Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Catholic Schools Week

First Friday of the Month

2nd International Day of Human Fraternity

Saints: Saint Gilbert of Sempringham, Abbot and Founder (1083-1190); Saint John de Britto (1647-1693); Blessed Marie-Eugene Grialou (1864-1967); Saint Catherine de Ricci OP (1522-1590)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:51-54

Mass: Sirach 47:2-11; Resp Ps 18; Mk 6:14-29

The Lord live! And blessed be my Rock!

HERODIAS HARBORED A GRUDGE AGAINST JOHN ... HEROD FEARED JOHN.

(Mk 6:19-20)

Welcome to the First Friday of the Month. 

Some find today's Gospel account disturbing. I have heard it referred to as "the beheading of John the Baptist." At the same time, there is much to learn from this story, about ourselves and others too. Otherwise, why would Saint Benedict have included these Tools for Good Works: Live by God's commandments every day; treasure chastity, harbor neither hatred nor jealousy of anyone, and do nothing out of envy (RB 4:67). The proclamation of this passage also happens to fall on the 2nd International Day of Human Fraternity. If interested you can find the "Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together", signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, in Ahu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 4, 2019. I include here one of several aspirations of the Document

In conclusion, our aspiration is that ...

this Declaration may be a witness to the greatness of faith in God that unites divided hearts and elevates the human soul.

United in faith and prayer, we go forth and pray with our litany of saints.

SAINT GILBERT OF SEMPRINGHAM,

SAINT JOHN DE BRITTO,

BLESSED MARIE-EUGENE GRIALOU,

SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI,

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI,

SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT MARY ELLEN MACKILLOP,

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL,

SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAE,

BLESSED MARY RIVIER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Bird on rock. Cape Mendocino, CA.

© Gertrude Feick 2022