Posted on 02/23/2020 9:10:05 PM PST by Salvation
Beloved:
Who among you is wise and understanding?
Let him show his works by a good life
in the humility that comes from wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast and be false to the truth.
Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above
but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.
R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John
and approached the other disciples,
they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
Immediately on seeing him,
the whole crowd was utterly amazed.
They ran up to him and greeted him.
He asked them, What are you arguing about with them?
Someone from the crowd answered him,
Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.
Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down;
he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid.
I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.
He said to them in reply,
O faithless generation, how long will I be with you?
How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.
They brought the boy to him.
And when he saw him,
the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions.
As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around
and foam at the mouth.
Then he questioned his father,
How long has this been happening to him?
He replied, Since childhood.
It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him.
But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.
Jesus said to him,
If you can! Everything is possible to one who has faith.
Then the boys father cried out, I do believe, help my unbelief!
Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering,
rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it,
Mute and deaf spirit, I command you:
come out of him and never enter him again!
Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out.
He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, He is dead!
But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private,
Why could we not drive the spirit out?
He said to them, This kind can only come out through prayer.
KEYWORDS: catholic; mk9; ordinarytime; prayer;
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From: James 3:13-18
True and False Wisdom
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Commentary:
13-18. These verses point out the qualities of Christian wisdom (cf. 1:5). After exhorting his readers to manifest their wisdom by their actions (verse 13), he attacks the signs of false wisdom (verses 14-16) and explains the qualities of the true (verses 17-18).
St. Paul also makes a distinction between worldly wisdom—the wisdom of man when he veers away from his correct goal—and the wisdom of God, which reaches its highest _expression on the Cross (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-3:3). St. James pays particular attention to the practical effects of godly wisdom—meekness, mercy and peace.
False wisdom, on the contrary, leads to bitter zeal, rivalry and resentment: it is “earthly” because it rejects things transcendental and supernatural; “unspiritual” (merely natural, “psychi” in the original Greek), as befits people who follow their nature as wounded by Original Sin, deprived of the help of the Spirit (cf. notes on 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Jude 19-20); “devilish”, in the sense that such people are inspired by the devil, who is envious (cf. Wisdom 2:24), “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
18. What this verse means is that the “peacemakers” of the Beatitudes (cf. Matthew 5:6 and note) create around themselves an environment making for righteousness (holiness), and they themselves benefit from the peace they sow. “There can be no peace,” [Pope] John XXIII says, “between men unless there is peace within each of them: unless, that is, each one builds up within himself the order wished by God” (”Pacem In Terris”, 165).
The “harvest of righteousness” is the equivalent of righteousness itself: it is keeping the law of the Gospel, doing good works, which show true wisdom. The passage is reminiscent of Isaiah 32:17-18: “and the effects of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings and in quiet resting places.”
Every Christian who strives to live in accordance with his vocation is a sower of holiness and justice-with-peace: “Through your work, through the whole network of human relations,” (St) Monsignor Escriva says, “you ought to show the charity of Christ and its concrete expression in friendship, understanding, human affection and peace. Just as Christ `went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38) throughout Palestine, so much you also spread peace in your family circle, in civil society, at work, and in your cultural and leisure activities” (”Christ Is Passing By”, 166).
From: Mark 9:14-29
The Curing of an Epileptic Boy
***********************************************************************
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 teaching 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.”).
Liturgical Colour: Green.
First reading | James 3:13-18 © |
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Responsorial Psalm |
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Psalm 18(19):8-10,15 © |
Gospel Acclamation | 1P1:25 |
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Or: | cf.2Tim1:10 |
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Gospel | Mark 9:14-29 © |
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Mark | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
Mark 9 |
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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 |
Don’t know the answer to that.
Pray for Pope Francis.
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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 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 ]
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
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