Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 11-14-15

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 11-14-15 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

Information: St. Lawrence O'Toole

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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Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Lawrence O'Toole

Feast Day: November 14
Born: 1128 :: Died: 1180

Lawrence was born at Castledermot in Ireland. He was the son of the chief of Hy Murray. When he was only ten years old, a neighboring king Dermot McMurrogh Leinster attacked his father's territory and kidnapped him. Young Lawrence suffered for two years.

Then his father forced the king to give him up to the care of a bishop. When he did, Lawrence's father hurried to see his son and gratefully brought him home.

The chief wanted one of his sons to enter the service of the Church. While he was wondering which one to send, Lawrence told him with a laugh that he need not wonder anymore. "It is my desire," said Lawrence, "to have for my inheritance the service of God in the Church."

So his father took him by the hand and gave him into the care of the Bishop of Glendalough. Lawrence became a priest and the abbot of a great monastery.

Once food became very scarce in the whole neighborhood of the monastery. The good abbot gave great quantities away to keep the people from starving. He had many problems to handle as head of the monastery, too. Some of the monks criticized him for being too strict.

But Lawrence kept right on guiding the community in the way of self-sacrifice, despite the criticism. Then, there was the problem of the robbers and outlaws who lived in the nearby hills. Yet nothing discouraged the fearless Lawrence O'Toole.

In fact Lawrence was very strict with himself too. He wore a hair shirt under this robes. He made a 40 day retreat in St. Kevin's cave every year. He never ate meat or drank wine and fasted every Friday. But when he was in company, he would color his water and make it look like wine to avoid bringing attention to himself.

He became so famous that soon he was chosen to be archbishop of Dublin. In this new position, he lived as holy a life as ever. Every day, he invited many poor people to be his guests and helped many others as well. Lawrence loved his people and Ireland, and his country very much. He did all he could to keep peace.

Once a madman attacked him as he was going up to the altar to say Mass. He was knocked to the floor unconscious. Yet he came to his senses right away. He asked for water, blessed it and washed the wound at once. The bleeding stopped and he went right ahead with the Mass.

After years of labor for the Church, St. Lawrence O'Toole became very ill. When he was asked if he wanted to make a will, the holy archbishop smiled. He answered, "God knows that I don't have a penny in the world." He had long ago given everything he had to others, just as he had given himself completely to God.

St. Lawrence O'Toole died on November 14, 1180 when he was traveling with King Henry II, as a peacemaker.

[annalex]

Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 18
1.	AND he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint,	Dicebat autem et parabolam ad illos, quoniam oportet semper orare et non deficere,	ελεγεν δε και παραβολην αυτοις προς το δειν παντοτε προσευχεσθαι και μη εκκακειν
2.	Saying: There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God, nor regarded man.	dicens : Judex quidam erat in quadam civitate, qui Deum non timebat, et hominem non reverebatur.	λεγων κριτης τις ην εν τινι πολει τον θεον μη φοβουμενος και ανθρωπον μη εντρεπομενος
3.	And there was a certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of my adversary.	Vidua autem quædam erat in civitate illa, et veniebat ad eum, dicens : Vindica me de adversario meo.	χηρα δε ην εν τη πολει εκεινη και ηρχετο προς αυτον λεγουσα εκδικησον με απο του αντιδικου μου
4.	And he would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within himself: Although I fear not God, nor regard man,	Et nolebat per multum tempus. Post hæc autem dixit intra se : Etsi Deum non timeo, nec hominem revereor :	και ουκ ηθελησεν επι χρονον μετα δε ταυτα ειπεν εν εαυτω ει και τον θεον ου φοβουμαι και ανθρωπον ουκ εντρεπομαι
5.	Yet because this widow is troublesome to me, I will avenge her, lest continually coming she weary me.	tamen quia molesta est mihi hæc vidua, vindicabo illam, ne in novissimo veniens sugillet me.	δια γε το παρεχειν μοι κοπον την χηραν ταυτην εκδικησω αυτην ινα μη εις τελος ερχομενη υποπιαζη με
6.	And the Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge saith.	Ait autem Dominus : Audite quid judex iniquitatis dicit :	ειπεν δε ο κυριος ακουσατε τι ο κριτης της αδικιας λεγει
7.	And will not God revenge his elect who cry to him day and night: and will he have patience in their regard?	Deus autem non faciet vindictam electorum suorum clamantium ad se die ac nocte, et patientiam habebit in illis ?	ο δε θεος ου μη ποιηση την εκδικησιν των εκλεκτων αυτου των βοωντων προς αυτον ημερας και νυκτος και μακροθυμων επ αυτοις
8.	I say to you, that he will quickly revenge them. But yet the Son of man, when he cometh, shall he find, think you, faith on earth?	Dico vobis quia cito faciet vindictam illorum. Verumtamen Filius hominis veniens, putas, inveniet fidem in terra ?	λεγω υμιν οτι ποιησει την εκδικησιν αυτων εν ταχει πλην ο υιος του ανθρωπου ελθων αρα ευρησει την πιστιν επι της γης

