Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint John Roberts (1577-1610)

Saint John Roberts was born in Wales in 1575. After studying at Oxford for two years, he left to study law, and joined the Catholic Church after visiting Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. While in Paris, John began studying to become a Benedictine priest. After he became a Benedictine priest, John relocated to England and ministered to numerous victims of the plague. It was illegal to minister as a Catholic priest in England at this time, so he was banished. After spending some time in Spain he returned again to England. He did many more good works before he was arrested for being a priest. He was martyred in Tyburn along with Blessed Thomas Somers.

Reflection

Although our society does not violently persecute Catholics, Saint John Roberts is an example to us of the long tradition of Catholics who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their faith. If you were in a society like that of Saint John Roberts, would you be willing to practice your Catholic faith even if you knew it might be dangerous? Would you fearlessly face death for your beliefs? Many Catholics around the world are still targeted and victimized for their faith.

Prayer

Pray for the Christians and Catholics throughout the world who are being treated poorly and sometimes violently attacked for their faith. Ask God to help others love them and treat them with compassion.

Meditations

Meditation for Gospel

The Gospel is the Good News of Christ - but in this reading, the news doesn't sound too good. Jesus tells us that He has not come to establish peace on earth, but rather division! We must understand this in light of Heaven. Jesus promises us peace, happiness, everlasting joy - in Heaven - and not necessarily on earth. On earth, Jesus did not enjoy peace: He was considered an outcast in his hometown, He was tortured, abandoned, and crucified. As Christians, we are called to participate in and imitate the life of Jesus - and the life of Jesus was certainly not alway peaceful: it was hard! We will face division on earth, because those we are close to will reject the message of Jesus. We might get made fun of for our beliefs, or be left out because of the decisions we make to follow Jesus. This is what Jesus means when He says that He brings division, not peace. If we bear these things like true imitators or Christ, we will experience eternal peace - in Heaven!