From: Sirach 1:1-10

All Wisdom Comes from the Lord

[1] All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him forever. [2] The sand of the
sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity — who can count them? [3] The
height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the abyss, and wisdom — who can
search them out? [4] Wisdom was created before all things, and prudent under-
standing from eternity. [6] The root of wisdom — to whom has it been revealed?
Her clever devices — who knows them? [8] There is One who is wise, greatly to
be feared, sitting upon his throne.

God Imbues All His Work with Wisdom

[9] The Lord himself created wisdom; he saw her and apportioned her, he poured
her out upon all his works. [10] She dwells with all flesh according to his gift, and
he supplied her to those who love him.

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Commentary:

1:1-16:23 Just as the Torah is made up of the five books of the Pentateuch, we
could say that the book of Ben Sirach also consists of five parts, over the course
of which the teacher distills his teaching. The first of these covers almost sixteen
chapters. It begins with kind, of doctrinal introduction dealing with the divine ori-
gin of Wisdom (1:1-2:18). Then (3:1-16:23) there follows a series of practical tea-
chings about a whole range of things to do with ordinary life—duties to parents
(3:1-16), solidarity with others (4:1-10), human virtues (3:l7-29; 4:25-6:1). As a
kind of refrain, every now and then we get exhortations about the need to be pru-
dent and to acquire true wisdom.

1:1-2:21. In the. doctrinal instruction to the first part of the.book, Ben Sirach
zones in on the main ideas he means to explore over the course of the book. It
has to do with the Lord as the source of wisdom, and with the attitude a person
needs to have to become wise. In the Greek translation, as in the Septuagint’s
translation of other Old Testament works, the term “the Lord” used where the
Hebrew text uses the proper name of God, “Yhwh”.

The first question posed is: Where does wisdom come from? And the answer is
quite, definite from the very start “All wisdom comes from God and is with him
forever” (1:1). There is no source .of wisdom but the one true God: “There is [on-
ly] One who is wise” (1:8). He created all things and “he poured (wisdom) out
upon all his works” (1:9). Therefore the study, of nature and of man (God’s works)
is the way to discover wisdom. More will be said about this in the introduction to
the second part of the book (16:24-18:14).

Every created thing is designed in a particular way and the Lord’s wisdom can be
seen from the order that exists in creation and from the laws governing the nature
and activity of man. In the case of human beings, a person will attain happiness
and wisdom if he or she adheres to these rules laid by God. This leads Ben Si-
rach to say this is the main contribution his book makes: “If you desire wisdom,
keep the commandments” (1:26). A person who approaches God in all simplicity,
ready to listen to his precepts and puts them into practice will discover the mea-
ning of the things and events of the world around him, which he so greatly de-
sires. In the introduction to the part of the book these ideas are developed fur-
ther (24: 1-34).

It follows that a person who wants to be wise should logically show grateful res-
pect to the Creator by acting in line with the “instructions” wisely imprinted on
created things (man included). This is what in the tradition of Israel called “fear
of the Lord”, which is therefore “wisdom and instruction” (1:27). The expression
“fear of the Lord” does not, then, in any sense mean being afraid of God. On the
contrary, it is a reverent way of referring to the religious attitude of man towards
Him who looks after him with great solicitude.

When the fourth part of the book goes into the motivation that, should inspire
one’s everyday conduct, it stresses the need for fear of the Lord in order to be
wise (32:14-33:17).

A person beginning to set out on the path of wisdom need to be determined to
keep true to the Lord, for he is bound to meet with difficulties. But he has every
reason to trust in God. One good reason is the lessons of history: “Consider the
ancient generations and see: who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame?”
(2:10). The fifth and last part of the book, provide a running commentary on the
example set by figures in the past (44:1-50:21).

The ideas contained in these chapters prepare the way for the full revelation of
the Wisdom of God—the incarnation of the Word (cf. the prologue to St John’s
Gospel: Jn 1:1-18). That passage of the New Testament helps one to understand
the full implications of things said here. “All wisdom comes from God and is with
him for ever” (1:1), for “the Word was with God and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1);
nd the Lord “supplied her [Wisdom] to those who love him” (Sir 1:10b), for “to all
who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children
of God” (Jn 1:12-13). The Law promulgated by God in the Old Testament pre-
pared the way for the full revelation of God himself’ in whom all Wisdom dwells:
“The ‘Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Christ” (Jn
1 17). The Letter to the Hebrews, in line with the call in Sirach 2:10, invites us
to consider the example set by the great Israelite leaders of the past (cf. Heb 11:
1-40).

The earliest Christian commentators did not fail to find in Sirach references to the
fullness of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ: “The divine Teacher, Jesus Christ, me-
rits our full confidence because he possesses the three most beautiful qualities —
wisdom, benevolence, and openheartedness. Wisdom, for he is wisdom of the
Father: “All wisdom comes from the Lord, and is with him forever” (Sir 1:1); open-
heartedness, for he is God and Creator: “Everything that is was made by him,
and without him nothing was made” (Jn 1:9) and benevolence, for he offered him-
self as the one victim for us all” (Clement of Alexandria, “Paedagogus”, 1, 97:3).

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

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

From: Mark 9:14-29

The Curing of an Epileptic Boy

[14] And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd about them,
and scribes arguing with them. [15] And immediately all the crowd when they
saw Him (Jesus), were greatly amazed, and ran up to Him and greeting Him.
[16] And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” [17] And one
of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a
dumb spirit; [18] and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams
and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked Your disciples to cast it
out, and they were not able.” [19] And He answered them, “Oh faithless gene-
ration, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring
him to Me.”

[20] And they brought the boy to Him; and when the spirit saw Him, immediately
it convulsed the body, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the
mouth. [21] And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he
said, “From childhood. [22] And it has often cash him into the fire and into the
water, to destroy him; but if You can do anything, have pity on us and help us.”
[23] And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who be-
lieves.” [24] Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help
my unbelief!” [25] And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, He
rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I command
you, come out of him, and never enter him again.” [26] After crying out and con-
vulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of
them said, “He is dead.” [27] But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up,
and he arose. [28] And when He had entered the house, His disciples asked Him
privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” [29] And He said to them, “This kind
cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.”

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Commentary:

17. The demon who possessed this boy is described as a “dumb spirit” because
dumbness was the main feature of the possession. On diabolic possession cf.
note on Matthew 12:22-24.

19-24. As on other occasions, Jesus requires submission of faith before He works
the miracle. The exclamation of Jesus refers to the request of the boy’s father
(verse 22), which seemed to suggest some doubt about God’s omnipotence. The
Lord corrects this way of asking and requires him to have firm faith. In verse 24 we
can see that the father has quite changed; then Jesus does the miracle. The
man’s strengthened faith made him all-powerful, for someone with faith relies not
on himself but on Jesus Christ. Through faith, then, we become sharers in God’s
omnipotence. But faith is a gift of God, which man, especially at times when he
is wavering, should ask humbly and tenaciously, like the father of this boy: “I
believe, help my unbelief,” and like the Apostles: “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:
5).

28-29. “In teaching the Apostles how to expel a spirit as evil as this He is tea-
ching all of us how we should live, and telling us that prayer is the resource we
should use to overcome even the severest temptations, whether they come from
unclean spirits or from men. Prayer does not consist only in the words we use
to invoke God’s clemency but also in everything we do, out of faith, as homage
to God. The Apostle bears witness to this when he says: `Pray constantly’ (1
Thessalonians 5:7)” (St. Bede, “In Marci Evangelium Expositio, in loc.”).

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

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Green.

First reading
Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10 ©

Before all other things, wisdom was created

All wisdom is from the Lord,

and it is his own for ever.

The sand of the sea and the raindrops,

and the days of eternity, who can assess them?

The height of the sky and the breadth of the earth,

and the depth of the abyss, who can probe them?

Before all other things wisdom was created,

shrewd understanding is everlasting.

For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered?

Her resourceful ways, who knows them?

One only is wise, terrible indeed,

seated on his throne, the Lord.

He himself has created her, looked on her and assessed her,

and poured her out on all his works

to be with all mankind as his gift,

and he conveyed her to those who love him.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 92(93):1-2,5 ©

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed;

the Lord has robed himself with might,

he has girded himself with power.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

The world you made firm, not to be moved;

your throne has stood firm from of old.

From all eternity, O Lord, you are.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

Truly your decrees are to be trusted.

Holiness is fitting to your house,

O Lord, until the end of time.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

Gospel Acclamation	1P1:25

Alleluia, alleluia!

The word of the Lord remains for ever:

What is this word?

It is the Good News that has been brought to you.

Alleluia!

Or:	cf.2Tim1:10

Alleluia, alleluia!

