Gospel and Saint of the day: 14 January 2020

First book of Samuel 1,9-20.
After eating in Silo and drinking, Anna got up and went to introduce herself to the Lord. At that moment the priest Eli was in the seat in front of a jamb of the Lord's temple.
She was afflicted and raised the prayer to the Lord, weeping bitterly.
Then he made this vow: "Lord of hosts, if you want to consider the misery of your slave and remember me, if you don't forget your slave and give your slave a male child, I will offer it to the Lord for all the days of his life and the razor will not pass over its head. "
As she prolonged the prayer before the Lord, Eli was watching his mouth.
Anna prayed in her heart and only her lips moved, but the voice was not heard; so Eli thought she was drunk.
Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Free yourself from the wine you drank! ".
Anna replied: "No, my lord, I am a heartbroken woman and I have not drunk any wine or other intoxicating drink, but I am only venting myself before the Lord.
Do not consider your servant an unjust woman, since so far she has made me talk about the excess of my pain and my bitterness ”.
Then Eli replied, "Go in peace and the God of Israel listen to the question you asked him."
She replied: "May your servant find grace in your eyes." Then the woman went on her way and her face was no longer as before.
The next morning they got up and after prostrating themselves before the Lord they returned home to Rama. Elkana joined his wife and the Lord remembered her.
So at the end of the year Anna conceived and gave birth to a son and called him Samuel. "Because - he said - I implored him from the Lord".

First book of Samuel 2,1.4-5.6-7.8abcd.
«My heart rejoices in the Lord,
my forehead rises thanks to my God.
My mouth opens against my enemies,
because I enjoy the benefit you have granted me.

The arch of the forts broke,
but the weak are clothed with vigor.
The satiated went to day for a bread,
while the hungry have ceased to toil.
The barren has given birth seven times
and the wealthy children have faded.

The Lord makes us die and makes us live,
go down to the underworld and go up again.
The Lord makes poor and enriches,
lowers and enhances.

Lift the wretched from the dust,
raise the poor from the garbage,
to make them sit together with the leaders of the people
and assign them a seat of glory. "

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark 1,21b-28.
At that time, in the city of Capernaum Jesus, who entered the synagogue on Saturday, began to teach.
And they were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who has authority and not like the scribes.
Then a man who was in the synagogue, possessed by an unclean spirit, shouted:
«What does it have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? You came to ruin us! I know who you are: the saint of God ».
And Jesus rebuked him: «Be silent! Get out of that man. '
And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying out loud, came out of him.
Everyone was seized with fear, so much so that they asked each other: "What is this? A new doctrine taught with authority. He commands even unclean spirits and they obey him! ».
His fame spread immediately everywhere around Galilee.
Liturgical translation of the Bible

14 JANUARY

BLESSED ALFONSA CLERICI

Lainate, Milan, 14 February 1860 - Vercelli, 14 January 1930

Sister Alfonsa Clerici was born on February 14, 1860 in Lainate (Milan), before the ten children of Angelo Clerici and Maria Romanò. On 15 August 1883, although it cost her a lot to leave the family, she went to Monza, leaving Lainate definitively and entered among the sisters of the Precious Blood. In August 1884 he dressed in the religious habit, starting the novitiate and on September 7, 1886, at the age of 26, he made temporary vows. After her religious profession she dedicated herself to teaching in the Collegio di Monza (from 1887-1889), taking on the role of Director in 1898. His task was to follow the boarding school in the study, accompany them on their outings, prepare the holidays, represent the Institute in official circumstances. On 20 November 1911 Sister Alfonsa was sent to Vercelli, where she remained for nineteen years, until the end of her life. On the night between 12 and 13 January 1930 she was struck by a cerebral hemorrhage: they found her in her room, in her usual prayer attitude, with her forehead on the ground. He died the day after January 14, 1930 around 13,30 and two days later the solemn funeral was celebrated in the Cathedral of Vercelli.

PRAYER

God of mercy and Father of every consolation, who in the life of Blessed Alfonsa Clerici revealed your love for the young, for the poor and for the troubled, also transforms us into docile instruments of your goodness for all we meet. Hear those who entrust themselves to his intercession and allow us to renew ourselves in faith, hope and love so that we can more effectively witness in life the paschal mystery of Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.