Posted on 12/10/2017 7:53:42 PM PST by Salvation
KEYWORDS: advent; catholic; lk5; prayer;
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From: Isaiah 35:1-10
Promise of Redemption
[3] Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
[4] Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”
[5] Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
[6] then shall the lame man leap like a hart,
and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
[7] the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
[8] And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not pass over it,
and fools shall not err therein.
[9] No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
[10] And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
35:1-10 The focus now changes with this hymn celebrating Zion, the holy city.
It presents a picture of the restored Jerusalem in language reminiscent of that of
chapters 11 and 12. God who manifested his presence and protection during the
exodus, when Israel came up out of Egypt, will do so again in wonderful ways as
the redeemed flock back home to Zion. He will show them the route and give them
a highway and be with them in a sort of solemn procession to where he dwells (v.
8). Just as in Babylon there was a “Holy Way” lined with statues of lions and dra-
gons that led to the temple of Marduk, the redeemed will have a truly “Holy Way”
to take them to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. The joy of the returnees is
compounded by the instant cure of the blind, deaf and lame (cf. 29:18-19), which
is an anticipation of what will happen in the messianic era.
The miracles worked by Jesus demonstrate that the moment of true redemption
foreseen indistinctly by the prophets has come to pass (cf. Mt 11:2-6). St Justin,
showing the Jew Tryphon that this prophecy found fulfillment in Christ, points out:
“Christ is the stream of living water that flows from God; he sprang up in the de-
sert wastes of ignorance of God; that is, in the parched earth of all the nations.
He, who was born among your people, cured those who were blind from birth, and
the deaf and the lame: by his word alone, they leapt and heard and saw once more.
He raised the dead and gave them new life, and by all his good works prompted
men to see Him for who he is. [...] He did all these things to convince those who
were to believe in him, whatever bodily defects they might have, that if they o-
beyed the teachings that he gave them, he would raise them up again at his Se-
cond Coming and make them whole and perfect and immortal as He is” (”Dialogus
Cum Tryphone”, 69,6).
The Church uses this passage from Isaiah in the Advent liturgy (3rd Sunday,
Cycle A) to encourage the faithful in joyous hope that God will come and bring
salvation.
*********************************************************************************************
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 5:17-26
The Cure of the Paralytic in Capernaum
[21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this
that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” [22] When Je-
sus perceived their questionings, He answered them, “Why do you question in
your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say,
‘Rise and walk’? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority
on earth to forgive sins” — He said to the man who was paralyzed — “I say to you,
rise, take up your bed and go home.” [25] And immediately he rose before them,
and took up that on which he lay, and went home, glorifying God. [26] And
amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe,
saying, “We have seen strange things today.”
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
17. A little earlier, beside the lake, Jesus addressed His teaching to crowds (ver-
ses 1ff). Here His audience includes some of the most educated Jews. Christ
desired not only to teach but also to cure everyone — spiritually and, sometimes,
physically, as He will soon do in the case of the paralytic. The evangelist’s obser-
vation at the end of this verse reminds us that our Lord is ever-ready to use His
omnipotence for our good: “I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and
not for evil’, God declared through the prophet Jeremiah (29:11). The liturgy ap-
plies these words to Jesus, for in Him we are clearly shown that God does love
us in this way. He did not come to condemn us, to accuse us of meanness and
smallness. He came to save us, pardon us, excuse us, bring us peace and joy.”
(St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 165). On this occasion also Jesus wan-
ted to benefit His listeners, even though some of them would not receive this di-
vine gift because they were not well-disposed.
19-20. Our Lord is touched when He sees these friends of the paralytic putting
their faith into practice: they had gone up onto the roof, taken off some of the
tiles and lowered the bed down in front of Jesus. Friendship and faith combine in
obtaining a miraculous cure. The paralytic himself had a like faith: he let himself
be carried around, brought up onto the roof and so forth. Seeing such solid faith
Jesus gives them even more than they expect: He cures the man’s body and,
what is much more, cures his soul. Perhaps He does this, as St. Bede suggests
(cf. “In Lucae Evangelium Expositio, in loc.”), to show two things: that the illness
was a form of punishment for his sins and therefore the paralytic could only get
up once these sins had been forgiven; and that others’ faith and prayer can move
God to work miracles.
In some way, the paralytic symbolizes everyone whose sins prevent him from
reaching God. For example, St. Ambrose says: “How great is the Lord who on
account of the merits of some pardon others, and while praising the former ab-
solves the latter! [...] Therefore, let you, who judge, learn to pardon; you, who are
ill, learn to beg for forgiveness. And if the gravity of your sins causes you to doubt
the possibility of being forgiven, have recourse to intercessors, have recourse to
the Church, who will pray for you, and the Lord will grant you, out of love for her,
what He might have refused you” (St. Ambrose, “Expositio Evangelii Sec. Lu-
cam, in loc.”).
Apostolic work should be motivated by desire to help people find Jesus Christ.
Among other things it calls for daring — as we see in the friends of the paralytic;
and it also needs the intercession of the saints, whose help we seek because
we feel God will pay more attention to them than to us sinners.
24. Our Lord is going to perform a public miracle to prove that He is endowed
with invisible, spiritual power. Christ, the only Son of the Father, has power to
forgive sins because He is God, and He uses this power on our behalf as our
Mediator and Redeemer (Luke 22:20; John 20:17-18, 28: 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Co-
lossians 2:13-14; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 53:4-5). Jesus used this po-
wer personally when He was on earth and after ascending into Heaven He still
uses it, through the Apostles and their successors.
A sinner is like a paralytic in God’s presence. The Lord is going to free him of
his paralysis, forgiving him his sins and enabling him to walk by giving him grace
once more. In the sacrament of Penance, if Jesus Christ “sees us cold, unwilling,
rigid perhaps with the stiffness of a dying interior life, His tears will be our life: ‘I
say to you, My friend, arise and walk,’ (cf. John 11:43; Luke 5:24), leave that nar-
row life which is no life at all” (St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By,” 93).
*********************************************************************************************
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.
Liturgical Colour: Violet.
First reading | Isaiah 35:1-10 © |
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The return of the redeemed through desert |
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Responsorial Psalm |
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Psalm 84(85):9-14(Advent) © |
Gospel Acclamation | Lk3:4,6 |
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Or |
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Gospel | Luke 5:17-26 © |
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Pray for Pope Francis.
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Jesus said in a His own words....
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.
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
+
December Devotion: The Immaculate Conception
Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of December is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first moment of her conception, by a singular privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior and hers, was preserved from all stain of original sin. This age-old belief of the Church was defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854 as an article of revealed truth.
Mary was in need of redemption and she was indeed redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. The manner of Mary's redemption, however, was unique. Instead of being freed from original sin after having contracted it, she was preserved from contracting it. This was a most fitting favor for the Mother of the Redeemer.
INVOCATION
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
The Immaculate Conception from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
To become the mother of the Savior, Mary “was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.” The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as “full of grace”. In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God’s grace.
Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854:
The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.
The “splendor of an entirely unique holiness” by which Mary is “enriched from the first instant of her conception” comes wholly from Christ: she is “redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son”. The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” and chose her “in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love”.
The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God “the All-Holy” (Panagia), and celebrate her as “free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature”. By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long.
PRAYER OF POPE PIUS XII
This prayer, dedicated to Mary Immaculate, was composed by the Pope for the Marian Year (December 8, 1953-December 8, 1954), which was proclaimed to mark the centenary of the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
Enraptured by the splendor of your heavenly beauty, and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into your arms, 0 Immacuate Mother of Jesus and our Mother, Mary, confident of finding in your most loving heart appeasement of our ardent desires, and a safe harbor from the tempests which beset us on every side.
Though degraded by our faults and overwhelmed by infinite misery, we admire and praise the peerless richness of sublime gifts with which God has filled you, above every other mere creature, from the first moment of your conception until the day on which, after your assumption into heaven, He crowned you Queen of the Universe.
O crystal fountain of faith, bathe our minds with the eternal truths! O fragrant Lily of all holiness, captivate our hearts with your heavenly perfume! 0 Conqueress of evil and death, inspire in us a deep horror of sin, which makes the soul detestable to God and a slave of hell!
O well-beloved of God, hear the ardent cry which rises up from every heart. Bend tenderly over our aching wounds. Convert the wicked, dry the tears of the afflicted and oppressed, comfort the poor and humble, quench hatreds, sweeten harshness, safeguard the flower of purity in youth, protect the holy Church, make all men feel the attraction of Christian goodness. In your name, resounding harmoniously in heaven, may they recognize that they are brothers, and that the nations are members of one family, upon which may there shine forth the sun of a universal and sincere peace.
Receive, O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications, and above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altars: You are all-beautiful, O Mary! You are the glory, you are the joy, you are the honor of our people! Amen.
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
Lord, have mercy on us |
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"We have seen incredible things today"
Light is sweet and it is good to see the sun with these eyes of flesh...; that is why Moses said: «And God saw the light and he said that it was good» (Gn 1:4)...
But how good it is for us to reflect on the great, the true and unchanging light "that enlightens everyone coming into the world" (Jn 1:9), namely Christ, the world's Savior and redeemer. Having disclosed himself before the eyes of the prophets, he became man and entered into the lowest depths of human existence. It is of him that the prophet David spoke: "Chant praise to God's name. Prepare a way for him who rises towards the west, whose name is the Lord; exult in his presence" (cf. Ps 68[67],5 Vg.). And Isaiah, too, cried out: "People who sit in darkness, behold this light. For you who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, a light will shine" (cf. 9:1)...
And so the light of the sun that is seen by these eyes of flesh makes known the spiritual Sun of Righteousness (Ml 3:20), the sweetest of all to rise on those who have the happiness of being taught by him and seeing him with their fleshly eyes when he dwelt among us like any ordinary man. Nevertheless, he was not just an ordinary man in that he was born true God, able to give back sight to the blind, cause the lame to walk, enable the deaf to hear, cleanse lepers and restore the dead to life by his word (Lk 7:22).
St. Vincent of Lerins
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