Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 11-11-03, Memorial, St. Martin of Tours

Reading I
Wis2:23–3:9

God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

R (2a) I will bless the Lord at all times.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R I will bless the Lord at all times.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R I will bless the Lord at all times.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R I will bless the Lord at all times.

Gospel
Lk 17:7-10

Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
‘Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

From: Luke 17:7-10

Humble Service

(Jesus said to His disciples,) [7] "Will any of you, who has a servant
ploughing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the
field, `Come at once and sit down at table'? [8] Will he not rather
say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me,
till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? [9] Does
he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? [10] So you
also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are
unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

Commentary:

7-10. Jesus is not approving this master's abusive and arbitrary
behavior: He is using an example very familiar to His audience to show
the attitude a person should have towards his Creator: everything, from
our very existence to the eternal happiness promised us, is one huge
gift from God. Man is always in debt to God; no matter what service he
renders Him he can never adequately repay the gifts God has given him.
There is no sense in a creature adopting a proud attitude towards God.
What Jesus teaches us here we see being put into practice by our Lady,
who replied to God's messenger (the Archangel Gabriel), "Behold, I am
the handmaid of the Lord" (Luke 1:38).

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

St. Martin of Tours was born of pagan parents around the year 316
in what is modern day Hungary. His father was an army veteran and
Martin was forced to enter the military at the age of 15. One story
about his life while he was in the military tells how he cut his cloak in
half and gave one of the halves to a beggar. That night, the beggar
appeared to him in a dream as Christ wrapped in half of Martin's
cloak.

At the age of 18, while he was still in the military, Martin was
baptized. He sought to give up his life in the military in order to serve
God better, and sometime after the year 339, his wish was granted.
Martin was relieved of his military duty, ordained, and set out to find
St. Hilary and become his disciple. Martin, now a monk, traveled with
Hilary to Poitiers in France and began to build a monastery. This
monastery became one of the first established in the West, and
Martin lived there for ten years while it became established.

Martin was very charismatic, and well known as a preacher, and he
became well known throughout much of France. The city of Tours
clamored for his ordination as their bishop, and reluctantly, he
accepted the post. Martin spent the rest of his life in Tours caring for
his flock. He died around the year 397 and is the patron of soldiers,
winegrowers, and France. Martin was the first saint who was not a
martyr to be honored with an annual feast in the Western Church.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Christ, the Master of humility, manifests His Truth only to the humble
and hides Himself from the proud. -St. Vincent Ferrer

TODAY IN HISTORY

537 St Silverius ends his reign as Catholic Pope
1215 4th Lateran Council (12th ecumenical council) opens
1918 at 11:11 a.m., an armistice goes into effect to end World War One

TODAY'S TIDBIT

The Fourth Lateran Council was held between November 11, 1215
and November 30, 1215. In the area of sacramental theology, this
council ordered the annual reception of the Sacraments of Eucharist
and penance by all Catholics, and defined and made the first use of
the term Transubstantiation to describe the miracle of the change of
bread and wine into Jesus' body and blood at the Eucharist. This
council also adopted several measures to battle the Albigensian and
Cathari heresies, and approve seventy canons to be added to
Church Law.

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all veterans of war and for peace throughout the
world.

Thought for the Day

Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection; that he, who has honoured us by counting us among his children, may never be grieved by our evil deeds. For we must always serve him with the good things he has given us in such a way that he may never - as an angry father disinherits his sons or even like a master who inspires fear - grow impatient with our sins and consign us to everlasting punishment, like wicked servants who would not follow him to glory. No one should follow what he considers to be good for himself, but rather what seems good for another. They should display brotherly love in a chaste manner; fear God in a spirit of love.

-- St Benedict

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Words of Encouragement

Title: God Preserves His Revelation! Author: Mark Shea Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2003

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.

Many people wonder what "infallibility" means and how the Catholic Church can have the gall to claim it. What they don't recognize is that infallibility is nicely summarized in today's verse. It is the claim that God's unconditional love is applied to the area of guidance as well as to all the other aspects of the life of the Church and that, because of this, God will see to it that the Church (that collection of chuckleheaded earthen vessels) will not lose track of the gospel. It is his transcendent power, not the cleverness or piety of Catholics, that preserves the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Homily of the Day

Title: Nobody Ever Earned Grace Author: Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D. Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Wisdom 2:23-3:9 / Lk 17:7-10

There are some passages in the scriptures that people really don’t like, and the end of today’s gospel is one of them. For those of us who work hard to do the right thing, and to be dutiful and responsible, even when it costs us a lot, it’s not very amusing to be told that we ought to count ourselves as useless servants who only did our duty! True, indeed.

But that misses the real intent of Jesus’ words, which is not to minimize our efforts or our accomplishments. Jesus’ purpose is to underscore that, no matter how terrific we are, we can never earn or merit the wonderful gifts that God wants to give us free. So relax. God knows how hard we’re trying, even though we keep falling painfully short. He just wants us to know that in the end he desires to give us the kingdom and to give us life. And in doing that, he’s giving us a model for dealing with one another: Give what is needed, not because it’s earned, but simply because it is needed. A share in God’s joy will be our reward.

