Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 08-20-17, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 08-20-17 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

http://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/Euchrist/HolyMass/gospels.asp?key=135

Year A - 20th Sunday in ordinary time

Woman, you have great faith
Matthew 15:21-28
21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”
23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
(NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus
I reward faith, therefore have faith in me. I came to my own people and they rejected me, with the exception of the humble, who recognized the value of the gift from God. Only those open to the Holy Spirit accepted me as the son of David, the Messiah who was empowered to save the people of God.

All my miracles were granted to those who had faith; I wanted to impress upon everyone the importance of believing in me the Son of the Living God. It is only by accepting me that you can accept the Heavenly Father, it is only by believing in me and having faith in me, that even now you can expect the power of God to manifest in your life through a miracle.

Miracles are not as popular now as in my time, because there is no faith. To pray for a miracle is the perfect prayer, but it must come from a heart full of faith, otherwise the petition remains a prayer and is not answered as a miracle.

Many people during the profession of my healing ministry were attracted to me by my miracles, not by their faith; they were curious people in search of the supernatural. However there was also a large number of people who were genuine, they accepted the dignity of my presence among them, they firmly believed in the power of God at my disposal and they merited all the miracles that I performed.

It is in my power to grant any petition I like, but I desire to cultivate faith in human hearts. A prayer to me is most attractive when it comes from a humble and contrite heart. If I were to grant miracles for every petition, men would become very proud and would sin thinking that they had the power to control God’s power.

The true saint prays very humbly for a miracle, echoing my prayer in Gethsemane, “Father, not my will, but yours be done”. The man of faith puts all his trust in the Lord, not in his human effort, and he is prepared to give all the credit to God for every good thing that he receives.

The one who desires a miracle must first acknowledge that he is not worthy to be in my presence, and that he does not even deserve to be heard. Yet, by confessing his sinfulness, his unworthiness, and by acknowledging my holiness, he calls on my compassion for his good desires and may be fortunate to receive.

Do not underestimate the great power of God that is at your disposal if you have faith. Pray for your faith to increase. Believe that I can grant you any good desire of your heart, pray in accordance to my will and wait patiently for my answer.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

[Salvation]

Archdiocese of Washington

While on Others Thou Art Calling, Do Not Pass Me By – A Homily for the 20th Sunday of the Year

Msgr. Charles Pope • August 19, 2017 •

The Gospel this Sunday teaches us to pray always and not to lose heart. It is about being tenacious in prayer, continuing to beseech the Lord even when the results are discouraging. It is also about the Lord’s will to extend the Gospel to all the nations and to make the Church truly catholic.

Let’s look at this Gospel in five stages.

TRAVELS – The text says, At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus goes north of Israel into the territory we know today as Lebanon.

Matthew is not just giving us a quick travelogue here. We are not interested merely in Jesus’ physical location but in what it signifies. Jesus has gone up north to pagan territory. Other things being equal, this is a rather odd destination for a Jewish preacher, but remember that Jesus is preparing the Church for a mission to all the nations. Thus it makes sense that He pushes the boundaries of the Jewish world. Jesus interacted with Gentiles and Samaritans as if to say, “The racism of a Jewish-only world must now end. The Gospel must break the boundaries of nations and races and be truly universal, truly catholic.”

This vision of the Gentiles being drawn to the Lord was actually well attested to in the Old Testament, but just as is the case today, there were some texts that were well known and others that were conveniently “forgotten” or had little effect. Consider these passages that announced the entry of the Gentiles into the Holy People of God:

1. The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD, and becoming his servants–all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples (Is 56:6-9).
2. I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Is 49:6).
3. Babylon and Egypt I will count among those who know me, Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia, these will be her children and Zion shall be called “mother” for all shall be her children (Psalm 87:4-5).
4. I come to gather nation of every language; they shall come and see my glory. Some of these I will take as priests and Levites says the Lord … All mankind shall come to worship before me says the Lord (Is 66:18; 23).

Hence we can see that the Jewish people’s own Scriptures spoke of a day when Jews and Gentiles together would worship the Lord and be His people.

This introductory note about Jesus’ location is essential to understanding the rest of the Gospel passage. We must grasp Jesus’ will to reach out to the Gentiles. We do this in order to appreciate that some of the harsh tone Jesus exhibits later can likely be understood as a rhetorical means of questioning racial and national divisions rather than affirming them. In effect, He is tweaking His disciples and the Church, giving voice to their fears and hostilities. In so doing, He also calls out the Canaanite woman in order to show forth one who is willing to set aside these racist notions for a greater good.

