Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 06-06-12, Opt. Mem. St. Norbert, Bishop

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 06-06-12 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

June 6, 2012

 

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

 

Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-3, 6-12

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
for the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
to Timothy, my dear child:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God,
whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did,
as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the Gospel,
for which I was appointed preacher and Apostle and teacher.
On this account I am suffering these things;
but I am not ashamed,
for I know him in whom I have believed
and am confident that he is able to guard
what has been entrusted to me until that day.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 123:1b-2ab, 2cdef

R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven.
Behold, as the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.
As the eyes of a maid
are on the hands of her mistress,
So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
till he have pity on us.
R.To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.

Gospel Mk 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,
came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying,
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,
If someone's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,
his brother must take the wife
and raise up descendants for his brother.
Now there were seven brothers.
The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.
So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants,
and the third likewise.
And the seven left no descendants.
Last of all the woman also died.
At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?
For all seven had been married to her."
Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled
because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
When they rise from the dead,
they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but they are like the angels in heaven.
As for the dead being raised,
have you not read in the Book of Moses,
in the passage about the bush, how God told him,
I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,
and the God of Jacob?
He is not God of the dead but of the living.
You are greatly misled."

[markomalley]

Vespers

The Optional Memorial of Saint Norbert, Bishop, may be observed today using the ferial texts with the Proper Closing Prayer. If it is desired to use any texts from the Common, these may be taken from the Common of Pastors: For a Bishop, found in the ‘Prayers’ section of the iBreviary.

INVITATORY

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O Father, whose creating hand
Brings harvest from the fruitful land,
Your providence we gladly own,
And bring our hymns before your throne
To praise you for the living bread
On which our lives are daily fed.

O Lord, who in the desert fed
The hungry thousands in their need,
Where want and famine still abound
Let your relieving love be found,
And in your name we may supply
Your hungry children when they cry.

O Spirit, your revealing light
Has led our questing souls aright;
Source of our science, you have taught
The marvels human minds have wrought,
So that the barren deserts yield
The bounty by your love revealed.

Melody: Melita 88.88.88
Music: John B. Dykes, 1823-1876
Text: Donald Hughes, 1911-1967

Or:

O God, whose hand hath spread the sky
And all its shining hosts on high,
And painting it with fiery light,
Made it so beauteous and so bright:

Who, on the fourth day, didst reveal
The sun’s enkindled flaming wheel,
Didst set the moon her ordered ways,
And stars their ever-winding maze;

That each in its appointed way
Might separate the night from day,
And of the seasons through the year
The well-remembered signs declare:

Illuminate our hearts within,
And cleanse our minds from stain of sin;
Unburdened of our guilty load
May we unfettered serve our God.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

Melody: Te lucis ante terminum L.M.
Music: Anonymous, Gregorian
Text: Cæli Deus sanctissime, attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604
Translation: John M. Neale, 1818-1866

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?

Psalm 27
God stands by us in dangers

God now truly dwells with men (Revelation 21:3).

I

The Lord is my light and my help; *
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; *
before whom shall I shrink?

When evil-doers draw near *
to devour my flesh,
it is they, my enemies and foes, *
who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me *
my heart would not fear.
Though war break out against me *
even then would I trust.

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, *
for this I long,
to live in the house of the Lord, *
all the days of my life,
to savor the sweetness of the Lord, *
to behold his temple.

For there he keeps me safe in his tent *
in the day of evil.
He hides me in the shelter of his tent, *
on a rock he sets me safe.

And now my head shall be raised *
above my foes who surround me,
and I shall offer within his tent *
a sacrifice of joy.

I will sing and make music for the Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?

Ant. 2 I long to look on you, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.

II

Some rose to present lies and false evidence agianst Jesus (Mark 14:57).

O Lord, hear my voice when I call; *
have mercy and answer.
Of you my heart has spoken: *
“Seek his face.”

