Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 05-28-05

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 05-28-05 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

May 28, 2005
Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Saturday 24

Reading I
Sir 51:12 cd-20

I thank the LORD and I praise him;
I bless the name of the LORD.
When I was young and innocent,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer
I prayed for her before the temple,
and I will seek her until the end,
and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.
My heart delighted in her,
My feet kept to the level path
because from earliest youth I was familiar with her.
In the short time I paid heed,
I met with great instruction.
Since in this way I have profited,
I will give my teacher grateful praise.
I became resolutely devoted to her–
the good I persistently strove for.
My soul was tormented in seeking her,
My hand opened her gate
and I came to know her secrets.
I directed my soul to her,
and in cleanness I attained to her.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Gospel
Mk 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem.
As he was walking in the temple area,
the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders
approached him and said to him,
"By what authority are you doing these things?
Or who gave you this authority to do them?"
Jesus said to them, "I shall ask you one question.
Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Was John's baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me."
They discussed this among themselves and said,
"If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,' he will say,
‘Then why did you not believe him?'
But shall we say, ‘Of human origin'?" –
they feared the crowd,
for they all thought John really was a prophet.
So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know."
Then Jesus said to them,
"Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

[Salvation]

For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

[Salvation]

Alleluia Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Alleluia Ping List.

[Salvation]

From: Sirach 51:12cd-20


Thanksgiving Hymn (Continuation)

---

[12cd] Therefore I will give thanks to thee and praise thee, and I will
bless the name of the Lord.


Poem in the Quest for Wisdom

---

[13] While I was still young before I went on my travels, I sought wisdom
openly in my prayer. [14] Before the temple I asked for her, and I will
search for her to the last. [15] From blossom to ripening grape my heart
delighted in her; my foot entered upon the straight path; from my youth I
followed her steps. [16] I inclined my ear a little and received her, and I
found for myself much instruction. [17] I made progress therein; to him who
gives wisdom I will give glory. [18] For I resolved to live according to
wisdom, and I was zealous for the good; and I shall never be put to shame.
[19] My soul grappled with wisdom, and in my conduct I was strict; I spread
out my hands to the heavens, and lamented my ignorance of her. [20] I
directed my soul to her, and through purification I found her. I gained
understanding with her from the first, therefore I will not be forsaken.

---

Commentary:


51:13-30. In Qumran's cave no. 11 a substantial part of the Hebrew text of
this poem was discovered. It shows the epilogue poem originally to have been
acrostic, that is, each of the verses begins with a letter of the Hebrew
alphabet, from beginning to end, in order. The same happens at the very end
of the book of Proverbs, perhaps the most typical of the wisdom books: there
we find the poem about the "perfect wife" (Prov 31:10-31), which is also
acrostic. The poem in Sirach is a call to young men to set out without delay
on the quest for wisdom.

---

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

[Salvation]

From: Mark 11:27-33


Jesus' Authority

---

[27] And they (Jesus and his disciples) came to Jerusalem. And as he was
walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders
came to him, [28] and they said to him, "By what authority are you doing
these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?" [29] Jesus
said to them, "I will ask you a question; answer me, and I will tell you
by what authority I do these things. [30] Was the baptism of John from
heaven or from men? Answer me." [31] And they argued with one another,
"If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why then did not you not believe
him?' [32] But shall we say, 'From men'?"--they were afraid of the
people, for all held that John was a real prophet. [33] So they answered
Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell
you by what authority I do these things."

---

Commentary:


27-33. Those who put this question to Jesus are the same people as, some
days earlier, sought to destroy him (cf. Mk 11:18). They represent the
official Judaism of the period (cf. note on Mt 2:4). Jesus had already
given proofs and signs of being the Messiah, in his miracles and
preaching; and St. John the Baptist had borne witness about who Jesus
was. This is why, before replying, our Lord asks them to recognize the
truth proclaimed by the Precursor. But they do not want to accept this
truth; nor do they want to reject it publicly, out of fear of the people.
Since they are not ready to admit their mistake, any further explanation
Jesus might offer would serve no purpose.


This episode has many parallels in everyday life: anyone who seeks to
call God to account will be confounded.