Let’s watch it unfold.

TORMENT – The text says, And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

Canaanites were despised by Jews and Jews were despised by Canaanites. What is it that would make a Canaanite woman reach out to a Jewish Messiah? In a word, desperation. She no longer cares who helps her daughter as long as someone helps her!

She has likely heard of Jesus’ power to save and heal. She looks past her racial hatred and, risking terrible rebuke, calls on Jesus. Her torment enables her to cross boundaries. The only enemy she cares about is the demon afflicting her daughter.

It is sad but true that a common enemy can often unite disparate factions. It should not be necessary, but the Lord will take whatever He can get in order to unite us.

TEST – The text says, But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” … “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

Jesus does a shocking and daring thing here. He takes up the voice of sin, oppression, racism, and nationalism. It is a very strange to hear such a thing from the mouth of the Lord, who has already journeyed among the Samaritans and Gentiles, healing them and often praising their faith (e.g., Lk 8:26; Mt 8:10; Lk 7:9; Matt 8:11 inter al).

The usual explanation is that Jesus is calling out the woman’s faith and through her is summoning His disciples to repentance. The disciples want the Lord to order her away. In effect, He takes up their voices and the voice of all oppression and utters the hateful sayings of the world, even going so far as to liken her to a dog.

Yes, Jesus is testing her, trying to awaken something within her. He is also giving voice to the ugly thoughts of His disciples and likely others, both Gentile and Jew, who were watching with disdain the interaction between a Gentile—a Gentile woman—and a Jew.

There is a saying, “Things do, by opposition grow.” Through this test, Jesus increases the woman’s faith and possibly that of the bystanders. Just as an athlete improves by facing tougher opponents and a musician improves by playing more difficult pieces, so does this woman grow in faith by being tested.

Remember, God tested Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Esther, Susannah, Judith, Gideon, and countless others. The Canaanite woman, too, is being tested. Like those of old, she, too, will grow by the test.

We are tested as well. At times, God seems to be strangely silent; we may feel as if we are no child of God at all. Indeed, we may even conclude that dogs live better than we do.

Will we give way during the test or hold out until our change comes? Will our faith grow or wither? Will our love grow stronger or will it change to resentment?

TENACITY – The text says, But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”

Note here that the woman is not put off. Whatever anger, grief, or discouragement she may feel, she perseveres.

She is even bold and creative. In a sense, she will not take no for an answer.

1. She is like Mother Mary at Cana, who did not pause for a moment when Jesus seemed dubious of her request (Jn 2:5).
2. She is like the widow who never stopped pestering the judge for a favorable ruling (Lk 18:1-8).
3. She is like the blind man at the side of the road who kept calling for Jesus despite the rebuke of the crowds (Lk 18:39).
4. She is like the parents who brought their infants to Jesus for a blessing, who withstood rebuke from the disciples and won through to the blessing (Mk 10:13-16).
5. She is like Zacchaeus, who overcame his short stature by climbing a tree to see Jesus (Lk 19:1ff).
6. She is like the widow with the hemorrhage, who, though weak and ritually unclean, pressed through the crowd and grabbed the hem of Jesus’ garments (Mk 5:28).
7. She is like the lepers, who, though forbidden by law to enter the town, sought the Lord at the Gates and fell down before Him (Luke 17).

Yes, she is tenacious. She will hold out until the change (the healing she desires for her daughter) is accomplished. She will not give up or let go of Jesus no matter how unwilling He seems, no matter how politically incorrect her request appears, no matter how much hostility she encounters from the disciples, the crowds, or even Jesus Himself. She will hold out.

Here is a woman with tenacity! How about you?

TRIUMPH – The text says, Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

Here is the victory. She has gone from torment to triumph by a tenacious and tested faith. Jesus now takes away the veil of His role and shows His true self—the merciful, wonder-working Messiah and Lord.

Jesus says to her, “Great is your faith.” But how has it become so? In the crucible of testing, that’s how. We may wonder at God’s delays, at His seeming disinterest or even anger, but in the end it is our faith that is most important to Him.

