Posted on 02/03/2019 8:44:09 PM PST by Salvation
February 4 2019
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Heb 11:32-40
Brothers and sisters: What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders. Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth.
Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD, which you have in store for those who fear you, And which, toward those who take refuge in you, you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plottings of men; You screen them within your abode from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Blessed be the LORD whose wondrous mercy he has shown me in a fortified city.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Once I said in my anguish, "I am cut off from your sight"; Yet you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried out to you.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones! The LORD keeps those who are constant, but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Alleluia Lk 7:16R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 5:1-20
Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!" (He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!") He asked him, "What is your name?"
He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us." And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, "Send us into the swine. Let us enter them." And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, "Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you." Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.
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From: Hebrews 11:32-40
The Faith of Moses, of the Judges and of the Prophets
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Commentary:
32-38. Up to this point, the passage has been recalling outstanding examples of
faith from the time of the Patriarchs down to that of Joshua (18th to 13th century
B.C.). The epistle now goes on to their exploits and sufferings, wherein their faith
brought them victory; the sacred writer then mentions the testimony of faith of he-
roes, judges, kings, prophets and martyrs from the time of the conquest of Pale-
stine to that of the Maccabees (13th to 2nd centuries B.C.). Not in any strict
chronological order, he mentions only the most important Judges (Gideon, Barak,
Samson and Jephthah), the greatest of the kings (David) and the most famous of
the early prophets (Samuel). Finally he refers to exploits and other deeds inspi-
red by faith and fidelity, without giving names.
We know from Sacred Scripture that many of these people had shortcomings
and, in some cases, committed grave sins. However, those weaknesses did not
prevent their filling key roles in God’s plans: they let themselves be used by God
to apply his policy and are therefore worthy of being proposed as examples of
faith.
33-35a. “Through faith (they) conquered kingdoms”: a reference to the men who
conquer the promised land: Barak, who overcame the Canaanites (cf. Judg 11),
Gideon, who conquered the Midianites (cf. Judg 7), Jephthah, who conquered the
Amonnites (cf. Judg 11), Samson, who defeated the Philistines (cf. Judg 14), and
David, who succeeded in subduing all the enemies of Israel (cf. 2 Sam 5:17-25;
8:1f; 10).
“Enforced justice”: a reference to the authority exercised by the Judges on a tri-
bal basis, and by Samuel and the kings over the whole of Israel (cf. 1 Sam 12:3;
2 Sam 8:15); it can also be understood as meaning those who practised righ-
teousness in God’s name and made it effective, the prophets being the outstan-
ding examples.
“Received promises”: the righteous of the Old Testament received an earnest of
the messianic promises in the form of the fulfillment of certain prophecies made
by God. Barak defeated Sisera as God had promised (cf. Judg 4:14f); Gideon
overcame the Midianites (cf. Judg 6:14; 7:7); David brought peace to the whole
land, as Nathan had predicted (cf. 2 Sam 7:11); etc.
“Stopped the mouths of lions”: a reference to feats performed by Samson (cf. Jud
14:6), David (cf. 1 Sam 17:34-35), and Benaiah (cf. 2 Sam 23:20), it especially re-
calls the episode of Daniel in the lion’s den: when thrown there by the king on ac-
count of his faith, he told him, “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths,
and they have not hurt me” (Dan 6:22).
Sacred history also includes people who “quenched raging fire” (like the three
young men in the fiery furnace in Babylon: cf. Dan 3:21-94); or who “escaped the
edge of the sword” (as Moses did, in his flight from Pharaoh’s wrath: cf. Ex 18:4);
or like David, who “won strength out of weakness” in his victories over Goliath
and Saul (cf. 1 Sam 17:34ff; 18:11; 19:11). Thanks to his faith Elijah found protec-
tion from Jezebel’s persecution (cf. 1 Kings 19:1f); and the Jewish people were
able to escape extermination during King Ahasuerus’ reign thanks to the prayer
and intercession of Esther and Mordecai (cf. Esther 3:6ff).
Through faith King Hezekiah was miraculously cured of mortal illness (cf. Is 38)
and Samson received his strength after becoming weak and blind (cf. Judg 15:
19; 16:28-30). Faith enabled the Hebrews, under the Judges, to take on and de-
feat the pagan peoples of Palestine; it led Judith to behead Holofernes and bring
about the destruction of his army; and it enabled the Maccabees to repel the fo-
reign armies of Antiochus (cf. 1 Mac 1:38).
