Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 09-02-07, Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 09-02-07 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

September 2, 2007

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Psalm: Sunday 32

Reading 1 Responsorial Psalm Reading 2 Gospel

Reading 1
Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

My child, conduct your affairs with humility,
and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
Humble yourself the more, the greater you are,
and you will find favor with God.
What is too sublime for you, seek not,
into things beyond your strength search not.
The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs,
and an attentive ear is the joy of the wise.
Water quenches a flaming fire,
and alms atone for sins.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11

R. (cf. 11b) God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

Reading II
Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a

Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

Gospel
Lk 14:1, 7-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
‘Give your place to this man,’
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Then he said to the host who invited him,
“When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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September Devotion: Our Lady of Sorrows

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. Due to her feast day on September 15, the month of September has traditionally been set aside to honor Our Lady of Sorrows. All the sorrows of Mary (the prophecy of Simeon, the three days' loss, etc.) are merged in the supreme suffering at the Passion. In the Passion, Mary suffered a martyrdom of the heart because of Our Lord's torments and the greatness of her love for Him. "She it was," says Pope Pius XII, "who immune from all sin, personal or inherited, and ever more closely united with her Son, offered Him on Golgotha to the Eternal Father together with the holocaust of her maternal rights and motherly love. As a new Eve, she made this offering for all the children of Adam contaminated through his unhappy fall. Thus she, who was the mother of our Head according to the flesh, became by a new title of sorrow and glory the spiritual mother of all His members."

INVOCATIONS
Mary most sorrowful, Mother of Christians, pray for us.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.

TO THE QUEEN OF MARTYRS
Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into thy heart, pierced by so many swords, do thou welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the companion of thy sorrows at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus died for the redemption of the world. With thee, O sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer all the trials, contradictions, and infirmities which it shall please our Lord to send me. I offer them all to thee in memory of thy sorrows, so that every thought of my mind, and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and of love for thee. And do thou, sweet Mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to thy divine Son Jesus, keep me in His grace, and assist me in my last agony, so that I may be able to meet thee in heaven and sing thy glories. Amen.

TO THE MOTHER OF SORROWS
Most holy Virgin. and Mother, whose soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the Passion of thy divine Son, and who in His glorious Resurrection wast filled with never-ending joy at His triumph; obtain for us who call upon thee, so to be partakers in the adversities of Holy Church and the sorrows of the Sovereign Pontiff, as to be found worthy to rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and peace of the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

IN HONOR OF THE SORROWS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
O most holy and afflicted Virgin! Queen of Martyrs! thou who didst stand motionless beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy expiring Son--through the unceasing sufferings of thy life of sorrow, and the bliss which now more than amply repays thee for thy past trials, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy dolors, and place my requests, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart; present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred death and passion, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the cross, and through the united efficacy of both obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I resort in my wants and miseries if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer for me to my Savior one drop of the Blood which flowed from His sacred veins, one of the tears which trickled from His divine eyes, one of the sighs which rent His adorable Heart. O refuge of the universe and hope of the whole world, do not reject my humble prayer, but graciously obtain the grant of my petition.

TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS
O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.    --Saint Bonaventure

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

 

Lord, have mercy on us.        Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven,  God the Son, Redeemer of the world, . God the Holy Ghost,  Holy Mary, Mother of God,  Holy Virgin of virgins,  Mother of the Crucified,  Sorrowful Mother,  Mournful Mother,  Sighing Mother,  Afflicted Mother,  Foresaken Mother, . Desolate Mother,  Mother most sad,  Mother set around with anguish,  Mother overwhelmed by grief,  Mother transfixed by a sword,  Mother crucified in thy heart,  Mother bereaved of thy Son,  Sighing Dove,  Mother of Dolors,  Fount of tears,  Sea of bitterness,  Field of tribulation,  Mass of suffering,  Mirror of patience,  Rock of constancy,  Remedy in perplexity,  Joy of the afflicted,  Ark of the desolate,  Refuge of the abandoned,. Shiled of the oppressed,  Conqueror of the incredulous,  Solace of the wretched,  Medicine of the sick,  Help of the faint,  Strength of the weak,  Protectress of those who fight,  Haven of the shipwrecked,  Calmer of tempests,  Companion of the sorrowful,  Retreat of those who groan,  Terror of the treacherous,  Standard-bearer of the Martyrs,  Treasure of the Faithful,  Light of Confessors,  Pearl of Virgins, . Comfort of Widows, . Joy of all Saints,  Queen of thy Servants, Holy Mary, who alone art unexampled, Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin,	Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray, --- O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of grief pierced through the most sweet soul of Thy glorious Blessed Virgin Mother Mary: grant that we, who celebrate the memory of her Seven Sorrows, may obtain the happy effect of Thy Passion, Who lives and reigns world without end,  Amen.
The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady 1. The Prophecy of Simeon  2. The Flight into Egypt . 3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple  4. Mary meets Jesus Carrying the Cross  5. The Crucifixion 6. Mary Receives the Dead Body of Her Son 7. The Burial of Her Son and Closing of the Tomb.
Consecration to Our Lady of Sorrows Most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, Mary, would that I could be in Heaven, there to contemplate the honors rendered to thee by the Most Holy Trinity and by the whole Heavenly Court! But since I am still a pilgrim in this vale of tears, receive from me, thy unworthy servant and a poor sinner, the most sincere homage and the most perfect act of vassalage a human creature can offer thee.  In thy Immaculate Heart, pierced with so many swords of sorrow, I place today my poor soul forever; receive me as a partaker in thy dolors, and never suffer that I should depart from that Cross on which thy only begotten Son expired for me.  With thee, O Mary, I will endure all the sufferings, contradictions, infirmities, with which it will please thy Divine Son to visit me in this life. All of them I offer to thee, in memory of the Dolors which thou didst suffer during thy life, that every thought of my mind, every beating of my heart may henceforward be an act of compassion to thy Sorrows, and of complacency for the glory thou now enjoyest in Heaven.  Since then, O Dear Mother, I now compassionate thy Dolors, and rejoice in seeing thee glorified, do thou also have compassion on me, and reconcile me to thy Son Jesus, that I may become thy true and loyal son (daughter); come on my last day and assist me in my last agony, even as thou wert present at the Agony of thy Divine Son Jesus, that from this painful exile I may go to Heaven, there to be made partaker of thy glory. Amen.

