Saturday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Poem “ Vivo sin vivir en mí ” (©Institute of Carmelite studies)

"She has contributed all "

I live without living in myself,
And in such a way, I hope,
I die because I do not die.

Since I die of love,
Living apart from love,
I live now in the Lord,
Who has desired me for himself.
He inscribed on my heart
When I gave it to him:
I die because I do not die...

Ah, how bitter a life
When the Lord is not enjoyed!
While love is sweet,
Long awaiting is not.
O God, take away this burden
Heavier than steel,
I die because I do not die.

Only with that surety
I will die, do I live,
Because in dying
My hope in living is assured.
Death, bringing life,
Do not tarry; I await you,
I die because I do not die.

See how love is strong (Sg 8,6).
Life, do not trouble me.
See how all that remains
Is in losing you to gain.
Come now, sweet death,
Come, dying, swiftly.
I die because I do not die.

That life from above,
That is true life,
Until this life dies,
Life is not enjoyed.
Death, be not aloof;
in dying first, may life be,
I die because I do not die.

Life, what can I give
To my God living in me,
If not to lose you,
Thus to merit him?
In dying I want to reach
Him alone whom I seek:
I die because I do not die.

Saint Norbert, Bishop

Saint Norbert, Bishop
Optional Memorial
June 6th

Saint Norbert
Marten Pepijn
1637
Oil on panel
O.-L. Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp

Saint Norbert was born in Xanten, in what is now Germany, he turned from a worldly life, became a monk and an itinerant preacher, and later founded the Premonstratensians. Through his example and preaching, he worked very hard to implant the religious and moral reforms of Pope Gregory VII. He died Archbishop of Magdeburg.

Collect:
Father,
O God, who made the Bishop Saint Norbert
a servant of your Church
outstanding in his prayer and pastoral zeal,
grant, we ask, that by the help of his intercession,
the flock of the faithful
may always find shepherds after your own heart
and be fed in the pastures of salvation.
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: Ezekiel 34:11-16
"For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the fountains, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I Myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice.

Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-33
Now great multitudes accompanied Him; and He turned and said to them, "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple".

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Norbert

Feast Day: June 06
Born: (around) 1080 :: Died: 1134

Norbert was born in Germany. He was a good child and teenager. Then at the court of Emperor Henry V, Norbert spent all his time making merry and having fun. He only wanted high positions in the court. He was always the first to arrive at parties and celebrations. He was very happy with "the good life."

One day, however, his horse was frightened by a flash of lightning and bolted. Norbert was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious. When he woke, he began to think seriously about the way he was wasting his life.

Suddenly, God felt very near. Norbert realized that the Lord was offering him the grace to change for the better. He then decided to take life more seriously and went back to the idea he had once had many years before. He had wanted to become a priest. So he studied to become a priest and was ordained to the priesthood in 1115.

Father Norbert worked hard to make others turn from their worldly ways. He gave a good example by selling all that he had and gave the money to the poor. St. Norbert started a congregation to teach people about the faith.

They began their religious life with thirteen brothers and lived in the valley of Premontre. That is why they are called Premonstratensians. They are also called Norbertines, after their founder and they started a movement of change that spread all over Europe.

St. Norbert was made bishop of the city of Magdeburg. He entered the city wearing very poor clothes and no shoes. The porter at the door of the bishop's house did not know him and refused to let him in. He told him to go join the other beggars.

"But he is our new bishop!" shouted those who knew the saint. The porter was shocked and very sorry. "Never mind, dear brother," St. Norbert said kindly. "You judge me more correctly than those who brought me here."

St. Norbert had to defend the truth that Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist. His beautiful words about Our Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament brought the people back to their holy faith. He was charming and loved all men both great and small alike.

In March, 1133, he and his great friend, St. Bernard (whose feast is celebrated on August 20) walked in an unusual procession. They joined the emperor and his army to accompany the true pope, Innocent II, safely to the Vatican. St. Norbert died at Magdeburg in Germany in 1134.

