Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 06-12-12

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 06-12-12 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

June 12, 2012

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

 

Reading 1 1 Kgs 17:7-16

The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry,
because no rain had fallen in the land.
So the LORD said to Elijah:
"Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.
I have designated a widow there to provide for you."
He left and went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
"Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink."
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
"Please bring along a bit of bread."
She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,
I have nothing baked;
there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die."
Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid.
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
'The jar of flour shall not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8

R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.

Gospel Mt 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father."

[markomalley]

Vespers

INTRODUCTION

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

Day is done, but love unfailing
   Dwells ever here;
Shadows fall, but hope, prevailing,
   Calms every fear.
Loving Father, none forsaking,
Take our hearts, of Love’s own making,
Watch our sleeping, guard our waking,
   Be always near.

Dusk descends, but Light unending
   Shines through our night;
You are with us, ever lending
   New strength to sight;
One in love, your truth confessing,
One in hope of heaven’s blessing,
May we see, in love’s possessing,
   Love’s endless light!

Eyes will close, but you, unsleeping,
   Watch by our side;
Death may come: in love’s safe keeping
   Still we abide.
God of love, all evil quelling,
Sin forgiving, fear dispelling,
Stay with us, our hearts indwelling,
   This eventide.

Melody: Ar Hyd Y Nos 84.84.88.84
Music: Welsh Traditional Melody
Text: John Quinn, S.J., 1968

Or:

Great Ruler of all space and time,
You give us daylight to employ
In work for you, that with the night
Refreshing sleep we may enjoy.

While silence and the darkness reign
Preserve our souls from sin and harm,
Let nothing evil venture near
To cause us panic or alarm.

And while we thus renew our strength,
Untouched by taint of sinful fire
Let hearts and minds find rest in you,
The Source of every good desire.

O Father, this we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son,
Whom in the Spirit we adore:
One God who reigns for evermore. Amen.

Melody: Babylon’s Streams L. M.
Music: Thomas Campion, 1567-1620
Text: Sator princepsque temporum, anonymous from the 7th or 8th century
Translation: © the Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK. Used with permission.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 You cannot serve both God and mammon.

Psalm 49
Emptiness of riches

It is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23).

I

Hear this, all you peoples, *
give heed, all who dwell in the world,
men both high and low, *
rich and poor alike!

My lips will speak words of wisdom. *
My heart is full of insight.
I will turn my mind to a parable, *
with the harp I will solve my problem.

Why should I fear in evil days *
the malice of the foes who surround me,
men who trust in their wealth, *
and boast of the vastness of their riches?

For no man can buy his own ransom, *
or pay a price to God for his life.
The ransom of his soul is beyond him. †
He cannot buy life without end, *
nor avoid coming to the grave.

He knows that wise men and fools must both perish *
and must leave their wealth to others.
Their graves are their homes for ever, †
their dwelling place from age to age, *
though their names spread wide through the land.

In his riches, man lacks wisdom; *
he is like the beasts that are destroyed.

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. You cannot serve both God and mammon.

Ant. 2 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.

II

This is the lot of those who trust in themselves, *
who have others at their beck and call.
Like sheep they are driven to the grave, †
where death shall be their shepherd *
and the just shall become their rulers.

With the morning their outward show vanishes *
and the grave becomes their home.
But God will ransom me from death *
and take my soul to himself.

Then do not fear when a man grows rich, *
when the glory of his house increases.
He takes nothing with him when he dies, *
his glory does not follow him below.

Though he flattered himself while he lived: *
“Men will praise me for all my success,”
yet he will go to join his fathers, *
and will never see the light any more.

In his riches, man lacks wisdom; *
he is like the beasts that are destroyed.

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

Make our mouths speak your wisdom, Lord Jesus, and help us to remember that you became man and redeemed us from death that we might merit the beauty of your light.

Ant. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.

Ant. 3 Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb who was slain.

Canticle: Revelation 4:11; 5-9, 10, 12
Redemption hymn

O Lord our God, you are worthy *
to receive glory and honor and power.

For you have created all things; *
by your will they came to be and were made.

Worthy are you, O Lord *
to receive the scroll and break open its seals.

For you were slain; *
with your blood you purchased for God
men from every race and tongue, *
of every people and nation.

