"The man got up and followed him"

DAILY GOSPEL: 15/01/2011

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Saturday of the First week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Hebrews 4:12-16.
Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Psalms 19:8.9.10.15.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just;
Let the words of my mouth meet with your favor, keep the thoughts of my heart before you, LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 2:13-17.
Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
Jesus heard this and said to them (that), "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Mc 2,13-17

Commentary of the day 
Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Confessions, X, 27-28 (trans. Henry Chadwick)

"The man got up and followed him"

Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you. And see, you were within and I was in the external world and sought you there, and in my unlovely state I plunged into those lovely created things which you made. You were with me, and I was not with you. The lovely things kept me far from you, though if they did not have their existence in you, they had no existence at all. You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours.

When I shall have adhered to you with the whole of myself, I shall never have pain and toil, and my entire life will be full of you. You lift up the person whom you fill. But for the present, because I am not full of you, I am a burden to myself... Have mercy on me, Lord! There is a struggle between my regrets at my evil past and my memories of good joys, and which side has the victory I do not know. Alas, Lord have mercy upon me!, wretch that I am. See, I do not hide my wounds. You are the physician, I am the patient. You are pitiful, I am the object of pity.

---

Saturday, 15 January 2011

St. Paul, the first Hermit († 342)

---

SAINT PAUL
The First Hermit
(c. 230-342)

        St. Paul was born in Upper Egypt, about the year 230, and became an orphan at the age of fifteen. He was very rich and highly educated. Fearing lest the tortures of a terrible persecution might endanger his Christian perseverance, he retired into a remote village. But his pagan brother-in-law denounced him, and St. Paul, rather than remain where his faith was in danger, entered the barren desert, trusting that God would supply his wants. And his confidence was rewarded; for on the spot to which Providence led him he found the fruit of the palm-tree for food, and its leaves for clothing, and the water of a spring for drink. His first design was to return to the world when the persecution was over; but, tasting great delights in prayer and penance, he remained the rest of his life, ninety years, in penance, prayer, and contemplation.

         God revealed his existence to St. Antony, who sought him for three days. Seeing a thirsty she-wolf run through an opening in the rocks, Antony followed her to look for water, and found Paul. They knew each other at once, and praised God together. When St. Antony visited him, a raven brought him a loaf, and St. Paul said, "See how good God is! For sixty years this bird has brought me half a loaf every day; now thou art come, Christ has doubled the provision for His servants." Having passed the night in prayer, at dawn of day Paul told Antony that he was about to die, and asked to be buried in the cloak given to Antony by St. Athanasius. Antony hastened to fetch it, and on his way back saw Paul rise to heaven in glory. He found his dead body kneeling as if in prayer, and two lions came and dug his grave.

         Paul died in his one hundred and thirteenth year.

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]

«Levántate, coge tu camilla y vete a tu casa»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 14/01/201

¿ Señor, a quién iremos?. Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna. Jn 6, 68

Viernes de la I Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Carta a los Hebreos 4,1-5.11.
Temamos, entonces, mientras permanece en vigor la promesa de entrar en el Reposo de Dios, no sea que alguno de ustedes se vea excluido.
Porque también nosotros, como ellos, hemos recibido una buena noticia; pero la Palabra que ellos oyeron no les sirvió de nada, porque no se unieron por la fe a aquellos que la aceptaron.
Nosotros, en cambio, los que hemos creído, vamos hacia aquel Reposo del cual se dijo: Entonces juré en mi indignación: Jamás entrarán en mi Reposo. En realidad, las obras de Dio estaban concluidas desde la creación del mundo,
ya que en cierto pasaje se dice acerca del séptimo día de la creación: Y Dios descansó de todas sus obras en el séptimo día;
y en este, a su vez, se dice: Jamás entrarán en mi Reposo.
Esforcémonos, entonces, por entrar en ese Reposo, a fin de que nadie caiga imitando aquel ejemplo de desobediencia.

Salmo 78,3.4.6-7.8.
Lo que hemos oído y aprendido, lo que nos contaron nuestros padres,
no queremos ocultarlo a nuestros hijos, lo narraremos a la próxima generación: son las glorias del Señor y su poder, las maravillas que él realizó.
Así las aprenderán las generaciones futuras y los hijos que nacerán después; y podrán contarlas a sus propios hijos,
para que pongan su confianza en Dios, para que no se olviden de sus proezas y observen sus mandamientos.
Así no serán como sus padres, una raza obstinada y rebelde, una raza de corazón inconstante y de espíritu infiel a Dios:

Evangelio según San Marcos 2,1-12.
Unos días después, Jesús volvió a Cafarnaún y se difundió la noticia de que estaba en la casa.
Se reunió tanta gente, que no había más lugar ni siquiera delante de la puerta, y él les anunciaba la Palabra.
Le trajeron entonces a un paralítico, llevándolo entre cuatro hombres.
Y como no podían acercarlo a él, a causa de la multitud, levantaron el techo sobre el lugar donde Jesús estaba, y haciendo un agujero descolgaron la camilla con el paralítico.
Al ver la fe de esos hombres, Jesús dijo al paralítico: "Hijo, tus pecados te son perdonados".
Unos escribas que estaban sentados allí pensaban en su interior:
"¿Qué está diciendo este hombre? ¡Está blasfemando! ¿Quién puede perdonar los pecados, sino sólo Dios?"
Jesús, advirtiendo en seguida que pensaban así, les dijo: "¿Qué están pensando?
¿Qué es más fácil, decir al paralítico: 'Tus pecados te son perdonados', o 'Levántate, toma tu camilla y camina'?
Para que ustedes sepan que el Hijo del hombre tiene sobre la tierra el poder de perdonar los pecados
-dijo al paralítico- yo te lo mando, levántate, toma tu camilla y vete a tu casa".
El se levantó en seguida, tomó su camilla y salió a la vista de todos. La gente quedó asombrada y glorificaba a Dios, diciendo: "Nunca hemos visto nada igual". 

