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03. JANUARY |
Prophet Malachi |
| Malachi was the last of the prophets in time. He was born
after the return of the Hebrews from the Babylonian Captivity
in 538 B.C. He was unusually handsome in countenance. According
to legend, the people called him an angel, perhaps because of
his external beauty or because of his spiritual purity, or even,
perhaps because of his association with an angel of God. On
many occasions he spoke face to face with an angel. When this
occurred, others heard the voice of an angel; but they were
not worthy to see the face of the angel. That which the angel
proclaimed, the young Malachi prophesied. He cried out against
ungrateful Israel and against the lawless priests. Five hundred
years before Christ, Malachi clearly prophesied the coming and
the mission of John the Baptist: "Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me" (Malachi 3:7). Mainly, he
is the prophet of the day of the Dreadful Judgment. "Before
the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day"
(Malachi 3: 23-24). He presented himself to the Lord while still
young. Following him, there were no more prophets in Israel
until John the Baptist. |
Hieromartyr Gordius |
| Gordius was born in Caesarea of Cappadocia. He was an officer
in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Licinius. When
a terrible persecution of the Christians broke out, Gordius
left the army and his rank and withdrew to the wilderness of
Sinai. Alone on Mount Horeb, Gordius spent his time in prayer
and contemplation on the mysteries of heaven and earth. He especially
contemplated on vanity and the worthlessness of all over which
men strive and fight for on earth, and, finally, he wished to
die and to be translated into the eternal and incorruptible
life. With this desire he descended into the town at the time
of certain pagan races and games. Gordius presented himself
to the mayor of that town, declaring that he was a Christian.
In vain did the mayor of the town try, through flatteries and
threats, to dissuade him from the Faith. Gordius remained unwavering
and firm as a diamond, saying: "Is it not sheer folly to
purchase with this short-lived life, a life of eternal torment
and spiritual death." Being condemned to death, he joyfully
hurried to the scaffold and along the way spoke to the executioners
about the glorious and sweet teachings of Christ. With the name
of Christ on his lips Gordius offered his young body to the
sword and his righteous soul to God in the year 320 A.D. |
Saint Genevieve |
| Genevieve is the Patroness of the city of Paris. Through fasting,
prayer and almsgiving she was made worthy of the Kingdom of
God and died on January 3, 512 A.D., in the eighty-ninth year
of her life. |
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