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From: Romans 4:1-8

The Example of Abraham

[1] What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
[2] For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but
not before God. [3] For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God,
and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” [4] Now to one who works, his
wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. [5] And to one who does not
work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteous-
ness. [6] So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God rec-
kons righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose iniquities
are forgiven; and whose sins are covered; [8] blessed is the man against whom
the Lord will not reckon his sin.”

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

1-25. Here St Paul finishes the exposition which began in 1:18: righteousness or
justification comes neither through nature nor through the Law, but through faith
— which is described as “the righteousness of faith”.

The Apostle quotes Scripture to support what he says, putting before us the ex-
ample of Abraham, who was not justified by works of the Law, but rather by faith
(vv. 1-8), as it says in Gen 15:6 and as David confirms in the psalms (cf. vv.6-8).

The Apostle also stresses (vv. 9-12) that Abraham’s righteousness was not the
result of circumcision, because it happened prior to circumcision (Gen 17).
Therefore, according to God’s plan circumcision was only an external sign of jus-
tification, not its cause. He then goes on (vv. 13-17a) to explore the relationship
between the focus of Abraham’s faith—namely, the promise which God made him
that he would be the father of many nations and that in his descendants all the
nations of the earth would be blessed (cf. Gen 12:1-3; 15:5-6)—and works of the
Law, actions done in obedience to the Law; by doing so he shows that the pro-
mise God makes is completely gratuitous, completely God’s initiative. He con-
cludes (17b-22) by praising the great faith of the Father of all believers, who put
his trust in a promise which from the human point of view seemed impossible to
fulfill.

Abraham’s faith is a model for Christians. The promise made to him is fulfilled in
us when we believe in Christ, who died and arose for our sakes (vv. 22-25).

3. The words of Gen 15:5-6 which God addresses to Abraham (”Look towards
heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them [...]. So shall your
descendants be”) provide the answer to a question implicit in the preceding ver-
ses of the letter and are also an introduction to the account of Abraham’s life of
faith which follows. There is indeed good reason to ask what was the meaning
of the Patriarch’s life, and what was it that was “reckoned to him” who is the
father of the chosen people in the flesh and in faith, when he obeyed God’s call.
The “boast” of Abraham, who stands out above all generations of the people of
Israel (cf. Sir 44:19; Jn 8:33, 39, 53), is not mere human pride: he can boast “be-
fore God” (cf. v. 2). When the Patriarch, already an old man, saw himself close
to death and without offspring (cf. Gen 15:2-3). Yahweh told him to look up and
count the stars, if he could, and then made a solemn promise that his descen-
dants would be as numerous as the stars. At that moment Abraham “believed
the Lord” and God reckoned it to him “as righteousness” (Gen 15:6): he rewar-
ded Abraham’s faith by granting him righteousness or justification.

This “reckoning” casts God in the role of a Master who notes credits and debits
in a ledger, the credits and debits being the merits and demerits of his servants.
However, in the case of Abraham, God, in the merit column, noted not his works
but his faith, which is why this faith was reckoned to him as righteousness: righ-
teousness was like a payment owed to him on account of faith. The gratuitous
character of righteousness or justification is in fact emphasized here, because in
Abraham’s case faith was reckoned as righteousness entirely due to God’s grace
and favor. The entire story of Abraham, especially the episode where God makes
him the promise, is an example of how God goes about things: he draws the hu-
man soul out of its state of ignorance, and then leads it on towards faith and
moves it to accept a supernatural mission of unimagined scope. “Scripture tells
us again and again that God is not a respecter of persons. When he invites a
soul to live a life fully in accordance with the faith, he does not set store by me-
rits of fortune, nobility, blood or learning. God’s call precedes all merits .... Voca-
tion comes first, God loves us before we even know how to go toward him, and
he places in us the love with which we can respond to his call. God’s fatherly
goodness comes out to meet us” (St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 33).

5. The act of faith is the first step towards obtaining justification (= salvation).
The Magisterium of the Church teaches that, usually, those who are making
their way towards faith predispose themselves in this sense: moved and helped
by divine grace they freely direct themselves towards God because they believe
in the truth of Revelation and, above all, believe that God, in his grace, justifies
the sinner “through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:24). This
first act of faith moves the person to recognize and repent of his sins to put his
trust in God’s mercy and to love him above all things; and to desire the sacra-
ments and resolve to live a holy life (cf. Council of Trent, “De Iustificatione”, chap.
6). God reckons this faith “as righteousness”, that is to say, as something which
deserves to be rewarded. It is not, therefore, good works that lead to justification;
rather, justification renders works good and meritorious of eternal life. Faith
opens up for us whole new perspectives.