It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; *
hide not your face.
Dismiss not your servant in anger; *
you have been my help.

Do not abandon or forsake me, *
O God my help!
Though father and mother forsake me, *
the Lord will receive me.

Instruct me, Lord, in your way; *
on an even path lead me.
When they lie in ambush, protect me *
from my enemy’s greed.
False witnesses rise against me, *
breathing out fury.

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness *
in the land of the living.
Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. *
Hope in the Lord!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Father, you protect and strengthen those who hope in you; you heard the cry of your Son and kept him safe in your tent in the day of evil. Grant that your servants who seek your face in time of trouble may see your goodness in the land of the living.

Ant. I long to look on you, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.

Ant. 3 He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is his.

Canticle: Colossians 1:12-20
Christ the first-born of all creation and the first-born from the dead

Let us give thanks to the Father *
for having made you worthy
to share the lot of the saints *
in light.

He rescued us *
from the power of darkness
and brought us *
into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Through him we have redemption, *
the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, *
the first-born of all creatures.
In him everything in heaven and on earth was created, *
things visible and invisible.

All were created through him; *
all were created for him.
He is before all else that is. *
In him everything continues in being.

It is he who is head of the body, the church! *
he who is the beginning,
the first-born of the dead, *
so that primacy may be his in everything.

It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in him *
and, by means of him, to reconcile everything in his person,
both on earth and in the heavens, *
making peace through the blood of his cross.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is his.

READING
James 1:19-22, 25

Act on this word. If all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves. There is, on the other hand, the man who peers into freedom’s ideal law and abides by it. He is no forgetful listener, but one who carries out the law in practice. Blest will this man be in whatever he does.

RESPONSORY

Claim me once more as your own, Lord, and have mercy on me.
– Claim me once more as your own, Lord, and have mercy on me.

Do not abandon me with the wicked;
– have mercy on me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– Claim me once more as your own, Lord, and have mercy on me.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

INTERCESSIONS

In all that we do, let the name of the Lord be praised, for he surrounds his chosen people with boundless love. Let our prayer rise up to him:
Lord, show us your love.

Remember your Church, Lord,
– keep her from every evil and let her grow to the fullness of your love.
Lord, show us your love.

Let the nations recognize you as the one true God,
– and Jesus your Son, as the Messiah whom you sent.
Lord, show us your love.

Grant prosperity to our neighbors,
– give them life and happiness for ever.
Lord, show us your love.

Console those who are burdened with oppressive work and daily hardships,
– preserve the dignity of workers.
Lord, show us your love.

Open wide the doors of your compassion to those who have died today,
– and in your mercy receive them into your kingdom.
Lord, show us your love.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(With longing for the coming of God’s kingdom, let us offer our prayer to the Father:)

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.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Lord,
watch over us by day and by night.
In the midst of life’s countless changes
strengthen us with your never-changing love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless + us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

---

For the Memorial of Saint Norbert:

You made the bishop Norbert
an outstanding minister of Your Church,
renowned for his preaching and pastoral zeal.
Always grant to Your Church faithful shepherds
to lead Your people to eternal salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

Or:

O God, who made the Bishop Saint Norbert
a servant of your Church
outstanding in his prayer and pastoral zeal,
grant, we ask, that, by the help of his intercession,
the flock of the faithful
may always find shepherds after your own heart
and be fed in the pastures of salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless + us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

[markomalley]

Compline

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

A brief examination of conscience may be made. In the communal celebration of the Office, a Penitential Rite using the formulas of the Mass may be inserted here.

[I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;

Then they continue:

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.]

HYMN

O love of God, how strong and true,
Eternal, and yet ever new,
Uncomprehended and unbought,
Beyond all knowledge and all thought!

O heav’nly love, how precious still
In days of weariness and ill,
In nights of pain and helplessness,
To heal, to comfort and to bless!

O wide embracing wondrous love,
We read thee in the sky above;
We read thee in the earth below,
In seas that swell and streams that flow.

