Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 02-05-05, Memorial, St. Agatha, virgin and martyr

February 5, 2005
Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

Psalm: Saturday 8

Reading I
Heb 13:15-17, 20-21

Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.

Obey your leaders and defer to them,
for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account,
that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow,
for that would be of no advantage to you.

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel
Mk 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.

American Cathlic's Saint of the Day

February 5, 2005

St. Agatha

(d. 251?)

As in the case of Agnes, another virgin-martyr of the early Church, almost nothing is historically certain about this saint except that she was martyred in Sicily during the persecution of Emperor Decius in 251.

Legend has it that Agatha, like Agnes, was arrested as a Christian, tortured and sent to a house of prostitution to be mistreated. She was preserved from being violated, and was later put to death.

She is claimed as the patroness of both Palermo and Catania. The year after her death, the stilling of an eruption of Mt. Etna was attributed to her intercession. As a result, apparently, people continued to ask her prayers for protection against fire.

Comment:

The scientific modern mind winces at the thought of a volcano’s might being contained by God because of the prayers of a Sicilian girl. Still less welcome, probably, is the notion of that saint being the patroness of such varied professions as those of foundry workers, nurses, miners and Alpine guides. Yet, in our historical precision, have we lost an essential human quality of wonder and poetry, and even our belief that we come to God by helping each other, both in action and prayer?

Quote:

When Agatha was arrested, the legend says, she prayed: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.” And in prison: “Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.”

The Word Among Us

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Meditation
Hebrews 13:15-17,20-21

Happy is the one who becomes a fountain of voices—all of them praising you in all things! (St. Ephrem of Syria)

St. Ephrem (c. 306–c. 373), one of the most renowned and lyrical homilists of the Eastern Church, beautifully described the praise of God flowing from us like a wellspring of water. Along with many other saints, Ephrem taught that we are created for worship, and that it’s in giving our Creator praise that we find ourselves most fulfilled.

More often than not, we tend to devote our energies to asking God to help us with our problems and needs. Yet it’s in praise and worship that our hearts can be lifted up to God’s presence, where we can gain a new, heavenly perspective. Through praise, we can give the Spirit an opportunity to renew our minds and even to give us his guidance in dealing with the challenges we face here on earth.

The author of Hebrews invites us to spend ourselves on God, pouring out prayers and hymns of adoration to him: “Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God” (Hebrews 13:15). Our praise can be expressed in many ways: We “make a joyful noise to the Lord” by singing “joyous songs” before him (Psalm 98:4). We can “bless the Lord at all times” (Psalm 34:1) by turning our hearts to him during the day. We can exult in his great deeds (9:1-16) by recalling all he has done for us. Along with the multitudes in heaven, we can simply cry out, “Holy, holy, holy” (Revelation 4:8), or dance before the Lord as David did (2 Samuel 6:14).

Today, praise the Lord in a way that is new to you. Lay aside your list of petitions for a short time. Cast off your inhibitions. Lift up your heart and voice—even your hands and feet, too!—in a burst of praise. “Ocean of glory,” sang St. Ephrem to the Lord, “in your goodness receive this drop of praise!” May each of us add a drop of praise into that ocean today!

“Glory to you, lover of mankind! . . . Glory to you, who came down to save our souls! . . . Glory to you, who are coming again with the glory of the Father and the holy angels! . . . Glory to you, my Lord!” (St. Ephrem)

From: Hebrews 13: 15-17, 20-21

Religious Duties--Obeying Lawful Pastors; Religious Worship
(Continuation)

[15] Through him (Jesus) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice
of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
[16] Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such
sacrifices are pleasing to God.

[17] Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch
over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do
this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Epilogue

[20] Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord
Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal
covenant, [21] equip you with everything good that you may do his will,
working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Commentary:

15-16. The text presupposes the Old Testament distinction between the
"sin offering" and other offerings. The sin offering was made publicly
on the great Day of Atonement. The other offerings, particularly those
not involving the shedding of blood--first fruits, fruit and loaves,
which the faithful present to God in thanksgiving and praise--were
called "peace offerings", among which the most prominent was the
"sacrifice of thanksgiving" (cf. Lev 7:12; Ps 50:14; 116:17).

In the New Testament the faithful, exercising their spiritual
priesthood (cf. Rom 12:1; Heb 12;28), offer sacrifices acceptable to
God--prayer (made by lips which confess God), good works, alms, etc.

Already, through the prophets, God had made it plain that he abhorred
sacrifices which were merely external (cf. 1 Sam 15:22, Is 1:11-17;
Jer 6:20; Amos 5:21-22): what he wanted was a pure and humble heart
(cf. Is 58:6-8). Jesus said the same (cf. Mt 5:23-24; Mk 11:25;
Lk 18:9-14). So, too, in the New Covenant, Christ wants all followers
to exercise that priesthood which consists in doing good and offering
to God all the little sacrifices each day involves: "Since he wishes
to continue his witness and his serving through the laity also, the
supreme and eternal priest, Christ Jesus, vivifies them with his spirit
and ceaselessly impels them to accomplish every good and perfect work"
(Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 34).

17-19. Emphasis is put here on the duty all Christians have to pray
especially for those who are placed in authority over them.

"We owe two things to those who govern us in the spiritual sphere.
First, obedience, to do what they tell us; and then reverence, to honor
them like parents and accept the discipline they propose" (Chrysostom,
"Hom. on Heb.", 13, 3).

"You are under an obligation to pray and sacrifice yourself for the
person and intentions of whoever is 'in charge' of your apostolic
undertaking. If you are careless in fulfilling this duty, you make me
think that you lack enthusiasm for your way" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 953).

20-21. The epistle ends in the same kind of way as the Pauline epistles
do--with a doxology and some words of farewell. In these verses, "the
God of peace" is invoked; he is the only one who can give true peace,
decreeing that men should be reconciled to him through the action of
Christ; and Jesus is described as "the great shepherd"; once more there
is this paralleling the Exodus/Old Covenant with entry into heaven.
Just as Moses brought the people of Israel into the promised land the
way a shepherd leads his sheep (cf. Is 63:11), so Jesus Christ, the
shepherd par excellence (cf. Jn 10:10-16; 1 Pet 2:25; 5:4), has led his
sheep into the glory of heaven.

Verse 21 links Christian teaching on grace with man's response to that
grace. Commenting on this passage St Thomas Aquinas explains that the
words "equip you with everything good that you may do his will" is the
same as saying "may God make you desire everything good", because it is
God's will that we act of our own free will. If we did not act freely,
our will would not be good; if we go God's will we will always be doing
what is good for us (cf. "Commentary on Heb., ad loc."). God has
disposed man's will to choose to do what is right. It is up to man to
respond to God's design. In this sense, God "equips us with everything
good that you may do his will".

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.

From: Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles Return

[30] The Apostles returned to Jesus, and told Him all that they had
done and taught. [31] And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to
a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and
they had no leisure even to eat. [32] And they went away in the boat
to a lonely place by themselves.

First Miracles of the Loaves

[33] Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot
from the towns, and got there ahead of them. [34] As He landed He saw
a great throng, and He had compassion on them, because they were like
sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

Commentary:

30-31. We can see here the intensity of Jesus' public ministry. Such
was His dedication to souls that St. Mark twice mentions that the
disciples did not even have time to eat (cf. Mark 3:20). A Christian
should be ready to sacrifice his time and even his rest in the service
of the Gospel. This attitude of availability will lead us to change
our plans whenever the good of souls so requires.

But Jesus also teaches us here to have common sense and not to go to
such extremes that we physically cannot cope: "The Lord makes His
disciples rest, to show those in charge that people who work or preach
cannot do so without breaks" (St. Bede, "In Marci Evangelium Expositio,
in loc."). "He who pledges himself to work for Christ should never
have a free moment, because to rest is not to do nothing: it is to
relax in activities which demand less effort" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 357).

34. Our Lord had planned a period of rest, for Himself and His
disciples, from the pressures of the apostolate (Mark 6:31-32). And He
has to change His plans because so many people come, eager to hear Him
speak. Not only is He not annoyed with them: He feels compassion on
seeing their spiritual need. "My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). They need instruction and our Lord wants to
meet this need by preaching to them. "Jesus is moved by hunger and
sorrow, but what moves Him most is ignorance" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is
Passing By", 109).

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, February 5, 2005 >>

St. Agatha

Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21

Psalm 23

Mark 6:30-34

View Readings

P. T. L.

“Through [Jesus] let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise.” —Hebrews 13:15

Our whole life should be a sacrifice of praise. Our good deeds and generosity are primarily sacrifices of praise blending into the cosmic symphony of worship to the Lord (Heb 13:16). We not only worship the Lord in spirit, but offer our “bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, [our] spiritual worship” (Rm 12:1).

