Daytime Prayer

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

At Midmorning

Come, Holy Ghost, who ever one
Art with the Father and the Son;
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls possess
With thy full flood of holiness.

In will and deed, in heart and tongue
With all the powers, thy praise be sung;
And love light up our mortal frame
Till others catch the living flame.

Almighty Father, hear our cry
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord most High,
Who with the Holy Ghost and thee
Doth live and reign eternally.

Melody: Saint Ventantius L.M.
Music: Clausener Gesangbuch, 1653
Text: Saint Ambrose of Milan, 337?-397
Translation: Blessed John Henry Newman

At Midday

Help us, O Lord, to learn
The truths thy Word imparts:
To study that thy laws may be
Inscribed upon our hearts.

Help us, O Lord, to live
The faith which we proclaim,
That all our thoughts and words and deeds
May glorify your name.

Help us, O Lord, to teach
The beauty of your ways,
That yearning hearts may find the Christ,
And sing aloud his praise.

Melody: Franconia S.M.
Music: J. H. Konig, 1691-1758, adapted by W. H. Havergal, 1793-1870
Text: W. W. Reid, 1923-

At Midafternoon

Faith of our fathers! faith and prayer
Shall win all nations unto thee:
And through the truth that comes from God,
Mankind shall then indeed be free.

Refrain:
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers! we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife:
And preach thee too, as love knows how,
By kindly deeds and virtuous life.

Refrain:
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

Melody: Saint Catherine L.M. with Refrain
Music: Henry F. Henry, 1818-1888 and James G. Watson, 1821-1905
Text: Frederick W. Faber, 1814-1863

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 I have chosen to do your will; may your hand be always there to strengthen me.

Psalm 119:169-176
XXII (Tau)

A meditation on God’s law

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34).

Lord, let my cry come before you: *
teach me by your word.
Let my pleading come before you; *
save me by your promise.

Let my lips proclaim your praise *
because you teach me your commands.
Let my tongue sing your promise *
for your commands are just.

Let your hand be ready to help me, *
since I have chosen your precepts.
Lord, I long for your saving help *
and your law is my delight.

Give life to my soul that I may praise you. *
Let your decrees give me help.
I am lost like a sheep; seek your servant *
for I remember your commands.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord, grant that we should always offer you the hymns you have made; then we will live to praise you and never forget your commands.

Ant. I have chosen to do your will; may your hand be always there to strengthen me.

Ant. 2 Your throne stands firm, O God, for ever.

Psalm 45
The marriage of the king

The Bridegroom is here; go out and welcome him (Matthew 25:6).

I

My heart overflows with noble words. †
To the king I must speak the song I have made; *
my tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe.

You are the fairest of the children of men †
and graciousness is poured upon your lips: *
because God has blessed you for evermore.

O mighty one, gird your sword upon your thigh; †
in splendor and state, ride on in triumph *
for the cause of truth and goodness and right.

Take aim with your bow in your dread right hand. †
Your arrows are sharp: peoples fall beneath you. *
The foes of the king fall down and lose heart.

Your throne, O God, shall endure for ever. †
A scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom. *
Your love is for justice; your hatred for evil.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you †
with the oil of gladness above other kings: *
your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh.

From the ivory palace you are greeted with music. †
The daughters of kings are among your loved ones. *
On your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Your throne stands firm, O God, for ever.

Ant. 3 I saw the new Jerusalem, beautiful as a bride adorned to meet her husband.

II

Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words: *
forget your own people and your father’s house.
So will the king desire your beauty: *
he is your lord, pay homage to him.

And the people of Tyre shall come with gifts, *
the richest of the people shall seek your favor.
The daughter of the king is clothed with splendor, *
her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.

She is led to the king with her maiden companions. †
They are escorted amid gladness and joy; *
they pass within the palace of the king.

Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers: *
you will make them princes over all the earth.
May this song make your name for ever remembered. *
May the peoples praise you from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

When you took on flesh, Lord Jesus, you made a marriage of mankind with God. Help us to be faithful to your word and endure our exile bravely, until we are called to the heavenly marriage feast, to which the Virgin Mary, exemplar of your Church, has preceded us.

Ant. I saw the new Jerusalem, beautiful as a bride adorned to meet her husband.

At the other hours, the complementary psalmody is used.

MIDMORNING

READING
Daniel 6:27b-28a

Our God is the living God, enduring forever;
   his kingdom shall not be destroyed,
   and his dominion shall be without end.
He is a deliverer and savior,
   working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.

Be calm and remember that I am God.
– Supreme over all nations, supreme on the earth.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

God, all-powerful Father,
fill your people with the light of your Holy Spirit,
that, safe from every enemy,
we may rejoice in singing your praises.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

MIDDAY

READING
Romans 15:5-7

May God, the source of all patience and encouragement, enable you to live in perfect harmony with one another according to the spirit of Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and voice you may glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, as Christ accepted you, for the glory of God.

The Lord finds joy in his people.
– He honors the lowly and saves them.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord,
fill us with the resplendent light
of your eternal love.
May we love you above all things,
and our brothers for your sake.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

MIDAFTERNOON

READING
Philippians 4:8, 9b

My brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise. Then will the God of peace be with you.