You made of them a kingdom, †
and priests to serve our God, *
and they shall reign on earth.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain *
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength, *
honor and glory and praise.

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. Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb who was slain.

READING
Romans 3:23-25a

All men have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. All men are now undeservedly justified by the gift of God, through the redemption wrought in Christ Jesus. Through his blood, God made him the means of expiation for all who believe. He did so to manifest his own justice.

RESPONSORY

I shall know the fullness of joy, when I see your face, O Lord.
– I shall know the fullness of joy, when I see your face, O Lord.

Fulfillment and endless peace in your presence,
– when I see your face, O Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– I shall know the fullness of joy, when I see your face, O Lord.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. Do great things for us, O Lord, for you are mighty, and holy is your name.

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. Do great things for us, O Lord, for you are mighty, and holy is your name.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us praise Christ, the shepherd and guardian of our souls, who loves and protects his people. Placing our hope in him, we cry out:
Protect your people, Lord.

Eternal shepherd, protect our bishop N.,
– and all the shepherds of your Church.
Protect your people, Lord.

Look kindly on those who suffer persecution,
– hasten to free them from all adversity.
Protect your people, Lord.

Have mercy on the needy, Lord,
– provide food for the hungry.
Protect your people, Lord.

Enlighten all legislators,
– to enact laws in the spirit of wisdom and justice.
Protect your people, Lord.

Come to the aid of our departed brothers and sisters, whom you have redeemed with your blood,
– make them worthy to enter your wedding feast.
Protect your people, Lord.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(Remember us, Lord, when you come to your kingdom and teach us how to pray:)

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

Father,
yours is the morning
and yours is the evening.
Let the Sun of Justice, Jesus Christ,
shine for ever in our hearts
and draw us to that light
where you live in radiant glory.
We ask this through out Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and 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]

Compline

INTRODUCTION

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. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

A brief examination of conscience may be made. In the communal celebration of the Office, a Penitential Rite using the formulas of the Mass may be inserted here.

[I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;

Then they continue:

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.]

HYMN

O Father, bring us back again
Who on this day have strayed from you,
That, sheltered by your loving hand,
Our evening prayer we may renew.

Give us untroubled heart and mind,
So flooded with your tranquil light,
That nothing evil there may hide
To take away our peace tonight.

We thank you, Father, source of light,
With Christ your Son and Spirit blest,
Who give the marvel of new day,
And with the evening star, give rest.

Melody: Ack Bliv Hos Oss L.M.
Music: Koralsangboken, Stockholm, 1697
Text: © Stanbrook Abbey. Reprinted with permission.

PSALMODY

Ant. Do not hide your face from me; in you I put my trust.

Psalm 143:1-11
Prayer in distress

Only by faith in Jesus Christ is a man made holy in God’s sight. No observance of the law can achieve this (Galatians 2:16).

Lord, listen to my prayer: *
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are just; give answer. †
Do not call your servant to judgment *
for no one is just in your sight.

The enemy pursues my soul; *
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me dwell in darkness *
like the dead, long forgotten.
Therefore my spirit fails; *
my heart is numb within me.

I remember the days that are past: *
I ponder all your works.
I muse on what your hand has wrought †
and to you I stretch out my hands. *
Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.

Lord, make haste and answer; *
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face *
lest I become like those in the grave.

In the morning let me know your love *
for I put my trust in you.
Make me know the way I should walk: *
to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; *
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will *
for you, O Lord, are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me *
in ways that are level and smooth.

For your name’s sake, Lord, save my life; *
in your justice save my soul from 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.

Ant. Do not hide your face from me; in you I put my trust.

READING
1 Peter 5:8-9a

Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith.

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

Let us pray.

Lord,
fill this night with your radiance.
May we sleep in peace and rise with joy
to welcome the light of a new day in your name.
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

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

Or:

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you!
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Or:

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
 vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve,
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
 in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
 illos tuos misericordes occulos
 ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
 nobis post hoc exilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

Or:

Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.

