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Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 07-20-13, OM, St. Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 07-20-13 | Revised New American Bible

Posted on 07/19/2013 9:51:05 PM PDT by Salvation

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SAINT APOLLINARIS of RAVENNA, First Bishop of Ravenna and Martyr [Apollinarius]
21 posted on 07/20/2013 8:18:56 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Information: St. Margaret of Antioch

Feast Day: July 20

Born: Antioch (in Pisidia)

Died: 304

Patron of: childbirth, pregnant women, dying people, kidney disease, peasants, exiles, falsely accused people; nurses

22 posted on 07/20/2013 8:22:58 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Joseph Barsabbas

Feast Day: July 20
Born/Died: (around the time of Jesus)

The Acts of the Apostles in the Bible, mentions that St. Peter wanted to replace Judas after Jesus' resurrection. Peter, who did not want to show favoritism, asked the community to suggest someone. He wanted a person who had been among the disciples from the time Jesus was baptized by John until the Lord's death and resurrection.

The first Christians suggested two men, who were equally good. One was Joseph, called Barsabbas or Joseph the Just, and the other was Matthias. "One of these men must become a witness with us of Jesus' resurrection," Peter said.

The community prayed. "Lord," they said, "you know the hearts of each of us here. Help us to know the person who should take the place of Judas." Then they "cast lots." The man selected was Matthias and he was added to the company of apostles.

Soon the disciples spread out and went with the mission to preach the good news of salvation to all nations. Joseph Barsabbas preached in many places using his energy to spread the Good News. His love for the Church and his dedication whether he was chosen or not, are his gift to us.

Reflection: When we sometimes feel unappreciated for what we have done, we can pray to the Holy Spirit to free us from the need to be praised.


23 posted on 07/20/2013 8:26:18 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

Thank you friend in Christ. Boy, it sure is hot on the Jersey Shore today! 90+.!


24 posted on 07/20/2013 9:19:45 AM PDT by jmacusa (Political correctness is cultural Marxism. I'm not a Marxist.)
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To: jmacusa

Maybe you have our weather from last week. 98 degrees in Oregon!


25 posted on 07/20/2013 11:37:30 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Catholic Almanac

Saturday, July 20

Liturgical Color: Green

Today is the optional memorial of St.
Paul of the Cross, priest. He founded
the Passionists, an order devoted to the
Passion of Christ. St. Paul was a
renowned preacher and mystic, dying in
1775.

26 posted on 07/20/2013 11:45:57 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: July 20, 2013
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Direct your faithful, Lord, in the way of eternal salvation, which the Bishop Saint Apollinaris showed by his teaching and martyrdom, and grant, through, his intercession, that we may so persevere in keeping your commandments as to merit being crowned with him. 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

o    Moussaka

ACTIVITIES

o    Fourteen Holy Helpers

PRAYERS

o    Litany of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

o    Novena to St. Anne

Ordinary Time: July 20th

Optional Memorial of St. Apollinaris, bishop and martyr

Old Calendar: St. Jerome Emiliani, confessor; St. Margaret of Antioch, virgin and martyr; Ellias the Prophet (Eastern Church and Carmelite Order)

Early accounts report that Saint Apollinaris was ordained Bishop by Saint Peter himself and sent as a missionary bishop to Ravenna during the reign of the emperor Claudius. Renowned for his powers to heal in the name of Christ, he was frequently exiled, tortured and imprisoned for the faith, and finally martyred.

This optional memorial is new to the USA liturgical calendar and will be inscribed on July 20. It was dropped from the General Roman Calendar in 1968, at that time this feast was celebrated on July 23. This was the feast of St. Jerome Emiliani whose optional memorial is now celebrated on February 8. Today was also the commemoration of St. Margaret of Antioch, probably a virgin martyr of the third century. Her veneration spread from the East to the West at the time of the crusades. She is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Elias the Prophet's feast is celebrated today by the Eastern Church. He is revered as the spiritual Father and traditional founder of the Catholic religious Order of Carmelites. In addition to taking their name from Mt. Carmel where the first hermits of the order established themselves, the Calced Carmelite and Discalced Carmelite traditions pertaining to Elijah focus upon the prophet’s withdrawal from public life.[33][34] The medieval Carmelite Book of the First Monks offers some insight into the heart of the Orders' contemplative vocation and reverence for the prophet.