Our faith is more important to God than our finances, our comfort, or our desired cures, for it is by faith that we are saved. We are not saved by our health, by creature comforts, by money, or by good fortune. God is willing to delay. He is willing to test us and try us, if only for the sake of our stronger faith, by which He will save us. God saves us, but He does it through our faith.

Why all this delay? Why the suffering? Why the trials? Stronger faith, that’s why! God may not come when you want Him, but He’s always right on time, for His true goal is not to give us what we want, but rather what we need: stronger faith.

Having done this, the Lord gives her the triumph. We, too, must accept that God’s truest blessing for us is not better health or improved finances; it is stronger faith.

Consider well the lesson of this Gospel. Though God often seems uninterested—even cruel—He is working His purposes out and seeking to increase our faith. Hard, you say? What parent among you has not had to do the same for your child? For children, untested and untried, who get their every wish, who never have to wait, become spoiled, self-centered, and headed for ultimate ruin. God knows exactly what He is doing. Most of us are hard cases and God must often work mightily to get our attention and strengthen our faith. Do not give up on God; He is up to something good, very good.

I have it on the best of authority that as this woman saw Jesus coming up the road she sang this song:

Pass me not O gentle savior
hear my humble cry
while on others thou art calling
do not pass me by

Savior, savior,
hear my humble cry
while on others thou art calling
do not pass me by

Let me at a throne of mercy
find a sweet relief
kneeling there in deep contrition
help my unbelief.

[Salvation]

Sunday Gospel Reflections

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Matthew 15:21-28

²¹ And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
²² And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon."
²³ But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us."
²⁴ He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
²⁵ But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."
²⁶ And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."
²⁷ She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
²⁸ Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

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"One Main Point"
The extraordinary faith of the woman and her humble prayer touches Jesus.

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"Interesting Details"
St. Mark and St. Matthew wrote for a different public at different periods. St. Mark wrote for Gentile Christians, showing them that salvation was first for the Jews only and then for the Gentiles. St. Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians showing them that faith, and faith alone, breaks down the barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles.

(v.21) Tyre and Sydon are two cities located on the Mediterranean coast line, they now belong to Lebanon. This area is not within the Galilee region, but close to it.

To avoid the collective persecution by Herod's regime and the Jewish authorities, Jesus fled to Tyre and Sydon to train his apostles.

(v.22) The woman's prayer was filled with faith, patience, humility. She recognized Jesus as the savior (descendant of David) whom the Jews did not acknowledge.

(v.24) His first mission was to bring the Jewish people the message of their salvation. The message was later brought to the whole world.

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"Reflections"

1. Reflect on the woman's extraordinary faith in Jesus; how is my faith in God?

2. What are my attitudes toward non-Catholics who live Christian values?

3. What are my attitudes to God when my prayers are being rejected?

4. When others seek my help persistently, how do I react?

[Salvation]

'You pray too little for the souls in purgatory. If you had prayed more for the poor souls they would have reminded you not to leave the loaves in the oven all night. We have taken a vow of poverty. We live off the alms of the people. We must not abuse them.'

St. Conrad of Parzham, to a novice

[Salvation]

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:  And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.  Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.  Hail Mary . . .  And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.  Hail Mary . . .  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.  Let us pray:  Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.  "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).

[Salvation]

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Fr. Don Miller, OFM

Image: Stained glass representing St. Bernard of Clairvaux | photo by Jastrow (2006)

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Saint of the Day for August 20

(1090 – August 20, 1153)

 

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux’s Story

Man of the century! Woman of the century! You see such terms applied to so many today—“golfer of the century,” “composer of the century,” “right tackle of the century”—that the line no longer has any punch. But Western Europe’s “man of the twelfth century,” without doubt or controversy, had to be Bernard of Clairvaux. Adviser of popes, preacher of the Second Crusade, defender of the faith, healer of a schism, reformer of a monastic Order, Scripture scholar, theologian, and eloquent preacher: any one of these titles would distinguish an ordinary man. Yet Bernard was all of these—and he still retained a burning desire to return to the hidden monastic life of his younger days.

In the year 1111, at the age of 20, Bernard left his home to join the monastic community of Citeaux. His five brothers, two uncles, and some 30 young friends followed him into the monastery. Within four years, a dying community had recovered enough vitality to establish a new house in the nearby valley of Wormwoods, with Bernard as abbot. The zealous young man was quite demanding, though more on himself than others. A slight breakdown of health taught him to be more patient and understanding. The valley was soon renamed Clairvaux, the valley of light.

