Posted on 11/20/2016 7:51:22 PM PST by Salvation
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From: Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
The Lamb and His Companions
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Commentary:
14:1-16:21 The book now turns to the Lamb and to divine judgment (anticipating
the victory of the Lamb). It stays with this theme up to chapter 17 at which point
the powers of evil appear again (in various symbolic forms) and are subjected to
the judgment of God. First we are shown the Lamb and his entourage (cf. 14:1-
5); immediately after this the Last Judgment is proclaimed and a preliminary de-
scription given (14:6-20); the glory of the Lamb is again extolled (cf. 15:1-4) and
the unleashing of the wrath of God is further described in terms of the pouring
out of the seven bowls (cf. 15:5-16:21).
In opposition to the powers of evil and the active hostility to God and the Church
caused by the machinations of Satan stand the risen Christ and his followers,
who sing in praise of his glory and triumph. These followers are those who have
attained redemption; the salvation will reach its climax when the Kingdom of
God is fully established (the marriage of the Lamb, and the heavenly Jerusalem:
chaps. 21-22). In the meantime, although the Church has to do battle with the
forces of evil, it can contemplate Christ “as an innocent lamb (who) merited life
for us by his blood which he freely shed. In him God reconciled us to himself
and to one another, freeing us from the bondage of the devil and of sin, so that
each one of us could say with the Apostle: the Son of God ‘loved me and gave
himself for me’ (Gal 2:20)” (Vatican II, “Gaudium Et Spes”, 22).
1-3. It is highly significant that the Lamb stands on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem,
which was where God dwelt among men according to the Old Testament (cf. Ps
74:1; 132:14; etc.) and where, according to certain Jewish traditions, the Messi-
ah would appear, to join all his followers. The assembly, then, is an idealization
of the Church, protected by Christ and gathered about him. It includes all those
who belong to Christ and to the Father and who therefore bear his mark, which
shows them to be children of God. They are so many that it is impossible to
count them, but their number is complete: they are given a symbolic number
which is 12 (the tribes of Israel) by 12 (the Apostles) by 1000 (a number indica-
ting a huge scale): cf. Rev 7:3ff.
The one hundred and forty-four thousand are not yet in heaven (for the loud noise
comes from heaven); they are on earth, but they have been rescued from the po-
wer of the beast (cf. 13:13-14). The verse from heaven symbolizes the strength
and power of God; and the heavenly voice speaks with the gentleness of liturgi-
cal music. It is a new song, for it now sings of the salvation wrought by Christ (cf.
15: 34) in the same style as the Old Testament chants the praises of God (cf.,
e.g., Ps 33:3; 40:2; 96:1). Only those who belong to Christ can join in this song
and be associated with the heavenly liturgy: “It is especially in the sacred liturgy
that our union with the heavenly Church is best realized; in the liturgy, through the
sacramental signs, the power of the Holy Spirit acts on us, and with community
rejoicing we celebrate together the praise of the divine majesty; when all those
of every tribe and tongue and people and nation (cf. Rev 5:9) who have been re-
deemed by the blood of Christ and gathered together into one Church glorify, in
one common song of praise, the one and triune God” (”Lumen Gentium”, 50).
4-5. The text refers to those who are properly disposed to take part in the mar-
riage supper of the Lamb (cf. 19:9; 21:2) because they have not been stained
by idolatry but have kept themselves undefiled for him. St Paul compares every
Christian to a chaste virgin (cf. 2 Cor 11:2) and describes the Church as the
spouse of Christ (cf. Eph 5:21-32). The author of the Apocalypse is referring to
all the members of the Church insofar as they are holy, that is, called to holi-
ness; but the symbolism he uses also draws attention to the fact that virginity
and celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven is a special expression and
clear sign of the Church as Bride of Christ. Referring to the chastity practiced
by religious, the Second Vatican Council teaches that in this way they “recall
that wonderful marriage made by God, which will be fully manifested in the fu-
ture age, and in which the Church has Christ for her only spouse” (”Perfectae
Caritatis”, 12).
