The Angelus

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

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

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

Hail Mary . . .

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

Hail Mary . . .

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

Let us pray:

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

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

Blessed Margaret Pole

Feast Day: May 28
Born: 1471 :: Died: 1541

Margaret Plantaganet was born in England. She was the niece of two English kings, Edward IV and Richard III. King Henry VII arranged her marriage to Sir Reginald Pole who was a brave soldier and a friend of the royal family. They had five children and Margaret also privately helped raise the king's son Henry VIII. Years later, Sir Reginald died leaving Margaret a widow.

The young Henry VIII became king, he called Margaret the holiest woman in England. He was so impressed with her that he returned some property her family had lost in the past. He also made her a countess of Salisbury. Henry trusted her so much that Countess Margaret was appointed the governess of Princess Mary, his and Queen Catherine's daughter.

But then Henry tried to marry Anne Boleyn although he was already married. Margaret told the king that what he did was wrong. This upset the king very much and he made her leave the court. The king was even more upset when one of Margaret's sons, a priest (and who later became the famous Cardinal Reginald Pole), wrote a long article against Henry's claim to be head of the Church in England.

Henry was out of control. He had become cruel and hateful. He threatened to get rid of Margaret's whole family. Henry sent people to question Countess Margaret to prove her a traitor. They questioned her from noon until evening but could not find any fault with her. She had nothing to hide.

Then Margaret was wrongly accused and kept under house arrest at the castle of a nobleman. She was later moved to the huge tower of London without even a trial. During the long winter months, she suffered very much from the cold and dampness. She had no fire and not enough warm clothing.

Finally, on May 28, 1541, when she was seventy years old, Blessed Margaret was led out of the tower to the place of execution. She was tired and sick, but she stood tall and proud to die for her faith. "I am no traitor," she said bravely. Margaret was beheaded on Tower hill and died a martyr for her faith in Jesus.

Reflection: Am I willing to take the risk of losing the admiration of people because of my faith in Jesus?

Saturday

May 28, 2016

Entertaining Angels

“The personal encounter with the risen Lord, so abundantly recounted in the Gospels, Epistles, and Acts of the Apostles, leads to a daily vision of the Lord present and active in the world, especially in the poor, in the stranger, and in the migrant and refugee. Those most in need draw the members of the Church out of their unawareness to a conversion of heart through which they are able to offer a genuine and suitable welcome, to share together as brothers and sisters at the same table, and to work side by side to improve the quality of life for society’s most vulnerable members. All of this is an expression of the Spirit of the risen Jesus being poured out again on his followers.”

The preceding is an excerpt from a document by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops entitled “Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity.” To read it in its entirety, visit the USCCB at www.usccb.org

“Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it” Hebrews 13:2

Year of Mercy Calendar for Today: “Compliment a stranger today.”

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 11
27.	And they come again to Jerusalem. And when he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients,	Et veniunt rursus Jerosolymam. Et cum ambularet in templo, accedunt ad eum summi sacerdotes, et scribæ, et seniores :	και ερχονται παλιν εις ιεροσολυμα και εν τω ιερω περιπατουντος αυτου ερχονται προς αυτον οι αρχιερεις και οι γραμματεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι
28.	And they say to him: By what authority dost thou these things? and who hath given thee this authority that thou shouldst do these things?	et dicunt ei : In qua potestate hæc facis ? et quis dedit tibi hanc potestatem ut ista facias ?	και λεγουσιν αυτω εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιεις και τις σοι την εξουσιαν ταυτην εδωκεν ινα ταυτα ποιης
29.	And Jesus answering, said to them: I will also ask you one word, and answer you me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.	Jesus autem respondens, ait illis : Interrogabo vos et ego unum verbum, et respondete mihi : et dicam vobis in qua potestate hæc faciam.	ο δε ιησους αποκριθεις ειπεν αυτοις επερωτησω υμας και εγω ενα λογον και αποκριθητε μοι και ερω υμιν εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιω
30.	The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.	Baptismus Joannis, de cælo erat, an ex hominibus ? Respondete mihi.	το βαπτισμα ιωαννου εξ ουρανου ην η εξ ανθρωπων αποκριθητε μοι
31.	But they thought with themselves, saying: If we say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?	At illi cogitabant secum, dicentes : Si dixerimus : De cælo, dicet : Quare non credidistis ei ?	και ελογιζοντο προς εαυτους λεγοντες εαν ειπωμεν εξ ουρανου ερει δια τι ουν ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω
32.	If we say, From men, we fear the people. For all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.	Si dixerimus : Ex hominibus, timemus populum : omnes enim habebant Joannem quia vere propheta esset.	αλλ ειπωμεν εξ ανθρωπων εφοβουντο τον λαον απαντες γαρ ειχον τον ιωαννην οτι οντως προφητης ην
33.	And they answering, say to Jesus: We know not. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.	Et respondentes dicunt Jesu : Nescimus. Et respondens Jesus ait illis : Neque ego dico vobis in qua potestate hæc faciam.	και αποκριθεντες λεγουσιν τω ιησου ουκ οιδαμεν και ο ιησους αποκριθεις λεγει αυτοις ουδε εγω λεγω υμιν εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιω

27. And they come again to Jerusalem: and as He was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the Scribes, and the elders,
28. And say to him, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority to do these things?
29. And Jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Answer me.
31. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?
32. But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people; for all men committed John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33. And they answered and said to Jesus, we cannot tell. And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

THEOPHYL. They were angry with the Lord, for having cast out of the temple those who had made it a place of merchandise, and therefore they come up to Him, to question and tempt Him. Wherefore it is said: And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the Chief Priests, and the Scribes, and the elders, and say to him, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you authority to do these things? As if they had said, Who are you that do these things? Do you make yourself a doctor, and ordain yourself Chief Priest?

BEDE; And indeed, when they say, By what authority do you these things, they doubt its being the power of God, and wish it to be understood that what He did was the devil's work. When they add also, Who gave you this authority, they evidently deny that He is the Son of God, since they believe that He works miracles, not by His own but by another's power.

THEOPHYL. Further, they said this, thinking to bring Him to judgment, so that if He said, by mine own power, they might lay hold upon Him; but if He said, by the power of another, they might make the people leave Him, for they believed Him to be God. But the Lord asks them concerning John, not without a reason, nor in a sophistical way, but because John had borne witness of Him. Wherefore there follows: And Jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men answer me.

BEDE; The Lord might indeed have confuted the cavils of his tempters by a direct answer, but prudently puts them a question, that they might be condemned either by their silence or their speaking, which is evident from what is added, And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him? As if He had said, he whom you confess to have had his prophecy from heaven bore testimony of Me, and you have heard from him, by what authority I do these things.

It goes on: But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people. They saw then that whatever they answered, they should fall into a snare; fearing to be stoned, they feared still more the confession of the truth. Wherefore it goes on: And they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell.

PSEUDO-JEROME; They envied the Lamp, and were in the dark, wherefore it is said, I have ordained a lamp for my anointed; his enemies will I clothe with shame. There follows: And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

BEDE; As if He had said, I will not tell you what I know, since you will not confess what you know. Further, we must observe that knowledge is hidden from those who seek it, principally for two reasons, namely, when he who seeks for it either has not sufficient capacity to understand what he seeks for, or when through contempt for the truth, or some other reason, he is unworthy of having that for which he seeks opened to him.

Catena Aurea Mark 11

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: May 28th

Saturday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

May 28, 2016 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. 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)

Chicken Pot Pie

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Activities (4)

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Prayers (2)

May Devotion: Blessed Virgin Mary
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loretto)
Old Calendar: Thursday after Pentecost; St. Augustine of Canterbury, archbishop and confessor; St. Bernard of Montjoux, priest (Hist)
According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury. He was sent by St. Gregory the Great to the Anglo-Saxons and is the great Apostle of England and the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He died in 604. His feast in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite is celebrated on May 27.
Historically today is the feast of St. Bernard of Montjoux, an Italian churchman, founder of the Alpine hospices of Saint Bernard. His life was spent working among the people of the Val d'Aosta. He is the patron of mountaineers.

