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Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 09-15-12, M, Our Lady of Sorrows
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 09-15-12 | Revised New American Bible

Posted on 09/14/2012 9:52:22 PM PDT by Salvation

September 15, 2012

 

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

 

Reading 1 1 Cor 10:14-22

My beloved ones, avoid idolatry.
I am speaking as to sensible people;
judge for yourselves what I am saying.
The cup of blessing that we bless,
is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ?
The bread that we break,
is it not a participation in the Body of Christ?
Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, though many, are one Body,
for we all partake of the one loaf.

Look at Israel according to the flesh;
are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
So what am I saying?
That meat sacrificed to idols is anything?
Or that an idol is anything?
No, I mean that what they sacrifice,
they sacrifice to demons, not to God,
and I do not want you to become participants with demons.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons.
You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.
Or are we provoking the Lord to jealous anger?
Are we stronger than him?

Responsorial Psalm Ps 116:12-13, 17-18

R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all of his people.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

Gospel Jn 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple,
"Behold, your mother."
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

or Lk 2:33-35

Jesus' father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."


TOPICS: Catholic; General Discusssion; Prayer; Worship
KEYWORDS: blessedvirginmary; catholic; ordinarytime; prayer
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To: Salvation
A Christian Pilgrim

HOW DO WE STAND IN THE MIDST OF LIFE’S CRITICAL MOMENTS?

(A biblical reflection on the memoria of OUR LADY OF SORROWS – Saturday, 15 September 2012) 

Gospel Reading: John 19:25-27 

First Reading: 1Cor 10:14-22 (or Heb 5:7-9); Psalms: Ps 31:2-6,15-16; Gospel Reading: Luk 2:33-35 (alternative reading) 

The Scripture Text

So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (Jn 19:25-27 RSV) 

The Church today celebrates the feast of “Our Lady of Sorrows”, recalling Mary as the perfect example of one who stood by the cross. Such an act of love reveals Mary’s willingness to endure whatever trials, hardships, and sufferings were necessary so long as she could stand firmly by her Son. Despite her grief, Mary remained with Jesus, praying for Him and supporting Him, even though it meant watching Him die on the cross.

How do we stand in the midst of life’s critical moments? In times of difficulty, it can be very hard to remain faithful to God, even though we know that He understands every situation we face. Practically, then, how can we imitate Mary’s faith? How can we stand with her at the foot of the cross?

In our hearts, we can proclaim some truths about who God is. We may recall scripture passages such as: “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8:31). Or, we may claim as our own the promises of scripture: “The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). Let us proclaim our trust in the Lord: He loves us and is bringing us closes to Himself. Let us turn to the psalms which contain beautiful, real-life cries from the heart to God in times of trial. We can read Psalm 31, or Psalm 73. Even as they cried out to God for help, the psalmists held fast to their faith in the One they knew to be steadfast and kind and merciful.

However we decide to deal with the sorrows and trials of life, we should know that God is the kindest person we will ever know. Whatever we feel that the words we are praying are true or not, we must believe that they are true. As we proclaim them in faith, God will come and rescue us.

Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, we surrender every single situation to You. In our darkest hour, we will remain faithful to You. We have come to know You in times of joy and peace, and so we believe that You will hear our prayer and will be near to help us in times of strife and pain. Amen. 


41 posted on 09/15/2012 8:20:16 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
 
Marriage = One Man and One Woman
Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for September 15, 2012:

Some pregnancies are a surprise but no baby is a mistake. During your fertile years, cultivate an attitude of generosity and knowledge. Generosity can teach acceptance of the unknown. Natural Family Planning can help you plan when you conceive.


42 posted on 09/15/2012 8:23:38 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Vultus Christi

Stabat Mater

 on September 15, 2012 8:05 AM |
 
20060915matka.jpg

This is the lovely translation of the Stabat Mater given in Maurice Zundel's classic, The Splendour of the Liturgy (New York: Sheed and Ward, 1939).

Plunged in grief the mother stood,
Weeping where the crimsoned wood
Held on high her dying son.

Through her soul, whose mourning low,
Told how grievous was her woe,
Sorrow like a sword had gone.

Oh! how sad, how sorrow laden,
Stood the meek and blessed maiden,
God's true mother undefiled.

