Posted on 11/19/2006 11:42:14 PM PST by Salvation
Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him,
to show his servants what must happen soon.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who gives witness to the word of God
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud
and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message
and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.
John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace
from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne.
I heard the Lord saying to me:
“To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:
“‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:
“I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
and that you cannot tolerate the wicked;
you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not,
and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name,
and you have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”’”
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. (Rev. 2:17) Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Gospel
Lk 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
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INVOCATION
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY
My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine agony in the Garden, in Thy scourging and crowning with thorns, in the way to Calvary, in Thy crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken; do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in paradise.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal rest, etc.
FOR ALL THE DECEASED
By Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ, death no longer hath dominion over those who die in holiness. So, we beseech Thee, give rest to Thy servants in Thy sanctuary and in Abraham's bosom. Grant it to those, who from Adam until now have adored Thee with purity, to our fathers and brothers, to our kinsmen and friends, to all men who have lived by faith and passed on their road to Thee, by a thousand ways, and in all conditions, and make them worthy of the heavenly kingdom.
Byzantine Liturgy
DE PROFUNDIS
The psalmist is crying out here from the depression that grips him because of his sense of sin. He tells God that no man could be forgiven should strict justice be demanded; but, since God is forgiving and merciful, the psalmist (Israel) will hope for redemption from iniquities. We, who know the mercy of God far better than the g Israelites, may pray this psalm with even greater trust in God.
The Church uses this psalm in the liturgy as her official prayer for the souls in Purgatory.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my, voice!
Let Your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication:
If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?
But with You is forgiveness, that You may be revered.
I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in His word.
My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord,
For with the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption;
And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.
Psalm 130
THE MISERERE
This psalm is a marvelous act of contrition, confession, and supplication by a repentant sinner. It was composed by David after his sin with Bethsabee. In reparation David promises to lead others back to God by telling them of the ways of divine justice. Instead of offering God an external sacrifice which he knows He will not accept, he offers instead the sacrifice of a contrite and humble heart, a sacrifice that will always be most pleasing in the eyes of God.
Have mercy on me, 0 God, in Your goodness; in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.
For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always:
"Against You only have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight"--
That You may be justified in Your sentence, vindicated when You condemn.
Indeed, in guilt was I born, and in sin my mother conceived me;
Behold, You are pleased with sincerity of heart, and in my inmost being You teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; the bones You have crushed shall rejoice.
Turn away Your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt.
A clean heart create for me, 0 God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from Your presence, and Your holy spirit take not from me.
Give me back the joy of Your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall return to You.
Free me from blood guilt, 0 God, my saving God; then my tongue shall revel in Your justice.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.
For You are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a holocaust, You would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, 0 God, You will not spurn.
Be bountiful, O Lord, to Sion in Your kindness by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem;
Then shall You be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt offerings and holocausts; then shall they offer up bullocks on Your altar.
Psalm 50
FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY
O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory. Remember not their offenses and negligences, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity. Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. May they soon be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home: "Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
This litany was written by Dr. Blanche Jennings Thompson, Franciscan Tertiary. It is approved for private use and bears the imprimatur of Most Rev. Samuel Stritch, former Archbishop of Milwaukee.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Holy Souls, Pray for us.
For the souls of our families We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of our friends, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of our enemies, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of all pagans, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of all priests, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of all religious, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of the just, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of all sinners, We pray Thee, O God.
For the Holy Souls in Purgatory, We pray Thee, O God.
For those who have none to pray for them, We pray Thee, O God.
O almighty and eternal God, we beg Thee to have mercy on the Holy Souls in Purgatory, especially those for whom we are bound to pray; and we ask Thee also to listen to the prayers of the Blessed Souls in our behalf. Amen.
Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944
We do a huge Thanksgiving meal for people in the community -- delivered or had sit down meals for 1200 last year.
I am answering the telephone at church because the number of calls gets to be so high that the secretary can't get her regular work done. So I am going to be posting the Mass threads in the evening.