Mc 2,1-12

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Hilario (hacia 315-367), obispo de Poitiers y doctor de la Iglesia
Comentario al evangelio de Mateo, 8,5

«Levántate, coge tu camilla y vete a tu casa»

     [En el evangelio de Mateo, Jesús acaba de curar, en territorio pagano, a dos extranjeros.] En este paralítico, es la totalidad de los paganos que se presenta ante Cristo para ser curados. Pero incluso las mismas palabras de la curación deben ser estudiadas: no dice al paralítico: «Queda sano», ni tampoco: «Levántate y anda», sino «¡Ánimo, hijo, tus pecados están perdonados» (Mt 9,2). Por un solo hombre, Adán, los pecados se transmitieron a todas las naciones. Es por eso que, el que es llamado hijo, es presentado para ser curado..., porque él es la primera obra de Dios...; ahora recibe la misericordia que viene del perdón de la primera desobediencia. En efecto, no vemos que este paralítico haya cometido algún pecado; y en otra parte el Señor había dicho que la ceguera de nacimiento no se había contraído como consecuencia de un pecado personal o hereditario (Jn 9,3)...

     Nadie que no sea Dios puede perdonar pecados, así pues, el que los perdona es Dios... Y para que se pueda comprender que había tomado nuestra carne para perdonar a las almas sus pecados y para dar la resurrección a los cuerpos, dice: «Para que veáis que el Hijo del hombre tiene potestad en la tierra para perdonar pecados, dice al paralítico: 'Levántate», pero... añade: «Coge tu camilla y vete a tu casa». Primero concedió el perdón de los pecados, seguidamente mostró el poder de la resurrección, después, haciéndole coger la camilla, enseñó que la debilidad y el dolor ya no afectarán más al cuerpo. Finalmente, mandando al hombre curado que regresara a su casa, enseñó que los creyentes deben encontrar el camino que conduce de nuevo al paraíso; ése camino que Adán, padre de todos los hombres, abandonó cuando quedó roto por la mancha del pecado.

---

viernes 14 Enero 2011

San Felix de Nola

 

---

Natural de Nola, abrazó el servicio apostólico desde muy joven. Al morir su padre, Feliz distribuyó su herencia entre los pobres y fue ordenado sacerdote por San Máximo, Obispo de Nola. Al iniciarse una cruel persecución contra la Iglesia, Máximo huyó al desierto para continuar al servicio de su rebaño.

Al no ser encontrado por los soldados romanos, Felix, quien lo sustituía en sus deberes pastorales, fue tomado preso, azotado, cargado de cadenas y encerrado en el calabazo cuyo piso estaba lleno de vidrios.

Sin embargo, el Ángel del Señor se le apareció y le ordenó ir en ayuda de su Obispo, quien yacía medio muerto de hambre y de frío. Ante su capacidad de hacerlo volverlo en sí, el Santo acudió a la oración y al punto apareció un racimo de uvas, cuyas gotas derramó sobre los labios del maestro, el cual recuperó el conocimiento siendo conducido luego a su Iglesia.


Felix permaneció escondido orando permanente por la Iglesia hasta la muerte de Decio; sin embargo, continuó siendo perseguido hasta que se estableció la paz de la Iglesia. Murió en medio de la pobreza y el servicio de los más necesitados, a pesar de que fue elegido como Obispo de Nola.

---

Oremos

Señor, Dios todopoderoso, que nos has revelado que el amor a Dios y al prójimo es el compendio de toda tu ley, haz que, imitando la caridad de San Felix seamos contados un día entre los elegidos de tu reino. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

Nuestra Señora de la Palabra, Montserrat, España (1514).

"Rise, pick up your mat, and go home"

DAILY GOSPEL: 14/01/2011

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Friday of the First week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Hebrews 4:1-5.11.
Therefore, let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed.
For in fact we have received the good news just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.
For we who believed enter into (that) rest, just as he has said: "As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter into my rest,'" and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world.
For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works";
and again, in the previously mentioned place, "They shall not enter into my rest."
Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.

Psalms 78:3.4.6-7.8.
We have heard them, we know them; our ancestors have recited them to us.
We do not keep them from our children; we recite them to the next generation, The praiseworthy and mighty deeds of the LORD, the wonders that he performed.
That the next generation might come to know, children yet to be born. In turn they were to recite them to their children,
that they too might put their trust in God, And not forget the works of God, keeping his commandments.
They were not to be like their ancestors, a rebellious and defiant generation, A generation whose heart was not constant, whose spirit was not faithful to God,

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 2:1-12.
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"--
he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this." 

Mc 2,1-12

Commentary of the day 
Saint Hilary (c.315-367), Bishop of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church
Commentary on Saint Matthew's gospel, 8,5 (cf. SC 254, p. 199 rev.)

"Rise, pick up your mat, and go home"

[In Matthew's gospel Jesus has just cured two foreigners in pagan territory.] In this one paralytic all the pagans are presented before Christ to be healed. But even the terms of the healing need to be studied: what he says to the paralysed man is not: «Be healed» nor «Get up and walk» but «Courage, child, your sins are forgiven» (Mt 9,2). Sin had been transmitted among all nations in one man, Adam, and that is why he who is called 'child' is presented to be healed...: because he is God's first work... he now receives the mercy that comes from the forgiveness of that first disobedience. Indeed, we don't see that this paralytic had committed any sin; and the Lord also said that blindness from birth had not been contracted as a result of a personal or hereditary sin (Jn 9,3)...

