Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 11-22-13, M, St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

November 22, 2013

Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

Judas and his brothers said,
“Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.”
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.

Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.

For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.

Responsorial Psalm 1 Chr 29:10bcd, 11abc, 11d-12a, 12bcd

R. (13b) We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“You have dominion over all,
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

Gospel Lk 19:45-48

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.

Saint Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr

Saint Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr
Memorial
November 22nd

Carlo Saraceni
Saint Cecilia and the Angel
c. 1610 - Oil on canvas
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome

History
Virgin and martyr, patroness of church music, died at Rome. This saint, so often glorified in the fine arts and in poetry, is one of the most venerated martyrs of Christian antiquity. The oldest historical account of St. Cecilia is found in the "Martyrologium Hieronymianum"; from this it is evident that her feast was celebrated in the Roman Church in the fourth century.

(Principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition )

Prayer
Dear Saint Cecilia, one thing we know for certain about you is that you became a heroic martyr in fidelity to your divine Bridegroom.

We do not know that you were a musician but we are told that you heard Angels sing.

Inspire musicians to gladden the hearts of people by filling the air with God's gift of music and reminding them of the divine Musician who created all beauty.

Amen.

Collect:
O God, who gladden us each year
with the feast day of your handmaid Saint Cecilia,
grant, we pray,
that what has been devoutly handed down concerning her
may offer us examples to imitate
and proclaim the wonders worked in his servants
by Christ your Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: Hosea 2:16-17,21-22
"And in that day, says the Lord, you will call me, 'My husband,' and no longer will you call me, 'My Baal.' For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be mentioned by name no more. "And in that day, says the Lord, I will answer the heavens and they shall answer the earth; and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they shall answer Jezreel."

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

- See more at: http://wf-f.org/StCecilia.html#sthash.PRVdQyI6.dpuf

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Cecilia

Feast Day: November 22
Born: around 90 :: Died: around 117

Cecilia was a Roman noblewoman who had given her heart to Christ. Under the rich clothes worn by women of high class, Cecilia wore a rough shirt that caused her suffering. She wanted to be able to offer this sacrifice to Jesus, whose bride she intended to be.

But Cecilia's parents gave her in marriage to a young pagan noble, Valerian of Trastevere. Celia is considered the patroness of music because during the wedding celebration, the lovely bride sat apart, singing a hymn of love to God in her heart and praying for his help.

When she and Valerian, her husband, were alone, she gathered up courage and said to him: "I have a secret to tell you. You must know that I have an angel of God watching over me. If you let me keep my promise to be Christ's bride only, my angel will love you as he loves me."

Valerian was surprised and said kindly, "Show me this angel. If he comes from God, I will do as you wish."

Cecilia said, "If you believe in the one true God and receive the waters of Baptism, then you will see my angel." Valerian went to Bishop Urban and was received with joy. After he had professed his belief in the Christian religion, he was baptized and returned to St. Cecilia. There by the saint's side, the young man saw the splendid angel.

The angel placed a crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favor and Valerian asked that his brother also be baptized.

Valerian's brother, Tiburtius, learned of the Christian faith from Cecilia. She spoke so beautifully of Jesus that before long, he too was baptized. Together the two brothers performed many works of charity and mercy, like burying dead Christian martyrs.

When they were arrested for being Christians, they went bravely to death rather than give up their new faith in Jesus. St. Cecilia lovingly buried their bodies, before she too was arrested.

She even converted the officers who tried to make her sacrifice to false gods. When she was put into a fire, it did not harm her. Then they tried to suffocate her and finally, a man was sent to her house to behead her.

He struck her neck three times, but Cecilia did not die immediately. She lay on the floor unable to move. Yet by holding out three fingers of one hand, and one of the other, she still professed her belief in the Blessed Trinity.

When her tomb was opened about one thousand five hundred years later in Rome, her body was still found perfect and incorrupt.

