Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 10-17-17, M, St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 10-17-17 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

October 17, 2017

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

Reading 1 Rom 1:16-25

Brothers and sisters:
I am not ashamed of the Gospel.
It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:
for Jew first, and then Greek.
For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith;
as it is written, "The one who is righteous by faith will live."

The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven
against every impiety and wickedness
of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
For what can be known about God is evident to them,
because God made it evident to them.
Ever since the creation of the world,
his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity
have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made.
As a result, they have no excuse;
for although they knew God
they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks.
Instead, they became vain in their reasoning,
and their senseless minds were darkened.
While claiming to be wise, they became fools
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God
for the likeness of an image of mortal man
or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes.

Therefore, God handed them over to impurity
through the lusts of their hearts
for the mutual degradation of their bodies.
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie
and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator,
who is blessed forever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (2a) The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

Alleluia Heb 4:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken,
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see
that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
The Lord said to him, "Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you."

[Salvation]

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).

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Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 11
37.	And as he was speaking, a certain Pharisee prayed him, that he would dine with him. And he going in, sat down to eat.	Et cum loqueretur, rogavit illum quidam pharisæus ut pranderet apud se. Et ingressus recubuit.	εν δε τω λαλησαι ηρωτα αυτον φαρισαιος τις οπως αριστηση παρ αυτω εισελθων δε ανεπεσεν
38.	And the Pharisee began to say, thinking within himself, why he was not washed before dinner.	Pharisæus autem cœpit intra se reputans dicere, quare non baptizatus esset ante prandium.	ο δε φαρισαιος ιδων εθαυμασεν οτι ου πρωτον εβαπτισθη προ του αριστου
39.	And the Lord said to him: Now you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inside is full of rapine and iniquity.	Et ait Dominus ad illum : Nunc vos pharisæi, quod deforis est calicis et catini, mundatis : quod autem intus est vestrum, plenum est rapina et iniquitate.	ειπεν δε ο κυριος προς αυτον νυν υμεις οι φαρισαιοι το εξωθεν του ποτηριου και του πινακος καθαριζετε το δε εσωθεν υμων γεμει αρπαγης και πονηριας
40.	Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make also that which is within?	Stulti nonne qui fecit quod deforis est, etiam id quod deintus est fecit ?	αφρονες ουχ ο ποιησας το εξωθεν και το εσωθεν εποιησεν
41.	But yet that which remaineth, give alms; and behold, all things are clean unto you.	Verumtamen quod superest, date eleemosynam : et ecce omnia munda sunt vobis.	πλην τα ενοντα δοτε ελεημοσυνην και ιδου παντα καθαρα υμιν εστιν

[annalex]

37. And as he spoke, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him, and he went in, and sat down to meat.
38. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner.
39. And the Lord said to him, Now do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
40. You fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?
41. But rather give alms of such things as you have; and, behold, all things are clean to you.

CYRIL; The Pharisee, while our Lord still continued on speaking, invites Him to his own house. As it is said And while he was speaking, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him.

BEDE; Luke expressly says, And he spoke these things, to show that He had not quite finished what He had purposed to say, but was somewhat interrupted by the Pharisee asking Him to dine.

AUG. For in order to relate this, Luke has made a variation from Matthew, at that place where both had mentioned what out Lord said concerning the sign of Jonah, and the queen of the south, and the unclean spirit; after which discourse Matthew says, While he yet talked to the people, behold his mother and his brethren stood without desiring to speak to him, but Luke having also in that discourse of our Lord related some of our Lord's sayings which Matthew omitted, now departs from the order which he had hitherto kept with Matthew.

BEDE; Accordingly, after that it was told Him that His mother and brethren stood without, and He said, For he that does the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother, we are given to understand that He by the request of the Pharisee went to the dinner.

CYRIL; For Christ, knowing the wickedness of those Pharisees, Himself purposely condescends to be occupied in admonishing them, after the manner of the best physicians, who bring remedies of their own making to those who are dangerously ill. Hence it follows, And he went in and sat down to meat. But what gave occasion for the words of Christ was, that the ignorant Pharisees were offended, that while men thought Him to be a great man and a prophet, He conformed not to their unreasonable customs. Therefore it is added, But the Pharisee began to think and say within himself, Why had he not first washed before dinner?

