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Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 08-26-07, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
USCCB.org/New American Bible ^
| 08-26-07
| New American Bible
Posted on 08/25/2007 8:14:18 PM PDT by Salvation
August 26, 2007
Is 66:18-21
Thus says the LORD:
I know their works and their thoughts,
and I come to gather nations of every language;
they shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations:
to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan,
to the distant coastlands
that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory;
and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations
as an offering to the LORD,
on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries,
to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD,
just as the Israelites bring their offering
to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.
Ps 117:1, 2
R. (Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Heb 12:5-7, 11-13
Brothers and sisters,
You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.”
Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as sons.
For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time,
all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.
Lk 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
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1
posted on
08/25/2007 8:14:24 PM PDT
by
Salvation
To: nickcarraway; sandyeggo; Lady In Blue; NYer; american colleen; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ...
Alleluia Ping!
Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Alleluia Ping List.
2
posted on
08/25/2007 8:16:04 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
The Immaculate Heart [of Mary]
August Devotion: The Immaculate Heart
Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of August is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The physical heart of Mary is venerated (and not adored as the Sacred Heart of Jesus is) because it is united to her person: and as the seat of her love (especially for her divine Son), virtue, and inner life. Such devotion is an incentive to a similar love and virtue. This devotion has received new emphasis in this century from the visions given to Lucy Dos Santos, oldest of the visionaries of Fatima, in her convent in Tuy, in Spain, in 1925 and 1926. In the visions Our Lady asked for the practice of the Five First Saturdays to help make amends for the offenses given to her heart by the blasphemies and ingratitude of men. The practice parallels the devotion of the Nine First Fridays in honor of the Sacred Heart.
On October 31, 1942, Pope Pius XII made a solemn Act of Consecration of the Church and the whole world to the Immaculate Heart. Let us remember this devotion year-round, but particularly through the month of August.
INVOCATIONS
O heart most pure of the Blessed Virgin Mary, obtain for me from Jesus a pure and humble heart.
Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.
ACT OF CONSECRATION
Queen of the most holy Rosary, help of Christians, refuge of the human race, victorious in all the battles of God, we prostrate ourselves in supplication before thy throne, in the sure hope of obtaining mercy and of receiving grace and timely aid in our present calamities, not through any merits of our own, on which we do not rely, but only through the immense goodness of thy mother's heart. In thee and in thy Immaculate Heart, at this grave hour of human history, do we put our trust; to thee we consecrate ourselves, not only with all of Holy Church, which is the mystical body of thy Son Jesus, and which is suffering in so many of her members, being subjected to manifold tribulations and persecutions, but also with the whole world, torn by discords, agitated with hatred, the victim of its own iniquities. Be thou moved by the sight of such material and moral degradation, such sorrows, such anguish, so many tormented souls in danger of eternal loss! Do thou, O Mother of mercy, obtain for us from God a Christ-like reconciliation of the nations, as well as those graces which can convert the souls of men in an instant, those graces which prepare the way and make certain the long desired coming of peace on earth. O Queen of peace, pray for us, and grant peace unto the world in the truth, the justice, and the charity of Christ.
Above all, give us peace in our hearts, so that the kingdom of God may spread its borders in the tranquillity of order. Accord thy protection to unbelievers and to all those who lie within the shadow of death; cause the Sun of Truth to rise upon them; may they be enabled to join with us in repeating before the Savior of the world: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."
Give peace to the nations that are separated from us by error or discord, and in a special manner to those peoples who profess a singular devotion toward thee; bring them back to Christ's one fold, under the one true Shepherd. Obtain full freedom for the holy Church of God; defend her from her enemies; check the ever-increasing torrent of immorality; arouse in the faithful a love of purity, a practical Christian life, and an apostolic zeal, so that the multitude of those who serve God may increase in merit and in number.
Finally, even as the Church and all mankind were once consecrated to the Heart of thy Son Jesus, because He was for all those who put their hope in Him an inexhaustible source of victory and salvation, so in like manner do we consecrate ourselves forever to thee also and to thy Immaculate Heart, O Mother of us and Queen of the world; may thy love and patronage hasten the day when the kingdom of God shall be victorious and all the nations, at peace with God .and with one another, shall call thee blessed and intone with thee, from the rising of the sun to its going down, the everlasting "Magnificat" of glory, of love, of gratitude to the Heart of Jesus, in which alone we can find truth, life, and peace. — Pope Pius XII
IN HONOR OF THE IMMACULATE HEART
O heart of Mary, mother of God, and our mother; heart most worthy of love, in which the adorable Trinity is ever well-pleased, worthy of the veneration and love of all the angels and of all men; heart most like to the Heart of Jesus, of which thou art the perfect image; heart, full of goodness, ever compassionate toward our miseries; deign to melt our icy hearts and grant that they may be wholly changed into the likeness of the Heart of Jesus, our divine Savior. Pour into them the love of thy virtues, enkindle in them that divine fire with which thou thyself dost ever burn. In thee let Holy Church find a safe shelter; protect her and be her dearest refuge, her tower of strength, impregnable against every assault of her enemies. Be thou the way which leads to Jesus, and the channel, through which we receive all the graces needful for our salvation. Be our refuge in time of trouble, our solace in the midst of trial, our strength against temptation, our haven in persecution, our present help in every danger, and especially) at the hour of death, when all hell shall let loose against u its legions to snatch away our souls, at that dread moment; that hour so full of fear, whereon our eternity depends. An,; then most tender virgin, make us to feel the sweetness of thy motherly heart, and the might of thine intercession with Jesus, and open to us a safe refuge in that very fountain of mercy, whence we may come to praise Him with thee in paradise, world without end. Amen.
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
|
Sacred Heart Of Jesus
 |
|
Immaculate Heart of Mary
 |
The Holy Heart of Mary Is, After the Heart of Jesus, the Most Exalted Throne of Divine Love
Let us recollect that God has given us the feast of the most pure Heart of the Blessed Virgin so that we may render on that day all the respect, honor and praise that we possibly can. To enkindle this spirit within us let us consider our motivating obligations. The first is that we ought to love and honor whatever God loves and honors, and that by which He is loved and glorified. Now, after the adorable Heart of Jesus there has never been either in heaven or on earth, nor ever will be, a heart which has been so loved and honored by God, or which has given Him so much glory as that of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Never has there been, nor will there ever be a more exalted throne of divine love. In that Heart divine love possesses its fullest empire, for it ever reigns without hindrance or interruption, and with it reign likewise all the laws of God, all the Gospel maxims and every Christian virtue.
