Greetings, and blessings beloved family and Happy Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time!
We thank God for the gift of life and for bringing us all successfully to the end of the month of January. May His name be praised forever and ever. Amen. 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 truthš
THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 31, 2025
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 31, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/31/catholic-daily-mass-daily-tv-mass-2/
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Today, we continue to pray for the victims of the recent plane and helicopter crash on Wednesday evening near Washington, DC. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, their families and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
For the repose of their gentle souls and 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 š āļøšÆāļøšÆāļøšÆ
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
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. Amenš
On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and all the Saints, particularly the Saint we celebrate today, Patron Saint of young people, boys, schoolchilren, Christian apprentices, Catholic publishers and editors, magicians, juvenile delinquents, Piura, Peru, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Savior Jesus Christ! For the safety and well-being of all our children and children all over the world. We pray for God’s guidance and protection upon them. We continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine-Russia and other parts of the world. We pray for an end to the wars and conflicts, and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. We continue to pray for all those who are 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. And we continue to pray for the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Religious 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 worldā¦ Amenš
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF WILDFIRES AND DISASTERS: We continue to pray for the victims of the current wildfires in the United States (Los Angeles, California and other parts of the country) and victims of natural disasters across the world. We especially pray for those that have lost their lives and their families and loved ones.
“Most Merciful God, Be āour refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distressā (Psalm 46:1). You created us and sustain us by Your almighty power. Your mercy knows no bounds. At this time of great suffering, we entrust all victims of the wildfires to You. Comfort them, fill them with Your grace, and provide for their needs. We entrust all who have died to Your merciful Heart. Cleanse them of their sins and welcome them into Your heavenly Kingdom. Give wisdom and prudence to those managing this disaster. Give courage and resolve to those on the front lines. Keep them safe and successful in their efforts. Command the winds and the flames to obey You, Lord, as You once calmed the stormy seas. Pour the water of Your grace upon these destructive fires. Stay them with Your powerful hand. Angels of God, come to the aid of those most in need of Godās mercy. Protect them, guide them, and reveal to them Godās holy will. St. Florian, patron of firefighters, pray for those bravely battling the flames. St. Michael the Archangel, defend them in their peril. Saints in Heaven, we beseech your prayer. Intercede for those most in need. From this tragedy and chaos, bring hope and peace. Turn sorrow into compassion. Turn confusion into faith. Turn despair into divine hope. We place all our trust in You, Most Merciful God, knowing that You will bring forth new life and healing from the ashes of this trial. May Your name be glorified now and forever. Amen” šš½
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 š
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
SAINT OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST – FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 31ST Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest. Pope John Paul II named him “teacher and father to the young.” He’s the Patron Saint of young people, boys, schoolchilren, Christian apprentices, Catholic publishers and editors, magicians, juvenile delinquents, Piura,Ā Peru. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint John Bosco and all the Saints, may they intercede for our children and us all. Amen. St. John Bosco, Priest ~ Pray for us šš½ |
SAINT JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST: St. John Bosco (1815ā1888) also known as Don Bosco was the founder of the Salesian Society, named in honor of St. Francis de Sales, and of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. A 19th century Italian priest who reached out to young people to remedy their lack of education, opportunities, and faith. His lifework was the welfare of young boys and girls, hence his title, “Apostle of Youth.” St. John Bosco was born on August 16,1815 into a family of peasant farmers in Castelnuovo d’Asti ā a place which would one day be renamed in the saint’s honor as āCastelnuovo Don Bosco.ā St. John’s father died when he was two years old, but he drew strength from his pious mother, Mama Margherita’s deep faith in God. Mama Margherita also taught her son the importance of charity, using portions of her own modest means to support those in even greater need. St. John desired to pass on to his own young friends the example of Christian discipleship that he learned from his mother. At age nine, he had a prophetic dream in which a number of unruly young boys were uttering words of blasphemy. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary appeared to St. John in the dream, saying he would bring such youths to God through the virtues of humility and charity. Later on, this dream would help St. John to discern his calling as a priest. But he also sought to follow the advice of Jesus and Mary while still a boy: he would entertain his peers with juggling, acrobatics, and magic tricks, before explaining a sermon he had heard, or leading them in praying the Rosary.
