November 28, 2012 
Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint James of the Marche (1391-1476)
Saint James was born in the Marche of Ancona in Italy. He attended the University of Perugia, where he attained doctorates in canon law and civil law. After he earned his degrees, he felt called to join the Franciscans and live a very disciplined life. This austerity included fasting for nine months of the year and sleeping only three hours per night. He continued his education by studying theology with Saint John of Capristrano. James was ordained and began his ministry as a successful preacher. He converted many to the Catholic faith and facilitated the spread of the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. James founded "montes pietatis," or nonprofit credit establishments, that loaned money to the poor at very low interest rates. Some people were unhappy with James's ministry. There were two assassination plots against him, but both assassins lost their will to kill when they came face to face with him. Saint James of the Marche was canonized in 1726.
Reflection
How can you use your gifts and talents to help others and spread the Good News? Saint James used his education, faithful example, and leadership skills to spread God's message. Spend a few minutes reflecting on your gifts and talents. Ask the Lord to help you share them with others to build his Kingdom.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, you bless us with gifts and talents to be used for God’s Kingdom. Help me to focus on my own gifts and how I can use them to make God’s Kingdom grow and multiply. (Taken from “Take Ten: Daily Bible Reflections for Teens.”)
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 505
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: Revelation 15:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9
Gospel: Luke 21:12-19
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Gospel
The early Christians had to literally face the realities that Jesus talks about in today's Gospels. They were treated with hostility, punished, and even killed for their beliefs. Jesus warns them even before it begins - "they will seize and persecute you" - and yet they decide that following Christ is worth all the danger. Today, we don't face the threat of persecution in the same way the early Christians did. If you say a prayer before eating your lunch at school, no one is going to arrest you. Admitting you are a Christian is not illegal, like it was for some Christians. Would you be willing to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, even if it meant persecution? How do we face persecution in a contemporary way?