I delight to praise you, O God, my King.
– Throughout eternity I will bless you.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord,
make the peace we pray for a reality:
may we live our days in quiet joy
and, with the help of the Virgin Mary’s prayers,
safely reach your kingdom.
Grant us this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

Vespers

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

All hail, adored Trinity:
All praise, eternal Unity,
O God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, ever One.

Three Persons praise we evermore,
And thee the Eternal One adore,
In thy sure mercy, ever kind,
May we our true protection find.

O Trinity, O Unity,
Be present as we worship thee;
And to the angels’ songs in light
Our prayers and praises now unite.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Tune: Old 100th L. M.
Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1551
Test: Stanza 1, 2, 3: Anglo Saxon, eleventh century; Stanza 4: Praise God, Thomas Ken, 1709

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Glory to you, O Trinity, one God in three equal Persons, as in the beginning, so now, and for ever.

Psalm 113
Praise the name of the Lord

He has cast down the mighty and has lifted up the lowly (Luke 1:52).

Praise, O servants of the Lord, *
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed *
both now and for evermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting *
praised be the name of the Lord!

High above all nations is the Lord, *
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the Lord, our God, *
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down, *
to look down upon heaven and earth?

From the dust he lifts up the lowly, *
from his misery he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes, *
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife he gives a home *
and gladdens her heart with children.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord Jesus, Word of God, surrendering the brightness of your glory you became man so that we may be raised from the dust to share your very being. May there be innumerable children of the Church to offer homage to your name from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Ant. Glory to you, O Trinity, one God in three equal Persons, as in the beginning, so now, and for ever.

Ant. 2 Praise to the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity. Let us praise God for he has shown us his mercy.

Psalm 147:12-20
The restoration of Jerusalem

Come, I will show you the bride of the Lamb (Revelation 21:9).

O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! *
Zion, praise your God!

He has strengthened the bars of your gates, *
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders, *
he feeds you with finest wheat.

He sends out his word to the earth *
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool, *
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.

He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. *
The waters are frozen at his touch;
he sends forth his word and it melts them: *
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.

He makes his word known to Jacob, *
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations; *
he has not taught them his decrees.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord you established peace within the borders of Jerusalem. Give the fullness of peace to your faithful people. May peace rule us in this life and possess us in eternal life. You are about to fill us with the best of wheat; grant that what we see dimly now as in a mirror, we may come to perceive clearly in the brightness of your truth.

Ant. Praise to the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity. Let us praise God for he has shown us his mercy.

Ant. 3 Glory and honor to God in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; glory and praise to him for endless ages.

Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10
God our Savior

Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him *
before the world began
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us *
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure, †
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God’s favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out *
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and on earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Glory and honor to God in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; glory and praise to him for endless ages.

READING
Romans 11: 33-36

How deep are the ruches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How inscrutable his judgments, how unsearchable his ways! For “Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has given him anything so as to deserve return?” For from him and through him and for him all things are. To him be glory forever. Amen.

RESPONSORY

Let us worship the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit;
let us praise God for ever.
– Let us worship the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit;
let us praise God for ever.

To God alone be honor and glory.
– let us praise God for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– Let us worship the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit;
let us praise God for ever.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. We give you thanks, O God; we give you thanks, Trinity one and true, Divinity one and most high, Unity one and holy.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. We give you thanks, O God; we give you thanks, Trinity one and true, Divinity one and most high, Unity one and holy.

INTERCESSIONS

The Father through the Holy Spirit has given life to the humanity of Christ his Son, and has made him a source of life for us. Let us raise our voices in praise to the triune God:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Father, almighty and eternal God, send the Holy Spirit upon your Church in your Son’s name,
– preserve it in the unity of charity and in the fullness of truth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Send laborers into your harvest, Lord, to teach the truth to all nations,
– and to baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Father, send help to all who suffer persecution in the name of your Son
– for he promised to send the Spirit of Truth to answer for them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Father omnipotent, may all men and women come to acknowledge you, together with the Word and the Holy Spirit, as the one true God,
– may they believe in you, hope in you, and love you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Father of all the living, bring the dead to share in your glory,
– the glory of your eternal reign with your Son and the Holy Spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:)

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.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth
and your Spirit to make us holy.
Through them we come to know the mystery of your life.
Help us to worship you, one God in three Persons,
by proclaiming and living our faith in you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

Or:

God our Father, who by sending into the world
the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification
made known to the human race your wondrous mystery,
grant us, we pray, that in professing the true faith,
we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory
and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless + us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

Compline

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

A brief examination of conscience may be made. In the communal celebration of the Office, a Penitential Rite using the formulas of the Mass may be inserted here.

[I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;

Then they continue:

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.]

HYMN

All praise to you, O God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep us, we pray, O king of kings,
Beneath your own almighty wings.

Forgive us, Lord, through Christ your Son
Whatever wrong this day we’ve done;
Your peace give to the world, O Lord,
That all might live in one accord.

Enlighten us, O Blessed Light,
And give us rest throughout this night.
O strengthen us, that for your sake,
We all may serve your when we awake.

