Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 11
27.	And they come again to Jerusalem. And when he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients,	Et veniunt rursus Jerosolymam. Et cum ambularet in templo, accedunt ad eum summi sacerdotes, et scribæ, et seniores :	και ερχονται παλιν εις ιεροσολυμα και εν τω ιερω περιπατουντος αυτου ερχονται προς αυτον οι αρχιερεις και οι γραμματεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι
28.	And they say to him: By what authority dost thou these things? and who hath given thee this authority that thou shouldst do these things?	et dicunt ei : In qua potestate hæc facis ? et quis dedit tibi hanc potestatem ut ista facias ?	και λεγουσιν αυτω εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιεις και τις σοι την εξουσιαν ταυτην εδωκεν ινα ταυτα ποιης
29.	And Jesus answering, said to them: I will also ask you one word, and answer you me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.	Jesus autem respondens, ait illis : Interrogabo vos et ego unum verbum, et respondete mihi : et dicam vobis in qua potestate hæc faciam.	ο δε ιησους αποκριθεις ειπεν αυτοις επερωτησω υμας και εγω ενα λογον και αποκριθητε μοι και ερω υμιν εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιω
30.	The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.	Baptismus Joannis, de cælo erat, an ex hominibus ? Respondete mihi.	το βαπτισμα ιωαννου εξ ουρανου ην η εξ ανθρωπων αποκριθητε μοι
31.	But they thought with themselves, saying: If we say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?	At illi cogitabant secum, dicentes : Si dixerimus : De cælo, dicet : Quare non credidistis ei ?	και ελογιζοντο προς εαυτους λεγοντες εαν ειπωμεν εξ ουρανου ερει δια τι ουν ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω
32.	If we say, From men, we fear the people. For all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.	Si dixerimus : Ex hominibus, timemus populum : omnes enim habebant Joannem quia vere propheta esset.	αλλ ειπωμεν εξ ανθρωπων εφοβουντο τον λαον απαντες γαρ ειχον τον ιωαννην οτι οντως προφητης ην
33.	And they answering, say to Jesus: We know not. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.	Et respondentes dicunt Jesu : Nescimus. Et respondens Jesus ait illis : Neque ego dico vobis in qua potestate hæc faciam.	και αποκριθεντες λεγουσιν τω ιησου ουκ οιδαμεν και ο ιησους αποκριθεις λεγει αυτοις ουδε εγω λεγω υμιν εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιω

27. And they come again to Jerusalem: and as He was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the Scribes, and the elders,
28. And say to him, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority to do these things?
29. And Jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Answer me.
31. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?
32. But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people; for all men committed John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33. And they answered and said to Jesus, we cannot tell. And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

THEOPHYL. They were angry with the Lord, for having cast out of the temple those who had made it a place of merchandise, and therefore they come up to Him, to question and tempt Him. Wherefore it is said: And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the Chief Priests, and the Scribes, and the elders, and say to him, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you authority to do these things? As if they had said, Who are you that do these things? Do you make yourself a doctor, and ordain yourself Chief Priest?

BEDE; And indeed, when they say, By what authority do you these things, they doubt its being the power of God, and wish it to be understood that what He did was the devil's work. When they add also, Who gave you this authority, they evidently deny that He is the Son of God, since they believe that He works miracles, not by His own but by another's power.

THEOPHYL. Further, they said this, thinking to bring Him to judgment, so that if He said, by mine own power, they might lay hold upon Him; but if He said, by the power of another, they might make the people leave Him, for they believed Him to be God. But the Lord asks them concerning John, not without a reason, nor in a sophistical way, but because John had borne witness of Him. Wherefore there follows: And Jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men answer me.

BEDE; The Lord might indeed have confuted the cavils of his tempters by a direct answer, but prudently puts them a question, that they might be condemned either by their silence or their speaking, which is evident from what is added, And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him? As if He had said, he whom you confess to have had his prophecy from heaven bore testimony of Me, and you have heard from him, by what authority I do these things.

It goes on: But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people. They saw then that whatever they answered, they should fall into a snare; fearing to be stoned, they feared still more the confession of the truth. Wherefore it goes on: And they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell.

PSEUDO-JEROME; They envied the Lamp, and were in the dark, wherefore it is said, I have ordained a lamp for my anointed; his enemies will I clothe with shame. There follows: And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

BEDE; As if He had said, I will not tell you what I know, since you will not confess what you know. Further, we must observe that knowledge is hidden from those who seek it, principally for two reasons, namely, when he who seeks for it either has not sufficient capacity to understand what he seeks for, or when through contempt for the truth, or some other reason, he is unworthy of having that for which he seeks opened to him.

Catena Aurea Mark 11

St. Joan of Arc

Feast Day: May 30
Born: 1412 :: Died: 1431

Joan was born at Greux-Domremy, Lorraine, a little village in France. Jacques d'Arc, her father, was a hard working farmer. Her mother Isabelle Romee was gentle and loving. She taught Joan many practical things. "I can sew and spin as well as any woman," she once said.

Joan was a shepherdess who loved to pray, especially at the shrines of Our Blessed Mother. This honest little peasant girl was to become a heroine. One day while she was watching her sheep, St. Michael the Archangel, appeared to her and said, "Daughter of God, go save France!"

For three years she heard the voices of saints calling her to action. When she was sixteen, she began her mission.

At that time, there was a war going on between France and England. It was called the Hundred Years' War. England had won so much French land that the king of England called himself the king of France, too. The real French king was weak and fun-loving. He thought the French armies would never be able to save the country.

With his permission, St. Joan led an army into the city of Orleans, which the English had almost captured. In her white, shining armor, this young heroine rode with her banner flying above her. On it were the names of JESUS and MARY.

She was hit by an arrow in the great battle of Orleans, but she kept on urging her men to victory. At last they won! St. Joan and her army won more and more battles. The English armies had to retreat.

After the victories, Joan's time of suffering began. She was captured by the Burgundians. Then she was sold to the English for ten thousand Francs. The ungrateful French king did not even try to save her. She was put in prison and after an unfair trial at Rouen in France, she was tied to a stake and burned to death.

Joan was not even twenty. She had a great horror of fire. Yet she went bravely to her death on May 29, 1431. Her last word was "Jesus." Four hundred and eighty-nine years later, on May 16, 1920, Pope Benedict XV proclaimed Joan a saint.

Reflection: The life of this saint was marked by heroic courage for the sake of the mission that God had entrusted to her. We can call on St. Joan of Arc to help us especially when we need to carry out a very difficult, nearly impossible task.

The Return to Nazareth

Today's Reading: Luke 2:21-40

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Today's Commentary:

Every male . . . to the Lord: A paraphrase of Ex 13:2. It implies either that Jesus is consecrated as a priest or that he was purchased from the Levites by a redemption price of five shekels (Num 18:1516). Either way, Mary and Joseph fulfill the Law faithfully (2:22, 24, 27) and completely (2:39).

called holy: This fulfills the angel's announcement in 1:35.

Jesus' presentation parallels the OT dedication of Samuel, who was also taken by devout parents to the Temple (1 Sam 1:24-27). Since Samuel was offered to God to become a priest (1 Sam 1:11, 22), Luke may imply the same of Jesus' dedication.

Simeon's Nunc Dimittis (Latin for "now dismiss") extols the Child as the crown of God's covenant promises.

The oracle is a tapestry of Isaian prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. First, Jesus embodies God's salvation (2:30), recalling Is 40:5, 46:13, and 52:9-10. He is also a light shining to the Gentiles, evoking Is 42:6 and 49:6. As Messiah, Jesus is the covenant representative who takes Israel's vocation upon himself and completes the mission that was left unfulfilled at his coming, i.e., to pour out blessings on all nations.

Catholic Spiritual Direction.com

In the End My Immaculate Heart will Triumph

May 30, 2015 by Peter Howard

“Hail, Holy Queen! Hail, our life our sweetness and our hope!” Mary is our hope. And the Church proclaims it every day at the end of every rosary and often at the end of the Church’s Night Prayer (or Compline). In our modern times, no other words draw our attention to this reality than the promise Our Immaculate Mother made to the world on July 13, 1917 when she said:

I shall come to the world to ask that Russia be consecrated to my Immaculate Heart, and I shall ask that on the First Saturday of every month Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world. If my wishes are fulfilled, Russia will be converted and there will be peace; if not, then Russia will spread her errors throughout the world, bringing new wars and persecution of the Church; the good will be martyred and the Holy Father will have much to suffer; certain nations will be annihilated. But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and the world will enjoy a period of peace. In Portugal the faith will always be preserved…

Conversion brought about by consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary . . . Why through a heart? And more specifically, the Immaculate Heart of Mary? Mary is rightly called “most humble,” so

this request seems a bit strange, that Mary would seem to draw attention to herself. But, also remember that Mary is always the humble “handmaid of the Lord” and inseparable Spouse of the Holy Spirit. That means Mary does nothing without being prompted by the Holy Spirit. Her will is only what God wills of her and through her. So, with these words, Mary points to the cor (pun intended) of authentic Christian spirituality.

The heart embodies everything that makes up the human person. And when God became Man, he assumed a perfect human nature, at the center of which is the heart. And whose human nature did Christ assume?

Mary’s. Thus everything that made up the Sacred Heart of Jesus came from the human nature of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. That is why Mary can say even more truly than the priest: “This is my Body . . . This is my Blood” when speaking of the Holy Eucharist. There is such an inseparable union between the Hearts of Jesus and Mary that we come to the Sacred Heart of Jesus only through the Immaculate Heart of Mary – for the Sacred Heart of Jesus came to us through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And we see this reality mystically continued at the Cross where the life-giving Blood and Water which flowed from the pierced Heart of Jesus is communicated to His Mystical Body through the pierced Heart of Mary to Whom Jesus entrusted His Church.

This is what is at the heart of Jesus’ final gift to the Church during His exchange between His Mother and every beloved disciple (represented by St. John who was deliberately unnamed): “Woman, behold your Son! . . . Behold your mother” (Jn 19:26-27). This exchange between Jesus, Mary and His Church was the central passage of St. John Paul II’s encyclical letter Redemptoris Mater, which sets out the strong biblical and theological foundations for why total consecration to Mary is at the heart of the Christian life. So much did St. John Paul II believe this that he took St. Louis De Montfort’s short prayer of consecration to Mary as his papal motto: Totus Tuus [sum Maria] and summarized its significance by his papal coat of arms which introduced a distinctive “M” under the Cross, directing our attention to John 19:26-27.

Now, what is the significance of adding “Immaculate” to Heart of Mary? Here, I encourage you to read the Marian teachings of St. Maximilian Kolbe whose insights into the relationship between Mary and the Holy Spirit are wrapped up in Mary’s self-revelation of her name at Lourdes in 1859 when she said: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” St. Maximilian saw in these words a

revelation of Mary’s union with the Holy Spirit that has yet to be explored with special attention by the Church because the Holy Spirit is rightly called the uncreated Immaculate Conception of the eternal Love between the Father and the Son. And now Mary at Lourdes is compelled by the Holy Spirit to reveal that she shares the same name. How is that? This takes the understanding of Mary as Spouse of the Holy Spirit to a whole new level, since spouses indeed share the same name. Mary the created Immaculate Conception is inseparably united to the uncreated Immaculate Conception where everything her Spouse is by nature is hers by grace – and she, in turn, is totally possessed by the Holy Spirit where everything she has is His. This is the essence of St. Maximilian’s teaching on Mary and the Holy Spirit of which St. John Paul II said:

. . . possesses a doctrinal accuracy that enchants those familiar with the keystone of Vatican II, the Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. One is tempted to say that he had foreseen, even in its wording, the admirable eighth chapter consecrated to the Virgin Mary. (Immaculate Conception and the Holy Spirit, Monteau-Bonamy, 1977 ed., p. xxiii).

