Churches of the Day

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2
We now live in the new time of Jesus' Covenant

Saint of the Day; Jan 27 :  St Angela Merici (1470-1540)
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.

FIRST READING

A reading from the second  book of Samuel             6: 12-15, 17-19
David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark f the Lord with acclaim.

David went and brought the Ark of God up from Obededom's house to the Citadel of David with great rejoicing. When the bearers of the Ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fat sheep. And David danced whirling round before the Lord with all his might, wearing a linen loincloth round him.

Thus David and all the House of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with acclaim and the sound of the horn. They brought the ark of the Lord in and put it in position inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered holocausts before the Lord, and communion sacrifices.

And when David had finished offering holocausts and communion sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. He then distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israelites, men and women, a roll of bread to each, a portion of dates, and a raisin cake. Then they all went away, each to his own house.

The Word of the Lord.                         And with your spirit.

Responsorial Psalm                       Ps 23: 7, 8, 9, 10
Response                                            Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory

1. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!                  Response

2. Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant,
the Lord, the valiant in war.                         Response

3. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!                  Response

4. Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies,
he is the king of glory.                                    Response


Gospel Acclamation                                 Ps 118:135
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your decrees.
Alleluia!

or                                                                   Mk 11. 25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Alleluia!

GOSPEL 

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark            3:31-35
Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.

His mother and brothers now arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, 'Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you'.
He replied, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?'
And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said,'
Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.'

The Gospel of the Lord.                Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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Gospel Reflection           Tuesday            Third Week in Ordinary Time           Mark 3:31-35

The bringing of the ark of God, or the Ark of the Covenant, in procession to Jerusalem was a very significant event for the people of Israel under their king, David. The ark of God was a container which held the two tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments were written. On Mount Sinai, God had promised the people of Israel that he would be their God, and they in turn promised God that they would be his people by living according to the Ten Commandments. This container with its contents symbolized God’s covenant with his people and theirs with him. It embodied God’s choice of the people of Israel in the service of all humanity.

As the ark of God is brought to the citadel of David in Jerusalem, it is celebrated with elements with which we are very familiar from our own liturgy, especially the Eucharist. There is music and song, there is sacrifice and there is communion, the sharing of food. At every Eucharist, we generally have some singing. At every Eucharist, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, his loving surrender to God and to humanity on Calvary, is sacramentally present to us. At every Eucharist, we enter into communion with the Lord as Bread of Life and with each other as members of his body. So much of our faith has deep roots in the religion of Israel.

In the gospel reading we have another element that is central to our Eucharist, the ministry of the word. Jesus is in a house in Capernaum with people sitting around him listening to him preaching, proclaiming God’s word, God’s will. He identifies those sitting around him as his brothers and sisters and mother, his new spiritual family. We all belong to that family and at the Eucharist we both celebrate and consolidate our belonging to the Lord’s family.

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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers.  http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/

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Saint of the Day: Jan 27;  St Angela Merici (1470-1540)
Angela Merici was born in Desenzano (Italy) about 1474; died in Brescia on this day in 1540. She became a Franciscan tertiary and subsequently founded the Company of Saint Ursula (Ursulines). Her vision provided an alternative to the forms of religious life then available for women: members remained in their own homes, living as virgins and observing a rule she composed. Honoured as a woman of prayer, for her evangelical way of life, for her pilgrimages, and for her creative response to the needs of women in the Church.

Patrick Duffy profiles Angela and the Ursulines.

If feminism means promoting the dignity of women, Angela who founded the Ursuline community, can certainly claim to be among the first. Although twenty-five years after her death the Church imposed the cloister, the choral Office and the wearing of the religious habit of her community, the original Ursulines were much more like members of present-day secular institutes.

From Desenzano on Lake Garda
Angela was the fifth of six children born at Desenzano at the south of Lake Garda in Italy. But four siblings died young and were soon followed by the parents. Angela was cared for by the family of an uncle.

The Legend of St Ursula and a "company of virgins"
In her teenage years Angela found inspiration in the legend of St Ursula. It told of a fifth century British princess who extracted extraordinarily favourable conditions for the dignity of girls as a condition for her marriage, of a pilgrimage to Rome and of eventual martyrdom at Cologne. See The Legend of St Ursula

One day while Angela was sitting  in the fields, her deceased sister appeared to her telling her that God wanted her to found "a company of virgins". Angela took the next step she could - becoming a Franciscan tertiary and with other young women forming a support group for unmarried girls, at first in Desenzano. When this was successful, she started another one in nearby Brescia, then a city suffering the chaos of war.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land


After this Angela went on a pilgrimage with her companions to the Holy Land. As they were passing through Crete she was mysteriously struck blind. So when they reached the Holy Land, her companions had to describe the holy places to her as she could not see them. Equally mysteriously on the return journey, she recovered her sight at the same place.

