TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, FEBRUARY 8 OF 2022

MASS READINGS

A Reading from 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30

Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole community of Israel, and stretching forth his hands toward heaven, he said, “LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart. “Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built! Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O LORD, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored; may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place. Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.”

Responsorial Psalm 84:3, 4, 5 and 10, 11 R. (2) How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young— Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God! R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of your anointed. R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

REFLECTION

R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young— Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God!

St. Josephine Bakhita was the daughter of a tribal chief in Darfur region of the Sudan, Africa. Bakhita was kidnapped from her home by Arab slave traders and was bought and sold as a slave over twelve years after her capture. During her life as a slave she had several owners; a wealthy Arab, a Turkish general, an Italian Vice Consul and then a family in Italy. She was tortured and mistreated by her first owners, but her later owners were kinder.

Her last owner had to travel and she left Bakhita in the care of the Canossian Sisters in Venice. The sisters taught Bakhita about God. She knew about the creator, but this was all she knew. While she was with the sisters she was able to ask them questions about God.

Bakhita felt the love of God through the charity shown to her by the sisters.

Her owner returned and wanted Bakhita to leave with her, but Bakhita would not leave. The Superior of the Institute for Baptismal Candidates of the Canossian Sisters went to the Italian authorities to plea Bakhita's case. The court heard her case and found that she was unlawfully a slave. It was discovered that before her birth slavery was outlawed in her country. The court declared that Bakhita was a free woman.

Bakhita chose to make her home with the Canossian Sisters. Soon she was baptized, made her first communion and confirmation. The Archbishop who anointed her at confirmation was Giusseppe Sarto, Cardinal of Venice. Cardinal Sarto later became Pope Pius X.

After she felt called to stay and serve as a Canossian Sister.

The next 42 years, Sr. Josephine Bakhita, a Canossian Sister, spent her days as a cook and doorkeeper at the convent. She was loved by all even the villagers of Schio. During WWII, the villagers considered Sr. Josephine as their protector. No one was killed during the bombing of their city because Sr. Josephine was with them.

Sister Josephine Bakhita would often tell her story about her time as a slave, but she would express that she would thank her kidnappers. She would say that if it weren't for her kidnapping, she would not have "come to know Jesus Christ and entered His Church."

St. Bakhita found her true home. She went to the Lord on February 8th, 1947. " How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!"

St. Josephine Bakhita, pray for us.

Let us pray our prayer for Vocations.