 

Homilies on Our Lady of Sorrows

Starkenburg:Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine

Our Mother of Sorrows

ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, OF THE DOLOURS OF MARY, The Glories [Sorrows] of Mary

Our Lady of Sorrows - Sep 15

[Salvation]

From: Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29

Humility

---

[17] My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be
loved by those whom God accepts.
[18] The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself;
so you will find favour in the sight of the Lord.
[20] For great is the might of the Lord;
he is glorified by the humble.
[28] The affliction of the proud has no healing,
for a plant of wickedness has taken root in him.
[29] The mind of the intelligent man will ponder a parable,
and an attentive ear is the wise man’s desire.

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Commentary:

3:1-16:23. Throughout the book each doctrinal passage is followed by a section
to do with practical applications, sapiential thoughts on moral conduct, eulogies of
virtues and sapiential advice on where to seek things that are truly good, etc. This
is the first such section. In it the reader will find an exhortation to prudence in all
its various forms.

3:17-29. In line with scholastic custom, the author addresses the reader as a
teacher would his pupil: “My son” (v. 17; cf. Prov 1:8; etc.). He is about to deal
with a virtue essential for a lover of wisdom – the humility of recognizing one’s
shortcomings and being ready to learn from others. At the same time Ben Sirach
wrote his work, Greek philosophy and new learning were proving very influential.
Some Jews turned their backs on the Law of God and the traditional teaching of
Israel, to follow foreign teachers. Reason, in its pride, thought it could find the
answer to everything – which made it difficult to accept in all simplicity truths that
God put within the reach of those who sincerely sought true wisdom.

Part of the legacy of the Old Testament is the idea that God shows his favour to
the humble (Prov. 3:34; Ps 25:14). In the New Testament the Blessed Virgin
experiences this, and her joy overflows in the Magnificat. She considers herself
the humble handmaid of the Lord, and proclaims that God “has regarded her low
estate” (cf. Lk 1:48) and uses her to bring salvation to his people. Very much in
line with what Ben Sirach says here, great thinkers such as St Bonaventure have
seen that humble devotion is necessary for getting to the truth of things: “Spiri-
tual reading without repentance is not sufficient; nor knowledge without devotion;
nor inquiry without the capacity to be surprised; nor prudence without openness
to joy; nor any activity devoid of a religious spirit; nor wisdom without charity,
intelligence without humility; study without divine grace, or reflection without the
wisdom inspired by God” (Itinerarium mentis in Deum, prol., 4).

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

[Salvation]

From: Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24a

Striving for Peace; Purity; Reverent Worship (Continuation)

---

[18] For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire, and
darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, [19] and the sound of a trumpet,
and a voice whose words made the hearers entreat that no further
messages be spoken to them. [21] Indeed, so terrifying was the sight
that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” [22] But you have come to Mount
Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to
innumerable angels in festal gathering, [23] and to the assembly of the
first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of
all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, [24a] and to Jesus,
the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks
more graciously than the blood of Abel.

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Commentary:

18-21. The text recalls in detail all the physical signs which accompanied
the manifestation of God on the heights of Sinai (cf. Ex 19:12-16; 20:18),
and to these it adds other things taken from Jewish oral tradition.

All this helps to inspire feelings of religious reverence and fear,
which explains why the people begged God not to speak further, for they
were afraid they would die. To assert his transcendence God forbade
anyone to put foot on the mountain (Ex 19:12, 21); this was a way of
showing this as yet uncivilized people the difference between the true
God and idols.

There is no mention in the Pentateuch of Moses being frightened of the
vision he saw when God manifested himself on Sinai; when his fear is
mentioned (Deut 9:19) it is in the context of the second time he went
up the mountain to be given replacements for the tables he had broken
in a fit of rage (Deut 9:15-18; Ex 32:19-20). His fear was that God
would punish with death those who had adored the golden calf. When
telling (cf. Acts 7:32) the story of God’s first revelation to Moses in the
burning bush, St Stephen says that “Moses trembled and did not dare
to look”: thus, the presence of divinity provokes in him the deepest
feelings of reverence and fear (cf. the attitude of Abraham: Gen 15:12;
of Zechariah: Lk 1:12; of Isaiah: Is 6:4-5; of Jeremiah: Jer 1:6; of
Gideon: Judg 6:22-23; etc.).

22-24. The sacred text dramatically contrasts two scenes—that of the
establishment of the Covenant on Sinai, and the vision of the heavenly
city, the dwelling-place of the angels and saints. The comparison
implies a rhetorical question: if the setting of the Old Covenant was
so solemn and awesome, and if the Covenant itself was so supernatural
and divine, what must not be said of the New Covenant?

We have therefore overwhelming reasons for staying faithful: what awaits
us is not an austere and vengeful God but, rather, the joy and splendor
of the heavenly city. For the Hebrew people Mount Sinai was the most
important symbol of their special connection with God, reminding them
that the Almighty was also the Supreme Judge who claimed their
exclusive devotion and who abominated idolatry. Similarly, another
mountain, Mount Zion, on which the Temple was built, represented
God’s protective presence in the midst of his people. Both mountains,
Sinai and Zion, prefigured the mountain from which the Messiah-King
would reign and towards which all peoples would flock to worship the
true God (cf. Ps 2:6; Is 2:2).

