Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 11-15-15, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 11-15-15 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

November 15, 2015

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Dn 12:1-3

In those days, I Daniel,
heard this word of the Lord:
"At that time there shall arise
Michael, the great prince,
guardian of your people;
it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress
since nations began until that time.
At that time your people shall escape,
everyone who is found written in the book.

"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;
some shall live forever,
others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

"But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
and those who lead the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11

R. (1) You are my inheritance, O Lord!
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!

Reading 2 Heb 10:11-14, 18

Brothers and sisters:
Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.
But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering
he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.

Where there is forgiveness of these,
there is no longer offering for sin.

Alleluia Lk 21:36

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples:
"In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

[Salvation]

For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

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Alleluia Ping

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From: Daniel 12:1-3

The Resurrection of the Dead

---

[1] “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your peo-
ple. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was
a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one
whose name shall be found written in the book. [2] And many of those who sleep
in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame
and everlasting contempt. [3] And those who are wise shall shine like the bright-
ness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars
for ever and ever.

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Commentary:

12:1-4. The prophecy ends by announcing the deliverance of the people of God
through the mediation Michael, the angel protector of Israel. The names written in
the book symbolize those who are truly the people of God — those whom God re-
gards as his people because they have stayed faithful to him. There is no mention
now of the everlasting kingdom on earth that we heard of in 2:44 and 7:14, but
one presumes that there will be one, for those who were dead will rise, either to
have a share in that kingdom or else to suffer the punishment they deserve. The
new situation in which the good and the wicked find themselves will never change
again: it will he forever. Those who will shine brightest are those who knew and
taught the Law — those who “turn many to righteousness” (v. 3), not the martyrs.
The book of Daniel goes further than the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel went. They
spoke symbolically of a resurgence of the people in terms of a resurrection (cf.
Is 26:19; Ezek 37); in Daniel as in 2 Maccabees 7:14, 29 the resurrection is real,
not symbolic: “God reveals the resurrection of the dead to his people progress-
sively. Hope in the bodily resurrection of the dead established itself as a conse-
quence intrinsic to faith in God as creator of the whole man, soul and body. The
creator of heaven and earth is also the one who faithfully maintains his covenant
with Abraham and his posterity. It was in this double perspective that faith in the
resurrection came to be expressed” (”Catechism of the Catholic Church”, 992).

Moreover, Daniel proclaims the resurrection not only of martyrs (as happens in 2
Maccabees) but of all, for that is what the word “many” (v. 2) means. The Church,
too, in the light of Jesus’ teaching, believes that “all the dead will rise, ‘those who
have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the
resurrection of judgment’ (Jn 5:29; cf. Dan 12:2)” (ibid., 998).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

[Salvation]

From: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

Christ’s Offering of Himself Has Infinite Value (Continuation)

---

[11] And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sa-
crifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when Christ had offered for all
time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, [13] then to
wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. [14] For by a single of-
fering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

[18] Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

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

11-14. Teaching given elsewhere in the letter (8:5; 9:9-10, 12-13, 25; 10:14) is
now reiterated in order to show the universal efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice. Howe-
ver, here it is expounded by comparing the posture of the Old Testament priests
with that of Christ. They did in fact have to STAND in the presence of Yahweh,
offering victims repeatedly. Standing was the correct posture for servants and
employees. The reference is to Old Testament priests who repeatedly, every
day, went through the same motions and offered the same sacrifices. By con-
trast, Christ, as is stated in Psalm 110:1, after his Ascension is seated at the
right hand of God the Father (see notes on Mt 16:19 and Heb 1:3). In addition to
conveying the idea of repose and rest, being seated would be equivalent to recei-
ving royal investiture or to exercising authority (cf. Heb 7:26; 8:1); also, a king’s
chief minister or heir used to sit on the right of the king, as in a place of special
honor (cf. Mt 26:24; Mk 14: 62; Lk 26:69); and it might be pointed out that David
pitched his tent to the right of the tabernacle: cf. 2 Sam 7:18). What has hap-
pened is that by virtue of the efficacy of his single sacrifice, Christ has taken pos-
session of heaven for ever more and has merited royal dignity; all that remains to
happen, and it shall happen, is for all his enemies to submit to him (cf. 1 Cor 15:
25-28). So fruitful is his sacrifice that those who take part in it, “those who have
been sanctified”, are thereby perfected: they obtain forgiveness of sins, purity of
conscience, access to and union with God. In other words, the source of holi-
ness in men is the sacrifice of Calvary.

15-18. The last proof of the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of
sins is based on this passage of Jeremiah 31:33-34, already quoted in 8: 10-12.
The letter is insisting on the spiritual character of the New Covenant—ratified with
the blood of Christ—which is impressed on the hearts and minds of men. And it
is also emphasizing the effects of this Covenant—forgiveness of sins by God.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

[Salvation]

From: Mark 13:24-32

Signs of the End of the Word and the Coming of the Son of Man

---

(Jesus said to His disciples,) [24] “But in those days, after that tribulation, the
sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, [25] and the stars will
be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. [26] And
they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. [27]
And then He will send out the angels, and gather His elect from the four winds,
from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Time of the Destruction of Jerusalem

---

[28] “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender
and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. [29] So also, when you
see these things taking place you know that He is near, at the very gates. [30]
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take
place. [31] Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

[32] “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven,
nor the Son, but only the Father.”

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

24-25. It would seem that at the end of time even irrational creatures will shrink
before the Supreme Judge, Jesus Christ, coming in the majesty of His glory,
thus fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament (cf., e.g., Isaiah 13:10; 34:4;
Ezekiel 32:7). Some Fathers, such as St. Jerome (”Comm. in Matthew, in loc.”)
and St. John Chrysostom (”Hom. on St. Matthew”, 77) understand “the powers
in the heavens” to mean the angels, who will be in awe at these events. This in-
terpretation is supported by the liturgical use of describing the angels, taken to-
gether, as “virtutes caelorum” (cf. “Roman Missal”, Preface of Martyrs). But
many other commentators think the phrase, like the preceding words in the text,
could mean “cosmic forces” or “stars of the firmament”.

26-27. Christ here describes His Second Coming, at the end of time, as an-
nounced by the prophet Daniel (7:13). He discloses the deeper meaning of the
words of the ancient prophet: the “one like a Son of Man”, whom Daniel saw
and to whom “was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, na-
tions and languages should serve Him,” is Jesus Christ Himself, who will gather
the saints around Him.

28-30. As already pointed out in the note on Mark 13:4, Jesus’ disciples, follo-
wing the ideas current among Jews at the time, could not conceive the destruc-
tion of Jerusalem as separate from the end of the world; and, also, there is a
connection between the two events, in that the former is a prefigurement of the
latter. Our Lord answers His disciples in Mark 13:20 by saying that the destruc-
tion of Jerusalem will happen in the lifetime of their generation (as in fact oc-
curred in the year 70, at the hands of the Roman legions). For further explana-
tion of the ruin of Jerusalem as a figure of the end of the world, cf. note on Mat-
thew 24:32-35.

31. With this sentence our Lord adds a special solemnity to what He is saying:
all this will definitely come to pass.

God has only to speak and His words come true, only He who is Lord of the Uni-
verse has all existence in His power, and Jesus has received from the Father all
power over heaven and earth (cf. Matthew 11:27 and 28:18).

32. Referring to this verse, St. Augustine explains (”On the Psalms”, 36:1): “Our
Lord Jesus Christ was sent to be our Master, yet He declared that even the Son
of Man was ignorant of that day, because it was not part of His office as Master
to acquaint us with it.”

Regarding the knowledge Christ had during His life on earth, see the note on
Luke 2:52.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

[Salvation]

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman &Todd

Readings at Mass

---

First reading	Daniel 12:1-3 ©

‘At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who mounts guard over your people. There is going to be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace. The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.’

---

Psalm	Psalm 15:5,8-11 ©

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

  it is you yourself who are my prize.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

  since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

  even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

  nor let your beloved know decay.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

You will show me the path of life,

  the fullness of joy in your presence,

  at your right hand happiness for ever.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

---

Second reading

Hebrews 10:11-14,18 ©

All the priests stand at their duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking sins away. He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place forever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. When all sins have been forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings.

---

Gospel Acclamation	Mt24:42 44

Alleluia, alleluia!

Stay awake and stand ready,

because you do not know the hour

when the Son of Man is coming.

Alleluia!

Or	Lk21:36

Alleluia, alleluia!

Stay awake, praying at all times

for the strength to stand with confidence

before the Son of Man.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel	Mark 13:24-32 ©

Jesus said, ‘In those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven.

  ‘Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that he is near, at the very gates. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

  ‘But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.’

[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

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7 Powerful Ways to Pray for Christians Suffering in the Middle East

[Salvation]

Pray the rosary.

