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Feast Day:	October 10
Born:	October 28, 1510, Valencia, Spain
Died:	September 30, 1572, Rome, Italy
Canonized:	1671 by Clement X
Major Shrine:	relics translated to the Jesuit church in Madrid, Spain in 1901
Patron of:	against earthquakes; Portugal; Rota, Marianas

40 Days for Life Campaign -- [September 22-October 31]

Prayers for The Religion Forum (Ecumenical)

Continue to Pray for Pope Benedict [Ecumenical]

Jesus. High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Rosary for the Bishops Campaign celebrates six months of prayer, global expansion

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

Pray the Rosary

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: 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 who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+

Pray for the Upcoming Elections

God Save Our Country web site (prayer warriors)
Prayer Chain Request for the United States of America

Pray for Nancy Pelosi
Bachmann: Prayer and fasting will help defeat health care reform (Freeper Prayer Thread)
Prayer Campaign Started to Convert Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians to Pro-Life
[Catholic Caucus] One Million Rosaries
Non-stop Rosary vigil to defeat ObamaCare

From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:

"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"

Psalm 109:8

"Let his days be few; and let another take his place of leadership."

PLEASE JOIN US -

Evening Prayer
Someone has said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.
Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Please forward this to your praying friends.

October Devotion: The Holy Rosary

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. Pope Leo XIII personally started the practice of devoting October to the Rosary devotion. In a letter of September 1, 1883, mindful of the Rosary's power to strengthen faith and foster a life of virtue, he outlined the triumphs of the Rosary in past times and admonished the faithful to dedicate the month of October to the Blessed Virgin through the daily recitation of her Rosary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, in order to obtain through her intercession the grace that God would console and defend His Church in her sufferings.

We highly recommend that you read Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, or "On the Most Holy Rosary." It explains even further this wonderful devotion, and introduces the optional mysteries of light, or Luminous mysteries.

INVOCATION
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.

TO THE QUEEN OF THE HOLY ROSARY
Queen of the most holy Rosary, in these times of such brazen impiety, manifest thy power with the signs of thine ancient victories, and from thy throne, whence thou dost dispense pardon and graces, mercifully regard the Church of thy Son, His Vicar on earth, and every order of clergy and laity, who are sore oppressed in the mighty conflict. Do thou, who art the powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy, even though the hour of God's justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men. For me who am the least of men, kneeling before thee in supplication, do thou obtain the grace I need to live righteously upon earth and to reign among the just in heaven, the while in company with all faithful Christians throughout the world, I salute thee and acclaim thee as Queen of the most holy Rosary:

Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.

TO OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
O Virgin Mary, grant that the recitation of thy Rosary may be for me each day, in the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial piety, a sweet refreshment, an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of duty. Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary, that the study of thy fifteen mysteries may form in my soul, little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening, and fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding, my will, my heart, my memory, my imagination, my whole being. So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work, without the aid of formal prayers, by interior acts of admiration and of supplication, or by aspirations of love. I ask this of thee, O Queen of the holy Rosary, through Saint Dominic, thy son of predilection, the renowned preacher of thy mysteries, and the faithful imitator of thy virtues. Amen.

FOR THE CRUSADE OF THE FAMILY ROSARY
The Family Rosary Crusade, organized and directed by Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., sought to revive the practice of families reciting the Rosary daily within their homes. The Crusade has the encouragement and support of Pope Pius XII and it is succeeding admirably in realizing the desire of the Pope that no family would allow a day to pass without the recitation of the Rosary. This prayer was composed by Cardinal Spellman when the Crusade visited his Archdiocese.

O Queen of the most holy Rosary: with hearts full of confidence we earnestly beseech you to bless the Crusade of the Family Rosary. From you came the grace to begin it. >From you must come the grace to win souls to it. We beg you to bless this Crusade so that from every home the incense of this prayer will daily rise before you, O admirable Mother.

O Queen of Homes: by the power of the Rosary we beseech you to embrace all the members of our family in the love of your Immaculate Heart. May you abide with us and we with you, praying to you while you pray for us. May you preside in our homes as once you did at Nazareth with Jesus and Joseph, filling them with the holiness of your presence and inspiration.

O Queen of Peace: it is you who have placed the Rosary in our hands. It is you who bid us to recite it daily. By the power of the Family Rosary we beseech you to obtain peace for uspeace within our hearts, our homes, our country and throughout the world. Through the daily recitation of the Family Rosary we beg you to keep sin from our souls, enmities from our hearts and war from our shores. By the graces received from the devotion of the Family Rosary we pray to be made helpful to one another in following the paths of virtue so that we may be found worthy to be called children of your family, children of your home. Amen.