Melody: Tallis Canon L.M.
Music: Thomas Tallis, 1515-1585
Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711, alt.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4
Thanksgiving

The resurrection of Christ was God’s supreme and wholly marvelous work (Saint Augustine).

When I call, answer me, O God of justice; *
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!

O men, how long will your hearts be closed, *
will you love what is futile and seek what is false?

It is the Lord who grants favors to those whom he loves; *
the Lord hears me whenever I call him.

Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still *
Make justice your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.

“What can bring us happiness?” many say. *
Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.

You have put into my heart a greater joy *
than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.

I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once *
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Glory 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.

Ant. Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.

Ant. 2 In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.

Psalm 134
Evening prayer in the temple

Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great (Revelation 19:5).

O come, bless the Lord, *
all you who serve the Lord,
who stand in the house of the Lord, *
in the courts of the house of our God.

Lift up your hands to the holy place *
and bless the Lord through the night.

May the Lord bless you from Zion, *
he who made both heaven and earth.

Glory 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.

Ant. In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.

READING
Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

GOSPEL OF CANTICLE

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, + now you let your servant go in peace; *
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation *
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations *
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Lord,
be with us throughout this night.
When day comes may we rise from sleep
to rejoice in the resurrection of your Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
– Amen.

BLESSING

May the all-powerful Lord
grant us a restful night
and a peaceful death.
– Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

Or:

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you!
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Or:

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve,
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes occulos
ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

Or:

Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 11
27.	And they come again to Jerusalem. And when he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients,	Et veniunt rursus Jerosolymam. Et cum ambularet in templo, accedunt ad eum summi sacerdotes, et scribæ, et seniores :	και ερχονται παλιν εις ιεροσολυμα και εν τω ιερω περιπατουντος αυτου ερχονται προς αυτον οι αρχιερεις και οι γραμματεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι
28.	And they say to him: By what authority dost thou these things? and who hath given thee this authority that thou shouldst do these things?	et dicunt ei : In qua potestate hæc facis ? et quis dedit tibi hanc potestatem ut ista facias ?	και λεγουσιν αυτω εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιεις και τις σοι την εξουσιαν ταυτην εδωκεν ινα ταυτα ποιης
29.	And Jesus answering, said to them: I will also ask you one word, and answer you me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.	Jesus autem respondens, ait illis : Interrogabo vos et ego unum verbum, et respondete mihi : et dicam vobis in qua potestate hæc faciam.	ο δε ιησους αποκριθεις ειπεν αυτοις επερωτησω υμας και εγω ενα λογον και αποκριθητε μοι και ερω υμιν εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιω
30.	The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.	Baptismus Joannis, de cælo erat, an ex hominibus ? Respondete mihi.	το βαπτισμα ιωαννου εξ ουρανου ην η εξ ανθρωπων αποκριθητε μοι
31.	But they thought with themselves, saying: If we say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?	At illi cogitabant secum, dicentes : Si dixerimus : De cælo, dicet : Quare non credidistis ei ?	και ελογιζοντο προς εαυτους λεγοντες εαν ειπωμεν εξ ουρανου ερει δια τι ουν ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω
32.	If we say, From men, we fear the people. For all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.	Si dixerimus : Ex hominibus, timemus populum : omnes enim habebant Joannem quia vere propheta esset.	αλλ ειπωμεν εξ ανθρωπων εφοβουντο τον λαον απαντες γαρ ειχον τον ιωαννην οτι οντως προφητης ην
33.	And they answering, say to Jesus: We know not. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.	Et respondentes dicunt Jesu : Nescimus. Et respondens Jesus ait illis : Neque ego dico vobis in qua potestate hæc faciam.	και αποκριθεντες λεγουσιν τω ιησου ουκ οιδαμεν και ο ιησους αποκριθεις λεγει αυτοις ουδε εγω λεγω υμιν εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιω

27. And they come again to Jerusalem: and as He was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the Scribes, and the elders,
28. And say to him, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority to do these things?
29. And Jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Answer me.
31. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?
32. But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people; for all men committed John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33. And they answered and said to Jesus, we cannot tell. And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

THEOPHYL. They were angry with the Lord, for having cast out of the temple those who had made it a place of merchandise, and therefore they come up to Him, to question and tempt Him. Wherefore it is said: And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the Chief Priests, and the Scribes, and the elders, and say to him, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you authority to do these things? As if they had said, Who are you that do these things? Do you make yourself a doctor, and ordain yourself Chief Priest?

BEDE; And indeed, when they say, By what authority do you these things, they doubt its being the power of God, and wish it to be understood that what He did was the devil's work. When they add also, Who gave you this authority, they evidently deny that He is the Son of God, since they believe that He works miracles, not by His own but by another's power.

THEOPHYL. Further, they said this, thinking to bring Him to judgment, so that if He said, by mine own power, they might lay hold upon Him; but if He said, by the power of another, they might make the people leave Him, for they believed Him to be God. But the Lord asks them concerning John, not without a reason, nor in a sophistical way, but because John had borne witness of Him. Wherefore there follows: And Jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men answer me.

