Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 02-22-09, Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 02-22-09 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

February 22, 2009

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Responsorial Psalm Reading 2 Gospel

Reading 1
Is 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25

Thus says the LORD:
Remember not the events of the past,
the things of long ago consider not;
see, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
In the desert I make a way,
in the wasteland, rivers.
The people I formed for myself,
that they might announce my praise.
Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob,
for you grew weary of me, O Israel.
You burdened me with your sins,
and wearied me with your crimes.
It is I, I, who wipe out,
for my own sake, your offenses;
your sins I remember no more.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 41:2-3, 4-5, 13-14

R. (5b) Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
Blessed is the one who has regard for the lowly and the poor;
in the day of misfortune the LORD will deliver him.
The LORD will keep and preserve him;
and make him blessed on earth,
and not give him over to the will of his enemies.
R. Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
The LORD will help him on his sickbed,
he will take away all his ailment when he is ill.
Once I said, "O LORD, have pity on me;
heal me, though I have sinned against you."
R. Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
But because of my integrity you sustain me
and let me stand before you forever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from all eternity. Amen. Amen.
R. Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.

Reading II
2 Cor 1:18-22

Brothers and sisters:
As God is faithful,
our word to you is not "yes" and "no."
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,
who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me,
was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him.
For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him;
therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory.
But the one who gives us security with you in Christ
and who anointed us is God;
he has also put his seal upon us
and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

Gospel
Mk 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way?  He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind
what they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?'
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
—he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

[Salvation]

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

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Does it seem that Lent is only three days away?

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Alleluia Ping!

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

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Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

1.  Sign of the Cross:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

2.  The Apostles Creed:  I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3.  The Lord's Prayer:  OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary:  HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be:  GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer.  Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

 

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

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~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
 Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we  humbly pray,
 and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
 by the power of God,
 Cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
 Amen
+

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Change Worth Praying For

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February Devotion: The Holy Family

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of February has been primarily asociated with the Holy Family, probably due to the feast of Our Lord's presentation at the temple, celebrated on February 2. At the very outset of Christ's work on earth, God showed the world a family in which, as Pope Leo XIII teaches, "all men might behold a perfect model of domestic life, and of all virtue and holiness." The harmony, unity, and holiness which characterized this holy Family make it the model for all Christian families.

INVOCATION
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph most kind, Bless us now and in death's agony.

FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Roman Missal

CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, three times.

IN HONOR OF THE HOLY FAMILY
O God, heavenly Father, it was part of Thine eternal decree that Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, should form a holy family with Mary, His blessed mother, and His foster father, Saint Joseph. In Nazareth home life was sanctified, and a perfect example was given to every Christian family. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may fully comprehend and faithfully imitate the virtues of the Holy Family so that we may be united with them one day in their heavenly glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Holy Family Chaplet

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me in my last hour.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul
in peace with you.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Amen.

Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Mary's, and 3 Glory be's.

 

PRAYER TO
THE HOLY FAMILY
=====================================================================================

GOD our Heavenly Father, You call all peoples to be united as one family in worshipping You as the one and true God. You willed that Your Son become man, giving Him a virgin mother and a foster father to form the Holy Family of Nazareth.

WE pray: may the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, image and model of every human family unit walk in the spirit of Nazareth and grow in the understanding of its particular mission in society and the Church. May our families be living cells of love, faithfulness and unity, thus reflecting God's covenant with humanity and Christ's redeeming love for His Church.

JESUS, Mary and Joseph protect our families from all evil; keep us, who are away from home, one in love with our dear ones.

Feast of the Holy Family (Dom Guéranger OSB)

The Feast of the Holy Family

The Holy Family vs. The Holy Innocents: A Christmas season reflection [Catholic Caucus]

The Redemption and Protection of the Family [Feast of the Holy Family]

Vatican creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop

Imitating the Holy Family; Four Traits that Make It Possible

Lots of Graphics: Post your favorite image of the St. Mary and Child, the Holy Family...

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Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for February 2009

General: That the Pastors of the Church may always be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in their teaching and in their service to God's people.

Mission: That the Church in Africa may find adequate ways and means to promote reconciliation, justice and peace efficaciously, according to the indications of the Synod of the Bishops’ Special Assembly for Africa.

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From: Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25

Announcement of a New Exodus (Continuation)

---

(Thus says the Lord), [18] “Remember not the former things, nor consider the
things of old. [19] Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you
not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. [21]
The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

[22] “Yet you did not call upon me, 0 Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O
Israel! [24b] But you have burdened me with your sins, you have wearied me with
your iniquities.

[25] “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not
remember your sins.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

43:14-21. This oracle is part of the doctrinal core of the “Book of Consolation”
(40:1-48:22), where we can see the exodus from Egypt as the prototype of every
instance of liberation brought about by the Lord. Its most direct reference would
be to the return of those exiled in Babylon. The original exodus from Egypt was
quite remarkable and well worth pondering; but this exodus is truly “new”, surpa-
ssing what happened in former times (cf. vv. 18-19). This prophecy is very care-
fully constructed. It first acknowledges God by giving an impressive list of divine
titles, repeated several times: Lord, Redeemer, Holy One of Israel, Creator, King
(vv. 14-15); then comes the announcement of the new exodus based on traditions
to do with the first exodus, without mentioning it specifically (vv. 16-21); it recalls,
with sadness, yet serenity, the people’s infidelities (vv. 22-24); and it ends with
God asserting his forgiveness in the context Of a “rib”, that is, a “legal hearing”
(vv. 25-28).

The prophet’s words are designed to fill the people with hope that they will soon
be able to return home, and also with the energy to undertake the religious resto-
ration of Israel. But they are also a reminder to people at all times that God never
abandons his chosen ones, and a constant encouragement to renew their fervor.
The only proviso is that they must have recourse to the mercy of God and sin-
cerely admit their sins. Thus, we find St Gregory the Great interpreting the “suit”
in v. 26 as describing the examination of conscience that leads to the confession
of sins: “The conscience accuses, reason judges, fear binds, and suffering tor-
tures” (”Moralia in Job”, 25,7, 12-13).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

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From: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22

Why He Has Not Visited Corinth (Continuation)

---

[18] As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. [19]
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and
Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in him it is always: Yes. [20] For all the
promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him,
to the glory of God. [21] But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and
has commissioned us; [22] he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in
our hearts as a guarantee.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

17-20. He calls on God to witness to the sincerity of his actions and to his being
a man of his word. He cannot act otherwise, he explains, because he preaches
Jesus Christ and follows him: and Christ is absolutely faithful and truthful (cf. Jn
14:6) and demanded sincerity in word and in deed (cf. Mt 5:37; Jas 5:12). The
faithfulness of Christ—in whom it is always “Yes” (vv. 19-20)—is the model for all
Christians, both those who dedicate their lives totally and exclusively to God in
celibacy and those who do so through marriage. Referring to this passage, John
Paul II teaches that “just as the Lord Jesus is ‘the faithful witness’ (Rev 3:14), the
‘yes’ of the promises of God (cf. 2 Cor 1:20), so Christian couples are called to
participate truly in the irrevocable indissolubility that binds Christ to the Church,
his bride, loved by him to the end (cf. Jn 13:1)” (”Familiaris Consortio”, 20).