I'll add things in the morning.
| Monday, November 20, 2006 Feria |
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| First reading | © |
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| This is the revelation given by God to Jesus Christ so that he could tell his servants about the things which are now to take place very soon; he sent his angel to make it known to his servant John, and John has written down everything he saw and swears it is the word of God guaranteed by Jesus Christ. Happy the man who reads this prophecy, and happy those who listen to him, if they treasure all that it says, because the Time is close. From John, to the seven churches of Asia: grace and peace to you from him who is, who was, and who is to come, from the seven spirits in his presence before his throne. Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus and say, “Here is the message of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who lives surrounded by the seven golden lamp-stands: I know all about you: how hard you work and how much you put up with. I know you cannot stand wicked men, and how you tested the impostors who called themselves apostles and proved they were liars. know, too, that you have patience, and have suffered for my name without growing tired. Nevertheless, I have this complaint to make; you have less love now than you used to. Think where you were before you fell; repent, and do as you used to at first, or else, if you will not repent, I shall come to you and take your lamp-stand from its place.” |
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| Psalm or canticle: Psalm 1 |
| Gospel | Luke 18:35 - 43 © |
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| Now as Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me’. The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me’. Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’ And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened. | |
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.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 6 |
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| A prayer for relief from affliction |
| Lord, do not condemn me in your fury: do not destroy me in your anger. Take pity on me, Lord, for I am sick; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in disarray. My spirit is deeply disturbed, and you, Lord – how long? Turn to me, Lord, rescue my spirit: in your pity, save me. If I die, how can I praise you? Can anyone in the underworld proclaim your name? I struggle and groan, soak my bed with weeping night after night; my eyes are troubled with sadness: I grow older as my enemies watch. Leave me, all who do evil, for the Lord has heard my voice as I wept. The Lord listened to my prayer, granted me what I asked. Let my enemies be ashamed and confounded: let shame and confusion overtake them soon. 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. |
| Psalm 9A (9) |
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| Thanksgiving for victory |
| I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonders. I will rejoice in you and triumph, make music to your name, O Most High. Because my enemies are in full retreat; they stumble and perish at your presence. For you have given judgement in my favour, upheld my case, taken your seat on the throne of judgement. You have rebuked the nations, condemned the wicked, wiped out their name for ever and for ever. My enemies are no more; their land is a desert for ever. You have demolished their cities, their very memory is wiped away. But the Lord will reign for ever: he has made his throne his judgement-seat. He himself will judge the whole world in justice, judge the peoples impartially. The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in good times and in bad. Let them put their hope in you, those who know your name; for you, Lord, have never abandoned those who seek you. 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. |
| Psalm 9A (9) |
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| Sing to the Lord who dwells in Sion, proclaim to the nations his loving care. For he has remembered the poor and avenged them with blood: he has not forgotten the cry of the weak. Take pity on me, Lord: see how my enemies torment me. You raise me up from the gates of death, and I will proclaim your praise at the gates of the daughter of Sion; I will rejoice in your salvation. The nations have fallen into the pit that they made, into the very trap that they set: their feet are caught fast. The Lord’s justice shines forth: the sinner is trapped by his very own action. Sinners will go down to the underworld, and all nations that forget God. For the weak will not always be forgotten: the hope of the weak will never perish. Rise up, Lord, let men not be complacent: let the nations come before you to be judged. Put fear into them, Lord: let them know that they are only men. 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. |
| Reading | © |
