Posted on 08/28/2019 12:20:03 AM PDT by Salvation
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From: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
First Gospel Preaching in Thessalonica (Continuation)
Their Patience
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Commentary:
7-9. St Paul could have “made demands” in a double sense—by using the full
force of his apostolic authority, and by exercising his right to financial support
from the community (cf. 1 Cor 9:14); but he did neither one thing (vv. 7-8) nor
the other (v. 9).
On the contrary, he passed on the Gospel message and worked with the disin-
terested love and dedication of a nursing mother. St John Chrysostom, putting
himself in St Paul’s place, comments as follows: “It is true that I preached the
Gospel to you in obedience to a commandment from God; but I love you with so
great a love that I would have been ready to die for you. That is the perfect model
of sincere, genuine love. A Christian who loves his neighbor should be inspired
by these sentiments. He should not wait to be asked to give up his life for his
brother; rather, he should offer it himself” (”Hom. on 1 Thess, ad loc.”).
“The work of evangelization presupposes in the evangelizer an ever increasing
love for those whom he is evangelizing [...]. What is this love? It is much more
than that of a teacher; it is the love of a father; and again, it is the love of a mo-
ther. It is this love that the Lord expects from every preacher of the Gospel, from
every builder of the Church. A sign of love will be the concern to give the truth
and to bring people into unity [...]. Yet another sign of love will be the effort to
transmit to Christians not doubts and uncertainties born of an erudition poorly
assimilated but certainties that are solid because they are anchored in the
Word of God. The faithful need these certainties for their Christian life; they
have a right to them, as children of God” (Paul VI, “Evangelii Nuntiandi”, 79).
The Apostle’s hardworking life strengthened his moral authority when he had to
warn people against the temptation of idleness (cf. 1 Thess 4: 11) ; it also was
a very good example for the early generations of Christians.
10-12. “Each one of you”: St Paul did not confine his preaching to the syna-
gogue or other public places, or to liturgical assemblies of Christians. He took
an interest in people as individuals, giving advice and consolation in a friendly,
confidential way and telling them how they should conduct themselves in the
presence of God. Christians should copy him in their own apostolate: “Those
well-timed words, whispered in the ear of your wavering friend; the helpful con-
versation you managed to start at the right moment; the ready professional ad-
vice that improves his university work; the discreet indiscretion by which you
open up unexpected horizons for his zeal. This all forms part of the ‘apostolate
of friendship’” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 973).
Those who have received the gift of faith naturally try to tell others about their dis-
covery. “When you come across something useful, you try to bring other people,”
St Gregory comments. “So, you should want other people to join you on the way
of the Lord. If you are going to the forum or the baths and you meet someone who
has nothing to do, you invite him to go along with you. Apply this earthly custom
to the spiritual sphere and as you make you way to God do not go alone” (”In
Evangelia Homilae”, 6, 6). As can be seen clearly from the lives of the first Chris-
tians, apostolate was not the preserve of pastors; all believers had an apostolic
role. And so the Second Vatican Council pointed out that one kind of personal
apostolate very suited to our times is “the witness of a whole lay life issuing from
faith, hope and charity [...]. Then, by the apostolate of the word, which in certain
circumstances is absolutely necessary, the laity proclaim Christ, explain and
spread his teachings, each one according to his conditions and competence,
and profess those teachings with fidelity” (”Apostolicam Actuositatem”, 16).
“Into his own kingdom and glory”: “glory” is a divine attribute which becomes
manifest in the “Kingdom” of God; the Church is the as-yet-incomplete form on
earth of that Kingdom, which will not become visible in its final form until the Pa-
rousia at the end of time. God calls everyone to join the Church so as to be able
to enjoy the glory of the Kingdom of God in due course.
13. Initially divine Revelation was passed on to others orally. “It [Gospel prea-
ching] was done by the Apostles, who handed on (by the spoken word of their
preaching, by the example they gave, by the institutions they established) what
they themselves received—whether from the lips of Christ, from his way of life
and his works, or whether as something learned from the Holy Spirit” (Vatican II,
“Dei Verbum”, 7). Thus, “the apostles, in handing on what they themselves had
received warn the faithful to maintain the traditions which they had learned either
by word of mouth or by letter (cf. 2 Thess 2:15); and they warn them to fight hard
for the faith that had been handed on to them once and for all (cf. Jude 3). What
was handed on by the apostles comprises everything that serves to make the
people of God live their lives in holiness and increase their faith. In this way the
Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to every ge-
neration all that she herself is, all that she believes” (”Dei Verbum”, 8).