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UTF not working since Oct 29.

[annalex]

1. And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2. Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3. And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4. And he would not for a while: but afterwards he said within himself; Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5. Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said.
7. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?
8. I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?

THEOPHYL. Our Lord having spoken of the trials and dangers which were coming, adds immediately afterward their remedy, namely, constant and earnest prayer.

CHRYS. He who has redeemed you, has shown you what He would have you do. He would have you be instant in prayer, He would have you ponder in your heart the blessings you are praying for, He would have you ask and receive what His goodness is longing to impart. He never refuses His blessings to them that pray, but rather stirs men up by His mercy not to faint in praying. Gladly accept the Lord's encouragement: be willing to do what He commands, not to do what He forbids. Lastly, consider what a blessed privilege is granted you, to talk with God in your prayers, and make known to Him all your wants, while He though not in words, yet by His mercy, answers you, for He despises not petitions, He tires not but when you are silent.

BEDE; We should say that he is always praying, and faints not, who never fails to pray at the canonical hours. Or all things which the righteous man does and says towards God, are to be counted as praying.

AUG. Our Lord utters His parables, either for the sake of the comparison, as in the instance of the creditor, who when forgiving his two debtors all that they owed him was most loved by him who owed him most; or on account of the contrast, from which he draws his conclusion; as, for example, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. So also here when he brings forward the case of the unjust judge.

THEOPHYL. We may observe, that irreverence towards man is a token of a greater degree of wickedness. For as many as fear not God, yet are restrained by their shame before men, are so far the less sinful; but when a man becomes reckless also of other men, the burden of his sins is greatly increased.

It follows, And there was a widow in that city.

AUG. The widow may be said to resemble the Church, which appears desolate until the Lord shall come, who now secretly watches over her. But in the following words, And she came to him, saying, Avenge me, &c. we are told the reason why the elect of God pray that they may be avenged; which we find also said of the martyrs in the Revelations of St. John, though at the same time we are very plainly reminded to pray for our enemies and persecutors. This avenging of the righteous then we must understand to be, that the wicked may perish. And they perish in two ways, either by conversion to righteousness, or by punishment having lost the opportunity of conversion. Although, if all men were converted to God, there would still remain the devil to be condemned at the end of the world. And since the righteous are longing for this end to come, they are not unreasonably said to desire vengeance.

CYRIL; Or else; Whenever men inflict injury upon us, we must then think it a noble thing to be forgetful of the evil; but when they offend against the glory of God by taking up arms against the ministers of God's ordinance, we then approach God imploring His help, and loudly rebuking them who impugn His glory.

AUG. If then with the most unjust judge, the perseverance of the suppliant at length prevailed even to the fulfillment of her desire, how much more confident ought they to feel who cease not to pray to God, the Fountain of justice and mercy?

