Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 01-25-09, Third Sunday-Ordinary Time, Conversion of St. Paul

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 01-25-09 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

January 25, 2009

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Responsorial Psalm Reading 2 Gospel

Reading 1
Jon 3:1-5, 10

The word of the LORD came to Jonah, saying:
"Set out for the great city of Nineveh,
and announce to it the message that I will tell you."
So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh,
according to the LORD'S bidding.
Now Nineveh was an enormously large city;
it took three days to go through it.
Jonah began his journey through the city,
and had gone but a single day's walk announcing,
"Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,"
when the people of Nineveh believed God;
they proclaimed a fast
and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,
he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;
he did not carry it out.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (4a) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice
and teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Reading II
1 Cor 7:29-31

I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out.
From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,
those weeping as not weeping,
those rejoicing as not rejoicing,
those buying as not owning,
those using the world as not using it fully.
For the world in its present form is passing away.

Gospel
Mk 1:14-20

After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
"This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him.

[Salvation]

For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

or

For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

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Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

January 25, 2009

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Reading 1 Responsorial Psalm Reading 2 Gospel

Reading 1
Acts 22:3-16

Paul addressed the people in these words:
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia,
but brought up in this city.
At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law
and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.
I persecuted this Way to death,
binding both men and women and delivering them to prison.
Even the high priest and the whole council of elders
can testify on my behalf.
For from them I even received letters to the brothers
and set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem
in chains for punishment those there as well.

"On that journey as I drew near to Damascus,
about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me.
I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me,
'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
I replied, 'Who are you, sir?'
And he said to me,
'I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.'
My companions saw the light
but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me.
I asked, 'What shall I do, sir?'
The Lord answered me, 'Get up and go into Damascus,
and there you will be told about everything
appointed for you to do.'
Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light,
I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus.

"A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law,
and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
came to me and stood there and said,
'Saul, my brother, regain your sight.'
And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him.
Then he said,
'The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will,
to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice;
for you will be his witness before all
to what you have seen and heard.
Now, why delay?
Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away,
calling upon his name.'"

Or

Acts 9:1-22

Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest and asked him
for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that,
if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,
he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.
On his  journey, as he was nearing Damascus,
a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
He said, "Who are you, sir?"
The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."
The men who were traveling with him stood speechless,
for they heard the voice but could see no one.
Saul got up from the ground,
but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing;
so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.
For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias,
and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias."
He answered, "Here I am, Lord."
The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight
and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul.
He is there praying,
and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias
come in and lay his hands on him,
that he may regain his sight."
But Ananias replied,
"Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man,
what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem.
And here he has authority from the chief priests
to imprison all who call upon your name."
But the Lord said to him,
"Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine
to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel,
and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name."
So Ananias went and entered the house;
laying his hands on him, he said,
"Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me,
Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came,
that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes
and he regained his sight.
He got up and was baptized,
and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.

He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus,
and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues,
that he is the Son of God.
All who heard him were astounded and said,
"Is not this the man who in Jerusalem
ravaged those who call upon this name,
and came here expressly to take them back in chains
to the chief priests?"
But Saul grew all the stronger
and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus,
proving that this is the Christ.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 117:1bc, 2

R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Reading II
1 Cor 7:29-31

I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out.
From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,
those weeping as not weeping,
those rejoicing as not rejoicing,
those buying as not owning,
those using the world as not using it fully.
For the world in its present form is passing away.

Gospel
Mk 16:15-18

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
"Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

[Salvation]

Alleluia Ping!

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On Christian Unity (Pope Benedict XVI Homily on Feast of Conversion of St. Paul)

The Conversion of St. Paul

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul -- January 25

POPE COMMEMORATES CONVERSION OF PAUL AT MASS [Read Only]

[Salvation]

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

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. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence 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 will be forever. Amen.

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 Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

[Salvation]

~ 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,
 Thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
 Amen
+

[Salvation]

Blessed be the most holy Name of Jesus without end!

January Devotion: The Holy Name of Jesus

The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. This feast is also celebrated on January 3. Here is an explanation of the devotion.

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has associated entire months to special devotions. The devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus has been traditionally associated with the month of January, due to its celebration on January 3. The name Jesus was given to the Holy Child at God's command (Luke 1:31). The Holy Name is all-powerful because of the Person who bears it; we honor it because of the command of Christ, that we should pray in His Name and because it reminds us of all the blessings we receive through our Holy Redeemer. Hence St. Paul was able to write to the Philippians: ". . . at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth" (Phil. 2:10). By means of this devotion we also make amends for improper use of the Holy Name.

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

Prayer/Hymn in Honor of the Most Holy Name of Jesus - Iesu, Dulcis Memoria

Iesu, Dulcis Memoria is a celebrated 12th century hymn attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), Doctor Mellifluus. The entire hymn has some 42 to 53 stanzas depending upon the manuscript. Parts of this hymn were used for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, which was formerly celebrated on the Sunday between the Circumcision and Epiphany, or failing such a Sunday, on January 2. The part below was used at Vespers. In the liturgical revisions of Vatican II, the feast was deleted, though a votive Mass to the Holy Name of Jesus had been retained for devotional use. With the release of the revised Roman Missal in March 2002, the feast was restored as an optional memorial on January 3.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast!
Yet sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Jesus' name,
The Savior of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart!
0 joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.

Jesus! our only hope be Thou,
As Thou our prize shalt be;
In Thee be all our glory now,
And through eternity. Amen.

---Roman Breviary

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

 

O Divine Jesus, Thou hast promised that anything we ask of the Eternal Father in Thy name shall be granted.

O Eternal Father. In the name of Jesus, for the love of Jesus, in fulfillment of this promise, and because Jesus has said it, grant us our petitions for the sake of Jesus, Thy Divine Son. 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

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil:2:10-11

St. Bernard on the Most Holy Name of Jesus [Ecumenical]

The Holy Name of Jesus

Holy Name of Jesus [San Bernadino of Siena] Ecumenical

The Holy Name of Jesus

Devotion to the Holy Name [of Jesus]

The Name of Jesus: Its Power in Our Lives

The Holy Name of Jesus

Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus

The Holy Name of Jesus

[Salvation]

January 2009
General: That the family may become more and more a place of training in charity, personal growth and transmission of the faith.

Mission: That the different Christian confessions, aware of the need for a new evangelisation in this period of profound transformations, may be committed to announcing the Good News and moving towards the full unity of all Christians in order to offer a more credible testimony of the Gospel.

[Salvation]

From: Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Jonah Preaches Repentance in Nineveh

---

[1] Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, [2] ”Arise,
go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” [3]
So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now
Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. [4] Jonah
began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he cried, “Yet forty days,
and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

The People of Nineveh Do Penance

---

[5] And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and put on
sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

[10] When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God re-
pented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

3:1-4:11 The second part of the book has a similar structure to the first—God and
Jonah (3:1-3; cf. 1:1-3); Jonah and Gentiles (3:4-10; cf. 1:4-16); Jonah and God
(4:1-11; cf. 1:17-2:10). However, the reader is now psychologically prepared for
what will happen: Jonah’s preaching will produce the desired result and the Nine-
vites will be converted. So, the story is geared to the last chapter which poses
and solves the question that chapter 3 provokes. The episode described in this
second part is therefore a practical illustration of the scope of God’s mercy. It
was used as such in the debate with the Gnostics who argued that there was a
difference between the good God (the God revealed in the New Testament) and
the God revealed in the Old Testament: “See how the stress is laid on the grea-
test name and quality of God, his Mercy; that is, God is patient with evildoers,
and rich in mercy and compassion for those who recognize their faults and re-
pent them, as the Ninevites did. If such a Being as he is so good, you [...] have
to admit that he can do no evil for, as Marcion himself once said, a good tree
cannot bear bad fruit (Tertullian, “Adversus Marcionem”, 2, 24).

3:1-4. God renews his command to Jonah. And this time Jonah obeys. Maybe
the vows he promised to fulfill in 2:9 had to do with this—going to preach in Nine-
veh. Anyway, the success of his mission is assured, because it depends not on
Jonah but on the Lord: it would take three days to cross Nineveh (v. 3), but he
has only gone one day in his journey and the people convert (cf. 3:5).

3:5-10. The account of the conversion of the Ninevites looks like a straight copy
from other biblical passages, particularly from the prophet Jeremiah: Jeremiah is
the “prophet to the nations” (Jer 1:5), and Jonah is sent to the archetypal Gentile
city. There are many little things in this passage that are reminiscent of Jeremiah:
in the book of Jeremiah, Jerusalem is called the “great city”, which is what Nine-
veh is called here (1:2; 3:2; cf. Jer 22:8-9), and both books have similar turns of
phrase such as “let every one turn from his evil way”, “man and beast”, “from the
greatest to the least” (3:5, 8; cf. Jer 6:13; 8:10; 36:3,7), etc. This passage is par-
ticularly reminiscent of the call for a fast made by Jeremiah in the time of King
Jehoiakim; in Jeremiah 36 we are told how the prophet warned of misfortunes to
come and proclaimed a fast for conversion (Jer 36:9), but the king refused to lis-
ten. Jonah, too, announces the destruction of Nineveh, but it is the Ninevites
themselves who proclaim a general fast, as if God were speaking through them.
Their own king establishes what the fast will involve, and he issues a decree that
sounds just like something a prophet would have said (vv. 7-9; cf. Joel 2:12-14).
Furthermore, the king of the Ninevites seems to be quite familiar with biblical tea-
ching, for he is well aware (cf. Jer 36:3, 9) that displays of penance will not auto-
matically stay God’s hand; the king has a genuine change of heart and is ready
to submit to God (v. 9), and when God sees that these people are ready to mend
their ways he revokes his decision to punish them (v. 10) The episode bears out
Jeremiah’s teaching about repentance (cf. Jer 18 7-8).

The difference between the Ninevites and the Israelites can be seen in the use
that Jesus makes of this passage when he compares his Jewish contemporaries
with their ancestors: “The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this ge-
neration and condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold
something greater than Jonah is here” (Mt 12:41). It is not surprising, then, that in
Christian tradition, the Ninevites are referred to as a model of repentance ‘Let us
cast our minds backover the history of men, and see how the Lord, in one gene-
ration after another, granted a time of penance to those who desired to be conver-
ted to him. Noah preached salvation, and those who listened to him were saved.
Jonah told the Ninevites that their city would be destroyed and they repented of
their sins and asked God for forgiveness and were saved by the power of their
pleading, even though they were not part of the chosen people” (St Clement of
Rome, “Ad Corinthios”, 7, 5-7).

And another text by a great Father of the Eastern Church says: “Do not dwell on
how little time you have, but on the love of the Master. The inhabitants of Nineveh
cooled God’s wrath in three days. They did not despair at how little time was left
to them; their troubled souls won over the goodness of the Master, and he brought
about their salvation” (St John Chrysostom, “De Incomprehensibile Dei Natura”,
6).

*********************************************************************************************
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.

[Salvation]

From: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

The Excellence of Virginity

---

[29] I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let
those who have wives live as though they had none, [30] and those who mourn
as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were
not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, [31] and those
who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of
this world is passing away.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

29-31. In their letters, St Paul and the other Apostles frequently remind us that
life is short (cf. Rom 13:11-14; 2 Pet 3:8; 1 Jn 2:15-17), in order to encourage
us to make the very best use of our time to serve God, and others for his sake.
“When I reflect on this, how well I understand St Paul’s exclamation when he
writes to the Corinthians, “tempus breve est” (1 Cor 7:29). How short indeed is
the time of our passing through this world! For the true Christian these words
ring deep down in his heart as a reproach to his lack of generosity, and as a
constant invitation to be loyal. Brief indeed is our time for loving, for giving, for
making atonement. It would be very wrong, therefore, for us to waste it, or to
cast this treasure irresponsibly overboard. We must not squander this period
of the world’s history which God has entrusted to each one of us” (St. J. Escri-
va, “Friends of God”, 39).

A Christian, therefore, should always be detached from worldly things, and never
let himself become the slave of anything or anyone (cf. 1 Cor 7:23; “Lumen Gen-
tium”, 42) but, instead, always have his sights on eternal life. “It is a great help
towards this”, St Teresa of Avila teaches, “if we keep a very constant care of the
vanity of all things, and the rapidity with which they pass away, so that we may
withdraw our affections from everything and fix them on what will last forever. This
may seem to be a poor kind of help but it will have the effect of greatly fortifying
the soul. With regard to little things, we must be very careful, as soon as we be-
gin to be fond of them, to think no more about them and to turn our thoughts to
God. His majesty will help us to do this” (”Way of Perfection”, chap. X).

*********************************************************************************************
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.

[Salvation]

From: Mark 1:14-20

Jesus Begins to Preach and Calls His First Disciples

---

[14] Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel
of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; re-
pent, and believe in the Gospel.”

[16] And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the bro-
ther of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. [17] And Jesus
said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” [18] And
immediately they left their nets and followed him. [19] And going on a little farther,
he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat
mending the nets.[20] And immediately he called them; and they left their father
Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

14-15. “The gospel of God”: this expression is found in St Paul (Rom 1:1; 2 Cor
11:7; etc.) where it means the same as “the gospel of Jesus Christ” (2 Thess
1:8; etc.), thereby implying the divinity of Jesus Christ. The imminence of the
Kingdom requires a genuine conversion of man to God (Mt 4:17; Mk 6: 12; etc.).
The prophets had already spoken of the need for conversion and for Israel to aban-
don its evil ways (Jer 3:22; Is 30:15; Hos 14:2; etc.).

Both John the Baptist and Jesus and his Apostles insist on the need for conver-
sion, the need to change one’s attitude and conduct as a prerequisite for receiving
the Kingdom of God. John Paul II underlines the importance of conversion for entry
into the Kingdom of God: “Therefore, the Church professes and proclaims conver-
sion. Conversion to God always consists in discovering his mercy, that is, in dis-
covering that love which is patient and kind (cf. 1 Cor 13:4) as only the Creator
and Father can be; the love to which the ‘God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’
(2 Cor 1:3) is faithful to the uttermost consequences in the history of his covenant
with man: even to the Cross and to the death and resurrection of the Son. Conver-
sion to God is always the fruit of the ‘rediscovery’ of this Father, who is rich in
mercy.

“Authentic knowledge of the God of mercy, the God of tender love, is a constant
and inexhaustible source of conversion, not only as a momentary interior act but
also as a permanent attitude, as a state of mind. Those who come to know God
in this way, who ‘see’ him in this way, can live only in a state of being continually
converted to him. They live, therefore, “in statu conversionis” and it is this state
of conversion which marks out the most profound element of the pilgrimage of
every man and woman on earth “in statu viatoris” (John Paul II, “Dives In Mise-
ricordia”, 13).

16-20. In these verses the evangelist describes how Jesus called some of those
who would later form part of the Apostolic College (3:16ff). From the start of his
public ministry in Galilee the Messiah seeks co-workers to help him in his mis-
sion as Savior and Redeemer. He looks for them among people used to hard
work, people for whom life is a struggle and whose life-style is plain. In human
terms they are obviously at a disadvantage vis-a-vis many of those to whom they
will preach; but this in no way prevents their self-surrender from being generous
and free. The light lit in their hearts was enough to lead them to give up every-
thing. A simple invitation to follow the Master was enough for them to put them-
selves completely at his disposal.

It is Jesus who chooses them: he interfered in the lives of the Apostles just as
he interferes in ours, without seeking our permission: he is our Lord. Cf. note on
Mt 4:18-22.

*********************************************************************************************
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.

