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A Patron Saint for Nuns [St. Scholastica]

St. Scholastica, Virgin and Religious Founder

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

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...

From: Genesis 3:9-24

Temptation and the First Sin (Continuation)

[9] But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?"
[10] And he said, "I heard the sound of thee in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I was naked; and I hid myself." [11] He said, "Who told you that
you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not
to eat?" [12] The man said, "The woman whom thou gavest to be with me,
she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." [13] Then the Lord God said to the
woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent
beguiled me, and I ate." [14] The Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you
have done this, cursed are you above all cattle, and above all wild animals;
upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your
life. [15] I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your
seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his
heel."

[16] To the woman he said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband,
and he shall rule over you. [17] And to Adam he said, "Because you have
listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I
commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of
you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; [18] thorns and thistles
it shall bring forth to you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. [19] "In the
sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of
it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

[20] The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all
living.

Adam and Eve are Expelled from Paradise

[21] And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins,
and clothed them.

[22] Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us,
knowing good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of
the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever"--[23] therefore the Lord God
sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was
taken. [24] He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he
placed the cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard
the way to the tree of life.

Commentary:

3:7-13. This passage begins the description of the effects of the original sin.
Man and woman have come to know evil, and it shows, initially, in a most
direct way--in their own bodies. The inner harmony described in Genesis
2:25 is broken, and concupiscence rears its head. Their friendship with God
is also broken, and they flee from his presence, to avoid their nakedness
being seen. As if his Creator could not see them! The harmony between man
and woman is also fractured: he puts the blame on her, and she puts it on
the serpent. But all three share in the responsibility, and therefore all
three are going to pay the penalty.

"The harmony in which they found themselves, thanks to original justice, is
now destroyed: the control of the soul's spiritual faculties over the body
is shattered; the union of man and woman becomes subject to tensions (cf.
Gen 3:7-16), their relations henceforth marked by lust and domination.
Harmony with creation is broken: visible creation has become alien and
hostile to man (cf. Gen 3:17, 19). Because of man, creation is now subject
'to its bondage to decay' (Rom 8:21). Finally, the consequence explicitly
foretold for this disobedience will come true: man will 'return to the
ground' (Gen 3:19), for out of it he was taken. "Death makes its entrance
into human history" (cf. Rom 5:12)" ("Catechism of the Catholic Church",
400).

3:14-15. The punishment God imposes on the serpent includes confrontation
between woman and the serpent, between mankind and evil, with the promise
that man will come out on top. That is why this passage is called the
"Proto-gospel": it is the first announcement to mankind of the good news of
the Redeemer-Messiah. Clearly, a bruise to the head is deadly, whereas a
bruise to the heel is curable.

As the Second Vatican Council teaches, "God, who creates and conserves
all things by his Word, (cf. Jn 1:3), provides men with constant evidence of
himself in created realities (cf. Rom 1:19-20). And furthermore, wishing to
open up the way to heavenly salvation, by promising redemption (cf. Gen
3:15); and he has never ceased to take care of the human race. For he wishes
to give eternal life to all those who seek salvation by patience in well-doing (cf.
Rom 2:6-7)" ("Dei Verbum", 3).

Victory over the devil will be brought about by a descendant of the woman,
the Messiah. The Church has always read these verses as being messianic,
referring to Jesus Christ; and it was seen in the
woman the mother of the promised Savior; the Virgin Mary is the new Eve.
"The earliest documents, as they are read in the Church and are understood
in the light of a further and full revelation, bring the figure of a woman,
Mother of the Redeemer, into a gradually clearer light. Considered in this
light, she is already prophetically foreshadowed in the promise of victory
over the serpent which was given to our first parents after their fall into
sin (cf. Gen 3:15) [...]. Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert
with Irenaeus in their preaching: 'the knot of Eve's disobedience was untied
by Mary's obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary
loosened by her faith' (St Irenaeus, "Adv. Haer." 3, 22, 4). Comparing Mary
with Eve, they call her 'Mother of the living' (St Epiphanius, "Adv. Haer.
Panarium" 78, 18) and frequently claim: 'death through Eve, life through
Mary' (St Jerome, "Epistula" 22, 21; etc.)" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium",
55-56).

So, woman is going to have a key role in that victory over the devil. In his
Latin translation of the Bible, the "Vulgate", St Jerome in fact reads the
relevant passage as "she [the woman] shall bruise your head". That woman
is the Blessed Virgin, the new Eve and the mother of the Redeemer, who
shares (by anticipation and pre-eminently) in the victory of her Son. Sin
never left its mark on her, and the Church proclaims her as the Immaculate
Conception.

St Thomas explains that the reason why God did not prevent the first man
from sinning was because "God allows evils to be done in order to draw forth
some greater good. Thus St Paul says, 'Where sin increased, grace abounded
all the more' (Rom 5:20); and the "Exultet" sings, '0 happy fault,...which
gained for us so great a Redeemer'" ("Summa Theologiae", 3, 1, 3 and 3; cf.
"Catechism of the Catholic Church", 412).

