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).

Bless you for stopping by.

Have a great Friday and weekend.

Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 21
12.	But before all these things, they will lay their hands upon you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for my name's sake.	Sed ante hæc omnia injicient vobis manus suas, et persequentur tradentes in synagogas et custodias, trahentes ad reges et præsides propter nomen meum :	προ δε τουτων παντων επιβαλουσιν εφ υμας τας χειρας αυτων και διωξουσιν παραδιδοντες εις συναγωγας και φυλακας αγομενους επι βασιλεις και ηγεμονας ενεκεν του ονοματος μου
13.	And it shall happen unto you for a testimony.	continget autem vobis in testimonium.	αποβησεται δε υμιν εις μαρτυριον
14.	Lay it up therefore into your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer:	Ponite ergo in cordibus vestris non præmeditari quemadmodum respondeatis :	θεσθε ουν εις τας καρδιας υμων μη προμελεταν απολογηθηναι
15.	For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay.	ego enim dabo vobis os et sapientiam, cui non poterunt resistere et contradicere omnes adversarii vestri.	εγω γαρ δωσω υμιν στομα και σοφιαν η ου δυνησονται αντειπειν ουδε αντιστηναι παντες οι αντικειμενοι υμιν
16.	And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren, and kinsmen and friends; and some of you they will put to death.	Trademini autem a parentibus, et fratribus, et cognatis, et amicis, et morte afficient ex vobis :	παραδοθησεσθε δε και υπο γονεων και συγγενων και φιλων και αδελφων και θανατωσουσιν εξ υμων
17.	And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake.	et eritis odio omnibus propter nomen meum :	και εσεσθε μισουμενοι υπο παντων δια το ονομα μου
18.	But a hair of your head shall not perish.	et capillus de capite vestro non peribit.	και θριξ εκ της κεφαλης υμων ου μη αποληται
19.	In your patience you shall possess your souls.	In patientia vestra possidebitis animas vestras.	εν τη υπομονη υμων κτησασθε τας ψυχας υμων

12. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer:
15. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16. And you shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17. And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19. In your patience you will possess your souls.

GREG. Because the things which have been prophesied of arise not from the injustice of the inflictor of them, but from the deserts of the world which suffers them, the deeds of wicked men are foretold; as it is said, But before all these things, they shall lay their hands upon you: as if He says First the hearts of men, afterwards the elements, shall be disturbed, that when the order of things is thrown into confusion, it may be plain from what retribution it arises. For although the end of the world depends upon its own appointed course, yet finding some more corrupt than others who shall rightly be overwhelmed in its fall, our Lord makes them known.

CYRIL; Or He says this, because before that Jerusalem should be taken by the Romans, the disciples, having suffered persecution from the Jews, were imprisoned and brought before rulers; Paul was sent to Rome to Caesar, and stood before Festus and Agrippa.

It follows, And it shall turn to you for a testimony. In the Greek it is, for the glory of martyrdom.

GREG. Or, for a testimony, that is, against those who by persecuting you bring death upon themselves, or living do not imitate you, or themselves becoming hardened perish without excuse from whom the elect take example that they may live. But as hearing so many terrible things the hearts of men may be troubled He therefore adds for their consolation, Settle it therefore in your hearts, &c.

THEOPHYL. For because they were foolish and inexperienced, the Lord tells them this, that they might not be confounded when about to give account to the wise. And He adds the cause, For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist. As if He said, you shall forthwith receive of me eloquence and wisdom, so that all your adversaries, were they gathered together in one, shall not be able to resist you, neither in wisdom, that is, the power of the understanding, nor in eloquence, that is, excellence of speech, for many men have often wisdom in their mind, but being easily provoked to their great disturbance, mar the whole when their time of speaking comes. But not such were the Apostles, for in both these gifts they were highly favored.

GREG. As if the Lord said to His disciples, "Be not afraid, go forward to the battle, it is I that fight; you utter the words, I am He that speaks."

AMBROSE; Now in one place Christ speaks in His disciples, as here; in another, the Father; in another the Spirit of the Father speaks. These do not differ but agree together. In that one speaks, three speak, for the voice of the Trinity is one.

