Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 11-17-05, Memorial, St. Elizabeth of Hungary

November 17, 2005
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

Psalm: Thursday 49

Reading I
1 Mc 2:15-29

The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy
came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices.
Many of Israel joined them,
but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.
Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:
“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city,
supported by sons and kin.
Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command,
as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah
and those who are left in Jerusalem have done.
Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends,
and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.”
But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:
“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him,
so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers
and consents to the king’s orders,
yet I and my sons and my kin
will keep to the covenant of our fathers.
God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.
We will not obey the words of the king
nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”

As he finished saying these words,
a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all
to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein
according to the king’s order.
When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal;
his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused;
he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.
At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king
who was forcing them to sacrifice,
and he tore down the altar.
Thus he showed his zeal for the law,
just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.

Then Mattathias went through the city shouting,
“Let everyone who is zealous for the law
and who stands by the covenant follow after me!”
Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons,
leaving behind in the city all their possessions.
Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom
went out into the desert to settle there.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 50:1b-2, 5-6, 14-15

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High;
Then call upon me in time of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Gospel
Lk 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

From: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29

Mattathias Takes Action at Mode-in

[15] Then the king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to
the city of Modem to make them offer sacrifice. [16] Many from
Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. [17]
Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: “You are
a leader, honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and
brothers. [18] Now be the first to come and do what the king
commands, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those that are
left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be
numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be
honored with silver and gold and many gifts.”

[19] But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: “Even if all
the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have
chosen to do his commandments, departing each one from the religion of
his fathers, [20] yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the
covenant of our fathers. [21] Far be it from us to desert the law and
the ordinances. [22] We will not obey the king’s words by turning
aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.”

[23] When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in
the sight of all to offer sacrifice upon the altar in Modein,
according to the king’s command. [24] When Mattathias saw it, be
burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous
anger; he ran and killed him upon the altar. [25] At the same time he
killed the king’s officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he
tore down the altar. [26] Thus he burned with zeal for the law, as
Phinehas did against Zimri the son of Salu.

[27] Then Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying:
“Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant
come out with me!” [28] And he and his sons fled to the hills and
left all that they had in the city.

Commentary:

2:15-28. Mattathias certainly behaves savagely but he has a special
reason for acting in this way: it helps to legitimate his leadership
and that of his descendants in the liberation of Israel. Due to his
priestly background Mattathias was a man of some status; what he did
could influence others. Here, in a sense, he represents the people.
Not only does he not succumb to the temptation to gain social and
financial advantage by being untrue to his conscience and his religion
(cf. vv. 17-22); he shows signs of being a savior of his people. His
action is comparable to that of Phinehas (v. 26), that priest who,
according to Numbers 25:6-15, ran a spear through an Israelite and a
Midianite woman, thereby turning God’s wrath back from the people. In
reward for his action God gave Phinehas a covenant of peace and
promised him and his line a perpetual priesthood (cf. v. 54).
Moreover, on that occasion God disposed that the Israelites should
attack the Midianites and defeat them. The memory of Phinehas endured
in Jewish tradition (cf. Ps 106:28-31; Sir 45:23). Although the sacred
writer does not expressly say so, the comparison with Phinehas gives
us an inkling that Mattathias is becoming someone who has a covenant
with God and will be a savior of the people.

Both Phinehas and Mattathias were motivated by zeal for the Lord and
for his Law (vv. 24, 26-27; Num 25:11). Although the way they
expressed their zeal was understandable only in that distant context
(it would not he acceptable today), their zeal for God and the things
of God is still something to be imitated (cf. Origen, "Commentarii in
Epistulam ad Romanos", 8, 1). Our Lord Jesus Christ will also feel
zealous for the house of God, the temple, and will perform a symbolic
act of violence against those who profaned it (cf. Jn 2:17; Ps 69:9).
It is this sort of zeal that leads a Christian to “holy intransigence". “Be
uncompromising in doctrine and conduct. But be yielding in manner.
A mace of tempered steel, wrapped in quilted covering. Be
uncompromising, but don’t be obstinate” (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 397).

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: Luke 19:41-44

Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem

[41] And when He (Jesus) drew near and saw the city He wept over it,
[42] saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for
peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. [43] For the days shall
come upon you, when your enemies will cast a bank about you and
surround you, and hem you in on every side, [44] and dash you to the
ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one
stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your
visitation."

