Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 3-07-03, Optional- Sts. Peerpetua and Felicity

Reading I
Is 58:1-9a

Thus says the Lord God:
Cry out full-throated and unsparingly,
lift up your voice like a trumpet blast;
Tell my people their wickedness,
and the house of Jacob their sins.
They seek me day after day,
and desire to know my ways,
Like a nation that has done what is just
and not abandoned the law of their God;
They ask me to declare what is due them,
pleased to gain access to God.
"Why do we fast, and you do not see it?
afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?"

Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits,
and drive all your laborers.
Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting,
striking with wicked claw.
Would that today you might fast
so as to make your voice heard on high!
Is this the manner of fasting I wish,
of keeping a day of penance:
That a man bow his head like a reed
and lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Do you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19

R (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight."
R A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Gospel
Mt 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,
"Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?"
Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn
as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast."

From: Matthew 9:14-15

The Call of Matthew (Continuation)

[14] Then the disciples of John (the Baptist) came to Him (Jesus),
saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not
fast?" [15] And Jesus said them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long
as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the
bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

Commentary:

14-17. This passage is interesting, not so much because it tells us
about the sort of fasting practised by the Jews of the
time--particularly the Pharisees and John the Baptist's disciples--but
because of the reason Jesus gives for not requiring His disciples to
fast in that way. His reply is both instructive and prophetic.
Christianity is not a mere mending or adjusting of the old suit of
Judaism. The redemption wrought by Jesus involves a total
regeneration. Its spirit is too new and too vital to be suited to old
forms of penance, which will no longer apply.

We know that in our Lord's time Jewish theology schools were in the
grip of a highly complicated casuistry to do with fasting,
purifications, etc., which smothered the simplicity of genuine piety.
Jesus' words point to that simplicity of heart with which His disciples
might practise prayer, fasting and almsgiving (cf. Matthew 6:1-18 and
notes to same). From apostolic times onwards it is for the Church,
using the authority given it by our Lord to set out the different forms
fasting should take in different periods and situations.

15. "The wedding guests": literally, "the sons of the house where the
wedding is being celebrated"--an expression meaning the bridegroom's
closest friends. This is an example of how St. Matthew uses typical
Semitic turns of phrase, presenting Jesus' manner of speech.

This "house" to which Jesus refers has a deeper meaning; set beside the
parable of the guests at the wedding (Matthew 22:1 ff), it symbolizes
the Church as the house of God and the body of Christ: "Moses was
faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that
were to be spoken later, but Christ was faithful over God's house as a
son. And we are His house if we hold fast our confidence and pride in
our hope" (Hebrews 3:5-6).

The second part of the verse refers to the violent death Jesus would
meet.

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

FEAST OF THE DAY

Saints Perpetua and Felicity were martyrs who died for the faith
around the year 203.

St. Perpetua was a young, well-educated, noblewoman and mother
living in the city of Carthage in North Africa. Her mother was a
Christian and her father was a pagan, and in terms of her faith,
Perpetua followed the example of her mother. Despite the pleas of
her father to deny her faith, Perpetua did the very opposite and
fearlessly proclaimed it. At the age of 22, she was imprisoned for her
faith. While in prison she continued to care for her infant child and
put up with the tortures designed to make her renounce her faith.
Perpetua remained steadfast until the end. St. Perpetua was
sacrificed at the games as a public spectacle for not renouncing her
faith.

St. Felicity was a pregnant slave girl who was imprisoned with St.
Perpetua. Little is known about the life of St. Felicity because, unlike
Perpetua, she did not keep a dairy of her life. After imprisonment and
torture, Felicity was condemned to die at the games. Only a few days
before her execution Felicity gave birth to a daughter who was
secretly taken away to be cared for by some of the Faithful.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

The Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ made visible. The poor sick
person is Christ again made visible. -St. Gerard Majella

TODAY IN HISTORY

1843 1st Catholic governor in US, Edward Kavanagh of Maine, takes office

TODAY'S TIDBIT

The liturgical color of Lent is violet. In ideal situations, this is not the
same shade of purple as Advent, which uses a bluer shade. This
difference in color is used to show difference between the two
seasons and their purposes. Advent prepares us for the coming of
Christ and Lent calls us to penance for our sins.