His ability as arbitrator and counselor became widely known. More and more he was lured away from the monastery to settle long-standing disputes. On several of these occasions, he apparently stepped on some sensitive toes in Rome. Bernard was completely dedicated to the primacy of the Roman See. But to a letter of warning from Rome, he replied that the good fathers in Rome had enough to do to keep the Church in one piece. If any matters arose that warranted their interest, he would be the first to let them know.

Shortly thereafter it was Bernard who intervened in a full-blown schism and settled it in favor of the Roman pontiff against the antipope.

The Holy See prevailed on Bernard to preach the Second Crusade throughout Europe. His eloquence was so overwhelming that a great army was assembled and the success of the crusade seemed assured. The ideals of the men and their leaders, however, were not those of Abbot Bernard, and the project ended as a complete military and moral disaster.

Bernard felt responsible in some way for the degenerative effects of the crusade. This heavy burden possibly hastened his death, which came August 20, 1153.

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Reflection

Bernard’s life in the Church was more active than we can imagine possible today. His efforts produced far-reaching results. But he knew that they would have availed little without the many hours of prayer and contemplation that brought him strength and heavenly direction. His life was characterized by a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. His sermons and books about Mary are still the standard of Marian theology.

[Salvation]

The Search for Wisdom by St. Bernard
Why I Am Catholic: For All the Saints: Bernard of Clairvaux
On St. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Bernard on the Most Holy Name of Jesus [Ecumenical]
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Angelus, August 20, 2006
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Abbot, Doctor of the Church

[Salvation]

Information: St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Feast Day: August 20

Born: 1090, Fontaines, France

Died: August 20, 1153, Clairvaux, France

Canonized: January 18, 1174, Rome by Pope Alexander III

Major Shrine: Ville-sous-la-Ferté

Patron of: Cistercians, Burgundy, beekeepers, candlemakers, climbers

[Salvation]

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Bernard

Feast Day: August 20
Born: 1090 :: Died: 1153

Bernard was born in Dijon, in France. He had six brothers and sisters and they were very well educated. He was only 17 years old when his mother died and his heart was broken.

His lively sister Humbeline did not let him remain sad and she did whatever she could to cheer him up. Soon Bernard became a very popular man. He was handsome and intelligent, full of fun and good humor and people enjoyed being with him.

Then one day, Bernard surprised all his friends by telling them he was going to join the very strict Cistercian order and become a Priest. They did all they could to make him give up the idea. But in the end, Bernard convinced his brothers, an uncle and twenty-six friends to join him.

As Bernard and his brothers left their home, they said to their little brother Nivard, who was playing with other children: "Good-bye, little Nivard. You will now have all the lands and property for yourself." But the boy answered: "What! How can all of you go to heaven and leave me here on earth? Do you call that fair?"

And when Nivard was older he too joined his brothers in the monastery. St. Bernard became a very good monk. After three years, he was sent to start a new Cistercian monastery and to be its abbot (like a parish priest).

The new monastery was in the Valley of Light which in French is called "Clairvaux" and Bernard was the abbot there for the rest of his life.

Although he would have liked to stay working and praying in his monastery, he was called out sometimes for special work. He preached, made peace between rulers, and went to advise the Pope.

He also wrote beautiful spiritual books. He became very famous and people everywhere had great respect for him. But he did not want fame. More than anything else Bernard wanted to be a monk and be close to God.

This saint had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother. It is said that when he passed her statue, he often greeted her with a "Hail Mary." One day, the Blessed Mother returned his greeting: "Hail, Bernard!" And, Our Lady showed how much his love and devotion pleased her.

When St. Bernard died in 1153, people were sad because they would miss his wonderful presence in their life.

[Salvation]

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Sunday, August 20

Liturgical Color: White

Pope Pius VII died on this day in
1823. As pope he showed great
compassion towards Napoleon who
had persecuted him and the Church
while in power. While Napoleon
was in exile, the pope sent a priest
to aid in his conversion.

[victim soul]

Thanks for posting these daily masses.

[victim soul]

Thanks for posting these daily masses.

[Salvation]

You’re welcome!

