Thursday, January 22, 2009 is the 36th anniversary of the Roe v Wade,
the U.S. Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion.
Why not consider participating in a Right to Life March or
learn more about Project Rachel, the Catholic response to Roe v Wade?

In the upcoming week we'll be inaugurating the new president of the United States, recognizing the anniversary of the legalization of abortion, and practicing a day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person. The U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops have a series of prayers, including rosaries, mediations, litanies, etc. to help us pray this week. (Learn more)

Human and Theological Virtues

This Sunday our second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. It is a reminder to consider the virtue of chastity, not just abstinence. We realized it's been some time since we've focused on the human and theological virtues. It's about time to get started!

This week we're just going to remind ourselves just what the different virtues are; over the next few weeks we'll explore them further. (Click here for a virtue refresher) 

Use your green candle Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday to celebrate  Ordinary Time.

• These lovely candles are  available for purchase through Wolfe's Baldwin Brass Center Ordering candles from this link  financially supports this site. Thank you!

• Tuesday, January 20 use a red candle for the optional memorial of Sts. Fabian and Sebastian. St. Fabian was our 20th pope; he died a martyr during the early Christian persecutions. St Sebastian was a 3rd century Roman soldier who practiced his Christianity in secret. When his faith was discovered he was sent for execution by shooting with arrows. When he survived that, the emperor ordered him beaten to death. St. Sebastian is the patron saint of soldiers and athletes.
  
• Wednesday, January 21 use a red candle for the memorial of St. Agnes, the 13 year-old virgin and martyr who is still commemorated in our First Eucharistic prayer. She was beheaded around 304 A.D.
   
• Thursday, January 22 use a violet candle for the day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person through acts of abortion. This year is the 35th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision which legalized abortion. The U.S. Catholic bishops have prepared prayers and petitions for our reflection.
   
• Saturday, January 24 use a white candle to commemorate the memorial of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of writers. St. Francis lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, when the Protestant Reformation was in full bloom. His writings promoted meekness and humility, and encouraged his readers to live devout, spiritual lives.
   
• Sunday, January 25 use a white candle to celebrate the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul We've heard it said that if it were not for St. Paul, Jesus' message may not have been spread. Paul (originally called Saul) was a persecutor of Christians; while on the road to Damascus he was blinded by a light, and heard the voice of Jesus tell him to stop his persecuting. At first the followers of Christ were suspicious of Paul, but they eventually realized that his transformation was sincere. The rest is history. It is also the birthday of our son and our friend, Pedro, so we have even more to celebrate!

A solemnity is a day of greatest importance. The celebration starts the evening before the actual solemnity. Easter is our most important solemnity. A feast is the next most important day. It commemorates Mary, the apostles, martyrs and other saints, and the events associated with them. Mass readings often reflect the special feast day. A memorial is a special day, but often an optional celebration. The scripture readings for Mass may or may not be specially selected for the memorial.

Indulgences and the Jubilee Year of St. Paul !

This week we did some review on indulgences. After all, Pope Benedict XVI has authorized a plenary indulgence for those who participate in selected Jubilee Year activities. For more information on indulgences, click here.

God Calling!

The first reading is from the first book of Samuel. This book describes Israel's history from the end of the period of Judges to the rise of the monarchy under King David. In this reading we hear of the calling of Samuel, the man who would anoint David king of Israel. Samuel was just a child, and he did not recognize God's call at first. Nevertheless, God called gently and persistently until Samuel, with guidance, understood.

The second reading is from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. St. Paul is fully aware of the dignity of the human body. He cautions against any violation of that dignity, through lack of chastity, drunkenness, drug use, gluttony, etc. It is a perfect time to read John Paul II's teachings called Theology of the Body. It is a beautiful reiteration of the teachings of St. Paul. Our family has used Theology Of The Body For Teens - Leader's Guide and Theology of Body Teens to help us educate our own children, teens in Confirmation preparation, and young people involved in Marriage Preparation about this valuable teaching.

This week's Gospel takes up where we left off last Sunday. John the Baptist just finished baptizing his cousin, Jesus. John then identified Jesus as the Lamb of God. Two of John's disciples immediately left John to follow Jesus. Later, one of those disciples, Andrew, brought his brother, Cephas, to Jesus. Cephas, of course, became St. Peter, the Rock, our first Pope and leader of the Church.

Pay close attention to the words of Jesus, "What are you looking for?" We'll hear similar questions when the soldiers arrest Him in the Garden of Olives, and when Mary Magdalene thinks she is seeing a gardener the morning of the Resurrection. Jesus already knows what we are looking for. He knows what is in man's heart. He encourages us to understand it for ourselves.
 

Lectionary readings for the 2nd Week of Ordinary Time: