Mass Readings: 5/17/2008
First: James 3:1-10
Resp: Psalm 12:2-5,7-8
Gospel: Mark 9:2-13
Saint of the Day
St. Pascal Baylon (1540-1592)
Pascal was a shepherd before becoming a Franciscan lay-brother. He had a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist, defending the Real Presence against the attacks of Calvinists. Despite his lack of education, many people, both rich and poor, sought his counsel.
St. Vincent de Paul Speaks
It is on humble souls that God pours down His fullest light and grace. He teaches them what scholars cannot learn, and mysteries that the wisest cannot solve He can make plain to them.
Scripture Verse of the Day
Psalm 18:1-2
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
The Words of St. Escriva
Study
Make good use of your time. Don't forget the fig tree cursed by our Lord. And it was doing something: sprouting leaves. Like you...
Don't tell me you have excuses. It availed the fig tree little, relates the Evangelist. that it was not the season for figs when our Lord came to it to look for them.
And barren it remained for ever.
(The Way, #354)
Catholic Catechism #2259
In the account of Abel's murder by his brother Cain, Scripture reveals the presence of anger and envy in man, consequences of original sin, from the beginning of human history. Man has become the enemy of his fellow man. God declares the wickedness of this fratricide: "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand."