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: August 20th

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

August 20, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, who have prepared for those who love you good things which no eye can see, fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of your love, so that, loving you in all things and above all things, we may attain your promises, which surpass every human desire. 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)

• Late Summer into Fall Sample Menu

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Activities (1)

• Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

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Prayers (2)

• Angelus Domini (The Angel of the Lord)
• Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Ordinary Time (2nd Plan)

  Old Calendar: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

  But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour (Matt 15:25-28).

  The feast of St. Bernard, which is ordinarily celebrated today, is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.

  Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

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  Sunday Readings
  The first reading is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 56:1, 6-7. The theme of the prophet here is the call of the Gentiles to the service of the true God on the great day which is to come. The temple of that future messianic age will be a "house of prayer" for all peoples.

  The second reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 11:13-15, 29-32. In this reading Paul admits clearly that in the Christian Church is the fulfillment of all the hopes and promises made to Israel, yet this fulfillment of Judaism is composed of Gentiles as well as Israelites. Paul here calls himself the apostle to the Gentiles but still prays that the Israelite rejection of Jesus may one day be reversed. (Excerpted from A Celebrants Guide to the New Sacramentary - A Cycle by Kevin W. Irwin)

  The Gospel is from St. Matthew 15:21-28. There is a lesson, a very necessary one, for all of us in this episode of Christ's public life. It is the necessity of perseverance in our prayers of petition. Prayer is an essential part of our Christian life, and the essential part of prayer is that of adoration and thanksgiving, but prayer of petition has a big part in our daily prayers. We have so many spiritual and temporal needs, needs which we cannot provide by ourselves. Christ himself has told us to ask Him for these needs: "ask and you shall receive."

  Do we ask with the fervor and perseverance which prove that we have "great faith"? That faith is the proof which Christ needs before He grants our requests. The Canaanite woman of whom we have just heard is for us an example of that deep-seated faith and trust in Christ's power and Christ's goodness. Even though He ignored her she continued to beseech Him, and when He answered with what seemed a direct refusal, her faith and trust did not waver. She answered His reason for refusal with another statement which showed that the granting of her petition would not in any way interfere with or impede His primary task, His mission to His father's chosen people. This was the proof of great faith which He required. He granted her request.

  We must imitate and learn from this pagan mother. Her love for her child made her ready to undergo every hardship or suffering for the restoration to health of her loved one. When we turn to Christ in our needs is our faith in Him as sincere and unwavering as was this woman's? No doubt it often is, and yet we do not get the desired answer. As Christians we know that our particular request may not always be for our good, or for the final good of the person for whom we are praying. In that case, the good God will not grant what would be to our eternal disadvantage. But if our prayer is sincere and persevering, we shall always get an answer, and one which is better than what we asked for.

  How often do we wonder at or perhaps doubt God's mercy when we see, for example, the young father of a family being taken from his loved and helpless ones, notwithstanding the prayers and tears of his wife and children. Where is God's mercy here? Where is His answer to these sincere prayers? But who are we to question God's mercy? The answer is there and often clear enough: that death brings out in his relatives and neighbors virtues which they would otherwise never have had occasion to practice - virtues that will earn for them eternal life.

  It is only when we get to heaven - and getting to heaven is our purpose in life - that we shall see how our prayers, sincere and persevering, were answered by God.

  Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.
  

[Salvation]

Doctors of the Catholic Church

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Also known as

• Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
• Last of the Fathers of the Holy Church

Memorial

• 20 August

Profile

Born to the French nobility; brother of Saint Humbeline. At age 22, fearing the ways of the world, he, four of his brothers, and 25 friends joined the abbey of Citeaux; his father and another brother joined soon after. Benedictine. Founded and led the monastery of Clairvaux which soon had over 700 monks and eventually 160 daughter houses. Revised and reformed the Cistercians. Advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young. Attended the Second Lateran Council. Fought Albigensianism. Helped end the schism of anti-Pope Anacletus II. Preached in France, Italy, and Germany. Helped organize the Second Crusade. Friend and biographer of Saint Malachy O’More. Spritual advisor to Pope Eugene III, who had originally been one of his monks. First Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VIII.

Every morning Bernard would ask himself, “Why have I come here?”, and then remind himself of his main duty – to lead a holy life.

