Year: 2024

FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 10, 2024

Greetings, beloved family, and Happy Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time!

Today, we mark the second day of the beginning of the first of the two Ordinary Times of this current liturgical year, which will continue towards the Season of Lent. We thank God for His grace and mercy as we’ve successfully ended the Christmas season and beginning the Ordinary Time! We have had four weeks of the season of Advent and two weeks of the season of Christmas. We are now in the first week of Ordinary Time, which is the beginning of the public ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ and we will remain in Ordinary Time until the beginning of the Season of Lent, which, this year, is on February 14, 2024, Ash Wednesday. Ordinary Time implies the time and occasion where we are supposed to continue to live our lives faithfully and with great dedication, as good examples and role models for one another, that we may indeed be the beacons of God’s light and truth in the midst of our respective communities. We pray for God’s grace and mercy upon us through this Ordinary Time, and may the Lord grant us the grace to serve Him in spirit and, in truth🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 on EWTN” |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 10, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Reading 1, First Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 40:2-5, 7-8, 8-9, 10
Gospel, Mark 1:29-39

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this feast day, we continue to remember our beloved late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the first memorial anniversary of his death. We pray for the repose of his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the gentle soul of Pope Benedict XVI and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Please let us continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint William of Bourges, Bishop.

SAINT WILLIAM OF BOURGES, BISHOP: St. William (1155–1209), an abbot in 12th century France, was a descendant of the family of the ancient Counts of Nevers. He was educated under the care of Peter, Archdeacon of Soissons, his maternal uncle. Though his father planned for him to become a soldier and a career in the military, St. William followed his longing for a religious life dedicated to God. At an early age he learned to despite the vanities of the World and to give himself with ardor to exercises of piety and to the acquisition of knowledge. On entering the ecclesiastical state he became Canon of Soissons and of Paris. Later he resolved to abandon the world and enter the Order of Grammont. St. William lived in this Order for some time and practiced great austerities. Dissensions arose between the fathers and lay brothers, which caused him to pass over to the austere Order of Citeaux that had recently been founded.

St. William took the habit at Pontigny, and after some time became Abbot, first of Fontaine Jean, and later of Chaalis near Senlis. St. William had a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and loved to spend much of his time at the foot of the altar. In the year 1200 the clergy of the Church of Bourges elected him to succeed Henry de Sully, their Archbishop; but the news overwhelmed him with grief, he was very reluctant to leave his solitude and life of prayer as a monk. It took two orders of obedience, one from his religious superior, the Abbot of Citeaux and another from Pope Innocent III himself, to convince him to accept the dignity. In his new office, St. William led his people by example, he redoubled his austerities, he was known for the disciplines he used to sharpen his will, including fasting from flesh meat and constantly wearing a hairshirt and he gave personal care to the poor, sick, and imprisoned. He lived during a time when a certain heresy was popular, and converted many people away from that distortion of the faith.

St. William was preparing for a mission among the Albigenses when he died kneeling at prayer in 1209. Witnesses counted 18 miracles when he was alive and another 18 after his death on January 10, 1209. As he had requested, he was buried in ashes wearing a hairshirt and his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. He was canonized in 1217 by Pope Honorius III. St. William of Bourges is Patron Saint of the University of Paris.

PRAYER: Almighty and ever-living God, You willed to make Bishop William rule over Your people. Grant by his interceding merits that we may receive the grace of Your mercy. Amen🙏
 
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! We pray for all mothers and those seeking for the fruit of the womb, may God answer their prayers and bless them with gifts of children just as He did for Hannah. May the Lord grant us His grace as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB |January 10, 2024 | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

“Gospel Reading ~ Mark 1:29-39”

“Jesus cured many who were sick with various diseases”

“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.”

In today’s Gospel reading, in the first part Jesus was brought to Simon Peter’s mother-in-law who was in bed with a fever, in Capernaum. In the second part of the Gospel all who were sick in Capernaum were brought to Jesus. In both cases people mediated between Jesus and those who needed Him. We can see in that an image of our own calling to bring Jesus to others and to bring others to Jesus. The Lord looks to all of us to mediate between Himself and others. If the Lord is to get His work done, He needs all of us. In the third part of the Gospel reading, Jesus’ disciples try to bring Jesus back to Capernaum. ‘Everyone is looking for you’, they said. Yet, on this occasion, Jesus refused to go with them, because he had other places to visit, ‘Let us go elsewhere’, he said. Yes, people could bring Jesus to others and bring others to Jesus, but they were not in control of Him. Jesus was subject only to His heavenly Father, and His disciples had to learn to submit to Him, to go after Him, rather than insisting that He go after them. That too is an important part of our calling. We need to yield to what the Lord wants to do and is doing; we are not in control or in charge of the Lord’s work. Rather we try to allow the Lord to do His work in and through us. It remains his work rather than ours. It is above all in prayer that we attend to the Lord of the work, so that we can do the work of the Lord.

In our first reading today, from the Book of the prophet Samuel, the Lord called the young Samuel while he was sleeping, and Samuel thought that his mentor, the Priest and Judge Eli was calling him. The Lord called Samuel three times until Eli recognised that it was actually God Who had called the young boy, and the priest told the young Samuel to respond to the Lord’s call and listen to Him. That was the beginning of Samuel’s calling, who had been set aside from the time of his conception and birth by his thankful mother Hannah, for the service of God. According to our first reading, the young Samuel heard a call, but it took the older Eli to help Samuel discern that the call was coming from the Lord. We sometimes need others, people more experienced in the spiritual life than ourselves, to help us discern the call of the Lord in our lives. Eli fulfilled the very important ministry of enabler. He enabled Samuel to recognize the way that the Lord was calling him. In today’s Gospel reading, we find Jesus getting up long before dawn and going off to a lonely place to pray. He may have been trying to discern the call of God in His own life. Having ministered in Capernaum, where should He go now? It seems that after His prayer, it was clear to Him that, as He said to His disciples, He had to go to ‘the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came’. However, whereas Eli acted as an enabler in Samuel’s life when it came to God’s call, Jesus’ own disciples acted as disablers in Jesus’s life when it came to God’s call. They wanted to drag Him back to Capernaum to minister there, when Jesus was clear that God was calling Him to go to other towns to preach the Gospel. We may be fortunate enough to encounter an Eli in our lives who helps us to discern God’s call. We can also encounter the equivalent of the disciples who try to take us in directions that are contrary to where God is calling us to go. We need to pray for the grace to know who is helping us to answer the Lord’s call and who is hindering us from answering His call. We also need to ask the Lord to help us to play the role of Eli in the life of others rather than the role of the disciples in the life of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all told and reminded to listen to the Lord when He calls upon us, for all of us to follow His path and to walk virtuously and righteously in His ways. Today’s Scripture readings clearly presented to us what it means for us to be called by God, and to be His disciples and followers. We are reminded from the examples of the calling of the young Samuel, as well as the ministry of the Lord Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour and His disciples, that to be Christian disciples and part of the Church, we must always heed the Lord’s call, and do whatever we can so that we may always be exemplary in each and every one of our actions in life. Now, the significance of the events which we have heard is such that we are reminded that first of all, we must do what the Lord had entrusted to us to do, in carrying out His will and the mission given to us, just like how the prophet Samuel carried out his missions and works, and how the Lord Jesus did His ministry, in showing God’s love, compassion, mercy and healing to all of the people who needed them. But, as we have seen in the Gospel reading today, it is easy for us to be tempted and swayed by the force of pride, ego and popularity, that we may end up losing focus on what it is that we are doing in our actions in life, and end up serving our own selfish desires and greed, our ambitions and prideful wants and attachments to glory, fame and more. According to the Gospel reading, the Lord and His disciples were truly and wildly popular there, where He performed the miraculous deeds and works. They did not have to go to other places, and they could easily gain a large following there, as how some of the others, the false Messiahs had done at that time. This is where the Lord Jesus therefore reminded His disciples and followers, that everything that He had done, and all that they had committed in ministering to the people of God were ultimately not about themselves and not about doing what was convenient and good for them. Instead, they were following God’s will, and the focus was, and must always be on God and His path, and not on oneself, and one’s personal glory and ambitions.

Let us all therefore renew our commitment and faith in the Lord, and remind ourselves of the calling and the vocations that we have, be it as members of the clergy and all those who have given ourselves to the service of God and His Church, or as the members of the laity, as those who are married and in family life, and as parts of the families themselves, and as any one of us, living our own daily living in this world today. As we enter and progress through this first part of the Ordinary Time of the year, before we head into the season of Lent in about a month or so, let us all make good use of this time and opportunity that God has given us to do whatever we can in glorifying Him and in following Him wholeheartedly, so that this season and time will not be ‘ordinary’ in any sense. Instead, we have to make it truly ‘extraordinary’ by doing all that we can to glorify the Lord by our lives, our every actions, words and deeds. We should make sure that our examples may inspire others all around us to follow the Lord and to believe in Him as well, just in the manner that the Lord Himself and His saints have inspired us all to follow them in the path of righteousness and truth. May the Lord be with us always, and may He strengthen each one of us in faith. May He empower all of us that we may always walk ever more confidently in the path that He has shown us and led us. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless our every works and deeds, all the endeavours and actions that we carry out in each and every moments of our lives. Wishing all of us a most blessed and fruitful Ordinary Time and season, each and every days of our lives, always. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My precious and all-powerful Lord, I turn to You and You alone as the source of all Truth and the fullness of Truth. May I listen to Your voice alone and reject the many deceptions of the evil one and his demons. In Your precious name, Jesus, I rebuke satan and all evil spirits, their lies and their temptations. I send these spirits to the foot of Your Cross, dear Lord, and open my mind and heart only to You. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint William of Bourges ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all as we begin this Ordinary Time. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous, and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 9, 2024

Greetings beloved family and Happy Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time!

Today, we all begin the time of the Ordinary Season, the first of the two Ordinary Times of this current liturgical year, which will continue on towards the Season of Lent. We pray for God’s grace and mercy upon us through this Ordinary Time, and may the Lord grant us the grace to serve Him in spirit and in truth🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 on EWTN” |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 9, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Reading 1, First Samuel 1:9-20
Responsorial Psalm, First Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8
Gospel, Mark 1:21-28

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this feast day, we continue to remember our beloved late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the first memorial anniversary of his death. We pray for the repose of his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the gentle soul of Pope Benedict XVI and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Please let us continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Adrian of Canterbury, Abbot and Saints Julian and Basilissa, Martyrs.

SAINT ADRIAN OF CANTERBURY, ABBOT: St. Adrian of Canterbury (d. 710 A.D.), also known as St. Hadrian, was a native of North Africa who was sent to England to accompany his friend, Theodore of Tarsus, who was appointed to the prestigious archbishopric of Canterbury. This learned and saintly man, St. Adrian became Abbot of monastery near Monte Casino, Italy. Pope St. Vitalian judged him to be the best person to fill the vacant post of Archbishop of Canterbury, for his talents were most suitable for instructing and nurturing a nation still young in the Faith. But St. Adrian, deeming himself unworthy, suggested St. Theodore of Tarsus in his place. The Pope agreed but sent him along to be the assistant and adviser of the Archbishop. Setting out in 668, the two holy men proceeding by way of France. There, St. Adrian was arrested by Ebroin, Mayor of Neustria, as an agent of the Eastern Emperor; and St. Theodore alone was able to go on. When St. Adrian was finally able to reach England, he found St. Theodore already confirmed in his See, and was named Abbot of the monastery of St. Augustine’s Abbey at Canterbury (originally called the Monastery of Sts. Peter and Paul at Canterbury).

Under St. Adrian’s administration, this monastic school attracted students from all over and had a far-reaching influence. The monastic school grew and thrived under his leadership, and became an important center of learning where many future scholars, bishops, and abbots were educated in Latin, Greek, scripture, theology, Roman law, arithmetic, and other subjects. Saint Adrian himself was learned in the Scriptures, was well known for being a great teacher of religion, math, science, and literature, well versed in the Fathers of the Church, and a fine Greek and Latin scholar. All these subject were taught there, as well as poetry, astronomy, and calendar calculation. He also served as the Holy Father’s assistant and adviser. During the lives of Adrian and Theodore, education and learning flourished in England. After his death, his tomb became famous for miracles. St. Adrian died on January 9, 710. His feast day is January 9th.