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| ‘For in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I am going to gather all the nations and take them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; there I intend to put them on trial for all they have done to Israel, my people and my heritage. For they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land among themselves. They have cast lots for my people; they have bartered the boys for prostitutes, have sold the girls for wine and drunk it. ‘Proclaim this among the nations. “Prepare for war! Muster the champions! Warriors, advance, quick march! Hammer your ploughshares into swords, your sickles into spears, let the weakling say, ‘I am a fighting man’. Come quickly, all you surrounding nations, assemble there!” (the Lord, send down your champions!) ‘Let the nations rouse themselves, let them march to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for I am going to sit in judgement there on all the nations round. Put the sickle in: the harvest is ripe; come and tread: the winepress is full, the vats are overflowing, so great is their wickedness!’ Host on host in the Valley of Decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the Valley of Decision! Sun and moon grow dark, the stars lose their brilliance. the Lord roars from Zion, makes his voice heard from Jerusalem; heaven and earth tremble. But the Lord will be a shelter for his people, a stronghold for the sons of Israel. ‘You will learn then that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will be a holy place, no alien will ever pass through it again.’ When that day comes, the mountains will run with new wine and the hills flow with milk, and all the river beds of Judah will run with water. A fountain will spring from the house of the Lord to water the wadi of Acacias. Egypt will become a desolation, Edom a desert waste on account of the violence done to the sons of Judah whose innocent blood they shed in their country. But Judah will be inhabited for ever, Jerusalem from age to age. ‘I will avenge their blood and let none go unpunished’, and the Lord shall make his home in Zion. |
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| Reading | The treatise of St Fulgentius of Ruspe on the forgiveness |
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| Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death | |
| In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye as the final trumpet sounds, for the trumpet shall indeed sound, the dead shall rise incorruptible and we shall be changed. In saying “we”, Paul is indicating that the gift of that future change will also be given to those who during their time on earth are united to him and his companions by upright lives within the communion of the Church. He hints at the nature of the change when he says: This corruptible body must put on incorruptibility, this mortal body immortality. In order, then, that men may obtain the transformation which is the reward of the just, they must first undergo here on earth a change which is God’s free gift. Those who in this life have been changed from evil to good are promised that future change as a reward. Through justification and the spiritual resurrection, grace now effects in them an initial change that is God’s gift. Later on, through the bodily resurrection, the transformation of the just will be brought to completion, and they will experience a perfect, abiding, unchangeable glorification. The purpose of this change wrought in them by the gifts of both justification and glorification is that they may abide in an eternal, changeless state of joy. Here on earth they are changed by the first resurrection, in which they are enlightened and converted, thus passing from death to life, sinfulness to holiness, unbelief to faith, and evil actions to holy life. For this reason the second death has no power over them. It is of such men that the Book of Revelation says: Happy the man who shares in the first resurrection; over such as he the second death has no power. Elsewhere the same book says: He who overcomes shall not be harmed by the second death. As the first resurrection consists of the conversion of the heart, the second death consists of unending torment. Let everyone, therefore, who does not wish to be condemned to the endless punishment of the second death now hasten to share in the first resurrection. For if any during this life are changed out of fear of God and pass from an evil life to a good one, they pass from death to life and later they shall be transformed from a shameful state to a glorious one. |
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| A concluding prayer may follow here. |
Recipes:
Activities:
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November 20, 2006    Monday of the Thirty-Third Week of Ordinary Time Old Calendar: St. Felix of Valois, confessor
Before the reform of the Roman Calendar in 1969, this was the feast of St. Felix of Valois, one of the courageous companions of St. John of Matha in the foundation of the Trinitarian Order for the redemption of captives in the hands of the Moslems. He died in 1212, at the motherhouse of the Order in the diocese of Meaux.
St. Felix of Valois Felix, born in 1127, and John of Matha founded the Order of Trinitarians for liberating captured Christians from Saracen slavery. He belonged to the royal family of Valois. The breviary recounts several marvelous events from his life. As a boy he frequently gave away his clothes to clothe the naked. He pleaded for the life of a murderer condemned to death and foretold that he would reform and lead a highly edifying life-which prophecy proved true. With St. John of Matha he journeyed to Rome at the bidding of an angel and requested permission from Pope Innocent III to found a religious Order (1198). During holy Mass the Pope was granted a revelation regarding the proposed foundation; an angel appeared to him clothed in white with a red and blue cross. At Innocent's bidding the Order took the name of the Blessed Trinity.
Symbols: Cloak with red and blue cross; white stage with cross between its horns; fountain; flag; purse; slave; Things to Do:
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Just in case you missed that above.