Born

• 1090 at Fontaines-les-Dijon, Burgundy, France

Died

• 20 August 1153 at Clairvaux Abbey, Ville-sous-la-Ferté, Aube, France

Canonized

• 1170 by Pope Alexander III

Patronage

• beekeepers
• bees
• Burgundy, France
• candlemakers
• chandlers
• Cistercian Order
• Cistercians
• Gibraltar
• Knights Templar
• Queens College, Cambridge, England
• Speyer Cathedral
• wax-melters
• wax refiners

Representation

• beehive
• bees
• book
• Cistercian having a vision of Mary
• Cistercian with a beehive
• Cistercian with a chained demon
• Cistercian with a mitre on the ground beside him
• Cistercian with a swarm of bees nearby
• Cistercian with a white dog
• Cistercian writing and watching Mary
• instruments of the Passion
• pen
• white dog
• with Saint Humbeline

Additional Information

• A Garner of Saints, by Allen Banks Hinds, M.A.
• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Catholic Encyclopedia, by M Gildas
• Doctor Mellifluus, by Pope Pius XII
• Encyclopedia Britannica
• Golden Legend
• The Holy Guardian Angels, by Saint Bernard
• Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler
• Memorare
• New Catholic Dictionary
• Pictorial Lives of the Saints, by John Dawson Gilmary Shea
• Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 21 October 2009
• On Loving God, by Saint Bernard
  • read online
  • Librivox Audio Book
• Life of Saint Malachy of Armagh, by Saint Bernard
  • read online
  • download EPub

• books
  • 15 Days of Prayer With Saint Bernard, by Pierre-Yves Emery
  • A Saint’s Life in Word and Image, by M. Basil Pennington, Yael Katzir
  • Bells of Conquest: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, by the Daughters of Saint Paul
  • Bernard of Clairvaux (Great Medieval Thinkers), by Gillian R. Evans
  • Bernard of Clairvaux and the Shape of Monastic Thought – Broken Dreams, by M. B. B. Pranger
  • Bernard of Clairvaux: Lover Teaching the Way of Love, by M. Basil Pennington
  • Bernard of Clairvaux, by Gillian R Evans
  • Dante and the Mystical Tradition: Bernard of Clairvaux in the Commedia, by Steven Botterill
  • Five Books on Consideration – Advice to a Pope, by Saint Bernard
  • Homilies in Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Saint Bernard
  • On the Song of Songs I, by Saint Bernard
  • On the Song of Songs II, by Saint Bernard
  • On the Song of Songs IV, by Saint Bernard
  • Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
  • Pathway of Peace : Cistercian Wisdom according to Saint Bernard, by Charles Dumont
  • Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: Oracle of the 12th Century, by Theodore Ratisbonne
  • Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, by Leon Cristiani
  • Selected Works, by G. Rosemary Evans
  • Sermons for the Summer Seasons, Liturgical Sermons, by Saint Bernard
  • Spiritual Teaching of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, by John R. Sommerfeldt
  • The Difficult Saint: Bernard of Clairvaux and His Tradition, by Brian Patrick McGuire
  • The Family That Overtook Christ: The Amazing Story of the Family of Bernard of Clairvaux, by Raymond Buckminster Fuller
  • The Last of the Fathers, by Thomas Merton
  • Women and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, by Jean Leclercq

• other sites in english
  • 1001 Patron Saints and Their Feast Days, Australian Catholic Truth Society
  • Catholic Exchange
  • Catholic Fire
  • Catholic Herald
  • Catholic Ireland
  • Catholic News Agency
  • Christian Biographies, by James Keifer
  • Christian Classics Ethereal Library
  • Christian Iconography
  • Communio
  • Cradio
  • Franciscan Media
  • Lives of the Saints, by John J Crawley
  • M Basil Pennington, OCSO
  • Olga’s Gallery
  • Passionist Nuns
  • Pope Benedict XVI: General Audience, 21 October 2009
  • Regina Magazine
  • Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Cistercian, by Abbot M Basil Pennington, OCSO
  • Saint Peter’s Basilica Info
  • Saints Alive, by Father Robert McNamara
  • Saints Alive, by Father Robert McNamara
  • Saints for Sinners
  • Saints Stories for All Ages
  • Soul Candy
  • uCatholic
  • Vultus Christi: O Doctor Mellifluus
  • Vultus Christi, Prefce to Saint Bernard, Abbot
  • Wikipedia
  • William of Saint Thierry