Commentary:

41-44. When the procession reaches a place where there is a good view
of the city, they are disconcerted by Jesus' unexpected weeping. Our
Lord explains why He is weeping, by prophesying the destruction of the
city which He loved so much: not one stone will remain on another, and
its inhabitants will be massacred--a prophecy which was fulfilled in
the year 70, when Titus razed the city and the temple was destroyed.
These historical events will be a punishment for Jerusalem failing to
recognize the time of its visitation, that is, for closing its gates to
the salvific coming of the Redeemer. Jesus loved the Jews with a very
special love: they were the first to whom the Gospel was preached (cf.
Matthew 10:5-6); to them He directed His ministry (cf. Matthew 15:24);
He showed His word and by His miracles that He was the Son of God and
the Messiah foretold in the Scriptures. But the Jews for the most part
failed to appreciate the grace the Lord was offering them; their
leaders led them to the extreme of calling for Jesus to be crucified.

Jesus visits every one of us; He comes as our Savior; He teaches us
through the preaching of the Church; He gives us forgiveness and grace
through the sacraments. We should not reject our Lord, we should not
remain indifferent to His visit.

Catholic Culture

Collect:
Father, you helped Elizabeth of Hungary to recognize and honor Christ in the poor of this world. Let her prayers help us to serve our brothers and sisters in time of trouble and need. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Recipes:

» Marzipan Roses
» Rose Petal Coconut Cake

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Prayers:

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November 17, 2005

Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious

Old Calendar: St. Gregory the Wonderworker, bishop and confessor

Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious. She was the daughter of Andrew II, King of Hungary, and wife of Duke Louis IV of Thuringia. She is famous for her great kindness and inexhaustible charity towards the poor and the sick. November 19 is the former feast day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

Before the reform of the Roman Calendar in 1969, this was the feast of St. Gregory the Wonderworker, bishop and confessor. In the present calendar, St. Gregory's memorial is celebrated on September 3.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth was the daughter of the Hungarian king Andrew II. At the age of four (b. 1207), she was brought to the court of her future husband, Ludwig, landgrave of Thuringia. After her marriage in 1221, she very conscientiously fulfilled her duties both toward her husband and as a servant of God. During the night she would rise from bed and spend long periods at prayer. Zealously she performed all types of charitable acts; she put herself at the service of widows, orphans, the sick, the needy. During a famine she generously distributed all the grain from her stocks, cared for lepers in one of the hospitals she established, kissed their hands and feet. For the benefit of the indigent she provided suitable lodging.

After the early death of her husband (in 1227 while on a crusade led by Emperor Frederick II), Elizabeth laid aside all royal dignities in order to serve God more freely. She put on simple clothing, became a tertiary of St. Francis, and showed great patience and humility. Nor was she spared intense suffering. The goods belonging to her as a widow were withheld, she was forced to leave Wartburg. In Eisenach no one dared receive her out of fear of her enemies. Upon much pleading a shepherd of the landgrave permitted her to use an abandoned pig sty. No one was allowed to visit or aid her; with her three children, of whom the youngest was not more than a few months old, she was forced to wander about in the winter's cold.

In 1228 she took the veil of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis at Marburg and there built a hospital with some property still belonging to her. She retained for herself only a small mud house. All her strength and care were now devoted to the poor and the sick, while she obtained the few things she needed by spinning. Young in years but rich in good works, she slept in the Lord in 1231, only twenty-four years old.

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.

Patron: Bakers; beggars; brides; Catholic charities; charitable societies; charitable workers; charities; countesses; death of children; exiles; falsely accused people; Franciscan Third Order; hoboes; homeless people; hospitals; in-law problems; lacemakers; lace workers; nursing homes; nursing services; people in exile; people ridiculed for their piety; Sisters of Mercy; tertiaries; Teutonic Knights; toothache; tramps; widows.

Symbols: Three crowns (virgin, wife, widow); triple crown; roses; basket of bread and flask of wine; roses in a robe; infant in a cradle; model of a hospital or of Warburg castle; distaff.
Often Portrayed As: Queen distributing alms; Woman wearing a crown and tending to beggars; Woman wearing a crown, carrying a load of roses in her apron or mantle.