PRAYER: Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things in imitation of the example of evangelical perfection You have given us in St. Adrian the Abbot. Amen🙏

SAINTS JULIAN AND BASILISSA, MARTYRS: Saint Julian, Martyr (died 313) and Saint Basilissa, his wife (died 4th century), though married, lived by mutual consent in perpetual chastity. They sanctified themselves by the most perfect exercises of an ascetic life, and employed their revenues in relieving the poor and the sick. For this purpose they converted their house into a kind of hospital, in which they sheltered up to a thousand poor people. Basilissa attended those of her sex in separate lodgings, and Julian, who for his charity is known as the Hospitaler, cared for the men.

Egypt, where they lived, was in those days blessed with persons who, either in the cities or in the deserts, devoted themselves to the most perfect exercises of charity, penance, and mortification. Conversions were numerous, and persecutions by furious pagans followed as the numbers of Christians increased. St. Basilissa, after having survived seven of those, died in peace, foretelling to her husband that he would die a martyr. St. Julian lived afterwards for a number of years, but eventually received the crown of a glorious martyrdom in 313. His interrogation and his tortures were accompanied by astonishing prodigies and numerous conversions. With him died thirty-one other persons, including a priest named Anthony, a new Christian named Anastasius, Celsus, the seven-year-old son of the judge who sentenced Julian, Marcianilla, the mother of Celsus, who when she came to visit her son was won over to the faith, and many other Christians. Spared by fire and wild beasts, Saint Julian finally was decapitated. His tomb became illustrious by many great miracles, including the cure of ten lepers on the same day. Many churches and hospitals, in both the East and in the West, bear the name of one or another of these martyrs. Four churches at Rome and three in Paris are dedicated to Saint Julian.

Reflection: God often rewards men for works that are pleasing in His sight by giving them grace and opportunity to do other works higher still. Such was the case for Saint Julian, whose posthumous miracles attained prodigious numbers. Saints Julian and Basilissa, Martyrs ~ Pray for us 🙏

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! And as we begin the Ordinary Time, may the Lord grant us the grace to serve Him in spirit and in truth. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are sick with the coronavirus, mental illness, stroke, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Mark 1:21-28

“Jesus taught them as one having authority”

“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.”

In today’s Gospel reading a clearly very disturbed person turned on Jesus with great anger, shouting, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?’ Jesus did not react to this man in a similar way. This person’s disturbed state did not disturb Jesus. Instead, Jesus’ own calm state had a calming effect on this man. In response to the man’s aggressive questions, Jesus simply said, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’, and these calming words had a profound effect on this man’s disturbed spirit. Jesus did not react to people; rather, He responded to them and He responded to them out of His deep relationship with God. As a result, His presence brought peace where there was disturbance and calm where there was aggression. The Lord can have the same calming effect on each of us if we open ourselves to Him in our brokenness and our need. When we honestly bring our own disturbance to the Lord in prayer, we don’t disturb Him. Rather, His presence works to calm our disturbance and heal our brokenness of spirit. As we open ourselves to the Lord and grow in our relationship with Him, we too can respond to others out of that relationship, rather than just reacting to them. In responding to others out of our relationship with the Lord, we can become channels of the Lord’s calming and healing presence to others.

Our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Samuel details the beginning of the story of Samuel, the one whom the Lord sent to the Israelites to be their Prophet and Judge, as the one to lead and guide them through their lives, to keep them faithful to the Law and commandments which God had revealed and passed to them through their ancestors. Samuel was conceived and born miraculously after God had answered the prayers of his mother Hannah. At that time, Hannah was married to a man named Elkanah, who also had another wife named Penninah. Penninah had bore many children for Elkanah while Hannah could not have any child and was barren, and yet, Elkanah loved Hannah more, and this led to the jealousy of Penninah who often bullied Hannah and ridiculed her for her barren state. According to our first reading today, Hannah went to seek the Lord at His Holy Tent in Shiloh, asking for God’s help because she was already desperate and out of options, and at that time, it was indeed considered disgraceful and unbecoming for a woman to be barren and unable to bear any child at all. That was why Hannah sought the Lord, promising to Him that she would entrust her firstborn son to Him as His servant, if He would answer her prayers. The High Priest and Judge Eli was there and thought that Hannah was drunk, but Hannah told him everything that she had hoped to achieve in seeking the Lord earnestly in prayer. Thus, Eli understood her predicament and gave Hannah his blessing, and hoped that the Lord would grant her what she has asked for. And God did indeed answer Hannah’s prayer, listening to what she had asked for, and gave her a son, which was miraculously conceived between Elkanah and Hannah, and was therefore born and named as Samuel. As Hannah has promised the Lord, she fulfilled her promise by offering her firstborn son to the Lord, to be His servant, and God made Samuel to be a great Prophet and Judge, the last one to guide and rule over the Israelites. Through Samuel, God would perform many great things among His people, and eventually He gave them kings to rule and lead them, to continue shepherding and guiding them throughout their lives, from Saul and then to David, the virtuous king who led Israel into its golden age. Throughout all these, God kept on guiding and helping His people through Samuel, His prophet and servant.

In our first reading, Hannah describes her prayer in very graphic terms, ‘I was pouring out my soul before the Lord… all this time I have been speaking from the depths of my grief and my resentment’. Her prayer was clearly a very honest prayer. She came before the Lord and poured out her soul before Him, and that meant pouring out all that was in her soul at that time, her grief and resentment. Hannah’s prayer reminds us that when it comes to our own prayer to the Lord, we do not have to be on our best behaviour. According to the old catechism definition of prayer, prayer was the offering up of our mind and heart to God. Offering up our mind and heart to God means offering up all that is in our mind and heart, whatever that might be, such as the grief and resentment that Hannah mentioned. As in our Gospel reading, that very disturbed man addresses Jesus in a similarly honest way. We can sense the anger in the questions that he fires at Jesus. The psalms of lament in the Scriptures are full of questions fired at God out of people’s anger, resentment and grief. Jesus was not disturbed by the man’s questions. Rather He calmed the man’s disturbance. When we honestly bring our own disturbance to the Lord in prayer, we don’t disturb Him. Rather, His presence works to calm our disturbance and heal our brokenness of spirit.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded of the need for all of us as Christians to put our faith and trust in the Lord, because through Him all of us will be safe and taken care of, and we have to trust in Him as no matter what trials and challenges may befall us, or whatever troubles and hardships that we may have to endure, in the end, we shall be triumphant with God, and the Lord will guide us all and give us His strength and power, so that we will be strong throughout our journey and we will be able to persevere through those challenges as long as we keep onto that faith in the Lord. Let us all hence renew our faith in the Lord today, and affirm our trust in Him, and let us all do our very best so that we may always endeavour to put ourselves in the hands of the Lord, and believe that in Him, we can be strengthened and made firm, amidst all the trials and challenges of the world. May the Lord continue to guide us each day throughout this season of Ordinary Time, so that we all may continue to live our lives most faithfully and most obediently, doing whatever we can to glorify the Lord through our lives, our actions and works, our words and interactions among many other things. May He empower each one of us and strengthen us all in faith, so that we may always draw ever closer to Him and continue to persevere and flourish in our faith in Him regardless of the challenges and trials we may have to face in our journey of faith with Him. As we begin this Ordinary Time, the beginning of the public ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, may God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to respond to that call of the Lord to follow Him, to walk in His ways, to live by His values, just as Andrew, Peter, James and John did. May the good Lord continue to guide us through this life, so that our every day moments, our whole lives, and how we live them, will always ever be inspirational and be great role models for others in our Christian virtues and ways. May God bless us, now and forevermore. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

Lord, give me courage and wisdom when I face the activity of the evil one in this world. Give me wisdom to discern his hand at work and give me courage to confront and rebuke him with Your love and authority. May Your authority be alive in my life, Lord Jesus, and may I daily become a better instrument of the coming of Your Kingdom as I confront the evil present in this world. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Adrian of Canterbury and and Saints Julian and Basilissa ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all as we begin this Ordinary Time. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

SOLEMNITY OF THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

[Sunday after January 6 (Or Monday if Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday, January 7 or 8)]

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 8, 2024

Greetings beloved family and Happy Feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank the Lord for the precious gift of baptism🙏

Watch “Holy Mass, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Presided by Pope Francis | From the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican | Sunday, January 7, 2024” |

Watch “Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord and Holy Rosary on Monday, January 8, 2024 on EWTN” |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 8, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Today’s Bible Readings: Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, Monday, January 8, 2024
Reading 1 ~ Isaiah 55:1-11
Responsorial Psalm ~ Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
Gospel ~ Mark 1 : 7-11

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this special feast day, we continue to remember our beloved late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the first memorial anniversary of his death. We pray for the repose of his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the gentle soul of Pope Benedict XVI and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Please let us continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: The Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord is closely connected with the Solemnity of the Epiphany; both are biblical manifestations of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In the church’s liturgical year, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord concludes the Christmas season. Although traditionally Christmas is still being celebrated all the way up to the second day of February, the fortieth day since Christmas, marking a traditional forty days of Christmas season. But this day marks that transition from our focus and emphasis on the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, and into His ministry and works in this world, with the moment of Baptism marking that significant new beginning and change. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. This feast is also referred to as Theophany because at the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan God appeared in three persons. The voice of God was audibly heard to declare to the gathered crowd, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Originally the baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana. Over time in the West, however, the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord came to be commemorated as a distinct feast from Epiphany. It is now celebrated on the first Sunday following the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord. This year, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord is celebrated today, Monday, January 8, 2024.

The baptism of Christ in the Jordan is the second epiphany, or manifestation, of the Lord. The past, the present, and the future are made manifest in this epiphany. Pope Pius XII instituted in 1955 a separate liturgical commemoration of the Baptism. The Tridentine Calendar had no feast of the Baptism of the Lord for almost four centuries. Then the feast was instituted, under the denomination “Commemoration of the Baptism of our Lord”, for celebration on 13 January as a major double, using for the Office and the Mass those previously said on the Octave of the Epiphany, which Pius XII abolished; but if the Commemoration of the Baptism of Our Lord occurred on a Sunday, the Office and Mass were to be those of the Feast of the Holy Family without any commemoration. In his revision of the calendar five years later, Pope John XXIII kept on 13 January the “Commemoration of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ”, with the rank of a second-class feast. A mere 14 years after the institution of the feast, Pope Paul VI set its date as the first Sunday after January 6 (as early as January 7 or as late as January 13) or, if in a particular country the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday January 7 or Sunday January 8, on Monday January 8 or Monday January 9.

Pope John Paul II initiated a custom whereby on this feast the Pope baptizes babies in the Sistine Chapel. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1213: “Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments”. At His baptism Jesus sanctified the earth’s waters, giving water the power to beget sons of God through the Sacrament of Baptism. Through the cleansing waters of baptism Jesus heals our sinful nature and clothes us with His own Divine life, bringing us into the Kingdom of God. It is by imitating Our Lord in His Baptism that a person becomes a Christian, the first sacrament of initiation into the Church.

Through our own baptism, when we were welcomed into the Church, be it as infants or as adults, each and every one of us have been made part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the same Body of Christ, the united assembly of all the people who are faithful in God, and counted among the flock of those whom God had called and chosen. Each and every one of us has professed our faith in the Lord, and renewed them every time we renew them ever since at Easter. Now, the question is, are we all truly aware of what we have been called to do as Christians? Are we aware of the missions and vocation which God has entrusted to each one of us in calling us all to walk in the path of righteousness and grace? Baptism is not the end of the journey of faith, especially for all those of us who have gone through the period of catechism and catechumenate, leading to our baptisms as adults. Baptism is the beginning of this new phase in our lives, as we enter into a life of holiness, free from the bondage and the tyranny of sin, evil and death. However, we can always fall back again into sin, and be corrupted again by the many temptations present all around us. Hence, it is important that we remain vigilant, and strive as always to live our lives as worthily as possible, in obeying the Law and commandments of God, and in ensuring that our whole lives, our every actions, words and deeds are always full of faith and grace of God. Let us all therefore recall the moments when we were baptised, and initiated into the Church and in receiving this Christian faith, and hence let us all recall the promises and commitments we have made at our baptism, and heed the Lord’s call for us to follow Him and walk in His path. Let our lives be truly faithful and full of Christian virtues, at all times, and each one of us become the shining beacons and examples of our faith to others around us. The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, brings to an end the liturgical season of Christmas as we begin the first part of the Ordinary Time tomorrow. 

