Friday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Isaac the Syrian (7th century), monk near Mosul
Spiritual discourses, 1st series, no. 36

“Do not be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows”

We shouldn’t desire or seek out visible signs without necessity when our Lord is always ready to come to the aid of his saints. He doesn’t make his power known in outward works or signs so as not to diminish the help we receive from him or cause us harm. This is how he supplies for the needs of his saints. He wants to show them that the hidden watchfulness he bears towards them never leaves them for a moment but nevertheless, in all things, he leaves them to undertake the combat according to their strength and take the trouble to pray.

But if some difficulty upsets them, as when they are sick or discouraged because of the weakness of their nature, he himself does everything in his power that they may be helped as they need and as he alone knows how. He strengthens them within as much as he can that they may have the strength to bear their difficulties. For he undoes their distress in the trust he gives them and arouses them to glorify him by this faith’s vision… Nevertheless, if there is a need for this secret assistance to be made explicit then he does so, but only by necessity. His ways are ways of great wisdom; they extend as far as need and necessity, but not just anyhow.

'Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.
And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God. Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.
Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing. Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.
How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him!'

Ecclesiasticus 17:23-28

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 12
1.	AND when great multitudes stood about him, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.	Multis autem turbis circumstantibus, ita ut se invicem conculcarent, cœpit dicere ad discipulos suos : Attendite a fermento pharisæorum, quod est hypocrisis.	εν οις επισυναχθεισων των μυριαδων του οχλου ωστε καταπατειν αλληλους ηρξατο λεγειν προς τους μαθητας αυτου πρωτον προσεχετε εαυτοις απο της ζυμης των φαρισαιων ητις εστιν υποκρισις
2.	For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: nor hidden, that shall not be known.	Nihil autem opertum est, quod non reveletur : neque absconditum, quod non sciatur.	ουδεν δε συγκεκαλυμμενον εστιν ο ουκ αποκαλυφθησεται και κρυπτον ο ου γνωσθησεται
3.	For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops.	Quoniam quæ in tenebris dixistis, in lumine dicentur : et quod in aurem locuti estis in cubiculis, prædicabitur in tectis.	ανθ ων οσα εν τη σκοτια ειπατε εν τω φωτι ακουσθησεται και ο προς το ους ελαλησατε εν τοις ταμειοις κηρυχθησεται επι των δωματων
4.	And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.	Dico autem vobis amicis meis : Ne terreamini ab his qui occidunt corpus, et post hæc non habent amplius quid faciant.	λεγω δε υμιν τοις φιλοις μου μη φοβηθητε απο των αποκτενοντων το σωμα και μετα ταυτα μη εχοντων περισσοτερον τι ποιησαι
5.	But I will shew you whom you shall fear: fear ye him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him.	Ostendam autem vobis quem timeatis : timete eum qui, postquam occiderit, habet potestatem mittere in gehennam : ita dico vobis, hunc timete.	υποδειξω δε υμιν τινα φοβηθητε φοβηθητε τον μετα το αποκτειναι εξουσιαν εχοντα εμβαλειν εις την γεενναν ναι λεγω υμιν τουτον φοβηθητε
6.	Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?	Nonne quinque passeres veneunt dipondio, et unus ex illis non est in oblivione coram Deo ?	ουχι πεντε στρουθια πωλειται ασσαριων δυο και εν εξ αυτων ουκ εστιν επιλελησμενον ενωπιον του θεου
7.	Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.	sed et capilli capitis vestri omnes numerati sunt. Nolite ergo timere : multis passeribus pluris estis vos.	αλλα και αι τριχες της κεφαλης υμων πασαι ηριθμηνται μη ουν φοβεισθε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε

1. In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they bode one upon another, he began to say to his disciples first of all, Beware you of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3. Therefore whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

THEOPHYL. The Pharisees sought indeed to catch Jesus in His talk, that they might lead away the people from Him. But this design of theirs is reversed. For the people came all the more to Him gathered together by thousands, and so desirous to attach themselves to Christ, that they pressed one upon another. So mighty a thing is truth, so feeble every where deceit. Whence it is said, And when there were gathered together a great multitude, insomuch that they bode upon one another, he began to say to his disciples, Beware you of the leaven of tile Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

CYRIL; For they were false accusers; therefore Christ warned His disciples against them.

