Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time!
SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ FEBRUARY 18, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT SIMEON OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP & MARTYR; SAINT FRANCIS REGIS CLET, PRIEST, LAZARIST MISSIONARY & MARTYR; SAINT TARASIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE, BISHOP; SAINT FLAVIAN OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND BLESSED JOHN OF FIESOLE (FRA ANGELICO) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/18/catholic-daily-mass-7/
Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Francis Regis Clet, Priest, Lazarist Missionary and Martyr; Saint Tarasius of Constantinople, Bishop; Saint Flavian of Constantinople and Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico). Blessed John of Fiesole is the Patron Saint of Catholic artists. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and these Saints, we humbly pray for Catholic Artists and all Artists, for the Church, for persecuted Christians, the conversion of sinners and all who have fallen away from the joy of living in God’s loving presence and grace. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. For all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, and for Christians all over the world. We continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. We pray for those who are sick, particularly those who are gravely ill and dying, those who are sick with cancers and other terminal diseases and we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. For vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Amen. May the Saints intercede for our children, children all over the world and us all. Amen 🙏🏽
We thank God for His love and the gift of this day. Praying for His blessings, grace and mercy upon us as we continue to live our lives virtuously according to what the Lord Himself has taught and told His disciples and us all 🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS: May we all unite as one voice to lift up the Vicar of Christ in prayer today. We pray for Pope Francis’ speedy recovery and God’s Divine healing and intervention.
Almighty God, we thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in Your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray, and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽
A Call to Prayer: Pray for Pope Francis | https://www.ncregister.com/features/mfva-pray-for-pope-francis-health
BLACK HISTORY MONTH | Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Saturday, March 1, 2025
2025 Theme: African Americans and Labor
The month of February is BLACK HISTORY MONT
Black History Month: A Faith-Based Reflection on Legacy and Justice
February is recognized as Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the rich heritage, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. As people of faith, this month offers an opportunity to reflect on God’s call for justice, love, and unity while recognizing the resilience and faith of Black communities throughout history.
Read the Full Article | Black History Month | February 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/16/black-history-month/
DAILY SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
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/
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY – FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE | Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2025 (See also http://www.popesprayerusa.net/.)
We continue to pray for the intentions of our Holy Father. We pray for the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, all religious, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits… Amen 🙏🏽
On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of the recent plane crashes 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 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“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. Amen🙏
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
🙏
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT SIMEON OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP & MARTYR; SAINT FRANCIS REGIS CLET, PRIEST, LAZARIST MISSIONARY & MARTYR; SAINT TARASIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE, BISHOP; SAINT FLAVIAN OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND BLESSED JOHN OF FIESOLE (FRA ANGELICO) – FEAST DAY ~ FEBRUARY 18TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Simeon of Jerusalem, Bishop and Martyr; Saint Francis Regis Clet, Priest, Lazarist Missionary and Martyr; Saint Tarasius of Constantinople, Bishop; Saint Flavian of Constantinople and Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico). Blessed John of Fiesole is the Patron Saint of Catholic artists. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and these Saints, we humbly pray for Catholic Artists and all Artists, for the Church, for persecuted Christians, the conversion of sinners and all who have fallen away from the joy of living in God’s loving presence and grace. Amen🙏
Saints Simeon, Saint Francis; Saint Tarasius; Saint Flavian, and Blessed John (Fra Angelico) ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Saint (s) of the Day | February 18th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SAINT SIMEON OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP & MARTYR: St. Sineon was the son of Cleophas, otherwise called Alpheus, brother to St. Joseph, and of Mary, sister to the Blessed Virgin. He was therefore nephew both to St. Joseph and to the Blessed Virgin, and first cousin to Our Savior Jesus Christ. He is in the Gospel of Matthew, and is one of the brethren of Christ mentioned in Acts who was present at the birth of the Church on the first Pentecost. We cannot doubt but that he was an early follower of Christ, and that he received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, with the Blessed Virgin and the apostles. He was martyred in early apostolic times. When the Jews massacred St. James the Lesser, his brother Simeon reproached them for their atrocious cruelty. St. James, Bishop of Jerusalem, being put to death in the year 62, twenty-nine years after Our Saviour’s Resurrection, the apostles and disciples met at Jerusalem to appoint him a successor. They unanimously chose St. Simeon, who had probably before assisted his brother in the government of that Church.