We read thee best in him who came
And bore for us the cross of shame,
Sent by the Father from on high,
Our life to live, our death to die.

O love of God, our shield and stay
Through all the perils of our way—
Eternal love, in thee we rest.
For ever safe, for ever blest.

Melody: Bevor des Tages Licht begeht L.M.
Music: Mode VIII, Deutsches Psalterium für die Sonntage und Wochentage des Kirchenjahres
Text: Horatius T. Bonar, 1808-1889

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Lord God, be my refuge and my strength.

Psalm 31:1-6
Trustful prayer in adversity

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46).

In you, O Lord, I take refuge. *
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free, *
hear me and speedily rescue me.

Be a rock of refuge for me, *
a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold. *
For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

Release me from the snares they have hidden *
for you are my refuge, Lord.
Into your hands I commend my spirit. *
It is you who will redeem me, Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord God, be my refuge and my strength.

Ant. 2 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.

Psalm 130
A cry from the depths

He will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, *
Lord, hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive *
to the voice of my pleading.

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, *
Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness: *
for this we revere you.

My soul is waiting for the Lord, *
I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord *
more than watchman for daybreak.
Let the watchman count on daybreak *
and Israel on the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mercy *
and fullness of redemption,
Israel indeed he will redeem *
from all its iniquity.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.

READING
Ephesians 4:26-27

If you are angry, let it be without sin. The sun must not go down on your wrath; do not give the devil a chance to work on you.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, + now you let your servant go in peace; *
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation *
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations *
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have given your followers
an example of gentleness and humility,
a task that is easy, a burden that is light.
Accept the prayers and work of this day,
and give us the rest that will strengthen us
to render more faithful service to you
who live and reign for ever and ever.
– Amen.

BLESSING

May the all-powerful Lord
grant us a restful night
and a peaceful death.
– Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

Or:

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you!
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Or:

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
 vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve,
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
 in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
 illos tuos misericordes occulos
 ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
 nobis post hoc exilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

Or:

Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.

[Salvation]

Saint Norbert, Bishop

Saint Norbert, Bishop
Optional Memorial
June 6th

Saint Norbert
Marten Pepijn
1637
Oil on panel
O.-L. Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp

Saint Norbert was born in Xanten, in what is now Germany, he turned from a worldly life, became a monk and an itinerant preacher, and later founded the Premonstratensians. Through his example and preaching, he worked very hard to implant the religious and moral reforms of Pope Gregory VII. He died Archbishop of Magdeburg.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

 

Collect:
Father,
O God, who made the Bishop Saint Norbert
a servant of your Church
outstanding in his prayer and pastoral zeal,
grant, we ask, that by the help of his intercession,
the flock of the faithful
may always find shepherds after your own heart
and be fed in the pastures of salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16
"For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the fountains, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I Myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice.

Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-33
Now great multitudes accompanied Him; and He turned and said to them, "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple".

[Salvation]

St. Norbert (Bishop)
St.Norbert
Image Of St Norbert: A Scientific/Artistic Reconstruction

[Salvation]

Information: St. Norbert

Feast Day:	June 6
Born:	1080 at Xanten, Germany
Died:	6 June 1134 at Magdeburg, Germany
Canonized:	1582 by Pope Gregory XIII
Patron of:	invoked during childbirth for safe delivery; Magdeburg, peace

[Salvation]

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Norbert

Feast Day: June 06
Born: (around) 1080 :: Died: 1134

Norbert was born in Germany. He was a good child and teenager. Then at the court of Emperor Henry V, Norbert spent all his time making merry and having fun. He only wanted high positions in the court. He was always the first to arrive at parties and celebrations. He was very happy with "the good life."

One day, however, his horse was frightened by a flash of lightning and bolted. Norbert was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious. When he woke, he began to think seriously about the way he was wasting his life.

