Posted on 11/13/2012 10:01:09 PM PST by Salvation
From: Titus 3:1-7
Respect for Lawful Authority
Renewal of the Christian Life in the Holy Spirit
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Commentary:
1-8. In the last part of the epistle St Paul deals with the way believers conduct
themselves in society at large (vv. 1-8); he warns Titus to see that the Church
does not become a place where people argue (vv. 9-11); and finally he gives him
some little personal commissions and messages (vv. 12-14) and ends with the
usual words of farewell (v. 15).
The scheme of the first section (vv. 1-8), like the previous chapter, is as follows:
first he describes the requirements of Christian living, specifically the attitude to-
wards civil authority and one’s fellow-citizens (vv. 1-2); then he gives the theologi-
cal reasoning behind it (vv. 3-8): for a Christian, moral behavior is a consequence
of faith.
1-2. Respect for lawful authority (cf. Roman 13:1-7; Tim 2:2; 1 Pet 2: 13-14) was
particularly difficult and meritorious in the situation in Crete, where the local po-
pulation (many of them Jews) were not at all happy with their Roman overlords.
However, the freedom of the children of God (cf. Rom 8:21) which the Christian
acquires at Baptism does not mean he has to be opposed to existing structures:
the main thing it leads him to is personal improvement: “The acute need for radi-
cal reforms of the structures which conceal poverty and which are themselves
forms of violence, should not let us lose sight of the fact that the source of injus-
tice is in the hearts of men. Therefore it is only by making an appeal to the moral
potential of the person and to the constant need for inner conversion, that social
change will be brought about which will truly be in the service of man. For it will
only be in the measure that they collaborate freely in these necessary changes
through their own initiative and solidarity, that people, awakened to a sense of
their responsibility, will grow in humanity” (SCDF, “Libertatis Nuntius”, 11, 8).
Gentleness and courtesy are expressions of the new commandment of love;
they show that a person is spiritually mature, and they are very effective in draw-
ing souls closer to Christ. “To criticize, to destroy, is not difficult; any unskilled
laborer knows how to drive his pick into the noble and finely-hewn stone of a ca-
thedral. To construct: that is what requires the skill of a master” (St. J. Escriva,
“The Way”, 456).
3-7. The main subject of the chapter is the theological basis of social obligations
(vv. 1-2); every Christian should bear witness to salvation history, to the change
from sin to grace, and the change from an era of slavery and error to the era of
freedom and rebirth ushered in by Christ.
The “old regime” is sketched out in a very vivid way (v. 3), showing the effects of
sin on man in his three dimensions: in relation to himself, sin makes a person
foolish, rebellious, wayward, a slave; in respect of God, he becomes hateful in
his rebellious pride; and as far as others are concerned he becomes their enemy
— “hating one another”.
However, the coming of Christ has opened up a new panorama (vv. 4-7). As else-
where in these letters (cf. 1 Tim 3:15; Tit 2:11-14), we have here a hymn to Christ
which may well have come from primitive Christian liturgy or from a confession of
faith. It summarizes Christian teaching on the Incarnation, the Redemption and
the application of salvation to the individual.
According to this text, the Incarnation is the revelation of God our Savior, who
makes known his goodness (”benignity”, a word which often occurs in the Old
Testament and sometimes in the New: cf. Rom 2:4; 11: 22; Gal 5:22; Eph 2:7)
and “loving goodness” (literally “philanthropy”, a word taken from Greek). The
Redemption is referred to in Old Testament language: “he saved us in virtue of
his own mercy.”
Finally, the Christian’s access to salvation is something gratuitous: without any
prior merit on our part, God’s mercy has sought us out (v. 5; cf. note on Rom 3:
27-31); Baptism is the door to salvation, for it is the sacrament of “regeneration
and renewal” (cf. Eph 5:26); the Holy Spirit sent by Christ (cf. Jn 14:26) makes
the waters of Baptism effective; his grace gives life to the soul and entitles it to
eternal life (cf. Gal 4:7; Rom 8:16-17). The Council of Trent specified that “justi-
fication is not only the remission of sins, but sanctification and renovation of the
interior man through the voluntary reception of grace and gifts whereby a man
becomes just instead of unjust and a friend instead of an enemy, that he may
be an heir in the hope of life everlasting” (”De Iustificatione”, chap. 7).