45. And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46. Saying to them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but you have made it a den of thieves.
47. And he taught daily in the temple. But the Chief Priests and the Scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
48. And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

GREG. When He had related the evils that were to come upon the city, He straightway entered the temple, that He might cast out them that bought and sold in it. Showing that the destruction of the people arose chiefly from the guilt of the priests.

AMBROSE; For God wishes not His temple to be a house of traffic, but the dwelling-place of holiness, nor does He fix the priestly service in a salable performance of religion, but in a free and willing obedience

CYRIL; Now there were in the temple a number of sellers who sold animals, by the custom of the law, for the sacrificial victims, but the time was now come for the shadows to pass away, and the truth of Christ to shine forth. Therefore Christ, who together with the Father was worshipped in the temple, commanded the customs of the law to be reformed, but the temple to become a house of prayer; as it is added, My house, &c.

GREG. For they who sat in the temple to receive money would doubtless sometimes make exaction to the injury of those who gave them none.

THEOPHYL. The same thing our Lord did also at the beginning of His preaching, as John relates; and now He did it a second time, because the crime of the Jews was much increased by their not having been chastened by the former warning.

AUG. Now mystically, you must understand by the temple; Christ Himself, as man in His human nature, or with His body united to Him, that is, the Church. Put inasmuch as He is the Head of the Church, it was said, Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days. Inasmuch as the Church is joined to Him, is the temple understood, of which He seems to have spoken in the same place, Take these away from hence; signifying that there would be those in the Church who would rather be pursuing their own interest, or find a shelter therein to conceal their wickedness, than follow after the love of Christ, and by confession of their sills receiving pardon be restored.

GREG. But our Redeemer does not withdraw His word of preaching even from the unworthy and ungrateful. Accordingly after having by the ejection of the corrupt maintained the strictness of discipline, He now pours forth the gifts of grace. For it follows, And he was teaching daily in the temple.

CYRIL; Now from what Christ had said and done it was meet that men should worship Him as God, but far from doing this, they sought to slay Him; as it follows, But the chief priests and scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him.

BEDE; Either because He daily taught in the temple, or because He had cast the thieves therefrom, or that coming thereto as King and Lord, He was greeted with the honor of a heavenly hymn of praise.

CYRIL; But the people held Christ in far higher estimation than the Scribes and Pharisees, and chiefs of the Jews, who not receiving the faith of Christ themselves, rebuked others. Hence it follows, And they could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

BEDE; This may be taken in two ways; either that fearing; a tumult of the people they knew not what they should do with Jesus, whom they had settled to destroy; or they sought to destroy Him because they perceived their own authority set aside, and multitudes flocking to hear Him.

GREG. Mystically, such as the temple of God is in a city, such is the life of the religious in a faithful people. And there are frequently some who take upon themselves the religious habit, and while they are receiving the privilege of Holy Orders, are sinking the sacred office of religion into a bargain of worldly traffic. For the sellers in the temple are those who give at a certain price that which is the rightful possession of others. For to sell justice is to observe it on condition of receiving a reward. But the buyers in the temple are those, who whilst unwilling to discharge what is just to their neighbor, and disdaining to do what they are in duty bound to, by paying a price to their patrons, purchase sin.

ORIGEN; If any then sells, let him be cast out, and especially if he sells doves. For of those things which have been revealed and committed to me by the Holy Spirit, I either sell for money to the people, or do not teach without hire, what else do I but sell a dove, that is, the Holy Spirit?

AMBROSE; Therefore our Lord teaches generally that all worldly bargains should be far removed from the temple of God; but spiritually He drove away the money-changers, who seek gain from the Lord's money, that is, the divine Scripture, lest they should discern good and evil.

GREG. And these make the house of God a den of thieves, because when corrupt men hold religious offices, they slay with the sword of their wickedness their neighbors, whom they ought to raise to life by the intercession of their prayers. The temple also is the soul of the faithful, which if it put forth corrupt thoughts to the injury of a neighbor, then is it become as it were a lurking place of thieves. But when the soul of the faithful is wisely instructed to shun evil, truth teaches daily in the temple.

