5th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) - 5 February
5th February 2023
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) - 5 February
"Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight. It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God.” - St Francis de Sales
A reflection on today's Gospel reading by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:
"The world today needs saints. We have plenty of knowledge, power and education. But our education is not bringing us to the knowledge of the truth, and power is preparing to destroy all power. It is not enough to have one or two men in the world who are saints, but dozens. These men would not hide themselves in the desert or cloister or sanctuary, except for the early hours of the morning and the late hours of the night; but all the rest of the day they would be spending themselves and being spent on neighbour. Their preaching would be in their example, and their arguments would be their own inner joy. Their reputation would be such that the others would say of them as the girl said of Peter: ‘You have been with the Galilean.’
"Sanctity means separation from the spirit of the world, with immersion in the activity of the world. Saints would be in the world, not of it; they would have no public relation boosters to publicise them; they would never ask for money; perhaps the one venture which would stand out most in their lives would be poverty of spirit. Since they would have nothing, others would look to their being for their real worth and wish they had their joy and contentment. ‘The Communist hates God; the poet seeks God; the preacher proclaims God; the saint exhibits God.’
"Holiness is the only means by which morality can be diffused. It is like salt; its usefulness to others must begin with self. As the wise man imparts wisdom, so the saint imparts saintliness. Gandhi’s power was not in his non-violence, but in his poverty of spirit and holiness. Pope John XXIII’s power was not in his pontifical office, but in his saintly humanism, which stretched out his arms like the fleshy columns of Bernini to embrace all mankind in his grasp." (Walk with God)
10 Steps to Grow in Holiness
1. Daily Prayer & Spiritual Reading
2. Frequent Confession
3. Frequent Holy Mass and Communion
4. Daily Holy Rosary
5. Mortification & Fasting
6. Brief Examination of Conscience each night
7. Do everything with love & love without measure
8. Keep your eyes on God, not others
9. Adore Jesus in the Holy Eucharist
10. Accept God’s Will
Prayer to the Holy Spirit for Holiness by St Augustine of Hippo
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen. 🙏💖💐
This Sunday, being Word of God Sunday, we also pray for all Catechists who volunteer their time to spread God's Word to those in our schools and prisons.
Prayer for Catechists
Loving Father, we pray today for our catechists. We thank You for their gift of ministry in Your Church. Grant them Your wisdom that they may grow in the understanding and teaching of Your Word. Grant them also Your love that they may be fruitful heralds of Your Word and lead others to love You. Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon them to grant them wisdom about what is important; knowledge of the truths of faith; understanding of their meaning; right judgement about how to apply them in life; courage to persevere even in the face of adversity; reverence before all that is sacred and holy; and that loving zeal which leads others to a transforming encounter with Your Son. We pray this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 🙏💖💐