Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where you read the daily Gospels and the saint of the day.
Let’s get started! Today is Friday, September 19th, and the Gospel reading is Luke 8, 1-3, and the scripture to reflect on is Luke 8, 1-2. Soon afterward, he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God, and the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. The Lovers of Veldaro are a pair of human skeletons dated as approximately 6,000 years old.
They were discovered by archaeologists in a tomb in San Geronimo, Italy in 2007. The two individuals were buried face to face with their arms around each other in a position of a hug.
Google it! It’s a fun story! Do you like getting hugs?
Do you like giving hugs?
Hugs can make you feel better instantly.
Hugs make you feel loved and comforted.
A woman and disciples traveled with Jesus, showing that we can work together to share God’s message of love for others.
Because Jesus helped these women, they were happy to serve and to help Jesus and his followers spread the message of the kingdom of God. Today’s Saint of the Day, Saint Januarius.
He died in the year 304.
He is a patron saint of Italy and blood banks.
Guess what?
He’s my birthday saint! Yep, you heard it! Today’s my birthday! Little is known for certain about Januarius' life.
There are many recorded legends.
One legend states that he became a priest at the age of 15 and a bishop at 20.
According to legend, four of Bishop Januarius' friends were arrested to encourage them.
Januarius went to visit them in prison.
However, during his visit, he was also arrested. During their trials, each Christian boldly professed his faith.
They were threatened with death and they refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods, but they refused.
An order was issued for them to be burned.
When Bishop Januarius was thrown into the flames, he remained unharmed.
Next, it was ordered that they would be fled to wild beasts in the arena.
According to one legend, the beast laid their feet and refused to devour them.
Next, they were ordered to be beheaded.
When the executed approached, he was struck blind, but Bishop Januarius cured him in front of everybody, leaving many to believe in Jesus.
Eventually, all seven men were beheaded.
Since then, many miracles have been reported to those who have prayed at Januarius' tomb. I bet that the women who had been healed by Jesus and traveled with him helped women who came to listen to Jesus and Jesus' stories.
I’m pretty sure they helped with praying, giving out hugs, and just being kind, like girls know how to be.
They were part of Jesus' ministry team, just like all the disciples. A relic is something, a piece of clothing, a possession, or another object that belongs to a saint that is kept in the church after a saint’s death.
A small vial of Januarius' blood is kept for almost 2,000 years.
It is a reminder of the blood that he was willing to shed for his faith.
The blood vial is typically dry and powdery, but it turns into liquid several times each year, and no one knows why.
What an amazing miracle! Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, help me to be loving towards others and to help offer a helping hand or a hug to someone who seems like they might need it.
And thank you for Jesus who shed his blood for me so I could be closer to you.
St.
Januarius, pray for us.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back next week, scattering more flowers.
See ya!