AUG. For every day before dinner the Pharisees washed themselves with water, as if a daily washing could be a cleansing of the heart. But the Pharisee thought within himself, yet did not give utterance to a word; nevertheless, He heard who perceived the secrets of the heart. Hence it follows, And the Lord said to him, Now do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

CYRIL; Now our Lord might also have used other words to admonish the foolish Pharisee, but he seizes the opportunity and framed his reproof from the things that were ready before him. At the hour, namely, of meals He takes for His example the cup and the platter, pointing out that it became the sincere servants of God to be washed and clean, not only from bodily impurity, but also from that which lies concealed within the power of the soul, just as any of the vessels which are used for the table ought to be free from all inward defilement.

AMBROSE; Now mark that our bodies are signified by the mention of earthly and fragile things, which when let fall a short distance are broken to pieces, and those things which the mind meditates within, it easily expresses through the senses and actions of the body, just as those things which the cup contains within make a glitter without. Hence also hereafter, by the word cup doubtless the passion of the body is spoken of. You perceive then, that not the outside of the cup and platter defiles us, but the inner parts. For he said, But your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

AUG. But how was it that He spared not the man by whom He was as invited? Yes rather, He spared him by reproof, that when corrected He might spare him in the judgment. Further, He shows us that baptism also which is once given cleanses by faith; but faith is something within, not without. The Pharisees despised faith, and used washings which were without; while within they remained full of pollution. The Lord condemns this, saying, You fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

BEDE; As if He says, He who made both natures of man, will have each to be cleansed. This is against the Manicheans, who think the soul only was created by God, but the flesh by the devil. It is also against those who abominate the sins of the flesh, such as fornication, theft, and the like; while those of the Spirit, which are no less condemned by the Apostle, they disregard as trifling.

AMBROSE; Now our Lord as a good Master taught us how we ought to purify our bodies from defilement, saying, But rather give alms of such things as you have over: and behold, all things are clean to you. You see what the remedies are; almsgiving cleanses us, the word of God cleanses us according to that which is written, Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you.

CYPRIAN; The Merciful bids us to show mercy; and because He seeks to save those whom He has redeemed at a great price, He teaches that they who have been defiled after the grace of baptism may again be made clean.

CHRYS. Now He says, give alms, not injury. For almsgiving is that which is free from all injury. It makes all things clean, and is more excellent than fasting; which though it be the more painful, the other is the more profitable. It enlightens the soul, enriches it, and makes it good and beautiful. He who resolves to have compassion on the needy, will sooner cease from sin. For as the physician who is in the habit of healing the diseased is easily grieved by the misfortunes of others; so we, if we have devoted ourselves to the relief of others, shall easily despise things present, and be raised up to heaven. The unction of almsgiving then is no slight good, since it is capable of being applied to every wound.

BEDE; He speaks of "what is over and above" our necessary food and clothing. For you are not commended to give alms so as to consume yourself by want, but that after satisfying your wants, you should supply the poor to the utmost of your power. Or it must be taken in this way. Do that which remains within your power, that is, which is the only remedy remaining to those who have been hitherto engaged in so much wickedness; give alms. Which word applies to every thing which is done with profitable compassion. For not he alone gives alms who gives food to the hungry and things of that kind, but he also who gives pardon to the sinner, and prays for him, and reproves him, visiting him with some correcting punishment.

THEOPHYL. Or He means, "That which is uppermost." For wealth rules the covetous man's heart.

AMBROSE; The whole then of this beautiful discourse is directed to this end, that while it invites us to the study of simplicity, it should condemn the luxury and worldliness of the Jews. And yet even they are promised the abolition of their sins if they will follow mercy.

AUG. But if they cannot be cleansed except they believe on Him who cleanses the heart by faith, what is this which He says, Give alms, and behold all things are clean to you? Let us give heed, and perhaps He Himself explains it to us. For the Jews withdrew a tenth part from all their produce, and gave it in alms, which rarely a Christian does. Therefore they mocked Him, for saying this to them as to men who did not give alms. God knowing this adds, But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God. This then is not giving alms. For to give alms is to show mercy. If you are wise, begin with yourself: for how are you merciful to another, if cruel to yourself? Hear the Scripture, which says to you, Have mercy on your own soul, and please God. Return to your conscience, you that live in evil or unbelief; and then you find your soul begging, or perhaps struck dumb with want. In judgment and love give alms to your soul. What is judgment? Do what is displeasing to yourself. What is charity? Love God, love your neighbor. If you neglect this alms, love as much you like, you do nothing, since you do it not to yourself.

