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 Wednesday, April 29th, and the Gospel reading is John 12, 44-50, and the scripture to reflect on is John 12, 46.
I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
Imagine that you’re almost ready to go to bed, and suddenly the power goes out, so you’re left in total darkness.
It’s hard to find anything in the dark.
Now imagine that the light is shining in the blackness of night, helping you find everything that you need.
Jesus tells us today that he’s like the light in the darkness, guiding all those who believe in him.
Today’s Saint of the Day is Saint Catherine of Siena.
She was born March 1347 and died April 1380.
She is the patron saint of Italy, and also is known as the Doctor of the Church.
Catherine was the youngest of a very large family.
In 1353, at an age six, she had a vision in Saint Dominic’s church, and she felt that our Lord wanted her to do some special work, so she prepared for it by penance and feverant prayer.
Her parents wanted her to marry, but she put on the robes of the sisters in the Third Order of Saint Dominic and devoted herself to the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Dominic to care for the poor.
She had many temptations, but overcame them when she prayed.
Her sound advice and wisdom was sought by civil leaders and even by the Pope.
The Popes had been living in France instead of in Rome for many years because of the unsettled times.
Catherine made a very special visit to Pope Gregory XI and said, Holy Father, God wants the head of his church to live in Rome.
I pray that you will go there as soon as possible.
And once again, Rome had become the home of the Popes.
Catherine’s last days were full of suffering, which she offered up for all the Christians.
Our Lord granted her the vision showing the beauty of the soul and the state and grace.
She died at the age of 33.
Jesus came down to earth to save us and promised eternal life to anyone who follows him.
Let’s put our trust in Jesus and follow God’s commandments so we can enjoy his light forever.
My family and I just got back from a trip from Italy and we had the best time.
One of the stomps we made was to a little town of Siena.
We got to see St.
Catherine’s incorrupt head.
Incorrupt means the miraculous preserving of the saint’s body from natural decay after death, which embalming or artificial intervition.
St.
Catherine of Siena is one of my dad’s favorite saints to pray to.
It was really special for him to be able to stand in front of her.
St.
Catherine found peace and joy in Jesus.
We can do the same.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, thank you for being our light in the darkness.
Help us to always follow you.
And just like St.
Catherine, help me to find peace and joy in Jesus.
St.
Catherine of Siena, 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!