Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

Saint Agatha, Early Christian Martyr

First Friday of the Month

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:55

Mass: Heb 13:1-8; Resp Ps 27; Mk 6:14-29

The Lord is my light and my help.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.

(Heb 13:8)

On this First Friday of the Month, we have three related texts.

First, from the Letter to the Hebrews: "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" (Heb 13:7).

Second, from the Holy Rule: "The eighth step of humility is that a monk does only what is endorsed by the common rule of the monastery and the example set by his superiors" (RB 7:55).

Third, from the Office of Readings and a homily on Saint Agatha by Saint Methodius of Sicily: "Agatha, the name of our saint, means 'good'. She was truly good because she was a child of God ... Agatha, her goodness coincides with her name and way of life. She won a good name by her noble deeds, and by her name she points to the nobility of those deeds. Agatha, her name wins all men over to her company. She teaches them by her example to hasten with her to the true Good, God alone."

May we be noble in word and deed, and by our way of life and faith, set a good example to those who look to us to lead and guide them.

Modern man listens more readily to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.

(Pope Saint Paul VI, Address to the Members of the Consilium de Laicis, October 2, 1974)

To us, also, your servants,

who, though sinners,

hope in your abundant mercies,

graciously grant some share

and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs:

with ... Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia

and all your Saints;

admit us we beseech you,

into their company,

not weighing our merits,

but granting us your pardon,

through Christ our Lord.

[Eucharist Prayer I (Roman Canon)]

SAINT AGATHA,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I can't help it folks. Our sky is marvelous indeed. Here around 11am yesterday.

© Gertrude Feick 2021