Suddenly, God felt very near. Norbert realized that the Lord was offering him the grace to change for the better. He then decided to take life more seriously and went back to the idea he had once had many years before. He had wanted to become a priest. So he studied to become a priest and was ordained to the priesthood in 1115.

Father Norbert worked hard to make others turn from their worldly ways. He gave a good example by selling all that he had and gave the money to the poor. St. Norbert started a congregation to teach people about the faith.

They began their religious life with thirteen brothers and lived in the valley of Premontre. That is why they are called Premonstratensians. They are also called Norbertines, after their founder and they started a movement of change that spread all over Europe.

St. Norbert was made bishop of the city of Magdeburg. He entered the city wearing very poor clothes and no shoes. The porter at the door of the bishop's house did not know him and refused to let him in. He told him to go join the other beggars.

"But he is our new bishop!" shouted those who knew the saint. The porter was shocked and very sorry. "Never mind, dear brother," St. Norbert said kindly. "You judge me more correctly than those who brought me here."

St. Norbert had to defend the truth that Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist. His beautiful words about Our Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament brought the people back to their holy faith. He was charming and loved all men both great and small alike.

In March, 1133, he and his great friend, St. Bernard (whose feast is celebrated on August 20) walked in an unusual procession. They joined the emperor and his army to accompany the true pope, Innocent II, safely to the Vatican. St. Norbert died at Magdeburg in Germany in 1134.

[Salvation]

 

Catholic

Almanac:

Wednesday, June 6
Liturgical Color: Green
St. Norbert died on this day in 1134. A worldly person, St. Norbert took his religious vows seriously after nearly dying. Because his fellow monks resisted reforms, he started a new, stricter order that flourished across Europe.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: June 06, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who made the Bishop Saint Norbert a servant of your Church outstanding in his prayer and pastoral zeal, grant, we ask, that by the help of his intercession, the flock of the faithful may always find shepherds after your own heart and be fed in the pastures of salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

• Sour Beef

ACTIVITIES

• Namedays
• Religion in the Home for Preschool: June

PRAYERS

• The Golden Sequence
• Means of Spiritual Renewal in the Family

Ordinary Time: June 6th

Optional Memorial of St. Norbert, bishop

Old Calendar: St. Norbert

St. Norbert was born at Xanten near Cologne about the year 1080. As a young cleric he resided at the court of the Archbishop of Cologne and then at that of the emperor where he allowed himself to be influenced by the spirit of the world. But he was won back by grace; caught by a storm during a journey on horseback he made up his mind to take his clerical obligations seriously. After ordination to the priesthood he devoted himself to itinerant preaching.

In 1120, on the advice of the bishop of Laon, he settled in the forest of Voix, not far from Soissons at a place called Premontre, in order to found a community of regular Canons. In 1126 he was sent to what was then one of the outposts of Christendom for he was appointed archbishop of Magdeburg. He died in 1134.

---

St. Norbert
Although a cleric, Norbert led a very worldly life for a number of years. The decisive change took place suddenly in 1115. While riding one day, he was overtaken by a thunderstorm. A flash of lightning struck the ground before him, the horse threw him, and he seemed to hear a voice upbraiding him for his conduct.

As in the case of St. Paul, the experience wrought a complete transformation. Norbert decided to give away his property and income rights, and to lead a life of abnegation, devoting himself particularly to preaching. In 1120 he founded the Order of Premonstratensians (the first monastery was at Premontre) according to the rule of St. Augustine; approval came from Pope Honorius II in 1126.

In 1125, he was named archbishop of Magdeburg. On July 13, 1126, Norbert entered the city and came barefoot to the cathedral. About to enter the archepiscopal palace, he was refused admission by the porter, who failed to recognize a bishop so poorly dressed. "You know me better and see me with clearer eyes than those who are forcing me to this palace. Poor and wretched man that I am, I should never have been assigned to this place," Norbert answered when the porter later sought his pardon.

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patron: Bohemia, peace.

