Posted on 07/21/2017 9:51:53 PM PDT by Salvation
KEYWORDS: catholic; jn20; ordinarytime; prayer; saints;
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From: Song of Solomon 3:1-4
Third canto: Nocturne
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Commentary:
3:1-5. This canto deals with a second stage of love. It is night-time, in the city;
the lover is absent, and the beloved searches for him until she finds him. The
speaker is the beloved. United in love with the one she loves (v. 5), she looks
back, recalling her first fruitless search (v. 1), and what happened then and her
second failed attempt to find him (v. 2); then, at her third attempt — success (vv.
3-4). The canto in this way describes a trial she has undergone; she overcomes,
thanks to her perseverance. ‘’If you want to stay close to Christ, seek out suffe-
ring and do not fear it. For sometimes Christ is sooner found in the midst of bodi-
ly torments and in the hands of the torturers. Scarcely had I passed them, says
the Song (v. 4). After a very short time, then, you too will he freed from the hands
of those who persecute you, and no longer will you he subject to the powers of
this world. Christ will come out to meet you, and he will not allow temptations to
threaten you for very long. The one who seeks Christ in this way and finds him
can say: I held him, and would not let him go until I brought him into my mother’s
house, the home of the one who bore me in her womb. What are your mother
and your home if not the most intimate and hidden parts of your soul? Keep your
house well guarded; keep the most secluded rooms well cleaned, so that the
Holy Spirit may come to live in an immaculate home [â¦]. The ones who look for
Christ in this way, who ask for him in this way, will never he abandoned by him;
he will come to visit them often because he is with us until the end of the world’’
(St Ambrose, “De virginitate”, 12, 68, 74-75; 13, 77-78).
*********************************************************************************************
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: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
The Ministry of Reconciliation (Continuation)
[16] From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even
though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard him thus
no longer. [17] Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old
has passed away, behold, the new has come.
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Commentary:
14-15. The Apostle briefly describes the effects of Christ’s death, a death he un-
derwent out of love for man; elsewhere at greater length (cf. Rom 6:1-11; 14:7-9;
Gal 2:19-20; 2 Tim 2:11) he goes into this doctrine which is so closely connec-
ted with the solidarity that exists between Jesus Christ and the members of his
mystical body. Christ, the head of that body, died for all his members: and they
have mystically died to sin with and in him. Christ’s death, is moreover, the price
paid for men—their ransom which sets them free from the slavery of sin, death
and the devil. As a result of it we belong no longer to ourselves but to Christ (cf.
1 Cor 6:19), and the new life—in grace and freedom—which he has won for us we
must live for his sake: “None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to him-
self. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord [...]. For to
this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and
of the living” (Rom 14:7-9).
“What follows from this?”, St Francis de Sales asks. “I seem to hear the voice
of the Apostle like a peal of thunder startling our heart: It is easy to see, Chris-
tians, what Christ desired by dying for us. What did he desire but that we should
become like him? ‘That those who live might live no longer for themselves but for
him who for their sake died and was raised.’ How powerful a consequence is this
in the matter of love! Jesus Christ died for us; by his death he has given us life;
we only live because he died; he died for us, by us, and in us; our life then is no
longer ours, but belongs to him who has purchased it for us by his death: we are
therefore no more to live to ourselves but to him; not in ourselves but in him; nor
for ourselves but for him” (”Treatise on the Love of God”, book 7, chap. 8).
“The love of Christ controls us”, urges us: with these words St Paul sums up what
motivates his tireless apostolic activity—the love of Jesus, so immense that it im-
pels him to spend every minute of his life bringing this same love to all mankind.
The love of Christ should also inspire all other Christians to commit themselves to
respond to Christ’s love, and it should fill them with a desire to bring to all souls
the salvation won by Christ. “We are urged on by the charity of Christ (cf. 2 Cor
5:14) to take upon our shoulders a part of this task of saving souls. Look: the re-
demption was consummated when Jesus died on the Cross, in shame and glory,
‘a stumbling block’ to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles (1 Cor 1:23). But the re-
demption will, by the will of God, be carried out continually until our Lord’s time
comes. It is impossible to live according to the heart of Jesus Christ and not to
know that we are sent, as he was, ‘to save sinners’ (1 Tim 1:15), with the clear
realization that we ourselves need to trust in the mercy of God more and more
every day. As a result, we will foster in ourselves a vehement desire to live as co-
redeemers with Christ, to save all souls with him” (”Christ Is Passing By”, 120f).