The vision which Judaism, on the basis of Scripture, had elaborated of
heaven as the “new Jerusalem” is now extended: not only is it the holy
mountain, the source of the light and glory of Yahweh (cf. Is 8:18;
28:16; 60: 1-11; Ps 50:2; 74:2; Joel 3: 17), the city of peace (cf. Is
33:20); it is the city where the angels and saints dwell and rejoice,
the demesne of the living God and of Jesus—the heavenly and
everlasting Jerusalem, which is also illustrated in the Book of
Revelation (cf. Rev 21:15-17; 22:1-5).

The text once more recalls the Exodus (cf. Heb 3:16-18; 4:1-2; 9:18-20;
10:19-22). Christians are making their way to heaven, their lasting
homeland, their true place of rest, just as the ancient Israelites made
their way out of Egypt and crossed the desert to reach the land
promised to their forefathers.

However, despite this parallel there are differences: the Old Covenant,
although it did include expressions and promises of joy and jubilation,
was set in an atmosphere of religious fear and trembling; whereas the
New Covenant is full of joy and exultation, although in the midst of
suffering.

“It is a question [...] of the glorious and supernatural joy, prophesied
for the new Jerusalem redeemed from the exile and loved with
a mystical love by God himself [...]. Through the course of many
centuries and in the midst of most terrible trials, these promises
wonderfully sustained the mystical hope of ancient Israel. And it is
ancient Israel that transmitted them to the Church of Jesus Christ,
in such a way that we are indebted to ancient Israel for some of the
purest expressions of our hymn of joy. And yet, according to faith and
the Christian experience of the Holy Spirit, this peace which is given
by God and which spreads out like an overflowing torrent when the time
of ‘consolation’ comes, is linked to the coming and presence of Christ”
(Paul VI, “Gaudete In Domino”, 2-3).

22. The mention of Zion recalls the other mountain on which the
Covenant was made (Sinai), as also the many prophetical texts which
proclaimed that the Messiah’s reign would begin on Zion, his holy
mountain (cf. Ps 2:6; Is 2:2-4:25:6; Zech 14:4). Thus, Mount Zion, the
city of the living God, and the heavenly Jerusalem all mean the Church
in triumph in heaven.

St Thomas emphasizes that part of eternal happiness in heaven consists
in the vision of the heavenly assembly: “for in the glory of heaven
there are two things which most cause the blessed to rejoice enjoyment
of the Godhead and the fellowship of the saints” (”Commentary on Heb.,
ad loc.”).

“Proceeding from the love of the eternal Father (cf. Tit 3:4), the
Church was founded by Christ in time and gathered into one by the Holy
Spirit (cf. Eph 1:3, 5, 6, 13-14, 23). It has a saving and
eschatological purpose which can be fully attained only in the next
life. But it is now present here on earth and is composed of men; they,
the members of the earthly city, are called to form the family of the
children of God in this present history of mankind and to increase it
continually until the Lord comes” (Vatican II, “Gaudium Et Spes”, 40).

23. “The assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven”: the
blessed, including the righteous of the Old Testament, the Apostles
and all Christians who have attained the beatific vision. They are called
first-born because, as in the case of the Patriarchs, they were the
first to have faith; because, as in the case of the Apostles, it was they
who received Christ’s call initially, to pass it on to others; and, finally,
because, as in the case of faithful Christians, they were chosen by
God from among the pagans (cf. Rom 8:29; Phil 3:20; Col 1:18; Rev
1:S; 14:4). Their names are written in heaven (cf. Lk 10:20; Rev 2:17;
3:5; 13:8; 17:8).

24. As Incarnate Word and High Priest, Jesus is the mediator of the New
Covenant (cf. Heb 8:6; 9:15; 1 Tim 2:5; cf. Heb 2:17; 13:1; 7:25). The
letter focuses for a moment on the most significant point in the
alliance—the shedding of our Lord’s blood, which ratifies the Covenant
and cleanses mankind (cf. Ex 24:8; Heb 9:12-14, 20; 10:19, 28-29;
13:20; 1 Pet 1:2). This blood “speaks more graciously than the blood of
Abel”, “for the shedding of Christ’s blood was represented figuratively
by the shedding of the blood of all the just there have been since the
beginning of the world [...]. Therefore, the spilling of Abel’s blood
was a sign of this new spilling of blood. But the blood of Christ is
more eloquent than that of Abel, because Abel’s called for vengeance
whereas the blood of Christ claims forgiveness” (St Thomas Aquinas,
“Commentary On Heb., ad loc.”). The confidence the blood of Christ
gives us makes us feel happy to be sinners who, repentant, take refuge
in his wounds.

“Sinners, says the Epistle, you are fortunate indeed, for after you sin
you have recourse to the crucified Jesus, who shed all his blood so that
he might stand as mediator to make peace between God and sinners,
and win you forgiveness from him. If your evildoing shouts against you,
the Redeemer’s blood cries aloud in your favor, and divine justice cannot
but listen to what this blood says” (St Alphonsus, “The Love of Jesus
Christ Reduced to Practice”, 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.

[Salvation]

I tried to study this passage from Hebrews this last week and found that I could only scratch the surface even with going back to the story of Cain and Abel.

Reading this commentary, I can see how I got lost trying to deal with Old Covenant and New Covenant, Old Testament and New Testament and the many meanisgs that Paul is talking about here.

Keep studying!!

[Salvation]

From: Luke 14:1, 7-14

[1] One Sabbath when He (Jesus) went to dine at the house of a ruler who
belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching Him.

