On St. Francis de Sales
The Authority of the Church, Chapter II: That the Church is an infallible guide for our faith.
Wise Advice from St. Francis de Sales for When People Question your Motives

St. Francis de Sales on the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
St. Francis de Sales, the Providence of God, & the Primary Motive of the Incarnation
St. Francis de Sales on Hasty Judgement
St. Francis de Sales Counsels to Married Catholics
St. Joseph's Humility (By St. Francis de Sales)
St. Francis de Sales on St. Joseph (Some Excerpts for St. Joseph's Day 2004)
Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor of the Church
St. Francis de Sales: Catholic Encyclopedia Entry
January 24: The Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales: Bishop, Doctor of the Church, Gentleman Saint
Saint Francis de Sales

Information: St. Francis de Sales

Feast Day:	January 24
Born:	21 August 1567, Château de Thorens, Savoy
Died:	28 December 1622, Lyon, France
Canonized:	19 April 1665, Rome by Pope Alexander VII
Major Shrine:	Annecy, France
Patron of:	Catholic press; confessors; deaf people; educators; writers; journalists

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Francis de Sales

Feast Day: January 24
Born:1567 :: Died:1622

Francis was born at the de Sales castle called Chateau of Thorens in Savoy, France. His wealthy family provided him with an excellent education. He studied at La Roche, Annecy, Clermont College in Paris, and did law at the University of Padua.

By the age of twenty-four, Francis was a Doctor of Law. He returned home, and led a hard-working life as Senate advocate. He was not really interested in important positions or a social life.

In his heart, Francis was listening to a call that kept coming back like an echo. It seemed to be an invitation from the Lord telling him to "Leave all and follow Me." Francis finally tried to explain his struggle to his family.

His father was very disappointed. He wanted Francis to be a great man of the world.But Francis spent lots of time in prayer, finally his gentle ways won over the family and Francis became a priest on December 18, 1593.

In those times Christians were bitterly divided. Father Francis offered to go to a dangerous area of France to win back Catholics who had become Protestants. His father tried to stop him. He said it was bad enough that he had allowed Francis to become a priest; he was not going to let him die as a martyr as well.

But Francis knew that the Lord would protect him. He and his cousin, Father Louis de Sales, began their long walk to the Duchy of Chablais. The two priests soon learned how to live with insults and physical discomforts and their lives were often in danger.

Francis explained the teachings of the Catholic faith in very simple and clear language. And his gentle way with everyone, slowly brought many back to the Roman Catholic Church.

When he was thirty-five years old, Francis became the bishop of Geneva, Switzerland. He travelled and preached throughout the Duchy of Savoy, working with children whenever he could.

He was a good friend of Saint Vincent de Paul. With the help of St. Jane de Chantal, he started a religious order of sisters in 1610. These women are called the order of the Visitation.

Francis wrote wonderful books about the spiritual life and the way to become holy. The books, "Treatise on the Love of God" and "Introduction to the Devout Life", are still available in book stores today. They are considered spiritual "classics."

Bishop de Sales died at Lyons on December 28, 1622, at the age of fifty-six. Because of his good work that brought many people back to God and the Church, he was given the special title "Doctor of the Church." He is also the patron saint of journalists.

Catholic

Almanac:

Thursday, January 24

Liturgical Color: White
Today the Church remembers St. Babylas. He was the Bishop of Antioch in 240 A.D. He refused the emperor admittance to the church until he repented his sins. Eventually he was martyred for publicly proclaiming the faith.

