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Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 08-16-17, OM, St. Stephen of Hungary
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 08-16-17 | Revised New American Bible

Posted on 08/15/2017 9:06:26 PM PDT by Salvation

August 16, 2017

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Dt 34:1-12

Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo,
the headland of Pisgah which faces Jericho,
and the LORD showed him all the land—
Gilead, and as far as Dan, all Naphtali,
the land of Ephraim and Manasseh,
all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea,
the Negeb, the circuit of the Jordan
with the lowlands at Jericho, city of palms,
and as far as Zoar.
The LORD then said to him,
"This is the land
which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
that I would give to their descendants.
I have let you feast your eyes upon it, but you shall not cross over."
So there, in the land of Moab, Moses, the servant of the LORD,
died as the LORD had said; and he was buried in the ravine
opposite Beth-peor in the land of Moab,
but to this day no one knows the place of his burial.
Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died,
yet his eyes were undimmed and his vigor unabated.
For thirty days the children of Israel wept for Moses
in the plains of Moab, till they had completed
the period of grief and mourning for Moses.

Now Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom,
since Moses had laid his hands upon him;
and so the children of Israel gave him their obedience,
thus carrying out the LORD's command to Moses.

Since then no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses,
whom the LORD knew face to face.
He had no equal in all the signs and wonders
the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt
against Pharaoh and all his servants and against all his land,
and for the might and the terrifying power
that Moses exhibited in the sight of all Israel.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 66:1-3a, 5 and 8, 16-17

R. (see 20a and 10b) Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God: "How tremendous are your deeds!"
R. Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
Bless our God, you peoples;
loudly sound his praise.
R. Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
When I appealed to him in words,
praise was on the tip of my tongue.
R. Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!

Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
And entreating to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:
"If your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
If he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you,
so that every fact may be established
on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church.
If he refuses to listen even to the Church,
then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Amen, I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them."



TOPICS: Catholic; General Discusssion; Prayer; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; mt18; ordinarytime; prayer; saints
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To: All



The Angelus 

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: 
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen. 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. 

Hail Mary . . . 

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. 

Hail Mary . . . 


Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray: 

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen. 


"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28) 

 "Blessed are you among women,
 and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42). 


21 posted on 08/15/2017 9:47:58 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Matthew
  English: Douay-Rheims Latin: Vulgata Clementina Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
  Matthew 18
15 But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. Si autem peccaverit in te frater tuus, vade, et corripe eum inter te, et ipsum solum : si te audierit, lucratus eris fratrem tuum. εαν δε αμαρτηση εις σε ο αδελφος σου υπαγε και ελεγξον αυτον μεταξυ σου και αυτου μονου εαν σου ακουση εκερδησας τον αδελφον σου
16 And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. Si autem te non audierit, adhibe tecum adhuc unum, vel duos, ut in ore duorum, vel trium testium stet omne verbum. εαν δε μη ακουση παραλαβε μετα σου ετι ενα η δυο ινα επι στοματος δυο μαρτυρων η τριων σταθη παν ρημα
17 And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. Quod si non audierit eos : dic ecclesiæ. Si autem ecclesiam non audierit, sit tibi sicut ethnicus et publicanus. εαν δε παρακουση αυτων ειπε τη εκκλησια εαν δε και της εκκλησιας παρακουση εστω σοι ωσπερ ο εθνικος και ο τελωνης
18 Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven. Amen dico vobis, quæcumque alligaveritis super terram, erunt ligata et in cælo : et quæcumque solveritis super terram, erunt soluta et in cælo. αμην λεγω υμιν οσα εαν δησητε επι της γης εσται δεδεμενα εν τω ουρανω και οσα εαν λυσητε επι της γης εσται λελυμενα εν τω ουρανω
19 Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning any thing whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven. Iterum dico vobis, quia si duo ex vobis consenserint super terram, de omni re quamcumque petierint, fiet illis a Patre meo, qui in cælis est. παλιν αμην λεγω υμιν οτι εαν δυο υμων συμφωνησωσιν επι της γης περι παντος πραγματος ου εαν αιτησωνται γενησεται αυτοις παρα του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις
20 For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Ubi enim sunt duo vel tres congregati in nomine meo, ibi sum in medio eorum. ου γαρ εισιν δυο η τρεις συνηγμενοι εις το εμον ονομα εκει ειμι εν μεσω αυτων

22 posted on 08/16/2017 4:44:43 AM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex
15. Moreover if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother.
16. But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be to you as an heathen man and a Publican.

