Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint Alexis Falconieri (1200-1310)

Saint Alexis Falconieri was one of the seven founders of the Servants of Mary, or Servite Order. Alexis and six friends joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin in 1225. As they were assembled on the Feast of the Assumption in 1233, the Blessed Virgin appeared to them in a vision. Motivated by their experience, they established a new religious community focused on prayer. A second vision of the Blessed Mother inspired the group to found the Servants of Mary. All of the members in this new community were ordained except for Alexis, who felt that he was unworthy of such a great honor. Instead, he took charge of the order's material and financial duties, humbly begging on the streets when funding was tight. Alexis was the only founding member of the Servites still living when the order received approval from Pope Benedict XI in 1304. Saint Alexis Falconieri and his companions were canonized in 1888.

Reflection

Saint Alexis Falconieri and his friends established a religious community focused on prayer after the Blessed Virgin appeared to them in a vision. Do you recognize holy encounters that you have with the Holy Trinity or the saints? Is your faith rejuvenated and restored after these encounters? Spend some quiet time with God. Ask him to help you be more aware of the holy encounters in your life, and how to better live out your vocation.

Prayer

Dear God, I want you to come to me in a burning bush or a rainbow or in some other spectacular way. Help me to appreciate the little ways you show yourself to me every single day. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)

Meditations

Meditation for Gospel

Luke wants his community to understand that just as Jesus was tempted, they also will have temptations in their lives. They will encounter people who will try to lure them into believing that the only important things in life are pleasure, possessions, and glory and power. Jesus overcame these allurements because he kept the word of God as his compass. We recognize Jesus as a righteous person, a person of virtue, beacuse he remained obedient to God by using God's word as his guide. Luke wants his community to know that they can navigate the maze of life with its many alluring deceptions if they will use God's word as their guide for finding fulfillment in life. Even in the wilderness -- when no one could observe his actions -- Jesus remained faithful to his relationship with God by choosing service to God over self. Christians of any age can look to the example of Jesus. Righteousness is about being faithful to God whether someone is watching or not. (Taken from "Youth Engaging Scripture: Diving into the Sunday Gospel")