St. John Vianney on the Importance of Prayer

“Realizing that the season of Lent is nearly upon us, there is the chance many people are trying to decide what they should ‘give up’ for this penitential season at the last minute. During the season of Lent, we enter the desert with our Lord Jesus Christ and turn our attention to three important practices – Praying, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Instead of giving something up this year, why not do something instead.

“Prayer is one of important practices done in Lent, however, it shouldn’t be just during the penitential seasons we are praying more, we should be praying all the time and without ceasing. As St. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “’Pray without ceasing.’”

In a recent commentary in preparation for Lent, Tom Perna, Director of Adult Evangelization and Catechesis at Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Gilbert, AZ, offered twelve reflections from the Cure D’Ars, Saint John Vianney, on prayer.

To access Mr. Perna’s complete post, please visit:

Tom Perna: 12 Words from St. John Vianney to the 21st Century on the Importance of Prayer (2 MAR 14)

Reflection Starter from Corrie ten Boom

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom

The Classic Imperials: “Praise the Lord”

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of The Classic Imperials singing “Praise the Lord”:

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Isaiah 49:14-15, 1 Corinthians 4:1-15, and Matthew 6:24-34. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 62 (Psalm 62:2-3, 6-9).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 62 “Trust in God Alone”

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

Reflection on this feast:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (March 2, 2014)

Msgr. Charles Pope: Advice from the Lord in overcoming anxiety. A sermon for the 8th Sunday of the Year (1 MAR 14)

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio: God and Mammon?

The Deacon's Bench: Homily for March 2, 2014: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1 MAR 14)

The Sacred Page: Trust in God the Father alone: The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (26 FEB 14)

Word on Fire: Sermon 686: Seek Ye First: Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Dr. Scott Hahn: Do Not Be Anxious (March 2nd 2014 – Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

The Catholic World Report Blog: Idolatries. Anxieties. Priorities. (1 MAR 14)

Spirituality of the Readings: First Things First (8th Sunday of Ordinary Time A)

The Word Embodied: Only in God (8th Sunday of Ordinary Time A)

Historical Cultural Context: Serving Two Masters (8th Sunday of Ordinary Time A)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time (28 FEB 14)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for being our rock and our salvation (as proclaimed in Psalm 62).

Msgr. Pope on Learning from Experience

“As a teenager I remember resenting how adults would try and prevent me from doing what I pleased. They would often warn me not to ‘learn the hard way’ that something was wrong. I would often be told that I should learn from them and their experiences not to make the same mistakes they did. The rebel in me thought that it might be fun and pleasurable to ‘make a few mistakes of my own.’ Of course I pridefully thought that I would escape the consequences.

“In the end of course they were right, and one the most valuable gifts I have received from others to have learned from their experience. As a pastor too I must say that my staff has preserved me from innumerable errors through their expertise and long experience with the parish.

“The word ‘experience’ comes from the Latin experientia, meaning the act of trying or testing. More deeply it comes from two Latin words, ex (out of) + periri (which is akin to periculum, meaning peril or danger). Hence ‘experience’ refers to those have endured trials, perils, testing, and dangers, and speak out of these to us so we don’t have to endure such things. It is a very great gift!”

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of learning from experience, including the experience of the Church.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: Why Learn the Hard Way? Let the Lord and the Church Teach You. (As seen in a commercial). (28 FEB 14)

Reflection Starter from St. Francis de Sales

“Birds have nests in trees and stags have thickets where they can find shelter when the need arises. Deer know where to take cover, either to hid or to enjoy some cool shade during the summer. So also our hearts should each day choose some place, either on Mount Calvary or within Our Lord’s wounds, or in some other place near Him, as a retreat where they can retire at various times to refresh and restore themselves during their exterior occupations. There, as in a stronghold, they can defend themselves against temptation. Blessed will be the soul that can truly say to Our Lord, ‘You are my place of strength and my stronghold to give me safety, my roof against the rain, my shade against the heat.’ [cf. Psalm 46:1]” – Saint Francis de Sales

The Byrds: “Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There is a Season)”

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Byrds presenting Pete Seeger “Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There is a Season)”:

Mr. Seeger passed away on 27 January. May he rest in peace.

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for March

The Holy Father’s prayer intentions for March are:

General intention (Respect for Women): “That all cultures may respect the rights and dignity of women.”

Mission intention (Vocations): “That many young people may accept the Lord’s invitation to consecrate their lives to proclaiming the Gospel.”

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the healing and other graces You bestow upon us who receive the Sacrament of the Sick.

“What Do You Make of That?”

“In between lectures, panels, and papers feeding the mind with philosophical fare, the conference presenters found themselves around a table enjoying a common meal. Among these academics of diverse creeds and professional interests sat one unusual philosopher. In most respects, I am told, he was as usual as philosophers can be, but he had the curious habit of asking profound and unsettling questions without the slightest pretension – questions that sought after great rooms of truth without heed for elephants standing in the way. On this occasion, the philosopher’s question came by way of a personal anecdote:

“It was a day like any other. The philosopher was walking down a crowded avenue accompanied by a priest friend of his. As they walked, they began to notice a commotion on the side of the street to their left. A large crowd had gathered, joined by an alarming silence and a low anxious murmuring. The philosopher and the priest ran up to the crowd, weaving between faces dazed, pained, and blanched. Emerging into the center of the scene, their worst fears were confirmed at the sight of a woman’s body, broken and bleeding, on red-stained pavement. She had jumped, but her body had proved more resilient than she had anticipated. Half-conscious, she moaned in the throes of death.”

In a recent commentary, Brother Dominic Mary Verner, O.P., reflected on one of the offerings of philosopher W. Norris Clarke, S.J.

To access Br. Dominic Mary’s complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: Now, What Do You Make of That? (13 FEB 14)

Reflection Starter from William Shakespeare

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.” – William Shakespeare (in Merchant of Venice)