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 3
7.	But Jesus retired with his disciples to the sea; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee and Judea,	Jesus autem cum discipulis suis secessit ad mare : et multa turba a Galilæa et Judæa secuta est eum,	και ο ιησους ανεχωρησεν μετα των μαθητων αυτου προς την θαλασσαν και πολυ πληθος απο της γαλιλαιας ηκολουθησαν αυτω και απο της ιουδαιας
8.	And from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond the Jordan. And they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing the things which he did, came to him.	et ab Jerosolymis, et ab Idumæa, et trans Jordanem : et qui circa Tyrum et Sidonem multitudo magna, audientes quæ faciebat, venerunt ad eum.	και απο ιεροσολυμων και απο της ιδουμαιας και περαν του ιορδανου και οι περι τυρον και σιδωνα πληθος πολυ ακουσαντες οσα εποιει ηλθον προς αυτον
9.	And he spoke to his disciples that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.	Et dicit discipulis suis ut navicula sibi deserviret propter turbam, ne comprimerent eum :	και ειπεν τοις μαθηταις αυτου ινα πλοιαριον προσκαρτερη αυτω δια τον οχλον ινα μη θλιβωσιν αυτον
10.	For he healed many, so that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had evils.	multos enim sanabat, ita ut irruerent in eum ut illum tangerent, quotquot habebant plagas.	πολλους γαρ εθεραπευσεν ωστε επιπιπτειν αυτω ινα αυτου αψωνται οσοι ειχον μαστιγας
11.	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him: and they cried, saying:	Et spiritus immundi, cum illum videbant, procidebant ei : et clamabant, dicentes :	και τα πνευματα τα ακαθαρτα οταν αυτον εθεωρει προσεπιπτεν αυτω και εκραζεν λεγοντα οτι συ ει ο υιος του θεου
12.	Thou art the Son of God. And he strictly charged them that they should not make him known.	Tu es Filius Dei. Et vehementer comminabatur eis ne manifestarent illum.	και πολλα επετιμα αυτοις ινα μη φανερον αυτον ποιησωσιν

7. But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea,
8. And from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things He did, came to him.
9. And he spoke to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him, because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
10. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
11. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, You ard the Son of God.
12. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

THEOPHYL. At the same time again, he goes away, that by quitting the ungrateful he might do good to more, for many followed him, and he healed them. For there follows, And great multitude from Galilee, &c. Syrians and Sidonians, being foreigners, receive benefit from Christ; but His kindred the Jews persecute Him: thus there is no profit in relationship, if there be not a similarity in goodness.

BEDE; For the strangers followed Him, because they saw the works of His powers, and in order to hear the words of His teaching. But the Jews, induced solely by their opinion of His powers, in a vast multitude come to hear Him, and to beg for His aiding health; wherefore there follows, And he spoke to his disciples, that they should wait, &c.

THEOPHYL. Consider then how he hid His glory, for he begs for a little ship, lest the crowd should hurt Him, so that entering into it, he might remain unharmed. it follows, As many as had scourges, &c. But he means by scourges, diseases, for God scourges us, as a father does His children.

BEDE; Both therefore fell down before the Lord, those who had the plagues of bodily diseases, and those who were vexed by unclean spirits. The sick did this simply with the intention of obtaining health, but the demoniacs, or rather the devils within them, because under the mastery of a fear of God they were compelled not only to fall down before Him, but also to praise His majesty; wherefore it goes on, And they cried out, saying, You are the Son of God. And here we must wonder at the blindness of the Arians, who, after the glory of His resurrection, deny the Son of God, Whom the devils confess to be the Son of God, though still clothed with human flesh.

There follows, And he straitly charged them, that they should not make him known. For God said to the sinner, Why do you preach my laws? A sinner is forbidden to preach the Lord, lest any one listening to his preaching should follow him in his error, for the devil is an evil master, who always mingles false things with true, that the semblance of truth may cover the witness of fraud. But not only devils, but persons healed by Christ, and even Apostles, are ordered to be silent concerning Him before the Passion, lest by the preaching of the majesty of His Divinity, the economy of His Passion should be retarded. But allegorically, in the Lord's coming out of the synagogue, and them retiring to the sea, The prefigured the salvation of the Gentiles, to whom The deigned to come through their faith, having quitted the Jews on account of their perfidy. For the nations, driven about in divers by-paths of error, are fitly compared to the unstable sea.

Again, a great crowd from various provinces followed Him, because He has received with kindness many nations, who came to Him through the preaching of the Apostles. But the ship waiting upon the Lord in the sea is the Church, collected from amongst the nations; and He goes into it lest the crowd should throng Him, because flying from the troubled minds of carnal persons, The delights to come to those who despise the glory of this world, and to dwell within them. Further, there is a difference between thronging the Lord, and touching Him; for they throng Him, when by carnal thoughts and deeds they trouble peace, in which truth dwells; but he touches Him, who by faith and love has received Him into his heart; wherefore those who touched Him are said to have been saved.