A Lesson About Humility

---

[7] Now He told a parable to those who were invited, when He marked how
they chose the places of honor, saying to them, [8] “When you are invited
by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a
more eminent man than you be invited by him; [9] and he who invited you
both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man’ and then you will
begin with shame to take the lowest place. [10] But when you are invited,
go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say
to you, `Friend, go up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of
all who sit at table with you. [11] For every one who exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Attitude to the Poor

---

[12] He (Jesus) said to the man who had invited Him, “When you give a
dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your
kinsmen or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you be
repaid. [13] But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the
lame, the blind, [14] and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay
you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

*********************************************************************************************

Commentary:

11. Humility is necessary for salvation that Jesus takes every opportunity to
stress its importance. Here He uses the attitudes of people at banquet to
remind us again that it is God who assigns the places at the Heavenly banquet.
“Together with humility, the realization of the greatness of man’s dignity—and
of the overwhelming fact that, by grace, we are made children of God—forms a
single attitude. It is not our own efforts that save us and gives us life; it is the
grace of God. This is a truth which must never be forgotten” ([St] J. Escriva,
“Christ Is Passing By”, 133).

14. A Christian acts in the world in the same way anyone else does; but his
dealings with his colleagues and others should not be based on pursuit of
reward or vainglory: the first think he should seek is God’s glory, desiring
Heaven as his only reward (cf. Luke 6:32-34).

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

[Salvation]

Scripture readings taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd

Mass Readings

First reading

Ecclesiasticus 3:19 - 31 ©

My son, be gentle in carrying out your business,  and you will be better loved than a lavish giver. The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly,  and then you will find favour with the Lord; for great though the power of the Lord is,  he accepts the homage of the humble. There is no cure for the proud man’s malady,  since an evil growth has taken root in him. The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables,  an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 67

Second reading

Hebrews 12:18 - 24 ©

What you have come to is nothing known to the senses: not a blazing fire, or a gloom turning to total darkness, or a storm; or trumpeting thunder or the great voice speaking which made everyone that heard it beg that no more should be said to them. But what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s.

Gospel

Luke 14:1 - 14 ©

Now on a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man”. And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher”. In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’ Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

[Salvation]

lGo and Take the Lowest Place

Fr. Jack Peterson	Other Articles by Fr. Jack Peterson Printer Friendly Version
Go and Take the Lowest Place

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August 31, 2007

Jesus was the consummate teacher. He was always looking for ways to instruct His disciples how to live out the brand new life of a disciple transformed by the grace of God, the life of one redeemed by Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Occasionally, He would masterfully craft a story like the one about the prodigal son that perfectly explains a crucial aspect of the Good News such as the approach of His Heavenly Father to a repentant sinner. At other times, Jesus would take a real life event and turn it into a powerful teaching moment, like with the woman caught in the act of adultery. On other occasions, Jesus would offer a combination of the two. This week's Gospel passage from Luke is an example of this last method.

Our Lord finds Himself at the house of a leading Pharisee for a dinner party. Seeing people jockeying for positions of honor at the table, He decides it is time to teach the guests about the virtue of humility by telling a parable. Jesus seizes the moment and calls His disciples to begin the arduous process of growing in humility.

Humility is arguably one of the most important virtues. A virtue is a quality of the soul that enables one to do the right thing in specific circumstances with a certain quickness, ease and joyfulness. A virtue flows from deep inside a person, from his or her character. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus invites people to grow, develop and change. This process often begins with a simple encounter with Christ.

It is very important to note that Jesus encourages the dinner guests to do humble things: "go and take the lowest place" and "the one who humbles himself will be exalted, and "when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled..." Jesus is teaching us that one of the most significant aspects of developing a virtue is to consistently, intentionally, prayerfully and humbly perform virtuous acts. The repetition of humble acts combined with God's guidance and grace leads to the development of the virtue of humility. The Catechism says, "Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by perseverance ever-renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace. With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good" (CCC, No. 1810).

Humility is important because it images Christ and defeats pride. Pride is at the heart of all sin because it was critical to the first sin, the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Humility is incredibly attractive. We all recognize it and deeply appreciate it when we run across someone who is truly humble. It is quite helpful to the spread of the Gospel because it lends authenticity to the message of a disciple of Christ. The very character of a humble person makes you want to listen to what they have to say about what is dear to them. A proud and haughty teacher or preacher, on the other hand, turns people off and makes it doubly hard to listen to a message that already is difficult to embrace.

An everyday dinner party with rather predictable behavior among the guests became a teaching opportunity for Jesus. He tells a parable and teaches a captive audience about the critical Christian virtue of humility. I suppose the host had recently changed Jesus' seat before he was regaled by the Teacher. May we have the strength and grace to humble ourselves so that one day the Lord Himself will exalt us.

 

Fr. Peterson is Campus Minister at Marymount University in Arlington and interim director of the Youth Apostles Institute. (This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

[Salvation]

The Work of God

Year C

 -  22th Sunday in Ordinary time

Sit down in the lowest place

Luke 14:1.7-14

1 AND it came to pass, when Jesus went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees, on the Sabbath day, to eat bread, that they watched him.
7 And he spoke a parable also to them that were invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them:
8 When you are invited to a wedding, do not sit down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honourable than you be invited by him:
9 And he that invited you and him, come and say to you, Give this man place: and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.
10 But when you are invited, go, sit down in the lowest place; that when he who invited you, comes, he may say to you: Friend, go up higher. Then shall you have glory before those that sit at the table with you.
11 Because every one that exalts himself, shall be humbled; and he that humbles himself, shall be exalted.
12 And he said to him also that had invited him: When you make a dinner or a supper, call not your friends, nor your brethren, nor your kinsmen, nor your neighbours who are rich; lest perhaps they also invite you again, and a recompense be made to you.
13 But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind;
14 And you shall be blessed, because they have no way to recompense you: for recompense shall be made to you at the resurrection of the just.