BEDE; The Lord might indeed have confuted the cavils of his tempters by a direct answer, but prudently puts them a question, that they might be condemned either by their silence or their speaking, which is evident from what is added, And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him? As if He had said, he whom you confess to have had his prophecy from heaven bore testimony of Me, and you have heard from him, by what authority I do these things.

It goes on: But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people. They saw then that whatever they answered, they should fall into a snare; fearing to be stoned, they feared still more the confession of the truth. Wherefore it goes on: And they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell.

PSEUDO-JEROME; They envied the Lamp, and were in the dark, wherefore it is said, I have ordained a lamp for my anointed; his enemies will I clothe with shame. There follows: And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

BEDE; As if He had said, I will not tell you what I know, since you will not confess what you know. Further, we must observe that knowledge is hidden from those who seek it, principally for two reasons, namely, when he who seeks for it either has not sufficient capacity to understand what he seeks for, or when through contempt for the truth, or some other reason, he is unworthy of having that for which he seeks opened to him.

Catena Aurea Mark 11

Christ with the Four Evangelists

Fra Bartolomeo

1516
Oil on canvas, 282 x 204 cm
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence

Saints Marcellinus & Peter, Martyrs

Saints Marcellinus & Peter, Martyrs
Optional Memorial
June 2nd

Saint Marcellinus and Saint Peter were martyred under Diocletian. Their names are included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003
Collect:
O God, who surround us with protection
through the glorious confession
of the Martyrs Saints Marcellinus and Peter,
grant that we may profit by imitating them
and be upheld by their prayer.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:4-10
But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Gospel Reading: John 17:11b-19
And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, which Thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Thy name, which Thou hast given Me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. As Thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.

Information: Sts. Marcellinus & Peter

Feast Day:	June 2
Died:	304 AD, Rome
Major Shrine:	Santi Marcellino e Pietro

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Marcellinus and St. Peter

Feast Day: June 02

These two saints were greatly honored and prayed to by the early Christians. The feast of these two martyrs was included in the Roman calendar of saints by Pope Vigilius in 555.

Marcellinus was a priest and Peter assisted Marcellinus in his ministry. Both very bravely practiced their Christian faith. They served the Christian community fearlessly and with great self-sacrifice even though they knew that their lives were in danger.

When Emperor Diocletian began punishing Christians for their faith, many Christians were killed. St. Marcellinus and Peter were also killed along with many others. They were beheaded.

But before they died, they were forced to dig their own graves. They were taken to a hidden spot, deep in the Silva Nigra forest, to do this difficult job.

Years later, their graves were discovered in that remote spot. Their executioner, the man who cut off their heads, asked for God's forgiveness and repented of the killings becoming a Christian himself.

He led devoted Christians to the remains, which were then buried in the catacomb of St. Tiberius. Pope Gregory IV sent the relics (or remains) to Frankfurt, Germany, in 827. He believed that the relics of these two saints would bring blessings to the Church in that nation.

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: June 02, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who surround us with protection through the glorious confession of the Martyrs Saints Marcellinus and Peter, grant that we may profit by imitating them and be upheld by their prayer. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Ordinary Time: June 2nd

Optional Memorial of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs

Old Calendar: Saints Marcellinus, Peter and Erasmus, bishop, martyrs; St. Blandina, martyr (Hist)

Peter and Marcellinus are two Roman martyrs who suffered under the Diocletian persecution, about the year 303; the first was an exorcist, the second a priest. Their cultus was so important that after peace was restored to the Church, Constantine built a basilica in their honor. Their names are mentioned in the Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I).

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Erasmus, a bishop in Asia Minor, who was martyred in Campania at about the same time. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Historically it is also the feast of St. Blandina, a slave in the second century, who had been taken into custody along with her master, also a Christian.

St. Marcellinus and St. Peter
Peter, an exorcist, was cast into prison at Rome, under the emperor Diocletian, by the judge Serenus, for confessing the Christian faith. He there set free Paulina, the daughter of Artemius, the keeper of the prison, from an evil spirit which tormented her. Upon this, Artemius and his wife and all their house, with their neighbors who had run together to see the strange thing, were converted to Jesus Christ. Peter therefore brought them to Marcellinus the priest, who baptized them all. When Serenus heard of it, he called Peter and Marcellinus before him, and sharply rebuked them, adding to his bitter words threats and terrors, unless they would deny Christ. Marcellinus answered him with Christian boldness, whereupon he caused him to be buffeted, separated him from Peter, and shut him up naked, in a prison strewn with broken glass, without either food or light. Peter also he confined. But when both of them were found to increase in faith and courage in their bonds, they were beheaded, unshaken in their testimony, and confessing Jesus Christ gloriously by their blood.

Excerpted from The Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger O.S.B.

Things to Do:

Read an excerpt about St. Peter from Sacred and Legendary Art.
St. Marcellinus and Peter are included in the Roman Martyrology, originally a written catalogue of those saints who shed their blood for Christ during the early centuries of pagan persecution. Local churches celebrated each martyr's "birthday" into heaven, assigning the day of their final victory over the world as their feastday in the liturgical calendar. When she triumphantly arose from the catacombs, the Church gradually introduced other great saints, who were not slain for their faith, into the Martyrology as she combined the recorded Acta of both east and west. An official book of the Roman liturgy, its pages contain the names of thousands of our most valiant Catholic heroes and heroines along with a very brief biographical sketch commemorating either their martyrdom or their most enduring accomplishments.

