Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 6-6-03, Optional, St. Norbert

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 6-06-03 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

June 6, 2003
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Psalm: Friday Week 25 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel

Reading I
Acts 25:13b-21

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul's case to the king, saying,
"There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor's decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar."

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab

R (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R Alleluia.
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R Alleluia.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R Alleluia.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.
R The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R Alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 21:15-19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
He said to him, "Tend my sheep."
He said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
"Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go."
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

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For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments and discussion.

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Alleluia Ping!

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From: Acts 25:13b-21

Festus Briefs Agrippa

---

[13] Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus.
[14] And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the
king, saying, "There is a man left prisoner by Felix; [15] and when I was at
Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews gave information
about him, asking for sentence against him. [16] I answered them that it was
not the custom of the Romans to give up any one before the accused met the
accusers face to face, and had opportunity to make his defense concerning
the charge laid against him. [17] When therefore they came together here, I
made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered
the man to be brought in. [18] When the accusers stood up, they brought no
charge in his case of such evils as I supposed; [19] but they had certain
points of dispute with him about their own superstition and about one Jesus,
who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. [20] Being at a loss how
to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wished to go to Jerusalem
and be tried there regarding them. [21] But when Paul had appealed to be
kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be held
until I send him to Caesar."

---

Commentary:

13. Herod Agrippa II was a son of Herod Agrippa I. He was born in the
year 27. Like his father he had won favor with Rome and had been given
various territories in northern Palestine, which he was allowed to rule
with the title of king. Bernice was his sister.

19. Festus' words show his indifference towards Paul's beliefs and his
religious controversy with the Jews. The conversation between the two
politicians reveals a typical attitude of worldly men to matters which
they consider far-fetched and irrelevant as far as everyday affairs are
concerned. This passage also shows us that in the course of his trial
Paul must have had an opportunity to speak about Jesus and confess his
faith in the Resurrection.

Jesus Christ is alive; he is the center of history and the center of
each and every person's existence. "The Church believes that Christ, who
died and was raised for the sake of all (cf. 2 Cor 5:15) can show man
the way and strengthen him through the Spirit in order to be worthy of
his destiny: nor is there any other name under heaven given among men
by which they can be saved (cf. Acts 4:12). The Church likewise
maintains that the key, the center and the purpose of the whole of
man's history is to be found in its Lord and Master. She also maintains
that beneath all that changes there is much that is unchanging, much
that has its ultimate foundation in Christ, who is the same yesterday,
and today, and forever (cf. Heb 13:8)" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes",
10).

"Stir up that fire of faith. Christ is not a figure that has passed. He
is not a memory that is lost in history.

"He lives! '"Jesus Christus heri et hodie, ipse et in saecula"', says
Saint Paul,--'Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as
he will be for ever"' (J. Escriva, The Way, 584).

21. "Caesar" and "Augustus" were titles of the Roman emperor. At this
time the emperor was Nero (54-68).

---

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

[Salvation]

From: John 21:15-19

Peter's Primacy

---

[15] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him,
"Yes, Lord; you know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My
lambs." [16] A second time He said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you
love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord, you know I love You." He said
to him, "Tend My sheep." [17] He said to him the third time, "Simon,
son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him
the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know
everything; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My
sheep. [18] Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you girded
yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will
stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where
you do not wish to go." [19] (This He said to show by what death he
was to glorify God.) And after this He said to him, "Follow Me."

---

Commentary:

15-17. Jesus Christ had promised Peter that he would be the primate of
the Church (cf. Matthew 16:16-19 and note on the same). Despite his
three denials during our Lord's passion, Christ now confers on him the
primacy He promised.

"Jesus questions Peter, three times, as if to give him a triple chance
to atone for his triple denial. Peter has learned his lesson from the
bitter experience of his wretchedness. Aware of his weakness, he is
deeply convinced that rash claims are pointless. Instead he puts
everything in Christ's hands. `Lord, You know well that I love You"
([Blessed] J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 267). The primacy was given
to Peter directly and immediately. So the Church has always
understood--and so Vatican I defined: "We therefore teach and declare
that, according to the testimony of the Gospel, the primacy of
jurisdiction over the universal Church of God was immediately and
directly promised and given to Blessed Peter the Apostle by Christ our
Lord. [...] And it was upon Simon Peter alone that Jesus after His
resurrection bestowed the jurisdiction of chief pastor and ruler over
all His fold in the words: "Feed My lambs; feed My sheep" ("Pastor
Aeternus", Chapter 1).

