December 16, 2013

Monday of the Third Week of Advent

When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe,
the spirit of God came upon him,
and he gave voice to his oracle:

The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of a man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:
How goodly are your tents, O Jacob;
your encampments, O Israel!
They are like gardens beside a stream,
like the cedars planted by the LORD.
His wells shall yield free-flowing waters,
he shall have the sea within reach;
His king shall rise higher,
and his royalty shall be exalted.

Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle:

The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled.
I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
and a staff shall rise from Israel.

Responsorial Psalm PS 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9

R. (4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Gospel Mt 21:23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area,
the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him
as he was teaching and said,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
And who gave you this authority?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me,
then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.
Where was John’s baptism from?
Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd,
for they all regard John as a prophet.”
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
He himself said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Interactive Saints for kids

St. Adelaide

Feast Day: December 16
Born: 931 :: Died: 999

St. Adelaide was born at Burgundy in France. She was the daughter of King Rudolf II of Upper Burgundy. When she was two years old she was promised in an arranged marriage as part of a peace agreement between Rudolf and Huge of Provence.

At the age of sixteen, this Burgundian princess was married to King Lothair of Italy. Then three years later, her husband died. His successor Berengarius poisoned him so he could be king.

To strengthen his position he tried to get Adelaide to be his wife but she absolutely refused. In anger, he treated her with great cruelty. He even locked her up in a castle on a lake.

Adelaide was saved when King Otto the Great of Germany defeated Berengarius. Although she was twenty years younger than he, Otto married the lovely Adelaide on Christmas Day.

When he took his new queen back home, the German people loved her at once. She was as gentle and gracious as she was pretty. God sent five children to the royal couple. They lived happily for twenty-two years.

When Otto died, Adelaide's oldest son became the ruler. This son, Otto the Second, was good, but acted too quickly without thinking. He turned against his own mother and she left the palace.

In her great sorrow, she went to the abbot, St. Majolus for help. He advised Otto of his mistake and Otto felt sorry for what he had done.

Adelaide met her son in Italy and the king begged her forgiveness. She in turn prayed for her son, sending offerings to the great shrine of St. Martin of Tours.

In her old age, St. Adelaide was asked to rule the country while her grandson Otto III was still a child.

Although she never became a nun, she started many monasteries and convents and worked to convert the Slavic people. All her life, this saintly empress had obeyed the advice of holy people.

She was always willing to forgive those who had hurt her. St. Addle of Cluny called her a "marvel of beauty and grace."

When Otto III was old enough, Adelaide retired to the convent of Selta near Cologne where she spent the rest of her days in prayer. She died on December 16, 999.

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 21
23.	And when he was come into the temple, there came to him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and ancients of the people, saying: By what authority dost thou these things? and who hath given thee this authority?	Et cum venisset in templum, accesserunt ad eum docentem principes sacerdotum, et seniores populi, dicentes : In qua potestate hæc facis ? et quis tibi dedit hanc potestatem ?	και ελθοντι αυτω εις το ιερον προσηλθον αυτω διδασκοντι οι αρχιερεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι του λαου λεγοντες εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιεις και τις σοι εδωκεν την εξουσιαν ταυτην
24.	Jesus answering, said to them: I also will ask you one word, which if you shall tell me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.	Respondens Jesus dixit eis : Interrogabo vos et ego unum sermonem : quem si dixeritis mihi, et ego vobis dicam in qua potestate hæc facio.	αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ερωτησω υμας καγω λογον ενα ον εαν ειπητε μοι καγω υμιν ερω εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιω
25.	The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? But they thought within themselves, saying:	Baptismus Joannis unde erat ? e cælo, an ex hominibus ? At illi cogitabant inter se, dicentes :	το βαπτισμα ιωαννου ποθεν ην εξ ουρανου η εξ ανθρωπων οι δε διελογιζοντο παρ εαυτοις λεγοντες εαν ειπωμεν εξ ουρανου ερει ημιν δια τι ουν ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω
26.	If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from men, we are afraid of the multitude: for all held John as a prophet.	Si dixerimus, e cælo, dicet nobis : Quare ergo non credidistis illi ? Si autem dixerimus, ex hominibus, timemus turbam : omnes enim habebant Joannem sicut prophetam.	εαν δε ειπωμεν εξ ανθρωπων φοβουμεθα τον οχλον παντες γαρ εχουσιν τον ιωαννην ως προφητην
27.	And answering Jesus, they said: We know not. He also said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.	Et respondentes Jesu, dixerunt : Nescimus. Ait illis et ipse : Nec ego dico vobis in qua potestate hæc facio.	και αποκριθεντες τω ιησου ειπον ουκ οιδαμεν εφη αυτοις και αυτος ουδε εγω λεγω υμιν εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιω

"εαν ειπωμεν εξ ουρανου ερει ημιν δια τι ουν ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω" begins verse 27 in the translations.

23. And when he was come into the temple, the Chief Priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority?
24. And Jesus answered and said to them, I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say to us, Why did you not then believe him?
26. But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
27. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

PSEUDO-CHRYS; The Priests were tormented with jealousy, because they had seen Christ entering the Temple in great glory. And not being able to master the fire of jealousy which burnt in their breasts, they break forth in speech.

CHRYS; Forasmuch as they could not detract from His miracles, they bring matter of blame from His forbidding to sell in the Temple. As though they had said, Have you assumed the seat of authority? Have you been anointed Priest, that you exert this power?

PSEUDO-CHRYS; By that they add, Or who gave you this authority? they show that there be many persons who give power to men, whether corporal or spiritual! as though they had said, you art not come of a priestly family; the Senate has not conferred on you this power, neither has Caesar granted it. But had they believed that all power is from God, they would never have asked, Who gave you this authority? For every man judges of others by himself. The fornicator thinks that none are chaste; the chaste does not readily suspect any of fornication; he who is not a Priest of God, thinks no man's Priesthood to be of God.

JEROME; Or in these words they urge the same cavil as above, when they said, He casts out demons through Beelzebub the Prince of the demons. For when they say, By what authority do you these things? they doubt concerning the power of God, and would have it understood that the things He does are of the Devil. But when they add, Who gave you this authority? they most clearly deny the Son of God whom they suppose to work miracles, not by His own, but by others' strength. The Lord could have confuted the calumny of His tempters by a simple answer, but He put a question to them of such skillful contrivance, that they must be condemned either by their silence or their knowledge; Jesus answered and said to them, I also will ask you one question.

PSEUDO-CHRYS; Not that they should answer it, and thereupon hear of Christ the answer to their question, but that being puzzled they should ask Him no farther; according to that precept He had given above, Give not that which is holy to the dogs. For even if He had told them, it would have profited nothing, because the darkened will cannot perceive the things that are of the light. For him that inquires we ought to instruct, but him that tempts, to overthrow by a stroke of reasoning, but not to publish to him the power of the mystery. The Lord thus sets before them in His question a dilemma; and that they might not escape Him, says, Which if you tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. His question is this; The baptism of John whence was it? from heaven, or of men?

AUG; John received his authority to baptize from Him, whom he afterwards baptized; and that baptism which was committed to him is here called the baptism of John. He alone received such a gift; no righteous man before or after him was entrusted with a baptism to be called from himself. For John came to baptize in the water of repentance, to prepare the way for the Lord, not to give inward cleansing, which mere man cannot do.

JEROME; What the Priests revolved in their malice is shown when he adds, But they reasoned with themselves. For had they replied that it was from heaven, the question was inevitable, Why then were you not baptized by John? But should they reply that it was an invention of human device, and had in it nothing divine, they feared a tumult among the people.

For all the assembled multitudes had received John's baptism, and held him accordingly for a Prophet. This godless party therefore make answer, and by a seeming humility of speech confessing that they know not, turned to hide their insidious designs. And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. In saying that they knew not, they lied; and it might have followed upon their answering thus, that the Lord also should say, I know not; but truth cannot lie, and therefore it follows, And he said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. This shows that they knew, but would not answer, and that He also knew, but would not answer, because they would not speak what they knew.