CYRIL; Or He says it by way of censure upon the Pharisees, who ordered those precepts only to be strictly observed by their people, which were the cause of fruitful returns to themselves. Hence they omitted not even the smallest herbs, but despised the work of inspiring love to God, and the just awarding of judgment.

THEOPHYL. For because they despised God, treating sacred things with indifference, He commands them to have love to God; but by judgment He implies the love of our neighbor. For when a man judges his neighbor justly, it proceeds from his love to him.

AMBROSE; Or judgment, because they do not bring to examination every thing that they do; charity, because they love not God with their heart. But that He might not make us zealous of the faith, to the neglect of good works, He sums up the perfection of a good man in a few words, these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Catena Aurea Luke 11

[annalex]

The Baptism of Christ

early 16th century
Tempera on canvas and wood, 25 x 20 cm
Pinacoteca, Vatican

[Salvation]

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Fr. Don Miller, OFM

Image: Detail | Saint Ignatius with Madonna and Child | Lorenzo Lotto

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Saint of the Day for October 17

(d. c. 107)

 

Saint Ignatius of Antioch’s Story

Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius would not deny Christ and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome.

Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith.

The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. “The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ.”

Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus.

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Reflection

Ignatius’s great concern was for the unity and order of the Church. Even greater was his willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than deny his Lord Jesus Christ. He did not draw attention to his own suffering, but to the love of God which strengthened him. He knew the price of commitment and would not deny Christ, even to save his own life.

[Salvation]

St. Ignatius of Antioch: A Martyr’s Love for the Eucharist

The Ecclesiology of St. Ignatius of Antioch
St. Ignatius of Antioch - One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic: The Early Church Was The Catholic Church
Ignatius of Antioch: Epistle to the Philadelphians
Two Fathers [Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna]
St. Ignatius of Antioch and the Early Church
St. Ignatius of Antioch and the Early Church [Ecumenical]
The Mysticism of Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr 17 October 107
Saint Ignatius Of Antioch Bishop, Martyr
St.Ignatius Of Antioch (A.D.110)

[Salvation]

Information: St. Ignatius of Antioch

Feast Day: October 17

Born: 50 in Syria

Died: between 98-117, Rome

Major Shrine: Relics are in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

Patron of: against throat diseases, Church in eastern Mediterranean; Church in North Africa

[Salvation]

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Feast Day: October 17
Born:50 :: Died:107

St. Ignatius of Antioch was born in the year 50 to a pagan family (people who do not believe in God). He later wanted to become a Christian and was converted.

Ignatius was the third bishop of Antioch. This is the city where St. Peter labored before he moved to Rome. It is also the city where followers of Jesus were first called Christians.

Ignatius was condemned to death by Emperor Trajan who hated the Christians. He was taken from Antioch to the amphitheater in center of Rome.

This was the place where the Christians who were to die were left in the center of a big ground to be eaten by hungry lions that were let out of their cages.

All around this large ground were seats for the Romans to watch while the lions killed the people and they enjoyed watching the Christians die.

Although St. Ignatius traveled to Rome under military guard, he stopped in Smyrna and Troas. From each of those cities, he wrote letters to the Christian communities. He was the first writer to use the term "the Catholic Church."

He told the churches that he was very happy to die for Jesus so they must not stop him. He asked them to pray that God would grant him his wish. In this way, like the great St. Paul, he preached the Good News to the people.

When the beloved Ignatius arrived in Rome, he joined the brave Christians who waited in prisons. The day came when the bishop was pushed out into the amphitheater. Two fierce lions devoured him.

He left the beautiful witness of Christian life and his letters. St. Ignatius died around 107. St. Jerome and St. John Chrysostom both thought of his tomb as near the city gates of Antioch.

Let us find courage in the witness and prayers of St. Ignatius.