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all people who are persecuted for their faith.

The Word Among Us

Friday, March 07, 2003

Meditation
Isaiah 58:1-9

Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice? (Isaiah 58:3)

When the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, the task before them seemed overwhelming. Their great city of Jerusalem was in ruins, and their identity as a people severely undermined. How were they going to restart their life as God’s people? Almost instinctively, they began to pray and fast. Surely God would bless them and restore their prosperity. Yet, as months and years wore on, the blessings didn’t materialize, and the community grumbled against the Lord.

The people had neglected something of great importance to God: justice. When they sought his help through prayer and fasting, they forgot that he is not impressed by the number of words we pray or the number of meals we skip, but by the way we treat our weak, needy, and oppressed fellow citizens. Though the people made an outward show of turning to God, they failed to embrace his way of life. They exploited their employees; they left homeless people out in the street. Blinded to the needs of the poor, they proved that they were even blind to their own blindness. And yet they had the nerve to ask God why he didn’t see their prayer and fasting (Isaiah 58:3)!

True prayer and fasting seeks to know God and his will for us. It puts us in touch with our weaknesses and sinfulness. Our repentance opens the way for God’s mercy to come to us (Isaiah 58:8).

Does our prayer and fasting lead us to greater realism about ourselves? This Lent, let’s make sure we are embracing God’s call to justice. Where have we been unjust to our neighbor? When have we thought ourselves holier, smarter, or just plain better than someone else? Have we treated all people with the dignity Jesus has given them—even if we don’t like them? Are we taking action to help those who are without food, clothing, and shelter? This is true fasting that pleases God and releases the bounty of heaven’s blessing for ourselves and others. So let us be generous givers of God’s love!

“Heavenly Father, may my religious practices not be an empty show, but lead me to a greater love for you and others. Make my prayer and fasting fruitful.”

One Bread, One Body

<< Friday, March 7, 2003 >>

Sts. Perpetua & Felicity

Isaiah 58:1-9

Psalm 51

Matthew 9:14-15

View Readings

WHY FAST? LOVE

“When the day comes that the Groom is taken away, then they will fast.” —Matthew 9:15

The Lord has revealed to us through the Church and her Scriptures that He gives us a great privilege when He calls us to fast. Fasting is an opportunity of a lifetime for “releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke” (Is 58:6). And this is only the beginning.

Nevertheless, few people are thrilled about the opportunity of fasting forty days with Jesus this Lent. Why have so many not experienced the truth of God’s word on fasting and on so many other things? Jesus did not give His disciples the privilege of fasting until they had been with Him as Bridegroom in the covenant love of His marriage feast (Mt 9:15). Jesus did not permit His disciples to fast until He had ascended (see Mt 9:15) and the Holy Spirit had been poured out on His disciples. Then, filled with this love in the Spirit, they were impelled by this love to accept the privilege of fasting (see 2 Cor 5:14).

Most people try not to fast on an empty stomach. For example, the origin of Mardi Gras is that we should be full before we fast in Lent. This may not be true in the matter of food, but it is true in the matter of love. We need to be filled with love before we fast. Then the Lord’s wonderful promises regarding fasting will be fulfilled. Love, fast, and see God’s glory.

Prayer: Father, make love “the root and foundation” of my life, Lent, and fasting (Eph 3:17).

Promise: “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and He will say: Here I am!” —Is 58:9

Praise: St. Perpetua was so absorbed in God’s love in the ampitheatre where she was martyred that she refused to believe she had already suffered great injuries until she was shown the marks on her body.