None can forgive sins except God alone, and so he who healed them is God... And so that people might understand that he had taken flesh for the remission of their sins and to gain resurrection for their bodies, he said: «That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins on earth» – he then said to the paralytic: «Rise, pick up your stretcher». It would have been enough to have said: «Rise», but... he added: «Pick up your stretcher and go home.» First he granted remission of sins, then he manifested the power of the resurrection, and then, by making him take up his stretcher, he taught that weakness and pain will no longer afflict the body. Finally, by sending this man home healed, he showed that believers must rediscover the road to paradise, the same road that Adam, the father of all, abandoned when he was spoiled by the stain of sin.

---

Friday, 14 January 2011

St. Sava, Abbot and patron of Serbia (+ 1255)

---

SAINT SAVA
Abbot and Patron of Serbia
(+ 1255)

        Sava was the son of Stephen I, founder of the Nemanydes dynasty, and also known as Sabas. He became a monk on Mount Athos in Greece when he was seventeen. With his father, who abdicated in 1196, he founded Khilandrai Monastery on Mount Athos for Serbian monks and became Abbot.

        He returned home in 1207 when his brothers, Stephen II and Vulkan, began to quarrel, and civil war broke out. Sava brought many of his monks with him, and from the headquarters he established at Studenitsa Monastery, he founded several monasteries and began the reformation and education of the country, where religion and education had fallen to a low estate.

        He was named metropolitan of a new Serbian hierarchy by Emperor Theodore II Laskaris at Nicaea; was consecrated, though for political reasons unwillingly, by Patriarch Manuel I in 1219; returned home bringing more monks from Mount Athos; and in 1222 crowned his brother Stephen II King of Serbia.

        Through his efforts, he finished the uniting of his people that had been begun by his father, translated religious works into Serbian, and gave his people a native clergy and hierarchy.

        He made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, was later sent on a second visit there on an ecclesiastical mission, and died on the way back at Tirnovo, Bulgaria, on January 14.

        He is the patron of Serbia.

«Cuando se fue, empezó a divulgar el hecho con grandes ponderaciones»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA 13/01/2011

¿ Señor, a quién iremos?. Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna. Jn 6, 68

Jueves de la I Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Carta a los Hebreos 3,7-14.
Por lo tanto, como dice el Espíritu Santo: Si hoy escuchan su voz,
no endurezcan su corazón como en el tiempo de la Rebelión, el día de la Tentación en el desierto,
cuando sus padres me tentaron poniéndome a prueba, aunque habían visto mis obras
durante cuarenta años. Por eso me irrité contra aquella generación, y dije: Su corazón está siempre extraviado y no han conocido mis caminos.
Entonces juré en mi indignación: jamás entrarán en mi Reposo.
Tengan cuidado, hermanos, no sea que alguno de ustedes tenga un corazón tan malo que se aparte del Dios viviente por su incredulidad.
Antes bien, anímense mutuamente cada día mientras dure este hoy, a fin de que nadie se endurezca, seducido por el pecado.
Porque hemos llegado a ser partícipes de Cristo, con tal que mantengamos firmemente hasta el fin nuestra actitud inicial.

Salmo 95(94),6-7.8-9.10-11.
¡Entren, inclinémonos para adorarlo! ¡Doblemos la rodilla ante el Señor que nos creó!
Porque él es nuestro Dios, y nosotros, el pueblo que él apacienta, las ovejas conducidas por su mano. Ojalá hoy escuchen la voz del Señor:
"No endurezcan su corazón como en Meribá, como en el día de Masá, en el desierto,
cuando sus padres me tentaron y provocaron, aunque habían visto mis obras.
Cuarenta años me disgustó esa generación, hasta que dije: "Es un pueblo de corazón extraviado, que no conoce mis caminos".
Por eso juré en mi indignación: "Jamás entrarán en mi Reposo".

Evangelio según San Marcos 1,40-45.
Entonces se le acercó un leproso para pedirle ayuda y, cayendo de rodillas, le dijo: "Si quieres, puedes purificarme".
Jesús, conmovido, extendió la mano y lo tocó, diciendo: "Lo quiero, queda purificado".
En seguida la lepra desapareció y quedó purificado.
Jesús lo despidió, advirtiéndole severamente:
"No le digas nada a nadie, pero ve a presentarte al sacerdote y entrega por tu purificación la ofrenda que ordenó Moisés, para que les sirva de testimonio".
Sin embargo, apenas se fue, empezó a proclamarlo a todo el mundo, divulgando lo sucedido, de tal manera que Jesús ya no podía entrar públicamente en ninguna ciudad, sino que debía quedarse afuera, en lugares desiertos. Y acudían a él de todas partes. 

Mc 1,40-45

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Odas de Salomón (texto cristiano hebraico de principios del siglo II)
Nº 21 y 25

«Cuando se fue, empezó a divulgar el hecho con grandes ponderaciones»

     Levanté los brazos al cielo, hacia la gracia del Señor.
Echó mis cadenas lejos de mí.
Mi protector me levantó conforme a su gracia y su salvación.
Me despojé de la oscuridad y me revestí de la luz;
mis miembros no experimentaron ningún sufrimiento,
ni angustia, ni dolor.

     El pensamiento del Señor me socorrió;
su luz me exaltó;
caminé en su presencia;
me acercaré a él alabándolo y glorificándolo.
Mi corazón se desbordó, invadió toda mi boca,
saltó hasta mis labios.
El gozo del Señor y su alabanza despejan mi rostro.
¡Aleluya!

     ¡Me escapé de mis cadenas y huí hasta ti, Dios mío!
Tú has sido mi derecha, mi salvación, mi ayuda.
Tú has detenido a los que se levantaban contra mí
y han desaparecido.
Tu rostro estaba conmigo y tu gracia me salvaba.
Era despreciado y rechazado a los ojos de la multitud.
Pero tú me has dado fuerza y ayuda.
Has colocado la luz a mi derecha y a mi izquierda.
¡Que en mí todo sea luz!
Me he revestido con la vestidura de tu Espíritu,
has quitado de mí los vestidos de piel (Gn 3,21).
Tu derecha me ha levantado y ha echado lejos de mí
mi enfermedad.

