Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 03-01-12

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 03-01-12 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

March 1, 2012

Thursday in the First Week of Lent

 

Reading 1 Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25

Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,
had recourse to the LORD.
She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids,
from morning until evening, and said:
"God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you.
Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,
for I am taking my life in my hand.
As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers
that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.
Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you,
O LORD, my God.

"And now, come to help me, an orphan.
Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion
and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy,
so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.
Save us from the hand of our enemies;
turn our mourning into gladness
and our sorrows into wholeness."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

R. (3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Gospel Mt 1:1

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.

"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets."

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Mar 01, Midday Prayer for Thursday of the 1st week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II:
Ordinary: 1054
Proper of Seasons: 126 (Midday)
Psalter: Thursday, Week I, 1167

Midday Prayer for Thursday of the First Week of Lent, using the Current Psalmody

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

Glory to God in the highest
And peace to His people on earth
Lord God, Heavenly King, Almighty God and Father
We worship You
We give You thanks
We praise You for Your glory

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father
Lord God, Lamb of God
You take away the sins of the world
Lord, have mercy on us
You are seated at the right hand of the Father
Receive our prayer

For You alone are the Holy One
For You alone are the Lord
For You alone are the Most High
Jesus Christ
With the Holy Spirit
In the glory of God the Father

Amen.

Glory to God in the highest by St. Paul’s Choir Indianapolis; Lyrics are based upon the text of the Sacred Liturgy

PSALMODY

Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die but to turn back to me and live.

Psalm 119:17-24
III (Ghimel)

Bless your servant and I shall live
and obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see
the wonders of your law.

I am a pilgrim on the earth;
show me your commands.
My soul is ever consumed
as I long for your decrees.

You threaten the proud, the accursed,
who turn from your commands.
Relieve me from scorn and contempt
for I do your will.

Though princes sit plotting against me
I ponder on your rulings.
Your will is my delight;
your statutes are my counsellors.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Father, giver of all good gifts, do not let us go astray from your commands but help us to seek you with all our hearts.

Psalm 25
Prayer for God’s favor and protection
Our hope will never be disappointed (Romans 5:5).

I

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I trust in you, let me not be disappointed;
do not let my enemies triumph.
Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,
but only those who wantonly break faith.

Lord, make me know your ways.
Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:
for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all day long
because of your goodness, O Lord.
Remember your mercy, Lord,
and the love you have shown from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth.
In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright.
He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path;
he teaches his way to the poor.

His ways are faithfulness and love
for those who keep his covenant and law.
Lord, for the sake of your name
forgive my guilt; for it is great.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

To you, Lord, we lift up our souls; rescue us, do not let us be put to shame for calling out to you. Do not remember the sins of our youth and stupidity, but remember us with your love.

II

If anyone fears the Lord
he will show him the path he should choose.
His soul shall live in happiness
and his children shall possess the land.
The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him;
to them he reveals his covenant.

My eyes are always on the Lord;
for he rescues my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and have mercy
for I am lonely and poor.

Relieve the anguish of my heart
and set me free from my distress.
See my affliction and my toil
and take all my sins away.

See how many are my foes;
how violent their hatred for me.
Preserve my life and rescue me.
Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.
May innocence and uprightness protect me:
for my hope is in you, O Lord.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Through your Son, Lord, you spared sinners to show us your mercy and love. Do not remember our sins, but show us your ways; relieve our distress, and satisfy the longing of your people, so that all our hopes for eternal peace may reach fulfillment.

Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die but to turn back to me and live.

READING Deuteronomy 30:2-3a

Provided that you and your children return to the Lord, your God, and heed his voice with all your heart and all your soul, just as I now command you, the Lord, your God, will change your lot and take pity on you.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell)
A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

Turn your face away from my sins.
– Blot out all my guilt.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Bestow on us,
we pray, O Lord,
a spirit of always pondering on what is right
and of hastening to carry it out,
and since without you we cannot exist,
may we be enabled to live according to your will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
–Amen.

ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

[markomalley]

Mar 01, Evening Prayer for Thursday of the 1st week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II:
Ordinary: 1064
Proper of Seasons: 127
Psalter: Thursday, Week I, 1170

Christian Prayer:
Ordinary: 694
Proper of Seasons: 283
Psalter: Thursday, Week I, 754

Evening Prayer for Thursday of the First Week of Lent

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

I know my soul hath power to know all things,
Yet she is blind and ignorant in all:
I know I’m one of Nature’s little kings,
Yet to the least and vilest things am thrall.

I know my life’s a pain and but a span;
I know my sense is mock’d in ev’rything;
And, to conclude, I know myself a Man,
Which is a proud and yet a wretched thing.

