The Word Among Us

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Meditation
Luke 6:1-5

Did you know that the Sabbath was God’s idea? It started when he spoke to Moses and gave him the Third Commandment: “Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). On the Sabbath, Israel was to cease from her labors and rest, just as God, after six days of creation, rested on the seventh day. Unfortunately, instead of a time of rest, the Sabbath developed for some into a set of rules centering on the people’s actions and on what they could and couldn’t do. For those in this mind set, God’s love and his desire to share a day of rest with his people took second place to legalistic observances.

Jesus understood what the Sabbath was supposed to be. That’s why some Pharisees accused him of not keeping it holy. In today’s gospel he tells them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Luke 6:5). God wants to bless us on this day and help us to draw closer to him, not put us into a box. As the Catechism states, “With compassion, Christ declares the Sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. The Sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God” (CCC, 2173).

How do we think about Sundays? Do we groan because we “have to go to Mass?” Or do we trust that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are especially present during Mass to shower their blessings upon us? It’s good to remind ourselves that tomorrow at Mass, we can find the grace and wisdom we need to deal with the pains, worries, and offenses that have been weighing on our minds all week. But it’s also good to remember that our “Sunday obligation” allows us to experience the sweetness and refreshment of receiving Jesus’ precious body and blood.

So be expectant tomorrow! During Mass, believe that you are one with the body of Christ, a beloved son or daughter of God. Go forward to communion asking Jesus to reveal himself to you in the way you need him most. Let him bless you and refresh you for the week ahead!

“Jesus, I am eagerly longing to worship you, and to receive the spiritual and physical rest you desire for me tomorrow. Thank you for your precious love!”

1 Corinthians 4:6-15; Psalm 145:17-21

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, September 9, 2006 >>

St. Peter Claver

1 Corinthians 4:6-15

Psalm 145

Luke 6:1-5

View Readings

"I CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION"

"At the moment you are completely satisfied." —1 Corinthians 4:8

In the USA, it has been legal for decades to murder millions of babies each year. Our country is struggling to protect the definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. The Catholic Church has been publicly racked by scandal and is suffering a serious shortage of priests. The body of Christ has been fractured by centuries of disunity. The name of God is routinely taken in vain on the airwaves. Sexual sin is flaunted. "That is the present state of affairs" (1 Cor 4:13).

Why do we tolerate this? Don't we know who we are? We are disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In Him we have immeasurable power (Eph 1:19). In Jesus we can conquer evil (Rm 8:37; 1 Jn 5:5) and attack the gates of hell which cannot withstand us (Mt 16:18).

Are you "satisfied"? (1 Cor 4:8) Are you fighting hard for the faith and the kingdom of God? (Jude 3) Are you a spiritual sluggard? Repent deeply. Put out into the deep (Lk 5:4) in your discipleship. Fast more intensely. Pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17) and without losing heart (Lk 18:1). Throw yourself into your marriage and parenting. Teach your children the faith. Have more children and raise them to be committed disciples of Jesus. Reach new levels in forgiveness. Bear insults patiently (1 Cor 4:12) but refuse to tolerate evil (Rm 12:9). Do not grow lazy and satisfied, for you serve Almighty God (Rm 12:11). "I am writing you in this way not to shame you but to admonish you" (1 Cor 4:14).

Prayer: Jesus, why do I settle for defeat when You are my Captain? Replace my lethargy with zeal and fervor for You.

Promise: "The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath." —Lk 6:5

Praise: St. Peter Claver received his call to the missions from his college doorkeeper, Alphonsus Rodriguez.

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 4
Thanksgiving
Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer. Alleluia.
When I called out, he heard me, the God of my righteousness. When I was in trouble, you gave me freedom: now, take pity on me and listen to my prayer. Sons of men, how long will your hearts be heavy? Why do you seek for vain things? Why do you run after illusions? Know that the Lord has done marvellous things for those he has chosen. When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. Be vigorous, but do not sin: speak in the silence of your heart, in your bed, be at rest. Offer righteousness as a sacrifice, and put your trust in the Lord. Many are saying, Who will give us good things? Let your face shine on us, Lord, let the light of your face be a sign. You have given me a greater joy than the others receive from abundance of wheat and of wine. In peace shall I sleep, Lord, in peace shall I rest: firm in the hope you have given me. 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.
Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer. Alleluia.

Psalm 133 (134)
Evening prayer in the Temple
Bless the Lord through the night. Alleluia.
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand through the night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your arms to the sanctuary and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Sion – the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 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.
Bless the Lord through the night. Alleluia.

Reading	Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one God. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. These words that I teach you today will remain in your hearts. You will teach them to your children; you will speak them as you sit at home and as you go on your journeys; you will speak them when you lie down and when you rise up.

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. 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.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Prayer
Let us pray. Come to us, Lord, this night, and give us the strength to rise at dawn rejoicing in the resurrection of your Anointed, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.