[Salvation]

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Tuesday, October 17

Liturgical Color: Red

Today is the Memorial of St.
Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and
martyr. He was an early church
leader and disciple of the
Apostle John. He wrote many
letters encouraging early
Christians to maintain their faith
in the face of heresies and
persecution.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: October 17th

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr

MASS READINGS

October 17, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs, grant, we pray, that, just as the glorious passion of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which we celebrate today, brought him eternal splendor, so it may be for us unending protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Recipes (5)

• Bread Pretzel
• Lion Cake
• Soft Pretzels
• Whole Wheat Batter Bread
• Whole Wheat Bread I

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Activities (2)

• Christmas Wheat
• St. Lucy and the Christmas Wheat

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Prayers (1)

• Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Library (5)

• Saint Ignatius of Antioch | Pope Benedict XVI
• Spurious Epistles Of Ignatius Of Antioch | St. Ignatius of Antioch
• Syriac Versions Of The Epistles Of Ignatius Of Antioch | St. Ignatius of Antioch
• The Martyrdom Of Ignatius Of Antioch | Unknown
• The Seven Epistles Of St. Ignatius Of Antioch | St. Ignatius of Antioch

Old Calendar: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin

St. Ignatius is one of the great bishops of the early Church. He was the successor of St. Peter as Bishop of Antioch. He was condemned to death by wild beasts during the Emperor Trajan's persecution. On his way to Rome, he wrote seven magnificent letters, which we still have today, concerning the Person of Christ, his love for Christ, his desire for martyrdom and on the constitution of the Church and Christian life. His sentiments before his approaching martyrdom are summed in his word in the Communion antiphon, "I am the wheat of Christ, ground by the teeth of beasts to become pure bread."

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Her feast in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite is celebrated on October 16. St. Ignatius feast in the Extraordinary Form is on February 1.

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St. Ignatius of Antioch
In the Martyrology we read: "At Rome, the holy bishop and martyr Ignatius. He was the second successor to the apostle Peter in the see of Antioch. In the persecution of Trajan he was condemned to the wild beasts and sent in chains to Rome. There, by the emperor's order, he was subjected to most cruel tortures in the presence of the Senate and then thrown to the lions. Torn to pieces by their teeth, he became a victim for Christ."

The bishop and martyr Ignatius occupies a foremost place among the heroes of Christian antiquity. His final journey from Antioch to Rome was like a nuptial procession and a Way of the Cross. For the letters he wrote along the way resemble seven stations of the Cross; they may also be called seven nuptial hymns overflowing with the saint's intense love for Christ Jesus and his longing to be united with Him. These letters are seven most precious jewels in the heirloom bequeathed to us by the Church of sub-apostolic times.

The year of St. Ignatius' death is unknown; perhaps it occurred during the victory festivities in which the Emperor Trajan sacrificed the lives of 10,000 gladiators and 11,000 wild beasts for the amusement of the bloodthirsty populace. The scene of his glorious triumph and martyrdom was most likely the Colosseum; that mammoth structure, glittering with gold and marble, had then been just completed.

"From Syria to Rome I must do battle with beasts on land and sea. For day and night I am chained to ten leopards, that is, the soldiers who guard me and grow more ferocious the better they are treated. Their mistreatment is good instruction for me, yet am I still far from justified. Oh, that I may meet the wild beasts now kept in readiness for me. I shall implore them to give me death promptly and to hasten my departure. I shall invite them to devour me so that they will not leave my body unharmed as already has happened to other witnesses. If they refuse to pounce upon me, I shall impel them to eat me. My little children, forgive me these words. Surely I know what is good for me. From things visible I no longer desire anything; I want to find Jesus. Fire and cross, wild beasts, broken bones, lacerated members, a body wholly crushed, and Satan's every torment, let them all overwhelm me, if only I reach Christ."

The saint, now condemned to fight the wild beasts, burned with desire for martyrdom. On hearing the roar of the lions he cried out: "I am a kernel of wheat for Christ. I must be ground by the teeth of beasts to be found bread (of Christ) wholly pure".

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

Patron: Church in eastern Mediterranean; Church in North Africa; throat diseases.