St. Erasmus
In Campania the bishop Erasmus was, under the empire of Diocletian and Maximian, beaten with clubs and whips loaded with lead, and afterwards plunged into resin, sulphur, melted lead, boiling pitch, wax, and oil. From all this he came forth whole and sound: which wonder converted many to believe in Christ. He was remanded to prison, and bound in iron fetters. But from these he was wondrously delivered by an angel. At last, being taken to Formi, Maximian caused him to be subjected to divers torments, being clad in a coat of red-hot brass, but the power of God made him more than a conqueror in all these things also. Afterwards, having converted many to the faith and confirmed them therein, he obtained the palm of a glorious martyrdom.

Excerpted from The Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger O.S.B.

He is invoked for intestinal diseases, for his legend asserts that he was tortured by winding his entrails round a windlass. He is also called St. Elmo, and the static electricity on boats, Saint Elmo's Fire, is named after him. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Patron: Abdominal pains; ammunition workers; appendicitis; birth pains; boatmen; childbirth; childhood intestinal disease; colic; danger at sea; explosives workers; intestinal disorders; mariners; navigators; ordinance workers; sailors; sea sickness; stomach diseases; storms; watermen; women in labor.

Symbols: Windlass or capstan wound with his intestines; ship; ravens bringing him bread; cauldron of molten lead; red-hot armour; three-pronged hook; cauldron of boiling pitch or resin.

St. Blandina
St. Blandina lived as a slave at Lyons, Gaul, in the 2nd century after Christ. She was one of the illustrious company of those martyred under the emperor Marcus Aurelius. She was apprehended together with her master, who was also a Christian. She endured every torment imaginable, to the extent that the tormentors confessed that they could not think of anything else to do to her. And to every question put to her, she gave the same answer: "I am a Christian, and we commit no wrong." Brought to the arena for fresh torments, Blandina was bound to a stake and wild beasts were released upon her but refused to harm her. She witnessed the podvigs (struggles) of all her fellows, and was the last to suffer martyrdom, by being placed on a red hot grate, enclosed in a net, and thrown before a wild steer, who tossed her into the air with his horns. In this manner the great martyr of Christ received her crown.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Jude 17,20-25

“Keep yourselves in the love of God.” (Jude 21)

That’s quite a tall order, isn’t it? How in the world are we supposed to keep ourselves in God’s love? Isn’t that more something God does for us?

Well, yes and no. It’s true that only God can sustain us. It’s true that we can’t earn God’s love or do anything to make him love us any more—or any less, for that matter. But Jude isn’t telling us to keep working hard to make sure that our Father still loves us. Instead, his words speak more directly to the way we use the precious gift of our memories. His words tell us to do all we can to keep the memory of God’s love for us alive so that we can continue to think and act in a way that honors the Lord.

Of course, we may experience some feelings of joy and happiness when we pray, but these feelings can fade, and difficult times can threaten our peace. And this is precisely where memory comes in. As we recall past events that proved God’s love for us—past times of prayer or situations where we’ve really felt God’s hand on us—we build up our database of trust and faith in him. Then, during those darker times when God feels a little more distant, we can draw upon this database to help us stay faithful to the Lord and to remain rooted in his love.

Throughout Scripture, God calls us to remember him and his love. He gave the Israelites the feast of Passover to remind them how he delivered them from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:14). And at the Last Supper, Jesus gave us the Eucharist and told us: “Do this in memory of me” so that we can remember and relive the miracle of his death and resurrection every day (Luke 22:19).

It is vital that we keep our memories clear and active so that we can stand on the truths of the Lord. Worshipping him at Mass and listening to him in personal prayer can do wonders in awakening the memory of God’s covenant with us. If we nourish our memories every day, we’ll find it easier to remain in God’s love, no matter what happens.

“Jesus, I trust in your mercy and love. Help me to remember you every day—you who are my Lord, my Savior, and my Friend!”

Psalm 63:2-6; Mark 11:27-33

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for June 2, 2012:

Parenting can be all-consuming. Periodically take time for activities that have nothing to do with your child – visit a friend, renew a hobby and, especially, reconnect with your spouse. You will feel refreshed and more responsive to your children

Vultus Christi

Immersed in Eternal and Unshakeable Love

By

Father Mark

on June 2, 2012 7:57 AM |

The Holy Father is continuing his series of catecheses on prayer during the weekly Wedneday audience. Last Wednesday, 30 May, the Holy Father gave the following address. The substitles in boldface are my own. How I wish that these catecheses on prayer were better known, read, and meditated!