Our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death

and he has proclaimed life through the Good News.

Alleluia!

Gospel	Mark 9:14-29 ©

Help the little faith I have!

When Jesus, with Peter, James and John came down from the mountain and rejoined the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them. The moment they saw him the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him. ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ he asked. A man answered him from the crowd, ‘Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him, and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were unable to.’ ‘You faithless generation’ he said to them in reply. ‘How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ They brought the boy to him, and as soon as the spirit saw Jesus it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ ‘From childhood,’ he replied ‘and it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water, in order to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ retorted Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!’ And when Jesus saw how many people were pressing round him, he rebuked the unclean spirit. ‘Deaf and dumb spirit,’ he said ‘I command you: come out of him and never enter him again.’ Then throwing the boy into violent convulsions it came out shouting, and the boy lay there so like a corpse that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him up, and he was able to stand. When he had gone indoors his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why were we unable to cast it out?’ ‘This is the kind’ he answered ‘that can only be driven out by prayer.’

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 9
14.	9:13 And coming to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes disputing with them.	9:13 Et veniens ad discipulos suos, vidit turbam magnam circa eos, et scribas conquirentes cum illis.	και ελθων προς τους μαθητας ειδεν οχλον πολυν περι αυτους και γραμματεις συζητουντας αυτοις
15.	9:14 And presently all the people seeing Jesus, were astonished and struck with fear; and running to him, they saluted him.	9:14 Et confestim omnis populus videns Jesum, stupefactus est, et expaverunt, et accurrentes salutabant eum.	και ευθεως πας ο οχλος ιδων αυτον εξεθαμβηθη και προστρεχοντες ησπαζοντο αυτον
16.	9:15 And he asked them: What do you question about among you?	9:15 Et interrogavit eos : Quid inter vos conquiritis ?	και επηρωτησεν τους γραμματεις τι συζητειτε προς αυτους
17.	9:16 And one of the multitude, answering, said: Master, I have brought my son to thee, having a dumb spirit.	9:16 Et respondens unus de turba, dixit : Magister, attuli filium meum ad te habentem spiritum mutum :	και αποκριθεις εις εκ του οχλου ειπεν διδασκαλε ηνεγκα τον υιον μου προς σε εχοντα πνευμα αλαλον
18.	9:17 Who, wheresoever he taketh him, dasheth him, and he foameth, and gnasheth with the teeth, and pineth away; and I spoke to thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not.	9:17 qui ubicumque eum apprehenderit, allidit illum, et spumat, et stridet dentibus, et arescit : et dixi discipulis tuis ut ejicerent illum, et non potuerunt.	και οπου αν αυτον καταλαβη ρησσει αυτον και αφριζει και τριζει τους οδοντας αυτου και ξηραινεται και ειπον τοις μαθηταις σου ινα αυτο εκβαλωσιν και ουκ ισχυσαν
19.	9:18 Who answering them, said: O incredulous generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.	9:18 Qui respondens eis, dixit : O generatio incredula, quamdiu apud vos ero ? quamdiu vos patiar ? afferte illum ad me.	ο δε αποκριθεις αυτω λεγει ω γενεα απιστος εως ποτε προς υμας εσομαι εως ποτε ανεξομαι υμων φερετε αυτον προς με
20.	9:19 And they brought him. And when he had seen him, immediately the spirit troubled him; and being thrown down upon the ground, he rolled about foaming.	9:19 Et attulerunt eum. Et cum vidisset eum, statim spiritus conturbavit illum : et elisus in terram, volutabatur spumans.	και ηνεγκαν αυτον προς αυτον και ιδων αυτον ευθεως το πνευμα εσπαραξεν αυτον και πεσων επι της γης εκυλιετο αφριζων
21.	9:20 And he asked his father: How long time is it since this hath happened unto him? But he said: From his infancy:	9:20 Et interrogavit patrem ejus : Quantum temporis est ex quo ei hoc accidit ? At ille ait : Ab infantia :	και επηρωτησεν τον πατερα αυτου ποσος χρονος εστιν ως τουτο γεγονεν αυτω ο δε ειπεν παιδιοθεν
22.	9:21 And oftentimes hath he cast him into the fire and into waters to destroy him. But if thou canst do any thing, help us, having compassion on us.	9:21 et frequenter eum in ignem, et in aquas misit ut eum perderet : sed si quid potes, adjuva nos, misertus nostri.	και πολλακις αυτον και εις το πυρ εβαλεν και εις υδατα ινα απολεση αυτον αλλ ει τι δυνασαι βοηθησον ημιν σπλαγχνισθεις εφ ημας
23.	9:22 And Jesus saith to him: If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.	9:22 Jesus autem ait illi : Si potes credere, omnia possibilia sunt credenti.	ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτω το ει δυνασαι πιστευσαι παντα δυνατα τω πιστευοντι
24.	9:23 And immediately the father of the boy crying out, with tears said: I do believe, Lord: help my unbelief.	9:23 Et continuo exclamans pater pueri, cum lacrimis aiebat : Credo, Domine ; adjuva incredulitatem meam.	και ευθεως κραξας ο πατηρ του παιδιου μετα δακρυων ελεγεν πιστευω κυριε βοηθει μου τη απιστια
25.	9:24 And when Jesus saw the multitude running together, he threatened the unclean spirit, saying to him: Deaf and dumb spirit, I command thee, go out of him; and enter not any more into him.	9:24 Et cum videret Jesus concurrentem turbam, comminatus est spiritui immundo, dicens illi : Surde et mute spiritus, ego præcipio tibi, exi ab eo : et amplius ne introëas in eum.	ιδων δε ο ιησους οτι επισυντρεχει οχλος επετιμησεν τω πνευματι τω ακαθαρτω λεγων αυτω το πνευμα το αλαλον και κωφον εγω σοι επιτασσω εξελθε εξ αυτου και μηκετι εισελθης εις αυτον
26.	9:25 And crying out, and greatly tearing him, he went out of him, and he became as dead, so that many said: He is dead.	9:25 Et exclamans, et multum discerpens eum, exiit ab eo, et factus est sicut mortuus, ita ut multi dicerent : Quia mortuus est.	και κραξαν και πολλα σπαραξαν αυτον εξηλθεν και εγενετο ωσει νεκρος ωστε πολλους λεγειν οτι απεθανεν
27.	9:26 But Jesus taking him by the hand, lifted him up; and he arose.	9:26 Jesus autem tenens manum ejus elevavit eum, et surrexit.	ο δε ιησους κρατησας αυτον της χειρος ηγειρεν αυτον και ανεστη
28.	9:27 And when he was come into the house, his disciples secretly asked him: Why could not we cast him out?	9:27 Et cum introisset in domum, discipuli ejus secreto interrogabant eum : Quare nos non potuimus ejicere eum ?	και εισελθοντα αυτον εις οικον οι μαθηται αυτου επηρωτων αυτον κατ ιδιαν οτι ημεις ουκ ηδυνηθημεν εκβαλειν αυτο
29.	9:28 And he said to them: This kind can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.	9:28 Et dixit illis : Hoc genus in nullo potest exire, nisi in oratione et jejunio.	και ειπεν αυτοις τουτο το γενος εν ουδενι δυναται εξελθειν ει μη εν προσευχη και νηστεια

14. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the Scribes questioning with them.
15. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
16. And he asked the Scribes, What question you with them?
17. And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought to you my son, which has a dumb spirit;
18. And wherever he takes him, he tears him: and he foams, and gnashes with his teeth, and pines away: and I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
19. He answers him, and said, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him to me.
20. And they brought him to him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tore him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21. And he asked his father, how long is it ago since this came to him? And he said, Of a child.
22. And oft times it has cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if you can do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23. Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.
24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help you mine unbelief.
25. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, You dumb and deaf spirit, I charge you, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
28. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29. And he said to them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

THEOPHYL. After He had shown His glory in the mount to the three disciples, He returns to the other disciples, who had not come up with Him into the mount; wherefore it is said, And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the Scribes questioning with them. For the Pharisees, catching the opportunity of the hour when Christ was not present, came up to them, to try to draw them over to themselves.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But there is no peace for man under the sun; envy is ever slaying the little ones, and lightning strike the tops of the great mountains. Of all those who run to the Church, some as the multitudes come in faith to learn, others, as the Scribes, with envy and pride. It goes on, And straightway all the people, when they beheld Jesus, were greatly amazed, and feared.

BEDE; In all cases, the difference between the mind of the Scribes and of the people ought to be observed; for the Scribes are never said to have shown any devotion, faith, humility, and reverence, but as soon as the Lord was come, the whole multitude was greatly amazed and feared, and ran up to Him, and saluted Him; wherefore there follows, And running to him, saluted him.

