August 26, 2012 
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars (1843-1897)
Saint Teresa was born in Catalonia, Spain. She faced many hardships in her youth, finally becoming a teacher at Lerida. Teresa yearned to begin religious life, but was not accepted into the convent that she wished to enter. After she was turned down, her spiritual director recommended that she start her own congregation. Taking his advice, Teresa began the Little Sisters of the Poor at Barbastra in 1872. Her congregation soon expanded and flourished. She died in 1897, and was canonized in 1974. She is fittingly the patron saint of those rejected by religious orders.
Reflection
Saint Teresa had a dream and followed it--but, initially, she failed. Many of us have dreams and spend considerable time trying to make them a reality. However, though we often fail to achieve our dreams, it is important to remember that, often, the failure of one dream means that a greater and ultimately more fulfilling path awaits us. Saint Teresa's failure to achieve her initial dream, only to achieve a greater and more meaningful dream, is a testament to the importance of maintaining optimism and trust in God.
Prayer
Dear God, please help me know that you have a plan for me and that, even when things are looking bad, they will turn around.
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 122
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21
Reading 2: Ephesians 5:21-32
Alternate Reading 2: Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32
Gospel: John 6:60-69
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Gospel
The Apostles were tempted to abandon Jesus and his teachings. Some of their friends did. But as Peter acknowledged, they had no one else to turn to because they had come to believe and know that Jesus was sent from God. We, too, are tempted to ignore Jesus and his teachings. We sometimes feel his teachings are too hard, too complicated, not much fun, and curtailing our freedom. But through God's grace, we are nudged back to embrace the Gospel of Christ as the best way to live our lives with meaning and purpose. We are encouraged by the Christian community to "stick it out" for happiness here and hereafter. Blessed Trinity, empower me to be a faith-filled disciple of Jesus Christ even when I am tempted to ignore his teachings and promises. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)