[Salvation]

From: Acts 22:3-16

Paul Defends Himself Before the Crowd

---

([Paul] spoke to them [the people] in the Hebrew language, saying:) [3] “I am a
Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel,
educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous
for God as you all are this day. [4] I persecuted this Way to the death, binding
and delivering to prison both men and women, [5] as the high priest and the
whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the bre-
thren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring
them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

[6] “As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light
from heaven suddenly shone about me. [7] And I fell to the ground and heard a
voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ [8] And I answered,
‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are
persecuting.’ [9] Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the
voice of the one who was speaking to me. [10] And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’
And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told
all that is appointed for you to do.’ [11] And when I could not see because of the
brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and
came into Damascus.

[12] “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all
the Jews who lived there, [13] came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Bro-
ther Saul, receive your sight.’ And in that very hour I received my sight and saw
him. [14] And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to
see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth; [15] for you will be a wit-
ness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard.[16] And now why do
you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-21. St Luke gives us Paul’s address to the Jews of Jerusalem, the first of three
speeches in his own defense (cf. 24:10-21; 26:1-23) in which he tries to show that
there is no reason why Christianity should be opposed by Jew or by Roman. Here
he presents himself as a pious Jew, full of respect for his people and their sacred
traditions. He earnestly desires his brethren to realize that there are compelling
reasons for his commitment to Jesus. He is convinced that they can experience
in their souls the same kind of spiritual change as he did. However, this speech
is not a closely-argued apologia. His main intention is not so much to answer the
accusations levelled against him as to use this opportunity to bear witness to
Jesus Christ, whose commandments validate Paul’s actions. What he is really
trying to do is to get his hearers to obey the voice of the Lord.

1. “Brethren and fathers”: the “fathers” may refer to members of the Sanhedrin
present in the crowd.

3. Gamaliel (cf. 5:34) belonged to the school of the rabbi Hillel, which was noted
for a less rigorous interpretation of the Law than that of Shammai and his disci-
ples.

4. The situation described by Paul is confirmed by 1 Cor 15:9: “I am the least of
the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of
God”; Gal 1:13: “You have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted
the church of God violently and tried to destroy it”; Phil 3:6: “as to the law a Pha-
risee, as to zeal a persecutor of the church”; and 1 Tim 1:13: “I formerly blas-
phemed and persecuted and insulted him [Christ]”.

6-11. Paul describes in his own words what happened on the way to Damascus
(cf. 9:3-9; 26:6-16). This account differs in some ways from—but does not contra-
dict—the two other versions of the episode, especially that of chapter 9, which is
told in St Luke’s words.

Paul adds that the whole thing happened at midday (cf. 26:13), and he says that
Jesus referred to himself as “Jesus of Nazareth”. He also include the question
“What shall I do, Lord?”, which is not given in chapter 9.

As far as Paul’s companions were concerned, we know that they saw the light
(Acts 22:9) but did not see anyone (Acts 9:7): they did not see the glorified Jesus;
they heard a voice (Acts 9:7) but did not hear the voice of the one who was spea-
king to Paul (Acts 22:9), that is, did not understand what the voice said.

10. Paul addresses Jesus as “Lord”, which shows that this vision has revealed to
him the divinity of him whom he was persecuting. The divine voice orders him to
get up from the ground and the future Apostle of the Gentiles obeys immediately.
The physical movement of getting up is a kind of symbol of the spiritual uplift his
soul is given by God’s call. “This was the first grace, that was given to the first
Adam; but more powerful than it is the grace in the second Adam. The effect of
the first grace was that a man might have justice, if he willed; the second grace,
therefore, is more powerful, because it affects the will itself; it makes for a strong
will, a burning charity, so that by a contrary will the spirit overcomes the conflic-
ting will of the flesh” (St Augustine, “De Correptione Et Gratia”, XI, 31).

“Many have come to Christianity”, Origen says, “as if against their will, for a cer-
tain spirit, appearing to them, in sleep or when they are awake, suddenly silences
their mind, and they change from hating the Word to dying for him” (”Against
Celsus”, I, 46).

Paul’s conversion is an outstanding example of what divine grace and divine as-
sistance in general can effect in a person’s heart.

12-16. This account of Ananias and his role in Paul’s conversion is much shorter
than that given in chapter 9 (cf. vv. 10-19). St Paul adapts it here to suit his au-
dience (who are all Jews). He presents Jesus as the one in whom the Old Tes-
tament prophecies are fulfilled. Like Peter (cf. 3:1 3ff) and Stephen (cf. 7:52) he
speaks of the “God of our fathers” and the “Just One” when referring to God and
to Jesus respectively.

*********************************************************************************************
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.

[Salvation]

From: Acts 9:1-22 (Alternate)

Saul on His Way to Damascus

---

[1] But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the
Lord, went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the synagogues
at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he
might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] Now as he journeyed he approached
Damascus, and suddenly a light from Heaven flashed about him. [4] And he fell
to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute
Me?” [5] And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom
you are persecuting; [6] but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you
are to do.” [7] The men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing
the voice but seeing no one. [8] Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes
were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him
into Damascus. [9] And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor
drank.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

---

[10] Now there was a disciple at Damascus called Ananias. The Lord said to him
in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” [11] And the Lord said to
him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas
for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, [12] and he has seen
a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain
his sight.” [13] But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this
man, how much evil he has done to Thy saints at Jerusalem; [14] and here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Thy name.” [15] But the
Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry My name
before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; [16] for I will show him how
much he must suffer for the sake of My name.” [17] So Ananias departed and
entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord
Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that
you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” [18] And immediately
something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose
and was baptized, [19] and took food and was strengthened.

For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Paul Begins His Apostolate

---

[20] And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, “He is
the Son of God.” [21] And all who heard were amazed and said, “Is not this the
man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name? And he
has come here for this purpose to bring them bound before the chief priests.”
[22] But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who
lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-3. Roman authorities recognized the moral authority of the Sanhedrin and even
permitted it to exercise a certain jurisdiction over members of Jewish communities
outside Palestine—as was the case with Damascus. The Sanhedrin even had the
right to extradite Jews to Palestine (cf. I Maccabees 15:21).

Damascus was about 230-250 kilometers (150 miles) from Jerusalem, depending
on which route one took. Saul and his associates, who would probably have been
mounted, would have had no difficulty in doing the journey in under a week. This
apparition took place towards the end of the journey, when they were near
Damascus.

2. “The Way”: the corresponding word in Hebrew also means religious behavior.
Here it refers to both Christian lifestyle and the Gospel itself; indirectly it means
all the early followers of Jesus (cf. Acts 18:25ff; 19:9, 23; 22:4) and all those who
come after them and are on the way to Heaven; it reminds us of Jesus’ words,
“The gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it
are few” (Matthew 7:14).

3-19. This is the first of the three accounts of the calling of Saul—occurring proba-
bly between the years 34 and 36—that are given in the Acts of the Apostles (cf.
Acts 22:5-16; 26:10-18); where important events are concerned, St. Luke does
not mind repeating himself. Once again the Light shines in the darkness (cf.
John 1:5). It does so here in a spectacular way and, as in every conversion, it
makes the convert see God, himself and others in a new way.

However, the episode on the road to Damascus is not only a conversion.It marks
the beginning of St. Paul’s vocation: “What amazes you seems natural to me:
that God has sought you out in the practice of your profession!

“This is how He sought the first, Peter and Andrew, James and John, beside
their nets, and Matthew, sitting in the custom-house.

“And—wonder of wonders!—Paul, in his eagerness to destroy the seed of the
Christians” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 799).

The background to St. Luke’s concise account is easy to fill in. There would
have been no Hellenist Christians left in Jerusalem: they had fled the city, some
going as far afield as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. Many had sought refuge
in Damascus, and Saul must have realized that their evangelizing zeal would win
many converts among faithful Jews in that city. Saul genuinely wanted to serve
God, which explains his readiness to respond to grace. Like most Jews of his
time, he saw the Messiah as a political liberator, a warrior-king, a half-Heavenly,
half-earthly figure such as described in the apocryphal “Book of Enoch”, 46: “It
is impossible to imagine how even his glance terrifies his enemies. Wherever he
turns, everything trembles; wherever his voice reaches everything is overwhelmed
and those who hear it are dissolved as wax in fire.” A hero of this type does not
fall into the power of his enemies, much less let them crucify him; on the contra-
ry, he is a victor, he annihilates his enemies and establishes an everlasting king-
dom of peace and justice. For Saul, Jesus’ death on a cross was a clear proof
that He was a false messiah; and the whole notion of a brotherhood of Jews and
Gentiles was inconceivable.

He has almost reached Damascus when a light flashes; he is thrown onto the
ground and hears a voice from Heaven calling his name twice, in a tone of sad
complaint.

Saul surrenders unconditionally and places himself at the Lord’s service. He
does not bemoan his past life; he is ready to start anew. No longer is the Cross
a “scandal”: it has become for him a sign of salvation, the “power of God”, a
throne of victory, whose praises he will sing in his epistles. Soon St. Paul will
learn more about this Way and about all that Jesus did and taught, but from this
moment onwards, the moment of his calling, he realizes that Jesus is the risen
Messiah, in whom the prophecies find fulfillment; he believes in the divinity of
Christ: he sees how different his idea of the Messiah was from the glorified, pre-
existing and eternal Son of God; he understands Christ’s mystical presence in
His followers: “Why do you persecute ME?” In other words, he realizes that he
has been chosen by God, called by God, and immediately places himself at his
service.

4. This identification of Christ and Christians is something which the Apostle will
later elaborate on when he speaks of the Mystical Body of Christ (cf. Colossians
1:18; Ephesians 1:22f).

St. Bede comments as follows: “Jesus does not say, `Why do you persecute My
members?’, but, `Why do you persecute Me?’, because He Himself still suffers
affronts in His body, which is the Church. Similarly Christ will take account of the
good actions done to His members, for He said, `I was hungry and you gave Me
food...’ (Matthew 25:35), and explaining these words He added `As you did it to
one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’ (Matthew 25:40)” (”Super
Act. Expositio, ad loc.”).

5-6. In the Vulgate and in many other translations these words are added between
the end of verse 5 and the start of verse 6: “It is hard for thee to kick against the
goad. And he, trembling and astonished, said: “Lord, what will Thou have me to
do? And the Lord said to him”. These words do not seem to be part of the original
sacred text but rather a later explanatory gloss; for this reason the New Vulgate
omits them. (The first part of the addition comes from Paul’s address in Acts
26:14).

6. The calling of Saul was exceptional as regards the manner in which God called
him; but the effect it had on him was the same as what happens when God gives
a specific calling to the apostolate to certain individual Christians, inviting them to
follow Him more closely. Paul’s immediate response is a model of how those who
receive these specific callings should act (all Christians, of course, have a
common calling to holiness and apostolate that comes with Baptism).

[Pope] Paul VI describes in this way the effects of this specific kind of vocation
in a person’s soul: “The apostolate is [...] an inner voice, which makes one both
restless and serene, a voice that is both gentle and imperious, troublesome and
affectionate, a voice which comes unexpectedly and with great events and then,
at a particular point, exercises a strong attraction, as it were revealing to us our
life and our destiny. It speaks prophetically and almost in a tone of victory, which
eventually dispels all uncertainty, all timidity and all fear, and which facilitates—
making it easy, desirable and pleasant—the response of our whole personality,
hen we pronounce that word which reveals the supreme secret of love: Yes; Yes,
Lord, tell what I must do and I will try to do it, I will do it. Like St. Paul, thrown
to the ground at the gates of Damascus: What would You have me do?

“The roots of the apostolate run deep: the apostolate is vocation, election, interior
encounter with Christ, abandonment of one’s personal autonomy to His will, to His
invisible presence; it is a kind of substitution of our poor, restless heart, inconstant
and at times unfaithful yet hungry for love, for His heart, the heart of Christ which
is beginning to pulsate in the one who has been chosen. And then comes the
second act in the psychological drama of the apostolate: the need to spread, to
do, to give, to speak, to pass on to others one’s own treasure, one’s own fire. [...]

“The apostolate becomes a continuous expansion of one’s soul, the exuberance
of a personality taken over by Christ and animated by His Spirit; it becomes a
need to hasten, to work, to do everything one can to spread the Kingdom of God,
to save other souls, to save all souls” (”Homily”, 14 October 1968).

8-11. Straight Street runs through Damascus from east to west and can still be
identified today.

13. Ananias refers to Christ’s followers as “saints”; this was the word normally
used to describe the disciples, first in Palestine and then in the world at large.
God is THE Holy One (cf. Isaiah 6:3); as the Old Testament repeatedly says,
those who approach God and keep His commandments share in this holiness:
“The Lord said to Moses, `Say to all the congregation of the people of Israel,
You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy’” (Leviticus 19:1-2).

The use of this term is an example of the spiritual sensitivity of our first brothers
and sisters in the faith: “What a moving name—saints!—the early Christians used
to address each other!...

“Learn to be a brother to your brothers” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 469).

15-16. Our Lord calls St. Paul His “vessel of election”, which is a Hebraicism
equivalent to “chosen instrument”, and He tells Ananias how much the Apostle
will have to suffer on His account. A Christian called to the apostolate is also,
by virtue of this divine vocation, an instrument in the hands of God; to be effective
he must be docile: he must let God use him and must do what God tells him.

The task God has given him is far beyond Paul’s ability—”to carry My name before
the Gentiles and kings and sons of Israel”. In Acts we will see how Paul fulfills
his mission, with the help of God’s grace and suffering a great deal on account of
His name. Down through the centuries, in diverse circumstance, those whom the
Lord elects to carry out specific missions will also be able to perform them if they
are good instruments who allow grace to act in them and who are ready to suffer
for their ideals.

19. In spite of the exceptional manner in which God called St. Paul, He desired
him to mature in the normal way—to be instructed by others and learn God’s will
through them. In this case he chose Ananias to confer Baptism on Paul and
teach him the basics of the Christian faith.

In Ananias we can see a trace of the role of the spiritual director or guide in Chris-
tian asceticism. There is a principle which states that “no one can be a good
judge in his own case, because everyone judges according to his own inclinations”
(cf. Cassian, “Collationes”, XVI, 11). A person guiding a soul has a special “grace
of state” to make God’s will known to him; and even if the guide makes a mistake,
the person who is being guided will—if obedient—always do the right thing, always
do God’s will. In this connection St. Vincent Ferrer says: “Our Lord Jesus Christ,
without whom we can do nothing, will not give His grace to him who, though he
has access to an expert guide, rejects this precious means of sanctification, thin-
king that he can look after on his own everything that touches on his salvation. He
who has a director, whom he obeys in everything, will reach his goal more easily
and more quickly than if he had acted as his own guide, even if he be very intelli-
gent and have the very best of spiritual books” (”Treatise on the Spiritual Life”, 2,
1).

On the spiritual guidance of ordinary Christians, who seek holiness and carry out
apostolate in the context of everyday life, Monsignor Escriva, writes: “A Director.
You need one. So that you can give yourself to God, and give yourself fully...by
obedience. A director who understands your apostolate, who knows what God
wants: that way he will second the work of the Holy Spirit in your soul, without
taking you from your place, filling you with peace, and teaching you how to make
your work fruitful” (”The Way”, 62).

20-23. In his letter to the Galatians (cf. Galatians 1:16f) St. Paul tells of how he
went into Arabia after his conversion and then returned to Damascus. He spent
almost three years away, and it was on his return that he preached the divinity
of Jesus, using all his energy and learning, now placed at the service of Christ.
This surprised and confounded the Jews, who immediately began to take action
against him.

*********************************************************************************************
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.