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

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

From: Luke 12:1-7

Various Teachings of Jesus

[1] In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered to-
gether that they trod upon one another, He (Jesus) began to say to His disciples
first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] Nothing is
covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. [3] What-
ever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whis-
pered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

[4] “I tell you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that, have
no more that they can do. [5] But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, af-
ter He has killed, has power to cast into Hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! [6] Are not
five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
[7] Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more
value than many sparrows.”

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

3. Most Palestinian houses had a roof in the form of a terrace. There people
would meet to chat and while away the time in the hottest part of the day. Jesus
points out to His disciples that just as in these get-togethers things said in private
became matters of discussion, so too, despite the Pharisees’ and scribes’ efforts
to hide their vices and defects under the veil of hypocrisy, they would become a
matter of common knowledge.

6-7. Nothing — not even the most insignificant thing — escapes God, His Provi-
dence and the judgment He will mete out. For this same reason no one should
fear that any suffering or persecution he experiences in following Christ will re-
main unrewarded in eternity.

The teaching about fear, contained in verse 5, is filled out in verses 6 and 7,
where Jesus tells us that God is a good Father who watches over every one of
us — much more than He does over these little ones (whom He also remembers).
Therefore, our fear of God should not be servile (based on fear of punishment); it
should be a filial fear (the fear of someone who does not want to displease his
father), a fear nourished by trust in Divine Providence.

*********************************************************************************************
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.

KEYWORDS: catholic; lk12; ordinarytime; prayer; saints;

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

October 20, 2017

« October 19 | October 21 »

Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 471

Reading 1 Rom 4:1-8

Brothers and sisters:
What can we say that Abraham found,
our ancestor according to the flesh?
Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works,
he has reason to boast;
but this was not so in the sight of God.
For what does the Scripture say?
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
A worker's wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due.
But when one does not work,
yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is credited as righteousness.
So also David declares the blessedness of the person
to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven
and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:1b-2, 5, 11

R. (see 7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

Alleluia Ps 33:22

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us;
who have put our hope in you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 12:1-7

At that time:
So many people were crowding together
that they were trampling one another underfoot.
Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples,
"Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.

"There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness
will be heard in the light,
and what you have whispered behind closed doors
will be proclaimed on the housetops.
I tell you, my friends,
do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but after that can do no more.
I shall show you whom to fear.
Be afraid of the one who after killing
has the power to cast into Gehenna;
yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?
Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows."

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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 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]

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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[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation (Patristic Rosary)
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LEPANTO

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Lepanto
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The Battle of Lepanto

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

Friday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Jesuits
Letter of 17/11/1555

"Do not be afraid."

It seems to me you ought to resolve to carry out peacefully what you can. Don’t worry about all the rest but entrust to divine Providence what you are unable to accomplish on your own. What is pleasing to God is the reasonable care and attention we give to accomplishing well whatever business we must undertake through duty. What is not pleasing to God is anxiety and disquiet of mind. The Lord wants our limitations and weaknesses to find their support in his strength; he wants us to hope that his goodness will make up for the imperfectness of our means.

Those who take on numerous responsibilities, even with an upright intention, must resolve to do simply what lies within their power… If it is necessary to set certain things aside, arm yourselves with patience and don’t think that God expects of us what we are unable to do. He doesn’t want a man to distress himself on account of his limitations…; there is no need to tire ourselves out excessively. More, if we have tried hard to do our best, we can abandon all the rest to Him who has the power to accomplish what he will.

May the divine goodness always be pleased to communicate the light of wisdom to us so that we may clearly see and firmly accomplish his good pleasure, for ourselves and for others… so that we may accept from his hand whatever he sends us, taking due note of what is the most important: patience, humility, obedience and charity.

'Marah was a fountain of most bitter water: Moses cast wood into it and it became sweet. For water without the preaching of the Cross of the Lord is of no avail for future salvation, but, after it has been consecrated by the mystery of the saving cross, it is made suitable for the use of the spiritual layer and of the cup of salvation. As, then, Moses, that is, the prophet, cast wood into that fountain, so, too, the priest utters over this font the proclamation of the Lord's cross, and the water is made sweet for the purpose of grace.'

St. Ambrose of Milan

October 20, 2017