Catena Aurea Luke 19

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for:November 22, 2013
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of your handmaid Saint Cecilia, grant, we pray, that what has been devoutly handed down concerning her may offer us examples to imitate and proclaim the wonders worked in his servants by Christ your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o Crown Cake

o Martyrs' Chiffon Dessert

o Musical Cake

o Pettole

o Cecilias

ACTIVITIES

o Praying for the Dead and Gaining Indulgences During November

o Religion in the Home for Elementary School: November

o Religion in the Home for Preschool: November

o Nameday Ideas for the Feast of St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

PRAYERS

o November Devotion: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

o Little Litany of the Holy Souls

o Prayer for a Happy Death

o Hymn in Honor of St. Cecilia

o Daily Acceptance of Death

LIBRARY

o Fitting Role of Sacred Music in the Holy Liturgy, The | Pope John Paul II

o Sacred Music Is Integral Part of Liturgy | Pope John Paul II

o The Golden Legend: When Saints Were Saints | Sandra Miesel

» Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books!

Old Calendar: St. Cecilia

Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr. St. Cecilia is one of the most famous and most venerated of Roman martyrs. Her body was discovered in 822 and transferred to the title church that bears her name in Trastevere in Rome. It is difficult to determine the date at which she lived. The legend which recounts the Saint's martyrdom and that of her husband St. Valerian, as also of St. Tiburtius, her brother-in-law, places her martyrdom in the pontificate of Urban I (222-230); but the authenticity of this account cannot be established, nor can we be sure of the persons who suffered with her nor of the date of her martyrdom.

St. Cecilia
Cecilia was so highly venerated by the ancient Roman Church that her name was placed in the Canon of the Mass. Already in the fourth century there was a church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere, erected on the site where her home had stood. Her martyrdom probably occurred during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus, about the year 230. In 1599 her grave was opened and her body found in a coffin of cypress wood. It lay incorrupt, as if she had just breathed forth her soul. Stephen Maderna, who often saw the body, chiseled a statue that resembled the body as closely as possible. Since the Middle Ages, Cecilia has been honored as patroness of Church music, a practice having its source in a false application of a passage from the Office (cantantibus organis).

Apart from the fact of her martyrdom, we know practically nothing about her that is historically genuine. Among other details the breviary offers the following:

Cecilia led a life of prayer and meditation and had vowed lifelong virginity, but a youth by the name of Valerian, relying upon the approval of her parents, hoped to marry her. When the wedding night arrived, she confided to Valerian, "There is a secret, Valerian, I wish to tell you. I have as a lover an angel of God who jealously guards my body." Valerian promised to believe in Christ if he would be enabled to see that angel. Cecilia explained how such was impossible without baptism, and Valerian consented to be baptized. After he was baptized by Pope Urban and had returned "He found Cecilia in her little room lost in prayer, and next to her the angel of the Lord was standing. When Valerian saw the angel, he was seized with great terror." The angel handed to them a bouquet of fiery red roses and snow-white lilies as a reward for Cecilia's love of chastity, a bouquet that would not wither, yet would be visible only to those who love chastity. As a further favor Valerian besought the conversion of his brother Tiburtius.

Upon arriving to congratulate the newlyweds, Tiburtius was astounded by the unspeakably beautiful roses and lilies. As soon as he was informed regarding their origin, he too asked for the waters of baptism. "St. Cecilia said to Tiburtius: Today I acknowledge you as a brother-in-law, because the love of God has made you despise the idols. Just as the love of God gave me your brother as a spouse, so it has given you to me as a brother in-law." When Almachius, the prefect, heard of the conversions, he ordered Maximus, his officer, to arrest and imprison all of them. Before being put to death, they instructed Maximus and his family, and baptized them during the night preceding execution.

