Posted on 06/01/2006 7:58:50 AM PDT by Salvation
Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr
Reading 1
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Wishing to determine the truth
about why Paul was being accused by the Jews,
the commander freed him
and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene.
Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them.
Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees,
so he called out before the Sanhedrin,
“My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees;
I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.”
When he said this,
a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees,
and the group became divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection
or angels or spirits,
while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.
A great uproar occurred,
and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party
stood up and sharply argued,
“We find nothing wrong with this man.
Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
The dispute was so serious that the commander,
afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them,
ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst
and take him into the compound.
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage.
For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem,
so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. (1) Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 17:20-26
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.”
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Acts 22:30; 23:6-10 / Jn 17:20-26 Several interesting patterns have shown themselves as we’ve read through the Acts of the Apostles these past seven weeks. On the one hand, there’s the joy that so many people experience as they come to know the Good News of Jesus, and on the other, there’s the anger and violence with which so many react to the preaching of this same Good News. Why are the reactions so very different from people of similar backgrounds? The answer lies inside, in the fear-driven rigidity and brittleness of the one group and in the hope-driven confidence and openness of the other. Long ago, Cardinal Newman said that to grow is to change and to become perfect is to have changed often. True enough, but wholesome growth and change are possible only for those who have solid roots in God, the ground of our being. Fear stifles growth and allows only one kind of action, and that is attack. Don’t waste your life being angry and defending the indefensible. Let faith open your inner doors to the Spirit who brings growth, change, and joy. |
Thanks for your well-wishes!
**the Cathedral,**
Is this where the Infant of Prague Chapel is?
>>>Good thing I am with a tour group. Our priest is leading it!<<<
That sounds great! Have a good time and post some pictures when you get back.
From http://www.jesus-passion.com
ST. JUSTIN, MARTYR.
FEAST DAY: JUNE 1ST
SAINT JUSTIN was born of heathen parents at Neapolis in Samaria, about the year 103. He was well educated, and gave himself to the study of philosophy, but always with one object, that he might learn the knowledge of God. He sought this knowledge among the contending schools of philosophy, but always in vain, till at last God himself appeased the thirst which he had created. One day, while Justin was walking by the seashore, meditating on the thought of God, an old man met him and questioned him on the subject of his doubts; and when he had made Justin confess that the philosophers taught nothing certain about God, he told him of the writings of the inspired prophets and of Jesus Christ whom they announced, and bade him seek light and understanding through prayer. The Scriptures and the constancy of the Christian martyrs led Justin from the darkness of human reason to the light of faith. In his zeal for the faith he travelled to Greece, Egypt, and Italy, gaining many to Christ. At Rome he sealed his testimony with his blood, surrounded by his disciples.
"Do you think, the prefect said to Justin, "that by dying you will enter heaven and be rewarded by God?" " I do not think, was the Saint's answer; " I know." Then, as now, there were many religious opinions, but only one certainty, the certainty of the Catholic faith. This certainty should be the measure of our confidence and our zeal.
REFLECTION: We have received the gift of faith with little labor of our own. Let us learn how to value it from those who reached it after long search, and lived in the misery of a world which did not know God. Let us fear, as St. Justin did, the account we shall have to render for the gift of God.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER -- Let us ask Saint Justin for the courage and wisdom to follow Jesus Christ.
Thank you warriorforourlady.Please pray one good Hail Mary for me,God bless,Fatima
I will not only pray one "Hail Mary" for you but a Decade too.
I was trying to locate a Homily preached by an Orthodox/Conservative Catholic Priest or Bishop on the Memorial of Saint Justin, the Martyr but could not find any till I came across a Homily preached by Archbishop Denis Hart of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia.
I have also found some additional information regarding Saint Justin from a Catholic Church in Seminole, Florida named after him aptly.