This incomparable Heart of the Mother of our Redeemer is a glorious heaven, a Paradise of delights for the Most Holy Trinity. According to St. Paul, the hearts of the faithful are the dwelling place of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself assures us that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost take up Their abode in the hearts of those who love God. Who, therefore, can doubt that the Most Holy Trinity has always made His home and established the reign of His glory in an admirable and ineffable manner in the virginal Heart of her who is the Daughter of the Father, the Mother of the Son, the Spouse of the Holy Ghost, who herself loves God more than all other creatures together?
How much then are we not obliged to love this exalted and most lovable Heart?
— St. John Eudes
The History of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Catholic Caucus)
Homilies preached by Father Robert Altier on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Marian Associations Unite to Celebrate Immaculate Heart
Solemnity Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, AUGUST 22ND
Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
3
posted on
08/25/2007 8:18:12 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
From: Isaiah 66:18-21
The nations in pilgrimage to Jerusalem
[18] For I know their works and their thoughts, and I am coming to gather all
nations and tongues; and they shall come and shall see my glory, [19] and I will
set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to
Tarshish, Put, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands
afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory; and they shall declare my
glory among the nations. [20] And they shall bring all your brethren from all the
nations as an offering to the Lord, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and
upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the
Lord, just as the Israelites bring their cereal offering in a clean vessel to the house
of the Lord. [21] And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites,
says the Lord.
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
66:18-24. The book ends with a colophon, part in prose (vv. 18-21), part in
verse (vv. 22-24). It begins by announcing that the glory of the Lord will be pro-
claimed to the nations, and they will respond by flocking in pilgrimage to the
temple of the Lord.
Verses 18-21 are a sort of parallel to 2:2-4: both passages act as a kind of
marker, one for the beginning and one for the end of the book. In other words,
the exile in Babylon will come to be seen as divine punishment inflicted on the
people for their sins, for their breaking the Covenant. There may be an oblique
reference here to the expulsion of our first parents from the garden of Eden (Gen
1:23): Israel, too, was expelled from its land and from Zion, “the house of Jacob”
(2:6). But God, in his mercy towards his people, will pardon them and have them
come back to his “holy mountain”, Jerusalem (v. 20), and his gathering will also
involve “all nations and tongues” (v. 18). This return to Zion is a sign that their
transgression is totally forgiven. In some ways, the book of Isaiah is an (imper-
fect) anticipation and account of salvation history which runs right through the
Bible, from the expulsion from Paradise (Gen 3:23), to the vision of the “heavenly
Jerusalem”, in the “new heavens and the new earth” (v. 22 and Rev 21:1-27), at
the centre of which will be found the “tree of life” (Rev 22:14).
Theodoret of Cyrus reads these words as an announcement of the universal
salvation that stems from the Incarnation, and he comments that the prophet
showed that Christ became “a slave not only to redeem the Jews but to bring
salvation to all the nations” (Commentaria in Isaiam, 66, 18). The Second Letter
to the Corinthians attributed to St Clement of Rome also sees v. 18 as an
announcement of the Second Coming of our Lord: “I am coming to gather all
nations and tongues: this verse prophesies the last day, when Christ will come
again to reward each man according to his deeds” (Pseudo-Clement, Epistula II
and Corinthios, 17, 4).
The nations mentioned in v. 19 are not easy to identify; but Tarshish is probably
Spain; Put, Libya; Lud, Lydia; Tubal, Cilicia; and Javan, Ionia, Greece.
“And some of them also I will take for priests” (v. 21): this may mean (though one
cannot be sure) that God will choose priests and Levites from among the pagans.
Given the tenor of v. 22, it is more likely that “descendants” of Israel will hold the
office of the holy priesthood; either interpretation fits in with the general newness
and universalism that are a feature of chapters 65 and 66 (cf. 61:6).
The last oracle in the book of Isaiah is a call to an active, living hope (vv. 22-24).
Verse 23, in its initial historical context, was addressed to the chosen people of
the Old Testament, but it opens out to include all mankind; that is how the Fathers
interpreted it. “There will be a new heaven and a new earth, where man will live
forever united with God. Isaiah tells us that this new life will last forever: For as
the new heavens and the new earth which I shall make shall remain before me,
says the Lord; so shall your descendants and your name remain (Is 66:22)” (St
Irenaeus of Lyons, Adversus haereses, 5, 36, 1).
Even so, a warning is issued about the punishment that awaits evildoers (v. 24).
The harshness of the language here is in sharp contrast to the general tone of
hope. The prophet may have chosen to strike this dark note in order to have the
inhabitants of Zion (the saved) recognize God’s sovereignty over those who
reject him and have them appreciate the blessings bestowed in Zion, that is, in
heaven. Jesus uses the metaphor of the worm that does not die to describe the
punishment earned by the grave sin of scandal (cf. Mk 9:48).
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
4
posted on
08/25/2007 8:22:26 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
From: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Perseverance in Affliction
[5] And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons?—”My
son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you
are punished by him. [6] For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and
chastises every son whom he receives.” [7] It is for discipline that you have to
endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does
not discipline?
[11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it
yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Striving for Peace; Purity; Reverent Worship
[12] Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, [13] and
make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint
but rather be healed.
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
4-13. Following Christ’s example, Christians should struggle to avoid sin; they
should put up with tribulation and persecution because if such adversity arises
it means that the Lord permits it for our good. The letter’s tone of encouragement
seems to change here to one of reproach. It is as if the writer were saying,
“Christ gave his life for your sins, contending even to the point of dying for you;
how is it that you do not put up with suffering, out of love for him? It is true that
you are being persecuted: God is disciplining you as a Father disciplines his
children. But you are children of God and therefore your attitude should be one
of abandonment to his will even when it seems hard. That is the way a Father
brings up his children.”
The main point is that the only important thing is fidelity to God, and that the sin
of apostasy is the greatest of all misfortunes. “Don’t forget, my son, that for you
on earth there is but one evil, which you must fear and avoid with the grace of
God: sin” ([St] J. Escriva, “The Way”, 386).
5-11. Suffering, the sacred writer teaches, is a sign of God’s paternal love for us;
it proves that we really are his children.
This teaching is supported by the quotation from Proverbs 3: 12, taken from a
long discourse in which a father exhorts his son to acquire true wisdom. In the
present passage the father is identified with God and we with the sons whom
he is addressing.
