Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 12-06-04, Optional, St. Nicholas

December 6, 2004
Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Reading I
Is 35:1-10

The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
Then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals lurk
will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.
A highway will be there,
called the holy way;
No one unclean may pass over it,
nor fools go astray on it.
No lion will be there,
nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it.
It is for those with a journey to make,
and on it the redeemed will walk.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
They will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm
85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R (Isaiah 35:4f) Our God will come to save us!
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD – for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R Our God will come to save us!
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R Our God will come to save us!
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R Our God will come to save us!

Gospel
Lk 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching,
Pharisees and teachers of the law,
who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem,
were sitting there,
and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.
And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed;
they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.
But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,
they went up on the roof
and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles
into the middle in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said,
"As for you, your sins are forgiven."

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves,
"Who is this who speaks blasphemies?
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply,
"What are you thinking in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, ‘Rise and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"–
he said to the one who was paralyzed,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."

He stood up immediately before them,
picked up what he had been lying on,
and went home, glorifying God.
Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God,
and, struck with awe, they said,
"We have seen incredible things today."

From: Luke 5:17-26

The Cure of the Paralytic in Capernaum

[17] On one of those days, as He (Jesus) was teaching, there were
Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every
village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the
Lord was with Him to heal. [18] And behold, men were bringing on a bed
a man who was paralyzed, and they sought to bring him in and lay him
before Jesus; [19] but finding no way to bring him in, because of the
crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through
the tiles into the midst before Jesus. [20] And when He saw their
faith He said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." [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 Jesus
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 (verses 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 observation 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 applies 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 wanted to benefit His
listeners, even though some of them would not receive this divine 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 absolves 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. Lucam, 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; Colossians 2:13-14; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John
1:9; Isaiah 53:4-5). Jesus used this power 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 narrow life which is no life at all" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is
Passing By," 193).

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.

December 6, 2004

THE CAUSE OF CHRIST

Presence of God

Grace I Ask
To wake up to what is really going on in the world around me; and to desire to play my part in it.

The Idea
Yesterday's character test was only a preparation. Today let us look at the reality!

Yesterday's story is working out in the world today. Not only my own country, but the entire world, is largely in slavery. Not only slavery to Communism (militant atheism, n/k/a the saving graces of Western Materialism) – that's part of it – but in slavery to sin, to the devil.

Men are in slavery to their own flesh, to their craving for things of this world; men are slaves of fear, of ignorance, slaves of injustice and cruelty from other men.

God made this world as a way to heaven; and for many, many people it has become a greased chute to hell! I know what hell is and how awful it is that anyone should go there. Christ knows that too. And that is why Christ today is leading a war for freedom, a great campaign against all the powers of evil – against sin – injustice, immorality, against everything that can corrupt souls and turn them from God.

The world is an invisible batteground where a great war is going on constantly. The prizes in that war are the souls of men. This fight of Christ's to save all men is the most important thing going on in the world today.

My Personal Application
How is the battle working out in my own life? What am I doing ot help the cause along – in myself? In others?

I Speak to God
Dear Christ,
help me to appreciate the reality and important of this great war for the liberation of the souls of men. Please show me how I can ehpl, and give me the strength and courage to take my proper place in the fight.

Thought for Today
""The life of man upon earth is a warfare."

Daily Sodality Readings == "Don't Read this Thread!"

ROMAN MISSAL -- DOUAY TEXTS

God himself will come and save you.

-----------------†JMJ†-----------------
Monday, 2nd Week in the Season of Advent
---------------†AMDG†---------------

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON – See Jer 31:10; and Is 35:4
Audíte verbum Dómini, gentes, et annuntiáte illud in fínibus terræ:
Ecce Salvátor noster advéniet, et iam nolíte timére.
Jer 10: Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations,
and declare it in the islands that are afar off, and say:
He that scattered Israel will gather him:
and he will keep him as the shepherd doth his flock.
Is 35: Say to the fainthearted:
Take courage, and fear not:
behold your God will bring the revenge of recompense:
God himself will come and will save you.

OPENING PRAYER
Lord,
free us from our sins and make us whole.
Hear our prayer,
and prepare us ot celebrate the incarnation of your son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault
--strike the breast--
in my thoughts and in my words
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

FIRST READING – Is 35:1-10
God himself will come and save you.

The land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad,
and the wilderness shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily.
It shall bud forth and blossom, and shall rejoice with joy and praise:
the glory of Libanus is given to it: the beauty of Carmel, and Saron,
they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the beauty of our God.

Strengthen ye the feeble hands, and confirm the weak knees.
Say to the fainthearted:
Take courage, and fear not:
behold your God will bring the revenge of recompense:
God himself will come and will save you.

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then shall the lame man leap as a hart,
and the tongue of the dumb shall be free:
for waters are broken out in the desert,
and streams in the wilderness.

And that which was dry land, shall become a pool,
and the thirsty land springs of water.
In the dens where dragons dwell before,
shall rise up the verdure of the reed and the bulrush.

And a path and a way shall be there,
and it shall be called the holy way:
the unclean shall not pass over it,
and this shall be unto you a straight way,
so that fools shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor shall any mischievous beast go up by it,
nor be found there: but they shall walk there that shall be delivered.
And the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
and shall come into Sion with praise,
and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads:
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM – Ps 84:9ab, 10, 11-12, 13-14
Ecce Deus noster véniet et salvábit nos.
(Is 35:4f) God himself will come and will save you.

1 Unto the end, for the sons of Core, a psalm. 2 Lord, thou hast blessed thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. 3 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people: thou hast covered all their sins. 4 Thou hast mitigated all thy anger: thou best turned away from the wrath of thy indignation. 5 Convert us, O God our saviour: and turn off thy anger from us.
6 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever: or wilt thou extend thy wrath from generation to generation? 7 Thou wilt turn, O God, and bring us to life: and thy people shall rejoice in thee. 8 Shew us, O Lord, thy mercy; and grant us thy salvation.
I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me:
for he will speak peace unto his people:
And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him:
that glory may dwell in our land.
God himself will come and will save you.

Mercy and truth have met each other:
justice and peace have kissed.
Truth is sprung out of the earth:
and justice hath looked down from heaven.
God himself will come and will save you.

For the Lord will give goodness:
and our earth shall yield her fruit.
Justice shall walk before him:
and shall set his steps in the way.
God himself will come and will save you.

ALLELUIA
Ecce véniet Rex, Dóminus terræ, et ipse áuferet iugum captivitátis nostræ.
Alleluia, alleluia
Behold the king will come,
the Lord of the earth,
and he himself will lift the yoke of our captivity.
Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL – Lk 5:17-26
We have seen incredible things today.

16 And he retired into the desert, and prayed.

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he sat teaching,
that there were also Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by,
that were come out of every town of Galilee,
and Judea and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was to heal them.

And behold, men brought in a bed a man, who had the palsy:
and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in,
because of the multitude, they went up upon the roof,
and let him down through the tiles
with his bed into the midst before Jesus.

Whose faith when he saw, he said: Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying:
Who is this who speaketh blasphemies?
Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

And when Jesus knew their thoughts, answering, he said to them:
What is it you think in your hearts?
Which is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee;
or to say, Arise and walk?

But that you may know
that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,
(he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
I say to thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.

And immediately rising up before them,
he took up the bed on which he lay;
and he went away to his own house, glorifying God.

And all were astonished; and they glorified God.
And they were filled with fear, saying:
We have seen wonderful things today.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Father,
from all you give us
we present this bread and wine.
As we serve you now,
accept our offering
and sustain us with your promise of eternal life.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON – See Ps 104:4-5; and Is 38:3
Ven, Dómine, visitáre nos in pace,
ut lætémur coram te corde perfécto.
Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: visit us with thy salvation.
That we may see the good of thy chosen,
that we may rejoice in the joy of thy nation:
that thou mayst be praised with thy inheritance.
And Ezechias turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord,
3 And said: I beseech thee, O Lord,
remember how I have walked before thee in truth,
and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.
And Ezechias wept with great weeping.

(NAB: Come to us, Lord, and bring us peace.
We will rejoice in your presence and serve you with all our heart.)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God of mercy,
may this Eucharist bring us your divine help,
free us from our sings,
and prepare us for the birthday of our Savior,
who is Lord for ever and ever.

ACCLAMATION

Glorious Nicholas, The Holy Preacher of Christ, you are the great and fervent protector of those in danger: those on land and sea, far off or near, for you are a most comassionate and mighty intercessor. Therefore as we assemble, we cry aloud: Pray to the Lord that we may be delivered from all danger

Prayer to St Nicholas of Myra

O Saint Nicholas, bountiful Father and special Patron of our Byzantine Catholic Church; you are a shepherd and teacher to all who invoke your protection, and who, by devout prayer, call upon you for aid. Hasten and save the flock of Christ from ravenous wolves, and by your holy prayers protect all Christians and save them from worldy disturbances, earthquakes, attacks from abroad, from internal strife, from famine, flood, fire, sword, and sudden death. As you had mercy on those three men in prison and saved them from the king’s wrath, now also have mercy on me who, by word, deed, and thought, have sunk into the darkness of sin. Save me from the just anger of God, and from eternal punishment. Through your intercession and aid, as well as through His own mercy and grace, may Christ our God allow me to lead a tranquil and sinless life, and save me from standing at His left, but deem me worthy to stand at His right with all the saints. Amen.

Here is an ancient Eastern Orthodox Russian prayer to St. Nicholas:

O most holy Nicholas,
thou extraordinary Saint of the Lord,
our loving defender,
and ready helper in sorrows everywhere:
help us sinners and hapless ones in life:
entreat the Lord God to grant us
remission of all of our sins,
that we have committed from our youth,
and all our life,
by deed, word, thought, and all our senses;
And in the passing of our souls,
help us wretched ones;
entreat the Lord God and Maker of all creation,
to deliver us from trials and eternal torment:
that we may always glorify the Father,
and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.

Homily of the Day

Homily of the Day

Title:	Life Doesn’t Have to Be Flat and Gray
Author:	Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Date:	Monday, December 6, 2004

Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26

There are stages in all our lives that qualify very nicely for some of the adjectives that Isaiah uses in today’s first reading: parched, lifeless, lame, feeble, thirsting. We don’t have to be old or sick to have those feelings deep in our souls. Life can wear us down. The endless routines, the etceteras of life can leave us with the energy and dynamism of a TV test pattern. And we can seriously begin to wonder if we’ve still got a pulse.

It can happen for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes we hit a dead end, find ourselves in a place with no life in it, and slowly recognize that we need to make some changes and move on. But more often it’s a simple matter of memory loss: we forgot why we’re here in this place, doing this or that, and we forgot where we’re going.

It’s the “vision thing.” And when we lose our vision, the whole world turns gray. The remedy is actually quite simple: Remembering who we are, what are our gifts, and to whom God is calling us to carry those gifts. The moment the vision returns, the energy and the joy return as well.

That’s a key part of our daily prayer, remembering that we are the Lord’s and that we have from Him a purpose that is worthy of us. So take that quiet remembering time with the Lord every day. It’s the best investment you’ll ever make.

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