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[Salvation]

 

Jesus, High Priest

 

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

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

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

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

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

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

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

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

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

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

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

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

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

[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

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

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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

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

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

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

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

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

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

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St. Michael the Archangel

~ PRAYER ~

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

[Salvation]

From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:
"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"

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

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

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(For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." II Maccabees 12

 

November Devotion: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. As a reminder of our duty to pray for the suffering faithful in Purgatory, the Church has dedicated the month of November to the Holy Souls. The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

To Help the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

1. Have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered up for them.

2. Pray the Rosary and or the Chaplet of Divine Marcy for them, or both.

3. Pray the Stations of the Cross.

4. Offer up little sacrifices and fasting.

5. Spread devotion to them, so that others may pray for them.

6. Attend Eucharistic Adoration and pray for them.

7. Gain all the indulgences you can, and apply them to the Holy Souls

8. Visit to a Cemetery

 

Litany for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

The just shall be in everlasting remembrance; 

He shall not fear the evil hearing.

V. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of the faithful departed 

from every bond of sin, 

R. And by the help of Thy grace

may they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment, 

and to enjoy the happiness of eternal life. 

Because in Thy mercy are deposited the souls that departed 

in an inferior degree of grace,

Lord, have mercy.

Because their present suffering is greatest 

in the knowledge of the pain that their separation from Thee is causing Thee,

Lord, have mercy. 

Because of their present inability to add to Thy accidental glory, 

Lord, have mercy.

Not for our consolation, O Lord; 

not for their release from purgative pain, O God; 

but for Thy joy 

and the greater accidental honour of Thy throne, O Christ the King,

Lord, have mercy.

For the souls of our departed friends, relations and benefactors, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those of our family who have fallen asleep in Thy bosom, O Jesus, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who have gone to prepare our place,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

(For those who were our brothers [or sisters] in Religion,)

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For priests who were our spiritual directors,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For men or women who were our teachers in school,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who were our employers (or employees),

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who were our associates in daily toil,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For any soul whom we ever offended,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For our enemies now departed,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those souls who have none to pray for them,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those forgotten by their friends and kin,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those now suffering the most,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who have acquired the most merit,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For the souls next to be released from Purgatory,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who, while on earth, 

were most devoted to God the Holy Ghost, 

to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, 

to the holy Mother of God,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all deceased popes and prelates,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all deceased priests, seminarians and religious, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all our brethren in the Faith everywhere, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all our separated brethren who deeply loved Thee, 

and would have come into Thy household had they known the truth,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those souls who need, or in life asked, our prayers,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those, closer to Thee than we are, whose prayers we need,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

That those may be happy with Thee forever, 

who on earth were true exemplars of the Catholic Faith, 

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.

That those may be admitted to Thine unveiled Presence, 

who as far as we know never committed mortal sin,     

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be housed in glory, 

who lived always in recollection and prayer,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be given the celestial joy of beholding Thee, 

who lived lives of mortification and self-denial and penance,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be flooded with Thy love, 

who denied themselves even Thy favours of indulgence 

and who made the heroic act 

for the souls who had gone before them,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be drawn up to the Beatific Vision, 

who never put obstacles in the way of sanctifying grace 

and who ever drew closer in mystical union with Thee,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, 

R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. 

Let Us Pray 

Be mindful, O Lord, 

of Thy servants and handmaids, 

N. and N., 

who are gone before us 

with the sign of faith 

and repose in the sleep of grace.  

To these, O Lord, 

and to all who rest in Christ, 

grant, we beseech Thee, 

a place of refreshment, 

light and peace, 

through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen

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All Souls' Day [Catholic Caucus]
Why I Am Catholic: For Purgatory, Thank Heavens (Ecumenical)
Q and A: Why Pray for the Dead? [Ecumenical]
“….and Death is Gain” – A Meditation on the Christian View of Death [Catholic Caucus]
99 & 1/2 Won’t Do – A Meditation on Purgatory
The Month of November: Thoughts on the "Last Things"
To Trace All Souls Day....... Catholics)

November 2 -- All Souls Day
On November: All Souls and the "Permanent Things"
"From the Pastor" ALL SAINTS & ALL SOULS
Praying for the Dead [All Souls Day] (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
To Trace All Souls Day [Ecumenical]
All Souls Day [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Roots of All Souls Day
The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
During Month of Souls, Recall Mystic, St. Gertrude the Great
All Saints and All Souls

[Salvation]

November 2015

Pope's Intentions

Universal, Dialogue: That we may be open to personal encounter and dialogue with all, even those whose convictions differ from our own.

