Posted on 02/04/2015 8:38:46 PM PST by Salvation
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English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
Mark 6 |
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7. | And he called the twelve; and began to send them two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. | Et vocavit duodecim : et cpit eos mittere binos, et dabat illis potestatem spirituum immundorum. | και προσκαλειται τους δωδεκα και ηρξατο αυτους αποστελλειν δυο δυο και εδιδου αυτοις εξουσιαν των πνευματων των ακαθαρτων |
8. | And he commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, but a staff only: no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse, | Et præcepit eis ne quid tollerent in via, nisi virgam tantum : non peram, non panem, neque in zona æs, | και παρηγγειλεν αυτοις ινα μηδεν αιρωσιν εις οδον ει μη ραβδον μονον μη πηραν μη αρτον μη εις την ζωνην χαλκον |
9. | But to be shod with sandals, and that they should not put on two coats. | sed calceatos sandaliis, et ne induerentur duabus tunicis. | αλλ υποδεδεμενους σανδαλια και μη ενδυσησθε δυο χιτωνας |
10. | And he said to them: Wheresoever you shall enter into an house, there abide till you depart from that place. | Et dicebat eis : Quocumque introieritis in domum, illic manete donec exeatis inde : | και ελεγεν αυτοις οπου εαν εισελθητε εις οικιαν εκει μενετε εως αν εξελθητε εκειθεν |
11. | And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them. | et quicumque non receperint vos, nec audierint vos, exeuntes inde, excutite pulverem de pedibus vestris in testimonium illis. | και οσοι αν μη δεξωνται υμας μηδε ακουσωσιν υμων εκπορευομενοι εκειθεν εκτιναξατε τον χουν τον υποκατω των ποδων υμων εις μαρτυριον αυτοις αμην λεγω υμιν ανεκτοτερον εσται σοδομοις η γομορροις εν ημερα κρισεως η τη πολει εκεινη |
12. | And going forth they preached that men should do penance: | Et exeuntes prædicabant ut pnitentiam agerent : | και εξελθοντες εκηρυσσον ινα μετανοησωσιν |
13. | And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. | et dæmonia multa ejiciebant, et ungebant oleo multos ægros, et sanabant. | και δαιμονια πολλα εξεβαλλον και ηλειφον ελαιω πολλους αρρωστους και εθεραπευον |
(*) In v.11: αμην λεγω υμιν ανεκτοτερον εσται σοδομοις η γομορροις εν ημερα κρισεως η τη πολει εκεινη -- "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city" is not in the translations
Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Memorial
February 5th
Francisco de Zurbaran
St Agatha
1630-33 -- Oil on canvas
Musée Fabre, Montpellier
History:
One of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity, put to death for her steadfast profession of faith in Catania, Sicily. Although it is uncertain in which persecution this took place, we may accept, as probably based on ancient tradition, the evidence of her legendary life, composed at a later date, to the effect that her martyrdom occurred during the persecution of Decius (250-253).
Her name appears in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).
Collect:
May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha
implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray,
for she found favor with you
by the courage of her martyrdom
and the merit of her chastity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord."
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:23-26
And He[Jesus] said to all, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Feast Day: February 5
Born: Catania or Palermo
Died: 251, Catania
Patron of: bellfounders; breast cancer; bakers; against fire; earthquakes; eruptions of Mount Etna; fire; jewelers; martyrs; natural disasters; nurses; rape victims; single laywomen; sterility; torture victims; volcanic eruptions; wetnurses
St. Agatha
Feast Day: February 05
Born:(around)220 :: Died:250
A beautiful Christian girl named Agatha lived in Sicily in the third century. The governor heard of Agatha's beauty and brought her to his palace. He wanted to make her commit sins, but she was brave and would not give in. "My Lord Jesus Christ," she prayed, "you see my heart and you know my desire. I am all yours. Save me from this evil man. Make me worthy of winning out over the devil."
The governor then sent Agatha to the house of a wicked woman and hoped she would become bad too. But Agatha had great trust in God and prayed all the time. She kept herself pure. She would not listen to the evil ideas of the woman and her daughters.
After a month, she was brought back to the governor. He tried again to win her. "You are a noblewoman," he said kindly. "Why have you lowered yourself to be a humble Christian?"
"Even though I am a noble," answered Agatha, "I am a slave of Jesus Christ." "Then what does it really mean to be noble?" the governor asked. Agatha answered, "It means to serve God."
When he realized that she would not sin, the governor became angry. He had Agatha whipped and tortured. As she was being carried back to prison she whispered, "Lord, my Creator, you have protected me from the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my soul." Agatha soon died a martyr at Catania, Sicily, in the year 250.
Thursday, February 5
Liturgical Color: Green
Today is the Memorial of St. Agatha,
virgin and martyr. Agatha was a beautiful,
young girl desired by a Roman senator
for marriage around 250 A.D. Wanting to
remain pure for Christ, she refused, and
was tortured until she died.