     Tu verdad me ha robustecido y tu justicia me ha santificado.
He sido justificado por tu amor tan suave,
y tu descanso es para mí por los siglos de los siglos.
¡Aleluya!

---

jueves 13 Enero 2011

Bautismo de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo

---

Andaba San Juan Bautista por las orillas del Jordán bautizando y exhortando a penitencia, cuando llegó a él el Salvador del mundo, de treinta anos de edad.

Al acercarse al Bautista, conoció éste, por luz sobrenatural, que el que venia a pedirle el bautismo era el Mesías verdadero; y así, al ver al Salvador, exclamó: Pues qué, Señor, ¿Vos venís a mí a ser bautizado, cuando debo yo ser bautizado de Vos?

EL Señor le contestó que convenía sujetarse a los decretos de la divina Sabiduría. Abrióse el Cielo y vio San Juan que el Espíritu Santo bajaba sobre Jesucristo en figura de paloma, y al mismo tiempo oyó una voz que decía: Este es mi Hijo querido, en el que tengo Yo todas mis complacencias.

Bautizándose Jesús, nos enseñó la necesidad del bautismo para todos, y además su humildad; autorizó el bautismo del Bautista; el Espíritu Santo declaró la divinidad del Salvador, y por último, santificó las aguas habilitándolas para redimir los pecados.

---

Oremos

Señor, Dios nuestro, luz ardiente de todas las naciones, concédenos una paz estable a todos los pueblos de la tierra, y haz que aquella luz resplandeciente, que condujo a los magos al conocimiento de tu Hijo, ilumine también nuestros corazones. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.


Bautismo del Señor
Dios todopoderoso y eterno que proclamaste solemnemente a Cristo como tu Hijo amado, cuándo era bautizado en el Jordán y descendía el Espíritu Santo, sobre Él, concede a tus hijos de adopción, renacidos del agua y del Espíritu Santo, que se conserve siempre digno de tu complacencia. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

Calendario de fiestas marianas: Nuestra Señora de las Victorias, Praga Czechoslovakia (1620), hogar de Niño Jesús de Praga.

"The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter"

DAILY GOSPEL: 13/01/2011

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Thursday of the First week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Hebrews 3:7-14.
Therefore, as the holy Spirit says: "Oh, that today you would hear his voice,
'Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion in the day of testing in the desert,
where your ancestors tested and tried me and saw my works
for forty years. Because of this I was provoked with that generation and I said, "They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways."
As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter into my rest."'"
Take care, brothers, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God.
Encourage yourselves daily while it is still "today," so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.
We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end,

Psalms 95(94):6-7.8-9.10-11.
Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For this is our God, whose people we are, God's well-tended flock. Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert.
There your ancestors tested me; they tried me though they had seen my works.
Forty years I loathed that generation; I said: "This people's heart goes astray; they do not know my ways."
Therefore I swore in my anger: "They shall never enter my rest."

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1:40-45.
A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, «If you wish, you can make me clean.»
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean."
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
Then he said to him, "See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them."
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Mc 1,40-45

Commentary of the day 
Odes of Solomon (Hebrew Christian text from the beginning of the 2nd century)
Nos. 21 and 25 (trans. J.H. Charlesworth)

"The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter"

I raised my arms on high
on account of the grace of the Lord.
Because he cast off my chains from me,
and my Helper raised me according to his grace and his salvation.
And I stripped off darkness, and put on light.
And even I myself acquired members. In them there was no sickness
or affliction or suffering.
And abundantly helpful to me was the thought of the Lord, and his incorruptible fellowship.
And I was lifted up in the light, and I passed before his face.
And I was constantly near him, while praising and confessing him.
He caused my heart to overflow, and it was found in my mouth;
and it sprang forth unto my lips.
Then upon my face increased the exultation of the Lord and his praise.
Hallelujah.

I was rescued from my chains
and I fled unto you, O my God,
because you are the right hand of salvation and my Helper.
You have restrained those who rise up against me, and they did not appear again
because your face was with me,
which saved me by your grace.
But I was despised and rejected in the eyes of many,
and I was in their eyes like lead.
And I acquired strength from you, and help.
A lamp you set for me both on my right and on my left,
so that there might not be in me anything that is not light.
And I was covered with the covering of your spirit
and I removed from me my garments of skin (Gn 3,21),
because your right hand raised me,
and caused sickness to pass from me.
And I became mighty in your truth,
and holy in your righteousness.
And all my adversaries were afraid of me
and I became the Lord's by the name of the Lord.
And I was justified by his kindness,
and his rest is for ever and ever.
Hallelujah. 

---

Thursday, 13 January 2011

St. Veronica of Binasco, Religious (144-1497)

 Other saints of the day

---

SAINT VERONICA OF BINASCO
Religious
(1444-1497)

        Veronica parents were peasants of a village near Milan. From her childhood she toiled hard in the house and the field, and accomplished cheerfully every menial task. Gradually the desire for perfection grew within her; she became deaf to the jokes and songs of her companions, and sometimes, when reaping and hoeing, would hide her face and weep.

        Knowing no letters, she began to be anxious about her learning, and rose secretly at night to teach herself to read. Our Lady told her that other things were necessary, but not this. She showed Veronica three mystical letters which would teach her more than books. The first signified purity of intention; the second, abhorrence of murmuring or criticism; the third, daily meditation on the Passion.

        By the first she learned to begin her daily duties for no human motive, but for God alone; by the second, to carry out what she had thus begun by attending to her own affairs, never judging her neighbor, but praying for those who manifestly erred; by the third she was enabled to forget her own pains and sorrows in those of her Lord, and to weep hourly, but silently, over the memory of His wrongs.

        She had constant ecstasies, and saw in successive visions the whole life of Jesus, and many other mysteries. Yet, by a special grace, neither her raptures nor her tears ever interrupted her labors, which ended only with death.

