+(Intro) Today we have the memorial of the Virgin/Martyr Catherine of Alexandria. She is patroness of the parish Church in New Haven and she is highly honored by the monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Her bones are said to be preserved at the great monastery of St Catherine on Mount Sinai. To prepare ourselves let us be mindful of our sins in our service of the loving Lord.
(After the gospel) There happened in St Catherine’s own lifetime the things we just heard in our readings. Many of the forces of evil were brought upon her by the Roman emperor Maxentius but she defeated them all through her love for Christ.
We live in a time when we hear of nations rising against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms. There are natural disasters such earthquakes, famines, plagues moving from place to place but it is our faith as Christians that sustains us in all these circumstances.
Whatever the circumstances of our own lives, we can be sure that Christ is ever at our sides, preparing us for an everlasting kingdom. So let us be ever more grateful for his loving presence and remember those most in need.
Dan 2:31-45; Luke 21:5-11