THEOPHYL. Morally again, the Herodians, that is, persons who love the lusts of the flesh, wish to slay Christ. For the meaning of Herod is, 'of skin.' But those who quit their country, that is, a carnal mode of living, follow Christ, and their plagues are healed, that is, the sins which wound their conscience. But Jesus in us is our reason, which commands that our vessel, that is, our body, should serve Him, lest the troubles of worldly affairs should press upon our reason.

Catena Aurea Mark 3

Christ preaching at the seaport

Jan Brueghel

1597
London, Private Collection

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: January 24, 2013
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who for the salvation of souls willed that the Bishop Saint Francis de Sales become all things to all, graciously grant that, following his example, we may always display the gentleness of your charity in the service of our neighbor. 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

Zuercher Ratsherrentopf

ACTIVITIES

PRAYERS

LIBRARY

Ordinary Time: January 24th

Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor; Optional memorial of Our Lady of Peace

Old Calendar: St. Timothy, bishop and martyr

His ardent love of God and souls, his great kindliness, rare wisdom and sure teaching made St. Francis exceptionally influential in bringing about conversions and in guiding souls in the spiritual life. He won back to the faith more than 70,000 heretics, thus restoring to the Church a great part of the Chablais, which had been ravaged by Protestantism. He was St. Jane de Chantal's spiritual director, and with her founded the Order of the Visitation. He is the author of Treatise on the Love of God and Introduction to the Devout Life. St. Francis died at Lyons in 1622.

This is also the optional memorial of Our Lady of Peace celebrated in the diocese of Honolulu.

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII today is the feast of St. Timothy, bishop and martyr. St. Timothy was the faithful companion of St. Paul on his missionary journeys. His feast is now celebrated on January 26. St. Francis de Sales feast was celebrated on January 29 and the feast of Our Lady of Peace was celebrated on July 9.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

St. Francis de Sales
Francis was born on August 21, 1567, and ordained to the priesthood in 1593. From 1594 to 1598 he labored at the difficult and dangerous task of preaching to the Protestants of Chablais and effected the return of some 70,000 souls to the Catholic faith. In 1602 he became bishop of Genf. His zeal for souls is attested in 21,000 extant letters and 4,000 sermons which exemplify how he applied St. Paul's words: "I have become all things to all men." You may epitomize his character in two words, kindliness and lovableness — virtues that were the secret of his success. His writings reflect his kindheartedness and sweet disposition.

Most widely known is the saint's Introduction to the Devout Life, which, with the Imitation of Christ, is rightly considered the finest outline of Christian perfection. Francis' Introduction proves to the world that true piety makes persons amiable, lovable and happy. A renowned and holy friendship existed between him and St. Frances de Chantal. In cooperation with her he founded the Visitation Nuns in 1610. Out of love for his own poor diocese, he refused opportunities for advancement, including the cardinalate. In recognition of the Introduction and his other writings, Francis has been declared a doctor of the Church.

How Francis developed a gentle and amiable disposition is a story in itself; he was not born a saint. By nature his temperament was choleric, fiery; little was needed to throw him into a state of violent anger. It took years before he mastered his impatience, his unruly temper. Even after he became bishop, there were slips, as for instance, when someone rang a bell before he had finished preaching. The important point, of course, is that by constant perseverance he did in time attain perfect self-mastery. Wherein lies a lesson.

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

Patron: Authors; Diocese of Baker, Oregon; Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio; Catholic press; Diocese of Columbus, Ohio; confessors; deaf people; deafness; Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware; educators; journalists; teachers; writers.

Symbols: Bald man with a long beard wearing a bishop's robes holding a book; heart pierced with thorns or picture of the Virgin.

Things to Do:

Buy a copy of Introduction to the Devout Life or read it online here.
Read more about St. Francis de Sales.
Learn more about the errors of Calvinism and the Jansenistic heresy, both of which St. Francis' converted many followers.
Learn more about the Salesian order.
St. Francis was born near Geneva, Switzerland, try a Swiss recipe in his honor.