3:16. Turning to the woman, God tells her what effects sin is going to have
on her, as a mother and a wife. The pain of childbirth also points to the
presence of physical pain in mankind, as a consequence of sin. Sin is also
the cause of disorder in family life, especially between husband and wife:
the text expressly instances a husband's despotic behavior towards his wife.
Discrimination against women is here seen as the outcome of sin; it is
something, therefore, that the Bible regards as evil. Sin is also the reason
why people fail to appreciate the dignity of marriage and the family--a
widespread failing denounced by the Second Vatican Council: "the dignity
of these partnerships is not reflected everywhere, but is overshadowed by
polygamy, the plague of divorce, so-called free love, and similar blemishes:
furthermore, married love is too often dishonored by selfishness, hedonism,
and unlawful contraceptive practices. Besides, the economic, social,
psychological, and civil climate of today has a severely disturbing effect
on family life" ("Gaudium Et Spes", 47).

3:17-19 The effects of sin that man is warned about are closely connected
with his God-given mission--to till and keep the garden, or, to put it another
way, to master the earth by means of his activity, work. The harmony
between man and nature has been shattered through sin: from now on man
is going to find work burdensome and it will cause him much distress. Thus,
the effects of sin are all the various kinds of injustice which are to he found
in the world of work and in man's control over the goods of the earth. God
meant the earth and all that it contains benefit all mankind, but what in fact
happens is that "in the midst of huge numbers deprived of the absolute
necessities of life there are some who live in riches and squander their wealth;
and this happens in less developed areas as well. Luxury and misery exist
side by side. While a few individuals enjoy an almost unlimited opportunity
to choose for themselves, the vast majority have no chance whatever of
exercising personal initiative and responsibility, and quite often have to live
and work in conditions unworthy of human beings" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et
Spes", 63)

The consequences of sin will stay with man until he returns to the earth,
that is, until he dies. However, God does not immediately put into effect
what he threatened in Genesis 2:17; man continues to live on earth, but he
is destined to die. It is in this sense that St Paul explains human existence,
in the light of the work of Christ whom he sees as being the second Adam:
'Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through
sin, [...] so death spread to all men because all men sinned. [..] If, because
of one man's trespass death reigned through that one man, much more will
those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness
reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:12, 17).

3:21-24. Even after the fall, God still takes care of man. Man will continue to
populate the earth, in spite of death, thanks to woman's role as mother. God
comes to the rescue of man's nakedness, which made him feel so afraid
and ashamed. Man's place in history emerges with his expulsion from
paradise. He now knows good and evil; he is deprived of the happiness for
which he was created and, with death as his fate, he yearns for the
immortality which in fact belongs to God alone. This is the human condition;
it affects everyone and its cause lies in sin. Thus, "we do know by
Revelation that Adam had received original holiness and justice not for
himself alone, but for all human nature. By yielding to the tempter, Adam
and Eve committed a personal sin, but this sin affected "the human nature"
that they would then transmit "in a fallen state" (cf. Council of Trent, "De
Peccato Originali"). It is a sin which will be transmitted by propagation to
all mankind, that is, the transmission of a human nature deprived of
original holiness and justice. And that is why original sin is called 'sin'
only in an analogical sense: it is a sin 'contracted' and not 'committed'--a
state and not an act" ("Catechism of the Catholic Church", 404).

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 8:1-10

Second Miracle of the Loaves

[1] In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had
nothing to eat, He (Jesus) called His disciples to Him, and said to them,[2]
"I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with Me now
three days, and have nothing to eat; [3] and if I send them away hungry to
their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come a long
way." [4] And His disciples answered Him, "How can one feed these men
with bread here in the desert?" [5] And He asked them, "How many loaves
have you?" They said, "Seven." [6] And He commanded the crowd to sit
down on the ground; and He took the seven loaves, and having given thanks
He broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before the people; and
they set them before the crowd. [7] And they had a few small fish; and
having blessed them, He commanded that these also should be set before
them. [8] And they ate, and were satisfied; and took up the broken pieces
left over, seven baskets full. [9] And there were about four thousand people.
[10] And He sent them away; and immediately He got into the boat with His
disciples, and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

Commentary:

1-9. Jesus repeats the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish:
the first time (Mark 6:33-44) He acted because He saw a huge crowd like
"sheep without a shepherd"; now He takes pity on them because they have
been with Him for three days and have nothing to eat.

This miracle shows how Christ rewards people who persevere in following Him:
the crowd had been hanging on His words, forgetful of everything else. We
should be like them, attentive and ready to do what He commands, without any
vain concern about the future, for that would amount to distrusting Divine Provi-
dence.

10. "Dalmanutha": this must have been somewhere near the Lake of Gennesaret,
but it is difficult to localize it more exactly. This is the only time it is mentioned
in Sacred Scripture. In the parallel passage in St. Matthew (15:39) Magadan
(sometime Magdala) is mentioned.

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.

Mass Readings

First reading	Song of Songs 8:6 - 7 ©
For love is strong as Death, jealousy relentless as Sheol. The flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of the Lord himself. No flood can quench it, no torrents can drown it.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 148

Gospel	Luke 10:38 - 42 ©
In the course of their journey Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her

Gospel

Luke 10:38 - 42 ©

In the course of their journey Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her

Office of Readings -- Awakening Prayer

Office of Readings

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 130 (131)
Childlike trust in God
Lord, I do not puff myself up or stare about, or walk among the great or seek wonders beyond me. Truly calm and quiet I have made my spirit: quiet as a weaned child in its mother’s arms – like an infant is my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, now and for all time. 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.