And so it follows. And the Lord said, Hear what, &c.

THEOPHYL. As if He said, If perseverance could melt a judge defiled with every sin, how much more shall our prayers incline to mercy God the Father of all mercies! But some have given a more subtle meaning to the parable, saying, that the widow is a soul that has put off the old man, (that is, the devil,) who is her adversary, because she approaches God, the righteous Judge, who neither fears (because He is God alone) nor regards man, for with God there is no respect of persons. Upon the widow then, or soul ever supplicating Him against the devil, God shows mercy, and is softened by her importunity.

After having taught us that we must in the last days resort to prayer because of the dangers that are coming, our Lord adds, Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?

AUG. Our Lord speaks this of perfect faith, which is seldom found on earth. See how full the Church of God is; were there no faith, who would enter it? Were there perfect faith, who would not move mountains?

BEDE; When the Almighty Creator shall appear in the form of the Son of man, so scarce will the elect be, that not so much the cries of the faithful as the torpor of the others will hasten the world's fall. Our Lord speaks then as it were doubtfully, not that He really is in doubt, but to reprove us; just as we sometimes, in a matter of certainty, might use the words of doubt, as, for instance, in chiding a servant, "Remember, am I not your master?"

AUG. Our Lord adds this to show, that when faith fails, prayer dies. In order to pray then, we must have faith, and that our faith fail not, we must pray. Faith pours forth prayer, and the pouring forth of the heart in prayer gives steadfastness to faith.

Catena Aurea Luke 18

[annalex]

Holy Wisdom Sophia

early 18th Century
Moscow

[Salvation]

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Saturday, November 14

Liturgical Color: Green

Pope Clement V was crowned pope on
this day in 1305, five months after his
election to the papacy. The delay was due
to much political unrest in Rome.
Dangerous conditions in Rome forced
the pope to reign from Avignon.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: November 14th

Saturday of the Thirty-Second Week of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

November 14, 2015 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. 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.

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Recipes (1)

• Pumpkin Tarts

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Activities (4)

• Motivating Children to Perform Good Deeds
• Praying for the Dead and Gaining Indulgences During November
• Religion in the Home for Elementary School: November
• Religion in the Home for Preschool: November

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Prayers (6)

• Prayer for the Dead
• November Devotion: The Holy Souls in Purgatory
• Little Litany of the Holy Souls
• Prayer for the Dead - 2
• Prayer for a Happy Death
• Daily Acceptance of Death

  Old Calendar: St. Josaphat, bishop and confessor; St. Lawrence O'Toole (Hist)

  According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Josephat, a Catholic of the Ruthenian rite. He was an apostle of the return of the Orthodox schismatics to the Church of Rome. At the age of twenty he became a Basilian monk, and while still young was made superior of his monastery, then archimandrite of Vilna and finally Archbishop of Polotsk. The young Archbishop's zeal for the cause of the "uniates" aroused the hatred of the schismatics, and he was murdered by a mob at Vitebsk in 1623 at the age of forty-three. His prayer contained the conversion of his murderers. He is one of the patrons of Poland. His feast in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite is celebrated on November 12.

  Historically today is the feast of St. Lawrence O'Toole the Archbishop of Dublin during the takeover of Ireland by the Normans and King Henry II. His efforts in the peace process and his frustration with King Henry probably caused his early death. Highly honoured at Eu in Normandy, France, where he died.

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  St. Lawrence O'Toole
  St. Lawrence O'Toole was born around 1128 in County Kildare, Ireland. His father was the chief of Hy Murray, and his mother one of the Clan O'Byrne. At the age of 10, Lawrence was given up as a hostage to King Mac Murehad of Leinster, who treated him with such inhumanity that his father obliged the King to turn him over to the Bishop of Glendalough.