The one hundred and forty-four thousand are also those who have identified
themselves fully with Christ, dead and risen, by denying themselves and devo-
ting all their energies to apostolate (cf. Mt 10:38). They also stand for those
whom Christ, by the shedding of his blood, has made his own and his Father’s
property (like Israel, the first fruits of Yahweh: cf. Jer 2:3), that is, those who
constitute a holy people like that remnant of Israel described in Zephaniah 3:13:
“they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth
a deceitful tongue.” The prophet’s words refer to people who have not invoked
false gods, but the Apocalypse applies them to those who are fully committed
to Christ.
*********************************************************************************************
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.
From: Luke 21:1-4
The Widow’s Mite
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Commentary:
1-4. Our Lord, surrounded by His disciples, watches people putting offerings into
the treasury. This was a place in the women’s courtyard, where there were va-
rious collection boxes for the offerings of the faithful. Just then, something hap-
pens whose significance Jesus wants His disciples to notice: a poor widow puts
in two small coins, of very little value. He describes this as the greatest offering
of all, praising the generosity of giving alms for this purpose, particularly that of
those people who give part of what they need. Our Lord is moved by this tiny of-
fering because in her case it implies a big sacrifice. “The Lord does not look”,
St. John Chrysostom comments, “at the amount offered but at the affection with
which it is offered” (”Hom. on Heb”, 1). Generosity is of the essence of almsgi-
ving. This woman teaches us that we can move God’s heart if we give Him all we
can, which will always amount to very little even if we give our very lives. “How lit-
tle a life is to offer to God!” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 42).
*********************************************************************************************
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.
Liturgical Colour: White.
First reading |
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Apocalypse 14:1-5 © |
Responsorial Psalm |
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Psalm 23(24):1-6 © |
Gospel Acclamation | Rv2:10 |
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Or | Mt24:42,44 |
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Gospel | Luke 21:1-4 © |
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Pray for Pope Francis.
Is This Bishop Right about the Rosary Conquering Boko Haram? [Catholic Caucus]
Why Boko Haram and ISIS Target Women
Report reveals scale of Boko Haram violence inflicted on Nigerian Catholics
Military evacuating girls, women rescued from Boko Haram
Echos of Lepanto Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Harm
After vision of Christ, Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Haram (Catholic Caucus)
Nigerian Bishop Says Christ Showed Him How to Beat Islamic Terror Group
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.
Fatherhood and Mercy
Jubilee of Mercy: A Final Gift, Prophecies, End Times
Sharing God's Mercy with Our Children
Mercy Heals Fear to Trust
Jubilee of Mercy, But With the Confessionals Empty
If You Don't Know the Bad News, the Good News is No News -- A Meditation on the Coming Year of Mercy
Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis According to which an Indulgence is Granted...[Catholic Caucus]
POPE FRANCIS FOR YEAR OF MERCY GRANTS THAT SSPX PRIESTS CAN VALIDLY ABSOLVE!
MISERICORDIAE VULTUS: BULL OF INDICTION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY
Pope: Church Must Be 'Oasis of Mercy,' Not Severe Fortress
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 Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]
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
+
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.
(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
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
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
Bringing back the dead
Catholic style
All Souls, Purgatory and the Bible
Letter #95: Remembering the Dead
Hungry Souls (a bit of a [Book] review) Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
What Is All Souls Day (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed)?
All Saints or All Souls? Differences should be black and white
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
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
"Those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she... has offered her whole livelihood."
Don't let us despise the poor and little ones...; not only are they our brothers in God but they are the ones who most perfectly imitate Jesus in his outward life. They perfectly symbolize Jesus as workman at Nazareth. These are the firstborn among God's elect and the first to be summoned to the Savior's crib. They were Jesus' constant companions from birth to death; both Mary and Joseph and the apostles belonged to them... Far from despising them, let us honor them, honoring in them the images of Jesus and his holy parents. Instead of spurning them, let us admire them... Let us imitate them and, seeing that theirs is the better state, the one chosen by Jesus for himself and those who belong to him, the one he called first around his crib, the one he showed forth in deed and word..., let us embrace it... Let us become poor workmen like him, like Mary, Joseph, the apostles, the shepherds and, if we should ever be called to the apostolate, let us remain in that life as poor as he himself remained, as poor as a saint Paul did, his faithful imitator (cf. 1Cor 11,1).
Let us never stop being poor in everything, brothers to the poor, friends of the poor; let us be the poorest of the poor as Jesus was and, like him, let us love the poor and keep them around us.
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