PRAYER: God of light, You sent Your Spirit down upon Your Son Jesus at His Baptism. Send us your Spirit too, so that we may be filled with the courage to do all that you ask of us. May the Lord our God be with us always in this journey of faith, and may He continue to bless our every works, good efforts and endeavours, done for His greater glory, now and always, forevermore. Amen🙏

On this special feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, we also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Apollinaris of Hierapolis, Bishop.

SAINT APOLLINARIS OF HIERAPOLIS, BISHOP: Saint Apollinaris Claudius (2nd c.), also known as Apollinaris the Apologist was a bishop in what is today Turkey. He was a Christian leader and writer of the 2nd century. He was one of the most illustrious Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia of the 2nd century who became famous for his polemical treatises against the heretics of his day, whose errors he showed to be entirely borrowed from the pagans. In 177 A.D. he published an “Apologia” for the defense of Christians, addressed to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and appealing to the Emperor’s own experience with the “Thundering Legion”, whose prayers won him the victory over the Quadi, a people inhabiting the country now called Moravia. One of his legions, the twelfth, was composed chiefly of Christians. When the army was perishing for want of water, the soldiers of this legion fell upon their knees and invoked the assistance of God. The result was sudden, for a copious rain fell, and aided by the storm, they conquered the Germans. The emperor gave this legion the name “Thundering Legion” and mitigated his persecution.

It was to protect his flock against persecution that St. Apollinaris addressed his apology to the Emperor to implore his protection and remind him of the favor he had received from God through the prayers of the Christians. In light of this miracle, Apollinaris requested the Emperor’s protection of Christians from persecution. St. Apollinaris’ work earned him the moniker, “Apollinaris the Apologist.” St. Appolinaris had written many excellent treatises against the heretics but none of his writings is still in existence. His writings are largely lost, and what we know of his work comes to us from other early Christian writers including St. Jerome and Eusebius. Eusebius, St. Jerome, Theodoret, and others speak of him in the highest terms and great eulogies and they furnish us with the few facts that are known of him. The exact date of the death of St. Apollinaris is not known, but it probably occurred before that of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the Roman Martyrology mentions him on the 8th of January.

PRAYER: God, You made St. Appolinaris an outstanding exemplar of Divine love and the Faith that conquers the world, and added him to the roll of saintly Pastors. Grant by his intercession that we may persevere in Faith and love and become sharers of his glory.
Amen🙏

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this special feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name and baptism of our Savior Jesus Christ! May our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary support us by her intercession in our commitment to follow Christ on the way of faith and charity, the path traced out by our Baptism. We pray for all children and all those that will receive the Sacrament of Baptism on this special day. May they receive the Holy Spirit and grace of God. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, The Baptism of the Lord | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Mark 1:7–11

You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased

“This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals. I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

In today’s Gospel reading, when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, He had an experience of the Spirit descending on Him, and He heard God His Father say to Him, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’. At every baptism, something similar happens. Through the words and actions of the ritual, the Holy Spirit comes into the young life of the child, and God the Father says to the child, ‘you are my son, my daughter, the beloved; my favour rests on you’. The child’s baptismal identity is formed and affirmed at that moment, the child’s identity as a Temple of the Spirit, a son or daughter of God, a sister or brother of Jesus and our own sister or brother in Jesus. What a rich identity! There is indeed something to celebrate here. The short rituals that follow the moment of baptism proclaim the reality of this rich identity. The child is anointed with chrism, a precious oil what was used to anoint kings, priests and prophets, in recognition the child’s baptismal dignity. The child is clothed with a white garment, expressing that he or she has been clothed with Christ, wrapped in the mantle of His love. The baptismal candle is lit showing that the light of the Lord, the light of His risen life, has shone upon this child, and will remain shining upon him or her into eternity, a light that no darkness can overcome. Parents are asked to keep this light burning brightly. Jesus was fundamentally shaped by his baptism. It was the moment when His identity as God’s beloved Son was confirmed and when His mission arising from that identity was inaugurated, His mission to proclaim the reign of God’s love in and through His life and ministry, His death and resurrection. We too were fundamentally shaped by our baptism. We received a precious identity. We also received a mission that is rooted in that identity, the mission of sharing in the Lord’s work of bringing the rule of God’s love to the world. We received both a gift and a call. That is why every day we can say, ‘I am baptized’, and not just ‘I was baptized’. Baptism isn’t something that just happened to us in the past. It is an ever-present reality. We spend our lives catching up with what happened at the beginning of our Christian journey. Each day is a day both to celebrate the gift of our baptism and to respond afresh to the call of our baptism. Our baptism is a daily gift and it is also a daily call. Our baptism calls upon us, as it called on Jesus, to allow the love of God that has touched our lives to flow through us and touch the lives of others. The Spirit of our baptism empowers us each day to bring something of God’s love to others, especially to those most in need of it.

During the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord’s truth and ministry that He was to embark on, was all revealed to us, and to St. John the Baptist himself, as we heard of the Heaven itself being opened, and then the voice of the Father speaking, revealing that the One Whom St. John the Baptist had just baptised, is the Son of God, with the words, ‘You are My Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen.’ This truth witnessed by St. John the Baptist and other people who were present, has been affirmed and acknowledged through the three testimonies of Water, Blood and Spirit. Each one of these testimonies confirmed that truly Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the One Whom all the prophets had been proclaiming and prophesying about, the One Who has brought God’s love and compassion into our midst, unveiling to us the fullness of God’s ever generous mercy and kindness, His love and care for all of us, His beloved ones. The Lord has shown us that He was not merely just making empty promises and big words without action, but truly putting all of His love for us into real action, loving us generously at all times.

In our first reading today, from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, God spoke to His people through Isaiah regarding the salvation which God had promised to all of us, and which He would send to us in fulfilment of all that He has promised, through the coming of His Messiah, or Saviour, the Word of God, sent to the world to carry out and accomplish everything that God had planned for us all. God promised that through His Saviour, He would gather all of His people to Himself, getting them, reaching out to them and helping them on their path and journey, calling on everyone to embrace His salvation and path, gathering all of us from the darkness of this world so that we may find the joy of God’s love, providence and care. All those promises have been made by the Lord to us His people, and He fulfilled them all through His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose Baptism and beginning of earthly ministry we recall and celebrate today.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures and rejoice today on this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, let us all spend some time to reflect on whether we have been truly faithful to God in our actions and deeds, in our way of life and believing in Him. If we have not been truly faithful and devoted to Him, then the time is now for us to really consider and discern our path going forward in life, and we should spend the time to think of how we can better glorify God by our lives and actions, in each and every daily moments and at all opportunities. Let us all strive to draw ever closer to God and to remain firmly committed to walk the path towards His salvation and grace, fulfilling and ever being mindful of our baptismal promises. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the Lord, by Whose Baptism we have been saved, through His suffering and death on the Cross, and by His glorious Resurrection, empower us and strengthen us that we may always ever be faithful to Him, now and always. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

Lord, I thank You for Your humble act of baptism by which You opened the Heavens to all who are sinners. May I open my heart to the unfathomable grace of my own baptism each and every day and more fully live with You as a child of the Father, filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Apollinaris of Hierapolis, Bishop ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ on this day, we thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and we pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

[Depending upon the practice of the local diocese or territory, the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on January 6, or on the first Sunday after January 1in countries where this feast is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Roman Catholic dioceses in many countries celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th, some countries including the dioceses of the United States transfered the celebration of this feast to Sunday, January 7, 2024].

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 7, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Sunday, the Feast of the Epiphany!

Watch “HOLY MASS ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD WITH POPE FRANCIS | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN, ST. PETER’S BASILICA| JANUARY 6, 2024” |

Watch “Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord on Sunday, January 7, 2024 on EWTN” |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 7, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Today’s Bible Readings: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Sunday, January 7, 2024
Reading 1, Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Reading 2, Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel, Matthew 2:1-12

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this special feast day, we continue to remember our beloved late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the first memorial anniversary of his death. We pray for the repose of his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the gentle soul of Pope Benedict XVI and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Please let us continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. 

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD: The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is one of the oldest Christian feasts and one of the most important. The feast of the Epiphany also known as Theophany or the Feast of Manifestation which is traditionally celebrated on the 12th day after Christmas, on January 6th. However, in the Roman Catholic dioceses in many countries including the dioceses of the United States where the solemnity of the Epiphany is not observed as a holy day of obligation, this feast has been moved and assigned to a Sunday, which is then considered a proper day on the calendar, falling on the Sunday between January 2nd and January 8th. This year, others may celebrate the feast of Epiphany on Sunday, January 7, 2024 (from General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar)

The celebration of the Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian festivals on the Church’s calendar, celebrated since the end of the second century, it predates even the celebration of Christmas. It is commonly known as Twelfth Night, Twelfth Day, or the Feast of Epiphany. The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek word epiphaneia – a verb that means “to shine upon,” “to manifest,” “to reveal” or “to make known.” It means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It is also called Theophany (“manifestation of God”), especially by Eastern Christians who remember the time when God ‘Theos’ manifested Himself before His people, a term known as ‘Epiphaneia’, that has the meaning of revelation, as He came forth bringing the Light and Hope to the nations, just as He has promised through His prophets and messengers. It refers to the great manifestations of our Lord’s incarnate nature as truly God and truly man, “God in flesh made manifest. Thus, the feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made Himself known to the world. Historically, Epiphany celebrated four events that manifested the mission and divinity of Christ: Jesus’ nativity; the visit of the Magi to the Holy Family to adore Him (Matthew 2:1-12);  the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River where the Father revealed Him as His beloved Son (Mark 1:9-11); and Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11). Each biblical event is a theophany, or epiphany, a special manifestation of Jesus Christ to mankind. The relationship between these events is beautifully described in this antiphon from the Divine Office: “This day the Church is joined unto the Heavenly Bridegroom, since Christ hath washed away her sins in Jordan; the wise men hasten with gifts to the marriage supper of the King; and they that sit at meat together make merry with water turned into wine. Alleluia.” At one point in Church history all of these events were celebrated on the Epiphany, but now the liturgical calendar assigns particular feasts or proper days for each. The visit of the Magi is emphasized on Epiphany Day, and Christ’s baptism is celebrated the first Sunday that follows. In our day, the great Solemnity of the Epiphany primarily celebrates the visit of the Magi representing our Lord’s manifestation to all the Gentiles (the non-Jewish people of the world) and the corresponding call of the Gentiles to faith in Jesus Christ.

Through this important event of the Epiphany, God manifested Himself to the nations, represented by the Three Magi or the Three Wise Men, who came from very far lands to visit and pay homage to the One Whose coming they had predicted, and following the great Sign in the sky, the Star of Bethlehem, that appeared above the place where the Lord Jesus was born. All the Three Magi set off on a long journey from their lands, at a time when travel was arduous, difficult, lengthy and slow, traversing long distances so that they might come to and see the Holy One of God, the One Whose coming was proclaimed by the great Star. The Star of Bethlehem is a sign of the Messiah, and is also a symbol of faith or ‘Signum Fidei’ because the Three Wise Men went on that very long journey in seeking the One Whom they believed in, as a great Figure and Master, and although they did not yet know Who He truly was, but the Spirit of God present in all the peoples, even then, moved their hearts, and brought them on the journey of faith towards the Lord. The gifts which they brought to the Lord had made people to speculate the places of their origins, with the countries of Sheba and Seba in what is now Ethiopia and Yemen respectively as possible candidates. Those gifts echoed what the prophet Isaiah spoke about in the first reading today, of the caravan of camels from Sheba and Seba coming to the Lord, glorifying Him and praising Him.