By being incorporated into Christ through Baptism a person becomes a child
of God: this is the very basis of the Christian life and it should be a source of
serenity and peace in every difficulty we meet in the course of life. The term
“discipline” which appears so much in this passage does not convey the full
richness of the original Greek word, “paideia”, which has to do with the
educational upbringing of child by parent, of pupil by teacher, and also the
punishment meted out in this context. Here the focus is largely on the second
aspect. However, it should be remembered that in ancient times education
and instruction always involved the idea of punishment. God, therefore, should
not be seen as a cruel or pitiless father, but as a good father who brings up
his children in an affectionate yet firm way. Adversity and suffering are a sign
that this divine teaching method is at work: God uses them to educate us and
discipline us. “You suffer in this present life, which is a dream, a short dream.
Rejoice, because your Father-God loves you so much, and if you put no
obstacles in his way, after this bad dream he will give you a good awakening”
([St] J. Escriva, “The Way”, 692). If we were illegitimate children he would not
bother to educate us; but because we are true sons he disciplines us, to make
us worthy of bearing his name. “Everything that comes to us from God,” an
ancient ecclesiastical writer reminds us, “and that we initially see as beneficial
or disadvantageous, is sent to us by a father who is full of tenderness and by
the wisest of physicians, with our good in mind” (Cassian, “Collationes”, VII, 28).
When the soul has this kind of attitude, that is, when the trials the Lords sends
are willingly accepted, “with peaceful fruit of righteousness” and it yields fruit of
holiness which fills it with peace: “Jesus prays in the garden: “Pater mi”
(Mt 26:39), “Abba, Pater!” (Mk 14:36). God is my Father, even though he may
send mesuffering. He loves me tenderly, even while wounding me. Jesus suffers,
to fulfill the Will of the Father.... And I, who also wish to fulfill the most holy Will
of God, following in the footsteps of the Master, can I complain if I too meet
suffering as my traveling companion?
“It will be a sure sign of my sonship, because God is treating me as he treated
his own divine Son. Then I, as he did, will be able to groan and weep alone in
my Gethsemani; but, as I lie prostrate on the ground, acknowledging my
nothingness, there will rise up to the Lord a cry from the depths of my soul:
“Pater mi, Abba, Pater,... fiat!” ([St] J. Escriva, “The Way of the Cross”, I, 1).
12-13. This exhortation follows logically from the previous one. It seems to evoke
the world of athletic competition referred to at the beginning of the chapter. Verse
12 is like a shout of encouragement to a runner who is beginning to flag in the
middle of a race.
The author uses a quotation from Isaiah (Is 35:3) in which drooping hands and
weak knees indicate moral decline (cf. 2 Sam 2:7; 4:1; Jer 47:3). He then goes
on to use words from Proverbs 4:26 to encourage right living: “make straight steps
with your feet”: if the Christian perseveres in his efforts even if he is somewhat
“lame”, that is, even if he is someone whose faith is weak and is in danger of
apostasy, he will be able to return to fitness in spite of everything.
However, this exhortation can be taken as addressed not only to those who need
to mend their ways but also to Christians in general, who should be exemplary
and never in any way be a stumbling-block to their weaker brethren.
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
5
posted on
08/25/2007 8:24:34 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
From: Luke 13:22-30
The Narrow Gate
[22] He (Jesus) went on his way through towns and villages, teaching,
and journeying toward Jerusalem. [23] And some one said to him, “Lord,
will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, [24] “Strive to
enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and
will not be able. [25] When once the householder has risen up and shut
the door, you will begin to stand outside and knock at the door,
saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where
you are from.’ [26] Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in
your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ [27] But he will say, ‘I
tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you
workers of iniquity!” [28] There you will weep and gnash your teeth,
when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the
kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. [29] And men will come
from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the
kingdom of God. [30] And behold, some are last who will be first, and
some are first who will be last.”
*********************************************************************************************
23-24. Everyone is called to form part of the Kingdom of God, for he
“desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4). “Those who, through no fault
of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who
nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart and, moved by grace, try in
their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of
their conscience: those too may achieve eternal salvation. Nor shall
divine providence deny the assistance necessary for salvation to those
who, without any fault of theirs, have not yet arrived at an explicit
knowledge of God, and who, not without grace, strive to lead a good
life. Whatever good or truth is found among them is considered by the
Church to be a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who
enlightens all men that they may at length have life” (Vatican II,
“Lumen Gentium”, 16).
Certainly, only those who make a serious effort can reach the goal of
salvation (cf. Lk 16:16; Mt 11:12). Our Lord tells us so by using the
simile of the narrow gate. “A Christian’s struggle must be unceasing,
for interior life consists in beginning and beginning again. This
prevents us from proudly thinking that we are perfect already. It is
inevitable that we should meet difficulties on our way. If we did not
come up against obstacles, we would not be creatures of flesh and
blood. We will always have passions that pull us downwards; we will
always have to defend ourselves against more or less self-defeating
urges” ([St] J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 75).
25-28. As at other times, Jesus describes eternal life by using the
example of a banquet (cf., e.g., Lk 12:35ff; 14:15). Knowing the Lord
and listening to his preaching is not enough for getting to heaven;
what God judges is how we respond to the grace he gives us: “Not
everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of
heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt
7:21).
29-30. Generally speaking, the Jewish people regarded themselves as the
sole beneficiaries of the messianic promises made by the prophets; but
Jesus proclaims that salvation is open to everyone. The only condition
he lays down is that men freely respond to God’s merciful call. When
Christ died on the cross the veil of the temple was torn in two (Lk
23:45 and par.), a sign of the end of the distinction between Jews and
Gentiles. St Paul teaches: “For he [Christ] is our peace, who has made
us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall [...] that he might
create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and
might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby
bringing the hostility to an end” (Eph 2:14-16). Therefore, “all men
are called to belong to the new people of God. This people therefore,
whilst remaining one and only one, is to be spread throughout the whole
world and to all ages in order that the design of God’s will may be
fulfilled: he made human nature one in the beginning and has decreed
that all his children who were scattered should be finally gathered
together as one” (Vatican II, “Lumen Gentium”, 13).
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
6
posted on
08/25/2007 8:26:04 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Scripture readings taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd
Mass Readings
| First reading |
Isaiah 66:18 - 21 © |
| I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They shall come to witness my glory. I will give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Put, Lud, Moshech, Rosh, Tubal, and Javan, to the distant islands that have never heard of me or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory to the nations. As an offering to the Lord they will bring all your brothers, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, on dromedaries, from all the nations to my holy mountain in Jerusalem, says the Lord, like Israelites bringing oblations in clean vessels to the Temple of the Lord. And of some of them I will make priests and Levites, says the Lord. |
| Psalm or canticle |
Psalm 116 (117) |
| Praise of the merciful Lord |
Praise the Lord, all nations; all peoples, praise him.
