Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint John Eudes (1601-1680)

Saint John Eudes was born in France in 1602. He felt called to religious life, and was ordained a priest at the age of 24. When plagues struck France in 1627 and in 1631, John ministered to those afflicted. He lived apart from the members of his religious community, because he didn't want to infect them with the diseases that he was exposed to through his ministry. At the age of 32, John felt called to spread the Good News by becoming a parish missionary. After many hours of prayer and reflection, John left his religious community and founded his own, focused on the development of the clergy. Even though his work was approved by bishops, many groups disapproved, including the Jansenists. John felt great compassion for the mistreated and abandoned, especially prostitutes who wanted to end their lifestyles. In order to shelter and care for these women, John founded another religious community, the Sisters of Charity of the Refuge. In all of his writings, John emphasized Jesus' holiness and Mary's model Christian life. Saint John Eudes was canonized in 1925.

Reflection

During the plagues in France, most people were inclined to stay indoors and away from the sick, for fear of being infected by their lethal disease. This is, in fact, the easy and even natural response to such dangers. But Saint John Eudes rushed in to help, with the risk that, and perhaps even expecting that, his life would soon end. This kind of selflessness and courage is not exceptional or rare. It is what, as Christians, we are all called to emulate. Because God has called us to him already, we can be sure that he knows we are capable of such virtue.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, please ensure that I have the compassion and courage to act as Saint John Eudes did.

Meditations

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 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 Reading 2

To fit in with the crowd, to not be looked down on, to feel good, to escape from feeling bad--these and many other reasons are given by adolescents to explain why they drink alcohol. Teens that resist the temptation to drink accomplish those same things in ways that do not risk harm to themselves or others. Staying in control, being content enough with myself, respecting my body, caring too much for my friends to take chances--these are some reasons teens give for not drinking. What would you add to the list? Loving Creator, my body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, I don't want to abuse it any more than I would abuse our church. I need you to help me resist the pressure to abuse alcohol. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)

Meditation for Gospel

John gives us keen insight into what it means to be a Catholic Christian. At the center of the life of a Catholic is the Eucharist, the source from which an individual can draw life to live the Christian life more completely. Through the reception of the body and blood of Jesus, we become what we receive, the Body of Christ. This unifying nature of the Eucharist happens not only in this life but also in death in the heavenly liturgy. Besides being the source, the Eucharist is also the summit of Christian life. All things lead us to the Eucharist, in both our spiritual and personal lives. Everything within our lives in the Church always points to or ends in the Eucharist. Because the Eucharist is central to our faith as Catholic Christians, we often gather in its celebration. When the Eucharist is properly prepared and celebrated as a community, we are richly fed spiritually with the body and blood of Christ. We are also emotionally and socially nurtured because we are a gathered community. Even if the liturgy is poorly prepared and the gathered community might not seem supportive to you personally, the power of Christ is fully present in the sacrament. (Taken from "Youth Engaging Scripture: Diving into the Sunday Gospels")