Dear brothers and sisters,

The God of All Comfort

In these catecheses we are pondering prayer in the letters of St. Paul, and we are seeking to see Christian prayer as a true and personal encounter with God the Father, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit. In today's meeting, God's faithful "yes" enters into dialogue with believers' trustful "amen". I wish to emphasize this dynamic by considering the Second Letter to the Corinthians. St. Paul sends this impassioned letter to a Church that has repeatedly questioned his apostleship, and he opens his heart so that his hearers might be reassured of his fidelity to Christ and to the Gospel. This Second Letter to the Corinthians begins with one of the loftiest prayers of blessing contained in the New Testament. It reads: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Consolation and Comfort from God

Paul suffered great tribulation and had to pass through many difficulties and afflictions, but he never yielded to discouragement, for he was sustained by grace and by the nearness of the Lord Jesus Christ, for whom he had become an apostle by surrendering his entire life to Him. For this reason, Paul begins this Letter with a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving to God -- for there was never a moment in his life as an apostle of Christ that he felt the support of the merciful Father, of the God of all consolation, lessen. He suffered terribly -- he says it in this Letter -- but amidst all these situations, when a path forward didn't seem to open, he received consolation and comfort from God.

Interiorly Free, Even in Suffering

He also suffered persecutions to the point of being imprisoned for the sake of proclaiming Christ, but he always felt interiorly free, animated by the presence of Christ, and filled with desire to announce the Gospel's word of hope. Thus, from prison he writes to Timothy, his faithful coworker. In chains he writes: "The Word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory" (2 Timothy 2:9b-10). In his suffering for Christ, he experiences the consolation of God. He writes: "For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too" (2 Corinthians 1:5).

Live Every Situation in Union with Christ

In the prayer of blessing that introduces the Second Letter to the Corinthians, what prevails in addition to the theme of affliction is the theme of consolation, which should not be understood as simple comfort, but rather as encouragement and exhortation not to let oneself be conquered by tribulation and difficulties. The invitation is to live every situation in union with Christ, who takes all of the world's suffering and sin upon Himself in order to bring light, hope and redemption. And in this way, Jesus makes us capable of consoling those who are afflicted in any way. Profound union with Christ through prayer and faith in His presence leads to a readiness to share in the sufferings and afflictions of others. St. Paul writes: "Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized and I do not tremble?" (2 Corinthians 11:29). This 'sharing in' does not originate in benevolence, in human generosity or in a spirit of altruism; rather, it flows from the consolation of the Lord, from the unshakeable support of the "transcendent power that comes from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

In Difficulties, Misunderstandings, and Suffering

Dear brothers and sisters, our lives and our journey are often marked by difficulty, by misunderstandings, by suffering. We all know this to be true. In being faithful to our relationship with the Lord through constant, daily prayer we too are able to feel concretely the consolation that comes from God. And this strengthens our faith, because it makes us experience concretely God's "yes" to man, to us, to me, in Christ; it makes us feel the fidelity of His love, which extends even to the gift of His Son on the Cross. St. Paul affirms: "The Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not "yes" and "no"; but in Him it is always "yes". For all the promises of God find their "yes" in Him. That is why we utter the "amen" through Him, to the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 1:19-20). God's "yes" is not halfway; it does not vacillate between "yes" and "no"; rather, it is a simple and sure "yes". And we respond to this "yes" with our "yes", with our "amen" and it is in this way that we remain secure in God's "yes".

Faith Is A Gift of God

Faith is not primarily a human action; rather, it is a gratuitous gift of God rooted in His fidelity, in His "yes", which makes us understand how to live our lives by loving Him and our brothers and sisters. The whole of salvation history is a progressive self-revelation of the God's faithfulness despite our infidelity and our rejection, in the certainty that "the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable!" as the Apostle declares in the Letter to the Romans (11:29).

God Never Tires of Us

Dear brothers and sisters, God's way of acting - which is very different from our own - gives us consolation, strength and hope, because God does not take back His "yes". In the face of conflict in human relationships, even with members of our families, we are inclined not to persevere in gratuitous love, which requires commitment and sacrifice. God, on the other hand, never tires of us; He never tires of being patient with us, and with His immense mercy He always goes before us; He goes out to meet us first; His "yes" is entirely worthy of our trust. In the event of the Cross, He offers us the measure of His love, which neither calculates nor measures. In the Letter to Titus, St. Paul writes: "The goodness of God our Savior and His love for men has appeared" (Titus 3:4). And in order that that this "yes" might be renewed each day, "He has anointed us and has sealed us and given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:21b-22).

Sought and Summoned by Faithful Love

It is the Holy Spirit, in fact, who makes God's "yes" in Jesus Christ continually present and alive and it is He who creates in our hearts the desire to follow Him, in order to one day enter fully into His love, when in heaven we will receive a dwelling place not fashioned by human hands. There is no person who is not sought and summoned by this faithful love, a love that is capable of waiting even for those who continually respond with the "no" of rejection or with hardness of heart. God waits for us; He always seeks us out; He wills to receive us into communion with Himself in order to give each one of us fullness of life, of hope and of peace.

Amen

The Church's "amen," which resounds in every liturgical action, is grafted onto God's faithful "yes": "amen" is the response of faith that always concludes our personal and communal prayer, and that expresses our "yes" to God's initiative. In prayer, we often respond with our "amen" through habit, without grasping its profound meaning. This term comes from 'aman, which in Hebrew and Aramaic means "to make stable" to "strengthen" and, consequently, "to be certain", "to tell the truth".