THEOPHYL. Having in what has gone before dispelled the fear of inexperience, He goes on to warn them of another very certain event, which might agitate their minds, lest falling suddenly upon them, it should dismay them; for it follows, And you shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

GREG We are the more galled by the persecutions we suffer from those of whose dispositions we made sure, because together with the bodily pain, we are tormented by the bitter pangs of lost affection.

GREG. NYSS. But let us consider the state of things at that time. While all men were suspected, kinsfolk were divided against one another, each differing from the other in religion; the gentile son stood up the betrayer of his believing parents, and of his believing son the unbelieving father became the determined accuser; no age was spared in the persecution of the faith; women were unprotected even by the natural weakness of their sex.

THEOPHYL. To all this He adds the hatred which they shall met with from men.

GREG. But because of the hard things foretold concerning the affliction of death, there immediately follows a consolation, concerning the joy of the resurrection, when it is said, But there shall not an hair of your head perish. As though He said to the martyrs Why fear you for the perishing of that which when cut, pains when that can not perish in you, which when cut gives no pain?

BEDE; Or else, There shall not perish a hair of the head of our Lord's Apostles, because not only the noble deeds and words of the Saints, but e en the slightest thought shall meet with its deserving reward.

GREG. He who preserves patience in adversity, is thereby rendered proof against all affliction, and so by conquering himself, he gains the government of himself; as it follows, In your patience shall you possess your souls. For what is it to possess your souls, but to live perfectly in all things, and sitting it upon the citadel of virtue to hold in subjection every motion of the mind?

GREG. By patience then we possess our souls, because when we are said to govern; ourselves, we begin to possess you very thing which we are. But for this reason, the possession of the soul is laid in the virtue of patience, because patience is the root and guardian which are inflicted by others, and also to have no feeling of indignation against him who inflicts them.

Catena Aurea Luke 21

Holy Martyr St. Panteleimon with insets

Iconographic studio Divo (miracle)
The Descent of the Holy Ghost Temple
Lazarevsky cemetery, Moscow

Saint Clement

Fr. Don Miller, OFM

Image: Pope Saint Clement I | photo by Lawrence | flickr

Saint Clement

Saint of the Day for November 29

(d. 101)

Saint Clement’s Story

Clement of Rome was the third successor of Saint Peter, reigning as pope during the last decade of the first century. He’s known as one of the Church’s five “Apostolic Fathers,” those who provided a direct link between the Apostles and later generations of Church Fathers.

Clement’s First Epistle to the Corinthians was preserved and widely read in the early Church. This letter from the bishop of Rome to the Church in Corinth concerns a split that alienated a large number of the laity from the clergy. Deploring the unauthorized and unjustifiable division in the Corinthian community, Clement urged charity to heal the rift.

Reflection

Today many in the Church experience polarization regarding worship, how we speak of God, and other issues. We’d do well to take to heart the exhortation from Clement’s Epistle: “Charity unites us to God. It knows no schism, does not rebel, does all things in concord. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect.”

Rome’s Basilica of St. Clement, one of the city’s earliest parish churches, is probably built on the site of Clement’s home. History tells us that Pope Clement was martyred either in the year 99 or in 101.

The Liturgical Feast of Saint Clement is November 23.

Saint Clement is the Patron Saint of:

Marble Workers
Mariners
Tanners

St Clement, Pope, Martyr A.D. 100

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Wednesday, November 29

Liturgical Color: Green

Today the Church remembers
Blessed Redemptorus of the
Cross, a Carmelite missionary in
Malaysia. He and his fellow
missionaries were captured and
tortured to death by Muslims in
1638. He was beatified in 1900,
by Pope Leo XIII.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: November 29th

Wednesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Adam and Eve Expelled from the Garden of Paradise

MASS READINGS

November 29, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. 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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Catacombs: Witness To Early Heroism | Pope John Paul II

Old Calendar: St. Saturninus, martyr

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Saturninus, martyr.

