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Homily of the Day
November 22, 2018

In the first reading from the Book of Revelation the Redeemer Lamb is honored and revered by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders: You are worthy to take the book and open its seals, for you were slain and by your blood you purchased for God people of every race, language and nation; and you made them a kingdom and priests for our God and they shall reign over the land.

In the Gospel reading Jesus weeps over Jerusalem for its failure to recognize and acknowledge the coming of the Messiah. Jesus also predicts the destruction and utter ruin of Jerusalem: “And they will dash you to the ground and your children with you, for you did not recognize the time and the visitation of your God.”

In similar fashion God comes to us in various ways: through the goodness of people, through his generous gifts of grace and creation, through the many happenings in our lives, good and bad, pleasant and unpleasant, through the Church and its sacraments. We pray that we may recognize him and his time and visitation in our lives and that we respond with faith and generosity.


36 posted on 11/22/2018 11:33:39 PM PST 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 | Espanol

All Issues > Volume 34, Issue 6

<< Thursday, November 22, 2018 >> St. Cecilia
 
Revelation 5:1-10
View Readings
Psalm 149:1-6, 9 Luke 19:41-44
Similar Reflections
 

SEEING THROUGH THE TEARS

 
"Coming within sight of the city, He wept over it." �Luke 19:41
 

The Church is renewed through a "vale of tears." We don't just pray and work for renewal; we cry for it. We will see the light through our tears when we love enough to weep bitterly (Rv 5:4) for Jesus to "open the scroll" (Rv 5:5), that is, reveal His plan for renewing the Church. The Lord wants to give us "full knowledge of His will through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight" (Col 1:9). He knows that without a vision for renewal, we will flounder (see Prv 29:18, JB).

However, the devil tries to prevent us from receiving God's revelation for renewal. He will even attempt to obstruct the path of God's angels to prevent them from revealing to us God's plan for renewal (see Dn 10:12-13). If we keep on crying, not in self-pity but in repentance for our sins and in love for God and others, we will get the message, see the light, and renew the Church.

Do you love enough to stop crying for yourself and start crying for the Church? Do you love enough to keep crying even for years? If so, the Lord can use you to renew the Church. Then you will cry tears of joy.

 
Prayer: Father, "oh, that my head were a spring of water, my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night over the slain of the daughter of my people!" (Jer 8:23, NAB)
Promise: "The Lord loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory." —Ps 149:4
Praise: St. Cecilia, like Christ, became perfected through suffering. St. Cecilia, patroness of music, pray that we will praise God always.

37 posted on 11/22/2018 11:36:04 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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