Today, October 19
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Passionists. He was a 'walking saint': when he walked in public, crowds pressed in on him, hoping to get a piece of his habit as a relic, or to ask for a cure or a favour.
Born in northern Italy in 1694, Paul experienced conversion at 15 and began a lifetime's devotion to prayer and austerity. At 20 he tried life as a soldier but left after a year. Six years later, having had several visions, he determined that his vocation was to found an order dedicated to the Passion of our Lord. Officials declared the visions authentic and Paul withdrew to write a rule. He was joined by his brother, who remained with him for the rest of his life. By 1747, the Passionists had three houses and were preaching missions throughout Italy. At his death in 1775, Paul was establishing a congregation for Passionist nuns.
©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
Letter to the Romans 4:13.16-18.
Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, "I have made you father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "Thus shall your descendants be."
Psalms 105(104):6-7.8-9.42-43.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants, Sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! You descendants of Abraham, his servants, Sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations. Which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. For he remembered his holy word to his servant Abraham. And he led forth his people with joy; with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12:8-12.
Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."
Daily Reflection
Today I take up my pen, in the name of God, so that my words, imprinting themselves on the white paper may give service in perpetual praise of God, the blessed author of my life, my soul, my heart. I would like the whole universe, with all the planets, stars and countless stellar systems, to be a vast smooth surface on which could be written the name of God. I would like my voice to be stronger than a thousand thunders, more powerful than the surge of the sea, more fearful than the eruption of volcanoes, only to say the name of God. I would like my heart to be as great as heaven, pure as that of the angels, guileless as that of the dove, so that it could possess God. But as none of these grandiose dreams can be realized, satisfy yourself, Brother Raphael, with little, and you who are nothing, that very nothing must suffice... Why keep silent about it? Why hide it? Why not cry out to the whole world and proclaim to the four winds the wonders of God? Why not say to everyone what they would like to hear: You see what I am? You see what I was? You see my wretchedness dragged through the mire? No matter. Marvel at it: in spite of everything, I have God. God is my friend! Let the sun fall and the sea dry up in amazement. God loves me so deeply that if the whole world understood this everyone would go mad and shout in sheer amazement. Still more, all that is very little. God loves me so much that even the angels themselves do not understand it! How great is the mercy of God! To love me, to be my friend, my brother, my father, my master. To be God, and I to be what I am!... How is it that I don't become mad; how is it possible to live, eat, sleep, talk and have dealing with everyone?... How is it possible, Lord? I know well; it is you who have shown me: it is by the miracle of your grace.