Cardinal Spellman

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

Pray the Rosary

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: 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 who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

The Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light
(Thursdays) see Rosarium Virginis Mariae
1. Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan (II Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 3:17 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Gratitude for the gift of Faith]
2. Jesus' self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1- 12) [Spiritual fruit - Fidelity]
3. Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion (Mark 1:15, Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47- 48, John 20:22-23) [Spiritual fruit - Desire for Holiness]
4. Jesus' Transfiguration (Luke 9:35 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Spiritual Courage]
5. Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery. (Luke 24:13-35 and parallels, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) [Spiritual fruit - Love of our Eucharistic Lord]

The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]

The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 3rd Luminous Mystery: Proclamation of the Kingdom (Patristic Rosary)
The Rosary-a tool for evangelization [Catholic Caucus]
OUR LADY AND ISLAM: HEAVEN’S PEACE PLAN (Say the Rosary) [Ecumenical]
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] The Chain that Sets Free
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana (Patristic Rosary)

[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 1st Luminous Mystery: Baptism of Jesus by John (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding in the Temple (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity (Patristic Rosary)
Praying the Holy Rosary in October
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annuniciation (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] On the Rosary
Lists Every Catholic Should be Familiar With: 15 [20] Mysteries of the Holy Rosary & When They Are Prayed
It Was the Rosary: Mainz Priest Talks About His Vocation

Rosary to Halt Construction of NYC Mosque (Catholic Caucus)
British Soldier Shot in Afghanistan is Saved by His ROSARY...Like His Great-Grandfather in WWII
Catholic Caucus: Rosary Beads Saved My Life, British Soldier Says
British soldier shot in Afghanistan is saved my his ROSARY
Rosary returned to Vietnam vet as pledged 44 years ago
Rosary for the Bishop celebrates six months of prayer, global expansion
Rosary Rallies for Priests Give Final Flourish to Their Special Year (ECUMENICAL)
The Unseen Power of the Rosary
Worldwide Rosary Relay to Offer Prayer for Priests
Boy Suspended For Rosary -- Reinstated

NY school sued after teen suspended over rosary
Student Suspended for Wearing Rosary Beads
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] The 3:30 Beads!
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Private Devotions to Mary: The Rosary
Benedict XVI Promotes Rosary in Fatima [Catholic Caucus]
Archbishop Naumann, Bishop Finn Lead Mother's Day Rosary at Planned Parenthood
Did the Apostles Pray the Rosary? (First Novena to the Holy Spirit?) [Catholic Caucus]
The Importance of the Meditated Holy Rosary -- What the Popes have to say [Catholic Caucus]
A Ladder from Earth to Heaven: The Rosary for All Christians
Jesus is in the Holy Rosary

The Rosary, a powerful weapon against the devil
History of The Scriptural Rosary [Ecumenical]
The Lord Is with Thee
Rosary of Our Lady's Tears(Catholic Prayer Thread)
The Rosary and Me - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
Rosary promoted as path to Christ and peace [at third annual Rosary Bowl NW]
The Efficacy and Power of One Hail Mary [Ecumenical]
“Let Us Do It!“ (Sunday: Rosary to be simultaneously prayed on five continents)
The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary
[Catholic Caucus] One Million Rosaries

The Family Rosary [Try it for Lent!] (Catholic Caucus)
History of the Scriptural Rosary - Meditating on The Word
Rosary Resurgence [Ecumenical]
Beginning Catholic: How to Pray the Rosary: Contemplating Christ With Mary [Ecumenical]
[Oregon] Rosary Bowl focuses on links between prayer, evangelization
Praying the Rosary By Bishop Fulton J. Sheen(Catholic Caucus)
Rosary-Prayers Aiming to Break Record [Catholic Caucus]
Rosary vs. Repetitious Prayer [Ecumenical]
Rosary Is a School of Mary, Says Pope: Encourages Recitation [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Luminous Mysteries [of the Rosary]: Knowing Jesus in His Public Ministry

New campaign launched to promote family rosary
The Rosary and the Republic
Chant the Rosary... in Latin!
Protestants and the rosary
Estimated 50,000 recite rosary in event at Rose Bowl
Our Lady of Victory (HLI Page)
Rosary to Mark St. Martha's Feast
Pray the Rosary
Rosary Aids Spiritual Growth, Says Pope
Sri LANKA CATHOLICS START ROSARY CHAIN FOR PEACE

Tips on Praying a Family Rosary
October: Month of the Holy Rosary
Very simple guide to praying/learning the Rosary
The Rosary and Orthodoxy
Father Benedict Groeschel on the Rosary
THE HOLY ROSARY
Catholic Caucus: The Holy Rosary
The Power of the Rosary - A Weapon Against Terrorism
Rosary May Contribute to Unity Says Protestant Theologian
Papal Address on the Rosary as a Weapon of Peace

____________________________________________________________

Pray the Rosary.