GREG. NAZ. When leaven is praised it is as composing the bread of life, but when blamed it signifies a lasting and bitter maliciousness.

THEOPHYL. He calls their hypocrisy leaven, as perverting and corrupting the intentions of the men in whom it has sprung up. For nothing so changes the characters of men as hypocrisy.

BEDE; For as a little leaven leavens a whole lump of meal, so hypocrisy will rob the mind of all the purity and integrity of its virtues.

AMBROSE; Our Lord has introduced a most forcible argument for preserving simplicity, and being zealous for the faith, that we should not after the manner of faithless Jews put one thing in practice, while in words we pretend another, namely, that at the last day the hidden thoughts accusing or else excusing one another, shall be seen to reveal the secrets of our mind. Whence it is added, There is nothing hid which shall not be revealed.

ORIGEN; He either then says this concerning that time when God shall judge the secrets of men, or He says it because however much a man may endeavor to hide the good deeds of another by discredit, good of its own nature cannot be concealed.

CHRYS. As if He says to His disciples, Although now some call you deceivers and wizards, time shall reveal all things and convict them of calumny, while it makes known your virtue. Therefore whatsoever things I have spoken to you in the small corner of Palestine, these boldly and with open brow, casting away all fear, proclaim to the whole world. And therefore He adds, Whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in light.

BEDE; Or He says this, because all the things which the Apostles of old spoke and suffered amid the darkness of oppression and the gloom of the prison, are now that the Church is made known through the world and their acts are read, publicly proclaimed. The words, shall be proclaimed on the housetops, are spoken according to the manner of the country of Palestine, where they are accustomed to live on the housetops. For their roofs were not after our way raised to a point, but flat shaped, and level at the top. Therefore He says, proclaimed on the housetops; that is, spoken openly in the hearing of all men.

THEOPHYL. Or this is addressed to the Pharisees; as if He said, O Pharisees, what you have spoken in darkness, that is, all your endeavors to tempt me in the secrets of your hearts, shall be heard in the light, for I am the light, and in My light shall be known whatsoever your darkness devises. And what you have spoken in the ear and in closets, that is, whatsoever in whispers you have poured into one another's ears, shall be proclaimed on the housetops, that is, was as audible to me as if it had been cried aloud on the housetops. Herein also you may understand that the light is the Gospel, but the housetop the lofty souls of the Apostles. But whatever things the Pharisees plotted together, were afterwards divulged and heard in the light of the Gospel, the great Herald, the Holy Spirit, presiding over the souls of the Apostles.

4. And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell, yes, I say to you, Fear him.
6. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.

AMBROSE; Since unbelief springs from two causes, either from a deeply-seated malice or a sudden fear; lest any one from terror should be compelled to deny the God whom he acknowledges in his heart, He well adds, And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, &c.

CYRIL; For it is not absolutely to every one that this discourse seems to apply, but to those who love God with their whole heart to whom it belongs to say, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? But they who are not such, are tottering, and ready to fall down. Moreover out Lord says, Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. How then is it not most ungrateful to Christ not to repay Him what we receive?

AMBROSE; He tells us also, that that death is not terrible for which at a far more costly rate of interest immortality is to be purchased.

CYRIL; We must then consider that crowns and honors are prepared for the labors of those upon whom men are continually venting forth their indignation, and to them the death of the body is the end of their persecutions. Whence He adds, And after this have nothing more that they can do.

BEDE; Their rage then is but useless raving, who cast the lifeless limbs of martyrs to be torn in pieces by wild beasts and birds, seeing that they can in no wise prevent the omnipotence of God from quickening and bringing them to life again.

CHRYS. Observe how our Lord makes His disciples superior to all, by exhorting them to despise that very death which is terrible to all. At the same time also he brings them proofs of the immortality of the soul: adding, I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell.