"A social class of virgins"
On her way home Angela was received in audience by Pope Clement VII, who invited her to move to Rome, but she felt her call was to the work she had begun in Brescia. Young women who did not marry or enter a convent had little prospects there other than prostitution or menial service. Angela created "a social class of virgins", a "company" run almost on military lines under a "virgin-mistress". They referred the problems they could not handle to four "widow-matrons" or "colonels" chosen from among the aristocracy of Brescia.

Foundation
In 1535 Angela and some companions moved together into a house near the church of St Afra in Brescia. She became known for having an open house and an open heart. Though initially arousing some enmity,

Angela won people over. The women lived either at home or in groups of twos and threes in small houses, praying, fasting and reaching out to help other women with education and training. They also made a commitment to chastity.

Death and Influence
Angela died in 1540 and her Ursuline community was approved by Pope Paul III (Alessandro Farnese 1534-49) in 1544. However, in 1572, Pope Gregory XIII (Ugo Buoncompagni 1572-85) at the request of Saint Charles Borromeo, then archbishop of Milan, declared the Ursulines a religious order with enclosure under the rule of St Augustine. It later spread to France, Canada and the United States. Nano Nagle, who had joined them in France for a time, brought them to Ireland in 1771. Today they have houses, colleges and schools in Cork, Dublin, Sligo, Thurles, Waterford and a mission in Kenya.

For information on the Ursuline Sisters in Ireland, see:  www.ursulines.ie

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Memorable Proverbs for today

History has not always remembered our names,
But we have been setting tables for two thousand years,and making room for others to follow Christ.
Jesus always made room for us, even if the church has not always followed suit.

        ~Danielle Shroyer ~

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Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Jesus revealed  the Beatitudes himself as his and his Father's, secret of happiness.
Jesus invites us to watch they was lived out in his life.

Saint of the Day, in Ireland, Feb 1 St Brigid, Abbess, Secondary Patron of Ireland
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.

FIRST  READING

A reading from the book of the Prophet Zephaniah     2:3. 3:12-13
 In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people.

Seek the Lord, all you, the humble of the earth, who obey his commands.
Seek integrity, seek humility:  you may perhaps find shelter
on the day of the anger of the Lord.

In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people, and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; and the perjured tongue will no longer be found in their mouths.
But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to disturb them.

The Word of the Lord        Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm    Ps 145: 7-10 R/v Mat 5:3
Response                          How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1. It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free.                     Response

2. It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan.              Response

3. It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever, Zion's God, from age to age.                             Response

SECOND READING  

A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians  1:26-31
God chose what is foolish by human reckoning.

Take yourselves, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen - those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything.

The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God have made members of Christ Jesus and by God's doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom.
As scripture says: 'If anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.'

The Word of the Lord                 Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation            Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Alleluia!

or                                          Mt 5: 12
Alleluia, alleluia!
Rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in Heaven.
Alleluia!

GOSPEL 

The Lord be with you.                    And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew     5:1-12       Glory to you, O Lord
'How happy are the poor in spirit.

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples.
Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

'How blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.
Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

'Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

The Gospel of the Lord    Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.



The scripture readings are taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with permission of the publishers.

For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here:  https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/

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Saint of the Day, Feb 1 St Brigid, Abbess, Secondary Patron of Ireland
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.

Bridget patroness of those who have a care for the earth, for justice, equality and peace and also model for contemplative prayer.

Brigidine Sister Rita Minehan profiles St Brigid here as a model for contemplative prayer.

A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover - and draw inspiration from - the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time. When we look at the life of Brigid and at some of these issues we can see more clearly why she continues to be relevant to us today. (The image left is of Brigid with lepers,  taken from  the mosaic in Armagh Cathedral.)

Carer of the Earth
The feast of St Brigid on the 1st of February is a celebration of the wonderful springing back of the earth from its winter sleep. It is the season when we celebrate new beginnings and new life on earth. The sod is turned. The day lengthens. Seeds are sown and sails are hoisted.

Many of the stories about Brigid tell of her milking the cows, churning the milk, making up the firkins of butter, shepherding her flocks of sheep, helping with the harvest and even brewing the ale! Brigid, in keeping with her Celtic traditions, was wonderfully attuned to the seasons and cycles of nature. She valued the elements of nature: earth, air, fire and water.

Light the Fire


Today, we are becoming more aware of the fragility of our planet. Lands are becoming barren, skies fouled, waters poisoned. Many individuals and groups concerned about the environment draw inspiration from the reverence and respect which Brigid had for the land. She is often referred to as the' Saint of Agriculture.' In a new hymn, composed by Fr Liam Lawton, Brigid is invoked 'to heal our wounds and green our earth again.'