Pray without ceasing.

How Europe Escaped Speaking Arabic
The Battle of Lepanto
Civilization in the Balance: The Battle of Lepanto and Election ‘08

LEPANTO
A Call To Prayer: This Lepanto Moment [Repost]
Lepanto, 1571: The Battle That Saved Europe
Celebrating the Battle of Lepanto
Clash of civilizations: Battle of Lepanto revisited
Lepanto, Bertone e Battesimo, Oh My!
Lepanto Sunday
Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval (A Mini-Lepanto in the Philippines)
Swiss Guards at the Battle of Lepanto, 7 October 1571
Battle of Lepanto

LEPANTO, 7 OCTOBER 1571: The Defense of Europe
Battle of Lepanto
Remember Lepanto!
The Battle of Lepanto
On This Day In History, The Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto
Chesterton's Lepanto
The Miracle At Lepanto...
Lepanto
The Naval Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto

Holy Father's Intentions
Catholic Universities
General: That Catholic Universities may more and more be places where, in the light of the Gospel, it is possible to experience the harmonious unity existing between faith and reason.

World Mission Day
Missionary: That the World Mission Day may afford an occasion for understanding that the task of proclaiming Christ is an absolutely necessary service to which the Church is called for the benefit of humanity.

From: 2 Kings 5:14-17

Naaman is cured of leprosy

[14] So he [Naaman] went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan,
according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the
flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

[15] Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came
and stood before him; and he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all
the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” [16] But he
said, “as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will receive none.” And he urged him to
take it, but he refused. [17] Then Naaman said, “If not, I pray you, let there be
given to your servant two mules’ burden of earth; for henceforth your servant will
not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any God but our Lord.

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

5:9-14. The scene of Naaman’s arrival at the house of Elisha is full of significance.
Before obtaining a cure his physical ailment, Naaman needs to learn to obey the
prophet’s word. The pomp surrounding Naaman contrasts sharply with the sim-
ple message conveyed by Elisha’s servant; the Syrian is expecting some magi-
cal rite to be performed on his behalf, whereas in fact he is ordered simply to
bathe in the Jordan. Naaman needs to see that the prophet of the Lord is not a
magician or a kind of witch-doctor: it will be God who cleanses him when he
does what he is told.

Naaman will come to see that it is not the waters that cure him, but God him-
self. His obedience needs to be put to the rest: he has to dip in the water seven
times. A similar command to Elisha’s, and an obedience like Naaman’s, are to
be found in the cure Jesus works for the man blind from birth (cf. Jn 9:6-7). Both
these episodes are rightly seen as a prefigurement of baptism, the sacrament in
which, through water and obedience to Christ’s word, man is cleansed from the
leprosy of sin and is given the gift of faith: “The crossing of the Red Sea by the
Hebrews was a figure of holy Baptism, for the Egyptians died but the Hebrews
escaped. This is what the sacrament daily teaches us – that in it sin is drowned
and error destroyed, whereas devotion and innocence cross unscathed. […] Fi-
nally, learn the lesson provided by the book of Kings. Naaman was a Syrian,
and a leper, and there was no one who could cure him […]; he bathed and, fin-
ding he was cured, he realized immediately that it was not the water that cured
him but the gift of God. He doubted prior to being cured; but you, who are alrea-
dy cured, should not have any doubts” (St Ambrose, De mysteriis, 12, 19).

********************************************************************************************
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: 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Jesus, the Apostle’s Model

[8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as
preached in my gospel, [9] the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters
like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. [10] Therefore I endure every-
thing for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which in
Christ Jesus goes with eternal glory. [11] The saying is sure: If we have died with
him, we shall also live with him; [12] if we endure, we shall also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us; [13] if we are faithless, he remains faithful
— for he cannot deny himself.

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

8. “Jesus Christ, risen from the dead”: the Resurrection is the climax of our faith
(cf. 1 Cor 15) and the fixed reference point for Christian living, for we know that
“Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has domi-
nion over him” (Rom 6:9). Therefore, Christ lives on in a glorified condition: “Christ
is alive. He is not someone who has gone, someone who existed for a time and
then passed on, leaving us a wonderful example and a great memory. No, Christ
is alive. Jesus is Emmanuel: God with us. His resurrection shows us that God
does not abandon his own” (St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 102).

“As preached in my gospel”: literally, “according to my gospel”; Jesus’ glorious
resurrection and his descent from David were key points in St Paul’s preaching.