Psalm 130 (131)

Childlike trust in God

Lord, I do not puff myself up or stare about,
or walk among the great or seek wonders beyond me.

Truly calm and quiet I have made my spirit:
quiet as a weaned child in its mother’s arms –
like an infant is my soul.

Let Israel hope in the Lord, now and for all time.

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.

Psalm 131 (132)
God's promise to the house of David
Lord, remember David and how he served you. He swore to the Lord, vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: “I will not go into my tent, my home, nor go up to my bed of rest; I will not let my eyes sleep or my eyelids grow heavy until I have found a place for the Lord, a dwelling-place for the Mighty One of Jacob”. We heard that it was in Ephratha, we found it in the plains of Jaar. So let us go into his dwelling-place and let us worship before his footstool. Rise up, Lord, and come to your place of rest. Come with the Ark of your power. Let your priests be robed in your justice, and let your chosen ones rejoice. Remember what David did for you, and do not turn your face from your Anointed. 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.

Psalm 131 (132)

God's promise to the house of David

Lord, remember David and how he served you.
He swore to the Lord, vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

“I will not go into my tent, my home, nor go up to my bed of rest;
I will not let my eyes sleep or my eyelids grow heavy
until I have found a place for the Lord,
a dwelling-place for the Mighty One of Jacob”.

We heard that it was in Ephratha, we found it in the plains of Jaar.
So let us go into his dwelling-place and let us worship before his footstool.

Rise up, Lord, and come to your place of rest.
Come with the Ark of your power.
Let your priests be robed in your justice,
and let your chosen ones rejoice.
Remember what David did for you,
and do not turn your face from your Anointed.

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.

Psalm 131 (132)
The Lord swore David a true oath, he will not go back on his word: “The fruit of your body I will place on your throne. If your children keep my covenant and the commands I teach them, their children’s children will occupy your throne for ever”. For the Lord has chosen Sion, taken it for his dwelling-place: “Here will I take my rest for all time: here will I live, such is my desire. I will bless its crops with my blessing, I will fill its poor with bread. I will clothe its priests with righteousness. Its chosen ones will exult with joy. There will I plant the sign of David, and prepare a lamp for my anointed one. I will wrap his enemies in confusion, but over his head my crown will shine. 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.

Psalm 131 (132)

The Lord swore David a true oath, he will not go back on his word:
“The fruit of your body I will place on your throne.
If your children keep my covenant and the commands I teach them,
their children’s children will occupy your throne for ever”.

For the Lord has chosen Sion, taken it for his dwelling-place:
“Here will I take my rest for all time: here will I live, such is my desire.

I will bless its crops with my blessing, I will fill its poor with bread.
I will clothe its priests with righteousness. Its chosen ones will exult with joy.

There will I plant the sign of David, and prepare a lamp for my anointed one.
I will wrap his enemies in confusion, but over his head my crown will shine.

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.

Reading	Galatians 5:25 - 6:18 ©
Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit. We must stop being conceited, provocative and envious. Brothers, if one of you misbehaves, the more spiritual of you who set him right should do so in a spirit of gentleness, not forgetting that you may be tempted yourselves. You should carry each other’s troubles and fulfil the law of Christ. It is the people who are not important who often make the mistake of thinking that they are. Let each of you examine his own conduct; if you find anything to boast about, it will at least be something of your own, not just something better than your neighbour has. Everyone has his own burden to carry. People under instruction should always contribute something to the support of the man who is instructing them. Do not delude yourself into thinking God can be cheated: where a man sows, there he reaps: if he sows in the field of self-indulgence he will get a harvest of corruption out of it; if he sows in the field of the Spirit he will get from it a harvest of eternal life. We must never get tired of doing good because if we do not give up the struggle we shall get our harvest at the proper time. While we have the chance, we must do good to all, and especially to our brothers in the faith. Take good note of what I am adding in my own handwriting and in large letters. It is only self-interest that makes them want to force circumcision on you – they want to escape persecution for the cross of Christ – they accept circumcision but do not keep the Law themselves; they only want you to be circumcised so that they can boast of the fact. As for me, the only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. It does not matter if a person is circumcised or not; what matters is for him to become an altogether new creature. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, who form the Israel of God. I want no more trouble from anybody after this; the marks on my body are those of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.