St. Saturninus
Saturninus went from Rome, by direction of Pope Fabian, about the year 245, to preach the faith in Gaul. He fixed his episcopal see at Toulouse, and thus became the first Christian bishop of that city. There were but few Christians in the place. However, their number grew fast after the coming of the Saint; and his power was felt by the spirits of evil, who received the worship of the heathen. His power was felt the more because he had to pass daily through the capitol, the high place of the heathen worship, on the way to his own church. One day a great multitude was gathered by an alter, where a bull stood ready for the sacrifice. A man in the crowd pointed out Saturninus, who was passing by, and the people would have forced him to idolatry; but the holy bishop answered: "I know but on God, and to Him I will offer the sacrifice of praise. How can I fear gods who, as you say, are afraid of me?" On this he was fastened to the bull, which was driven down the capitol. The brains of the Saint were scattered on the steps. His mangled body was taken up and buried by two devout women.

Excerpted from Butler's Lives of the Saints

Symbols: Bishop dragged by a bull; bishop with a bull at his feet.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: (Psalm) Daniel 3:62-67

34th Week in Ordinary Time

Praise and exalt him above all forever. (Daniel 3:62)

This week’s responsorial psalm comes from an unexpected place: the Book of Daniel. You might know the story of King Nebuchadnezzar throwing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:14-23). But did you know this psalm is part of the song they sang as they stood in the midst of the fire? Even facing certain death, they found reasons to praise God. It sure puts a different spin on the words “Fire and heat, bless the Lord!”

What “furnace” do you face today? It’s probably not the flames that these young men experienced, but you can learn from their song of praise. Like them, you can choose to praise God and bring your feelings into alignment with what you believe. So let their song be your model:

“Lord, you are the same, no matter what my situation is today. Let every detail of my life give praise to you. Let me praise you in every circumstance, every event of my life!

“Joy and sorrow, bless the Lord. My life has its highs and lows. But whether I am up or down, I will sing your praise. You are unchanging and glorious. You are the firm foundation my life is built on.

“Cold and chill, bless the Lord. Father, you don’t change with circumstances. You sustain me in comfort and discomfort. Even bad weather can show your glory. Heat and humidity, bless the Lord too!

“Sickness and health, bless the Lord. Oh Lord, my whole life comes from you. If I am healthy, I thank you for my health. If I am sick, I trust that you are still with me, giving me your strength and comfort.

“Loneliness or accompaniment, bless the Lord. If I am surrounded by community, I exalt you in your Church. If I feel alone, I will trust that you stand with me and that my solitude can give you glory. You have a perfect purpose for everything.

“Single or married, bless the Lord. Lord, you have given me my vocation so that I can glorify you through it. I will be faithful and fully pursue who you have called me to be. And if I’m not sure yet, I will praise you while I listen for your call.”

“All you works of the Lord, ‘praise and exalt him above all forever.’” (Daniel 3:62)

Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
Luke 21:12-19

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

Daily Marriage Tip for November 29, 2017:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega.” (Rev 1:8) Just as God is the Beginning and the End, so your marriage has a beginning (the marriage vows) and an end (death). But don’t forget about what’s in between – the middle. Make the middle meaningful today.

Homily of the Day

November 29, 2017

In the first reading we hear King Darius’ testimony to the God of Daniel who rescued Daniel from the lions: The living God protects those who believe and place

their trust in him.

In the Gospel reading Jesus warns his followers that they would be persecuted and suffer because of their faith in him. But he assures them of his guidance and protection.

Indeed throughout the two millennia since Christ, beginning with the Holy Innocents and the deacon St. Stephen, many have heroically given their lives in witness to their belief and love of Christ and his Church.

Today we see a lot of violence and persecution in the world. Suicide killers have killed and injured countless others in the name of religion. Wars continue to be waged in the name of God and religion.

Believers of Christ have been persecuted and wronged in many parts of the world at various times and under a variety of circumstances.

Through the example of Daniel before the lions’ den and the assurance of Jesus, may we persevere in our Christian faith despite challenges, risks and persecution, “Through perseverance you will possess your own selves.”

Regnum Christi

November 29, 2017 – Costly Catholicism

29 Nov 2017

Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Father Edward McIlmail, LC

Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Introductory Prayer: Jesus my Savior, thank you for another day and another chance to grow in holiness with your grace. I love you and wish to make you the true center of my thoughts, desires and actions.

Petition: Lord, help me face the difficulties of practicing my faith day-to-day.

1. Persecution: Opposition from the world is the price we pay for following Christ. No pain, no gain. Why should that surprise us? If living the Gospel were easy, all the world would be saints. But the Gospel is demanding. It rubs against our fallen human nature. It demands of us — and even makes us unpopular. Why? Because people who do good are a thorny reminder to those who don’t. It shouldn’t surprise us that the neighbors look down on us for having so many kids. Or that the guys in the dorm snicker at us for living chastely. Or that the boss overlooks us for a promotion because we wouldn’t donate to that pro-abortion group last Christmas during the company fund drive. Do I realize that to be a Christian is to be persecuted?

2. No Defense: When Christ tells us not to prepare our defense he’s not telling us to sit back and do nothing. Rather, he wants us to use our talents for the Kingdom. Christ is inviting us to trust that ultimately the victory of good over evil belongs to him. God has his time and place for everything. In the meantime we are called to build the Kingdom wherever we can—in our families, our offices, our schools, our communities. How am I building the Kingdom in the areas around me?

3. Wisdom from Above: “I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking…” When we stay close to Christ in prayer and deed, he takes over our lives little by little. And that’s good. Our selfishness fades. Our heart grows. We die to ourselves. “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). But we have to ask ourselves: Do we really believe in the Gospel? Do we believe in it enough to use Christ’s words when we have to respond to the nonbelievers around us? How often do we identify ourselves as Catholic in public?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you know it’s not easy to be seen as your friend. People laugh at us — if they don’t feel sorry for us. They don’t understand where we are coming from. Help me understand some of the loneliness you must have felt when you went against the world’s standards. Help me be faithful to you regardless of the cost.

Resolution: In conversation or in an e-mail I will use a line of Christ’s wisdom from the Gospel.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 6

<< Wednesday, November 29, 2017 >>

Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
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Daniel 3:62-67

Luke 21:12-19
Similar Reflections

THE HAND THAT WRITES GOD'S WORD

"A human hand appeared, writing on the plaster of the wall in the king's palace." �Daniel 5:5

King Belshazzar and his party companions were terrified but attentive to the words of God delivered in a sensational manner by the hand mysteriously writing on the wall (Dn 5:5ff). The king was consumed by curiosity to know the meaning of the message sent by God. The Lord has also written many other words by hands He has sent to earth. These hands wrote the words of God on scrolls, and became the books of the Bible. These words, however, were written in a more "ordinary" manner, even though there is a sensational character of human authors hearing the Word of God and faithfully transmitting it.

There will be parties in the next month, just like King Belshazzar's. In some of these parties, Bibles will be present in family book shelves. These Bibles sit quietly against the walls of the houses, and lack the obvious sensationalism of a hand writing on a wall. Nonetheless, the words written by human hands on the pages of those Bibles were sent directly from God.

Allow the Lord to consume you with the same curiosity and desire of those in King Belshazzar's party to know the meaning of the words sent by God. Unlike Belshazzar, however, don't be caught unprepared by the power of God's Word. "Stay sober and alert" (1 Pt 5:8), and receive the Word of God in humility, thanksgiving, and obedience.

Prayer: Father, may the Holy Spirit cry out in my heart "Abba" ("Father") (Gal 4:6).

Promise: "By patient endurance you will save your lives." �Lk 21:19

Praise: When the Bible became God's living Word for Marvin, it changed his life forever.

The chief cause of poverty in this country is single motherhood/absent fatherhood.
71% of poor families are not married.
Children of single parent homes are two times more likely to be arrested for juvenile crime,
two times more likely be treated for emotional and behavioral problems,
twice as likely to be suspended or expelled from school,
33% more likely to drop out of school,
three times more likely to end up in jail by age 30,
50% more likely to live in poverty as adults,
and twice as likely to have a child outside of marriage themselves [Getting the Marriage Conversation Right, by William B. May].