“I Know My Soul Hath Power”; Text: Sir John Davies (1569-1626)
“I Know My Soul Hath Power” by The Choir of St Edmundsbury Cathedral is available from Amazon.com

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 I cried to you, Lord, and you healed me; I will praise you for ever.

Psalm 30
Thanksgiving for deliverance from death
Christ, risen in glory, gives continual thanks to his Father (Cassian).

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O Lord, I cried to you for help
and you, my God, have healed me.
O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead,
restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.

Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him,
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favor all through life.
At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.

I said to myself in my good fortune:
“Nothing will ever disturb me.”
Your favor had set me on a mountain fastness,
then you hid your face and I was put to confusion.

To you, Lord, I cried,
to my God I made appeal:
“What profit would my death be, my going to the grave?
Can dust give you praise or proclaim your truth?

The Lord listened and had pity.
The Lord came to my help.
For me you have changed my mourning into dancing,
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
So my soul sings psalms to you unceasingly.
O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

God our Father, glorious in giving life. and even more glorious in restoring it, when his last night on earth came, your Son shed tears of blood, but dawn brought incomparable gladness. Do not turn away from us, or we shall fall back into dust, but rather turn our mourning into joy by raising us up with Christ.

Ant. I cried to you, Lord, and you healed me; I will praise you for ever.

Ant. 2 The one who is sinless in the eyes of God is blessed indeed.

Psalm 32
They are happy whose sins are forgiven
David speaks of the happiness of the man who is holy in God’s eyes not because of his own worth, but because God has justified him (Romans 4:6).

Happy the man whose offense is forgiven,
whose sin is remitted.
O happy the man to whom the Lord
imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no guile.

I kept it secret and my frame was wasted.
I groaned all day long,
for night and day your hand was heavy upon me.
Indeed my strength was dried up
as by the summer’s heat.

But now I have acknowledged my sins;
my guilt I did not hide.
I said: “I will confess
my offense to the Lord.”
And you, Lord, have forgiven
the guilt of my sin.

So let every good man pray to you
in the time of need.
The floods of water may reach high
but him they shall not reach.
You are my hiding place, O Lord;
you save me from distress.
You surround me with cries of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you
the way you should go;
I will give you counsel
with my eye upon you.

Be not like horse and mule, unintelligent,
needing bridle and bit
else they will not approach you.
Many sorrows has the wicked
but he who trusts in the Lord,
loving mercy surrounds him.

Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord,
exult, you just!
O come, ring out your joy,
all you upright of heart.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

You desired, Lord, to keep from us your indignation and so did not spare Jesus Christ, who was wounded for our sins. We are your prodigal children, but confessing our sins we come back to you. Embrace us that we may rejoice in your mercy together with Christ your beloved Son.

Ant. The one who is sinless in the eyes of God is blessed indeed.

Ant. 3 The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.

Canticle – Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
The judgment of God

We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.

The nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
The time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.

Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our God and the authority
of his Anointed One.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.

They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.

READING James 4:7-8,10

Submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you backsliders. Be humbled in the sight of the Lord and he will raise you on high.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

RESPONSORY

To you, O Lord, I make my prayers for mercy.
– To you, O Lord, I make my prayers for mercy.

Heal my soul for I have sinned agains you
– I make my prayers for mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– To you, O Lord, I make my prayers for mercy.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you.

INTERCESSIONS

Christ the Lord gave us a new commandment, of love for each other. Let us pray to him:
– Lord, build up your people in love.

Good Master, teach us to love you in our neighbor,
and in serving them to serve you.
– Lord, build up your people in love.

On the cross you asked pardon for your executioners,
give us strength to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
– Lord, build up your people in love.

Through the mystery of your body and blood, deepen our love, our perseverance and our trust,
strengthen the weak, console the sorrowful, and give hope to the dying.
– Lord, build up your people in love.

Light of the world, you gave light to the man born blind when he had washed in the pool of Siloam,
enlighten catechumens through the water of baptism and the word of life.
– Lord, build up your people in love.

Give to the dead the perfect joy of your eternal love,
and number us also among your chosen ones.
– Lord, build up your people in love.

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.

Concluding Prayer

Bestow on us,
we pray, O Lord,
a spirit of always pondering on what is right
and of hastening to carry it out,
and since without you we cannot exist,
may we be enabled to live according to your will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

[markomalley]

Mar 01, Night Prayer for Thursday of the 1st week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol II:
Page 1642

Christian Prayer:
Page 1049

General instruction:
Please pray with us actively, especially by joining with us in saying antiphons and responses, most of which are indicated in this highlight.

Consider an examination of your own conscience before beginning to best make use of our time together in prayer.

Thursday Night Prayer in Lent

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Examination of conscience:

We are called to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and to ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask for His strength to do better.

Lord Jesus raise us to new life:
Lord, have mercy.
– Lord have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins:
Christ, have mercy.
– Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus you feed us with your body and blood:
Lord, have mercy.
– Lord have mercy.

HYMN

Holy is the True Light, and passing wonderful,
lending radiance to them that endured in the heat of the conflict,
from Christ they inherit a home of unfading splendour,
wherein they rejoice with gladness evermore.
Alleluia!

”Holy is the True Light” by Chichester Cathedral Choir; Words: from the Salisbury Diurnal by GH Palmer
”Holy is the True Light” by Chichester Cathedral Choir is available from Amazon.com.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

Psalm 16
God is my portion, my inheritance
The Father raised up Jesus from the dead and broke the bonds of death (Acts 2:24).

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: “You are my God.
My happiness lies in you alone.”

He has put into my heart a marvelous love
for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.
Never will I offer their offerings of blood.
Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight:
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

READING 1 Thessalonians 5:23

May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness. May he preserve you whole and entire, spirit, soul, and body, irreproachable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

CANTICLE OF SIMEON

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Concluding Prayer

Lord God,
send peaceful sleep
to refresh our tired bodies.
May your help always renew us
and keep us strong in your service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

Blessing

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.
– Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

[Salvation]

Information: St. Suithbert

Feast Day:	March 1
Born:	647
Died:	1 March 713 near Düsseldorf, Germany
Patron of:	angina sufferers; Germany; throat diseases

[Salvation]

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Felix II

Feast Day: March 01
Died: 492

St. Felix II was a member of an old Roman family of high position. He was not only a pope and saint himself, but the great-grandfather of Pope St. Gregory the Great who lived from 540 to 604. Felix had been married, but his wife had died before he became a priest.

Gregory wrote that when his aunt, St. Tharsilla, was dying, Pope Felix appeared to her and asked her to come to heaven where he was.

Felix became pope in 483 and was honest and brave in troubled times. Groups of people within the Church were divided because of false teachings. Political leaders made his job as pope more difficult. But Felix proved himself a brave defender of the truths of our faith and the rights of the Church.

Many compared him to Pope St. Leo the Great who had died in 461. Pope Felix viewed the problems faced by the universal Church in different parts of the world and tried to understand and solve them as best he could. He so beautifully lived the Beatitude "Blessed are the peacemakers" that Jesus taught us.

In the early years of his papacy Felix heard painful cries for help from the miserable Catholics in Africa. Hunneric, the Arian Vandal king, cruelly tortured the poor African Catholics. Then Hunneric died, and the Pope quickly helped to get the Church in Africa on its feet.

Felix spent nine years of his life as pope. He was totally committed to Jesus and his Church. Pope St. Felix died in 492. He is buried in St. Paul's on the Ostian Way.

[Salvation]

 

Catholic

Almanac:

Thursday, March 1
Liturgical Color: Violet
Today the Church remembers Blessed Peter Roque. He was a priest in Paris during the French Revolution. Because he refused to swear allegiance to the government and deny his faith, Blessed Peter was sent to the guillotine in 1796..

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: March 01, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord, a spirit of always pondering on what is right and of hastening to carry it out, and since without you we cannot exist, may we be enabled to live according to your will. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

• Creamed Leeks with Pimiento
• Leek Soup
• Welsh Leek Soup

ACTIVITIES

• Namedays
• What is a Nameday?

PRAYERS

• Collect for the Feast of St. David

Lent: March 1st

  Thursday of the First Week of Lent Old Calendar: Wales and England: St. David; St. Albinus, bishop (Hist)

Today the Church in Wales and England celebrates the feast of St. David, bishop and patron of Wales. Very little is known about the life of St. David (Dewi Sant). He belonged to that great monastic movement which became influential in Wales in the sixth century and which had links with monasticism in Gaul and in Ireland. The earliest references to David are in the Irish Annals. Many churches across South Wales claim David as their founder. His chief foundation was at Mynyw or Menevia in Dyfed. He was canonized by Pope Callistus II in 1123.

Historically today is the feast of St. Albinus, bishop and miracle worker, also known as Aubin.