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, therefore, inserts the Christian into the heart of the Life of the Spirit, and in the most perfect of ways. It is the most perfect of ways because it is “the Way” by which God chose to empty Himself upon humanity and give us His Divine Life. The Christian life is nothing less than returning to God by patterning itself on the Life of Jesus Christ Who came to us through Mary. And the mystery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary points to the Holy Spirit, whose spousal union with Mary makes her Immaculate. This spousal union points to Mary’s power since the fullness of grace dwells in her because she is the Holy Spirit’s unique spouse. Where Mary is, there is her Spouse, and the more Mary is present in a soul, the more the Holy Spirit is present with grace and power in that soul. What do we find where that spousal union is invited and nurtured? Jesus Christ, the God-Man, who is always the fruit of the union of Mary and the Holy Spirit.

This is why we consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and why the triumph over the evils of the world will come through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And this is why St. Louis De Montfort could write with conviction:

No other devotion calls for more sacrifices for God, none empties us more completely of self and self-love, none keeps us more firmly in the grace of God and the grace of God in us. No other devotion unites us more perfectly and more easily to Jesus. Finally, no devotion gives more glory to God, is more sanctifying for ourselves or more helpful to our neighbour (True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, St. Louis Marie de Montfort, paragraph 118)

St. John Paul II singled out De Montfort as a reliable teacher of the spirituality of total consecration to Mary (cf. Redemptoris Mater, para 48). And he exhorts us to adopt this spirituality because of its immeasurable fruits:

It is well known that the more her children persevere and progress in this attitude [of total consecration to Mary], the nearer Mary leads them to the “unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph. 3:8) [Redemptoris Mater, 46].

Our Lady of Fatima therefore invites us directly to this crowning of Christian spiritualities. Let us humbly and prayerfully take this invitation to heart because it is a special gift that not all will understand and even fewer embrace. Why? St. Louis De Montfort explains:

As this devotion essentially consists in a state of soul, it will not be understood in the same way by everyone. Some—the great majority—will stop short at the threshold and go no further. Others – not many – will take but one step into its interior. Who will take a second step? Who will take a third? Finally who will remain in it permanently? Only the one to whom the Spirit of Jesus reveals the secret. The Holy Spirit himself will lead this faithful soul from strength to strength, from grace to grace, from light to light, until at length he attains transformation into Jesus in the fullness of his age on earth and of his glory in heaven (True Devotion to Mary, 119).

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a secret? The Holy Spirit, through Our Lady at Fatima and the teachings of Sts. Maximilian and John Paul II, clearly doesn’t want it to remain so. And if this is the first time you are learning of it, consider yourself now privy to this secret.

But, there is a caveat emptor . . . Remember, knowledge is responsibility. What will you do with this knowledge

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for:May 30, 2015
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. 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 Cassoulet

ACTIVITIES

o Cenacle Project

o Elementary Parent Pedagogy: Two Homes, Heaven and Earth — Building up Family Unity and Security

o Marian Hymn: Stella Matutina

o May, the Month of Mary

o Wooden Doves for Pentecost

PRAYERS

o May Devotion: Blessed Virgin Mary

o Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loretto)

· Ordinary Time: May 30th

· Saturday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time

Old Calendar: Ember Saturday after Pentecost; St. Felix I, pope and martyr; St. Joan of Arc, virgin

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of Corpus Christi which traditionally is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. In the Ordinary Rite the Solemnity is celebrated on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.