[yldstrk]

I like the flour in the jar story

[Salvation]

Information: St. John of Sahagun

Feast Day:	June 12
Born:	1419, Sahagún, Province of Leon, Kingdom of Castile, Spain
Died:	June 11, 1479, Salamanca, Province of Salamanca, Kingdom of Castile, Spain
Canonized:	October 16, 1690, Rome by Pope Alexander VIII
Patron of:	Salamanca, Spain

[Salvation]

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. John of Sahagun

Feast Day: June 12
Born: 1419 :: Died: 1479

John Gonzales de Castrillo was born at Sahagun, Léon in Spain. He was the first of seven children born to wealthy parents who did not have any children for the first sixteen years of their marriage. His parents John and Sancia brought their children up well and taught them how to love God.

He studied at the Fagondez abbey run by Benedictine monks of his town Sahagun. When he grew up John became a priest. He could have lived a very comfortable life in the cathedral parish or in other wealthy parishes. But John preferred the poverty and simple lifestyle that Jesus had lived. Father John chose to keep charge only of a small chapel. There he celebrated Mass, preached and taught catechism.

Father John realized that he needed to know theology (religious studies) better. He started attending classes at the great Catholic University of Salamanca. After four years of hard study, he became a famous preacher.

Nine years later after he got seriously ill, John joined a community of Augustinian friars. They were very impressed by the way he practiced the Christian virtues. He was obedient to his superiors and humble, too. He also continued his preaching.

His beautiful homilies or sermons changed the hearts of the people of Salamanca who had been quarreling violently among themselves. Often young noblemen fought each other in revenge. St. John was able to end many of these bitter fights and convinced people to forgive one another.

He was not afraid to correct evils, even when the evildoers were powerful people who could take revenge. Once he corrected a duke at Alba de Tormes for the way he was making the poor people suffer. In anger, the duke sent two of his men to kill St. John. The two men approached Father John and found him so calm and kind. Both men were sorry they had come to harm this holy priest and asked him to forgive them.

Then the duke became sick and was healed through the prayers of St. John. He repented of his sins and recovered fully. St. John could read hearts of people at confession. People traveled great distances to seek his advice and ask for spiritual guidance.

It was the graces he received from prayer and from the Mass that gave St. John his special power as a preacher. He celebrated the Mass with great devotion and often saw the Host surrounded by light. He sometimes saw Jesus in body at the moment of consecration.

St. John was known to work many miracles. Once in Salamanca a small child fell into a well. The people did all they could but could not save the child and they quickly sent for Father John. When he got to the well, he laid his waistband on the stone wall of the well, and prayed that the waters return the child. The well water rose to ground level, floating the child to safety.

St. John of Sahagun died on June 11, 1479

Reflection: Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us become more like Jesus. May everything we say and do bring others to Christ.

[Salvation]

 

Catholic

Almanac:

Tuesday, June 12
Liturgical Color: Green
Today the Church honors St. John of Sahagun. As a priest he could read people's hearts compelling them to make good confessions. His sermons against sinful living drew the ire of many but also converted others to better lives. St. John died in 1479.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: June 12, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right, and by your guidance do it. 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.

ACTIVITIES

• Religion in the Home for Preschool: June

PRAYERS

• June Devotion: The Sacred Heart
• Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Novena to the Sacred Heart

Ordinary Time: June 12th

Tuesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time

Old Calendar: St. John of San Facundo, confessor; Saints Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius, martyrs

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. John of San Facondo born in 1430 in Spain. He was a canon of the cathedral of Burgos and then entered the Hermits of St. Augustine. He was distinguished for his great devotion to the sacrifice of the Mass and for his forceful preaching. He died in 1479.

Today is also the commemoration of Sts. Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius. These four martyrs have been venerated together at Rome from very early times.

---

St. John of San Facundo
John came from a wealthy family. During a serious sickness he vowed to embrace an ascetic way of life upon recovery. In fulfillment of his resolve, he gave the better of his two garments to a beggar who went about almost naked, and joined the hermits of St. Augustine at Salamanca (1463); at the time that monastery was universally respected because of its strict rule and discipline. He was often granted the privilege of seeing Christ the Lord at holy Mass and learning the deepest secrets directly from God Himself, the secrets of men's hearts and the secret events of the future. Through his prayers the seven-year-old daughter of his brother was raised to life. His death was probably due to poisoning.

John's special charism was to calm passions and to restore peace. How quickly disputes and quarrels arise! Yet we must practice the beatitude: "Blessed are the peacemakers." Remember that the prayers for peace and the kiss of peace in the Mass should not be empty ceremonies.

