent eum, dixerunt ei : Quia omnes quærunt te.	και ευροντες αυτον λεγουσιν αυτω οτι παντες σε ζητουσιν
38.	And he saith to them: Let us go into the neighbouring towns and cities, that I may preach there also; for to this purpose am I come.	Et ait illis : Eamus in proximos vicos, et civitates, ut et ibi prædicem : ad hoc enim veni.	και λεγει αυτοις αγωμεν εις τας εχομενας κωμοπολεις ινα και εκει κηρυξω εις τουτο γαρ εξεληλυθα
39.	And he was preaching in their synagogues, and in all Galilee, and casting out devils.	Et erat prædicans in synagogis eorum, et in omni Galilæa, et dæmonia ejiciens.	και ην κηρυσσων εν ταις συναγωγαις αυτων εις ολην την γαλιλαιαν και τα δαιμονια εκβαλλων

29. And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and immediately they tell him of her.
31. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them.

BEDE; First, it was right that the serpent's tongue should be shut up, that it might not spread any more venom; then that the woman, who was first seduced, should he healed from the fever of carnal concupiscence. Wherefore it is said, And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, &c.

THEOPHYL. He retired then as the custom was on the sabbath-day about evening to eat in His disciples' house. But she who ought to have ministered was prevented by a fever. Wherefore it goes on, But Simon's wife's mother was lying sick with a fever.

PSEUD-CHRYS. But the disciples, knowing that they were to receive a benefit by that means, without waiting for the evening prayed that Peter's mother should be healed. Wherefore there follows, who immediately tell him of her.

BEDE; But in the Gospel of Luke it is written, that they besought him for her. For the Savior sometimes after being asked, sometimes of His own accord, heals the sick, showing that he always assents to the prayers of the faithful, when they pray also against had passions, and sometimes gives them to understand things which they do not understand at all, or else, when they pray unto Him dutifully, forgives their want of understanding; as the Psalmist begs of God, Cleanse me, O Lord, from my secret faults.

Wherefore He heals her at their request; for there follow, And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up.

THEOPHYL. By this it is signified, that God will heal a sick man, if he ministers to the Saints, through love to Christ.

BEDE; But in that He gives most profusely His gifts of healing and doctrine on the sabbath day, He teaches, that He is not under the Law, but above the Law, and does not choose the Jewish sabbath, but the true sabbath, and our rest is pleasing to the Lord, if, in order to attend to the health of our souls, we abstain from slavish work, that is, from all unlawful things. It goes on, and immediately the fever left her, &c. The health which is conferred at the command of the Lord, returns at once entire, accompanied with such strength, that she is able to minister to those, of whose help she had before stood in need. Again, if we suppose that the man delivered from the devil means, in the moral way of interpretation, the soul purged from unclean thoughts, fitly does the woman cured of a fever by the command of God mean the flesh, restrained from the heat of its concupiscence by die precepts of continence.

PSEUDO-JEROME; For the fever means intemperance, from which, we the sons of the synagogue, by the hand of discipline, and by the lifting up of our desires, are healed, and minister to the will of Him who heals us.

THEOPHYL. But he has a fever who is angry, and in the unruliness of his anger stretches forth his hands to do hurt; but if reason restrains his hands, he will arise, and so serve reason.

32. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33. And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

THEOPHYL. Because the multitude thought that it was not lawful to heal on the sabbath day, they waited for the evening, to bring those who were to be healed to Jesus. Wherefore it is said, And at even, when the sun had set. There follows, and he healed many that were vexed with divers diseases.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Now in that he says many, all are to be understood according to the Scripture mode of expression.

THEOPHYL. Or he says many, because there were some faithless persons, who could not at all be cured on account of their unfaithfulness. Therefore He healed many of those who were brought, that is, all who had faith. It goes on, and cast out many devils.

PSEUDO-AUG. For the devils knew that He was the Christ, who had been promised by the Law: for they saw in Him all the signs, which had been foretold by the Prophets; but they were ignorant of His divinity, as also were their princes, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

BEDE; For, Him whom the devil had known as a man, wearied by His forty days' fast, without being able by tempting Him to prove whether He was the Son of God, he now by the power of His miracles understood or rather suspected to be the Son of God. The reason therefore why he persuaded the Jews to crucify Him, was not because he did not think that He was the Son of God, but because he did not foresee that he himself was to be condemned by Christ's death.

