Our Saints of the Day were martyred around the year 259. 🙏
Saint of the Day for May 6:
Marian and James (d. May 6, 259) Listen to Saints Marian and James’s Story Here Saint Marian, an ordained lector, and Saint James, a deacon, were martyred during the persecution of Valerian around the year 259. Few other facts are known about them. It seems that while they were in prison, each had a vision regarding his martyrdom. They drew courage from these apparitions and were able to courageously face death. They were joined in their deaths by other Christians. Reflection The old saying that the more things change the more they stay the same may apply to today’s celebration. Two faithful people facing the hardships of life during persecution in the third century may have a lot in common with those facing persecution for their faith today.
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Unity through Community Our Franciscan tradition speaks to the idea of unity through community. In St. Francis of Assisi, the Mirror of Perfection, written by Brother Leo, we are told the story of Francis waking up the brothers in the middle of the night to sit for a meal with one brother who cried out in hunger. Francis made it abundantly clear that it was “great necessity and charity [that] compelled” him to do what he did “out of love for [their] brother.” Francis went on to say, “Let each one provide his body with what it needs as our poverty will allow.” This act of compromise came from a place of love without loss of identity or values. He wasn’t asking all the brothers to bend to the need of a single brother; he was asking that judgment be set aside so that each may have only what they needed. He was simply acknowledging differences. It seems the divisions of our time have caused us to lose the ability to make room for differences due to strict adherence to laws over compassion—something Jesus often warned the Pharisees against. —from St. Anthony Messenger’s “Dialogue over Division“
by Sara P. Marks |
The Grace of the Day
Reflect Sometimes the demands that are placed upon us—which are often self-inflicted demands—fuel expectations that mysteriously bind themselves to us. We become bonded to a false reality rooted in lack and, therefore, become blinded to an already-unfolding reality that is filled with divine gifts that are to be enjoyed, big or small. May this prayer help inspire you to release the narratives in your head and enjoy the gifts and grace of the day. Pray Open me up
to the magic and possibility
of living within
what my dear friend calls
“the grace of the day”
where every gift is savored
for as long as it lasts,
like being lost in a song,
swimming in its layers,
fully present, strangely free,
wanting nothing more from life,
than dancing into the next tune.
All is a gift from you for me.
Thank you, Lord. Act What is the narrative in your head that pulls you away from enjoying today’s grace and gifts? Pray a line or two that resonated from this prayer every time this narrative begins to replay itself in your head. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Stephen Copeland. Learn more here! |
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