St. Thecla

Feast Day: September 23
Born: (a few decades after Christ) :: Died: (when she was 80 years old)

Thecla was born in the first century at Iconium in Greece (which is now in Turkey). She was beautiful, well-educated and came from a very rich family.

At the age of 18, her father got her engaged to a rich and generous pagan prince named Thamyris.

When St. Paul the apostle came to preach the Gospel of Jesus in Iconium, Thecla's prayer to know the one, true God was answered.

She immediately gave up all her dreams of marriage, forgot her beauty, converted to Christianity and became a true follower of Jesus. She was the first woman evangelist in the Church.

When her parents and Thamyris found out what she had done, they tried to make her change her mind, with no success. Then they reported her to the governor who decided to have her burned at the stake.

When the fire was lit, Thecla bravely went making the Sign of the Cross. Suddenly, a strong wind blew and heavy rain poured down putting out the fire.

She was then thrown to the lions and making the Sign of the Cross she offered her spirit to the Lord. At once, the lions lay down at her side, and licked her feet, like pet kittens.

The next day each of her arms were tied to a bull and the soldiers began burning the bulls with red-hot irons trying to make them angry so they would eat her. But the bulls remained calm and did not move.

Finally she was thrown into a valley with poisonous snakes but a fire began and destroyed the snakes.

The shocked judge asked Thecla "Who are you, that you are always saved?" She answered "I am a daughter of Christ, Son of the living God. He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life; He is the one who protects me. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever." The judge immediately set her free.

Then many people began to believe in Jesus including her mother and people in her town. The queen gave her money to care for the poor and the sick and St. Paul encouraged her to continue her mission. She finally died at the age of 80.

Catholic

Almanac:


Sunday, September 23
Liturgical Color: Green
Today is the Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. In 1918, he was blessed with the stigmata while praying before a crucifix. St. Pio heard confessions many hours each day and had the ability to read the souls of those who came to him.

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: September 23, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbor, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. 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

Saucy Summer's End Cookout

ACTIVITIES

On how our Work is Love, and how we can work with Christ to save Souls with our Love

PRAYERS

LIBRARY

Ordinary Time: September 23rd

Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Old Calendar: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me (Mark 9:34-37)."

Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the Book of Wisdom 2:12, 17-20. Against the background of Egyptian worship of animals and mockery of Jewish trust in God, the author devotes much of chapters 1 - 5 to the ineffectiveness of such mockery when God has promised immortality to those who remain faithful.

The second reading is from the Letter of St. James 3:16, 4:3. "Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask." In this reading St. James tells us to recognize the source of our disagreements.

The Gospel is from St. Mark 9:30-37. The Apostles were still very worldly-minded. They were full of the hope that Christ would establish an earthly messianic kingdom, that he would not only free their holy land from the hated pagan rulers but that he would set up a worldwide empire for the people of God. Many of the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament spoke of a worldwide kingdom; all nations would submit to the descendant of David; Jerusalem would be the magnet which would attract all peoples. The prophets, however, were speaking of the true messianic kingdom, the spiritual kingdom that Christ would establish. The Apostles were as yet unable to see the true meaning of these prophecies. They took them as referring to a worldly kingdom. They had come to believe that Christ was the promised Messiah, therefore, he would overcome all enemies and all opposition and set up this kingdom. How, therefore, could his enemies overpower him much less put him to death before he had accomplished his task? Thus they refused to believe his prophecies concerning his coming tortures and death.

Now, either in trying to understand what he had so plainly told them, or maybe in putting this disturbing thought far from their minds, they began disputing with one another as to which of them would have the highest post of honor in the earthly messianic kingdom which they had envisaged. How worldly but how human they were! We must not forget though, that they were not yet really Christians — they needed the death and resurrection of Christ to make them what they became — His true followers and loyal disciples.

There was in the unformed Apostles a desire to turn Christ's kingdom into an earthly welfare state, rather than into a preparation for heaven. All Christians know that Christ suffered and died for their salvation, and that he asked his followers to take up their cross and follow him if they wished to be his disciples. The first generations of Christians fully understood this and faithfully followed him even to martyrdom. However, as time went on and opposition to the Christian faith disappeared, so too did the zeal and fervor of many Christians. For centuries we have had nominal Christians in Christ's Church -- men and women who tried to make their paradise in this world, and forgot the everlasting heaven.

