November 29, 2012 
Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint Radbod (d.918)
Saint Radbod lived a very quiet and holy life. He was the grandson of the last pagan king of the Frisions in the Netherlands. Radbod was raised and educated by his uncle, the bishop of Cologne. He became the bishop of Utrecht, Holland, and entered the Benedictines. Radbod discovered that his association with the influential Benedictines was helpful in governing his diocese. He was very concerned with the welfare of the poor, and a very intelligent writer and poet. Saint Radbod was forced to leave his diocese when the Danes invaded, and lived his last years in exile in Deventer, France.
Reflection
Being in a position of leadership gives someone great power and influence. Saint Radbod used his position of leadership as bishop of Utrecht and his association with the Benedictines to govern his diocese and improve the lives of the poor. Who are you a leader to in your life? Are you using your position of leadership to improve the lives of others and spread the Word of God? Spend a few quiet minutes with the Lord. Ask him to always help you exercise true Christian leadership.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, help me to exercise true Christian leadership. Assist me in making my life one that reflects your values and inspires others to follow you. (Taken from “Take Ten: Daily Bible Reflections for Teens.”)
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 506
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Gospel: Luke 21:20-28
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Responsorial Psalm
All three readings today prepare us for our ultimate goal: heaven. Heaven is total union with God, and we will not be totally satisfied until we are there. Have you ever thought something would make you happy -- and then it didn't? Getting the best grades, being popular or the best athlete, having lots of money or cool stuff - all of these things are good, but we are not created to be satisfied by them. Only union with God will make us ultimately happy. The psalm refrain is "Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb." This wedding feast is the celebration of the union of humanity and God. God is the Lamb who was slain for our sake - He come down in the person of Jesus and made a sacrifice of Himself so that we could spend eternity with God in Heaven. If you are tempted to think something else can satisfy you, think of St Augustine's famous quotation from his book, "Confessions" - "Our hearts are restless, O God, until they rest in You."