Things to Do:

• Read the life of St. Norbert written by his first disciple, Hugh, who succeded him in the government of his order.

• St. Norbert was called the “Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament”. Try making a holy hour today and pray to St. Norbert to help us to have a great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, too.

• For those interested in liturgical music you can read about Norbertine Gregorian Chant. The order has its "own" chant.

• Read this brief history and overview of the Norbertine Order.

• The Norbertine order has been around for 900 years. The Canons Regular of Prémontré, otherwise known as the Premonstratensians or the Norbertines, run the parish of Our Lady of England, Storrington. Learn more about their charism here.

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: 2 Timothy 1:1-3,6-12

“Stir into flame the gift of God that you have.” (2 Timothy 1:6)

Stop, drop, and roll. For decades, this fire safety mantra has been taught to schoolchildren so that they can have a quick way to remember what to do if their clothes ever catch fire. Fire needs fuel and heat, but without air, it can’t burn for long. So one of the best ways to put out a fire is to get rid of its source of oxygen.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have St. Paul telling Timothy—and all of us—to fan into flame the gifts God has poured out. Through the Holy Spirit, God has enkindled in each of us unique spiri­tual gifts. But in order for them to really catch fire, we need to partici­pate. We need to feed the fire of the Spirit with our own choices. Every step of faith that we take is like the oxygen added to the fire to keep it blazing! Our effort, feeble though it may seem to us, works like a bellows blowing air onto the fire of God’s gifts, making them more and more effective.

What might put out that fire? Different attitudes in our hearts can act like a wet blanket. Paul warns Timothy against fear and shame, but we may struggle with others as well. We may feel led to share a word of encouragement with a friend, but worry about how that friend might receive it. We may doubt that we’ll get much out of prayer one morning, so we skip it. We may allow a mood or self-righteous thought to over­shadow our peace in Christ. We may feel that we have the right to hold some resentment against our spouse, so we refuse to forgive.

Even if you feel hesitant, take a step and follow the Holy Spirit’s lead. Then watch the flame burn brighter! The more you seek the Lord and practice using his gifts, the easier it will become—and the more you will be encouraged by the results. Go ahead and fan the flame of the Spirit. Let his fire burn away all doubt and hesitation, so that you can become a beacon of hope for the people around you.

“Holy Spirit, help me identify the gifts you’ve given me so that I can fan them into flame. Help me to put aside any attitudes that can dampen the flames!”

Psalm 123:1-2; Mark 12:18-27

[Salvation]

 

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for June 6, 2012:

Scripture tells us to “humbly regard others as more important than yourselves” (Phil 2:3). What act of humility can you practice in your marriage today?

[annalex]

