Tuesday – First Holy Martyrs of the Roman Church

 

Martyrs who were persecuted under Emperor Nero. Among other things, they were burnt alive as human torches

Invitation

May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to the daily reading from the Gospel?

This invitation is intended to share with you the joy of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception, can experience this joy by opening their heart to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day

CONSIDERATION In the story of the storm on the lake, many spiritual guides have interpreted the various elements: the boat, the storm and its calming. The boat is the vessel of our lives, which often finds itself caught in a storm. Pope Benedict XVI saw in the boat and the storm a reflection of the Church’s situation today. Perhaps the crux of this story is that Jesus remains unshakeable in the midst of the storm, and that, whatever the storm and wind, we can and may always trust in Him. He sails with us. He can calm the storm. FIRST READING                   Amos 3, 1–8; 4:11–12 The Lord God has spoken: who would not prophesy? From the Prophet Amos Hear the word that the Lord speaks concerning you, the sons of Israel, concerning the whole nation which He led out of Egypt: “You alone have I chosen from among all the nations of the earth; therefore I call you to account for all your iniquities! “Do two people ever set out together without having met one another? “Does a lion ever roar in the forest without having caught its prey? “Or does a lion cub growl in its den without having caught anything? “Does a bird swoop down to the snare on the ground without there being bait there? “Or is the bait picked up from the ground without anything having been caught? “Is the trumpet sounded in a city without its inhabitants trembling? “Does a disaster ever strike a city without the Lord having a hand in it? “In the same way, the Lord God never does anything without revealing His purpose to His servants, the prophets. “The lion has roared: Who would not fear? “The Lord God has spoken, who would not prophesy?” And the Lord continues: “I have turned you upside down, just as I did to Sodom and Gomorrah; you have become like a charred piece of wood snatched from the fire, yet you have not turned to Me. “Therefore I will deal with you in this way, Israel. “And because I will deal with you in this way, you, Israel, must prepare yourself to appear before your God.” INTERLUDIUM                          Ps . 5, 5–6, 7, 8 Lead me, Lord, along safe paths. Early in the morning You hear my voice, early indeed my hope and longing. Surely You are not a God who tolerates injustice, no evildoer can dwell with You. No sinner can look You in the eye, You hate those who commit injustice. You destroy those who speak lies, You abhor bloodlust and cruelty. But I, through Your abundant grace, may enter Your house. I prostrate myself before Your temple in reverence for You, my Lord. ALLELUIA                          Ps . 130(129), 5 Alleluia. In the Lord I place my hope, in his word I trust. Alleluia. GOSPEL                        Mt . 8, 23–27 Jesus spoke sternlyto the winds and the sea, and the water became perfectly still. From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew When Jesus got into the boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly the sea was thrown into a violent storm, so that the waves were breaking over the boat; but he was asleep. They went to him and woke him, saying: “Lord, save us, we are perishing!” He spoke to them: “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then He rose, spoke sternly to the winds and the sea, and the water became perfectly still. The people were amazed and said: “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” To be continued Every day at 7 am _________________________________________________________