THEOPHYL. For the multitude was glad to see Him, so that they saluted Him from afar, as He was coming to them; but some suppose that His countenance had become more beautiful from His transfiguration, and that this induced the crowd to salute Him.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Now it was the people, and not the disciples, who on seeing Him were amazed and feared, for there is no fear in love; fear belongs to servants, amazement to fools. It goes on: And he asked them, What question you with them. Why does the Lord put this question? That confession may produce salvation, and the murmuring of our hearts may be appeased by religious words.

BEDE; The question, indeed, which was raised may, if I am not deceived, have been this, wherefore they, who were the disciples of the Savior, were unable to heal the demoniac, who was placed in the midst, which may be gathered from the following words; And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought to you my son, which has a dumb spirit;

and wherever he takes him, he tears him: and he foams, and gnashes with his teeth, and pines away.

CHRYS. The Scriptures declare that this man was weak in faith, for Christ says, O faithless generation: and He adds, If you can believe. But although his want of faith was the cause of their not casting out the devil, he nevertheless accuses the disciples; wherefore it is added, And I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out; but they could not. Now observe his folly; in praying to Jesus in the midst of the crowd, he accuses the disciples, wherefore the Lord before the multitude so much the more accuses him, and not only aims the accusation at himself, but also extends it to all the Jews; for it is probable that many of those present had been offended, and had held wrong thoughts concerning His disciples.

Wherefore there follows, He answers them and says, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? By which He showed both that He desired death, and that it was a burden to Him to converse with them.

BEDE; So far, however, is He from being angry with the person, though He reproved the sin, that He immediately added, Bring him to me; and they brought him to him. And when He saw him, straightway the spirit tore him , and he fell on the ground and, wallowed foaming.

CHRYS. But this the Lord permitted for the sake of the father of the boy, that when he saw the devil vexing his child, he might be brought on to believe that the miracle was to be wrought.

THEOPHYL. He also permits the child to be vexed, that in this way we might know the devil's wickedness, who we would have killed him, he had not been assisted by the Lord. It goes on: And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came to him? And he said, Of a child;

and oft times it has cast him into the fire and into to the waters to destroy him.

BEDE; Let Julian blush, who dares to say that all men are born in the flesh, without the infection of sin, as though they were innocent in all respects, just as Adam was when he was created. For what was there in the boy, that he should be troubled from infancy with a cruel devil, if he were not held at all by the chain of original sin? since it is evident that he could not yet have had any sin of his own.

GLOSS. Now he expresses in the words of his petition his want of faith; for that is the reason why he adds, But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. For in this he says , If you can do anything, he shows that he doubts His power, because he had seen that the disciples of Christ had failed in curing him; but he says, have compassion on us, to show the misery of the son, who suffered, and the father, who suffered with him.

It goes on: Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.

PSEUDO-JEROME; This saying, you can, is a proof of the freedom of the will. Again, all things are possible to him that believes, which evidently means all those things which are prayed for with tears in the name of Jesus, that is, of salvation.

BEDE. The answer of the Lord was suited to the petition, for the man said, If you can do anything, help us; and to this the Lord answered, If you can believe on the other hand the leper whom cried out, with faith, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean, received an answer according to his faith, I will, be you clean.

CHRYS. His meaning is; such a plenitude of virtue is there in Me, that not only can I do this, but I will make others to have that power; wherefore if you can believe as you ought to do, you shall be able to cure not only him, but many more. In this way then, He endeavored to bring back to the faith, the man who as yet Speaks unfaithfully. There follows, And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help you mine unbelief. But if he had already believed, saying, I believe, how is it that he adds, help you mine unbelief? We must say then that faith is manifold, that one sort of faith is elementary, another perfect; but this man, being but a beginner in believing, prayed the Savior to add to his virtue what was wanting.

BEDE; For no man at once reaches to the highest point, but in holy living a man begins with the least things that house may reach the great; for the beginning of virtue is different, from the progress and the perfection of it. Because then faith mounts up through the secret inspiration of grace, by the steps of its own merits, he who has not yet believed perfectly was at once a believer and an unbeliever.

PSEUDO-JEROME; By this also we are taught that our faith is tottering, if it lean not on the stay of the help of God. But faith by its tears receives the accomplishment of its wishes;

Wherefore it continues, When Jesus saw that the multitude came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, You dumb and deaf spirit, I charge you come out of him, and enter no more into him.