ORIGEN; But some one will say in opposition to this, that it was absurd to ask by what authority Jesus did these things. For that it could not be that He would answer, that He did these by the Devil's authority; and He would not tell them as it truly was, that He did them by His own power. If it should be said, that the rulers put this question to Him in order to deter Him from His proceedings; as when we say to one who is dealing with what is ours in a way which we do not like, we say to him, Who bade you do this? meaning to deter him from what he is so doing; - if it is to be taken so, what means Christ's answer, Do you tell Me this, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Perhaps therefore, the place should be understood as follows.

There are in the general two opposite powers, one on the side of God, the other on the side of the Devil; but of particular powers there are many; for it was not one and the same power that wrought in all the Prophets to enable them to do miracles, but one in these, another in those; and, it may be, for lesser things a lesser power, for greater things a greater power. The Chief Priests had seen Jesus working many miracles, whereupon they desired to know the special degree and properties of that power which wrought in Him. For others who have wrought miracles wrought them at first in one power, and afterwards when more advanced in another and greater power; but the Savior wrought all in one power, that which He received of the Father. But because they were not worthy to hear such mysteries, therefore He gives them no answer, but on the contrary put a question to them.

RABAN; There are two reasons why the knowledge of truth should be kept back from those who ask; either when he who asks is unfit to receive, or from his hatred or contempt of the truth is unworthy to have that which he asks opened to him.

Catena Aurea Matthew 21

Daily Readings for:December 16, 2013
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Incline a merciful ear to our cry, we pray, O Lord, and, casting light on the darkness of our hearts, visit us with the grace of your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o Chiresaye (Cherry Pudding Decorated with Flowers)

ACTIVITIES

o Advent and the Year of the Eucharist

o Christmas Plays, Los Pastores and Las Posadas

o Las Posadas II

o O Antiphon Days

o Posters for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany

PRAYERS

o Advent Wreath Prayers I

o Christmas Novena

o Advent Wreath Prayers II

o Novena to the Infant Jesus

o Roman Ritual Blessing Before and After Meals: Advent (2nd Plan)

o Christmas Novena - December 16 - 24

o Christmas Anticipation Prayer

· Advent: December 16th

· Monday of the Third Week of Advent

Old Calendar: St. Eusebius, bishop and martyr; St. Adelaide, queen of Italy (Hist)

We are the blind offspring of the children of pitiful Eve
Bringing with us the shadows born of an age-old error.
But when God deigned to assume the mortal form
Of a human nature, then came forth from the Virgin
A world of salvation.... Carmen 4, Sedulius

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Eusebius which is celebrated in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite on August 2. Historically it is also the feast of St. Adelaide, daughter of the king of Burgundy. Throughout her life she received strong suport from the abbots of Cluny, with whom she was on terms of close friendship.

Jesse Tree ~ John the Baptist

St. Adelaide
St. Adelaide was a truly remarkable woman. She was the daughter of the king of Burgundy, and was married to the son of the ruler of Provence as a means of ending a feud. When her husband was murdered by a rival prince, she was shut up in captivity until freed by Otto I, who became Holy Roman Emperor and Adelaide, his Empress. She ruled with her husband until his death, at which time her jealous daughter-in-law had her banished from the court twice! Yet she remained steadfast and faithful, known for her liberality in giving and her piety; and eventually she was restored to court as the regent for her grandson Otto III. She was active in the reforms of the great abbey at Cluny, and reposed in 999. Despite her exalted status, she was a wife and mother, and lived both hard times and good, always faithful to her Lord, and always ready to give generously to those in need. She never took revenge on her political enemies once she gained the regency and it was said that her court was much like a monastery itself in its piety. She is a reminder to me that regardless of how much or how little I may have, my work remains the same.

Excerpted from Panagia Icons

Patron:

Things to Do:

Read more about St. Adelaide here and here.

Today is Day One of the Christmas Novena

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 21:23-27

3rd Week of Advent

Who gave you this authority? (Matthew 21:23)

Have you ever seen people wearing dark glasses when there is no bright sunlight? It makes you wonder about their motivation. Perhaps they want to be able to look into other people’s eyes without being seen themselves. Or perhaps they think it’s “cool.” In any case, they surely can’t be seeing what you’re seeing. Because they see only a bland version of reality, they are missing out on much of the beauty in God’s creation.