9-10. The trials which St Paul was experiencing in prison on account of his prea-
ching of the Gospel constitute an entitlement to heaven, for “martyrdom makes
the disciple like his master, who willingly accepted death for the salvation of the
world, and through it he is conformed to him by the shedding of blood” (”Lumen
Gentium”, 42). This is a shining example of the Communion of Saints at work,
for, when a Christian links his suffering to Christ’s passion, that suffering contri-
butes to the Redemption: “Therefore he is carrying out an irreplaceable service.
In the Body of Christ, which is ceaselessly born of the Cross of the Redeemer,
it is precisely suffering permeated by the spirit of Christ’s sacrifice that is the ir-
replaceable mediator and author of the good things which are indispensable for
the world’s salvation. It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the
way for the grace which transforms human souls. Suffering, more than anything
else, makes present in the history of humanity the powers of the Redemption”
(John Paul II, “Salvifici Doloris”, 27).

Throughout history many pastors of the Church have suffered persecution on
account of their fidelity to Christ. St John Chrysostom, shortly before going into
exile, expressed his feelings in this way: “For me, this world’s evils are some-
thing I despise; and its good things are an object of scorn. I am not afraid of po-
verty nor do I have any desire for riches; I am not afraid of death nor do I have
any desire to live unless it be to your advantage” (”Ante Exiltum Hom.”, 1).

11-13. “The saying is sure”: this is a technical expression used a number of
times in the Pastoral Epistles to attract attention to especially important state-
ments (cf. note on 1 Tim 1:15). Here it introduces a poetic section in the form
of a hymn of four verses, each consisting of a pair of contrasting phrases (of
the type the Semitic mind loves). It is quite possible that this hymn was used
in very early baptismal liturgy, given that it has to do with the intimate union of
the baptized person with Christ, who died and is now risen; it also encourages
Christians to stay faithful in the face of adverse circumstances even if that
means martyrdom.

Thus, the first verse deals with the beginning of Christian life. Dying to sin and
rising to the life of grace are Pauline expressions (cf. Rom 6:34) which point to
the fact that in Baptism the Christian becomes a sharer in the passion, death
and burial of the Lord, and also in the glory of his resurrection. Grace is the
supernatural life and that life will attain its full form in heaven.

The two following verses deal with the stark choice the Christian has to make
in the face of difficulties — endurance, or denial of the faith (cf. Mt 10:33; Lk 12:
9); the hymn puts special emphasis on endurance, using as it does terminolo-
gy proper to athletics (cf. Heb 12:1-3); also, the verb used in the second part
of each phrase is in the future tense, as if an unlikely possibility were being dis-
cussed: “In the event of our denying him...”. And (what is most important) the
Christian’s faithfulness is orientated towards Christ: “we shall reign with him.”
“To persevere is to persist in love, ‘per Ipsum et cum Ipso et in Ipso...’. Indeed
we can also interpret this as: “He himself, with me, for me and in me” (St. J.
Escriva, “Furrow”, 366).

The last verse breaks the pattern because it does not counterpose attitude and
result but rather man’s infidelity and Christ’s fidelity: “If we are faithless, he re-
mains faithful.” This paradox of our Lord’s love marks the climax of the hymn,
which is a kind of poem extolling Christian endurance based on our Lord’s eter-
nal faithfulness. “We Christians have the right to proclaim the royalty of Christ.
Although injustice abounds, although many do not desire the kingdom of love,
the work of salvation is taking place in the same human history as harbors evil”
(St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 186).

*********************************************************************************************
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: Luke 17:11-19

The Ten Lepers

[11] On the way to Jerusalem He (Jesus) was passing along between Samaria
and Galilee. [12] And as He entered the village, He was met by ten lepers, who
stood at a distance [13] and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have
mercy on us.” [14] When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show your-
selves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. [15] Then one of
them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud
voice; [16] and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was
a Samaritan. [17] Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the
nine? [18] Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this fo-
reigner?” [19] And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made
you well.”

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

11-19. The setting of this episode explains how a Samaritan could be in the
company of Jews. There was no love lost between Jews and Samaritans (cf.
John 4:9), but shared pain, in the case of these lepers, overcame racial
antipathy.

The Law of Moses laid down, to prevent the spread of the disease, that lepers
should live away from other people and should let it be known that they were
suffering from this disease (cf. Leviticus 13:45-46). This explains why they did
not come right up to Jesus and His group, but instead begged His help by
shouting from a distance. Before curing them our Lord orders them to go to the
priests to have their cure certified (cf. Leviticus 14:2ff), and to perform the rites
laid down. The lepers’ obedience is a sign of faith in Jesus’ words. And, in fact,
soon after setting out they are cleansed.

However, only one of them, the Samaritan, who returns praising God and sho-
wing his gratitude for the miracle, is given a much greater gift than the cure of
leprosy. Jesus says as much: “Your faith has made you well” (verse 19) and
praises the man’s gratefulness. The Gospel records this event to teach us the
value of gratefulness: “Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanks-
giving, many times a day. Because He gives you this and that. Because you
have been despised. Because you haven’t what you need or because you
have.