Reading

Galatians 5:25 - 6:18 ©

Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit. We must stop being conceited, provocative and envious.
Brothers, if one of you misbehaves, the more spiritual of you who set him right should do so in a spirit of gentleness, not forgetting that you may be tempted yourselves. You should carry each other’s troubles and fulfil the law of Christ. It is the people who are not important who often make the mistake of thinking that they are. Let each of you examine his own conduct; if you find anything to boast about, it will at least be something of your own, not just something better than your neighbour has. Everyone has his own burden to carry.
People under instruction should always contribute something to the support of the man who is instructing them.
Do not delude yourself into thinking God can be cheated: where a man sows, there he reaps: if he sows in the field of self-indulgence he will get a harvest of corruption out of it; if he sows in the field of the Spirit he will get from it a harvest of eternal life. We must never get tired of doing good because if we do not give up the struggle we shall get our harvest at the proper time. While we have the chance, we must do good to all, and especially to our brothers in the faith.
Take good note of what I am adding in my own handwriting and in large letters. It is only self-interest that makes them want to force circumcision on you – they want to escape persecution for the cross of Christ – they accept circumcision but do not keep the Law themselves; they only want you to be circumcised so that they can boast of the fact. As for me, the only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. It does not matter if a person is circumcised or not; what matters is for him to become an altogether new creature. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, who form the Israel of God.
I want no more trouble from anybody after this; the marks on my body are those of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.

Reading	From the books of Dialogues by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
She who loved more could do more
Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years. She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year. He would come down to meet her at a place on the monastery property, not far outside the gate. One day she came as usual and her saintly brother went with some of his disciples; they spent the whole day praising God and talking of sacred things. As night fell they had supper together. Their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late. The holy nun said to her brother: “Please do not leave me tonight; let us go on until morning talking about the delights of the spiritual life”. “Sister”, he replied, “what are you saying? I simply cannot stay outside my cell”. When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated. Sadly he began to complain: “May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?” “Well”, she answered, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery”. Reluctant as he was to stay of his own will, he remained against his will. So it came about that they stayed awake the whole night, engrossed in their conversation about the spiritual life. It is not surprising that she was more effective than he, since as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more. Three days later, Benedict was in his cell. Looking up to the sky, he saw his sister’s soul leave her body in the form of a dove, and fly up to the secret places of heaven. Rejoicing in her great glory, he thanked almighty God with hymns and words of praise. He then sent his brethren to bring her body to the monastery and lay it in the tomb he had prepared for himself. Their minds had always been united in God; their bodies were to share a common grave.

Reading

From the books of Dialogues by Saint Gregory the Great, pope

She who loved more could do more

Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years. She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year. He would come down to meet her at a place on the monastery property, not far outside the gate.
One day she came as usual and her saintly brother went with some of his disciples; they spent the whole day praising God and talking of sacred things. As night fell they had supper together.
Their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late. The holy nun said to her brother: “Please do not leave me tonight; let us go on until morning talking about the delights of the spiritual life”. “Sister”, he replied, “what are you saying? I simply cannot stay outside my cell”.
When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated. Sadly he began to complain: “May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?” “Well”, she answered, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery”.
Reluctant as he was to stay of his own will, he remained against his will. So it came about that they stayed awake the whole night, engrossed in their conversation about the spiritual life.
It is not surprising that she was more effective than he, since as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more.
Three days later, Benedict was in his cell. Looking up to the sky, he saw his sister’s soul leave her body in the form of a dove, and fly up to the secret places of heaven. Rejoicing in her great glory, he thanked almighty God with hymns and words of praise. He then sent his brethren to bring her body to the monastery and lay it in the tomb he had prepared for himself.
Their minds had always been united in God; their bodies were to share a common grave.

Concluding Prayer
Lord, keep your family always in your care. Our only hope is in your divine grace: keep us always under your protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

American Catholic’s Saint of the Day

February 10, 2007

St. Scholastica

(480-542?)

Twins often share the same interests and ideas with an equal intensity. Therefore, it is no surprise that Scholastica and her twin brother, Benedict, both established religious communities within a few miles from each other.

Born in 480 of wealthy parents, Scholastica and Benedict were brought up together until he left for Rome to continue his studies.

Little is known of Scholastica’s early life. She founded a religious community for women near Monte Cassino at Plombariola, five miles from where her brother governed a monastery.

The twins visited each other once a year in a farmhouse because Scholastica was not permitted inside the monastery. They spent these times discussing spiritual matters.

According to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, the brother and sister spent their last day together in prayer and conversation. Scholastica sensed her death was close at hand and she begged Benedict to stay with her until the next day.

He refused her request because he did not want to spend a night outside the monastery, thus breaking his own Rule. Scholastica asked God to let her brother remain and a severe thunderstorm broke out, preventing Benedict and his monks from returning to the abbey.

Benedict cried out, “God forgive you, Sister. What have you done?” Scholastica replied, “I asked a favor of you and you refused. I asked it of God and he granted it.”

Brother and sister parted the next morning after their long discussion. Three days later, Benedict was praying in his monastery and saw the soul of his sister rising heavenward in the form of a white dove. Benedict then announced the death of his sister to the monks and later buried her in the tomb he had prepared for himself.

Comment:

Scholastica and Benedict gave themselves totally to God and gave top priority to deepening their friendship with him through prayer. They sacrificed some of the opportunities they would have had to be together as brother and sister in order better to fulfill their vocation to the religious life. In coming closer to Christ, however, they found they were also closer to each other. In joining a religious community, they did not forget or forsake their family but rather found more brothers and sisters.

Quote:

“All religious are under an obligation, in accordance with the particular vocation of each, to work zealously and diligently for the building up and growth of the whole mystical body of Christ and for the good of the particular churches. It is their duty to foster these objectives primarily by means of prayer, works of penance, and by the example of their own lives” (Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops, 33, Austin Flannery translation).