AMBROSE; For our natural death is not the end of punishment; and therefore He concludes that death is the cessation of bodily punishment, but the punishment of the soul is everlasting. And God alone is to be feared, to whose power nature prescribes not, but is herself subject; adding, Yes, I say to you, Fear him.

THEOPHYL. Here observe, that upon sinners death is sent as a punishment, since they are here tormented by destruction, and afterwards thrust down into hell. But if you will sift the words you will understand something farther. For He says not, "Who casts into hell," but has power to cast. For not every one dying in sin is forthwith thrust down into hell, but there is sometimes pardon given for the sake of the offerings and prayers which are made for the dead.

AMBROSE; Our Lord then had instilled the virtue of simplicity, had awakened a courageous spirit. Their faith alone was wavering, and well did He strengthen it by adding with respect to things of less value, Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? and not one of them is forgotten before God. As if He said, If God forgets not the sparrows, how can He man?

BEDE; The dipondius is a coin of the lightest weight, and equal to two asses.

GLOSS. Now that which in number is one is in weight an ass, but that which is two is a dipondius.

AMBROSE; But perhaps some one will say, How is it that the Apostle says, Does the Lord care for oxen? whereas an ox is of more value than a sparrow; but to care for is one thing, to have knowledge another.

ORIGEN; Literally, hereby is signified the quickness of the Divine foresight, which reaches even to the least things. But mystically, the five sparrows justly represent the spiritual senses, which have perception of high and heavenly things: beholding God, hearing the Divine voice, tasting of the bread of life, smelling the perfume of Christ's anointing, handling the Word of Life. And these being sold for two farthings, that is, being lightly esteemed by those who count as perishing whatever is of the Spirit, are not forgotten before God. But God is said to be forgetful of some because of their iniquities.

THEOPHYL. Or these five senses are sold for two farthings, that is, the New and Old Testament, and are therefore not forgotten by God. Of those whose senses are given up to the word of life that they may be fit for the spiritual food, the Lord is ever mindful.

AMBROSE; Or else; A good sparrow is one which nature has furnished with the power of flying; for nature has given us the grace of flying, pleasure has taken it away, which loads with meats the soul of the wicked, and molds it towards the nature of a fleshly mass. The five senses of the body then, if they seek the food of earthly alloy, cannot fly back to the fruits of higher actions. A bad sparrow therefore is one which has lost its habit of flying through the fault of earthly groveling; such are those sparrows which are sold for two farthings, namely, at the price of worldly luxury. For the enemy sets up his, as it were, captive slaves, at the very lowest price. But the Lord, being the fit judge of His own work, has redeemed at a great price us, His noble servants, whom He has made in His own image.

CYRIL; It is His care then diligently to know the life of the saints. Whence it follows, But the hairs of your heads are all numbered; by which He means, that of all things which relate to them He has most accurate knowledge, for the numbering manifests the minuteness of the care exercised.

AMBROSE; Lastly, the numbering of the hairs is not to be taken with reference to the act of reckoning, but to the capability of knowing. Yet they are well said to be numbered, because those things which we wish to preserve we number.

CYRIL; Now mystically, indeed, the head of a man is his understanding, but his hairs the thoughts, which are open to the eye of God.

THEOPHYL. Or, by the head of each of the faithful, you must understand a conversation meet for Christ, but by his hair, the works of bodily mortification which are numbered by God, and are worthy of the Divine regard.

AMBROSE; If then such is the majesty of God, that a single sparrow or the number of our hair is not beside His knowledge, how unworthy is it to suppose that the Lord is either ignorant of the hearts of the faithful, or despises them so as to account them of less value. Hence He proceeds to conclude, Fear not then, you are of more value than many sparrows.

BEDE; We must not read, You are more, which relates to the comparison of number, but you are of more value, that is, of greater estimation in the sight of God.

ATHAN. Now I ask the Arians, if God, as if disdaining to make all other things, made only His Son, but deputed all things to His Son; how is it that He extends His providence even to such trifling things as our hair, and the sparrows? For upon whatever things He exercises His providence, of these is He the Creator by His own word.