Evangelization, Pastors: That pastors of the Church, with profound love for their flocks, may accompany them and enliven their hope.

[Salvation]

Daily Gospel Commentary

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

Commentary of the day
Saint Ephrem (c.306-373), deacon in Syria, Doctor of the Church
Commentary on the Diatessaron, 18,15 ; SC 121 (trans. cf breviary 1st Thursday of Advent)

At an hour you do not know the Son of Man will come

To prevent his disciples from questioning him about the time of his coming Christ said: “Of that hour no one knows, neither the angels nor the Son” (Mt 24,36). It is not for you to know the days or the hour” (Acts 1,7). He hid the time from us so that we would be on the watch and so that each of us might think that the coming will happen in his own lifetime. If he had revealed when he was to come again, his coming would have been made pointless and the peoples and ages in which it will take place would no longer yearn for it. He said that he will come again, indeed, but he did not say exactly when. Hence, all generations and ages live in eager expectation of him.

The Lord pointed out the signs of his coming but we have no knowledge of when they will be completed. In many varied ways they have happened and passed away and are still happening. His last coming is, in fact, like his first: the just and the prophets longed for him, thinking that he was to appear in their day. So, today, each of the faithful wants to receive him in his own lifetime, and even more so in that Jesus did not reveal the day of his coming. His reason for this was so that no one might think that the Christ is subject to a law of time or a given hour, he who is lord over numbers and times.

[Salvation]

The coming of the Lord

Fr. Robert J. Wagner

The sun and moon go dark. Stars fall from the sky. The powers of heaven quake.

Jesus tells us that these signs will accompany His second coming. His description of the upheaval of the natural world reminds us of the events that were recorded at the moment Jesus died on Calvary: "The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised" (cf. Mt 27:51-52). In these two moments, the Crucifixion and the second coming, God's action disrupts our world. The grandeur of the world -- the sun, the stars, the clouds, the earth -- is rendered useless by the sanctifying work of Jesus.

Understandably, we are overcome with fear and awe when confronted with this imagery. Our desire is that the natural world remain calm and ordered, for that is when we are safe. But when we imagine the sun and moon darkened, stars falling from the sky and the heavens quaking, we understand just how powerful Our Lord is. He is the One through Whom all things came to be (cf. Jn 1:3), and everything, from the grain of sand on the seashore to the largest planet in the universe, is subject to Him.

The imagery that accompanies the second coming shocks us out of our everyday thoughts and actions, which is needed, for too easily we fall into stagnancy when thinking about meeting the Lord. Jesus spoke of His second coming two thousand years ago, and at this point in time, we have convinced ourselves that the Triumphant Lord is not going to appear to us any time soon. We take tomorrow for granted, despite the warning that He will arrive at an hour that no one knows.

How would life be different if we knew the Master was coming at any moment? No doubt, we would strive to be prepared to meet Him at all times. This is the attitude of the disciple of Christ, who is warned time and time again by Jesus not to slumber, but to be awake; the Bridegroom is coming.

This does not mean that we stop planning for tomorrow. We must continue to be active and organized Christians. What it does mean, however, is that we place an emphasis on the quality of our spiritual lives, that is, our relationship with the Triune God. For those of us who have allowed ourselves to fall into grave sin, we must seek God's mercy in the sacrament of penance, and then take efforts to avoid that temptation, whatever it is, in the future. In this way, we remain prepared.

In addition to confession, we must develop the practice of a daily examination of conscience, to set aside time each day to review how we have fared in our efforts to live as Christians. It is through this examination that we come to know the ways the evil one tempts us, and once we know them, we can pray for strength in those moments of temptation and plan our means of avoiding them. In this way, we prepare ourselves by maintaining souls that are clean and ready to receive Jesus.

Another means of preparing ourselves is prayer, for it is in prayer that we unite ourselves to Our Triune God, speaking to Him as well as listening to Him. It is in prayer that we grow to know and love God and find peace in His divine will for us. Without prayer, we are more prone to frustration when God's will is not aligned with ours. With prayer, we can more easily accept the triumphs and crosses of each day knowing they are part of the plan God has designed for us. This prayerful and peaceful approach allows us to remain prepared to encounter Jesus.

While the imagery of the second coming may seem frightening, we must remember that God is love. His desire is to take us to Himself when He comes in His glory. Thus, in this life, He offers us His grace and His forgiveness that we may be ready for greet Him, whenever He comes.

Fr. Wagner is Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde’s secretary.