Also today is the feast of Pope St. Felix I, who governed the Church from 268 to 273. St. Felix I was buried in the "crypt of the popes," in the catacomb of St. Callixtus, and is often confused with the second century martyr St. Felix, a victim of persecution under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Also it is the feast of St. Joan of Arc (some places), Patron saint of France. In her day, the English were allied with the Burgundians in a war against the rest of France. Joan was compelled by voices of her favorite saints to take up arms in defence of her country. Dressed in a suit of white armor, she led the French in battle against the English, who retreated, believing that she was in league with the devil. She continued to battle against the English, with dwindling support, until she was eventually captured and tried as a witch. She was found guilty and at the scaffold she pleaded guilty in exchange for a pardon from the Church. However, since the English had no intention of releasing her from prison, she quickly renounced her confession and resumed wearing men's clothing. For this they publicly burned her at the stake for witchcraft and heresy. The Church reversed its decision in 1455, and she was canonized in 1920.

St. Felix I
The son of Constantius, Felix was a Roman by birth. He was elected to the papacy shortly after the death of St. Dionysius. It was Felix who received the letter from the Asiatic bishops announcing the deposition of Bishop Paul of Antioch, Dionysius having died before its arrival. Felix was also informed of the election of Domnus I to replace the deposed heretic. Unfortunately, Paul refused to vacate the church building and denied entrance to the newly appointed Domnus. Emperor Aurelian, who then sat on the throne, happened to be passing through Antioch when he was asked to intervene in the matter. Aurelian ordered the see to be turned over to whichever bishop was in true communication with the bishops of Italy and Rome. At long last, Paul was forced to make an undignified exit, while Timaeus, Domnus' successor, was able to take his rightful place among his flock.

Felix is said to have ordained that the celebration of Mass take place over the graves of martyrs. Although Felix reigned for nearly six years, little else is know of his pontificate, except that it was free from persecution. Felix died in December and was buried in the papal crypt located in the cemetery of Calixtus. His feast is kept on May 30.

— Excerpted from The Popes: A Papal History, J.V. Bartlett

St. Joan of Arc
Saint Joan was born on January 6, 1412, in the village of Domremy to Jacques and Isabelle d'Arc. Joan was the youngest of their five children. While growing up among the fields and pastures of her village, she was called Jeannette but when she entered into her mission, her name was changed to Jeanne, la Pucelle, or Joan, the Maid.

As a child she was taught domestic skills as well as her religion by her mother. Joan would later say, "As for spinning and sewing, I fear no woman in Rouen." And again, "It was my mother alone who taught me the 'Our Father' and 'Hail Mary' and the 'Creed;' and from none other was I taught my faith."

From her earliest of years Joan was known for her obedience to her parents, religious fervor, goodness, unselfish generosity and kindness toward her neighbors. Simonin Munier, one of Joan's childhood friends, tells how Joan had nursed him back to health when he was sick. Some of her playmates teased her for being 'too pious.' Others remembered how she would give up her bed to the homeless stranger who came to her father's door asking for shelter.

Joan was 'like all the others' in her village until her thirteenth year. "When I was about thirteen, I received revelation from Our Lord by a voice which told me to be good and attend church often and that God would help me." She stated that her 'Voices' were Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret. At first her 'Voices' came to her two or three times a week but as the time for her mission drew near (five years later), they visited her daily telling her to 'Go into France' to raise the siege of Orleans, conduct the Dauphin Charles to Reims for his crowning and to drive the English from the land.

Joan went to the neighboring town of Vaucouleurs, which means Valley of many colors. There she spoke to the loyal French governor by the name of Sir Robert de Baudricourt. After many rejections he finally agreed to send her to the Dauphin who at the time was living at the castle of Chinon.

On the evening of February 23, 1429, she began her mission for God. In the company of six men, she rode through the Gate of France on her way to Chinon. Joan reached this town on March 6th, but was not received by the Dauphin, Charles, until the evening of March 9th.

After being accepted and approved by a Church council headed by the Archbishop of Reims, Joan was allowed to lead the Dauphin's army. This part of her career was meteoric. She entered Orleans on the evening of April 29th and by May 8th the city had been freed. The Loire campaign started on June 9th and by June 19th the English were driven out of the Loire valley. The march to Reims started on June 29th and by July 17th Charles was crowned King of France in the cathedral of Reims.