CHRYS; Having above given a severe sentence against those who were the cause of offense, making them to fear on all sides; so now that they to whom the offense is offered should not fall into the opposite fault of supineness and indifference, seeking to spare themselves in all things, and so be puffed up; the Lord here checks such a tendency, commanding that they be reproved, saying, If your brother shall trespass against you, go, tell him his fault between you and him alone.

AUG; Our Lord admonishes us not to overlook one another's faults, yet not so as seeking formatter of blame, but watching what you may amend. For our rebuke should be in love, not eager to wound, but anxious to amend. If you pass it by, you are become worse shall he. He by doing you a wrong has done himself a great hurt; you slight your brother's wound, and are more to blame for your silence than he for his ill w words to you.

ID; For often we wrongly shun to teach and admonish, or to rebuke and check the wicked, either because the task is irksome, or because we would escape their enmity, lest they should harm or obstruct us in temporal things, whether in gaining objects we desire, or in holding what our frailty fears to love. But if any one spares reproof of evil doers, because he seeks fitter occasion, or fears to make them worse, or that they may be an impediment to the good and pious living of other weak ones, or may grieve them, or turn them from the faith; herein there is seen no considerations of covetousness, but the prudence of charity. And much weightier reason have they who are set over the churches, to the end they should not spare to rebuke sin; though not even he is free from this blame, who, though not in authority, wots of many things in them to whom he is bound by the ties of this life, which should be touched by admonition or correction, but neglects to do so; shunning their displeasure on account of things which he does not unduly use in this life, but wherewith he is unduly delighted.

CHRYS; It is to be noted, that one while the Lord brings the offender to him whom he has offended; as when He says, If you remember that your brother has something against you, go, be reconciled to your brother: meanwhile He bids him that has suffered the wrong to forgive his neighbor; as where he says, Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Here He has devised yet another method, for He brings him who has been grieved to him that grieved him, and therefore says, If your brother sin against you; for because he that did the wrong would not readily come to make amends, because of his shame, He draws to him that has suffered the wrong; and not only draws him there, but with the very purpose of correcting what was done amiss; whence He says, Go and tell him his fault.

RABAN; He does not command us to forgive indiscriminately, but him only that will hearken and be obedient, and do penitence; that neither should forgiveness be unattainable, nor sufferance be too far relaxed.

CHRYS; And He says not, Accuse him, nor, Chide with him, nor, Demand redress, - but, Tell him of his fault; that is, remind him of his sin, tell him what things you have suffered from him. For he is held down by anger or by shame, stupefied as one in a deep slumber. Wherefore it is necessary that you who are in your right senses to go to him who is in a disease.

JEROME; If shall your brother have sinned against you, or hurt you in any matter, you have power, indeed must needs forgive him, for we are charged to forgive our debtors their debts. But if a man sin against God, it is no longer in our decision. But we do all the contrary of this; where God is wronged we are merciful, where the affront is to ourselves we prosecute the quarrel.

CHRYS; We are to tell his fault to the man himself who did it, and not to another, because the party takes it with the more patience from him, and above all when they are together alone. For when be who had a light to demand reparation, shows rather a carefulness to heal the sore, this has great power to propitiate.

AUG; When any one therefore offends against us, let us be very careful, not for ourselves, for it is glorious to forget an injury, forget therefore your own wrong, but not the wound your brother has sustained; and tell him of his fault between him and you alone, seeking his amendment and sparing his shame For it may be that out of shame he will seek to defend his fault, and thus you will only harden, while you sought to do him good.

JEROME; your brother is to be reproved in private if once he has lost a sense of shame, he should continue in sin.