Our Lady of Peace
Our Lady Queen of Peace has been the patroness of the Catholic Church in Hawaii since 1827. The first Catholic missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands arrived at Honolulu Bay on July 7, 1827. These missionaries were members of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of Perpetual Adoration and upon their arrival in the islands dedicated their labors to the patroness of the Congregation, Our Lady Queen of Peace and placed the Islands under her protection. It was in her honor that these missionaries erected the first Catholic Church.

After more than a decade of contentious relations with the Hawaiian government, the missionaries were finally allowed to proceed with their evangelization work. In thanksgiving, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace was erected. Completed in 1843, a statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace was placed in the niche above the main altar. The Cathedral was solemnly blessed and dedicated to Our Lady of Peace on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1843.

The original statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace is located in the Convent Chapel of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts in Picpus, France. During the troubled days of the Commune, in 1871, the populace, incited by atheistic leaders, invaded churches, chapels and convents, destroying every emblem of religion that fell into their hands. The chapel of Our Lady Queen of Peace became their prey. The Superior, with tears in her eyes, begged them to spare their beloved shrine; and, strange to say, the rabble went away, leaving it unharmed. When the tempest of the persecution subsided, the statue was again returned to its usual place and honored and venerated by a phalanx of devout souls.

On July 9, 1906, the statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace was solemnly crowned in the name of Pope Pius X by his Eminence Cardinal Amette, Archbishop of Paris. Every year on July 9 the feast of Our Lady Queen of Peace is celebrated with great solemnity in the Congregation of the Fathers and Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Perpetual Adoration.

During World War I Pope Benedict XV added the title Queen of Peace to the Litany of Loreto.

Things to Do:

Pray the Litany of Loreto.
Pray for peace in the world, especially for an end to the war in Iraq and for the safety of all soldiers.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Day Seven: Walking in Solidarity

To walk humbly with God means walking in solidarity with all who struggle for justice and peace. Walking in solidarity has implications not just for individual believers, but for the very nature and mission of the whole Christian community. The Church is called and empowered to share the suffering of all by advocacy and care for the poor, the needy and the marginalised. Such is implicit in our prayer for Christian unity this week.

Vatican Resources

Doctors of the Catholic Church

Saint Francis de Sales is the Doctor of Authors and the Catholic Press. He is the Patron of Journalists and a superb model for overcoming temptation and depression.

This amazing bishop cared gently for his flock through practical solutions and assistance. He directed and counseled the faithful to realize that their own secular calling was as sacred as Christ's call, in that for thirty years he was a common laborer (carpenter). Jesus, with his mother and father, sanctified all their duties and labors in Nazareth, with whatever their duties brought them each day. They eked out a living from a poor and unkown region of the world where there were great hardships and pressure from relatives, and their own Jewish religion leaders and priests. They suffered through exile, abandonment, denial, betrayal, and excruciating punishment though a horrible death by criminal crucifixion.

Francis wanted all to understand clearly, through his ministry and pamphlet writings, that Jesus climaxed his career, leaving his employment, for about three years, but only to instruct his followers about some stories that his mother had taught him when he was growing up in Nazareth as a young boy.

Francis is often referred to as the 'Gentleman' saint because of his tremendous kindness and gentleness. Although Francis had special favorite religious and clergy friends, he identified with the laity enormously.

Should you experience temptation or anxiety, read and implore this saint to aid you, for his counsel and his wisdom in guiding and instructing others, is unsurpassed. He believed that all are called to be great saints because of the unlimited love Christ showed to each person wherever they live. In short, all are called to love Jesus wholeheartedly in all of their responsibilites and duties.

Sayings from his spiritual classic, Introduction to the Devout Life, are found at the end.

St Francis de Sales, 1567-1622. Doctor of Authors and the Catholic Press, Feast Jan 24th.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 3:7-12

Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

He warned them sternly not to make him known. (Mark 3:12)

Can you imagine trying to keep a huge, exciting secret under wraps? That is exactly what Jesus was doing. As the Messiah, he came to bring healing, a new reign, and redemption, but he knew that the people would have a hard time understanding that the blessings would be released only after his death and resurrection. That’s why it was so important to keep the “messianic secret” until the right moment. Otherwise, people might get so caught up in all the miracles that they would lose sight of the long-term goal of redemption through the cross.