"A Life of Brigid" (Vita Brigitae), composed by Cogitosus about 650 AD,  places great emphasis on Brigid's faith, her healing powers, her hospitality, her generosity, her great skill with animals, and her compassion for the poor and the oppressed. Twenty three of the thirty two chapters tell of her extraordinary concern for the poor. One of the Brigidine legends illustrates this very effectively.

Woman of Compassion
One day when Brigid was on a long journey she stopped to rest by the wayside. A rich lady heard about this and brought her a beautiful basket of choice apples. No sooner had she received them than a group of very poor people came by and begged her for food. Without a moment's hesitation, Brigid gave them the choice apples. The rich lady was utterly disgusted and she complained to Brigid, "I brought those apples for you, not for them." Brigid's reply was: "What is mine is theirs." This Brigidine legend poses a challenge to all of us in terms of our world today, where forty-five thousand people die from hunger and hunger-related diseases every day and where twenty percent of the population own and consume about eighty percent of the earth's resources. The poverty gap continues to widen both within and between countries, as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer. This legend challenges us to work for a more equitable distribution of the world's resources.

Model of Equality
It is generally accepted that Brigid established her abbey and church in Kildare around 480 AD, on the site now occupied by St Brigid's Cathedral. Brigid held a unique position in the Irish Church and society of her day. As Abbess, she presided over the local Church of Kildare and was leader of a double monastery for men and women.

Tradition suggests that she invited Conleth, a hermit from Old Connell near Newbridge, to assist her in Kildare. Cogitosus tells us that 'they governed their Church by means of a mutually happy alliance.'

What emerges from many of these stories and legends about Brigid is the portrait of a strong and gentle woman, a powerful leader, a good organiser, a skillful healer and a wise spiritual guide. Brigid has become - for men as well as women - a potent symbol of Christian womanhood, showing us in so many different ways the feminine face of God.

Woman of Peace
There was no lack of domestic strife in the Ireland of Brigid's day, where feuds between clans were commonplace. She is often depicted as a peacemaker who intervened in disputes between rival factions and brought healing and reconciliation. Folklorists tell us that in some parts of Ireland a St Brigid's cross was often used as a token of goodwill between neighbours, indicating a desire for peace and friendship after a local quarrel.

One of the best-known stories associated with St Brigid is that of her giving away her father's precious sword to a poor man so that he could barter it for food to feed his family. Thus, a sword, a weapon of war, was transformed into a life-giving instrument. This story offers an important lesson for our world today where every minute thirteen million pounds is being spent on weapons of war. One wonders what links Brigid would make today between the massive expenditure on arms and the welfare of the poor people of the world?

Woman of Contemplation
Brigid emerges as a woman of action in the stories, legends and poems about her. If one, however, were to seek the source from which she drew her strength and energy, one could probably find the answer in this story.

One day, St Brendan the Navigator stood on a cliff top and watched two whales engaging in fierce combat. Suddenly, the smaller whale, in a human voice, cried out for help not to Brendan but to Brigid, who was not even present. The cry was answered immediately, and the combat ceased. Brendan was puzzled as to why he had been ignored. 'Do you always think about God?' asked Brigid, when the two met. 'Yes,' replied Brendan, 'except at times when my boat is caught in a storm at sea and I have to concentrate on keeping it afloat.' 'That's the explanation,' Brigid answered. 'From the moment I first knew God I have never let him out of my mind, and I never shall.'

An old Irish poem, written in the seventh century, speaks of her contemplation of the Trinity:

Deeper than the seas,
Greater than words can express,
Three persons in one only God;
Overflowing with wonder.'

Woman of Inspiration
Even today, poets, writers and artists still find inspiration in the symbols, customs and folklore surrounding Brigid. One writer recently referred to her as 'the woman who, above all others, embodies the spirit of pre-Christian and Christian Ireland'.

In a beautiful leadlight window in Kildare College Chapel, Holden Hill, South Australia, the artist depicts Brigid dancing the dance of the new life of creation, carrying the Spirit of Jesus into the twenty-first century.

Many of the values associated with Brigid are captured in this delightful poem:
Lady, from winters dark,
Star of Imbolc, rise!
Dance around our threshold,
Scattering warm laughter,
Seeds of hospitality,
Tolerance, forgiveness!
Return again to the folk;
You the spring we yearn for!

What a lovely image to carry with us into the future!

This article first appeared in The Messenger (February 2002), a publication of the Irish Jesuits. c/f  c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/

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Memorable Irish Proverbs for today

I should like a great lake of ale, for the King of Kings.
I should like the family of heaven to be drinking it through time eternal.