The primacy is a grace conferred on Peter and his successors, the
popes; it is one of the basic elements in the Church, designed to guard
and protect its unity: "In order that the episcopate also might be one
and undivided, and that [...] the multitude of the faithful might be
kept secure in the oneness of faith and communion, He set Blessed Peter
over the rest of the Apostles, and fixed in him the abiding principle
of this twofold unity, and its visible foundation" ("Pastor Aeternus,
Dz-Sch 3051"; cf. Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 18). Therefore, the
primacy of Peter is perpetuated in each of his successors: this is
something which Christ disposed; it is not based on human legislation
or custom.

By virtue of the primacy, Peter, and each of his successors, is the
shepherd of the whole Church and vicar of Christ on earth, because he
exercises vicariously Christ's own authority. Love for the Pope, whom
St. Catherine of Siena used to call "the sweet Christ on earth", should
express itself in prayer, sacrifice and obedience.

18-19. According to Tradition, St. Peter followed his Master to the
point of dying by crucifixion, head downwards, "Peter and Paul suffered
martyrdom in Rome during Nero's persecution of Christians, which took
place between the years 64 and 68. St. Clement, the successor of the
same Peter in the See of the Church of Rome, recalls this when, writing
to the Corinthians, he puts before them `the generous example of these
two athletes': `due to jealousy and envy, those who were the principal
and holiest columns suffered persecution and fought the fight unto
death'" ([Pope] Paul VI, "Petrum Et Paulum").

"Follow Me!": these words would have reminded the Apostle of the first
call he received (cf. Matthew 4:19) and of the fact that Christ
requires of His disciples complete self-surrender: "If any man would
come after Me, let him deny himself and take up the Cross daily and
follow Me" (Luke 9:23). St. Peter himself, in one of his letters, also
testifies to the Cross being something all Christians must carry: "For
to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps" (1 Peter
2:21).

---

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

[Salvation]

Apologetics ping!

**The primacy was given
to Peter directly and immediately. So the Church has always
understood--and so Vatican I defined: "We therefore teach and declare
that, according to the testimony of the Gospel, the primacy of
jurisdiction over the universal Church of God was immediately and
directly promised and given to Blessed Peter the Apostle by Christ our
Lord. [...] And it was upon Simon Peter alone that Jesus after His
resurrection bestowed the jurisdiction of chief pastor and ruler over
all His fold in the words: "Feed My lambs; feed My sheep" ("Pastor
Aeternus", Chapter 1).**

[Salvation]

Another apologetics bump!

**The primacy is a grace conferred on Peter and his successors, the
popes; it is one of the basic elements in the Church, designed to guard
and protect its unity: "In order that the episcopate also might be one
and undivided, and that [...] the multitude of the faithful might be
kept secure in the oneness of faith and communion, He set Blessed Peter
over the rest of the Apostles, and fixed in him the abiding principle
of this twofold unity, and its visible foundation" ("Pastor Aeternus,
Dz-Sch 3051"; cf. Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 18). Therefore, the
primacy of Peter is perpetuated in each of his successors: this is
something which Christ disposed; it is not based on human legislation
or custom.**

Apologetics simply means using the Bible to prove Catholic doctrine.

[Salvation]

And third Apologetics ping! (Emphasis added by me!) **By virtue of the primacy, Peter, and each of his successors, is the shepherd of the whole Church and vicar of Christ on earth, because he exercises vicariously Christ's own authority. Love for the Pope, whom St. Catherine of Siena used to call "the sweet Christ on earth", should express itself in prayer, sacrifice and obedience.**

[Salvation]

Thought for the Day

Oh what remorse we shall feel at the end of our lives, when we look back upon the great number of instructions and examples afforded by God and the Saints for our perfection, and so carelessly received by us! If this end were to come to you today, how would you be pleased with the life you have led this year?

 -- St Francis de Sales

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Friday, June 06, 2003

Meditation
John 21:15-19



Picture yourself in Peter’s position. It is morning, and you are enjoying a lakeside breakfast at dawn with Jesus. The two of you are relaxing among friends when, unexpectedly, he turns, looks into your eyes, and asks, “Do you love me?” What is your reply to Jesus’ intense and intimate inquiry? Take a moment right now to formulate your answer. Imagine Jesus’ face as he listens intently to your reply.

Still looking into your eyes, Jesus repeats his question. “Do you love me?”

Why does Jesus want to hear again that you love him? He is not looking for a response only of obedience or conformity, but one that is as heartfelt and passionate as his love for you. There are many ways to express love: in words, in song, through gestures. Can you find an expression of your love for Jesus that goes beyond a rehearsed answer?