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patron: Salamanca, Spain.

Symbols: A hermit of St. Augustine, walking upon the sea; holding a chalice and host surrounded by rays of light.

---

Sts. Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor, and Nazarius
Basilides was a soldier in Rome, Nabor and Nazarius soldiers in Milan. Their bodies were found on the present day by St. Ambrose. All three died as martyrs under Diocletian. Cyrinus or Quirinus was a famous bishop of Siscia. In the church of the Apostles in Milan, St. Ambrose inscribed a number of edifying verses over the tomb of St. Nazarius. The final lines are: "Whom the Cross leads to victory, for him the Cross is the pledge of peace."

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13)

The late Pentecostal preacher David du Plessis was once approached by a congregant who complained that people do not seem thirsty for the Lord these days. Without missing a beat, du Plessis replied: “It’s not that they are not thirsty enough. It’s that we are not salty enough!” This reply might take us aback and put us on the defen­sive, but let’s look at it from a differ­ent angle. Instead of thinking about how “unsalty” we may be, let’s ask how we can increase our saltiness and how the light of Christ can shine out from us more brightly.

First, consider the qualities you find most attractive in others. Kind­ness, cheerfulness, thoughtfulness, or helpfulness may come to mind. When you see people like this, you are drawn to them; you want to spend time with them and get to know them better. Well, these same qualities can make you more attrac­tive as well. You see, it’s not all about being pious or reverent. It’s about reaching out to others in genuine concern and compassion. It’s about offering to help someone with a problem. It’s about accompanying someone through a difficult time.

It’s about simply offering to pray for someone. These are the “door­-openers” that show our concern for another person. They show that we aren’t trying to impose our religious views on anyone; we’re just trying to love as Jesus loves.

There is an old saying that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. It’s the same with shar­ing Jesus’ light with the world. It’s much better to share the light with a smile and a handshake than with a frown and a pointed finger!

So be salty today! In many cases, you won’t even need to use words. Simply be Christ by the way you treat the people around you. As you do, people will be drawn to you and open their hearts to you. Then you can point them to Jesus, the only One who can satisfy the hunger and thirst in their lives.

“Thank you, Jesus, for calling me to be light to the world and salt of the earth. Help me to treat people with kindness, respect, and love today, so that they may come to thirst for you, the living water.”

1 Kings 17:7-16; Psalm 4:2-5,7-8

[annalex]

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 5
13.	You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.	Vos estis sal terræ. Quod si sal evanuerit, in quo salietur ? ad nihilum valet ultra, nisi ut mittatur foras, et conculcetur ab hominibus.	υμεις εστε το αλας της γης εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται εις ουδεν ισχυει ετι ει μη βληθηναι εξω και καταπατεισθαι υπο των ανθρωπων
14.	You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.	Vos estis lux mundi. Non potest civitas abscondi supra montem posita,	υμεις εστε το φως του κοσμου ου δυναται πολις κρυβηναι επανω ορους κειμενη
15.	Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.	neque accedunt lucernam, et ponunt eam sub modio, sed super candelabrum, ut luceat omnibus qui in domo sunt.	ουδε καιουσιν λυχνον και τιθεασιν αυτον υπο τον μοδιον αλλ επι την λυχνιαν και λαμπει πασιν τοις εν τη οικια
16.	So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.	Sic luceat lux vestra coram hominibus : ut videant opera vestra bona, et glorificent Patrem vestrum, qui in cælis est.	ουτως λαμψατω το φως υμων εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων οπως ιδωσιν υμων τα καλα εργα και δοξασωσιν τον πατερα υμων τον εν τοις ουρανοις

[annalex]

13. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Chrys.: When He had delivered to His Apostles such sublime precepts, so much greater than the precepts of the Law, that they might not be dismayed and say, How shall we be able to fulfil these things? He sooths their fears by mingling praises with His instructions, saying, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” This shews them how necessary were these precepts for them. Not for your own salvation merely, or for a single nation, but for the whole world is this doctrine committed to you. It is not for you then to flatter and deal smoothly with men, but, on the contrary, to be rough and biting as salt is. When for thus offending men by reproving them ye are reviled, rejoice; for this is the proper effect of salt to be harsh and grating to the depraved palate. Thus the evil-speaking of others will bring you no inconvenience, but will rather be a testimony of your firmness.