Saturday, February 10, 2007
St. Scholastica, Virgin (Memorial)

First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

Genesis 3:9-24
Psalm 90:2-6, 12-13
Mark 8:1-10

Whoever is wakeful and prayerful in the night, in this visible darkness he is surrounded by an invisible light.

-- St. Ephraem of Syria

Catholic Culture

Collect:
Lord, as we recall the memory of St. Scholastica, we ask that by her example we may serve you with love and obtain perfect joy. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Recipes:

» Chicken Valdostana

Activities:

Prayers:

February 10, 2007

Memorial of St. Scholastica, virgin

Old Calendar: St. Scholastica

St. Scholastica was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the Patriarch of Western monasticism. She was born in Umbria, Italy, about 480. Under Benedict's direction, Scholastica founded a community of nuns near the great Benedictine monastery Monte Cassino. Inspired by Benedict's teaching, his sister devoted her whole life to seeking and serving God. She died in 547 and tradition holds that at her death her soul ascended to heaven in the form of a dove.

St. Scholastica
St. Scholastica, like her brother, dedicated herself to God from early youth. Information on the virgin Scholastica is very scanty. In his Second Book of Dialogues (Ch. 33 and 34) Pope St. Gregory has described for us the last meeting between brother and sister:

"His sister Scholastica, who had been consecrated to God in early childhood, used to visit with him once a year. On these occasions he would go to meet her in a house belonging to the monastery a short distance from the entrance. For this particular visit he joined her there with a few of his disciples and they spent the whole day singing God's praises and conversing about the spiritual life.

"When darkness was setting in they took their meal together and continued their conversation at table until it was quite late. Then the holy nun said to him, 'Please do not leave me tonight, brother. Let us keep on talking about the joys of heaven till morning.' 'What are you saying, sister?' he replied. 'You know that I cannot stay away from the monastery.' The sky was so clear at the time, there was not a cloud in sight.

"At her brother's refusal Scholastica folded her hands on the table and rested her head upon them in earnest prayer. When she looked up again, there was a sudden burst of lightning and thunder accompanied by such a downpour that Benedict and his companions were unable to set foot outside the door. By shedding a flood of tears while she prayed, this holy nun had darkened the cloudless sky with a heavy rain. The storm began as soon as her prayer was over. In fact, the two coincided so closely that the thunder was already resounding as she raised her head from the table. The very instant she ended her prayer the rain poured down.

"Realizing that he could not return to the abbey in this terrible storm, Benedict complained bitterly. 'God forgive you, sister!' he said. 'What have you done?' Scholastica simply answered, 'When I appealed to you, you would not listen to me. So I turned to my God and He heard my prayer. Leave now if you can. Leave me here and go back to your monastery.'

"This, of course, he could not do. He had no choice now but to stay, in spite of his unwillingness. They spent the entire night together and both of them derived great profit from the holy thoughts they exchanged about the interior life. The next morning Scholastica returned to her convent and Benedict to his monastery.

"Three days later as he stood in his room looking up toward the sky, he beheld his sister's soul leaving her body and entering the heavenly court in the form of a dove. Overjoyed at her eternal glory, he gave thanks to God in hymns of praise. Then, after informing his brethren of her death, he sent some of them to bring her body to the abbey and bury it in the tomb he had prepared for himself. The bodies of these two were now to share a common resting place, just as in life their souls had always been one in God."

Her tomb is at Monte Cassino.

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.

Patron: Against rain; convulsive children; nuns; storms.

Symbols: Nun with crozier and crucifix; nun with dove flying from her mouth.

Things to Do:

Tell your children about the "holy twins": St. Scholastica and the tender love she had for her brother St. Benedict. Ask them how they can help one another to become saints.

Make an altar hanging or window transparency in the shape of a dove to honor St. Scholastica.

If you are traveling to Italy try to visit St. Benedict's Abbey of Monte Cassino. If not, make a virtual visit.

Read more about the life of St. Scholastica.

Learn how to prayerfully read Sacred Scripture in this article, Lectio Divina: Daily Information for a New Life by Fr. Adam Ryan, O.S.B.

Regnum Christi

The Heart of the Breadwinner
February 10, 2007

Saint Scholastica, virgin

Father Ned Brown, LC

Mark 8:1-10
In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied. He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them to be distributed also. They ate and were satisfied.They picked up the fragments left over – seven baskets. There were about four thousand people. He dismissed them and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

Introductory Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, give us this day our daily Eucharistic bread to sustain our faith, hope and love for you and service to our neighbor in need. Lord, with living faith I listen to your words of eternal life. Though I do not understand your mysterious plans, I trust in your merciful love. May this time I spend with you be an expression of my love for you. Speak Lord, speak to my heart, for your servant is listening.

Petition: Lord, grant me the grace to appreciate the gift of yourself which I receive in every Mass and Holy Communion.

1. Our Lord’s Heart. Today we get a glimpse into Our Lord’s heart. How selfless he is that he thinks of us in our every need! He knows our needs even before we do, especially our need for his grace. Tragically, many of us do not commonly experience hunger pangs for grace. We too often endanger the life of our souls to mortal sin. We suppress those spiritual pangs with spiritual “junk food,” gorging on lies, false idols and substitutes for God’s love.