16-17. “Even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view”: Paul
seems to be referring to knowledge based only on external appearances and on
human criteria. Paul’s Judaizing opponents do look on things from a human point
of view, as Paul himself did before his conversion. Nothing he says here can be
taken as implying that St Paul knew Jesus personally during his life on earth (he
goes on to say that now he does not know him personally); what he is saying is
that previously he judged Christ on the basis of his own Pharisee prejudices;
now, on the other hand, he knows him as God and Savior of men.
In v. 17 he elaborates on this contrast between before and after his conversion,
as happens to Christians through Baptism. For through the grace of Baptism a
person becomes a member of Christ’s body, he lives by and is “in Christ” (cf.,
e.g., Gal 6:15; Eph 2:10, 15f; Cor 3:9f); the Redemption brings about a new crea-
tion. Commenting on this passage St Thomas Aquinas reminds us that creation
is the step from non-being to being, and that in the supernatural order, after origi-
nal sin, “a new creation was necessary, whereby (creatures) would be made with
the life of grace; this truly is a creation from nothing, because those without grace
are nothing (cf. 1 Cor 13:2) [...]. St Augustine says, ‘for sin is nothingness, and
men become nothingness when they sin’” (”Commentary on 2 Cor, ad loc.”).
“The new has come”: St John Chrysostom points out the radical change which
the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ has brought about, and the consequent
difference between Judaism and Christianity: “Instead of the earthly Jerusalem,
we have received that Jerusalem which is above; and instead of a material tem-
ple we have seen a spiritual temple; instead of tablets of stone, holding the di-
vine Law, our own bodies have become the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit; instead
of circumcision, Baptism; instead of manna, the Lord’s body; instead of water
from a rock, blood from his side; instead of Moses’ or Aaron’s rod, the cross of
the Savior; instead of the promised land, the kingdom of heaven” (”Hom on 2
Cor”, 11).
*********************************************************************************************
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: John 20:1-2; 11-18
The Empty Tomb
The Appearance To Mary Magdalene
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Commentary:
1-2. All four Gospels report the first testimonies of the holy women and the dis-
ciples regarding Christ’s glorious resurrection, beginning with the fact of the emp-
ty tomb (cf. Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1ff; Luke 24:1-12) and then telling of the
various appearances of the risen Jesus.
Mary Magdalene was one of the women who provided for our Lord during His jour-
neys (Luke 8:1-3); along with the Virgin Mary she bravely stayed with Him right up
to His final moments (John 19:25), and she saw where His body was laid (Luke 23:
55). Now, after the obligatory Sabbath rest, she goes to visit the tomb. The Gospel
points out that she went “early, when it was still dark”: her love and veneration led
her to go without delay, to be with our Lord’s body.
11-18. Mary’s affection and sensitivity lead her to be concerned about what has
become of the dead body of Jesus. This woman out of whom seven demons were
cast (cf. Luke 8:2) stayed faithful during His passion and even now her love is still
ardent: our Lord had freed her from the Evil One and she responded to that grace
humbly and generously.
After consoling Mary Magdalene, Jesus gives her a message for the Apostles,
whom He tenderly calls His “brethren”. This message implies that He and they
have the same Father, though each in an essentially different way: “I am ascen-
ding to My Father”—My own Father by nature—”and to your Father”—for He is your
Father through the adoption I have won for you and by My death. Jesus, the Good
Shepherd, shows His great mercy and understanding by gathering together all His
disciples who had abandoned Him during His passion and were now in hiding for
fear of the Jews (John 20:19).
Mary Magdalene’s perseverance teaches us that anyone who sincerely keeps
searching for Jesus Christ will eventually find Him. Jesus’ gesture in calling His
disciples His “brethren” despite their having run away should fill us with love in
the midst of our own infidelities.
15. From Jesus’ dialogue with Mary Magdalene, we can see the frame of mind
all His disciples must have been in: they were not expecting the resurrection.
17. “Do not hold Me”: the use of the negative imperative in the Greek, reflected
in the New Vulgate (”noli me tenere”) indicates that our Lord is telling Mary to re-
lease her hold of Him, to let Him go, since she will have another chance to see
Him before His ascension into Heaven.
*********************************************************************************************
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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Song of Songs 3:1-4 © |
Alternative First reading |
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2 Corinthians 5:14-17 © |
Responsorial Psalm |
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Psalm 62(63):2-6,8-9 © |
Gospel Acclamation |
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Gospel |
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John 20:1-2,11-18 © |
Pray for Pope Francis.