Hilary: There may be here seen a propriety in our Lord’s language which may be gathered by considering the Apostle’s office, and the nature of salt. This, used as it is by men for almost every purpose, preserves from decay those bodies which are sprinkled with it; and in this, as well as in every sense of its flavour as a condiment, the parallel is most exact.

The Apostles are preachers of heavenly things, and thus, as it were, salters with eternity; rightly called “the salt of the earth,” as by the virtue of their teaching, they, as it were, salt and preserve bodies for eternity.

Remig.: Moreover, salt is changed into another kind of substance by three means, water, the heat of the sun, and the breath of the wind. Thus Apostolic men also were changed into spiritual regeneration by the water of baptism, the heat of love, and the breath of the Holy Spirit. That heavenly wisdom also, which the Apostles preached, dries161 up the humours of carnal works, removes the foulness and putrefaction of evil conversation, kills the work of lustful thoughts, and also that worm of which it is said “their worm dieth not.” [Isa 66:24]

Remig.: The Apostles are “the salt of the earth,” that is, of worldly men who are called the earth, because they love this earth.

Jerome: Or, because by the Apostles the whole human race is seasoned.

Pseudo-Chrys.: A doctor when he is adorned with all the preceding virtues, then is like good salt, and his whole people are salted by seeing and hearing him.

Remig.: It should be known, that in the Old Testament no sacrifice was offered to God unless it were first sprinkled with salt, for none can present an acceptable sacrifice to God without the flavour of heavenly wisdom.

Hilary: And because man is ever liable to change, He therefore warns the Apostles, who have been entitled “the salt of the earth,” to continue steadfast in the might of the power committed to them, when He adds, “If the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?”

Jerome: That is, if the doctor have erred, by what other doctor shall he be corrected?

Aug., Serm. in Mont., i, 6: If you by whom the nations are to be salted shall lose the kingdom of heaven through fear of temporal persecution, who are they by whom your error shall be corrected? Another copy has, “If the salt have lost all sense,” shewing that they must be esteemed to have lost their sense, who either pursuing abundance, or fearing lack of temporal goods, lose those which are eternal, and which men can neither give nor take away.

Hilary: But if the doctors having become senseless, and having lost all the savour they once enjoyed, are unable to restore soundness to things corrupt, they are become useless; and “are thenceforth fit only to be cast out and trodden by men.”

Jerome: The illustration is taken from husbandry. Salt, though it be necessary for seasoning of meats and preserving flesh, has no further use. Indeed we read in Scripture of vanquished cities sown with salt by the victors, that nothing should thenceforth grow there.

Gloss. ap. Anselm: When then they who are the heads have fallen away, they are fit for no use but to be cast out from the office of teacher.

Hilary: Or even cast out from the Church’s store rooms to be trodden under foot by those that walk.

Aug.: Not he that suffers persecution162 is trodden under foot of men, but he who through fear of persecution falls away. For we can tread only on what is below us; but he is no way below us, who however much he may suffer in the body, yet has his heart fixed in heaven.

14. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”

Gloss: As the doctors by their good conversation are the salt with which the people is salted; so by their word of doctrine they are the light by which the ignorant are enlightened.

Pseudo-Chrys.: But to live well must go before to teach well; hence after He had called the Apostles “the salt,” He goes on to call them “the light of the world.”

Or, for that salt preserves a thing in its present state that it should not change for the worse, but that light brings it into a better state by enlightening it; therefore the Apostles were first called salt with respect to the Jews and that Christian body which had the knowledge of God, and which they keep in that knowledge; and now light with respect to the Gentiles whom they bring to the light of that knowledge.

Aug.: By the world here we must not understand heaven and earth, but the men who are in the world; or those who love the world for whose enlightenment the Apostles were sent.

Hilary: It is the nature of a light to emit its rays whithersoever it is carried about, and when brought into a house to dispel the darkness of that house. Thus the world, placed beyond the pale of the knowledge of God, was held in the darkness of ignorance, till the light of knowledge was brought to it by the Apostles, and thenceforward the knowledge of God shone bright, and from their small bodies, whithersoever they went about, light is ministered to the darkness.