From this time on, for reasons know only to King Charles, the king no longer valued Joan's advice and guidance. She had always told him that God had given her 'a year and a little longer' to accomplish His will but the king seemed to take no notice of it. For almost a year he wasted what time remained to Joan, until in frustration, she left the court. Her last campaign lasted from the middle of March until her capture at the town of Compiegne on May 23rd, 1430. Her 'year and a little longer' was over.

Abandoned by her king and friends, she started her year of captivity. As a prisoner of the Burgundians she was treated fairly but that all changed when on November 21st, 1430, she was handed over the English. How she survived their harsh treatment of her is a miracle in itself.

The English not only wanted to kill Joan but they also wanted to discredit King Charles as a false king by having Joan condemned by the Church as a witch and a heretic. To obtain this goal the English used those Church authorities whom they knew to be favorable to them and the staunchest of these was Bishop Cauchon.

Joan's trial of condemnation lasted from February 21st until May 23rd. She was finally burnt at the stake in Rouen's market square on May 30th, 1431.

Twenty-five years later the findings of Joan's first trial were overturned and declared 'null and void' by another Church court, who this time was favorable to King Charles. It was not until 1920 that the Church of Rome officially declared Joan to be a saint. Her feast day is celebrated on May 30th.

Excerpted from St. Joan of Arc Center

Patron: Captives; France; imprisoned people; martyrs; opposition of Church authorities; people ridiculed for their piety; prisoners; rape victims; soldiers; WACs; WAVES; Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service; Women’s Army Corps

Symbols: Bareheaded girl in armor with sword, lance or banner

Things to Do:

Visit the St. Joan of Arc Center for more information.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 11:27-33

Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By what authority are you doing these things? (Mark 11:28)

How do you react when someone lets you know that you did something wrong? For most of us, our reactions vary depending on the circumstance, the people involved, and even our mood at the time. Sometimes it’s anger, sometimes denial; sometimes we completely miss what the other person is trying to say to us. But the best response is also the most difficult: acceptance. To acknowledge that we were wrong, to acknowledge that we need to change, to apologize—this isn’t always easy.

We see one version of this played out in today’s Gospel reading. Just before this passage, Jesus had overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple. Now some leaders come to Jesus and challenge his authority. “Who do you think you are?” they essentially ask. When Jesus questions their actions and motivations, they respond with defensiveness and hostility, and not much self-examination.

People around us bring up our errors for a variety of reasons. Some want the best for us, and they come to us in love. Others may be motivated by jealousy, insecurity, or anger. For many, there is a mixture of motives. But when Jesus “opposes” us, he has only one motivation: love. He has our best interests at heart. He engages us, he asks questions, he tries to deepen his relationship with us and purify our relationships with each other. He gives us a chance to grow.

The religious leaders in today’s Gospel missed an opportunity. They were caught up in a conflict, and they didn’t let Jesus’ words touch them personally. Because they rejected him, Jesus didn’t press the issue—just as he doesn’t with us. He doesn’t just unilaterally change us; he always looks for our cooperation.

So what can we do to make sure we don’t miss opportunities to grow? First, be attentive. Listen for his voice throughout your day—in prayer, in the voice of a friend, in your conscience, or even out of the blue. Second, be receptive to what you hear, even when it’s hard. Choose to grow, and ask for his help.

Pay attention today to how you pay attention. See if you can hear the Lord as he deepens his work in you.

“Lord, help me recognize your gentle, encouraging words of correction today.”

Sirach 51:12-20; Psalm 19:8-11

Regnum Christi

From Heaven or Earth?

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

May 30, 2015. Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

By Father John Doyle, LC

Mark 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the Temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me." They argued with one another, "If we say, ´From heaven,´ he will say, ´Why then did you not believe him?´ But shall we say, ´Of human origin´?” - they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Introductory Prayer: Once again, Lord, I come to you to pray. Even though I cannot see you, I trust that you are present and want very much to instruct me in your teachings. In the same way you demonstrate your love for me by spending this time with me, I want to express my love for you by dedicating this time to you with a spirit of faith, confidence and attention. Here I am, Lord, to listen to you and respond with love.