Daily Readings for:February 05, 2015
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray, for she found favor with you by the courage of her martyrdom and the merit of her chastity. 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
ACTIVITIES
o Customs on the Feast of St. Agatha
o Nameday Ideas for St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
o Religion in the Home for Elementary School: February
o Religion in the Home for Preschool: February
PRAYERS
o Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
· Ordinary Time: February 5th
· Memorial of St. Agatha, virgin and martyr
Old Calendar: St. Agatha
St. Agatha died in defense of her purity, in Catania, Sicily, where she was born. After Quintanus, the governor of Sicily, tried in vain to force her to consent to sin, she was imprisoned for a month with an evil woman. He then turned from sensuality to cruelty and had her breasts cut off; but that night Agatha was healed by St. Peter. She was then rolled over sharp stones and burning coals, and finally taken to prison where she died while praying. Her name appears in the Roman Canon.
St. Agatha
It is impossible to write a historically reliable account of St. Agatha's life. The "Acts" of her martyrdom are legendary, dating from the sixth century.
According to these sources Agatha was a Sicilian virgin of noble extraction. Quintianus, governor of Sicily, became deeply enamored of her; but she rejected his advances. As a result she was charged with being a Christian and brought before his tribunal. To the question concerning her origin she replied: "I am noble-born, of a distinguished family, as all my relatives will attest." When asked why she lived the servile life of a Christian, she answered: "I am a handmaid of Christ, and that is why I bear the outward appearance of a slave; yet this is the highest nobility, to be a slave to Christ." The governor threatened her with the most dreadful tortures if she did not renounce Christ. Agatha countered: "If you threaten me with wild beasts, know that at the Name of Christ they grow tame; if you use fire, from heaven angels will drop healing dew on me."
After being tortured, "Agatha went to prison radiant with joy and with head held high as though invited to a festive banquet. And she commended her agony to the Lord in prayer." The next day, as she again stood before the judge, she declared: "If you do not cause my body to be torn to pieces by the hangmen, my soul cannot enter the Lord's paradise with the martyrs. She was then stretched on the rack, burned with red-hot irons, and despoiled of her breasts. During these tortures she prayed: "For love of chastity I am made to hang from a rack. Help me, O Lord my God, as they knife my breasts. Agatha rebuked the governor for his barbarity: "Godless, cruel, infamous tyrant, are you not ashamed to despoil a woman of that by which your own mother nursed you?"
Returning to prison, she prayed: "You have seen, O Lord, my struggle, how I fought in the place of combat; but because I would not obey the commands of rulers, my breasts were lacerated." In the night there appeared to her a venerable old man, the apostle Peter, with healing remedies. Agatha, ever delicately modest, hesitated to show him her wounds. "I am the apostle of Christ; distrust me not, my daughter." To which she replied: "I have never used earthly medicines on my body. I cling to the Lord Jesus Christ, who renews all things by His word." She was miraculously healed by St. Peter: "Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I give you praise because by Your apostle You have restored my breasts." Throughout the night a light illumined the dungeon. When the guards fled in terror, her fellow prisoners urged her to escape but she refused: "Having received help from the Lord, I will persevere in confessing Him who healed me and comforted me."
Four days later she was again led before the judge. He, of course, was amazed over her cure. Nevertheless, he insisted that she worship the gods; which prompted another confession of faith in Christ. Then by order of the governor, Agatha was rolled over pieces of sharp glass and burning coals. At that moment the whole city was rocked by a violent earthquake. Two walls collapsed, burying two of the governor's friends in the debris. Fearing a popular uprising, he ordered Agatha, half dead, to be returned to prison. Here she offered her dying prayer: "Blessed Agatha stood in the midst of the prison and with outstretched arms prayed to the Lord: O Lord Jesus Christ, good Master, I give You thanks that You granted me victory over the executioners' tortures. Grant now that I may happily dwell in Your never-ending glory." Thereupon she died.
A year after her death the city of Catania was in great peril from an eruption on Mount Etna. Pagans, too, were numbered among those who fled in terror to the saint's grave. Her veil was taken and held against the onrushing flames, and suddenly the danger ceased. Her grave is venerated at Catania in Sicily.
—The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Patron: Bell-founders; breast cancer; breast disease; Catania, Italy; against fire; earthquakes; eruptions of Mount Etna; fire; fire prevention; jewelers; martyrs; natural disasters; nurses; Palermo, Italy; rape victims; single laywomen; sterility; torture victims; volcanic eruptions; wet-nurses; Zamarramala, Spain.
Symbols: Breasts on a dish; embers; knife; loaves of bread on a dish; pincers; shears; tongs; veil; virgin martyr wearing a veil and bearing her severed breasts on a silver platter.
Things to Do:
Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
They anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:13)
This verse makes it sound as if the apostles had nothing but success in their ministry, that every person they prayed with was healed. But we know that isn’t the case. All we have to do is remember how they couldn’t cast out a demon from a young man while Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:14-29).
Isn’t that great news? They’re just like us, limited human beings whose prayers aren’t always answered and who don’t always get it right. We may think that we will never be able to do what they did, but even they didn’t do it all the time! And it’s not just about performing miracles. Peter denied even knowing Jesus, and Thomas doubted that he had risen from the dead. That’s so very encouraging for us.
