Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Saints: Saint Valentine, Patron Saints of Europe, Patron Saint of Lovers; Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop (9th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 12 The Celebration of the Solemnity of Lauds

Mass: Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10: Resp Ps 29; Mk 8:14-21

Praise is fitting for loyal hearts.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF HEARTS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH, HEARTS UNITED IN THE LORD,

PRAY FOR US.

Do you still not understand?

(Mk 8:21)

Happy Saint Valentine's Day. 💖 

First, in response to Jesus' question above, look to Isaiah 41:17-20 which I had the privilege of proclaiming at Lauds this morning. That all may see and know, observe and understand (Is 41:20). It is snowing right now. Do I need more signs than that? Hmmm. And then there is Noah who just did as the Lord commanded him (Gn 7:5). 

And now a word or two about Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers. According to tradition he risked his life to marry couples in a Christian way during the time of the Roman persecution. He was eventually martyred for his witness to the faith. Dear Saint Valentine can certainly intercede for all married couples, and also pray for all couples who do not find it necessary to get married in the Church, or any church for that matter. There are many saints who were married with families so lots of others to intercede too, like Saint Margaret of Scotland (11th century), married for 23 years and the mother of eight children; Saint Louis IX (13th century), married 36 years and the father of 11 children; Saint Thomas More (14th-15th century), married 33 years with 4 children and one stepdaughter; Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, married nine years with five children; and Saints Louis Martin and Zelie Marie-Azelie Guerin (19th century), the first spouses in the Church's history to be canonized as a couple. They had nine children with only five daughters who survived infancy. And they were all nuns including Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, and Servant of God Leonie Martin.* 

We also commemorate the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius, born in Thessalonica, Greece, and educated in Constantinople in what is modern-day Turkey. Together they set off for Moravia, in the eastern part of what is now the Czech Republic, to preach the faith. They translated liturgical texts into the Slavonic language and invented the Cyrillic alphabet. Just after one of them, called Constantine at birth, was clothed in the monastic habit and took the name of Cyril, he lived the life of a monk for fifty days. Not long before he died, he prayed to the Lord, his God. And he intercedes for us now, along with his brother. 

Hear my prayer and protect your faithful people, for you have established me as their unsuitable and unworthy servant.

Keep them free from harm and the worldly cunning of those who blaspheme you. Build up your church and gather all into unity. Make your people known for the unity and profession of their faith. Inspire the hearts of your people with your word and your teaching ...

Direct them with your powerful right hand, and protect them under the shadow of your wings. May all praise and glorify your name, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(From an Old Slavonic Life of Constantine, in Office of Readings, February 14)

SAINT VALENTINE, 

SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND, 

SAINT LOUIS IX,

SAINT THOMAS MORE,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINTS LOUIS MARTIN AND ZELIE MARIE-AZELIE GUERIN,

SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX,

SERVANT OF GOD LEONIE MARTIN,

SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

*See Catholic News Agency, "St. Valentine," and CatholicVote "Saints Who Were Married," and Wikipedia too. 

Today's photo: To celebrate Saint Valentine's Day, these colorful and precious glass hearts come courtesy of a friend from the neighborhood where we both were born and raised in Muncie, Indiana (the Hoosier State). We have not seen one another since just before high school (not a few years ago lol 😉), when she moved to Kansas, the Sunflower State, where she still lives. Can you imagine? Recently gifted with an old glass kiln by her brother, she has taken on a new hobby. I am reminded of the wonderful song with words, "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and other gold." Give to the Lord glory and praise.

© Gertrude Feick 2023