Readings of the Day

This could be called the lament of the remnant. Those who have stood up for the Pope, the Church, Christ in the world have met with the attitudes of the unbelievers who hate the very truth spoken.

Are you hated? Good. This means you are living the Gospel life according to the precepts of God and His Church. Are you criticized? Good. This means the pagans hate what you stand for in the market place. Too many Catholics want to "go with the flow". Today's readings show us the opposite is true.

Those who hate God will hate those who call themselves sons and daughters of God, but through baptism, this is who we are.

Those who cooperate with malice end up malicious and choosing hell, where those who hate regret their hate forever.

On this first day of spring, let us rejoice in all types of persecution. It means we are doing what we have been called to do.

Wisdom 2:12-22Douay-Rheims 

12 Let us therefore lie in wait for the just, because he is not for our turn, and he is contrary to our doings, and upbraideth us with transgressions of the law, and divulgeth against us the sins of our way of life.

13 He boasteth that he hath the knowledge of God, and calleth himself the son of God.

14 He is become a censurer of our thoughts.

15 He is grievous unto us, even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, and his ways are very different.

16 We are esteemed by him as triflers, and he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness, and he preferreth the latter end of the just, and glorieth that he hath God for his father.

17 Let us see then if his words be true, and let us prove what shall happen to him, and we shall know what his end shall be.

18 For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, and will deliver him from the hands of his enemies.

19 Let us examine him by outrages and tortures, that we may know his meekness and try his patience.

20 Let us condemn him to a most shameful death: for there shall be respect had unto him by his words.

21 These things they thought, and were deceived: for their own malice blinded them.

22 And they knew not the secrets of God, nor hoped for the wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls.

Part of the Gospel shows us that Christ was completely in control of His own passion and death.

He preached the Good News under a cloud, as we do, telling the truth of the Gospel without fear.

Those who fear compromise. Compromise leads to death of the soul.

John 7:25-30Douay-Rheims 

25 Some therefore of Jerusalem said: Is not this he whom they seek to kill?

26 And behold, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing to him. Have the rulers known for a truth, that this is the Christ?

27 But we know this man, whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

28 Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching, and saying: You both know me, and you know whence I am: and I am not come of myself; but he that sent me, is true, whom you know not.

29 I know him, because I am from him, and he hath sent me.

30 They sought therefore to apprehend him: and no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.