Relying on Christ’s faithfulness the faithful are able to say that “Amen” (”So be
it”), by which they adhere fully to the Apostle’s teachings. From the very begin-
ning of Christianity, the “Amen” was said at the end of the Church’s public prayers
(cf. 1 Cor 14:16).

Silvanus, called Silas in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 15:40), had helped St
Paul to found the Church in Corinth (cf. Acts 18:5).

18. “As surely as God is faithful’: so translated to evoke a form of words used in
taking a oath; literally, “Faithful is God.”

21-22. As in other passages of this letter (cf. 3:3; 13:13), St Paul is here referring
explicitly to the promises made of the Blessed Trinity: it is God (the Father) who
has given us our “commission” (anointed us with grace) establishing us in the
Son, through the gift of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Using three different expressions—”commissioned” (anointed), “put his seal upon
us”, given us his Spirit “as a guarantee”—the Apostle describes the way God acts
in the soul: in Baptism the Christian is spiritually anointed with grace and incorpo-
rated into Christ; he is thereby “sealed”, for he no longer belongs to himself but
has become the property of Christ; and together with grace, he receives the Holy
Spirit as a “guarantee”, a pledge of the gifts he will receive in eternal life. All
those effects of Baptism are reinforced by the sacrament of Confirmation (St Paul
may well have had this sacrament in mind also, when writing these words).

Commenting on this passage St John Chrysostom explains that by this action
the Holy Spirit establishes the Christian as prophet, priest and king: “In olden
times these three types of people received the unction which confirmed them in
their dignity. We Christians have not one of these three dignities but all three
preeminently. For, are we not kings, who shall infallibly inherit a kingdom? Are
we not priests, if we offer our bodies as a sacrifice, instead of mere animal vic-
tims, as the Apostle says: ‘I appeal to you...to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God’ (Rom 12:1)? And are we not constituted
prophets if, thanks to God, secrets have been revealed to us which eye has not
seen nor ear heard?” (”Hom. on 2 Cor.”, 3).

“He has put his seal on us”: the St Pius V Catechism uses these words to ex-
plain the “character” which the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Order
impress on the soul; Paul “not obscurely describes by the word ‘sealed’ a cha-
racter, the property of which is to impress a seal or mark. This character is, as
it were, a distinctive impression stamped on the soul which perpetually inheres
and cannot be blotted out” (II, 1, 30).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

[Salvation]

From: Mark 2:1-12

The Curing of a Paralytic

---

[1] And when [Jesus] returned to Capernaum after some days, it was repor-
ted that He was at home. [2] And many were gathered together, so that there
was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching
the word to them. [3] And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic carried by four
men. [4] And when they could not get near Him because of the crowd, they re-
moved the roof above Him; and when they had made an opening, they let down
the pallet on which the paralytic lay. [5] And when Jesus saw their faith, He
said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”

[6] Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, [7]
“Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but
God alone?” [8] And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus
questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question thus in your
hearts? [9] Which is easier to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,’ or to
say, `Rise, take up your pallet and walk?’ [10] But that you may know that the
Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— He said to the paralytic —
[11] “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” [12] And he rose, and
immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all
amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

4. Many Jewish houses had a terraced roof accessible by steps at the back.
The same structure can be found even today.

5. Here Jesus emphasizes the connection between faith and the forgiveness of
sins. The boldness of the people who brought in the paralytic shows their faith
in Christ, and this faith moves Jesus to forgive the man’s sins. We should ques-
tion how God views our faith: the faith of these people leads to the instantaneous
physical and spiritual curing of this man. We should notice also that one per-
son’s need can be helped by the merits of another.

In this man’s physical paralysis, St. Jerome sees a type or figure of spiritual
paralysis: the cripple was unable to return to God by his own efforts. Jesus,
God and man, cured him of both kinds of paralysis (cf. “Comm. in Marcum,
in loc.”). Cf. notes on Matthew 9:2-7.

Jesus’ words to the paralytic—”Your sins are forgiven”—reflect the fact that his
pardon involves a personal encounter with Christ; the same happens in the
Sacrament of Penance: “In faithfully observing the centuries-old practice of the
Sacrament of Penance—the practice of individual confession with a personal act
of sorrow and an intention to amend and make satisfaction—the Church is defen-
ding the human soul’s individual right, man’s right to a more personal encounter
with the crucified forgiving Christ, with Christ saying, through the minister of the
Sacrament of Reconciliation: `Your sins are forgiven’; `Go, and do not sin again’
(John 8:11). As is evident, this is also a right on Christ’s part with regard to
every human being in the soul’s life constituted by the moment of conversion
and forgiveness” (John Paul II, “Redemptor Hominis”, 20).

7-12. Here we find a number of indicators of Jesus’ divinity: He forgives sins, He
can read the human heart and has the power to instantly cure physical illnesses.
The scribes know that only God can forgive sins. This is why they take issue
with Our Lord’s statement and call it blasphemous. They require a sign to prove
the truth of what He says. And Jesus offers them a sign. Thus just as no one
can deny that the paralytic has been cured, so no one can reasonably deny that
he has been forgiven his sins. Christ, God and man, exercised power to forgive
sins and, in His infinite mercy, He chose to extend this power to His Church. Cf.
note on Matthew 9:3-7.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

[Salvation]

Kindness of Friends

Kindness of Friends

February 21st, 2009 by Fr. Paul Grankauskas

This week’s Gospel presents us with two startling occurrences. The obvious one is the healing of the paralytic, a miracle that goes beyond just the physical dimension: “That you may know that the Son of man has authority to forgive sins on earth … I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”

The implications of forgiving the man’s sins are readily apparent to observers of this event. There are two different responses: dismay (“Why does this man speak this way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?”) and amazement (“They were astounded and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’”)

In this moment, Our Lord manifests His divine power and authority. He stands revealed as the Divine Physician, not only of the body but also the soul. The latter is so much more crucial for us. No matter what we do, the body wears out, dies and is committed to the earth until the resurrection on the last day.

The soul, on the other hand, stands before God and renders an account to its maker for the good and evil done in the body. We receive the just rewards of our labors: eternal rest or eternal punishment. If we had no recourse to the grace and mercy of Christ, we might have great reason to fear that moment of judgment, to dread it horribly. Since we do have recourse to those precious gifts in the sacramental life of the Church, we have good reason to be people of hope.

This brings us to the second remarkable occurrence in this passage. Mark’s Gospel tells us that the healing took place after Jesus noted the faith of the four men who brought the paralytic to Him. The sick man could not make it to the feet of Our Lord on his own. He needed someone to lead the way. This says something about the important part each of us plays, in his own way, in leading others to Christ.
In a general sense, every one of us needs the Church. We come to our knowledge of Christ through the teaching mission of the Church. We encounter the Divine Physician, the healer of body and soul, in the sacramental life of the Church, especially through the Eucharist, reconciliation and the anointing of the sick. Christ entrusted these gifts of Word and sacrament to His Church. We cannot know Him and love Him apart from the Church.

