JAMES 5:1-6

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have killed the righteous man; he does not resist you.

MARK 9:41-50

For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward. "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. For every one will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

Today is the feast of St. Rita of Cascia whose life best explains this Gospel that speaks of cutting of limbs so as not to lead others astray. She was born in 1381 in Roccaporena, Italy, to elderly parents who obliged her to marry against her will at 18. She spent 18 abusive years with her husband. For his conversion, she added penance to prayer. She was insulted in public and in private but she showed no resentment. She won his conversion through great suffering. Her husband was killed by his political enemies and her two sons vowed to avenge his death, but they were spared from murder because both died of natural causes.

Finally, St. Rita was free to enter the monastery which was her first desire. However, she was denied because her admittance would disrupt the harmony inside; some nuns belong to the political faction responsible for her husband’s death. She worked to establish peace and was finally admitted. She was granted to share in Christ’s passion when she received one of the thorns implanted on her forehead, which caused her a lot of pain. Throughout her life, she denied her own will and accepted the will of God for her. Through her miracles she is known as the Saint of the Impossible. Until this day, her body remains uncorrupted.

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Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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