The three gifts of the Three Magi are themselves very symbolic and a revelation of Who the Lord Jesus truly was, in the gift of the gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold represents the kingship and the glory of Christ, while the Frankincense represents both His Divinity and also His role as our Eternal High Priest, and lastly the Myrrh represents the way how the Lord would accomplish His mission, through the suffering and death that He would have to endure during His Passion, for our sake and our salvation. Through all these three gifts therefore, we all come to know the full extent of Who the Lord our God is, and what He has done for us through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is the essence of what the Epiphany celebration is all about.

PRAYER: We thank the Lord, for the gift of revealing Himself to all nations, and ask that He continue to be revealed in the works of His children… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 2:1-12

Adoration by the Magi: “We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage”

“After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.”

Today’s Gospel reading puts before us two very contrasting responses to the news that the long-awaited Jewish Messiah had just been born. Astrologers from the East were so excited by this news that they set out on a long journey to find the child so as to pay Him homage. King Herod in Jerusalem was so perturbed by the same news that he sought to kill the child.

On this feast of the Epiphany we are asked to identify with the response of the astrologers, the wise men, from the East. They were people who were very observant of God’s natural world, in particular that part of God’s natural world that came into view when darkness descended. They observed and studied the stars. They were fascinated by the stars. Yet, they recognized that the stars, for all their splendour, pointed beyond themselves to some more wonderful reality, to God. So, when they heard that God was visiting our world in a new way through a child who had just been born, they set out in search of that child. These exotic figures from the East show us how being attentive to God’s natural world can draw us closer to God. This can happen in different ways for different people. For the wise men it was their fascination with the stars that led them to the true light of the world. For others, the sea can have a similar impact, revealing in some mysterious way the depth and power of God. There came a point on the journey of the wise men when they needed more than the signs of nature to find the child whom they were seeking. When they came to Jerusalem they had to ask, ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ To make the last short step on their long journey, they needed more than the light of a star. They needed the light of the Scriptures. The chief priests and the scribes who knew the Scriptures were able to point them in the direction of Bethlehem. On our own journey towards the Lord, we too need the light of the Scriptures as well as the light of nature. The Scriptures are a fuller revelation of God than the natural world. It is in and through the Scriptures that we meet God and His Son in a special way. Through the Scriptures God speaks to us in a privileged way. He asks us to listen and to allow our lives to be shaped by what we hear. The wise men allowed themselves to be guided by the Scriptures, as well as by the star. They showed something of that responsiveness to God’s word to which we are all called.

Having been moved by the presence of God in nature and in the Scriptures, the wise men came face to face with God in a child. They did not worship the star; they did not even worship the Scriptures. But they did worship the child, because they recognized that here was Emmanuel, God-with-us. We too worship Emmanuel, and we do so in a special way every time we celebrate the Eucharist. As the wise men expressed their worship by offering the child their precious gifts, we express our own worship of the Lord in the Eucharist by offering Him gifts, and our most precious gift is the gift of our lives. In the Eucharist we give ourselves to the Lord, in response to His giving of Himself to us as bread of life, saying ‘Here I am’ in response to His ‘Take and eat’. The Gospel reading tells us that, after worshipping the child, the wise men returned home by a different way. Their meeting with the infant king of the Jews somehow changed them. Our own worship of the Lord in the Eucharist will often prompt us to take a different path too. We come to the Eucharist open to being changed by our meeting with the Lord. We are sent forth from the Eucharist to follow the way of the Lord more closely.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, the prophet spoke to the people of God in Israel and Judah, telling them of the coming of the salvation in God, which would come soon through the Messiah, the Saviour which God has promised to all of them. The prophet was encouraging a people that by then had suffered a lot of hardships and difficulties, obstacles and challenges. He told them that the Lord would not forget about them, and He would send them His deliverance, which would come with a great Light coming among the people of God. Indeed, the Lord would send His salvation through His people, born of a people whom He had first called, the people of Israel, of the children of Abraham, fulfilling everything that He has promised to His faithful servants. Through this great Light, which is in Christ the Lord, all people will come to see the salvation of God, which has been unveiled and shown to us, through His Nativity and Epiphany. If His Nativity marks the moment when He was born into this world, and was announced by the Angels of God to the people of Israel through those shepherds of Bethlehem in the wilderness, then the Epiphany marks the moment when He revealed Himself as the Saviour of all, as the Almighty God and King, born into this world to gather everyone to Himself, to every nations and peoples, for He is not just God of Israel or over the land of Israel, but He is God, Ruler and King over the whole Universe, and this is what the Lord has revealed to us all, through the events of the Epiphany.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures on the great Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, we mark the occasion when the Lord revealed and manifested Himself to all the nations through the representation of the Three Magi or the Three Wise Men, who came all the way to Bethlehem after long and arduous journey, seeking the Star of Bethlehem marking the birthplace of the Saviour. Just like the Three Magi in the past, let us all therefore come to seek the Lord with all of our efforts and hearts, our minds and might. Let us all be faithful to the Lord and follow Him, like the Three Magi making the intense effort in walking the long journey from their distant homelands to seek the Saviour through the Star of Bethlehem. Are we all able to do the same as they had done? They were not believers at first, but saw the signs that God had sent into this world, followed those signs and came all the way to Bethlehem to pay Him homage and to worship Him. They represent all of us mankind, all of whom have been scattered all throughout the world, but through the grace and love of God, Who has sent us Christ to be our Good Shepherd, to gather us all from the ends of the world to Himself, to find our way to God. May the Lord, Who made Himself visible and Who has revealed Himself to all the nations, be with us all and continue to call upon us to follow Him. May He continue to guide us all through the path of grace and His love and truth, so that we may follow Him, with all of our hearts and minds, and be truly saved. Just as He has promised and assured us through His suffering, death on the Cross and finally through His glorious Resurrection, He has shown us the light of His hope and the grace of eternal life that will be ours if we keep strong our faith in Him, and continue to walk faithfully in His Presence and remain firmly committed to His path. May the Lord, our glorious and mighty God, Who revealed Himself to all the nations, be with us and bless our every good deeds and efforts, all of our endeavours for His greater glory. On this feast of Epiphany, may God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to be as open to the Lord’s path as the wise men were. Wishing all of us a Most Blessed and Holy Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord! Amen🙏

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT RAYMOND OF PENAFORT (PENYAFORT), PRIEST AND SAINT LUCIAN OF ANTIOCH, MARTYR: Today, on this special feast day, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Raymond of  Penafort  (Penyafort), Priest and Saint Lucian of Antioch, Martyr.

SAINT RAYMOND OF PEÑAFORT (PENYAFORT), PRIEST: St. Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275), referred to  as the “Father of : Law” was a Dominican priest who worked to aid Christian captives during the era of the Crusades and also helped organize the Church’s legal code. A contemporary of Saint Thomas Aquinas, he inspired the theologian to write the “Summa Contra Gentiles” for the conversion of non-Catholics. At least 10,000 Muslims reportedly converted as a result of St. Raymond’s evangelistic labors. Born of a noble family in 1175, at the castle of Penafort in Catalonia, St. Raymond was allied to the King of Aragon. At the age of twenty he taught philosophy at Barcelona. Requiring no remuneration for his services, he endeavored to form the heart as well as the intellect of his students. At the age of thirty he went to Bologna to perfect himself in the study of Canon and Civil Law, and received the degree of Doctor. On his return to Barcelona in 1219, the Bishop made him canon, archdeacon, and vicar-general. A few years later, in 1222, he entered the Order of St. Dominic, eight months after the death of its holy founder. During his time in Barcelona, Raymond helped Saint Peter Nolasco and King James of Aragon to establish the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Our Lady of Ransom), whose members sought to ransom those taken captive in Muslim territory. During this same period Raymond promoted the Crusades through preaching, encouraging the faithful to defend their civilization from foreign threats.

St. Raymond labored zealously for the conversion of the Moors and the Jews, and in the composition of a treatise for the instruction of confessors. Pope Gregory IX summoned him to Rome, appointing him auditor at the apostolic palace, penitentiary, and confessor to himself. While he was the confessor to Pope Gregory IX, the pope asked him to compile the church decrees concerning canon law of the past 80 years into a uniform collection that didn’t change until 1917. He composed his work of Canon Law known as the “Five Decretals.” On his return to his own country St. Raymond was elected general of the Dominican Order to succeed Blessed Jordan of Saxony, who had been the immediate successor of St. Dominic. After arranging and explaining the constitutions of the Order he resigned the office, and began again to apply himself to the exercises of an apostolic life. During this time he was able to focus on the fundamentals of his vocation: praising God in prayer, making him known through preaching, and making his blessings manifest in the world. St. Raymond’s later achievements included the establishment of language schools to aid in the evangelization of non-Christians. He wrote a book of moral theology for confessors, was a Bishop of the capital of Aragon (at 60), the head of the Dominican order (at 63), and his last 35 years combated heresy and prayed and converted 10,000 Muslims. He died on January 6, 1275 at Barcelona, Spain at about one hundred years of age and was canonized on April 29, 1601, Rome by Pope Clement VIII. St. Raymond is the Patron Saint of the Attorneys; barristers; canonists; canon lawyers; lawyers; medical record librarians; Barcelona, Spain; Navarre, Spain. His feast day is January 7th.

“The law, scripture, the Church, and love work harmoniously together”

PRAYER: St. Raymond, teach us to see the law of God and the law of the Church as one harmonious law meant to foster true communion among men and true communion between God and men. May God’s law be our law. And may the law never be an obstacle to true love and devotion.”…Amen

God, You endowed Your Priest, St. Raymond, with the gift of showing mercy to sinners and prisoners. Help us by his intercession to be freed from slavery to sin and with clear consciences to practice those things that are pleasing to You. Amen🙏

SAINT LUCIAN OF ANTIOCH, MARTYR: Saint Lucian of Antioch (c. 240–January 7, 312) also known as Lucian the Syrian was born at Samosata in Syria. Having lost his parents in his youth, he distributed to the poor all his worldly goods, of which he had inherited an abundant share, and withdrew to Edessa, to live near a holy man named Macarius, who imbued his mind with a knowledge of Holy Scripture and led him to the practice of the Christian virtues. Having become a priest, his time was divided between the external duties of his holy state, the performance of works of charity, and the study of sacred writings.

Saint Lucian revised the books of the Old and New Testaments, expunging the errors which had found their way into the text either through the negligence of copyists or the malice of heretics. His translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek was universally esteemed and was very useful to Saint Jerome, for whom he prepared the way. Soon afterwards the latter was to give to the world the Latin translation of the Bible known as the Vulgate.

Having been denounced as a Christian during the persecution of Maximin, Lucian was thrown into prison and condemned to torture, which was protracted for twelve whole days. A group of Christians visited him in prison on the feast of the Epiphany, and brought bread and wine to him; while bound and chained down on his back, he consecrated the divine mysteries upon his own breast, that the faithful who were present might receive Holy Communion. He finished his glorious career in prison, and died with the words, I am a Christian, on his lips. He died on January 7 312 AD and was buried in Drepanum, The Gulf of Nicomedia, which was later named Helenopolis. He was noted for both his scholarship and ascetic piety.

Saint Lucian of Antioch, Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this special feast day, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Lord Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of everyone and for all those traveling during this season of Christmas and new year. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

Let us pray:

Most glorious Christ Child, the Father in Heaven honored Your birth by placing a star over the place where you lay. Through that new star, Your divine presence was made manifest to the world in the Magi who responded with faith and worship. Please manifest Yourself to me within my own soul where You wish to be born, and give me the love and zeal I need to follow the example of the Magi, offering You my own gifts in adoration and trust. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Peñafort (Penyafort) and Saint Lucian of Antioch ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled Epiphany Sunday and New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 6, 2024

Greetings beloved family and Happy 1st Saturday of the month, Christmas season!

Watch “Catholic Daily Mass and Rosary on EWTN | January 6, 2024 on YouTube |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday, January 6, 2024
Reading 1 ~ 1 Jn 5:5-13
Responsorial Psalm ~ PS147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
Gospel~ Mark 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-38 or 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this feast day, we continue to remember our beloved late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the first memorial anniversary of his death. We pray for the repose of his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the gentle soul of Pope Benedict XVI and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Please let us continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint André Bessette (celebrated January 7th in Canada).

