August 12, 2012 
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint Hilaria (d.304)
Saint Hilaria and her daughter, Saint Afra, hid their bishop from harm during the Diocletian persecutions. In turn, their bishop converted them. Saint Afra was martyred because she refused to sacrifice to pagan gods. After her daughter was martyred, Hilaria and her friends went to bury her daughter's remains. However, Hilaria and her friends were captured by authorities, and were also commanded to sacrifice to pagan gods. All the women refused and were subsequently martyred.
Reflection
Saint Hilaria was willing to sacrifice all--her possessions, her freedom, even her very life--for Jesus and her faith in him. Take a minute to think about what you would be willing to give up for Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, help me to dedicate my life to you with the same passion and courage that Saint Hilaria exemplified.
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 116
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: 1 Kings 19:4-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Reading 2: Ephesians 4:30-5:2
Gospel: John 6:41-51
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Responsorial Psalm
Life can be scary. We are afraid of making the wrong decisions about what courses to take, where we should go to college, what to do for a career. We wonder if we will ever fall in love, if we will be good parents, if we will have friends. We struggle with preparing for tests and worry about not doing well on them. We may not be happy with our relationship with our parents. Our boss takes advantage of us. The psalmist had those same worries, and found that when he shared his plights with the Lord, God calmed his fears. God invites us to share our thoughts and feelings of fear with him. Loving God, enable me to share my private thoughts and fears with you, knowing that you will be with me and give me the assurances I need. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)
Meditation for Gospel
The Gospel of John challenges us to look beyond the externals and see with eyes of faith into the mystery that lies concealed in the ordinary things of life. Jesus continues to invite everyone who hears his words to see him with eyes of faith and to enter into the mystery of God, to explore Jesus's complete identity as fully human and fully divine. We are asked to look beyond external appearance to see Jesus as he truly is. To accept Jesus in this way requires us to look upon him with eyes of faith. (Taken from "Youth Engaging Scripture: Diving into the Sunday Gospels")