St. Apollinaris

Apollinaris came to Rome from Antioch with the prince of the apostles, by whom he was consecrated bishop, and sent to Ravenna to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He converted many to the faith of Christ, for which reason he was seized by the priests of the idols and severely beaten. At his prayer, a nobleman named Boniface, who had long been dumb, recovered the power of speech, and his daughter was delivered from an unclean spirit; on this account a fresh sedition was raised against Apollinaris. He was beaten with rods, and made to walk barefoot over burning coals; but as the fire did him no injury, he was driven from the city.

He lay hidden some time in the house of certain Christians, and then went to Aemilia. Here he raised from the dead the daughter of Rufinus, a patrician, whose whole family thereupon believed in Jesus Christ. The prefect was greatly angered by this conversion, and sending for Apollinaris he sternly commanded him to give over propagating the faith of Christ in the city. But as Apollinaris paid no attention to his commands, he was tortured on the rack, boiling water was poured upon his wounds, and his mouth was bruised and broken with a stone; finally he was loaded with irons, and shut up in prison. Four days afterwards he was put on board ship and sent into exile; but the boat was wrecked, and Apollinaris arrived in Mysia, whence he passed to the banks of the Danube and into Thrace.

In the temple of Serapis the demon refused to utter his oracles so long as the disciple of the apostle Peter remained there. Search was made for some time, and then Apollinaris was discovered and commanded to depart by sea. Thus he returned to Ravenna; but on the accusation of the same priests of the idols, he was placed in the custody of a centurion. As this man, however, worshipped Christ in secret, Apollinaris was allowed to escape by night. When this became known, he was pursued and overtaken by the guards, who loaded him with blows and left him, as they thought, dead. He was carried away by the Christians, and seven days after, while exhorting them to constancy in the faith, he passed away from this life, to be crowned with the glory of martyrdom. His body was buried near the city walls.

Excerpted from Roman Martyrology

Patron: Ravenna, Italy.

Symbols: White vestments and black cross; club; hot coals; raven; crown; stones; cauldron of boiling water; chains; sword.
Often Portrayed As: Bishop with a club; standing or seated on hot coals; bearded, in a chasuble and pallium, with sheep around him; preaching to sheep.

Things to Do:


St. Margaret of Antioch, Virgin and Martyr

St. Margaret's feast has been supressed because there is not much historical information about her life. There was great devotion to this saint, especially during the Middle Ages. She is one of the "Fourteen Holy Helpers" and one of the saints that appeared and spoke to St. Joan of Arc.

"This same day brings before us a rival of the warrior-martyr, St. George: Margaret, like him victorious over the dragon, and like him called in the Menaea of the Greeks, the Great Martyr. The cross was her weapon; and, like the soldier, the virgin, too, consummated her trial in her blood. They were equally renowned in those chivalrous times when valor and faith fought hand in hand for Christ beneath the standard of the saints. So early as the seventh century our Western island rivaled the East in honoring the pearl drawn from the abyss of infidelity. Before the disastrous schism brought about by Henry VIII, the Island of Saints celebrated this feast as a double of the second class; women alone were obliged to rest from servile work, in gratitude for the protection afforded them by St. Margaret at the moment of childbirth—a favor which ranked her among the saints called in the Middle Ages auxiliaries or helpers. But it was not in England alone that Margaret was invoked, as history proves by the many and illustrious persons of all countries who have borne her blessed name."

Excerpted from The Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger O.S.B.

Patron: against sterility; childbirth; dying; escape from devils; exiles; expectant mothers; falsely accused people; kidney disease; loss of milk by nursing mothers; Lowestoft, Suffolk, England; martyrs; nurses; peasants; people in exile; Queens College Cambridge; women; women in labour.

Symbols: Chained dragon; dragon burst asunder; girdle; sheep; garland of pearls; daisy; wreath of marguerites; long cross; crown.
Often Portrayed As: shepherdess; woman carrying a small cross in her hand; woman carrying a small girdle in her hand; woman leading a chained dragon; woman standing next to a cauldron or large vessel; woman standing with, on, or beside a dead dragon.

 


27 posted on 07/20/2013 12:00:28 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 12:14-21

Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr

“Behold, my servant…” (Matthew 12:18)

At one time or another you may have had the misfortune to work for an unreasonable boss, someone who found fault with everything you did. You had to resubmit entire reports because of just one mistake. He or she was ere always criticizing you for the smallest things, and you spent most of your day fearing what kind of trouble you would find yourself in. Because of that fear, you really didn’t respect his or her authority.