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 12
18.	And there came to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying:	Et venerunt ad eum sadducæi, qui dicunt resurrectionem non esse : et interrogabant eum, dicentes :	και ερχονται σαδδουκαιοι προς αυτον οιτινες λεγουσιν αναστασιν μη ειναι και επηρωτησαν αυτον λεγοντες
19.	Master, Moses wrote unto us, that if any man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.	Magister, Moyses nobis scripsit, ut si cujus frater mortuus fuerit, et dimiserit uxorem, et filios non reliquerit, accipiat frater ejus uxorem ipsius, et resuscitet semen fratri suo.	διδασκαλε μωσης εγραψεν ημιν οτι εαν τινος αδελφος αποθανη και καταλιπη γυναικα και τεκνα μη αφη ινα λαβη ο αδελφος αυτου την γυναικα αυτου και εξαναστηση σπερμα τω αδελφω αυτου
20.	Now there were seven brethren; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no issue.	Septem ergo fratres erant : et primus accepit uxorem, et mortuus est non relicto semine.	επτα αδελφοι ησαν και ο πρωτος ελαβεν γυναικα και αποθνησκων ουκ αφηκεν σπερμα
21.	And the second took her, and died: and neither did he leave any issue. And the third in like manner.	Et secundus accepit eam, et mortuus est : et nec iste reliquit semen. Et tertius similiter.	και ο δευτερος ελαβεν αυτην και απεθανεν και ουδε αυτος αφηκεν σπερμα και ο τριτος ωσαυτως
22.	And the seven all took her in like manner; and did not leave issue. Last of all the woman also died.	Et acceperunt eam similiter septem : et non reliquerunt semen. Novissima omnium defuncta est et mulier.	και ελαβον αυτην οι επτα και ουκ αφηκαν σπερμα εσχατη παντων απεθανεν και η γυνη
23.	In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise again, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.	In resurrectione ergo cum resurrexerint, cujus de his erit uxor ? septem enim habuerunt eam uxorem.	εν τη αναστασει οταν αναστωσιν τινος αυτων εσται γυνη οι γαρ επτα εσχον αυτην γυναικα
24.	And Jesus answering, saith to them: Do ye not therefore err, because you know not the scriptures, nor the power of God?	Et respondens Jesus, ait illis : Nonne ideo erratis, non scientes Scripturas, neque virtutem Dei ?	και αποκριθεις ο ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ου δια τουτο πλανασθε μη ειδοτες τας γραφας μηδε την δυναμιν του θεου
25.	For when they shall rise again from the dead, they shall neither marry, nor be married, but are as the angels in heaven.	Cum enim a mortuis resurrexerint, neque nubent, neque nubentur, sed sunt sicut angeli in cælis.	οταν γαρ εκ νεκρων αναστωσιν ουτε γαμουσιν ουτε γαμισκονται αλλ εισιν ως αγγελοι οι εν τοις ουρανοις
26.	And as concerning the dead that they rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spoke to him, saying: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?	De mortuis autem quod resurgant, non legistis in libro Moysi, super rubum, quomodo dixerit illi Deus, inquiens : Ego sum Deus Abraham, et Deus Isaac, et Deus Jacob ?	περι δε των νεκρων οτι εγειρονται ουκ ανεγνωτε εν τη βιβλω μωσεως επι του βατου ως ειπεν αυτω ο θεος λεγων εγω ο θεος αβρααμ και ο θεος ισαακ και ο θεος ιακωβ
27.	He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You therefore do greatly err.	Non est Deus mortuorum, sed vivorum. Vos ergo multum erratis.	ουκ εστιν ο θεος νεκρων αλλα θεος ζωντων υμεις ουν πολυ πλανασθε

[annalex]

18. Then come to him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
19. Master, Moses wrote to us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
20. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
21. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
22. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
23. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
24. And Jesus answering, said to them, Do you not therefore err, because you know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God?
25. For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
26. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have you not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spoke to him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27. He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: you therefore do greatly err.

GLOSS. After that our Lord has prudently escaped the crafty temptation of the Pharisees, it is shows how He also confounds the Sadducees, who tempt Him; wherefore it is Said: Then come to him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection.

THEOPHYL. A certain heretical sect of the Jews called Sadducees denied the resurrection, and said that there was neither angel nor spirit. These then coming to Jesus, craftily proposed to Him a certain tale, in order to show that no resurrection should take place, or had taken place; and therefore there is added, And they asked him, saying, Master.

And in this tale they lay down that seven men had married one woman, in order to make men draw back from belief in the resurrection.

BEDE; And fitly do they frame such a fable in order to prove the madness of those who assert the resurrection of the body. Such a thing however might really have happened at some time or other among them.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But in a mystical sense: what can this woman, leaving no seed of seven brothers, and last of all dying, mean except the Jewish synagogue, deserted by the seven-fold Spirit, which filled those seven patriarchs, who did not leave to her the seed of Abraham, that is, Jesus Christ? For although a Son was born to them, nevertheless He was given to us Gentiles.

