November 2013
Suffering Priests. That priests who experience difficulties may find comfort in their suffering, support in their doubts, and confirmation in their fidelity.
Latin American Churches. That as fruit of the continental mission, Latin American Churches may send missionaries to other Churches.
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
Commentary of the day
Saint Patrick (c.385-c.461), missionary monk, Bishop
Confession, 34-38 ; SC 249
"It will lead to your giving testimony"
I must give thanks to my God continuously. He has helped me to keep my faith through difficult times, so that I can fearlessly offer myself as a kind of living sacrifice to Christ. The Lord has rescued me from so many dangers that sometimes I just have to ask: "God, who am I?... “From where did I get such wisdom?” It certainly wasn't from inside myself. “I didn't know my future,” and I had no great knowledge of God. And later on, who was it who gave me such a wonderful and life-giving gift, the gift to know and love God? But to receive such things, I had to leave behind my home and family... I came to Ireland to preach the good news and to suffer abuse from unbelievers and... to have my mission shamefully criticized. I have had many hard times, even to the point of being enslaved again, but I traded in my free birth for the good of others.
If I am worthy, I am even ready to lay down my life willingly and without hesitation for his name. Here, in Ireland, is where I wish to live out my final days, if God will permit me. I owe so much to God, who allowed so many people to find a new life in him through me. I confirmed them in our faith and ordained clergy for them everywhere, for a people just coming to a belief in God. The master chose them from the ends of the earth, just as he said he would through the prophets: “The gentiles will come to you from the ends of the earth” and...: "I will place you like a lamp among the nations so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
( Biblical references : Ps 94[93],9; Rm 12,1; 2S 7,18; Mt 13,54; Ps 38[35],5; 2Tm 2,9; Lk 1,70; Jr 16,19; Is 49,6; Acts 13,47)