[Salvation]

From: Mark 16:15-18

Jesus Appears to the Eleven. The Apostle’s Mission

---

[15] And He (Jesus) said to them (the Eleven), “Go into all the world and preach
the Gospel to the whole creation. [16] He who believes and is baptized will be
saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs
will accompany those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they
will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any
deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they
will recover.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

15. This verse contains what is called the “universal apostolic mandate” (paral-
leled by Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 24:46-48). This is an imperative command
from Christ to His Apostles to preach the Gospel to the whole world. This same
apostolic mission applies, especially to the Apostles’ successors, the bishops
in communion with Peter’s successor, the Pope.

But this mission extends further: the whole “Church was founded to spread the
Kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to make all
men partakers in redemption and salvation.... Every activity of the Mystical Body
with this in view goes by the name of `apostolate’; the Church exercises it through
all its members, though in various ways. In fact, the Christian vocation is, of its
nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well. In the organism of a living body no
member plays a purely passive part, sharing in the life of the body it shares at the
same time in its activity. The same is true for the body of Christ, the Church: `the
whole body achieves full growth in dependence on the full functioning of each part’
(Ephesians 4:16). Between the members of this body there exists, further, such
a unity and solidarity (cf. Ephesians 4:16) that a member who does not work at
the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be considered use-
less both to the Church and to himself.

“In the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles
and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and
governing in His name and by His power. But the laity are made to share in the
priestly, prophetical and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church
and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole people of God”
(Vatican II, “Apostolicam Actuositatem”, 2).

It is true that God acts directly on each person’s soul through grace, but it must
also be said that it is Christ’s will (expressed here and elsewhere) that men
should be an instrument or vehicle of salvation for others.

Vatican II also teaches this: “On all Christians, accordingly, rests the noble obli-
gation of working to bring all men throughout the whole world to hear and accept
the divine message of salvation” (”ibid.”, 3).

16. This verse teaches that, as a consequence of the proclamation of the Good
News, faith and Baptism are indispensable pre-requisites for attaining salvation.
Conversion to the faith of Jesus Christ should lead directly to Baptism, which
confers on us “the first sanctifying grace, by which Original Sin is forgiven, and
which also forgives any actual sins there may be; it remits all punishment due
for sins; it impresses on the soul the mark of the Christian; it makes us children
of God, members of the Church and heirs to Heaven, and enables us to receive
the other Sacraments” (”St. Pius X Catechism”, 553).

Baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, as we can see from these words
of the Lord. But physical impossibility for receiving the rite of Baptism can be
replaced either by martyrdom (called, therefore, “baptism of blood”) or by a per-
fect act of love of God and of contrition, together with an at least implicit desire
to be baptized: this is called “baptism of desire” (cf. “ibid.”, 567-568).

Regarding infant Baptism, St. Augustine taught that “the custom of our Mother
the Church of infant Baptism is in no way to be rejected or considered unneces-
sary; on the contrary, it is to be believed on the ground that it is a tradition from
the Apostles” (”De Gen., Ad Litt.”, 10, 23, 39). The new “Code of Canon Law”
also stresses the need to baptize infants: “Parents are obliged to see that their
infants are baptized within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the
birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the
Sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it” (Canon 867).

Another consequence of the proclamation of the Gospel, closely linked with the
previous one, is that “the Church is necessary”, as Vatican II declares: “Christ
is the one mediator and way of salvation; He is present to us in His body which
is the Church. He Himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism
(cf. Mark 16:16; John 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity
of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they
could not be saved who, knowing that the Church was founded as necessary by
God through Christ, would refuse to enter it, or to remain in it” (”Lumen Gentium”,
14; cf. “Presbyterorum Ordinis”, 4; “Ad Gentes”, 1-3; “Dignitatis Humanae”, 11).

17-18. In the early days of the Church, public miracles of this kind happened
frequently. There are numerous historical records of these events in the New
Testament (cf., e.g., Acts 3:1-11; 28:3-6) and in other ancient Christian writings.
It was very fitting that this should be so, for it gave visible proof of the truth of
Christianity.

Miracles of this type still occur, but much more seldom; they are very exceptio-
nal. This, too, is fitting because, on the one hand, the truth of Christianity has
been attested to enough; and, on the other, it leaves room for us to merit through
faith. St. Jerome comments: “Miracles were necessary at the beginning to conf-
irm the people in the faith. But, once the faith of the Church is confirmed, mira-
cles are not necessary” (”Comm. In Marcum, in loc.”). However, God still works
miracles through saints in every generation, including our own.

*********************************************************************************************
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.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[GonzoII]

The Daily Psalms:

Sunday

Douay Rheims Version

 

MATINS: First Nocturn

 

Psalm 1
Beatus Vir

The happiness of the just: and the evil state of the wicked.

1 Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. 2 But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper. 4 Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth. 5 Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 2
Quare Fremuerunt

The vain efforts of persecutors against Christ and his Church.

1 Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things? 2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord and against his Christ. 3 Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us. 4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them. 5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage. 6 But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, preaching his commandment. 7 The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 10 And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth. 11 Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling. 12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way. 13 When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 3
Domine, Quid Multiplicati

The prophet's danger and delivery from his son, Absalom: mystically the passion and resurrection of Christ.

1 The psalm of David when he fled from the face of his son Absalom. 2 WHY, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who rise up against me. 3 Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. 4 But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. 5 I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill. 6 I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me. 7 I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God. 8 For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners. 9 Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

SECOND NOCTURN:

Psalm 8
Domine Dominus Noster

God is wonderful in his works; especially in mankind, singularly exalted by the incarnation of Christ.

1 Unto the end, for the presses: a psalm for David. 2 O LORD our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. 3 Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger. 4 For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded. 5 What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? 6 Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: 7 and hast set him over the works of thy hands. 8 Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields. 9 The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea. 10 O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in all the earth!
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 9a
Confitebor Tibi Domine

The church praiseth God for his protection against her enemies.

1 Unto the end, for the hidden things of the Son. A psalm for David. 2 I WILL give praise to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will relate all thy wonders. 3 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing to thy name, O thou most high. 4 When my enemy shall be turned back: they shall be weakened and perish before thy face. 5 For thou hast maintained my judgment and my cause: thou hast sat on the throne, who judgest justice. 6 Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles, and the wicked one hath perished: thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever. 7 The swords of the enemy have failed unto the end: and their cities thou hast destroyed. Their memory hath perished with a noise: 8 but the Lord remaineth for ever. He hath prepared his throne in judgment: 9 and he shall judge the world in equity, he shall judge the people in justice. 10 And the Lord is become a refuge for the poor: a helper in due time in tribulation. 11 And let them trust in thee who know thy name: for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee, O Lord. 12 Sing ye to the Lord, who dwelleth in Sion: declare his ways among the Gentiles: 13 For requiring their blood he hath remembered them: he hath not forgotten the cry of the poor. 14 Have mercy on me, O Lord: see my humiliation which I suffer from my enemies. 15 Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death, that I may declare all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion. 16 I will rejoice in thy salvation: the Gentiles have stuck fast in the destruction which they have prepared. Their foot hath been taken in the very snare which they hid. 17 The Lord shall be known when he executeth judgments: the sinner hath been caught in the works of his own hands. 18 The wicked shall be turned into hell, all the nations that forget God. 19 For the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end: the patience of the poor shall not perish for ever. 20 Arise, O Lord, let not man be strengthened: let the Gentiles be judged in thy sight. 21 Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

THIRD NOCTURN

Psalm 9b
Confitebor Tibi Domine

The church praiseth God for his protection against her enemies.

22 Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off? why dost thou slight us in our wants, in the time of trouble? 23 Whilst the wicked man is proud, the poor is set on fire: they are caught in the counsels which they devise. 24 For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: and the unjust man is blessed. 25 The sinner hath provoked the Lord according to the multitude of his wrath he will not seek him: 26 God is not before his eyes: his ways are filthy at all times. Thy judgments are removed from his sight: he shall rule over all his enemies. 27 For he hath said in his heart: I shall not be moved from generation to generation, and shall be without evil. 28 His mouth is full of cursing, and of bitterness, and of deceit: under his tongue are labour and sorrow. 29 He sitteth in ambush with the rich in private places, that he may kill the innocent. 30 His eyes are upon the poor man: He lieth in wait in secret like a lion in his den. He lieth in ambush that he may catch the poor man: to catch the poor, whilst he draweth him to him. 31 In his net he will bring him down, he will crouch and fall, when he shall have power over the poor. 32 For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten, he hath turned away his face not to see to the end. 33 Arise, O Lord God, let thy hand be exalted: forget not the poor. 34 Wherefore hath the wicked provoked God? for he hath said in his heart: He will not require it. 35 Thou seest it, for thou considerest labour and sorrow: that thou mayst deliver them into thy hands. To thee is the poor man left: thou wilt be a helper to the orphan. 36 Break thou the arm of the sinner and of the malignant: his sin shall be sought, and shall not be found. 37 The Lord shall reign to eternity, yea, for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish from his land. 38 The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor: thy ear hath heard the preparation of their heart. 39 To judge for the fatherless and for the humble, that man may no more presume to magnify himself upon earth.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm10
In Domino Confido

The just man's confidence in God in the midst of persecutions.

1 Unto the end. A psalm for David. 2 IN the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain like a sparrow? 3 For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow; they have prepared their arrows in the quiver; to shoot in the dark the upright of heart. 4 For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: but what has the just man done? 5 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men. 6 The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: but he that loveth iniquity hateth his own soul. 7 He shall rain snares upon sinners: fire and brimstone and storms of winds shall be the portion of their cup. 8 For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: his countenance hath beheld righteousness.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

LAUDS:

Psalm 92
Dominus Regnavit

The glory and stability of the kingdom; that is, of the Church of Christ.

1 Praise in the way of a canticle, for David himself, on the day before the sabbath, when the earth was founded. THE Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself. For he hath established the world which shall not be moved. 2 Thy throne is prepared from of old: thou art from everlasting. 3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord: the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods have lifted up their waves, 4 with the noise of many waters. Wonderful are the surges of the sea: wonderful is the Lord on high. 5 Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 99
Jubilate Deo

All are invited to rejoice in God, the Creator of all.

1 A psalm of praise. 2 SING joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name: 5 for the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, and his truth to generation and generation.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 62
Deus Deus Meus Ad Te

The prophet aspireth after God.

1 A psalm of David when he was in the desert of Edom. 2 O GOD, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day. For thee my soul hath thirsted; for thee my flesh, O how many ways! 3 In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory. 4 For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips shall praise. 5 Thus will I bless thee all my life long: and in thy name I will lift up my hands. 6 Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. 7 If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning: 8 because thou hast been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings: 9 my soul hath stuck close to thee: thy right hand hath received me. 10 But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: 11 They shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes. 12 But the king shall rejoice in God, all they shall be praised that swear by him: because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Canticle of the Three Young Men: Dan 3:57-88

57 All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 58 O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 59 O ye heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 60 O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all for ever. 61 O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 62 O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 63 O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 64 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 65 O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 66 O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 67 O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 68 O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 69 O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 70 O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 71 O ye nights and days, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 72 O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 73 O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 74 O let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever. 75 O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 76 O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 77 O ye fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 78 O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 79 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 80 O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 81 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 82 O ye sons of men, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 83 O let Israel bless the Lord: let them praise and exalt him above all for ever. 84 O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 85 O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 86 O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 87 O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 88 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. For he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us out of the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the burning flame, and saved us out of the midst of the fire.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 148
Laudate Dominum de Caelis

All creatures are invited to praise their Creator.

1 Alleluia. PRAISE ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye him in the high places. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, O sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars and light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens 5 praise the name of the Lord. For he spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: he hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all ye deeps: 8 Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds which fulfil his word: 9 Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars: 10 Beasts and all cattle: serpents and feathered fowls: 11 Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the earth: 12 Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord: 13 for his name alone is exalted. 14 The praise of him is above heaven and earth: and he hath exalted the horn of his people. A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to him. Alleluia.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

PRIME:

Psalm 117
Confitemini Domino

The psalmist praiseth God for his delivery from evils; putteth his whole trust in him; and foretelleth the coming of Christ.

1 Alleluia. GIVE praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that he is good: that his mercy endureth for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 4 Let them that fear the Lord now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 5 In my trouble I called upon the Lord: and the Lord heard me, and enlarged me. 6 The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man can do unto me. 7 The Lord is my helper: and I will look over my enemies. 8 It is good to confide in the Lord, rather than to have confidence in man. 9 It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in princes. 10 All nations compassed me about; and in the name of the Lord I have been revenged on them. 11 Surrounding me they compassed me about: and in the name of the Lord I have been revenged on them. 12 They surrounded me like bees, and they burned like fire among thorns: and in the name of the Lord I was revenged on them 13 Being pushed I was overturned that I might fall: but the Lord supported me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my praise: and he is become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and of salvation is in the tabernacles of the just. 16 The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me: the right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength. 17 I shall not die, but live: and shall declare the works of the Lord. 18 The Lord chastising hath chastised me: but he hath not delivered me over to death. 19 Open ye to me the gates of justice: I will go into them, and give praise to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord, the just shall enter into it. 21 I will give glory to thee because thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected; the same is become the head of the corner. 23 This is the Lord's doing: and it is wonderful in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein. 25 O Lord, save me: O Lord, give good success. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he hath shone upon us. Appoint a solemn day, with shady boughs, even to the horn of the alter. 28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, and I will exalt thee. I will praise thee, because thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 29 O praise ye the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 1-16
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

1 Alleluia. ALEPH. BLESSED are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they who search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart. 3 For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently. 5 O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications. 6 Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice. 8 I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me. BETH. 9 By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words. 10 With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments. 11 Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications. 13 With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways. 16 I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words. GIMEL.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 17-32
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

17 Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words. 18 Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications, at all times. 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud: they are cursed who decline from thy commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt: because I have sought after thy testimonies. 23 For princes sat, and spoke against me: but thy servant was employed in thy justifications. 24 For thy testimonies are my meditation: and thy justifications my counsel. DALETH. 25 My soul hath cleaved to the pavement: quicken thou me according to thy word. 26 I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: teach me thy justifications. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works. 28 My soul hath slumbered through heaviness: strengthen thou me in thy words. 29 Remove from me the way of iniquity: and out of thy law have mercy on me. 30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have not forgotten. 31 I have stuck to thy testimonies, O Lord: put me not to shame. 32 I have run the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart. HE
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

TERCE:

Psalm 118: 33-48
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

33 Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and I will always seek after it. 34 Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired. 36 Incline my heart into thy testimonies and not to covetousness. 37 Turn away my eyes that they may not behold vanity: quicken me in thy way. 38 Establish thy word to thy servant, in thy fear. 39 Turn away my reproach, which I have apprehended: for thy judgments are delightful. 40 Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy justice. VAU. 41 Let thy mercy also come upon me, O Lord: thy salvation according to thy word. 42 So shall I answer them that reproach me in any thing; that I have trusted in thy words. 43 And take not thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth: for in thy words have I hoped exceedingly. 44 So shall I always keep thy law, for ever and ever. 45 And I walked at large: because I have sought after thy commandments. 46 And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: and I was not ashamed. 47 I meditated also on thy commandments, which I loved. 48 And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments, which I loved: and I was exercised in thy justifications. ZAIN.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 49-64
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

49 Be thou mindful of thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast given me hope. 50 This hath comforted me in my humiliation: because thy word hath enlivened me. 51 The proud did iniquitously altogether: but I declined not from thy law. 52 I remembered, O Lord, thy judgments of old: and I was comforted. 53 A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law. 54 Thy justifications were the subject of my song, in the place of my pilgrimage. 55 In the night I have remembered thy name, O Lord: and have kept thy law. 56 This happened to me: because I sought after thy justifications. HETH. 57 O Lord, my portion, I have said, I would keep the law. 58 I entreated thy face with all my heart: have mercy on me according to thy word. 59 I have thought on my ways: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I am ready, and am not troubled: that I may keep thy commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have encompassed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. 62 I rose at midnight to give praise to thee; for the judgments of thy justification. 63 I am a partaker with all them that fear thee, and that keep thy commandments. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy justifications. TETH.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 65-80
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

