Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Other saints: Saint Peter of Sebaste, Bishop (c. 391)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 46 Faults Committed in Other Matters

Mass: Jer 20:10-13; Resp Ps 18; Jn 10:31-42

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice.

HEART OF JESUS, BRUISED FOR OUR OFFENSES,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

It is something I read last night which sticks, that is, "long familiarity with the Passion narratives can dull our awareness of the acute suffering that Christ endured for our sake" (Magnificat, March 2021, p. 384). Palm Sunday is coming soon. This year we are gifted with what has been described as Saint Mark's "stark" account of the Lord's Passion. It is not too early to prepare. Let's not enter into it with dulled senses or the "prodigal son syndrome" of "I've heard that one before and already know what happens." Grant, O merciful God, that we may be worthy to serve ever fittingly at your altars, and there to be saved by constant participation (Prayer over the Offerings, Mass, March 26, 2021).

Saint news of the day: Welcome to this new and what will be an occasional category in daily posts. Today we have another remarkable saint, as if they are not all remarkable, those officially recognized and the multitude who aren't, like "the saints next door" as Pope Francis refers to them. What was said about Saint Catherine of Vadstena, a daughter of Saint Bridget of Sweden, last Wednesday can be said about Saint Peter of Sebaste, as far as "keeping it in the family" anyway. According to my favorite Butler's Lives of the Saints, "Peter was the youngest of ten children of St Basil the Elder and St Emmelia, and one of a remarkable family of saints. His grandmother was St Macrina the Elder, who had been guided in the way of holiness by Saint Gregory the Wonder-worker; his eldest sister was St Macrina the Younger, whose influence, after that of her parents, was paramount in the spiritual formation of the brothers Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Peter himself." Among other qualities attributed to him, Peter was praised for his "sanctity, prudence, and zeal" (March volume, p. 257).

SAINT JOSEPH,

SAINT PETER OF SEBASTE, 

SAINT MACRINA THE YOUNGER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: It's a good deal to be able to walk out your door and see this.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2021