For his mercy is strong over us and his faithfulness is for ever. |
| Second reading |
Hebrews 12:5 - 13 © |
| Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again. |
| Gospel |
Luke 13:22 - 30 © |
Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.
‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from”. Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men !”
‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’ |
7
posted on
08/25/2007 8:29:37 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Why the Gate Is Narrow
August 24, 2007
As He makes His way to Jerusalem, Jesus is asked, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" Jesus' reply is startling. He says that although many will attempt to enter (heaven) through the narrow gate, they will not be strong enough. He goes on to explain that many people will claim to be friends of God and will want to enter heavenly glory when they die but will be denied. This exclusion will cause much anguish in those who claim to have been close to God but will be found unworthy to enter heaven.
Why does Jesus give the impression that the attainment of heavenly glory is difficult? After all, doesn't God desire all men to be saved? While we believe that God desires all men to be saved, we often forget that salvation is realized according to God's terms and not merely what we interpret God's terms to be on our own. In other words, just because you may claim to love God, that doesn't necessarily mean that you love Him as He desires or expects.
This Gospel passage reminds us not to presume that all who claim friendship with God are in fact His friends. Jesus tells us that some will say, "We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets," as if to assert that the mere claim of friendship with Jesus should be enough for one to be saved. Later, Jesus will remind us, "If you love me, keep my commandments." This means that part of being found worthy of heavenly glory, involves the actualization of our potential, given to us at baptism, to believe, trust and love God as He desires.
At times, individuals will confidently assert that they believe that they will go to heaven because they are nice people, even if they may be living in mortal sin. In their own estimation, they are worthy of heaven, even if by God's standards they are far from the kingdom. Jesus reminds us that such people will be quite surprised when they are left out of heavenly glory. To the surprise of these same people, there may be some who may enter into heavenly glory — the unassuming person, the unworldly individual, or those who were considered outcasts and unimportant in this life. Such people may have a better chance of realizing salvation than those who presume upon a favorable judgment from God at death.
This, at last, is why the gate is narrow. Believing in God, trusting Him and loving Him as He deserves and expects is the project of a lifetime. Stripping away our preconceived notions about what it means to love God and submitting our intellect and will to the mind of the Church, the bride of Christ, requires humility. It is the humble soul that never presumes that one can claim heaven on one's own terms. Rather, it is the humble spirit who is totally dependent on the gatekeeper and the gate, who is Christ Himself, who will enter the kingdom of heaven. The humble spirit is disposed to obeying God in all things, loving Him on His terms.
8
posted on
08/25/2007 8:35:32 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
**It is the humble soul that never presumes that one can claim heaven on one’s own terms. Rather, it is the humble spirit who is totally dependent on the gatekeeper and the gate, who is Christ Himself, who will enter the kingdom of heaven. The humble spirit is disposed to obeying God in all things, loving Him on His terms.**
Powerful words!
9
posted on
08/25/2007 8:39:11 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
The Work of God
Year C - Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Strive to enter by the narrow gate. Luke 13:22-3022 And he went through the cities and towns teaching, and making his journey to Jerusalem.
23 And a certain man said to him: Lord, are they few that are saved? But he said to them:
24 Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able.
25 But when the master of the house shall be gone in, and shall shut the door, you shall begin to stand without, and knock at the door, saying: Lord, open to us. And he answering, shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are.
26 Then you shall begin to say: We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 And he shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are: depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And there shall come from the east and the west, and the north and the south; and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And behold, they are last that shall be first; and they are first that shall be last.Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus |
Strive to enter by the narrow gate. It has been made small so that only the little ones will fit through it; it is narrow because only those without attachments will enter. If it were too easy to go to heaven, I would not have sacrificed myself as the price for your salvation.
The road of the life of this world is wide, many follow it because it is like a river of desires and pleasures, it drags them into spiritual danger and it is a definite way to perdition. The road to heaven is narrow and difficult to follow, not everyone can find it easily because it demands following my gospel. It is very easy to stray from it because of the distractions of the world.
The pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven demands hard work, obedience and perseverance. Many start the walk on the road of salvation, but few stay on it; some think they will be able to come back but let me warn you, it is not wise to play with the spiritual life.
The evil one is constantly setting obstacles in the path of holiness to destroy the good work of souls. Beware of the enemy; arm yourself with the weapons of virtue. Pray for your faith, hope and love to be stronger, atone for your sins by practicing charity.
Don?t justify yourself, thinking that you are already on the high steps of the spiritual ladder, the higher you are, the harder you will fall. Be humble and admit your weaknesses and limitations. Those who consider themselves to be last may be first because of their humility, but those who justify themselves will be last because of their pride.
Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary
Catholic homilies - gospel inspirations - list
10
posted on
08/25/2007 8:55:30 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time |
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11
posted on
08/25/2007 9:01:17 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Office of Readings and Invitatory Prayer
Office of Readings
If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.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 1 |
| The two paths |
Blessed the one who does not follow the counsels of the wicked,
or stand in the paths that sinners use,
or sit in the gatherings of those who mock:
his delight is the law of the Lord,
he ponders his law day and night.
He is like a tree planted by flowing waters,
that will give its fruit in due time,
whose leaves will not fade.
All that he does will prosper.
Not thus are the wicked, not thus.
They are like the dust blown by the wind.
At the time of judgement the wicked will not stand,
nor sinners in the council of the just.
For the Lord knows the path of the just;
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
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 2 |
| The Messiah, king and victor |
Why are the nations in a ferment? Why do the people make their vain plans?
The kings of the earth have risen up; the leaders have united against the Lord, against his anointed.
“Let us break their chains, that bind us; let us throw off their yoke from our shoulders!”
The Lord laughs at them, he who lives in the heavens derides them.
Then he speaks to them in his anger; in his fury he throws them into confusion:
“But I – I have set up my king on Sion, my holy mountain”.
I will proclaim the Lord’s decrees.
The Lord has said to me: “You are my son: today I have begotten you.
Ask me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, the ends of the earth for you to possess.
You will rule them with a rod of iron, break them in pieces like an earthen pot”.
So now, kings, listen: understand, you who rule the land.
Serve the Lord in fear, tremble even as you praise him.
Learn his teaching, lest he take anger, lest you perish when his anger bursts into flame.
Blessed are all who put their trust in the Lord.
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 3 |
| The Lord is my protector |
Lord, how many they are, my attackers!
So many rise up against me, so many of them say:
“He can hope for no help from the Lord”.
But you, Lord, are my protector, my glory: you raise up my head.
I called to the Lord, and from his holy mountain he heard my voice.
I fell asleep, and slept; but I rose, for the Lord raised me up.
I will not fear when the people surround me in their thousands.
Rise up, Lord; bring me to safety, my God.
