Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good journalists.

Theresa Civantos Barber on Advice from St. Francis de Sales

"So much of what we read or watch online today is written to 'go viral' or 'get clicks.' The advice we see is trendy and will quickly change with the next fad. 

"So where can we go when we are looking for trustworthy, time-tested wisdom to guide us in our lives?

"Well, we can go to the Church. . . ."

In a recent commentary with special attention to St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life, writer Theresa Civantos Barber reflected on  how the wisdom of the Church is time-tested and trustworthy, not here to sell something, but showing one how to live a holy, purposeful life.

To access Ms. Barber's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia; Theresa Civantos Barber: St. Francis de Sales' 6 words to hold onto when life is really hard (23 JAN 23)

Reflection Starter from St. Francis de Sales

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew." - Saint Francis de Sales, whose memory the Church celebrates today (24 January)

National School Choice Week 2023

This week, the week of 22-28 January, is being observed as National School Choice Week, a grassroots initiative designed to focus on the need for effective education options for all children, including increased access to great public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, virtual schools, private schools, and homeschooling.

Planned by a diverse and nonpartisan coalition of individuals and over 200 partner organizations, National School Choice Week includes a number of events and activities that highlight support for school choice programs and proposals.

For additional information about National School Choice Week, please visit:

National School Choice Week

Background information:

Facebook: School Choice Week

Ringmasters: "Be Our Guest"

 It's time for some barbershop harmony, a genre of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of "Be Our Guest" by the Ringmasters:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who pray for us when we are in need.

Bishop Tobin on Intercessory Prayer

"Whether it's for a football player stricken during a Monday night game, or for an ailing pope at the Vatican, or for a persecuted cardinal in China, or for the restoration of peace in Ukraine, or for a missing mom in Massachusetts - it seems that the community has been summoned to prayer on an unusual number of occasions recently.

"Certainly all of these are very worthy intentions. But it strikes me as ironic that in a culture that typically ignores the presence and power of God, we certainly know where to turn when we need help, don't we!"

In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on some of the reasons why it is important to pray for ourselves and for others.

To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:

The Imitation of Christ: When We're Summoned To Prayer (19 JAN 93)

Reflection Starter from H. G. Wells

"If you fell down yesterday, stand up today." - H. G. Wells

Sunday of the Word of God

"'He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures' (Lk 24:45).  This was one of the final acts of the risen Lord before his Ascension.  Jesus appeared to the assembled disciples, broke bread with them and opened their minds to the understanding of the sacred Scriptures. To them, amid their fear and bewilderment, he unveiled the meaning of the paschal mystery: that in accordance with the Father's eternal plan he had to suffer and rise from the dead, in order to bring repentance and the forgiveness of sins (cf. Lk 24:26.46-47). He then promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would give them strength to be witnesses of this saving mystery (cf. Lk 24:49)."

This Sunday, the third Sunday of Ordinary Time, is being observed as the Sunday of the Word of God.

To access the Apostolic Letter Aperuit Illis (instituting the Sunday of the Word of God, please visit:

The Vatican: Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu Proprio of the Supreme Pontiff Francis "Aperuit illis" (30 September 2019) 

Related media reports:

Vatican News: Pope: the Word of God calls to conversion, heals, raises up (22 JAN22)

Aleteia: Philip Kosloski: When is the Sunday of the Word of God? (21 JAN 23)

"I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light":

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Isaiah 8:23-9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; and Matthew 4:12-23. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 27 (Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14).

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

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 27 "The Lord is my light and my salvation"

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Reflections related to these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 22, 2023

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 22, 2023)

Community in Mission: Come and Go With Me To My Father's House - A Homily for the Third Sunday of the Year (21 JAN 23)

Ex Corde at Benedictine College: This Sunday, a New Kingdom, a New Family, a New Light (19 JAN 23)

Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Word on Fire: Join Your Life to the Light (Cycle A * 3rd Week of Ordinary Time)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of Your Word as it touches hearts open to it.