        After three years' patient waiting she was received as a lay-sister in the convent of St. Martha at Milan. The community was extremely poor, and Veronica's duty was to beg through the city for their daily food. Three years after receiving the habit she was afflicted with secret but constant bodily pains, yet never would consent to be relieved of any of her labors, or to omit one of her prayers.

        By exact obedience she became a living copy of the rule, and obeyed with a smile the least hint of her Superior. She sought to the last the most hard and humbling occupations, and in their performance enjoyed some of the highest favors ever granted to a Saint.

        She died in 1497, on the day she had foretold, after a six months' illness, aged fifty-two years, and in the thirtieth of her religious profession.

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]

«Se marchó al descampado y allí se puso a orar»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 12/01/2011

¿ Señor, a quién iremos?. Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna. Jn 6, 68

Miércoles de la I Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Carta a los Hebreos 2,14-18.
Y ya que los hijos tienen una misma sangre y una misma carne, él también debía participar de esa condición, para reducir a la impotencia, mediante su muerte, a aquel que tenía el dominio de la muerte, es decir, al demonio,
y liberar de este modo a todos los que vivían completamente esclavizados por el temor de la muerte.
Porque él no vino para socorrer a los ángeles, sino a los descendientes de Abraham.
En consecuencia, debió hacerse semejante en todo a sus hermanos, para llegar a ser un Sumo Sacerdote misericordioso y fiel en el servicio de Dios, a fin de expiar los pecados del pueblo.
Y por haber experimentado personalmente la prueba y el sufrimiento, él puede ayudar a aquellos que están sometidos a la prueba.

Salmo 105(104),1-2.3-4.6-7.8-9.
¡Den gracias al Señor, invoquen su Nombre, hagan conocer entre los pueblos sus proezas;
canten al Señor con instrumentos musicales, pregonen todas sus maravillas!
¡Gloríense en su santo Nombre, alégrense los que buscan al Señor!
¡Recurran al Señor y a su poder, busquen constantemente su rostro;
Descendientes de Abraham, su servidor, hijos de Jacob, su elegido:
el Señor es nuestro Dios, en toda la tierra rigen sus decretos.
El se acuerda eternamente de su alianza, de la palabra que dio por mil generaciones,
del pacto que selló con Abraham, del juramento que hizo a Isaac:

Evangelio según San Marcos 1,29-39.
Cuando salió de la sinagoga, fue con Santiago y Juan a casa de Simón y Andrés.
La suegra de Simón estaba en cama con fiebre, y se lo dijeron de inmediato.
El se acercó, la tomó de la mano y la hizo levantar. Entonces ella no tuvo más fiebre y se puso a servirlos.
Al atardecer, después de ponerse el sol, le llevaron a todos los enfermos y endemoniados,
y la ciudad entera se reunió delante de la puerta.
Jesús curó a muchos enfermos, que sufrían de diversos males, y expulsó a muchos demonios; pero a estos no los dejaba hablar, porque sabían quién era él.
Por la mañana, antes que amaneciera, Jesús se levantó, salió y fue a un lugar desierto; allí estuvo orando.
Simón salió a buscarlo con sus compañeros,
y cuando lo encontraron, le dijeron: "Todos te andan buscando".
El les respondió: "Vayamos a otra parte, a predicar también en las poblaciones vecinas, porque para eso he salido".
Y fue predicando en las sinagogas de toda la Galilea y expulsando demonios. 

Mc 1,29-39

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Homilía del siglo V sobre la oración
Erróneamente atribuida san Juan Crisóstomo; PG 64, 461

«Se marchó al descampado y allí se puso a orar»

     El sumo bien está en la oración, en el diálogo con Dios... La oración es luz del alma, verdadero conocimiento de Dios, mediadora entre Dios y los hombres. Hace que el alma se eleve hasta el cielo y abrace a Dios con inefables abrazos, apeteciendo la leche divina, como el niño que, llorando, llama a su madre; por la oración el alma expone sus propios deseos y recibe dones mejores que toda la naturaleza invisible. Pues la oración se presenta ante Dios como venerable intermediaria, alegra nuestro espíritu y pacifica el alma.

     Cuando hablo de oración me refiero a la verdadera, no a las simples palabras: la oración que es un deseo de Dios, una inefable piedad, no otorgada por los hombres, sino concedida por la gracia divina, de la que también dice el Apóstol: «Nosotros no sabemos  pedir lo que nos conviene, pero el Espíritu mismo intercede por nosotros con gemidos inefables» (Rm 8,26). Una oración así, cuando Dios la otorga a alguien, es una riqueza inagotable y un alimento celestial que satura el alma; quien la saborea se enciende en un deseo eterno del Señor, como un fuego ardiente que inflama su corazón.

---

miércoles 12 Enero 2011

San Arcadio

---

Mártir. Se desconoce la fecha exacta de su martirio, pero parece que tuvo lugar en alguna ciudad de Mauritania, probablemente en Cesarea, la capital. Las persecuciones estaban en todo su furor y miles de cristianos eran torturados por los soldados romanos sin esperar la sentencia del juez.

En tan terribles circunstancias, San Arcadio se retiró a la soledad. Sin embargo, el gobernador de la ciudad al saber que no se había presentado a los sacrificios públicos, capturó a un pariente y lo mantuvo como rehén hasta que el prófugo se presentara. Al saberlo, el mártir volvió a la ciudad y se entregó al juez quien lo obligó a que se sacrificase a los dioses.

Ante su negativa, el juez lo condenó a muerte, cortando cada uno de sus miembros de manera lenta. Al encontrarse totalmente mutilado, el mártir se dirigió a la comunidad pagana, exhortándolos a abandonar a sus dioses falsos y a adorar al único Dios verdadero, el Señor Jesús.- Los paganos se quedaron maravillados de tanto valor y los cristianos recogieron su cadáver y empezaron a honrarlo como a un gran santo.