Then there is the example of the widow of Zarephath, who sheltered Elijah and
had her son restored when the prophet cured him (cf. 1 Kings 17:17f). And Eli-
sha brought back to life the son of the Shunammite widow (cf. 2 Kings 4:33f).
All these examples show the effectiveness of faith, when it involves a person’s
whole life and lifestyle, influencing both everyday events and great exploits.
35b-36. Faith not only enables people to perform exploits and miracles: it also
enables them to persevere in doing good and to bear all kinds of moral and phy-
sical pain, even torture and the most cruel forms of death. And so the text refers
to various sorts of suffering inflicted on the prophets and many other just mem-
bers of the people of Israel.
The writer may have in mind, for example, the death of Eleazar (cf. 2 Mac 6:19ff)
and of the seven brothers (cf. 2 Mac 7), who underwent most cruel torture during
the persecution mounted by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The king had promised
them their lives if they gave up their faith and laws by eating forbidden meat; but
they stayed true to God and were mercilessly martyred.
However, they had unshakeable faith in the rightness of God’s judgment and in
future resurrection (2 Mac 7:19, 14, 23, 29). They desired to “rise again to a bet-
ter life”: they put their faith in an incomparably more valuable, more real, life than
that of a few more years on earth, which would have been the reward of apostasy.
“They did not escape death,” St Thomas writes, “not because God was not loo-
king after them but so that they might obtain eternal life, which is a more excel-
lent thing than being set free from any present affliction or being raised up again
to this life” (”Commentary on Heb.”, 11, 5).
The example of these men and women whom faith strengthened to endure suffe-
ring, should encourage Christians to face persecution courageously and defend
their faith at all costs. “Let us pray to God that we do not suffer persecution, but
if that does happen, let us bear it bravely. It befits a prudent man not to fling him-
self lightly into danger, but it befits a brave man to rise to the occasion when
danger falls on him” (”Hom. on Heb.”, 5).
37-38. Some righteous men were stoned for their faith — Zechariah, for example,
who was killed by order of King Joash (cf. 2 Chron 24:2021); Naboth, condemned
to death through the lies spread by Jezebel (cf. 1 Kings 21:13); and the prophet
Jeremiah also, according to an ancient tradition. Others were sawn in two — Isai-
ah, for example, whom another Jewish tradition says was martyred by King Ma-
nasseh.
Elijah, in flight from persecution, went around dressed in skins (cf. 1 Kings 19:
3ff); similarly Mattathias and his sons during the war against the Seleucid kings,
were forced to hide in the mountains and had only goatskins to wear (cf. 1 Mac
2:28).
In our own time there are also people who profess their faith in God by undergo-
ing comparable persecution; but usually hatred of Christ and his followers takes
more subtle forms.
40. This verse is the conclusion following from all the examples provided. The
righteous of the Old Law were outstanding for their faith and endurance, but for
all that they did not have the strength that the grace of Christ bestows; Jesus re-
marked, when John the Baptist was praised to him, “Truly, I say to you, among
those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet
he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Mt 11:11); and he
reminded his disciples of their privileged position: “Blessed are the eyes which
see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see
what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it”
(Lk 10:23-24; cf. Mt 13:16-17).
God did not deny their reward to the righteous of the Old Testament, but he
postponed it until heaven’s gates were opened by the death and resurrection of
our Lord. They too now enjoy eternal life and they will attain their final perfecting
when their bodies rise in glory on the last day. God is like a good father, St John
Chrysostom comments, who says to his beloved children when they finish their
work, that he will not give them their supper until their other brothers come back
also. “And you, are you annoyed because you have not received your reward?
What should Abel do, then. He was the first to gain the victory, but remained un-
crowned. And Noah? And all those of those times who are waiting for you and for
those who will come after you? Do you not see how much better off we are? That
is why he says: God in his providence had arranged something better for us. And,
in order that it should not be thought that those people were superior to us be-
cause they received their crown earlier, God disposed that all should be crowned
at the very same time; and he who won his many years earlier will be crowned
along with you [...]. For if we are all the one body, this body will the more rejoice
if all are crowned at the same time and not one by one” (”Hom. on Heb.”, 28).