St. Bernard of Montjoux
Bernard may have been the son of Count Richard of Menthon. It seems more likely though that he was of Italian birth. Nothing is really known of his parentage and early life.
Tradition reports that a marriage was being arranged for young Bernard and he fled so as to be free to give his life to God. We do know that he was ordained to the priesthood and that he was appointed Vicar General of the diocese of Aosta, Italy. For approximately forty-two years he traveled throughout the country, visiting the remotest Alpine villages. He would sometimes extend his missionary journeys into the neighboring dioceses of Geneva, Novara and Tarentaise. Bernard had the reputation for enforcing clerical discipline and he built several schools.
He is probably most famous for the hospices he built on the summits of passes over the Alps. Many pilgrims from France and Germany would travel over the Alps on their way to Rome, but it was always a possibility that one would die from freezing along the way. In the 9th century a system of hospices had been attempted, but had lapsed long before Bernard's time. Bernard's hospices in the 11th century were placed under the care of clerics and laymen and were well equipped for the reception of all travelers. Eventually these caretakers became Augustinian a monastery was built close by, still exists today
At some point in time Bernard traveled to Rome to receive formal recognition of the hospices and community and to obtain permission to accept novices. Bernard lived to the age of eighty-five and is believed to have died on May 28, 1081 at St. Lawrence Monastery in Novara, Italy.
A now-famous breed of dogs, known for its endurance in high altitude and cold, was named in honor of this saint. Bernard's life has been the focus of many romantic plays and stories. Many of us may remember childhood stories of St. Bernard dogs coming to the rescue of stranded or injured victims on Alpine slopes. The dogs almost always seem to have a cask of Brandy attached to their collars and when the victims were revived by a good drink the dogs would lead them to safety.
However romance was not what Bernard's life was about. He was strongly committed to the ideals taught by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount. Bernard dedicated his life to bring the message of Christ to all and to correct the abuses of clerical life which he saw. He was deeply concerned for the care of the poor and disadvantaged. Living his life in the Alps he knew the dangers present and did what he could to relieve them. He is a model, not of romance, but of deep love and compassion, in imitation of God whom he loved and served with all his heart reprimanded.
— Excerpted from Christ in the Desert
Patron: Alpinists; mountain climbers; mountaineers; skiers; travelers in the mountains.
Symbols: Man in a mountain setting holding a bishop's crozier; white dog.
Things to Do:
- Read History of the Grand St Bernard pass for background.
- If you like dogs you might find this history of the Saint Bernard Dog interesting.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 11:27-33

Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary

They feared the crowd. (Mark 11:32)

One day in 1844, former slave and abolitionist Sojourner Truth happened to be the only black woman at a tent revival. When a mob of young troublemakers disrupted the meeting and appeared to be turning violent, Sojourner joined everyone else in hiding in fear for her safety. But then she had a moment of conviction: “Shall I run away and hide from the devil? Me, a servant of the living God? Have I not faith enough to go out and quell that mob?”

Compelled by faith and her identity in Christ, she left her hiding place and walked toward the crowd of young men, singing a hymn about Jesus’ resurrection. Club-wielding rioters surrounded her, but instead of attacking her, they asked her to sing some more, to talk with them, and to pray with them. Faith won out over fear!

As Sojourner did that day, Jesus encountered angry crowds and intimidating opponents throughout his ministry. The exchange he has with the chief priests and elders in today’s Gospel is no exception. But here, as in so many other instances, he is filled with courageous conviction. He knows that his authority comes from God—because he is God—and this confidence carries over into his encounters with his opponents.

By contrast, Mark tells us that the religious leaders “feared the crowd” (Mark 11:32). Although they no doubt possessed knowledge of the Scriptures and the Law, they chose to avoid the risks inherent in open dialogue. While it may sometimes be a mark of humility to stay out of a conflict, it is also a mark of courage to answer respectfully when we are posed a challenging question—something these leaders failed to do.

The most important thing is that we open ourselves to God’s guidance about how to act. It’s natural to be afraid in challenging situations. But Jesus’ example—and Sojourner’s—can give us hope. If you believe that God is calling you to take on some courageous act, it’s worth the risk and the effort. Who knows how many lives will be changed because you heard God and tried to obey him?

“Lord, give me the courage to respond to your promptings today. Help me to walk in your ways without fear.”

Jude 17, 20-25
Psalm 63:2-6

Regnum Christi

From Heaven or Earth?