1. Homily on Saint Justin, The Martyr:
http://www.melbourne.catholic.org.au/archbishop/homilies/DHhomily597-20050601.htm
Mass for the Catholic Women’s League
Celebrated b Archbishop Denis Hart
at Glowrey House, Fitzroy,
on Wednesday, 1st June, 2005, at 11.00am
Introduction
My dear friends in the Catholic Women’s League,
I am delighted to be here with you to encourage you in the faith which is the basis of everything we do and particularly of your involvement in mutual support, social works and in presenting among the women of our time a Catholic and faith-filled vision.
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Justin the Martyr, who suffered death with his companions about the year 165. His writing and defence of the faith are a reminder to us that faith is to be lived. We are challenged to take up a witness, which extends beyond our own experience and draws on the faith of Jesus Christ, which comes to us from the apostles.
As we review our lives, let us call to mind our sins and ask the Lord to be with us in the future.
Homily
My dear friends,
Jesus says, ‘You are the salt of the earth.’
(Matthew 5:13)
As I have celebrated this Mass with you three things have been uppermost in my mind. Firstly, Saint Justin’s profession of faith. Secondly, the Year of the Eucharist. Thirdly, God’s goodness in giving us Pope Benedict XVI.
Saint Justin’s story, from his birth as a member of a pagan family at Nablus in Samaria at the beginning of the second century, showed him as a philosopher and an articulate speaker and writer in defence of religion after his conversion. At the time of his martyrdom he told the Roman prefect, “I have adopted the true doctrines of the Christians. I follow them according to the right rule of faith. The God who is the one and only creator and maker of all creation. I am a mere man and what I say is insignificant compared with the infinite greatness of God.” When asked about whether he believed in heaven, Saint Justin replied, ”It is not a case of imagining. I know; I am certain.”
These extracts from Saint Justin’s Martyrdom show that essential to the belief of the Catholic faith is witness to Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
I have been remembering the Year of the Eucharist because there I know we meet Jesus as the Lord and Saviour, really present, who walks with us in our daily life. The great secret of Pope John Paul II and of Pope Benedict XVI is their deep spiritual life of prayer, which gave them the ability to reach out to all kinds of people throughout the world. Pope John Paul’s words of Christ present in the tabernacle, that he would become ‘a magnet drawing souls to him and sending them out in mission’, are a reminder that if we are to truly profess our faith, then we are impelled to live it and witness it to others.
It is for this reason that Pope Benedict XVI as a teacher and writer has sought to express so clearly how we encounter God in prayer and what we know about him as the pattern for living in the world of our time.
Holiness, a oneness with Christ, a witness to him. These are the yardsticks by which we live. It was Saint Paul who said to the Romans, “I am not ashamed of this Gospel. It is an instrument of God’s power that brings salvation to all who believe in it.” ( Romans 1:16 )
Our challenge in the League and in our own lives is to examine the extent to which we are nourished by regular prayer. We are people drawn to Christ in his Church, the two of these being inseparable, and because of this we are impelled to show him clearly to others.
As archbishop I thank you for your witness, for your welcoming not only of me, but of those who so often are part of your lives and communities. In this Year of the Eucharist it is important for us to rediscover a sense of oneness with Christ at Mass, in our churches and in our mission in society.
Thank you for all that you do.
+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.
2. All you want to know about Saint Justin, The Martyr
http://www.sjm87.org/patron_saint.htm
Getting to know ...
Our Patron, St. Justin, Martyr (Feast Day - June 1)
St. Justin, Philosopher and Martyr, was born of pagan parents at Flavia Neapolis in Samaria at the beginning of the second century. Following his conversion to the faith, he wrote in defense of religion. We have today only two of his writings, The "APOLOGY" and the "DIALOG WITH TRYPHO", but these writings give us a wealth of information on his life and work. In fact, the Liturgy as we celebrate it today, has its foundational form in the teachings of St. Justin. From the writings of St. Justin we know how the Mass in the early church was celebrated, its rites, and its sacred moments. His writing was done in reply to the accusations made against the Christians. He explained to his accusers exactly how the Christian banquet went - the what, the why, and the how.