AUG; But the Apostle says, They that sin rebuke before all, that others may fear to do the like. Some times therefore your brother is to be spoken to between you and him alone, sometimes to be rebuked before all. What you must do first, attend and learn; If your brother, says He, sin against you, tell him of his fault between you and him alone. Why? Because he has sinned against you. What is it that he has sinned against you? You know that he has sinned, and therefore since his sin was in private, let your rebuke be in private too. For if you alone know of his trespass, and proceed to rebuke him before all, you do not correct but betray him. Your brother has sinned against you; if you alone know thereof, then he has sinned against you only but if he did you a wrong in the presence of many, then he has sinned against those also who were witnesses of his fault. Those faults then are to be rebuked before all, that are committed before all; those which are done in private, are to be rebuked in private. Discern times, and the Scriptures are consistent. But why do you correct your neighbor? Because his trespass has hurt yourself? Far be it from you. If you do it from self love, you do nothing; if you do it from love of him, you do most rightly. Lastly, in what you shall say to him, keep in view for whose sake it is that you ought to do it, for your own or for his, for it follows, If he hear you, you has gained your brother, do it therefore for his sake, that you may gain him. And do you confess that by your sin against man you were lost; for if you were not lost, how has he gained you? Let none then make light of it when he sins against his brother.

CHRYS; In this it is made plain that enmities are a loss to both sides; for he said not, he has gained himself, but, you have gained him; which shows that both of you had suffered loss by your disagreement.

JEROME; For in saving another, salvation is gained for ourselves also.

CHRYS; What you should do if he does not yield is added, If he will not bear you, take with you one or two. For the more shameless and stubborn he shows himself, the more studious should we be of applying the medicine, and not turn to wrath and hate. As the physician, if he see that the disease does not abate, he does not slack, but redoubles his efforts to head. And observe how this reproof is not for revenge, but for correction, seeing his command is not to take two with him at first, but when he would not amend; and even then he does not send a multitude to him, but one or two, alleging the law, That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. This is that you may have witnesses that you have done all your part.

JEROME; Or it is to be understood in this way; If he will not hear you, take with you one brother only; if he yet will not hear, take a third, either from your zeal for his amendment, that shame or admonition may move him; or for the purpose of meeting before witnesses.

GLOSS; Or, that if he affirm that it is no trespass, that they may prove to him that it is a trespass.

JEROME; If yet he will not hear them, then it must be told to many, that he may be held in abhorrence; so that he who could not be saved by his own sense of shame, may be saved by public disgrace; whence it follows, If he will not hear them, tell it to the Church.

CHRYS; That is, to those that are over the Church.

GLOSS; Or, tell it to the whole Church, that his infamy may be the greater. After all these things follows excommunication, which ought to be inflicted by the mouth of the Church, that is, by the Priest, and when he excommunicates, the whole Church works with him; as it follows, And if he will not hear the Church, let him be to you as a heathen, and a publican.

AUG; That is, regard him no longer in the number of your brethren. Though even thus we are not to neglect his salvation; for the heathens themselves, that is, the gentiles and pagans, we do not indeed regard in the number of our brethren, yet we ever seek their salvation.

CHRYS; Yet the Lord enjoins nothing of this sort to be observed towards those w ho are without the Church, such as He does in reproving a brother. Of those that are without He says, If any smite you on the one cheek, offer to him the other also. as Paul speaks, What have I to do to judge them that are without? But brethren he bids us reprove, and turn away from.

JEROME; That He says, As a heathen and a publican, shows that he is to be more abhorred, who under the name of a believer does the deeds of an unbeliever, than those that are openly gentiles. Those He calls publicans, who pursue worldly gain, and levy contributions by trading, cheating, and villainous frauds, and perjuries.

ORIGEN; Let us look well whether this precept extends to all sin; for what if any one sin any of those sins which are to death, such as unnatural crimes, adultery, homicide, or effeminacy, it cannot be meant that such as these are to be admonished privately, and if he hear you, forthwith to say that you have gained him. And not rather first put him out of the Church, or only when remaining obstinate after monition before witnesses, and by the Church? One man, looking at the infinite mercy of Christ, will say, that since the words of Christ make no distinction of sins, it is to go against Christ's mercy to limit His words only to little sins. Another, on the other hand, considering the words carefully, will aver, that they are not spoken of every sin; for that he that is guilty of those great sins is not a brother, but is called a brother, with whom, according to the Apostle, we ought not so much as to eat.

But as they who expound this as referring to every sin give encouragement to the careless to sin; so, on the other hand, he, now teaches that one having sinned in little sins and such as are not deadly, is, when he has spurned the admonition of the witnesses and the Church, to be held as a heathen and a publican, seems to introduce too great severity. For whether he finally perishes, we are not able to decide. First, because he who has been thrice told of his fault and not hearkened, may hearken the fourth time; secondly, because sometimes a man does not receive according to his creeds, but beyond his trespass, which is good for him in this world; lastly, because He said not alone, Let him be as a heathen, but Let him be to you. Whoever then when reproved three times in a light trespass, does not amend, him we ought to hold for a heathen and a publican, avoiding him, that he may be brought to confusion. But whether he is esteemed of God also as a heathen and a publican, is not ours to decide, but is in the judgment of God.