2. What Will Satisfy Their Hearts? That afternoon, Our Lord provided the food that would satisfy their growling stomachs, but, more deeply, he was preparing them to open their hearts to him so that he could give them the true bread that comes down from heaven -- his very self. Is my heart ready for the true love Our Lord created it to have? Have I filled it with disordered loves for material things or people that are incompatible with Christ’s presence and sacrifice?

3. The Breadwinner It seems to have cost Christ nothing to play the role of Miracle Man, multiplying the loaves and feeding the hungry crowd. But he would not get off so easy playing the role. Indeed Christ would have to pay the price of mankind’s salvation with his very own blood poured out on the cross. How much do I appreciate Christ’s sacrifice? Do I take advantage of every Mass I attend to offer myself up along with Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary in order to extend his Kingdom in the world? Do I realize Our Lord employs his disciples just as much now as he did then to distribute his miracles in the world? Do I want to be one of those disciples?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you fed the hungry crowds that gathered to hear your word. You still feed our starving hearts with your grace and love at every Mass and every Holy Communion. Keep me faithful to you and your will by my worthy reception of the sacrament of your love.

Resolution: I will go to confession this week, seeking a deeper contrition for my sins, especially for the sins of laziness. In this way I will prepare my heart to more worthily receive Christ in Holy Communion.

Lauds -- Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 118 (119): 145-152
I call on you with all my heart – answer me, Lord. I will obey your laws. I call on you, save me so that I can keep your decrees. At dawn I cry to you, I put all my hope in your word. In the night I keep watch, pondering your sayings. In your mercy, Lord, hear my voice; in your justice, give me life. My persecutors come to do me harm: they are far from your law. But you, Lord, are near to me, and you are trustworthy in all your precepts. From the beginning I have known your decrees, how you have made them to last for ever. 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.

Psalm 118 (119): 145-152

I call on you with all my heart – answer me, Lord. I will obey your laws.
I call on you, save me so that I can keep your decrees.

At dawn I cry to you, I put all my hope in your word.
In the night I keep watch, pondering your sayings.

In your mercy, Lord, hear my voice; in your justice, give me life.
My persecutors come to do me harm: they are far from your law.

But you, Lord, are near to me, and you are trustworthy in all your precepts.
From the beginning I have known your decrees, how you have made them to last for ever.

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.

Canticle	Exodus 15
Hymn of victory after crossing the Red Sea
I will sing to the Lord, for his triumph is glorious. Horse and rider he has cast into the sea. The Lord is my support and my strength, and he has saved me. This is my God, and I will give him glory This is my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior – Yahweh is his name! Pharaoh’s chariots and army he has thrown into the sea. Your storm raged, and the waters were piled high, the flowing waters were a rampart, the sea-bed was exposed. The enemy said: “I will follow and surround them; I will divide their spoils, have my fill of booty, draw my sword and kill them all”. Your wind blew, and the sea covered them, they sank like lead in the raging waters. What god is like you, O Lord? What god is like you, so great in your holiness, a worker of miracles, terrible and worthy of praise? You stretched out your hand and the earth swallowed them. In your mercy you led your people whom you had redeemed, in your strength you brought them to your dwelling-place. You will lead them in and establish them on the mountain that is your inheritance, your solid dwelling-place, which you made, Lord; your sanctuary, Lord, which your hands made firm. The Lord will reign, to eternity and beyond! 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.

Canticle

Exodus 15

Hymn of victory after crossing the Red Sea

I will sing to the Lord, for his triumph is glorious. Horse and rider he has cast into the sea.

The Lord is my support and my strength, and he has saved me.
This is my God, and I will give him glory
This is my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

The Lord is a warrior – Yahweh is his name!
Pharaoh’s chariots and army he has thrown into the sea.

Your storm raged, and the waters were piled high,
the flowing waters were a rampart, the sea-bed was exposed.

The enemy said: “I will follow and surround them;
I will divide their spoils,
have my fill of booty,
draw my sword and kill them all”.

Your wind blew,
and the sea covered them,
they sank like lead in the raging waters.

What god is like you, O Lord?
What god is like you,
so great in your holiness,
a worker of miracles,
terrible and worthy of praise?

You stretched out your hand and the earth swallowed them.
In your mercy you led your people whom you had redeemed,
in your strength you brought them to your dwelling-place.

You will lead them in and establish them
on the mountain that is your inheritance,
your solid dwelling-place, which you made, Lord;
your sanctuary, Lord, which your hands made firm.

The Lord will reign, to eternity and beyond!

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.

Psalm 116 (117)
Praise of the merciful Lord
Praise the Lord, all nations; all peoples, praise him. For his mercy is strong over us and his faithfulness is for ever. 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.

Short reading	2 Peter 1:10 - 11 ©
Brothers, you have been called and chosen: work all the harder to justify it. If you do all these things there is no danger that you will ever fall away. In this way you will be granted admittance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Canticle	Benedictus
The Messiah and his forerunner
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption. He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David, as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages: to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers, to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies – in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path, to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven. Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death; to lead our feet in the path of peace. 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.