Stational Church

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St. David
All the information we have about David is based on the unreliable eleventh-century biography written by Rhygyfarch, the son of Bishop Sulien of St. David's. According to it David was the son of King Sant of South Wales and St. Non, became a priest, studied under St. Paulinus on an unidentified island for several years, and then engaged in missionary activities, founding some dozen monasteries, the last of which, at Mynyw (Menevia) in southwestern Wales, was noted for the extreme asceticism of its rule, which was based on that of the Egyptian monks. David attended a synod at Brefi, Cardiganshire, in about 550 where his eloquence is said to have caused him to be elected primate of the Cambrian Church with the understanding that the episcopal see would be moved from Caerleon to Mynyw, now St. David's. He was supposedly consecrated archbishop by the patriarch of Jerusalem while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and a council he convened, called the Synod of Victory because it marked the final demise of Pelagianism, ratified the edicts of Brefi, and drew up regulations for the British Church. He died at his monastery at Mynyw, and his cult was reputedly approved by Pope Callistus II about 1120. Even his birth and death dates are uncertain, ranging from c. 454 to 520 for the former and from 560 to 601 for the latter.

Excerpted from Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney

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St. Albinus
Albinus was born into an ancient and noble family in Brittany. He was a pious child and when he was still young he entered the monastery of Tintillant against the wishes of his parents. Albinus embraced the austerities of monastic life and accepted doing the most humble chores without complaining.

His burning desire was to live for Christ. Respected by the other monks for setting a good example and his devotion to prayer. Albinus was elected abbo9t when he was just 35. The monastery flourished under his modest Rule, and the monks at Tintillant were enriched by his wisdom. In 529, after serving 25 years as abbot, Albinus was named Bishop of Angers. Although his opinions were now sought by royalty, his manner remained unpretentious.

As bishop, Albinus worked for the greater good of his people, instructing them in their faith. With the support of King Childebert, he convened two councils at Orleans that condemned the incestuous marriages of many powerful families. When his diocese was raided by pagan invaders and countless citizens were taken into slavery, Albinus made very effort to ransom them while giving generously to the sick and the poor.

Many miracles were attributed to Albinus. According to one story, when he was unable to procure the release of some badly treated prisoners, he prayed in front of the prison until a landslide destroyed it, allowing the men to escape. They then reformed and became model Christians and citizens. After the death of Albinus, the abbey of St. Albinus was built over his grave at Angers and became a popular place of pilgrimage.

Excerpted from "Ordinary People Extraordinary Lives"

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The Station today is at St. Lawrence in Panisperna. The church stands on the site of St. Lawrence's martyrdom. The appellation refers to the name of the street, which in turn most likely refers to the tradition of the Poor Clares in the adjacent convent of distributing bread and ham (pane e perna) on August 10th, the feast day of St. Lawrence. This is done in remembrance of St. Lawrence distributing funds from the church to the poor.

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 7:7-12

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12)

Most of us probably know this verse as “The Golden Rule.” But the Golden Rule did not originate with Christianity. The idea that we should treat others as we would want to be treated is found in the teachings of many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. It’s even embraced by those who don’t hold any particular religious beliefs at all. It seems to be something that many understand innately. But is there something different about this idea as Jesus explains it?

Perhaps its location at the very end of this passage can help answer that question. Jesus has just spoken about how generous our heavenly Father is. So what else could possi­bly follow but that we should imitate his generosity? This is the new com­mandment that Jesus gave to his disciples: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:34).

However, Jesus isn’t speaking of a mathematical equation here—as God does, so we need to do. No, he is saying that our generosity can be just as spontaneous and natu­ral as the generosity of a father who likes giving good gifts to his children. We are all temples of the Holy Spirit, and that means that we have some­thing extremely valuable to give out. We have the mercy, compassion, wis­dom, and strength that come from the heart of God living in us! That “cup” of grace we have received is so full that it can’t help but overflow out of us!

Loving others as Jesus loves us goes beyond the Golden Rule. God wants us to be his light in the world. Consider the words of St. Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours.” Every day, in every moment, God has a purpose for you that extends into eternity. That purpose includes everyone you come in contact with, from your spouse, children, and friends to the clerk at the grocery store and the home­less fellow on the street. If you bring Jesus into all these relationships and let him shine through you, there’s no telling what he can do!

“Lord, today I surrender everything to you. I want to do nothing without you. May all that I do for others be done for love of you—and in the power of your Spirit.”

Esther C:12,14-16,23-25; Psalm 138:1-3,7-8

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

JESUS, THANK YOU FOR INCREASING MY FAITH

[THURSDAY, 1 MARCH 2012] 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:7-12 

“Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this the law and the prophets.  (Mt 7:7-12 RSV) 

Prayer: Jesus, increase my faith. I have a hard time with Your teaching about asking and receiving. I know I have prayed until my heart was about to break, and I cried for Your help, but I did not get what I was asking for. Maybe I had the wrong reasons; maybe I was asking for the wrong thing – and looking back at some of those times of long ago, I understand that it must have been better that You did not give me what I asked. Because everything You intend to give me must be wrapped in Your love for me. And some things I ask for concern just my poor weak human love. 