---

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

[Salvation]

Saturday, May 28, 2005
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Sirach 51:12-20 Psalm 19:8-11 Mark 11:27-33 The more we have denied ourselves during the day, the nearer are we each evening to the Heart of our Lord. -- St Madeline Sophie Barat

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Collect: Lord, guide the course of world events and give your Church the joy and peace of serving you in freedom. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Activities: » Ave Maria Dear » Beautiful, Glorious » Mary Garden » May, the Month of Mary more » Salve Regina » Stella Matutina » 'Tis Said of Our Dear Lady less Prayers: » Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven) » May Pilgrimages » Roman Ritual Blessing Before and After Meals: Easter Season (2nd Plan) » May Devotion: Blessed Virgin Mary more » Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loretto) » Prayer Cards for Easter Grace at Meals » Prayers for the Easter Season » Novena to the Holy Spirit » Roman Ritual Blessing Before and After Meals: Easter (1st Plan) » Novena to the Holy Spirit (2) » Novena to the Sacred Heart less

May 28, 2005 Saturday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time Old Calendar: St. Augustine of Canterbury, archbishop and confessor Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem again and as Jesus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, "What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to do these things?" Jesus said to them, "I will ask you a question, only one: answer me and I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John's baptism: did it come from heaven, or from man?" Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar today was the feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury. His feast is now celebrated on May 27. Meditation - Loving the Lord Our Blessed Lord was intensely loved, with a concrete sort of love. When St. John told St. Peter that Our Lord was on the shore, Peter simply leapt out of the boat. You don't do that for Omnipotence, the great force that has made the Alps. You might feel inclined to run away from that. A dearly-beloved brother of mine, now gone, went to the Norwegian fjords for a summer holiday. After a time, he felt he could hardly bear them, the mountains were so tremendous. They were nothing like so near and lovable as a little village in England, with its cluster of thatched cottages, with trees against the wall. Those things are very lovable. It is very strange how love is kindled. The highest beings set more store on love than on anything else. It must be one of the greatest trials of sovereigns that they never know exactly when they are loved; so much is official, so much policy. If evil days come upon them, if once being rich they become poor, false friends fade away; and someone who is almost no one, some poor woman from the crowd, will then show her love. Genuine self-sacrificing love is almost overwhelming. No greater compliment can be paid to human nature than to offer that. Our Lord gives a whole series of parables which, of course, do prove that He is to be loved. But I don't think He is at all concerned to prove that He ought to be loved. He tries to show us that He wants to forgive; He almost suggests that there is nothing to forgive. He wants to describe His attitude towards us. It is a most lovable attitude, bewildering. It almost seems to be setting a premium on sin. We can remember that exquisite story of St. Thomas More. He was so lovable, even when reprimanding his children, that the children used to do naughty

[M Kehoe]

Good morning.

Please forgive my ignorance, but where is the second reading? Seems like there is only one reading (and Pslam), and then the gospel each day.

5.56mm

[trisham]

Good morning! Thanks for the ping.

[Ciexyz]

Faith-sharing bump.

[Ciexyz]

"The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart" bump.

[Salvation]

They save the second reading for Sundays.

Weekday Masses only have one readings, then the Responsorial Psalm, then the Gospel.

[M Kehoe]

Sheesh, and I go to weekday Mass sometimes. (Shuffling off to the corner with my dunce cap...)

5.56mm

[Smartass]

God's answers are wiser than our prayers.
--Unknown

[Salvation]

Now, now, I didn't say it in that tone of voice did I? I'm sorry.