The magnificent resume of faith in Christ contained in Titus 3:3-7 also helps Chris-
tians see how to approach their work and social involvement; the Second Vatican
Council has reminded us once again that “the promised and hoped-for restoration
has already begun in Christ. It is carried forward in the sending of the Holy Spirit
and through him continues in the Church in which, through our faith, we learn the
meaning of our earthly life, while we bring to term, with hope of future good, the
task allotted to us in the world by the Father, and so work out our salvation” (”Lu-
men Gentium”, 48).
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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.
From: Luke 17:11-19
The Ten Lepers
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Commentary:
11-19. The setting of this episode explains how a Samaritan could be in the com-
pany of Jews. There was no love lost between Jews and Samaritans (cf. John 4:
9), but shared pain, in the case of these lepers, overcame racial antipathy.
The Law of Moses laid down, to prevent the spread of the disease, that lepers
should live away from other people and should let it be known that they were suf-
fering from this disease (cf. Leviticus 13:45-46). This explains why they did not
come right up to Jesus and His group, but instead begged His help by shouting
from a distance. Before curing them our Lord orders them to go to the priests to
have their cure certified (cf. Leviticus 14:2ff), and to perform the rites laid down.
The lepers’ obedience is a sign of faith in Jesus’ words. And, in fact, soon after
setting out they are cleansed.
However, only one of them, the Samaritan, who returns praising God and sho-
wing his gratitude for the miracle, is given a much greater gift than the cure of le-
prosy. Jesus says as much: “Your faith has made you well” (verse 19) and prai-
ses the man’s gratefulness. The Gospel records this event to teach us the value
of gratefulness: “Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving,
many times a day. Because He gives you this and that. Because you have been
despised. Because you haven’t what you need or because you have.
“Because He made His Mother so beautiful, His Mother who is also your Mo-
ther. Because He created the sun and the moon and this animal and that plant.
Because He made that man eloquent and you He left tongue-tied ....
“Thank Him for everything, because everything is good” (St. J. Escriva, “The
Way”, 268).
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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.
First reading | Titus 3:1-7 © |
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Psalm | Psalm 22:1-6 © |
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Gospel Acclamation | cf.2Th2:14 |
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Or | 1Th5:18 |
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Gospel | Luke 17:11-19 © |
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The following is the longer version of the vital prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 after his startling vision as to the future of the Church. This prayer was dedicated for the Feast of St. Michael 1448 years from the date of the election of the first Leo - Pope Saint Leo the Great. Everyone is familiar with the first prayer below which was mandated by His Holiness as part of the Leonine Prayers after Low Mass. Below are both the short and longer versions of this poignant prayer which should never be forgotten.
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
R: The Lion of the Tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David. V: Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord. R: As we have hoped in Thee. V: O Lord hear my prayer. R: And let my cry come unto Thee. V: Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of our souls. Amen. Look down upon me, O good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; the while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my good Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones." Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
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We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.
Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.
Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.
Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.
Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.
O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.
Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests
This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.
The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.
Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.
St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.
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 ever shall be, world without end. 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]
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 the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
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From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:
"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"
PLEASE JOIN US -
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Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. As a reminder of our duty to pray for the suffering faithful in Purgatory, the Church has dedicated the month of November to the Holy Souls. The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
To Help the Holy Souls in Purgatory:
1. Have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered up for them.
2. Pray the Rosary and or the Chaplet of Divine Marcy for them, or both.
3. Pray the Stations of the Cross.
4. Offer up little sacrifices and fasting.
5. Spread devotion to them, so that others may pray for them.
6. Attend Eucharistic Adoration and pray for them.
7. Gain all the indulgences you can, and apply them to the Holy Souls
8. Visit to a Cemetery
V. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance;
R. He shall not fear the evil hearing.
V. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of the faithful departed from every bond of sin,
R. And by the help of Thy grace may they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment,
and to enjoy the happiness of eternal life.