Trembling, weeping, whelmed in woes,
Witnessing the dying throes
Of her own immortal child.

Who is he who would not weep,
Could he know what anguish deep,
Pierced the mother of the Lord?

Who from sorrow could refrain,
Gazing on that mother's pain,
Weeping with her son adored?

She beheld the torments sore,
He for his own people bore,
Bowed beneath that scourging dread.

She beheld her only-born,
Death struck, utterly forlorn,
When his parting spirit fled.

Come, O mother, love's sweet spring,
Let me share thy sorrowing,
Let my tears unite with thine.

Let my heart be all on fire,
Still to seek with fond desire
Christ, my God, my love divine.

Holy mother, this impart,
Deeply print upon my heart,
All the wounds my saviour bore.

Let me share his pains with thee,
Who so tenderly for me
Deigned his sacred blood to pour.

Let our tears in mingling tide
Flow for Jesus crucified,
Till life cease within my breast.

By the cross to take my station,
Sharing thy sweet lamentation,
This is my most fond request.

Holiest of the virgin train,
Do not thou my prayer disdain;
Come and share thy griefs with me.

Let me trace his sufferings o'er;
Bear the very death he bore,
When they nailed him to the tree:

Tell his wounds within my heart,
In his chalice take my part,
All for love of thy dear Son.

Wrapt in flames of love divine,
Keep me still, O mother mine,
When the judgement day draws on.

Lord, when these my days are done,
Let thy mother lead me on
To the palm of victory.

When this mortal body dies,
May my soul to heaven uprise,
Glorified and blest for thee. Amen.


43 posted on 09/15/2012 8:30:21 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Vultus Christi

Abba Joseph related that Abba Isaac said:

 on September 15, 2012 8:10 AM |
Deposition.jpg

"I was sitting with Abba Poemen one day and I saw him in ecstasy and as I was on terms of great freedom of speech with him, I prostrated myself before him and begged him, saying, 'Tell me where you were.' He was forced to answer and he said, 'My thought was with Saint Mary, the Mother of God, as she wept by the cross of the Saviour. I wish I could always weep like that.'"

Come, O Mother, love's sweet spring,
Let me share thy sorrowing,
Let my tears unite with thine.

Let my heart be all on fire,
Still to seek with fond desire
Christ, my God, my Love divine.

Holy Mother, this impart,
Deeply print within my heart,
All the wounds my Saviour bore.

The experience of Abba Poemen in the fourth century, like that of the author of the Stabat Mater, the "queen of sequences" in the Middle Ages, attests to a sweet and compelling gift of the Holy Spirit to souls in every age: the desire to approach the Blessed Virgin Mary in her sorrows and to avail oneself of the grace of her tears.


44 posted on 09/15/2012 8:32:35 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Regnum Christi

Taking Mary into My Home
| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows



Father Patrick Butler, LC

John 19: 25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother´s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Introductory Prayer: You are true goodness and life, Lord. Closeness to you brings peace and joy. You deserve all of my trust and my love. Thank you for the gift of life, my family and above all of my faith. Thank you as well for giving us your Mother at the foot of the cross.

Petition: Lord, help me to grow in my filial love for Mary, your Mother and mine.

1. Standing: Today is a Marian feast: “Our Lady of Sorrows”. Mary, like me, had no particular love of pain and sorrow. The first announcement of her vocation by the Archangel Gabriel mentioned nothing about it, being filled only with messianic promises. However, soon after Jesus’ birth, Simeon completed the dimensions that were to enlighten her vocation: “…and a sword will pierce your heart that the thoughts of many might be revealed”. Recognizing the fulfillment of her calling in the accompanying of her Son during his crucifixion, she does so with a desire to fulfill God’s mysterious plan, not reluctantly, but standing closely to Jesus with all the sorrow that this implied for her.

2. Last Will and Testament: The words Jesus speaks to his mother and his beloved disciple are equivalent to his last will and testament. He bequeaths what is most precious to him to a beloved person. To Mary, he gives the friend that he loves so much, who will also need her help in the difficulties he will face. To John, he gives his greatest human comfort, his mother who is his best disciple. He knows that she needs him, an adopted son, to comfort and accompany her.