Remig.: For as the sun sends forth his beams, so the Lord, the Sun of righteousness, sent forth his Apostles to dispel the night of the human race.

Chrys.: Mark how great His promise to them, men who were scarce known in their own country that the fame of them should reach to the ends of the earth. The persecutions which He had foretold, were not able to dim their light, yea they made it but more conspicuous.

Jerome: He instructs them what should be the boldness of their preaching, that as163 Apostles they should not be hidden through fear, like lamps under a corn-measure, but should stand forth with all confidence, and what they have heard in the secret chambers, that declare upon the house tops.

Chrys.: Thus shewing them that they ought to be careful of their own walk and conversation, seeing they were set in the eyes of all, like a city on a hill, or a lamp on a stand.

Pseudo-Chrys.: This city is the Church of which it is said, “Glorious things are spoken of thee, thou city of God.” [Ps 87:3] Its citizens are all the faithful, of whom the Apostle speaks, “Ye are fellow-citizens of the saints.” [Eph 2:19] It is built upon Christ the hill, of whom Daniel thus, “A stone hewed without hands” [Dan 2:34] became a great mountain.

Aug.: Or, the mountain is the great righteousness, which is signified by the mountain from which the Lord is now teaching.

Pseudo-Chrys.: “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” though it would; the mountain which bears makes it to be seen of all men; so the Apostles and Priests who are founded on Christ cannot be hidden even though they would, because Christ makes them manifest.

Hilary: Or, the city signifies the flesh which He had taken on Him; because that in Him by this assumption of human nature, there was as it were a collection of the human race, and we by partaking in His flesh become inhabitants of that city. He cannot therefore be hid, because being set in the height of God’s power, He is offered to be contemplated of all men in admiration of his works.

Pseudo-Chrys.: How Christ manifests His saints, suffering them not to be hid, He shews by another comparison, adding, “Neither do men light a lamp to put it under a corn-measure,” but on a stand.

Chrys.: Or, in the illustration of the city, He signified His own power, by the lamp He exhorts the Apostles to preach with boldness; as though He said, ‘I indeed have lighted the lamp, but that it continue to burn will be your care, not for your own sakes only, but both for others who shall receive its light and for God’s glory.’

Pseudo-Chrys.: The lamp is the Divine word, of which it is said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” [Ps 119:105] They who light this lamp are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Aug.: With what meaning do we suppose the words, “to put it under a corn-measure,” were said? To express concealment simply, or that the “corn-measure” has a special 164 signification? The putting the lamp under the corn-measure means the preferring bodily ease and enjoyment to the duty of preaching the Gospel, and hiding the light of good teaching under temporal gratification. The corn-measure aptly denotes the things of the body, whether because our reward shall be measured out to us, [2 Cor 5:10] as each one shall receive the things done in the body; or because worldly goods which pertain to the body come and go within a certain measure of time, which is signified by the corn-measure, whereas things eternal and spiritual are contained within no such limit.

He places his lamp upon a stand, who subdues his body to the ministry of the word, setting the preaching of the truth highest, and subjecting the body beneath it. For the body itself serves to make doctrine shine more clear, while the voice and other motions of the body in good works serve to recommend it to them that learn.

Pseudo-Chrys.: Or, men of the world may be figured in the “corn-measure” as these are empty above, but full beneath, so worldly men are foolish in spiritual things, but wise in earthly things, and therefore like a corn-measure they keep the word of God hid, whenever for any worldly cause he had not dared to proclaim the word openly, and the truth of the faith. The stand for the lamp is the Church which bears the word of life, and all ecclesiastical persons. [margin note: Phil 2:15]

Hilary: Or, the Lord likened the Synagogue to a corn-measure, which only receiving within itself such fruit as was raised; contained a certain measure of limited obedience.

Ambrose. non occ.: And therefore let none shut up his faith within the measure of the Law, but have recourse to the Church in which the grace of the sevenfold Spirit shines forth.

Bede, in Loc. quoad sens.: Or, Christ Himself has lighted this lamp, when He filled the earthen vessel of human nature with the fire of His Divinity, which He would not either hide from them that believe, nor put under a bushel that is shut up under the measure of the Law, or confine within the limits of any one oration. The lampstand is the Church, on which He set the lamp, when He affixed to our foreheads the faith of His incarnation.