---

---

Oremos
Señor, danos el espíritu de fortaleza, para que, siguiendo el ejemplo del mártir San Arcadio, aprendamos a obedecerte a ti que a los hombres. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

Calendario de fiestas marianas: Nuestra Señora de la Calle Ancha, Roma.

"He went off to a deserted place, where he prayed"

DAILY GOSPEL: 12/01/2011

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Wednesday of the First week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Hebrews 2:14-18.
Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Psalms 105(104):1-2.3-4.6-7.8-9.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the peoples his deeds!
Sing praise, play music; proclaim all his wondrous deeds!
Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Rely on the mighty LORD; constantly seek his face.
You descendants of Abraham his servant, offspring of Jacob the chosen one!
The LORD is our God who rules the whole earth.
He remembers forever his covenant, the pact imposed for a thousand generations,
Which was made with Abraham, confirmed by oath to Isaac,

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1:29-39.
On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. 

Mc 1,29-39

Commentary of the day 
5th century homily on prayer
Wrongly attributed to Saint John Chrysostom ; PG 64, 461

"He went off to a deserted place, where he prayed"

Prayer, familiar intercourse with God, is our greatest good... Prayer is the light of the soul, true knowledge of God, mediator between God and man. Through it the soul is raised to heaven and holds God inexpressibly in tight embrace. Like a child crying out to its mother, it expresses the eagerness of its desire. It gives voice to its deepest longings and receives in return gifts surpassing all visible nature. For prayer presents itself as a powerful ambassador, rejoicing and pacifying the soul.

When I speak of prayer you should not imagine it to be a question of words. It is a reaching out towards God, an indescribable love, not of human origin, of which the apostle Paul speaks when he says: «We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings» (Rm 8,26). If God grants someone such prayer as this, it becomes for him an everlasting source of wealth and a heavenly food that fills the soul. The one who has tasted it is seized with an eternal longing for our Lord like a devouring fire that sets his heart ablaze.

---

Wednesday, 12 January 2011

St Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620-1700)

---

ST MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS
1620-1700
Foundress of the Sisters
of the Congregation of Notre-Dame 

         Marguerite Bourgeoys was born in Troyes, in the province of Champagne (France), on Good Friday, April 17, 1620. She was baptized on the same day in the church of Saint-Jean, a church that was located near her home. Marguerite was the sixth child in a family of twelve. Her parents were Abraham Bourgeoys and Guillemette Gamier, and she was privileged to grow up in a milieu that was middle class and thoroughly Christian.

         Marguerite was nineteen years of age when she lost her mother. In the following year, 1640, in the course of a procession held on October 7 in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, she had an unforgettable experience. Her eyes rested on a statue of the Blessed Virgin, and at that moment she felt inspired to withdraw from the world and to consecrate herself to the service of God. With that unchanging fidelity to what she believed to be God's will for her, a fidelity that characterized her life thenceforth, she set about to discern her specific vocation.

         She registered, at once, as a member of the extern Congregation of Troyes, an association of young girls devoted to the charitable work of teaching children in the poor districts of the
town. While engaged in this apostolate she learned about the foundation of Ville Marie (Montreal) in Canada. The year was 1642, and at that time she sensed a first call to missionary life. This call was rendered concrete in 1652 when she met Monsieur de Maisonneuve, founder and governor of the settlement begun in New France, who was in search of someone who would volunteer her services for the gratuitous instruction of the French and Indian children. Our Lady confirmed the call addressed to her: "Go, I will not forsake you", she said. Thus assured, Marguerite left Troyes in February, 1653, in a spirit of complete detachment. She arrived in Montreal on the following 16th of November, and without delay she set to work to promote the best interests of the colony. She is rightly considered co-foundress of Montreal, with the nurse, Jeanne Mance, and the master designer, Monsieur de Maisonneuve.

         In order to encourage the colonists in their faith expression, she arranged for the restoration of the Cross on Mount Royal after it has been destroyed by hostile Indians, and she undertook the construction of a chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame de Bon Secours. Convinced of the importance of the family in the building of this new country, and perceiving the significance of the role to be exercised by women, she devoted herself to the task of preparing those whose vocation it would be to preside in a home. In 1658, in a stable which had been given to her by the governor for her use, she opened the first school in Montreal. She also organized an extern Congregation, patterned after the one which she had known in Troyes but adapted to the actual needs. In this way, she could respond to the needs of the women and young girls on whom much depended as far as the instruction of children was concerned. In 1659, she began receiving girls who were recommended by "les cures" in France, or endowed by the King, to come to establish homes in Montreal, and she became a real mother to them. Thus were initiated a school system and a network of social services which gradually extended through the whole country, and which led people to refer to Marguerite as "Mother of the Colony".

         On three occasions, Marguerite Bourgeoys made a trip to France to obtain help. As of
1658, the group of teachers who associated themselves with her in her life of prayer, of heroic poverty, and of untiring devotedness to the service of others, presented the image of a religious institute. The group was inspired by the "vie voyagere" of Our Lady, and desired to remain uncloistered, the concept of an uncloistered community being an innovation at that time. Such a foundation occasioned much suffering and the one who took the initiative was not spared. But the work progressed. The Congregation de Notre-Dame received its civil charter from Louis XIV in 1671, and canonical approbation by decree of the Bishop of Quebec in 1676. The Constitutions of the Community were approved in 1698.

         The foundation having been assured, Sister Bourgeoys could leave the work to others. She died in Montreal on January 12, 1700, acknowledged for her holiness of life. Her last generous act was to offer herself as a sacrifice of prayer for the return to health of a young Sister. Forty memberg of the Congregation de Notre-Dame were there to continue her work.