Lenten Reflections

Friday After Ash Wednesday

The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed. (Isaiah 58:6)

Reflection.
We must always remember what God tells us in Scripture: "Even if a mother could forget the child in her womb" - something impossible, but even if she could forget - "I will never forget you."
And so here I am talking with you. I want you to find the poor here, right in your own home first. And begin love there. Be that good news to your own people first. And find out about your next-door neighbors. Do you know who they are?
I had the most extraordinary experience of love of neighbor with a Hindu family. A gentleman came to our house and said: "Mother Teresa, there is a family who have not eaten for so long. Do something." So I took some rice and went there immediately. And I saw the children - their eyes shining with hunger. I don't know if you have ever seen hunger. But I have seen it very often. And the mother of the family took the rice I gave her and went out. When she came back, I asked her: "Where did you go? What did you do?" And she gave me a very simple answer: "They are hungry also." What struck me was that she knew - and who are they? A Muslim family - and she knew. I didn't bring any more rice that evening because I wanted them, Hindus and Muslims, to enjoy the joy of sharing. ..... Mother Teresa

Lenten Question
Q: What is a day of fast and abstinence?
A: Under current canon law in the Western Rite of the Church, a day of fast is one on which Catholics who are eighteen to sixty years old are required to keep a limited fast. In this country, one may eat a single, normal meal and have two snacks, so long as these snacks do not add up to a second meal. Children are not required to fast, but their parents must ensure they are properly educated in the spiritual practice of fasting. Those with medical conditions requiring a greater or more regular food intake can easily be dispensed from the requirement of fasting by their pastor. A day of abstinence is a day on which Catholics fourteen years or older are required to abstain from eating meat (under the current discipline in America, fish, eggs, milk products, and condiments or foods made using animal fat are permitted in the Western Rite of the Church, though not in the Eastern Rites.) Again, persons with special dietary needs can easily be dispensed by their pastor.

Lenten Action.
Schedule a fifteen minute period of silence today to listen to your heart and to the Lord speaking to you..

Prayer
Lord, with your loving care guide the penance we have begun. Help us to persevere with love and sincerity.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Stations Of The Cross

Catholic Online Saints

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
Feastday: March 7

With the lives of so many early martyrs shrouded in legend, we are fortunate to have the record of the courage of Perpetua and Felicity from the hand of Perpetua herself, her teacher Saturus, and others who knew them. This account, known as "The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity," was so popular in the early centuries that it was read during liturgies.

In the year 203, Vibia Perpetua made the decision to become a Christian, although she knew it could mean her death during Septimus' persecution. Her surviving brother (another brother had died when he was seven) followed her leadership and became a catechumen as well.

Her father was frantic with worry and tried to talk her out of her decision. We can easily understand his concern. At 22 years old, this well-educated, high-spirited woman had every reason to want to live -- including a baby son who was still nursing. We know she was married, but since her husband is never mentioned, many historians assume she was a widow.

Perpetua's answer was simple and clear. Pointing to a water jug, she asked her father, "See that pot lying there? Can you call it by any other name than what it is?"

Her father answered, "Of course not." Perpetua responded, "Neither can I call myself by any other name than what I am -- a Christian."

This answer so upset her father that he attacked her. Perpetua reports that after that incident she was glad to be separated from him for a few days -- even though that separation was the result of her arrest and imprisonment.

Perpetua was arrested with four other catechumens including two slaves Felicity and Revocatus, and Saturninus and Secundulus. Their catechist, Saturus, had already been imprisoned before them.

She was baptized before taken to prison. Perpetua was known for her gift of "the Lord's speech" and receiving messages from God. She tells us that at the time of her baptism she was told to pray for nothing but endurance in the face of her trials.

The prison was so crowded with people that the heat was suffocating. There was no light anywhere and Perpetua "had never known such darkness." The soldiers who arrested and guarded them pushed and shoved them without any concern. Perpetua had no trouble admitting she was very afraid, but in the midst of all this horror her most excruciating pain came from being separated from her baby.

The young slave, Felicity was even worse off for Felicity suffered the stifling heat, overcrowding, and rough handling while being eight months pregnant.