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 12
38.	And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace,	Et dicebat eis in doctrina sua : Cavete a scribis, qui volunt in stolis ambulare, et salutari in foro,	και ελεγεν αυτοις εν τη διδαχη αυτου βλεπετε απο των γραμματεων των θελοντων εν στολαις περιπατειν και ασπασμους εν ταις αγοραις
39.	And to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers:	et in primis cathedris sedere in synagogis, et primos discubitus in cœnis :	και πρωτοκαθεδριας εν ταις συναγωγαις και πρωτοκλισιας εν τοις δειπνοις
40.	Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.	qui devorant domos viduarum sub obtentu prolixæ orationis : hi accipient prolixius judicium.	οι κατεσθιοντες τας οικιας των χηρων και προφασει μακρα προσευχομενοι ουτοι ληψονται περισσοτερον κριμα
41.	And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.	Et sedens Jesus contra gazophylacium, aspiciebat quomodo turba jactaret æs in gazophylacium, et multi divites jactabant multa.	και καθισας ο ιησους κατεναντι του γαζοφυλακιου εθεωρει πως ο οχλος βαλλει χαλκον εις το γαζοφυλακιον και πολλοι πλουσιοι εβαλλον πολλα
42.	And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.	Cum venisset autem vidua una pauper, misit duo minuta, quod est quadrans,	και ελθουσα μια χηρα πτωχη εβαλεν λεπτα δυο ο εστιν κοδραντης
43.	And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.	et convocans discipulos suos, ait illis : Amen dico vobis, quoniam vidua hæc pauper plus omnibus misit, qui miserunt in gazophylacium.	και προσκαλεσαμενος τους μαθητας αυτου λεγει αυτοις αμην λεγω υμιν οτι η χηρα αυτη η πτωχη πλειον παντων βεβληκεν των βαλλοντων εις το γαζοφυλακιον
44.	For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.	Omnes enim ex eo, quod abundabat illis, miserunt : hæc vero de penuria sua omnia quæ habuit misit totum victum suum.	παντες γαρ εκ του περισσευοντος αυτοις εβαλον αυτη δε εκ της υστερησεως αυτης παντα οσα ειχεν εβαλεν ολον τον βιον αυτης

38. And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39. And the chief seats in the Synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40. Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

PSEUDO-JEROME; After confuting the Scribes and Pharisees, He burns up as a fire their dry and withered examples; wherefore it is said, And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long clothing.

BEDE; To walk in long clothing is to go forth into public clad in garments too much ornamented, in which amongst other things, that rich man, who fared sumptuously every day, is said to have sinned.

THEOPHYL. But they used to walk in honorable garments because they wished to be highly esteemed for it, and in like manner they desired other things, which lead to glory. For it goes on: And love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts.

BEDE; We must observe that He does not forbid that those, to whom it falls by the rule of their office, should be saluted in the marketplace, or have chief seats and places at feasts, but He teaches that those who hove those things unduly, whether they have them or no, are to be avoided by the faithful as wicked men: that is, He blames the intention and not the office; although this too is culpable, that the very men who wish to be called masters of the synagogue in Moses' seat, should have to do with lawsuits in the marketplace. We are in two ways ordered to beware of those who are desirous of vain glory; first, we should not be seduced by their hypocrisy into thinking that what they do is good; nor secondly, should we be excited to imitate them, through a vain rejoicing in being praised for those virtues which they affect.

THEOPHYL. He also especially teaches the Apostles, not to have any communication with the scribes, but to imitate Christ Himself; and in ordaining them to be masters in the duties of life, He places others under them.

BEDE; But they do not only seek for praise from men, but also for gain. Wherefore there follows, Which devour widows' houses, under the pretense of long prayers. For there are men who pretending to be just hesitate not to receive money from persons who are troubled in conscience, as though they would be their advocates in the judgment. A hand stretched out to the poor is always an accompaniment to prayer, but these men pass the night in prayer, that they may take away money from the poor.

THEOPHYL. But the Scribes used to come to women, who were left without the protection of their husbands, as though they were their protectors; and by a pretense of prayer, a reverend exterior and hypocrisy, they used to deceive widows, and thus also devour the houses of the rich. it goes on, These shall receive a greater damnation, that is, than the other Jews, who sinned.