At dawn Cecilia roused the two brothers to struggle heroically for Christ, as the glow of morning disappeared, Cecilia called: "Arise, soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Cecilia pursued her victory as the soldiers willingly listened, "We believe that Christ is the true Son of God, who has chosen such a servant." Led before the prefect, she professed her faith in Christ, "We profess His holy Name and we will not deny Him."

In order to avoid further show, the prefect commanded her to be suffocated in the baths. She remained unharmed and prayed, "I thank You, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, that through Your Son the fire was extinguished at my side." Beheading was next in order. The executioner made three attempts (the law prohibited more) and let her lie in her blood. She lived for three days, encouraging the poor and dedicating her home into a church.

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

Patron: Albi, France; composers; martyrs; music; musicians; musical instrument makers; archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska; poets; singers.

Symbols: Holding a lute; playing the organ; holding roses.

Things to Do:

Read and discuss the Church documents on music and liturgy. Read the Fitting Role of Sacred Music in the Liturgy by John Paul II. Adoremus has a collection of the most important music documents. Although these documents cover over a century, all of the recent documents on the liturgy and music pull from these original documents. Very little has changed in the directives on music, even with Vatican II.
For more reading on sacred music, see Adoremus Bulletin on Music.
If you are a parent spend some time thinking about how you can teach your children to practice the virtue of fortitude — read this article, Educating in Virtue, by James Stenson which offers some excellent advice.
St. Cecilia's body was found to be incorrupt in the Catacombs of Saint Callistus. Her body was later moved to St Cecilia in Trastevere. See Crypt of St. Cecilia for some more information on the catacombs. Every year there is a festival, Festa di Santa Cecilia on her feast day at Santa Cecilia in Trastevere and Catacombs of San Callisto.
Read the account from The Golden Legend by Jacob Voragine about the life and death of St. Cecilia to your children.
One legend of St. Cecilia tells of "pipes" played at her wedding. Although these pipes were probably the bagpipes common throughout Europe, ancient translations rendered the word "organ pipes." Consequently, St. Cecilia has often been portrayed near a pipe organ. Another legend calls her "the inventor of the organ," while another says an angel fell in love with her because of her musical skill. This heavenly visitant gave both her and her husband a crown of martyrdom, brought from heaven. With such ample fable and long-standing tradition, she is considered the patron of music and musicians. Since St. Cecilia is the patron of music (her music was the outpouring of a heart filled with love for God), have a family night of singing or playing instruments, or if you are not graced with musical talent, listen to some of the beautiful traditions the Church has in Her sacred music, such as Gregorian Chant and Polyphony.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 19:45-48

Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

All the people were hanging on his words. (Luke 19:48)

It’s striking that the religious authorities don’t immediately attack Jesus after his disruptive actions in the Temple. What stops them? Surprisingly, it is those they regard as powerless. Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees—the religious elites among the Jews—remain aloof and judgmental; but ordinary, everyday people, many of whom are poor, recognize God’s presence and come flocking to Jesus. And it’s these people who make the chief priests pause.

After Jesus’ decisive action of cleansing the Temple courtyard, the Temple no longer provides cover for those who do not align their behavior with God’s justice. Now that these “thieves” have been driven out, there is plenty of room for the commoners to crowd around Jesus, “hanging on” his every word. Tired of living in a “den of thieves” ruled by greed and materialism, they come to learn from Jesus what it is like to enter a “house of prayer” (Luke 19:46).

Of course, the worship space in which we gather matters. We should try to make our churches and chapels as beautiful as possible, just as the people in today’s first reading and responsorial psalm did. Judas Maccabeus’ followers cleanse the Temple they have recaptured from their enemies and joyfully rededicate it to God’s service. King David blesses God because people have brought their finest offerings for the Temple his son Solomon will build. Both readings show how happy people are to be in God’s house—especially when that house is dedicated to worship and adoration of the Lord.