Symbols: Chains; lions; bishop surrounded by lions; heart with IHC; crucifix; heart.

Things to Do: Find the epistles of St. Ignatius. Read and meditate upon his words; Meditate on the words of St. Ignatius in the Communion Antiphon. Are we able to accept martyrdom, either bodily death, or "white martyrdom"? Jesus Himself was the Grain of wheat who had to die to bear fruit. The fruit produced is the Mystical Body, the Church. Pius Parsch explains that: "In turn each Christian becomes a grain of wheat that matures for the mill of martyrdom! Read the Communion as if it were your own composition. I, a kernel of wheat! I, too, am destined for the mill of suffering, to be ground — not only was it true of Ignatius. What type of beasts' teeth will crush me? Persecution? Pain and suffering? Other people? It makes no difference, the kernel must die, either buried in the ground to produce another stalk or crushed to become bread. Is not this our destiny in life, to die to self or to lose ourselves in service to others?" (The Church's Year of Grace, Advent to Candlemas, The Liturgical Press, 1964)

• Plant some wheat to help the children visualize grains or kernels of wheat

• Bake a Lion Cake

• Bake wheat bread or make something with wheat kernels. Hot cross buns or pretzels in their traditional shape remind us of the cross which we must embrace, as St. Ignatius did.

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 11:37-41

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial)

A Pharisee invited him to dine. (Luke 11:37)

One day, a mother of two was preparing chicken for dinner. As she trimmed the fat from the meat, a thought passed through her mind. She felt as if the Lord was telling her, “Sandra, this is what I am doing in your life—trimming away the things that distract you from me.” It seemed a little silly, but the message stayed with her. Years later, when she shared the story with a group of parishioners, people could tell that the message still moved her deeply.

Sandra wasn’t doing anything extraordinary when she sensed the Lord speaking to her. She was just going about her daily routine. She wasn’t even praying. Similarly, in today’s Gospel, the Pharisee in question wasn’t at the Temple or immersed in prayer. He had simply invited Jesus over for dinner. It may not have been a religious context, but that didn’t keep Jesus from talking to him about the state of his heart.

God doesn’t need us to be doing anything special for him to speak to us. Of course, regular prayer and Scripture reading can help us become more attuned to God’s voice in our everyday lives, but God isn’t limited to those times. We might hear him while we are washing the dishes or driving to work. He might catch our attention through a friend’s words or a newspaper article. Maybe a new thought pops into our mind and gives us a fresh perspective or brings a sense of peace we didn’t have before. Or we have a disagreement with someone close to us, and we sense the Spirit helping us not get too upset. No matter how he chooses to speak to us, we can be sure that it is God when we feel drawn to love him and each other more fully.

So keep your heart and mind open today. Don’t doubt God’s involvement in your life. God has so much he wants to say. He has so much love he wants to share. He is not a distant God. He is your Father, and he loves spending time with you.

“Lord, come speak to me at any time of the day. Help me to recognize your voice.”

Romans 1:16-25
Psalm 19:2-5

[Salvation]

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for October 17, 2017:

(Reader’s Tip) Find a task or chore that is your spouse’s least favorite thing to do (taking out the trash, doing the dishes) and do it for them as often as you can.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

October 17, 2017 – Laws That Bind or Free

17 Oct 2017

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

Father Daniel Ray, LC

Luke 11: 37-41

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present here as I turn to you in prayer. I trust and have confidence in your desire to give me every grace I need to receive today. Thank you for your love, thank you for your immense generosity toward me. I give you my life and my love in return.

Petition: Lord, grant me this grace of conversion.

1. Law for the Law’s Sake: The Mosaic Law was intended to free them for worship, delivering them from slavery to pagan gods and from slavery to sin. When the Law (and the added customs and regulations) became an end in itself, it was truncated and severed from the One to whom it was meant to lead. Today in the Catholic Church there are enough laws, customs and regulations to make even the most rigorous Pharisee proud. The danger is that we can fall into one of two traps. First, we can adhere to them with such vigor that we lose sight of the One they are freeing us to worship. We don’t allow our hearts and minds to be educated and formed by them, we just follow them blindly. We wind up cleaning the outside of the cup and stopping there, without going on to see God’s love and let it purify our hearts.