Well, the secret is out now. Sin has been defeated, and death has lost its sting. But at the same time, Jesus remains a mystery to us in so many other ways. He still surprises us with the depths of his kindness and compassion. We have only begun to scratch the surface of what it means that he is both completely just and completely merciful. How can he both be sovereign over all creation and yet still hear and answer our prayers?

Every day, Jesus invites us to learn a bit more of the mystery of who he is. It is as if we sat down with a tapestry needle and a piece of white fabric. As we glimpse his love, we start to make stitches in one color. But then the color shifts as we feel him convicting us of our sins. It may change again when he gives us new strength to weather a difficult time in our lives. Over time, our plain fabric starts to fill with a picture.

But this picture of God doesn’t develop only through prayer and study. Day after day, in situation after situation, that picture can become clearer and more detailed. Every time we try to yield to his laws or listen for his Spirit’s promptings, we learn a little bit more. Then, as time passes, we can look back and see how our image of God has changed and filled out.

Today, think about one facet of God—maybe his mercy, his love, or his patience. How has your perspective on that facet changed or deepened over the years? Spend some time contemplating this aspect of your heavenly Father. Then praise him for revealing himself to you!

“Jesus, I want to know you more.”

Hebrews 7:25–8:6; Psalm 40:7-10, 17

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for January 24, 2013:

The internet and social media can enrich our lives, but they can also threaten your marriage. It’s not only pornography or finding old flames on Facebook, but also the time taken from interaction with your beloved. Agree on mutual limits to screen time.

Vultus Christi

Thursday of Adoration and Reparation for Priests

By

Father Mark

on January 24, 2013 9:26 AM |

Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

I am often asked what it means to make reparation or to be, as we say here at the monastery, a reparator. To be a reparator is to give Our Lord Jesus Christ what others deny Him; it is offer Him what other souls refuse to give Him, not in condemnation of such souls, but by identifying with them, and by representing them before Our Lord.

Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. (John 19:28)

Long ago, Our Lord said, "I thirst" -- yet that thirst continues, not yet quenched, because it is a thirst for souls and for the faith, and love, and adoration, and hope, and thanksgiving, and confidence that only souls can offer Him freely. The terrible thirst of Our Lord's Passion will continue until the end of time, but so too will the call to reparation continue to enliven His Church with souls who will offer themselves in the name of their brethren, to quench His thirst, and to comfort His grieving Heart.

Between the porch and the altar the priests the Lord's ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people: and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God? (Joel 2:17)

The Sacrament of Love is rightly the object of reparation because it is there that Our Lord suffers the coldness, the indifference, the ingratitude, and the irreverence of men, beginning with His priests. For this reason, reparation must begin with His priests, with priests who will adore Him and, in adoring Him, offer themselves to His Heart as victims of reparation and of love.

I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I, but that it be kindled? (Luke 12:49)

Those who offer themselves to Our Lord Jesus Christ, in this way, will experience the consuming fire of His merciful love making of them a holocaust of love to Love. Our Lord will send upon them the fire of the Holy Ghost, not to destroy utterly, but to purify, leaving nothing, after its flames have done their work, but what is wholly acceptable to Him and pleasing to His Father.

Regnum Christi

Touching the Lord

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

Father Walter Schu, LC

Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, this time of prayer should be everything for me: the moment that I long for, the food that sustains me, the comfort that strengthens me. I know that you are at work in me even when I don’t feel you and don’t even seem able to perceive your presence. I want to pray fervently and from the heart, not just with my mind.

Petition: Lord, help me to touch you in this moment of prayer. Help me to touch you in the Eucharist so that your presence will transform me.

1. Was Jesus Afraid? In yesterday’s Gospel text, Jesus silenced the Pharisees in the synagogue. So incensed were they against the Lord that they began to plot with the Herodians to kill him. Now Jesus has retreated from the synagogues to the lakeshore and the open fields. Was Christ afraid? Was he running from his enemies? Hardly. The Lord was simply aware that his hour had not yet come. When it does approach, he will embrace it by marching resolutely to Jerusalem and his passion and death. The ones who really are afraid are the demons. They recognize that God is manifesting his power through Christ, and they tremble before him. The Son of God has come to win back what Satan’s lies have stolen. Does Christ’s power accompanying me in my life give me the courage I need to confront any situation as his witness?