65 Thou hast done well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word. 66 Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments. 67 Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word. 68 Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications. 69 The iniquity of the proud hath been multiplied over me: but I will seek thy commandments with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is curdled like milk: but I have meditated on thy law. 71 It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy justifications. 72 The law of thy mouth is good to me, above thousands of gold and silver. JOD. 73 Thy hands have made me and formed me: give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments. 74 They that fear thee shall see me, and shall be glad: because I have greatly hoped in thy words. 75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me. 76 O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live: for thy law is my meditation. 78 Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me: but I will be employed in thy commandments. 79 Let them that fear thee turn to me: and they that know thy testimonies. 80 Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded. CAPH.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

SEXT:

Psalm 118: 81-96
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

81 My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: and in thy word I have very much hoped. 82 My eyes have failed for thy word, saying: When wilt thou comfort me? 83 For I am become like a bottle in the frost: I have not forgotten thy justifications. 84 How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 85 The wicked have told me fables: but not as thy law. 86 All thy statutes are truth: they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me. 87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I have not forsaken thy commandments. 88 Quicken thou me according to thy mercy: and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth. LAMED. 89 For ever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven. 90 Thy truth unto all generations: thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth. 91 By thy ordinance the day goeth on: for all things serve thee. 92 Unless thy law had been my meditation, I had then perhaps perished in my abjection. 93 Thy justifications I will never forget: for by them thou hast given me life. 94 I am thine, save thou me: for I have sought thy justifications. 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood thy testimonies. 96 I have seen an end to all persecution: thy commandment is exceeding broad. MEM.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 97-112
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

97 O how have I loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day. 98 Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies: for it is ever with me. 99 I have understood more than all my teachers: because thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I have had understanding above ancients: because I have sought thy commandments. 101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy words. 102 I have not declined from thy judgments, because thou hast set me a law. 103 How sweet are thy words to my palate! more than honey to my mouth. 104 By thy commandments I have had understanding: therefore have I hated every way of iniquity. NUN. 105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths. 106 I have sworn and am determined to keep the judgments of thy justice. 107 I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly: quicken thou me according to thy word. 108 The free offerings of my mouth make acceptable, O Lord: and teach me thy judgments. 109 My soul is continually in my hands: and I have not forgotten thy law. 110 Sinners have laid a snare for me: but I have not erred from thy precepts. 111 I have purchased thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever: because they are the joy of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to do thy justifications for ever, for the reward. SAMECH.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 113-128
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

113 I have hated the unjust: and have loved thy law. 114 Thou art my helper and my protector: and in thy word I have greatly hoped. 115 Depart from me, ye malignant: and I will search the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according to thy word, and I shall live: and let me not be confounded in my expectation. 117 Help me, and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on thy justifications. 118 Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; for their thought is unjust. 119 I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: therefore have I loved thy testimonies. 120 Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments. AIN. 121 I have done judgment and justice: give me not up to them that slander me. 122 Uphold thy servant unto good: let not the proud calumniate me. 123 My eyes have fainted after thy salvation: and for the word of thy justice. 124 Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy: and teach me thy justifications. 125 I am thy servant: give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies. 126 It is time, O Lord, to do: they have dissipated thy law. 127 Therefore have I loved thy commandments above gold and the topaz. 128 Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments: I have hated all wicked ways. PHE.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

NONE:

Psalm 118: 129-144
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul hath sought them. 130 The declaration of thy words giveth light: and giveth understanding to little ones. 131 I opened my mouth and panted: because I longed for thy commandments. 132 Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of them that love thy name. 133 Direct my steps according to thy word: and let no iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from the calumnies of men: that I may keep thy commandments. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy justifications. 136 My eyes have sent forth springs of water: because they have not kept thy law. SADE. 137 Thou art just, O Lord: and thy judgment is right. 138 Thou hast commanded justice thy testimonies: and thy truth exceedingly. 139 My zeal hath made me pine away: because my enemies forgot thy words. 140 Thy word is exceedingly refined: and thy servant hath loved it. 141 I am very young and despised; but I forget not thy justifications. 142 Thy justice is justice for ever: and thy law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have found me: thy commandments are my meditation. 144 Thy testimonies are justice for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live. COPH.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 145-160
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

145 I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord: I will seek thy justifications. 146 I cried unto thee, save me: that I may keep thy commandments. 147 I prevented the dawning of the day, and cried: because in thy words I very much hoped. 148 My eyes to thee have prevented the morning: that I might meditate on thy words. 149 Hear thou my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy: and quicken me according to thy judgment. 150 They that persecute me have drawn nigh to iniquity; but they are gone far off from thy law. 151 Thou art near, O Lord: and all thy ways are truth. 152 I have known from the beginning concerning thy testimonies: that thou hast founded them for ever. RES. 153 See my humiliation and deliver me: for I have not forgotten thy law. 154 Judge my judgment and redeem me: quicken thou me for thy word's sake. 155 Salvation is far from sinners; because they have not sought thy justifications. 156 Many, O Lord, are thy mercies: quicken me according to thy judgment. 157 Many are they that persecute me, and afflict me; but I have not declined from thy testimonies. 158 I beheld the transgressors, and I pined away; because they kept not thy word. 159 Behold I have loved thy commandments, O Lord; quicken me thou in thy mercy. 160 The beginning of thy words is truth: all the judgments of thy justice are for ever. SIN.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 118: 161-176
Beati Imaculati

Of the excellence of virtue, consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.

161 Princes have persecuted me without cause: and my heart hath been in awe of thy words. 162 I will rejoice at thy words, as one that hath found great spoil. 163 I have hated and abhorred iniquity; but I have loved thy law. 164 Seven times a day I have given praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justice. 165 Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block. 166 I looked to thy salvation, O Lord: and I loved thy commandments. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and hath loved them exceedingly. 168 I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies: because all my ways are in thy sight. TAU. 169 Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in thy sight: give me understanding according to thy word. 170 Let my request come in before thee; deliver thou me according to thy word. 171 My lips shall utter a hymn, when thou shalt teach me thy justifications. 172 My tongue shall pronounce thy word: because all thy commandments are justice. 173 Let thy hand be with me to save me; for I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my meditation. 175 My soul shall live and shall praise thee: and thy judgments shall help me. 176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

VESPERS:

Psalm 109
Dixit Dominus

Christ's exultation, and everlasting priesthood.

1 A psalm for David. THE Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand: Until I make thy enemies thy footstool. 2 The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies. 3 With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: from the womb before the day star I begot thee. 4 The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. 5 The Lord at thy right hand hath broken kings in the day of his wrath. 6 He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: he shall crush the heads in the land of many. 7 He shall drink of the torrent in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 110
Confitebor Tibi Domine

God is to be praised for his graces, and benefits to his Church.

1 Alleluia. I WILL praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just: and in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills 3 His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever. 4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: 5 he hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: 6 he will shew forth to his people the power of his works. 7 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment. 8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity. 9 He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name: 10 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 111
Beatus Vir

The good man is happy.

1 Alleluia, of the returning of Aggeus and Zacharias. BLESSED is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. 3 Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever. 4 To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: he is merciful, and compassionate and just. 5 Acceptable is the man that showeth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment: 6 because he shall not be moved for ever. 7 The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing. His heart is ready to hope in the Lord: 8 his heart is strengthened, he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies. 9 He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory. 10 The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 112
Laudate Pueri

God is to be praised, for his regard to the poor and humble.

1 Alleluia PRAISE the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. 4 The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: 6 and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth? 7 Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill: 8 That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people. 9 Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, the joyful mother of children.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 113
In Exitu Israel

God hath shewn his power in delivering his people: idols are vain. (The Hebrews divide this into two psalms.)

1 Alleluia. WHEN Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous people: 2 Judea made his sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw and fled: Jordan was turned back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the hills like the lambs of the flock. 5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee: and thou, O Jordan, that thou wast turned back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams, and ye hills, like lambs of the flock? 7 At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved, at the presence of the God of Jacob: 8 Who turned the rock into pools of water, and the stony hill into fountains of waters. 9 Not to us, O Lord, not to us; but to thy name give glory. 10 For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake: lest the gentiles should say: Where is their God? 11 But our God is in heaven: he hath done all things whatsoever he would. 12 The idols of the gentiles are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men. 13 They have mouths and speak not: they have eyes and see not. 14 They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not. 15 They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat. 16 Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them. 17 The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector. 18 The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector. 19 They that fear the Lord hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector. 20 The Lord hath been mindful of us, and hath blessed us. He hath blessed the house of Israel: he hath blessed the house of Aaron. 21 He hath blessed all that fear the Lord, both little and great. 22 May the Lord add blessings upon you: upon you, and upon your children. 23 Blessed be you of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 24 The heaven of heaven is the Lord's: but the earth he has given to the children of men. 25 The dead shall not praise thee, O Lord: nor any of them that go down to hell. 26 But we that live bless the Lord: from this time now and for ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

COMPLINE:

Psalm 4
Cum Invocarem

The prophet teacheth us to flee to God in tribulation, with confidence in him.

1 Unto the end, in verses. A psalm for David. 2 WHEN I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer. 3 O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying? 4 Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him. 5 Be ye angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds. 6 Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say, Who sheweth us good things? 7 The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart. 8 By the fruit of their corn, their wine and oil, they are multiplied. 9 In peace in the selfsame I will sleep, and I will rest: 10 For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 90
Qui Habitat

The just is secure under the protection of God.

1 The praise of a canticle for David. HE that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob. 2 He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust. 3 For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word. 4 He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust. 5 His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night. 6 Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge. 10 There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling. 11 For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon. 14 Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name. 15 He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him. 16 I will fill him with length of days; and I will shew him my salvation.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Psalm 133
Ecce Nunc Benedicite

An exhortation to praise God continually.

1 A gradual canticle. BEHOLD now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. 2 In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord. 3 May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, he that made heaven and earth. -Glory be to the Father...
Haydock’s Bible Commentary

 

Divine Office "Liturgy of the Hours"

The Psalms: The Perfect Prayer Book for Everyone

"Ego sum Alpha et Omega, princípium
et finis, dicit Dóminus Deus : qui est,
et qui erat, et qui ventúrus est, omnípotens".

The Daily Psalms [Sun-Sat] - Douay Rheims Version - (As in the Old Breviary) w. Haydock's Commentary The Holy Ghost – A.K.A. “The Spirit” From All Eternity

 

The Psalms

The Perfect Prayer Book for Everyone

"The psalms are prayer, in which God Himself teaches us how to pray; for they were written under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Herein we have the answer to the question: "What prayers shall I say?" Why the prayers of Holy Scripture itself! "There is no need to scrape together endless man-made prayers when Sacred Scripture frames the very thoughts of God." The psalms are the vital presentation of God's inspirations and man's aspirations; they are the ideal manifestations of man's hunger and thirst after God and of God's loving response to man. Of great age, they are ever new and appropriate. They are as satisfying and stimulating to us of the twentieth century as they were to men before the birth of Christ and down through the Apostolic and Middle Ages".

Rev. Joseph B. Frey; July 16, 1947.

From My Daily Psalm Book, Arranged by Father Joseph Frey, Confraternity of the Precious Blood (1947) pp.vi-ix.

..

You Can Find the Remaining Six Days of "The Daily Psalms" Here

[Salvation]

Either FR went down last night or my computer rebelled. I couldn’t post anything and kept getting an error message.

[Salvation]

Repent and Come after Me

Repent and Come After Me

January 24th, 2009 by Fr. Paul Grankauskas

The Gospel passage wherein Our Lord calls Peter, Andrew, James and John never ceases to amaze me.

Mark tells us in just a few simple lines about an invitation (”Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”) and a response (”They abandoned their nets and followed him.”). These four men gave up their livelihood to follow an itinerant preacher who had nowhere to lay His head. From now on, their lives would be centered on their relationship with this man named Jesus. Their love for Him, their faith in Him as the Son of God, would eventually grow to the point where most of them would lay down their lives for Him as martyrs.

And it all began with this first step: a willingness to follow Jesus, to accept the call to discipleship, to learn from Him and be challenged by Him. As simple as Mark makes it all sound, these four men probably did not just drop everything blindly.

We know from John’s Gospel that Andrew and John himself spent time with Jesus and came away convinced that He was the Messiah spoken of in the law and the writings of the prophets. In other words, there was a readiness to welcome Christ and a willingness to submit to one they knew to be sent by God.

Would that we all would be just as eager to give all to Christ. Would that our relationship with the Father and Son, cemented in the outpouring of the Spirit at our baptism, would be the guiding force in all we do, whether at work or play, at home or at school. But how easy it is to simply gloss over the very first words that Our Lord speaks as He begins His public ministry: “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

If we wish to claim any part of the kingdom of God, if we wish to share in His reign, then there must first be repentance. Repentance is more than simply asking for forgiveness. It means a break with sin completely, a purging away of even the affection or attachment we might have to sin.

As long as love for a sin remains, the coming of the kingdom will not be a cause for joy, but something we will hate and resent as a challenge to my freedom and way of life. It stands to reason that we must first recognize the presence of God in our midst.

This is why our participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice is so crucial for us. There Christ is present in the minister who acts in His person, in the assembly gathered in His name, in the proclamation of the Scriptures, and especially in the Eucharist itself. He still comes among us, calling us to repent and believe in the Gospel. He is still calling us to come after Him, to follow the one who shepherds us safely to the heavenly kingdom.

When the first Apostles responded to Jesus’ call, it did not in any way change Our Lord. I am sure it brought Him the greatest of joy. Love received and reciprocated is a cause for joy. The Apostles, however, would find themselves forever changed by that simple encounter on the Galilean seashore. They would no longer be simple fishermen, but fishers of men. More importantly, the encounter with the incarnate God of love would transform them into saints and fill them with a joy they had never known before.

 

Fr. Paul Grankauskas is parochial vicar at St. Mary of Sorrows Parish in Fairfax, Virginia.

(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

[Salvation]

Work of God

Year B

 -  Third Sunday in ordinary time

Repent and believe the Good News

Mark 1:14-20

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God,
15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea -- for they were fishermen.
17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people."
18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets.
20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
(NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

You all have experienced the difficulty of finding a locked door and not having the key to open it. It is as frustrating as trying to see when there is total darkness and there is no light.

Well let me tell you: repentance is the key to the door of the kingdom of heaven. I am the light that shines in your spiritual world of darkness.

A sinner who does not repent is a person who loses conscience of what sin is, he begins to see a lot of good reasons for his sinfulness, he justifies himself for his actions and believes his sin is very small and has no consequence. He only wants to listen to himself and to the enemy of souls who becomes his best friend. The sinner becomes blind to my light, deaf to my word and his soul infected by sin gets sicker and sicker, it begins to die.

In the spirit, the soul of a sinner looks exactly as the body of a leper, this is why I cured many lepers in my ministry of healing. Those who are obstinate in their sins are blind because they do not see with the eyes of the spirit. Those who commit mortal sin and do not repent are the same as the paralytics who can not move. I came to heal the sick not only in the body, but most importantly in the soul, since the soul and the spirit are eternal.

A sinner is a fool gambling with his eternal life. He is so close minded that preferring the temporary pleasures of the world, he is already rejecting the eternal joy and glory offered to him.

I have come to propose to everyone a great opportunity for all eternity. It is indeed the good news of salvation, otherwise humanity would be doomed to the desires of the flesh.