Yet far more important than the space in which we worship God are the hearts we bring as we gather. It’s not wrong to help make our churches beautiful, but we should always remember this: joyful worship that pleases God is possible even if the church looks like a ruin or a storefront. Paintings and statues may make a difference, but the atmosphere is most powerfully charged when the people bring offerings of joyful, grateful, and loving praise.

Let’s change the atmosphere in church. Let’s gratefully gather around Jesus and hang on his every word.

“Lord, thank you for inviting us to gather around you. Help me to come into your presence with a heart full of love.”

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; (Psalm) 1 Chronicles 29:10-12

A Christian Pilgrim

SAINT CECILIA [SECOND OR THIRD CENTURY]

MEMORIAL: 22 NOVEMBER

St. Cecilia, patroness of music, is invoked in the canon of the Mass as a virgin martyr. According to tradition, she was a Roman girl of noble family and a Christian even as a child. She fasted and wore penitential garb beneath her conventional clothing. When her father arranged a wedding with a pagan, Valerian, Cecilia spent the time of the banquet after the wedding in prayer. Cecilia begged Valerian to be baptized. When Valerian returned from his baptism, he saw an angel with flaming wings next to his wife.

After this, Valerian and his convert brother expended their energies helping the church. When the brothers were sentenced to execution for refusing to make sacrifices to the pagan gods, the Holy Spirit descended upon their executioner who himself became a Christian and died a martyr. Before Cecilia was tortured to death, she gave all her worldly possessions to the poor and made over her house as a church. It is thought that her role as patroness of singers and of music comes from her listening to the voice of her angel.

For your life. St. Augustine wrote that he who sings prays twice. Even if our voices are not the best, we can praise God through church singing and support music ministries, which raise us above our humdrum concerns to joy in worship. Many people play classical or popular Christian audio-tapes in their homes and cars in order to elevate their everyday activities as well.

Short Prayer: Heavenly Father, in Your mercy listen to our prayers, which we offer you under the patronage of Saint Cecilia. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Note: The text (except the short prayer) is taken from Ronda De Sola Chervin, Treasury of Women Saints, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines: St. Pauls, 1994, pages 131-132

Regnum Christi

God’s House Is Holy

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Memorial of Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr

Father John Doyle, LC

Luke 19:45-48

Then Jesus entered the Temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, "It is written, ´My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.´" And every day he was teaching in the Temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega. You have given me life and offer me eternal life with you. You deserve my honor, gratitude and love, and yet you never impose yourself upon me. Thank you for respecting my freedom so that I can offer myself to you. All that I have is yours; I return it to you.

Petition: Lord God, teach me greater reverence for your house.

1. Zeal for the Father’s House: Jesus was not an enemy of commerce. In fact, many times the Gospel makes references to buying and selling without any negative connotations at all. However, in today’s Gospel passage we find Our Lord irate for two principal reasons. First, business activity was taking place within the Temple area. This was, in a sense, a “profanation” of God’s house. The Temple of Jerusalem contained, veiled behind a massive curtain, the Holy of Holies, where God’s mysterious presence dwelled. Yet, paradoxically, Temple worshipers had first to cross what had the appearance of a marketplace to be able to worship before the Lord. Second, Jesus was indignant due to the fact that the temple merchants were dishonest. Am I always honest in my business dealings? Do I always respect God’s name and the things of God?

2. Return to Reverence: Jesus was on fire with zeal for the house of his Father and determined that it be respected as a house of prayer. Silence, worship and prayer are elements that should be an essential part of every visit to a church, especially for Sunday Mass. In the tabernacle of every Catholic Church, Our Lord is present in the Eucharist as a prisoner of love waiting to enter into dialogue with us. We are never closer to heaven than when we are before Our Eucharistic Lord. Yet we can forget this truth. Our postures, chatter, and dress might contribute to a general “profanation” of God’s house. Do I try to remember every time I enter a church that I am standing before my Lord who made heaven and earth? Can others see that I believe Jesus is really present in the Eucharist? Is he the center of my attention? Can I put aside all distractions?