But, when it comes to receiving the sacraments of healing, it still helps to have friends point the way. A baby being baptized cannot speak for itself. Parents are asked to profess their faith and give solemn assurances that they will raise their child in that faith. It is their responsibility to bring the children to Mass and, when they are old enough, to confession.

Even if the children are receiving religious education in CCD or Catholic schools, this is no substitute for the sacraments, which are encounters with the living Christ. Young children cannot drive themselves to the church for these things. They need someone to lead the way. I guess it can be said that the faith of the parents can be extremely important to the salvation of their children’s souls.

When someone is in the hospital or homebound, it helps to have friends who can let a priest know so that he can administer the anointing of the sick. Sometimes people are afraid of being a burden when they ask for such a thing. Nothing can be further from the truth. If there is need for the Divine Physician, we should not hesitate to ask for Him.

In putting this together, I could not help but think of Blanche Dubois’ final words from “A Streetcar Named Desire:” “I’ve always relied on the kindness of strangers.” In the Church, we do not need to rely on strangers. We rely on Our Lord for the bodily healing we seek, and hopefully we have the friends we need to show us how to find Him.

 

Fr. Paul Grankauskas is parochial vicar at St. Mary of Sorrows Parish in Fairfax, Virginia.

(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

[Salvation]

The Work of God

Year B

 -  7th Sunday in ordinary time

Get up, pick up your mat and walk

Mark 2:1-12

1 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.
2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.
3 Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.
4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
7 "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'?
10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic --
11 "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home."
12 And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" (NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Here you have the case of a miracle made entirely due to the faith of some men who cared for a sick man.

These men went into a lot of trouble to get the paralyzed man up on the roof, then they made a hole on the roof and lowered him before me.

Their faith gave them determination to get the job done, they knew that I could heal their friend and took many risks. They knew that it was impossible to get through the crowd, so they used their imagination to accomplish their desire.

I was very pleased with that act of faith. But I did not come simply to heal physical diseases, since all men are destined to die one day. I came to heal the soul from the disease of sin that paralyzes and leads to eternal death.

Before I could heal the man physically, I had to clean his soul, therefore on account of the faith of his friends and of his suffering I said to him "Son, your sins are forgiven."

By calling him son, I am showing everyone how I feel for all my sinful children. I feel the same as a good doctor before the sick who are in desperate need of healing, I want to heal everyone, I want to forgive the sins of the whole world.

My response to the Pharisees goes also to those who do not believe in my words, because they protest against the truth. To prove to you that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins, I said to the paralytic: ”get up, take up your mat and go home.”

I gave my Church power to forgive sins in the sacrament of reconciliation. I commissioned my apostles (John 20:21-23), their successors and those empowered by them as priests, since this is the reason why I came to the world, to forgive sins.

By my death on the cross I paid for the offenses of all humanity, my forgiveness continues when you repent of your sins.

I made my forgiveness available to everyone. Take courage, approach me and confess your sins through a priest anointed by my Church.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

[Salvation]

Catholic Doors

Welcome my brothers and sisters in Christ, beloved children of God, to today's celebration of the Holy Mass. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may the grace of our Heavenly Father and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ be bestowed upon you as you hear the Word of God that has been given to us to richly nourish the soul.

Today, I shall talk to you about the powerful mystery of faith. I shall explain to you how your faith in Jesus Christ leads towards salvation and the eternal beatific vision of God. While your living faith in Jesus Christ makes you righteous in the eyes of God, it is necessary to understand how and why. Such faith is only a stepping stone towards salvation and the eternal Kingdom of God.

During the First Reading from the Book of Isaiah, [Is. 43:18-19, 20-22, 24-25] we heard that the Lord God said, 'Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.' [Is. 43:18] When the Lord God spoke these Sacred Words, He was commanding His children to set aside the ways of the past in order to open the door to a better future. A new Exodus was about to begin. This reference was not to a physical Exodus as when Moses led the people of God to the promised land. It was a reference to a spiritual Exodus, Jesus leading the children of God towards the spiritual Kingdom.

In those Words was revealed that the days of animal sacrifices were coming to an end. The sacrificing of animals as guilt or sin offerings for the forgiveness of sins was becoming a thing of the past. In a way, it was a good thing! Can you imagine with one billion Catholics in the world today, if we all had to make a monthly sacrifice for our sins? That would represent the sacrificing of twelve billion animals per year!

God continued by saying through the prophet Isaiah that He was going to do something new. Something new is something different. As we know from modern technology, when something new is invented, it is supposed to be better, more convenient. It replaces the old. The cars replaced the horses and the wooden wagons. The washing machines replaced hand washing and scrubbing. Electric stoves replaced wooden stoves. Now, these are new things.

The Lord God asked the people, "do you not perceive it?" [Is. 43:18] Being worldly in their ways, unless the people embraced a spiritual heart, they could not see the Divine Plan of God that was developing.

The Lord God also stated prophetic Words, "I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." [Is. 43:18] These prophetic Words parallel the words of the prophet Malachi who said, "See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before Me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His Temple." [Mal. 3:1] They echo the Words of the Gospel of Luke, "The Word of God came to John (the Baptist) in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." [Lk. 3:2-3] Unknown to God's chosen people of those days, the Lord God was prophesizing the coming of Jesus Christ.

God said, "I will give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise." [Is. 43:20b-1] What does God mean by "Give drink?" Giving drink is giving the living water. These Words echo the Words of Jesus who said, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the Scriptures has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now He said this about the (Holy) Spirit, which believers in Him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified." [Jn. 7:37-9]

What exactly did God mean by "the people whom I formed for myself?" In this context, the word "formed" means more than to bring together by association. This particular word echoes the Book of Genesis where it says, "Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being." [Gen. 2:7] When God was speaking of forming a people for Himself, He was referring to a new creation, the old having passed away. God was referring to the new creation that each and everyone of us received during the Sacrament of Baptism so we may enjoy living water by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

These words echo that God's people, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, has been purchased by a price through the Blood of Christ so they may proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord who called them out of darkness into His marvellous light." [Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 2:9]

At the same time, the Lord God expressed that He is tired of the indifference of His people. "But you have been weary of Me. You have burdened Me with your sins. You have wearied Me with your iniquities." God's people, worldly in their ways, have failed to perceive the spiritual Kingdom that God was about to establish. The people continued to live in sin, rejecting the spiritual heart that could have led them to their salvation.

And finally, we heard of the promise of the infinite grace and love of our living and merciful Lord God at work. "I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember you sins." [Is. 43:25] The Lord God promised to forgive sinners. This is not just temporary human forgiveness. It is the fullness of the Divine forgiveness of sins. God promised to no longer remember our sins. This promise is made for His glory, for us repentant sinners to be grateful of His grace, love and mercy.

