To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.--Psalm 116:17
Mass readings: Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22 / Mark 8:22-26
On this date in 1930, ''Elm Farm Ollie'' became the first cow to be milked aboard an aircraft. On this date in 1979, snow fell in the Sahara desert for the first and only time in recorded history. The Sahara snow didn't forever change the weather, and no one divides history (or even dairy farming) into before and after Ollie's airborne milking.
But for some people, February 18 was a watershed day. The day of the fire that took everything; the day of the car crash that left Mom paralyzed; the day the family business went under.
For most of us, today will be nondescript. But some will measure their personal or family history by what happens today. Let's stand in solidarity with them in prayer. The Lord knows who they are.
Prayer: Jesus, be with those for whom today will be fateful.