SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
November 14th, 2010; Resumed 6th Sunday after Epiphany
Epistle: I Thess. 1: 2-10
Gospel: Matth. 13, 31-35
Mass Schedule November 15th through November 19th
Monday Saint Albert the Great, Bishop, Confessor & Doctor; NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday Saint Gertrude the Great, Virgin
Wednesday Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop & Confessor
Thursday Dedication of the Basilicas of SS. Peter & Paul
Friday Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Widow
Visit MoLatinMass.com to view the weekly bulletin.
Saint Paul became a master of the spiritual life. He shows that the spiritual life of the Christian is based on the practice of the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. Saint James wrote that faith without works is dead. Faith thus needs to be reflected in our conduct and our entire lives.
The service of others for God’s sake is proof of our charity. Charity is part of our two-fold duty to God, along with our responsibility to pray. Finally, hope is a virtue which enables us to endure trials and adversity. Saint Paul says that we must rejoice in hope and be patient in all trials. Hope fills the soul with joy and gives it the strength to bear all difficulties for the love of God.
Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. To fully experience joy one must unconditionally accept the Word of God. This is what helps a person to overcome any obstacle he or she may encounter. It is possible to be joyful despite lashes and blows, as Saint Paul shows us by his saintly example. A feature of the Holy Spirit is that it causes an experience of happiness to grow even in the midst of affliction and sorrow. Naturally, afflictions do not produce joy, but joy is experienced by those who accept their sufferings for the sake of Jesus Christ. This is one of the great things bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit!
We must pray for a joyful disposition. We must also realize that true joy is only experienced when we accept suffering in our lives for the love of Christ.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
