From: Titus 3:1-7

Respect for Lawful Authority

[1] Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be
ready for any honest work, [2] to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be
gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.

Renewal of the Christian Life in the Holy Spirit

[3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various
passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and
hating one another; [4] but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our
Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteous-
ness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal
in the Holy Spirit, [6] which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ
our Savior, [7] so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in
hope of eternal life.

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Commentary:

1-8. In the last part of the epistle St Paul deals with the way believers conduct
themselves in society at large (vv. 1-8); he warns Titus to see that the Church
does not become a place where people argue (vv. 9-11); and finally he gives him
some little personal commissions and messages (vv. 12-14) and ends with the
usual words of farewell (v. 15).

The scheme of the first section (vv. 1-8), like the previous chapter, is as follows:
first he describes the requirements of Christian living, specifically the attitude to-
wards civil authority and one’s fellow-citizens (vv. 1-2); then he gives the theologi-
cal reasoning behind it (vv. 3-8): for a Christian, moral behavior is a consequence
of faith.

1-2. Respect for lawful authority (cf. Roman 13:1-7; Tim 2:2; 1 Pet 2: 13-14) was
particularly difficult and meritorious in the situation in Crete, where the local po-
pulation (many of them Jews) were not at all happy with their Roman overlords.
However, the freedom of the children of God (cf. Rom 8:21) which the Christian
acquires at Baptism does not mean he has to be opposed to existing structures:
the main thing it leads him to is personal improvement: “The acute need for radi-
cal reforms of the structures which conceal poverty and which are themselves
forms of violence, should not let us lose sight of the fact that the source of injus-
tice is in the hearts of men. Therefore it is only by making an appeal to the moral
potential of the person and to the constant need for inner conversion, that social
change will be brought about which will truly be in the service of man. For it will
only be in the measure that they collaborate freely in these necessary changes
through their own initiative and solidarity, that people, awakened to a sense of
their responsibility, will grow in humanity” (SCDF, “Libertatis Nuntius”, 11, 8).

Gentleness and courtesy are expressions of the new commandment of love;
they show that a person is spiritually mature, and they are very effective in draw-
ing souls closer to Christ. “To criticize, to destroy, is not difficult; any unskilled
laborer knows how to drive his pick into the noble and finely-hewn stone of a ca-
thedral. To construct: that is what requires the skill of a master” (St. J. Escriva,
“The Way”, 456).

3-7. The main subject of the chapter is the theological basis of social obligations
(vv. 1-2); every Christian should bear witness to salvation history, to the change
from sin to grace, and the change from an era of slavery and error to the era of
freedom and rebirth ushered in by Christ.

The “old regime” is sketched out in a very vivid way (v. 3), showing the effects of
sin on man in his three dimensions: in relation to himself, sin makes a person
foolish, rebellious, wayward, a slave; in respect of God, he becomes hateful in
his rebellious pride; and as far as others are concerned he becomes their enemy
— “hating one another”.

However, the coming of Christ has opened up a new panorama (vv. 4-7). As else-
where in these letters (cf. 1 Tim 3:15; Tit 2:11-14), we have here a hymn to Christ
which may well have come from primitive Christian liturgy or from a confession of
faith. It summarizes Christian teaching on the Incarnation, the Redemption and
the application of salvation to the individual.

According to this text, the Incarnation is the revelation of God our Savior, who
makes known his goodness (”benignity”, a word which often occurs in the Old
Testament and sometimes in the New: cf. Rom 2:4; 11: 22; Gal 5:22; Eph 2:7)
and “loving goodness” (literally “philanthropy”, a word taken from Greek). The
Redemption is referred to in Old Testament language: “he saved us in virtue of
his own mercy.”