         The educative and apostolic efforts of Marguerite Bourgeoys continue through the commitment of the members of the community that she founded. More than 2,600 Sisters of the Congregation de Notre-Dame work in fields of action according to the needs of time and place - from school to college or university, in the promotion of family, parish and diocesan endeavours. They are on mission in Canada, in the United States, in Japan, in Latin America, in Cameroon, and most recently they have established a house in France.

         On November 12, 1950 Pope Pius XII beatified Marguerite Bourgeoys. Canonizing her this October 31, 1982, Pope John Paul II gives the Canadian Church its first woman saint.

«¿Has venido a acabar con nosotros?»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 11/01/2011

¿ Señor, a quién iremos?. Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna. Jn 6, 68

Martes de la I Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Carta a los Hebreos 2,5-12.
Porque Dios no ha sometido a los ángeles el mundo venidero del que nosotros hablamos.
Acerca de esto, hay un testimonio que dice: ¿Qué es el hombre para que te acuerdes de él, el ser humano para que te ocupes de él?
Por poco tiempo lo pusiste debajo de los ángeles y lo coronaste de gloria y esplendor.
Todo lo sometiste bajo sus pies. Si Dios le ha sometido todas las cosas, nada ha quedado fuera de su dominio. De hecho, todavía no vemos que todo le está sometido.
Pero a aquel que fue puesto por poco tiempo debajo de los ángeles, a Jesús, ahora lo vemos coronado de gloria y esplendor, a causa de la muerte que padeció. Así, por la gracia de Dios, él experimentó la muerte en favor de todos.
Convenía, en efecto, que aquel por quien y para quien existen todas las cosas, a fin de llevar a la gloria a un gran número de hijos, perfeccionara, por medio del sufrimiento, al jefe que los conduciría a la salvación.
Porque el que santifica y los que son santificados, tienen todos un mismo origen. Por eso, él no se avergüenza de llamarlos hermanos,
cuando dice: Yo anunciaré tu Nombre a mis hermanos, te alabaré en medio de la asamblea.

Salmo 8,2.5.6-7.8-9.
¡Señor, nuestro Dios, qué admirable es tu Nombre en toda la tierra! Quiero adorar tu majestad sobre el cielo:
¿qué es el hombre para que pienses en él, el ser humano para que lo cuides?
Lo hiciste poco inferior a los ángeles, lo coronaste de gloria y esplendor;
le diste dominio sobre la obra de tus manos, todo lo pusiste bajo sus pies:
todos los rebaños y ganados, y hasta los animales salvajes;
las aves del cielo, los peces del mar y cuanto surca los senderos de las aguas.

Evangelio según San Marcos 1,21-28.
Entraron en Cafarnaún, y cuando llegó el sábado, Jesús fue a la sinagoga y comenzó a enseñar.
Todos estaban asombrados de su enseñanza, porque les enseñaba como quien tiene autoridad y no como los escribas.
Y había en la sinagoga un hombre poseído de un espíritu impuro, que comenzó a gritar:
"¿Qué quieres de nosotros, Jesús Nazareno? ¿Has venido para acabar con nosotros? Ya sé quién eres: el Santo de Dios".
Pero Jesús lo increpó, diciendo: "Cállate y sal de este hombre".
El espíritu impuro lo sacudió violentamente y, dando un gran alarido, salió de ese hombre.
Todos quedaron asombrados y se preguntaban unos a otros: "¿Qué es esto? ¡Enseña de una manera nueva, llena de autoridad; da órdenes a los espíritus impuros, y estos le obedecen!".
Y su fama se extendió rápidamente por todas partes, en toda la región de Galilea. 

Mc 1,21-28

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Catecismo de la Iglesia católica
§ 2851-2854

«¿Has venido a acabar con nosotros?»

     «Y líbranos del mal»: En esta petición del Padrenuestro, el mal no es una abstracción, sino que designa una persona, Satanás, el Maligno, el ángel que se opone a Dios. El «diablo» [dia-bolos] es aquel que «se atraviesa» en el designio de Dios y su obra de salvación cumplida en Cristo. «Homicida desde el principio, mentiroso y padre de la mentira» (Jn 8,44), «Satanás, el seductor del mundo» (Ap 12,9), es aquél por medio del cual el pecado y la muerte entraron en el mundo y, por cuya definitiva derrota, toda la creación entera será «liberada del pecado y de la muerte» (Pleg Eucarística IV). «Sabemos que todo el que ha nacido de Dios no peca, sino que el Engendrado de Dios le guarda y el Maligno no llega a tocarle. Sabemos que somos hijos de Dios y que el mundo entero yace en poder del Maligno» (1Jn 5,18-19)...

     La victoria sobre el «príncipe de este mundo» (Jn 14,30) se adquirió de una vez por todas en la hora en que Jesús se entregó libremente a la muerte por darnos su Vida. Es el juicio de este mundo, y el príncipe de este mundo  ha sido «echado abajo» (Jn 12,31). «El se lanza en persecución de la Mujer» pero no consigue alcanzarla: la nueva Eva, «llena de gracia» del Espíritu Santo es librada del pecado y de la corrupción de la muerte... «Entonces, despechado contra la Mujer, se fue a hacer la guerra al resto de sus hijos» (Ap 12, 13.17). Por eso el Espíritu y la Iglesia oran: «Ven, Señor Jesús» (Ap 22, 17.20), ya que su venida nos librará del Maligno.

     Al pedir ser liberados del Maligno, oramos igualmente para ser liberados de todos los males, presentes, pasados y futuros de los que él es autor o instigador. En esta última petición, la Iglesia presenta al Padre todas las desdichas del mundo. Con la liberación de todos los males que abruman a la humanidad, implora el don precioso de la paz y la gracia de la espera perseverante en el retorno de Cristo. Orando así, anticipa en la humildad de la fe la recapitulación de todos y de todo en Aquel que «tiene las llaves de la Muerte y del Hades», «el Dueño de todo, Aquel que es, que era y que ha de venir» (Ap 1,18.8).