Two deacons who ministered to the prisoners paid the guards so that the martyrs would be put in a better part of the prison. There her mother and brother were able to visit Perpetua and bring her baby to her. When she received permission for her baby to stay with her "my prison suddenly became a palace for me." Once more her father came to her, begging her to give in, kissing her hands, and throwing himself at her feet. She told him, "We lie not in our own power but in the power of God."

When she and the others were taken to be examined and sentenced, her father followed, pleading with her and the judge. The judge, out of pity, also tried to get Perpetua to change her mind, but when she stood fast, she was sentenced with the others to be thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. Her father was so furious that he refused to send her baby back to Perpetua. Perpetua considered it a miracle that her breasts did not become inflamed from lack of nursing.

While praying in prison, she suddenly felt "gifted with the Lord's speech" and called out the name of her brother Dinocrates who had died at seven of gangrene of the face, a disease so disfiguring that those who should have comforted him left him alone. Now she saw a vision that he was even more alone, in a dark place, hot and thirsty -- not in the eternal joy she hoped for him. She began to pray for Dinocrates and though she was put in stocks every day, her thoughts were not on her own suffering but on her prayers to help her brother. Finally she had another vision in which she saw Dinocrates healed and clean, drinking from a golden bowl that never emptied.

Meanwhile Felicity was also in torment. It was against the law for pregnant women to be executed. To kill a child in the womb was shedding innocent and sacred blood. Felicity was afraid that she would not give birth before the day set for their martyrdom and her companions would go on their journey without her. Her friends also didn't want to leave so "good a comrade" behind.

Two days before the execution, Felicity went into a painful labor. The guards made fun of her, insulting her by saying, "If you think you suffer now, how will stand it when you face the wild beasts?" Felicity answered them calmly, "Now I'm the one who is suffering, but in the arena Another will be in me suffering for me because I will be suffering for him." She gave birth to a healthy girl who was adopted and raised by one of the Christian women of Carthage.

The officers of the prison began to recognize the power of the Christians and the strength and leadership of Perpetua. In some cases this helped the Christians: the warden let them have visitors -- and later became a believer. But in other cases it caused superstitious terror, as when one officer refused to let them get cleaned up on the day they were going to die for fear they'd try some sort of spell. Perpetua immediately spoke up, "We're supposed to die in honor of Ceasar's birthday. Wouldn't it look better for you if we looked better?" The officer blushed with shame at her reproach and started to treat them better.

There was a feast the day before the games so that the crowd could see the martyrs and make fun of them. But the martyrs turned this all around by laughing at the crowd for not being Christians and exhorting them to follow their example.

The four new Christians and their teacher went to the arena (the fifth, Secundulus, had died in prison) with joy and calm. Perpetua in usual high spirits met the eyes of everyone along the way. We are told she walked with "shining steps as the true wife of Christ, the darling of God."

When those at the arena tried to force Perpetua and the rest to dress in robes dedicated to their gods, Perpetua challenged her executioners. "We came to die out of our own free will so we wouldn't lose our freedom to worship our God. We gave you our lives so that we wouldn't have to worship your gods." She and the others were allowed to keep their clothes.

The men were attacked by bears, leopards, and wild boars. The women were stripped to face a rabid heifer. When the crowd, however, saw the two young women, one of whom had obviously just given birth, they were horrified and the women were removed and clothed again. Perpetua and Felicity were thrown back into the arena so roughly that they were bruised and hurt. Perpetua, though confused and distracted, still was thinking of others and went to help Felicity up. The two of them stood side by side as all five martyrs had their throats cut.

Perpetua's last words were to her brother: "Stand fast in the faith and love one another."

In Their Footsteps:
Perpetua said that she couldn't call herself any other name but Christian. Write down a list of names and designations that people could call you. Is Christian high on that list? How can you help make your name as Christian be more important? Live today as if that was the only name you could be called by.

Prayer:
Saints Perpetua and Felicity, watch over all mothers and children who are separated from each other because of war or persecution. Show a special care to mothers who are imprisoned and guide them to follow your example of faith and courage. Amen

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