41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43. And he called to him his disciples, and said to them, Verily I say to you, That this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

BEDE; The Lord, who had warned them to avoid the desire of high place and vain glory, now distinguishes by a sure test those who brought in gifts. Wherefore it is said, And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury. In the Greek language, phylassein means to keep, and gaza is a Persian word for treasure; wherefore the word gazophylacium which is here used means a place where riches are kept, which name also was applied to the chest in which the offerings of the people were collected, for the necessary uses of the temple, and to the porch in which they were kept. You have a notice of the porch in the Gospel, These words spoke Jesus in the treasury as He taught in the temple; and of the chest in the book of Kings, But Jehoida the priest took a chest.

THEOPHYL. Now there was a praiseworthy custom amongst the Jews, that those who were able and willing should put something into the treasury, for the maintenance of the priests, the poor, and the widows; wherefore there is added, And many that were rich cast in much. But whilst many people were so engaged, a poor widow came up, and showed her love by offering money according to her ability; wherefore it is said, And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing

BEDE; Reckoners use the word 'quadrans' for the fourth part of anything, be it place, money, or time. Perhaps then in this place is meant the fourth part of a shekel, that is, five pence. It goes on, And he called to him his disciples, and said to them, Verily I say to you, That this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for God does not weigh the property but the conscience of those who offer; nor did He consider the smallness of the sum in her offering, but what was the store from which it came.

Wherefore He adds, For all they did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But in a mystical sense, they are rich, who bring forth from the treasure of their heart things new and old, which are the obscure and hidden things of Divine wisdom in both testaments; but who is the poor woman, if it be not I and those like me, who cast in what I can, and have the will to explain to you, where I have not the power. For God does not consider how much you hear, but what is the store from which it comes; but each at all events can bring his farthing, that is, a ready will, which is called a farthing, because it is accompanied by three things, that is, thought, word, and deed. And in that it is said that she cast in all her living, it is implied that all that the body wants is that by which it lives; wherefore it is said, All the labor of man is for his mouth.

THEOPHYL. Or else; That widow is the soul of man, which leaving Satan to which it had been joined, casts into the temple two mites, that is, the flesh and the mind, the flesh by abstinence, the mind by humility, that so it may be able to hear that it has cast away all its living, and has consecrated it, leaving nothing for the world of all that it possessed.

BEDE; Again, in an allegorical way, the rich men, who cast gifts into the treasury, point out the Jews puffed up with the righteousness of the law; the poor widow is the simplicity of the Church: poor indeed, because she has cast away the spirit of pride and of the desires of worldly things; and a widow, because Jesus her husband has suffered death for her. She casts two mites into the treasury, because she brings the love of God and of her neighbor, or the gifts of faith and prayer; which are looked upon as mites in their own insignificance, but measured by the merit of a devout intention are superior to all the proud works of the Jews. The Jew sends of his abundance into the treasury, because he presumes on his own righteousness; but the Church sends her whole living into God's treasury, because she understands that even her very living is not of her own desert, but of Divine grace.

Catena Aurea Mark 12

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Today's Reading: Luke 4:42-5:11

42 And when it was day he departed and went into a lonely place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them; 43 but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

1 While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, 7 they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Today's Commentary:

kingdom of God: A leading theme in the Gospels. It is mentioned more than 30 times in Luke.

The kingdom of Christ is closely connected with the ancient kingdom of David. For centuries David's empire lay in ruins, existing only in the minds of the prophets who foretold its glorious restoration by the Messiah (Is 9:6-7; Amos 9:11; Mk 11:10; Acts 1:6). Jesus now comes as the messianic heir to resurrect this fallen kingdom in a spiritual way, ruling from his throne at the Father's right hand (Mk 16:19; Acts 2:33-36). His everlasting reign in the heavenly Jerusalem thus fulfills God's covenant oath to establish David's throne for all time (1:32- 33; Ps 89:3-4). Like David, Christ appoints a cabinet of royal ministers (apostles) to manage the daily affairs of the kingdom (22:28-30; 2 Sam 8:15-18; 1 Kings 4:1-6). Even the international scope of Christ's kingdom was prefigured in the Davidic empire, which not only ruled over the tribes of Israel but extended its dominion over other nations as well.

