November 26, 2012 
Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint Conrad (d.975)
Saint Conrad was born into a prominent Guelph family. He received an education at the Cathedral School at Constance and was ordained a priest. Conrad was appointed provost of the cathedral and was then selected bishop of Constance. He was very generous and charitable, giving away his inheritance to the Church and to the needy. Conrad made three pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and accompanied Emperor Otto I to Rome. He was able to disregard the matters of the secular world to focus more deeply on ecclesiastical matters. Legend has it that Conrad had a great fear of spiders. However, when a spider fell into the chalice of Precious Blood, Conrad's love of Communion overpowered his fear, and he drank the Precious Blood, spider included. Saint Conrad was canonized in 1123, and is the patron saint of the Diocese of Constance, Switzerland, and the Archdiocese of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
Reflection
Sometimes the things that we fear get in the way of living out our Christian faith. These fears may revolve around not being accepted by others or not partaking in some fun secular activities. When faced with these fears, remember Saint Conrad, who knew that the power and love of God overcome all fear and doubt. Spend a few quiet minutes with the Lord. Ask him to help you know that, through his love, we should fear no one and nothing.
Prayer
God, remind us often that we should fear no one. You are our stronghold, our rock of safety in the storms of life. We have nothing to fear. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 503
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Gospel: Luke 21:1-4
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Gospel
Even thought she gave less, the poor widow was more generous than the wealthy people. Jesus makes the distinction between giving out of our surplus, and giving out of our sustenance. The widow shared her money, even though she really needed that money. She was other-centered, to the point of depriving herself for the sake of others. Her donation was a true sacrifice, it cost her part of her livelihood and sustenance. The wealthy people who donated may have given a lot more money, but the money they gave did not require a real sacrifice: they did not suffer by giving the gift, because they did not need the money to stay alive. Would you share a loaf of bread with another hungry person if it was all you had to eat, or would you hoard it for yourself? What do you think Jesus would do?