• images
  • Wikimedia Commons

• audio
  • American Catholic
  • Doctors of the Church #26, by Dr Matthew Bunson
  • On Loving God, by Saint Bernard
  • Alleluia Audio Books: Saint Bernard the Wonder-Worker

• video
  • YouTube PlayList

• e-books
  • On the Love of God, by Saint Bernard
  • On the Song of Songs, by Saint Bernard
  • On Grace and Free Will, by Saint Bernard
  • On Consideration, by Saint Bernard
  • Twelve Degrees of Humility and Pride, by Saint Bernard
  • On Advent and Christmas, by Saint Bernard
  • —
  • Bernard of Claivaux: The Times, The Man and His Work, by Richard Salter Storrs
  • Life and Time of Saint Bernard, by Dr Augustus Neader
  • Life and Times of Saint Bernard, by James Cotter Morison
  • Life and Times of Saint Bernard, by Father Theodore Ratisbonne
  • Life and Works of Saint Bernard, v1, by Father John Mabillon
  • Life and Works of Saint Bernard, v2, by Father John Mabillon
  • Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, by Samuel John Eales
  • Some letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

• sites en français
  • Abbé Christian-Philippe Chanut
  • Agnès Richomme
  • Auteurs Anciens
  • Benoît XVI, Audience Générale, 21 octobre 2009
  • Bollandistes
  • Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse
  • Fête des prénoms
  • Oeuvres Complètes de Saint Bernard
  • Wikipedia

• siti in italiano
  • Dizionario historico della Svizzera
  • Marco Binetti
  • Popa Pio XII: Doctor Mellifluus
  • San Bernardo di Chiaravalle, L’ultimo padre del Medio evo
  • San Bernardo di Chiaravalle e i normanni
  • Santi e Beati
  • Santo del Giorno
  • Sermoni di Sann Bernardo
  • Wikipedia

Readings

In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal. – Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return. The sole purpose of his love is to be loved, int he knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him. – from a sermon by Saint Bernard

Look at that clever calumniator! He begins by fetching a deep sigh, he affects to be humble, and puts on a modest look, and with a voice choking with sobs tries to gloss over the slander which is on the tip of his tongue One would fancy that he expressly assumed a calm and easy demeanor; for when he speaks against his brother, it is in a tender and compassionate tone. I am really hurt, says he, to find that our brother has fallen into such a sin; you all know how much I love him, and how often I have tried to correct him. It is not today that I have noticed his failing; for I should always be on my guard to speak of others, but others have spoken of it too. It would be in vain to disguise the fact; it is only too true, and with tears in my eyes I tell it to you. This poor unfortunate brother has talent, but it must be confessed that he is very guilty, and however great may be our friendship for him, it is impossible to excuse him. – Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 24th sermon on the Canticles

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My house shall be called a house of prayer. (Isaiah 56:7)

Around the year AD 350, a popular and powerful bishop named John Chrysostom preached a series of sermons on the Sacrament of Marriage. John had been inspired by St. Paul’s letters to describe for his congregation the beauty of marriage and family life. He called it a wonderful path to holiness. He spoke about the way each spouse is called to be like Jesus—selflessly giving all that they have to their spouse and family and to love their family with the same dedication that Jesus has for his Church (Ephesians 5:25).

Chrysostom told his congregation that God wants every family to see themselves as a “little church,” a sacred place where Christ is honored and where each family member is drawn to deeper holiness. He urged his people to keep their marriages pure and to guard their children’s faith against the corrupting influences of the world. So moving were his sermons that more than 1,500 years later, the Fathers of Vatican II called Catholics to see their families as “domestic churches.”

God wants all of us to see our homes as miniature versions of the Church. Every home is meant to be a place of peace and love, a place of humility and service. It’s meant to be a house of prayer, a place where Jesus is welcomed and reverenced.

May we all stand firm against any philosophy that reduces our homes to marketplaces or to merely functional living situations. May we all find creative ways to incorporate prayer in our homes—whether that means praying one decade of a Rosary each evening or reading a psalm together every morning. May we make it a point to express our love and appreciation to each other with our words and with warm embraces.

It doesn’t take much to make our homes into houses of prayer. It just takes a willing heart and an openness to God’s blessing. Even if we make mistakes along the way, we can be sure that we will make progress.

“Lord, show us how to love each other as you love the Church.”