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Saturday, May 28, 2005 Meditation Sirach 51:12-20 In this short, moving poem, Sirach gave a beautiful perspective on seeking God: in humility, trust, and reverence, and with a hunger for divine wisdom and grace. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the chief priests and scribes in today’s gospel were demanding, suspicious, and accusatory (Mark 11:27-33). Which perspective do you find more attractive? Of course, we would prefer to identify ourselves with Sirach, yet we also can point to times when we are more like the chief priests and scribes. Our hearts mirror Sirach’s words when our prayer is marked by worship, a humble search for God’s wisdom, and a repentant heart filled with hope and gratitude. By contrast, our hearts mirror the chief priests and scribes when we fret over our trials and demand that God either remove them or explain himself to us. We know we have become too much like Jesus’ ancient opponents when we end up expecting God to do our will rather than seeking to do his will! Isn’t it ironic that when our prayer takes on this angry tone we end up with more questions than answers? The very thing we are seeking becomes harder and harder to find because we have let our anger or our woundedness overshadow God’s love and faithfulness. God reveals our deep dispositions by testing us in various situations, especially in prayer. A good exercise might be to ask ourselves by what authority we are trying to approach God. Is it on the basis of our merits and accomplishments, or is it on the basis of Jesus’ merciful, redeeming love? Those who have given up worrying about their worth in God’s eyes and have instead accepted his love for them find an intimacy with him that defies human expectations. Their hearts are at peace, and their consciences are clear. In Jesus Christ, we have freely received the spirit of sonship (Romans 8:15). Through a deepening faith in him, we can come to know God as our loving Father and trust that he will care for all our needs. Like Sirach, our prayers will ascend to heaven and bring down to us all the blessings that are ours in Christ. “Lord Jesus, I believe you know best. I trust that whatever happens today, you will triumph. I cannot save myself, and so I will cling to you and trust in your love.” Psalm 19:8-11; Mark 11:27-33

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Saturday, May 28, 2005 >>

Sirach 51:12-20

Psalm 19

Mark 11:27-33

View Readings

SEEK THE FAITHFUL

“My feet kept to the level path because from earliest youth I was familiar with” Wisdom. —Sirach 51:15

Conversion stories are exciting. We weep for joy as the good thief on the cross finds salvation in his last desperate hour (Lk 23:42-43). We marvel at the power of God as He overpowers the worst sinner, the persecutor Saul (1 Tm 1:15), who then incredibly becomes the great apostle and preacher Paul (Acts 9:3ff). Today we are greatly encouraged by the wave of staunch Protestants who have incredibly converted to Catholicism and now powerfully defend the faith.

A life of faithfulness is not as popular a story. People rarely fill an auditorium to hear about the priest or sister who accepted their vocation as a child and then never wavered from living out their call in holiness and fruitfulness. Not many flock to seek wisdom from the couple who never used artificial contraception, had a large family, and raised children who have all stayed joyfully faithful to the Church.

The popularity of conversions is a very good thing. We constantly need to keep in mind the power of God. Yet when we encounter people who have never wavered in faithfulness and who have faithfully borne fruit over the years, we should seek them out to the point of wearing away their doorstep! (Sir 6:36) We are to frequent their company and stay close to them (Sir 6:35). Faithfulness is caught more than taught. Seek faithfulness by seeking the faithful.

Prayer: Father, bring people into my life who will lead me to greater faithfulness.

Promise: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” —Ps 19:8

Praise: Alice has built her life around Jesus and has received Him daily in the Eucharist for forty years.

[annalex]

Mk 11:27-33
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
27	And they come again to Jerusalem. And when he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients.	et veniunt rursus Hierosolymam et cum ambularet in templo accedunt ad eum summi sacerdotes et scribae et seniores
28	And they say to him: By what authority dost thou these things? And who hath given thee this authority that thou shouldst do these things?	et dicunt illi in qua potestate haec facis et quis tibi dedit hanc potestatem ut ista facias
29	And Jesus answering, said to them: I will also ask you one word. And answer you me: and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.	Iesus autem respondens ait illis interrogabo vos et ego unum verbum et respondete mihi et dicam vobis in qua potestate haec faciam
30	The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men? Answer me.	baptismum Iohannis de caelo erat an ex hominibus respondete mihi
31	But they thought with themselves, saying: If we say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?	at illi cogitabant secum dicentes si dixerimus de caelo dicet quare ergo non credidistis ei
32	If we say, From men, we fear the people. For all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.	sed dicemus ex hominibus timebant populum omnes enim habebant Iohannem quia vere propheta esset
33	And they answering, say to Jesus: We know not. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.	et respondentes dicunt Iesu nescimus respondens Iesus ait illis neque ego dico vobis in qua potestate haec faciam

[annalex]

Michelangelo

Last Judgement (1535-1541)
Fresco, Sistine Chapel, the Vatican