The apostles’ successes and mistakes show that they are no different from us. Sometimes they prayed for someone to be healed, and nothing happened. Like them, we can pray for someone for healing and not detect any change at all—not even over a period of time. Sometimes, they got into selfish arguments with each other. And like them, we may be having a hard time forgiving someone who has hurt us. That’s okay, because even Jesus’ hand-selected apostles had the same struggles.
Still, God wants us to keep praying for healings and trying to forgive. Remember how Paul asked Jesus three times to remove a spiritual thorn, but Jesus told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Whatever our situation, Jesus will give us the grace to keep following him. And often without our knowing how, we’ll find his grace at work in other areas of our lives, comforting and empowering us.
So keep up the good work! Try, persist, and learn from your mistakes. Believe that you have been “chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things” (Ephesians 1:11). You will face trials and temptations, but if you just focus on what comes next, one step at a time, you’ll see progress. This is what Peter, John, and all the rest did—and look what happened to them!
“Jesus, thank you for the apostles’ example of faith. Give me your grace, that I may live for you!”
Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24
Psalm 48:2-4, 9-11
Daily Marriage Tip for February 5, 2015:
In marriage, arguments are seldom black and white, Im right and youre wrong. Look for the golden mean when youre on opposite sides.
Two by Two | ||
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February 5, 2015. Thursday in the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
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Mark 6:7-13 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick -- no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." So they went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Introductory Prayer: Father, I come before you today hungry for all the graces you desire for me in this meditation. I believe in your goodness. I wish to become more like your son, Jesus Christ, every day. I want to live a life of self-giving love like Christ. Thank you for your grace. Petition: Christ Jesus, grant me a spirit of teamwork in spreading your Gospel. 1. Where Two or Three Are Gathered…: Christ sent out his apostles in pairs. The fact that the Gospel mentions this detail shows that it is not just an accident. There are some passages in Matthew’s Gospel that can shed some light on this desire of Christ. First, “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). The apostles are first and foremost called to witness to Christ by their example. They are to foster communion and charity among themselves, so that others, seeing how they interact with each other, will be led to exclaim, “See how they love one another!” The apostle-teams exhibited oneness of heart and soul, sharing in common what they were able to procure: lodging, success, failure. With such an attitude, Christ promises that he would be there in their midst. 2. Another Witness: “If you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:16). The word of one person, who has witnessed a miraculous event alone, is often taken as no more than the word of a crazy man. However, if more than one person confesses to having witnessed the event, there is much stronger proof. The apostles went about witnessing to the things that Jesus was doing and the signs he was working: healing the sick, casting out demons, etc. It is wonderful to team up with fellow Christians in the workplace or in the family, in order to witness to the work of Christ in our lives. 3. Apostolic Efficacy: Jesus makes it clear: with regard to the mission, another apostle is much more important than other material tools. Jesus teaches us here the principle of teamwork. An apostolic “colleague” helps us to be vigilant against dangers to our health and well-being (physical and spiritual). Prayer can be in community; Jesus assures that “if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19). Working in a team also helps to improve apostolic efficacy: Each enriches the other with the exchange of knowledge, personal and lived experiences, and views on the situation. Each complements the other, contributing their God-given gifts, abilities and qualities. “Two heads are better than one.” Conversation with Christ: You sent your apostles out in twos, Lord Jesus, to teach me about the importance of teamwork. Help me not presume that I am alone in the mission. When I try to do everything myself, sometimes it may be out of subtle pride. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of apostolic colleagues. Increase in my heart true fraternal charity for those who work alongside me in building up your kingdom, so that the world may believe. Resolution: I will make it a point to involve an apostolic colleague in my effort to help some friend or family member encounter Christ. |
February 5, 2015
Jesus Christ shows his intention of founding his Church by choosing the twelve apostles. He instructs them on how to do their mission. He also gives them authority over unclean spirits, and ability to cure people with ailments. Today Jesus is sounding off this same call to us – to be his messengers of the Good News. We can do this mission first by making our personal lives a living testimony to the love and goodness of God. Then some of us may be called to be catechists or missionaries like the apostles.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus instructs the apostles not to bring anything – clothes, food or money – for the journey. Why? Because Jesus wants them to experience God’s providence and trust in Him. So whatever role in the Church God is calling you to do, remember that Jesus will be with you till the end of time as he promised. Do not be afraid and trust in the providence of God. And do not think that you are unworthy of the call. Remember that among the apostles, one denied Jesus three times, another doubted in his resurrection and a third betrayed him. The Lord knows each one of us. He knows our weaknesses. So just trust in him and the Holy Spirit to give you the grace and strength to fulfill your mission.
And when you have fulfilled your mission and depart from this world, you can be sure that you will be in good company – saints, angels, martyrs, etc. – all worshipping God, the supreme Judge and Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Saviour. We will be constantly feasting in heaven and our happiness will have no end because the Holy Spirit will be everywhere.
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