'Do Not Be Afraid; Just Have Faith'

Today's liturgical readings give us a lesson and a great gift of Christian faith: Boundless trust in God's mercy. In the Psalm and Gospel, we learn that our faith and trust are what God seeks and needs from us. If we believe in miracles; if we believe in healing; if we believe in a good outcome, we will be heard and answered. Call on the Lord and ask for your needs with complete trust in His Divine will. We will be answered.

Responsorial Psalm 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. Listen, Lord, and answer me.

Incline your ear, O LORD; answer me,
for I am afflicted and poor.
Keep my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God.

R. Listen, Lord, and answer me.

Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

R. Listen, Lord, and answer me.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.

R. Listen, Lord, and answer me.


Gospel, Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
"My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live."
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"
But his disciples said to him,
"You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?"
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said,
"Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
"Do not be afraid; just have faith."
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
"Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep."
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child's father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum,"
which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

Glory in Suffering

From Saint Faustina's diary, in November 1934.

Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth; it purifies the soul. In suffering, we learn who our true friend is. (Diary entry 342)

Powerful Novena to the Infant Jesus

O Miraculous Infant Jesus! We beseech You to cast a merciful look on our troubled hearts. Let your tender heart, so inclined to pity, be softened at our prayers, and grant us that grace which we ardently implore (here make your request). Take from us the affliction and despair, the trials and misfortunes with which we are laden. For the sake of your sacred infancy hear our prayers and send us consolation and aid that we may praise You with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Powerful Hourly Novena

(to be said with child-like confidence at the same time every hour for nine successive hours)

O Jesus, You said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you,” through the Immaculate Heart of your most holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted: (Think of your intention)

O Jesus, You said, “If you ask the Father anything in My Name, He will give it to you,” through the Immaculate Heart of your most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask your Father in your Name that my prayer be granted: (Intention)

O Jesus, You said, “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away,” through the Immaculate Heart of your most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted:

(Intention)

“The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you”

A Prayer in Thanksgiving

O most gracious Infant Jesus, in humble adoration I offer You most fervent thanks for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me. I shall always praise your ineffable mercy and confess that You alone are my God, my helper, and my protector. Henceforth my entire confidence shall be placed in You. Everywhere will I proclaim your mercy and generosity, so that your great love and the great deeds which You perform may be acknowledged by all. May devotion to your most holy Infancy extend more and more in the hearts of all Christians and may all who experience your assistance persevere in returning unceasing gratitude to your most holy Infancy to which be praise and glory for all eternity. Amen.

* * *

May the Heart of Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.

Boundless Trust in Jesus

Today the Lord's gaze shot through me suddenly, like lightning. At once, I came to know the tiniest specks in my soul, and knowing the depths of my misery, I fell to my knees and begged the Lord's pardon, and with great trust I immersed myself in His infinite mercy. Such knowledge does not depress me nor keep me away from the Lord, but rather it arouses in my soul greater love and boundless trust. The repentance of my heart is linked to love. These extraordinary flashes from the Lord educate my soul. O sweet rays of God, enlighten me to the most secret depth, for I want to arrive at the greatest possible purity of heart and soul. (Diary entry 852)

We Are Called to Be Evangelists

On the feast of Saint Paul, let us reflect on today's readings.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1bc, 2

R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!

R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.

For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.


Gospel reading, Mark 16:15-18

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
"Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Powerful Prayer to Our Mother,Blessed Virgin Mary

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruit of the vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There is none that can withstand your power. O show me here you are my Mother. (Mention your intention.)

O Mary conceived without sin pray,
for us who have recourse to Thee (3 times).

Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (3 times).

Thank you for your mercy toward me and my family. Amen.

Litany of St. Francis de Sales

Today is the feast of a saint of sincere kindness, great intelligence and eloquence, Saint Francis de Sales. Let us pray to him for his intercession to help us be generous and merciful. He also can assist us to overcome temptations and weakness to despair.

Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Saint Francis, admirable bishop, pray for us.
Saint Francis, beloved of God, pray for us.
Saint Francis, imitator of Jesus Christ, pray for us.
Saint Francis, filled with the gifts of the Lord, pray for us.
Saint Francis, favorite of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Saint Francis, most devout to the saints, pray for us.
Saint Francis, burning with love for the Cross of Christ, pray for us.
Saint Francis, most closely united to the Divine Will, pray for us.
Saint Francis, vessel of election, pray for us.
Saint Francis, light of the Church, pray for us.
Saint Francis, perfect model of religious, pray for us.
Saint Francis, source of wisdom, pray for us.
Saint Francis, defender of the Catholic faith, pray for us.
Saint Francis, good shepherd of the people, pray for us.
Saint Francis, incomparable preacher, pray for us.
Saint Francis, scourge of heresy, pray for us.
Saint Francis, salt of the earth, pray for us.
Saint Francis, model of justice, pray for us.
Saint Francis, despiser of the world, pray for us.
Saint Francis, lover of poverty, pray for us.
Saint Francis, type of sweetness, pray for us.
Saint Francis, conqueror of carnal passions, pray for us.
Saint Francis, terror of devils, pray for us.
Saint Francis, merciful prop to the penitents, pray for us.
Saint Francis, refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Saint Francis, providence of the poor, pray for us.
Saint Francis, consoler of the afflicted, pray for us.
Saint Francis, example of all perfection, pray for us.
Saint Francis, ark of holiness, pray for us.
Saint Francis, imitator of the purity of the Angels, pray for us.
Saint Francis, cherub of wisdom, pray for us.
Saint Francis, seraph of love, pray for us.
Saint Francis, our holy patriarch, pray for us.
Saint Francis, our sweet light, pray for us.
Saint Francis, our mighty protector, pray for us.
Saint Francis, our guide in the ways of God, pray for us.
Saint Francis, our refuge, pray for us.
Saint Francis, emulator of the Angels, pray for us.
Saint Francis, imitator of the Apostles, pray for us.
Saint Francis, sharer in the glory of the Martyrs, pray for us.
Saint Francis, glory of holy confessors, pray for us.
Saint Francis, teacher and director of virgins, pray for us.
Saint Francis, glorious fellow citizen of all the Saints, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Pray for us Blessed St. Francis de Sales.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: O God by Whose gracious will the Blessed Francis, Thy confessor and bishop, became all things unto all men for the saving of their souls; mercifully grant that, being filled with the sweetness of Thy love, we may, through the guidance  of his counsels and aid of his merits, attain unto  the joys of everlasting life. Amen.

In Jesus's Footsteps

Jesus, my most perfect model, with my eyes fixed on You, I will go through life in Your footsteps, adapting nature to grace, according to Your most holy will and Your light which illumines my soul, trusting completely in Your help. (Diary entry 1351)

We Must Pray as Jesus Prayed

Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.

Blessed the Man WhoMakes the Lord His Trust

Responsorial Psalm 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
Blessed the man who makes the LORD his trust;
who turns not to idolatry
or to those who stray after falsehood.

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me.
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.