Today, September 4
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Born April 30 1897, Dina was the only daughter of a well-to-do couple in Quebec City. A gifted student, Dina had remarkable musical talent and, after studying at the New York Conservatory, could have pursued a career as a concert pianist.
Always keenly aware of the role of others, notably her parents, in supporting her faithful response to the call of the gospel, Dina pronounced final vows with the Religious of Jesus and Mary at the age of 25. Her spirit of praise and generosity inspired her motto, "to refuse God nothing." Despite failing health, her simple life in the convent as musician and educator is glowing testimony to the value of living daily our call to sainthood in whatever setting we find ourselves. As such, she is a model for musicians, artists, educators, religious men and women, youth, parents and the sick.
Dina died on September 4 1929, at the age of 32, promising her family and friends to be a "beggar of love in heaven." She was beatified in 1993, at the same time that Claudine Thévenet (1774-1837), foundress of the Religious of Jesus and Mary, was canonized. This missionary congregation works today in many parts of the world, in over 20 different languages.
©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
First Letter to the Corinthians 4,1-5.
Brothers and sisters : Thus should one regard us : as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.
Psalms 37(36),3-4.5-6.27-28.39-40.
Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart's requests. Commit to the LORD your way; trust in him, and he will act. He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. Turn from evil and do good, that you may abide forever; For the LORD loves what is right, and forsakes not his faithful ones. The salvation of the just is from the LORD; He is their refuge in time of distress. The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 5,33-39.
The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same ; but yours eat and drink." Jesus answered them, "Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days." And he also told them a parable. "No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. (And) no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, 'The old is good.'"
Daily Reflection
A strange and extraordinary union occurred when “the Word became flesh” in the Virgin’s womb and thus “made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). Just as all the elect were raised in Christ when he rose, so was this wedding celebrated in him, and the Church was united with the Spouse through the bonds of marriage when the man-God received the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and when the divinity came to dwell in his body… Christ became man through the Holy Spirit, and in his quality as Spouse he came out of the womb of the Virgin, who was his nuptial chamber. But when the Church is born again of water in that same Spirit, she becomes one body in Christ, so much so that the two “become as one,” (Mt 19:5), which in reference to Christ and the Church “is a great foreshadowing.” (Eph 5:31). This marriage continues from the beginning of the Incarnation of Christ until the moment when Christ will come again and all the rites of nuptial union will be fulfilled. Then those who are ready and who, as is necessary, will have fulfilled the conditions for such a great union, will be filled with respect and will enter with him into the eternal wedding hall(Mt 25:10). While she is waiting, Christ's promised Spouse advances and every day keeps her covenant with him in faith and affection until he returns again.