Posted on 02/27/2019 9:41:42 PM PST by Salvation
KEYWORDS: catholic; mk9; ordinarytime; prayer;
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From: Sirach 5:1-8
Wealth and Presumption
[4] Do not say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?”
for the Lord is slow to anger.
[5] Do not be so confident of atonement
that you add sin to sin.
[6] Do not say, “His mercy is great,
he will forgive the multitude of my sins,”
for both mercy and wrath are with him,
and his anger rests on sinners.
[7] Do not delay to turn to the Lord
nor postpone it from day to day;
for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will go forth,
and at the time of punishment you will perish.
Loyalty and Sincerity
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
5:1-6. Presumption, that is, excess of confidence, is a very common temptation.
There are those who boast of their wealth, physical strength and intelligence, as
if they can do as they please, as if they were self-sufficient and had no one to
answer to. The point will come when “the Lord will surely punish” (v. 3), Ben Si-
rach warns. But there is an even worst form of presumption — that of those who
take the goodness and mercy of God for granted, who sin without fear of punish-
ment, who see no value in repentance, who do not heed the call to conversion
and penance.
We need to guard against such attitude, for it betokens a lack of faith: “It is writ-
ten: ‘The Lord who pays is patient’; that is, he may tolerate for a long time those
whom he will condemn forever. Sometimes, he acts with great speed, to have
mercy on the weakness of innocent souls. Sometimes, the almighty God allows
the wicked to prevail for a long time, so as to further purify the lives of the just;
and at other times, he strikes down the unjust immediately, and comforts the
heart of the innocent with his power. If he strikes down those who do evil now,
what will there be left to do when the final judgment comes? And if he does not
strike them down now, who could believe that God takes an interest in the affairs
of men? So sometimes he strikes the wicked to show that he does not allow evil
to go unpunished; and at other times, he puts up with evildoers for a long time so
that those who meditate upon it will see that judgment awaits them” (St Gregory
the Great, “Moralia in lob”, 5, 35).
*********************************************************************************************
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 9:41-50
Scandal
[42] “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin it would
be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were
thrown into the sea. [43] And if your hand causes you to sin cut it off; it is better
for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable
fire. [45] And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter
life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. [47] And if your eye causes you
to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, [48] where their worm does not die, and
the fire is not quenched. [49] For every one will be salted with fire. [50] Salt is
good; but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you season it? Have salt in
yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
41. The value and merit of good works lies mainly in the love of God with which
they are done: “A little act, done for love, is worth so much” (J. Escriva, “The
Way”, 814). God regards in a special way acts of service to others, however small:
“Do you see that glass of water or that piece of bread which a holy soul gives to a
poor person for God’s sake; it is a small matter, God knows, and in human judg-
ment hardly worthy of consideration: God, notwithstanding, recompenses it, and
forthwith gives for it some increase of charity” (St Francis de Sales, “Treatise on
the Love of God”, book 2, chap. 2).
42. “Scandal is anything said, done or omitted which leads another to commit sin”
(”St Pius X Catechism”, 417). Scandal is called, and is, diabolical when the aim
of the scandal-giver is to provoke his neighbor to sin, understanding sin as offense
against God. Since sin is the greatest of all evils, it is easy to understand why
scandal is so serious and, therefore, why Christ condemns it so roundly. Causing
scandal to children is especially serious, because they are so less able to defend
themselves against evil. What Christ says applies to everyone, but especially to
parents and teachers, who are responsible before God for the souls of the young.
43. “Hell”, literally “Gehenna” or “Ge-hinnom”, was a little valley south of Jeru-
salem, outside the walls and below the city. For centuries it was used as the city
dump. Usually garbage was burned to avoid it being a focus of infection. Gehenna
was, proverbially, an unclean and unhealthy place: our Lord used this to explain
in a graphic way the unquenchable fire of hell.
43-48. After teaching the obligation everyone has to avoid giving scandal to others,
Jesus now gives the basis of Christian moral teaching on the subject of “occasions
of sin”—situations liable to lead to sin. He is very explicit: a person is obliged to
avoid proximate occasions of sin, just as he is obliged to avoid sin itself; as God
already put it in the Old Testament: “Whoever lives in danger will perish by it” (Sir
3:26-27). The eternal good of our soul is more important than any temporal good.
Therefore, anything that places us in proximate danger of committing sin should
be cut off and thrown away. By putting things in this way our Lord makes sure we
recognize the seriousness of this obligation.
The Fathers see, in these references to hands and eyes and so forth, people who
are persistent in evil and ever-ready to entice others to evil behavior and erroneous
beliefs. These are the people we should distance ourselves from, so as to enter
life, rather than accompany them to hell (St Augustine, “De Consensu Evangelis-
tarum”, IV, 16; St John Chrysostom, “Hom. on St Matthew”, 60).
44. “Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched”: these words
constituting v. 44 are not in the better manuscripts. They are taken from Isaiah
66:24 and are repeated as a kind of refrain in vv. 46 (omitted for the same reason
as v. 44) and 48. Our Lord uses them to refer to the torments of hell. Often “the
worm that does not die” is explained as the eternal remorse felt by those in hell;
and the “fire which is not quenched,” as their physical pain. The Fathers also
say that both things may possibly refer to physical torments. In any case, the
punishment in question is terrible and unending.
49-50. “Every one will be salted with fire.” St Bede comments on these words:
“Everyone will be salted with fire, says Jesus, because spiritual wisdom must
purify all the elect of any kind of corruption through carnal desire. Or he may be
speaking of the fire of tribulation, which exercises the patience of the faithful to
enable them to reach perfection” (St Bede, “In Marci Evangelium expositio, in
loc.”).