  St. Lawrence grew to be such a model of virtue, that at the young age of 25 he was chosen to replace the Bishop as abbot upon the Bishop’s death. He governed his community with virtue and prudence, and was unanimously chosen to fill the new See of Dublin in 1161.

  In 1171, St. Lawrence visited King Henry II of England to handle affairs of his diocese. While approaching the altar to officiate at Mass, the Archbishop was violently attacked by a maniac. Everyone present thought he was mortally wounded, but Saint Lawrence came to, asked for some water, blessed it and applied it to his wound. The bleeding immediately stopped and the Archbishop continued to celebrate Mass.

  St. Lawrence was most widely known for his piety, charity, and prudence, and was respected as a negotiator.

  He died on November 14, 1180, at Eu in Normandy. He was canonized in 1225 by Honorius III.

  Excerpted from Catholic News Agency

  Things to Do:

  • Read more about St. Lawrence O'Toole here and here
  .

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  Purgatory is Temporary
  Purgatory is not eternal. Its duration varies according to the sentence pronounced at each particular judgment. It may be prolonged for centuries in the case of the more guilty souls, or of those who, being excluded from the Catholic communion, are deprived of the suffrages of the Church, although by the divine mercy they have escaped hell. But the end of the world, which will be also the end of time, will close for ever the place of temporary expiation. God will know how to reconcile His justice and His goodness in the purification of the last members of the human race, and to supply by the intensity of the expiatory suffering what may be wanting in duration. But, whereas a favorable sentence at the particular judgment admits of eternal beatitude being suspended and postponed, and leaves the bodies of the elect to the same fate as those of the reprobate; at the universal judgment, every sentence, whether for heaven or for hell, will be absolute, and will be executed immediately and completely. Let us, then, live in expectation of the solemn hour, when "the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God." He that is to come will come, and will not delay, as the Doctor of the Gentiles reminds us; His arrival will be sudden, as that of a thief, we are told, not only by St. Paul, but also by the prince of the apostles and the beloved disciple; and these in turn are but echoing the words of our Lord Himself: "As lightning cometh out of the east and appears even unto the west: so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."

  Excerpted from The Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger O.S.B.

  Things to Do:

  • Say a prayer for the Poor Souls; for instance, recite the Little Litany of the Holy Souls.

  • Offer up some small sacrifice for the relief of the most abandoned soul. "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins" (Mc. 12:46).

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9

Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary

They ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising you, O Lord! their deliverer. (Wisdom 19:9)

Have you ever seen a soccer player after making a goal or a football player after a touchdown? Their end zone dances can be legendary! Or what about a child who has just received his first bicycle or any other present for that matter? She jumps up and down, clapping and laughing with contagious enthusiasm!

Sometimes you just have to get a little excited. You can’t help but show deep gratitude or enthusiasm. Take the Israelites in today’s reading as a good example. They had just passed through the Red Sea as on dry ground. Their adversaries, the Egyptian army, had been vanquished; they were literally washed away. Think of the relief the Israelites felt, their joy at having been set free from slavery and oppression. They had seen “stupendous wonders” (Wisdom 19:8). They just had to celebrate and praise God!

We may not have passed through the sea on dry ground personally, but God has worked wonders in our lives. Think of every time you go to Confession and are forgiven and strengthened to start anew; patterns of sin are broken, and you are set free! What about every time you receive the Eucharist? Jesus himself, his Body and Blood, soul and divinity, are physically present in you! And we have all seen healings, whether physical or spiritual: broken relationships mended, sicknesses cured, and resentments lifted. God has worked and is working wonders in your life! Your enemies are being vanquished, and God is making a path for you where there seems to be no way into freedom.

So thank God with enthusiasm today! Look for ways he is blessing you, and seize each opportunity to actively thank him. Develop an attitude of gratitude, an awareness of God’s closeness and action in your life, so that you can see all the wonders he has worked for you. As you pray, try to find three things that you can thank and praise God for. Then go ahead, and offer him some exuberant praise!