---

martes 11 Enero 2011

San Teodosio

---

Nació en Capadocia, Bizancio ( Imperio Romano de Oriente) (hoy Turquía) en el año 423, y desde pequeño, por inculcación paterna, leía con mucho fervor las Sagradas Escrituras. Siguiendo el ejemplo de Abraham, el santo decidió dejar sus riquezas y su familia, para peregrinar a Jerusalén, Belén y Nazaret, y luego convertirse en religioso.

San Teodosio se fue a vivir no muy lejos de Belén, y tuvo como guía espiritual al abad Longinos. Tras ser ordenado como sacerdote, recibió la orden de encargarse del culto de un templo ubicado entre Jerusalén y Belén. El santo desplegó su labor con mucha sabiduría y humildad, y fue testimonio de una vida santa y llena de oración, lo cual motivó que otros jóvenes también desearan convertirse en religiosos, y más adelante, la fundación de tres conventos en las cercanías de Belén.

El santo también construyó, cerca de Belén, tres hospitales para la atención de ancianos, enfermos necesitados y discapacitados. Los monasterios dirigidos por San Teodosio eran como una ciudad de santos en el desierto, pues todo se hacía a su tiempo, con exactitud, oración, trabajo y descanso.

San Teodosio enfermó penosamente, y falleció a los 105 años en el año 529. El Arzobispo de Jerusalén y muchos ciudadanos de Tierra Santa asistieron a su entierro y durante sus funerales se obraron varios milagros.

---

Oremos

Señor Dios todopoderoso, que nos has revelado que el amor a Dios y al prójimo es el compendio de toda tu ley, haz que, imitando la caridad de San Teodosio seamos contados un día entre los elegidos de tu reino. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

"Have you come to destroy us?"

DAILY GOSPEL: 11/01/2011

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Tuesday of the First week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Hebrews 2:5-12.
For it was not to angels that he subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.
Instead, someone has testified somewhere: "What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?
You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under his feet." In "subjecting" all things (to him), he left nothing not "subject to him." Yet at present we do not see "all things subject to him,"
but we do see Jesus "crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered death, he who "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels," that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them "brothers,"
saying: "I will proclaim your name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you";

Psalms 8:2.5.6-7.8-9.
O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth! You have set your majesty above the heavens!
What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things at their feet:
All sheep and oxen, even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1:21-28.
Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"
Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!"
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. 

Mc 1,21-28

Commentary of the day 
Catechism of the Catholic Church
§ 2851-2854

"Have you come to destroy us?"

«But deliver us from evil»: in this petition of the Lord's Prayer, evil is not an abstraction, but refers to a person, Satan, the Evil One, the angel who opposes God. The devil (dia-bolos) is the one who "throws himself across" God's plan and his work of salvation accomplished in Christ. "A murderer from the beginning, . . . a liar and the father of lies," (Jn 8,44) Satan is "the deceiver of the whole world» (Rv 12,9). Through him sin and death entered the world and by his definitive defeat all creation will be "freed from the corruption of sin and death" (EP IV). Now "we know that anyone born of God does not sin, but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one" (1Jn 5,18-19)...

Victory over the "prince of this world" (Jn 14,30) was won once for all at the Hour when Jesus freely gave himself up to death to give us his life. This is the judgment of this world, and the prince of this world is "cast out" (Jn 12,31). "He pursued the woman" but had no hold on her: the new Eve, "full of grace" of the Holy Spirit, is preserved from sin and the corruption of death... "Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring" (Rv 12,13.17). Therefore the Spirit and the Church pray: "Come, Lord Jesus," (Rv 22,17.20) since his coming will deliver us from the Evil One.

When we ask to be delivered from the Evil One, we pray as well to be freed from all evils, present, past, and future, of which he is the author or instigator. In this final petition, the Church brings before the Father all the distress of the world. Along with deliverance from the evils that overwhelm humanity, she implores the precious gift of peace and the grace of perseverance in expectation of Christ's return By praying in this way, she anticipates in humility of faith the gathering together of everyone and everything in him who has "the keys of Death and Hades," who "is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (Rv 1,18.8).

---

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

St. Theodosius, The Cenobiarch (423-529)

---

SAINT THEODOSIUS, THE CENOBIARCH
(423-529)

        Theodosius was born in Cappadocia in 423. The example of Abraham urged him to leave his country, and his desire to follow Jesus Christ attracted him to the religious life. He placed himself under Longinus, a very holy hermit, who sent him to govern a monastery near Bethlehem. Unable to bring himself to command others, he fled to a cavern, where he lived in penance and prayer. His great charity, however, forbade him to refuse the charge of some disciples, who, few at first, became in time a vast number, and Theodosius built a large monastery and three churches for them. He became eventually Superior of the religious communities of Palestine.

        Theodosius accommodated himself so carefully to the characters of his subjects that his reproofs were loved rather than dreaded. But once he was obliged to separate from the communion of the others a religious guilty of a grave fault. Instead of humbly accepting his sentence, the monk was arrogant enough to pretend to excommunicate Theodosius in revenge. Theodosius thought not of indignation, nor of his own position, but meekly submitted to this false and unjust excommunication. This so touched the heart of his disciple that he submitted at once and acknowledged his fault.

        Theodosius never refused assistance to any in poverty or affliction; on some days the monks laid more than a hundred tables for those in want. In times of famine Theodosius forbade the alms to be diminished, and often miraculously multiplied the provisions. He also built five hospitals, in which he lovingly served the sick, while by assiduous spiritual reading he maintained himself in perfect recollection.

        He successfully opposed the Eutychian heresy in Jerusalem, and for this was banished by the emperor. He suffered a long and painful malady, and refused to pray to be cured, calling it a salutary penance for his former successes.

        He died at the age of a hundred and six.

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]