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Humility is the platform of all virtues, blessed is the man who humbles himself for my sake; he is truly equipped to walk in my way. I taught my apostles and I want to teach you as well to lose the high opinion you have of yourselves and consider my opinion first. It is not as if I desire to put you down, but pride is most defiant in my Presence.

He who praises himself for his own wisdom is nothing but a fool in the eyes of God, because no matter how great man?s wisdom is, God is absolute wisdom. A sensible man should consider that no matter how much he learns, he will always be very far from the wisdom of God.

True wisdom is to acknowledge God and to fear Him. Fear of God is a doctrine that has been washed out throughout the ages, because of the pride of man who wants to make himself equal to God. God is not respecter of persons because He is the creator and the Supreme Being, the cause of all things.

Learn from me because I am meek and humble of heart. I the King of Kings humbled myself to the point of becoming a man and giving up my life for your sake. I never expected homage, I never took advantage of my power and I never boasted of being the Son of God. I did not come to be served, but to serve.

If you want to learn humility, you must imitate me. You must start by being humble before men, so that by this great virtue you may overcome the pride that is in you. The humble man is afraid of offending God because he appreciates the greatness of his maker. He follows the lesson of John the Baptist, which is to diminish before the Lord in order to appreciate his greatness.

The ears of the humble are always open to listen to my Word and learn. Their eyes are opened to see my plan unfold before them, they walk humbly with me acting justly and loving tenderly because they know me.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

Catholic homilies - gospel inspirations - list

 

[Salvation]

Sunday, September 2, 2007
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel:

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 Psalm 68:4-7, 10-11 Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 Luke 14:1, 7-14 O Catholic Church, true mother of Christians, you are right in teaching that God should be adored with an entirely chaste and pure heart. You unite all brothers and sisters to one another in a bond of religion that is stronger and closer than ties of blood. -- St. Augustine

[Salvation]

Gospel of Humility - Pontifical Household Preacher comments on Luke 14:1, 7-14

[Salvation]

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 103 (104)

Hymn to God the Creator

Bless the Lord, my soul!
 Lord, my God, how great you are!
You are robed in majesty and splendour;
 you are wrapped in light as in a cloak.

You stretch out the sky like an awning,
 you build your palace upon the waters.
You make the clouds your chariot,
 you walk upon the wings of the wind.
You make the breezes your messengers,
 you make burning fire your minister.

You set the earth upon its foundation:
 from age to age it will stand firm.
Deep oceans covered it like a garment,
 and the waters stood high above the mountains;
but you rebuked them and they fled;
 at the sound of your thunder they fled in terror.
They rise to the mountains or sink to the valleys,
 to the places you have decreed for them.
You have given them a boundary they must not cross;
 they will never come back to cover the earth.

You make springs arise to feed the streams,
 that flow in the midst of the mountains.
All the beasts of the field will drink from them
 and the wild asses will quench their thirst.
Above them will nest the birds of the sky,
 from among the branches their voices will sound.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.

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Psalm 103 (104)

From your palace you water the mountains,
 and thus you give plenty to the earth.
You bring forth grass for the cattle,
 and plants for the service of man.
You bring forth bread from the land,
 and wine to make man’s heart rejoice.
Oil, to make the face shine;
 and bread to make man’s heart strong.

The trees of the Lord have all that they need,
 and the cedars of Lebanon, that he planted.
Small birds will nest there,
 and storks at the tops of the trees.
For wild goats there are the high mountains;
 the crags are a refuge for the coneys.

He made the moon so that time could be measured;
 the sun knows the hour of its setting.
You send shadows, and night falls:
 then all the beasts of the woods come out,
lion cubs roaring for their prey,
 asking God for their food.
When the sun rises they come back together
 to lie in their lairs;
man goes out to his labour,
 and works until evening.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.

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Psalm 103 (104)

How many are your works, O Lord!
 You have made all things in your wisdom,
 and the earth is full of your creatures.
The sea is broad and immense:
 sea-creatures swim there, both small and large,
 too many to count.
Ships sail across it;
 Leviathan lives there, the monster;
 you made him to play with.

All of them look to you
 to give them their food when they need it.
You give it to them, and they gather;
 you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
But turn away, and they are dismayed;
 take away their breath, and they die,
 once more they will turn into dust.
You will send forth your breath, they will come to life;
 you will renew the face of the earth.

Glory be to the Lord, for ever;
 let the Lord rejoice in his works.
He turns his gaze to the earth, and it trembles;
 he touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life;
 as long as I exist, I will sing songs to God.
May my praises be pleasing to him;
 truly I will delight in the Lord.

Let sinners perish from the earth,
 let the wicked vanish from existence.
Bless the Lord, my soul!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.

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Reading

Jeremiah 11:18 - 12:13 ©

The Lord revealed it to me; I was warned. O Lord, that was when you opened my eyes to their scheming. I for my part was like a trustful lamb being led to the slaughter-house, not knowing the schemes they were plotting against me, ‘Let us destroy the tree in its strength, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name may be quickly forgotten!’ But you, the Lord of Hosts, who pronounce a just sentence, who probe the loins and heart, let me see the vengeance you will take on them, for I have committed my cause to you. You have right on your side, O Lord, when I complain about you. But I would like to debate a point of justice with you. Why is it that the wicked live so prosperously? Why do scoundrels enjoy peace? You plant them, they take root, and flourish, and even bear fruit. You are always on their lips, yet so far from their hearts. You know me, O Lord, you see me, you probe my heart, it is in your hands. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter-house, reserve them for the day of butchery. How long will the land be in mourning, and the grass wither all over the countryside? The animals and birds are dying as a result of the wickedness of the inhabitants. For they say, ‘God does not see our behaviour’. If you find it exhausting to race against men on foot, how will you compete against horses? If you are not secure in a peaceful country, how will you manage in the thickets along the Jordan? Yes, even your own brothers and your own family play you false. Behind your back, they too criticise you openly. Put no reliance on them when they seem to be friendly. I have abandoned my house, left my heritage, I have delivered what I dearly loved into the hands of its enemies. For me my heritage has become a lion in the forest, it roars at me ferociously: so I now hate it. Or is my heritage a speckled bird for the birds to flock on her thus from all directions? Come on, all you wild beasts, gather round, fall on the quarry! Many shepherds have laid my vineyard waste, have trampled down my inheritance, reducing my pleasant inheritance to a deserted wilderness. They have made it a mournful, desolate place, desolate before me. The whole land has been devastated and no one takes it to heart. The devastators have arrived on all the bare heights of the desert (for the Lord wields a sword that devours): from end to end of the land there is no peace for any living thing. Wheat they have sown, thorns they reap: they have worn themselves out, to no profit. They are disappointed in their harvests, through the fury of the Lord.