That’s not Jesus! He is more like a servant than a master. He came to lift us up to God, not force us into submission. Perhaps the best example of that is how he treated the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Jesus reached out to her with forgiveness—unlike her detractors, who wanted only to punish her. In this story, as in so many others, we see that Jesus’ authority is rooted in his mercy.

This is how God still works with us. It may be hard to believe, especially when it comes to our faults. If we focus too much on them, we may start to view God like that ruthless boss. We fear that he’s always unhappy with our performance. And yet the fact is that he loves us as we are right now—bruises and all! As one spiritual writer puts it, “When God loves me, I must accept myself as well. I cannot be more demanding than God, can I?” An understanding of that love has to be the foundation for our walk with him.

No doubt, there is some imperfection or sin in your life that you would like to be rid of. It may be gossip, anger, impatience, gluttony—you name it! But instead of thinking about your inclination to do these things, try thinking about Jesus. Imagine him looking at you with unconditional mercy. Go ahead and receive that mercy and let it transform you. In him, you can patient, kind, and loving. In him, you can look on others with that same mercy. Just let him love you, and he will take care of the rest!

“Thank you, Lord, that I don’t have to qualify for your mercy! Let this awareness help me to love you more—and to love others as you have loved me.”

Exodus 12:37-42; Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-15


28 posted on 07/20/2013 3:17:29 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 July 20, 2013:

Technology is wonderful when it works, but sometimes it works too well and robs couples of face time. Use tools like e-mail, Facebook, and texting to connect with each other, not disconnect. A live spouse is better than a virtual one.

29 posted on 07/20/2013 3:21:28 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Regnum Christi

The Quiet Healer
| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time



Father Shawn Aaron, LC

Matthew 12: 14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope."

Introductory Prayer: God our Father, you gave us your Son to make us your children. I believe, and I am hoping to be raised to full maturity in him through the school of the Gospel. Thank you for your unconditional love. I offer you my love in return, knowing you welcome it as a parent does a small child.

Petition: Jesus, like you, make my heart attentive to the needs of others.

 
1. When Jesus Realized This, He Withdrew from That Place: There is a great lesson for us here: It is not yet his "hour," so Jesus does not force the issue. Jesus does not taunt the Pharisees or provoke an unnecessary clash. Whenever Jesus challenges a person it is in order to lead that person to a deeper self-reflection and ultimately to a conversion of heart and of life. He did this on several occasions with the same Scribes and Pharisees. Yet this is not the time to engage them intellectually; their hearts are closed and they are unwilling to listen. When at times we find ourselves in a disagreement (perhaps even with a loved one), once the emotions are roused and it becomes clear that one or both parties are not ready for the truth, the prudent, loving and humble thing to do is withdraw from the situation until the moment our hearts are more open to listening.

2. The Master Physician: Matthew´s comment in this section of the Gospel is quite revealing: "Many people followed him, and he cured them all." We must not imagine that all of the healings were physical. So "meek and humble" is Jesus that every person felt he could approach him. If a bruised reed comes to Jesus – a person battered by life, trials and his own sin – his first and only inclination is to heal that soul. Even to this very day Jesus continually takes what is broken and makes it whole. He is the master physician who binds up wounds so that the person may be healed. In light of this attitude we recognize the contrast between the Pharisees, who seek to kill, and Jesus, who continues to give life to all who come to him.

3. A Ember of Faith: All Jesus needs is the slightest ember of faith and hope to change a person´s life. For instance, we cannot force a person to love us or to trust us. Likewise, God himself respects the very freedom he entrusted to us. Nonetheless, our Lord does give the human person a searching mind and heart. That is why we can say that the human person is religious by nature from the beginning. Atheists are not born; they are made by their choices. Within the human soul God already provides us with the kindling for faith, hope and love. Once we are baptized, that kindling can become an unquenchable fire. Yet it can also be extinguished if we carelessly expose it to the winds and waves of unbridled selfishness, secularism, skepticism and systematic doubt . No matter how far we think we may have drifted, if we will simply turn to Jesus, we will find that he is already looking at us.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you see and know what I am to become if I will keep close to you in faith, hope and love. Deepen within me the desire to remain united to you in prayer so as to imitate you in love. Help me become with you what I can never become without you. Mother Most Pure, make my heart only for Jesus.