“Because He made His Mother so beautiful, His Mother who is also your
Mother. Because He created the sun and the moon and this animal and that
plant. Because He made that man eloquent and you He left tongue-tied ....

“Thank Him for everything, because everything is good” (St. J. Escriva, “The
Way”, 268).

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

A Day of Remembering — A Biblical Reflection for 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Today’s readings are about remembering and thanksgiving, healing and salvation.

In the Old Testament reading, (Second Kings 5:14-17) Naaman the Syrian remembers to thank Elisha for his cure, and one of the 10 lepers cured by Jesus remembered to turn up and thank his healer. In the reading from the Second Letter to Timothy (8-13), Paul asks Timothy (and us) to remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. Recalling Jesus’ death and resurrection fills us with gratitude, heals and strengthens us to face any adversity, difficulty and suffering, thus making us people of gratitude.

Naaman’s double cleansing

First let us consider the Old Testament reading. The imposing person of Naaman is told by the Prophet Elisha that he should seven times bathe in the Jordan River to be healed of his leprosy. Naaman replied indignantly, “Are not the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?” (Second Kings 5:12). Naaman was right: the rivers of Syria were undoubtedly better: They had more water; they were no match hygienically for the mountain spring waters of Damascus; ritually, it is the other way around.

Naaman was disappointed and expected this “man of God,” Elisha, to perform a much more dramatic sign. Naaman even doubted the advice that he had received from the prophet. With great reluctance, he finally gives in to the pleading of his servants to do what the prophet said. Washing in the Jordan he was healed and his flesh became like that of a little child. The muddy waters cleansed Naaman of his leprosy — but even more so of his arrogance.

The two mule-loads of earth that he requests will enable him to take a bit of Israelite earth to his native Syria, where he will build in Aram an altar to the God of Israel. Naaman has seen the power of the God of Israel and will worship none other. This is the final and most important lesson that he learns. Naaman, the foreigner, is not a member of the Chosen People. That God’s mercy is to be extended to all the nations was a notion difficult for Israel to accept.

Along the journey to Jerusalem

Let us situate today’s Gospel (Luke 17:11-19) in Luke’s narrative. Today’s passage begins with the line: “As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem.” This is a reminder to us that Jesus is moving toward his passion, and this clearly rises above the words and events of this entire section of Luke’s Gospel (17:11-18:30). Most of the material in this section is unique to Luke. In 17:11 Luke can almost see Jerusalem in the distance and he points it out to the reader. This section will end in 18:30 because in 18:31, “Behold we are going up to Jerusalem,” Jesus will not leave the meaning of the journey to the disciples’ memory; he will prophesy for the third and final time his passion in the Holy City.

One grateful leper

Today’s incident of the cleansed and grateful Samaritan leper is narrated only in Luke’s Gospel and provides an instance of Jesus holding up a non-Jew (17:18) as an example to his Jewish contemporaries (cf. 10:33) where a similar purpose is achieved in the story of the Good Samaritan. Moreover, it is the faith in Jesus manifested by the foreigner that has brought him salvation (17:19).

Geography plays a special role in Luke’s Gospel and it is can be literary, theological or physical. In today’s story, the border between Galilee and Samaria is a fitting location for a story involving both Jesus and a Samaritan (verse 16). Lepers kept a distance from non-lepers (verse 12; Leviticus 13:45-46; Numbers 5:2), they formed their own colonies (Second Kings 7:3), and they positioned themselves near busy intersections and highways in order to beg for alms. To show oneself to a priest after healing was according to the law (Leviticus 14:2-32).

Understanding a complex story

Today’s Gospel nevertheless raises several significant questions. Was the Samaritan, who lived outside the requirements of Judaism, included in the command to go to a priest? Why did Jesus reproach the nine for not returning (verses 17-18) when they had been told to go show themselves to a priest for a confirmation of their cure and a release from the status of uncleanness? Jesus’ words to the returning Samaritan: “Your faith has made you well,” seem rather odd, since all of them were healed!

Today’s Gospel must be understood as having two distinct parts: verses 11-14 and 15-19. The first part is a healing story with the standard elements: a cry for help; the response of Jesus; a healing in the act of obedience similar to that of 5:12-16. The second part of the story is the salvation of a foreigner. It is the foreigner who returns, who praises God and who expresses gratitude to Jesus. When Jesus says: “Your faith has made you well,” the blessing certainly refers to some benefit other than that which all, including the other nine, had received earlier. The verb “made well” is the same very often translated “to be saved.”

Salvation by faith

Today’s Gospel is about a foreigner with two counts against him; he received salvation by faith. The man was a Samaritan, a social outcast and a religious heretic suffering from leprosy. In the presence of Jesus, only the foreigner receives the full blessing of Jesus’ ministry. Once again Luke’s predilection for foreigners, outsiders, outcasts, the sick and sinners is very evident in this story.

