SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Saint of the day
St. Vincent
He was ordained as a deacon in Spain by his friend Valerius of Saragossa. The Roman Emperors published their edits against Christian clergy in the year 303 and against the Christian lay people in the year 304. During this time Vincent and his Bishop were arrested and tortured to hand over sacred scriptures and also to give up the faith. But they refused and Vincent was tortured on a gridiron. But tortures could not change the faith of Vincent. The Emperor was so irritated that he ordered to beat the guards who were in charge of Vincent. Vincent was then detained in a filthy poisonous cell and there he changed the mind of the jailor of the prison and converted him to christianity. Then the guards gave some rest to the torture of Vincent. During this time some friends visited Vincent and placed him on a comfortable bed. The life of Vincent that refused to leave from him due to torture, left him when he was comfortably placed on a bed and he died peacefully. The Governor Dacian asked mthe guards to throw the body to be devoured by vultures but a bird raven guarded the body of St. Vincent. Then his body was thrown into the sea but it came to the shore and was burried by a pious widow.A shrine was constructed over his grave, which is said to have been guarded by ravens (birds).
Reflection for the day
Theme: Looking up to God
"Let your face shine on us, Lord, and we shall be saved." (Psalm 80:4b)
Man right from time immemorial has been in need, and dependence on God. The story of his request from God to give him a helper goes a long way to prove this reliance on the Divine (cf. Genesis 2:21ff.)
In the light of this, we all need God's mercy and His salvation, else we will become "null and void". We cannot do anything on our own except God is invited. As the watch man is watching over the city in vain, except he commends his duty to God, else his effort will be fruitless.
Therefore, the response of today's Psalm reminded us of our total dependence on God as it says:
"Let your face shine on us, Lord, and we shall be saved." (Psalm 80:4b)
We need to seek His face as well as His kingdom first as the scripture invites us to, so that every other desires of ours will be added to us. We need to be closer to Him, in our thought, word and action. If this is done we will be happy and fulfilled.
Peace, be with you.
Let us pray
Eternal God, we thank You for Your love and care. We beg Thee O! Lord to give is the grace to see in You all that we need, for relying on You comes fulfilment and comfort. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 21012022
Amen 🙏 good morning fr
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