2. To Touch the Lord: In this vivid Gospel scene, the crowds of stricken humanity clamor around Jesus. Jews and gentiles journey from the far away regions of Idumea to the south, and Tyre and Sidon to the north, to catch a glimpse of the Master, to hear him speak words that no one has ever spoken before—to touch him and be healed of their infirmities. Oh, that we too had lived during the time of Christ in order to touch him and be cured of our sadness and selfishness, our heartache and egotism, our loneliness and lies, and even our physical ailments! Did Christ love those people who surrounded him by the lakeshore more than he loves us? No. He enables us to touch him more easily than they – every time we receive him in the Eucharist. Then why are we not yet healed? The disciples once cried out to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” And he replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed….”

3. The Person of Christ: Irresistible. How can we grow in our faith in Christ? How can we, too, experience the irresistible attraction of his person like the crowds in Mark’s Gospel did? Nothing fills our life as much as contemplating the figure of Christ and perceiving the irresistible power of attraction he exercises through the centuries. Draw close to him, and in the depths of your souls contemplate him in all of the beauty of his human and divine stature. Along with the Eucharist, it is through prayer that we can come to touch Christ. Prayer is the most solemn moment for confessing our love; it is the raison d’être of our life, the ideal of our apostolate, the nourishment of our whole existence.

Conversation with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for letting me catch a glimpse of who you are through this meditation. Help me to respond to the attraction of your person with my whole life and to hold nothing back from you.

Resolution: I will visit Christ in the Eucharist or make a spiritual communion to thank him for his love and to contemplate him in the beauty of his divine and human stature.

The Divine Physician

by Food For Thought on January 24, 2013 ·

When we are very sick, we try all means to get healed. We go to the best doctors, but sometimes this does not help. In our helplessness, we even try medicines which we heard have healed others even these are not prescribed to us. Then we seek faith healers. Yes, we hope for miracles for our healing.

In the Gospel, we find Jesus being sought by many sick people who wanted to be healed. They have heard of the many miracles that Jesus had been doing. With their faith, that even by just touching his cloak, they hoped to be healed from their illness. They believed that only Jesus can do this by the fact that even the evil spirits recognized him as the Son of God.

The miracles of Jesus which they have either experienced or witnessed led the people to seek him. Do we also seek Jesus in our life? Do we seek him only because of our need for healing or because we recognize him as the Son of God, our brother and savior? How are we seeking him daily in our life?

One Bread, One Body

<< Thursday, January 24, 2013 >>

St. Francis de Sales

Hebrews 7:25—8:6
View Readings

Psalm 40:7-10, 17

Mark 3:7-12

"HOME ALONE?"

Jesus "is always able to save those who approach God through Him." —Hebrews 7:25

Sooner or later, we all come to the conclusion that we are weak. In infancy, we begin life with years of utter dependence on others. As we grow up and become stronger, sickness, failure, sin, and the deaths of others serve as constant reminders of our human weakness, lest we forget our dependence on God. Finally, old age picks up where childhood left off. We progressively become weaker and more dependent on others.

Our human weakness is a serious problem for us. We cope with this by crying out for help. Babies cry to their parents. Later, these parents who have grown old cry out to their babies who have grown up. In our weakness, we depend on each other. Most of all, we depend on the only perfectly dependable One, that is, God. Thus, our human weakness isn't so much of a problem.

Sometimes, however, we feel "home alone," cut off from others and even from God. We feel panic as if we are trapped in our human weakness. However, these feelings of isolation and doom are unfounded. We are never cut off from God, because we can always approach God the Father through Jesus (Heb 7:25). He has torn open forever the veil which had separated us from the holy of holies of His presence (see Mt 27:51; Heb 10:19). In our weakness, God's power can always reach perfection (see 2 Cor 12:9). We need not fear isolation. We are never alone (see Jn 16:32; Mt 28:20).

Prayer: Father, may Your love push the fear of loneliness out of my life (see 1 Jn 4:18).

Promise: "Because He had cured many, all who had afflictions kept pushing toward Him to touch Him." —Mk 3:10

Praise: St. Francis de Sales pastored his flock with gentleness, patience, understanding, and great love.

"I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born."

~Ronald Reagan, quoted in New York Times, 22 September 1980