[Salvation]

Ordinary Time: October 26th

Monday of the Thirtieth Week of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

October 26, 2015 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Almighty ever-living God, increase our faith, hope and charity, and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise. 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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Recipes (2)

• Lasagne (Easy)
• Old-Fashioned Cherry Tart

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Activities (1)

• Fatima and the Popes

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Prayers (1)

• Prayer for the Pope

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Library (1)

• Popes Through the Ages | Joseph Brusher

Catholic Culture

Old Calendar: St. Evaristus, pope and martyr

"This is a Saint who strove for the truth, even unto death, and feared not the words of sinful men, forasmuch as he was founded upon a sure foundation." — Antiphon for Vespers

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Evaristus, one of the first popes and the successor of St. Clement. Pope Evaristus governed the Church from 97 to about 107. He was buried at the Vatican.

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St. Evaristus
The episcopate of Evaristus began in the third year of Emperor Trajan's reign. Sources refer to him as a Greek from Antioch, the son of a Jew named Juda from Bethlehem. The exact length of his reign has been disputed by historians, as have been the authenticity of his letters and decretals; however, early scholars credit Evaristus with dividing Rome into specific parishes and with ordaining fifteen bishops, seven priests, and two deacons. Lack of historical evidence for these acts, though, would make them questionable.

In his first epistle addressed to the bishops of Africa, Evaristus decreed that seven deacons were to monitor a bishop's preaching, to ensure that he did not lapse from the true teachings. Evaristus did not wish to see undue accusations aimed at his bishops, yet reserved solely to the See of Rome the power to terminate any bishop as a result of this indiscretion. His second epistle drew a comparison between the lasting bond of husband and wife and that of a bishop and his diocese. Fragments of certain documents bearing his name have been proved to be forgeries, and therefore the validity of his epistles is doubtful. Evaristus did, however, live long enough to see the beginning of the Antonine dynasty.

According to Church tradition, he died a martyr and was buried near St. Peter on the Vatican Hill, but again, there is no reliable evidence to support this.

—Excerpted from The Popes: A Papal History, J.V. Bartlett

[Salvation]

Meditation: Romans 8:12-17

30th Week in Ordinary Time

You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ”Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15)

Hang on a second. The opposites of slavery and fear are freedom and courage; so shouldn’t Paul be saying we receive those spirits instead of a “spirit of adoption”? He starts off today’s reading talking about bondage to sin and goes on to warn against letting that take a hold of us and drag us into fear. What does adoption have to do with any of that?

Everything! Our freedom from slavery doesn’t come from our hard work. The chains of sin are too strong for us to break on our own. Likewise, our courage doesn’t come from an excess of grit and determination, as if we could banish fear simply by wishing it away. Both of these blessings come from our identity in the Lord. We know that we belong to him, and that knowledge sets us free and encourages us. So it’s totally appropriate to contrast adoption with slavery and fear.

You have probably seen a child stumble or be startled by an intimidating new encounter with a stranger or a barking dog. Instinctively, that child will call out for his or her parents. This is the kind of instinct that the Holy Spirit places in our hearts. Paul talks about how the Spirit within us is the One who remembers that our Father will listen to us. So if you are attentive to the Spirit, you’ll remember to call out to God for help whenever you feel threatened, weary, or scared.

With a Father who is the Creator of the universe, a brother who is the Savior of all people, and a spiritual family that is spread throughout the world, you are in a good place to face up to fear! Of course, knowing these things doesn’t make fear instantly disappear. But the Holy Spirit is in you, reminding you of your status as God’s son or daughter. Remember to tune in to the witness of the Spirit, so that every day you can become more deeply aware of your adoption—and more free and courageous as a result.

“Holy Spirit, thank you for calling me a child of God! Remind me today to live with the confidence and freedom of one adopted into his family.”

Psalm 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21
Luke 13:10-17