Finally, the Christian’s access to salvation is something gratuitous: without any
prior merit on our part, God’s mercy has sought us out (v. 5; cf. note on Rom 3:
27-31); Baptism is the door to salvation, for it is the sacrament of “regeneration
and renewal” (cf. Eph 5:26); the Holy Spirit sent by Christ (cf. Jn 14:26) makes
the waters of Baptism effective; his grace gives life to the soul and entitles it to
eternal life (cf. Gal 4:7; Rom 8:16-17). The Council of Trent specified that “justi-
fication is not only the remission of sins, but sanctification and renovation of the
interior man through the voluntary reception of grace and gifts whereby a man
becomes just instead of unjust and a friend instead of an enemy, that he may
be an heir in the hope of life everlasting” (”De Iustificatione”, chap. 7).

The magnificent resume of faith in Christ contained in Titus 3:3-7 also helps Chris-
tians see how to approach their work and social involvement; the Second Vatican
Council has reminded us once again that “the promised and hoped-for restoration
has already begun in Christ. It is carried forward in the sending of the Holy Spirit
and through him continues in the Church in which, through our faith, we learn the
meaning of our earthly life, while we bring to term, with hope of future good, the
task allotted to us in the world by the Father, and so work out our salvation” (”Lu-
men Gentium”, 48).

*********************************************************************************************
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: Luke 17:11-19

The Ten Lepers

[11] On the way to Jerusalem He (Jesus) was passing along between Samaria
and Galilee. [12] And as He entered the village, He was met by ten lepers, who
stood at a distance [13] and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have
mercy on us.” [14] When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show your-
selves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. [15] Then one of
them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud
voice; [16] and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was
a Samaritan. [17] Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the
nine? [18] Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreig-
ner?” [19] And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you
well.”

********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

11-19. The setting of this episode explains how a Samaritan could be in the com-
pany of Jews. There was no love lost between Jews and Samaritans (cf. John 4:
9), but shared pain, in the case of these lepers, overcame racial antipathy.

The Law of Moses laid down, to prevent the spread of the disease, that lepers
should live away from other people and should let it be known that they were suf-
fering from this disease (cf. Leviticus 13:45-46). This explains why they did not
come right up to Jesus and His group, but instead begged His help by shouting
from a distance. Before curing them our Lord orders them to go to the priests to
have their cure certified (cf. Leviticus 14:2ff), and to perform the rites laid down.
The lepers’ obedience is a sign of faith in Jesus’ words. And, in fact, soon after
setting out they are cleansed.

However, only one of them, the Samaritan, who returns praising God and sho-
wing his gratitude for the miracle, is given a much greater gift than the cure of le-
prosy. Jesus says as much: “Your faith has made you well” (verse 19) and prai-
ses the man’s gratefulness. The Gospel records this event to teach us the value
of gratefulness: “Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving,
many times a day. Because He gives you this and that. Because you have been
despised. Because you haven’t what you need or because you have.

“Because He made His Mother so beautiful, His Mother who is also your Mo-
ther. Because He created the sun and the moon and this animal and that plant.
Because He made that man eloquent and you He left tongue-tied ....

“Thank Him for everything, because everything is good” (St. J. Escriva, “The
Way”, 268).

********************************************************************************************
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.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Green.

First reading	Titus 3:1-7 ©

It was purely by his own compassion that God saved us

Remind your people that it is their duty to be obedient to the officials and representatives of the government; to be ready to do good at every opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels, but to be courteous and always polite to all kinds of people. Remember, there was a time when we too were ignorant, disobedient and misled and enslaved by different passions and luxuries; we lived then in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves.

But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.

Responsorial Psalm	Psalm 22(23) ©

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me,

to revive my drooping spirit.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me along the right path;

he is true to his name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness

no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff;

with these you give me comfort.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a banquet for me

in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me

all the days of my life.

In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell

for ever and ever.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Acclamation	cf.2Th2:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

Through the Good News God called us

to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia!

Or:	1Th5:18

Alleluia, alleluia!

For all things give thanks,

because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia!