As the Second Reading from the Letter to the Corinthians [2 Cor. 1:18-22] teaches us, our response to God's promises should be "Yes!" as the response of our Lord Jesus was always "Yes!" to our Heavenly Father. God was not inconsistent with us by saying "Yes!" and then "No!" As such, we should not be inconsistent with God.

Through Jesus, every one of God's promises were fulfilled, we being living witnesses of each promise found in the Old Testament. As such, our response to prayers is always "Amen" for the glory of God, "Amen" meaning "Yes!"

It is God who establishes us as members of the Body of Christ and who has anointed us. It is by His grace that those who believe in Christ receives strength and the necessary faith to walk the living faith that leads to salvation.

God set His seal on us by placing His Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment. Three things stand out here. God anointed us. He marked us with a seal. He gave us His Spirit as a first instalment.

A seal is a personal mark placed by owners on their property. Some businesses have a seal that they place on their official documents, testifying that this is their legal documents. History teaches us how the head of States placed a seal on important documents that they sent to someone. A seal means that it is official and binding. God placed His seal on us through the Sacrament of Baptism. By this action, He affirmed that we belong to Him as His people... this being official.

To receive the Holy Spirit is like a pledge. It is a down payment. It means that the rest of the payment will be made at a later date. Through the Spirit of Christ, we were reborn during the Sacrament of Baptism. We received our first instalment, the new creation of the godly seed. This unmeasurable gift of God opens the door for us to receive the Church Sacraments. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are made righteous up until the moment of receiving the Sacrament. Through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the Living Bread, we receive eternal life and salvation. Everything is progressive, leading to something greater.

Our final instalment will be given to us at the resurrection of our bodies after we have persevered to the end in our living faith. Having received the first fruits of the Spirit, we groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. [Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:5]

Reviewing today's reading from the Gospel of Mark, [Mk. 2:1-12] we heard that Jesus had just returned home. No sooner had He arrived, the word got out and the crowd gathered at His home. So great was the number of people that some had to stand in front of the door as Jesus spoke the Word to them.

Next we heard that four men carried a paralysed man to Jesus. Considering this situation with a spiritual mind, to be paralysed is symbolic of being unable to move. It means that we are unable to do anything on our own.

Now, when the men could not bring the paralysed man to Jesus because of the crowd, they climbed the roof and made a hole in it above Jesus so they could lower the man before Jesus in a mat.

Again, thinking spiritually, "removing the roof above Jesus" is symbolic. The mystery of Yahweh has been removed. God took human form through His incarnation. God "who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross." [Phil. 2:6-8]

The roof above has been removed. Different from the days of the Old Testament, we no longer go directly to God the Father. Everything is new! Now, we must go through Jesus who is the one Mediator between God and humankind, He who gave Himself up as a ransom for all. [1 Tim. 2:5-6] It is through Jesus alone that we find the forgiveness of sins.

When Jesus saw the faith of the paralysed man and of those who brought him, He said,"Son, your sins are forgiven." Jesus did not say, "Son, you are physically healed," but rather, "Your sins are forgiven."

Through these Words of Jesus we learn that the forgiveness of sins is by faith. When the priest gives you absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, your sins are truly forgiven, you being made righteous in the eyes of God the Father because He no longer remembers the sins you committed prior to receiving absolution.

Now, these Words of Jesus do not mean that you are saved by faith. They mean that you are made righteous up to that moment. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a step towards the Kingdom of God. It is a step that prepares you for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist by blessing you with the same state of grace that you previously enjoyed when you received the Sacrament of Baptism. Through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the Bread of Life, you gain your salvation. Your faith in Christ, your spiritual healing through having your sins forgiven, opens the door for you to partake in the great Feast of the Holy Eucharist at the table with the Lord Jesus.

Now the scribes did not like what Jesus said. In their hearts, they asked themselves, who is this man who speaks in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone? This miracle of physical and spiritual healing of the paralysed man foreshadowed that Jesus is God. No one can be saved by his own works. All require the grace of God the Father and faith in Jesus Christ to have their sins forgiven.

Knowing the thoughts of the scribes, Jesus asked them what was easier, to say to the man, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Stand up and take your mat and walk?" Jesus proceeds to say, "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' - he said to the man who was paralysed - 'I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.'" Notice the first words of Jesus, "But so that you may know." Here, Jesus authenticated His claim to forgive sins, this echoing the spiritual healing of the forgiven sinner.

When the man stood up, took his mat and walked out before all, those who were present were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Being worldly minded, they were "amazed" at the physical power of Jesus to heal. They lacked the new heart that could perceive the Divine power of Jesus to reinstate the righteousness of the soul by faith.

Summarizing today's readings, they affirm to us that we received our forgiveness of sins by faith in Christ. We are called to believe in the fulfillment of the promises of the Heavenly Father that when we receive absolution from the priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, truly, God no longer remembers our sins. Through our faith, accompanied by the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God reinstates the righteousness that we previously enjoyed through the Sacrament of Baptism so that we may partake in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive our inheritance as children of God, our salvation in preparation for the final instalment that is to come at the resurrection of our bodies.

[Salvation]

The Road to Emmaus

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

By Brian Pizzalato *

(Cycle B) 

First Reading – Is. 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25

Responsorial Psalm – Ps. 41:2-3, 4-5, 13-14

Second Reading – 2 Cor. 1:18-22

Gospel Reading – Mk. 2:1-12

Up until this point in Mark’s Gospel (2:1-12), Jesus’ ministry has been an unmitigated success. People have always been astounded at what he says and does. However, now Jesus begins to receive some opposition.

The passage we will look at begins a series of five increasingly hostile situations which climax "when the Pharisees went out, and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him [Jesus], how to destroy him" (Mk. 3:6). It all begins when Jesus tells the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven" (Mk. 2:5).

A reading from the prophet Isaiah

Long ago, God said through Isaiah, "But you have burdened me with your sins, you have wearied me with your iniquities. I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins" (43:24b-25).

This passage from Isaiah is being spoken to those in Babylonian captivity. It comes in the larger context of his prophesies of a new and greater exodus. We hear words like, the Lord, "makes a way through the sea, a path in mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick…I will make a way in the wilderness…I give water in the wilderness…to give drink to my chosen people" (Is. 43:16, 17, 19, 20, 21).

This language is evoking imagery from the first exodus when they were led out of Egyptian captivity. If you recall, God made a way through the Red Sea (cf. Ex 14). Then upon the chariots, horses, armies and warriors of Egypt, "The waters returned and covered…all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not so much as one remained" (Ex. 14:28). God then made a way in the wilderness for them while giving them water to drink.

Within this context Isaiah talks about sins being forgiven. However, later Isaiah will prophecy about how this new and greater exodus will be delayed because of the wickedness of the people during his time.

Daniel even prophesies about how their captivity would not end for four hundred and ninety years. "Seventy weeks of years have been decreed concerning your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness..." (9:24). All of this will happen when "…an anointed one [messiah, christ] shall be cut off…" (9:26). Here too we see an emphasis on forgiving sin.