This woman was dead to Christ, nor shall she be joined in the resurrection to any patriarch of the seven; for by the number seven is meant the whole company of the faithful. Thus it is said contrariwise by Isaiah, Seven women shall take hold of one man; that is, the seven Churches, which the Lord loves, reproves, and chastises, adore Him with one faith.

Wherefore it goes on: And Jesus answering, said to them, Do you not therefore err, not knowing the Scripture, neither the power of God!

THEOPHYL. As if He had said, you understand not what sort of a resurrection the Scriptures announce; for you believe that there will be a restoration of our bodies, such as they are now, but it shall not be so. Thus then you know not the Scriptures; neither again do you know the power of God; for you consider it as a difficult thing, saying, How can the limbs, which have been scattered, be united together and joined to the soul? But this in respect of the Divine power is as nothing.

There follows: For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven; as if He had said, There will be a certain heavenly and angelic restoration to life, when there shall be no more decay, and we shall remain unchanged; and for this reason marriage shall cease. For marriage now exists on account of our decay, that we may be carried on by succession of our race, and not fail; but then we shall be as the Angels, which need no succession by marriage, and never come to an end.

BEDE; We must here consider that the Latin custom does not answer to the Greek idiom. For properly different words are used for the marriage of men, and that of women; but here we may simply understand that, marry is meant of men, and given in marriage of women.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Thus then they do not understand the Scripture, in that in the resurrection, men shall be as the Angels of God, that is, no man there dies, no one is born, no infant is there, no old man.

THEOPHYL. In another way also they are deceived, not understanding the Scriptures; for if they had understood them, they should also have understood how by the Scriptures the resurrection of the dead may be proved; wherefore He adds, And as touching the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the took of Moses, how in the bush God spoke to him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

PSEUDO-JEROME; But I say, in the bush, in which is an image of you; for in it the fire was kindled, but it did not consume its thorns; so my words set you on fire, but do not burn off your thorns, which have grown under the curse.

THEOPHYL. But I say, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. As if He had said, The God of the living, wherefore He adds, He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for He did not say, I have been, but I am, as if they had been present. But some one perhaps will say, that God spoke this only of the soul of Abraham, not of His body; to which I answer, that Abraham implies both, that is, soul and body, so that He also is the God of the body, and the body lives with God, that is, in God's ordinance.

BEDE; Or else; because after proving that the soul remained after death, (for God could not be God of those who did not exist at all,) the resurrection of the body also might be inferred as a consequence, since it had done good and evil with the soul.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But when He says, The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; by naming God thrice, He implied the Trinity. But when He says, He is not the God of the dead, by naming again the One God, he implies One Substance. But they live who make good the portion, which they had chosen; and they are dead, who have lost what they had made good. You therefore do greatly err.

GLOSS. That is, because they contradicted the Scriptures, and derogated from the power of God.

Catena Aurea Mark 12

[annalex]

The Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine

Barna da Siena 1340
Tempera on panel
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Love the Ones You´re With

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Edward McIlmail, LC
.

Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone´s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her." Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come before you humbly. As one who has frequently fallen into sin, I am aware of my weakness. Your great love, though, assures me that your grace can keep me on the path to holiness.

Petition: Lord, let me imitate you better in my dealings with my loved ones.

1. If We Only Understood the Power of God: We can be like the Sadducees. It´s not that we deny the resurrection of the dead. But we can live as if we don´t believe in the power of God. A rash of bad news can leave us on the verge of despair. We might ask: What´s the use? Evil seems to be winning on all sides. Families are breaking down. Pornography is rife. Materialism is rampant. Yet, the Almighty remains in charge. "Evil does not have the last word in the world," said Pope Benedict XVI on Dec. 22, 2005. We Christians are called to be witnesses to hope and joy. Does our life radiate joy? If not, why not?

