Today, January 28
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Thomas was born near Aquino, Italy, about 1225 and educated at the Benedictine Monastery at Monte Cassino from the age of five. At 19, against his family's wishes, he joined the newly formed Dominicans and studied in Italy and France. With his teacher Albert the Great, he developed the theological 'Scholastic method,' which dominated Catholic teaching for centuries. He wrote many books; his most famous work is the Summa theologiae, perhaps the greatest exposition of theological thought ever composed. Many of his hymn texts, such as Pange lingua, Tantum ergo and Adore te devote, are still in use today.
A man of towering intellect, Thomas was also a very humble mystic. He died in 1274, was canonized in 1323, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1567. In 1880, he was proclaimed patron saint of universities and schools.©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.Readings of the Day
2nd book of Samuel 6:12-15.17-19.
When it was reported to King David that the LORD had blessed the family of Obed-edom and all that belonged to him, David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David amid festivities. As soon as the bearers of the ark of the LORD had advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the LORD with abandon, as he and all the Israelites were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn. The ark of the LORD was brought in and set in its place within the tent David had pitched for it. Then David offered holocausts and peace offerings before the LORD. When he finished making these offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. He then distributed among all the people, to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel, a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake. With this, all the people left for their homes.
Psalms 24(23):7.8.9.10.
Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! Who is this king of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! Who is this king of glory? The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 3:31-35.
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers (and your sisters) are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and (my) brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. (For) whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
Daily Reflection
Do not pray for the fulfilment of your wishes for they may not accord with the will of God. But pray as you have been taught, saying: "Thy will be done in me" (cf. Mt 6:10). Always entreat Him in this way: that His will be done. For He desires what is good and profitable for you, whereas you do not always ask for this. Often when I have prayed I have asked for what I thought was good and persisted in my petition, stupidly importuning the will of God, and not leaving it to Him to arrange things as He knows best for me. But when I have obtained what I asked for, I have been very sorry that I did not ask for the will of God to be done because the thing turned out not to be as I had thought. What is good except God? Then let us leave to Him everything that concerns us and all will be well. For He who is good is naturally also a giver of good gifts. Do not be distressed if you do not at once receive from God what you ask. He wishes to give you something better - to make you persevere in your prayer. For what is better than to enjoy the love of God and to be in communion with Him? (…) You should wish for your affairs to turn out, not as you think best but according to God's will. Then you will be undisturbed and thankful in your prayer.