Our own age has seen an unprecedented increase in this falling away of Christians. Leaving aside the parts of Europe which are professedly atheist -- but where in spite of the leaders there are many sincere and devout Christians -- the number of lapsed and nominal Christians in the other Western countries is frightening. These non-practicing Christians, unwilling to carry their crosses, have decided to make this earth their paradise. They want prosperity, comfort and happiness in this world. The vast majority of them, of course, refuse to look to the future; it could be an unpleasant thought, yet they must see that in every town and village there is a mortician, an undertaker who makes a good living disposing of human "remains." Die they must; "and what then?" should be a question which overshadows their lives.

Many of these people who in practice have abandoned Christianity, try to salve their consciences by devoting any time they can spare to making this planet a better place in which to live. It is an excellent aim with a possibility of success — if the Fatherhood of God and the true brotherhood of man are upheld. But otherwise its a vain Utopia. If God, and Christ's teaching are left out of our reckoning, we shall ever have jealousies, enmities, hatred and wars. Christians have made war on Christians because neither side in the struggle was truly Christian. What chance then has the world when Christ and Christianity are banished from it?

Today's thought for each one of us is this: Christ became man, suffered and died as man, for our sakes. By his resurrection He conquered death and opened heaven for us. Heaven is our true destiny. Loving God and our neighbor and carrying our cross is the only way to reach heaven. Forget this "heaven on earth" doctrine; it does not and never will exist! Accept Christ and you are accepting the Father who sent Him. He in turn will accept you.

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

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 9:30-37

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” (Mark 9:37)

It seems that we have a lot in common with the apostles. We love Jesus, they loved Jesus. We want to follow him, they followed him. We want to please him, and so did they. And like the apostles, we too are subject to human weakness. Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus was trying to teach the apostles, but they weren’t listening. They were arguing about who was the greatest.

We shouldn’t look down on the apostles. Like us, they had the natural human tendency to place themselves above those around them. Like us, they had the natural human tendency to think about their needs and desires more than the needs and desires of others. In other words, their hearts needed to be shaped and purified, just as ours do!

When Jesus asked about the conversation, the apostles kept quiet.

They knew that Jesus didn’t like these kind of senseless arguments, so they were reluctant to own up to them. So, let’s ask ourselves: “How many times do I engage in senseless arguments? How many times have I tried to prove my point while knowing all the time that the argument was trivial?”

The apostles eventually outgrew these self-centered attitudes. They realized that they were God’s children and that they were being entrusted with God’s work. They understood that what counted most was to show people how to love God and to love one another.

As Jesus did with the apostles, he wants to do with us. He wants to show us a higher way to live. He wants to show us how noble and pleasing it is to serve others above ourselves. He wants to teach us how to avoid getting caught up in senseless arguments and how to redirect our conversations so that they help promote virtue and love over envy and jealousy.

“Jesus, teach me how to put others ahead of myself. I want to be like you, Lord.”

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54:3-6, 8; James 3:16–4:3

September 23rd, 2012

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

1. The first reading, which is a prophetic foreshadowing of the passion and death of Jesus, speaks of the human tendency to attack and to reject those who “set themselves against our doings.” It also speaks of Jesus’ patience and gentleness which we are called to emulate. What is your reaction when you have been accused unjustly or treated unfairly? What about when you are stopped for speeding or your work is criticized at work?

2. In the responsorial psalm, the psalmist cries out to God in prayer as a response to the attacks of his enemies. He asks God to save him and defend him. How often do you turn to God in prayer as the first reaction to difficult situations?

3. The psalmist ends his petitions with these words of faith and trust, “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. Freely will I offer sacrifice; I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness.” Why is this an appropriate way to end a time of prayer and supplication to the Lord? Do you end you own times of prayer with thanksgiving and praise to the Lord? Should you?

4. In the second reading, St. James contrasts the disorder, which is often part of our lives, with the “wisdom” that comes from God, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits. What examples can you share where you have seen victory over jealousy, envy, and selfish ambition by following Christ, our “wisdom”?

5. In the Gospel, Jesus takes his disciples off privately for an important and personal message. He tells them he is to be killed, but he will rise from the dead. Amazingly, rather than trying to understand what Jesus has told them, they are more concerned about which one of them is the greatest. Why does self-absorption tend to make us less attentive to what Christ may be telling us? What steps can you take to be more attentive to Jesus’ words?

6. Jesus turns the “natural order” on its head in the Gospel by saying that those who make themselves last and serve others are “first” in importance in the Kingdom of God. What are some ways that you can be a better servant to your family or to others in your parish?

7. In the meditation, we here these words: “As Jesus did with the apostles, he wants to do with us. He wants to show us a higher way to live.” The meditation also gives some examples of how Jesus wants to do this. How would you describe what this “higher way” means to you?” What steps can you take to open yourself more to this great work by allowing Jesus to transform you more and more into his likeness?

8. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord to transform you into his likeness and give you a servant’s heart like his. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

A Christian Pilgrim

SIMPLICITY THAT OPENS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

(A biblical refection on THE 25^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 23 September, 2012)

Gospel Reading: Mark 9:30-37

First Reading: Wis 2:12,17-20; Psalms: Ps 54:3-6,8; Second Reading: Jas 3:16-4:3

The Scripture Text

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And He would not have any one know it; for He was teaching His disciples, saying to them. “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He is killed, after three days He will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask Him.

And they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house He asked them,
What were you discussing on the way?” But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. And He sat down and called the twelve; and He said to them, “If any one would be first, He must be last of all and servant of all.” And He took a child, and put Him in the midst of them; and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent me.” (Mk 9:30-37)

“God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life” (Ps 54:4).

Wouldn’t it be liberating to have the freedom and trust of a child? Deep in our hearts, we long to be free, but as responsible adults we all feel the drive to meet the world’s expectations. Isn’t it interesting how many responsibilities Jesus had, yet He never appeared rushed or stressed out? He accomplished a lifetime of work in three years because of His radical trust in His Father.

As Jesus and His disciples passed through Galilee, He could have stopped many times along the way to preach or perform miracles. But He knew that His Father wanted Him to take this time to teach the twelve more fully about His passion and resurrection. Thus, with childlike trust, Jesus reflected a singleness of purpose and stayed faithful to His Father’s calling.

At the heart of this kind of simplicity is singleness of purpose. As we learn to live for Jesus, hidden agendas and the desire for self-gain will gradually fall away. We will come to see that loving others as Jesus has loved us and following Jesus in everything we do are our only goals. God does not expect us to pay attention to or address everything that crosses our paths in this lifetime. He wants us to turn to Him in trust and let Him show us what He has called us to accomplish – and He wants to us to trust that He will give us all we need to see our calling through to completion.

Let us go to Jesus and ask Him to give us the simplicity that opens the Kingdom of Heaven. The simple are free from guile. They are innocent at heart because they only want to follow the Father’s will for their lives. Let us ask Jesus for the kind of integrity, strength of character, and singleness of purpose that He had. As we do, our hearts will become lighter, and the Spirit will work powerfully through us.

Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant me the heart of a child who lives in utter trust of Your provisions. Open my eyes to the beauty of living in Your Kingdom. Amen.

A Christian Pilgrim

A GOOD QUESTION

(A biblical refection on THE 25^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 23 September, 2012)

First Reading: Wis 2:12,17-20; Psalms: Ps 54:3-6,8; Second Reading: Jas 3:16-4:3

Gospel Reading: Mk 9:30-37

A good question is worth more than a hundred answers. Good questions are often in short supply in an age which lusts after certainty. We demand certain trumpets from the pulpit to the White House to Wall Street. Hesitation or the offering of a complex answer is viewed as weakness and lack of conviction. We want our leaders to always be sure – even if they are seldom right! We demand guarantees instead of hope. H.L. Mencken once said that every complex question has a simple answer and it is always simply wrong. Life is complex. We need thoughtful reflection and humble prayer to be prudent in our dealings with others. Good questions challenge us to think, pray and be prudent. Good questions force us to examine those areas of our lives we would rather leave in darkness.

Our second reading from James offers a good question for our consideration: “Where do the conflicts and disputes among you originate?” At first we respond: out there! It is society, our environment, the Zodiac or the difficult neighbor that accounts for all my problems and vices. If only I could remove the external, the internal would be fine. You see, at base I am really a swell person. It is circumstances or others which help to explain the way I am. Nice try! But James offers a different approach.

“Is it not your inner cravings that make war within your members? What you desire you do not obtain, and so you resort to murder.” Our troubles lie in the human heart. Because of sin we want to assert our will, wield power over and dominate everything and everyone for our selfish ends. Within our hearts we experience envy, rage and murderous intent. Our general hardness of heart destroys communities and families. The other is no longer a friend but an enemy; the other is not a gift but a threat; the other becomes hell from whom there is no exit (Sartre).

