Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 1-24-04, Memorial, St. Francis deSales, bishop & doctor

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 01-24-04 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

January 24, 2004
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

Psalm: Saturday 6 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel

Reading I
2 Sm 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

David returned from his defeat of the Amalekites
and spent two days in Ziklag.
On the third day a man came from Saul's camp,
with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.
Going to David, he fell to the ground in homage.
David asked him, "Where do you come from?"
He replied, "I have escaped from the camp of the children of Israel."
"Tell me what happened," David bade him.
He answered that many of the soldiers had fled the battle
and that many of them had fallen and were dead,
among them Saul and his son Jonathan.

David seized his garments and rent them,
and all the men who were with him did likewise.
They mourned and wept and fasted until evening
for Saul and his son Jonathan,
and for the soldiers of the LORD of the clans of Israel,
because they had fallen by the sword.

"Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul,
slain upon your heights;
how can the warriors have fallen!

"Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished,
separated neither in life nor in death,
swifter than eagles, stronger than lions!
Women of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and in finery,
who decked your attire with ornaments of gold.

"How can the warriors have fallen–
in the thick of the battle,
slain upon your heights!

"I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother!
most dear have you been to me;
more precious have I held love for you than love for women.

"How can the warriors have fallen,
the weapons of war have perished!"

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 80:2-3, 5-7

R (4b) Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
O guide of the flock of Joseph!
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O LORD of hosts, how long will you burn with anger
while your people pray?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in ample measure.
You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
R Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

Gospel
Mk 3:20-21

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter;
James, son of Zebedee,
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

[Salvation]

For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments and discussion.</FONT

[undirish01]

Doggone it Sal, I keep forgetting, which one of the Apostles listed here is Luke?

[Salvation]

Luke traveled through the world at that time with St. Paul. He was not one of the original twelve apostles. His writings were supposedly written about 80 years after the death of Jesus (both the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles are addressed to Theophilus). So most historians think that his writing was compiled from the oral stories handed down from the genration before -- and they were the first hand witnesses of Christ's life.

I believe St. Mark's Gospel had been wrritten when St. Luke, the physician, wrote his Gospel.

Now you are thoroughly confused, right?

PS. I just finished a Bible Study on the Acts of the Apostles and we just started on the Gospel of Luke. (Little Rock Bible Study series--excellent!) See if you can get it started in your church!

[Salvation]

Alleluia Ping!

Please notify me via Freepmail if you would like to be added to or removed from the Alleluia Ping list.

[Salvation]

FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Francis was born into a noble, Catholic family at castle Sales in
Savoy, France around the year 1567. He was born two months
premature and the first years of his life were composed of struggle to
remain alive. In his childhood, Francis received his first instruction in
the Faith from his mother who was known as a very holy woman. At
the age of six, Francis was sent off to receive a formal education and
his intelligence helped him excel in his studies. As a youth, Francis
attended the University of Paris where he studied philosophy and
theology. After completing his studies in Paris, Francis attended the
University of Padua where he received a doctorate in both canon
and civil law. As Francis began his career in law, he began to realize
that God had been calling him to the priesthood for some time.

When Francis finally approached his family and told them of his
desire to become a priest, he met with much resistance from his
father. Francis' father wanted him to pursue a career in law and
politics but he eventually relented and gave Francis his blessing to
study for the priesthood.

After his ordination, Francis' first assignment was to travel to Geneva
and work to reconvert those who had fallen to Calvinism. Through
preaching, distribution of pamphlets describing the Faith and a
strong prayer life Francis was successful in converting thousands
back to Catholicism. At the age of 35, Francis was made bishop of
Geneva and continued his work of conversion throughout the whole
diocese. During his lifetime, Francis wrote profusely. His works
included writings of encouragement for the Faithful, writings to teach
about the faith, and letters and homilies that touched all aspects of
the Christian life. Two titles that are relatively well know and still in
print are The Introduction to a Devout Life and A Treatise on the
Love of God.

As a pastor and bishop, Francis was also valued in the direction of
religious communities. He wrote letters instructing and encouraging
them, and assisted St. Jane Frances de Chantal in the formation of
the Sisters of the Visitation. After several months of battling poor
health, St. Francis de Sales died in 1622. He is the patron saint of
the deaf, journalists, and writers.


QUOTE OF THE DAY

To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows that one loves the
virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected
and reproved. And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement in
perfection. -St. Francis de Sales


TODAY IN HISTORY

772 Stephen III ends his reign as Pope
817 Stephen IV ends his reign as Pope
817 St Paschal I begins his reign as Pope
1118 Giovanni Caetani elected Pope Gelasius II


TODAY'S TIDBIT

The Salesians, or the Society of St. Francis de Sales was founded
by St. John Bosco in 1854 and is dedicated to the patronage of St.
Francis de Sales.


INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray, through the intercession of St. Francis de Sales, for all
who have hearing disorders.

[Salvation]

From: Mark 3:20-21

His Relatives Are Concerned About Jesus

---

Then He (Jesus) went home; [20] and the crowd came together again, so
that they could not even eat. [21] And when His friends heard it, they
went out to seize Him, for they said, "He is beside Himself."

---

Commentary:

20-21. Some of His relatives, whose outlook was too human, regarded
Jesus' total commitment to apostolate as excessive: the only
explanation, they thought, was that He was out of His mind. On reading
these words of the Gospel, we cannot help being moved, realizing what
Jesus did for love of us: people even thought Him mad. Many saints,
following Christ's example, have been taken for madmen--but they were
mad with love, mad with love for Jesus Christ.

---

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

[Salvation]

Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor of the Church

Introduction to a devout life - St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales: Catholic Encyclopedia Entry

January 24: The Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales: Bishop, Doctor of the Church, Gentleman Saint

Saint Francis de Sales

Introduction to a devout life - St. Francis de Sales

[Salvation]

Thought for the Day

We are apt to suppose that vain women are but weak in virtue, at any rate it is smothered in their ornaments and finery. They excuse themselves, saying that they see no harm; but I say I have said before, that the devil rejoices in such things.

 -- St. Francis de Sales

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Saturday, January 24, 2004 Meditation Mark 3:20-21 It must have been very difficult for Jesus’ family and friends to understand his behavior. He was almost constantly surrounded by crowds, getting into trouble with the Jewish leaders, and working and praying long into the night. This passage gives us just one more example of how hard Jesus worked. As he returned from the mountain with his newly appointed apostles, he approached his house only to find the crowd reassembled and waiting for him. Moved with compassion, he ministered to this crowd that kept him and the Twelve so busy that there wasn’t even time to eat! Jesus’ family and friends, who had been observing him, became concerned that he might not be using sound judgment. He might even have lost his mind! Yet while they were afraid that Jesus was not living a healthy, balanced life, Jesus was concerned with the kingdom of God. He was filled with a desire to do his Father’s will by caring for everyone who came to him needy—so much so that he willingly risked the understanding of his family for the sake of this kingdom. Stories like this reveal how deeply God loves us. Just as Jesus was not put off by the crowds who gathered outside his house, he is not put off when we come to him with our weaknesses. He took on our flesh and blood so that he could heal us. He doesn’t reject us, but embraces our weaknesses. His true family are all those who come to him with faith, believing that he has come from the Father to save us from sin and darkness. We are coming to the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The hope of unity with other Christians can seem dim to us today, but we will find the answers when we look deep into Christ’s heart and allow him to free us from the attitudes and opinions that keep us separated. Only by coming to Jesus as the crowds did can we grow in our understanding of his intentions and be led into deeper unity. “Father, teach us to draw near to Jesus, who has become one with us. Help us to walk in a spirit of compassion, forbearance, and unity with our Christian brothers and sisters until the day that we see you face to face.”

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, January 24, 2004 >>

St. Francis de Sales

2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

Psalm 80

Mark 3:20-21

View Readings

JUST CALL ME CRAZY

“When His family heard of this they came to take charge of Him, saying, ‘He is out of His mind.’ ” —Mark 3:21

You may have told someone or been told: “You are out of your mind.” Little did you know that you or your critic were quoting the Scriptures. If you have been told you were out of your mind, you may be in good company, for Jesus was told that very thing.

Jesus was accused by his relatives of being crazy because He sacrificed so much to serve others that it was impossible for Him and His apostles to eat (Mk 3:20). May we also be accused of being crazy, not because of our irrational behavior, but because of our zealous self-sacrifice and loving service.

Ultimately, Jesus was accused of being crazy because of the cross. “Christ crucified” has always been “a stumbling block to Jews, an absurdity to Gentiles; but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:23-24). The cross and Christians who carry it daily (see Lk 9:23) are crazy according to the world.

Because of our love for Jesus, let us rejoice at the privilege of being considered crazy for the reason Jesus was thought to be crazy. May we boast in “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through it, the world has been crucified” to us and we to the world (Gal 6:14). Rejoice in being accused of being crazy as Jesus was accused.

Prayer: Father, give me the privilege of sharing in the rejections and false accusations Christ suffered.

Promise: “Shepherd of Israel, hearken, O Guide of the flock of Joseph! From Your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.” —Ps 80:2

Praise: St. Francis de Sales pastored his flock with gentleness, patience, understanding, and great love.

[Polycarp IV]

St. Luke, the physician

I call on St. Luke when I'm trying to make a difficult diagnosis, and St. Joseph the Carpenter when I'm doing difficult bone surgery (bone surgery is glorified carpentry.)

"HI!"

;-)

Why do non-Catholics try to claim there was no distinction between Christs "Apostles" and His "disciples" as this gospel seems to settle that debate. These twelve were set apart, with Peter once again first among them.

[annalex]

The verses you posted are from yesterday. This is Mark 3:20-21.

20 And they come to a house, and the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

21 And when his friends had heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him. For they said: He is become mad.

[Salvation]

Good Catch!

#6 has it correct.

And I just copied from this link: http://www.usccb.org/nab/012404.htm

So they had it wrong--and I didn't catch it. Thanks!

Here is Mark 3:20-21

^{8 9} He came home. Again (the) crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat.

21

When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

[fatima]

Salvation,Mass nump.

[annalex]

It is interesting that in 3:21 the modern translation has "relatives" and Douay-Rheims has "friends", when the Vulgate and the Greek original do not indicate the persons at all, other than indirectly in the verb declension. So the most accurate translation would be "some, when heard of this, ...".