According to Vatican II, the kingdom of God is mysteriously present in the Church, where Christ reigns as king and shepherds his people through the Magisterium (Lumen Gentium, 3). The kingdom will reach its full perfection in heaven.

Catholic Spiritual Direction.com

Grace (Like in Sap)

June 6, 2015 by Joseph Hollcraft

I still remember the opening tune to the popular Saturday morning show Land of the Lost. My favorite subject matter in grade school was the dinosaur age. I would often pass the time as a kid playing with my

little dinosaur figurines. We had a pond in our backyard with tadpoles, and I used to have the inanimate dinosaurs battle the live tadpoles in a game of surrender (the dinosaurs usually won). Imagine my excitement when, as a junior in high school, I saw the trailer for a movie that would bring the extinct creatures that preoccupied my childhood back to life.

After my initial excitement of seeing dinosaurs on the big screen waned, I had a lingering question in my mind: how would they bring the dinosaurs to life? The movie wasted no time in answering that question. Mosquitoes bit

dinosaurs, then flew and landed on sap trees. The tree sap encased the mosquitoes and the dinosaur blood within them. Archaeologists found the fossilized mosquitoes, extracted the dinosaur DNA, mixed it with frog DNA to fill in the genetic gaps, and bingo–“Dino DNA” (Jurassic Park).

After watching the movie a handful of times, I found myself almost as fascinated with sap as I was with dinosaurs. I even recall going to a library and reading up on sap before research was so immediate on the Internet.

Later in college, the image of sap again grabbed my attention. One of my Dominican professors correlated sap with grace. He said, “The gifts we receive at baptism are like sap.” He continued, “Grace itself contains within it this idea of a sticky like substance.” In other words, grace, unmerited, sticks to our soul. This Dominican professor offered up for me a palpable image to better understand grace.

I left the classroom that day mindful of another truth as it relates to sap and grace.

Sap contains within it, nutrients, water, and even hormones. Sap, then, carries within it, life-giving properties and the identity of its source–the tree. Even more so, grace carries within its substance life-giving properties and the identity of its source–God’s love. It is to say, the grace that envelops us in the life of the Church is the very life-giving substance that is the love of God. In grace, we receive God’s spiritual DNA.

This life-giving substance protrudes from God and the life of the Church in two forms:

* Sanctifying Grace: This grace, which is a gift from God, truly makes us holy—like God—we truly share in His very life.

* Actual Grace: This grace helps us to become like God in specific circumstances in our life. As all grace, it is the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond fully to His call (For a further distinction between these wonderful gifts of God to us, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], paragraphs 1996-2001).

We are to draw from the nutrients of grace in a life of constant prayer that we might bear its fruit—joy! The word for joy, chara, is derived from the same Greek root that belongs to grace, charis. Joy is the fragrance of God’s very substance of grace. To tease out further, the word enthusiasm comes from the Greek en-theos, “that bears a god within”. Enthusiastic joy is not some self-created happiness, but the sweet fragrance of God bursting forth.

We are to submerge ourselves in God’s grace (like in sap), allowing it to nourish us and give us life, bring us joy, and effect all that we touch in our journey of faith.

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for:June 06, 2015
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who made the Bishop Saint Norbert a servant of your Church outstanding in his prayer and pastoral zeal, grant, we ask, that by the help of his intercession, the flock of the faithful may always find shepherds after your own heart and be fed in the pastures of salvation. 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.