Hilary: Or, the lamp, i.e. Christ Himself, is set on its stand when He was suspended on the Cross in His passion, to give light for ever to those that dwell in the Church; “to give light,” He says, “to all that are in the house.”

Aug.: For it165 is not absurd if any one will understand “the house” to be the Church.

Or, “the house” may be the world itself, according to what He said above, “Ye are the light of the world.”

Hilary: He instructs the Apostles to shine with such a light, that in the admiration of their work God may be praised, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.”

Pseudo-Chrys.: That is, teaching with so pure a light, that men may not only hear your words, but see your works, that those whom as lamps ye have enlightened by the word, as salt ye may season by your example. For by those teachers who do as well as teach, God is magnified; for the discipline of the master is seen in the behavior of the family.

And therefore it follows, “and they shall glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Aug., Serm. in Mont., i, 7: Had He only said, “That they may see your good works,” He would have seemed to have set up as an end to be sought the praised of men, which the hypocrites desire; but by adding, “and glorify your Father,” he teaches that we should not seek as an end to please men with our good works, but referring all to the glory of God, therefore seek to please men, that in that God may be glorified.

Hilary: He means not that we should seek glory of men, but that though we conceal it, our work may shine forth in honour of God to those among whom we live.

Catena Aurea Matthew 5

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Savior With the Apostles

Early 14th century
Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

[Salvation]

 

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for June 12, 2012:

(Reader’s Tip) Speak to your spouse the way you would to a stranger or a co-worker. Be kind.

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

When a priest prays before the Blessed Sacrament

By

Father Mark

 on June 12, 2012 8:25 AM |

This painting depicts Our Lord as he appeared in the Sacred Host exposed in the monstrance at the Institute of Loreto in Bordeaux, France on Septuagesima Sunday, 3 February 1822. Read about this manifestation of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus here

 

Lord Jesus Christ,
King who art all meek and humble,
Beloved Friend,
and Physician of souls and bodies,
I adore Thee who art present here before me,
with all the love of my heart,
and I thank Thee that Thou hast brought me
into Thy Real Presence
-- to be hidden as Thou art hidden
-- to be silent as Thou art silent,
-- to be welcoming to Thee
as Thou art welcoming to me,
-- to be poor as Thou art poor,
--and to be offered
as Thou art offered
at every moment
to the Father
in this the Sacrament of Thy Love.

O Divine Victim,
Thou art the pattern of my life,
and the very form of my consecration to the Father:
hostia pura, hostia sancta, hostia immaculata!
Let me gaze upon Thy Eucharistic Face
so as to become a reflection of Thy Eucharistic Face,
and an image in this world,
at at this hour,
of Thy perpetual oblation to the Father
and Thy fidelity to the Church, Thy Body and Thy Bride.
Amen.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

True Leadership

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Tuesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time

Father Shawn Aaron, LC

Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

Introductory Prayer: Father of love, source of all blessings, you have led me throughout my life, and you lead me still. Thank you for your paternal care. Jesus, Son of God, you died for me on the cross to pay for my sins and manifest your unconditional love for me. Thank you for showing me the way home to the Father. Holy Spirit, sweet guest of the soul, you heal me and strengthen me and set me on fire from the most intimate depths of my soul. Thank you for your loving presence within me.

Petition: Lord, show me where I can make a difference.

1. The New Flavor of the Gospel: By calling us “the salt of the earth” Jesus meant that all his disciples, all those who would be called ‘Christians’ down through the centuries, would have the responsibility to work to give the new ‘taste’ of the Gospel to the earth and enlighten the whole world with Jesus’ teaching. Salt enhances the food we eat by accenting the natural flavor already present in the food. In like manner, we are called by God to enhance the world around us with the “saltiness” of our Christian lives. God created the world good, but sin has marred it. Through baptism God gives us the “salt” of his divine life – grace – so that, in turn, this grace of baptism will develop into a life of virtue and Christian charity by which we are called to “season” our environment. Do I have this awareness and desire which springs from my baptism?