Continue your dialogue with Jesus. As you become more comfortable with expressing yourself, your thoughts, words, or gestures can become part of an ongoing dialogue of love with Jesus in the spare moments of the day.

Each of us must find our own way to express our love for Jesus. Here is how one woman, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, declared her love to him: “O eternal Word, my Savior, you are the Eagle I love. . . . I want to be fascinated by your gaze. I want to be the prey of your love. I hope that one day you will swoop down on me, carry me off to the furnace of love, and plunge me into its burning depths so that I can be its ecstatic victim for all eternity.”

“Jesus, even if I don’t always put it into words, I do love you. I rejoice that you do not hesitate to entrust your love to me. I, the unworthy recipient of your love, choose to return your love with thanks and praise. Forgive my doubts, my failings, and my weaknesses—everything that leads you to ask if I truly love you. Look into the depths of my heart, sweet Jesus, and know that I love you, my Lord and my God!”

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

<< Friday, June 6, 2003 >>

Pentecost Novena - Day 8 St. Norbert

Acts 25:13-21

Psalm 103

John 21:15-19

View Readings

REAL LOVE?

“Do you love Me?” —John 21:15, 16, 17

Simon Peter honestly believed that there was no reason to doubt that he loved Jesus. That’s why “Peter was hurt because He (Jesus) had asked a third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ ” (Jn 21:17) Although Peter had denied Christ a few weeks before this encounter (see Lk 22:57ff), Peter assumed that this was no reason to doubt his love. Moreover, Peter had returned to the fishing business he was working in before he met Jesus (Jn 21:3ff). Yet Peter didn’t see that he was living B.C. (before Christ) and was thereby demonstrating further reason to doubt his love. Peter had met the risen Christ several times, but he was still languishing in unbelief. This wasn’t a sign of love. Peter’s life before Pentecost indicated a lack of love for Jesus in several ways. Everyone may have noticed it — everyone but Peter.

“Do you love” Jesus? (Jn 21:15) What does your life say? Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin and the denial of reality which comes with sin (see Jn 16:8). Ask the Holy Spirit to purify you through obedience (1 Pt 1:22) and to produce in you an authentic love for Jesus (see Gal 5:22).

Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to free me from self-deception about love and to fill me with true love.

Promise: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless His holy name.” —Ps 103:1

Praise: St. Norbert led a life of ease and opulence even as a subdeacon of the Church but experienced a life-changing conversion after escaping death. He sold his estates, gave away the proceeds, and pursued a life of poverty.

[Pyro7480]

St. Francis de Sales bump!

[Salvation]

That IS a great quote, isn't it?

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Catholic Online Saints

Saint Norbert

Feastday: June 6

St. Norbert was born at Xanten in the Rhineland, about the year 1080. The early part of his life was devoted to the world and its pleasures. He entered upon the ecclesiastical state in a worldly spirit.

The thunderstorm had boiled up suddenly as Norbert was out riding. Norbert, who had always chosen the easy way, would never have deliberately gone on a journey that promised danger, risk, or discomfort. He had moved easily from the comforts of the noble family he was born into at about 1080 to the pleasure-loving German court. He had no hesitations about joining in any opportunity to enjoy himself, no matter what the source of that pleasure. To ensure his success at court, he also had no qualms about accepting holy orders as a canon and whatever financial benefices that came with that position, although he did hesitate at becoming a priest and the implied responsibilities that came with that vocation.

But now high winds pushed and pulled at his fashionable coif, rain slashed at his fancy clothes, and dark roiling clouds pressed night down upon his light thoughts. A sudden flash of lightning split the dark and his horse bucked, throwing Norbert to the ground.

For almost an hour, the still form of the courtier lay unmoving. Even the rain soaking his clothes and the howl of thunder did not bring him back to consciousness and life. When he awoke his first words were, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" -- the same words Saul spoke on the road to Damascus. In response Norbert heard in his heart, "Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it."

He immediately returned to the place of his birth, Xanten, to devote himself to prayer and penance. He now embraced the instruction for the priesthood he had avoided and was ordained in 1115. His complete conversion and new ways caused some to denounce the former courtier as a hypocrite. Norbert's response was to give everything he owned to the poor and to go to the pope for permission to preach.