SAINT ANDRÉ BESSETTE, RELIGIOUS: St. André Bessette (1845–1937), a French Canadian is known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal”. Brother André was born Alfred Bessette to a poor Quebec family,  a French Canadian couple near Montreal in 1845. He was the eighth of twelve children. He was weak and sickly from his birth. His father died in a work (Lumber) accident when he was nine and his mother died three years later. His large family was split up after the death of both parents and he was adopted at twelve, he became a farmhand. The future Bro. André, barely literate and physically weak from birth, moved from job to job for years. Various trades followed: shoemaker, baker, blacksmith-all failures. He was a factory worker in the United States during the boom times of the Civil War. Returning to Canada, in 1870 he presented himself as a candidate for the novitiate of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal as a Brother. He came to the Brothers of the Holy Cross with a note from his pastor saying “I am sending you a saint”. The Brothers are a teaching order and Andre at age 25, still could not read or write because of poor health as a child, St. André had been unable to attend school regularly and could not read or write and had stomach problems (that he had for his whole life). They did not wish to accept him due to his sickness, but at the request of the Bishop of Montreal, he was ordained a consecrated religious Brother, and assigned a very humble job. He was assigned a position as doorkeeper/porter at Notre-Dame College in Montreal (A position he had for 40 years, perfect for praying with the people). Here daily he performed the tasks of infirmarian, janitor – washing floors and windows, cleaning lamps, carrying firewood, lamplighter, gardener, barber, and working as a messenger. His piety and willingness to help others charmed the students and their parents. He remained in that capacity for over forty years. Bro. André use to say, “When I joined this community, the superiors showed me the door, and I remained forty years.”  “It is with the smallest brushes that the artists paint the most beautiful pictures.”

Bro. André also developed a great devotion and expressed a saint’s faith by a lifelong devotion to Saint Joseph and the poor and afflicted. He welcomed and prayed for the sick and heartbroken, inviting them to pray to St. Joseph. People flocked to his cell to ask his opinion and his prayers for some favor or some cure, and he complied, while entrusting all to St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mother of God and foster-father of the Divine Infant. When an epidemic of sickness broke out, St. Andre demonstrated the gift of healing. He gave all the credit to St. Joseph, whom he had a great devotion. Over the years, when word of his sanctity spread, tens of thousands of people came to St. André Bessette for prayer and healing. He worked all day to receive them in person or answer their letters. His reputation grew as people reported that their prayers had been answered. He received visitors regularly for twenty-five years. In time, out of devotion to St. Joseph, he was able to build a chapel with help from friends and money he earned from giving haircuts to students. In 1904, he started building the St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal with nickels and dimes he had collected. It was completed in 1955 as a basilica. When his Order wanted to purchase land on Mt. Royal, St. André Bessette buried St. Joseph medals on the property. The owners yielded, the land was sold to the Order, and St. André worked to have a chapel dedicated to St. Joseph built on the property. It is still in use to this day. Larger versions of the chapel were constructed as more and more pilgrims came. Bro. André died on January 6, 1937 at the age of ninety one and he is buried at the Oratory. Over a million people attended his wake and burial. After his death, the shrine grew into the great basilica known as St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, which is visited by pilgrims from all over the world. Bishop Pierre Morissette of Saint-Jérôme, on Feb. 19, 2010, said “Brother André lived his life with great humility.” “Guided by a deep faith and devotion to St. Joseph, he dedicated his life to praying, serving the poor, welcoming strangers, healing the sick and comforting the suffering,” the bishop commented. St. André was beatified in 1982 by Pope John II and canonized on October 17, 2010, by Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter’s Square. Millions of people were and still are, cured through his prayers and the intercession of St. Joseph. Today Saint André Bessette is known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal”. St. André Bessette’s feast day is January 6th.

PRAYER: O God, friend of the humble, You inspired Brother Andre with great devotion to St. Joseph and singular dedication to the poor and afflicted. Grant us, through his intercession, to follow his example of prayer and charity, so that with him we may attain the splendor of Your glory. Amen🙏

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Lord Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of everyone and for all those traveling during this season of Christmas and new year. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today | Christmas Weekday | USCCB
| https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010624.cfm

Gospel Reading ~ Mark 1 : 7-11

“I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

“This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals. I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

In today’s Gospel reading, John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals. I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The beginning of the time of the Lord’s ministry after He was baptised, is a reference of the testimonies of faith mentioned by St. John the Apostle in our first reading. All of those evidences, truth and revelations showed us all that truly, the One Whom we celebrate about this Christmas, all of our rejoicing and festivities, all are about this same Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all and Son of God, Whom the Father has sent into this world, into our midst, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that the Church, all the Apostles and all the servants of God had witnessed and believed in, and then passed on to all of us, God’s beloved people, all of us who believe in the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. As we are all approaching the end of the season of Christmas, we are all reminded today that the celebration of Christmas and Christ’s coming into this world does not end, and it does not mean that then we continue on with our lives as per usual, forgetting Christ and everything that we have focused on throughout this Christmas season. Instead, we are all reminded that Christmas is just the beginning of the story of God’s saving works, which came to our midst through the Child Jesus, and then which is fulfilled perfectly when the Lord went on His Passion, suffered and died for our sins, on His Cross at Calvary, on Good Friday, and ultimately with His glorious Resurrection at Easter.

In our first reading today, from the Epistle of St. John, the Apostle spoke of the truth which has been revealed to all of us through Jesus Christ, the One Who has come to save all of us mankind from damnation and destruction due to our sins. This truth according to St. John has been affirmed and acknowledged through the three testimonies of Water, Blood and Spirit. Each one of these testimonies confirmed that truly Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the One Whom all the prophets had been proclaiming and prophesying about, the One Who has brought God’s love and compassion into our midst, unveiling to us the fullness of God’s ever generous mercy and kindness, His love and care for all of us, His beloved ones.

Firstly, the testimony of Water is also referred to in our Gospel today, at the moment when the Lord Jesus was baptised at the River Jordan by St. John the Baptist. At that moment, according to the testimony of St. John the Baptist, when the Lord had been baptised and emerged from the waters of the River Jordan, Heaven itself opened and the Holy Spirit descended on the Lord like the Dove, and the voice of the Father came upon all, speaking His will and revealing Who Jesus truly was, as the Incarnate Son of God in the flesh, with the words ‘You are My Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen.’, which highlighted everything that He had done for us, in sending us His own beloved Son, so that through Him, all of us may be saved, and gathered through the same water of baptism, into eternal life.

Then, the testimony of Blood refers to the Blood which the same Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, had shed for all of us mankind, from the Altar of His Cross. He was offered, willingly enduring for us the worst of punishments and sufferings, trials and tribulations so that by all of His wounds and hurts, all of us may be healed. His Most Precious Body and Most Precious Blood had been broken and poured down upon all of us mankind, freely offered and freely given to us, so that through this sharing of Himself, all of us may partake of the same Paschal Lamb, the Bread of Life, and hence enter into the eternal life which He has promised to all of us who partake upon His heavenly banquet, the Most Holy Eucharist that He has instituted and given to all of us, as yet another testimony of the truth about Him.

Lastly, the testimony of the Spirit mentioned by St. John can mean both the Holy Spirit descending on the Lord Jesus at the moment of His Baptism, but also the gift of the Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles and the disciples of the Lord, and hence upon the Church, on the Pentecost. The Lord has promised the Advocate, the Helper, that is none other than the Holy Spirit, Who would come to strengthen all the faithful and holy people of God, and the Holy Spirit did indeed come, ten days after the Lord ascended gloriously to Heaven and fifty days after His glorious Resurrection from the dead. All these testimonies were proofs and evidences enough for all those who have witnessed them, and which they had taught and passed on to us through the Church.

As we reflect on the words of the Lord in the Sacred Scriptures today, during this time and season of Christmas, in which we are all constantly being reminded of the fact and truth that each and every one of us as Christians, are all entrusted with the knowledge of truth, that Christ our Lord and Saviour, Who has been born for us at Bethlehem, the city of David through His mother Mary, is truly the Son of God, the Divine Word Incarnate, and we have seen, witnessed and known this truth because He Himself has revealed all those things to us, through His disciples, the Apostles and innumerable Saints, who have passed down the faith and the truth to us through the Church of God. Let us all therefore, as Christians continue to proclaim the Good News and salvation in Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord, the same Holy Child born for us at Bethlehem two millennia ago, Who revealed to us through the three testimonies of Water, Blood and Spirit, of the light of hope and truth, love and compassion of God, continue to bless us all. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to be as open to the Lord’s path and may He guide us in our journey always, now and forevermore. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

Jesus, my Savior, I do thank You for the unfathomable gift You have given me. You took on our fallen human nature and transformed it by this unity of Your divinity and humanity. You died for my sins and the sins of all who turn to You, and You opened the doors to Heaven. May I always grow more deeply in gratitude for all You have done for us. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint André Bessette ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 5, 2024

Greetings beloved family and Happy Friday, Weekday of Christmas season!

Watch “Catholic Daily Mass and Rosary on EWTN | January 5, 2024 on YouTube |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 5, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday January 5, 2024
Reading 1, First John 3:11-21
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5
Gospel, John 1:43-51

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this feast day, we continue to remember our beloved late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the first memorial anniversary of his death. We pray for the repose of his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the gentle soul of Pope Benedict XVI and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Please let us continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop; Saint Simeon Stylites, Hermit and Saint Telesphorus, Pope, Martyr.

SAINT JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP: St. John Nepomucene Neumann (1811-1860) was born on March 28, 1811, in Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. His parents were Philip, a stocking knitter and his wife, Agnes Neumann in the village of Prachatitz in Bohemia. The third of six children, he had four sisters and a brother. From his mother he acquired the spirit of piety and through her encouragement entered the Seminary at Budweis after college.When the day came for his ordination to the priesthood, his bishop fell ill and couldn’t proceed with the ceremony. However, because Bohemia had an over-abundance of priests at the time, John’s ordination was never rescheduled. Undeterred in pursuing his priestly vocation, St. John decided to go to America to seek ordination. Since he had been reading about missionary activities in the United States, St. John decided to go to the United States in 1836 as a missionary priest to serve America’s European immigrant population. He walked most of the way to France and then boarded a ship to New York. St. John arrived in Manhattan on June 9, 1836, where he was gladly welcomed by Bishop John Dubois, who at that time had only 36 priests for the 200,000 Catholics living in the state of New York and part of New Jersey. Just 16 days after his arrival, St. John was ordained a priest in New York in 1836 by Bishop Dubois and sent to Buffalo.

Father John established himself in a small log parish house. He hardly ever lit a fire and often lived on only bread and water. On January 16, 1842, St. John joined the Redemptorist order and made his profession as a Redemptorist, the first to do so in America. He continued his missionary work and labored in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. In 1852, he was consecrated Bishop of Philadelphia. St. John Neumann as bishop left his impact on the United States by building a vast number of churches, schools, hospitals, and orphanages. The number of parochial school students greatly increased in his diocese and the erection of many parishes, especially national parishes for the numerous immigrants. St. Neumann built 50 churches and began the construction of a cathedral. He opened almost 100 schools, and the number of parochial school students grew from 500 to 9,000. St. John Neumann had a strong effect on the religious life of the laity in the United States, especially in his promotion of devotion to the Holy Eucharist. He was also the first Bishop of the United States to prescribe the Forty Hours Devotion in his diocese. He founded the first church in America for Italian-speaking people. He also founded the Glen Riddle group of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. At 48 years of age, completely exhausted from all his apostolic endeavors, he collapsed in the street on January 5, 1860. He is buried beneath the altar of the lower Church in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia. He became the first American bishop to be beatified. St. Neumann was canonized by Pope Paul VI on June 19, 1977. He is famous for knowing twelve languages and for being the first American man and American bishop to be canonized. He is the Patron Saint of Catholic Education. His feast day is January 5th.