Those unfortunate people are like the Pharisees who asked Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things?” (Matthew 21:22). They just couldn’t seem to see God at work in him. He wasn’t one of the “established” teachers, and he talked too much about loving the poor. He made outrageous claims about God being merciful to everyone and expected the people to be just as forgiving. So although Jesus’ question about John’s baptism challenged them, they weren’t about to lose any credibility in front of this upstart!

There are times when we can become blinded to Jesus’ authority—and to the authority he has given us. We don’t necessarily question his awesome power. We’re just not sure he’ll use us to demonstrate it. We may have an “inner Pharisee” who tells us, “Keep your faith to yourself” or “You’re too sinful to be a good example.” But if we focus too much on ourselves or what others think about us, we will become reluctant to step out and take a risk.

But Jesus needs our witness. The world needs the living testimony of people who go about “doing the stuff” of Christianity with joy, peace, and confidence. It may be hard to believe, but you can become one of those people. It may not happen overnight, but it can happen over time.

Start today. Look for one situation where you can inject a sense of hope. Even if all you do is tell someone in a rough situation that you will pray for him or her, you are opening a door for the Lord to work. Step by step, you’ll gain more confidence in God’s grace—and in his ability to work wonders through you.

“Lord, open my eyes to authority you’ve given me as your child: authority to speak and act boldly in your name. Give me the courage to proclaim your truth and love.”

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17; Psalm 25:4-9

Vultus Christi

Sic in sancto apparui tibi

Monday, 16 December 2013 20:59

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Silence of the Sacred Host, pervade me.

Hiddenness of the Sacred Host, envelop me.

Humility of the Sacred Host, shield me.

Poverty of the Sacred Host, be all to me.

Purity of the Sacred Host, cleanse me.

Radiance of the Sacred Host, illumine me.

Countenance hidden in the Sacred Host, reveal thyself to me.

O Sacred Host, living Flesh and Blood of the Immolated Lamb,
I adore Thee.

O Sacred Host, living Flesh and Blood of the Immolated Lamb,
I offer Thee to the Father.

O Sacred Host, living Flesh and Blood of the Immolated Lamb,
I beseech Thee to unite me to Thyself now and at the hour.

Vultus Christi

Vita vestra est abscondita cum Christo in Deo

Monday, 16 December 2013 21:29

Some are called not to much speaking,
nor to conversations about the Church,
but, rather, to a deep silence
and to a life hidden in the heart of the Church,
far from wrangling tongues, from speculations, and discord.

These souls Our Lord calls to be silent
so as to be like Him in the Sacrament of His Love.
These He calls to hide themselves
even as He is hidden in His tabernacles.

This is the essence of a Eucharistic monastic life:
not to be seen, but to remain hidden;
not to speak much, but to enter into the silence of the Host.

It is enough that He sees such souls.
It is enough that they can converse with Him at any time, freely and spontaneously pouring their hearts into His Heart.

Seeking silence, such souls will find the Word.
Seeking hiddenness, they will shine with the splendour of His Face.

Regnum Christi

My Present for Jesus? A Heart Filled with Love

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Monday of the Third Week of Advent

Father James Swanson, LC

Matthew 21:23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you, but not just with the assent of my mind. Since I believe in you, I commit my whole life into your loving hands. I know that you cannot deceive me or let me down, because you are goodness and mercy itself. I humbly offer you my love. Though I know it is so weak, I am certain, nevertheless, that my desire to love you more is pleasing to you.

Petition: Lord, help me to grow in my faith.

1. A Faith That Manifests Itself in Deeds: We are preparing for the coming of Jesus. Where does he come from? What is his origin? Like the Pharisees, many people today try to dodge this uncomfortable question. If we asked them right out, “Do you believe?” They might very well say, “Yes.” But their lives tell another story. They don’t do anything, or at best, they do the minimum to follow Jesus. If Jesus were only a human being, it would be fine to follow him half-heartedly, accommodating what he taught in order to make it more suitable to ourselves. But if he is really sent by God, then none of us has the authority to change or water down anything he taught. Our lives should be a clear reflection of everything Jesus taught, insofar as we know his teachings and are capable of putting them into practice. Is that what my life shows? Does it clearly witness to my belief that Jesus is from heaven—that he was sent by God?