With this commission in hand, he became an itinerant preacher, traveling through Europe with his two companions. In an extreme response to his old ways, he now chose the most difficult ways to travel -- walking barefoot in the middle of winter through snow and ice. Unfortunately the two companions who followed him died from the ill-effects of exposure. But Norbert was gaining the respect of those sincere clerics who had despised him before. The bishop of Laon wanted Norbert to help reform the canons in his see, but the canons wanted nothing to do with Norbert's type of reform which they saw as far too strict. The bishop, not wanting to lose this holy man, offered Norbert land where he could start his own community. In a lonely valley called Pr‚montr‚, began his community with thirteen canons. Despite the strictness of his regulation, or perhaps because it, his reforms attracted many disciples until eight abbeys and two convents were involved. Even the canons who had originally rejected him asked to be part of the reform.

In Norbert's community we have the first evidence of lay affiliation with a religious order. This came about when a count Theobald wanted to join Norbert. Norbert realized that Theobald was not called to holy orders but to marriage and worldly duties. But he did not entirely reject Theobald, giving him a rule and devotions as well as a scapular to wear to identify him as part of the community.

It was on the trip accompanying Theobald to his marriage, that Norbert was spotted by Emperor Lothair and chosen as bishop of Magdebourg. Legend has it the porter refused to let Norbert into his new residence, assuming he was a beggar. When the crowd pointed out to the flustered porter that this was the new bishop Norbert told the porter, "You were right the first time." Norbert carried the love of reform that he had found in his own life to his new diocese. As usual, this made him many enemies and he was almost assassinated. Disgusted with the citizens desire to keep to their old ways, he left the city, but was soon called back -- not because the citizens missed him but because the emperor and the pope pressured them.

When two rival popes were elected after the death of Honorius II, Norbert helped try to heal the Church by getting his admirer the emperor to support the first elected, Innocent II. At the end of his life he was made an archbishop but he died soon after on June 6, 1134 at the age of 53.

[Salvation]

FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Norbert was born in the region of Cleves around the year 1080.
As a young man he lived a worldly life, and he continued to do this
when he received ordination to the subdeaconate. Norbert served as
a subdeacon at the church in Xanten for several years before
realizing his failings and reforming his life. Norbert gave all his
possessions to the poor, and took a two year penitential retreat
before seeking ordination to the priesthood.

In 1115, Norbert received ordination to the priesthood and visited
Pope Gelasius II to place himself at his service to do penance for his
former lifestyle. Gelasius allowed Norbert to preach anywhere he
desired and Norbert traveled to northern France to preach and to
work for reform of the Church and the clergy. Norbert quickly gained
a reputation for his excellent preaching and was known to perform
miracles.

While Norbert was preaching in the Premontre region he attracted a
group of followers and they formed the Order of Premonstratensians,
also known as Norbertines. Soon after founding this order, Norbert
was named archbishop of Madgeburg. This position allowed Norbert
to have greater influence in reforming the church and brought him
into contact with St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Hugh of Grenoble.

Norbert ruled Madgeburg for almost a decade. He died in 1134 and
was canonized in 1582. In 1627 his relics were translated to Strahov,
near Prague. He is the patron of Madgeburg and Bohemia.


QUOTE OF THE DAY

O Priest! You are not yourself because you are God. You are not of
yourself because you are the servant and minister of Christ. You are
not you own because you are the spouse of the Church. You are not
yourself because you are the mediator between God an man. You
are not from yourself because you are nothing. What then are you?
Nothing and everything. O Priest! Take care lest what was said to
Christ on the cross be said to you: "He saved others, himself he
cannot save!" -St. Norbert


TODAY IN HISTORY

1134 Death of St. Norbert
1622 Gregory XV published the bull "Inscrutabili Divinae" which
reminded the Church of its mission to the newly discovered native
populations of the recently discovered Americas
1944 D-Day


TODAY'S TIDBIT

The Order of the Canons Regular of Premontre, also called
Premonstratensians and Norbertines and abbreviated O. Praem,
were founded in 1120 and follow the Rule of St. Augustine. The
order is dedicated to educational and parish work and has more than
1300 members.


INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray, through the intercession of St. Norbert, that all people
may develop a greater devotion to the Eucharist.

[Salvation]

Please pray, through the intercession of St. Norbert, that all people may develop a greater devotion to the Eucharist.

Amen!

[NYer]

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them

This sentence has always intrigued me ... revealed himself ... and eaten breakfast with them.

He was Risen but not yet Ascended. He was not recognizable until they had broken break. He "ate" with them. What do you suppose this means?

[Salvation]

It has always been in the "breaking of the bread" that Christ was and is recognized.

[Salvation]

Image Of St Norbert: A Scientific/Artistic Reconstruction