2. Enlightening Minds and Hearts: Without light we are blind. The human eye is rendered useless where light is unable to penetrate. Analogously, all people have the power to know God who is truth, goodness and love. But without the particular light that is Jesus Christ, those faculties are clouded at best. Jesus wants you and me to be his light in contemporary society. By the way we live our life other people must see: They must see Christ. They must see the dignity of the human person and the noble calling each one of us has to live forever with God. They must see that love and mercy triumph over evil, suffering and death. The world needs our light because the world needs Christ.

3. The Shining Example of the Saints: What about humility? What about not letting your right hand know what your left hand is doing? Jesus reminds us that our lives and actions are meant to direct people’s gaze to God and not towards ourselves: “So that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” The world has needed to see Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta in action. It has needed to see the youthful vigor and the aged frailty of the late Pope John Paul II. Their light has illumined our path towards God. This side of heaven, we will always need the example of the saints, and that is precisely what you and I are called to be.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you have given me everything I need to be faithful. Grant me also the courage and the zeal to live what I believe and to testify to your faithful love in my thoughts, words and actions. Mother Most Pure, make my heart only for Jesus.

Resolution: Today I will speak to someone about Jesus, backing up my words with the sincerity with which I live my Christian commitments.

[Salvation]

God is Not Wishy-Washy

• Homily of the Day
• June 12th, 2012
• Food For Thought

First Reading: 1 Kgs 17:7-16

Psalm: Ps 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8

Gospel: Mt 5:13-16

God is not wishy-washy. He is all powerful. In today’s first reading, we hear that God keeps his word and all that he promised has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is through Jesus Christ that we address God as we worship together and offer our prayers. Paul talked about being anointed and sealed by God and having the Spirit in his heart. It is the same with each one of us through our baptism and confirmation. God has given each one of us a mighty gift and we are to use that gift for his praise and glory.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples that they are the salt of the earth. Salt does many things. It flavors and preserves. To be one who is the salt of the earth, is to be dependable and steadfast. If someone cannot be so, then he or she cannot be counted on for anything.

Jesus needed disciples who would be dependable and who would preserve his message through their actions and in their spreading of the word of God. In being dependable, steadfast, true disciples of Jesus, they would become the light of the world. It can be a challenge for each one of us to be steady in living out our Christian commitment. When things go well and we are surrounded with support, the practice of faith comes easily. But when the burdens of life seem to press us down, and our crosses weigh heavily upon us, it is then that we must remain most firm in the Lord. It is then that we must steadily flavor the world around us with the love of Christ and be a light of faith that can lead others to the firmness of God’s truth.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Tuesday, June 12, 2012 >>

Saint of the Day

1 Kings 17:7-16
View Readings

Psalm 4:2-5, 7-8

Matthew 5:13-16

SAY WHAT?

"I have designated a widow there to provide for you." —1 Kings 17:9

 

God told Elijah that He had provided a benefactor to care for him. Was this benefactor a rich man touched by Elijah's life-changing prophecies or a wealthy relative with a large annuity in the bank? No, God told Elijah not to worry because He had designated a widow to provide for Him (1 Kgs 17:9). Moreover, this would not be a rich widow living comfortably from her husband's estate. Instead, she will be a poor widow with less than one day of provisions. Nonetheless, Elijah had seen God provide miraculously for him while a refugee in the wilderness, for there God arranged for ravens to bring him daily bread and meat (1 Kgs 17:6).

When Elijah arrived in drought-ridden Zarephath, he had to be hungry and thirsty after a long journey. Then he learned that this widow chosen by God was penniless, lacking enough to prepare even one meal. Despite this bleak circumstance, Elijah still acted in confident faith, not in bitter spite. He trusted God, and saw Him multiply her oil and flour (1 Kgs 17:15-16).

When tough times come, we Christians cannot lose the freshness of our faith. We must not go flat (Mt 5:13) just because circumstances don't break in our favor. We must act like Elijah and "trust in [God] at all times" (Ps 62:9). "Walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).

 

Prayer: Father, "You put gladness into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound" (Ps 4:8). I prefer You to riches. Your love is better than life (Ps 63:4).

Promise: "Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father." —Mt 5:16

Praise: Robert trusted in God's provision and refused a promotion that would have required him to spend much more time away from his family.

[Salvation]