Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 11-08-17

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 11-08-17 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

November 8, 2017

Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Rom 13:8-10

Brothers and sisters:
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another;
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
The commandments, You shall not commit adultery;
you shall not kill;
you shall not steal;
you shall not covet,
and whatever other commandment there may be,
are summed up in this saying, namely,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Love does no evil to the neighbor;
hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1b-2, 4-5, 9

R. ( 5a) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia 1 Pt 4:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of God rests upon you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,
and he turned and addressed them,
"If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower
does not first sit down and calculate the cost
to see if there is enough for its completion?
Otherwise, after laying the foundation
and finding himself unable to finish the work
the onlookers should laugh at him and say,
'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.'
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down
and decide whether with ten thousand troops
he can successfully oppose another king
advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
But if not, while he is still far away,
he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple."

[Salvation]

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

[Salvation]

KEYWORDS: catholic; lk14; ordinarytime; prayer;

[Salvation]

Alleluia Ping

Please FReepmail me to get on/off the Alleluia Ping List.

[Salvation]

From: Romans 13:8-10

Love, the Fulfilling of the Law

---

[8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for who loves his neighbor
has fulfilled the law. [9] The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,
You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other com-
mandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.” [10] Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling
of the law.

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

8-10. To enable him to keep the Commandments of God perfectly, man receives
the interior influence of love of God and love of neighbor. For when love motivates
us we readily give what is due—and more besides—to him whom we love. In his
public preaching St John of Avila used to say—”Those of you who are unlettered
should not think that this means you cannot enter paradise, study these two
commandments, and when you have fulfilled them, realize that you have done
everything laid down in the Law and the Prophets, and everything taught by the
Gospel and by the Apostles and whatever you are admonished to do by all the
countless books that have been written, for the Lord has send his word to us in
(this) manifold form (cf. Rom 9:28)” (”Sermons”, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost).

The relationship between the virtues of charity and justice is similar to that be-
tween love and the commandments of the Law. “Be convinced that justice alone
is never enough to solve the great problems of mankind [...]. Charity must pene-
trate and accompany justice because it sweetens and deifies everything: ‘God
is love’ (1 Jn 4:16). Our motive in everything we do should be the Love of God,
which makes it easier for us to love our neighbor and which purifies and raises
all earthly loves on to a higher level [...]. Charity, which is like a generous over-
flowing of justice, demands first of all the fulfillment of one’s duty. The way to
start is to be just; the next step is to do what is most equitable...; but in order
to love, great refinement is required, and much thoughtfulness, and respect,
and kindliness” (St. J. Escriva, “Friends of God”, 172-3).

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

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

[Salvation]

From: Luke 14:25-33

Conditions For Following Jesus

---

[25] Now great multitudes accompanied Him (Jesus); and He turned and said to
them, [26] “If any one comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother
and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he
cannot be My disciple. [27] Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after
Me, cannot be My disciple. [28] For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does
not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? [29]
Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see
it begin to mock him, [30] saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to
finish.’ [31] Or what king, going to encounter another king in a war, will not sit
down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him
who comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] And if not, while the other
is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. [33] So
therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disci-
ple.”

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

26. These words of our Lord should not disconcert us. Love for God and for Je-
sus should have pride of place in our lives and we should keep away from any-
thing which obstructs this love: “In this world let us love everyone,” St. Gregory
the Great comments, “even though he be our enemy; but let us hate him who
opposes us on our way to God, though he be our relative [...]. We should then,
love, our neighbor; we should have charity towards all — towards relative and to-
wards strangers — but without separating ourselves from the love of God out of
love for them” (”In Evangelia Homiliae”, 37, 3). In the last analysis, it is a mat-
ter of keeping the proper hierarchy of charity: God must take priority over every-
thing.

This verse must be understood, therefore, in the context of all of our Lord’s tea-
chings (cf. Luke 6:27-35). These are “hard words. True, ‘hate’ does not exactly
express what Jesus meant. Yet He did put it very strongly, because He doesn’t
just mean ‘love less,’ as some people interpret it in an attempt to tone down the
sentence. The force behind these vigorous words does not lie in their implying
a negative or pitiless attitude, for the Jesus who is speaking here is none other
than that Jesus who commands us to love others as we love ourselves and who
gives up His life for mankind. These words indicate simply that we cannot be
half-hearted when it comes to loving God. Christ’s words could be translated as
‘love more, love better’, in the sense that a selfish or partial love is not enough:
we have to love others with the love of God” (St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing
By”, 97). See the notes on Matthew 10:34-37; Luke 2:49.

As the Second Vatican Council explains, Christians “strive to please God rather
than men, always ready to abandon everything for Christ” (Vatican II, “Apostoli-
cam Actuositatem”, 4).

27. Christ “by suffering for us not only gave us an example so that we might fol-
low in His footsteps, but He also opened up a way. If we follow that way, life and
death becomes holy and acquire a new meaning” (Vatican II, “Gaudium Et Spes”,
22).