Mark and the new exodus

Mark, in the beginning of his Gospel, has already brought our attention to the fulfillment of the new and greater exodus.

Mark has already introduced John the Baptist quoting from this same section of Isaiah which talks about this forthcoming event. He is also in the wilderness at the river Jordan calling for repentance and confession of sins and administering a baptism of repentance (cf. 1:1-8).

Jesus comes to John to be baptized which thus makes Jesus an anointed one (messiah, Christ) (1:9-11). After his temptation Jesus returns talking about how, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel" (1:15).

During the time of the new exodus Isaiah prophesied, "Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!" (43:8). He also prophesied that the anointed one would, bring the gospel to the afflicted, proclaim liberty to captives, comfort all who mourn, etc. (cf. 61:1-4).

In Mark’s Gospel Jesus then begins to set people free by casting out demons (Mk. 1:21-28), healing them of fever (1:29-34) and cleansing lepers (1:40-45).

Now we come to this Sunday’s Gospel reading when Jesus forgives the sins of the paralytic, and heals him of his infirmity. Mark is trying to tell us that the new and greater exodus has begun.

What kind of bondage has been the problem throughout salvation history? Was Egypt really the problem? Were the Babylonians really the concern? Are the Romans of the day really the issue? As bad as these things might have been, their bondage to sin throughout salvation history has been worse.

The new and greater exodus Jesus wants to bring about in our lives in an exodus out of sin. This is demonstrated in the Gospel reading. These four men, who are filled with faith in Christ, and love for their paralyzed friend, bring their friend to Jesus. They persevere in overcoming many obstacles and become pretty creative in how they bring their friend to Jesus, cutting a whole in the roof and lowering him down.

Jesus responds to the faith of the paralytic’s friends by saying, "Child, your sins are forgiven" (Mk. 2:5). The scribes amidst the crowd say to themselves, "It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone? (Mk. 2:7).

Jesus then asks them, "Which is easier, to say the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins – he said to the paralytic – I says to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home" (Mk. 2:9). The man is healed immediately.

What precisely is going on here? Which is easier to say? Anybody can say the words, "your sins are forgiven," since it is not empirically verifiable whether they actually are forgiven. No one can see the forgiveness happening. Jesus then demonstrates that he the power and authority to forgive sins by immediately doing something that is empirically verifiable, the man getting up and walking.

The question is not really about which is easier to say, but about who can say it, and that what is said actually transpires. Mark is also once again emphasizing the divinity of Jesus, through his forgiving of sins.

The granting of forgiveness by God mentioned in the reading from Isaiah was the indispensible condition for Israel’s release from bondage. Jesus now inaugurates the new and greater exodus.

As Mary Healy recognizes in her commentary, The Gospel of Mark, Jesus’ words of forgiveness to the paralytic "…is probably far from what the man expected to hear. It goes to the root of a deeper paralysis, the interior crippling that comes from sin" (56).

The new and greater exodus Jesus wants to bring about in our lives in an exodus out of sin, through the waters of baptism, into the wilderness of this pilgrimage on earth where he provides for us manna from heaven, his flesh and blood in the Eucharist, during the new and greater Passover, so that we might be led into the promised land of heavenly glory.

[Salvation]

Scripture readings taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd

Mass Readings

First reading

Isaiah 43:18-19,21-22,24-25 ©

Thus says the Lord: No need to recall the past, no need to think about what was done before. See, I am doing a new deed, even now it comes to light; can you not see it? Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness, paths in the wilds. The people I have formed for myself will sing my praises. Jacob, you have not invoked me, you have not troubled yourself, Israel, on my behalf. You have spent no money on fragrant cane for me, you have not filled me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead you have burdened me with your sins, troubled me with your iniquities. I it is, I it is, who must blot out everything and not remember your sins.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 40:2-5,13-14

Second reading

2 Corinthians 1:18-22 ©

I swear by God’s truth, there is no Yes and No about what we say to you. The Son of God, the Christ Jesus that we proclaimed among you – I mean Silvanus and Timothy and I – was never Yes and No: with him it was always Yes, and however many the promises God made, the Yes to them all is in him. That is why it is ‘through him’ that we answer Amen to the praise of God. Remember it is God himself who assures us all, and you, of our standing in Christ, and has anointed us, marking us with his seal and giving us the pledge, the Spirit, that we carry in our hearts.

Gospel

Mark 2:1-12 ©

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’

[Salvation]

Sunday, February 22, 2009
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Total Consecration - Day 3)

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel:

Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25 Psalm 41:2-5, 13-14 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Mark 2:1-12 If God allows some people to pile up riches instead of making themselves poor as Jesus did, it is so thay may use what He has entrusted to them as loyal servants, in accordance with the Master's will, to do spiritual and temporal good to others. -- St. Charles de Foucauld

[Salvation]

The Angelus 

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: 
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen. 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. 

Hail Mary . . . 

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. 

Hail Mary . . . 

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray: 

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen. 

[Salvation]

Novena for the Protection of the Unborn

[GonzoII]

The Daily Psalms:

Sunday

Douay Rheims Version

 

MATINS: First Nocturn

 

Psalm 1
Beatus Vir

The happiness of the just: and the evil state of the wicked.

1 Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. 2 But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper. 4 Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth. 5 Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 2
Quare Fremuerunt

The vain efforts of persecutors against Christ and his Church.

1 Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things? 2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord and against his Christ. 3 Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us. 4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them. 5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage. 6 But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, preaching his commandment. 7 The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 10 And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth. 11 Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling. 12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way. 13 When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 3
Domine, Quid Multiplicati

The prophet's danger and delivery from his son, Absalom: mystically the passion and resurrection of Christ.

1 The psalm of David when he fled from the face of his son Absalom. 2 WHY, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who rise up against me. 3 Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. 4 But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. 5 I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill. 6 I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me. 7 I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God. 8 For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners. 9 Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

SECOND NOCTURN:

Psalm 8
Domine Dominus Noster

God is wonderful in his works; especially in mankind, singularly exalted by the incarnation of Christ.

1 Unto the end, for the presses: a psalm for David. 2 O LORD our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. 3 Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger. 4 For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded. 5 What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? 6 Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: 7 and hast set him over the works of thy hands. 8 Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields. 9 The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea. 10 O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in all the earth!
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 9a
Confitebor Tibi Domine

The church praiseth God for his protection against her enemies.

