Feast of Saint Bartholomew

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 66 The Porter of the Monastery

Mass:  Rev 21:9b-14; Resp Ps 145; Jn 1:45-51

Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, HOPE OF THE AGONIZING,

PRAY FOR US.

There is no duplicity in him.

(Jn 1:47)

Today we commemorate Saint Bartholomew, who by tradition has been identified with Nathanael of John's Gospel. As the first disciples of Jesus begin to be called, Philip listens to Jesus' command: Follow me (Jn 1:43). Philip makes haste and finds Nathanael, a skeptical Nathanael (Jn 1:46), and off they go to find the Lord. As Jesus saw Nathanael from afar, he sees each one of us from afar. Jesus looks for us and keeps on looking, even before a friend like Philip takes us to Him. Jesus says to each of us: Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree (Jn 1:48). Yes, Jesus sees each one of us. We go to Him, then, and follow. May He find no duplicity in us.

You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

(Jn 1:49)

SAINT BARTHOLOMEW, PATRON SAINT OF THE SICK,

SAINT PHILIP, 

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Martyr red for Saint Bartholomew and all martyrs. Mary, Queen of Martyrs, Health of the Sick, pray for us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Feast of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

Readings of the day: RB 68

Mass: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Resp. Psalm 31; Matthew 10:17-22

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord:

the Lord is God and has given us light.

ALLELUIA.

 

Icon of St Stephen

The story of the stoning of Stephen from Acts woven into what we hear Jesus say to us in today’s Gospel, culminating in Psalm 31, provides a beautiful tapestry of the WORD. 

Beware of men, they will hand you over, throw you out of the city as they did Stephen.

Don’t worry about what to say, though, the Spirit will fill you—they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which Stephen spoke; they were infuriated and ground their teeth. ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ Brother will hand over brother, children will rise against parents—they will put you to death. They cried out, covered their ears, and rushed upon Stephen. They began to stone him. 

You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.

BE MY ROCK OF REFUGE,

A STRONGHOLD TO GIVE ME SAFETY.

YOU ARE MY ROCK AND FORTRESS;

FOR YOUR NAME’S SAKE YOU WILL LEAD AND GUIDE ME.

INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT;

YOU WILL REDEEM ME, O LORD, O FAITHFUL GOD.

I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD BECAUSE OF YOUR MERCY.

RESCUE ME FROM THE CLUTCHES OF MY ENEMIES AND MY PERSECUTORS,

LET YOUR FACE SHINE UPON YOUR SERVANT;

SAVE ME IN YOUR KINDNESS.

Saint Stephen,

pray for us.

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