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Dynamics of Prayer
Luke 18:35-43 Introductory Prayer: Lord, I can feel the gentle breeze of your presence as you pass through my life today. I don’t want to miss this opportunity because I need your grace. I believe in your healing power; yes, only you can cure my spiritual blindness. I want to discover your will more clearly so that I can fulfill it more lovingly. Petition:Lord, make me into a person of prayer. 1. Encounter Him. Everyday Jesus of Nazareth passes by. It sounds pretty amazing, but it’s true. Our time of prayer is that time; it is that encounter with the Lord. Once the blind man understood that Jesus was passing by -- the man of impressive miracles and wonderful words -- he shouted at the top of his lungs. What a great attitude to have as we enter into prayer! Obviously we will not literally shout, or the neighbors and family might think we are crazy, but we need to let our spirit shout to God: “Yes.” It is that willingness, vigor, decision, desire, and perseverance (he had to shout at least twice at the top of his lungs) that allows us to encounter the living Christ. Christ wants to see how far we will go to find him. He went all the way to Calvary to allow us to be found. Our redemption is a gift, just like our prayer. 2. The Heart of Hearts. Had Jesus never passed by, or had the man never shouted at the top of his lungs, this miracle would not have taken place. Change happened because of both parts. Prayer follows this pattern. Jesus is there for us and always passes by. But the unsure part is whether or not we are there for his morning stroll. Here we are not speaking so much about just being there physically, but what we are doing when we are with Christ. Do the difficulties of prayer overwhelm us and make us quit? Or do we ask him questions, and respond to his questions? We should always ask ourselves, “What moves Christ’s heart?” Repentance, need, adoration. Forgiveness from our sins and the need to be free, happy and joyful in life: This is what it is all about, and this is what Christ wants to give us. In the end, the rejoicing came not only from this man who was healed, but also from so many others who witnessed the miracle. They gave praise to God; they adored him for his wonderful deeds. 3. Let Me See Again. Words cannot express the joy souls experience when they encounter Christ. It’s a gift of God. They are gifts that prepare us for what God has prepared for those who love him and are faithful. What is beautiful in vision is seeing God. What is difficult in vision is seeing ourselves. We see his beauty, power, majesty, wisdom and providence; but we see our misery, helplessness, sin, ignorance, and self-sufficiency. But the point is this: Let’s see both God and ourselves as we really are. His beauty makes us pure; his power makes us strong; his wisdom cures our ignorance; and his providence helps us to choose what is right. Let us see God and see our need for him. Dialogue with Christ: Lord Jesus, open my heart to love you in my prayer. May I understand that only by being faithful to prayer will I ever be able to overcome my sins and have the purity of soul to see you as you really are. Transform me into a living icon of virtue. Resolution: I will do all of my prayer commitments today with perfection. |
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.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 5 |
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| A morning prayer for help |
| Let my words come to your ears, O Lord: hear my sighs. Listen to the voice of my crying, my King and my God. As I pray to you in the morning, Lord, listen to my voice; in the morning I will stand before you and await you. You are not a God who loves evil. The wicked cannot stay near you, the unjust cannot remain in your presence. You hate all who do evil – you destroy all who speak falsehood – the Lord abominates the bloody and deceitful man. But in the abundance of your mercy you will admit me to your house: I will worship you in your holy temple, with fear and reverence. Lord, guide me in your justice, protect me from my enemies: let me see the path I must follow. For there is no truth in their mouth – their heart is a bottomless pit – their throat is a wide open grave – their tongue seduces. Punish them, Lord, and let their own plans destroy them. On account of their crimes, thrust them from your presence; for they are rebels against you. Let all who hope in you rejoice, triumph for ever. You will shelter them and they will glory in you. For you bless the just, O Lord, and your good will surrounds them like a shield. 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. |
| Canticle | 1 Chronicles 29 |
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| To God alone be honour and glory | |
| Blessed are you, Lord, God of our father Israel, through all the ages. All power and greatness are yours, O God; glory, splendour, and majesty. All things are yours, in the heavens and on the earth; you rule over them, Lord, you are high above them all. All riches and glory come from you, you rule over all things. In your hand lie strength and power, your hand raises all things and sets them firm. So now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 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. |
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| Psalm 28 (29) |
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| Praise the word of the Lord |
| Give to the Lord, all his children, his glory and power, give to the Lord the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in holy splendour. The voice of the Lord is heard over the waters: the God of majesty thunders, God above all the waters. The voice of the Lord in his power, the voice of the Lord in his greatness. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, the Lord breaks down the cedars of Lebanon. The Lord makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a wild ox. The voice of the Lord cuts flames in two; the voice of the Lord beats on the desert, the Lord stuns the desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord puts the deer to flight, it empties the thickets; in his sanctuary, all praise his glory. The Lord dwells above the raging flood, he is enthroned as king for ever. The Lord will give strength to his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace. 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. |
| Short reading | 2 Thessalonians 3:10 - 13 © |
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| Do not let anyone have any food if he refuses to do any work. Now we hear that there are some of you who are living in idleness, doing no work themselves but interfering with everyone else’s. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we order and call on people of this kind to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat. My brothers, never grow tired of doing what is right. | |
| Canticle | Benedictus |
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| The Messiah and his forerunner | |
| Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption. He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David, as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages: to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers, to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies – in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path, to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven. Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death; to lead our feet in the path of peace. 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. |
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| Some short prayers may follow here, to offer up the day's work to God. |
| Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| A concluding prayer may follow here. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
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Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5 / Luke 18:35-43 There are few things more frustrating than to find ourselves desperately wanting to get somewhere and then faced with signs that say things like “Road Closed” or “Detour.” We know where we need to go and we know how to get there, but something or someone stands in our way, often for no good reason. So much of life is like that. We have a vivid example of that very experience in today’s Gospel. A blind beggar heard the noise of the crowd as Jesus approached. The beggar knew he needed to connect with Jesus, and he shouted to Him at the top of his lungs. In turn, the disciples who were leading the procession used every power at their disposal to shut him up and keep him away from Jesus. It didn’t work. Jesus heard the man’s cries, and the rest is history. How often are we knowingly or unknowingly obstacles to grace in other people’s lives? More often than we’d like to admit. It may be the heavy weight of our bad example that burdens another’s heart and keeps him or her away from the Lord that we profess to serve. Or perhaps it’s something more conscious, like our need to control the people around us, which so often cuts them off from spontaneous moments of grace. In any case, none of that is what we want to be for one another. Decide now: Be a bridge to grace, not a barrier! |
Faith-sharing bump.
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.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 109 (110) |
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| The Messiah, king and priest |
| The Lord has said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies into your footstool”. From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes. Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, glorious and holy; from the time of your birth, before the dawn. The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech”. The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings. He will judge the nations, he will pile high their skulls; he will drink from the stream as he goes – he will hold his head high. 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. |
| Psalm 113A (114) |
|---|
| Israel set free from Egypt |
| When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob’s people from a land of strangers, Judah became his sanctuary and Israel his domain. The sea saw it, and fled; the Jordan flowed backwards at the sight; the mountains leapt like rams; the hills, like yearling sheep. Sea, what was it, what made you flee? And you, Jordan, why did you flow uphill? Mountains, why did you leap like rams? Hills, like yearling sheep? Tremble, Earth, at the presence of the Lord, the presence of the Lord of Jacob, who has turned the rock into a pool of water and made a fountain out of the flint. 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. |
| Canticle | (Apocalypse 19) |
|---|---|
| The wedding of the Lamb | |
| Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, because his judgements are true and just. Alleluia. Alleluia. Praise our God, all his servants, and you who fear him, small and great. Alleluia. Alleluia. For the Lord reigns, our God, the Almighty: let us rejoice and exult and give him glory. Alleluia. Alleluia. The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his spouse has made herself ready. Alleluia. 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. |
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| Short reading | 2 Corinthians 1:3 - 4 © |
|---|---|
| Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, a gentle Father and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows, so that we can offer others, in their sorrows, the consolation that we have received from God ourselves. | |
| Canticle | Magnificat |
|---|---|
| My soul rejoices in the Lord | |
| My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. 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. |
|
| Some short prayers may follow here, to offer up the day's work to God. |
| Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| A concluding prayer may follow here. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
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Monday, November 20, 2006 Meditation Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5 Full of powerful angels, bizarre beasts, mysterious doors, and prophetic scrolls, Revelation is one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. Is it a series of coded predictions of the end of the world? An attempt at scaring Christians into being good? Actually, Revelation belongs to a type of writing—apocalyptic writing—that dates as far back as the time of Isaiah in the eighth century before Christ. These writings were meant to encourage the faith of communities suffering persecution. Veiled language was especially common during those times when it was dangerous to criticize openly those in power. Written near the end of the first century A.D., the book of Revelation warns Christian communities suffering Roman persecution against becoming lax or being led astray by false teachers. While it may appear unnecessary today, in societies that do not put Christians to death, there is much that this book can teach us about remaining faithful to God in an often hostile world. Like the church in Ephesus, we can benefit from John’s exhortation to hold fast to Jesus Christ, our first love. As we look back on our lives, every one of us should be able to recall times when we have been particularly touched by God’s love for us. This conviction probably brought about a significant change in our lives. Perhaps we began attending Mass more regularly, or spending more time in prayer, or reaching out to our neighbors more generously. But over time, our enthusiasm may have waned. Difficulties may have discouraged us. Maybe we fell into a routine and lost our spark of love for the Lord. This may be our experience, but we should not believe that we are destined to lose our enthusiasm over time. God wants his people to be whole, joyful, and contented throughout their lives. He wants to sustain us and fill us with his Spirit again and again and again. It is only as we keep our hearts open to the love of Christ that we will have the anchor we need in difficult times. Jesus wants to fill you with power even today. Will you let him? Heavenly Father, thank you for preparing me for life in this world by giving me your Holy Spirit! Thank you that your love and your will for me are always perfect and good!