Catena Aurea Luke 12

The Last Judgment Icon

19c.
Pomorye, Russia

Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr

Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr
Optional Memorial
October 14th

(+222) A slave in youth, St. Callistus was renown for his mercy toward repentant sinners, thus incurring the criticism of many Rigorists, most notably Tertullian. He defended the faith against the Adoptionist and Modalist heresies regarding the Holy Trinity and the Person of Jesus Christ. He was martyred in Rome during the reign of Alexander Severus.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

Collect:
O God, who raised up Pope Saint Callistus the First
to serve the Church
and attend devoutly to Christ's faithful departed,
strengthed us, we pray, by his witness to the faith,
so that, rescued from the slavery of corruption,
we may merit an incorruptible inheritance.
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. +Amen.

First Reading:1 Peter 5:1-4
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.

Gospel Reading: Luke 22:24-30
A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves.

"You are those who have continued with me in my trials; and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Pope Saint Callistus

Information: St. Callistus I

Feast Day: October 14

Died: 223

Patron of: cemetery workers

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Callistus

Feast Day: October 14
Born:(around) 165 :: Died:222

This great pope and martyr was once a young slave in Rome, who got into serious trouble. His master, a Christian, had put him in charge of a bank. Because other Christians, who took loans from the bank, refused to pay back the money, the bank went broke.

Callistus knew that he would be blamed even though he was not at fault and in fear, he ran away from Rome. He was caught, after jumping into the sea to try to get away. His sentence was a terrible one: he was chained and put to hard labor in a mill.

From this punishment Callistus was released, only because the people the bank owed money to, hoped he could get some of their money back. But once again he was arrested, this time for having gotten into a fight and was sent to the mines of Sardinia.

Fortunately, when the emperor freed all the Christians who had been punished and sent to those mines, Callistus was freed too. From that time on, things became better for him.

Pope St. Zephrinus got to know and trust St. Callistus. He put him in charge of the public Christian cemetery in Rome. This cemetery even today is called the Cemetery of St. Callistus.

Many popes were buried in it. Callistus proved himself worthy of the pope's confidence in him. St. Zephrinus not only ordained him a priest, but also made him his friend and advisor.

Later on, St. Callistus himself became pope. Some people complained because he showed too much mercy to sinners. However, the holy pope ruled that even murderers could be given communion after they had done penance for their sins.

He also declared that the rich could marry the poor. This made the Romans very angry because it was against their law. But Pope Callistus would not give in; he said that the Church law was always greater than the Roman law.

This great pope always defended the true teachings of Jesus. He was killed for his faith in 222 with a glorious martyrdom.

The life of St. Callistus reminds us that God can choose anyone to do his work. We only need to have faith and trust in Him.

Friday

October 14, 2016

The Cry of Nature

“When we fail to acknowledge as part of reality the worth of a poor person, a human embryo, a person with disabilities – to offer just a few examples – it becomes difficult to hear the cry of nature itself; everything is connected.” (no. 117) – Pope Francis, Laudato Si

Year of Mercy Calendar for Today: “Fast from meat today.”

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Friday, October 14

Liturgical Color: Green

Today the Church recalls St.
Dominic Loricatus. When he
discovered that his father paid a
bribe to have him ordained a
priest, he dedicated himself to a
life of extreme penance. He was
appointed prior of a hermitage
founded by St. Peter Damian.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: October 14th

Optional Memorial of St. Callistus I, pope and martyr

MASS READINGS

October 14, 2016 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, who raised up Pope Saint Callistus the First to serve the Church and attend devoutly to Christ's faithful departed, strengthen us, we pray, by his witness to the faith, so that, rescued from the slavery of corruption, we may merit an incorruptible inheritance. 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.