“Thank you, Father, for each way you have rescued me! Thank you for each sin forgiven, each time I’ve received the Eucharist, and each relationship mended. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Psalm 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43
Luke 18:1-8

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Faithfull Prayer

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

November 14, 2015. Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

By Father Edward Hopkins, LC

 

Luke 18:1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ´Render a just decision for me against my adversary.´ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ´While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.´" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Introductory Prayer: I believe in you, Lord, for you are mine and have proved your love for me. I trust you, for you have never let me down and know what is best for my life. I love you Lord for all your gifts. I desire to love and to do your will.

Petition: Teach me to pray always, Lord.

1. Becoming Weary: We can become weary in prayer when we don’t see results. This happens because either we have a distorted idea of prayer, or we have taken on worldly views that undermine our appreciation for its true value, or simply because we experience what seems to be failure in prayer (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2726-2728). Prayer is a gift and comes from the Holy Spirit. It is neither a machine nor a magic formula. It requires effort on our part, for it is an act of love, self-giving. Prayer works if I persevere and allow God to act. Sometimes I will not see its effects. To continue to seek God in prayer is already the best fruit of prayer. Do I depend on him?
   

2. The Judge: If prayer is about giving myself and depending more on God, then it becomes a question of how I understand God. I depend only on those I trust, and I trust only those who have proven their love and ability to support me. Do I really believe God is all good, all-loving and all-powerful? Do I believe he cares about me? God for us is a judge, but so much more. He is first of all a loving father and a dedicated, unconditional savior and lover. As a loving Father he wants our trusting dependence. He wants us to believe.
   

3. The Chosen Ones: Who are we for God? We are more than simple creatures, more than worthless slaves. We are beloved children, for whom he died and to whom he gives everything. We are the frustrated scholars and broken lovers that he desires to raise up to share his infinite truth and love. We are chosen ones, chosen for him, for happiness, forever. Out of the darkness and slavery of sin, he frees us so that his glory will shine in us. Now, if we are all this and more for God, why do we doubt in prayer? Let us place all our confidence in him.
   

Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord Jesus, increase my knowledge of your love for me. Help me to trust you in my everyday life. Open my heart to persevere in prayer. Grant me the humility to see how I need to pray, always and in so many ways. Teach me what prayer is and how to do it well for love of you.

Resolution: Throughout the day, I will dedicate myself to simple, small invocations and prayers that express my love, gratitude and trust in God.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 6

<< Saturday, November 14, 2015 >>

Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9
View Readings

Psalm 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43

Luke 18:1-8
Similar Reflections

FAST ANSWERS TO PRAYER

"I tell you, He will give them swift justice." —Luke 18:8

There's a certain kind of prayer that results in "swift justice." God will not delay long over us when we pray in this way (Lk 18:7). In this way of prayer, we call out to God "day and night" (Lk 18:7) and realize that at all times, even at the best of times, we are in desperate need of God. In this prayer, we cry out: "Save us by Your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O Lord" (Est C:25). We pray with the psalmist: "Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!" (Ps 130:1) We pray as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemani (Mk 14:32ff). When we pray in this way, we understand "the necessity of praying always and not losing heart" (Lk 18:1).

It takes faith to face head on the terrible condition of our world and our desperate need for God. However, when we pray in faith, aware of our total dependence on God, and call out to the Lord day and night, God's "all-powerful Word from heaven's royal throne" will bound into our doomed land (Wis 18:15). The Lord will save us. He will intervene, break through, and set us free.

Will anyone pray the prayer of necessity and faith? "When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:8)

Prayer: Father, "increase our faith" (Lk 17:5).

Promise: "They ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising You, O Lord! their Deliverer." —Wis 19:9

Praise: When their home was invaded, the Gomez family prayed and the would-be burglars fled.

[Salvation]