Those who attacked me – you struck them on the jaw, you shattered their teeth.
Salvation comes from the Lord: Lord, your blessing is upon your people.
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 |
Zephaniah 1:1 - 2:3 © |
The word of the Lord that was addressed to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah.
I mean to sweep away everything
off the face of the earth
– it is the Lord who speaks.
I mean to sweep away men and beasts,
the birds of the air and the fish of the sea,
I mean to send the wicked staggering,
and wipe man off the face of the earth
– it is the Lord who speaks.
I am going to raise my hand against Judah
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and from this place I will wipe out Baal,
to the very last vestige of him,
even to the name of his spurious priests,
those who prostrate themselves on the roofs
before the array of heaven,
those who prostrate themselves before the Lord
but swear by Milcom,
those who turn aside from the Lord,
who do not seek the Lord,
who will not bother with him.
Silence before the Lord!
For the day of the Lord is near.
Yes, the Lord has prepared a sacrifice,
he has consecrated his guests.
The great day of the Lord is near,
near, and coming with all speed.
How bitter the sound of the day of the Lord,
the day when the warrior shouts his cry of war.
A day of wrath, that day,
a day of distress and agony,
a day of ruin and of devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of cloud and blackness,
a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against fortified town
and high corner-tower.
I am going to bring such distress on men
that they will grope like the blind
(because they have sinned against the Lord);
their blood will be scattered like dust,
their corpses like dung.
Neither their silver nor their gold
will have any power to save them.
On the day of the anger of the Lord,
in the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth will be consumed.
For he means to destroy, yes, to make an end
of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Nation without desire,
before you are driven
like chaff that is blown away in a day,
before there descends on you
the fierce anger of the Lord
(before there descends on you
the day of the anger of the Lord).
Seek the Lord,
all you, the humble of the earth,
who obey his commands.
Seek integrity,
seek humility:
you may perhaps find shelter
on the day of the anger of the Lord. |
| Reading |
From the pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world of the Second Vatican Council |
| The foreshadowing of the new age |
We do not know the time when earth and humanity will reach their completion, nor do we know the way in which the universe will be transformed. The world as we see it, disfigured by sin, is passing away. But we are sure that God is preparing a new dwelling place and a new earth. In this new earth righteousness is to make its home, and happiness will satisfy, and more than satisfy, all the yearnings for peace that arise in human hearts. On that day, when death is conquered, the sons of God will be raised up in Christ; what was sown as something weak and perishable will be clothed in incorruption. Love and the fruits of love will remain, and the whole of creation, made by God for man, will be set free from the frustration that enslaves it.
We are warned indeed that a man gains nothing if he wins the whole world at the cost of himself. Yet our hope in a new earth should not weaken, but rather stimulate our concern for developing this earth, for on it there is growing up the body of a new human family, a body even now able to provide some foreshadowing of the new age. Hence, though earthly progress is to be carefully distinguished from the growth of Christ’s kingdom, yet in so far as it can help toward the better ordering of human society it is of great importance to the kingdom of God.
The blessings of human dignity, brotherly communion and freedom – all the good fruits on earth of man’s co-operation with nature in the Spirit of the Lord and according to his command – will be found again in the world to come, but purified of all stain, resplendent and transfigured, when Christ hands over to the Father an eternal and everlasting kingdom: “a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace”. On this earth the kingdom is already present in sign; when the Lord comes it will reach its completion. |
| Hymn |
Te Deum |
God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you!
You, the Father, the eternal –
all the earth venerates you.
All the angels, all the heavens, every power –
The cherubim, the seraphim –
unceasingly, they cry:
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts:
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!”
The glorious choir of Apostles –
The noble ranks of prophets –
The shining army of martyrs –
all praise you.
Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you.
– Father of immeasurable majesty,
– True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship,
– Holy Spirit, our Advocate.
You, Christ:
– You are the king of glory.
– You are the Father’s eternal Son.
– You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb.
– You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you.
– You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father.
– You will come, so we believe, as our Judge.
And so we ask of you: give help to your servants, whom you set free at the price of your precious blood.
Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory.
Bring your people to safety, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance.
Rule them and lift them high for ever.
Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever.
Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you.
In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame.
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. |
| Concluding Prayer |
O God, through you your faithful are united and of one will.
Grant to your people that they may love what you have taught and desire what you have promised:
in this changeable world may our hearts be fixed on where true joy comes from.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen. |
12
posted on
08/26/2007 8:34:31 AM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Catholic Culture
Collect: Father, help us to seek the values that will bring us lasting joy in this changing world. In our desire for what you promise make us one in mind and heart. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
« August 26, 2007 »
- RECIPES
- ACTIVITIES
- PRAYERS
Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.'"
Sunday ReadingsThe first reading is taken from Isaiah 66:18-21 and was written after the return from exile, 538 B.C. The aim was to console the returned exiles, who were depressed when they saw the sad state of Jerusalem and the poverty of the country. Isaiah foretold the future glory of Jerusalem to which people of all nations would come. It would be the center from which the knowledge of the true God would be dispersed.
The second reading is from St. Paul to the Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13. In last Sunday's lesson St. Paul encouraged Christians to be ready to face adversity and hardships. He compared them with athletes who endure so much in order to win a contest. Today he reiterates that we must expect hardship — it is part of our training. We cannot win this prize unless we undergo this training. It is God who sends us these trials. He wants us to win the eternal prize because he loves us; he is our Father.
The Gospel is from St. Luke 13:22-30 and concerns those who hear Christ's message but refuse to follow it. While the questioner who asked how many would be saved did not get a direct answer from Christ, nevertheless it was made very clear to him and to all of us that each one's salvation is in his own hands. All those who accept Christ, his teaching and the helps he has made available to them, will enter the kingdom of God. On the other hand, those who are excluded from that eternal kingdom will have only themselves to blame. God invites all men to heaven. He gives all the help necessary to every man, but, because men have a free will which God cannot force, some will abuse that freedom and choose wrongly.
Christ mentions the narrow door through which we must enter into God's kingdom. This means that we must exercise self-restraint and mortification and this we do when we respect and keep his commandments. When we are called to judgment it will be too late to shout "Sir, open for us." We should have sought his mercy and his forgiveness during our earthly life, and he would have granted it.
Neither will it avail us to say that we knew him in life. Acquaintance with Christ is not enough. We should have loved him and become his real friends, which we could only do by being loyal followers of his. "He taught in our streets" will only prove our guilt. We could have learned his doctrine; we could have become his disciples, but we would not. The pagan who never heard of Christ will not be condemned for not following his teaching, but the Christian who did hear his doctrine and refused to carry it out, will deserve condemnation.