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Recipes (6)

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Activities (2)

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Prayers (1)

Book of Blessings: Visiting a Cemetery on All Souls Day, Memorial Day, or on the Anniversary of Death or Burial
Old Calendar: St. Callistus I, pope and martyr ; Other Titles: Callixtus
A Christian slave of Rome, Callistus was ordained deacon by Pope St. Zephyrinus, whom he succeeded as pope in the year 217. As deacon he was guardian of the Christian cemetery on the Appian Way which is still known by his name. While he vigorously opposed heresy, his charitable attitude toward repentant sinners incurred the wrath of contemporary rigorists.

St. Callistus I
Callistus was born to a Christian slave who had a Christian master in second-century Rome. He was placed in charge of a Christian bank which went broke. He fled the city, but was caught and sentenced to the treadmill, then later to the tin mines. He was later ransomed and returned to Rome. As a deacon he was hired by Pope Zephyrinus to administer the Church's property and organize the burial of martyrs in the catacombs on the Appian Way, still named the Cemetery of Saint Callistus.
Eighteen years later in 217 he succeeded Zephyrinus as pontiff, the sixteenth pope. As pope he regulated the discipline of the sacrament of penance, ruling that penitent sinners were welcome in church. He defended the faith against the Adoptionist and Modalist heresies regarding the Holy Trinity and the Person of Jesus Christ. Under the reign of Alexander Severus, he was thrown into prison, and then was tortured by starvation in prison and scourged daily. Finally Callistus was thrown from a window of the house headlong into a well, where he drowned. Callistus died a martyr in 223.
Patron: Cemetery workers.
Symbols: Window; model of church; stone; well; millstone or grindstone; papal tiara; a triple cross (papal symbol).
Things to Do:
- Christians have always cared for the dead, particularly because we believe in the resurrection of the body. We should remember to pray for the dead (a spiritual work of mercy), visit cemeteries and pray for the departed souls, particularly those who have no one to pray for them.
- Take a virtual tour of the Catacombs of St. Callistus.
- Learn more about the Adoptionist and Modalist heresies.
- Since St. Callistus worked in the cemetery, recipes like bread of the dead and other recipes for All Souls Day would be appropriate for this feast.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 12:1-7

Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr (Optional Memorial)

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. . . . Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:4, 7)

Fear is not always a bad thing. God himself gave us the emotion of fear to energize us, to focus our attention, and to help us deal with a threat when danger surfaces. But so often our fears are exaggerated or misplaced. We fear the wrong things for the wrong reasons.

It’s when we focus too much on ourselves that fear cripples us. We keep silent about our faith because we are afraid of what others will think of us. We are afraid that if we say the wrong thing, we will disappoint ourselves, someone else, or God. We can forget how good and faithful God is and become filled with anxiety about the future: What if global warming melts the polar ice caps? What if terrorists poison our drinking water? What if we or a loved one were to contract an incurable disease?

This kind of fear is a work of the devil. He wants to keep us living under dark and ominous clouds so that we never look up to God and find the strength, the courage, and the confidence to move forward. He knows that when we give in to our fears, we become paralyzed and unable to do what God is calling us to do. We forget his loving care, to which Jesus testifies so plainly when he reminds us that even the sparrows are under his protection (Luke 12:6).

Fear is a good thing, even a gift. Let’s not forget that even Jesus was fearful at times. But fear can also overpower us and hold us in spiritual and physical bondage. For instance, it’s normal to be concerned about the safety of our spouse or children, but it’s not good for this concern to cross over into a sense of anxiety and impending dread. When this happens, we can turn to the Lord and ask for his protection and deliverance. We can surrender our lives to him and tell him that we know we can’t control everything that happens but that we trust in him and his plan.

“Jesus, help me to cast away needless fear and trust in your powerful, personal love.”

Ephesians 1:11-14
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for October 14, 2016:

Do something small to surprise your spouse today – prepare lunch for them to take to work, greet them at home with flowers or a treat, or leave a sweet note somewhere for them to find.

Regnum Christi

October 14, 2016 – Into the Lion’s Mouth

14 Oct 2016

Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Daniel Ray, LC

Luke 12: 1-7

At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven– that is, the hypocrisy– of the Pharisees. There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present here as I turn to you in prayer. I trust and have confidence in your desire to give me every grace I need to receive today. Thank you for your love, thank you for your immense generosity toward me. I give you my life and my love in return.