3. Mary Makes My Home Sweet: John took his responsibility for Mary seriously, taking her into his own home. Home for John was nothing less than the Church that Jesus founded. Mary was to have the pride of place there, as Jesus’ mother, and as she who knew, loved and served him best. She also took her role seriously, so seriously that she immediately perceived that all those she encountered were her adoptive sons and daughters. In this house that is the Church, Mary is the sweetness of the traditional saying, “Home, sweet home”.

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I can’t thank you enough for entrusting your mother to me and me to her. I want to take care of her by being an attentive, faithful son who imitates you. That’s what will console her and make her heart rejoice. Mary, be always at my side and intercede for me before God, in order that I persevere in following your Son.

Resolution: I will make my devotion to Mary very personal, whether it be in spontaneous conversation with her or contemplating the mysteries of Christ’s life while praying the Rosary.


45 posted on 09/15/2012 8:36:11 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

Outrageous Words of Jesus

Saturday, September 15, 2012 by Food for Thought

MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

FirstReading: 1 Cor 10:14-22
Psalm: Ps 116:12-13, 17-18
Gospel: Jn 19:25-27 Or: Lk 2:33-35

The Lord brings his Sermon on the Plain to a close. He says “my words (i.e., the words I’ve spoken in this sermon) are a solid foundation on which to build your house. Build your house on these my words and no force will succeed in knocking it down, will succeed even in shaking
it.”

So it is by the words of the sermon that we are to live our lives. This is what discipleship is: taking Jesus’ words seriously and putting them into practice. Being convinced of the truth of Jesus words, recognizing the wisdom in them is spiritually a very healthy state of mind. But this sort of mental or emotional acceptance of Jesus’ words is not discipleship. Discipleship expects that Jesus’ words be lived out, that they dictate behavior.

The problem, though, is that many of the words Jesus spoke in this sermon are outrageous: “Blest are you poor; blest are you who hungerand weep; blest will you be when men hate, ostracize and insult you for my sake.” “Love your enemies” … “Do good to those who hate you” … “If someone steals your coat, give him your shirt as well” … “Give to all who beg from you” … “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.”

It’s hard to believe. Is Jesus really serious about this? These outrageous statements: are they to be the foundation on which we’re to build our house, that is, by which we are to live our lives? It’s hard to believe: Jesus is really serious about this.


46 posted on 09/15/2012 8:42:58 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 


<< Saturday, September 15, 2012 >> Our Lady of Sorrows
 
Hebrews 5:7-9
View Readings
Psalm 31:2-6, 15-16, 20 John 19:25-27
or Luke 2:33-35

 

"MORE THAN MARTYR"

 
"Near the cross of Jesus there stood His mother." —John 19:25
 

Martyrdom has traditionally been considered as the ultimate expression of love for the Lord. The word "martyr" means "witness," and martyrdom is the preeminent witness of faith in Jesus. It is the most perfect way of imitating the crucified Christ.

St. Bernard called Mary "more than martyr." This is an unusual expression because martyrs were so exalted in the Christian community that it would seem impossible to be "more than martyr." Yet, St. Bernard said Mary's sufferings at the foot of her Son's cross were more severe than the most brutal physical tortures.

Even if Mary is "more than martyr," what difference does it make? Maybe she did suffer more than any human being ever created, but is there a prize for suffering the most? The fruits of Mary's suffering are:

  1. Mary's greater redemptive suffering means she was a woman of greater obedience, for we learn obedience from what we suffer (Heb 5:8).
  2. Greater suffering for Jesus means a greater ministry of consolation and healing (see 2 Cor 1:5).
  3. Greater suffering with Jesus means a greater joy, for we rejoice in the measure in which we share Christ's sufferings (1 Pt 4:13).

On this feast day of Mary, the sorrowful mother, let yourself be transformed by the ministry of Mary, "more than martyr." Then choose martyrdom for yourself.

 
Prayer: Father, make me feel as Mary felt, "make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ, my Lord" ("Stabat Mater").
Promise: "You yourself shall be pierced with a sword — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare." —Lk 2:35
Praise: Mary, the Sorrowful Mother, gave birth to a Son Who consoled her by saying: "Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled" (Mt 5:4).

47 posted on 09/15/2012 8:45:24 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Pray for an end to abortion and the conversion of America to a culture of life.

48 posted on 09/15/2012 8:46:42 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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