In his writings, Justin points out that the Eucharist is the rite that completes the process of Christian initiation, for after being baptized, the new Christian comes to the banquet. They gathered "on the day of the sun" (our Sunday) to celebrate the banquet of the Lord. For the early Christians, the sun now symbolized Jesus, who in His resurrection had become a blazing light.
When the Christians left their homes and gathered together, they first listened to "the readings of the recollections of the Apostles and of the writings of the prophets." This is our Liturgy of the Word. ":When the reader has finished, the presider gives a talk, admonishing those present and encouraging them to imitate the good examples they have just heard about." This is our homily.
Justin goes on to write, "Then we all stand up and pray ... for ourselves, for the new Christians, and for all others, wherever they may be. We pray that all who have come to know the truth may do good in their lives, observe the precepts, and thus gain eternal salvation." In this rite it is easy to recognize our prayer of the faithful.
In the early Church, the greeting of peace, which is symbolic of forgiveness, was made before the offering of the gifts in observation of Jesus' admonition, "If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Mt. 5:23-24) Today in our liturgy we observe this rite immediately before receiving the precious Body and Blood of Christ.
The Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass (and today there are four or five variations) all follow the same basic format: prayers of humble thanksgiving made in the name of the community, the words of Consecration, prayers for the living and the dead, prayers for unity and expression of our own faith, the Amen, which is our response to all the words and actions that have just been expressed.
Regarding Communion, Justin did more than describe the rite; he explained what it meant. "We call this food the Eucharist. We do not take it as ordinary food and drink. According to our doctrine, this nourishment, consecrated with a prayer of thanksgiving composed of Christ's words, is the Flesh and Blood of Jesus."
While the substance of the Liturgy of the Eucharist remains the same in all of the prayers, it is the words of the second Eucharistic prayer that we attribute to St. Justin.
We of St. Justin, Martyr Parish have special reason to be grateful today to our patron saint for his gift of this Sacred Act of Praise and Thanksgiving as we know it today.
St. Justin and his companions maintained their belief in the doctrines of the Church, specifically Christ's presence in the Eucharist, and refused to sacrifice to pagan idols.
For this, they were scourged and were led away to suffer the capital punishment. They were beheaded, and so fulfilled their witness of martyrdom in confessing their faith in their Savior.
Prayer Of St. Justin, Martyr
Almighty Father,
We give thanks for all you have given us.
In your goodness you have favored this, your family of St. Justin, Martyr, with a faith rooted in the Love of Jesus, your Son.
Teach us that same devotion to the Eucharist, which prompted our Patron, St. Justin, to witness with his life.
Through his intercession grant that we may never fall into error but remain firm in the Faith.
O Glorious Patron, St. Justin, grant us a share of that courage which strengthened you to defend the truth of Christ, and thus attain the Crown of Martyrdom. Amen.
Thank you warriorforourlady.
Hope you have a wonderful time!
Thanks for the prayers. I don't own a digital camera, nor can I afford to purchase one, but will find pictures for you.
I'm sure I will have a great time. Daily Mass at all these sites will be awesome! That's what will be memorable to me -- the blessings, not necessarily the locations, per se, but the history and blessings connected with each!
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Pray for A Voice in the Desert |
Novena to the Holy Spirit Prayers for the Seventh Day
To receive updates, email us. |
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Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA This action of the Archbishop is not related to any scandal We regret any inconvenience and humbly ask for your prayers. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn |
"This will be the first time I have ever been out of the United States. Please pray for me!"
Don't be worry, we are almost civilized ;)
I hope you will enjoy your trip to our part of world.
I'm looking forward to being in Poland. I've just heard so many stories about the pickpockets, etc. that it is a little frightening to even think about it. I believe we will be safe, but I have definitely taken to being more alert to everything around me. (and not getting distracted!)
Were you able to see Pope Benedcit XVI when he visited Poland? Missed him by 16 days -- drats!
