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 Thursday, January 22nd, and the Gospel reading is Mark 3, 7-12, and the scripture to reflect on is Mark 3, 9.
And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they should crush him.
Today’s reading made me think about a couple of things.
My mom told me a story about when she was younger and there was this popular toy that parents were getting for their kids for Christmas.
That they were getting so mean and nasty to get their hands on one, they stampeded and trampled over each other, that even a lady died.
How sad.
And I also thought about how you sometimes see famous people being shielded by bodyguards because their fans bombard them just to get a close look, an autograph, or even touch them.
That is how it was for Jesus.
He was getting popular, in a good way, with people wanting to see him or get a glimpse that even receive healing time from him.
The crowds were so big, he had the disciples, his bodyguards, have a boat ready for him to retreat so he wouldn’t get squished by the large crowd.
Today’s Saint of the Day, Saint Vincent of Saragossa.
He died in the year 304 and his birth is unknown.
He’s the patron saint of vinegar makers.
Much of what is known about Vincent’s life comes from a poem written about a hundred years after his death by a man named Prudentius.
Vincent was a holy and dedicated deacon from northern Spain.
He was instructed in the faith by Bishop Valerius, who entrusted the young deacon with many responsibilities.
During the persecutions of the Roman Empire diocese, Vincent and Bishop Valerius were brought before Decian, the governor of Spain.
Because Valerius had a speech in the penment, Vincent spoke eloquently in his place in the tense of the faith.
Perhaps due to his powerful speech, Vincent was sentenced to death, where Valerius was exiled.
Vincent was forced to endure brutal torture, including being roasted on a girden, torn with iron hooks, and finally thrown into a dungeon.
Inspired by his courage, pious Christians visited Vincent in jail and attended to his wounds.
With bold love for the faith, Vincent converted his jailer, but soon after he stumbled to his terrible injuries.
His body and even the instruments of his torture were preserved and venerated after Vincent’s courageous martyrism.
Jesus was so popular because of all the amazing things he did.
People came from all over because they heard all about the things Jesus was doing, so they wanted to see him.
Just like the crowds in Jesus' time, we should want to learn from him, follow him, and just be around him.
There is an easy way to do that.
Spend time with him in prayer and reading the scriptures.
A young man strong in faith and courage, Vincent faced his martyrism knowing that life in Christ is more powerful than death.
His death is an inspiration to his fellow Christians and continues to inspire us to this day.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, help us to want to learn from you, follow you, and to praise you always.
And help us to courageously faith all life’s challenges.
Saint Vincent of Saragossa, 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 tomorrow scattering more flowers.
See ya!