2. Reading the Scriptures: The study of Scripture is, as it were, the "soul of sacred theology," says Vatican II (see Dei Verbum, 24). Our Lord, in effect, tells the Sadducees: "Because you don´t know Scripture, you don´t know me. You don´t know what I´m about ― my message of mercy, my call to repentance, my invitation to seek out the lost sheep." So many of Christ´s supposed followers spend their time criticizing the Church, the hierarchy, the parish and the school. They forget that Christ calls them to build up, not to tear down. If only they knew him better in Scripture. Where do I spend most of my energy day by day? Building up the Church and the community? Or nitpicking at the faults of its members?

3. Like the Angels in Heaven: Marriage is beautiful. It is a sacrament ― and an icon, so to speak, of the inner life of the Trinity. But it can bring only a relative happiness, at best. Its more transcendent goal is to lead spouses to heaven. In this world, expecting too much of a spouse (or anyone, for that matter) courts disappointment. Humans have weaknesses. Yet, they have their greatness, too. Could not that spouse, that family member, that colleague, be saints despite their flaws? Do we see those around us as potential saints? Do we encourage them in their path?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me see the greatness in people, their good qualities and their potential to be apostles. Let me see, too, how I can help them along the path to holiness.

Resolution: Today I will compliment someone on a genuine virtue they possess.

[Salvation]

Working With God’s Strength

• Homily of the Day
• June 6th, 2012
• Food For Thought

First Reading:  2 Tm 1:1-3, 6-12

Psalm: Ps 123:1b-2ab, 2cdef

Gospel: Mk 12:18-27

St. Paul’s epistle today calls us to work for the Gospel with God’s strength. And this means knowing many things, having people skills, being patient and wise, prioritizing, dealing with stumbling blocks, choosing when to push forward or be prudent and hold one’s peace. We tend to rely solely on our skills, trusting that God will not expect from us what we do not know or have not learned from school, home or past experience.

It is always startling when we see how we have been prepared by some question in a seminar, something we had just read, some activity which had absolutely no bearing (or so we thought) on spreading the Good News, or some fresh lesson stored in our memory bank. Yes, these recent things are now part of our skills and talents and yet the events which had conspired to equip us with these new things have come from the deep well of God’s thought. His strength has indeed taken over because ours remains inadequate. This should fill us with thankfulness for God’s grace and wonder that His infinite power is ever at work to achieve in us the many things He desires for building
up His Kingdom.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Wednesday, June 6, 2012 >>

St. Norbert Saint of the Day

2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12
View Readings

Psalm 123:1-2

Mark 12:18-27

DIVINE CORRECTION

"Jesus said: 'You are badly misled, because you fail to understand the Scriptures or the power of God.' " —Mark 12:24

 

Jesus said to the Sadducees and has said to each of us: "You are very much mistaken" (Mk 12:27). When Jesus shows His love for us by telling us we're wrong, do we thank Him or do we ignore Him? When Jesus criticizes us for not understanding "the Scriptures or the power of God" (Mk 12:24), do we persist in denial and become defensive, or do we repent of making a pretense of religion by negating its power? (2 Tm 3:5) Are we trying to understand the Scriptures, or will the indictment against us on Judgment Day be: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ"? (Catechism, 133)

In His mercy, Jesus corrects us. It is a privilege to be corrected by God Himself, Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). "He who loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid" (Prv 12:1). "The man who remains stiff-necked and hates rebuke will be crushed suddenly beyond cure" (Prv 29:1). Therefore, let's thankfully take correction from the Lord. The Lord's correction means there is hope for the future and the grace to grow in holiness. Let's receive His correction and go to Confession regularly and frequently. Jesus wants to say to us: "You were very much mistaken, but you have repented and now see the light."

 

Prayer: Jesus, please correct me.

Promise: "I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One That makes us strong, loving, and wise." —2 Tm 1:6-7

Praise: St. Norbert resisted becoming a priest until a lightning bolt threw him from his horse. He encountered Jesus deeply, sold his estates, gave away the proceeds, became an itinerant preacher, and ultimately became a model archbishop.

[Salvation]