February 26, 2015 
Thursday of the First Week in Lent
Saint of the day
Saint Porphyry of Gaza (d.420)
Saint Porphyry of Gaza was a fourth-century Macedonian who was a hermit by the Jordan River. When he inherited some money, he gave it all away to the poor, went to work as a shoemaker in the great vast teeming city of Jerusalem, and was so admired for his spiritual honesty that he was ordained and made a bishop "very much against his wishes." He finished his days as bishop of Gaza, and he made a regular practice of kneeling in prayer on Calvary. (Taken from "Saints Passionate and Peculiar.")
Reflection
Can you see yourself giving away your entire inheritance to the poor? Especially if the amount was very large? Saint Porphyry did just that, and began working as a shoemaker to keep a roof over his head and food on his table. Ask the Lord to help you become more generous to those in need.
Prayer
God, help us to be generous people. Let us share whatever we have with others, confident that good will return to us. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 227
Place in Year: Lent
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Violet
Daily readings
Reading 1: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
Verse Before the Gospel: Psalm 51:12a, 14a
Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12
View complete readings on USCCB.org
