“I long to fill you more and more with blessings. That is why I am constantly offering you new graces and reminding you of the graces you are letting pass without making use of them for your souls” (Message of the Father to Sr. Eugenia Ravasio).
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The letters of Saint Ignatius
In the traditional calendar, today is the feast of St Ignatius of Antioch. If anyone prefers a meditation based on the current calendar, it can be found here: http://en.elijamission.net/2022/02/03/
According to Church tradition, St Ignatius of Antioch was a disciple of the Apostles Peter and John. He was later appointed Bishop of Antioch, the capital of Syria. He died a martyr’s death and was venerated as a saint in the Church from the earliest times. He always called himself Theophorus (θεοφόρος), which means “God-bearer”.
OUR GENEROUS RESPONSE
“Give to the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found” (Sir 35:10).
What a wonderful invitation to honor our Father and live in a loving relationship with Him! It is a matter of becoming ever more aware of His goodness and responding to it with generosity. As we follow this wise direction, many things will change.
The rejection of Jesus in Nazareth
Mk 6:1-6
Jesus went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”
THERE IS NO SHADOW IN THE FATHER
“God has not commanded any one to be ungodly, and he has not given any one permission to sin” (Ecclus 15:20).
Let us not be deceived by those who would teach us falsehoods and mislead people, thus relativizing the truth.
Saint Martina of Rome
Today we celebrate once again one of the holy virgins who suffered martyrdom at the beginning of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire, thus becoming seeds for the growth of the Kingdom of God. It is admirable to see with what faith and determination these young women remained faithful to the Lord, unbowed. Not only should we remember them and imitate their example, but we can concretely ask them to help us to remain faithful to the Lord when we ourselves suffer slander and persecution.
GOD DOES NOT ALLOW US TO SUCCUMB UNDER THE BURDEN
“God allows all kinds of difficulties for those who wish to serve Him, but as long as they entrust themselves to Him, He never allows them to succumb under the burden” (St. Francis de Sales).
The Wisdom of St. Francis de Sales
For those who prefer to read a reflection on the Gospel of the Day in the Novus Ordo, here is the link: en.elijamission.net/2022/01/31
In the traditional calendar, Saint Francis de Sales is commemorated today. He was born on 21 August 1567 in the Savoy region of France. The young man, who belonged to the nobility, was initially destined for a secular career. He studied law at Paris and Padua. At the same time, he studied theology because the Calvinist doctrine of predestination caused him a crisis. After obtaining a doctorate in civil and canon law, he was to become a senator, but despite his father’s opposition, he decided to become a priest.
THOU HAST GIVEN ME ROOM WHEN I WAS IN DISTRESS
“When I find myself with an open heart, I want to give everything to it and through it bestow gifts on other people” (Inner Word).
The authority of Jesus
Mk 1:21-28
And they went into Caper′na-um; and immediately on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”