This story anticipates the great story of the Acts of the Apostles: a growing blindness in Israel, and a receptivity among Gentiles. God’s plan to save the world excludes no one. The healing of the 10 lepers builds on the theme of this universality by implying that the “foreigner” was the only one to return and give thanks to God for the healing received. The implication is clear, and Jesus makes it at other times as well: If those to whom the word of salvation came first did not accept it, it will nevertheless be broadcast to all the world. It is a bitter irony for all of us, that it was the leaders of Jesus’ own people who rejected him!

God’s generosity is ungrudging and his mercy is showered upon all, both the grateful and the ungrateful. Nine of the 10 lepers healed did not return to praise God for their healing. Nevertheless, they are healed, and the wideness of God’s mercy is exalted even in their ingratitude, and ours. Both the Naaman story and the parable of the 10 lepers teach us some powerful lessons about remembrance, gratitude, healing and salvation.

Signs of gratitude

Thankfulness is much more than saying “Thank you” because we have to. It is a way to experience the world, to perceive and to be surprised. Thankfulness is having open eyes and a short distance between the eyes and the heart. What are the signs of grateful people? Tears are always wiped away from the eyes of those who are thankful. The courage to thank, to see the gifts and experiences of this world all together as a gift, changes not only the person who gains this insight. It also changes the environment, the world, and those who surround that person. Grateful hearts are the hallmark of authentic Christians. Those who possess the virtue of gratitude are truly rich. They not only know how richly they have been blessed, but they continuously remember that all good things come from God.

To acknowledge others, to say thank you to others is the mark of greatness. If people associated with us are dispirited, dejected, unmotivated and uninspired, might it have something to do with the fact that we have never expressed our thanks and gratitude to them for who they are and what they do? People bound together by gratitude are always discovering and awakening abundant sources of strength. The more thankful a person is, the richer he or she is within. Thankful people store up in their grateful memory all the good experiences of the past, just as the French proverb states: “Gratitude is the heart’s memory.”

Brother André Bessette of Montreal

Next Sunday, October 17th, the Church will celebrate the canonization of Canadian-born Blessed André Bessette, known and loved as “Brother André of Montreal.” He is known and loved to millions of people in North America and throughout the world, especially for his devotion to St. Joseph. I have written about him several times over the past months leading up to his canonization.

Today’s Scripture readings made me think of Brother André many times. He was afflicted with suffering throughout his entire life, yet he brought healing to so many people through his strong faith, simple piety and devotion. It is only fitting that the miracle leading to his canonization occurred in 1999 when a 9-year-old boy had been the victim of an automobile accident, leaving him with a serious cranial injury and putting him in an irreversible coma leading toward death. The prayers of the people closest to him, along with the intercession of Brother André, brought him back to consciousness and health, and this was deemed scientifically unexplainable by medical experts.

Why was André chosen?

In a beautiful circular letter to the Holy Cross family earlier this year, former Holy Cross Superior-General Father Hugh Cleary wrote:

… perhaps Andre was chosen, like Mary and Joseph, because in the eyes of this world he was no one; he possessed nothing, nothing possessed him. As one depleted of all discernible gifts, talents and possessions, he was ripe for God’s prey. In his nothingness he had no choice but to pray; his own preying was an abysmal failure. In the hallow emptiness of his existence, he had no choice but to pray to God to give him what he desired more than anything else. God answered his prayer. God possessed him giving him what he cared for most, giving him fulfillment to the deepest longing of his heart.

God’s ways are not our ways

… Miracle workers like Brother Andre are few and far between, rarely encountered in the natural course of events. But when they do appear, they point us beyond the natural realm of hunting for power, pleasure and wealth, as if the answers to our deepest longing. Miracle workers point us to the transcendent realm of reality, the ‘normal’ course of God’s grace forever preying upon us gently, subtly, in sometimes hardly perceptible ways, to live the Love that is indeed our deepest longing. We cannot possess this Love with our own preying, our own machinations. This Love is a gift, freely given, a gift that transcends our frail human nature. This Love lifts us beyond our natural selves to our Heavenly glory as the children of God.

Immersed in the waters of God’s Word

Blessed André Besette, soon to be St. André of Montreal, is a brilliant example of one who immersed himself day after day in “waters of Israel,” the divinely inspired Scriptures. He allowed God to work through his poor, humble, weak being to heal physical suffering and disease, as well as the leprosy of sin in his day. As Brother André remembered and gave thanks for the hand of God working through him, and through St. Joseph’s intercession, he brought healing and salvation to the multitudes.

Fr. Thomas Rosica CSB,
CEO, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation

The readings for this Sunday are: 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; and Luke 17:11-19.