Adherence to God

If we look to Sacred Scripture, we see that this "amen" is pronounced at the end of the Psalms of blessing and of praise, as in Psalm 41, for example: "You have upheld me by reason of my integrity: and have established me in Your sight forever. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel from eternity to eternity. Amen. Amen." (Verses 13-14). Or it expresses adherence to God, at the time when the People of Israel return full of joy from Babylonian exile and pronounce their "yes", their "amen" to God and to His Law. In the Book of Nehemiah, it is said that, after this return, "Ezra opened the book in the sight of all people, for he was above all the people; and when he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God; and all the people answered: 'Amen, amen," lifting up their hands (Nehemiah 8:5-6).

In the Apocalypse

From the beginning, therefore, the "amen" of the Jewish liturgy became the "amen" of the first Christian communities. And the book on the Christian liturgy par excellence is the Apocalypse of St. John, which begins with the Church's "amen": "To Him who loves us and who freed us from our sins by His blood, who made us a kingdom, priests for His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Apocalypse 1:5b-6). So it is in the first chapter of the Apocalypse. And the same Book concludes with the invocation: "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Apocalypse 22:21).

Prayer: An Encounter with a Living Person

Dear friends, prayer is an encounter with a living Person to whom we should listen and with whom we should converse; it is an encounter with God who renews His unshakeable faithfulness, His "yes" to man, and to each one of us, in order to give us His consolation in the midst of storms and to make us live a life united with Him, full of joy and goodness, that will find its fulfillment in life eternal.

Christ Saying "Yes" to the Father in Us

In our prayer we are called to say "yes" to God and to respond with the "amen" of adherence, of faithfulness to Him with our whole life. We can never attain to this fidelity by our own powers; it is not only the fruit of our daily commitment; it comes from God and is founded on the "yes" of Christ, who says: "my food is to do the will of the Father (cf. John 4:34). We must enter into this "yes", [we must] enter into this "yes" of Christ, in adherence to the will of God, in order that we might say with St. Paul that it is no longer we who live, but Christ himself who lives in us. Then the "amen" of our personal and communal prayer will envelop and transform the whole of our lives, into a life of consolation, a life immersed in eternal and unshakeable Love. Thank you.

Vultus Christi

Men Who Are Able to Help the Sick in Mind

By

Father Mark

on June 2, 2012 8:17 AM |

How I love to read the homilies of Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, at the Office of Matins, in the silent hours before daybreak. Today, Pope Benedict XVI is in Milan. This morning he spoke of Saint Ambrose of the other holy shepherds who have illustrated the Church of Milan through the ages. Here is part of the lesson from Saint Ambrose that was read yesterday morning at Matins. It is a commentary on Luke 5:17-26. The comments in italics are my own.

First of all, as I have said before,
every sick man ought to ask for prayers to be offered
for his recovery,
so that, by means of these prayers,
the weakened frame of our mortal life
and the limping steps of our bodily movements
may be made whole again
by the healing power of the celestial Word.

Weakened frame and limping steps: is there anyone who, at least at certain hours and in certain seasons of life, does not recognize himself in this description? Saint Ambrose says that the sick man ought to ask for prayers to be offered for his recovery. This simple statement confesses the Church's age-old belief that in answer to prayer it pleases God to restore wholeness to the shattered.

Therefore, there should be men who are able to help the sick in mind,
so that when the soul is depressed
by the torpor of bodily weakness
these men can rouse it again to higher things.

Here, Saint Ambrose recognizes that, within the Church, there is, in fact, a vocation to help the sick in mind.

By their aid the sick man can easily be brought and laid before Jesus,
and be found worthy of the Lord's glance.
For the Lord does look upon those that are lowly;
for He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden.
And when He saw their faith, He said unto them,
Man thy sins are forgiven thee.

It is a great and powerful thing to bring the sick before the gaze of the Lord Jesus, either in person or by representing them before His Eucharistic Face.

Great is the Lord, who for the merits of some, forgives others,
who tries some, and forgives the trespasses of others.
Why should not your fellow-Christian, O man,
have influence with you,
if he has the right to intercede and obtain mercy from God?

Through prayer, mere men can have influence on God. The humble man, then, will allow himself to be influenced for the good by those whom God Himself deigns to hear.

O thou who condemnest,
learn to forgive;
thou who art sick, to pray!
If the gravity of thy sins makes thee afraid
lest they should not be forgiven thee,
betake thyself to the Church.
She will pray on thy behalf,
and God will pardon, as He looks on her,
what He might deny thee.

The condemning man must learn to forgive. The sick man must learn to pray. All must entrust themselves to the efficacious prayer of the Church, for she is a merciful mother pleading for us, through Christ, in the presence of the Father of mercies and God of all consolation.

Saint Ambrose, Book Five, Commentary on the Gospel of Saint Luke

Regnum Christi

From Heaven or Earth?