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

LORD, HELP ME

A biblical reflection on THE 20^th ORDINARY SUNDAY [YEAR A], 20 August 2017) 

Christ and the Canaanite Woman – c.1784
Germain-Jean Drouais

Gospel Reading: Matthew 15:21-28 

First Reading: Isaiah 56:1,6-7; Psalms: Psalm 67:2-3,5-6.8; Second Reading: Romans 11:13-15,29-32 

Scripture Text

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David, my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And He answered, “It is not fair to take children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:21-28 RSV)

The Jews had every reason to be proud that they were God’s chosen people. After all, they were God’s instruments and God was working through them in a special way. However, because of this pride, some Jews looked down at other people as being inferior and sometimes they even referred to Gentiles as dogs.

Some Jewish leaders thought this special relationship with God entitled them to certain honors and privileges. They believed the Messiah (also known as the Son of David because he was supposed to be a descendant of King David) would come only for the Jewish people. Through him, God would lead them in battle, defeat their enemies, and establish His Kingdom on earth. As a Jew, Jesus was familiar with this belief.

In today’s Gospel reading, a Canaanite woman calls Jesus the Son of David. Although she is not Jewish, she acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah because she wants Him to heal her daughter.

At first, Jesus does not reply to the woman. Later, He explains to her that He, the Messiah, is supposed to go to just those who belonged to the House of Israel (the Jews). The woman persists but Jesus does not give in. He replies that He cannot throw the food of the children (the Jews) to the dogs (the Gentiles), echoing the popular belief that the Messiah is just for the Jews.

The Canaanite woman is “stubborn” and she reminds Jesus that even the dogs get what the children do not want. The suggestion is clear. If the Jewish leaders won’t accept Him as the Messiah then maybe Jesus should turn to the Gentiles. Historically, that’s exactly what happened.

In the Acts of the Apostles and in Saint Paul epistles (letters), we find that the apostles first preached to the Jews but then turned to the Gentiles when fewer Jews than expected put their faith in Jesus. Like the woman in today’s Gospel, many Gentiles accepted Jesus and, as a result, Christianity spread throughout the world.

(Note: Adapted from Jerome J. Sabatowich, Cycling Through the Gospels – Gospel Commentaries for Cycles A, B, and C.)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for loving everybody without reserve, including the Canaanite woman and myself. I pray that, by Your grace, I can become more like her. Help us to walk in her ways that, with joy and love, we may follow You and be united to You. I also give my life to You and I trust that You will remove the obstacles that keep me from loving You. Amen. 

[Salvation]

The Gospel in Pictures

[Salvation]

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for August 20, 2017:

“But the woman came and did him homage, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’” (Mt 15:25) Have the humility to come to God and to praise him when you are struggling with problems in your family and life.

[Salvation]

The Woman Jesus Ignored (at first)

Pastor’s Column

20^th Sunday Ordinary Time

August 20, 2017

In this Sunday’s gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) we meet a very persistent pagan woman who keeps asking and asking Jesus for a healing of her dying daughter. Jesus responds by essentially appearing to give her the silent treatment, and then finally answering in a way that indicated he was unwilling to help her.

The woman, however, would not give up, because she loved her daughter so much and knew Jesus could heal her if he so wanted. Jesus ends this by commending her faith and making it clear he had been testing her. By appearing to delay in answering, Jesus encouraged her to greater and greater acts of faith, which Jesus finally revealed pleased God immensely. She ends up getting one of the greatest compliments from Jesus in scripture! What can we learn from her experience when our own prayers seem to fall on deaf ears:

• She is persistent.
• She does not give in to discouragement, no matter what happens, even when she feels she is being ignored by the Lord.
• She is deeply motivated and driven by a fierce love for her daughter, and her request is not for herself, but for her child.
• She is humble, knowing her place, but also bold in her requests.  She is not afraid to ask the Lord for great things.
• She is witty and uses her intelligence in her conversations with Christ (when he finally begins speaking to her!).
• She has great faith, using complimentary and faith-filled titles for the Lord in her addresses to him.
• She is diplomatic and always courteous to Jesus, even when things don’t go her way.
• She knows she is being deliberately tested and that Jesus is not being unkind.
• She receives in the end everything she asks for and one of the highest compliments Jesus ever gave someone.

                                                                        Father Gary