In the year 66, in which Sts. Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom at Rome, the civil war began in Judea, by the seditions of the Jews against the Romans. The siege and the destruction of Jerusalem took place during his episcopacy. He accompanied the Christian community to Pella. The Christians in Jerusalem were warned by God of the impending destruction of that city. They therefore departed out of it the same year,—before Vespasian, Nero’s general, and afterwards emperor, entered Judea,—and retired beyond Jordan to a small city called Pella, having St. Simeon at their head. In the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem, St. Simeon led the Christians back to the city, they returned thither again, and settled themselves amidst its ruins, till Adrian afterwards entirely razed it. The Church here flourished, performed miracles and multitudes of Jews were converted by the great number of prodigies and miracles wrought in it.
Vespasian and Domitian had commanded all to be put to death who were of the race of David. St. Simeon had escaped their searches; but, under the Emperor Trajan, St. Simeon was eventually arrested, tortured and arraigned before Atticus, the governor, on charges of being a Christian and a relative of Jesus. For at a certain period, all descendants of David were apprehended. After enduring all types of torture, he was affixed to a cross, even as His Savior. Those present marveled how a man of such advanced age (he was 120 years old) could so steadfastly and joyously bear the excruciating pains of crucifixion. He was martyred for the twin crimes of being Jewish and Christian and his death was that of crucifixion. He died on the 18th of February, 106 A.D. He ruled over the Church of Jerusalem for over forty years. St. Simeon is the Patron Saint of Curriers and Sawmen.
PRAYER: “ALMIGHTY GOD, mercifully look upon our infirmities: that whereas we are afflicted by the burden of our sins; the glorious intercession of thy Martyr and Bishop blessed Simeon may be our succor and defense. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end”…. Amen🙏
SAINT FRANCIS REGIS CLET, PRIEST, LAZARIST MISSIONARY & MARTYR: St. Francis Regis Clet CM (1748-1820) Martyr, Religious Priest of the Vincentian Order, Lazarist Missionary to China was born Francois Regis Clet on 19 August 1748 in Grenoble and died 18 February 1820 in Wuchang, China, he’s one of the Martyr Saints of China. St. Francis Regis Clet, the tenth of 15 children, was born into a farm family in Grenoble in the southwest corner of France in 1748 and was named for the recently Canonised fellow-Grenoblian, Jesuit St John Francis Regis (Jean Francois Regis). After completing studies at the Royal College (founded by the Jesuits), he followed his elder brother and sister into vowed religious life. In Lyons in 1769, he entered the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). After Ordination, St. Francis served as professor of moral theology at the Vincentian seminary in Annecy where he was affectionately called “the walking library” because of his encyclopedic knowledge and academic discipline. In 1786, he became Rector of Annecy and two years later, Director of Novices in Paris.
St. Francis Regis petitioned to go to China as a missionary several times but his superiors did not accede to his request until 1791. At the age of 43, he replaced another priest who had to withdraw from the assignment at the last minute. A confrere, in writing about Clet’s assignment to China, noted: “He has everything you could ask for – holiness, learning, health and charm.” After a six month sea journey from France and some transition time in Macao, which included assuming the dress and customs of the Chinese people, the new missioner arrived in Kiang-si in October of 1792 as the only European in the area. St. Francis’ acculturation was hampered by his life-long difficulty with the language. In 1793 he joined two Chinese confreres in Hou-Kouang in the Hopei Province where both of his companions died within his first year, one in prison and one from exhaustion. In that year, St. Francis became superior of an international group of Vincentian missioners scattered over a very large territory, and he himself pastored an area of 270 thousand square miles. In that leadership capacity, he developed standards so that there would be a uniform approach to ministry (sacramental and catechetical) among the missioners. His own life was simple and austere – he lived like the poor in the country. His great spirit of mortification accommodated the most diverse regimes and it was on foot that he made his long journeys. Gentle and humble, he nevertheless showed great firmness inspired by sound and upright judgement. In 1811, the anti-Christian persecutions in China intensified with the Christians being accused of inciting rebellion against the ruling dynasty. For several years, Clet endured abuse and attacks, which frequently forced him to find refuge in the mountains. In 1819, with a generous reward on their heads, Clet and a Chinese confrere became fugitives. Like Jesus, he was finally betrayed by one of his own, a Catholic schoolmaster whom Clet had challenged for his scandalous behaviour. Like the missionary St Paul, Clet endured ignominy and forced marches in chains over hundreds of miles.