Canticle

Benedictus

The Messiah and his forerunner

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption.
He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David,
as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages:
to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers,
to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father,
that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies –
in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path,
to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven.
Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us
to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death;
to lead our feet in the path of peace.

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.

Prayers and Intercessions

?

By becoming man Christ became our brother and a compassionate High Priest before God. Let us bless him as we beg for his help: - Lord, pour out on us the treasures of your love.
We consecrate our day to you, the shining Sun of justice,: who shone on us when we were baptized.
We will bless you every moment of this day,: and praise your name in everything we do.
Mary, your mother, was obedient to your word:: lead our steps today in the path of your teaching.
As we journey through this perishable world,: may we look forward to your imperishable heaven.
In faith, hope, and love,: may we have a foretaste of the joy that is to come.

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 that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Lord, may the splendour of the Resurrection shine in our hearts.
Make us worthy to escape the shadows of death
and arrive in the brightness of eternity.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

May the Lord be with you.

Thanks for posting this thread each day.

5.56mm

Mk 8:1-10
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
1	In those days again, when there was a great multitude, and had nothing to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them:	in illis diebus iterum cum turba multa esset nec haberent quod manducarent convocatis discipulis ait illis
2	I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat.	misereor super turba quia ecce iam triduo sustinent me nec habent quod manducent
3	And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way; for some of them came from afar off.	et si dimisero eos ieiunos in domum suam deficient in via quidam enim ex eis de longe venerunt
4	And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness?	et responderunt ei discipuli sui unde istos poterit quis hic saturare panibus in solitudine
5	And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven.	et interrogavit eos quot panes habetis qui dixerunt septem
6	And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke, and gave to his disciples for to set before them; and they set them before the people.	et praecepit turbae discumbere supra terram et accipiens septem panes gratias agens fregit et dabat discipulis suis ut adponerent et adposuerunt turbae
7	And they had a few little fishes; and he blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them.	et habebant pisciculos paucos et ipsos benedixit et iussit adponi
8	And they did eat and were filled; and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets.	et manducaverunt et saturati sunt et sustulerunt quod superaverat de fragmentis septem sportas
9	And they that had eaten were about four thousand; and he sent them away.	erant autem qui manducaverunt quasi quattuor milia et dimisit eos
10	And immediately going up into a ship with his disciples, he came into the parts of Dalmanutha.	et statim ascendens navem cum discipulis suis venit in partes Dalmanutha

The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes

Lambert Lombard

Oil on panel, 104 x 110 cm
Rockox House, Antwerp

My gratitude goes to you for stopping by and readings some of it.

Appreciation accepted, however.

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 118 (119): 105-112
A lamp to guide my feet is your word, a light for my journey. I have firmly sworn to keep your just laws. Lord, I am greatly afflicted: revive me as you have promised. Lord, accept the vows I make, and teach me your judgements. I hold my life in my hands, I remember your laws. The wicked placed a trap for me, but I did not wander from your commandments. Your decrees are my inheritance for ever, they are the joy of my heart: my heart is set on carrying them out, for ever, until the end. 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.

Psalm 118 (119): 105-112

A lamp to guide my feet is your word, a light for my journey.
I have firmly sworn to keep your just laws.

Lord, I am greatly afflicted: revive me as you have promised.
Lord, accept the vows I make, and teach me your judgements.

I hold my life in my hands, I remember your laws.
The wicked placed a trap for me, but I did not wander from your commandments.

Your decrees are my inheritance for ever, they are the joy of my heart:
my heart is set on carrying them out, for ever, until the end.

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.

Psalm 15 (16)
The Lord, my inheritance
Preserve me, Lord, I put my hope in you. I have said to the Lord “You are my Lord, in you alone is all my good”. As for the holy and noble men of the land, in them is all my delight. But for those who run to alien gods, their sorrows are many. I will not share in their libations of blood. I will not speak their names. You, Lord, are my inheritance and my cup. You control my destiny, the lot marked out for me is of the best, my inheritance is all I could ask for. I will bless the Lord who gave me understanding; even in the night my heart will teach me wisdom. I will hold the Lord for ever in my sight: with him at my side I can never be shaken. Thus it is that my heart rejoices, heart and soul together; while my body rests in calm hope. You will not leave my soul in the underworld. You will not let your chosen one see decay. You will show me the paths of life, the fullness of joy before your face, and delights at your right hand until the end of time. 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.

Psalm 15 (16)

The Lord, my inheritance

Preserve me, Lord, I put my hope in you.

I have said to the Lord “You are my Lord, in you alone is all my good”.
As for the holy and noble men of the land, in them is all my delight.
But for those who run to alien gods, their sorrows are many.
I will not share in their libations of blood. I will not speak their names.

You, Lord, are my inheritance and my cup. You control my destiny,
the lot marked out for me is of the best, my inheritance is all I could ask for.
I will bless the Lord who gave me understanding; even in the night my heart will teach me wisdom.
I will hold the Lord for ever in my sight: with him at my side I can never be shaken.
Thus it is that my heart rejoices, heart and soul together; while my body rests in calm hope.

