Today, May 20
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Child of a noble family, Bernadine, born in 1380, was orphaned at 7 and raised by loving relatives who provided him with an excellent education. During an outbreak of the plague in 1400, he ministered to the sick, inspiring other young men to take the same risk. In 1402, he entered the Franciscan order and was ordained in 1404.
Commissioned to preach, Bernadine won converts all over northern and central Italy thanks to his intelligence, eloquence, and intuitive understanding of the needs of his listeners. Having refused several bishoprics, he became vicar general of the Franciscans, brought reform and inspired vocations. A true son of Saint Francis, Bernadine died in 1444 and was canonized in 1450.©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
Acts of the Apostles 20,28-38.
At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: "Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. I have never wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
Psalms 68(67),29-30.33-35a.35b-36c.
Show forth, O God, your power, the power, O God, with which you took our part; For your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts. You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, chant praise to the Lord who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens. Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power: "Confess the power of God!" Over Israel is his majesty; Awesome is God in his holy place, the God of Israel, who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 17,11b-19.
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
Daily Reflection
Towards You, Life of my soul, Towards you my heart turns Than a force of ardent love Melted into one desire. If it goes towards some other outside of You, Let him immediately be lifeless. (…) You are fertile Pearl, wealth of humanity, Worker of infinite knowledge, Master of infinite patience, Advisor of infinite wisdom, Guardian of infinite devotion, Friend of infinite loyalty. You are sweet Flavor of total intimacy, Caress of infinite delicacy, Tenderness of infinite goodness, Love of infinite ardor, Embrace of infinite sweetness, Jealousy of infinite purity. (…) I prefer you to all creatures, For You I renounce all pleasures, For you I face all adversities. And of all this it does not matter to me to be praised, except from You alone. For, of all this, as of all good, You are the sap: I proclaim it with my heart and with my lips. Under the impulse of your ardor, I unite the momentum of my piety By the virtue of your prayer, So that the purity of this divine union, Where every rebellious instinct will be dissipated, Lead me to the summit of supreme perfection. (…) Gertrude immediately experienced the benefit of her prayer and, as she finished it, she saw that the face of her soul appeared more brilliantly illuminated by the divine light and that the knowledge of God was of a more savory taste to her.