As descent from Abraham was not a claim for special consideration on the part of the Jews, neither will any other circumstances of nationality, birth or earthly privilege help us on the day of judgment Each one will stand or fall by his own mode of life during his term on earth. Nothing and nobody else can change the just judgment of God when that moment arrives for each one of us.
The thought of our moment of judgment is a staggering one even for the holiest of us. Things and actions that do not trouble us much now, will appear in a different light then. The prayers we omitted or said carelessly, the Masses we missed on flimsy excuses the little bit of continual injustice to a workman or customer, or the dishonesty practiced by a worker against his employer, the sins of impurity of which we thought rather lightly, the bad language so freely used and the scandal we spread so flippantly, the money wasted on drink or gambling when our children needed nourishment and clothing — these, and many other such faults of which we excuse ourselves so easily now, will not be a source of joy or consolation for us on that dread day, if we arrive at God's justice-seat still burdened with them.
We are dealing with God's mercy while alive. He will forgive any sin and any number of sins if we truly repent, and resolve to correct these faults. To do this is the only one guarantee that even God himself can give us of a successful judgment Every man who lives in God's grace will die in God's grace and be numbered among the saved. The man who lives habitually in sin, and refuses to amend his life, will die in his sinful state, and thus exclude himself from eternal salvation.
I have a free will. I can choose to pass that final examination or to fail it. The whole of my eternity, the unending life after death, depends on my choice now. If I choose to follow Christ and live according to his laws during the few years I have on this earth, I shall pass and shall be among the saved. If I ignore Christ and his laws now, he will not know me on the day of judgment I shall be among the lost. God forbid that I should choose the latter course.
— Excerpted from The Sunday Readings Cycle C, Fr. Kevin O' Sullivan, O.F.M.
13
posted on
08/26/2007 8:38:44 AM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Lauds -- Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer (Lauds)
If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.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 62 (63) |
| Thirsting for God |
O God, you are my God, I wait for you from the dawn.
My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you.
I came to your sanctuary,
as one in a parched and waterless land,
so that I could see your might and your glory.
My lips will praise you, for your mercy is better than life itself.
Thus I will bless you throughout my life,
and raise my hands in prayer to your name;
my soul will be filled as if by rich food,
and my mouth will sing your praises and rejoice.
I will remember you as I lie in bed,
I will think of you in the morning,
for you have been my helper,
and I will take joy in the protection of your wings.
My soul clings to you; your right hand raises me up.
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 |
Daniel 3 |
| All creatures, bless the Lord |
Bless the Lord, all his works, praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, you heavens; all his angels, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, you waters above the heavens; all his powers, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, sun and moon; all stars of the sky, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, rain and dew; all you winds, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, fire and heat; cold and warmth, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, dew and frost; ice and cold, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, ice and snow; day and night, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, light and darkness; lightning and storm-clouds, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, all the earth, praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, mountains and hills; all growing things, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, seas and rivers; springs and fountains, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, whales and fish; birds of the air, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, wild beasts and tame; sons of men, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, O Israel, praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord, his priests; all his servants, bless the Lord.
Bless the Lord, spirits of the just; all who are holy and humble, bless the Lord.
Ananias, Azarias, Mishael, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him for ever.
Let us bless Father, Son and Holy Spirit, praise and exalt them for ever.
Bless the Lord in the firmament of heaven, praise and glorify him for ever. |
| Psalm 149 |
| The saints rejoice |
Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, and the sons of Sion delight in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing, sing to him with timbrel and lyre,
for the Lord’s favour is upon his people, and he will honour the humble with victory.
Let the faithful celebrate his glory, rejoice even in their beds,
the praise of God in their throats; and swords ready in their hands,
to exact vengeance upon the nations, impose punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings in fetters and their nobles in manacles of iron,
to carry out the sentence that has been passed: this is the glory prepared for all his faithful.
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 |
Apocalypse 7:10 - 12 © |
| Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ Praise and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen. |
| Canticle |
Benedictus |
| 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. |
| Prayers and Intercessions |
? |
- Christ the Lord is our day and our sunlight, shining on all men and never setting. Let us praise him, saying:
- O Lord, you are our life and our salvation!- Creator of the stars, we offer you in gratitude the first-fruits of this day,
- and we commemorate your resurrection.
- May your Spirit guide us today to do what is pleasing to you:
- may your Wisdom lead us always.
- Let us join together with joy at Mass this Sunday,
- at the table of your word and your Body and Blood.
- Our souls give you thanks
- for your immeasurable kindness.
|
|
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. |
O God, through you your faithful are united and of one will.
Grant to your people that they may love what you have taught and desire what you have promised:
in this changeable world may our hearts be fixed on where true joy comes from.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
14
posted on
08/26/2007 8:42:07 AM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Blessed Mariam of Jesus Crucified
Blessed Mariam of Jesus Crucified
La Petite Arabe
The message of the “Little Arab,” Mariam Baouardy, Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified cannot but touch our hearts in these days when the Middle East is so much a part of the daily news. Mariam was born in Abbelin, a village of Galilee, on January 5th, 1846. She was plunged into the water of Holy Baptism and chrismated in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church fifteen days after her birth. After an astonishingly adventurous life that took her from Alexandria in Egypt to Marseilles and then Pau in France, and then to Mangalore, India, she was instrumental in founding the Carmel of Bethlehem in the Holy Land where she died on August 26th, 1878.
Humble
Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified illustrates the fundamental principle of holiness according to the Gospel: “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23:12). In Carmel she was a “sister of the white veil,” that is a religious charged with the monastery’s menial tasks and not bound to the Divine Office in choir. She was often “lifted up by the Spirit” (Ez 43:5) even literally, and shown the glory of the Lord. Though illiterate and ignorant of every worldly sophistication, Blessed Mary could say with the psalmist, “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak” (Ps 84:8). What she heard in prayer, she communicated in simplicity of heart.
Listen to Little Mariam
Rather than write about Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified, I will allow her to speak for herself. Here are some of her sayings;
Prayers to the Holy Spirit
First, there is her famous little prayer to the Holy Spirit. Today it is known and prayed by people all over the world:
Holy Spirit, inspire me.
Love of God, consume me.
Along the true road, lead me.
Mary my Mother, look upon me.
With Jesus, bless me.
From all evil, from all illusion,
from all danger, preserve me.
Again, to the Holy Spirit:
Source of peace, Light,
come and enlighten me.
I am hungry, come and nourish me.
I am thirsty, come and quench my thirst.
I am blind, come and give me light.
I am poor, come and enrich me.