18. I say to you, Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19. Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

JEROME; Because He had said, If he will not hear the Church, let him be to you as a heathen, and a publican, whereupon the brother so contemned might answer, or think within himself, If you despise me, I also will despise you; if you condemn me, you shall be condemned by my sentence. He therefore confers powers upon the Apostles, that they may be assured that when any are condemned after this manner, the sentence of man is ratified by the sentence of God. Verily I say to you, Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon the earth shall be loosed in heaven.

ORIGEN; He said not in the heavens (in caelis), as when He spoke to Peter, but in heaven (in caelis), for they are not yet attained to the like perfection with Peter.

HILARY; To hold out a great and terrible fear, by which all men should be reached in this present life, He pronounces that the judgment of the Apostles should be ratified, so that whoever they bound on earth, i.e. left entangled in the noose of sin, and whoever they loosed, i.e. accorded the pardon of God's mercy to their salvation, that these should be bound and loosed in heaven.

CHRYS; And be it noted, that He said not to the Primate of the Church, Bind such a man; but, If you shall bind him, the bonds shall be indissoluble, leaving the other to his discretion. And see how He has set the incorrigible person under the yoke of a twofold necessity; to wit, the punishment that is here, namely, the casting forth out of the Church, when He said, Let him be to you as a heathen; and the future punishment, saying, that he shall be bound in heaven; thus by the weight of his penalties lessening his brother's wrath against him.

AUG; Otherwise; When you begin to hold your brother as a publican you bind him on earth, but take heed that you bind him with just cause; for an unjust cause breaks rightful bonds. But when you have corrected him, and agreed with him, you have loosed him upon earth, and when you have loosed him upon earth, he shall be loosed also in heaven. You confer a great boon not on yourself, but on him, as he had done the hurt not to you but to himself.

GLOSS; But He holds out a ratification not only of sentences of excommunication, but of every petition which is offered by men holding together in the unity of the Church; for He adds, Again I say to you, that if two of you shall agree upon earth, whether in admitting a penitent, or casting out a forward person, touching any thing which they shall ask, any thing, that is, that is not against the unity of the Church, it shall be done for them by my Father which is in heaven. By saying, which is in heaven, He points Him out as above all, and therefore able to fulfill all that shall be asked of Him. Or, He is in the heavens, that is, with saints, proof enough that whatever worthy thing they shall ask shall be done to them, because they have with them Him of w whom they ask.

For this cause is the sentence of those that agree together ratified, because God dwells in them, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

CHRYS; Or, because He had said, It shall be done to them by My Father; therefore, to show that He is the Giver together with His Father, He adds this, where two or three, &c.

ORIGEN; And He said not, I will be, but I am in the midst of them; because straightway, as soon as they have agreed together, Christ is found among them.

HILARY; For He who is peace and charity, will set His place and habitation in good and peaceable dispositions.

JEROME; Or otherwise; All His foregoing discourse had invited us to union; now to make us embrace peace more anxiously, He holds out a reward, promising to be in the midst of two or three.

CHRYS; Yet He said not barely, Where they are gathered together, but added, in my name, as much as to say, If any man look upon Me as the chief motive of his love to his neighbor, I will be with him, though his virtue be shown towards other men. How is it then that those who thus agree together do not obtain what they ask for? First, because they ask things not expedient, and because they do not bring on their parts that which they ought to contribute; wherefore He says, If two of you, that is, who show an evangelic conversation. Thirdly, because they pray seeking vengeance against those who have grieved them. And fourthly, because they seek mercy for sinners who ho have not repented.

ORIGEN; And this also is the reason why our prayers are not granted, because we do not agree together in all things upon earth, neither in doctrine, nor in conversation. For as in music, unless the voices are in time there is no pleasure to the hearer, so in the Church, unless they are united God is not pleased therein, nor does He hear their words.

JEROME; We may also understand this spiritually; where our spirit, soul, and body are in agreement, and have not, within them conflicting wills, they shall obtain from My Father every thing they shall ask; for none can doubt that that demand is good, where the body wills the same thing as the spirit.