THEOPHYL. The reason that He rebuked the foul spirit, when He saw the crowd running together, was that he did not wish to cure him before the multitude, that He might give us a lesson to avoid ostentation.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. And His rebuking him, and saying, I charge thee, is a proof of Divine power. Again, in that He says not only, come out of him, but also enter no more into him, He shows that the evil spirit was ready to enter again, because the man was weak in faith, but was prevented by the command of the Lord.

It goes on, And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him; and he was as one dead, inasmuch that many said, He is dead. For the devil was not able to inflict death upon him, because the true Life was come.

BEDE; But him, whom the unholy spirit made like to death, the holy Savior. Saved by the touch of His holy hand; wherefore it goes on, But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up, and he arose. Thus as the Lord had shown Himself to be every God by the power of healing, so He showed that He had the very nature of our flesh, by the manner of His human touch. The Manichaean indeed madly denies that He was truly clothed in flesh; lie Himself; however, by raising, cleansing, enlightening so many afflicted persons by His touch, condemned his heresy before its birth.

It goes on: And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

CHRYS. They feared that perchance they had lost the grace conferred upon them; for they had already received power over unclean spirits. It goes on: And he said to them, This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.

THEOPHYL. That is, the whole class of lunatics, or simply, of all persons possessed with devils. Both the man to be cured, and he who cures him, should fast; for a real prayer is offered up, when, fasting is joined with prayer, when he who prays is sober and not heavy with food.

BEDE; Again, in a mystical sense, on high the Lord. Bede unfolds the mysteries of the kingdom to His disciples, but below He rebukes the multitude for their Sins of unfaithfulness, and expels devils from those, who are vexed by then, Those who are still carnal and foolish, He strengthens, teaches, punishes, whilst He more freely instructs the perfect concerning the things of eternity.

THEOPHYL. Again, this devil is deaf and dumb; deaf; because he does not choose to hear the words of God; dumb, because he is unable to teach others their duty.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Again, a Sinner foams forth folly, gnashes with anger, pines away in sloth. But the evil spirit tears him, when coming to salvation, and in like manner those whom he would drag into his maw he tears asunder by terrors and losses, as he did Job.

BEDE, For often times when we try to turn to God after sin, our old enemy attacks us with new and greater snares, which he does, either to instill into us a hatred of virtue, or to avenge the injury of his expulsion.

GREG. But he who is freed from the power of the evil spirit is thought to be dead; for whoever has already subdued earthly desires, puts to death within himself his carnal mode of life, and appears to the world as a dead man, and many look upon him as dead; for they who know not how to live after the Spirit, think that he who does not follow after carnal pleasures is altogether dead.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Further, in his being vexed from his infancy, the Gentile people is signified, from the very birth of whom the vain worship of idols arose, so that they in their folly sacrificed their children to devils. And for this reason it is said that it cast him into the fire and into the water; for some of the Gentiles worshipped fire, others water.

BEDE; Or by this demoniac are signified those, who are bound by the guilt of original sin, and coming into the world as criminals, are to be saved by grace; and by fire is meant the heat of anger, by water, the pleasures of the flesh, which melt the soul by their sweetness. But He did not rebuke the boy, who suffered violence, but the devil, who inflicted it, because he who desires to amend a sinner, ought, whilst He exterminates his vice by rebuking and cursing it, to love and cherish the man.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Again, the Lord applies to the evil spirit what he had inflicted on the man, calling him deaf and dumb spirit, because he never will hear and speak what the penitent sinner can speak and hear. But the devil, quitting a man, never returns, if the man keep his heart with the keys of humility and charity, and hold possession of the gate of freedom. The man who was healed became as one dead, for it is said to those who are healed, You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

THEOPHYL. Again, when Jesus, that is, the word of the Gospel, takes hold of the hand, that is, of our powers of action, then shall we be freed from the devil. And observe that God first helps us, then it is required of us that we do good; for which reason it is said that Jesus raised him, in which is shown the aid of God, and that he arose, in which is declared the zeal of man.