I will keep asking for what I think is good, but if the things I ask for are not expressions of Your love for me, I do not want them. 

Jesus, thank You for increasing my faith. Amen. 

The prayer is taken from Fr. Killian Speckner OFMConv., THE PRAYERS OF FATHER KILLIAN – A Franciscan Missionary’s Guide to Daily Devotion, Paraclete Press, 1986. 

[Salvation]

 

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for March 1, 2012:

(Reader’s Tip) I turn on the electric blanket an hour before bedtime to warm up our bed so it is cozy when we climb in to go to sleep.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Never Stop Seeking Holiness

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

March 1, 2012

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Father Alex Yeung, LC

Listen to the podcast version here.

Matthew 7:7-12

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

Introductory Prayer: Heavenly Father, I take these moments to adore you and to enter into your loving presence. I dare to tell you I believe in you, although you know how weak my faith is. You are the reason for all my hope in life. Lord, I count on you as I strive to love you more totally and to attain the holiness of life to which you have called me. Amen.

Petition: Lord, teach me how to pray.

1. The Shortcut to Holiness: As Pope John Paul II reminds us, “The royal and indispensable way to advance on the path of holiness is prayer: being with the Lord, we become friends of the Lord, his attitude gradually becomes our attitude and his heart our heart” (Address to the Priests of the Diocese of Rome, March 6, 2003). Again we are confronted with that fundamental principle of our sanctification: “He must increase, and I must decrease” (Cf. John 3:30). Christ must become more and more in us. That’s what genuine prayer accomplishes, if that prayer consists of a one-on-one conversation with the Savior that engages heart, mind and will. Could it be the case that I am seeking holiness without having firmly decided to anchor each day, indeed my entire life, in prayer?

2. Trust Like Little Children: Why is it that the prospect of our personal holiness seems so outlandish to us? Why are we so inwardly reluctant to believe that God, the almighty, the all-powerful, who created us from nothing, can also sanctify us? Maybe the part that discourages us is our unwillingness to jump headlong into that part of our sanctification that depends on us. But even here, Christ urges us to pray with confidence: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). Is it too much to believe and trust that God will strengthen our will in the pursuit of holiness? Will his grace fail us if we ask for holiness with complete trust and childlike confidence?

3. What a Combination! Prayer, holiness and apostolic fruitfulness are intrinsically linked. If we, as lay apostles, wish to see fruit in all our apostolic endeavors, we know it will depend in large part on our degree of holiness: our degree of real union with God, the degree to which his divine life flows through us. That divine life, given to us in baptism and increased through our sacramental life, can be enhanced every day in personal prayer where our thirst for God is not quenched, but rather greatly increased. We should pray always, so that prayer will be the secret of our holiness and apostolic fruitfulness.

Prayer continues to be the greatest power on earth. It must be at the very center of our quest for holiness.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for this time of prayer. Thank you for teaching me interiorly, little by little every day, how to pray more perfectly. For the sake of those men and women, my brothers and sisters, whose own salvation is somehow mysteriously linked to my life and to my fidelity to you, give me holiness! Amen.

Resolution: I will renew my determination to make a daily prayer time, and make sure that this becomes, or continues to be, a part of my daily routine.

[annalex]

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 7
7.	Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.	Petite, et dabitur vobis : quærite, et invenietis : pulsate, et aperietur vobis.	αιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν
8.	For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.	Omnis enim qui petit, accipit : et qui quærit, invenit : et pulsanti aperietur.	πας γαρ ο αιτων λαμβανει και ο ζητων ευρισκει και τω κρουοντι ανοιγησεται
9.	Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone?	Aut quis est ex vobis homo, quem si petierit filius suus panem, numquid lapidem porriget ei ?	η τις εστιν εξ υμων ανθρωπος ον εαν αιτηση ο υιος αυτου αρτον μη λιθον επιδωσει αυτω
10.	Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent?	aut si piscem petierit, numquid serpentem porriget ei ?	και εαν ιχθυν αιτηση μη οφιν επιδωσει αυτω
11.	If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?	Si ergo vos, cum sitis mali, nostis bona data dare filiis vestris : quanto magis Pater vester, qui in cælis est, dabit bona petentibus se ?	ει ουν υμεις πονηροι οντες οιδατε δοματα αγαθα διδοναι τοις τεκνοις υμων ποσω μαλλον ο πατηρ υμων ο εν τοις ουρανοις δωσει αγαθα τοις αιτουσιν αυτον
12.	All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.	Omnia ergo quæcumque vultis ut faciant vobis homines, et vos facite illis. Hæc est enim lex, et prophetæ.	παντα ουν οσα αν θελητε ινα ποιωσιν υμιν οι ανθρωποι ουτως και υμεις ποιειτε αυτοις ουτος γαρ εστιν ο νομος και οι προφηται

[annalex]

7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:
8. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.