Petition: Jesus, grant me true sincerity and uprightness of life.

The Day After: It was the day after Jesus had caused an uproar in the Temple at Jerusalem, the like of which had not been seen for a long time. Jesus had overturned the moneychangers’ tables and driven out the animals. Anyone else would surely have landed in prison, but this was Christ, and his hour had not yet come. Still the chief priests and scribes are looking for an explanation –– or better an excuse –– to accuse Jesus. He shrewdly answers their inquiry with a question that they cannot answer for fear of revealing their insincerity before the crowds. How this insincerity on the part of the scribes and Pharisees offended Our Lord! He would not speak to them plainly because their purpose was to twist his words. Do I detest insincerity as well? Do I find traces of dishonesty in my own life? Am I more concerned about what others think or about what Christ thinks?

Why Did You Not Believe in Him? Jesus did not say these words, but they knew he could have. Their troubled consciences were aware it would have been a fitting accusation. Why had they not believed in the precursor of the Lord? Was it not for the same reasons that they would not believe in the Lord himself? John the Baptist had called them on their insincerity. They went to receive his baptism of repentance, but they did not really mean to amend their lives. Would Jesus have to reproach me for any insincerity? Do I ever go to receive the sacrament of penance without a real desire to change my life? Or do I avoid confession altogether because I really don’t see anything in my behavior that needs to change?

We Do Not Know: This is certainly not the first or the last time that ignorance is pleaded to avoid the consequences of the truth, but this kind of ignorance is clearly culpable. The speakers were not uneducated men, but rather the leaders of God’s people, responsible for guiding them along the way of God’s covenant. While it was generally accepted that John the Baptist had been a great prophet who stirred sinners to repentance with his preaching and example of austerity, the Jewish authorities were unwilling to accept that anyone besides themselves could claim any authority in God’s name. Truly they did know, but they were unwilling to accept the truth. Do I ever lean on ignorance in plowing forward with some action that I’m not sure is quite right?

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, at times I know what your will for me is, but it costs me greatly to put it into practice. Sometimes I am too worried about what others think and say, or I am afraid of the consequences. Grant me a spirit of sincerity and strength always to accept and follow your will.

Resolution: I will arrive a little early to Mass tomorrow in order to spend a few quiet moments with Our Lord asking for the grace of always being sincere and upright in my actions.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 3

<< Saturday, May 30, 2015 >>

Sirach 51:12-20
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Psalm 19:8-11

Mark 11:27-33
Similar Reflections

SEEK THE FAITHFUL

"My feet kept to the level path because from earliest youth I was familiar with" Wisdom. —Sirach 51:15

Conversion stories are exciting. We weep for joy as the good thief on the cross finds salvation in his last desperate hour (Lk 23:42-43). We marvel at the power of God as He overpowers the worst sinner, the persecutor Saul (1 Tm 1:15), who then incredibly becomes the great apostle and preacher Paul (Acts 9:3ff). Today we are greatly encouraged by the wave of staunch Protestants who have incredibly converted to Catholicism and now powerfully defend the Faith.

A life of faithfulness is not as popular a story. People rarely fill an auditorium to hear about the priest or sister who accepted their vocation as a child and then never wavered from living out their call in holiness and fruitfulness. Not many flock to seek wisdom from the couple who never used artificial contraception, had a large family, and raised children who have all stayed joyfully faithful to the Church.

The popularity of conversions is a very good thing. We constantly need to keep in mind the power of God. Yet when we encounter people who have never wavered in faithfulness and who have faithfully borne fruit over the years, we should seek them out to the point of wearing away their doorstep! (Sir 6:36) We are to frequent their company and stay close to them (Sir 6:35). Faithfulness is caught more than taught. Seek faithfulness by seeking the faithful.

Prayer: Father, bring people into my life who will lead me to greater faithfulness.

Promise: "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul." —Ps 19:8

Praise: Alice has built her life around Jesus and has received Him daily in the Eucharist for forty years.

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