Some codices add: “and every sacrifice will be salted with salt”. This phrase in
Leviticus (2:12), prescribed that all sacrificial offerings should be seasoned with
salt to prevent corruption. This prescription of the Old Testament is used here to
teach Christians to offer themselves as pleasing victims, impregnated with the
spirit of the Gospel, symbolized by salt. Our Lord’s address, which arises out of
a dispute over who is the greatest, ends with a lesson about fraternal peace and
charity. On salt which has lost its taste cf. note on Mt 5:13.
*********************************************************************************************
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.
Liturgical Colour: Green.
First reading |
---|
Ecclesiasticus 5:1-10 © |
Do not delay your return to the Lord |
---|
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 1:1-4,6 © |
---|
Gospel Acclamation | cf.Lk8:15 |
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Or: | cf.1Th2:13 |
---|
Gospel | Mark 9:41-50 © |
---|
If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off |
---|
Mark | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
Mark 9 |
|||
41. | 9:40 For whosoever shall give you to drink a cup of water in my name, because you belong to Christ: amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. | 9:40 Quisquis enim potum dederit vobis calicem aquæ in nomine meo, quia Christi estis : amen dico vobis, non perdet mercedem suam. | ος γαρ αν ποτιση υμας ποτηριον υδατος εν ονοματι μου οτι χριστου εστε αμην λεγω υμιν ου μη απολεση τον μισθον αυτου |
42. | 9:41 And whosoever shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me; it were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck, and he were cast into the sea. | 9:41 Et quisquis scandalizaverit unum ex his pusillis credentibus in me : bonum est ei magis si circumdaretur mola asinaria collo ejus, et in mare mitteretur. | και ος εαν σκανδαλιση ενα των μικρων των πιστευοντων εις εμε καλον εστιν αυτω μαλλον ει περικειται λιθος μυλικος περι τον τραχηλον αυτου και βεβληται εις την θαλασσαν |
43. | 9:42 And if thy hand scandalize thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life, maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into unquenchable fire: | 9:42 Et si scandalizaverit te manus tua, abscide illam : bonum est tibi debilem introire in vitam, quam duas manus habentem ire in gehennam, in ignem inextinguibilem, | και εαν σκανδαλιζη σε η χειρ σου αποκοψον αυτην καλον σοι εστιν κυλλον εις την ζωην εισελθειν η τας δυο χειρας εχοντα απελθειν εις την γεενναν εις το πυρ το ασβεστον |
44. | 9:43 Where there worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished. | 9:43 ubi vermis eorum non moritur, et ignis non extinguitur. | οπου ο σκωληξ αυτων ου τελευτα και το πυρ ου σβεννυται |
45. | 9:44 And if thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter lame into life everlasting, than having two feet, to be cast into the hell of unquenchable fire: | 9:44 Et si pes tuus te scandalizat, amputa illum : bonum est tibi claudum introire in vitam æternam, quam duos pedes habentem mitti in gehennam ignis inextinguibilis, | και εαν ο πους σου σκανδαλιζη σε αποκοψον αυτον καλον εστιν σοι εισελθειν εις την ζωην χωλον η τους δυο ποδας εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν εις το πυρ το ασβεστον |
46. | 9:45 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished. | 9:45 ubi vermis eorum non moritur, et ignis non extinguitur. | οπου ο σκωληξ αυτων ου τελευτα και το πυρ ου σβεννυται |
47. | 9:46 And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee with one eye to enter into the kingdom of God, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire: | 9:46 Quod si oculus tuus scandalizat te, ejice eum : bonum est tibi luscum introire in regnum Dei, quam duos oculos habentem mitti in gehennam ignis, | και εαν ο οφθαλμος σου σκανδαλιζη σε εκβαλε αυτον καλον σοι εστιν μονοφθαλμον εισελθειν εις την βασιλειαν του θεου η δυο οφθαλμους εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν του πυρος |
48. | 9:47 Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished. | 9:47 ubi vermis eorum non moritur, et ignis non extinguitur. | οπου ο σκωληξ αυτων ου τελευτα και το πυρ ου σβεννυται |
49. | 9:48 For every one shall be salted with fire: and every victim shall be salted with salt. | 9:48 Omnis enim igne salietur, et omnis victima sale salietur. | πας γαρ πυρι αλισθησεται και πασα θυσια αλι αλισθησεται |
50. | 9:49 Salt is good. But if the salt became unsavory; wherewith will you season it? Have salt in you, and have peace among you. | 9:49 Bonum est sal : quod si sal insulsum fuerit, in quo illud condietis ? Habete in vobis sal, et pacem habete inter vos. | καλον το αλας εαν δε το αλας αναλον γενηται εν τινι αυτο αρτυσετε εχετε εν εαυτοις αλας και ειρηνευετε εν αλληλοις |
Pray for Pope Francis.
50 Boko Haram Islamic Radicals Killed; 1,000 Hostages, Women and Children, Rescued in Nigeria
Nigeria: In the Face of Ongoing Islamist Attacks, the Faith is Growing
US Promises to Help Nigeria Exterminate Boko Haram
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
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.
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 Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light (Thursdays) see Rosarium Virginis Mariae
1. Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan (II Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 3:17 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Gratitude for the gift of Faith]
2. Jesus' self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1- 12) [Spiritual fruit - Fidelity]
3. Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion (Mark 1:15, Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47- 48, John 20:22-23) [Spiritual fruit - Desire for Holiness]
4. Jesus' Transfiguration (Luke 9:35 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Spiritual Courage]
5. Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery. (Luke 24:13-35 and parallels, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) [Spiritual fruit - Love of our Eucharistic Lord]
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
+
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.
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.
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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