“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.
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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!”
THE INNER CASTLE
“If you cling unwaveringly to Me, if you reject with all strength all thoughts that confuse you and anchor your heart unfathomably in Me, then it will no longer be you who live, but I will live in you and will have become your life” (Inner Word).
Faith is the light
Mc 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”
IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD
“Let me find you always watchful, so that I may count on you at all times” (Inner Word).
Our Father wants to place us totally at His service. To do this, He needs us to be attentive, that is, focused on Him. Therefore, it is important that we work on our interior disposition so that we are ready to receive all that our Father wants to entrust to us.
The Kingdom of God
Mk 4:26-34
He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, at once he starts to reap because the harvest has come.