PRAYER: Almighty God, You called St. John Neumann to a life of service, zeal, and compassion in guiding Your people in the new world. By his prayers enable us to build up the community of the Church through our dedication to the Christians education of youthu and through our witness of brotherly love. Amen.🙏

SAINT SIMEON STYLITES, HERMIT: St. Simeon Stylites, also called Simeon the Elder, (390-459) was a Syrian Christian hermit who was the first known stylite, or pillar hermit. He was called Simeon the Elder to distinguish him from several other stylites also named Simeon. He was a son of a shepherd, born in 390 in Sisan, Cilicia, near modern Aleppo, Syria. During winter in about the year 401, as a shepherd boy, who could not lead his sheep to the fields on account of the cold, he went to the church instead and listened to the eight Beatitudes, which were read that morning. He asked how these blessings were to be obtained, and then, when he was told of the monastic life, a thirst for perfection arose within him. He became the wonder of the world, the great Saint Simeon Stylites, given by God in spectacle to Angels and men. St. Simeon entered a monastic community but was expelled because of his excessive austerities and became a hermit. His reputed miracle-working generated popular veneration to such a degree that, to escape the importunities of the people, he began his pillar life northwest of Aleppo about 420. His first column was 2 metres (6 feet) high, later extended to about 15 metres (50 feet), and the platform is said to have been about 1 square metre (about 11 square feet).

He remained atop the column for 37 years, permanently exposed to the elements, standing or sitting day and night in his restricted area, protected from falling by a railing, and provided with a ladder to communicate with those below or to receive meagre gifts of food from disciples. Visitors sought spiritual counsel, relief from sickness, intervention for the oppressed, enlightenment in prayer and doctrine. Simeon apparently converted many people, the words which God put into his mouth brought crowds of pagans to Baptism and sinners to penance and he influenced the Eastern Roman emperor Leo I to support the orthodox Chalcedonian party during the 5th-century controversy over the nature of Christ. At last, he died on September 2, 459, Telanissus, Syria. When he died, those who watched from below noticed that he had been motionless for three whole days. They ascended, and found the old man’s body still bent in the attitude of prayer; but his soul was with God. His pillar became a pilgrimage site, and Simeon’s reputation inspired ascetics, both men and women, to emulate and surpass his austerities; some stylites appeared as late as the 19th century in Russia.

Saint Simeon Stylites, Hermit ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT TELESPHORUS, POPE AND MARTYR: St. Telesphorus, who governed the Church from 126 to 136 during a period of violent persecution, suffered martyrdom for the faith. Saint Telesphorus was of Greek ancestry and born in Terranova da Sibari, Calabria, Italy.  St. Telesphorus was the seventh Roman bishop in succession from the Apostles, and, according to the testimony of St. Irenæus he suffered a glorious martyrdom. In the fragment of the letter of Irenæus of Lyons to Pope Victor concerning the celebration of Easter, St. Telesphorus is mentioned as one of the Roman bishops who always celebrated Easter on Sunday but  maintained church fellowship with those communities that did not follow this custom.

He started the tradition of Christmas Midnight Masses, the celebration of Easter on Sundays, the keeping of a seven-week Lent before Easter and the singing of the Gloria, all these are usually attributed to his pontificate, but some historians doubt that such attributions are accurate. Some legends say he was a hermit before his election, and that he instituted the tradition of Lent, but these are doubtful. He is the only 2nd-century pope whose martyrdom can be verified. According to St. Irenaeus, he was “an illustrious martyr”. His remains are interred in the Vatican. The Carmelites venerate Telesphorus as a patron saint of the order since some sources depict him as a hermit living on Mount Carmel. The town of Saint-Télesphore, in the southwestern part of Canada’s Quebec province, is named after him.

Saint Telesphorus, Pope and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of all our children, school children, teachers and other school staff as they return to school this new year after the Christmas holiday. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today: Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop | USCCB |
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010524.cfm

Gospel Reading ~ John 1:43-51

“You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel”

“Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Our Gospel reading today, describes something of Nathanael’s faith journey. He starts from a position of scepticism. When Philip tells him that he has found the Messiah and that he is Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth, Nathanael’s initial assessment of Jesus was rather negative, and he dismissively asks ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ However, when Philip subsequently invites him to ‘come and see’, Nathanael suspends his scepticism for the moment and responds to Philip’s invitation; he comes to Jesus. When Jesus then addresses him in a very personal way, Nathanael goes on to confess Jesus as the Messiah, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel’. Like Philip, he too has found the Messiah. However, Jesus then tells Nathanael that he has only begun to see, and promises him, ‘you will see greater things’. His journey is only beginning. Nathanael began his journey in a very inauspicious place, but he soon made progress and Jesus assured him that he would make greater progress. We can sometimes feel that our own relationship with the Lord is not all we would like it to be; we can feel ourselves in an inauspicious place with regard to the Lord. However, such a place need not determine our future relationship with the Lord. With the Lord’s help, we can make unexpected progress, like Nathanael, and, like him, we journey onwards sustained by the Lord’s promise, ‘You will see greater things… you will see heaven opened’. This promise will only come to pass fully in eternity when we will truly see heaven opened, but even now we can begin to see and to experience something of that heavenly destiny that the Lord desires for us all.

In our first reading today, from the Epistle of St. John the Apostle to the faithful people of God in which the Apostle exhorted and reminded all the people of God of their obligation to love and to practice love in their lives, so that they can indeed show that they belong to Christ, and are worthy to call themselves as Christians. If Christians do not practice love and instead cause hurt and harm to each other, then they are no better than hypocrites and unbelievers. St. John told the people of God not to follow the example of Cain who killed his brother out of jealousy, as a reminder that as Christians, all of us are brothers and sisters to one another, and we cannot look upon others with hatred or mischief in our hearts and minds, or else, we cannot call ourselves as Christians or followers and disciples of Christ. The Lord Himself has shown us the perfect and pure love that He has always had for us. By His coming into this world He has shown us the love of God manifested through Himself, His actions and works in our midst. He touched us and healed us, as He has shown us by His healing of all those who were sick and brought to Him, and even those who died, He had raised from the dead. Through the most generous and enduring love of God, Christ has also shown us the most perfect and ultimate love as He bore His Cross, taking up all of our sins and wickedness, our faults and troubles, all upon His own shoulders, and bore it all up to Calvary. He chose to suffer and die for us to show us that we are truly beloved by God, from the very beginning, and that love endures even through our many sins and wickedness.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are called to keep in mind that as the followers and disciples of the Lord, we must always be righteous and just, loving and compassionate just as Our Lord Himself has shown and taught us all how we ought to love, loving both God and one another with genuine and tender love. We have to be filled with love because to be Christians is indeed to love, both of God and one another, just as much as we love ourselves. Without love we cannot truly call ourselves as Christians, or as disciples and followers of the Lord, because the Lord’s actions, everything that He has done for us, all of them were done because of His ever enduring and great love for each one of us. May the Lord our God continue to guide us with His love and kindness, and keep on blessing us and helping us to get ever closer to Him, with each and every passing days. May He continue to love us and to strengthen us in our journey of life, that we may persevere and grow ever more resilient and more courageous in standing up for our faith in our every moments of life. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless our every efforts and endeavours, now and always, forevermore. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

Lord of all holiness, please continuously draw me closer to You. Help me to convert in my life, to turn from all sin and to choose to follow You with all my heart. Help me, also, to be open in my faith journey so that others will see all that You are doing in me and receive Your invitation, through me, to follow You. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint John Neumann;  Saint Simeon Stylites and Saint Telesphorus ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 4, 2024

Greetings beloved family and Happy Thursday, Weekday of Christmas season!

Watch “Catholic Daily Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy | Wednesday, January 4, 2024 on YouTube |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 4, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday January 4, 2024
Reading 1, First John 3:7-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 98:1, 7-8, 9
Gospel, John 1:35-42

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this feast day, we continue to remember our beloved late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the first memorial anniversary of his death. We pray for the repose of his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the gentle soul of Pope Benedict XVI and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Please let us continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious [In the Dioceses of the United States].

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON, RELIGIOUS: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821) was born in New York City to a wealthy, virtuous, and influential family. She was the first native-born American citizen to be canonized as a saint. She was raised Episcopalian (Anglican), but later converted to Catholicism. Through the struggles and tragedies she faced in life, she remained devout. She is the founder of the first Catholic schools in the United States and is the Patron Saint of Catholic schools, widows, and seafarers. She was born on August 28, 1774 to a prominent Wealthy Episcopalian (Anglican) family in New York City. Her grandfather was the rector of St. Andrew’s Church on Staten Island, and Elizabeth grew up with a strong faith and prayer life. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, was a doctor and the first anatomy professor at Columbia, one of the first health officials in NewYork. Her mother, Catherine, died in 1777 when St. Elizabeth was three years old. Her father remarried Charlotte Roosevelt-Barclay, who took Elizabeth with her in her social ministry in the Church. Together they fed the poor and nursed the sick and dying among family, friends, and needy neighbors. At age nineteen, St. Elizabeth married William Magee Seton (25) a  wealthy businessman, an importer on January 25, 1794 and together they lived on Wall Street. They attended an Episcopalian church where Elizabeth was very active in charitable works to the poor. Together they had five children, Anna Maria, William, Richard, Catherine, and Rebecca. And when her father-in-law, William’s father died, she became like a mother to her husband’s six younger siblings, they took in William’s six younger siblings in addition to her own five children. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton enjoyed a full life of loving service to her family, care for the underprivileged, and religious development in her Episcopal faith. 

In the late 1700s, a double tragedy visited Seton. Events moved quickly from there with devastating effect. Both William’s business and health failed. He was finally forced to file a petition of bankruptcy and the Seton family’s life took a turn when her husband William became ill. He suffered from tuberculosis and continued to grow worse. Hoping to improve his health, the couple and their eldest daughter Anna Maria decided to go to Italy in a final attempt to save William’s health, the Setons sailed for Italy, where William had business friends. On November 19th, they arrived in Leghorn and were placed in quarantine. They were released from quarantine on December 19th. William died 8 days later on December 27, 1803. Waiting to return to the United States, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Anna Maria spent several months with the Filicchi brothers who were business associates of her husband. While in Italy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton learned about Roman Catholicism for the first time. She was especially drawn to the doctrine of the Eucharist as the real body of Christ.

She returned to New York in June 1804. After her return, she continued to feel conflicted between the Episcopal and Catholic faiths. After almost a year, she officially converted to Roman Catholicism on March 14, 1805. She was confirmed in 1806 and chose Mary as her confirmation name. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton admired the Virgin Mary and chose her as a saint to continue to guide her spiritually. St. Elizabeth’s favorite prayer was the 23rd Psalm and she developed a deep devotion to the Eucharist, Sacred Scripture, and the Virgin Mary. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s choice to convert resulted in three years of financial struggle and social discrimination. After losing her family fortune, St. Elizabeth spent her life working to improve education and provide for the poor, as well as the needs of her family. She opened a boarding house for boys. When the student’s parents discovered that she was Catholic, they removed their children from the home. St. Elizabeth and her family were invited by several priests to move to Baltimore, Maryland. They moved in June 1808 to open a school for girls, the first Catholic school. Catholic women from around the country came to join her work and, over time, they created a convent. The women soon moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland, where they formally began their religious life as Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s on July 31, 1809. This was the first sisterhood in the United States. The first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was named first Superior and given the title of “Mother.” She served in that role for the next twelve years. Mother Seton saw her small community of teaching sisters grow expand from Emmitsburg (1809) to New York (1814), Cincinnati (1829), Halifax (1849), New Jersey (1859), Greensburg (1870), and St. Louis (1909). As the community took shape, St. Elizabeth directed its vision.

On July 19, 1813, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and eighteen other sisters made vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and service to the poor. They would renew these vows annually. In 1814 the community accepted its first mission outside Emmitsburg, an orphanage in Philadelphia. By 1817 sisters had been sent to staff a similar work in New York. While in Emmitsburg, two of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s daughters died from tuberculosis, Anna Maria in 1812 and Rebecca in 1816. By that time, she herself was weak and increasingly subject to poor health. She spent the last years of her life directing St. Joseph’s Academy and her growing community. She died January 4, 1821, at 46 years old. Although she passed away at a young age, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s legacy lived on. She was declared holy (beatified) by Pope John XXIII on on March 17, 1963. She was canonized, or officially made a Saint, September 14, 1975, by Pope Paul VI. She was the first native-born Saint of the United States. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the Patron Saint of Catholic schools, widows, those who have lost parents or children, seafarers, those with in-law problems, against the death of children, the death of parents, and opposition of Church authorities.

