The Feast of St Frances of Rome.

The Feast of St Frances of Rome. 

"Jesus said to the Pharisees: 

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.

 "Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. 

"The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 

"And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ 

"Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’

"He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ 

"But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ 

"He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 

"Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16: 19 - 31).

Thursday 9th March 2023 of  the 2nd Week of Lent is the feast of St Frances of Rome. (1384 - 1440). Italian. A married woman who raised three children in the way of the Lord.  Frances became a Benedictine Oblate and founded a community of Oblates in the heart of Rome. Besides being a wife and mother, Frances was a mystic and very involved in charitable services in Rome. In Frances, we have a unique example of love in marriage as well as in religious life.

With all the wealth and technological advances provided by God, why is poverty, ignorance disease still with us? 

Why are the few clinging tenaciously to their pleasure loving lifestyle unmoved by the preaching and teaching of the Church? 

Lent is a great time to pray about this. 

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com