Daily Gospel For Monday, 17 February 2014
“Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”(John 6:68)
Monday of the 6th Week of Ordinary Time
Saint of the Day:
The Seven Holy Founders
of the Order of Servites
of the Order of Servites
Seven laymen of the city of Florence, in the mid-thirteenth century, renounced the world and lived as hermits on Monte Senario, about 12 miles from Florence.
They had a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary; they spent themselves in the care of others and eventually in preaching throughout Tuscany.
The Order of Servites was founded from those who came to follow them, and was recognised by the Holy See in 1304.
The Weekday Missal
Monday of the 6th Week of Ordinary Time
James 1: Salutation
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes[a] in the Dispersion:
Greeting.
Faith and Wisdom
2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7, 8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.
Poverty and Riches
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Footnotes:
a. 1.1 twelve tribes: i.e., Jewish Christians outside Palestine.
Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray;
but now I keep thy word.
but now I keep thy word.
68 Thou art good and doest good;
teach me thy statutes.
teach me thy statutes.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn thy statutes.
that I might learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right,
and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
76 Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me
according to thy promise to thy servant.
according to thy promise to thy servant.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8: The Demand for a Sign
11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”13 And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.
Monday of the 6th Week of Ordinary Time
Commentary of the Day:
Saint [Padre] Pio de Pietrelcina (1887-1968), Capuchin
CE,57 ; Ep 3,400f.
"Why does this generation seek a sign? "
The greatest act of faith is that which rises to your lips in total darkness together with the sacrifices, sufferings and wholehearted efforts of a determined will to do good. This act of faith strikes through the darkness of your soul like lightening. In the midst of tempest it raises you up and leads you to God.
Living faith, unshakeable certainty, and an unwavering cleaving to the Lord's will: these are the light that illumines the steps of the People of God in the desert. It is this same light that shines at every moment in every soul pleasing to the Father. It is this light, too, that guided the Magi and caused them to worship the newborn Christ. It is the star that Balaam foretold (Nb 24,17), the torch guiding the steps of everyone who seeks God.
Even so, this light, star, torch are what enlighten your soul and direct your steps to keep you from stumbling. They are what strengthen your spirit in God's love. You don't see it, you don't understand it, but that isn't necessary. You will see only darkness, not, to be sure, that of the “sons of perdition”, but rather that which encompasses the everlasting Sun. Hold it as certain that this Sun is shining in your soul: about this the prophet of the Lord sang: “In your light we see light” (Ps 36[35],10).
Living faith, unshakeable certainty, and an unwavering cleaving to the Lord's will: these are the light that illumines the steps of the People of God in the desert. It is this same light that shines at every moment in every soul pleasing to the Father. It is this light, too, that guided the Magi and caused them to worship the newborn Christ. It is the star that Balaam foretold (Nb 24,17), the torch guiding the steps of everyone who seeks God.
Even so, this light, star, torch are what enlighten your soul and direct your steps to keep you from stumbling. They are what strengthen your spirit in God's love. You don't see it, you don't understand it, but that isn't necessary. You will see only darkness, not, to be sure, that of the “sons of perdition”, but rather that which encompasses the everlasting Sun. Hold it as certain that this Sun is shining in your soul: about this the prophet of the Lord sang: “In your light we see light” (Ps 36[35],10).
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