Resolution: Today I will contact someone who needs to be encouraged and listened to.


30 posted on 07/20/2013 3:34:03 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

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 29, Issue 4

<< Saturday, July 20, 2013 >> St. Apollinarius
 
Exodus 12:37-42
View Readings
Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-15 Matthew 12:14-21
Similar Reflections
 

LOVING TO HEAL

 
"Many people followed Him and He cured them all, though He sternly ordered them not to make public what He had done." —Matthew 12:15-16
 

Many of Jesus' healings were signs that the kingdom of God was at hand. Yet Jesus ordered some of those healed early in His ministry to not make their healings public. Early in Jesus' public ministry, the general understanding of the kingdom of God and the mission of Jesus was not yet developed. So His early healings may not have been signs of his kingdom. It's very likely that Jesus' purpose in healing these people was simply love. He loved people so much that He didn't wait for the kingdom to develop before bringing them comfort and healing.

On several occasions, those who were healed disobeyed Jesus and publicized their healings. This made things difficult for Jesus. He could not enter towns openly but had to stay in desert places (Mt 1:45). Furthermore, His mission was misunderstood. In particular, His message of the cross was largely ignored. Nevertheless, Jesus healed people knowing that this would make His work much more difficult. Jesus loved people so much it was difficult for Him not to heal immediately.

Jesus is the same today (see Heb 13:8). He wants to heal us much more than the most desperately suffering person wants to be healed, because He loves us much more than we love ourselves. He wants to love, save, and heal us so much that He became a man and died on the cross for us. "By His wounds you were healed" (1 Pt 2:24).

 
Prayer: Jesus, by repenting of my sins, may I let You love and heal me.
Promise: "In His name, the Gentiles will find hope." —Mt 12:21
Praise: St. Apollinarius continued to return to the place where he was being persecuted in order to spread the Gospel.

31 posted on 07/20/2013 3:38:26 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

32 posted on 07/20/2013 3:47:35 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Matthew
  English: Douay-Rheims Latin: Vulgata Clementina Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
  Matthew 12
14 And the Pharisees going out made a consultation against him, how they might destroy him. Exeuntes autem pharisæi, consilium faciebant adversus eum, quomodo perderent eum. οι δε φαρισαιοι συμβουλιον ελαβον κατ αυτου εξελθοντες οπως αυτον απολεσωσιν
15 But Jesus knowing it, retired from thence: and many followed him, and he healed them all. Jesus autem sciens recessit inde : et secuti sunt eum multi, et curavit eos omnes : ο δε ιησους γνους ανεχωρησεν εκειθεν και ηκολουθησαν αυτω οχλοι πολλοι και εθεραπευσεν αυτους παντας
16 And he charged them that they should not make him known. et præcepit eis ne manifestum eum facerent. και επετιμησεν αυτοις ινα μη φανερον αυτον ποιησωσιν
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaias the prophet, saying: Ut adimpleretur quod dictum est per Isaiam prophetam, dicentem : οπως πληρωθη το ρηθεν δια ησαιου του προφητου λεγοντος
18 Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul hath been well pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. Ecce puer meus, quem elegi, dilectus meus, in quo bene complacuit animæ meæ. Ponam spiritum meum super eum, et judicium gentibus nuntiabit. ιδου ο παις μου ον ηρετισα ο αγαπητος μου εις ον ευδοκησεν η ψυχη μου θησω το πνευμα μου επ αυτον και κρισιν τοις εθνεσιν απαγγελει
19 He shall not contend, nor cry out, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. Non contendet, neque clamabit, neque audiet aliquis in plateis vocem ejus : ουκ ερισει ουδε κραυγασει ουδε ακουσει τις εν ταις πλατειαις την φωνην αυτου
20 The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking flax he shall not extinguish: till he send forth judgment unto victory. arundinem quassatam non confringet, et linum fumigans non extinguet, donec ejiciat ad victoriam judicium : καλαμον συντετριμμενον ου κατεαξει και λινον τυφομενον ου σβεσει εως αν εκβαλη εις νικος την κρισιν
21 And in his name the Gentiles shall hope. et in nomine ejus gentes sperabunt. και τω ονοματι αυτου εθνη ελπιουσιν

33 posted on 07/21/2013 10:26:03 AM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex
14. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
15. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
16. And charged them that they should not make him known:
17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
18. Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.
19. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
20. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking hex shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment to victory.
21. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

HILARY; The Pharisees are moved with jealousy at what had been done; because beholding the outward body of a man, they did not recognize the God in His works; The Pharisees went out and sought counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

RABAN; He says, went out because their mind was alien from the Lord. They took counsel how they might destroy life, not how themselves might find life.