PRAYER: Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Seton with gifts of grace as wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might dedicate her life to the service of Your people. Through her example and prayers may we learn to express our love for You in love for others. Amen🙏

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Savior Jesus Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of all our children and school children as they return to school this new year after the Christmas holiday. We pray for God’s guidance and protection upon them. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today~ Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ John 1:35-42

“We have found the Messiah”

“John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.”

Our Gospel reading today suggests that our coming to Jesus is often in and through each other. John the Baptist directs two of his disciples to Jesus, with the words, ‘Look, there is the Lamb of God’. Jesus goes on to personally call these two disciples, saying, ‘Come and see’, but it was John the Baptist who put them in the way of that call. According to the Gospel reading, one of these two disciples of John the Baptist was Andrew. He directs his brother, Simon, to Jesus with the words, ‘We have found the Messiah’. Jesus goes on to personally call Simon with the words, ‘You are to be called Cephas’, but it was Andrew who put Simon in the way of that call. As a result, the fisherman became the leading member of the twelve. The Lord uses all of us in different ways to put others in the way of the call of Jesus. He uses us as intermediaries to bring people to Him. We cannot make people respond to the call of Jesus, no more than John the Baptist could have made his disciples respond to the call of Jesus or Andrew could have made Simon respond to Jesus’ call. We can only do so much. We can find ourselves very frustrated at how little we can do. Yet, we can all do something. As we strive to grow in our faith and in living that faith to the full we will inevitably put people in the way of the call of Jesus. We then have to step back and allow the mysterious dialogue between the Lord and others to unfold and take its course. The Lord calls each of us by name; He invites each one of us to come and see. He wants to personally meet with us and for us to have a personal encounter with Him. We can facilitate that personal encounter for one another as John did for his two disciples and Andrew did for Simon Peter. We cannot be the Lord for others in the full sense, but we can be the gate through which others come to encounter the Lord in all His fullness. There is no more loving service we could render one another than that.

In our first reading today, from the Apostle St. John in his Epistle to the faithful people of God regarding the reminder that all the faithful must always hold on to the faith which they have in the Son of God, the Saviour born unto us through Mary, His blessed Mother. Today’s first reading begins with the call, ‘Do not let anyone lead you astray’. We all have the potential to lead others astray when it comes to our shared journey towards the Lord. For even at the time of the Apostles, of St. John and the other earliest leaders of the Church, there had been significant troubles and divisions affecting the Church and the faithful due to those selfish, wicked and unscrupulous people seeking to mislead and misguide the people of God down the wrong paths. Even since the earliest days of the Church there had been those who subverted and changed the teachings of the Lord to suit their own desires and wishes, their own ambitions and purposes. As such, the Apostles and the other leaders of the Church, and then their successors, the Popes and bishops all throughout the past two millennia of the history of the Church has to contend and oppose all those who seek to divide and mislead the flock of the Lord’s faithful. Everyone has always ever been reminded of their obligation and faith in the One and only True God, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all, Who has shown unto us the Love of God manifested in the flesh, appearing before us that we all may know that whatever we are believing in is not just a bluff or myth, unlike the many other beliefs and faiths in the pagan idols and gods. Our faith in God, in the one and only True God, is the foundation of our lives and existence in this world. It is very important therefore that we all take our faith in God seriously.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures, we are all reminded of the calling which all of us have received as Christians to be faithful followers of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in all things and at all times. We are all reminded that as Christians we are all God’s called and chosen people, and we have received from Him the assurance of joy and eternal life that will be ours if we keep our faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. He shall never abandon us, and everything will be fine for us if we continue to walk in the path that He has shown to us. We are all reminded that the very reason why we celebrate Christmas season that we are still very well within, is indeed Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. Without Christ, there can be no Christmas, and our Christmas celebrations would have been meaningless and without purpose. Let us all therefore commit ourselves to a new life and existence in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, putting Him back at the centre and as the main focus of our lives. Let us all remember the faith that the Lord’s Apostles, His countless saints and martyrs, who had given their all in following and serving the Lord. Let us all walk in their footsteps and be inspired to continue carrying out whatever missions and vocations that the Lord had called us to do, in our own respective lives. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us always, and may He continue to bless us and empower us all so that we may always be filled with His Wisdom, strength and the Holy Spirit, in enduring the challenges and trials of life, and in being ever faithful and committed to Him, and not being swayed by worldly temptations and the allures of worldly glory. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

Lord, You continuously invite me to come to You, to be with You and to sit with You in Your divine presence. Please help me to hear this gentle invitation of Your love. As I do, please open the eyes of my soul to see You, know You and love You more fully. And as I see You, give me grace and strength to follow You wherever You lead. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 3, 2024

MEMORIAL OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Greetings beloved family and Happy Wednesday, Weekday of Christmas time!

Watch “Catholic Daily Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy | Wednesday, January 3, 2024 on YouTube |

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Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Reading 1, First John 2:29-3:6
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 98:1, 3-4, 5-6
Gospel, John 1:29-34

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this feast day, please let us continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. We continue to pray for the gentle repose of the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The Church reveals to us the wonders of the Incarnate Word by singing the glories of His name. The name of Jesus means Savior or God Saves; it had been shown in a dream to Joseph together with its meaning and to Our Lady at the annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel. According to the Gospel of St. Luke 2:21-24: “When eight days were completed for his circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given Him by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.​”

The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is historically associated with the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth, a male child was circumcised and received his name, thus becoming a full member of God’s covenant people. Circumcision was a sign of belonging to the people. It gave the person an identity. On this occasion each child received his name (cf. Lk 1:59-63). Following the Jewish custom, the child Jesus is circumcised on the eighth day after His birth (cf. Gen 17:12). On the day of the Circumcision, the Son of God made Man received the name of Jesus, which signifies Savior—a name that should inspire us with reverence, praise, confidence, and love. He receives the name of Jesus that had been given Him by the angel before His conception. The angel had said to Joseph that the name of the child had to be Jesus, as “He is the one who is to save His people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). The name of Jesus is the transliteration of the name “Yehoshua”, or Joshua, and means Yahweh saves. Another name that will gradually be given to Jesus is Christ, which means Anointed or Messiah. Jesus is the awaited Messiah. A third name is that of Emmanuel, which means God with us (Mt 1:23).

St. Paul promoted devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, he writes in Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Devotion to the Holy Name is deeply rooted in the Sacred Scriptures, especially in the Acts of the Apostles. It was promoted in a special manner by St. Bernard, St. Bernardine of Siena, St. John Capistrano and by the Franciscan Order. This devotion became popular because of 12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns but especially through the preaching of Saint Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan. Bernardine used devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus as a way of overcoming bitter and often bloody class struggles and family rivalries or vendettas in Italian city-states. The devotion grew, partly because of Franciscan and Dominican preachers. The emblem or monogram representing the Holy Name of Jesus consists in three letters—the first three letters of the word written in Greek: IHS. Through the particular efforts of St. Bernardine of Siena, devotion to the Holy Name was promoted through the inscription of this monogram. It spread even more widely after the Jesuits began promoting it in the 16th century. In 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire Church. Since the Name of Jesus is the holiest, sweetest, and most powerful of all names, the Church devotes a special day to its solemn veneration.  The month of January has traditionally been dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. Today the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated on January 3rd.

PRAYER: O God, You founded the salvation of the human race in the Incarnation of Your Word. Grant to Your people the mercy they request so that all may know that there is no other name to be invoked except the name of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen.

Jesus, Name full of glory, grace, love, and strength! You are the refuge of those who repent, our banner of warfare in this life, the medicine of souls, the comfort of those who mourn, the delight of those who believe, the light of those who preach the true faith, the wages of those who toil, the healing of the sick. To You our devotion aspires; by You our prayers are received; we delight in contemplating You. O Name of Jesus, You are the glory of all the Saints for eternity. Amen 🙏

On this special feast day, we also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Genevieve, Virgin.

MEMORIAL OF SAINT GENEVIEVE OF PARIS, VIRGIN

SAINT GENEVIEVE, VIRGIN: St. Genevieve (422-512) was a fair and courageous peasant girl who was born around 422 in Nanterre, a small village outside Paris, France, to a respectable family, a man named Severus and a woman named Gerontia. When Genevieve was only seven-years-old, a famous bishop, St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre visited Nanterre on his way to Britain. While he was there, many people flocked to receive his blessing. The young Genevieve stood amid a crowd which had gathered around the man of God who spotted and singled her out and foretold her future sanctity. At her request, the holy Bishop led her to a church, accompanied by all the faithful, and consecrated her to God as a virgin. The next day, Germanus asked Genevieve if she had remembered the promise she made to God. She did and proclaimed she would always fulfill it faithfully. He presented her with a cross engraved brass medal to always wear around her neck, as a reminder of the consecration she made of herself to God. He ordered her to never wear any other bracelets, necklaces or jewelry, to avoid falling into vanity. Encouraged by Germanus, Genevieve dedicated her life to prayer, practices of devotion and a acts of penance. When she was only 15-years-old, she met with the Bishop of Paris and asked to become a nun. In her teens she received the religious veil and lived a devout life of prayer, charity, and austerity. From this moment, she also began praying continuously and fasting, eating only twice a week, as a sign of her complete dedication to the Lord. She was especially known for her gifts of prophecy and reading consciences. When her parents died she lived with her grandmother in Paris, often traveling and visiting other cities where she would perform miracles, sharing the faith, performing acts of charity, praying for the sick and prophesying.

Her dedicated Christian way of life was filled with the signs of the Holy Spirit working through her. The signs of the working of the Holy Spirit accompanying this holy young woman included miracles and spiritually inspired predictions. She frequently had visions of heavenly angels and saints. However, when she shared those visions and experiences of the Lord, people began to turn against her. They called her a hypocrite and accused her of being a false visionary. This led to her persecution, with a plot against her life. In fact, they were determined to drown her in a lake of fire. However, the Bishop Germanus intervened and silenced those who were accusing her of false statements, and persecuting her. When St. Germain came to her defense she was afterwards greatly revered by the people.

St. Genevieve was appointed by the Bishop to look after the welfare of the consecrated virgins. She did so faithfully and helped to lead them into a greater degree of holiness as they grew closer to the Lord Jesus. St. Genevieve had a great influence over Childeric, the King of Gaul who overtook Paris. During a time when Paris suffered with great famine, St. Genevieve traveled by boat to Troyes and brought back several boats full of corn. Although he was a pagan, Childeric respected her and spared the lives of several prisoners on her behalf. She also had an effect on King Clovis. He listened to her advice and under her request, he granted freedom to several of his prisoners. When Attila and his army of Huns came upon Paris, the Parisian Christians were prepared to run, but St. Genevieve spoke to them and convinced them to stay within their homes, fast and pray to the Lord. She assured them they would have the protection of Heaven. Her prediction came true as Attila suddenly changed his path and turned away from Paris. St. Genevieve died at 89-years-old on January 3, 512. St. Genevieve became venerated as the Patron Saint of Paris after she helped avert an attack against the city by Attila the Hun, and for saving the city from famine during a siege, when a boatload of grain overcame a military blockade due to her intercession. St. Genevieve is also the Patron Saint against fever, plague, and disasters. Protector of Paris, young girls, and French security forces. Her feast day is January 3rd.

Saint Genevieve of Paris, Virgin ~ Pray for us 🙏

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of everyone and for all those traveling during this season of Christmas and new year. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Christmas Weekday | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ John 1:29-34

“Look, there is the Lamb of God”

“John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

In today’s Gospel reading, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The words of John the Baptist, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world’ are more or less the words the celebrant speaks at Mass just before communion, when he holds up the host. Jesus came among us, according to John’s Gospel, to take away the sin of the world, the sin of us all. Yet, John’s Gospel shows that Jesus could not take away the sin of those who had no awareness of their sin. The Lamb of God has come to take away the sin of the world. We need to acknowledge the ways in which we have been tainted by the sin of the world, if we are to experience the enlightenment and the freedom that Jesus has come to give. Jesus is the expression of God’s love working to reconcile all of humanity to Himself. Jesus is the fullest human revelation possible of God’s love for the world. The closest we can come to seeing God as Love in this life is to look upon Jesus, especially as he comes to us in the Gospels. In eternity, we will become like God, as loving as God is loving, but each day we are called to grow more fully into Jesus, God’s love in human form, through looming upon Jesus with the eyes of faith. Something of our eternal destiny can become a present reality when we grow up into Christ and allow Him to live in and through us. According to the Gospel reading, Jesus came to baptize us with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God’s love. Jesus gives us His own Spirit to empower us to become as loving as He is and, thereby, to anticipate in the here and now our glorious destiny to be like God, as loving as God is loving.