ORIGEN; Or, In whatever the two testaments are in agreement, for this every prayer is found acceptable to God.

Catena Aurea Matthew 18
23 posted on 08/16/2017 4:45:58 AM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex


Tabernacle

Orcagna (architext and sculptor), Bernardo Daddi (Virgin and Child icon)

1359
Marble, lapis lazuli, gold and glass inlay
Orsanmichele, Florence

Orcagna - a painter, sculptor and architect - was commissioned to execute the only significant, large-scale sculpture of the time in Florence, the mammoth tabernacle for Orsanmichele. This Gothic marble structure, rather like a miniature church, was a religious and civic edifice built to house Bernardo Daddi's repainting of a lost image of the Virgin and Child. Hexagonal reliefs of the virtues and octagonal reliefs of the Life of the Virgin alternate on its base. The programme culminates in the large relief on the back, the Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin, where the work is signed and dated 1359.

The tabernacle is encrusted with precious lapis, gold and glass inlay that creates a brilliant, shining polychromy; it is especially dense in the celestial realm, rendering the area still flatter. The elaborate decoration is equivalent to the rich brocades in contemporary painting, a taste which blossomed with the International Gothic style.

Source

24 posted on 08/16/2017 4:47:40 AM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: All
Saint Stephen of Hungary

Fr. Don Miller, OFM

Saint Stephen of HungaryImage: Imre Varga’s statue of Saint Stephen I, Apostolic king of Hungary, 1993, along the cathedral, Aachen, Germany

Saint Stephen of Hungary

Saint of the Day for August 16

(975August 15, 1038)

 

Saint Stephen of Hungary’s Story

The Church is universal, but its expression is always affected—for good or ill—by local culture. There are no “generic” Christians; there are Mexican Christians, Polish Christians, Filipino Christians. This fact is evident in the life of Stephen, national hero and spiritual patron of Hungary.

Born a pagan, he was baptized around the age of 10, together with his father, chief of the Magyars, a group who migrated to the Danube area in the ninth century. At 20, he married Gisela, sister to the future emperor, Saint Henry. When he succeeded his father, Stephen adopted a policy of Christianization of the country for both political and religious reasons. He suppressed a series of revolts by pagan nobles and welded the Magyars into a strong national group. He asked the pope to provide for the Church’s organization in Hungary—and also requested that the pope confer the title of king upon him. He was crowned on Christmas day in 1001.

Stephen established a system of tithes to support churches and pastors and to relieve the poor. Out of every 10 towns one had to build a church and support a priest. He abolished pagan customs with a certain amount of violence, and commanded all to marry, except clergy and religious. He was easily accessible to all, especially the poor.

In 1031, his son Emeric died, and the rest of Stephen’s days were embittered by controversy over his successor. His nephews attempted to kill him. He died in 1038 and was canonized, along with his son, in 1083.


Reflection

God’s gift of holiness is a Christlike love of God and humanity. Love must sometimes bear a stern countenance for the sake of ultimate good. Christ attacked hypocrites among the Pharisees, but died forgiving them. Paul excommunicated the incestuous man at Corinth “that his spirit may be saved.” Some Christians fought the Crusades with noble zeal, in spite of the unworthy motives of others.

Today, after senseless wars, and with a deeper understanding of the complex nature of human motives, we shrink from any use of violence—physical or “silent.” This wholesome development continues as people debate whether it is possible for a Christian to be an absolute pacifist or whether evil must sometimes be repelled by force.


Saint Stephen of Hungary is the Patron Saint of:

Bricklayers
Hungary


Another Saint of the Day for August 16 is Saint Roch.


25 posted on 08/16/2017 10:58:16 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Saint Stephen-Confessor, King Of Hungary 975-1038
Saint Stephen-Confessor, King of Hungary 975-1038
26 posted on 08/16/2017 10:59:36 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Information: St. Stephen of Hungary

Feast Day: August 16

Born: 975, Hungary

Died: August 15, 1038, Esztergom or Székesfehérvár, Kingdom of Hungary

Canonized: August 20, 1083, Esztergom, Hungary by Pope Gregory VII

Major Shrine: Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, Hungary

Patron of: Hungary

27 posted on 08/16/2017 11:07:08 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

St. Stephen of Hungary

Feast Day: August 16
Born: 969 :: Died: 1038

St. Stephen was born in Hungary and was named Vaik. His father was the Duke of Hungary. Then at the age of ten when his family and many other rich people became Christians, he was given the name of Stephen.