Petition: Lord, give me courage to keep following you even in the face of temptation.

1. Lion Food: St. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, was arrested and then transported to Rome, where death by lions awaited him. In a letter, he urges the Romans to do him no “untimely charity” of interceding with the emperor to spare him from execution. He writes to them, “I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable goodwill towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God” (Letter to the Romans). When Christ speaks of having no fear of those who kill the body but after that can do no more, he means it quite literally. If we encounter a situation in which we must either be faithful to Christ or cave in to pressure and abandon the path of the Lord, we should never hesitate. Follow Christ. Do not fear those who might “kill” by their criticism or disapproval of our rectitude of conscience. Do not be afraid.

2. Becoming Eucharist: St. Ignatius continues, “I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God” (Letter to the Romans). He is drawing a connection between his own coming martyrdom—wheat ground by the teeth of wild beasts—and the Eucharist—the pure bread of God. These words are not just grisly yet pious analogy; rather, they touch on the most profound meaning of the mystery of the Eucharist and our participation in it. The Eucharist is the most complete worship given to God the Father: It is the Incarnation of God among us, it is Christ’s sacrifice of his body on the Cross, and it is his Resurrection from death to eternal life. Through the Eucharist we become an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. We need to offer the struggles and challenges of each day in order to remain united with Christ in the Eucharist.

3. More than Birds: In our daily life we take many small things for granted because they seem to have little import in the grand scheme of things. “What were the high and low temperatures a year ago today?” “What does it matter now?” we might as well respond. “Where will the four sparrows I saw in the park two weeks ago get food to eat?” It’s not even a question that occurs to us. We have many other things of immediate importance that require our attention and action. Yet such a question is important enough to occur to God. Christ tells us in Luke 12:24, “They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them.” He continues, “And how much more are you worth than the birds!” If God would make time to think about something so insignificant among all the goings-on in the world, how much more will he be taking care of our needs!

Conversation with Christ: Lord, when I look at the difficulties and rough spots I know I will be facing today, I worry about the sacrifices I’ll have to make. Maybe events won’t turn out as I hope. Help me to have confidence and trust in you like St. Ignatius. Help me realize that you have taken care of every minute detail of all that will occur today.

Resolution: When faced with any worry today I will pray, “Jesus, I trust in you.”

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 32, Issue 6

<< Friday, October 14, 2016 >>

Pope St. Callistus

Ephesians 1:11-14
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Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13

Luke 12:1-7
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BAPTISMAL "RICHNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY"

"In [Christ] we were chosen." —Ephesians 1:11

We Christians have been baptized into Jesus and, consequently, into His death and Resurrection (Rm 6:3-4). We have been baptized into Jesus and into His priesthood, prophetic ministry, and kingship (see 1 Pt 2:9). "In [Christ] we were chosen" (Eph 1:11; see also 1:13). In and with Him, we are heirs of God's kingdom (Rm 8:17; see also Eph 1:14). Baptized into Christ, we inherit the grace to be holy, pure, and free.

The ramifications of our Baptisms are so monumental and plentiful that we will spend eternity better appreciating "the radical newness of the Christian life that comes from Baptism" (Lay Members of Christ's Faithful People, Pope St. John Paul II, 10; see also Rm 6:3). Therefore, the bishops of the 1987 Synod recommended to baptized Catholics "a post-baptismal catechesis in the form of a catechumenate...with the purpose of allowing a person to grasp and live the immense, extraordinary richness and responsibility received at Baptism" (Lay Members, 61).

Our Baptisms are the basis for God's greatest gifts to us. This extraordinary richness gives us extraordinary responsibility. If we do not fully develop our Baptisms, we are seriously failing in stewardship. "When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted" (Lk 12:48). Fully develop your Baptism.

Prayer: Father, I renew my baptismal promises as never before.

Promise: "Fear nothing, then." —Lk 12:7

Praise: Pope St. Callistus made enemies by being merciful to sinners.