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Reading	From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop
The Lord has had pity on us
Happy are we if we do the deeds of which we have heard and sung. Our hearing of them means having them planted in us, while our doing them shows that the seed has borne fruit. By saying this, I wish to caution you, dearly beloved, not to enter the Church fruitlessly, satisfied with mere hearing of such mighty blessings and failing to do good works. For we have been saved by his grace, says the Apostle, and not by our works, lest anyone may boast; for it is by his grace that we have been saved. It is not as if a good life of some sort came first, and that thereupon God showed his love and esteem for it from on high, saying: “Let us come to the aid of these men and assist them quickly because they are living a good life”. No, our life was displeasing to him. He will, therefore, condemn what we have done but he will save what he himself has done in us. We were not good, but God had pity on us and sent his Son to die, not for good men but for bad ones, not for the just but for the wicked. Yes, Christ died for the ungodly. Notice what is written next: One will hardly die for a righteous man, though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. Perhaps someone can be found who will dare to die for a good man; but for the unjust man, for the wicked one, the sinner, who would be willing to die except Christ alone who is so just that he justifies even the unjust? And so, my brothers, we had no good works, for all our works were evil. Yet although men’s actions were such, God in his mercy did not abandon men. He sent his Son to redeem us, not with gold or silver but at the price of his blood poured out for us. Christ, the spotless lamb, became the sacrificial victim, led to the slaughter for the sheep that were blemished – if indeed one can say that they were blemished and not entirely corrupt. Such is the grace we have received! Let us live so as to be worthy of that great grace, and not do injury to it. So mighty is the physician who has come to us that he has healed all our sins! If we choose to be sick once again, we will not only harm ourselves, but show ingratitude to the physician as well. Let us then follow Christ’s paths which he has revealed to us, above all the path of humility, which he himself became for us. He showed us that path by his precepts, and he himself followed it by his suffering on our behalf. In order to die for us – because as God he could not die – the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The immortal One took on mortality that he might die for us, and by dying put to death our death. This is what the Lord did, this the gift he granted to us. The mighty one was brought low, the lowly one was slain, and after he was slain, he rose again and was exalted. For he did not intend to leave us dead in hell, but to exalt in himself at the resurrection of the dead those whom he had already exalted and made just by the faith and praise they gave him. Yes, he gave us the path of humility. If we keep to it we shall confess our belief in the Lord and have good reason to sing: We shall praise you, God, we shall praise you and call upon your name.

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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.

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Concluding Prayer

God of power and might, all that is perfect belongs to you.
 Fill us with love of your name:
 increase our zeal and nourish what is good in us;
 watch over us and preserve what you have nourished.

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.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings (on USCCB site):
» September 02, 2007
(will open a new window)

Collect: Almighty God, every good thing comes from you. Fill our hearts with love for you, increase our faith, and by your constant care protect the good you have given us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

« September 02, 2007 »

Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

•   ACTIVITIES
• » Confession Catechesis
  » Examination of Conscience
  » Examination of Conscience for Children
  

Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

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Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the Book of Sirach 3:17-18, 20:28-29. In today's reading we have a few more of the words of wisdom on humility from this saintly man who spent his life meditating on the law of God revealed to the Chosen People.

The second reading is from St. Paul to the Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24, in which he contrasts two scenes. One is the giving of the Old Covenant, and the other is the assembly of those justified by the New Covenant. The reason why the Church has selected these verses is the same reason that St. Paul had when he wrote them. He wanted to impress on the Jewish converts the superiority of the Christian religion over that of the Old Testament, which they had practiced until their conversion.

The Gospel is from St. Luke 14:1, 7-14, in which Jesus had been invited to dine in the house of a leading Pharisee. The Pharisees were so convinced of their own perfect knowledge and observance of the law, that they thought nobody else could possibly know it or observe it as perfectly as they did. In a very simple parable, Jesus told them where their pride would lead them.

A proud Christian, that is, a proud follower of the humble Christ, is a contradiction in terms. Christ, the Son of God, lowered himself to our level when He took our human nature. He was born in a stable, reared in the obscure village of Nazareth, earned his meager meals as a country carpenter, died on a cross as a malefactor with two thieves as companions and was buried in a God's banquet. Thank God, there are few whose pride leads them to these extremes, but there are far too many who set themselves up as judges over their neighbor and appoint themselves as the models to be imitated by all others.

There is a little demon of pride in each one of us. There is a natural inclination in each one to esteem ourselves a little better in most ways, if not in all, than our neighbor. We must keep this demon in check and not let him grow in us. Any gifts of mind or body that we have are from God — our duty is to use them properly and to thank God for the loan of them. If He gave greater gifts to another, I thank God for it. That other was able to make better use of them than I would. I have enough gifts to go on. I shall not be judged on the use or abuse of gifts which I did not receive.

If I use all the gifts which God gave me, to help my neighbor, the spiritually poor, the lame and blind, to heaven, instead of keeping myself aloof from them as the Pharisees did, then my judgment will be easy. I shall be "repaid in the resurrection of the just."

