Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where we read the daily Gospels and the Saint of the Day.
Let’s get started! Today is Thursday, March 26th, and the Gospel reading is John 8, 51 through 59, and the scripture to reflect on is John 8, 59.
And they picked up stones to throw at him.
It’s hard to believe, but some people did not like Jesus at all.
It can really hurt to think about how cruel people were to him.
They bullied Jesus and called him names.
They even made fun of him.
They wanted to run him out of town and stone him.
And how did Jesus react?
Did he yell at them?
Did he fight back?
Nope.
Jesus reacted with love.
Today’s Saint of the Day, Saint Catherine of Genoa.
She was born 1447 and died 1510.
She’s the patron saint of brides and difficult marriages.
Catherine felt lost.
She had once loved Jesus with everything, but now life felt worthless.
Catherine married a man who loved entertainment and wanted nothing to do with her faith in Jesus.
Her husband’s choice made her so sad that she became lukewarm in her faith.
People who are lukewarm don’t try to become close to God or ask for his help.
They still believe in God, but they don’t try to increase their faith.
They are lost in the middle.
Finally, Catherine prayed asking God for the same love for Jesus that she once had.
God answered her.
She felt God’s light into her heart.
Catherine was given the same love for God that she had when she was young.
One day her husband would come back to the faith of Christ too.
All Jesus wanted was to give everyone God’s gift of love.
He taught us that nothing comes from hate.
When God’s love is in our hearts, we can’t bear to hurt anyone.
What are ways when you hurt someone that you can show God’s love?
Maybe you can say an apology quicker than you normally would, or you can write them or draw them an apology letter.
Saint Catherine of Genoa served the poor and the sick people at the hospitals in her city.
She began her hospital work with enthusiasm and was faithful in her work, even in difficult times.
Saint Catherine lived her life inspired by the love of God and through scriptures and in sacraments.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, when I hurt someone, help me to be the instrument of your peace and to love everyone.
And help me not to be lukewarm in my faith.
Saint Catherine of Genoa, 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!