1 Unto the end, for the hidden things of the Son. A psalm for David. 2 I WILL give praise to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will relate all thy wonders. 3 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing to thy name, O thou most high. 4 When my enemy shall be turned back: they shall be weakened and perish before thy face. 5 For thou hast maintained my judgment and my cause: thou hast sat on the throne, who judgest justice. 6 Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles, and the wicked one hath perished: thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever. 7 The swords of the enemy have failed unto the end: and their cities thou hast destroyed. Their memory hath perished with a noise: 8 but the Lord remaineth for ever. He hath prepared his throne in judgment: 9 and he shall judge the world in equity, he shall judge the people in justice. 10 And the Lord is become a refuge for the poor: a helper in due time in tribulation. 11 And let them trust in thee who know thy name: for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee, O Lord. 12 Sing ye to the Lord, who dwelleth in Sion: declare his ways among the Gentiles: 13 For requiring their blood he hath remembered them: he hath not forgotten the cry of the poor. 14 Have mercy on me, O Lord: see my humiliation which I suffer from my enemies. 15 Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death, that I may declare all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion. 16 I will rejoice in thy salvation: the Gentiles have stuck fast in the destruction which they have prepared. Their foot hath been taken in the very snare which they hid. 17 The Lord shall be known when he executeth judgments: the sinner hath been caught in the works of his own hands. 18 The wicked shall be turned into hell, all the nations that forget God. 19 For the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end: the patience of the poor shall not perish for ever. 20 Arise, O Lord, let not man be strengthened: let the Gentiles be judged in thy sight. 21 Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

THIRD NOCTURN

Psalm 9b
Confitebor Tibi Domine

The church praiseth God for his protection against her enemies.

22 Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off? why dost thou slight us in our wants, in the time of trouble? 23 Whilst the wicked man is proud, the poor is set on fire: they are caught in the counsels which they devise. 24 For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: and the unjust man is blessed. 25 The sinner hath provoked the Lord according to the multitude of his wrath he will not seek him: 26 God is not before his eyes: his ways are filthy at all times. Thy judgments are removed from his sight: he shall rule over all his enemies. 27 For he hath said in his heart: I shall not be moved from generation to generation, and shall be without evil. 28 His mouth is full of cursing, and of bitterness, and of deceit: under his tongue are labour and sorrow. 29 He sitteth in ambush with the rich in private places, that he may kill the innocent. 30 His eyes are upon the poor man: He lieth in wait in secret like a lion in his den. He lieth in ambush that he may catch the poor man: to catch the poor, whilst he draweth him to him. 31 In his net he will bring him down, he will crouch and fall, when he shall have power over the poor. 32 For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten, he hath turned away his face not to see to the end. 33 Arise, O Lord God, let thy hand be exalted: forget not the poor. 34 Wherefore hath the wicked provoked God? for he hath said in his heart: He will not require it. 35 Thou seest it, for thou considerest labour and sorrow: that thou mayst deliver them into thy hands. To thee is the poor man left: thou wilt be a helper to the orphan. 36 Break thou the arm of the sinner and of the malignant: his sin shall be sought, and shall not be found. 37 The Lord shall reign to eternity, yea, for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish from his land. 38 The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor: thy ear hath heard the preparation of their heart. 39 To judge for the fatherless and for the humble, that man may no more presume to magnify himself upon earth.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm10
In Domino Confido

The just man's confidence in God in the midst of persecutions.

1 Unto the end. A psalm for David. 2 IN the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain like a sparrow? 3 For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow; they have prepared their arrows in the quiver; to shoot in the dark the upright of heart. 4 For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: but what has the just man done? 5 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men. 6 The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: but he that loveth iniquity hateth his own soul. 7 He shall rain snares upon sinners: fire and brimstone and storms of winds shall be the portion of their cup. 8 For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: his countenance hath beheld righteousness.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

LAUDS:

Psalm 92
Dominus Regnavit

The glory and stability of the kingdom; that is, of the Church of Christ.

1 Praise in the way of a canticle, for David himself, on the day before the sabbath, when the earth was founded. THE Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself. For he hath established the world which shall not be moved. 2 Thy throne is prepared from of old: thou art from everlasting. 3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord: the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods have lifted up their waves, 4 with the noise of many waters. Wonderful are the surges of the sea: wonderful is the Lord on high. 5 Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 99
Jubilate Deo

All are invited to rejoice in God, the Creator of all.

1 A psalm of praise. 2 SING joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name: 5 for the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, and his truth to generation and generation.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 62
Deus Deus Meus Ad Te

The prophet aspireth after God.

1 A psalm of David when he was in the desert of Edom. 2 O GOD, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day. For thee my soul hath thirsted; for thee my flesh, O how many ways! 3 In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory. 4 For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips shall praise. 5 Thus will I bless thee all my life long: and in thy name I will lift up my hands. 6 Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. 7 If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning: 8 because thou hast been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings: 9 my soul hath stuck close to thee: thy right hand hath received me. 10 But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: 11 They shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes. 12 But the king shall rejoice in God, all they shall be praised that swear by him: because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Canticle of the Three Young Men: Dan 3:57-88

57 All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 58 O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 59 O ye heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 60 O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all for ever. 61 O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 62 O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 63 O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 64 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 65 O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 66 O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 67 O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 68 O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 69 O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 70 O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 71 O ye nights and days, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 72 O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 73 O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 74 O let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever. 75 O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 76 O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 77 O ye fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 78 O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 79 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 80 O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 81 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 82 O ye sons of men, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 83 O let Israel bless the Lord: let them praise and exalt him above all for ever. 84 O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 85 O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 86 O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 87 O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 88 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. For he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us out of the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the burning flame, and saved us out of the midst of the fire.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 148
Laudate Dominum de Caelis

All creatures are invited to praise their Creator.

1 Alleluia. PRAISE ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye him in the high places. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, O sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars and light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens 5 praise the name of the Lord. For he spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: he hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all ye deeps: 8 Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds which fulfil his word: 9 Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars: 10 Beasts and all cattle: serpents and feathered fowls: 11 Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the earth: 12 Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord: 13 for his name alone is exalted. 14 The praise of him is above heaven and earth: and he hath exalted the horn of his people. A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to him. Alleluia.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

PRIME:

Psalm 117
Confitemini Domino

The psalmist praiseth God for his delivery from evils; putteth his whole trust in him; and foretelleth the coming of Christ.

1 Alleluia. GIVE praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that he is good: that his mercy endureth for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 4 Let them that fear the Lord now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 5 In my trouble I called upon the Lord: and the Lord heard me, and enlarged me. 6 The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man can do unto me. 7 The Lord is my helper: and I will look over my enemies. 8 It is good to confide in the Lord, rather than to have confidence in man. 9 It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in princes. 10 All nations compassed me about; and in the name of the Lord I have been revenged on them. 11 Surrounding me they compassed me about: and in the name of the Lord I have been revenged on them. 12 They surrounded me like bees, and they burned like fire among thorns: and in the name of the Lord I was revenged on them 13 Being pushed I was overturned that I might fall: but the Lord supported me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my praise: and he is become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and of salvation is in the tabernacles of the just. 16 The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me: the right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength. 17 I shall not die, but live: and shall declare the works of the Lord. 18 The Lord chastising hath chastised me: but he hath not delivered me over to death. 19 Open ye to me the gates of justice: I will go into them, and give praise to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord, the just shall enter into it. 21 I will give glory to thee because thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected; the same is become the head of the corner. 23 This is the Lord's doing: and it is wonderful in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein. 25 O Lord, save me: O Lord, give good success. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he hath shone upon us. Appoint a solemn day, with shady boughs, even to the horn of the alter. 28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, and I will exalt thee. I will praise thee, because thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 29 O praise ye the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 1-16
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

1 Alleluia. ALEPH. BLESSED are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they who search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart. 3 For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently. 5 O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications. 6 Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice. 8 I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me. BETH. 9 By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words. 10 With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments. 11 Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications. 13 With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways. 16 I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words. GIMEL.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 17-32
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

17 Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words. 18 Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications, at all times. 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud: they are cursed who decline from thy commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt: because I have sought after thy testimonies. 23 For princes sat, and spoke against me: but thy servant was employed in thy justifications. 24 For thy testimonies are my meditation: and thy justifications my counsel. DALETH. 25 My soul hath cleaved to the pavement: quicken thou me according to thy word. 26 I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: teach me thy justifications. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works. 28 My soul hath slumbered through heaviness: strengthen thou me in thy words. 29 Remove from me the way of iniquity: and out of thy law have mercy on me. 30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have not forgotten. 31 I have stuck to thy testimonies, O Lord: put me not to shame. 32 I have run the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart. HE
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

TERCE:

Psalm 118: 33-48
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

33 Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and I will always seek after it. 34 Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired. 36 Incline my heart into thy testimonies and not to covetousness. 37 Turn away my eyes that they may not behold vanity: quicken me in thy way. 38 Establish thy word to thy servant, in thy fear. 39 Turn away my reproach, which I have apprehended: for thy judgments are delightful. 40 Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy justice. VAU. 41 Let thy mercy also come upon me, O Lord: thy salvation according to thy word. 42 So shall I answer them that reproach me in any thing; that I have trusted in thy words. 43 And take not thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth: for in thy words have I hoped exceedingly. 44 So shall I always keep thy law, for ever and ever. 45 And I walked at large: because I have sought after thy commandments. 46 And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: and I was not ashamed. 47 I meditated also on thy commandments, which I loved. 48 And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments, which I loved: and I was exercised in thy justifications. ZAIN.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 49-64
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

49 Be thou mindful of thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast given me hope. 50 This hath comforted me in my humiliation: because thy word hath enlivened me. 51 The proud did iniquitously altogether: but I declined not from thy law. 52 I remembered, O Lord, thy judgments of old: and I was comforted. 53 A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law. 54 Thy justifications were the subject of my song, in the place of my pilgrimage. 55 In the night I have remembered thy name, O Lord: and have kept thy law. 56 This happened to me: because I sought after thy justifications. HETH. 57 O Lord, my portion, I have said, I would keep the law. 58 I entreated thy face with all my heart: have mercy on me according to thy word. 59 I have thought on my ways: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I am ready, and am not troubled: that I may keep thy commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have encompassed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. 62 I rose at midnight to give praise to thee; for the judgments of thy justification. 63 I am a partaker with all them that fear thee, and that keep thy commandments. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy justifications. TETH.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 65-80
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

65 Thou hast done well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word. 66 Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments. 67 Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word. 68 Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications. 69 The iniquity of the proud hath been multiplied over me: but I will seek thy commandments with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is curdled like milk: but I have meditated on thy law. 71 It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy justifications. 72 The law of thy mouth is good to me, above thousands of gold and silver. JOD. 73 Thy hands have made me and formed me: give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments. 74 They that fear thee shall see me, and shall be glad: because I have greatly hoped in thy words. 75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me. 76 O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live: for thy law is my meditation. 78 Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me: but I will be employed in thy commandments. 79 Let them that fear thee turn to me: and they that know thy testimonies. 80 Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded. CAPH.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

SEXT:

Psalm 118: 81-96
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

81 My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: and in thy word I have very much hoped. 82 My eyes have failed for thy word, saying: When wilt thou comfort me? 83 For I am become like a bottle in the frost: I have not forgotten thy justifications. 84 How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 85 The wicked have told me fables: but not as thy law. 86 All thy statutes are truth: they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me. 87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I have not forsaken thy commandments. 88 Quicken thou me according to thy mercy: and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth. LAMED. 89 For ever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven. 90 Thy truth unto all generations: thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth. 91 By thy ordinance the day goeth on: for all things serve thee. 92 Unless thy law had been my meditation, I had then perhaps perished in my abjection. 93 Thy justifications I will never forget: for by them thou hast given me life. 94 I am thine, save thou me: for I have sought thy justifications. 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood thy testimonies. 96 I have seen an end to all persecution: thy commandment is exceeding broad. MEM.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 97-112
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

97 O how have I loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day. 98 Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies: for it is ever with me. 99 I have understood more than all my teachers: because thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I have had understanding above ancients: because I have sought thy commandments. 101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy words. 102 I have not declined from thy judgments, because thou hast set me a law. 103 How sweet are thy words to my palate! more than honey to my mouth. 104 By thy commandments I have had understanding: therefore have I hated every way of iniquity. NUN. 105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths. 106 I have sworn and am determined to keep the judgments of thy justice. 107 I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly: quicken thou me according to thy word. 108 The free offerings of my mouth make acceptable, O Lord: and teach me thy judgments. 109 My soul is continually in my hands: and I have not forgotten thy law. 110 Sinners have laid a snare for me: but I have not erred from thy precepts. 111 I have purchased thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever: because they are the joy of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to do thy justifications for ever, for the reward. SAMECH.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 113-128
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

113 I have hated the unjust: and have loved thy law. 114 Thou art my helper and my protector: and in thy word I have greatly hoped. 115 Depart from me, ye malignant: and I will search the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according to thy word, and I shall live: and let me not be confounded in my expectation. 117 Help me, and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on thy justifications. 118 Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; for their thought is unjust. 119 I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: therefore have I loved thy testimonies. 120 Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments. AIN. 121 I have done judgment and justice: give me not up to them that slander me. 122 Uphold thy servant unto good: let not the proud calumniate me. 123 My eyes have fainted after thy salvation: and for the word of thy justice. 124 Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy: and teach me thy justifications. 125 I am thy servant: give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies. 126 It is time, O Lord, to do: they have dissipated thy law. 127 Therefore have I loved thy commandments above gold and the topaz. 128 Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments: I have hated all wicked ways. PHE.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

NONE:

Psalm 118: 129-144
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul hath sought them. 130 The declaration of thy words giveth light: and giveth understanding to little ones. 131 I opened my mouth and panted: because I longed for thy commandments. 132 Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of them that love thy name. 133 Direct my steps according to thy word: and let no iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from the calumnies of men: that I may keep thy commandments. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy justifications. 136 My eyes have sent forth springs of water: because they have not kept thy law. SADE. 137 Thou art just, O Lord: and thy judgment is right. 138 Thou hast commanded justice thy testimonies: and thy truth exceedingly. 139 My zeal hath made me pine away: because my enemies forgot thy words. 140 Thy word is exceedingly refined: and thy servant hath loved it. 141 I am very young and despised; but I forget not thy justifications. 142 Thy justice is justice for ever: and thy law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have found me: thy commandments are my meditation. 144 Thy testimonies are justice for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live. COPH.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 145-160
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