The proud Christian sets himself up as a critic of God's wisdom. He muses: God forgives sinners too easily. God doesn't know them as well as I do. That conversion cannot be trusted, it will not last, he says. The "sinners" prosper, they are blessed with good health, a happy family, more than their share of the world's goods, and here am I who never failed God, who always did what was right and even more, and I am neglected by God. God doesn't know his real friends!

These are the questionings of a proud soul. Such Christians raise themselves above their neighbors in their own minds. They choose the first places, and from their self-appointed heights they look down on their fellow guests at stranger's grave. Could He have done more to induce us to listen to his counsel when He said: "Learn of me, for I am humble of heart?"

Yet, there are Christians who are proud. Like the Pharisees of old, they thank God that they are not like the rest of men. They shun any contact with sinners. They cover their ears when any scandal is mentioned. Yet they never miss the gossip, and are always ready to condemn offhand the unfortunate giver of scandal, without knowing the extenuating circumstances.

— Excerpted from The Sunday Readings Cycle C, Fr. Kevin O' Sullivan, O.F.M.

[Salvation]

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 117 (118)

A cry of rejoicing and triumph

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
 and his kindness is for ever.

Now let Israel say, he is good
 and his kindness is for ever.
Now let the house of Aaron say it too:
 that his kindness is for ever.
Now let all who fear the Lord say it too:
 that his kindness is for ever.

In my time of trial I called out to the Lord:
 he listened, and led me to freedom.
The Lord is with me,
 I will fear nothing that man can do.
The Lord, my help, is with me,
 and I shall look down upon my enemies.

It is good to seek shelter in the Lord,
 better than to trust in men.
It is good to seek shelter in the Lord,
 better than to trust in the leaders of men.

All the nations surrounded me,
 and in the Lord’s name I slew them.
They crowded in and besieged me,
 and in the Lord’s name I slew them.
They surrounded me like swarms of bees,
 they burned like a fire of dry thorns,
 and in the Lord’s name I slew them.
They chased and pursued me, to make me fall,
 and the Lord came to my help.
The Lord is my strength and my rejoicing:
 he has become my saviour.

A cry of joy and salvation
 in the dwellings of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has triumphed!
 The Lord’s right hand has raised me up;
 the Lord’s right hand has triumphed”.

I shall not die, but live,
 and tell of the works of the Lord.
The Lord chastised me severely
 but did not let me die.
Open the gates of righteousness:
 I will go in, and thank the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;
 it is the upright who enter here.

I will thank you, for you listened to me,
 and became my saviour.

The stone that the builders rejected
 has become the corner-stone.
It was the Lord who did this –
 it is marvellous to behold.
This is the day that was made by the Lord:
 let us rejoice today, and be glad.

Lord, keep me safe;
 O Lord, let me prosper!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
 We bless you from the house of the Lord.

The Lord is God, he shines upon us!
 Arrange the procession, with close-packed branches,
 up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, I will give thanks to you;
 my God, I will give you praise.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
 and his kindness is 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.

---

Canticle	Daniel 3
Let every creature praise the Lord
Blessed are you, Lord God of our fathers,  praised and exalted for ever. Blessed is the holy name of your glory  praised above all things and exalted for ever. Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory  praised and glorious above all things for ever. Blessed are you who gaze on the depths,  seated on the cherubim,  praised and exalted for ever. Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven  praised and glorious for ever. Bless the Lord, all his works,  praise and exalt him 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.

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Psalm 150

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord in his sanctuary,
 praise him in his mighty firmament.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
 praise him for all his greatness.

Praise him with trumpet-blasts,
 praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dance,
 praise him with strings and pipes,
praise him with cymbals resounding,
 praise him with cymbals of jubilation.

All that breathes, praise 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.

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Short reading	Ezekiel 36:25 - 27 ©
I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed; I shall cleanse you of all your defilement and all your idols. I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. I shall put my spirit in you, and make you keep my laws and sincerely respect my observances.

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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.

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Prayers and Intercessions

?

Let us give thanks to our Saviour who came down into this world as God in our midst. Let us cry out to him: - Christ, king of glory, be our light and our joy! Christ our Lord, you are the light dawning from on high, the first-fruits of the resurrection that is to come: may we not remain in shadow but follow you and walk in the light of true life. Make us perceive your goodness in every created thing, so that we see your glory wherever we look. Lord, do not let evil defeat us today, but may we, armed with goodness, defeat evil ourselves. You were baptized in Jordan and anointed with the Holy Spirit: make us give thanks to that same Spirit today.

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.

God of power and might, all that is perfect belongs to you.
 Fill us with love of your name:
 increase our zeal and nourish what is good in us;
 watch over us and preserve what you have nourished.

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.

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May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

Antiphons for the 22nd Sunday of the Year C

Magnificat I

When you are invited to a wedding feast,
sit down in the lowest place,
that he who invited you may say to you:
“Friend, go up higher.”
Then shall you have glory in the presence of all who sit at table with you (Lk 14:10).

Benedictus

All who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Lk 14:11).

Magnificat II

When you give a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind;
and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you,
for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just (Lk 14: 13-14).

Posted by Father Mark on September 2, 2007 12:15 AM | Permalink 

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.	Other Articles by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D. Printer Friendly Version
Humility Is Just the Truth

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August 31, 2007

Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 / Heb 12:18-19 / Lk 14:1, 7-14

A pastor decided it was time to give his people a serious talking to.  His sermon hit fever pitch when he roared, "Every member of this parish is going to die. Every member!" As he scanned the congregation to gauge the impact of his words, he was pleased to see that they looked duly sober, except for one middle-aged woman who had a big smile on her face. "What are you smiling at?" growled the pastor.