You are flesh and spirit, I am spirit. I have sacrificed myself for you in order to make you a child of God. Without my forgiveness you cannot receive a place in heaven, therefore repent and start exploring the spiritual being within you, know yourself and know me. You are much more than what you think you are.

Wake up my little soul, I have been calling you for a long time. Come out of your dark cave of sin and indifference to God. Repent, change your life, convert, pray more and start living the new life that I invite you to live. Follow me.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

[Salvation]

Homily from Catholic Doors

Follow me and I will make you fishers of men! Welcome my brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus to today's celebration of the Holy Mass. It is always a joy to be united with you in this great Feast which we are about to partake in.

During today's First Reading from the Book of Jonah, [Jon. 31-5, 10] we heard how Jonah answered God's calling. Jonah was called by God and told to get up and to go to Nineveh, that great city, where he was to proclaim the message of the Lord.

In obedience to the Lord God, Jonah set out and went to Nineveh. He proclaimed the Divine Word of God, advising the sinful people that unless they repent of their sins, in forty days, their city would be overthrown. Fearing the wrath of God, the people realized that they had sinned against Him. Immediately, they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, from the greatest to the least important, put on sackcloths. A sackcloth is a coarse cloth worn as a symbol of mourning or penitence. It is not something very comfortable to wear. But, it serves its purpose of making a sacrifice for the grace of God to be dispensed upon the sincere heart that applies this method of repentance alongside with a fast.

As we all heard, the people turned away from their evil ways. Consequently, God changed His mind about the calamity that He was about to send to Nineveh. Through Jonah, the faithful servant of the Lord, the people were once more united in the righteous ways of the Lord God.

Reviewing the Second Reading from the First Letters to the Corinthians, [1 Cor. 7:29-31] to some, this Reading may have been rather difficult to understand. Paul told those who have wives to act as if they have none, those who mourn as though they were not mourning, those who rejoice as if they were not rejoicing, those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world, as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world was passing away.

To understand this passage that refers to one's calling to live a spiritual life, it is necessary to review other parts of the First Letter to the Corinthians. It is necessary to ask ourselves, what was Paul talking about? We find that answer in 1 Corinthians 10:11 where Paul told the Corinthians that Christians are already living in the last days, on whom the ends of the ages had come. There are no other coming ages.

Contrary to what some of our separated brothers and sisters believe and preach, there is no coming of a glorious age. There is no coming of a worldly Kingdom of God or a thousand years of peace when Jesus will reign on earth as King in a physical body. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual Kingdom. It is invisible and it is already among us today.

The final age began with the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, believers are united into the Risen Lord. [Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12-3] Through one's living faith in the hope of things to come, believers are already in the future. They have passed beyond the desires of fame, pleasures and wealth, having fixed their eyes on Jesus in Heaven. They patiently awaiting the glorious moment when their own bodies will be resurrected in the glory of the Lord Jesus. [Gal. 1:20; Rom. 8:9-11, 23; Eph. 1:19]

When we received the precious gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit during the Sacrament of Baptism, we received our "first instalment" towards the guarantee of the full inheritance that awaits the faithful Christians. [Eph. 1:13-4; 2 Cor. 1:22, 5:5]

When the glorious resurrection of the bodies is fulfilled, there will be no more competition, no more worldly needs, no fame, no desires, no wealth. We will all find the fullness of our happiness in the love of Christ.

Those who are detached from the world, they already have a foot in Heaven. While they are in this world, they are not of this world. The religious who consecrate their lives to the Lord, through their virginity, they join the baptized who are part of the life to come in the resurrection of the saints. Their virginity places them in the future to come.

Those who are married, because of the responsibilities that come with the married life, both spouses being placed in the affairs of the world which is passing away, those responsibilities become an obstacle to their precious spiritual growth and communion with the Lord.

The celibate person, the virgin, they are free of family responsibilities. Through their intended perfect consecration to God in body and spirit, they have the opportunity to immediately taste the life of glory that all Christians anticipates. [1 Cor. 7:32-4]

During today's Reading of the Gospel of Mark, [Mk. 1:14-20] we heard Jesus calling the Apostles to be, Simon, Andrew, James, the son of Zebedee and his brother John. Each and everyone of them left what they were doing to answer the calling of Jesus to a life of self-denial and ongoing sacrifices. By answering their calling, they became faithful servants of the Lord, their names going down in history so we may remember and model after their example, their living faith in Christ.

Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." Fishers of men are ambassadors of Christ. They represent Christ. Christians, through their Baptism, they are called to be lights in the world. They are those who are called to go forward and to evangelize to the world as Jonah obeyed, as Paul obeyed, as all the disciples of the Lord Jesus obeyed, some even to death. They are called to evangelize, first to their family members, then their friends, their co-workers, the strangers, all of those with who they come in contact during their lives, all for the glory of God.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we all have a calling to answer. Some are called to the Sacrament of Holy Orders or or religious life. Some are called to the Sacrament of Marriage. Some are called to live a life of celibacy. Even the teenagers and children have a calling in their youthful days. While the calling of each may vary according to their status in life, the needs to serve the Holy Church are many. Jesus calls some to preach, some to be lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, altar servers, choir members, members of parish committees, members of the Catholic Woman's League or the Knights of Columbus, ministers to the home bound, and the list goes on and on. There is a place for everybody in the Body of Christ.

Each members of the Body of Christ is as a living stone that belongs to a great Temple, the House of God. If we remove some of the stones from the structure, it will begin to fall. Equally, if all the members of the Body of Christ, of the Parish, do not become actively involved in the ministry of the Church, the Parish will suffer. The Church cannot flourish by itself. It needs people! It needs you!

To lead His Church by the grace of the Heavenly Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus chose men and women who are weak human beings. He did not choose angels. Had He done so, we would have angels ministering to us. Having chosen weak human beings, it is to be expected that no one is perfect in their calling. All have to learn as they grow in Christ. Remember Peter, did he not deny knowing Jesus three times when his life was threatened? Where were the disciples of Jesus when He was arrested? They all ran away! But that is the kind of people that Jesus chose in His Divine Wisdom.

Knowing this, there is a necessity for the members of the Church to pray for each other that all may be receptive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in His ministry to promote the growth of the Church from generation after generation. As your Bishop and priests need prayers so they may be good leaders, so do your brothers and sisters in Christ. Prayer is not a one way thing. Jesus wants us all to be united as one in His Body. We must pray for one another if we sincerely desire to overcome the power of Satan that always seeks to destroy the Church by destroying its members.

As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, preparing ourselves to participate in the great Feast of the Holy Eucharist in the Presence of the Lord Jesus, let each and everyone of us ask the Lord Jesus to bless our Parish with an abundance of active holy members to do His holy work. Let us ask Jesus to strengthen us in our works so that we may shine as true lights in the world, showing patience where it is needed, love where there is hatred, kindness where it is the least expected. And finally, let each and everyone of us pray for those who have fallen to sin, that they may once more rise and take their place as fruitful and obedient servants of the Lord Jesus in the Body of Christ.

---

[Salvation]

Conversion of Paul, Apostle
Juventius and Maximinus, Martyrs, (363)
Apollo, Abbot, (395)

[Salvation]

The Road to Emmaus

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

By Brian Pizzalato *

 

(Cycle B)

First Reading – Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Responsorial Psalm – Ps. 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading – 1 Cor. 7:29-31

Gospel Reading – Mk. 1:14-20

This Sunday’s readings from the prophet Jonah and the Gospel of Mark primarily focus on the theme of repentance. Let’s begin our reflections by considering the situation in Jonah’s time.

Jonah and the Assyrians

Jonah was a prophet who lived during the time of the divided Kingdom. This is a time when a Davidic king reigned over the two tribes in the south, the Kingdom of Judah, and a variety of kings reigned over the ten tribes in the north, the Kingdom of Israel.

Jonah was from the Northern Kingdom and prophesied during the reign of King Jeroboam II (cf. 2 Kgs. 14:25). We are told that King Jeroboam II "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 Kgs. 14:24). He comes after a long line of kings in the Northern Kingdom who "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord," beginning with Jeroboam I, the first king in the north (cf. 1 Kgs. 15:26, 24; 16:25, 30; 2 Kgs. 3:2; 13:2, 11; 14:24; 15:9, 18, 24, 28; 17:2).

Other prophets also spoke the word of the Lord to those in the North, prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Amos and Hosea. Each one spoke of Israel’s sin, which was primarily idolatry. Then, each one spoke of the forthcoming punishment that would befall those in the north if they did not repent. However, they would never repent and thus would suffer the consequences.

This is where Jonah fits in. In the book of the prophet Jonah he does not prophesy to those in the north, rather God sends him to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Assyria was the dominant world ruling power of the day, much like Egypt had been and Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome would be.

Assyria was also a wicked nation and deserved punishment for their sin if they did not repent. Jonah would eventually go there and offer only one sentence of prophecy, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh will be overthrown!" (3:4b). What is their response? "And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them" (3:5). This is in stark contrast to the response of the People of God in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

This, however, throws light on why Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh. Being a prophet he knew God’s plan. Jonah knew his people would not repent, and probably had a sense that the Assyrians would. He knew that God would then use the Assyrians to bring punishment upon the Northern Kingdom. And being a patriotic Israelite, he would not want this to happen. He probably wouldn’t have minded going to Nineveh, but precisely on the fortieth day in order to see its destruction.

However, Nineveh, unlike those northern Israelites, did believe and repent. As a result God would use Assyria to bring judgment upon those in the north in 722 B.C.

How does this relate to Sunday’s Gospel reading? Let’s see.

Jesus, a greater Jonah

After Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan he goes out into the desert for forty days and is tempted by the devil. Jesus comes out of the desert and begins his public ministry with the words, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel" (Mk. 1:15). Here we see a common theme with the Old Testament reading from Jonah, namely repentance and belief.

So, as Jonah preached repentance, so too does Jesus. As Jonah preached the forthcoming destruction of Nineveh if there was no repentance, so too Jesus preached the forthcoming destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple if there was no repentance. Jesus said, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down" (Mk. 13:2). Jesus makes clear that, "…this generation will not pass away till all these things take place" (Mt. 24:34). A generation was forty years. Thus, Jonah prophesied destruction in forty days and Jesus prophecies destruction in forty years. And in 70 A.D., within a generation, the Temple is destroyed.

Jesus had warned "…this evil and adulterous generation…" about what was to come (Mt. 12:39). They came seeking a sign, but Jesus told them, "no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah" (Mt. 12:39). What sign was the sign of Jonah? "…Jonah was three nights and three days in the belly of the whale…" (Mt. 12:40). Of course, after this is when Jonah went to Nineveh. Jesus goes on to say, "So will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Mt. 12:39).

This sheds some light on why Nineveh repented. It wasn’t just Jonah’s words that caused repentance and belief, but also the fact that Jonah experienced a sort of death and resurrection, if not an actual death and resurrection. The Ninevites saw this sign, heard Jonah’s words and thus believed and repented.

However, Jesus says that his generation will not even believe and repent because of this kind of a sign. His death and resurrection won’t even do the trick. He says, "and behold, something greater than Jonah is here" (Mt. 12:41b).

Jesus is a new and greater Jonah. This is shown in some other ways in Scripture that might be of interest. It has to do with some parallels between what happened with Jonah and Jesus’ calming of the sea in Matthew 8:23-27. In both events:

1. There is a setting sail on a boat.

2. They are caught in a storm.

3. Someone is found asleep.

4. There are frightened sailors.

5. The sailors call upon the Lord.

6. Jonah, and then Jesus, is instrumental in bringing about a great calm.

7. The sailors marvel at the outcome.

The difference we see in these two events is that it was not Jonah who calmed the sea, but the Lord. Then we have Jesus, the Lord, being the one who calms the sea. Here we have two miracles over nature.

And, interestingly, the Old Testament attributes to God alone authority over the sea. "You [Lord] rule the raging of the sea; when it waves rise, you still them" (Ps. 89:9). "Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!" (93:4). "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed" (Ps. 107:29). With this we come to the understanding that Jesus is in fact God.

Simon, Andrew, James and John

How might this theme of repentance apply to Jesus passing along the Sea of Galilee and calling Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow him, which also forms part of the Gospel reading for this Sunday?

What we can presuppose is that these men have repented. This is very clear in the case of Andrew. We know that he was a disciple of John the Baptist, and to be a disciple of John the Baptist he would have to had undergone his baptism of repentance (cf. Jn. 1:40). We might also consider plausible from the context of John 1:29-42 that Simon, Andrew’s brother, was a disciple of John the Baptist as well. Some also speculate that John the Evangelist may have been one of the two disciples mentioned in this passage, and thus originally a disciple of John the Baptist.

In any case the immediacy of their response indicates that they were spiritually in a position to respond to the Lord when he called them to follow him. So too, if we care to be ready at all to respond to the Lord when he calls we must undergo a metanoia (repentance), which is a complete turning over of our hearts and lives to the Lord.

[Salvation]

Scripture readings taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd

Mass Readings

First reading

Jonah 3:1-5,10 ©

The word of the Lord was addressed to Jonah: ‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.’ Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare: it took three days to cross it. Jonah went on into the city, making a day’s journey. He preached in these words, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’ And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour. And God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 24:4-9

Second reading

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 ©

Brothers: our time is growing short. Those who have wives should live as though they had none, and those who mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for; those who are enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about; those whose life is buying things should live as though they had nothing of their own; and those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.

Gospel

Mark 1:14-20 ©

After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.

[Salvation]

Sunday, January 25, 2009 (Week of Prayer for Christian Unity)
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel:

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalm 25:4-9 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 In order to acquire tranquility in action it is necessary to carefully consider what we are capable of accomplishing and never to undertake more than that. It is self-love, ever more anxious to do much rather than to do well and this self-love that wishes to undertake everything and accomplishes nothing! -- St. Francis DeSales

[Salvation]

The Angelus 

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: 
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen. 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. 

Hail Mary . . . 

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. 

Hail Mary . . . 

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray: 

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen. 

[Salvation]

Novena for the Protection of the Unborn

[Salvation]

Office of Readings and Invitatory Psalm

Office of Readings

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

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.

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A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 144 (145)

The greatness and goodness of God

I will praise you to the heights, O God, my king –
 I will bless your name for ever and for all time.
I will bless you, O God, day after day –
 I will praise your name for ever and all time.

The Lord is great, to him all praise is due –
 he is great beyond measuring.
Generation will pass to generation the praise of your deeds,
 and tell the wonders you have done.
They will tell of your overwhelming power,
 and pass on the tale of your greatness.
They will cry out the story of your great kindness,
 they will celebrate your judgements.
The Lord takes pity, his heart is merciful,
 he is patient and endlessly kind.
The Lord is gentle to all –
 he shows his kindness to all his creation.

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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Psalm 144 (145)

Let all your creatures proclaim you, O Lord,
 let your chosen ones bless you.
Let them tell of the glory of your reign,
 let them speak of your power –
so that the children of men may know what you can do,
 see the glory of your kingdom and its greatness.
Your kingdom stands firm for all ages,
 your rule lasts for ever and 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.

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Psalm 144 (145)

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
 the Lord is holy in all his deeds.
The Lord supports all who are falling,
 the Lord lifts up all who are oppressed.
All look to you for help,
 and you give them their food in due season.
In your goodness you open your hand,
 and give every creature its fill.

The Lord is just in all his ways,
 the Lord is kind in all that he does.
The Lord is near to those who call on him,
 to all those who call on him in truth.
For those that honour him,
 he does what they ask,
 he hears all their prayers,
 and he keeps them safe.
The Lord keeps safe all who love him,
 but he dooms all the wicked to destruction.

My mouth shall tell the praises of the Lord.
Let all flesh bless his holy name,
 for ever and 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.