Activie Participation

Active Participation

October 9th, 2010 by Fr. Paul Scalia

A significant aspect of our Lord’s miracles is the cooperation He requires of the people involved. Rarely does He heal someone without requiring something. He tells the paralytic to take up his mat and walk (cf. Mt 9:1-8), the man with the withered hand to stretch it forth (cf. Mt 12:9-14), and the man born blind to go and wash (cf. Jn 9:1-41). Consider how His commands challenge these men. He requires them to do the very thing that their malady prevents: to stretch out the hand, to walk, etc. But in order to receive the miracle, they must trust the command … and try. Their trust in His command provides the proper disposition to receive His miracle. For divine work to be accomplished human trust is required.

So it is with the ten lepers (Lk 17:11-19). He does not heal them outright. He requires something of them: “Go show yourselves to the priests” (Lk 17:14). Now, this seems an unreasonable command. Lepers were banished from the public and liturgical life of Israel. They were forbidden contact with anyone. More to the point, lepers could approach priests only if they were already healed — so that the priests could confirm the cleansing. But our Lord does not heal them first and then send them off. Rather, He tells them to go before there is evidence of healing — the very thing that human wisdom would advise against.

And yet the lepers set out on this seemingly ridiculous errand. They trust in His command — as absurd as it sounds — and they obey. Trusting that they will be healed, they go to show themselves to the priest. And because of their faith, they receive the miracle: “As they were going they were cleansed” (Lk 11:14). Our Lord Himself points out the relationship between their faith and His miracle. When the one leper returns to give thanks, Jesus says, “your faith has saved you” (Lk 11:19). What worked the miracle was not just our Lord’s healing power, but also the leper’s faith in action.

In this miracle and others our Lord manifests the pattern of salvation. God’s grace does not work without our trust. He will not force reconciliation, healing or holiness upon us. We must participate in the healing He desires to give. Imagine the lepers had refused our Lord’s command. Imagine they said, “No. Heal us now before we go.” Or, going further, imagine if the man born blind resisted and obstinately refused to go and wash. Imagine when our Lord commanded him to get up and walk, the paralytic responded, “Make me.”

Such refusals would be absurd. But no more so than when we, willfully or by neglect, refuse to cooperate with our Lord’s grace. That is, when we ask Him for something but do not act in trust. When we receive the Eucharist and expect it to produce effects in us without our cooperation. When we attend Mass and expect to “get something out of it” although interiorly we are far away from the Sacrifice of the altar. When we pray for help in marriage but do not avail ourselves of the natural and supernatural aids available. If we ask our Lord for things, we should do so in trust — and act on those prayers in trust. Like the lepers, if we believe we have already received it — it will be ours (cf. Mk 11:24).

Fr. Scalia is pastor of St. John the Beloved parish in McLean, VA.

(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

The Work of God

Year C

- 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger.

Luke 17:11-19

11 And it came to pass, as he was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain town, there he met him ten men that were lepers, who stood far away;
13 And they lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, master, have mercy on us.
14 when Jesus saw them, he said: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God.
16 And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering, said, Were not ten made clean? and where are the nine?
18 There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger.
19 And he said to him: Arise, go your way; for your faith has made you whole.

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

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger.

A lot people make their prayers with faith. Before they know it, their prayers are answered. They begin to find logical explanations to justify how they were answered, and finally they decide that it was not God who answered them, but circumstances or coincidences that came about to fulfil their desires.

How ungrateful people can be. I listen to every prayer and I always consider it, I may substitute what is asked for something different because it is more in conformity with my will, but I assure you, there is always an answer to every prayer. I am not deaf.

In order to satisfy the needs of the one who prays, I have to take into consideration many different things. Many are trying to get rid of the cross that I have given them in order to purify them, to destroy their pride and to make them realize that I am the Lord who is calling to sanctity. So I may not answer their prayers exactly as they want, but more in accordance to what they need. To many I offer my peace and the strength to carry on.

Unfortunately Paradise was lost because of sin, and to restore everything to the original perfection, you must live this life following God’s Commandments until the door is open to my Heavenly Paradise.

It is part of the Divine Will that humanity be restricted of the divine gifts of perfection and eternal life, until all are made clean in my blood and purified in the fire of the Holy Spirit, until the resurrection of the dead when all will be judged according to their works and there will be some going to everlasting life of joy in Heaven while many will be sent to everlasting disgrace in Hell.