But, when Stephen himself became king, the people were still quite pagan and did not believe in God. Some people were cruel and fierce. So he decided to make the Christian faith stronger in Hungary and helped build many Churches.

God blessed St. Stephen because of his hard work and people began believing in God. The secret of St. Stephen's amazing success in leading his people to the Christian faith was his devotion to Mary. He placed his whole kingdom under her protection and built a wonderful church in her honor.

Pope Sylvester II sent a beautiful crown to King Stephen. This treasure became known as the crown of St. Stephen. During the Second World War, American soldiers captured the crown but it was later returned to Hungary in 1978.

Stephen was a strong, fearless and just, ruler. But he was also gentle and kind to the poor. He tried to avoid war as much as he could. He loved to give gifts of money to beggars without letting them know who he was.

Once he was giving these gifts in disguise when a crowd of rough beggars knocked him down and hit him. They pulled his hair and beard, and stole his money pouch.

They did not know that they were bullying their king. And they never found out from him. He took the insult quietly and humbly.

Instead he prayed to Mother Mary: "Queen of heaven, see how your people have treated me whom you made king. If they were your enemies, I would have punished them. But since they are your Son's people, I will suffer this joyfully and say thank you for it."

In fact, King Stephen made a promise then and there to give more than ever to beggars.

Stephen was king of Hungary for forty-two years and his people loved him. He died on August 15, 1038. He is the patron saint of Hungary.


28 posted on 08/16/2017 11:09:08 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Wednesday, August 16

Liturgical Color: Green

Today is the optional memorial
of St. Stephen of Hungary. He
converted as a child with his
father. After becoming king,
Stephen toiled to convert his
whole country. During his reign,
he established hospices and a
monastery, before dying in 1038.

29 posted on 08/16/2017 2:55:52 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: August 16th

Optional Memorial of St. Stephen of Hungary

MASS READINGS

August 16, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Grant your Church, we pray, almighty God, that she may have Saint Stephen of Hungary, who fostered her growth while a king on earth, as her glorious defender in heaven. 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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Old Calendar: St. Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary, confessor; St. Roch

Vaik, son of Geza, Duke of Hungary, was baptized about 985 by St. Adalbert of Prague who gave him the name of Stephen. He was chosen by God to bring his people to the Christian faith. With the assistance of monks from Burgundy he established bishoprics, founded several monasteries and re-organized the whole life of the country. Pope Silvester II offered him the privilege of being crowned king and the ceremony took place on December 25, 1000. His great zeal for the spread of the Catholic faith earned him the title of apostolic king and apostle of Hungary. He died on August 15, 1038, the feast of the Assumption of our Lady, to whom he had consecrated his kingdom.

Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar today was the feast of St. Joachim, now celebrated July 26. St. Stephen's feast was September 2. St. Roch, who is in the Roman Martyrology, was from France, near Montpellier. By the sign of the cross he delivered many cities of Italy from an epidemic. His body was afterwards transferred to Venice, deposited with great honors in the church dedicated under his invocation.


St. Stephen
St. Stephen was the first Christian king of Hungary. He was born in 975 at Gran, the son of Prince Geisa, and was baptized in 985 by St. Adalbert. While courting Gisela, the sister of Emperor St. Henry II, he was promised her hand in marriage provided that he remain firm in the Christian faith and lead the pagan Hungarians to Christianity. He kept his word though it cost him dearly. From the hands of Pope Sylvester II (999-1003) he received the royal crown and was solemnly enthroned at Gran on the feast of Mary's Assumption, 1001. (The alleged bull of Pope Sylvester granting to Stephen and his successors the privilege of having the cross carried before them, like metropolitans, is now regarded as a seventeenth-century forgery.)

Stephen was one of the wisest princes of his time. His royal generosity is shown in the establishment of the archbishopric of Gran and ten Hungarian bishoprics, and in his love toward the poor. Because he visited them in their houses and washed their feet, his right hand has remained incorrupt. Great was his zeal in prayer and meditation. From his marriage came a saintly son, the devout Emeric, an angel of purity, who died seven years before his father. By prayer and fasting Stephen sought the conversion of all Hungary; rightfully is he called the apostle of his nation. He chose the Mother of God as the patroness of Hungary.

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

Patron: Bricklayers; death of children; Hungary; kings; masons; stone masons; stonecutters.

Symbols: Cross and sword; model of a church.

Things to Do:


St. Roch or Rocco
Untrustworthy sources say he was probably born at Montpellier, France, son of the governor there. He was orphaned when he was twenty. He went on pilgrimage to Rome and devoted himself to caring for the victims of a plague that was ravaging Italy. He became a victim himself at Piacenza but recovered and was reputed to have performed many miracles of healing. On his return to Montpellier, he was imprisoned for five years as a spy in pilgrim's disguise when his uncle, who was governor, ordered him imprisoned. (His uncle failed to recognize him, and Roch failed to identify himself.) Roch died in prison and was only then identified as the former governor's son by a birthmark in the form of a cross on his chest. Another biographer says that he was arrested as a spy at Angers, Lombardy, and died in prison there. When miracles were reported at his intercession after his death, a popular cult developed, and he is invoked against pestilence and plague. He is known as Rocco in Italy and Roque in Spain.

Excerpted from the Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney

Patron: bachelors; cholera; diseased cattle; dogs; epidemics; falsely accused people; invalids; knee problems; plague; relief from pestilence; skin diseases; skin rashes; surgeons; tile makers; Barano, Italy; Castropignano, Italy; Constantinople; Istanbul; Orsogna, Italy; Patricia, Italy.

Symbols: Pilgrim's hat and staff; angel; dog with loaf in mouth; hat with crossed keys of with escallop; plague spot on his thigh.

Things to Do:


30 posted on 08/16/2017 3:09:37 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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The Word Among Us

Meditation: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Saint Stephen of Hungary (Optional Memorial)

Moses . . . died, yet his eyes were undimmed. (Deuteronomy 34:7)

Did you know that according to Scripture, Moses was eighty years old when he saw the burning bush? Talk about a late vocation! He was already advanced in years when he began his relationship with God, and yet, he still accomplished much. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, acted as their ruler, judge, and travel guide as they dwelt in the desert, and became Israel’s greatest lawgiver.

So now here is Moses, awaiting death. And even after all those years, his eyes and his faith remained “undimmed.” What a beautiful way to describe someone who walked with the Lord to the end!

Moses is a good example of the fruit that our older brothers and sisters can bear. He shows us that it’s never too late to start serving the Lord and that those who serve him in old age can find joy in their work and become a blessing for the people of God.

If you are an older person, know that you have a tremendous amount to offer. Just think about how you have learned to trust the Lord as you face the challenges of aging. Think about the way you have tried to pass on the faith to your children and grandchildren. Think about all the ways you have been able to contribute to parish life. Many of you are active in pro-life ministries. Many teach Bible studies. Many serve the poor and reach out to those who are suffering. A number of you attend daily Mass and adoration and pray the Rosary. By your faithfulness, you are reminding your fellow parishioners of God’s faithfulness.

In a world that treasures youthful energy and enthusiasm, it can be easy to overlook the wisdom of God’s older servants. Don’t let that happen!

Are you an older brother or sister in Christ? God loves you, and the Church needs you. There is an important place for you among the people of God, just as there was for Moses.

Are you a younger Catholic? When you meet older parishioners, make it a point to listen to them. Ask them about their journey in faith. Get to know them and see how much you can learn from them. With eyes “undimmed,” they have seen much!

“Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of older brothers and sisters.”

Psalm 66:1-3, 5, 8, 16-17
Matthew 18:15-20

31 posted on 08/16/2017 3:13:46 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for August 16, 2017:

(Reader’s Tip) Over the 8+ years we’ve been married we’ve lived by the motto that we don’t always have to like each other, but we always love each other.

32 posted on 08/16/2017 3:17:26 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Regnum Christi

August 16, 2017 – Tough Moments

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Steven Reilly, LC

Matthew 18: 15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Introductory Prayer: Father, thank you for this time of prayer. Help me to be attentive to the inspirations of your Holy Spirit. This day may be filled with many challenges and activities but throughout them all I invite you to be with me.

Petition: Lord, help me to me an instrument of your peace.