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Reading	Deuteronomy 18:1-22 ©
True and false prophets
The levitical priests, that is to say the whole of the tribe of Levi, shall have no share or inheritance with Israel; they shall live on the foods offered to the Lord and on his dues. This tribe is to have no inheritance among their brothers; the Lord will be their inheritance as he promised them. These are the priests’ dues from the people, from those who offer an ox or a sheep in sacrifice: the priest is to be given the shoulder, the cheeks and the stomach. You must give him the first-fruits of your corn, your wine, your oil, as well as the first of your sheep’s shearing. For the Lord your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand before the Lord your God, to do the duties of the sacred ministry, and to bless in the Lord’s name, him and his sons for all time. If the Levite living in one of your towns anywhere in Israel decides to come to the place the Lord chooses, he shall minister there in the name of the Lord his God like all his fellow Levites who stand ministering there in the presence of the Lord, and shall eat equal shares with them, no count being taken of the claims he has on the levitical families for the goods he has sold. When you come into the land the Lord your God gives you, you must not fall into the habit of imitating the detestable practices of the natives. There must never be anyone among you who makes his son or daughter pass through fire, who practises divination, who is soothsayer, augur or sorcerer, who uses charms, consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead. For the man who does these things is detestable to the Lord your God; it is because of these detestable practices that the Lord your God is driving these nations before you. You must be entirely faithful to the Lord your God. For these nations whom you are dispossessing may listen to soothsayers and diviners, but this is not the gift that the Lord your God gives to you: the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like myself, from among yourselves, from your own brothers; to him you must listen. This is what you yourselves asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the Assembly. “Do not let me hear again” you said “the voice of the Lord my God, nor look any longer on this great fire, or I shall die”; and the Lord said to me, “All they have spoken is well said. I will raise up a prophet like yourself for them from their own brothers; I will put my words into his mouth and he shall tell them all I command him. The man who does not listen to my words that he speaks in my name, shall be held answerable to me for it. But the prophet who presumes to say in my name a thing I have not commanded him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.” You may say in your heart, “How are we to know what word was not spoken by the Lord?” When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord and the thing does not happen and the word is not fulfilled, then it has not been spoken by the Lord. The prophet has spoken with presumption. You have nothing to fear from him.

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Reading	From the constitution on the sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council
Christ is present to his Church
Christ is always present to his Church, especially in the actions of the liturgy. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, in the person of the minister (it is the same Christ who formerly offered himself on the cross that now offers by the ministry of priests) and most of all under the eucharistic species. He is present in the sacraments by his power, in such a way that when someone baptises, Christ himself baptises. He is present in his word, for it is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church. Finally, he is present when the Church prays and sings, for he himself promised: Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst. Indeed, in this great work which gives perfect glory to God and brings holiness to men, Christ is always joining in partnership with himself his beloved Bride, the Church, which calls upon its Lord and through him gives worship to the eternal Father. It is therefore right to see the liturgy as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ, in which through signs addressed to the senses man’s sanctification is signified and, in a way proper to each of these signs, made effective, and in which public worship is celebrated in its fullness by the mystical body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the head and by his members. Accordingly, every liturgical celebration, as an activity of Christ the priest and of his body, which is the Church, is a sacred action of a pre-eminent kind. No other action of the Church equals its title to power or its degree of effectiveness. In the liturgy on earth we are given a foretaste and share in the liturgy of heaven, celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem, the goal of our pilgrimage, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, as minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle. With the whole company of heaven we sing a hymn of praise to the Lord; as we reverence the memory of the saints, we hope to have some part with them, and to share in their fellowship; we wait for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, until he, who is our life, appears, and we appear with him in glory. By an apostolic tradition taking its origin from the very day of Christ’s resurrection, the Church celebrates the paschal mystery every eighth day, the day that is rightly called the Lord’s day. On Sunday the Christian faithful ought to gather together, so that by listening to the word of God and sharing in the Eucharist they may recall the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God who has given them a new birth with a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The Lord’s day is therefore the first and greatest festival, one to be set before the loving devotion of the faithful and impressed upon it, so that it may be also a day of joy and of freedom from work. Other celebrations must not take precedence over it, unless they are truly of the greatest importance, since it is the foundation and the kernel of the whole liturgical year.

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Hymn

Te Deum

God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you! You, the Father, the eternal – all the earth venerates you. All the angels, all the heavens, every power – The cherubim, the seraphim – unceasingly, they cry: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts: heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!” The glorious choir of Apostles – The noble ranks of prophets – The shining army of martyrs – all praise you. Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you. – Father of immeasurable majesty, – True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship, – Holy Spirit, our Advocate. You, Christ: – You are the king of glory. – You are the Father’s eternal Son. – You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb. – You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you. – You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father. – You will come, so we believe, as our Judge. And so we ask of you: give help to your servants, whom you set free at the price of your precious blood. Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory. Bring your people to safety, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance. Rule them and lift them high for ever. Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever. Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us. Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you. In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame.

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Concluding Prayer

Almighty and ever-living God, guide our actions and make them pleasing to you,
 so that in the name of your beloved Son
 we may overflow with good works.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
 who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 God for ever and ever.
Amen.

[Salvation]

Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle

The Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Feast Day
January 25th

Year of Saint Paul
June 28, 2008-June 29, 2009

The Conversion of Saul
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
1542-45
Fresco, 625 x 661 cm
Cappella Paolina, Palazzi Pontifici, Vatican

 

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus while he was on his way to Damascus is one of the most touching miracles in the history of the early Church. It shows us how faith comes from grace and from one's free cooperation. The doctrine on the Mystical Body of Christ receives proof and a clear illustration when Christ says, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" We should realize that the best way to hasten the unity of all Christians is to foster our own daily personal conversion.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

 

Collect:
God our Father,
You taught the Gospel to all the world
through the preaching of Paul Your apostle.
May we who celebrate his conversion to the faith
follow him in bearing witness to Your truth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 22:3-16
"I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamali-el, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

"As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.' Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.' And when I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

"And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And in that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know His will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from His mouth; for you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'

Alternative First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 9:1-22
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to Him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name." So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, and took food and was strengthened.

For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, "He is the Son of God." And all who heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name? And he has come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests." But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

Gospel Reading: Mark 16:15-18
He[Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings (on USCCB site):
» January 25, 2009
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Collect: All-powerful and ever-living God, direct your love that is, within us, that our efforts in the name of your Son may bring mankind to unity and peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

« January 25, 2009 »

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
Old Calendar: Third Sunday after Epiphany #cal_links li { padding: 0px; }

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    » Novena for Church Unity
    

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him (Mark 1:16-19).

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the Book of the Prophet Jonah 3:1-5, 10 and tells the story of Jonah's call from God to go to a pagan city and preach repentance to the sinful people there.

The second reading is from the first Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. St. Paul admonishes his converts to do what our Lord himself advised his follower—always to be ready for the judgment.

The Gospel is from Mark 1:14-20. Jesus came to announce to all men the good news of God's eternal plan for them. He spent his public life convincing the Jews of Palestine of the truth of this message, and he died on the cross because he claimed to be that he was God's divine Son, who had come in human nature to raise all men to the standing and status of adopted sons of God. That very death, cruel and unjust though it was, was part of the divine plan. He conquered death and was raised from the grave to prove that we too, if we accept his divine gospel and live by it, will be raised from the dead and reign with Christ in the kingdom of his Father forever. Christ preached this doctrine in Palestine. It is the doctrine for which he gave his human life and which he gave to his Apostles to hand down to all future generations. This is the self-same doctrine preached by Christ's Church to all men today. It is the good news of God's mercy and love toward us weak, mortal creatures. To some it seems too good to be true; it would indeed be so if God were a limited, finite being like us, but he is Being itself. He is without limit, his goodness and love are limitless as is his nature. What God can see in creatures has ever been a puzzle to thinking man. One of the psalm-writers said centuries ago: "What is man that you should spare a thought for him, the son of man that you should care for him" (Ps. 8 :4)? Many a saint too, has repeated this remark ever since.

We cannot hope to fathom the mind of God, nor do we need to. He has gone to such a length as the humiliation of his divine Son in the incarnation in order to give us a new standing in relation to himself and a new mode of eternal living after death. We are still God's creatures, "the work of his hands," but through accepting Christ and his gospel—his message of divine truth—we are no longer mere mortals. We shall die, but death is the beginning of the true life which God has arranged for us. It is no wonder that St. Paul could cry out: "O death where is your victory, O death, where is your sting?"

We Christians should be the happiest people on earth. We know why we are here, we know where we are going and we know how to get there. There are trials and troubles which beset us on our journey; there are rough parts of the road and weaknesses in our human nature which often lead us off the right road, but we are not left to our own human resources. We have help from above to strengthen and comfort us on our journey. We have divine aids in the Church which Christ set us and we have the guarantee of our Good Shepherd that he will keep us in his fold or bring us back should we foolishly wander from it (Jn. 10: 14; Lk. 1.5:4-7).

We Christians can indeed be the happiest people on earth, if we live according to the divine good news revealed to us through Christ. "Repent and believe in the gospel," Christ told the people of Galilee. The same call goes out from our loving Savior to each of us today: repent—change your outlook on life— and see it as God sees it to be for us, a short journey toward heaven. If we really believe in the gospel of Christ, the revelation of God's plan for our eternal happiness, our earthly troubles will look small, our trials and temptations will appear to us as they really are—a means of earning the eternal victory. Christ, the innocent victim for our salvation, has gone before us, carrying his heavy cross; can we refuse to carry the relatively lighter cross which he places on our shoulders as our means of making atonement for our own failings and for those of our fellowmen? God forbid that we should! If we have failed in the past, let us repent today and show our belief in the truth of the Christian gospel, by living as true Christians who are on their way to heaven.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.

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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Today's theme is Christian proclamation of hope in a world of separation“that they may become one in your hand”.

I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live. Biblical faith is imbued with a radical hope that the last word in history belongs to God, and that God’s last word is not one of judgment but of new creation.

Prayer

Gracious God, you are with us always, amidst suffering and turmoil, and will be to the end of time. Help us to be a people deeply imbued with hope, living out the beatitudes, serving the unity you desire. Amen.

Vatican Resources

[Salvation]

Lauds -- Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

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.

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A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 92 (93)

The magnificence of the Creator

The Lord reigns! He is robed in splendour,
 clothed in glory and wrapped round in might.
He set the earth on its foundations:
 it will not be shaken.
Your throne is secure from the beginning;
 from the beginning of time, Lord, you are.

The rivers have raised, O Lord,
 the rivers have raised their voices.
 The rivers have raised their clamour.
Over the voices of many waters,
 over the powerful swell of the sea,
 you are the Lord, powerful on high.

All your promises are to be trusted:
 and holy is your habitation,
 O Lord, to the end of time.

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	Daniel 3
All creatures, bless the Lord
Bless the Lord, all his works, praise and exalt him for ever. Bless the Lord, you heavens; all his angels, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, you waters above the heavens; all his powers, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, sun and moon; all stars of the sky, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, rain and dew; all you winds, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, fire and heat; cold and warmth, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, dew and frost; ice and cold, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, ice and snow; day and night, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, light and darkness; lightning and storm-clouds, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, all the earth, praise and exalt him for ever. Bless the Lord, mountains and hills; all growing things, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, seas and rivers; springs and fountains, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, whales and fish; birds of the air, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, wild beasts and tame; sons of men, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, O Israel, praise and exalt him for ever. Bless the Lord, his priests; all his servants, bless the Lord. Bless the Lord, spirits of the just; all who are holy and humble, bless the Lord. Ananias, Azarias, Mishael, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him for ever. Let us bless Father, Son and Holy Spirit, praise and exalt them for ever. Bless the Lord in the firmament of heaven, praise and glorify him for ever.

---

Psalm 148

An anthem to the Lord, the Creator

Praise the Lord from the heavens,
 praise him in the highest heavens.
Praise him, all his angels;
 praise him, all his powers.

Praise him, sun and moon,
 praise him, all stars that shine.
Praise him, waters of the heavens,
 and all the waters above the heavens.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
 for he commanded and they were made.
He set them firm for all ages,
 he made a decree that will last for ever.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
 sea-serpents and depths of the sea,
fire, hail, snow and fog,
 storms and gales that obey his word,
mountains and hills,
 fruit-trees and cedars,
wild beasts and tame,
 serpents and birds.

Kings of the earth, all peoples,
 all leaders and judges of the earth,
young men and women,
 old people with the young –
praise the name of the Lord,
 for his name alone is exalted.

His splendour is above heaven and earth,
 he has raised up the strength of his people.
This song is for all his chosen ones,
 the children of Israel, the people close to him.

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.

---

Short reading

Ezekiel 37:12-14 ©

The Lord says this: I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people. And I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live, and I shall resettle you on your own soil; and you will know that I, the Lord, have said and done this – it is the Lord who speaks.

---

Canticle	Benedictus
The Messiah and his forerunner
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption. He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David, as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages: to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers, to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies – in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path, to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven. Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death; to lead our feet in the path of peace. 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.

---

Prayers and Intercessions

?

Let us pray to God, who sent the Holy Spirit to be a light shining in every heart: - Lord, be our light. Blessed are you, God our light: for the sake of your glory you have brought us to this new day. By the incarnation of your Son you sent light into this world: through your Church, spread that light to all mankind. You enlightened your Son’s disciples by your Spirit: send your Spirit into the Church and keep her faithful to you. Light of the nations, remember those who dawdle in the shadows: open their eyes and their hearts, so that they see you are the one true 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 who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
 but deliver us from evil.

Almighty and ever-living God, guide our actions and make them pleasing to you,
 so that in the name of your beloved Son
 we may overflow with good works.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
 who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 God for ever and ever.
Amen.

---

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 1:14-20

Is it really true that all Jesus had to say was “Follow me” for Simon and Andrew to drop everything? Or that just a few moments later, James and John would do the same thing?

Probably not. Today’s Gospel is a kind of summary passage that introduces us to Jesus’ first disciples. It tells us that Jesus won them over, but a lot of the details of how he did it are left unsaid.

We can be sure that Jesus knew exactly what to say. He knew how to win men and women to him and to his Father. It was a combination of love, truth, leadership, purity, and passion. While we may lack Jesus’ holiness or his talent, we are still called to evangelize (Matthew 28:19). So here are some steps that might help us spread the good news:

First, have a passion for people. Jesus once said that he would leave ninety-nine faithful sheep in order to find one lost sheep. Jesus values every soul. He wants everyone to come to heaven. And that kind of passion made him effective.

Second, pray. Make a list of people you know who are lukewarm in their faith or who have left the church altogether. Pray for them every day, asking the Holy Spirit to draw them home by grace. Believe that the Spirit will work, and trust that he will.

Third, prepare. Try to write down what you would say to someone should the opportunity arise. But before you write, ask the Spirit to help you formulate your thoughts. Ask him, too, to help you overcome any fear of rejection.

Hundreds of thousands of people die every week, and many of them are not ready to face judgment. Some assume that heaven is a foregone conclusion, while others simply don’t want to have anything to do with God. So get to work! If we can help to bring just one person back to the Lord this year, we will be doing great.

“Lord, give me a spirit of evangelism. Help me to overcome fear and shyness. And please move in the people I am praying for.”