3. Hanging on Jesus’ Words: The crowds are described as “hanging” on Jesus’ every word. Jesus showed a reverence for his Father’s house far greater than any external piety the Pharisees demonstrated. He spoke the truth and was never afraid to stand up for it, even when it was less than convenient to do so. He was unafraid of those who “were seeking to put him to death.” Jesus’ uprightness was the key to his effectiveness and the attractive power of his words. As Christians we are called by vocation to imitate the uprightness of Our Lord in our words and actions.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, many times I have entered Church distractedly and forgotten that you were present. I beg your forgiveness. I ask to be a zealous witness of your love, and I promise to show you greater reverence in the Blessed Sacrament.

Resolution: I will live the Mass this Sunday with a special reverence.

One Bread One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 29, Issue 6

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St. Cecilia

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59
View Readings

1 Chronicles 29:10-12

Luke 19:45-48
Similar Reflections

FULL HOUSE

"My house is meant for a house of prayer." —Luke 19:46

In today's first reading, the people of Israel rededicated the house of God, the Temple, with a spirit of holiness and joy. God's house was filled with prayer and rejoicing (1 Mc 4:54ff). First, however, they had to empty it of unholiness (1 Mc 4:43ff).

A mere two centuries later, the people of God, and particularly their leaders, treat the house of God not much differently than the marketplace which surrounds it. God's house and its environs are full of commerce and busy-ness. Jesus had to empty the Temple of merchants and animals and fill it with teaching and prayer (Lk 19:45ff).

Most of us belong to parishes with a church building less than two centuries old. When first constructed, these church buildings were dedicated and blessed, undoubtedly with joy and a measure of holiness. Years after the dedication, how do our churches compare with the Temple of Jesus' time? Have we filled the house of God with unholiness, busy-ness, and commerce, either through the hearts of the people or the actions of the leaders? Do we still treat the house of God, the church building where Jesus dwells in the tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament, as a place of prayer? Have we fallen from our first love? (Rv 2:4) After beginning in the Spirit, will the people of our church end at the level of the flesh? (Gal 3:3)

Jesus wants His house to be full of prayer (Lk 14:23). Repent of any behavior or attitude which fosters the decline of prayer in church, and lead the way in filling the house of God with prayer.

Prayer: Father, I rededicate myself completely to You.

Promise: "The entire populace was listening to Him and hanging on His words." —Lk 19:48

Praise: St. Cecilia was "the most perfect model of the Christian woman because of her virginity and the martyrdom which she suffered for love of Christ."

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Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 19
45.	And entering into the temple, he began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought.	Et ingressus in templum, cœpit ejicere vendentes in illo, et ementes,	και εισελθων εις το ιερον ηρξατο εκβαλλειν τους πωλουντας εν αυτω και αγοραζοντας
46.	Saying to them: It is written: My house is the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves.	dicens illis : Scriptum est : Quia domus mea domus orationis est : vos autem fecistis illam speluncam latronum.	λεγων αυτοις γεγραπται ο οικος μου οικος προσευχης εστιν υμεις δε αυτον εποιησατε σπηλαιον ληστων
47.	And he was teaching daily in the temple. And the chief priests and the scribes and the rulers of the people sought to destroy him:	Et erat docens quotidie in templo. Principes autem sacerdotum, et scribæ, et princeps plebis quærebant illum perdere :	και ην διδασκων το καθ ημεραν εν τω ιερω οι δε αρχιερεις και οι γραμματεις εζητουν αυτον απολεσαι και οι πρωτοι του λαου
48.	And they found not what to do to him: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.	et non inveniebant quid facerent illi. Omnis enim populus suspensus erat, audiens illum.	και ουχ ευρισκον το τι ποιησωσιν ο λαος γαρ απας εξεκρεματο αυτου ακουων

Meditation: Luke 19:45-48

Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

One Bread, One Body

FULL HOUSE