Reading From an explanation of Paul's letter to the Galatians by Saint Augustine, bishop Let us understand the workings of God's grace Paul writes to the Galatians to make them understand that by God’s grace they are no longer under the law. When the Gospel was preached to them, there were some among them of Jewish origin known as circumcisers – though they called themselves Christians – who did not grasp the gift they had received. They still wanted to be under the burden of the law. Now God had imposed that burden on those who were slaves to sin and not on servants of justice. That is to say, God had given a just law to unjust men in order to show them their sin, not to take it away. For sin is taken away only by the gift of faith that works through love. The Galatians had already received this gift, but the circumcisers claimed that the Gospel would not save them unless they underwent circumcision and were willing to observe also the other traditional Jewish rites. The Galatians, therefore, began to question Paul’s preaching of the Gospel because he did not require Gentiles to follow Jewish observances as other apostles had done. Even Peter had yielded to the scandalised protests of the circumcisers. He pretended to believe that the Gospel would not save the Gentiles unless they fulfilled the burden of the law. But Paul recalled him from such dissimulation, as is shown in this very same letter. A similar issue arises in Paul’s letter to the Romans, but with an evident difference. Through his letter to them, Paul was able to resolve the strife and controversy that had developed between the Jewish and Gentile converts. In the present letter Paul is writing to persons who were profoundly influenced and disturbed by the circumcisers. The Galatians had begun to believe them and to think that Paul had not preached rightly, since he had not ordered them to be circumcised. And so the Apostle begins by saying: I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting him who called you to the glory of Christ, and turning to another gospel. After this there comes a brief introduction to the point at issue. But remember in the very opening of the letter Paul had said that he was an apostle not from men nor by any man, a statement that does not appear in any other letter of his. He is making it quite clear that the circumcisers, for their part, are not from God but from men, and that his authority in preaching the Gospel must be considered equal to that of the other apostles. For he was called to be an apostle not from men nor by any man, but through God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
Hymn Te Deum God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you! You, the Father, the eternal –all the earth venerates you.All the angels, all the heavens, every power –The cherubim, the seraphim –unceasingly, they cry:“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts:heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!”The glorious choir of Apostles –The noble ranks of prophets –The shining army of martyrs –all praise you.Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you.– Father of immeasurable majesty,– True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship,– Holy Spirit, our Advocate.You, Christ:– You are the king of glory.– You are the Father’s eternal Son.– You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb.– You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you.– You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father.– You will come, so we believe, as our Judge.And so we ask of you: give help to your servants, whom you set free at the price of your precious blood.Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory.The final part of the hymn may be omitted:Bring your people to safety, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance.Rule them and lift them high for ever.Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever.Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today.Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you.In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint.
Sunday, February 05, 2012 St. Agatha (d. 251?)
As in the case of Agnes, another virgin-martyr of the early Church, almost nothing is historically certain about this saint except that she was martyred in Sicily during the persecution of Emperor Decius in 251. Legend has it that Agatha, like Agnes, was arrested as a Christian, tortured and sent to a house of prostitution to be mistreated. She was preserved from being violated, and was later put to death.
She is claimed as the patroness of both Palermo and Catania. The year after her death, the stilling of an eruption of Mt. Etna was attributed to her intercession. As a result, apparently, people continued to ask her prayers for protection against fire.
Comment:
The scientific modern mind winces at the thought of a volcano’s might being contained by God because of the prayers of a Sicilian girl. Still less welcome, probably, is the notion of that saint being the patroness of such varied professions as those of foundry workers, nurses, miners and Alpine guides. Yet, in our historical precision, have we lost an essential human quality of wonder and poetry, and even our belief that we come to God by helping each other, both in action and prayer?
Quote:
When Agatha was arrested, the legend says, she prayed: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.” And in prison: “Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.”
Patron Saint of:
Breast disease, against Foundry workers Nurses
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Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint. 