Our saint today is Saint Theodosia of Constantinople.
This info is from the USCCB site:


Of Constantinople, of Saint Theodosia, nun, who, for the sake of protecting the ancient icon of Christ which Emperor Leo the Isaurian had commanded be taken down from the Bronze Gate of the palace [in order that it might be destroyed], suffered martyrdom.



On to the readings. First reading today: Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8

So, Hezekiah is ill, and Isaiah goes to him and tells him to get his affairs and his spiritual house in order, because he's going to die. When he cries out to the lord and prays, it seems like God softens up a little, and tells Isaiah the cure for this guy's illness, and tells him that he will live for another 15 years. He seems to be sick from a boil. This is some major boil that has gotten so big that it could kill him. Then Isaiah does this really cool miracle to prove to Hezekiah that the Lord is telling the truth about extending his life. This passage is telling me to open up your communication with God, because he will listen. BillP made a fantastic comment to yesterday's posting, and I think that it applies to this as well: "when do we listen? How do we know we have heard? And the answer is: now."


On to the Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

I have two theories on this one. First, I think that Jesus may be talking about the spirit of the law versus the letter of the law. He wants everyone to follow the spirit of God's laws, and not let the letter of the law starve the most scrupulous followers. Second, he may only be saying that the priests need to mind their own business because he, Jesus, seeing as how he's God, can do whatever he wants and his followers are in the right because they are following him.



Now for some news: All faiths must defend freedom, reject hatred