THEOPHYL. Furthermore, the reason that He forbade the devils to speak, was to teach us not to believe them, even if they say true. For if once they find persons to believe them, they mingle truth with falsehood.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. And Luke does not contradict this, when he says, that devils came out of many, crying out, and saying, You are Christ the Son of God: for he subjoins, And he rebuking them, suffered them not to speak; for Mark, who passes over many things for the sake of brevity, speaks about what happened subsequently to the above-mentioned words.

BEDE; Again, in a mystical sense, the setting of the sun signifies the passion of Him, who said, As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. And when the sun was going down, more demoniacs and sick persons were healed than before: because He who living in the flesh for a time taught a few Jews, has transmitted the gifts of faith and health to all the Gentiles throughout the world.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But the door of the kingdom, morally, is repentance and faith, which works health for various diseases; for divers are the vices, with which the city of this world is sick.

35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
38. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
39. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

THEOPHYL. After that the Lord had cured the sick, He retired apart. Wherefore it is said, And rising very early in the morning, he went out and departed into a desert place. By which He taught us not to do any thing for the sake of appearance, but if we do any good, not to publish it openly. He goes on, and there prayed.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Not that He required prayer; for it was He who Himself received the prayers of men; but He did this by way of an economy, and became to us the model of good works.

THEOPHYL. For He shows to us that we ought to attribute to God whatever we do well, and to say to Him, Every good gift comes down from above, from Thee. He continues: And Simon followed him, and they that were with him.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Luke however says, that crowds came to Christ, and spoke what Mark here relates that the Apostles said, adding, And when they came to him, they said to him, All seek you. But they do not contradict each other; for Christ received after the Apostles the multitude, breathlessly anxious to embrace His feet. He received them willingly, but chose to dismiss them, that the rest also might be partakers of His doctrine, as He was not to remain long in the world.

And therefore there follows: And he said, Let us go into the neighboring villages and towns, that there also I may preach.

THEOPHYL. For He passes on to them as being more in need, since it was not right to shut up doctrine in one place, but to throw out his rays every where. It goes on: For therefore am I come.

PSEUD-CHRYS. In which word, He manifests the mystery of His emptying himself, that is, of His incarnation, and the sovereignty of His divine nature, in that He here asserts, that He came willingly into the world. Luke however says, To this end was I sent, proclaiming the Dispensation, and the good pleasure of God the Father concerning the incarnation of the Son.

There follows: And he continued preaching in their synagogues, in all Galilee.

AUG. But by this preaching, which, he says, He continued in all Galilee, is also meant the sermon of the Lord delivered on the mount, which Matthew mentions, and Mark has entirely passed over, without giving any thing like it, save that he has repeated some sentences not in continuous order, but in scattered places, spoken by the Lord at other times.

THEOPHYL. He also mingled action with teaching, for whilst employed in preaching, He afterwards put to flight devils. For there follows: And casting out devils. For unless Christ showed forth miracles, His teaching would not be believed; so do thou also, after teaching, work, that your word be not fruitless in thyself.

BEDE; Again mystically if by the setting of the sun, the death of the Savior is intended, why should not His resurrection be intended by the returning dawn? For by its clear light, He went far into the wilderness of the Gentiles, and there continued praying in the person of His faithful disciples, for He aroused their hearts by the grace of the Holy Spirit to the virtue of prayer.

Catena Aurea Mark 1

The cure of the possessed

The Four Gospels, late 13c.

Jesus heals the ill

Gabriel Cornelius Ritter von Max (1840–1915)

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for:January 14, 2015
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. 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.

RECIPES

o Spiedino Romano

ACTIVITIES

o Practical Suggestions for Christian Living (Confirmation)

PRAYERS

o Little Litany of the Holy Souls

· Ordinary Time: January 14th

· Wednesday of the First Week of Ordinary Time

Old Calendar: St. Hilary, bishop and doctor; St. Felix of Nola, priest and martyr

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Felix who lived in the third century. He was a priest and suffered greatly in the Decian persecution. The tomb of St. Felix at Nola, a small town in the south of Italy, was a much frequented place of pilgrimage in Christian antiquity, and in the Middle Ages veneration of him spread throughout the west. Along with St. Hilary his feast is celebrated today on the Extraordinary Form Calendar. St. Hilary's feast is now celebrated on January 13 in the Ordinary Form Calendar.

St. Felix
In one of the early persecutions the priest Felix was first tortured on the rack, then thrown into a dungeon. While lying chained on broken glass, an angel appeared, loosed his bonds, and led him out to freedom. Later, when the persecution had subsided, he converted many to the Christian faith by his preaching and holy example. However, when he resumed his denunciation of pagan gods and false worship, he was again singled out for arrest and torture; this time he escaped by hiding in a secret recess between two adjacent walls. No sooner had he disappeared into the nook than a thick veil of cobwebs formed over the entrance so that no one suspected he was there. Three months later he died in peace (260), and is therefore a martyr only in the wider sense of the word.

St. Paulinus of Nola (see June 22), who cherished a special devotion toward St. Felix, composed fourteen hymns (carmina natalicia) in his honor. In his day (fifth century) the saint's tomb was visited by pilgrims from far and wide and was noted for its miraculous cures.

— The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patron: Against eye disease; against eye trouble; against false witness; against lies; against perjury; domestic animals; eyes.

Symbols: Cobweb; deacon in prison; spiderweb; young priest carrying an old man (Maximus) on his shoulders; young priest chained in prison with a pitcher and potsherds near him; young priest with a bunch of grapes (symbolizes his care of the aged Maximus); young priest with a spider; young priest with an angel removing his chains.

Things to Do:

Let us be convinced that if we strive and struggle in God's behalf, we may also rely on His special protection. God shields you from your enemies, even, if need be, by a spider's web. Spend some time recalling occasions when you were protected in an unusual way from harm.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 1:29-39

Mark 1:29-39

The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases. (Mark 1:33-34)

Can you imagine everyone in your town arriving at your doorstep? It would take a monumental event or person to bring such a crowd. This is exactly what happened to Jesus—and probably quite often. People came to him with all of their problems and needs, begging him for help. And as today’s Gospel reading tells us, he cured many, many people.

On one level, it’s true that all these people were healed because they sought the Lord on their own. It makes sense: word spread about him, and crowds began gathering around him. But it’s just as important to recognize that none of these blessings would have taken place if Jesus hadn’t come to earth in the first place. If he had not left his heavenly home and taken on our human flesh, there would be no one to run after!

Every now and then, it’s a good idea to step back from our pursuit of the Lord to get a big picture. Instead of thinking about what God wants of us, instead of questioning whether we are being faithful enough, instead of wondering if we’re missing out on something we should be doing—instead of all of these, let’s think about how relentlessly Jesus is pursuing us.

For instance, it wasn’t enough for him to remain in heaven and hope that we would turn back to him. It wasn’t enough for him to send us his word through the prophets. It wasn’t even enough for him to take on human flesh so that he could show us the way back to his Father. No, he pursued us to the very gates of hell. He rescued us from the clutches of the enemy—and it cost him his life!

This is your Savior. His love for you knows no bounds. He has already done so much in order to come to you. All he’s asking is that you take the final steps toward him. So don’t hesitate. Run to him, and you’ll find every grace and blessing you could ever need.

“Lord, thank you for loving me before I even knew you! Thank you for running after me with so much love. I turn to you now with a heart ready to receive your mercy and grace.”

Psalm 105:1-4,6-9
Hebrews 2:14-18

Regnum Christi

Jesus at Prayer

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

January 14, 2015. Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Mark 1:29-39

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon´s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed and Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for this time we will spend together. I wish to step away from the world and all its activities to be alone with you now. You are my beginning and my end: you created me, and you are leading me home to you in heaven. Thank you for your love. I know I deserve nothing from you and that my sins compound my unworthiness, yet you would still enfold me in your unfathomable love.

Petition: Lord, increase my love for prayer and the interior life.

1. A Man for Others: Here is Jesus in action. He works tirelessly from morning to night. He never thinks of himself. He never says he’s too tired or too busy to serve someone or to give others part of his time. He is there for everyone, and he keeps pushing himself to do more and more. He loves, and his love compels him to give himself to everyone around him without counting the cost. The whole city gathers to see him, and he opens his heart to all. He teaches. He heals the sick. He casts out demons. He is a man for others.