JEROME; Having before forbidden us to pray for things of the flesh, He now shows what we ought to ask, saying, Ask, and it shall be given you.

AUG. Otherwise; when He commanded not to give the holy thing to dogs, and not to cast pearls before swine, the hearer conscious of his own ignorance might say, Why do you thus bid me not give the holy thing to dogs, when as yet I see not that I have any holy thing? He therefore adds in good season, Ask, and you shall receive.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Otherwise; Having given them some commands for the sanctification of prayer, saying, Judge not, He adds accordingly, Ask, and it shall be given to you, as though He were to say, If you observe this mercy towards your enemies, whatever seems to you shut, knock, and it shall be opened to you. Ask therefore in prayer, praying day and night; seek with care and toil; for neither by toiling only in the Scriptures do we gain knowledge without God's grace, nor do we attain to grace without study, lest the gift of God should be bestowed on the careless. But knock with prayer, and fasting, and alms. For as one who knocks at a door, not only cries out with his voice, but strikes with his hand, so he who does good works, knocks with his works. But you will say, this is what I pray that I may know and do, how then can I do it, before I receive? Do what you can that you may become able to do more, and keep what you know that you may come to know more. Or otherwise; having above commanded all men to love their enemies, and after enjoined that we should not under pretext of love give holy things to dogs; He here gives good counsel, that they should pray God for them, and it shall be granted them; let them seek out those that are lost in sins, and they shall find them; let them knock at those who are shut up in errors, and God shall open to them that their word may have access to their souls. Or otherwise; Since the precepts given above were beyond the reach of human virtue, He sends them to God to whose grace nothing is impossible, saying, Ask, and it shall be given you, that what cannot be performed by men may be fulfilled through the grace of God. For when God furnished the other animals with swift foot, or swift wing, with claws, teeth, or horns, He so made man that He Himself should be man's only strength, that forced by reason of his own weakness, he might always have need of his Lord.

GLOSS. We ask with faith, we seek with hope, we knock with love. You must first ask that you may have; after that seek that you may find; and lastly, observe what you have found that you may enter in.

AUG. Asking, is that we may get healthiness of soul that we may be able to fulfill the things commanded us; seeking, pertains to the discovery of the truth. But when any has found the true way, He will then come into actual possession, which however is only opened to him that knocks.

ID. How these three differ from one another, I have thought good to unfold with this travail; but it were better to refer them all to instant prayer; wherefore He afterwards concludes, saying, He will give good things to them that ask him.

CHRYS. And in that He adds seek, and knock, He bids us ask with much importunateness and strength. For one who seeks, casts forth all other things from his mind, and is turned to that thing singly which He seeks; and he that knocks comes with vehemence and warm soul.

PSEUD-CHRYS. He had said, Ask, and you shall receive; Which sinners hearing might perchance say, The Lord herein exhorts them that are worthy, but we are unworthy. Therefore He repeats it that He may commend the mercy of God to die righteous as well as to sinners; and therefore declares that every one that asks receives; that is, whether he be righteous or a sinner, let him not hesitate to ask; that it may be fully seen that none is neglected but he who hesitates to ask of God. For it is not credible that God should enjoin on men that work of piety which is displayed in doing good to our enemies, and should not Himself (being good) act so.

AUG. Wherefore God hears sinners; for if He do not hear sinners, the Publican said in vain, Lord, be merciful to me a sinner; and by that confession inherited justification.

ID. He who in faith offers supplication to God for the necessities of this life is heard mercifully, and not heard mercifully. For the physician knows better than the sick man what is good for his sickness. But if he asks that which God both promises and commands, his prayer shall be granted, for love shall receive what truth provides.

ID. But the Lord is good, who often gives us not what we would, that He may give us what we should rather prefer.

ID. There is moreover of perseverance, that we may receive what we ask for.

ID. In that God sometimes delays His gifts, He but recommends, and does not deny them. For that which is long looked for is sweeter when obtained; but that is held cheap, which comes at once. Ask then and seek things righteous. For by asking and seeking grows the appetite of taking. God reserves for you those things which He is not willing to give you at once, that you may learn greatly to desire great things. Therefore we ought always to pray and not to fail.

9. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a Stone?
10. Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a Serpent?
11. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

AUG. As above He had cited the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, that our hopes may rise from the less to the greater; so also does He in this place, when He says, Or what man among you?

PSEUD-CHRYS. Lest perchance any one considering how great is the difference between God and man, and weighing his own sins should despair of obtaining, and so never take in hand to ask; therefore He proposes a comparison of the relation between father and son; that should we despair because of our sins, we may hope because of God's fatherly goodness.

CHRYS. There are two things necessary for one that prays; that he ask earnestly; and that he ask such things as he ought to ask. And those are spiritual things; as Solomon, because he asked such things as were right, received speedily.

PSEUD-CHRYS. And what are the things that we ought to ask, he shows under the likeness of a loaf, and a fish. The loaf is the word concerning the knowledge of God the Father The stone is all falsehood that has a stumbling block of offense to the soul.

REMIG. By the fish we may understand the word Concerning Christ, by the serpent the Devil himself or by the loaf' may be understood spiritual doctrine; by the stone ignorance; by the fish the water of Holy baptism; by the serpent the wiles of the Devil, or unbelief.

RABAN. Or, bread which is the common food signifies charity, without which the other virtues are of no avail. The fish signifies faith, which is born of the water of baptism, is tossed in the midst of the waves of this life and yet lives. Luke adds a third thing, an egg, which signifies hope, for an egg is the hope of the animal. To charity, He opposes a stone, that is, the hardness of hatred; to faith, a serpent, that is, the venom of treachery; to hope, a scorpion, that is, despair, which stings backward, as the scorpion.

REMIG. The sense therefore is; we need not fear that should we ask of God our Father breach, that is doctrine or love, He will give us a stone; that is, that He will suffer our heart to be contracted either by the frost of hatred or by hardness of soul; or that when we ask for faith, He will suffer us to die of the poison of unbelief. Thence it follows, If then you being evil.

CHRYS. This He said not detracting from human nature, nor confessing the whole human race to be evil; but He calls paternal love evil when compared with His own goodness. Such is the superabundance of His love towards men.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Because in comparison of God who is preeminently good, all men seem to be evil, as all light shows dark when compared with the sun.

JEROME; Or perhaps He called the Apostles evil, in their person condemning the whole human race, whose heart is set to evil from his infancy, as we read in Genesis. Nor is it any wonder that He should call this generation evil, as the Apostle also speaks, Seeing the days are evil.

AUG. Or; He calls evil those Who are lovers of this age; whence also the good things which they give are to be called good according to their sense who esteem them as good; nay, even in the nature of things they are goods, that is, temporal goods, and such as pertain to this weak life.

ID. For that good thing which makes men good is God. Gold and silver are good things not as making you good, but as with them you may do good. If then we be evil, yet as having a Father who is good let us not remain ever evil.

AUG. If then we being evil, know how to give that which is asked of us, how much more is it to be hoped that God will give us good things when we ask Him?

PSEUDO-CHRYS. He says good things, because God does not give all things to them that ask Him, but only good things.

GLOSS. For from God we receive only such things as are good, of what kind they may seem to us when we receive them; for all things work together for good to His beloved.

REMIG, And be it known that where Matthew says, He shall give good things, Luke has, shall give his Holy Spirit. But this ought not to seem contrary, because all the good things which man receives from God, are given by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

12. Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the Law and the Prophets.

AUG. Firmness and strength of walking by the way of wisdom in good habits is thus set before us, by which men are brought to purity and simplicity of heart; concerning which having spoken a long time, He thus concludes, All things whatsoever you would, &c. For there is no man who would that another should act towards him with a double heart.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Otherwise; He had above commanded us in order to sanctify our prayers that men should not judge those who sin against them. Then breaking the thread of his discourse He had introduced various other matters, wherefore now when He returns to the command with which He had begun, He says, All things whatsoever you would, &c. That is; I not only command that you judge not, but All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you to them; and then you will be able to pray so as to obtain.

GLOSS, Otherwise; The Holy Spirit is the distributor of all spiritual goods, that the deeds of charity may be fulfilled; whence He adds, All things therefore &c.

CHRYS. Otherwise; The Lord desires to teach that men ought to seek aid from above, but at the same time to contribute what lays in their power; wherefore when He had said, Ask, seek, and knock, He proceeds to teach openly that men should be at pains for themselves, adding, Whatsoever you would &c.