The Word Among Us

Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Meditation
Wisdom 2:23–3:9

Throughout history, men and women from every part of the world have suffered and even died for their faith in Christ. Scorned, mocked, and ridiculed, they endured their persecution because they knew the crown that awaited them in heaven. What was it that they saw, and how did God reveal it to them?

They saw the same things that we can see every day in our prayer. Prayer is not just giving Jesus praise, or presenting him with a list of petitions. Surely these are both important elements, but prayer also involves developing and deepening a relationship with Jesus. Prayer involves sitting with him in the quiet of our hearts each day and letting him teach us, love us, and show us the great things he has in store for us in heaven.

Some of the things we read in today’s passage seem almost unbelievable: Will we really shine with the Lord? Will we actually help him judge the nations? Will we live with him in love forever and ever? In faith, we must say “I believe” to these glorious promises and ask the Lord to help us understand them more fully each day. Though none of us likes to suffer, understanding the glorious life that awaits us in heaven will hopefully lighten the weight of any cross we all must carry.

In your prayer today, ask Jesus to open your mind to grasp a little more clearly the great and awesome plan he has for you, for your family, and for your loved ones. Try writing down some of the promises you believe Jesus gave you. Then, as the day progresses—especially when you are tempted to give up—refer back to them for strength and encouragement. Are you going through a difficult time? Is someone you love in distress? As you allow Jesus to reveal his eternal promises to you, you will be strengthened for the journey ahead and find hope for any time of trial.

“Jesus, I am in awe of your glorious intentions for me. Will I truly reign with you in heaven one day? I humbly confess my lack of understanding of your great plans for me, and I ask you to show me more clearly the great inheritance that awaits me in heaven, so that I may be more faithful to you each day on earth.”

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Must post it here! All comments welcome!

Catholic Discussion Ping!

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Allah or Jesus?

By Rick Mathes

Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths who explained their belief systems. I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say.

The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked: "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"

There was no disagreement with my statements and without hesitation he replied, "Non-believers!"

I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?"

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, "Yes."

I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Pat Robertson or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!"

The Imam was speechless.

I continued, "I also have problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question...would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and wants you to be with me?"

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

Chuck Colson once told me something that has sustained me these 20 years of prison ministry. He said to me, "Rick, remember that the truth will prevail."

One Bread, One Body

<< Tuesday, November 11, 2003 >>

St. Martin of Tours

Wisdom 2:23—3:9

Psalm 34

Luke 17:7-10

View Readings

JESUS: THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN

“They are in peace.” —Wisdom 3:3

After their deaths, the souls of some people “are in the hand of God” (Wis 3:1). These people are “the just” (Wis 3:1), “those who trust” in the Lord (Wis 3:9), “the faithful” (Wis 3:9), the “holy ones” (Wis 3:9), and “the elect” (Wis 3:9).

To be just is to avoid sin and to repair the devastating effects of sin. This is, of course, impossible except in Jesus, our Justice (see Jer 23:6; 1 Cor 1:30).

To trust in the Lord means to trust the Lord completely, to love Him with all our hearts and souls, and to live for Him alone.

To be faithful means to do what we have promised, especially our baptismal promises. In effect, it means not to sin.

To be holy means to be like God in every aspect of our conduct (1 Pt 1:15). We need Jesus to baptize us in the Spirit of holiness in order to be holy (see Mk 1:8).

Jesus is also the One to elect us, that is, choose us. He said: “It was not you who chose Me, it was I Who chose you” (Jn 15:16).

Jesus is obviously the only Way to heaven (see Jn 14:6). Only if we live and die in Jesus will we live forever. Give your life and death totally to Jesus.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, in Jesus I will be with You forever.

Promise: “Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself.” —Wis 3:5

Praise: St. Martin, once a pagan and a soldier, gave his life to Christ to such an extent that he was imprisoned for his anti-war beliefs.

Homily of the Day

Homily of the Day

Title:	Nobody Ever Earned Grace
Author:	Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Date:	Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Wisdom 2:23-3:9 / Lk 17:7-10

There are some passages in the scriptures that people really don’t like, and the end of today’s gospel is one of them. For those of us who work hard to do the right thing, and to be dutiful and responsible, even when it costs us a lot, it’s not very amusing to be told that we ought to count ourselves as useless servants who only did our duty! True, indeed.

But that misses the real intent of Jesus’ words, which is not to minimize our efforts or our accomplishments. Jesus’ purpose is to underscore that, no matter how terrific we are, we can never earn or merit the wonderful gifts that God wants to give us free.

So relax. God knows how hard we’re trying, even though we keep falling painfully short. He just wants us to know that in the end he desires to give us the kingdom and to give us life. And in doing that, he’s giving us a model for dealing with one another: Give what is needed, not because it’s earned, but simply because it is needed. A share in God’s joy will be our reward.

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