"Well," said the smiling lady, "I'm not a member of this parish. I never registered!"

+    +    +

A-plus for denial!  And A-plus for hubris, that foolish pride that persuades us we're not like the rest of folks. It's a lie, but how much energy we waste trying to prove it's true.

Unwholesome pride takes different forms in different people. For some, it's slavery to a lifestyle that's supposed to prove we're different and better. For some, it's a fierce competitiveness in even the silliest of things — the need to win at all costs — to prove we're different and better. For some, it's all in the head, gathering up knowledge about arcane subjects, again to prove we're different, smarter, and better than the rest.

Whatever it's shape, pride is always ugly. And it always cuts us off from others and deprives us of the one thing we really desire: Communion. What an irony: To work so hard to prove we're special and then to end up scorned and alone. "Whoever exalts himself WILL be humbled!" Not by God, but by what we have become, what we are!

So what about the alternative, humility? At first glance, it seems even worse: The sniveling image of Uriah Heep comes to mind. Where did we get the idea that humility means brushing off all praise and minimizing our gifts?  That's not humility; that's ingratitude to God, who gave us good gifts to be developed, enjoyed, and shared.

So what does real humility look like?  Real humility is truth. And the essential truth about us is that under the skin we're all the same, made from the same earth, short-lived, in need of one another's help, destined to grow old and die.

That's the truth about us. And once we face it, face our own pains and fears and our own need for help, we begin to see and understand the same needs in others. We begin to recognize one another as brothers and sisters. And the thought of trying to prove we're different or better is exposed as bizarre, irrelevant, and a lie.  Suddenly we're not alone. We're surrounded by fellow pilgrims, all walking the same road home to God. Jesus was right: If we humble ourselves, that is, if we embrace the truth about ourselves, we WILL be exalted. And we won't have to wait for heaven for that to begin!

So relax in the Lord; relish his good gifts and share them. Take your brother by the hand, and start walking together. Your heart will be at peace because you're walking in the truth!

 

[annalex]

Lk 14:1-11
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
1	And it came to pass, when Jesus went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees, on the sabbath day, to eat bread, that they watched him.	et factum est cum intraret in domum cuiusdam principis Pharisaeorum sabbato manducare panem et ipsi observabant eum
2	And behold, there was a certain man before him that had the dropsy.	et ecce homo quidam hydropicus erat ante illum
3	And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?	et respondens Iesus dixit ad legis peritos et Pharisaeos dicens si licet sabbato curare
4	But they held their peace. But he taking him, healed him, and sent him away.	at illi tacuerunt ipse vero adprehensum sanavit eum ac dimisit
5	And answering them, he said: Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately draw him out, on the sabbath day?	et respondens ad illos dixit cuius vestrum asinus aut bos in puteum cadet et non continuo extrahet illum die sabbati
6	And they could not answer him to these things.	et non poterant ad haec respondere illi
7	And he spoke a parable also to them that were invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them:	dicebat autem et ad invitatos parabolam intendens quomodo primos accubitus eligerent dicens ad illos
8	When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honourable than thou be invited by him:	cum invitatus fueris ad nuptias non discumbas in primo loco ne forte honoratior te sit invitatus ab eo
9	And he that invited thee and him, come and say to thee, Give this man place: and then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place.	et veniens is qui te et illum vocavit dicat tibi da huic locum et tunc incipias cum rubore novissimum locum tenere
10	But when thou art invited, go, sit down in the lowest place; that when he who invited thee, cometh, he may say to thee: Friend, go up higher. Then shalt thou have glory before them that sit at table with thee.	sed cum vocatus fueris vade recumbe in novissimo loco ut cum venerit qui te invitavit dicat tibi amice ascende superius tunc erit tibi gloria coram simul discumbentibus
11	Because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.	quia omnis qui se exaltat humiliabitur et qui se humiliat exaltabitur
12	And he said to him also that had invited him: When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor thy neighbours who are rich; lest perhaps they also invite thee again, and a recompense be made to thee.	dicebat autem et ei qui se invitaverat cum facis prandium aut cenam noli vocare amicos tuos neque fratres tuos neque cognatos neque vicinos divites ne forte et ipsi te reinvitent et fiat tibi retributio
13	But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind;	sed cum facis convivium voca pauperes debiles claudos caecos
14	And thou shalt be blessed, because they have not wherewith to make thee recompense: for recompense shall be made thee at the resurrection of the just.	et beatus eris quia non habent retribuere tibi retribuetur enim tibi in resurrectione iustorum

[annalex]

Parousia of Christ Among Saints.

Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian
527
Rome


In the middle is Christ, with Saint Peter presenting Saint Cosmas and Saint Teodorus (right), and Saint Paul presenting Saint Damian and Pope Felix IV; the latter holds a model of the church.

(Source)

[lightman]

the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s

My favorite verse from the hymn “Glory be to Jesus” in red:

“Glory be to Jesus”
Italian, 18th Century
Translated by Edward Caswall, 1814-1878

1. Glory be to Jesus,
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life-blood
From His sacred veins!

2. Grace and life eternal
In that blood I find;
Blest be His compassion,
Infinitely kind!

3. Blest through endless ages
Be the precious stream
Which from endless torments
Did the world redeem!

4. Abel’s blood for vengeance
Pleaded to the skies;
But the blood of Jesus
For our pardon cries.

5. Oft as earth exulting
Wafts its praise on high,
Angel hosts rejoicing
Make their glad reply.

6. Lift we, then, our voices,
Swell the mighty flood,
Louder still and louder
Praise the precious blood!

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #158
Text: 1 Pet. 1:19
Author: Italian, 18th Century, cento
Translated by: Edward Caswall, 1857
Titled: “Viva! viva! Gesu”
Composer: Friedrich Filitz, 1847
Tune: “Wem in Leidenstagen”