HILARY; And He knowing their plots withdrew, that He might be far from the counsels Of the evil hearted, as it follows, Jesus knowing it departed thence.

JEROME; Knowing, that is, their designs against Him, He withdrew Himself, that He might remove from the Pharisees all opportunity of sin.

REMIG; Or; He withdrew from thence as avoiding the designs of His own when they persecuted Him; or because that was not the time or place for Him to suffer, for It cannot be that a Prophet should perish out of Jerusalem, as He Himself spoke. The Lord also shunned those who persecuted Him through hatred, and went thither where He found many who were attached to Him from affection, whence it follows, And there followed him many. Him whom the Pharisees with one consent plotted against to destroy, the untaught multitude with one consent love and follow; whence they soon received the fulfillment of their desires, for it follows, And he healed them all.

HILARY; On those whom He healed He enjoined silence, whence it follows, And he charged them that they should not make him known. For his restored health was a witness to each man. And by commanding them to hold their peace, He avoids all ostentation of Himself, and at the same time notwithstanding affords a knowledge of Himself in that very admonition to hold their peace; for the observance of silence proceeds from that very thing which is to be kept silent.

RABAN; In this also He instructs us, that when we have done any thing great we are not to seek praise abroad.

REMIG; And He also gives them command that they should not make Him known, that they might not by persecuting Him be put into a worse state.

CHRYS; And that you may not be troubled at those things which are done, and at the incredible madness of the Pharisees, He introduces the Prophet's words. For such was the carefulness of the Prophets, that they had not omitted even this, but had noted all His ways and movements, and the meaning with which He did this; that you might learn that He spoke all things by the Holy Spirit; for if it be impossible to know the thoughts of men, much more to know the meaning of Christ, Unless the Holy Spirit revealed it. Therefore it follows, That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the Prophet, saying, Behold my servant whom I have chosen.

REMIG; The Lord Jesus Christ is called the servant of the Almighty God, not in respect of His divinity, but in respect of the dispensation of the flesh which He took upon Him, because by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit He took flesh of the Virgin without stain of sin. Some books have, Elect, whom I have chosen, for He was chosen by God the Father, that is, predestined that He should be the Son of God, proper, not adopted.

RABAN; Whom I have chosen, he says, for a work which none else has done, that He should redeem the human race, and make peace between God and the world. It follows, My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased, for He alone is the Lamb without spot of sin, of whom the Father speaks, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

REMIG; That he says, My soul, is not to be understood as though God the Father had a soul, but by way of adaptation, showing how God is disposed towards Him. And it is no wonder that a soul is ascribed to God in this manner, seeing that all other members of the body are likewise.

CHRYS; This the Prophet puts in the beginning, that you might learn that that which is here said was according to the counsel of the Father. For he that is beloved does according to his will who loves him. And again, he that is chosen, does not as an enemy break the law, nor as one being an adversary of the legislator, but as one in agreement with Him. Because therefore He is beloved, I will put my Spirit upon him.

REMIG; Then also God the Father put His Spirit upon Him, when by the working of the Holy Spirit He took flesh of the Virgin; and as soon as He became man, He took the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

JEROME; But the Holy Spirit is put, not on the Word of God, but on the Only-Begotten, who came forth from the bosom of the Father; on Him, that is, of whom it is said, Behold my servant. And what He will do by Him He adds, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles.

AUG; Seeing He preached the judgment to come which was hidden from the Gentiles.

CHRYS; Further, to show His lowliness, He says, He shall not strive; and so He was offered up as the Father had willed, and gave Himself willingly into the hands of His persecutors. Neither shall he cry; so He was dumb as a lamb before his shearer. Nor shall any hear his voice in the streets.

JEROME; For the way is broad and wide which leads to destruction, and many walk in it; and being many, they will not hear the voice of the Savior, because they are not in the narrow but in the broad way.

REMIG; The Greek is in Latin called 'latitudo.' No one therefore has heard His voice in the streets, because He has not promised pleasant things in this world to those that love Him, but hardships.

CHRYS; The Lord sought to heal the Jews by this mildness. But though they rejected Him, yet He did not resist them by destroying them; whence the Prophet, displaying His power and their weakness, says, A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoking flax he shall not quench.

JEROME; He that holds not out his hand to a sinner, nor bears his brother's burden, he breaks a bruised reed; and he who despises a weak spark of faith in a little one, he quenches a smoking flax.

AUG; So He neither bruised nor quenched the Jewish persecutors, who are here likened to a bruised reed which has lost its wholeness, and to a smoking flax which has lost its flame; but He spared them because He was not come to judge them, but to be judged by them.

ID; In the smoking flax it is observed, that when the flame is out it causes a stink.

CHRYS; Or this, He shall not break a bruised reed, shows that it was as easy for Him to break them all, as to break a reed, and that a bruised reed. And, He shall not quench a smoking flax, shows that their rage was fired, and that the power of Christ was strong to quench such rage with all readiness; hence in this is shown the great mercy of Christ.

HILARY; Or, he means this bruised reed that is not broken, to show that the perishing and bruised bodies of the Gentiles, are not to be broken, but are rather reserved for salvation. He shall not quench a smoking flax; shows the feebleness of that spark which though not quenched, only molders in the flax, and that among the remnants of that ancient grace, the Spirit is yet not quite taken away from Israel, but power still remains to them of resuming the whole flame thereof in a day of penitence.

JEROME; Or, the reverse; He calls the Jews a bruised reed, whom tossed by the wind and shaken from one another, the Lord did not immediately condemn, but patiently endured; and the smoking flax He calls the people gathered out of the Gentiles, who, having extinguished the light of the natural law, were involved in the wandering mazes of thick darkness of smoke, bitter and hurtful to the eyes; this He not only did not extinguish, by reducing them to ashes, but on the contrary from a small spark and one almost dead He raised a mighty flame.

CHRYS; But one might say, What then shall these things be always thus? Will He endure for even those who thus lay snares, and are mad against Him? Far from it; when His own work shall be all complete, then shall He work these things also. And this He signifies saying, Until he shall send forth judgment to victory, as much as to say, When He shall have accomplished all things which are of Himself, then shall He bring in perfect vengeance; then shall they receive punishment when He has made his victory illustrious, that there be not left to them any irreverent opportunity of contradiction.

HILARY; Or, Until he shall send forth judgment to victory, that is, Until He shall take away the power of death, and bring in judgment and the return of His splendor.

RABAN; Or, Until that judgment which was being done in Him should come forth to victory. For after that by His resurrection He has overcome death, and driven forth the prince of this world He returned as conqueror to His kingdom to sit on the right hand of the Father, until He shall put all His enemies under His feet.

CHRYS; But the things of this dispensation will not rest in this only, that they who have not believed should be punished, but He will also draw the world to Him, whence it follows, And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.

AUG; This last we now see fulfilled; and thus this which cannot be denied establishes the truth of that which some have denied through ignorance, the last judgment namely, which He will hold upon earth, when He Himself shall come from heaven. Fur who could have expected that the Gentiles would have hope in Christ's name, when He was in the hands of His enemies, when He was bound, scourged, set at nothing, and crucified; when even His disciples had lost that hope which they had begun to have in Him? That which one thief hardly hoped on the cross, the nations scattered far and wide now hope. And that they may not die forever, they are marked with that very cross on which He died. Let none then doubt that the last judgment will be by Christ Himself.

REMIG; And it should be known, that the meaning not only of this passage, but of many others also, is supported by this testimony from the Prophet. The words, Behold my servant, may be referred to the place in which the Father had said above, This is my Son. The words, I will put my Spirit upon him is referred to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Lord at His baptism; He shall declare judgment to the Gentiles, to that which He says below When the Son of Man shall sit in the seat of his Majesty. What He adds, He shall not strive nor cry, refers to the Lord how He answered but little to the Chief priests, and to Pilate, but to Herod nothing at all. He shall not break the bruised reed, refers to His shunning His persecutors that they might not be made worse; and that In his name shall the Gentiles hope, refers to what Himself says below, Go and teach all nations.

Catena Aurea Matthew 12
34 posted on 07/21/2013 10:26:24 AM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex


Ecce Homo

Cigoli

1607
Oil on canvas, 175 x 135 cm
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence

35 posted on 07/21/2013 10:26:52 AM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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