Jonah 3:1-5,10; Psalm 25:4-9;
 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

Conversion of Saint Paul

By

Father Mark

on January 25, 2009 10:30 AM |

General Intercessions

That the Church in East and West
may persevere in seeking the unity willed for her by Christ
from whom the whole Body is joined and knit together
to be built up in charity (cf. Eph 4:16),
to the Lord we pray, Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

That missionary zeal will conquer the world for Christ.,
to the Lord we pray, Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

That the thoughts of the powerful of the earth may be turned from war
and opened to the making of peace,
to the Lord we pray, Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

That those who journey in darkness
may be given friends and companions to lead them by the hand;
and that those whose hearts are hardened against Christ and the Church
may be touched by an inbreaking of grace,
to the Lord we pray, Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

That we who partake of these Holy Mysteries
may be illumined by the same light
that blazed before the eyes of Saint Paul on the road to Damascus,
and, like him, live by faith in the Son of God
who loved us and gave himself up for us (Gal 2:20),
to the Lord we pray, Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

Collect at the General Intercessions

Almighty and ever-living God,
who, by a wonderful inbreaking of your grace,
opened the heart of the blessed Apostle Paul
to the knowledge of your will,
to the bright vision of the Just One,
and to the sound of his voice (cf. Ac 22: 14);
mercifully grant that we,
having received in Baptism the sight that comes from faith,
may walk as children of the light and of the day (1 Th 5:5),
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3).
Through Christ our Lord.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Caught by the Mission
January 25, 2009

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

The Conversion of Saint Paul, apostle

Father Ernest Daly, LC

Mark 16:15-18
Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Introductory Prayer:Lord, I renew my faith in the power of your word. I come to you today to listen to you and allow you to lead me. I renew my trust in your mercy: You are constantly looking upon me and the world with love. I want to love you in return and lead others to love you.

Petition:Fill me with the power of your good news, Lord.

1. The World Needs Messengers of Hope.  Jesus Christ is the message that everyone vitally needs. He is God’s message to man, the message that tells people that God loves them deeply and offers them a way to true life and salvation. Our world often looks for love in the wrong places; it needs to find the answer to its deepest desires in Christ. But who will spread this message? Those like St. Paul who take Christ’s love seriously and see that they, too, can become messengers of hope. Am I meant to be a messenger of hope?

2. God Acts Powerfully in Those Who Trust Him.   St. Paul is an example of what God can do through someone who trusts in him. St. Paul valued the grace Christ gave him. He put his life totally in the hands of Christ and was not afraid to proclaim him to everyone he met. Even though Paul faced many difficulties, his work produced enormous fruit and helped extend the number of Christian communities. Do I believe that Christ can work through me as I participate in the New Evangelization? In what ways can I trust him more?

3. Our Opportunity Is Now.   St. Paul and the first apostles did not wait until all the circumstances were right before beginning evangelization. Once Christ had touched their lives and once he had given them the command to begin, they began right away. The Church has asked us to begin again today. Like St. Paul, we must feel that the fire of Christ’s love impels us (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14). We cannot wait until the circumstances are favorable; we must do whatever we can now. We have already experienced Christ’s love. Why are we waiting to share it? What holds me back from a greater surrender to the work of evangelization?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, like Saint Paul I have been touched by your love, and I have heard your command to go out and spread the good news. I renew my trust in your companionship, and I resolve to do all I can to bring your Gospel to others. Help me to keep my eyes on you.

Resolution: Today I will share a thought from the Gospel or from the Holy Father’s teaching with at least two people whom I encounter.

[Salvation]

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

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 109 (110)

The Messiah, king and priest

The Lord has said to my lord:
  “Sit at my right hand
 while I make your enemies your footstool.”

From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre,
 and you will rule in the midst of your foes.
Royal power is yours
 in the day of your strength, glorious and holy;
 from the time of your birth, before the dawn.

The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent:
 “You are a priest for ever,
 a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech.”
The Lord is at your right hand,
 and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings.

He will drink from the stream as he goes –
 he will hold his head high.

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 110 (111)

Great are the works of the Lord

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart
 in the council of the upright and the assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord,
 to be studied by all who delight in them.
His works are splendour and majesty,
 his righteousness lasts for ever and ever.

He gives us a record of the wonders he has worked,
 the Lord, the kind and compassionate.
He gives food to those who fear him:
 for all ages he will remember his covenant.

He has shown to his people the power of his deeds,
 he has given them the inheritance of the nations.
Steadfastness and justice
 are the works of the Lord.
All his precepts are to be trusted,
 they stand firm for ever and ever:
 they were laid down in faithfulness and justice.
He has sent deliverance to his people;
 he has set up his covenant for ever.

Holy is his name, and much to be feared.
 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
To those who fear him comes true understanding,
 and his praise endures for ever and 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.

---

Canticle	(Apocalypse 19)
The wedding of the Lamb
Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, because his judgements are true and just. Alleluia. Alleluia. Praise our God, all his servants, and you who fear him, small and great. Alleluia. Alleluia. For the Lord reigns, our God, the Almighty: let us rejoice and exult and give him glory. Alleluia. Alleluia. The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his spouse has made herself ready. Alleluia. 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.

---

Short reading

1 Peter 1:3-5 ©

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time.

---

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.

---

Prayers and Intercessions

?

God, creator of the world, re-created it through the Redemption and renews it daily through his love. With joy we pray: - Lord, renew the wonders of your love. O God, we thank you for your power, revealed in the whole of your creation; and for your providence, revealed day by day in the world. Through your Son, proclaimer of peace and victor on the Cross, free us from pointless fears and from despair. To all who love and work for justice, give the gift of working together in openness and trust, building up the world in true peace. Support the oppressed, give freedom to captives, console those who mourn: let the victory of the Cross transform everything. After your Son was dead and buried you miraculously raised him into glory: grant that all the dead may come to share eternal life with him.

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.

Almighty and ever-living God, guide our actions and make them pleasing to you,
 so that in the name of your beloved Son
 we may overflow with good works.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
 who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 God for ever and ever.
Amen.

---

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

Loving is Your Gift

January 24th, 2009 by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Jon 3:1-5, 10 / 1 Cor 7:29-31 / Mk 1:14-20

A young man was walking along the beach when he stumbled on a magic lantern. He rubbed the lantern and a genie popped out with a hearty greeting, “Have I got good news for you! This very afternoon you will receive three gifts: a miracle cure for all ailments, a huge diamond, and a dinner date with a famous movie star.”

Of course, the young man was elated, so he rushed right home where he was greeted at the door by his mother. “Some odd things have being happening this afternoon,” she said. “At noon someone delivered a barrel of chicken soup.  A half hour later, a telegram came saying a long lost relative has left you a minor league baseball stadium, and just a few minutes ago, MGM called inviting you to dinner tonight with Lassie!”

+               +               +

So much for good news! As with much of life, that fellow was raised up for a moment and then let down fast. We know the experience well: a hungry longing for something more, a momentary hope that it’s within our grasp, then disappointment and back to hungry longing.

It is to all of us who know that hungry longing that Jesus is speaking his invitation, “Come with me! Follow in my path.” Many of us are ready to say “yes” to him, but we still have a question: how do we follow him? What is his way? We know the generic answer: Jesus’ way is the golden rule: “Love God with your whole heart and your neighbor as yourself.”  But how does that translate into the concrete? How do we actually put together a life out of that?

We begin by remembering that love is never in the abstract. In general good feelings are nice but they aren’t love. Love is always in the concrete. We give our love and care to this specific person or that one at this specific moment or that. Furthermore, we love and care with what we have and with what we are and not with what somebody else has or is.

The specific shape of the loving and caring to which we are called individually is defined by the specific gifts that God has entrusted to our personal care. That means, on the one hand, that you are very probably not called to be Mother Teresa, and I am definitely not called to be our parish organist. But it also means we have to work very hard at seeing, naming, and developing what are our own special gifts so that we can share those gifts with those who need what we have to give.

The deep and hungry longing for joy, which we all know so well, will never be fully satisfied in this life. But if we see, and name, and develop our own special gifts and then share them open heartedly with all who need them, we’ll begin to experience the joy we’ve always longed for. We’ll begin to know the peace for which we were made.

That’s the Good News we’ve been waiting for! Joy and peace can be ours here and now!  Thanks be to God!

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Sunday, January 25, 2009 >>

3rd Sunday Ordinary Time Saint of the Day

Jonah 3:1-5, 10
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
View Readings

Psalm 25
Mark 1:14-20

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT GOD'S WORD

"Jonah began...announcing, 'Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,' when the people of Nineveh believed God." —Jonah 3:4-5

 

At Mass this morning, the gentleman seated directly in front of me paid no attention whatsoever to the homily. He was fidgeting in his seat, looking to the right and left as the pastor told several anecdotes related to today's readings. Halfway through the homily, the pastor quoted from memory Jesus' words in Matthew 25:35-45. At the very instant the pastor quoted the first word of the Scripture passage, this man's head literally whipped around ninety degrees, and he stared intently at the priest. He listened in rapt attention, riveted and motionless for the remainder of the homily. The change was striking to observe. There's something different about the word of God.

Our words can be helpful to others, but it's God's word that has the power to reach hearts. Jonah announced God's word and got immediate results (Jon 3:4ff). Jesus spoke God's "now-word" (see Ez 33:30) and got immediate results; the disciples immediately abandoned their nets and followed Him (Mk 1:17, 20).

God's word is living and effective, and pierces hearts (Heb 4:12). It always does the job (Is 55:10-11). It reverberates inside people's hearts and "produces of itself" results in the lives of men and women (Mk 4:28). Revise your vocabulary. Speak God's word — for a change.

 

Prayer: Father, may people always take Your word as it truly is, the word of God rather than the words of men (1 Thes 2:13). May I spend my life spreading Your word.

Promise: "Come after Me; I will make you fishers of men." —Mk 1:17

Praise: Praise Jesus, the living Word (Heb 4:12). There is no chaining You, Word of God (2 Tm 2:9). Alleluia!

[Salvation]

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

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.

---

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

---

Psalm 90 (91)

The protection of the Most High

He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night.

He who lives under the protection of the Most High
 dwells under the shade of the Almighty.
He will say to the Lord:
 “You are my shelter and my strength,
 my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will free you from the hunter’s snare,
 from the voice of the slanderer.
He will shade you with his wings,
 you will hide underneath his wings.
His faithfulness will be your armour and your shield.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
 nor the arrow that flies by day;
nor the plague that walks in the shadows,
 nor the death that lays waste at noon.

A thousand will fall at your side,
 at your right hand ten thousand will fall,
 but you it will never come near.
You will look with your eyes
 and see the reward of sinners.
For the Lord is your shelter and refuge;
 you have made the Most High your dwelling-place.
Evil will not reach you,
 harm cannot approach your tent;
for he has set his angels to guard you
 and keep you safe in all your ways.

They will carry you in their arms
 in case you hurt your foot on a stone.
You walk on the viper and cobra,
 you will tread on the lion and the serpent.

Because he clung to me, I shall free him:
 I shall lift him up because he knows my name.
He will call upon me and for my part, I will hear him:
 I am with him in his time of trouble.
I shall rescue him and lead him to glory.
I shall fill him with length of days
 and show him my salvation.

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.

He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night.

---

Reading	Apocalypse 22:4-5
They will see the face of the Lord, and his name will be marked on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need sunlight or lamp-light, because the Lord God himself will shine upon them. And they will reign for ever and ever.

---

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

---

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.  You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation,  which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;  the glory of your people Israel. 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.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.

---

Prayer
Let us pray. Today we have celebrated the mystery of the Christ’s resurrection, and so now we humbly ask you, Lord, that we may rest in your peace, far from all harm, and rise rejoicing and giving praise to you. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

---

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here

[annalex]

Mk 1:14-20
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
14	And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came in Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,	postquam autem traditus est Iohannes venit Iesus in Galilaeam praedicans evangelium regni Dei
15	And saying: The time is accomplished and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel:	et dicens quoniam impletum est tempus et adpropinquavit regnum Dei paenitemini et credite evangelio
16	And passing by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea for they were fishermen.	et praeteriens secus mare Galilaeae vidit Simonem et Andream fratrem eius mittentes retia in mare erant enim piscatores
17	And Jesus said to them: Come after me; and I will make you to become fishers of men.	et dixit eis Iesus venite post me et faciam vos fieri piscatores hominum
18	And immediately leaving their nets, they followed him.	et protinus relictis retibus secuti sunt eum
19	And going on from thence a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who also were mending their nets in the ship:	et progressus inde pusillum vidit Iacobum Zebedaei et Iohannem fratrem eius et ipsos in navi conponentes retia
20	And forthwith he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with his hired men, they followed him.	et statim vocavit illos et relicto patre suo Zebedaeo in navi cum mercennariis secuti sunt eum

[annalex]

14. Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God,
15. And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the Gospel.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. The Evangelist Mark follows Matthew in his order, and therefore after having said that Angels minister, he subjoins, But after that John was put into prison, Jesus came, &c. After the temptation and the ministry of Angels, He goes back into Galilee, teaching us not to resist the violence of evil men.

THEOPHYL. And to show us that in persecutions we ought to retire, and not to await them; but when we fall into them, we must sustain them.

PSEUD-CHRYS. He retired also that He might keep Himself for teaching and for healing, before He suffered, and after fulfilling all these things, might become obedient unto death.

BEDE; John being put in prison, fitly does the Lord begin to preach: wherefore there follows, Preaching the Gospel, &c. For when the Law Ceases, the Gospel arises in its steps.

PSEUDO-JEROME; When the shadow ceases, the truth comes on; first, John in prison, the Law in Judea; then, Jesus in Galilee, Paul among the Gentiles preaching the Gospel of the kingdom. For to an earthly kingdom succeeds poverty, to the poverty of Christians is given an everlasting kingdom; but earthly honor is like the foam of water, or smoke, or sleep.

BEDE; Let no one, however, suppose that the putting of John in prison took place immediately after the forty days' temptation and the fast of the Lord; for whoever reads the Gospel of John will find, that the Lord taught many things before the putting of John in prison, and also did many miracles; for you have in his Gospel, This beginning of miracles did Jesus; and afterwards, for John was not yet cast into prison. Now it is said, that when John read the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he approved indeed the text of the history, and affirmed that they had spoken truth, but said that they had composed the history of only one year after John was cast into prison, in which year also he suffered. Passing over then the year of which the transactions had been published by the three others, he related the events of the former period, before John was cast into prison. When therefore Mark had said that Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, he subjoins, saying, Since the time is fulfilled, &c.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Since then the time was fulfilled, when the fullness of time was come, and God sent His Son, it was fitting that the race of man should obtain the last dispensation of God. And therefore he says, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. But the kingdom of God is essentially the same as the kingdom of heaven, though they differ in idea. For by the kingdom of God is to be understood that in which God reigns; and this in truth is in the region of the living, where, seeing God face to face, they will abide in the good things now promised to them; whether by this region one chooses to understand Love, or some other confirmation of those who put on the likeness of things above, which are signified by the heavens. For it is clear enough that the kingdom of God is confined neither by place nor by time.

THEOPHYL. Or else, the Lord means that the time of the Law is completed; as if He said, Up to this time the Law was at work; from this time the kingdom of God will work, that is, a conversation according to the Gospel, which is with reason likened to the kingdom of heaven. For when you see a man clothed in flesh living according to the Gospel, do you not say that he has the kingdom of heaven, which is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost?

The next word is, Repent.

PSEUDO-JEROME; For he must repent, who would keep close to eternal good, that is, to the kingdom of God. For he who would have the kernel, breaks the shell; the sweetness of the apple makes up for the bitterness of its root; the hope of gain makes the dangers of the sea pleasant; the hope of health takes away from the painfulness of medicine. They are able worthily to proclaim the preaching of Christ who have deserved to attain to the reward of forgiveness; and therefore after he has said, Repent, He subjoins, and believe the Gospel. For unless you have believed, you shall not understand.

BEDE; Repent, therefore, and believe; that is, renounce dead works; for of what use is believing without good works? The merit of good works does not, however, bring to faith, but faith begins, that good works may follow.