Psalm 1:1-4,6; Luke 18:35-43 |
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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 90 (91) |
|---|
| The protection of the Most High |
| He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night. |
| He who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells under the shade of the Almighty. He will say to the Lord: “You are my shelter and my strength, my God, in whom I trust”. For he will free you from the hunter’s snare, from the voice of the slanderer. He will shade you with his wings, you will hide underneath his wings. His faithfulness will be your armour and your shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day; nor the plague that walks in the shadows, nor the death that lays waste at noon. A thousand will fall at your side, at your right hand ten thousand will fall, but you it will never come near. You will look with your eyes and see the reward of sinners. For the Lord is your shelter and refuge; you have made the Most High your dwelling-place. Evil will not reach you, harm cannot approach your tent; for he has set his angels to guard you and keep you safe in all your ways. They will carry you in their arms in case you hurt your foot on a stone. You walk on the viper and cobra, you will tread on the lion and the serpent. Because he clung to me, I shall free him: I shall lift him up because he knows my name. He will call upon me and for my part, I will hear him: I am with him in his time of trouble. I shall rescue him and lead him to glory. I shall fill him with length of days and show him my salvation. 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. |
| He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night. |
| Reading | Apocalypse 22:4-5 |
|---|---|
| They will see the face of the Lord, and his name will be marked on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need sunlight or lamp-light, because the Lord God himself will shine upon them. And they will reign for ever and ever. | |
| 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. |
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| 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. | |
| 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. |
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| 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. | |
| Prayer | |
|---|---|
| Let us pray. Today we have celebrated the mystery of the Christ’s resurrection, and so now we humbly ask you, Lord, that we may rest in your peace, far from all harm, and rise rejoicing and giving praise to you. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. |
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| May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. |
| A M E N |
From: Revelation: 1:1-4; 2:1-5
Prologue
From: Luke 18:35-43
The Cure of the Blind Man of Jericho
| Lk 18:35-43 | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | Douay-Rheims | Vulgate |
| 35 | Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, begging. | factum est autem cum adpropinquaret Hiericho caecus quidam sedebat secus viam mendicans |
| 36 | And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. | et cum audiret turbam praetereuntem interrogabat quid hoc esset |
| 37 | And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. | dixerunt autem ei quod Iesus Nazarenus transiret |
| 38 | And he cried out, saying: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. | et clamavit dicens Iesu Fili David miserere mei |
| 39 | And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me. | et qui praeibant increpabant eum ut taceret ipse vero multo magis clamabat Fili David miserere mei |
| 40 | And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, | stans autem Iesus iussit illum adduci ad se et cum adpropinquasset interrogavit illum |
| 41 | Saying; What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see. | dicens quid tibi vis faciam at ille dixit Domine ut videam |
| 42 | And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. | et Iesus dixit illi respice fides tua te salvum fecit |
| 43 | And immediately he saw and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. | et confestim vidit et sequebatur illum magnificans Deum et omnis plebs ut vidit dedit laudem Deo |
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In the newly-founded monastery at Cerfroi, Felix was favored with a visit by the Blessed Virgin. During the night preceding the feast of Mary's Nativity all the brethren slept through Matins by a special divine dispensation. Felix alone appeared at choir, where he found the Blessed Virgin clothed in the habit of the Trinitarians, accompanied by a great throng of angels similarly dressed. United with them, with Mary as choir leader, Felix recited the Office as usual. When he was about to leave the earthly choirs to join those of heaven, an angel foretold to him the day of his departure; he admonished his brethren to persevere in love toward captives and the poor, and died on November 4, 1212, mature in age and merit.--The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch 