For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

Alleluia Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Alleluia Ping List.

Saint Monica, Widow 332-387[mother of Saint Augustine]

Saint of the Day: St.Monica

Saint Monica

St. Monica

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

Sacred Heart Of Jesus image

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Immaculate Heart of Mary image

Blessed be the Most Loving Heart and Sweet Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the most glorious Virgin Mary, His Mother, in eternity and forever. Amen.

....Only the Heart of Christ who knows the depths of his Father's love could reveal to us the abyss of his mercy in so simple and beautiful a way ----From the Catechism. P:1439

From the depth of my nothingness, I prostrate myself before Thee, O Most Sacred, Divine and Adorable Heart of Jesus, to pay Thee all the homage of love, praise and adoration in my power.
Amen. - - St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

The prayer of the Church venerates and honors the Heart of Jesus just as it invokes his most holy name. It adores the incarnate Word and his Heart which, out of love for men, he allowed to be pierced by our sins. Christian prayer loves to follow the way of the cross in the Savior's steps.-- >From the Catechism. P: 2669

The Salutation to the Heart of Jesus and Mary

An Offering of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Novena Prayer to Sacred Heart of Jesus

Prayer to the Wounded Heart of Jesus

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

Meditation & Novena Prayer on the Sacred Heart

Beads to the Sacred Heart

Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

The Daily Offering to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Exaltation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin

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

From: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10

Greetings

[1] Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Fidelity

[2] We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you
in our prayers, [3] remembering before our God and Father your work of
faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ. [4] For we know brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen
you; [5] for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power
and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of
men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Fidelity (Continuation)

[8b] But your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need
not say anything. [9] For they themselves report concerning us what a
welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to
serve a living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to
come.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1. The heading is in keeping with the style of the period: it identifies the
writer and the addressees and contains a greeting. The names of Silvanus
and Timothy, co-workers of St Paul, appears alongside his own. The
heading is affectionate in tone but it is not the kind of opening typical of
a simple family letter. This is an official letter, which is why two witnesses
vouch for its content (in line with legal requirements: cf. Deut 17:6).

As in certain other letters (cf. 2 Thess, Phil, Philem), St Paul does
not describe himself as an Apostle; the mention of his name is enough
to convey his authority. Silvanus is the same person as Silas whom Acts
describes as “prophet” and one of the “leading men among the brethren”
in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 15 :22, 32); here the Latin transcription of his
name is used. He had worked alongside St Paul in the evangelization of
Thessalonica, so he would have been well known to the believers in that
city (cf. Acts 17:4). Timothy was son of Gentile father and a Jewish
mother (his mother was a Christian convert); Paul gave him instruction
in the faith when he passed through Lystra during his second missionary
journey, and ever since then he had always been a faithful helper of
the Apostle. When St Paul was writing this letter, Timothy had just
arrived in Corinth from Thessalonica with good reports of the spiritual
health of that church (cf. 1 Thess 3:6).

The letter is addressed to “the church of the Thessalonians”. The Greek
word “ekklesia”, meaning “assembly, gathering of the people”, was used
from the apostolic age onwards to describe the Church, the new people
of God. St Thomas Aquinas used this verse for his definition of the
Church as “the assembly of the faithful brought together in God the
Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith in the Trinity and
in the divinity and humanity of Christ” (”Commentary on 1 Thess, ad
loc.”). “All those, who in faith look toward Jesus, the author of
salvation and the principle of unity and peace, God had gathered
together and established as the Church, that it may be for each and
everyone the visible sacrament of this saving unity” (Vatican II, Lumen
Gentium, 9).

“Grace to you and peace”: a favorite greeting of St Paul’s, expressing
the wish that they will attain the fullness of heavenly good things. See
the note on Rom 1:7).

3. The spiritual life of the Christian is based on the practice of the
theological virtues, for “faith encourages men to do good, charity to
bear pain and effort, and hope to resist patiently” (Severian of
Gabala, “Commentary on 1 Thess, ad loc.”).

Faith needs to be reflected in one’s conduct, for “faith apart from
works is dead” (Jas 2:26). As St John Chrysostom teaches, “belief and
faith are proved by works—not by simply saying that one believes, but
by real actions, which are kept up, and by a heart burning with love”
(”Hom. on I Thess, ad loc.”).

The service of others for God’s sake is a proof of charity. A person
who practices this virtue always rises to the occasion and does not try
to dodge sacrifice or effort.

Hope is a virtue which “enables one to endure adversity” (St Thomas,
“Commentary on 1 Thess, ad loc.”). St Paul encourages us to rejoice
in hope and be patient in tribulation (cf. Rom 12:12), for hope fills the
soul with joy and gives it the strength to bear every difficulty for
love of God.

4. All men are “beloved by God” and, as St Thomas points out, this is
the case “not just in the ordinary sense of having received natural
existence from him, but particularly because he has called them to
eternal good things” (”Commentary on I Thess, ad loc.”). Man’s last end
is happiness, and happiness cannot be found (other than in a relative
sense) in wealth, honors, health or sensual satisfaction; it can only
be found in knowing and loving God. By raising man to the supernatural
order, God gave him a supernatural goal or end, which consists in
“seeing God himself, triune and one, as he is, clearly” (Council of
Florence, “Laetentur Coeli”).

Deprived as he was of sanctifying grace on account of original sin and
his personal sins, man was unable to attain any end exceeding his
natural powers. But God loved us so much that he deigned to enable
us “to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered
us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of
his beloved Son” (Col 1:12-13). Therefore, those who have been given
the preaching of the Gospel and the fruits of Redemption through
Baptism and the other sacraments are the object of a special divine
“choice”. This “choice” or election is not the same as “salvation”; it
is an initiative on God’s part prior to the attainment of salvation. To
be saved one must second this action of God by responding freely to
grace.

5. St Paul reminds them that what he preached was the “gospel”
foretold by the prophets (cf. Is 40:9; 52:7; 60:6; 61:1) and fulfilled
by the Incarnation of the Word and by his work of salvation. The
Apostle was pressed into service by the Holy Spirit to forward his work
of sanctification. The Thessalonians were not won over by mere human
words but by the “power” of God, who made those words effective. The
term “power” refers not only to miraculous actions but also to the Holy
Spirit moving the souls of those who heard Paul’s preaching.

It is true that this activity, like all actions of God outside himself,
is something done by all three Persons of the Blessed Trinity; but in
the language of Scripture and of the Church it is customary “to
attribute to the Father those works of the Divinity in which power
excels; to attribute to the Son, those in which wisdom excels; and to
the Holy Spirit, those in which love excels” (Leo XIII, “Divinum Illud
Munus”, 5).

In the early years of the Church the proclamation of the Gospel was
often marked by special graces of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy,
miracles, or the gift of tongues (cf. Acts 2:8). This profusion of
gifts made it clear that the messianic era had begun (cf. Acts 2:16),
for it meant the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies: “I will pour
out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see
visions. Even upon the menservants and maidservants in those days,
I will pour out my spirit” (Joel 3:1-3).

“In power and in the Holy Spirit”: in line with the divine plan of
salvation, the time of the Old Testament, which prepared the way for
the coming of the Messiah, has reached its end, and a new era has
begun, the Christian era, the key feature of which is the activity of
the Spirit of God: “It must be said that the Holy Spirit is the
principal agent of evangelization: it is he who impels each individual
to proclaim the Gospel, and it is he who in the depths of consciences
causes the word of salvation to be accepted and understood” (Paul VI,
“Evangelii Nuntiandi”, 75).

7-8. Thessalonica was an important center of trade and a hub of
communications for all Greece. The Christians in the city included a
number of important people and even some women of the aristocracy
(cf. Acts 17:4). The social standing of the converts and the prestige of
the city partly explain the rapid spread of Christian teaching
throughout the region.

What the Apostle says here only goes to show that when the Christian
life is given full rein it spreads far and wide. This should give us every
encouragement “always to act in public in accordance with our holy
faith” ([St] J. Escriva, “Furrow”, 46).

9. We can see how happy the Apostle is to learn that the work of
evangelization has borne fruit of conversion to God—which is the whole
purpose of Gospel preaching. “For the Church, evangelization means
bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through
its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new”
(Paul VI, “Evangelii Nuntiandi”, 18).

It is moving to see the way good news spread among the early Christian
communities. Obviously anecdotes about the apostolate would go from
church to church; this gave them an occasion to praise God while at the
same time providing encouragement to stay true to Christ and to spread
the Gospel.

10. The Christian message has this feature which differentiates it
from Judaism—hope in Christ and expectation of Christ. Two central
points of Christian teaching emerge from this verse: Jesus Christ is
the Son of God, who rose from the dead, and he will come again to judge
all. St John Chrysostom observes that “in a single text St Paul brings
together a number of different mysteries concerning Jesus Christ—his
glorious resurrection, his victorious ascension, his future coming, the
judgment, the reward promised to the righteous, and the punishment
reserved for evildoers” (”Hom. on 1 Thess, ad loc.”).

This verse probably contains a form of words used in oral preaching,
and perhaps a profession of faith belonging to early Christian liturgy.

“To wait for his son (to come) from heaven”: that Jesus Christ will
come again is a truth of faith professed in the Creed: “He will come
again in glory to judge the living and the dead.” Christ will be the
Judge of all mankind. Everyone will be personally judged by God twice:
“The first judgment takes place when each one of us departs this life;
for then he is instantly placed before the judgment-seat of God, where
all that he has ever done or spoken or thought during life shall be
subjected to the most rigid scrutiny. This is called the particular
judgment. The second occurs when on the same day and in the same
place all men shall stand together before the tribunal of their Judge, that
in the presence and hearing of all human beings of all time each may
know his final doom and sentence [...]. This is called the general
judgment” (”St Pius V Catechism”, I, 8, 3).

The “wrath to come” is a metaphor referring to the just punishment of
sinners. Our Lord Jesus Christ will exempt from it those who have
consistently tried to live in the state of grace and fellowship with
God. St Teresa of Avila warns that “it will be a great thing at the
hour of death to know that we are going to be judged by him whom
we have loved above all things. We can approach this trial with
confidence. It will not be like going into a strange land but into our
own land, for it is the land that belongs to him whom we love so much
and who loves us” (”Way of Perfection”, 70, 3).

*********************************************************************************************
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.

From: Matthew 23:13-22

Jesus Indicts the Scribes and Pharisees

(Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees,) [13] “But woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the Kingdom of Heaven against men;
for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. [15]
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land
to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes proselyte, you make him
twice as much a child of Hell as yourselves.

[16] “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, `If any one swears by the temple, it
is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his
oath.’ [17] You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that
has made the gold sacred? [18] And you say, `If any one swears by the altar,
it is nothing; but if one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by
his oath.’ [19] You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that
makes the gift sacred? [20] So he who swears by the altar, swears by it and
everything on it; [21] and he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by
him who dwells in it; [22] and he who swears by Heaven, swears by the throne
of God and by Him who sits upon it.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

13. Here comes our Lord’s invective against the behavior of the scribes and
Pharisees: His “woes” condemn their past conduct and threaten them with
punishment if they do not repent and mend their ways.

14. As RSV points out, “other authorities add here (or after verse 12) verse 14,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’
houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive
greater condemnation.” Our Lord is not reproaching them for praying long
prayers but for their hypocrisy and cupidity. By going in for a lot of external
religious practices, the Pharisees wanted to be recognized as devout men and
then trade on that reputation particularly with vulnerable people. Widows, for
example, would ask them to say prayers; the Pharisees in turn would ask for
alms. What Jesus means here is that prayer should always come from an
upright heart and a generous spirit.

15. “Proselyte”: a pagan convert to Judaism. The root of the word means
“he who comes”, he who—coming from idolatry—joins the chosen people in
response to a calling from God. The Pharisees spared no effort to gain
converts. Our Lord reproaches them not for this, but because they were
concerned only about human success, their motivation being vainglory.

The sad thing about these proselytes was that, after receiving the light of
Old Testament revelation, they remained under the influence of scribes and
Pharisees, who passed on to them their own narrow outlook.

22. Our Lord’s teaching about taking oaths is given in the Sermon on the
Mount (Matthew 5:33-37). Jesus does away with the nitpicking casuistry
of the Pharisees by focusing directly on the uprightness of the intention of
the oath-taker and by stressing the respect due to God’s majesty and
dignity. What Jesus wants is a pure heart, with no element of deceit.

Our Lord particularly reproves any tendency to undermine the content of
an oath, as the Doctors of the Law tended to do, thereby failing to respect
holy things and especially the holy name of God. He therefore draws
attention to the commandment of the Law which says, `You shall not take
the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12;
Deuteronomy 5:11).

*********************************************************************************************
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.

Mass Readings

First reading	1 Thessalonians 1:1 - 10 ©
From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace. We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction. And you observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your instruction, since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread – and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.

First reading

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - 10 ©

From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace.
We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction. And you observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your instruction, since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread – and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 140

Gospel	Matthew 23:13 - 22 ©
Jesus said, ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who shut up the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces, neither going in yourselves nor allowing others to go in who want to. ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when you have him you make him twice as fit for hell as you are. ‘Alas for you, blind guides! You who say, “If a man swears by the Temple, it has no force; but if a man swears by the gold of the Temple, he is bound”. Fools and blind! For which is of greater worth, the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? Or else, “If a man swears by the altar it has no force; but if a man swears by the offering that is on the altar, he is bound”. You blind men! For which is of greater worth, the offering or the altar that makes the offering sacred? Therefore, when a man swears by the altar he is swearing by that and by everything on it. And when a man swears by the Temple he is swearing by that and by the One who dwells in it. And when a man swears by heaven he is swearing by the throne of God and by the One who is seated there.’

Gospel

Matthew 23:13 - 22 ©

Jesus said, ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who shut up the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces, neither going in yourselves nor allowing others to go in who want to.
‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when you have him you make him twice as fit for hell as you are.
‘Alas for you, blind guides! You who say, “If a man swears by the Temple, it has no force; but if a man swears by the gold of the Temple, he is bound”. Fools and blind! For which is of greater worth, the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? Or else, “If a man swears by the altar it has no force; but if a man swears by the offering that is on the altar, he is bound”. You blind men! For which is of greater worth, the offering or the altar that makes the offering sacred? Therefore, when a man swears by the altar he is swearing by that and by everything on it. And when a man swears by the Temple he is swearing by that and by the One who dwells in it. And when a man swears by heaven he is swearing by the throne of God and by the One who is seated there.’

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 6
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 6

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)
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)

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)
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.

Psalm 9A (9)

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	Zephaniah 3:8 - 20 ©
Therefore, expect me – it is the Lord who speaks – on the day I stand up to make my accusation; for I am determined to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, and to pour out my fury on you, the whole heat of my anger. Yes, I will then give the peoples lips that are clean, so that all may invoke the name of the Lord and serve him under the same yoke. From beyond the banks of the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants will bring me offerings. When that day comes you need feel no shame for all the misdeeds you have committed against me, for I will remove your proud boasters from your midst; and you will cease to strut on my holy mountain. In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people, and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord. They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; and the perjured tongue will no longer be found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to disturb them. Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival. I have taken away your misfortune, no longer need you bear the disgrace of it. I am taking action here and now against your oppressors. When that time comes I will rescue the lame, and gather the strays, and I will win them praise and renown when I restore their fortunes. When that times comes, I will be your guide, when that time comes, I will gather you in; I will give you praise and renown among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes under your own eyes, says the Lord.

Reading

Zephaniah 3:8 - 20 ©

Therefore, expect me – it is the Lord who speaks –
on the day I stand up to make my accusation;
for I am determined to gather the nations,
to assemble the kingdoms,
and to pour out my fury on you,
the whole heat of my anger.

Yes, I will then give the peoples lips that are clean,
so that all may invoke the name of the Lord
and serve him under the same yoke.
From beyond the banks of the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants
will bring me offerings.

When that day comes
you need feel no shame for all the misdeeds
you have committed against me,
for I will remove your proud boasters
from your midst;
and you will cease to strut
on my holy mountain.
In your midst I will leave
a humble and lowly people,
and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
They will do no wrong,
will tell no lies;
and the perjured tongue will no longer
be found in their mouths.
But they will be able to graze and rest
with no one to disturb them.

Shout for joy, daughter of Zion,
Israel, shout aloud!
Rejoice, exult with all your heart,
daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has repealed your sentence;
he has driven your enemies away.
The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst;
you have no more evil to fear.

When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem:
Zion, have no fear,
do not let your hands fall limp.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a victorious warrior.
He will exult with joy over you,
he will renew you by his love;
he will dance with shouts of joy for you
as on a day of festival.

I have taken away your misfortune,
no longer need you bear the disgrace of it.
I am taking action here and now
against your oppressors.
When that time comes I will rescue the lame,
and gather the strays,
and I will win them praise and renown
when I restore their fortunes.

When that times comes, I will be your guide,
when that time comes, I will gather you in;
I will give you praise and renown
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes under your own eyes,
says the Lord.

Reading	The Confessions of St. Augustine, bishop
Let us gain eternal wisdom
Because the day when she was to leave this life was drawing near – a day known to you, though we were ignorant of it – she and I happened to be alone, through (as I believe) the mysterious workings of your will. We stood leaning against a window which looked out on a garden within the house where we were staying, at Ostia on the Tiber; for there, far from the crowds, we were recruiting our strength after the long journey, in order to prepare ourselves for our voyage overseas. We were alone, conferring very intimately. Forgetting what lay in the past, and stretching out to what was ahead, we enquired between ourselves, in the light of present truth, into what you are and what the eternal life of the saints would be like, for Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor human heart conceived it. And yet, with the mouth of our hearts wide open we panted thirstily for the celestial streams of your fountain, the fount of life which is with you. This was the substance of our talk, though not the exact words. Yet you know, O Lord, how on that very day, amid this talk of ours that seemed to make the world with all its charms grow cheap, she said, “For my part, my son, I no longer find pleasure in anything that this life holds. What I am doing here still, or why I am still here, I do not know, for worldly hope has withered away for me. One thing only there was for which I desired to linger in this life: to see you a Catholic Christian before I died. And my God has granted this to me more lavishly than I could have hoped, letting me see even you spurning earthly happiness to be his servant. What am I still doing here?” What I replied I cannot clearly remember, because just about that time – five days later, or not much more – she took to her bed with fever. One day during her illness she lapsed into unconsciousness and for a short time was unaware of her surroundings. We all came running, but she quickly returned to her senses, and, gazing at me and my brother as we stood there, she asked in puzzlement, “Where was I?” We were bewildered with grief, but she looked keenly at us and said, “You are to bury your mother here”. I was silent, holding back my tears, but my brother said something about his hope that she would not die far from home but in her own country, for that would be a happier way. On hearing this she looked anxious and her eyes rebuked him for thinking so; then she turned her gaze from him to me and said, “What silly talk!” Shortly afterwards, addressing us both, she said, “Lay this body anywhere, and take no trouble over it. One thing only do I ask of you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be”. Having made her meaning clear to us with such words as she could muster, she fell silent, and the pain of the disease grew worse.

Reading

The Confessions of St. Augustine, bishop

Let us gain eternal wisdom

Because the day when she was to leave this life was drawing near – a day known to you, though we were ignorant of it – she and I happened to be alone, through (as I believe) the mysterious workings of your will. We stood leaning against a window which looked out on a garden within the house where we were staying, at Ostia on the Tiber; for there, far from the crowds, we were recruiting our strength after the long journey, in order to prepare ourselves for our voyage overseas. We were alone, conferring very intimately. Forgetting what lay in the past, and stretching out to what was ahead, we enquired between ourselves, in the light of present truth, into what you are and what the eternal life of the saints would be like, for Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor human heart conceived it. And yet, with the mouth of our hearts wide open we panted thirstily for the celestial streams of your fountain, the fount of life which is with you.
This was the substance of our talk, though not the exact words. Yet you know, O Lord, how on that very day, amid this talk of ours that seemed to make the world with all its charms grow cheap, she said, “For my part, my son, I no longer find pleasure in anything that this life holds. What I am doing here still, or why I am still here, I do not know, for worldly hope has withered away for me. One thing only there was for which I desired to linger in this life: to see you a Catholic Christian before I died. And my God has granted this to me more lavishly than I could have hoped, letting me see even you spurning earthly happiness to be his servant. What am I still doing here?”
What I replied I cannot clearly remember, because just about that time – five days later, or not much more – she took to her bed with fever. One day during her illness she lapsed into unconsciousness and for a short time was unaware of her surroundings. We all came running, but she quickly returned to her senses, and, gazing at me and my brother as we stood there, she asked in puzzlement, “Where was I?”
We were bewildered with grief, but she looked keenly at us and said, “You are to bury your mother here”. I was silent, holding back my tears, but my brother said something about his hope that she would not die far from home but in her own country, for that would be a happier way. On hearing this she looked anxious and her eyes rebuked him for thinking so; then she turned her gaze from him to me and said, “What silly talk!” Shortly afterwards, addressing us both, she said, “Lay this body anywhere, and take no trouble over it. One thing only do I ask of you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be”. Having made her meaning clear to us with such words as she could muster, she fell silent, and the pain of the disease grew worse.

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.

Women of Faith and Family

Saint Monica
Memorial
August 27th

Saint Monica
Andrea del Verrocchio
S. Spirito, Florence

"The child of those tears shall never perish."
Monica, a saint especially revered by mothers because of her tireless prayers for the conversion of her wayward son, Augustine, was born of Christian parents in Tagaste, North Africa in 333, and died in Ostia, near Rome, in 387. She was married young to a government official, Patricius, who was not a Christian, and had a bad temper, though she bore her burdens patiently, and their life together was relatively peaceful. Three children were born to, Augustine, Navigius, and a daughter, Perpetua.
Augustine, the eldest son, though brilliant, was, according to his own account, a lazy and dissolute youth whose bad behavior caused his mother much grief especially so after he went away to school at Madaura and to Carthage. Although Patricius became a Christian not long before he died, Augustine persisted in his pursuit of pleasure, and, as a nineteen-year-old student, joined the heretical Manichaean sect. When he began to spout heresies, Monica became alarmed, and intensified her efforts to bring him to Christ. In the Confessions, Augustine recounts Monica's dream which consoled and encouraged her:

"In her dream she saw herself standing on a sort of wooden rule, and saw a bright youth approaching her, joyous and smiling at her, while she was grieving and bowed down with sorrow. But when he inquired of her the cause of her sorrow and daily weeping (not to learn from her, but to teach her, as is customary in visions), and when she answered that it was my soul's doom she was lamenting, he bade her rest content and told her to look and see that where she was there I was also. And when she looked she saw me standing near her on the same rule." (Confessions, Book III, 9.14).

During this anguished period of prayer for her son, Monica consulted a bishop who had himself been a Manichaean before he became a Christian. He declined to intervene with Augustine, whom, the bishop correctly observed, was not open to hearing the truth. She persisted tearfully, but he refused to intervene. Nevertheless, the bishop consoled Monica that "the child of those tears shall never perish", which she took as a sign from God. Though he continued in his heresies for nine years, Monica followed Augustine to Rome and then to Milan.in an effort to rescue her son from his errors. In Milan she met Ambrose, who helped lead Augustine into the true faith.
A few months after his conversion, Augustine, Monica and Adeodatus, set out to return to Africa, but Monica died at Ostia, the ancient port city of Rome, and she was buried there. Augustine was so deeply moved by his mother's death that he was inspired to write his Confessions, "So be fulfilled what my mother desired of me--more richly in the prayers of so many gained for her through these confessions of mine than by my prayers alone" (Book IX.13.37)
An account of Monica's early life, her childhood, marriage, her final days and her death, is given in Confessions Book IX, 8-12. He expresses his gratitude for her life:

"I will not speak of her gifts, but of thy gift in her; for she neither made herself nor trained herself. Thou didst create her, and neither her father nor her mother knew what kind of being was to come forth from them. And it was the rod of thy Christ, the discipline of thy only Son, that trained her in thy fear, in the house of one of thy faithful ones who was a sound member of thy Church" (IX.8.7).

Centuries later, Monica's body was reburied in Rome, and eventually her relics were interred in a chapel left of the high altar of the Church of St. Augustine in Rome.

American Catholic’s Saint of the Day

August 27, 2007

St. Monica

(322?-387)

The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-in-law who lived in her home. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his Baptism.

Monica had at least three children who survived infancy. The oldest, Augustine, is the most famous. At the time of his father’s death, Augustine was 17 and a rhetoric student in Carthage. Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy and was living an immoral life. For a while, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on she stayed close to her son, praying and fasting for him. In fact, she often stayed much closer than Augustine wanted.

When he was 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he told his mother that he was going to the dock to say goodbye to a friend. Instead, he set sail for Rome. Monica was heartbroken when she learned of Augustine’s trick, but she still followed him. She arrived in Rome only to find that he had left for Milan. Although travel was difficult, Monica pursued him to Milan.

In Milan Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, St. Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. She accepted his advice in everything and had the humility to give up some practices that had become second nature to her (see Quote, below). Monica became a leader of the devout women in Milan as she had been in Tagaste.

She continued her prayers for Augustine during his years of instruction. At Easter, 387, St. Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends. Soon after, his party left for Africa. Although no one else was aware of it, Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She became ill shortly after and suffered severely for nine days before her death.

Almost all we know about St. Monica is in the writings of St. Augustine, especially his Confessions.

Comment:

Today, with Internet searches, e-mail shopping and instant credit, we have little patience for things that take time. Likewise, we want instant answers to our prayers. Monica is a model of patience. Her long years of prayer, coupled with a strong, well-disciplined character, finally led to the conversion of her hot-tempered husband, her cantankerous mother-in-law and her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine.

Quote:

When Monica moved from North Africa to Milan, she found religious practices new to her and also that some of her former customs, such as a Saturday fast, were not common there. She asked St. Ambrose which customs she should follow. His classic reply was: “When I am here, I do not fast on Saturday, but I fast when I am in Rome; do the same and always follow the custom and discipline of the Church as it is observed in the particular locality in which you find yourself.”