16. Now as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
17. And Jesus said unto them, Come you after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
19. And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
20. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

GLOSS. The Evangelist, having mentioned the preaching of Christ to the multitude, goes on to the calling of the disciples, whom he made ministers of his preaching, whence it follows, And passing along the sea of Galilee, &c.

THEOPHYL. As the Evangelist John relates, Peter and Andrew were disciples of the Forerunner, but seeing that John had borne witness to Jesus, they joined themselves to him; afterwards, grieving that John had been cast into prison, they returned to their trade. Wherefore there follows, casting nets into the sea, for they were fishers. Look then upon them, living on their own labors, not on the fruits of iniquity; for such men were worthy to become the first disciples of Christ; whence it is subjoined, And Jesus said unto them, Come you after me. Now He calls them for the second time; for this is the second calling in respect of that, of which we read in John. But it is shown to what they were called, when it is added, I will make you become fishers of men.

REMIG. For by the net of holy preaching they drew fish, that is, men, from the depths of the sea, that is, of infidelity, to the light of faith. Wonderful indeed is this fishing! for fishes when they are caught, soon after die; when men are caught by the word of preaching, they rather are made alive.

BEDE; Now fisher's and unlettered men are sent to preach, that the faith of believers might be thought to lie in the power of God, not in eloquence or in learning. It goes on to say, and immediately they left their nets, and followed him.

THEOPHYL. For we must not allow any time to lapse, but at once follow the Lord. After these again, He catches James and John, because they also, though poor, supported the old age of their father. Wherefore there follows, And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, &c.

But they left their father, because he would have hindered them in following Christ. Do you, also, when you are hindered by your parents, leave them, and come to God. It is shown by this that Zebedee was not a believer; but the mother of the Apostles believed, for she followed Christ, when Zebedee was dead.

BEDE; It may be asked, how he could call two fishers from each of the boats, first, Peter and Andrew, then having gone a little further, the two others, sons of Zebedee, when Luke says that James and John were called to help Peter and Andrew, and that it was to Peter only that Christ said, Fear not, from this time you shall catch men; he also says, that at the same time, when they had brought their ships to land, they followed him. We must therefore understand that that transaction which Luke intimates happened first, and afterwards that they as their custom was, had returned to their fishing. So that what Mark here relates happened afterwards; for in this case they followed the Lord, without drawing their boats ashore, (which they would have done had they meant to return,) and followed Him, as one calling them, and ordering them to follow.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Further, we are mystically carried away to heaven, like Elias, by this chariot, drawn by these fishers, as by four horses. On these four corner-stones the first Church is built, in these as in the four Hebrew letters, we acknowledge the tetragrammaton, the name of the Lord, we who are commanded after their example, to hear the voice of the Lord and to forget the people of wickedness, and the house of our fathers' conversation, which is folly before God, and the spider's net in the meshes of which we, like gnats, were all but fallen, and were confined by things vain as the air, which hangs on nothing; loathing also the ship of our former walk. For Adam, our forefather according to the flesh, is clothed with the skins of dead beasts; but now, having put off the old man, with his deeds, following the new man we are clothed with those skins of Solomon, with which the bride rejoices that she has been made beautiful. Again, Simon, means obedient; Andrew, manly; James, supplanter; John, grace; by which four names, we are knit together into God's host; by obedience, that we may listen; by manliness, that we do battle; by overthrowing, that we may persevere; by grace, that we may he preserved. Which four virtues are called cardinal; for by prudence, we obey; by justice, we bear ourselves manfully; by temperance, we tread the serpent underfoot; by fortitude, we earn the grace of God.

THEOPHYL. We must know also, that action is first called, then contemplation; for Peter is the type of the active life, for he was more ardent than the others, just as the active life is the more bustling; but John is the type of the contemplative life, for he speaks more fully of divine things.

Catena Aurea Mark 1

[annalex]

Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew

Lorenzo Veneziano

c. 1370
Poplar panel, 24 x 33 cm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin

[annalex]

Mk 16:15-18
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
15	And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature.	et dixit eis euntes in mundum universum praedicate evangelium omni creaturae
16	He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall he condemned.	qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit salvus erit qui vero non crediderit condemnabitur
17	And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues.	signa autem eos qui crediderint haec sequentur in nomine meo daemonia eicient linguis loquentur novis
18	They shall take up serpents: and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick: and they shall recover.	serpentes tollent et si mortiferum quid biberint non eos nocebit super aegrotos manus inponent et bene habebunt

[annalex]

14. Afterward he appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15. And he said to them, Go you into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believed not shall be damned.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

GLOSS. Mark, when about to finish his Gospel, relates the last appearance of our Lord to His disciples after His resurrection, saying, For the last time he appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat.

GREG. We should observe that Luke says in the Acts, As he was eating with them he commanded , that they should not depart from Jerusalem, and shortly afterwards, while they beheld he was taken up. For He ate, and then ascended, that by the act of eating, the truth of the flesh might be declared; wherefore it is also here said, that he appeared to them for the last time as they sat at meat.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But He appeared when all the eleven were together, that all might be witnesses, and relate to all men what they had seen and heard in common. It goes on: And upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them who had seen him after his resurrection.

AUG. But how was this done the last time? The last occasion on which the Apostles saw the Lord upon earth happened forty days after the resurrection; but would He then have upbraided them for not believing those who had seen Him risen, when they themselves had so often seen Him after His resurrection? It remains therefore that we should understand that Mark wished to say it in few words, and said for the last time, because it was the last time that He showed Himself that day, as night was coming on, when the disciples returned from the country into Jerusalem, and found, as Luke says, the eleven and those who were with them, speaking together concerning the resurrection of our Lord.

But there were some there who did not believe; when these then were sitting at meat, (as Mark says,) and were still speaking, (as Luke relates,) The Lord stood in the midst of them, and said to them, Peace be to you; as Luke and John say. The rebuke therefore which Mark here mentions, must have been amongst those words, which Luke and John say, that the Lord at that time spoke to the disciples. But another question is raised, how Mark says that He appeared when the eleven sat at meat, if the time was the first part of the night on the Lord's day, when John plainly says that Thomas was not with them, who, we believe, had gone out, before the Lord came in to them, after those two had returned from the village, and spoken with the eleven, as we find in Luke's Gospel.

But Luke in his relation leaves room for supposing that Thomas went out first, while they spoke these things, and that the Lord entered afterwards; Mark however from his saying, for the last time he appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, forces us to believe that he was there, unless indeed, though one of them was absent he chose to call them the eleven, because the company of the Apostles was then called by this number, before Matthias was chosen into the place of Judas. Or if this be a harsh way of understanding it, let us understand that it means that after many appearances, He showed Himself for the last time, that is, on the fortieth clay, to the Apostles, as they sat at meat, and that since He was about to ascend from them, He rather wished on that day to reprove them for not having believed those who had seen Him risen before seeing Him themselves, because after His ascension even the Gentiles on their preaching were to believe a Gospel, which they had not seen.

And so the same Mark immediately after that rebuke says, And he said to them, Go you into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. And lower down, He that believes not shall be condemned. Since then they were to preach this, were not they themselves to be first rebuked, because before they saw the Lord they had not believed those to who He had first appeared?

GREG. Another reason also why our Lord rebuked His disciples, when He left them as to His bodily presence, was, that the words which He spoke on leaving them might remain more deeply impressed, upon the hearts of His hearers.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But He rebukes their want of faith, that faith might take its place; He rebukes the hardness of their stony heart, that the fleshy heart, full of love, might take its place.

GREG. After rebuking the hardness of their hearts, let us hear the words of advice which He speaks. For it goes on: Go you into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. Every man must be understood by every creature; for man partakes something of every creature; he has existence as have stones, life as trees, feeling as animals, understanding as have Angels. For the Gospel is preached to every creature, because he is taught by it, for whose sake all are created, whom all things are in some way like, and from whom therefore they are not alien. By the name of every creature also every nation of the Gentiles may be meant. For it had been said before, Go not into the way of the Gentiles. But now it is said, Preach the Gospel to every creature, so that the preaching of the Apostles which was thrust aside by Judea, might be an assistance to us, since Judea, had haughtily rejected it, thus witnessing to her own damnation.

THEOPHYL. Or else; to every creature, that is, whether believing or unbelieving. It goes on: He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. For it is not enough to believe, for he who believes and is not baptized, but is a catechumen, has not yet attained to perfect salvation.

GREG. But perhaps some one may say in himself, I have already believed, I shall be saved. He says what is true, if he keeps his faith by works; for that is a true faith, which does not contradict by its deeds what it says in words. There follows: But he that believes not shall be damned.

BEDE; What shall we say here about infants, who by reason of their age cannot yet believe; for as to older persons there is no question. In the Church then of our Savior children believe by others, as also they drew from others the sins which are remitted to them in baptism. It goes on: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents.

THEOPHYL. That is, they shall scatter before them serpents, whether intellectual or sensible, as it is said, you shall tread upon serpents and scorpions, which is understood spiritually. But it may also mean sensible serpents, as when Paul received no hurt from the viper. There follows: And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. We read of many such cases in history, for many persons have drank poison unhurt, by guarding themselves with the sign of Christ. It goes on: They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

GREG. Are we then without faith because we cannot do these signs? Nay, but these things were necessary in the beginning of the Church, for the faith of believers was to be nourished by miracles, that it might increase. Thus we also, when we plant groves, pour water upon them, until we see that they have grown strong in the earth; but when once they have firmly fixed their roots, we leave off irrigating them. These signs and miracles have other things which we ought to consider more minutely.

For Holy Church does every day in spirit what then the Apostles did in body; for when her Priests by the grace of exorcism lay their hands on believers, and forbid the evil spirits to dwell in their minds, what do they, but cast out devils? And the faithful who have left earthly words, and whose tongues sound forth the Holy Mysteries, speak a new language; they who by their good warnings take away evil from the hearts of others, take up serpents; and when they are hearing words of pestilent persuasion, without being at all drawn aside to evil doing, they drink a deadly thing, but it will never hurt them; whenever they see their neighbors growing weak in good works, and by their good example strengthen their life, they lay their hands on the sick, that they may recover. And all these miracles are greater in proportion as they are spiritual, and by them souls and not bodies are raised.

Catena Aurea Mark 16

[annalex]

Conversion of Paul

Lorenzo Veneziano

c. 1370
Poplar panel, 26 x 33 cm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin

[GonzoII]

“Either FR went down last night or my computer rebelled.”
—

Its been acting up lately.

[Salvation]

Detachment from the World

Detachment from the World

January 26th, 2009 by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.

Peter and Andrew were businessmen.  So were their neighbors, James and John.  They tried to wring a living out of the Sea of Galilee, and it probably took nearly all of the time and energy that they had.

So it would have been easy to pass on the chance to hear some new prophet proclaim that the Kingdom of God had finally arrived.  And then, having heard this message, they could have rolled their eyes and chuckled about how they hoped that this Kingdom would put more fish in the lake.  Or they could have made excuses that this was all very interesting, but following the wandering rabbi from Nazareth was more suitable for single men with no mouths to feed.

No, when Jesus invited them to learn to catch men instead of fish, they dropped their nets, abandoned their business, and went on the road.

Is it wrong to have a family?  Is it wrong to be in business?  Are these secular activities inappropriate for a disciple of Jesus?

Not in the least.  The Church teaches that we can serve the Lord and grow in holiness through any honest task, whether we are single or married.  But St. Paul also tells us that the Christian engaged in secular activities must inwardly detach from them: “… those who have wives should live as though they have none… buyers should conduct themselves as if they owned nothing, and those who make use of the world as though they were not using it, for the world as we know it is passing away” (I Cor 7:29-31).

The word “secular” means “of this world.”  Now it is true that God likes this world.  After all, He created it.  But when sinful humanity gets a hold of the things of this passing world, it doesn’t want to let go.  It becomes engrossed, absorbed, consumed with them to the neglect of what lasts forever, namely the Kingdom of God.

In Jesus, the Kingdom has touched down on planet earth.  We need to re-form our lives, which is not only to say repent from sin, but actually structure our lives totally around the kingdom and its priorities.  Kingdom priorities might dictate that many enter into the sacrament of matrimony in order to raise up new heralds of the kingdom and leaders of God’s people.  And Christ may call others to involve themselves in business so as to provide financially for God’s work and to infuse Christian values into the marketplace.

Detachment does not mean that you shouldn’t enjoy your secular pursuits and approach them with energy and enthusiasm.  It just means that your daily activity must be placed on the altar, offered up to God as a living sacrifice.  And you must be ever ready to walk away from your activities at a moment’s notice, should Jesus call you to do so.  Moments of truth will come to test just how serious we are about living for God rather than for sports, careers and even families. 

Yes, families.  There are times when duty calls soldiers to leave their families.  The same holds true for breadwinners — my great-grandfather left family behind in Italy for several years while he prepared a better place for them in America.  So why should we be surprised that at times some may be called to leave family for the sake of the Kingdom of God?

We may not be called literally to leave all behind to walk the dusty trails of Israel.  But there will come a moment when we may hear an invitation to decline a scholarship, or a promotion, or a romance for the sake of the Kingdom.

As the Gospel story unfolds, we learn that the apostles had more than a few shortcomings.  But we have to admit this — that when that initial call came, as challenging as it was, they made no excuses.  Can the same be said for us?

 

Dr. D'Ambrosio studied under Avery Cardinal Dulles for his Ph.D. in historical theology and taught for many years at the University of Dallas. He now directs www.crossroadsinitiative.com, which offers Catholic resources for RCIA and adult and teen faith formation, with a special emphasis on the Eucharist, the Theology of the Body, the early Church Fathers, and the Sacrament of Confirmation.

(This article originally appeared in Our Sunday Visitor and is used by permission of the author.)

[Salvation]

More from Regnum Christi

Come Follow Me
January 26, 2009

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Jason Brooks, LC

Mark 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel." As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I adore you. You alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Lord, I love you and wish to know you more intimately since you are goodness and mercy itself.

Petition: Lord, grant that I may follow you faithfully all the days of my life.

1. Repent and Believe in the Good News. There is no time to waste. We have one life to live and only one chance to live it. Jesus is trying to tell us that we have to make the most of it. We have heard about Jesus before. Perhaps we have been going to church and listening to his word for decades. However, have we allowed Christ’s message of love and mercy to penetrate our heart? Have we turned away from all attachment to sin in our life and really followed the Gospel?

2. Follow Me and I Will Make You Fishers of Men. We can’t forget that the essence of Christianity is following Jesus, the Son of God. As his mother Mary told the waiters at the wedding at Cana, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Jesus is the real protagonist in our lives. He takes the initiative to call us to himself and to follow him more closely. He invites us to follow him in proclaiming the Good News to the whole world. It is not enough to know Christ. We have to share our faith with others and let the Gospel direct our decision-making process.

3. Leaving Their Father in the Boat, They Followed Him. We naturally want to be comfortable and do things familiar to us. In fact, most ads we see appeal to our desire to rest and be secure. However, Jesus breaks the mold and commands us to leave our comfort zone. Unless we first change ourselves, we cannot expect to change the world. Until we first dedicate ourselves to knowing Christ better and more intimately, we will not be ardent apostles of his kingdom. Only after we have had a personal encounter with Christ can we experience the bliss of loving him more and cooperating in his saving mission. As Pope John Paul II so often encouraged us, echoing the words of Christ himself, “Be not afraid!” Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone to serve Christ in love.

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I want to follow you more closely. Help me to know you as you are so that I can love you as you deserve to be loved. Grant me the fullness of your grace, which consumes all weakness, so that my heart will be lifted up with an indescribable enthusiasm to embrace my cross and follow faithfully in your footsteps.

Resolution: Today I will perform an act of charity that I have neglected or been afraid to do for some time.