RECIPES

o Sour Beef

ACTIVITIES

o Considerations for Parents of Small Families

o What Your Child Needs

PRAYERS

o The Golden Sequence

o Means of Spiritual Renewal in the Family

o Novena to the Sacred Heart

LIBRARY

o Canons Regular Of Premontre (Norbertines: Premonstratensians: O. Praem.) | Helen Walker Homan

· Ordinary Time: June 6th

· Optional Memorial of St. Norbert, bishop

Old Calendar: St. Norbert

St. Norbert was born at Xanten near Cologne about the year 1080. As a young cleric he resided at the court of the Archbishop of Cologne and then at that of the emperor where he allowed himself to be influenced by the spirit of the world. But he was won back by grace; caught by a storm during a journey on horseback he made up his mind to take his clerical obligations seriously. After ordination to the priesthood he devoted himself to itinerant preaching.

In 1120, on the advice of the bishop of Laon, he settled in the forest of Voix, not far from Soissons at a place called Premontre, in order to found a community of regular Canons. In 1126 he was sent to what was then one of the outposts of Christendom for he was appointed archbishop of Magdeburg. He died in 1134.

St. Norbert
Although a cleric, Norbert led a very worldly life for a number of years. The decisive change took place suddenly in 1115. While riding one day, he was overtaken by a thunderstorm. A flash of lightning struck the ground before him, the horse threw him, and he seemed to hear a voice upbraiding him for his conduct.

As in the case of St. Paul, the experience wrought a complete transformation. Norbert decided to give away his property and income rights, and to lead a life of abnegation, devoting himself particularly to preaching. In 1120 he founded the Order of Premonstratensians (the first monastery was at Premontre) according to the rule of St. Augustine; approval came from Pope Honorius II in 1126.

In 1125, he was named archbishop of Magdeburg. On July 13, 1126, Norbert entered the city and came barefoot to the cathedral. About to enter the archepiscopal palace, he was refused admission by the porter, who failed to recognize a bishop so poorly dressed. "You know me better and see me with clearer eyes than those who are forcing me to this palace. Poor and wretched man that I am, I should never have been assigned to this place," Norbert answered when the porter later sought his pardon.

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

Patron: Bohemia, peace.

Things to Do:

Read the life of St. Norbert written by his first disciple, Hugh, who succeded him in the government of his order.
St. Norbert was called the “Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament”. Try making a holy hour today and pray to St. Norbert to help us to have a great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, too.
For those interested in liturgical music you can read about Norbertine Gregorian Chant. The order has its "own" chant.
Read this brief history and overview of the Norbertine Order.
Here is an excellent link to even more information about St. Norbert.
The Norbertine order has been around for 900 years. The Canons Regular of Prémontré, otherwise known as the Premonstratensians or the Norbertines, run the parish of Our Lady of England, Storrington. Learn more about their charism here.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 12:38-44

Saint Norbert, Bishop

She … has contributed all she had. (Mark 12:44)

It is said that behind every great man, there is a great woman. Although Jesus was more than just a great man, the Gospels are filled with examples of how he found solace, strength, and encouragement from women of deep faith. Martha’s sister, Mary, kept him company in the face of strong cultural pressure to keep busy in the kitchen. She later anointed him in a beautiful act of faith that refreshed his weary heart. A woman suffering from chronic hemorrhaging had such deep faith that she drew healing power from Jesus—as well as his assurance of salvation. There’s also the Syrophoenecian woman, whose humble tenacity inspired him, and Mary Magdalene, whose devotion and gratitude were manifested in financial support and in the courage to visit his tomb when everyone else remained behind closed doors.

Surely the poor widow in today’s Gospel reading belongs in this company of heroic, faith-filled women! Many rich people were giving large sums into the very public treasury receptacles in the Temple, but it was her paltry gift of just a few cents that drew Jesus’ admiration. It was all she had to live on, and yet she freely donated it to support this grand house of worship. In making this offering, she entrusted herself completely to God.

Watching this act of abandonment affected Jesus deeply enough for him to point her out to his disciples. Perhaps it moved him so much because he himself was standing on the precipice of his own final and complete offering to God: the cross. Perhaps, after a long day of disputing with Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, he found great comfort in the woman’s simple act of faith. Whatever the cause, this widow ministered to Jesus!