145 I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord: I will seek thy justifications. 146 I cried unto thee, save me: that I may keep thy commandments. 147 I prevented the dawning of the day, and cried: because in thy words I very much hoped. 148 My eyes to thee have prevented the morning: that I might meditate on thy words. 149 Hear thou my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy: and quicken me according to thy judgment. 150 They that persecute me have drawn nigh to iniquity; but they are gone far off from thy law. 151 Thou art near, O Lord: and all thy ways are truth. 152 I have known from the beginning concerning thy testimonies: that thou hast founded them for ever. RES. 153 See my humiliation and deliver me: for I have not forgotten thy law. 154 Judge my judgment and redeem me: quicken thou me for thy word's sake. 155 Salvation is far from sinners; because they have not sought thy justifications. 156 Many, O Lord, are thy mercies: quicken me according to thy judgment. 157 Many are they that persecute me, and afflict me; but I have not declined from thy testimonies. 158 I beheld the transgressors, and I pined away; because they kept not thy word. 159 Behold I have loved thy commandments, O Lord; quicken me thou in thy mercy. 160 The beginning of thy words is truth: all the judgments of thy justice are for ever. SIN.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 161-176
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

161 Princes have persecuted me without cause: and my heart hath been in awe of thy words. 162 I will rejoice at thy words, as one that hath found great spoil. 163 I have hated and abhorred iniquity; but I have loved thy law. 164 Seven times a day I have given praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justice. 165 Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block. 166 I looked to thy salvation, O Lord: and I loved thy commandments. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and hath loved them exceedingly. 168 I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies: because all my ways are in thy sight. TAU. 169 Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in thy sight: give me understanding according to thy word. 170 Let my request come in before thee; deliver thou me according to thy word. 171 My lips shall utter a hymn, when thou shalt teach me thy justifications. 172 My tongue shall pronounce thy word: because all thy commandments are justice. 173 Let thy hand be with me to save me; for I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my meditation. 175 My soul shall live and shall praise thee: and thy judgments shall help me. 176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

VESPERS:

Psalm 109
Dixit Dominus

Christ's exultation, and everlasting priesthood.

1 A psalm for David. THE Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand: Until I make thy enemies thy footstool. 2 The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies. 3 With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: from the womb before the day star I begot thee. 4 The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. 5 The Lord at thy right hand hath broken kings in the day of his wrath. 6 He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: he shall crush the heads in the land of many. 7 He shall drink of the torrent in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 110
Confitebor Tibi Domine

God is to be praised for his graces, and benefits to his Church.

1 Alleluia. I WILL praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just: and in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills 3 His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever. 4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: 5 he hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: 6 he will shew forth to his people the power of his works. 7 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment. 8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity. 9 He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name: 10 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 111
Beatus Vir

The good man is happy.

1 Alleluia, of the returning of Aggeus and Zacharias. BLESSED is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. 3 Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever. 4 To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: he is merciful, and compassionate and just. 5 Acceptable is the man that showeth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment: 6 because he shall not be moved for ever. 7 The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing. His heart is ready to hope in the Lord: 8 his heart is strengthened, he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies. 9 He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory. 10 The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 112
Laudate Pueri

God is to be praised, for his regard to the poor and humble.

1 Alleluia PRAISE the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. 4 The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: 6 and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth? 7 Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill: 8 That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people. 9 Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, the joyful mother of children.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 113
In Exitu Israel

God hath shewn his power in delivering his people: idols are vain. (The Hebrews divide this into two psalms.)

1 Alleluia. WHEN Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous people: 2 Judea made his sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw and fled: Jordan was turned back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the hills like the lambs of the flock. 5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee: and thou, O Jordan, that thou wast turned back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams, and ye hills, like lambs of the flock? 7 At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved, at the presence of the God of Jacob: 8 Who turned the rock into pools of water, and the stony hill into fountains of waters. 9 Not to us, O Lord, not to us; but to thy name give glory. 10 For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake: lest the gentiles should say: Where is their God? 11 But our God is in heaven: he hath done all things whatsoever he would. 12 The idols of the gentiles are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men. 13 They have mouths and speak not: they have eyes and see not. 14 They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not. 15 They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat. 16 Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them. 17 The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector. 18 The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector. 19 They that fear the Lord hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector. 20 The Lord hath been mindful of us, and hath blessed us. He hath blessed the house of Israel: he hath blessed the house of Aaron. 21 He hath blessed all that fear the Lord, both little and great. 22 May the Lord add blessings upon you: upon you, and upon your children. 23 Blessed be you of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 24 The heaven of heaven is the Lord's: but the earth he has given to the children of men. 25 The dead shall not praise thee, O Lord: nor any of them that go down to hell. 26 But we that live bless the Lord: from this time now and for ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

COMPLINE:

Psalm 4
Cum Invocarem

The prophet teacheth us to flee to God in tribulation, with confidence in him.

1 Unto the end, in verses. A psalm for David. 2 WHEN I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer. 3 O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying? 4 Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him. 5 Be ye angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds. 6 Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say, Who sheweth us good things? 7 The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart. 8 By the fruit of their corn, their wine and oil, they are multiplied. 9 In peace in the selfsame I will sleep, and I will rest: 10 For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 90
Qui Habitat

The just is secure under the protection of God.

1 The praise of a canticle for David. HE that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob. 2 He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust. 3 For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word. 4 He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust. 5 His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night. 6 Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge. 10 There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling. 11 For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon. 14 Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name. 15 He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him. 16 I will fill him with length of days; and I will shew him my salvation.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 133
Ecce Nunc Benedicite

An exhortation to praise God continually.

1 A gradual canticle. BEHOLD now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. 2 In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord. 3 May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, he that made heaven and earth. -Glory be to the Father...
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Divine Office "Liturgy of the Hours"

The Psalms: The Perfect Prayer Book for Everyone

"Ego sum Alpha et Omega, princípium
et finis, dicit Dóminus Deus : qui est,
et qui erat, et qui ventúrus est, omnípotens".

 

The Psalms

The Perfect Prayer Book for Everyone

"The psalms are prayer, in which God Himself teaches us how to pray; for they were written under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Herein we have the answer to the question: "What prayers shall I say?" Why the prayers of Holy Scripture itself! "There is no need to scrape together endless man-made prayers when Sacred Scripture frames the very thoughts of God." The psalms are the vital presentation of God's inspirations and man's aspirations; they are the ideal manifestations of man's hunger and thirst after God and of God's loving response to man. Of great age, they are ever new and appropriate. They are as satisfying and stimulating to us of the twentieth century as they were to men before the birth of Christ and down through the Apostolic and Middle Ages".

Rev. Joseph B. Frey; July 16, 1947.

From My Daily Psalm Book, Arranged by Father Joseph Frey, Confraternity of the Precious Blood (1947) pp.vi-ix.

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You Can Find the Remaining Six Days of "The Daily Psalms" Here