AUG. Otherwise; The Lord had promised that He would give good things to them that ask Him. But that He may own his petitioners, let us also own ours. For they that beg are in everything, save having of substance, equal to those of whom they beg. What face can you have of making request to your God, when you do not acknowledge your equal? This is that is said in Proverbs, Whoever stops his ear to the cry of the poor, he shall cry and shall not be heard. What we ought to bestow on our neighbor when he asks of us, that we ourselves may be heard of God, we may judge by what we would have others bestow upon us; therefore He says, All things whatsoever you would.

CHRYS. He says not, All things whatsoever, simply, but All things therefore, as though He should say, If you will be heard, besides those things which I have now said to you, do this also. And He said not, Whatsoever you would have done for you by God, do that for your neighbor; lest you should say, But how can I? but He says, Whatsoever you would have done to you by your fellow servant, do that also to your neighbor.

AUG. Some Latin copies add here, good things which I suppose was inserted to make the sense more plain. For it occurred that one might desire some crime to be committed for his advantage, and should so construe this place, that he ought first to do the like to him by whom he would have it done to him. It were absurd to think that this man had fulfilled this command. Yet the thought is perfect, even though this be not added. For the words, All things whatsoever you would, are not to be taken in their ordinary and loose signification, but in their exact and proper sense. For there is no will but only in the good; in the wicked it is rather named desire, and not will. Not that the Scriptures always observe this propriety; but where need is, there they retain the proper word so that none other need be understood.

CYPRIAN; Since the Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ came to all men, He summed up all his commands in one precept, Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them; and adds, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. For whatsoever the Law and the Prophets contain up and down through the whole Scriptures, is embraced in this one compendious precept, as the innumerable branches of a tree spring from one root.

GREG. He that thinks he ought to do to another as be expects that others will do to him, considers verily how he may return good things for bad, and better things for good.

CHRYS. Whence what we ought to do is clear, as in our own cases we all know what is proper, and so we cannot take refuge in our ignorance.

AUG. This precept seems to refer to the love of our neighbor, not of God, as in another place He says, there are two commandments on which hang the Law and the Prophets. But as He says not here, The whole Law, as He speaks there, He reserves a place for the other commandment respecting the love of God.

ID. Otherwise; Scripture does not mention the love of God, where it says, All things whatsoever you would because he who loves his neighbor must consequently love. Love itself above all things; but God is Love; therefore he loves God above all things.

Catena Aurea Matthew 7

[annalex]

Blessing Christ

Giovanni Bellini

c. 1460
Tempera on wood, 58 x 44 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

[Salvation]

“Never Forget”

 

• Homily of the Day
• March 1st, 2012
• Food For Thought

St. Gregory the Great once wrote: “Foolish the man who on his journey forgets where he is going.” On our journey to God, the sin of omission is like not wanting to walk or walking in the wrong direction. It is when we think of others more than ourselves that we take giant steps towards our final destination.

Let us always keep in mind that life is short and that our actions now
will lead us either to Jesus or away from him. All of us would like to
reach that state where we will be in full communion with Jesus. Let us
never forget that the path that takes us there is love, and to love is
to give generously of ourselves to others, always seeking to do what
is good. Let us take advantage of all the opportunities to help
others. In doing so, we will be encountering Christ himself.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

<< Thursday, March 1, 2012 >>

Saint of the Day

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
View Readings

Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8

Matthew 7:7-12

SIMPLY

"If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to anyone who asks Him!" —Matthew 7:11

 

When Jesus teaches us about prayer, He simply says: "Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you" (Mt 7:7). He does not include any "ifs," "ands," or "buts." He simply says: "Ask and you will receive" (Mt 7:7). We have complicated the matter of prayer through our doubts and confusion. Many times we speculate and theologize, and think we're explaining prayer. However, we really are explaining the effect of our doubts on prayer.

Lent means "spring," a fresh start in our life in the Spirit. We can return to a simple fresh awareness of prayer. We can expect God to be God and overshadow all the human weaknesses confusing us about prayer. We can experience the prayer-power and closeness to God we read about in the Scriptures. We won't have to "explain away" the Scripture, but "believe away" our explanations. Faith, not doubt, will remain. Prayer will no longer be something to read, think, and study about, but something to enjoy.

Sin complicates. Faith simplifies. Let faith simplify your prayer this Lent.

 

Prayer: Father, may I pray more often, for longer times, with fewer words, and stronger faith.

Promise: "Save us by Your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O Lord. You know all things." —Est C:25

Praise: Joan worked hard at prayer, and then learned to simply surrender to the Spirit. She then found peace.

[Salvation]

 

 

Save the Children! 

 

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