2. A Man of Prayer: After a full day of work, Jesus rested for just a little while, and then he rose early for prayer. There was a balance between his apostolic work and his life of prayer. Jesus wasn’t too busy to seek the solitude necessary to speak heart-to-heart with his Father. He found strength in prayer. He strengthened his resolve to follow his Father’s plan in prayer. He was absorbed in prayer for so long that the others began to go in search of him. Prayer wasn’t just a one-time activity: it was part of his daily routine.

3. Everyone Is Searching for Him: “Everyone is searching for you,” they said when they found Christ. They expressed the desire of every person. We all need God. He is the deepest desire of the human heart. God is searching for us, too. Jesus gets up from his prayer and heads out to the next town. We are searching for Christ, and he is searching for us. Where do we meet him? In prayer. In prayer we speak heart-to-heart with the one whom we know loves us. In prayer we can speak about the things that are important to us and about those things that are most important to him. This vital encounter gives light and strength to every other encounter we will have during the rest of the day. Through prayer, our love for others is enkindled so that we can spend ourselves tirelessly for others as Jesus did. Through prayer, we can be a men and women for others.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to put you first in my life by giving you the best of my time. Help me not to give into laziness, but to rise early in the morning so that I can be with you. I need you in my life. Help me to experience your love so that I can share it with others. Help me to give myself to your plan of salvation and to reach out to those who are searching for you. Help me to hunger for you alone so that you will satisfy my hunger.

Resolution: I will invoke Our Lord in short and simple prayers throughout today, telling him I love him and asking for the grace of a greater intimacy with him through prayer.

Homily of the Day

January 14, 2015

Jesus’ oneness with us is total: being like us in every way except sin, he is able to enter into our experiences of sickness both of mind and body. He is no stranger to human suffering, having taken unto himself all that afflict human beings. His heart goes out to understand our pain and sickness and has a most loving care and compassion for us. Our pain and suffering become his, bearing them in his own body and thus setting us free. His work of healing sickness and expelling demons is the good news that he preached, that in him the Father has shown us his love and compassion, that in him the Father has given us the freedom of the children of God.

What is striking about his healing and expelling demons is the involvement of others. People brought people in need of healing to him or drew Jesus’ attention to those who needed him; the compassion of Jesus evoked compassion in those near him.

Our Gospel reading today draws our attention to the heart of Jesus, a heart always in communion with his Father as he gives himself completely to us.

Having ministered to many and still being sought by so many, Jesus moves to other villages to reach more people to give them the good news, “This is what I have come to do.” His daily bread was doing the Father’s will.

Are we grateful for the many healings which have come our way, for the love and care we have experienced from so many, day after day? How much compassion do we have for those who suffer and need healing?

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 1

<< Wednesday, January 14, 2015 >>

Hebrews 2:14-18
View Readings

Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9

Mark 1:29-39
Similar Reflections

GIVE HIM THE KEY TO THE CITY

"Before long the whole town was gathered outside the door." —Mark 1:33

Bethsaida was like most towns. Many of its people "through fear of death had been slaves their whole life long" (Heb 2:15). Of course, there were many "who were variously afflicted" (Mk 1:34), including Simon's mother-in-law who "lay ill with a fever" (Mk 1:30). Also, demons had oppressed the people of Bethsaida for as long as anyone could remember (see Mk 1:34).

However, this day was going to be different. Jesus came to town and demons, sickness, and fear left town. This was the best day in Bethsaida's history.

Jesus got up very early the next morning. His Father told Him not to stay at Bethsaida but to "move on to the neighboring villages" and "proclaim the good news there also" (Mk 1:38).

Jesus is willing to come to your town. Will you give Him the "key to the city" and the key to your heart? Let Jesus be Lord of your life and your town.

Prayer: Father, I will let You have Your way.

Promise: "Rising early the next morning, He went off to a lonely place in the desert; there He was absorbed in prayer." —Mk 1:35

Praise: A local church gave witness to Jesus as members processed together praying the rosary walking from one end of town to the other in a pro-life march.

Join us in praying to end abortion.