St. John’s older brother Anthony opposed his plan to be a priest, and antagonized him so much that he left home to become a farm worker at age 12. After moving back home three years later, John worked in various trades and finished school in order to attend seminary. Despite the financial difficulties at the age of twenty in 1835, St. John entered the major seminary at Chieri, next to the Church of the Immacolata Concezione, thanks to the financial help received from Louis Guala, founder and rector of the ecclesiastical residence St. Francis of Assisi in Turin. In 1841, after six years of study, at the age of 26 he was ordained a priest on the eve of Trinity Sunday by Archbishop Franzoni of Turin. In the city of Turin, he began ministering to boys and young men who lived on the streets, many of whom were without work or education and he became a kindly spiritual father to boys in need.
The industrial revolution had drawn large numbers of people into the city to look for work that was frequently grueling and sometimes scarce. Don Bosco was shocked to see how many boys ended up in prison before the age of 18, left to starve spiritually and sometimes physically. The priest was determined to save as many young people as he could from a life of degradation. In spite of the criticism and violent attacks of the anti-clericals, he conducted workshops for the tradesmen and manual laborers, schools of arts and sciences for young workers, and schools of the liberal arts for those preparing for the priesthood. In 1868 there were 800 students involved in this educational system. To ensure the continuation of his work, St. John Bosco founded the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians), with the help of John Borel, which was approved in 1869. Also, with the help of Sister Mary Dominic Mazzarello, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix, Help of Christians. St. John’s boyhood dream came to pass: he became a spiritual guide and provider along with his fellow Salesian priests and brothers, giving boys religious instruction, lodging, education, and work opportunities. He had no formal system or theory of education. His methods centered on persuasion, authentic religiosity, and love for young people. He was an enlightened educator and innovator. His aging mother, Mama Margherita helped support the project in its early years.
In 1875 a wave of emigration to Latin America began, and this prompted the inauguration of the Salesian missionary apostolate. Don Bosco became a traveller throughout Europe, seeking funds for the missions. Some of the reports referred to him as “the new St. Vincent de Paul.” He also found time to write popular catechetical pamphlets, which were distributed throughout Italy, as was his Salesian Bulletin. This success did not come easily, as the priest struggled to find reliable accommodations and support for his ambitious apostolate. Italy’s nationalist movement made life difficult for religious orders, and its anti-clerical attitudes even led to assassination attempts against Don Bosco. But such hostility did not stop the Salesians from expanding in Europe and beyond. They were helping 130,000 children in 250 houses by the end of Don Bosco’s life. āI have done nothing by myself,ā he stated, saying it was āOur Lady who has done everythingā through her intercession with God. Today, the motto on the Salesian coat of arms: āGive me only souls and keep all the restāābears witness to the fidelity of Don Bosco to the words of a truly Christian mother. St. John Bosco died in the early hours of January 31, 1888, at the age of 72, after conveying a message: āTell the boys that I shall be waiting for them all in Paradise.ā He was Beatified on June 2, 1929, Rome by Pope Pius XI and Canonized on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1934, Rome by Pope Pius XI. Pope John Paul II named him “teacher and father to the young.” He’s the Patron Saint of young people, boys, schoolchilren, Christian apprentices, Catholic publishers and editors, magicians, juvenile delinquents, Piura, Peru.
QUOTES OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
ā”There are two things the devil is deadly afraid of: fervent Communions and frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament. “
ā”We do not go to Holy Communion because we are good; we go to become good.”