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Saturday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time

Father John Doyle, LC

Mark 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the Temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me." They argued with one another, "If we say, ´From heaven,´ he will say, ´Why then did you not believe him?´ But shall we say, ´Of human origin´?” - they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

Introductory Prayer: Once again, Lord, I come to you to pray. Even though I cannot see you, I trust that you are present and want very much to instruct me in your teachings. In the same way you demonstrate your love for me by spending this time with me, I want to express my love for you by dedicating this time to you with a spirit of faith, confidence and attention. Here I am, Lord, to listen to you and respond with love.

Petition: Jesus, grant me true sincerity and uprightness of life.

1. The Day After: It was the day after Jesus had caused an uproar in the Temple at Jerusalem, the like of which had not been seen for a long time. Jesus had overturned the moneychangers’ tables and driven out the animals. Anyone else would surely have landed in prison, but this was Christ, and his hour had not yet come. Still the chief priests and scribes are looking for an explanation –– or better an excuse –– to accuse Jesus. He shrewdly answers their inquiry with a question that they cannot answer for fear of revealing their insincerity before the crowds. How this insincerity on the part of the scribes and Pharisees offended Our Lord! He would not speak to them plainly because their purpose was to twist his words. Do I detest insincerity as well? Do I find traces of dishonesty in my own life? Am I more concerned about what others think or about what Christ thinks?

2. Why Did You Not Believe in Him? Jesus did not say these words, but they knew he could have. Their troubled consciences were aware it would have been a fitting accusation. Why had they not believed in the precursor of the Lord? Was it not for the same reasons that they would not believe in the Lord himself? John the Baptist had called them on their insincerity. They went to receive his baptism of repentance, but they did not really mean to amend their lives. Would Jesus have to reproach me for any insincerity? Do I ever go to receive the sacrament of penance without a real desire to change my life? Or do I avoid confession altogether because I really don’t see anything in my behavior that needs to change?

3. We Do Not Know: This is certainly not the first or the last time that ignorance is pleaded to avoid the consequences of the truth, but this kind of ignorance is clearly culpable. The speakers were not uneducated men, but rather the leaders of God’s people, responsible for guiding them along the way of God’s covenant. While it was generally accepted that John the Baptist had been a great prophet who stirred sinners to repentance with his preaching and example of austerity, the Jewish authorities were unwilling to accept that anyone besides themselves could claim any authority in God’s name. Truly they did know, but they were unwilling to accept the truth. Do I ever lean on ignorance in plowing forward with some action that I’m not sure is quite right?

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, at times I know what your will for me is, but it costs me greatly to put it into practice. Sometimes I am too worried about what others think and say, or I am afraid of the consequences. Grant me a spirit of sincerity and strength always to accept and follow your will.

Resolution: I will arrive a little early to Mass tomorrow in order to spend a few quiet moments with Our Lord asking for the grace of always being sincere and upright in my actions.

First Reading: Jude 1:17, 20b-25

Psalm: Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6

Gospel: Mk 11:27-33

In today’s Gospel, Our Lord is interrogated by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders—the spiritual authorities of their people. They demand to know by what authority Jesus does the things he does. In all fairness, it is a key question. We have a right to know by what authority someone teaches us things or otherwise speaks authoritatively to us. By what authority does the legislature create laws? By what authority does the president enforce them? By what authority does the pope guide the Church in matters of faith and morals? Why should we listen to any of them?

In all cases, we should use our God-given reason, to the best of our ability, to arrive at the answer. That’s where the problem lies for those chief priests, scribes and elders questioning Jesus. They didn’t use their reason—if they had, it would have helped them understand who Jesus was. Instead they “put their fingers to the wind,” so to speak, basing their conclusions on what will make them the most popular. Is that the standard we use when weighing the truths presented to us by the Church today?

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, June 2, 2012 >>

Sts. Marcellinus & Peter
Saint of the Day

Jude 17, 20-25
View Readings

Psalm 63:2-6

Mark 11:27-33

IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS

"We do not know." —Mark 11:33

Jesus put the Pharisees on the spot. He asked them a question that exposed their hearts. They responded: "We do not know" (Mt 11:33). What they really meant was: "We will not know." They didn't want to know the truth if it was contrary to what they wanted. Instead of seeking knowledge, they were only interested in knowing how to play the situation to their advantage. Instead of learning more from Jesus, their refusal to learn prompted Jesus to withhold a crucial revelation from them (Mk 11:33).

St. Paul asked twelve Ephesian men a question that also exposed their hearts. They also responded that they did not know (see Acts 19:2). What they really meant was: "We do not know, but we want to know." Their honest admission of ignorance was accompanied by an honest desire to learn and grow closer to God. These men received the Spirit in power (Acts 19:6) and probably formed the backbone of the new church in Ephesus.

The next time the Lord God presents to you a question which exposes your ignorance, which "I don't know" will you say?

Prayer: Father, help me to "not continue in ignorance, but [to] try to discern" Your will (Eph 5:17).

Promise: "There is One Who can protect you from a fall and make you stand unblemished and exultant in the presence of His glory." —Jude 24

Praise: St. Marcellinus, a priest, and St. Peter, an exorcist, converted their jailer and his family. They were both beheaded and martyred for love of Jesus.