Monday, August 27, 2007
St. Monica (Memorial)

First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10
Psalm 149:1-6, 9
Matthew 23:13-22

Our love for the Blessed Sacrament should be carried to the highest degree: the highest degree of love and adoration is the silence which prays and pours itself out in adoration before the grandeur of a hidden God.

-- St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings (on USCCB site):
» August 27, 2007
(will open a new window)

Collect: God of mercy, comfort those in sorrow, the tears of Saint Monica moved you to convert her son Saint Augustine to the faith of Christ. By their prayers, help us to turn from our sins and to find your loving forgiveness. 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 27, 2007 »

Memorial of St. Monica
Old Calendar: St. Joseph Calasanctius (Calasanz), confessor

St. Monica (333-387) was born in Tagaste, northern Africa and died in Ostia, near Rome. Monica was a Christian, but her husband Patricius was a pagan and a man of loose morals. Monica's virtues and prayers, however, converted him, and he was baptized a year before his death. When her son, Augustine, joined the Manichean sect and went astray in faith and morals, Monica's tears and prayers for her son were incessant. She followed him to Milan, where Augustine went to teach, and there continued to storm heaven with her prayers for her son. Finally, she had the joy of witnessing St. Ambrose baptize Augustine in 387. She died in Ostia, as she and her son gazed at the sea and discoursed about the joys of the blessed.

Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar today was the feast of St. Joseph Calasanz which is now celebrated on August 26. St. Monica's feast previously was on May 4.

St. Monica

St. Monica is an example of those holy matrons of the ancient Church who proved very influential in their own quiet way. Through prayer and tears she gave the great Augustine to the Church of God, and thereby earned for herself a place of honor in the history of God's kingdom on earth.

The Confessions of St. Augustine provide certain biographical details. Born of Christian parents about the year 331 at Tagaste in Africa, Monica was reared under the strict supervision of an elderly nurse who had likewise reared her father. In the course of time she was given in marriage to a pagan named Patricius. Besides other faults, he possessed a very irascible nature; it was in this school of suffering that Monica learned patience. It was her custom to wait until his anger had cooled; only then did she give a kindly remonstrance. Evil-minded servants had prejudiced her mother-in-law against her, but Monica mastered the situation by kindness and sympathy.

Her marriage was blessed with three children: Navigius, Perpetua, who later became a nun, and Augustine, her problem child. According to the custom of the day, baptism was not administered to infants soon after birth. It was as an adolescent that Augustine became a catechumen, but possibly through a premonition of his future sinful life, Monica postponed his baptism even when her son desired it during a severe illness.

When Augustine was nineteen years old, his father Patricius died; by patience and prayer Monica had obtained the conversion of her husband.

The youthful Augustine caused his mother untold worry by indulging in every type of sin and dissipation. As a last resort after all her tears and entreaties had proved fruitless, she forbade him entrance to her home; but after a vision she received him back again. In her sorrow a certain bishop consoled her: "Don't worry, it is impossible that a son of so many tears should be lost."

When Augustine was planning his journey to Rome, Monica wished to accompany him. He outwitted her, however, and had already embarked when she arrived at the docks. Later she followed him to Milan, ever growing in her attachment to God. St. Ambrose held her in high esteem, and congratulated Augustine on having such a mother. At Milan she prepared the way for her son's conversion. Finally the moment came when her tears of sorrow changed to tears of joy. Augustine was baptized. And her lifework was completed. She died in her fifty-sixth year, as she was returning to Africa. The description of her death is one of the most beautiful passages in her son's famous "Confessions.

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

Patron: Abuse victims; alcoholics; alcoholism; difficult marriages; disappointing children; homemakers; housewives; married women; mothers; victims of adultery; victims of unfaithfulness; victims of verbal abuse; widows; wives.

Symbols: Monstrance; IHC on a tablet; veil or handkerchief; open book; girdle; staff; tears.

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 5
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.

Psalm 5

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
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.

Canticle

1 Chronicles 29

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.

Psalm 28 (29)
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.

Psalm 28 (29)

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 ©
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
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.

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 is filled with grace and the Holy Spirit. Let us proclaim his greatness and trustfully ask him: - Lord, give us your Spirit.
Make our day happy, without disturbance, without sin,: so that when we reach evening we can praise you joyfully with pure hearts.
May your radiance shine on us through the day:: guide the work of our hands.
Watch over us: let us do good in peace: and do what is right, with the strength you give us.
Look kindly on all who have asked for our prayers: and fill them with good things, both in body and in soul.

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.

Lord, be with us in all we plan and help us in all we do,
so that our every action begins from you
and is completed through you.

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

Regnum Christi

I Am My Brother’s Keeper?
August 27, 2007

Saint Monica
Father Richard Gill, LC

Matthew 23:13-22
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of Heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ´If one swears by the Temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the Temple, one is obligated.´ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the Temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ´If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.´ You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the Temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it."

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, make me understand that living charity means that I am responsible for souls other than my own, and that you want me to draw others to you as well.

1. No Hypocrites Need Apply. The scribes and Pharisees lacked the authenticity and rectitude of conscience that we need to please God. We need to let our behavior, our word, and our conscience be in harmony and open before God. Conscience is that secret sanctuary in which we are alone with God and hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us in the depths of our heart. To violate that conscience, that is, to go against what we know to be true, is to deny ourselves what is most important to our salvation. A good conscience is the greatest good thing we can possess in this life. It gives us peace, serenity, and an assurance of our perseverance.

2. Misleading Others Has a Price. Christ is very harsh on those who lead others astray, especially those who have a responsibility to teach and guide others in the way of salvation. It is a great sin to give scandal and to lead others away from the path of truth. There are many examples of this: There are those entrusted to teach in the name of the Church but substitute their personal opinions, and those who give a testimony of disordered lifestyles, especially to the young and impressionable. The salvation of all of us is linked together; we need to build each other up and help each other on the way to Christ. Others have a right to my good example and to my speaking truth.

3. No Swearing Here! Jesus warns against idle words, exaggerations, and swearing in the name of God or by his altar. He wants us to be sincere in all we say and do so that the integrity of our lives may be apparent to all who see us. If we live with a clear conscience, and act before God in all things, we can then simply give our word and have it mean all we have inside us. What a wonderful thing it is to deal with people who are simple and transparent, who can be taken at face value, because it never occurs to them to be devious or calculating, or in any way false or insincere.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, give me the grace of real sincerity of heart in dealing with you and with others. Teach me to give my word and mean it with all my heart.

Resolution: I will review my examination of conscience to make sure I am going deep enough to know what God wants of me.

Mt 23:13-22
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
13	But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for you yourselves do not enter in and those that are going in, you suffer not to enter.	vae autem vobis scribae et Pharisaei hypocritae quia clauditis regnum caelorum ante homines vos enim non intratis nec introeuntes sinitis intrare
14	Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers. For this you shall receive the greater judgment.	[]
15	Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte. And when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves.	vae vobis scribae et Pharisaei hypocritae quia circuitis mare et aridam ut faciatis unum proselytum et cum fuerit factus facitis eum filium gehennae duplo quam vos
16	Woe to you, blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear by the gold of the temple is a debtor.	vae vobis duces caeci qui dicitis quicumque iuraverit per templum nihil est qui autem iuraverit in aurum templi debet
17	Ye foolish and blind: for whether is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?	stulti et caeci quid enim maius est aurum an templum quod sanctificat aurum
18	And whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it is a debtor.	et quicumque iuraverit in altari nihil est quicumque autem iuraverit in dono quod est super illud debet
19	Ye foolish and blind: for whether is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?	caeci quid enim maius est donum an altare quod sanctificat donum
20	He therefore that sweareth by the altar sweareth by it and by all things that are upon it.	qui ergo iurat in altare iurat in eo et in omnibus quae super illud sunt
21	And whosoever shall swear by the temple sweareth by it and by him that dwelleth in it.	et qui iuraverit in templo iurat in illo et in eo qui inhabitat in ipso
22	And he that sweareth by heaven sweareth by the throne of God and by him that sitteth thereon.	et qui iurat in caelo iurat in throno Dei et in eo qui sedet super eum

Christ at the Column

Hans Memling

1485-90
Oil on oak panel, 58,8 x 34,3 cm (with original frame)
Colección Mateu, Barcelona

Much more realistic than most of the sanitized crucifixes!

Actually that should have said:

Much more realistic than the sanitized crucifixes!

Saint Monica, Mother of Saint Augustine

Saint Monica, Mother of Saint Augustine

Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16
Psalm 130: 1bcde, 2, 3
Luke 7: 11-17

Walking in the Light of His Face

Today we see Jesus on his way into the town of Naim, accompanied by His disciples. “And there went with Him His disciples, and a great multitude” (Lk 7:11). Those who follow Our Lord and walk with Him are an image of the Church, the body of those who walk “in the light of His face” (Ps 88:15).

Death and Life

“And when He came night to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow: and a great multitude of the city was with her” (Lk 7:12). In the dead man the Church sees an image of Augustine before his conversion. In the widowed mother the Church sees an image of the holy mother Monica. In the crowd of mourners, the Church sees an image of those who experience sin and desire to be delivered from it: “those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Benedictus). Saint Luke depicts a striking scene: two crowds, arriving from opposite directions, meet. One is the community of death. The other is the community of life: an image of the Church.

Those Tears of Hers

“And when the Lord saw her, being moved with mercy towards her, he said to her, 'Weep not'" (Lk 7:13). Our Lord looked upon Saint Monica just as he looked upon the mother of the man being carried out for burial. Tears were the language of Saint Monica’s prayer. Saint Augustine himself says: “Thou didst listen to her, O Lord, and Thou didst not despise those tears of hers which moistened the earth wherever she prayed” (Benedictus Antiphon).

Dry Confessions

In Chapter 20 of the Holy Rule, Saint Benedict says: “Indeed we must grasp that it is not by using many words that we shall get our prayers answered, but by purity of heart and repentance with tears” (RB 20:3). I am always moved at the number of people, lay people especially, who make their confession with tears. If truly we hate our sins and regret them, it is normal that we should weep in going to confession.