āāIf we want to have a good society, we must concentrate all our forces on the Christian education of the young. Experience has taught me that if we wish to sustain civil society then we should take good care of the young.ā
ā”Enjoy yourself as much as you like – if only you keep from sin.”
ā”Entrust everything to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary, Help of Christians and you will see what miracles are.ā
PRAYER: O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever~ Amenš
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest | Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time | January 31, 2025
Reading 1,Ā Hebrews 10:32-39
Responsorial Psalm,Ā Psalms 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40
Gospel,Ā Mark 4:26-34
Gospel Reading ~ Mark 4:26-34
“A man scatters seed on the land and would sleep and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how”
“Jesus said to the crowds: āThis is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.ā He said, āTo what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.ā With many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables He did not speak to them, but to His own disciples He explained everything in private.”
In todayās Gospel reading, the first of the two parables that Jesus speaks is often called āthe parable of the seed growing secretlyā. Jesus seems to suggest that once the farmer has sown the seed he has to step back and allow nature to take over as it were. As he sleeps at night and goes about his business during the day the seed is quietly growing until the day comes when the crop is ready to be harvested. Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like that. He is saying that there is some correspondence between the coming of the kingdom of God and the way the farmer, having thrown seed on the land, then has nothing much to do, until the crop is ready for harvest.Jesus seems to be saying that we have a part to play in the coming about of Godās kingdom among us; the seed has to be sown and only we can do it. Yet, the coming to pass of Godās kingdom in our midst is more Godās work than ours. Like the farmer, we cannot force the growth of Godās kingdom. We have to step back and allow God to do the work that only God can do. Saint Paul understood this truth very clearly and he expressed it very simply in his first letter to the Corinthians when referring to the coming to pass of the church of God in Corinth he said, āI planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growthā. The conclusion Paul draws from this reality is that people should not make too much of Paul or Apollos or any other labourer in the harvest, because it is always God who is the prime mover when any good is being done. Our contribution is very important, but it is Godās contribution that really brings the kingdom to earth. That is why we need to do all we can to further Godās work while at the same time leaving a great deal of space for God to work, and if something good comes out of it all, let the Lord be glorified and not ourselves. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus appears to be saying that God can be powerfully at work in our lives even in those times when we ourselves appear to be doing very little. Sometimes we equate Godās work with our own exercise of energy. Yet, there are times in our lives when we can do very little, whether for reasons of health or for some other reason. Jesus suggests in that parable that even in those quiet times when we appear to have very little to show for ourselves, God can be working away in our lives for the good, working in us and through us. According to St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, he said that Godās power is made perfect in weakness. That’s God’s strength is most evident when we are at our weakest, allowing His grace to shine through and provide the necessary power in our vulnerabilities; essentially, when we rely on God in our weakness, His power is fully displayed and revealed in our lives. We are all encouraged as believers to embrace our weaknesses and rely on God’s strength to overcome challenges in our lives. Everything is possible because of God and His Presence in our lives.
In the Gospel, the second parable that the Lord used was the parable of the mustard seed, which is a very small seed, and yet, when it grows, it becomes a very large tree relative to the size of its seed, and the Lord mentioned how this mustard tree can become shelter for many birds that came to seek roost and shelter upon the treeās many branches. This is a reminder for us that each and every one of our works, efforts and contributions do matter a lot, and the Lord Himself used the same mustard seed example in another occasion to highlight how even small faith the size of a mustard seed, used as a figurative comparison, can move mountains, showing that a genuine and true faith, filled with devotion and true commitment to God can do amazing things, beyond our imagination and beliefs. This is why we have been reminded through this reading today from the parables that the Lord had taught to His disciples, that we should always be active in living up to our Christian calling and mission, making good use of whatever gifts, blessings and opportunities that the Lord has provided us with, and we should not be afraid or fearful, or be doubtful of the Lord and His guidance and providence. The Lord Who is ever faithful and committed to the Covenant that He has made with us, will always be by our side, even through the most difficult and challenging moments. Yes, we may have to suffer and face hardships, but so has the Lord our Saviour Himself suffered for our sake, and He has triumphed over His enemies, over sin and death, and through His victory, all of us will also share in His triumph as well.