Things to Do:

St. Elizabeth's daughter, St. Gertrude of Thuringia and her relatives Hedwig of Silesia, Agnes of Bohemia, Margaret of Hungary, Cunigund of Poland and Elizabeth of Portugal, were drawn to holiness through her example. Pray for the salvation and sanctity of your relatives.
Love for the poor is characteristic of every genuine follower of Christ, those lacking the truth are the poorest of the poor, spend some time on a regular basis studying your faith (by reading or taking a home study course) so that you will be prepared to feed those who are hungry for the truth.
Teach your children the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and give them practical examples;
Have your children help you bake bread like St. Elizabeth and distribute some to your neighbors.
St. Elizabeth is the patroness of the Franciscan Third Order (tertiary) and of all Catholic Charities. Find out more about what a third order is, particularly the Franciscan Third Order.
See Nameday Ideas for St. Elizabeth, including dessert and symbols and prayers.
Follow these links for some wonderful works of art of St. Elizabeth:
- Anonymous Sienese medallion (XIV Century): St. Elizabeth of Hungary
- Collinson, James: St. Elizabeth
  of Hungary
- Martini, Simone: St. Clare and St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
- Martini, Simone: St. Elizabeth, St. Margaret and Henry of Hungary

Homily of the Day

Homily of the Day

Title:	Mephistopheles Always
Author:	Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Date:	Thursday, November 17, 2005

1 Maccabees 2:15-29 / Lk 19:41-44

The Maccabees' saga continues in today's reading with Mattathias and his family being offered the ultimate deal with the devil: A small sacrifice to the pagan gods in exchange for vast riches and the title, 'King's Friends.' It seems so little to give for so much, but Mattathias knew that wasn't true. It was his faith, his connection to the Lord, that gave him life and made him who he was, and without that he knew he was nothing. So he rejected the deal, abandoned all his possessions, and fled with his family into the mountains.

Eventually, moments like that come to us all, though not usually with the glamorous offers that came Mattathias' way. But the essence is there: give up 'A' to get 'B'. Real wisdom consists in assessing correctly what we're thinking of giving up. Is it of the essence of who we are and who we're called to be? Does giving it up erode or conflict with a commitment we've already made?

In those dangerous compromise moments, desire can cloud our minds and whisper lies to us. More than ever, those are the times when we need to lay open our hearts to the Lord. If we take the time, He will show us the truth, and He will help us choose the truth.

May we become faithful as He is faithful.

American Catholic’s Saint of the Day

November 17, 2005

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

(1207-1231)

In her short life Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people throughout Europe.

At the age of 14 Elizabeth was married to Louis of Thuringia (a German principality), whom she deeply loved; she bore three children. Under the spiritual direction of a Franciscan friar, she led a life of prayer, sacrifice and service to the poor and sick. Seeking to become one with the poor, she wore simple clothing. Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest in the land, who came to her gate.

After six years of marriage, her husband died in the Crusades, and she was grief-stricken. Her husband’s family looked upon her as squandering the royal purse, and mistreated her, finally throwing her out of the palace. The return of her husband’s allies from the Crusades resulted in her being reinstated, since her son was legal heir to the throne.

In 1228 Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order, spending the remaining few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital which she founded in honor of St. Francis. Elizabeth’s health declined, and she died before her 24th birthday in 1231. Her great popularity resulted in her canonization four years later.

Comment:

Elizabeth understood well the lesson Jesus taught when he washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper: The Christian must be one who serves the humblest needs of others, even if one serves from an exalted position. Of royal blood, Elizabeth could have lorded it over her subjects. Yet she served them with such a loving heart that her brief life won for her a special place in the hearts of many. Elizabeth is also an example to us in her following the guidance of a spiritual director. Growth in the spiritual life is a difficult process. We can play games very easily if we don't have someone to challenge us or to share experiences so as to help us avoid pitfalls.

Quote:

"Today, there is an inescapable duty to make ourselves the neighbor of every individual, without exception, and to take positive steps to help a neighbor whom we encounter, whether that neighbor be an elderly person, abandoned by everyone, a foreign worker who suffers the injustice of being despised, a refugee, an illegitimate child wrongly suffering for a sin of which the child is innocent, or a starving human being who awakens our conscience by calling to mind the words of Christ: 'As long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it for me' (Matthew 25:40)" (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 27, Austin Flannery translation).

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