2. The Second Trap: The second trap we can fall into is at the other extreme: to give ourselves an easy pass by presuming that “if my heart is in the right place, I don’t need to worry about all these rules and such.” With a lax attitude we permit ourselves to ease up on fulfilling these laws which in truth will free us. “I know today is Sunday and I should go to Mass, but it’s vacation! God knows I’m a good person.” Yet it is in the Sunday Mass that we receive the many graces necessary toward our being that “good person”. The commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, as with any of the Ten Commandments and customs of the Church, is there to lead us to God. These free us from our often confused subjective conclusions about how we should worship God and live our lives.

3. Cleaning the Cup: “Charity covers a multitude of sin” (1 Peter 4:8). The law of love is the most important of all the commandments of the Lord. In Chapter 12 of the Gospel of Mark, Christ responds to a scribe’s question about the first of all the commandments: “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Love of God and neighbor is both the source and the summit of the Law of the Old Covenant and of the New. Living these two greatest commandments purifies and cleanses our hearts—the inside of the cup. So when Christ says to give alms, he is telling the Pharisees to love their neighbors. Then their hearts will be clean.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I want my heart always to be focused on you. I need your guidance, for I can’t do it alone. I need you to teach me how to love you, how to worship and serve you. The laws you give me free me and guide me toward you. Help me to see your hand leading me ever closer to you.

Resolution: If there is a rule or custom of the Church that I don’t understand or don’t practice, I will read up on it to come to understand better how it frees me and guides me in my relationship with Christ.

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

October 17, 2017

In the first reading Paul reminds the Church in Rome that they are saved by their belief in Christ and the Good News. Paul also says that we know God from his works, the world he had created..

In the Gospel reading Jesus reprimands the Pharisees for their hypocrisy in their many rules: they have endless prescriptions about ritual purity and cleanliness, about preparing food and eating. Yet they are “full of greed and evil.” What is truly important is what we are in our hearts and inmost being.

Lord, help me to become more understanding and compassionate. Help me, Lord, not to be a fault-finder but a loving person instead. Help me to be discerning and yet not judgmental of others in their motives and actions. Teach me to be humble and generous.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 6

<< Tuesday, October 17, 2017 >>

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Romans 1:16-25
View Readings

Psalm 19:2-5

Luke 11:37-41
Similar Reflections

ASHAMED OF MERCY?

"I am not ashamed of the gospel." �Romans 1:16

I wonder if deep down we don't proclaim the Good News more fervently because we are embarrassed that the guilty receive unmerited mercy. The rapist, terrorist, abortionist, murderer, and other wrongdoers confess their sins (Ps 32:5), repent and sin no more (Jn 8:11), accept and live their Baptism, and their sins are simply forgiven. They receive eternal life in heaven (see Lk 23:42-43). They seem to not receive the punishment due to their sins. "There is no condemnation now for those who are in Jesus Christ" (Rm 8:1). To law-abiding citizens, this can look unfair.

Our secular society demands justice and punishment. Simply browse the comments in any social media outlet when a grave act of injustice occurs. Victims cry out for healing and restitution. Lawyers press for damages, and then some. Bystanders scream for punishment, even before a criminal trial.

The gospel of Christ (Rm 1:16) proclaims that Jesus is our Justice (1 Cor 1:30). Accordingly, He handles all the demands of justice for all parties. The gospel also proclaims that "God is rich in mercy" (Eph 2:4), and that God repays any damages that have occurred (see Jl 2:25). Jesus receives the punishment in place of sinners and pours out mercy on both sinner and victim.

Instead of taking on Jesus' job of figuring out punishments and restorations, our role is to fall on our knees before Jesus and beg for mercy and justice. Humanity is unable to do the job which belongs properly to the Lord, for His ways are far beyond our ways (Is 55:8-9). The conflicting demands of mercy and justice are no problem for Jesus, Who is Mercy and Justice incarnate.

Prayer: Father, remove from my heart and mind any embarrassment that might exist about Your lavish mercy toward sinners.

Promise: "If you give what you have as alms, all will be wiped clean for you." �Lk 11:41

Praise: St. Ignatius worked for Christian unity by proclaiming the Eucharist.

[Salvation]