O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 131 (132) |
|---|
| God's promise to the house of David |
| Lord, remember David and how he served you. He swore to the Lord, vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: “I will not go into my tent, my home, nor go up to my bed of rest; I will not let my eyes sleep or my eyelids grow heavy until I have found a place for the Lord, a dwelling-place for the Mighty One of Jacob”. We heard that it was in Ephratha, we found it in the plains of Jaar. So let us go into his dwelling-place and let us worship before his footstool. Rise up, Lord, and come to your place of rest. Come with the Ark of your power. Let your priests be robed in your justice, and let your chosen ones rejoice. Remember what David did for you, and do not turn your face from your Anointed. 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. |
| Psalm 131 (132) |
|---|
| The Lord swore David a true oath, he will not go back on his word: “The fruit of your body I will place on your throne. If your children keep my covenant and the commands I teach them, their children’s children will occupy your throne for ever”. For the Lord has chosen Sion, taken it for his dwelling-place: “Here will I take my rest for all time: here will I live, such is my desire. I will bless its crops with my blessing, I will fill its poor with bread. I will clothe its priests with righteousness. Its chosen ones will exult with joy. There will I plant the sign of David, and prepare a lamp for my anointed one. I will wrap his enemies in confusion, but over his head my crown will shine. 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. |
| Canticle | Apocalypse 11 |
|---|---|
| The Judgement | |
| We thank you, Lord God Almighty, who are and who were, that you have taken up your great power and begun to reign. The nations were angered, but your anger came, the time for the dead to be judged, the time to reward the prophets and saints, your servants, and those who feared your name, both great and small. Now have come the salvation and might and kingdom of our God, and the power of his Anointed, for the accuser of our brethren has been brought down, who accused them day and night in the sight of God. But they vanquished him through the blood of the Lamb and through their own witness. They did not cling to life, even in the face of death. Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. 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. |
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| A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here. |
| Canticle | Magnificat |
|---|---|
| My soul rejoices in the Lord | |
| My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. 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. |
|
| Some short prayers may follow here, to offer up the day's work to God. |
| 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 that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| A concluding prayer may follow here. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
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Thursday, June 01, 2006 Meditation Mark 12:18-27 The Sadducees were comprised primarily of wealthy, sophisticated Jews who made the temple their primary interest. Though small in number, they were very influential. Because they accepted only the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures) as authoritative, they rejected the rabbinic oral tradition, which was more open to the possibility of resurrection from the dead. In this context, the Sadducees’ puzzle about the much-married widow was both legalistic and cynical. Using an example taken from the Book of Deuteronomy (25:5-10), they sought to reduce to absurdity any belief in the resurrection, and thus humiliate Jesus. Meeting the Sadducees on their own terms, Jesus explained how the resurrection is foreshadowed even in the Pentateuch. Yahweh revealed himself to Moses as the God of his ancestors (Exodus 3:6,15-16), not just the God of those who were alive at Moses’ time. So if he is the God of the living, then Abraham and all those who came before must be alive in some way or other. So there must be an afterlife! The Sadducees had created an intellectual and spiritual elitism that blinded them to the full spectrum of God’s ways. Perceiving their arrogance and self-confidence, Jesus sought to show them that God is too big and his word is too expansive for anyone to believe that he or she can understand it all. Throughout his entire ministry, in fact, Jesus proved that God often moves in ways that seem new or unexpected to us because of our limited grasp of how wide and high and deep his love is. The resurrection is our greatest hope and joy, yet the Sadducees, with their limited view of God and his word, risked missing this wonderful promise. May we never narrow our horizons! “Father, you are the God of the living who sent your Son to ransom us from death. By your grace, draw us ever closer to Jesus. Through your word, continue to nourish us with the revelation of your glorious designs for us.” Tobit 3:1-11,16-17; Psalm 25:2-9 |
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Best wishes for a wonderful trip. Sounds very exciting and I hope you have a truly uplifting spiritual experience in Poland. Would love to hear about the trip when you get back. God speed!
Appreciate your kind words. I'll definitely be back in touch.
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