Gospel	Luke 17:11-19 ©

No-one has come back to praise God, only this foreigner

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’

Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 17
11.	And it came to pass, as he was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.	Et factum est, dum iret in Jerusalem, transibat per mediam Samariam et Galilæam.	και εγενετο εν τω πορευεσθαι αυτον εις ιερουσαλημ και αυτος διηρχετο δια μεσου σαμαρειας και γαλιλαιας
12.	And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off;	Et cum ingrederetur quoddam castellum, occurrerunt ei decem viri leprosi, qui steterunt a longe :	και εισερχομενου αυτου εις τινα κωμην απηντησαν αυτω δεκα λεπροι ανδρες οι εστησαν πορρωθεν
13.	And lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, master, have mercy on us.	et levaverunt vocem, dicentes : Jesu præceptor, miserere nostri.	και αυτοι ηραν φωνην λεγοντες ιησου επιστατα ελεησον ημας
14.	Whom when he saw, he said: Go, shew yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean.	Quos ut vidit, dixit : Ite, ostendite vos sacerdotibus. Et factum est, dum irent, mundati sunt.	και ιδων ειπεν αυτοις πορευθεντες επιδειξατε εαυτους τοις ιερευσιν και εγενετο εν τω υπαγειν αυτους εκαθαρισθησαν
15.	And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God.	Unus autem ex illis, ut vidit quia mundatus est, regressus est, cum magna voce magnificans Deum,	εις δε εξ αυτων ιδων οτι ιαθη υπεστρεψεν μετα φωνης μεγαλης δοξαζων τον θεον
16.	And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan.	et cecidit in faciem ante pedes ejus, gratias agens : et hic erat Samaritanus.	και επεσεν επι προσωπον παρα τους ποδας αυτου ευχαριστων αυτω και αυτος ην σαμαρειτης
17.	And Jesus answering, said, Were not ten made clean? and where are the nine?	Respondens autem Jesus, dixit : Nonne decem mundati sunt ? et novem ubi sunt ?	αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν ουχι οι δεκα εκαθαρισθησαν οι δε εννεα που
18.	There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger.	Non est inventus qui rediret, et daret gloriam Deo, nisi hic alienigena.	ουχ ευρεθησαν υποστρεψαντες δουναι δοξαν τω θεω ει μη ο αλλογενης ουτος
19.	And he said to him: Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole.	Et ait illi : Surge, vade : quia fides tua te salvum fecit.	και ειπεν αυτω αναστας πορευου η πιστις σου σεσωκεν σε

11. And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14. And when he saw them, he said to them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18. There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19. And he said to him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole.

AMBROSE; After speaking the foregoing parable, our Lord censures the ungrateful;

TITUS BOST. saying, And it came to pass, showing that the Samaritans were indeed well disposed towards the mercies above mentioned, but the Jews not so. For there was enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans, and He to allay this, passed into the midst of both nations, that he might cement both into one new man.

CYRIL; The Savior next manifests His glory by drawing over Israel to the faith. As it follows, And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, men who were banished from the towns and cities, and counted unclean, according to the rites of the Mosaic law.

TITUS BOST. They associated together from the sympathy they felt as partakers of the same calamity, and were waiting till Jesus passed, anxiously looking out to see Him approach. As it is said, Which stood afar off, for the Jewish law esteems leprosy unclean, whereas the law of the Gospel calls unclean not the outward, but the inward leprosy.

THEOPHYL. They therefore stand afar off as if ashamed of the uncleanness which was impaled to them, thinking that Christ would loathe them as others did. Thus they stood afar off, but were made nigh to Him by their prayers. For the Lord is nigh to all them that call upon him in truth. Therefore it follows, And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy upon us.

TITUS BOST. They pronounce the name of Jesus, and gain to themselves the reality. For Jesus is by interpretation Savior. They say, Have mercy upon us, because they were sensible of His power, and sought neither for gold and silver, but that their bodies might put on again a healthful appearance.

THEOPHYL. They do not merely supplicate or entreat Him as if He were a man, but they call Him Master or Lord, as if almost they looked upon Him as God. But He bids them show themselves to the priests, as it follows, And when he saw them, he said, Go, show yourselves to the priests. For they were examined whether they were cleansed from their leprosy or not.

