Association Of Catholic Bloggers

Altar of St Ignatius of Loyola, Il Gesù, Rome Andrea Pozzo SJ [ Web Gallery of Art ] Very rightly the fine arts are considered to rank among the noblest activities of man's genius, and this applies especially to religious art and to its highest achievement, which is sacred art. These arts, by their very nature, are oriented toward the infinite beauty of God which they attempt in some way to portray by the work of human hands; they achieve their purpose of redounding to God's praise and glory in proportion as they are directed the more exclusively to the single aim of turning men's minds devoutly toward God  (Vatican II,  Sacrosanctum Concilium , No 122). Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 12:13-21 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to div

  Man Praying Vincent van Gogh [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 11:1-13 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”   And he said to them,  “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,      for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” And he said to them,  “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves,   for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;   and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now s

  Christ in the House of Martha and Mary Tintoretto [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 10:38-42 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.   And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.   But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”   But the Lord answered her,  “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,   but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”   Léachtaí i nGaeilge Abraham and the Three Angels Gerbrand van den Eeckhout [ Web Galler

Transfiguration Blessed Fra Angelico [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readiings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 9:28-36  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.   And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.   And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah,   who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.   Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.   And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

  Regina Pacis - Queen of Peace University of Bonn [ Wikipedia ;  photo ] Pope Francis has called for Ash Wednesday, 2 March, to be  a day of prayer andfasting for peace in Ukraine . Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for peace in Ukraine. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel  Luke 6:39-45  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Jesus told a parable to his disciples: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?   A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.   Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?   How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye’, when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your

Christ as Saviour El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills (Ps 102 [103]:2; Responsorial Psalm). Readings  (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)   Gospel  Luke 6:27-38  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Jesus said to his disciples: “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,   bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.   To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic  either.   Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.   And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.   And if you do good to those w

  River Bank in Springtime Vincent van Gogh [ Wikipedia ;  source ] He is like a tree planted by water,      that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes,      for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought,      for it does not cease to bear fruit  (Jeremiah 17:8; First Reading). He is like a tree      planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,      and its leaf does not wither  (Psalm 1:3; Resposnorial Psalm). R eadings   (Jerusalem  Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 6:17, 20-26  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place, with  a great crowd of his disciples and   a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast of  Tyre and Sidon. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you w