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

May 28, 2016 - Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Father John Doyle, LC

Mark 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the Temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me." They argued with one another, "If we say, ´From heaven,´ he will say, ´Why then did you not believe him?´ But shall we say, ´Of human origin´?” - they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

Introductory Prayer: Once again, Lord, I come to you to pray. Even though I cannot see you, I trust that you are present and want very much to instruct me in your teachings. In the same way you demonstrate your love for me by spending this time with me, I want to express my love for you by dedicating this time to you with a spirit of faith, confidence and attention. Here I am, Lord, to listen to you and respond with love.

Petition: Jesus, grant me true sincerity and uprightness of life.

The Day After: It was the day after Jesus had caused an uproar in the Temple at Jerusalem, the like of which had not been seen for a long time. Jesus had overturned the moneychangers’ tables and driven out the animals. Anyone else would surely have landed in prison, but this was Christ, and his hour had not yet come. Still the chief priests and scribes are looking for an explanation –– or better an excuse –– to accuse Jesus. He shrewdly answers their inquiry with a question that they cannot answer for fear of revealing their insincerity before the crowds. How this insincerity on the part of the scribes and Pharisees offended Our Lord! He would not speak to them plainly because their purpose was to twist his words. Do I detest insincerity as well? Do I find traces of dishonesty in my own life? Am I more concerned about what others think or about what Christ thinks?

Why Did You Not Believe in Him? Jesus did not say these words, but they knew he could have. Their troubled consciences were aware it would have been a fitting accusation. Why had they not believed in the precursor of the Lord? Was it not for the same reasons that they would not believe in the Lord himself? John the Baptist had called them on their insincerity. They went to receive his baptism of repentance, but they did not really mean to amend their lives. Would Jesus have to reproach me for any insincerity? Do I ever go to receive the sacrament of penance without a real desire to change my life? Or do I avoid confession altogether because I really don’t see anything in my behavior that needs to change?

We Do Not Know: This is certainly not the first or the last time that ignorance is pleaded to avoid the consequences of the truth, but this kind of ignorance is clearly culpable. The speakers were not uneducated men, but rather the leaders of God’s people, responsible for guiding them along the way of God’s covenant. While it was generally accepted that John the Baptist had been a great prophet who stirred sinners to repentance with his preaching and example of austerity, the Jewish authorities were unwilling to accept that anyone besides themselves could claim any authority in God’s name. Truly they did know, but they were unwilling to accept the truth. Do I ever lean on ignorance in plowing forward with some action that I’m not sure is quite right?

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, at times I know what your will for me is, but it costs me greatly to put it into practice. Sometimes I am too worried about what others think and say, or I am afraid of the consequences. Grant me a spirit of sincerity and strength always to accept and follow your will.

Resolution: I will arrive a little early to Mass tomorrow in order to spend a few quiet moments with Our Lord asking for the grace of always being sincere and upright in my actions.

One Bread, One Body

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<< Saturday, May 28, 2016 >>

Jude 17:20-25
View Readings

Psalm 63:2-6

Mark 11:27-33
Similar Reflections

FALLEN-AWAY CATHOLICS?

"There is One Who can protect you from a fall." —Jude 24 Each of us is in danger of falling away from our "sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:3). Even whole

churches can fall away from their love for Christ (see Gal 1:6; Mt 24:12). The majority of Christians will apostatize before Jesus comes a final time (2 Thes 2:3). When Jesus returns, will He find any faith on the earth? (Lk 18:8) "For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!" (1 Cor 10:12)

"There is One Who can protect you from a fall and make you stand unblemished and exultant in the presence of His glory. Glory be to this only God our Savior" (Jude 24-25). Only by God's grace will we be protected from the deceit of Satan, the father of lies (Jn 8:44), who "is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pt 5:8). We must resist temptation by growing strong in our "holy faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). If we fall into sin, we should repent and go to Confession as soon as possible. The Lord commands: "Submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you backsliders" (Jas 4:7-8).

We can remain faithful to the Lord no matter what Satan does and no matter how many fall (see Ps 91:7). Repent, confess, grow strong, stand firm in your faith.

Prayer: Father, at Jesus' return, may I be a "member in good standing" of Your glorious, holy, and immaculate Church (see Eph 5:27).

Promise: "Your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify You." —Ps 63:4

Praise: With confident faith, Sarah prays daily, year after year, for her children and grandchildren to return to the Church.

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