The way the Christian follows is that of imitating Christ. We can follow Him only
if we help Him bear His cross. We all have experience of suffering, and suffering
leads to unhappiness unless it is accepted with a Christian outlook. The Cross
is not a tragedy: it is God’s way of teaching us that through sin we can be sanc-
tified, becoming one with Christ and winning Heaven as a reward. This is why it
is so Christian to love pain: “Let us bless pain. Love pain. Sanctify pain....Glori-
fy pain!” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 208).

28-35. Our Lord uses different examples to show that if mere human prudence
means that a person should try to work out in advance the risks he may run,
with all the more reason should a Christian embrace the cross voluntarily and
generously, because there is no other way he can follow Jesus Christ. “’Quia
hic homo coepit aedificare et non potuit consummare! He started to build and
was unable to finish!’ A sad commentary which, if you don’t want, need be
made about you: for you possess everything necessary to crown the edifice of
your sanctification — the grace of God and your own will.” (St. J. Escriva, “The
Way”, 324).

33. Earlier our Lord spoke about “hating” one’s parents and one’s very life; now
He equally vigorously requires us to be completely detached from possessions.
This verse is a direct application of the two foregoing parables: just as a king is
imprudent if he goes to war with an inadequate army, so anyone is foolish who
thinks he can follow our Lord without renouncing all his possessions. This re-
nunciation should really bite: our heart has to be unencumbered by anything ma-
terial if we are able to follow in our Lord’s footsteps. The reason is, as He tells us
later on, that it is impossible to “serve God and Mammon” (Luke 16:13). Not in-
frequently our Lord asks a person to practice total, voluntary poverty; and He
asks everyone to practice genuine detachment and generosity in the use of ma-
terial things. If a Christian has to be ready to give up even life itself, with all the
more reason should he renounce possessions: If you are a man of God, you will
seek to despise riches as intensely as men of the world seek to possess them”
(St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 633). See the note on Luke 12:33-34.

Besides, for a soul to become filled with God it must first be emptied of every-
thing that could be an obstacle to God’s indwelling: “The doctrine that the Son
of God came to teach was contempt for all things in order to receive as a reward
the Spirit of God in himself. For, as long as the soul does not reject all things, it
has no capacity to receive the Spirit of God in pure transformation” (St. John of
the Cross, “Ascent of Mount Carmel”, Book 1, Chapter 5, 2).

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

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

[Salvation]

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

[Salvation]

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Green.

---

First reading	Romans 13:8-10 ©

Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations. All the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbour as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments.

---

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 111(112):1-2,4-5,9 ©

Happy the man who takes pity and lends.

or

Alleluia!

Happy the man who fears the Lord,

  who takes delight in all his commands.

His sons will be powerful on earth;

  the children of the upright are blessed.

Happy the man who takes pity and lends.

or

Alleluia!

He is a light in the darkness for the upright:

  he is generous, merciful and just.

The good man takes pity and lends,

  he conducts his affairs with honour.

Happy the man who takes pity and lends.

or

Alleluia!

Open-handed, he gives to the poor;

  his justice stands firm for ever.

  His head will be raised in glory.

Happy the man who takes pity and lends.

or

Alleluia!

---

Gospel Acclamation	Ps118:88

Alleluia, alleluia!

Because of your love give me life,

and I will do your will.

Alleluia!

Or	1P4:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

It is a blessing for you

when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ,

for the Spirit of God rests on you.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel	Luke 14:25-33 ©

Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

  ‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.” Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’

[Salvation]

Pray for Pope Francis.

[Salvation]

It's time to kneel down and pray for our nation (Sacramental Marriage)

[Salvation]

Perpetual Novena for the Nation (Ecumenical)

[Salvation]

Prayers for The Religion Forum (Ecumenical)

[Salvation]

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

[Salvation]

Pray the Rosary!

Is This Bishop Right about the Rosary Conquering Boko Haram? [Catholic Caucus]
Why Boko Haram and ISIS Target Women
Report reveals scale of Boko Haram violence inflicted on Nigerian Catholics
Military evacuating girls, women rescued from Boko Haram
Echos of Lepanto Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Harm
After vision of Christ, Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Haram (Catholic Caucus)
Nigerian Bishop Says Christ Showed Him How to Beat Islamic Terror Group

[Salvation]

 

Jesus, High Priest

 

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

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

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

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

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

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

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

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

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

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

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

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

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

[Salvation]

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

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

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

[Salvation]

St. Michael the Archangel

~ PRAYER ~

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

[Salvation]

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

 

November Devotion: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

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

To Help the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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

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

3. Pray the Stations of the Cross.

4. Offer up little sacrifices and fasting.

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

6. Attend Eucharistic Adoration and pray for them.

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

8. Visit to a Cemetery

 

Litany for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

The just shall be in everlasting remembrance; 

He shall not fear the evil hearing.