BEDE; Further, our Lord, while teaching the Apostles how the worst devil is to be expelled, gives all of us rules for our life; that is, He would have us know that all the more grievous attacks of evil spirits or of men are to be overcome by fastings and prayers; and again, that the anger of the Lord, when it is kindled for vengeance on our crimes, can be appeased by this remedy alone. But fasting in general is not only abstinence from food, but also from all carnal delights, yes, from all vicious passions. In like manner prayer taken generally, consists not only in the words by which we call upon the Divine mercy, but also in all those things which we do with the devotedness of faith in obedience to our Maker, as the Apostle testifies, when he says, Pray without ceasing.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Or else, the folly which is connected with the softness of the flesh, is healed by fasting; anger and laziness are healed by prayer. Each wound has its own medicine, which must be applied to it; that which is used for the heel will not cure the eye; by fasting, the passions of the body, by prayer, the plagues of the soul, are healed.

Catena Aurea Mark 9

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 Joyful Mysteries

(Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

February Devotion: The Holy Family

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of February has been primarily asociated with the Holy Family, probably due to the feast of Our Lord's presentation at the temple, celebrated on February 2. At the very outset of Christ's work on earth, God showed the world a family in which, as Pope Leo XIII teaches, "all men might behold a perfect model of domestic life, and of all virtue and holiness." The harmony, unity, and holiness which characterized this holy Family make it the model for all Christian families.

INVOCATION
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph most kind, Bless us now and in death's agony.

FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Roman Missal

CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, three times.

IN HONOR OF THE HOLY FAMILY
O God, heavenly Father, it was part of Thine eternal decree that Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, should form a holy family with Mary, His blessed mother, and His foster father, Saint Joseph. In Nazareth home life was sanctified, and a perfect example was given to every Christian family. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may fully comprehend and faithfully imitate the virtues of the Holy Family so that we may be united with them one day in their heavenly glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Holy Family Chaplet

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me in my last hour.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul
in peace with you.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Amen.

Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Mary's, and 3 Glory be's.

The Holy Family Icon by Nicholas Markell

PRAYER TO
THE HOLY FAMILY
===================================================================== ================

GOD our Heavenly Father, You call all peoples to be united as one family in worshipping You as the one and true God. You willed that Your Son become man, giving Him a virgin mother and a foster father to form the Holy Family of Nazareth.

WE pray: may the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, image and model of every human family unit walk in the spirit of Nazareth and grow in the understanding of its particular mission in society and the Church. May our families be living cells of love, faithfulness and unity, thus reflecting God's covenant with humanity and Christ's redeeming love for His Church.

JESUS, Mary and Joseph protect our families from all evil; keep us, who are away from home, one in love with our dear ones.

Parent's Prayer

Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man, and Son of Mary, I thank you for the gift of life you have entrusted to my care. Help me be a parent both tender and wise, both loving and forgiving.

Mary, Holy Mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and our Motherly Queen of Heaven, nourish our family with your heavenly grace. Help us to remain faithful to The Most Holy Trinity, in all our sorrows and joys.

Joseph, Earthly father to our Lord God, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

Holy Family of Nazareth, help our family to walk in your footsteps. May we be peace-loving and peace-giving.
Amen.

Imitating the Holy Family: Four Traits that Make It Possible
[Catholic Caucus] On the Holy Family [Angelus]
Biblical Teachings on Marriage and Family. A Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Recovering God's Plan for Marriage and Family: A Sermon on the Feast of the Holy Family

"Why were you looking for me?" (On the Feast of The Holy Family)
U.S. Postal Service Issues Holy Family Forever Stamp
On Prayer in the Life of the Holy Family
The Holy Family - held together by Love through all their problems [Ecumenical]
Feast of the Holy Family: The Christian Family is a Domestic Church
Chesterton on "The Human Family and the Holy Family"
Joseph, Mary and Jesus: A Model Family
ADVICE TO PARENTS by Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
The Holy Family
St. Joseph as Head of the Holy Family (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)

Feast of the Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family (Dom Guéranger OSB)
The Feast of the Holy Family
The Holy Family vs. The Holy Innocents: A Christmas season reflection [Catholic Caucus]
Vatican creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop
The Redemption and Protection of the Family [Feast of the Holy Family]
Study Backs Tradition of Loreto House - Stones in Altar Match Those in Nazareth, It Says
Unraveling Jesus' mystery years in Egypt
Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family to be ready for worship in 2008
Imitating the Holy Family; Four Traits that Make It Possible
Lots of Graphics: Post your favorite image of the St. Mary and Child, the Holy Family...

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February 25 2019

Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Sir 1:1-10

Responsorial Psalm Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5

Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10

Gospel Mk 9:14-29

Readings at Mass

February, 2019

The Holy Father's Prayer Intention

Human Trafficking, For a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence.