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From: Exodus 23:20-23a
(Zechariah 8:1-8 from the Proper of Seasons may be used.)

Warnings and promises

[20] “Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring
you to the place which I have prepared. [21] Give heed to him and hearken to his
voice, do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; for my
name is in him.

[22] But if you hearken attentively to his voice and do all that I say, then I will be
an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

[23] “When my angel goes before you, and brings you in to the Amorites, and
the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebu-
sites, and I [will] blot them out.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

23:20-33. As an appendix and conclusion to the Code of the Covenant, the sa-
cred writer put together these various warnings or promises. Strictly speaking,
this is not a formal epilogue of the type usually attached to the end of codes of
laws (cf. Lev 26 for the Code of the Holiness, and Deut 28 for the Deuteronomic
Code) because it contains no blessings or curses, and makes no specific refer-
ence to the preceding laws. It is more a collection of instructions based on the
fact that God is close to his people; it is designed to fortify Israel’s hope and en-
courage it to be faithful.

“I send an angel before you” (v. 20). The word “angel”, according to St Augus-
tine, refers to his office, not his nature. “If you enquire as to his nature, I will tell
you that he is a spirit; if you ask what it is he does, I will tell you that he is an
angel” (Enarrationes in Psalmos, 103, 1, 15). The expression “angel of the Lord”
is equivalent to the presence of God himself or his direct intervention (cf. 3:2; 14:
19 and also Gen 16:7; 22:11, 14). However, when Scripture speaks of an “angel”
or “my angel” (cf. Ex 33:2; Num 20:16) it seems to refer rather to those spiritual
beings who are attentive to the Lord’s commands and are faithful doers of his
word (cf. Ps 103:20). The role assigned to them is that of guarding the people
in the name of the Lord, just as they protected Lot (cf. Gen 19) or Hagar and her
son (cf. Gal 21:17). On the basis of this biblical teaching, the Church holds that
angels continue to lend men the same mysterious and powerful help. “Each
member of the faithful has at his side an angel as a protector and shepherd to
lead him towards life” (St Basil, Adversus Eunomium, 3,1; cf. Catechism of the
Catholic Church, 334-336).

Whereas he sends an angel to the Israelites, he sends two scourges against
their enemies — terror (v. 27) and a plague of hornets (v. 28). As usual when the
Bible tells us this, it does not mean that God is wicked, but rather that, since he
is the only Supreme Being, all blessings and all misfortunes are attributable to
him. Furthermore, it is very much in the style of Semitic literature to make a play
of contrasts — the misfortunes of enemies are a way of showing how well one is
being treated oneself.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The “Little Ones” and the Kingdom. The Lost Sheep

[1] At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in
the Kingdom of Heaven?” [2] And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst
of them, [3] and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like chil-
dren, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. [4] Whoever humbles himself
like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

[5] “Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.

[10] “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in
Heaven their angels always behold the face of My Father who is in Heaven.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-35. The teachings of Jesus recorded in chapter 18 of St. Matthew are often
called the “discourse on the Church” or “ecclesiastical discourse” because they
are a series of instructions on the way in which His Church is to be administered.

The first passage (Matthew 18:1-5), addressed to leaders, that is, the future hier-
archy of the Church, warns them against natural tendencies to pride and ambi-
tion: even though they have positions of government, they must act with humility.
In verses 6-10 Jesus emphasizes the fatherly care which pastors of the Church
should have for the “little ones” — a term which covers everyone in need of spe-
cial care for whatever reason (because they are recent converts, or are not well
grounded in Church teaching, or are not yet adults, etc.)... God takes special
care of the weak and will punish those who harm them.

Our Lord shows similar concern for those who are experiencing spiritual difficul-
ties. Every effort, even an heroic effort, must be made to seek out the “lost sheep”
(verses 12-14). If the Church in general and each Christian in particular should be
concerned to spread the Gospel, all the more reason for them to try and see that
those who already embraced the faith do not go astray...

Thus, the whole of Chapter 18, the “discourse of the Church”, is a survey of the
future history of the Church during its earthly stage, and a series of practical rules
for conduct for Christians — a kind of complement to the Sermon on the Mount,
(Chapters 5-7), which is a “magna carta” for the new Kingdom established by
Christ.

1-6. Clearly the disciples still suffer from human ambition: they want to occupy
key positions when Jesus comes to establish the Kingdom on earth (cf. Acts 1:
6). To correct their pride, our Lord shows them a child and tells them that if they
want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they must decide to be like children: chil-
dren are incapable of hating anyone and are totally innocent of vice, particularly
of pride, the worst vice of all. They are simple and full of trust.

Humility is one of the main pillars of the Christian life. “If you ask me”, St. Au-
gustine says, “what is the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus
Christ, I shall reply: first humility, second humility and third humility” (”Letter
118”).

3-4. Applying these words to our Lord’s virtues, Fray Luis de Granada makes the
point that humility is superior to virginity: “If you cannot imitate the virginity of the
humble, then imitate the humility of the virgin. Virginity is praiseworthy, but humi-
lity is more necessary. The former is recommended to us, the latter is an obliga-
tion for us; to the former we are invited, to the latter we are obliged [...]. And so
we see that the former is celebrated as voluntary sacrifice, the latter required as
an obligatory sacrifice. Lastly, you can be saved without virginity, but not without
humility” (”Summa De La Vida Cristiana”, Book 3, Part 2, Chapter 10).

5. Receiving a child in Jesus’ name is the same as receiving Jesus Himself. Be-
cause children reflect the innocence, purity, simplicity and tenderness of our
Lord, “In children and in the sick a soul in love sees Him” (St. J. Escriva, “The
Way”, 419).

10. Jesus warns that giving scandal to little children is a very serious matter,
for they have angels who guard them, who will plead a case before God against
those who led them to commit sin.

In this context He speaks of children having guardian angels. However, everyone,
adult or child, has a guardian angel. “By God’s providence angels have been en-
trusted with the office of guarding the human race and of accompanying every hu-
man being so as to preserve him from any serious dangers [...]. Our Heavenly
Father has placed over each of us an angel under whose protection and vigilance
we are” (”St. Pius V Catechism”, IV, 9, 4).

This means that we should have a trusting relationship with our guardian angel.
“Have confidence in your guardian Angel. Treat him as a lifelong friend — that is
what he is — and he will render you a thousand services in the ordinary affairs of
each day” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way” 562).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White.

First reading	Zechariah 8:1-8 ©

The word of the Lord of Hosts was addressed to me as follows:

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

I am burning with jealousy for Zion,

with great anger for her sake.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

I am coming back to Zion

and shall dwell in the middle of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem will be called Faithful City

and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts, the Holy Mountain.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

Old men and old women will again sit down

in the squares of Jerusalem;

every one of them staff in hand

because of their great age.

And the squares of the city will be full

of boys and girls

playing in the squares.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

If this seems a miracle

to the remnant of this people (in those days),

will it seem one to me?

It is the Lord of Hosts who speaks.

‘The Lord of Hosts says this.

Now I am going to save my people

from the countries of the East

and from the countries of the West.

I will bring them back

to live inside Jerusalem.

They shall be my people

and I will be their God

in faithfulness and integrity.’

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 101(102):16-21,29,22-23 ©

The Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory.

The nations shall fear the name of the Lord

and all the earth’s kings your glory,

when the Lord shall build up Zion again

and appear in all his glory.

Then he will turn to the prayers of the helpless;

he will not despise their prayers.

The Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory.

Let this be written for ages to come

that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord;

for the Lord leaned down from his sanctuary on high.

He looked down from heaven to the earth

that he might hear the groans of the prisoners

and free those condemned to die.

The Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory.

The sons of your servants shall dwell untroubled

and their race shall endure before you

that the name of the Lord may be proclaimed in Zion

and his praise in the heart of Jerusalem,

when peoples and kingdoms are gathered together

to pay their homage to the Lord.

The Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory.

Gospel Acclamation	Jn14:6

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;

No one can come to the Father except through me.

Alleluia!

Or	Mk10:45

Alleluia, alleluia!

The Son of Man came to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Alleluia!

Gospel
Matthew 18:1-5,10 ©

The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.’

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Jesus, High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Joyful Mysteries

(Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

St. Michael the Archangel

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+

October Devotion: The Holy Rosary

This feast was established by Pope Pius V to commemorate the great victory of the Christian army against the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
All soldiers on the battlefield prayed the Rosary for three hours and the wind has shifted in their favor. They were able to defeat an army three times bigger, in one of the greatest naval victory in history.
Pope Pius V named this the Feast of Our Lady of Victories, to be celebrated on October 7th.
In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII changed the title of this memorial to Feast of the Holy Rosary.

Pope Paul VI established the form that we celebrate this feast today, in 1969 under the name “Our Lady of the Rosary”.
“The celebration of this day invites all to mediate upon the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was so singularly associated with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection of the Son of God.”

Madonna del Rosario

Caravaggio

1607

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.
Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.
End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Final step -- The Sign of the Cross
The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

The Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light
(Thursdays) see Rosarium Virginis Mariae
1. Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan (II Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 3:17 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Gratitude for the gift of Faith]
2. Jesus' self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1- 12) [Spiritual fruit - Fidelity]
3. Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion (Mark 1:15, Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47- 48, John 20:22-23) [Spiritual fruit - Desire for Holiness]
4. Jesus' Transfiguration (Luke 9:35 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Spiritual Courage]
5. Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery. (Luke 24:13-35 and parallels, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) [Spiritual fruit - Love of our Eucharistic Lord]
The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]
The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

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October, 2017

Pope's Prayer Intention

Workers and the Unemployed, That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.

Daily Gospel Commentary

Guardian Angels - Memorial

Commentary of the day
Origen (c.185-253), priest and theologian
Homilies on Ezekiel I, 7 (see SC 352, pp. 71-73 rev.)

“His ministers who do his will” (Ps 103[102]:21)

Angels descend on those who are to be saved: “Angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (Jn 1:51) and, “angels came and ministered to him” (Mt 4:11). Now, the angels descended because Christ had first descended. They feared to descend before the Lord of “all things in heaven” (Col 1:16) had commanded. But when they saw the Prince of the heavenly host dwell on earth, then, by that way which had been opened up, they set out after their Lord, obeying the will of him who has appointed them as guardians of those who believe in his name.

Yesterday you were under the control of the demon, today you are under angels: “Beware that you not despise one of these little ones” who are the Church, says the Lord, “because in truth I tell you, their angels always see the face of my Father in heaven”. The angels are dedicated to your salvation, they have declared themselves to be at the service of the Son of God, and they say to each other: “If he has descended bodily, if he has clothed himself in a garment of mortality, if he has endured the cross and has died for us all, why are we resting? why sparing ourselves from trouble? Come on, all of you, come down from heaven!” That is why, when Christ was born, there was “a multitude of the heavenly host praising and glorifying God” (Lk 2:13).

'You ought to be like a person who lets go and like one who gathers. You should let go of riches and gather virtues, let go of what will pass and gather eternal things, let go of visible things and gather invisible. In return for the pleasure of the body, I will give you the exultation of your soul; in return for the merriment of the world, I will give you the merriment of Heaven; in return for worldly honor, the honor of the angels; in return for the presence of family, the presence of God; in return for the possession of goods, I will give you myself, the giver and Creator of all things.'

The Lord, to St. Bridget of Sweden

October 2, 2017

Memorial of the Guardian Angels

Reading 1 Zec 8:1-8

Responsorial Psalm Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23

Alleluia Ps 103:21

Gospel Mt 18:1-5, 10

Readings at Mass

October, 2017

Pope's Prayer Intention

Workers and the Unemployed, That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.

Guardian Angels - Memorial