It is easy to become indifferent to our sins, or coldly analytical. We may confess them insofar as we see them, but our confessions become a matter of routine. Our examinations of consciences rarely probe beneath the surface. We come to the sacrament with our pathetic little list of peccadillos. Having grown accustomed to our sins, they no longer fill us with horror. And so we begin to make dry confessions. The so-called dry confession is one of the signs of spiritual lukewarmness. “But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot," says the Lord, "I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth” (Ap 3:15).

Joy Comes with the Dawn

Touched by her tears, Jesus told the widow to stop weeping. He did not tell her to stop praying but to stop weeping. He wanted to change the language of her prayer from tears to cries of joy. The psalm says: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the dawn. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness” (Ps 29:5.11).

Spiritual Resurrection

“And He came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to thee, arise” (Lk 7:14). This is a resurrection! In the resurrection of the young man of the Gospel, the Church sees the conversion of Augustine. Every conversion, every confession, is a resurrection! Daily repentance means daily resurrection! This is why the Fathers of the Church consider Psalm 50, the Miserere, a song of spiritual resurrection. This is why Holy Father Benedict put it at the beginning of Lauds each day. This is why it is framed with a cascade of Alleluias in the Sunday Office. The Christian repents unto resurrection. The Christian each day turns away from what is old to walk in newness of life. "Today, I begin anew!"

And He Began to Speak

“And he that was dead, sat up, and began to speak” (Lk 7:15). Saint Augustine too, after his conversion/resurrection began to speak in the midst of the Church, tirelessly preaching and teaching. The sound of his voice has come down to us even to this day as the voice of one brought back from the dead. “And He gave him to his mother” (Lk 7:15).

God Visits His People

“ And there came a fear on them all: and they glorified God, saying: 'A great prophet is risen up among us!’ and ‘God hath visited His people’” (Lk 7:16). The spiritual resurrection of Saint Augustine continues to fill the Church with awe. With Saint Monica we celebrate the conversion of Saint Augustine by praising God. Praise has the last word. Praise is what we shall do for all eternity. Praise is the heart and soul of the liturgy in which we remember and confess that in Christ, God has visited His people, and visits us still, day after day, in the Holy Mysteries.

The Sacrament of Penance

How does today’s Holy Gospel affect us? First, we are called to walk with Jesus in the community of the living, the Church. If, at one time or another, we find ourselves associated with the cortège of the dead, we must not lose sight of the fact that Our Lord calls to walk with Him in the community of those who share His divine life. Frequent confession with tears is indispensable. The Sacrament of Penance allows us to pass from the cortège of the dead to the community of the living.

The Prayer of Tears

Second, Jesus understands the prayer-language of our tears. All human life is marked, as we sing in the Salve Regina, by “mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.” The secret is to offer our tears and allow Our Lord to gather them up. There are tears of disappointment, tears of self-pity, tears of rage, tears of loss, and tears of compassion. When we shed these tears in the presence of Our Lord, they become an offering of prayer. Precious above all others are the tears of sorrow for sin. Saint Benedict's 57th Instrument of Good Works is: In our daily prayer to God to confess with tears and groans the wrong-doing in our past life (RB 4:57).

The Roman Missal contains a special votive Mass to ask for the Gift of Tears: an indication that the Church deems tears good for our souls. Perhaps we should celebrate that Mass more often as an antidote to hardheartedness and routine. Tears of compunction are incompatible with lukewarmness.

And Our Praise Will Never Fall Silent

Third, Christ desires that we should be converted and live. Resurrection is meant to be a daily experience in the Christian life. Every morning the Office of Lauds reminds us of this. The confession of sins and the confession of the praise of God are inseparable. The will of God is that we should be doxological souls: living utterances to the praise of his glory.

Praise is the sign that we may have not become hardened and inured to the Word of God. Praise is characteristic of the community of the living. Praise is the very life of the angels and of the blessed in heaven. Saint Augustine says: “In heaven, we shall see, we shall love, and we shall praise. Our vision will never fail, our love will never end, and our praise will never fall silent” (Sermon 254,6).

Posted by Father Mark on August 27, 2007 3:51 AM | Permalink

Homily of the Day

Homily of the Day

Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Other Articles by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Printer Friendly Version

The Patterns Don't Lie

August 26, 2007

1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10 / Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a, 9b / Mt 23:13-22

Like a runaway train, life can get away from us and surge out of control. It sneaks up on us. At one moment, we're like those foolish maidens in the gospel, all dressed for the party, their lamps burning brightly, relaxed and unworried about taking a little nap while they wait for the groom to show up. Then suddenly, everything changes: it's time to go, their lamps burn out, they arrive late, and they're locked out — for good! Show's over.

Lives don't go sour overnight. They may appear to, and the final unravelling may be swift and terrifying, but the process takes time and thousand of tiny decisions, building one upon the other. And often we hardly notice where they're leading and what they're adding up to.

As we examine our consciences, we usually find no single matter of great seriousness, no murders, no child abuse, no major hates, no adulteries. And we think we're home free. But what we really need to look at are the persistent patterns of our daily choices which cumulatively define who we are.

In the Watergate crisis, "Deep Throat" said to "follow the money" if we wanted to find the real culprits. In our lives, there's a parallel: follow the persistent patterns of your choices if you want to find out who you really are.

There's our bottom line: if you don't want your life to surge out of control, track the patterns of your daily choices early and often. They'll tell you who you are and where you're headed, and they'll tell you when you have some course corrections to make. The patterns don't lie, so watch them closely with the Holy Spirit at your side.