1. If Your Brother Sins Against You: Catholic life is filled with many peaks and valleys. The Church’s soul is the Holy Spirit, but the body’s members can be less than saintly. At times, people can be scandalized by the “humanity” of the Church. “Isn’t he a Catholic? How can he do that?” Jesus, however, was not surprised, and we find him in the Gospel today outlining a procedure to deal with sinful behavior. Our love for the Church is realistic: Jesus came to save sinners; we can’t be surprised when we encounter sin. But realism isn’t cynical. We know that God is infinitely more powerful than our sinfulness. “Where sin has abounded, grace has abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).

2. Fraternal Correction: Very often the sin that we encounter in the Church is right under our own roof. Fraternal correction can be a duty of charity; however, if we relish the thought, that’s a bad sign. We need to purify our intention of wounded pride or any thought of payback. Our motive must be to truly help the other person. Part of this is the desire to be effective, and this means doing things the right way. Going public is not the first step, as the Lord makes clear. By quietly seeking reconciliation we can do much to bring healing to our relationships.

3. The Power of Prayer: Interpersonal conflicts can be among the heaviest crosses that we bear. When the hurts and the slights have accumulated beyond counting and forgiveness is either hard to give or hard to obtain, what is there left to do? The Lord tells us: Pray! Get others to pray with us and for us. “Where two or three are gathered in my name.…” The Lord wants to act in and through our prayer. As Catholics who believe in the gospels, we know that miracles happen. Sometimes it may seem that only a miracle will bring about reconciliation. Miracles will come only to those who ask for them.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you taught us to gather together in prayer. Grant your Church greater unity and charity. Help us to help each other. Give us the humility to be open to correction. I believe that your love will triumph!

Resolution: I will pray fervently before correcting anyone.

33 posted on 08/16/2017 3:26:18 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Homily of the Day
August 16, 2017

In the Gospel reading Jesus tells his disciples and listeners that it is very important that disputes and disagreements be settled well.

What would it be to live in a community where disagreements and disputes could be settled with love, thoughtfulness and depth? Pope Francis’ celebration of an Extraordinary Year of Mercy is a living practice of what Jesus says in the Gospel reading.

The challenge for all of us in our relationships and interaction with others is to be able to live and accept differences in opinion and way of life with understanding and respect. We are called to be careful and mindful of our prejudices and pre-judgments of others. We are encouraged to be able to understand, respect and forgive others who may differ from us.

We are reminded to go beyond our emotions and to see unity and grace in the midst of negativity and pessimism. Understanding and mercy are love gone full circle.


34 posted on 08/16/2017 3:30:05 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Espa�ol

All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 5

<< Wednesday, August 16, 2017 >> St. Stephen of Hungary
 
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
View Readings
Psalm 66:1-3, 5, 8, 16-17 Matthew 18:15-20
Similar Reflections
 

END-TIMES TALK

 
"I have let you feast your eyes upon it, but you shall not cross over." �Deuteronomy 34:4
 

In American culture, movies and novels typically conclude with a happy ending. After a long struggle, the author lets justice prevail and the good guys triumph.

God, the Author of Life (Acts 3:15), is also into happy endings. His happy ending is "immeasurably more than we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20) � "life on high in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). Yet it is sometimes difficult to resist the temptation to question God's handling of endings in this earthly life.

Moses' ending seems tragic. He endured forty years of revolt and grumbling, faithfully shepherding the Israelites to the border of the Promised Land. Yet God refused to allow him to enter the land (Dt 34:4). Without Moses' demise, however, the Israelites might never have followed Joshua as their new leader. If Moses had a "good ending" in the Promised Land, he might have then died without publicly commissioning Joshua, leaving Israel weak and in disarray.

Our heritage is not so much the final outcome, but rather the day-to-day privilege of having God present in our midst (Mt 18:20). Each day in God's service is its own reward (Is 49:4). If we daily focus on Jesus present with us, Jesus will be "the End" for us (Rv 22:13). Any circumstantial worldly ending will not leave us disappointed (Rm 5:5), for our hopes lie firmly in Jesus, the Lord of the End. "Let this, then, be the end" (2 Mc 15:39).

 
Prayer: Father, do in me whatever You must in order to do through me whatever You will.
Promise: "Again I tell you, if two of you join your voices on earth to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you by My Father in heaven." �Mt 18:19
Praise: St. Stephen, King of Hungary, was a devout Catholic who insisted on observance of Christian customs and whose kingdom was a place of peace.

35 posted on 08/16/2017 3:35:12 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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36 posted on 08/16/2017 3:50:09 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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