CYRIL; The law also ordered, that those who were cleansed from leprosy should offer sacrifice for the sake of their purification.

THEOPHYL. Therefore in bidding them go to the priests he meant nothing more than that they were just about to be healed; and so it follows, And it came to pass that as they went they were healed.

CYRIL; Whereby the Jewish priests who were jealous of His glory might know that it was by Christ granting them health that they were suddenly and miraculously healed.

THEOPHYL. But out of the ten, the nine Israelites were ungrateful, whereas the Samaritan stranger returned and lifted up his voice in thanksgiving, as it follows, And one of them turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.

TITUS BOST. When he found that he was cleansed, he had boldness to draw near, as it follows, And fell down on his face at his feet giving him thanks. Thus by his prostration and prayers shelving at once both his faith and his gratitude. It follows, And he was a Samaritan.

THEOPHYL. We may gather from this that a man is not one whit hindered from pleasing God because he comes from a cursed race, only let him bear in his heart an honest purpose. Further, let not him that is born of saints boast himself, for the nine who were Israelites were ungrateful; and hence it follows, And Jesus answering him said, Were there not ten cleansed?

TITUS BOST. Wherein it is shown, that strangers were more ready to receive the faith, but Israel was slow to believe; and so it follows, And he said to him, Arise, go your way, your faith has made you whole.

AUG. The lepers may be taken mystically for those who, having no knowledge of the true faith, profess various erroneous doctrines. For they do not conceal their ignorance, but brazen it forth as the highest wisdom, making a vain show of it with boasting words. But since leprosy is a blemish in color, when true things appear clumsily mixed up with false in a single discourse or narration, as in the color of a single body, they represent a leprosy streaking and disfiguring as it were with true and false dyes the color of the human form. Now these lepers must be so put away from the Church, that being as far removed as possible, they may with loud shouts call upon Christ. But by their calling Him Teacher, I think it is plainly implied that leprosy is truly the false doctrine which the good teacher may wash away. Now we find that of those upon whom our Lord bestowed bodily mercies, not one did He send to the priests, save the lepers, for the Jewish priesthood was a figure of that priesthood which is in the Church. All vices our Lord corrects and heals by His own power working inwardly in the conscience, but the teaching of infusion by means of the Sacrament, or of catechizing by word of mouth, was assigned to the Church. And as they went, they were cleansed; just as the Gentiles to whom Peter came, having not yet received the sacrament of Baptism, whereby we come spiritual to the priests, are declared cleansed by the infusion of the Holy Spirit. Whoever then follows true and sound doctrine in the fellowship of the Church, proclaiming himself to be free from the confusion of lies, as it were a leprosy, yet still ungrateful to his Cleanser does not prostrate himself with pious humility of thanksgiving, is like to those of whom the Apostle says, that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, nor were thankful. Such then will remain in the ninth number as imperfect. For the nine need one, that by a certain form of unity they may be cemented together, in order to become ten. But he who gave thanks was approved of as a type of the one only Church. And since these were Jews, they are declared to have lost through pride the kingdom of heaven, wherein most of all unity is preserved. But the man who was a Samaritan, which is by interpretation “guardian,” giving back to Him who gave it that which he had received, according to the Psalm, My strength will I preserve for you, has kept the unity of the kingdom with humble devotion.

BEDE; He fell upon his face, because he blushes with shame when he remembers the evils he had committed. And he is commended to rise and walk, because he who, knowing his own weakness, lies lowly on the ground, is led to advance by the consolation of the divine word to mighty deeds. But if faith made him whole, who hurried himself back to give thanks, therefore does unbelief destroy those who have neglected to give glory to God for mercies received. Wherefore that we ought to increase our faith by humility, as it is declared in the former parable, so in this is it exemplified in the actions themselves.

Catena Aurea Luke 17

Jesus, High Priest

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.

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

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]

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November 14, 2018

Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Ti 3:1-7

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6

Alleluia 1 Thes 5:18

Gospel Lk 17:11-19

Readings at Mass