You will not leave my soul in the underworld. You will not let your chosen one see decay.
You will show me the paths of life, the fullness of joy before your face, and delights at your right hand until the end of time.

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.

Canticle	Philippians 2
Christ, God's servant
Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became like a man – not in appearance only, for he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross. For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father. 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.

Canticle

Philippians 2

Christ, God's servant

Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became like a man – not in appearance only, for he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross.
For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth,
and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father.

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.

Short reading	Colossians 1:2 - 6 ©
Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We have never failed to remember you in our prayers and to give thanks for you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you show towards all the saints because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven. It is only recently that you heard of this, when it was announced in the message of the truth. The Good News which has reached you is spreading and bearing fruit all over the world.

Short reading

Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We have never failed to remember you in our prayers and to give thanks for you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you show towards all the saints because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven. It is only recently that you heard of this, when it was announced in the message of the truth. The Good News which has reached you is spreading and bearing fruit all over the world.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. 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.

Canticle

Magnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him.

He has put forth his strength:
he has scattered the proud and conceited,
torn princes from their thrones;
but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

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.

Prayers and Intercessions

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God helps and watches over his chosen people on the path to blessedness. We thank him and call on his kindness: - In you, Lord, we put our trust.
Merciful Father, we pray for our Pope N. and our bishop N:: give them your strength and protection and make them holy.
Help the sick to unite themselves with Christ in his passion: and to receive his consolation in their sufferings.
In your kindness, care for those with no roof over their heads:: may they find the decent shelter they need.
Give us abundant fruits from the land,: so that all may receive their daily bread.
Lord, in your great kindness look after the dead,: and grant them a dwelling-place in heaven.

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 that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Lord, it is your desire to dwell in humble and sincere hearts.
Give us your grace and make us
a fit habitation for you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

Word Among Us

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Meditation
Genesis 3:9-24

What do you suppose is behind this “blame game?” Adam blames Eve for giving him the fruit, and Eve in turn blames the serpent for tricking her. If Adam and Eve had told the truth, they would have said they just didn’t trust that God would do what he promised to do for them. They did not believe he would really provide them with everything they needed; otherwise they would never have believed the devil’s lies. Instead, they fell for the deception that God was holding out on them and giving them only second best.

God’s response to this couple shows just how wrong Adam and Eve were to doubt him. Although he cast them out of Eden for their disobedience, he kept on providing for them, even though they had rebelled against him. Instead of washing his hands of the human race and starting all over, he promised to save us! He promised to put “enmity” between Eve and the devil, saying that one of Eve’s children would defeat him. “He”—none other than Jesus Christ—would crush the devil’s head, while the devil could only strike at his heel.

How much we have to be grateful for! We can be thankful that God does not leave us in the isolation and guilt of our sin. When we repent, he runs to us with open arms, like the father of the prodigal son. Jesus has taken all our sins on himself, and forgiven the offense that cast us out of paradise. And because of Jesus’ act of supreme goodness, we can now come to the Father, who fills us with every good and perfect gift.

Don’t miss out on all the gifts the Lord is offering you! Place your trust in your heavenly Father. Believe that he really can give you what you need. We don’t have to look for counterfeits—we can experience the awesome reality of a loving God who wants to shower us with grace. Whatever our need, he will meet it. We have no reason to doubt our God, for he is always faithful, and his mercies are always new!

“Dear Lord, thank you for sending your Son so that I can have life and have it abundantly. Thank you that your promises are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’! May I always know just how great and wonderful is your love.”

Psalm 90:2-6,12-13; Mark 8:1-10

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, February 10, 2007 >>

St. Scholastica

Genesis 3:9-24

Psalm 90

Mark 8:1-10

View Readings

DAILY GRIND OR DAILY BREAD?

"By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat." —Genesis 3:19

When God created the human race, He gave us dominion over all creation (Gn 1:28). Created things did not resist us but were in perfect harmony with us. Working the land was a pleasure, not a burden. We didn't have to struggle to provide food for ourselves.

After we sinned, we changed and the world changed. We and the rest of creation were no longer in harmony. For the first time there was such a thing as bad weather, sick people, and dangerous wild animals. Work became a drag, yet a necessity, not a pleasing re-creation. We had to sweat to get food (Gn 3:19) and struggle to survive. The ground was cursed because of us (Gn 3:17). Sometimes it brought forth only thorns and thistles (Gn 3:18), no matter how hard we had worked. Human beings were hungry and starving for the first time.

Then Jesus came along and told us that the Father would provide our daily bread (Mt 6:11), and we could now work for Jesus (Col 3:23) rather than for perishable food (Jn 6:27). Jesus is "the Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35). He can multiply a few loaves and fish to feed thousands of people (Mk 8:7-9). He can change bread and wine into His body and blood. He has removed the curse of sin. Jesus is Lord of all creation.

Prayer: Jesus, I accept You as my Bread, Creator, Recreator, Savior, Redeemer, Lord, Life, and God.

Promise: "Those who had eaten numbered about four thousand." —Mk 8:9

Praise: St. Scholastica trusted Jesus to be her daily bread and feared not to ask Him to grant her heart's desire.