September 4, 2012 
Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint Rosalia (c.1130-c.1160)
Saint Rosalia had a famous lineage, she was a descendant of Charlemagne. She was born in Sicily, and turned away from earthly pleasures to God when she was a young girl. Rosalia left the comforts of her home to reside in a cave. On the walls of her new dwelling, she wrote "I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses and Quisquina, have taken the resolution to live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ." She spent her life in devoted solitude, and died alone in 1160. During a time of plague and great suffering, her relics were discovered and paraded through Palermo, Italy. Soon afterward, the plague ended, with the intercession of Rosalia credited.
Reflection
Saint Rosalia spent her life alone, developing in virtue and union with God. In our busy and demanding culture, we often forget the tremendous value of spending time in solitude. In solitude, we more clearly discern the voice of God and more readily accept God's love for us. We come to know ourselves better and come to understand God more. Do you ever have solitude? What is it like?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, please allow me to know you, and through knowing you come to know myself.
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 432
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 2:10b-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14
Gospel: Luke 4:31-37
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Responsorial Psalm
God's love is always connected to his compassion. To be compassionate means to put yourself in the shoes of another person so that you can truly understand that person and all he or she is going through. It implies going the extra mile for another. Apathy is the opposite of compassion; it means closing your heart to others. Compassion means reaching out to an ill person, supporting someone who is down, forgiving what seems to be unforgivable, spending time with a person who feels isolated, and embracing someone who is ostracized by others. God of compassion, enable me to talk in the shows of another so that I can best understand how to support that person. Especially help me to do this with those who are isolated from others. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)