But I am satisfied with the just man who prays with praise and adoration, who brings humbly his needs before me and who is thankful to receive everything from my hands. You are giving glory to God every time you are grateful for all your goods, for your life, and for the salvation that I have promised.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love is everlasting.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

Archdiocese of Washington

The Hidden Mass in Today’s Gospel and the Perfect Thanksgiving – A Meditation on the Gospel for the 28th Sunday of the Year

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

One of the great human inadequacies is rendering proper and adequate thanks to God. Perhaps the biggest problem is that we don’t even know 90% of what he does for us. It is hid from our eyes. A further problem is that we tend, in our fallen condition, to be wired to magnify our distresses and problems and minimize or discount the enormous blessings of each moment. God sustains every fiber of our being and every atom of creation, his hidden blessings are countless. But we get angry if our iPod is malfunctioning or if one or two out of the trillion blessings he gives is withdrawn.

But in the end an old gospel song says it well:

I’ve got so much to thank God for; So many wonderful blessings and so many open doors. A brand new mercy along with each new day. That’s why I praise You and for this I give You praise. For waking me up this morning , For starting me on my way, For letting me see the sunshine, of a brand new day. That’s why I praise You and for this I give You praise. So many times You´ve met my needs, So many times You rescued me. That’s why I praise You.

For every mountain You brought me over For every trial you’ve seen me through. For every blessing, For this I give You praise

Fundamental Question – So here is the question at the heart of today’s Gospel. It is best asked in the Book of Psalms: What return shall I make to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? The same psalm goes on to answer the question in this way: The cup of salvation I will take up and call on the name of the Lord. (Psalm 116:12)

The Mass is signified – Yes indeed, how can I possibly thank the Lord for all the good he has done for me? Notice that the psalm points to the Eucharist in saying, The cup of salvation I will take up….” As you know the word “Eucharist” is a Greek word which means, “thanksgiving.” We cannot thank God the Father adequately, but Jesus can. And in every Mass we join our meager thanksgiving to his perfect thanksgiving. Jesus takes up the cup of salvation and shows it to us at every Mass through the priest. This is the perfect and superabundant thanks that only Jesus can offer the Father. And he joins us to his perfect sacrifice of thanks in every Mass. This is how we give thanks in a way commensurate with the manifold blessings we have received.

Hidden Mass! – Now the Gospel makes this point, that the Mass is the perfect offering of thanks to the Father, in a remarkable and almost hidden way. But for Catholics it is right there for us to see if we have eyes to see it. For the Gospel today contains all the essential elements of Holy Mass. In so doing, this Gospel about giving thanks reminds us once again that it is the Mass which is the perfect thanksgiving, the perfect “Eucharist.” Let’s look and see how it is a Mass:

Gathering – Notice first that there is a gathering. Ten lepers (us) have gathered and Jesus comes near as he passes on his way. We do this in every Mass, we gather and the Lord draws near. Indeed, in the person of the priest, who is the sacrament, the sign of his presence, Jesus walks the aisle of our Church just like he walked those ancient roads.
Kyrie – Next they cry out for mercy just like we do at every Mass: Lord have mercy! Jesus, Master, have pity on us!
Liturgy of the Word – Next Jesus quotes Scripture and then applies it to their life just like he does for us at every Mass. In saying, “Go show yourselves to the priests” Jesus is referencing Leviticus 14 which gives detailed instructions on how the priests of old were to diagnose leprosy and also its having been cured. Jesus quotes this scripture and applies it to their life. This is what we do at every Mass wherein God’s Word is proclaimed and then the Lord Jesus, speaking through the priest or deacon, applies the text(s) to our life.
Liturgy of the Eucharist – Next, the text says that one of them: fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. This is what we do during the Eucharistic prayer, we kneel and thank Jesus, and also, with Jesus, give thanks to the Father. As we have noted, the word “Eucharist” comes from Greek and means “to give thanks.” Here is the perfect thanks rendered to the Father. To those who say they can stay home and give adequate thanks to God, there should only be the rebuke that they are prideful. Only Jesus can give perfect thanks to the Father. And we can only give adequate thanks to Jesus by following his command to “do this in memory of me.” We have to be at Mass.
Ite Missa est – Finally, Jesus sends him on his way, saying Stand up and go; your faith has saved you. We too are sent forth by Jesus at the end of every Mass when He speaks through the priest or deacon: “The Mass is ended, God in peace.”

So, there it is. In this Gospel that very clearly instructs us to give thanks to God is the very structure of the Mass. If you want to give proper thanks to God and you made it to Mass this morning, you’re in the right place. Only here is perfect and proper thanks given to God.

It was all prefigured in the psalm long ago: What return shall I make to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up and call on the name of the Lord (Psalm 116:12). It is the very cup of salvation, the chalice containing Christ’s blood that is held up at every Mass. It is the perfect sacrifice of thanks. It is the prescribed sacrifice of praise. It is the proper sacrifice of praise.

Sunday, October 10, 2010
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:

2 Kings 5:14-17
Psalm 98:1-4
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Luke 17:11-19

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