How are we to grow spiritually mature? Christ’s answer is most unexpected: “Whoever welcomes a child such as this for My sake welcomes Me.” The spiritually mature person must become childlike (not childish or immature). This is not easy. We try to fill ourselves up with an abundance of things, relationships and honors. Yet none give lasting peace. It is only when we open our hearts in childlike faith that God can fill us with what we truly need. If we try to find wholeness in the world, we are doomed to failure. The more we have, the more we want. The distractions are outside, but the cravings come from within. In our search for lasting peace, we look in the wrong places. Again the letter of James: “You ask and you to not receive because you ask wrongly, with a view to a squandering what you receive on your pleasures.”

Childlike conversion of heart often evokes the anger of those around us. We become a sign of contradiction. We challenge people to change and live in a new way. At first, other people are amused. Then they ignore us. When that no longer works, they turn against us. The book of Wisdom puts it in the following way: “[The wicked say:] ‘Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings …… With revilement and torture let us put him to the test …… Let us condemn him to a shameful death ……’”

To turn from our inner cravings and become childlike in our faith is to be on the road to spiritual maturity. However, we must not be surprised at the opposition of others. We are a challenge. We become a question to others. And questions are not always welcomed.

Note: Taken from Rev. William F. Maestri, GRACE UPON GRACE, Makati, Philippines: St. Paul Publications, 1990, pages 199-201.

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for September 23, 2012:

“What were you arguing about?…If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last.” (Mk 9:33,35) This teaching of Jesus parallels the perennial marital argument about who is right. Arguments can often be shortened if you can give up the need to be right – every time.

Who is the Greatest?

Pastor’s Column

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 23, 2012

“…but they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.

Then he sat down, called the twelve and said,

“If anyone wishes to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”

From Mark 9:30-37

Most of us have been at jobs or have known people in school whom you might charitably call “climbers.” They are the ones who have a deep desire to get ahead of others, and often are willing to do just about anything to achieve this. Amazingly, Jesus spends much time trying to help us understand what is most important to God, because during our brief earthly lives we are establishing whether we will go to heaven, hell or purgatory, but especially our rank in heaven.

All of us are interested in what is going to happen in the future, both in the world and in our own lives. But when it comes to heaven, in spite of all the hints we receive in Sacred Scripture, there will be many surprises when we arrive. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of that future reality is that we will be ranked from first to last in the Kingdom of Heaven. Though we will not all be equal, we will all be happy!

Among the biggest surprises will be discovering who ranks among the greatest and who the least. Here is one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings: the greatest in heaven will probably not be the ones receiving the most applause here. It is not the person who makes a big show of their presence to others that God notices first, but rather, the humble servant who is not interested in attracting attention to their lives.

It matters not to God whether we are given great and important tasks in his church or the least noticeable ones. What matters is that we do these things without necessarily expecting recognition or reward. Of course, we all like our contribution or service to be appreciated, but what happens when it isn’t? This will go a long way to revealing how humble we really are—or aren’t!

In my first assignment, we decided to have a “Volunteer Recognition Dinner” and sent out mailed invitations to everyone we could think of who deserved some kind of recognition. Well, we learned a lot from this experience, because, perhaps inevitably, feelings were hurt when some good people were inadvertently missed in the invitations.

When Christ advises us to take the lowest place in service in order to rank highest, he does not necessarily mean we should all strive to do the dishes after the parish picnic (although, truth be told, cleanup is always the hardest slot to fill). Rather, we can tell if we are doing something out of love for God during those times we are not recognized, when our well-meaning efforts are criticized, when a gift is not appreciated, when we seem to be passed over though we have done our best, or if we are asked to take an assignment we believe is beneath us. These kinds of situations can be pure gold if we have united everything we do to Christ first and realize that our rank in heaven, which lasts forever, may be deeply affected by these seemingly small tasks or misunderstandings we have accepted for love of him.

Father Gary

St. Paul Center

Servant of All: Reflections on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Dr. Scott Hahn on 09.21.12 |

In today’s First Reading, it’s like we have our ears pressed to the wall and can hear the murderous grumblings of the elders, chief priests and scribes - who last week Jesus predicted would torture and kill Him (see Mark 8:31; 10:33-34).

The liturgy invites us to see this passage from the Book of Wisdom as a prophecy of the Lord’s Passion. We hear His enemies complain that “the Just One” has challenged their authority, reproached them for breaking the law of Moses, for betraying their training as leaders and teachers.

And we hear chilling words that foreshadow how they will mock Him as He hangs on the cross: “For if the Just One be the Son of God, He will…deliver Him…” (compare Matthew 27:41-43).

Readings:
Wisdom 2:12,17-20
Psalm 54:3-8
James 3:16-4:3
Mark 9:30-37

Today’s Gospel and Psalm give us the flip side of the First Reading. In both, we hear of Jesus’ sufferings from His point of view. Though His enemies surround Him, He offers himself freely in sacrifice, trusting that God will sustain Him.

But the apostles today don’t understand this second announcement of Christ’s passion. They begin arguing over issues of succession—over who among them is greatest, who will be chosen to lead after Christ is killed.

Again they are thinking not as God, but as human beings (see Mark 8:33). And again Jesus teaches the Twelve—the chosen leaders of His Church—that they must lead by imitating His example of love and self-sacrifice. They must be “servants of all,” especially the weak and the helpless - symbolized by the child He embraces and places in their midst.

This is a lesson for us, too. We must have the mind of Christ, who humbled himself to come among us (see Philippians 2: 5-11). We must freely offer ourselves, making everything we do a sacrifice in praise of His name. As James says in today’s Epistle, we must seek wisdom from above, desiring humility not glory, and in all things be gentle and full of mercy.

Insight Scoop

By embracing Christ's Passion, we overcome our passions

A Scriptural Reflection on the Readings for Sunday, September 23, 2012 | Carl E. Olson

Readings:
• Wis 2:12, 17-20 
• Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8 
• Jas 3:16-4:3 
• Mk 9:30-37

Three of the greatest temptations known to man are lust for power, pursuit of illicit pleasure, and envious grasping for possessions. These three flow, in various ways, from the capital sins: pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth or acedia (CCC 1866). All three, it is important to note, are perversions of authentic and good gifts from God: proper dominion and authority, the wholesome enjoyment of material things, and the joy of right relationships.

These temptations are the subjects of the discourses proclaimed in the Gospel readings over the next four weeks (Mk. 9:30-10:31). The first part of today’s Gospel marks an important transition, which is both physical and pedagogical in nature. First, Jesus and the disciples began to journey through Galilee toward Jerusalem. Secondly, Jesus was not preaching to the crowds that had swarmed after him, but was giving private instructions to his disciples.

Finally, once again, as he had done a bit earlier (Mk. 8:31), Jesus spoke of his approaching Passion: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him…” He would return again to this prophetic message (Mk. 10:32-4), creating a sort of frame around the discourses in-between. This structure was not accidental, for there is a significant relationship—one of conflict and opposition—between the Passion and the temptations to power, pleasure, and possessions.

Put another way, the Passion is the antidote to human passions. Jesus Christ, fully human, freely chose to be handed over to certain death. In doing so, he decisively rejected the pull and allure of power, pleasure, and possessions. Yet he also had to teach his disciples the same, which was no small task considering their frail natures and their imperfect understanding of his mission: “But they did not understand the saying”—that is, his foretelling of his and resurrection—“and they were afraid to question him.” As is so often the case, fear is the acid that eats away at the flesh of faith.

The subject of the argument Jesus asked the disciples about at the home of Peter and Andrew in Capernaum (cf. Mk. 1:29) is the same subject that has sparked countless arguments, heresies, and schisms over two thousand years of Church history. Who is the greatest? Who will have the most power? Who is in charge? Jesus’ answer was not, of course, merely talk, for he would walk the talk when he willingly took up the Cross and accepted death.

The tree he would be nailed upon was one rooted in perfect humility. “Observe a tree,” wrote Augustine, “how it first tends downward, that it may then shoot upwards. It fastens its root low in the ground that it may send forth its top toward heaven. Is it not from humility that it endeavors to rise? But without humility it will not attain to higher things.” Christ is the personification of the wisdom from above, described by James in today’s Epistle as pure, peaceable, and full of good fruits. He is the fulfillment of the son of God described in the Book of Wisdom, delivered to his foes and condemned to a shameful death. He had no need to attain heaven, which was his home, but planted roots on earth so we might attain heaven by the tree of his crucifixion.

The Son of God, explained Paul in his great Christological hymn in Philippians 2, became a man—a servant—“and being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). When Jesus referred to the child in the midst of the disciples, he was making a clear connection (lost in the English translation) between “child” and “servant,” which come from the same root word in Aramaic and Greek.

Divine sonship is rooted in humble servanthood. The divine irony is that becoming a child of God is the only means to becoming truly mature and fully human. And by embracing the Passion, we overcome our passions.

(This "Opening the Word" column originally appeared in the September 20, 2009, issue of Our Sunday Visitor newspaper.)

Vultus Christi

Novena to Saint Thérèse, 23 September - 1 October

By

Father Mark

on September 23, 2012 11:07 AM |

Dear readers of Vultus Christi, please join with us in seeking the intercession of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face during this novena. We began the novena today after Holy Mass; it will end on 1 October, the feast of Saint Thérèse.

O glorious Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and of the Holy Face,
cherished child of the Father,
virgin espoused to the Son,
humble Doctor instructed by the Holy Ghost,
We greet thee with joy
and approach thee with confidence.

The wonders wrought by thy intercession
are too many to be counted;
thou showest thyself the friend and advocate
of all who have recourse to thee in time of need.
We rely on thy childlike power over the Father's Heart.

From thy place in heaven
thou seest our afflictions
and, by a merciful disposition of Providence,
thou sendest roses of pity to those who seek thy help.

There is no mIsery of body or of soul
to which thou dost not respond with love.
Thou who didst seek to be love in the heart of the Church,
while still on earth,
art forever love in the heart of the Church
from the place that is thine in Heaven.

Descend to us, Saint Thérèse.
Hasten to us who are waiting for a rose from heaven,
a sign of thy compassion, a pledge of thy assistance.
Who hath not heard of thy errands of love
in every place and on every continent?
Walk with us, Saint Thérèse,
lest we wander from thy little way.

Change, we pray thee, our timid and faltering confidence,
into a confidence that is limitless and bold,
that by offering ourselves, as thou didst offer thyself,
to the mystery of Merciful Love,
our confidence may be perfected, as was thine,
in the contemplation of the holy and adorable Face of Jesus:
thine own heart's treasure in this valley of tears,
and thine all-surpassing joy
in the brightness of the heavenly fatherland.
Amen.

Regnum Christi

Childlike Trust

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the one who sent me."

Introductory Prayer:Lord, you are the author of life and the giver of all that is good. You are the Prince of Peace and my mainstay. You are my healer and the cure itself. I need you, and I need to give you. I love you and commit myself to you entirely, knowing you could never let me down or deceive me. Thank you for giving me your very self.

Petition: Lord Jesus, grant me the grace of loving trust in you, like that of a little child.

1. Who Is the Greatest? Just like the disciples, so many times we find ourselves looking to be the greatest. Society encourages us to do whatever it takes to be successful, to be “on top.” Frequently in our struggle to succeed we lose sight of Christ and end up relegating him to second place. If I strive for it, Christ can be of greatest importance in my life. He can be number one despite my weak tendencies.

2. The Secret to Success: Our Lord gives the secret to success in today’s Gospel passage: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” This is often in contradiction with the ways of the world. The Gospel teaches us that we must humble ourselves like Jesus did in order to achieve true greatness. Jesus came to serve, not to be served, and the climax of this service was his death for us on Calvary.

3. Childlike Trust: Success in the spiritual life begins with our childlike trust in God. Jesus places a child before the disciples and invites them to consider that child’s relationship of trust and simplicity before his parents. In the same way, we too must become like children before God, our heavenly Father. Do I turn to Our Lord when I’m troubled and when I wish to share something good with someone?

Conversation with Christ:Lord Jesus, from now on I intend to entrust my anxieties and worries to you more readily. Help me to put all my cares in your most capable hands and trust in you as a little child. I know that you love me very much. Strengthen my confidence in you.

Resolution: I will entrust my day into God’s hands and live as a child alongside his father.

Christian Service is Christ’s Service

Homily of the Day
September 23rd, 2012
Food For Thought

Sunday, September 23, 2012 by Food for Thought

FirstReading:Wis2:12, 17-20
Psalm: 54:3-4, 5, 6 And 8
SecondReading: Jas 3:16-4:3
Gospel: Mk 9:30-37

In today’s Gospel, the teaching of Jesus gives us a truer view of reality. The event took place on the way to Capernaum. The Apostles were heatedly arguing as to who was the greatest, the most important.

Recall too, when James and John requested Jesus that they be placed in the positions of honor, one to the left and the other to the right of Jesus in the kingdom. The others were angered at the request. And Jesus admonished them, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones made their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be the first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

Today’s liturgy reminds us of what Christian leadership means, and our call to service.

Our Guide and Model is Jesus. He not only comes as one who serves, but he was seen as the Suffering Servant of Yahweh of whom Isaiah the prophet speaks: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”

And St. Paulwrites to the Christians in Philippi: “… Though he was in the form of God, [He] did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, He humbledhimself, becoming obedient to death, Even death on a cross.”

What did service mean for this servant? Obedience…humiliation…death.

How does the servant Jesus touch our service? Intimately. For a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. Christian service is Christ’s service.

And so it involves in the first place – obedience. In essence, to be obedient means to be open. Open to what God might ask of you, might ask of you now – a God who calls in unexpected ways, to unexpected service. The God, who calls countless Saints to heroic service, the God, who
calls millions of nameless Christians to lose their life in order to save it, to give their lives as a ransom, a redemption for many. This unpredictable God even calls some strange characters to become Jesuits.

You will hardly be a servant of Christ if you are not open, if your tomorrows are so programmed that there is no room for the unexpected. No, to be Christ’s servant is to be as he was: “Not my will but thine be done.” Only in this way will you be open to the men and women who need the gifts God has given you, need your hands or your heart, your wisdom or your strength, your love and your compassion.

Second, humiliation. The primary way Christ humbled himself was in emptying himself. He put off his right to be God, and put himself in our condition, became like us. So, don’t wait for others to humiliate you. Christian life is a constant self-emptying, a putting off of yesterday, to join the human race of today. Like Jesus you must be increasingly aware of your solidarity with every man and every woman. In this way only can you be the servant of all.

Third, death. Not just the dying at the end of our earthly existence. Here we mean the daily dying to yourself that you cannot escape in Christian living. It is the dying that comes from openness to God and self-emptying. To die to yourself is to live to God and to others.

Let’s conclude by listening prayerfully to the words of a great Christian of modern times, Albert Schweitzer, who turned his back on the concert halls of Europe to become a missionary doctor to the poor inAfrica. Schweitzer said:

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who sought and found how to serve.”

This Sunday’s Gospel: On Envy

Faith
September 21st, 2012
Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.

Recently a prominent CEO told a mixed group of business leaders that, regardless of their religion, they simply had to read the Bible. Why? Because success in business depends not so much upon understanding financial reports as it does upon understanding people. And when it comes to a book that reveals what makes people tick, there is none better than the Bible.

Perhaps Christians ought to pay heed to this businessman. We often get our ideas about people more from our own wishful thinking than God’s inspired word. We expect that people will applaud and honor us when we live upright lives that are honorable, chaste, and charitable. We are shocked when they do the opposite.

Jesus wasn’t. He had read this Sunday’s first reading from the book of Wisdom long before he began his public ministry. He knew that the miracles that he performed to heal, feed, and deliver the poor, sick and downtrodden, the words he spoke which captivated them and gave them hope – all this might very well be perceived to be a blessing by many. But he knew that to some, it would be perceived as a threat.

For what the people so abundantly received from Jesus served to remind everyone of just how little they had received from their religious leaders. Both Wisdom and James describe the inner dynamic at work in the hearts of such people. When good people come across someone more virtuous, they are grateful. For they are reminded of what they can become, and it encourages them to pursue excellence. They rejoice when the virtuous person is honored, and in fact lead the applause. When wicked people come across someone more virtuous, they are furious. Because such people serve as proof that the wicked could be different. The virtuous person takes away their excuses and exposes their mediocrity, so they resent his success Rather than emulate the hero and strive to accomplish similar things, they instead seek to destroy him and discredit his work thereby removing the embarrassing threat to their self-respect and their image.

This goes beyond what we customarily mean by the term jealousy, for it is not simply wishing to possess a good thing enjoyed by another. Rather this sort of jealousy concludes, either through laziness or despair, that the good that it desires is impossible to attain, and so aims to obliterate it and the person possessing it. It is the capital sin of envy, and often employs ingenious strategies to bring down its nemesis.

Jesus understood all this. So amidst all the euphoria aroused by Jesus’ sensational ministry, he predicts that he will be tortured to death at the instigation of the “spiritual” leaders of his own people?

But Wisdom incarnate had a plan much wiser than the clever schemes of his cunning opponents. Yes, they had it all worked out–he’d come to Jerusalem for the feast, as would the Roman procurator, the only one who could approve his execution. They’d recruit a snitch from his inner circle. They’d rig a kangaroo court, mustering the Sanhedrin in the middle of the night. They’d manipulate Pilate with fear of losing the emperor’s favor.

But the worldly wisdom of envy was no match for the heavenly wisdom of Love. All their maneuvering only served to advance the purposes of his own glorious plan of salvation. The elaborate machinations of evil men played right into his hands, setting Him up to win the eternal forgiveness of those who plotted against him.

For Love, as St. Paul says in Romans 8, has the power to make everything work out to the good. And that is the reason that the crucifix is the central image of the Catholic faith. It is a symbol of faith, hope, and love. Yes, it demonstrates how much he loves us. But it also demonstrates that we have nothing to fear from the tragedies and calamities that have happened or could happen. For if he can bring glory out of the shame of the cross, he can bring good out of anything.

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio writes from Texas.

One Bread, One Body

<< Sunday, September 23, 2012 >>

25th Sunday Ordinary Time

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
James 3:16—4:3
View Readings

Psalm 54:3-6, 8
Mark 9:30-37

NEED I ASK?

"You cannot acquire, so you quarrel and fight." —James 4:2

Our international wars and personal conflicts are partially due to the fact that even our legitimate needs are sometimes not met, although the Lord has promised to provide all our needs, "our daily bread" (Mt 6:11). This is because His promise is often conditional upon our asking Him in prayer.

The Lord states in His word: "You do not obtain because you do not ask" (Jas 4:2). This statement may puzzle us, for we recall asking the Lord to meet certain needs that we don't see met. However, to get what we need, we must not only ask vocally but unselfishly (Jas 4:3). Selfish praying leaves us very needy and contentious.

We are naturally selfish, and therefore trapped into depriving ourselves of our needs. The only way to have an unselfish heart is to get a new heart (see Ez 36:26), and Jesus is the only One Who can give us a new heart and a new life. So, without Jesus, we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). We can't pray rightly or keep from fighting. Our need of all needs is total love for Jesus.

Prayer: Father, thank You for providing my Need, Jesus.

Promise: "O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. For haughty men have risen up against me, and fierce men seek my life; they set not God before their eyes. Behold, God is my Helper; the Lord sustains my life." —Ps 54:4-6

Praise: "I will praise Your name, O Lord, for its goodness" (Ps 54:8). I rejoice in Your love, risen Lord Jesus.

GOD IS PRO-LIFE!!!

Pray for the end of Abortion, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Infanticide, and for the defeat of the Culture of Death!!!

PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Sancte Michael Archangele,
defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:
tuque, Princeps militiae Caelestis,
satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,
qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,
divina virtute in infernum detrude.
Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

Pope Leo XIII

http://resources.sainteds.com/showmedia.asp?media=../sermons/homily/2012-09-23-Homily%20Decon%20James%20Herrera.mp3&ExtraInfo=0&BaseDir=../sermons/homily

September 23, 2012

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Wis 2:12, 17-20

Responsorial Psalm Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

Reading 2 Jas 3:16-4:3

Gospel Mk 9:30-37

St. Thecla

Daily Readings for: September 23, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

RECIPES

ACTIVITIES

PRAYERS

LIBRARY

Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Meditation: Mark 9:30-37

September 23rd, 2012

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

Servant of All: Reflections on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By embracing Christ's Passion, we overcome our passions

Novena to Saint Thérèse, 23 September - 1 October

Christian Service is Christ’s Service

This Sunday’s Gospel: On Envy

One Bread, One Body

NEED I ASK?

GOD IS PRO-LIFE!!!

Pray for the end of Abortion, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Infanticide, and for the defeat of the Culture of Death!!!

September 23, 2012

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Wis 2:12, 17-20

Responsorial Psalm Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

Reading 2 Jas 3:16-4:3

Gospel Mk 9:30-37

St. Thecla

Daily Readings for: September 23, 2012(Readings on USCCB website)

RECIPES

ACTIVITIES

PRAYERS

LIBRARY

Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Meditation: Mark 9:30-37

September 23rd, 2012

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

Servant of All: Reflections on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By embracing Christ's Passion, we overcome our passions

Novena to Saint Thérèse, 23 September - 1 October

Christian Service is Christ’s Service

This Sunday’s Gospel: On Envy

One Bread, One Body

NEED I ASK?

GOD IS PRO-LIFE!!! Pray for the end of Abortion, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Infanticide, and for the defeat of the Culture of Death!!!

Daily Readings for: September 23, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

GOD IS PRO-LIFE!!!

Pray for the end of Abortion, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Infanticide, and for the defeat of the Culture of Death!!!