Preaching is truly the “word of God” not only because it faithfully passes Revela-
tion on but also because God himself speaks through those who proclaim the
Gospel (cf. 2 Cor 5:20). This explains why “the word of God is living and active”
(Heb 4:12), and “such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve
the Church as her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength
for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life” (”Dei
Verbum”, 21).
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
From: Matthew 23:27-32
Jesus Indicts the Scribes and Pharisees (Continuation)
[29] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the tombs of
the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, [30] saying, ‘If we had
lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shed-
ding the blood of the prophets.’ [31] Thus you witness against yourselves, that
you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. [32] Fill up, then, the mea-
sure of your fathers.”
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
27-28. The Jews used to whitewash tombs annually, shortly before the feast of
the Passover. The whitewash made the tombs more visible and helped to avoid
people brushing against them, which would have meant incurring legal unclean-
ness for seven days (Numbers 19:16; Luke 11:44).
In the sunlight, these tombs sparkled radiantly white, but inside they held cor-
ruption.
29-32. Our Lord shows them that they are cut off from the same cloth as their
ancestors—not because they erect mausoleums in honor of prophets and just
men but because they are guilty of the same sin as those who killed the pro-
phets. Hence their hypocrisy, which makes them even worse than their fathers.
With pained irony Jesus tells them that they are compounding the sins of their
ancestors.
Clearly this is referring to His passion and death: if the ancients killed the pro-
phets, by causing Him to suffer and die our Lord’s contemporaries will still be
more cruel.
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
Liturgical Colour: White.
These are the readings for the feria
First reading |
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1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 © |
We slaved night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you |
---|
Responsorial Psalm |
---|
Psalm 138(139):7-12 © |
Gospel Acclamation | Mt4:4 |
---|
Or: | 1Jn2:5 |
---|
Gospel |
---|
Matthew 23:27-32 © |
You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets |
---|
These are the readings for the memorial
First reading | 1 John 4:7-16 © |
---|
Let us love one another, since love comes from God |
---|
Responsorial Psalm |
---|
Psalm 118(119):9-14 © |
Gospel Acclamation | Mt23:9,10 |
---|
Gospel | Matthew 23:8-12 © |
---|
The greatest among you must be your servant |
---|
Matthew | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
Matthew 23 |
|||
27. | Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you are like to whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones, and of all filthiness. | Væ vobis scribæ et pharisæi hypocritæ, quia similes estis sepulchris dealbatis, quæ a foris parent hominibus speciosa, intus vero pleni sunt ossibus mortuorum, et omni spurcitia ! | ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι παρομοιαζετε ταφοις κεκονιαμενοις οιτινες εξωθεν μεν φαινονται ωραιοι εσωθεν δε γεμουσιν οστεων νεκρων και πασης ακαθαρσιας |
28. | So you also outwardly indeed appear to men just; but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. | Sic et vos a foris quidem paretis hominibus justi : intus autem pleni estis hypocrisi et iniquitate. | ουτως και υμεις εξωθεν μεν φαινεσθε τοις ανθρωποις δικαιοι εσωθεν δε μεστοι εστε υποκρισεως και ανομιας |
29. | Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; that build the sepulchres of the prophets, and adorn the monuments of the just, | Væ vobis scribæ et pharisæi hypocritæ, qui ædificatis sepulchra prophetarum, et ornatis monumenta justorum, | ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι οικοδομειτε τους ταφους των προφητων και κοσμειτε τα μνημεια των δικαιων |
30. | And say: If we had been in the days of our Fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. | et dicitis : Si fuissemus in diebus patrum nostrorum, non essemus socii eorum in sanguine prophetarum ! | και λεγετε ει ημεν εν ταις ημεραις των πατερων ημων ουκ αν ημεν κοινωνοι αυτων εν τω αιματι των προφητων |
31. | Wherefore you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of them that killed the prophets. | itaque testimonio estis vobismetipsis, quia filii estis eorum, qui prophetas occiderunt. | ωστε μαρτυρειτε εαυτοις οτι υιοι εστε των φονευσαντων τους προφητας |
32. | Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. | Et vos implete mensuram patrum vestrorum. | και υμεις πληρωσατε το μετρον των πατερων υμων |
Amen!
Pray for Pope Francis.
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We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.
Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.
Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.
Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.
Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.
O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.
Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests
This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.
The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.
The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.
Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.
St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.
1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.
Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.
End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Final step -- The Sign of the Cross
The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.
The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]
St. Michael the Archangel
~ PRAYER ~
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+
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