V. Because in Thy mercy are deposited the souls that departed in an inferior degree of grace,
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Because their present suffering is greatest in the knowledge of the pain that their separation from Thee is causing Thee,
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Because of their present inability to add to Thy accidental glory,
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Not for our consolation, O Lord; not for their release from purgative pain, O God;
but for Thy joy and the greater accidental honour of Thy throne, O Christ the King,
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. For the souls of our departed friends, relations and benefactors,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those of our family who have fallen asleep in Thy bosom, O Jesus,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who have gone to prepare our place,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. (For those who were our brothers [or sisters] in Religion,)
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For priests who were our spiritual directors,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For men or women who were our teachers in school,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who were our employers (or employees),
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who were our associates in daily toil,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For any soul whom we ever offended,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For our enemies now departed,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those souls who have none to pray for them,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those forgotten by their friends and kin,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those now suffering the most,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who have acquired the most merit,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For the souls next to be released from Purgatory,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those who, while on earth, were most devoted to God the Holy Ghost, to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
to the holy Mother of God,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For all deceased popes and prelates,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For all deceased priests, seminarians and religious,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For all our brethren in the Faith everywhere,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For all our separated brethren who deeply loved Thee, and would have come into Thy household had they known the truth,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those souls who need, or in life asked, our prayers,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. For those, closer to Thee than we are, whose prayers we need,
R. grant light and peace, O Lord.
V. That those may be happy with Thee forever, who on earth were true exemplars of the Catholic Faith,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be admitted to Thine unveiled Presence, who as far as we know never committed mortal sin,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be housed in glory, who lived always in recollection and prayer,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be given the celestial joy of beholding Thee, who lived lives of mortification and self-denial and penance,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be flooded with Thy love, who denied themselves even Thy favours of indulgence and who made the heroic act for the souls who had gone before them,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. That those may be drawn up to the Beatific Vision, who never put obstacles in the way of sanctifying grace and who ever drew closer in mystical union with Thee,
R. grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord,
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
Let Us Pray
Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaids, N. and N., who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of grace. To these, O Lord,
and to all who rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light and peace, through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen
All Saints or All Souls? Differences should be black and white
All Souls' Day [Catholic Caucus]
Why I Am Catholic: For Purgatory, Thank Heavens (Ecumenical)
Q and A: Why Pray for the Dead? [Ecumenical]
.and Death is Gain A Meditation on the Christian View of Death [Catholic Caucus]
99 & 1/2 Wont Do A Meditation on Purgatory
The Month of November: Thoughts on the "Last Things"
To Trace All Souls Day (Protestants vs Catholics)
November 2 -- All Souls Day
On November: All Souls and the "Permanent Things"
"From the Pastor" ALL SAINTS & ALL SOULS
Praying for the Dead [All Souls Day] (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
To Trace All Souls Day [Ecumenical]
All Souls Day [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Roots of All Souls Day
The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
During Month of Souls, Recall Mystic, St. Gertrude the Great
All Saints and All Souls
November 2012
Pope's intentions
General Intention: Ministers of the Gospel. That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the crucified and risen Lord.
Missionary Intention: Pilgrim Church. That the pilgrim Church on earth may shine as a light to the nations.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 St. Nicholas Tavelic, OFM, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs (Memorial) |
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. |
Please add me to your ping list. Thank you!
Feast Day: | November 14 |
Born: | 1128, Castledermot, Kildare, Ireland |
Died: | November 14, 1180, Normandy, France |
Canonized: | 1225 by Pope Honorius III |
Major Shrine: | St Lawrence's church in Chorley, England |
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