Devotion to the Holy Spirit
The world and religious communities are seeking novelties in devotions, and they are neglecting true devotion to the Paraclete. That is why there is error and disunion, and why there is no peace or light. They do not invoke light as it should be invoked, and it is this light that gives knowledge of truth. It is neglected even in seminaries . . . .
Every person in the world that will invoke the Holy Spirit and have devotion to Him will not die in error.
Message to Priests
Personally, I have taken this message to heart. As a rule I offer a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit on the first ferial day of each month.
Every priest that preaches this devotion will receive light while he is speaking of it to others. I was told that each priest in the world should be required to say one Mass of the Holy Spirit each month, and all who assist at it will receive very special grace and light.
Suffering
God is hidden in the fruit like seed in the apple. Open an apple and you will find five seeds in the center. God is thus hidden in the heart of man. He is hidden there with the mysteries of His passion represented by the five seeds. God has suffered and man must suffer, whether he wishes it or not. If he suffers through love, in union with God, he will suffer less and will gain merit. The five seeds that are in the depth of his heart will germinate and produce abundant fruits. But if he rejects the trial, he will suffer more, without gaining any merit.
Love
Only love can fill the heart of man. The just man is satisfied with love and a pinch of earth.
Sin
In heaven, the most beautiful trees are those that have sinned the most. But they used their miseries as dung that is around the base.
After receiving Holy Communion
Now I have everything.
On the virtue of hope
I hope in God against all hope.
My God, in spite of all my miseries and sins, I will always hope in You. Even if You cast me into hell, I will still hope in You.
I am nothing, I can do nothing, but You can do all. I hope in Divine Mercy.
I do not know if I will be saved; but I hope, my God, that You will save me. Yes, I have the hope that I will see God.
On devotion to the Mother of God
Here she reflects on the mysterious and tragic events that followed the death of her parents and on her restoration to health by the Mother of God:
Mary counts your steps and your labours.
Tell yourselves: at the feet of Mary I came back to life.
You who dwell in this monastery,
detach yourselves from the things of earth.
Your salvation and your life are at the feet of Mary.
I dwell in the heart of my Mother,
there I find my Beloved,
Am I then an orphan?
In the bosom of Mary I have found life.
Do not say, I am an orphan:
I have Mary for Mother and God for Father.
The serpent, the dragon wished to catch me and take my life,
but at the feet of Mary, I recovered my life.
Mary called me,
and in this monastery will I remain forever.
At the feet of Mary I came to life again.
Message to Priests
Personally, I have taken this message to heart. As a rule I offer a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit on the first ferial day of each month.
Every priest that preaches this devotion will receive light while he is speaking of it to others. I was told that each priest in the world should be required to say one Mass of the Holy Spirit each month, and all who assist at it will receive very special grace and light.
15
posted on
08/26/2007 1:31:06 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Vultus Christi
This mosaic of Christ the Redeemer revealing His pierced Side adorns the apse of one of my favourite Roman churches, Sant'Alfonso on the Via Merulana. Sant'Alfonso is also the shrine of the original miraculous icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
Twenty-First Sunday of the Year C
Isaiah 66:18-21
Psalm 116:1-2
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Luke 13:22-30
The Salvation of God
Today, the Word of God shocks us out of any kind of narrowness. The salvation of God will not be shrunken, diminished, limited, or measured by men. People have never been comfortable with the inclusiveness of God. The arms of God are not only divinely comforting; they are frightening in their immensity, disconcerting in their embrace.
A Procession of Return
In the First Reading Isaiah describes an immense procession of return to Jerusalem: a grand liturgy of conversion and of convergence. “They shall come and shall see my glory, and I will set a sign among them” (Is 66:18-19). The return to Jerusalem signifies a return to God; that is conversion. The reunion of all peoples in Jerusalem signifies the coming together of all peoples in Christ; that is convergence.
Missionaries and Priests
Isaiah announces that missionaries, witnesses to the glory of God and “brethren” to the Chosen People, will be sent forth to the most distant lands. God even announces that he intends to take priests from among the Gentiles, from among those who have no hereditary claim to the priestly office. “And some of them I will take for priests and for Levites, says the Lord” (Is 66:21). The excluded are included; the unchosen, chosen; those afar off, brought near.
The Divine Hospitality
In the Gospel, Our Lord explodes an exclusive and narrow vision of His Father’s hospitality. Those who have always assumed that they have, by right, a place inside, at the table, may find themselves outside, while those whom many considered outsiders, discover — to the scandal of some, and to the joy of others — that a place inside, at the table, has been reserved for them. This is the mystery of the Divine Hospitality.
Continue reading "Et accumbent in regno Dei" »
Magnificat I
Strive to enter by the narrow door,
for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter,
and shall not be able (Lk 13:24).
Benedictus
Many shall come from the east and the west,
and shall sit at table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob
in the kingdom of heaven (Mt 8:12).
Magnificat II
Behold, they are last that shall be first;
and they are first that shall be last, says the Lord (Lk 13:30).
16
posted on
08/26/2007 1:36:18 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Regnum Christi
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The One Thing Necessary
August 26, 2007
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Father Richard Gill, LC Luke 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ´Lord, open the door for us.´ He will say to you in reply, ´I do not know where you are from.´ And you will say, ´We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.´ Then he will say to you, ´I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!´ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." Introductory Prayer: Lord God, open my mind to hear your word and receive it in my heart. Let it be for me the word that gives life and the sure guide for my steps this day and every day of my life. Let my contemplation of your word put me on the safe and sure path to eternal life with you. Petition: Lord Jesus, let me seek only your love and your grace today. I shall not fear for my salvation, but grow in confidence in you, my God. 1. Salvation: A Numbers Racket? We never stop asking the question the person in the Gospel asked Jesus. We are desperate to know what our chances of salvation are because the prospect of losing our soul and destroying ourselves in the process is so terribly frightening to us. If we don’t achieve eternal life, nothing else we have attained in life matters. Jesus does not give the answer we might want to hear, that is, that many are saved and it is a sure and simple thing to reach. Instead, he warns us against presumption in this matter. As Saint Paul later said, “Work out your salvation in fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). It is something we need to take with the utmost seriousness. Every day we need to pray for the grace to persevere to the end. We need to live each day with the perspective that it could be our last. We need to go back to the venerable tradition of praying for a “happy death.” 2. Narrow Gates. When Jesus speaks of the narrow gate, he is saying that salvation is not a birthright or something guaranteed. It depends on our active cooperation with his grace -- the real effort to love God and follow his will. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus warned that not everyone who cries out, “Lord, Lord…” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the will of his Father in heaven. Obedience to God’s will is the best assurance we can have of our salvation. What is there in my life that is not in accord with his will? 3. Judge Not… We might also be surprised that those from “the east and the west” will enter the kingdom before many others. We might be surprised at those who are saved. Salvation is not a privilege of a race or a chosen people, but a matter of how we respond in freedom to grace and the invitation of the Lord to a certain way of life. We shouldn’t give in to judging where others stand; we should only attend to our own soul. Are we at peace with God in our conscience? Can we be sure we are objective about our own situation in God’s eyes? Our conscience should be clear, and we should make sure we are serene and have peace of soul. If we find there is something between us and God’s will, we should go to confession and pray for the grace to change. Conversation with Christ: Lord, give me the grace to know your will and the discernment to know if there is anything in my soul that is keeping me from you. Help me to overcome any obstacle so that I may be one with you and that your will may be my guide every day. Resolution: I will make frequent confession a habit and every day examine my conscience to seek union and peace with the Lord.