During the course of his judgement, St. Francis Régis Clet was treated with the most extreme inhumanity. To one of his judges, the holy confessor allowed himself to say: “My brother, you judge me now, in a short time my Lord Himself will judge you.” A few months later, the magistrate, who fell out of favour, was executed. On 1 January 1820, Fr Clet was found guilty of deceiving the Chinese people by preaching Christianity and was sentenced to strangulation on a cross. Pending confirmation of the sentence by the emperor, he wrote: “I prepare for death, often repeating with Saint Paul: ‘if I live, it is for Jesus Christ and death will be for me a gain’.” Finally, the emperor Tsiatsïn declared that “the European had deceived and corrupted many people by preaching the Christian religion and that he should be strangled.” On 18 February Francis Regis Clet was executed. He was 72 years old, twenty-nine of whom spent in the Chinese mission. As in the case of Jesus, Christians took his body and buried it on a hillside where it rested until it was returned to the Vincentian motherhouse in Paris several decades later and is now honoured at St Lazare. St Francis was Beatified on 27 May 1900 by Pope Leo XIII and Canonised on 1 October 2000 by St Pope John Paul II.
SAINT TARASIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE, BISHOP: St. Tarasius was born at Constantinople in the middle of the eighth century, of a noble family. His mother, Eucratia, brought him up in the practice of the most eminent virtues. By his talents and virtue, he gained the esteem of all, and was raised to the greatest honors of the empire, made first a Consul and afterward first Secretary of State to the Emperor Constantine IV and the Empress Irene, his mother. In the midst of the court and in its highest honors, he led a life like that of a religious. St. Tarasius was chosen, by the unanimous consent of the court, clergy and people to succeed to the Patriarch of Constantinople. Saint Tarasius declared that he could not in conscience accept the government of a see which had been cut off from the Catholic communion — which had occurred through the fault of his predecessor, who afterward recognized his error in approving a group of dissidents — except on condition that a general Council be convoked to settle the dispute concerning holy images, which was dividing the Church at that time. This being agreed to, he was solemnly declared Patriarch, and consecrated soon afterward, on Christmas Day.
The Council was opened on the 1st of August, 786, in the Church of the Apostles at Constantinople; but, being disturbed by the violence of the Iconoclasts, it adjourned, to meet again the following year in the Church of Saint Sophia at Nicea. The Council declared the positive thought of the Church in relation to the matter under debate, which was whether or not holy pictures and images should be allowed a relative honor. Afterward synodal letters were sent to all the churches, and in particular to the Pope, who approved the council. The life of the holy Patriarch Tarasius was a model of perfection for his clergy and people. His table contained barely the necessaries of life; he allowed himself very little time for sleep, rising the first and retiring last in his spiritual family. Reading and prayer-filled all his leisure hours.
After the Emperor repudiated his legitimate wife and, with the collaboration of a servile priest, married a servant whom he had crowned as Empress in her place, he used all his efforts to gain the Patriarch of Constantinople over to his desires. Saint Tarasius resolutely refused to countenance the iniquity, even when imprisoned by the irritated monarch. Soon afterward, the emperor lost his empire and his life, having spurned the reproaches of Saint Tarasius. The holy man gave up his soul to God in peace after governing his church for twenty-two years in great purity of life, on the 25th of February, 806.
PRAYER: God, Light and Shepherd of souls. You established St. Tarasius as Bishop in Your Church to feed Your flock by his word and form it by his example. Help us through his intercession to keep the Faith he taught by his word and follow the way he showed by his example. Amen🙏
SAINT FLAVIAN OF CONSTANTINOPLE: St. Flavian is Known to Eastern Christians as “St. Flavian the Confessor,” the patriarch endured condemnation and severe beatings during a fifth-century dispute about the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ. Though he died from his injuries, his stand against heresy was later vindicated at the Church’s fourth ecumenical council in 451. St. Flavian is closely associated with Pope St. Leo the Great, who also upheld the truth about Christ’s divine and human natures during the controversy. The Pope’s best-known contribution to the fourth council – a letter known as the “Tome of Leo” – was originally addressed to St. Flavian, though it did not reach the patriarch during his lifetime. He was highly-regarded as a priest during the reign of the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II (which lasted from 408 to 450), and he became Archbishop of Constantinople following the death of Patriarch Saint Proclus in approximately 447. Early in his patriarchate, Flavian angered a state official named Chrysaphius by refusing to offer a bribe to the emperor. The ruler’s wife Eudocia joined the resulting conspiracy which Chrysaphius hatched against Flavian, a plot that would come to fruition in an illegitimate Church council and the patriarch’s death. As head of the Church in Constantinople, Flavian had inherited a theological controversy about the relationship between deity and humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. In an occurrence that was not uncommon for the time, the doctrinal issue became entangled with personal and political rivalries. Flavian’s stand for orthodoxy gave his high-ranking court opponents a chance to act against him by encouraging the proponents of doctrinal error and manipulating the emperor in their favor.
The theological issue had arisen after the Council of Ephesus, which in 431 had confirmed the personal unity of Christ and condemned the error (known as Nestorianism) that said he was a composite being made up of a divine person and a human person. But questions persisted: Were Jesus’ eternal divinity, and his assumed humanity, two distinct and complete natures fully united in one person? Or did the person of Christ have only one hybrid nature, made up in some manner of both humanity and divinity? The Church would eventually confirm that the Lord’s incarnation involved both a divine and a human nature at all times. When God took on a human nature at the incarnation, in the words of Pope St. Leo the Great, “the proper character of both natures was maintained and came together in a single person,” and “each nature kept its proper character without loss.” During Flavian’s patriarchate, however, the doctrine of Christ’s two natures had not been fully and explicitly defined. Thus, controversy came up regarding the doctrine of a monk named Eutyches, who insisted that Christ had only “one nature.” Flavian understood the “monophysite” doctrine as contrary to faith in Christ’s full humanity, and he condemned it at a local council in November of 448. He excommunicated Eutyches, and sent his decision to Pope Leo, who gave his approval in May 449. Chrysaphius, who knew Eutyches personally, proceeded to use the monk as his instrument against the patriarch who had angered him. He convinced the emperor that a Church council should be convened to consider Eutyches’ doctrine again. The resulting council, held in August 449 and led by Dioscorus of Alexandria, was completely illegitimate, and later formally condemned. But it pronounced against Flavian and declared him deposed from the patriarchate. During this same illicit gathering, known to history as the “Robber Council,” a mob of monks beat St. Flavian so aggressively that he died from his injuries three days later. Chrysaphius seemed, for the moment, to have triumphed over the patriarch. But the state official’s ambitions soon collapsed. Chrysaphius fell out of favor with Theodosius II shortly before the emperor’s death in July 450, and he was executed early in the reign of his successor Marcian. St. Flavian, meanwhile, was canonized by the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451. Its participants gave strong acclamation to the “Tome of Leo” – in which the Pope confirmed St. Flavian’s condemnation of Eutyches and affirmed the truth about Christ’s two natures, both divine and human.
BLESSED JOHN OF FIESOLE (FRA ANGELICO): Bl. John of Fiesole, popularly known as Bl. Fra Angelico, was a Dominican painter in the mid-fifteenth century known for the beauty of his paintings and the holiness of his priestly life. Nicknamed “Angelico” by his brothers, his Dominican consecration and life are worthy of imitation as he preached Jesus Christ by his life, his words, and his paintings. Given the name Guido at Baptism, this saint was born near Vicchio, in the vicinity of Florence, at the end of the 14th century. From his youth he practiced the art of painting. Having entered the Dominican convent in Fiesole, he was given the name Brother Giovanni (Brother John). Often called “Angelic Brother John”, or Fra Angelico (Angelic Friar) because of his holiness. After ordination he held various responsibilities, one of which was that of prior of the convent in Fiesole. Faithful to the promises he made as a Dominican, to preach the Gospel after having contemplated it in prayer, Fra Angelico put his creativity at the disposal of the Lord. With brush and paint in hand, he used his talents to transmit to all people the sublimity and the redemptive strength of the divine mysteries. Between 1425 and 1447, Fra Angelico carried out his activity for the Dominican convents and other ecclesiastical institutes at Fiesole, Florence (most especially at the convent of San Marco), Cortona and Orvieto. He painted some of his highest artistic achievements; The Annunciation, The Adoration of the Magi, and The Crucified Christ, to name a few. The fame of his genius merited him the esteem of the Sovereign Pontiffs Eugenio IV and Nicolas V, who contracted him for the task of frescoing several rooms in the Vatican Palace (1445-49).
Fra Angelico died on February 18, 1455, in the convent of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome and was buried in the adjoining Basilica, where his body was covered by a simple slab on which was carved his portrait. With a personality that was uncomplicated and clear, Brother Giovanni had lived a poor and humble life, refusing honors and positions. The virtue and the profound religious spirit which characterized the life of this artist and Dominican is reflected in his spirituality, his purity, and the luminosity of his art. Even before his official recognition as a blessed of the Church, he had been given by the faithful the title “Beato Angelico.” In a moving ceremony on October 18, 1984, Pope John Paul II, on his knees in front of Fra Angelico’s tomb, proclaimed him solemnly to be the universal patron of all artists. The Incarnation was one of Fra Angelico’s favorite themes, and he painted over 25 variations of it. His painted meditations, so needed at the time of the early Renaissance, are still necessary today. God became man to bring us closer to Himself by way of all things human. He makes all things new by fashioning them into possible vehicles of grace for us, so that by visible realities and concrete concepts, we can arrive at an understanding and a love of higher, invisible realities, all leading to God Himself. Pope Saint John Paul II beatified Bl. Fra Angelico on October 3, 1982, and in 1984 declared him Patron Saint of Catholic artists.
Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico) ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS
Bible Readings for today, Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Reading 1, Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 29:1-2, 3-4, 8, 9-10
Gospel, Mark 8:14-21
Gospel Reading ~ Mark 8:14-21
“Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod”
“The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks about the yeast (leaven) of the Pharisees and the yeast (leaven) of Herod. In that culture ‘yeast’ or ‘leaven’ was often used as a symbol of evil and with reference to how the evil of a few can infect a large group. However, the disciples interpret Jesus’ reference to ‘yeast’ or ‘leaven’ in a very literal way, with reference to bread. ‘It is because we have no bread’, they said. As a result, Jesus goes on to address them as having no understanding or perception, having eyes and not seeing, having ears and not hearing. According to the Gospel reading, immediately prior to this Gospel scene of about the ‘leaven’, Jesus had fed a crowd of four thousand people with seven loaves and a few small fish. Yet, as they cross the Sea of Galilee in a boat, the disciples are fretting because they had only one loaf with them. They completely misunderstood Jesus’ warning about the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod as a reference to the scarcity of bread present among them. Jesus didn’t intend His reference to ‘leaven’ to be taken literally. Not everything in the Scriptures is to be taken literally. The language of the Bible is often very symbolic and poetic. In our Gospel reading today, we find Jesus speaking symbolically and His disciples taking Him literally. He warns His disciples to be on their guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod. Linking yeast and bread, the disciples thought that He is chiding them for not bringing enough bread with them in the boat. In reality, Jesus was using yeast or leaven as a symbol of evil, which was not uncommon in that culture. A little yeast can have a powerful impact on a large batch of dough. In a similar way, the evil of a few can infect the many. The disciples need to be on their guard that they are not unduly influenced by the mind-set of the religious experts, the Pharisees, and the political powers, Herod. Jesus was concerned that this might happen. He asks His disciples a series of questions which show His frustration with them, ‘Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception?’ As the Lord’s disciples today, we all need to be on our guard against being unduly influenced by mind-sets which are contrary to the mind-set of the Lord. We need to keep immersing ourselves in His mind-set as it comes to us through the Gospels and the other documents of the New Testament. In one of His parables, Jesus used the image of leaven in a positive sense, declaring that the kingdom of God is like a woman who placed a little leaven in a large batch of flour. The Lord wants us to be leaven in that sense, bringing the values of the kingdom of God to our world by how we live.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel reading, it suggests that the meaning of what Jesus says is not always obvious. If we presume too quickly that we know what Jesus says, we can dismiss it too quickly if it does not make immediate sense to us. As we listen to what Jesus says, we need to take time to ponder His words so as to hit upon the real meaning of what He says. We need to approach the word of God in a spirit of humility, recognizing that we can easily be blind and deaf, like the disciples. We listen, in the awareness that we are learners before the word and that we need the Spirit to enlighten us. The portrayal of the disciples in the Gospel of Mark can be of some consolation to us. Their inability to hear what Jesus is saying, to see what He is showing them, and their self-protective flight at the end, shows up all the more the faithful love of the Lord for them. Jesus, however, remained faithful to them to the end, even though they would go on to desert Him. Even after they deserted Him, He appeared to them as risen Lord and renewed their calling. The Lord who was faithful to the first disciples is faithful to us, even though we get it wrong from time to time. He keeps coming towards us, inviting us to renew our response to His call to be His faithful followers in today’s world, and also promising us that, if we strive to respond to His call He will give us the spiritual resources that we need.
In our first reading today from the Book of Genesis, God proclaimed to Noah, His faithful servant about the coming calamity and destruction which He would bring upon the whole world because of the great wickedness and sin which mankind had committed in their lives. Their sins had become so great that while God loved each one of His children, but His displeasure at the sins which the people had committed eventually led to Him deciding to wipe away all the lives in the world with the sole exception of Noah and his immediate family, as well as those animals that had come into the Great Ark that God had commanded Noah to build before the time of the Great Flood. The Lord spared those who were in the Great Ark, and their descendants became the ancestors of all those who live in the world today. From this story of the Great Flood and the salvation through the Noah’s Ark, we are all reminded that first of all, God loves us all and wants nothing less than to forgive us and to be reunited with us all, to free us from the bondage to our sins and wickedness, all the evils and other things that had kept us away from Him. But at the same time, we must not ignore the fact that God also despises our wickedness and evils, and none of those corruptions can or should be found in us or else we will be judged and condemned by those sins which we fail to repent from and continued to commit in our lives. We must always remind ourselves that while God is all merciful and generous with His love to us, but if we continue to harden our hearts and reject His generous offer of mercy and love, it is by our own conscious rejection and rebuff of God’s mercy and love that we shall be judged by.
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 be virtuous and righteous, good and filled with the love of God in all things. We must not allow ourselves to be swayed and tempted by the many wickedness around us in this world which can lead us astray into the path of evil and damnation, or else, we will find it difficult to reject the allures and the strong pull of sin. If we are not careful, we may end up being distracted and pulled away from the path towards God’s grace and salvation, and falling into the eternal suffering and damnation, if we allow ourselves to be swayed by sin. We are called to emulate the lives and examples of the Holy men and women, and all the Saints, particularly the Saints we celebrate today, Saint Simeon of Jerusalem, Saint Francis Regis Clet; Saint Tarasius of Constantinople; Saint Flavian of Constantinople and Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico). Let us all therefore do our part in whatever way we can so that we may distance ourselves from the path of wickedness and evil. We must not allow sin and corruption it causes to harm us any longer, and we should strive to resist the many temptations to disobey and sin against God. This is of course easier said than done, as many of our predecessors had failed to follow the path of the Lord faithfully and slipped into the path of disobedience, sin and darkness. Many times we may also be faced with great trials, challenges and obstacles, temptations, coercions and pressures, all of which may persuade or convince us to give up the struggle against sin and evil. But if we do not make the effort to resist sin, and depend and trust in the Lord, how can we be triumphant against sin then? Remember that only the Lord alone has the power over sin and death, and we should continue to put the Lord at the centre of our lives and existence. May the Lord our most loving God continue to help and guide us in our journey, and may He empower each and every one of us so that in everything that we say and do, we will always be ready to face all the challenges and obstacles in our path towards Him. May He continue to bless our every good works, efforts and endeavours, so that we may be strengthened in all things and will be fruitful in our efforts and works, for His greater glory. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us all and help us as we journey with faith and may the good Lord be with us always, and may He strengthen us all in our resolve and faith, in our commitment to follow Him, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY | MONTH OF THE HOLY FAMILY The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family. Between the events which marked Christmas and the beginning of Christ’s public life the Church has seen fit to recall the example of the Holy Family for the emulation of the Christian family. The Feast of the Presentation (February 2) or Candlemas forms a fitting transition from Christmas to Easter. The small Christ-Child is still in His Mother’s arms, but already she is offering Him in sacrifice.
The Saints that we will focus on this month and try to imitate are:
St. Blaise and St. Ansgar (February 3); St. Agatha (February 5); St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Josephine Bakhita (February 8); St. Scholastica (February 10); Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11); Sts. Cyril and Methodius (February 14); Seven Founders of the Orders of Servites (February 17); St. Peter Damian (February 21); Chair of St. Peter (February 22) and St. Polycarp (February 23). The Optional Memorial of Polycarp (February 23), is superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.
From Feast to Fast: Though the shortest month of the year, February is rich in Liturgical activity. It contains a feast (Presentation of our Lord) that bridges two other seasons (Christmas and Easter). We prepare to accept the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday, falls on March 5, 2025, marking the beginning of the Lenten season and plunge ourselves into anticipating the major exercises of Lent–fasting, prayer, almsgiving–laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary. She, who offered her Son in the temple and on the Cross, will teach us how to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after her Son. 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12539
PRAYER INTENTIONS: We thank God for the gift of His Son and pray for His grace as we serve Him in truth and love. During this Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and the Saints we honor today, we pray for the sick and suffering, especially children and those battling epilepsy, strokes, heart disease, cancer, and other terminal illnesses. May God restore them to health and bring them comfort and peace. Every life is a gift.
We pray for the safety of our families and loved ones, for healing in marriages, and for unity in a world divided by violence and conflict. May God deliver us from hopeless situations and impossible causes.
We remember the souls in Purgatory, asking for God’s mercy upon them. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. We pray for widows, widowers, and all who are grieving. May the Lord strengthen them in their trials. We pray for peace in our families and throughout the world. Amen. 🙏🏽
Let us pray:
My glorious Lord, I thank You for being the Lord of all Truth. Help me to daily turn my eyes and ears to that Truth so that I will be able to see the evil leaven all around me. Give me wisdom and the gift of discernment, dear Lord, so that I will be able to immerse myself into the mysteries of Your holy life. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Simeon of Jerusalem; Saint Francis Regis Clet; Saint Tarasius of Constantinople; Saint Flavian of Constantinople and Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico) ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
With gratitude for the gift of this new year, we pray for justice, peace, love, and unity within our families and throughout the world. May God’s Divine Mercy and Grace be upon us all during this Ordinary Time. Wishing us all a blessed, safe, grace-filled and fruitful week. May God keep us all safe and well. Amen 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