We too can inspire Jesus by our trust in God. We can bring joy to his heart by showing him courageous love today. So let’s give from our substance and not just our surplus. Let’s trust that he will meet our needs. Let’s try to engage our hearts a bit more when we pray, and let’s look for a new way to step out in faith as we face the day.

“Jesus, you once said that you had nowhere to lay your head. Here I am, Lord; let my heart become a resting place for you.”

Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20
(Psalm) Tobit 13:2, 6-8

Regnum Christi

A Great Contrast

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

June 6, 2015. Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

By Father Edward Hopkins, LC

Mark 12: 38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe in you, the goal of my life. To please you is worth more than any praise or recognition the world can give. I trust that you will always inspire my heart to love you in all I do. I wish only to forget myself in order to love you and those you send my way.

Petition: Lord Jesus, may I do all for the glory of your name!

A Scalpel to My Vanity: The scribes did everything right in the eyes of men. Jesus could see that it was all a facade. Their robes were for them to be noticed. People were to pay them tribute for being men of honor. Today that same vanity is still popular. What we wear, the car we drive and the titles or letters that follow our name seem to give us our self-worth. Yet, these men of means brought nothing but condemnation upon themselves. Their position of leadership and learning placed great responsibility upon them. However, far from the great good they could do for others, they used it to take advantage of others. What deeds do I have to show for any position or learning I have?

Eliminating My Egotism: For whom do I live? The scribes lived for themselves. If they taught, it was to impress others. If they gave, it was to build a reputation. If they prayed, it was to justify all that they stole from the poor. They were not evil men; they were ‘good guys’. But they were driven by self-love. It explained all they did. Even if they happened to do something just, its worth was empty, for they sought themselves.

Behold True Charity: Against the backdrop of so much show and empty parading, Jesus sees a bright act of virtue. He sees what no one else saw. He saw someone almost ignored by everyone. The authenticity of her gift was twofold. She gave quietly, without any thought of winning praise: her gift was for God alone. And what she gave appeared small but in fact was her all, everything she owned. Pure charity is done for God and involves the gift of our entire self. Unreserved offers of service, ever ready to love and serve, when, where and as I am asked, how rare these are! How do I give? Is my charity ever hidden? In what ways do I give my entire self to God?

Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord, free me from self-love that kills the value of my giving and assassinates my efforts to form virtue. Help me die to myself for love of others. May I never neglect anyone who needs my help. But keep my giving quiet, so that my only reward will be found in you for all eternity.

Resolution: I will do a hidden act of charity today.

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 4

<< Saturday, June 6, 2015 >>

St. Norbert

Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20
View Readings

Tobit 13:2, 6-8

Mark 12:38-44
Similar Reflections

YOUR PRACTICAL ACT OF FAITH

"It is better to give alms than to store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin." —Tobit 12:8-9

The archangel Raphael told Tobit and Tobiah that "almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin." This seems to be a strange teaching, for we believe that sin is expiated by Jesus' saving death and that we accept this expiation by our faith in Him. However, Jesus showed He accepted the reception of expiation through almsgiving when He said to the Pharisees: "If you give what you have as alms, all will be wiped clean for you" (Lk 11:41).

For Tobit and the Pharisees, almsgiving was not to be done in place of faith, but as an act of faith. The Pharisees "were avaricious men" (Lk 16:14). They laughed at Jesus when He taught we should be very generous in giving our money to the needy (Lk 16:14). For the Pharisees to give alms extensively, and in the right spirit, would take a great act of faith.

Tobit, while not as avaricious as the Pharisees, was also money-conscious. Before going blind, he had been a purchasing agent for the government (Tb 1:13). He was depressed because he had to depend on his wife's salary for his livelihood (see Tb 2:10-11), and he had a large "savings account" in Media (see Tb 4:1). For people like Tobit and the Pharisees, giving alms was a great act of faith by which they could receive expiation for all their sins. What is a great, practical act of faith for you?

Prayer: Father, give me the faith of the poor widow in today's Gospel reading.

Promise: "She gave from her want, all that she had to live on." —Mk 12:44

Praise: St. Norbert brought many back to faith in Jesus present as the Blessed Sacrament.

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