2. A Faith That Comes From the Heart: The way the Pharisees followed the Law seemed to be faultless, or at least it seemed much closer to being faultless than the lives of the other Jews. The Pharisees even went so far as to add many rules of their own to make sure they never even came close to breaking the rules God gave the Jewish People. It would seem that their lives did give testimony to their firm belief in the Messiah. Yet, when the Messiah appeared, they missed out. They didn’t recognize him. What happened? While their lives gave testimony to their beliefs, their hearts were not filled with the necessary love for God. They were unable to recognize the Messiah; rather, they were filled with self-love. They did the right things for the wrong reasons — selfishness, or seeking the esteem of others. In short, they had the wrong attitude. Is this my kind of Christianity? Do I act “correctly,” but out of selfishness or some other unworthy motive?

3. A Faith That Grows Stronger at Mary’s Side: To prepare well for Christ’s coming I would do well to ask Mary for her help. She prepared herself for nine months for the first coming of Jesus, and she did an excellent job. She can help me. If I haven’t asked her for her help yet this Advent, there is still time to do so.

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I am sorry for the poor way I put my faith into practice. I am even sorrier that when I do act in accordance with your teachings, all too often my attitude is wrong. I don’t practice your teachings according to love for you, but according to my selfishness, concern for the approval of others or comfort. Help me to correct my attitude; help me to live with more love each day; help me to imitate more closely the way of life you taught me by your words and example.

Resolution: I will examine my attitudes to see if my actions really do speak of love for Christ, or if my own interests are ruling my life. Then, during the day I will choose something that is hard for me and try to do it well and out of love for Jesus Christ

May we not be swayed

by Food For Thought on December 16, 2013 ·

At first glance, it may seem that Jesus managed to give a non-reply to the query of the chief priests. There seems to be some debate as to whether John the Baptist’s authority came from heaven or was merely a human act. The teachers of the law found themselves in a quandary.

They couldn’t agree if John’s mission was divine or if he was just another aspiring messiah. They didn’t know which to believe. That’s why Jesus was not obliged to answer them because they couldn’t come to a final answer for themselves.

Sometimes, it’s more convenient to take the stance of the learned. We fail to see the blessings from above. Or we don’t notice the nobility in serving one another. We’d rather not determine for ourselves which is which.

Choosing a final answer means we have to decide. If what Jesus does for us is sourced from heaven itself, we should journey onwards with more hope and fervour in our hearts. If his actions are just of a human nature, how can we not imitate these examples of caring and concern for others? Yes, we are challenged to stand by our answers.

Let us continue to pray for guidance and direction. May we not be swayed to sit on the fence, rather we must believe in the answers we give. As long as we look towards heaven, our earthly service will have a deeper meaning for all of us concerned.

One Bread One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 1

<< Monday, December 16, 2013 >>

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17
View Readings

Psalm 25:4-9

Matthew 21:23-27
Similar Reflections

THE $64,000 QUESTION

"Jesus answered: 'I too will ask a question. If you answer it for Me, then I will tell you on what authority I do the things I do. What was the origin of John's baptism?' " —Matthew 21:24-25

The religious leaders of Jesus' time refused to accept John the Baptizer's invitation to repent. About three years later, Jesus challenged them. He would not answer their question until they answered His question about John's baptism.

Perhaps three (or thirty-three) Christmases ago, we may have refused the invitation to repent. We thought Jesus would eventually go on to another subject, but He didn't. We can try to change the subject, but it won't do any good. Jesus insists we repent. He does not want us to live in sin and go to hell. He does not want His blood shed in vain.

Repent. Go to Confession. If we don't do it now, Jesus will bring it up again and again, even on our deathbeds. If we answer His question on repentance, then Jesus will answer our questions. We'll experience His authority and power (Mt 21:23). We'll enter a new dimension of faith and life. If we only knew what we were missing by not repenting...

Prayer: Jesus, may I make one of the best confessions of my life in the next few days.

Promise: "A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel." —Nm 24:17

Praise: Anna's doctor said she couldn't have children. She prayed through each pregnancy and has three healthy children.

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Meditation: Matthew 21:23-27

Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

May we not be swayed

One Bread, One Body

THE $64,000 QUESTION