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

from every bond of sin, 

R. And by the help of Thy grace

may they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment, 

and to enjoy the happiness of eternal life. 

Because in Thy mercy are deposited the souls that departed 

in an inferior degree of grace,

Lord, have mercy.

Because their present suffering is greatest 

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

Lord, have mercy. 

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

Lord, have mercy.

Not for our consolation, O Lord; 

not for their release from purgative pain, O God; 

but for Thy joy 

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

Lord, have mercy.

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

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

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

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who have gone to prepare our place,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

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

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For priests who were our spiritual directors,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For men or women who were our teachers in school,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who were our employers (or employees),

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who were our associates in daily toil,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For any soul whom we ever offended,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For our enemies now departed,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those souls who have none to pray for them,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those forgotten by their friends and kin,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those now suffering the most,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who have acquired the most merit,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For the souls next to be released from Purgatory,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who, while on earth, 

were most devoted to God the Holy Ghost, 

to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, 

to the holy Mother of God,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all deceased popes and prelates,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all deceased priests, seminarians and religious, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all our brethren in the Faith everywhere, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all our separated brethren who deeply loved Thee, 

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

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

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

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

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

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

That those may be happy with Thee forever, 

who on earth were true exemplars of the Catholic Faith, 

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.

That those may be admitted to Thine unveiled Presence, 

who as far as we know never committed mortal sin,     

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be housed in glory, 

who lived always in recollection and prayer,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

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

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

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be flooded with Thy love, 

who denied themselves even Thy favours of indulgence 

and who made the heroic act 

for the souls who had gone before them,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be drawn up to the Beatific Vision, 

who never put obstacles in the way of sanctifying grace 

and who ever drew closer in mystical union with Thee,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, 

R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. 

Let Us Pray 

Be mindful, O Lord, 

of Thy servants and handmaids, 

N. and N., 

who are gone before us 

with the sign of faith 

and repose in the sleep of grace.  

To these, O Lord, 

and to all who rest in Christ, 

grant, we beseech Thee, 

a place of refreshment, 

light and peace, 

through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen

Bringing back the dead… Catholic style
All Souls, Purgatory and the Bible

Letter #95: Remembering the Dead
Hungry Souls (a bit of a [Book] review) Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
What Is All Souls Day (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed)?
All Saints or All Souls? Differences should be black and white
All Souls' Day [Catholic Caucus]
Why I Am Catholic: For Purgatory, Thank Heavens (Ecumenical)
Q and A: Why Pray for the Dead? [Ecumenical]
“….and Death is Gain” – A Meditation on the Christian View of Death [Catholic Caucus]
99 & 1/2 Won’t Do – A Meditation on Purgatory
The Month of November: Thoughts on the "Last Things"
To Trace All Souls Day

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

[Salvation]

November, 2017

Pope's Prayer Intention

Christians in Asia, That Christians in Asia, bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed, may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, especially with those of other religions.

[Salvation]

Daily Gospel Commentary

Wednesday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Basil (c.330-379), monk and Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Doctor of the Church
Greater Monastic Rules; Q.8

Prefer nothing to Christ

Our Lord Jesus Christ said to all on many occasions and while giving many demonstrations of it: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me,” (cf Lk 9,23) and again: “anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Thus, he seems to demand of us the most entire renunciation… “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be,” he says elsewhere (Mt 6,21). So if we keep back for ourselves any earthly goods or any perishable supplies, our minds will remain sunk in them as though in mud. Then, inevitably, our souls will become unable to contemplate God and will be unmoved by desire for the splendours of heaven and for the good things promised us. We shall only be able to acquire those good things if we ask for them unceasingly, with a burning desire that will, besides, make easy the effort needed to gain them.

To renounce ourselves means to undo the bonds that bind us to this earthly, passing life and free ourselves from human contingencies so that we may become more equal to walking along the way that leads to God. It is to free ourselves from all hindrances so as to possess and use the goods that are “far more precious than gold and silver,” (Ps 119 [118], 72). And, to sum up, to renounce oneself is to lift the human heart into the life of heaven so as to be able to say: “Our citizenship is in heaven,” (Phil 3,20). Above all, it is to begin to grow like Christ, who for our sake became poor although he was rich (2 Cor 8,9). We need to become like him if we want to live according to the Gospel.

[Salvation]

'The Sabbath (cf. Exod. 16:23; 20:10) signifies rest from the passions, and from the intellect's gravitation towards the nature of created beings. It signifies the total quiescence of the passions, a complete cessation of the intellect's gravitation towards created things, and its total entry into the divine. He who has attained this state - so far as God permits - by means of virtue and spiritual knowledge, must not ponder on any material thing at all for, like sticks (cf. Num. 15:32), such things excite the passions; and he must not call to mind any natural principle whatsoever. Otherwise, like the pagans, we will be affirming that God delights in the passions or is commensurate with nature. Perfect silence alone proclaims Him, and total and transcendent unknowing brings us into His presence.'

St. Maximos the Confessor