This is the year of St. Paul, and so one of the most visited churches of Rome is also one of the most beautiful: the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Like so many other churches, it was founded by the master-builder (or financier) Emperor Constantine about the year 315. Paul was martyred outside the walls of the City of Rome at a place called Tre Fontaine, probably on June 29, in the year 65, perhaps the first anniversary of St. Peter’s crucifixion. Christians buried him in a quiet place about two miles away, and visited to pray. Constantine was running low on bricks, apparently, because the first church was tiny. In 386 it was demolished and today’s basilica begun. This vast and towering space looks much the same today as it did in the fourth century.
The centuries have not been kind to ancient Rome, but until the early 1800s St. Paul Outside the Walls survived beautifully, perhaps because it has been assigned for nearly a thousand years to Benedictine monks. It was therefore a vibrant place of daily prayer even through the centuries when Rome was a poor and nearly abandoned city. In 1823 a great fire resulted from a botched repair job to lead on the roof, and St. Paul’s was destroyed. It is said that the whole world contributed to its restoration, even the Russian czar and the viceroy of Egypt gave alabaster, malachite, and lapis lazuli for the pillars and the tabernacle. Several of the precious mosaics were able to be restored, bringing the ancient basilica back to life. One of the great treasures of the basilica is a set of prison chains, said to have been worn by the Apostle in the last days before his martyrdom. Unlike other Roman churches, St. Paul’s stands in a garden-like suburban neighborhood, surrounded by stately palm trees, gardens, and parks.
Take Five for Faith
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2009
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME; WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE
Sacred lives
How does this sound for a life plan? Share your possessions with one another so that you earn and spend with the good of the community in mind. Make choices with an awareness of the needs of all—and with an openness to listen to God and those around you—and let that inform your priorities. Keep your feelings and desires appropriate to the relationships you’re in. Sound good? Catholicism calls these ways of living poverty, obedience, and chastity. They are values people in “consecrated life,” those who belong to religious orders, commit themselves to formally. These folks lead the rest of us to see how all lives are consecrated—the word means dedicated to the sacred. Pray and support them and do what you can to encourage others to live a “consecrated life.”
TODAY'S READINGS: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 2:21-28
"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people."
DOMINGO, 1 DE FEBRERO DE 2009
CUARTO DOMINGO EN TIEMPO ORDINARIO; DÍA MUNDIAL DE LA VIDA CONSAGRADA
¿Qué tal suena esto para un plan de vida? Compartan sus posesiones unos con otros para que puedan ganar y gastar con el bien de la comunidad en mente. Hagan elecciones con una conciencia de las necesidades de todos—y con una franqueza para escuchar a Dios y aquellos que te rodean—y deja que eso informe tus prioridades. Mantén tus sentimientos y deseos de acuerdo a las relaciones en que estás. ¿Suena bien? El catolicismo llama estas maneras de vivir pobreza, obediencia, y castidad. Estos son valores a que la gente en “la vida consagrada”, aquellos que pertenecen a ordenes religiosas, se comprometen formalmente. Estas personas nos guían al resto para ver como todas las vidas son consagradas—la palabra significa dedicados a lo sagrado. Ora y apoyalos y haz lo que puedas para animar a otros a vivir una “vida consagrada.”
LECTURAS DE HOY: Deuteronomio 18:15-20; 1 Corintios 7:32-35; Marcos 2:21-28
"El Señor tu Dios levantará para ustedes a un profeta como yo de entre su propia gente."
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
Favorable destiny
The information in scripture on Jesus’ childhood is a bit sketchy. At the end of the story of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, we read that Jesus “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom . . . .” When we next hear of him, Jesus is 12 years old, discussing Jewish teachings at the temple, and “astounding” those who hear him. Quite a bit of growth and development obviously transpired in the intervening years! Mary and Joseph are the unsung heroes here, for having nurtured and raised Jesus in such a way that he was ready to fulfill his destiny. How can you continue to grow and develop in your faith?
TODAY'S READINGS: Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
"The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him."
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3
FEAST OF BLAISE, BISHOP AND MARTYR
Get past the facts
Many stories of saints that have been handed down to us over the centuries are questionable. But to ask, “Did it really happen?” misses the point. Matters of faith aren’t based on hard facts. In the story of Saint Blaise, who knows whether a boy really got a fish bone caught in his throat and Blaise saved him, or whether, years later, the boy’s grateful mother brought Blaise food and candles while he was in prison? We believe that Blaise was a man of kindness and faith who suffered for his belief in Jesus Christ. And today, in his name, we are offered a blessing on our throats with two candles. Those are all the facts we need.
TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 12:1-4; Mark 5:21-43
"Jesus said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.' "
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
The flip side
“He could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.” Jesus was amazed at the lack of faith of the people in his hometown of Nazareth. Mark’s throwaway line—“apart from curing a few sick people”—is stunning understatement, especially if you happened to be one of those few cured at Jesus’ hands. What is more astonishing, however, is the power of a lack of faith in Jesus. At times in the gospel Jesus is amazed at a person’s faith, and faith is often what Jesus credits for the healing. Here we see the other side of the coin. Jesus is amazed—would dismayed be a better word?—at a lack of faith. What this story may ultimately be about is the power of the narrow mind, the rut, the stereotype, the assumption—all of which inhibit the ordinary miracles of love all around us as well as the extraordinary work only Jesus can perform.
TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15; Mark 6:1-6
"Jesus was not able to perform any mighty deed in Nazareth, apart from curing a few sick people. He was amazed at their lack of faith."
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5
FEAST OF AGATHA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
Faithful graciousness
Have you ever accepted an invitation to do something with a friend and then been tempted to bow out because a better invitation came along? That’s why Jesus told his disciples to stay in one house when they entered a town. Only humble people would welcome humble men with no money. But surely better offers would come along in time. Rather than embarrass their original hosts, they should turn down more comfortable lodgings. Faith in the gospel means a commitment to humility and the option of poverty. It was a big choice for Saint Agatha that cost her her life. It is a hundred little choices in a day that steer us toward the Kingdom of God.
TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24; Mark 6:7-13
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place."
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
FEAST OF PAUL MIKI, MARTYR, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS
An unchanging creed
Paul Miki (1562-1597) was baptized at age 5. A man of his culture with a profound knowledge of Buddhism, he made an effective and affectionate preacher among the Japanese. When his fellow Jesuits were expelled from Japan, he remained and was eventually crucified with 25 others in Nagasaki. For each generation of Christians the demands of faith and the promises of Christ remain the same: Love God and love one another and you will live in love eternally.
TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 13:1-8; Mark 6:14-29
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
FEAST OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Pray first, then act
Almost every Saturday of the year, we’re encouraged to consider the example of Mary. As Mother of the Church, she shows us what it means to be a disciple. Her Magnificat is the perfect prayer, “the fruit of lips” that lays the groundwork for all that disciples do. As Saint John Climacus wrote, “[Prayer] is an expiation of sin, a bridge across temptation, a bulwark against affliction. It wipes out conflict, is the work of angels, and is the nourishment of everything spiritual.” Embrace every opportunity to lift a prayer heavenward.
TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21; Mark 6:30-34
"Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name."
Contributors: Father Paul Boudreau, Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, Ann O'Connor, Sean Reynolds, Joel Schorn, and Patrice J. Tuohy
©2009 by TrueQuest Communications, L.L.C. PHONE: 800-942-2811; E-MAIL: mail@takefiveforfaith.com; WEBSITE: www.takefiveforfaith.com. Licensed for noncommercial use. All rights reserved. Scripture quotes come from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