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17
posted on
08/26/2007 1:40:41 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Vespers -- Evening Prayer
Vespers (Evening 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.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 109 (110) |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Prayers and Intercessions |
? |
- We worship Christ the Lord: he is our Head and we are his body. In triumph we cry:
- Lord, may your kingdom come.- Our Saviour, make your Church more and more a sacrament of human unity:
- and an ever more effective road to salvation.
- Stand next to the college of Bishops, and our Pope,
- and give them the gifts of unity, love, and peace.
- May Christians be more closely united with you as their Head;
- may the way they live proclaim your kingdom.
- In your kindness, give peace to the world:
- make peace and security flower everywhere.
- Give the deceased a glorious resurrection at the end of time,
- and allow us to share their blessedness.
|
|
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. |
O God, through you your faithful are united and of one will.
Grant to your people that they may love what you have taught and desire what you have promised:
in this changeable world may our hearts be fixed on where true joy comes from.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
18
posted on
08/26/2007 2:38:19 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
Do not be afraid
Carl E. Olson
Do not be afraid
Evangelization cannot be overemphasized because of the love of God for all of our souls
A few years ago, I was talking with a close relative, a fundamentalist Protestant, about why I became Catholic. Puzzled and not satisfied with my various explanations, he asked, "Did you become Catholic so you could teach Catholics the Gospel?"
The implication seemed to be that since he thought I was still a "true Christian," I must have never really become Catholic, and so my foray into the Church of Rome must be part of a well-intentioned attempt to evangelize the lost souls residing there.
This was both frustrating and amusing to me. Frustrating because he wouldn't take seriously the reasons I gave for coming home to Rome, and amusing because not only is the fullness of the Gospel found in the Catholic Church, it can be argued that the greatest evangelist of the 20th century was a Catholic: Pope John Paul II.
However, in fairness to my relative, many Catholics either do not know the Gospel very well or, if they do, are often reluctant to share it with others.
More than a few Catholics might be surprised to know that Pope John Paul, in his wonderful apostolic exhortation Christifideles Laici (On the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful), wrote that "the entire mission of the Church, then, is concentrated and manifested in evangelization," and, "The lay faithful, precisely because they are members of the Church, have the vocation and mission of proclaiming the Gospel" (No. 33).The sacraments prepare us.
One of the sad ironies of the past 40 years is that the Second Vatican Council emphasized the importance of evangelization by the laity, but has often been ignored or simply not explained.
There is a certain historical precedence for this evangelistic apathy, and it forms the background to many of the writings of the prophets, including Isaiah, from which comes today's first reading. "I come to gather nations of every language," God declares, a statement that has deep roots in the Pentateuch, especially in the narratives and pronouncements dealing with the covenants with Abraham and Moses.
Throughout the Old Testament, God proclaimed that Israel was meant to be the first among many nations, like a firstborn son. And one of Israel's great responsibilities was to proclaim the truth about God to other peoples. In the words of the psalmist, sung today: "Go out to all the world and tell the Good News." Yet, Israel often failed to tell other nations the Good News.
The parallels to Church history and to our own times are easily seen. On one hand, this isn't surprising considering that human nature has not changed since the time of Moses and the prophets. But we do have the benefit of hindsight, of being able to see the patterns of human nature and to examine ourselves in the light of history and, more importantly, in the light of the Word of God.
The importance of evangelization cannot be overemphasized because the love of God for the souls of every man, woman and child cannot be overstated. As the Gospel reading makes so evident, the stakes are very high. "Strive to enter though the narrow gate," Jesus taught, "for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough."
Each person will make his or her own decision for or against Christ. But those who fail to proclaim Christ -- in word and deed -- when the opportunity presents itself also make a serious decision. The Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes (The Church in the Modern World) warned: "The Christian who neglects his temporal duties ... jeopardizes his eternal salvation" (No. 43). So, don't be afraid to declare the Good News -- even among fellow Catholics.
Carl E. Olson is editor of IgnatiusInsight.com.
19
posted on
08/26/2007 4:21:20 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: All
The Word Among Us
 |
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Meditation
Luke 13:22-30
What is your view on salvation? Do you believe many will be saved, or only a few? Some believe that everyone, or nearly everyone, will be saved. They base their hope in God’s promises: to “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5); to usher in a time of “universal restoration” (Acts 3:21); and to “sum up all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10). Others believe that only a few will be saved. They base this belief on the fact that Jesus spoke plainly about hell and judgment. Why else would Jesus warn us through so many parables and teachings? Why else would Jesus even use people like Judas Iscariot—of whom he said, “It would be better for that man if he had never been born (Mark 14:21)”—to get his point across? Clearly, Jesus was concerned that some people risked being separated from his Father and condemned to a place of “wailing and grinding of teeth” (Matthew 24:51). We live in a society where the “I’m okay, you’re okay” philosophy has led us to believe that the greatest sin is intolerance of others and the deepest blessing comes when we accept everyone, regardless of their beliefs or behavior. This mind-set has helped us to say that many, even most, people will go to heaven. How many will be saved? We really have no idea. The answer, as in most cases, probably lies in the middle between “absolutely everyone” and “only a chosen few.” What is more important than this question, however, is where we stand with the Lord. In short, it is simply poor judgment—and potentially very risky—to take the whole question lightly. Jesus tells us: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many . . . will attempt to enter and will not be strong enough” (Luke 13:24). In other words, if we were to err at all, we would do best to err on the side of “the few,” even as we hope and pray that many will come. “Lord, we pray for mercy and salvation for everyone. May all come to see you, love you, and accept your gospel!” Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117:1-2; Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13 |
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20
posted on
08/26/2007 6:45:43 PM PDT
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
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