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless His holy name” (Ps 103:1). We praise with all our being and all our time. Life can be simply defined as an ever-mounting crescendo of praise. At the end, we just praise our way off the face of this earth and enter the perfect, eternal praise of Heaven.

Ask the Spirit to increase your praise quotient. How much of the day do you praise and worship? How many of your deeds praise Him? Ask God to increase your praise time. Praise the Lord for things you never have included in your praises before. Can you now praise Him in even the most difficult circumstance? Say you’ve had a bad day. You’ve been attacked, stripped, flogged, imprisoned, and chained (Acts 16:22-24). With Paul and Silas, can you still praise the Lord “always and for everything”? (Eph 5:20)

Prayer: “May the God of peace, Who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do His will. Through Jesus Christ may He carry out in you all that is pleasing to Him. To Christ be glory forever! Amen” (Heb 13:20-21).

Promise: Jesus “pitied them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them at great length.” —Mk 6:34

Praise: Through great trials and intense physical tortures, St. Agatha endured in her praise of her Creator.

Mk 6:30-34
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
30	And the apostles coming together unto Jesus, related to him all things that they had done and taught.	et convenientes apostoli ad Iesum renuntiaverunt illi omnia quae egerant et docuerant
31	And he said to them: Come apart into a desert place, and rest a little. For there were many coming and going: and they had not so much as time to eat.	et ait illis venite seorsum in desertum locum et requiescite pusillum erant enim qui veniebant et rediebant multi et nec manducandi spatium habebant
32	And going up into a ship, they went into a desert place apart.	et ascendentes in navi abierunt in desertum locum seorsum
33	And they saw them going away, and many knew: and they ran flocking thither foot from all the cities, and were there before them.	et viderunt eos abeuntes et cognoverunt multi et pedestre et de omnibus civitatibus concurrerunt illuc et praevenerunt eos
34	And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.	et exiens vidit multam turbam Iesus et misertus est super eos quia erant sicut oves non habentes pastorem et coepit docere illos multa

FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Agatha was born in Italy, in either the city of Palermo or Catana
and died during the persecution of Decius in the year 251. Her family
was wealthy and as Agatha grew to become a young woman, many
men sought her hand in marriage. She had realized at an early age
that the only true love of her life was Jesus and had consecrated
herself to Him. This dedication to the Lord faced many trials once
Agatha grew to a marriageable age, and caused her to experience
ridicule for her Faith. Some suitors respected Agatha's decision but
many looked for ways to humiliate her and her beliefs.

Near the middle of the third century, the Emperor Decius published
decrees against Christians that legalized the persecution of
believers. The governor of Catana, who had heard of Agatha's purity
and dedication to the Lord, saw these edicts as a chance to take
advantage of her. He ordered her to be arrested and to be brought
before him to be tried for her Faith. After she refused to renounce
Christ, the governor sentenced her to be imprisoned in a house of
prostitution. She held there for one month but through intercession to
God, she remained pure and unharmed. After hearing that his plan
had failed, the governor decided to make an example of Agatha and
to torture her until she could no longer affirm her Faith.

Agatha had her flesh torn with heated iron hooks, was severely
whipped, and had her breasts cut off. Throughout her torture, Agatha
turned her heart to God and drew strength from Him. When the
tortures ceased and she was thrown back into prison, God showed
returned her love and dedication by healing all her wounds and
providing heavenly nourishment for her body. The governor was
enraged when he found Agatha more steadfast in her faith, and also
completely healed, so he ordered her to be rolled across hot coals
and broken shards of pottery. After this torture, Agatha was put back
into her cell, where she soon died. St. Agatha is the saint invoked for
protection against volcanic eruption and fire, and is the patron of the
cities of Palermo and Catania.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my
desires. Possess all that I am - you alone. I am your sheep; make
me worthy to overcome the devil. -St. Agatha

TODAY IN HISTORY

1597 Martyrdom of St. Felipe de Jesus and other missionaries in Japan

TODAY'S TIDBIT

St. Agatha is the final pillar of light and purity that the Church sets
throughout the dark winter of each year. The names of the four virgin
martyrs of the early Church whose feasts serve as guideposts of
purity and dedication till death are Cecilia (Nov. 22), Lucy (Dec. 13),
Agnes, (Jan.21), and Agatha (Feb. 5).

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray, through the intercession of St. Agatha, for all people
who are weak in their faith.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.