In our first reading today from the Epistle to the Hebrews, the author of this Epistle continued to remind the faithful people of God, especially those who belonged to the Jewish community in the early Church of the guidance and providence that their Lord and God would grant them as He would always be by their side, journeying with them and remaining with them throughout their respective journeys in life. The author spoke of the sufferings, challenges and difficulties that the faithful people of God had to suffer amidst their lives as Christians, in opposing the falsehoods and the evils of the world, and also in facing the disapproval from all those who disagreed with them and did not believe in what they believed in. And he also spoke of the good deeds and actions which the faithful had continued to do despite those difficulties and challenges that they had to face. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews also spoke about the need for the people of God to remain strong and faithful amidst the many challenges, struggles and problems that they might have to face in their journey as followers of the Lord, and encouraged and reassured them that they would be vindicated and would earn their rest in the Lord in the end, if they continued to remain faithful and firm in their conviction to follow the Lord and in continuing to adhere to His Law, commandments and teachings. It is an important reminder for all of us that we must always centre our lives and focus our attention on the Lord, and put our complete trust and faith in Him, and we should not allow fear, worry or doubt to overcome us, or to distract us from our faith in the Lord, from this path towards Him and His salvation and eternal life.
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 embody our faith in everything that we say and do, to be truly faithful to God in all things and to be sincere in how we live our lives with faith and not to be merely paying lip service or be superficial in how we live our Christian living and commitments. Each and every one of us are parts of the Kingdom of God, the Church, which the Lord has established in this world and made manifest through each and every one of us living our lives in the manner that He Himself has revealed and taught to us. If we do not truly live in our lives in the manner that we have been expected to, then we cannot truly call or consider ourselves as true and genuine Christians. Today, we are all called to follow the examples of the Saints and Holy men and women, particularly, the life and examples of St. John Bosco that we celebrate today. We should indeed be inspired by the good examples of our holy predecessors, who have dedicated and committed their lives in service to the Lord. Let us all hence do our best to live our lives worthily in the Lordās Presence, and do what we can so that by all of our actions and every moments in life, we will always glorify the Lord by all of those worthy and good actions. As members and parts of the Church of God, the Kingdom of God which the Lord Himself has established in His world, let us all realise our duties and responsibilities in fulfilling the missions which have been entrusted to us as those whom God had called and chosen to be His own. Let us all and our lives, each and every one of our words, actions and deeds continue to be inspired by our faith and obedience to God, our love for Him and our willingness to commit ourselves thoroughly to His cause. Let our efforts and good works be truly manifesting in the many successes of the works of the Church, in the salvation of ever more souls, leading more and more towards God and His salvation. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to remain faithful to Him in times of our greatest need as the Lord reach out to us and lead us to the ultimate victory through Him. May the good Lord be with us always, and bless our every good endeavours and may He empower us all to walk in His grace and love, now and always. Amen š
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 Childās name should be called Jesus, meaning āGod Saves.ā 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 Godās 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 SolemnityĀ of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesusā sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram āIHS,ā (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the GreekĀ spelling of His name.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12538
THE POPEāS MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY – FOR THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION: Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2025
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
PRAYER INTENTIONS: 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 heart diseases, strokes, mental illness, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. 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 the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Religious 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 worldā¦ Amenš
Let us pray:
My transforming Lord, I thank You for the way that You have sown the seed of Your holy Word into my own life. I thank You for the way in which You have changed me, freed me from sin and set me on the path to holiness. Use me, dear Lord, to sow that seed in the lives of others and fill me with wonder and awe as I witness Your merciful hand at work. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen š
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint John Bosco ~ Pray for usš
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 and relaxing weekend week.š
Blessings and Love always, Philomena š