On this special feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, we are all reminded that we all should appreciate and use the Name of Jesus with proper respect, honor and decorum, and not to utter or call His Name in vain. We must not be misusing the Lord’s Name or taking Him for granted, just as how many of us often take His Name lightly, and in some cases, even using His Name in curses and profanities, which are definitely not appropriate at all. One of the reason why people are losing their faith in God is because we have lost the sense of sanctity of God in our lives today, and this happened exactly because we have chosen to treat Him with disdain and did not honor and respect Him as we should have, and when we treat His Name without proper decorum and understanding just how powerful His Name is. Let us all therefore put our hope and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, ever being reminded that in Him alone there is hope in the darkness of our world, and in His Name alone there is healing, liberation and freedom from the darkness of evil and sin.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures on this special feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus, as we continue to celebrate the joyful season and time of Christmas, let us all reflect carefully upon the role that our Saviour, Jesus Christ has in the history of our salvation that by His coming into this world which we celebrate at this Christmas season, He had made Himself approachable and tangible for us, to make God’s love within our reach, dwelling in our midst as God Who is always ever present among His people, Emmanuel. This Christmas we are reminded yet again that Christ has manifested Himself before us, and gave us His Name as the assurance for a new hope and light that illuminates our path towards the future with Him. Let us not forget about Christ in our Christmas joy and festivities, and let us return Him to the rightful position at the heart of our every celebrations, and also enthrone Him within our hearts, always ever keeping His Holy Name with the utmost honour and respect. May the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whose Name we have been saved, be with us always, and may He continue to guide us and strengthen us in our journey of faith, so that we may continue to persevere in faith and do our very best to commit ourselves to a life fully dedicated to Him and worthy of His love and grace. Let us all invoke His Name from now on with faith, and strive to be ever more worthy of uttering His Name, at all times. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless us always and may He empower us all, to live in His Presence, entrusting ourselves to His Most Holy Name, now and forevermore. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

Father in Heaven, You have revealed to me Who You are and Your plan for my life in many ways. And though You are always speaking to me, I acknowledge that I do not always listen. Please open my soul to You more fully so that I may come to faith and be certain of Your love and Your perfect will in my life. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Genevieve ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 2, 2024

Greetings beloved family and Happy Tuesday, Weekday of Christmas time!

Watch “Catholic Daily Mass and Rosary – Daily TV Mass – EWTN” | Tuesday, January 2, 2024 on YouTube |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 2, 2024 |

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Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Reading 1, First John 2:22-28
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
Gospel, John 1:19-28

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY – MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

On this feast day, please let us continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. We continue to pray for the gentle repose of the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church.

SAINTS BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN, BISHOPS AND DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH: In the revision of the calendar the Church has seen fit to honor these two great Doctors of the Church and friends on the same day. Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen were among the most devoted defenders of the faith in the fourth century. Both were bishops and both are now saints and doctors of the Church. These two men met while studying in Caesarea Cappadocia and strengthened their tight friendship in Athens. After Basil’s death, Gregory wrote of their bond, “We seemed to have one soul, inhabiting two bodies.” Both saints came from families of saints.

SAINT BASIL THE GREAT: St. Basil (330 – 379 A.D.) was born to wealthy and pious parents in Caesarea of Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) in 330. His family was renowned for their great sanctity. St. Basil’s grandfather was martyred under the persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian, and his maternal grandmother was a martyr; his paternal grandmother, both of his parents and several of his siblings are honored and numbered among the Saints. He attended school in Caesarea, as well as Constantinople and Athens, where he became acquainted with St. Gregory Nazianzen in 352. A little later, he opened a school of oratory in Caesarea and practiced law. Eventually, St. Basil decided to become a monk and founded a monastery in Pontus which he directed for five years. He wrote a famous monastic Rule of life that has proved to be the most lasting of those in the East. St. Basil studied under the finest teachers and was a respected man of great learning, as well as a zealous defender of orthodoxy against many heresies that threatened the Catholic faith, especially Arianism. After founding several other monasteries, he was ordained and, in 370, made Bishop of Caesarea and in this role became one of the most influential saints in Church history. In this post as Bishop (until his death in 379) he constituted to be a man of vast learning and constant activity, genuine eloquence and immense charity. His life of deep prayer, austerities, and humility, combined with his uncommon preaching and teaching gifts, guided him in leading one of the most politically and ecclesiastically important Sees of the day, for which he earned the title of “the Great” during his life and Doctor of the Church after his death. He is a Doctor of the Church, and one of the group of three saints called the Cappadocian Fathers, together with his brother, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and his lifelong friend, St. Gregory of Nazianzus. St. Basil is the Patron Saint of monks, hospital administrators, reformers, monks, and Russia. St. Basil’s feast day is celebrated on January 2nd, a shared feast day with his close friend St. Gregory of Nazianzus.

SAINT GREGORY: St. Gregory Nazianzen (c. 329–389) was born at Arianzen in Cappadocia of parents who both honored among the Saints. St. Gregory’s father was converted to Catholicism by his wife. After his conversion, he was ordained a priest and then consecrated as Bishop of Nazianzen. He served as bishop for about 45 years, living into his 90s. These saintly parents had three children, all of whom became saints. St. Gregory studied at Caesarea, Alexandria, and Athens, in which latter city he had as fellow pupils St. Basil and Julian the Apostate. On his return to Nazianzen he was baptized by his father and began to lead a most holy life. In 358, he joined St. Basil in the solitude of Pontus and remained until his father (who was Bishop of Nazianzen) recalled him shortly after and ordained him a priest, much against his wishes. He was appointed Bishop of Sasima, a small town, in 372 by St. Basil. St. Gregory preferred a life of quiet solitude and reflection, but circumstances always conspired to call him away from it. In 379, he was made Bishop of Constantinople and remained there until 381 when he was finally able to resign and return to his solitude up to his death in 389. The depth of his theological knowledge and the vastness of his eloquence have made him one of the greatest Doctors of the Greek Church. St. Gregory is the Patron Saint of harvests and Christian Poets.

At the time that Saints Gregory and Basil lived, the Church, the body of Christ, was suffering from the pandemic of Arianism, a heresy that denied the divinity of Christ. This heresy was like a disease infecting the Church. Arianism entered the bloodstream of Christ’s body and weakened every limb and muscle, causing convulsions, violent outbursts, and deep divisions among both bishops and the faithful. The clear teaching and brave episcopal leadership of Saints Basil and Gregory helped the Church to heal, to eradicate this heresy, and to restore unity of faith in the East. But not all warmly welcomed their efforts. They both suffered greatly. From the emperor, many bishops, and other clergy and laity, they received many abuses, calumnies, physical attacks, and threats. Through it all, they remained faithful to their preaching and calm and focused in their resolve, restoring a deeper and more ancient unity to Christ’s faithful. Today, their voluminous writings are among the most inspiring, insightful, and convincing teachings of the early Church, particularly as they pertain to Christ’s divinity and the Most Holy Trinity. These two men did not become saints simply because they were smart, they were also holy. And their holiness came from a life of deep prayer. After they both received an excellent education at the finest universities, they mutually sought to live as hermits, with Basil leading the way by forming what would become the model for monasticism in the East. They both spent years in solitude and prayer at different stages of their lives. Their interior communion with God through prayer, more than anything else, prepared them for their common mission.

PRAYER: Saints Gregory and Basil, you were called by God to be a light in the midst of darkness during a time of great turmoil within the Church. Please pray for me, that I will never live enveloped in the darkness of this world but will always carry the light of Christ to scatter falsehood and sin, so that God may be glorified and souls may be saved.

Lord God, You desired to enlighten Your Church by the life and teachings of Sts. Basil and Gregory. Grant that we may learn Your truth with humility and faithfully put it into practice with love… Amen. Saints Basil and Gregory, ~ Pray for us 🙏

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Lord Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of everyone and for all those traveling during this season of Christmas and new year. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are sick with the coronavirus, mental illness, stroke, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ John 1:19-28

“There is one who is coming after me”

“This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

In today’s Gospel reading, the priests and Levites ask John the Baptist two questions, ‘Who are you?’ and ‘Why are you baptizing?’ The more fundamental of the two questions is the first one, because the answer to the first question determines the answer to the second question. It is because of who we are that we do what we do. ‘Who are you?’ is one of the really important questions of life, John the Baptist is asked. We can spend most of our lives trying to answer the question, ‘Who am I?’ It is not a question that lends itself to a quick and easy answer. There is a sense in which we never really come to know ourselves fully. A first step in knowing ourselves is knowing who we are not, so that we don’t try to be someone we are not. John the Baptist comes across in the Gospel reading today as knowing who he is not. He is not the Messiah, he is not Elijah, and he is not the prophet. John does not claim to be someone he is not. He not only knows who he is not, he knows who he is – the voice crying in the wilderness preparing people for the Lord’s coming. He is the witness, the person who points to Jesus and leads others to Him. In a very real sense, that is what we are all called to be. Even though we might have difficulty fully answering the question, ‘Who are you?’ we can all give the answer, ‘I am a witness’. That is our calling, to point towards the Lord and to lead others to Him by our lives. We are all called to be the voice to the Word, the lamp to the Light and the friend to the Bridegroom. This is how we can answer the question, ‘Who are you?’ Our calling is to point to Jesus with our lives, to proclaim His presence by our way of being present to others and to reflect the light of His love by the way we relate to others.

In our first reading today, from the Epistle of St. John to the faithful people of God and the Church, details a lot of those who threatened to derail our path towards the Lord, how there were antichrists and false prophets, false teachers and messengers, all those who taught different messages and Gospels from what has been delivered and taught by the Apostles. St. John warned the faithful against all of those, the heresies which had risen even as early as the beginning of the Church, as those who sought to subvert and change the Church teachings and doctrines to suit their own desires and wishes, caused divisions among the faithful and confusion, which led to some of the faithful falling into heretical ways. Among those heresies were those that denied the Divinity of Christ, or even denying the existence of Christ Himself, and those who considered the Lord Jesus as a false Messiah, and claiming to be the Messiah themselves. Those false leaders and teachers harmed the unity of the Church and led many to the wrong paths, which then caused many to fall away from the path of righteousness and truth. St. John reminded all the faithful of everything that they had received from the Lord, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the anointing which has been given to them through baptism and chrism, and the Wisdom and strength which they had received so that they might all persevere amidst all the challenges, trials and all the false leads that they had to face.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, as we are still progressing through the season and time of Christmas, we’re continuously being reminded of the Lord and His coming into this world, the salvation and truth that He has brought into our midst among other things. The Lord and His coming into this world has brought upon us all a new hope and renewal, as Christ assured us all that if we have faith in Him, we shall receive the guarantee of eternal life and grace. May the Lord continue to guide us all to Himself, and through the good examples of all the Saints, especially St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen who we celebrate today. Let us all always be inspired by the great faith, commitment and humility which they have shown us, and do our best that our lives will always be centred and focused on the Lord as well. Let us all live a more devoted and holy Christian living at all times, drawing ever closer to God in all things. Let us all continue to renew our faith in the Lord and keep our focus in God as we continue to progress through this season of Christmas, as we keep reminding ourselves Who it is that we are celebrating for, that is for Christ our Lord and Saviour, and not for ourselves. May the Lord be with us all and may He continue to lead us down the path of righteousness, in the path of His servants, especially St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless us always and may He empower all of us to live ever more faithfully in His presence, now and always. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

Lord, I give all glory and praise to You and You alone. You are the source of all good; without You I am nothing. Help me to continually humble myself before You so that I may share in the glory and greatness of Your life of grace. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Our Lord Jesus Christ…have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous, fruitful, and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