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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.
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
+
A Prayer for PriestsO my God, help those priests who are faithful to remain faithful; to those who are falling, stretch forth Your Divine Hand that they may grasp it as their support. In the great ocean of Your mercy, lift those poor unfortunate ones who have fallen, that being engulfed therein they may receive the grace to return to Your Great Loving Heart. Amen. Precious Blood of Jesus, protect them!
The Most Precious Blood of Jesus
July is traditionally associated with the Precious Blood of Our Lord. It may be customary to celebrate the votive Mass of the Precious Blood on July 1.
The extraordinary importance of the saving Blood of Christ has ensured a central place for its memorial in the celebration of this cultic mystery: at the centre of the Eucharistic assembly, in which the Church raises up to God in thanksgiving "the cup of blessing" (1 Cor 10, 16; cf Ps 115-116, 13) and offers it to the faithful as a "real communion with the Blood of Christ" (1 Cor 10, 16); and throughout the Liturgical Year. The Church celebrates the saving Blood of Christ not only on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, but also on many other occasions, such that the cultic remembrance of the Blood of our redemption (cf 1 Pt 1, 18) pervades the entire Liturgical Year. Hence, at Vespers during Christmastide, the Church, addressing Christ, sings: "Nos quoque, qui sancto tuo redempti sumus sanguine, ob diem natalis tui hymnum novum concinimus." In the Paschal Triduum, the redemptive significance and efficacy of the Blood of Christ is continuously recalled in adoration. During the adoration of the Cross on Good Friday the Church sings the hymn: "Mite corpus perforatur, sanguis unde profluit; terra, pontus, astra, mundus quo lavanturflumine", and again on Easter Sunday, "Cuius corpus sanctissimum in ara crucis torridum, sed et cruorem roesum gustando, Deo vivimus (194).
Catholic Word of the Day: LITANY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD, 09-25-12
ST. GASPAR: Founder of the Society of the Precious Blood
Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (London, 9/18)
Devotion to the Drops of Blood Lost by our Lord Jesus Christ on His Way to Calvary (Prayer/Devotion)
Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood
Catholic Word of the Day: PRECIOUS BLOOD, 12-03-11
The Traditional Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Catholic Caucus)
Devotion to the Precious Blood
DOCTRINE OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,And More on the Precious Blood
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
NOTHING IS MORE POTENT AGAINST EVIL THAN PLEADING THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
Mary Magdalene, messenger of the resurrection
He who searches the heart and mind (Ps 7:10), knowing that Mary would recognise his voice, called to his lamb like a true shepherd (Jn 10:4), saying: Mary! At once she said: Yes, this is indeed my good shepherd calling me, so that henceforth he might include me with the ninety-nine sheep (Lk 15:4). Behind him I see legions of saints, armies of righteous ones
Well I know who it is who calls me; as I have said: it is my Lord, the one who holds out resurrection to fallen men.
Transported with loves fervor, this young woman wants to take hold of him who fills all creation
But the Creator
raises her to the divine level, saying: Touch me not; do you take me for a mere mortal? I am God; do not touch me
Raise your eyes above and consider the heavenly world; it is there you must seek me. For I am ascending to the Father whom I never left. I have always existed beside him; I share his throne; I receive the same honor, I, who hold out resurrection to fallen men.
From henceforth let your mouth proclaim all this and explain it to the children of the Kingdom, those who attend my awakening, I, the Living One. Go quickly, Mary, gather my disciples. In you I have a trumpet loudly sounding! Ring out a song of peace in the fearful hearing of my friends in hiding; arouse them all as if from sleep so that they may come to meet me. Go and say: The bridegroom has awakened and is leaving his tomb. Apostles, cast away your mortal sadness for he has been raised who holds out resurrection to fallen men
Mary exclaims: Suddenly my mourning has been turned to dancing; everything has become joy and gladness to me. Unhesitatingly I say it: I have received the same glory as Moses (Ex 33:18f.). I have seen, yes, seen indeed, not on the mountain but in the tomb, not veiled by cloud but by a body, the master of both the bodiless and the clouds, their master yesterday, today and forever. To me he said: Mary, make haste! Like a dove bearing an olive branch, go, proclaim the good news to Noahs descendants (Gn 8:11). Tell them that death is destroyed and he is arisen who holds out resurrection to fallen men.
St. John Chrysostom
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