*********************************************************************************************
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: Mark 5:1-20
The Gerasene Demoniac
[14] The herdsmen fled, and told it in the city and the country. And people came
to see what it was that had happened. [15] And they came to see Jesus, and
saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the man who had
had the legion; and they were afraid. [16] And those who had seen it told what
had happened to the demoniac and to the swine. [17] And they began to beg Je-
sus to depart from their neighborhood. [18] And as He was getting into the boat,
the man who had been possessed with demons begged Him that he might be
with Him. [19] But He refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and
tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on
you.” [20] And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much
Jesus had done for him; and all men marvelled.
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Commentary:
1-20. The inhabitants of Gerasa were mostly pagans, as one can gather from the
fact that there was such a huge herd of swine there (which must have belonged
to a number of different people). Jews were forbidden to raise pigs or eat pork
(Leviticus 11:7).
This miracle emphasizes, once more, the existence of the devil and his influence
over men’s lives: if God permits it, the devil can harm not only humans but also
animals. When Christ allows the demons to enter the swine, the malice of the
demons becomes obvious: they are tormented at not being able to do men harm
and therefore they ask Christ to let them, at least, inflict themselves on animals.
This He does, in order to show that they would have the same effect on men as
they have on these swine, if God did not prevent them.
Clearly it was not Jesus’ intention to punish the owners of the swine by the loss
of the herd: since they were pagans that were not subject to the precepts of the
Jewish law. Rather, the death of the swine is visible proof that the demon has
gone out of the possessed man.
Jesus permitted the loss of some material goods because these were of infinitely
less value than the spiritual good involved in the cure of the possessed man.
15-20. Notice the different attitudes to Jesus Christ: the Gerasenes beg Him to
go away; the man freed from the devil wants to stay with Him and follow Him. The
inhabitants of Gerasa have had our Lord near them, they have seen His divine po-
wers, but they are very self-centered: all they can think about is the material da-
mage they have suffered through the loss of the herd; they do not realize the mar-
vel Jesus has worked. Christ has invited them and offered them His grace but
they do not respond: they reject Him. The man who has been cured wants to
follow Jesus with the rest of His disciples but our Lord refuses; instead He gives
him a task which shows Christ’s unlimited compassion for all men, even for those
who reject Him: the man is to stay in Gerasa and proclaim to the whole neighbor-
hood what the Lord has done for him. Perhaps they will think again and realize
who He is who has visited them, and escape from the sins their greed has led
them to commit. These two attitudes are to be found whenever Christ passes by
— as are Jesus’ mercy and continuous offer of grace: our Lord does not want the
death of the sinner but rather that he should turn from his way and live (cf. Eze-
kiel 18:23).
20. The “Decapolis” or “country of the ten cities”, among the more famous of
which are Damascus, Philadelphia, Scythopolis, Gadara, Pella and Gerasa. The
region was located to the east of the lake of Gennesaret and was inhabited main-
ly by pagans of Greek and Syrian origin. This territory came under the Roman
governor of Syria.
*********************************************************************************************
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.
Readings at Mass
Liturgical Colour: Green.
First reading
Hebrews 11:32-40 ©
The example of the Old Testament saints
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lions mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders. Some came back to their wives from the dead, by resurrection; and others submitted to torture, refusing release so that they would rise again to a better life. Some had to bear being pilloried and flogged, or even chained up in prison. They were stoned, or sawn in half, or beheaded; they were homeless, and dressed in the skins of sheep and goats; they were penniless and were given nothing but ill-treatment. They were too good for the world and they went out to live in deserts and mountains and in caves and ravines. These are all heroes of faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 30(31):20-24 ©
Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, Lord,
that you keep for those who fear you,
that you show to those who trust you
in the sight of men.
Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plotting of men;
you keep them safe within your tent
from disputing tongues.
Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
Blessed be the Lord who has shown me
the wonders of his love
in a fortified city.
Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
I am far removed from your sight
I said in my alarm.
Yet you heard the voice of my plea
when I cried for help.
Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the Lord, all you saints.
He guards his faithful
but the Lord will repay to the full
those who act with pride.
Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Jn17:17
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your word is truth, O Lord:
consecrate us in the truth.
Alleluia!
Or:
Lk7:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
A great prophet has appeared among us;
God has visited his people.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Mark 5:1-20 ©
The Gadarene swine
Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me! for Jesus had been saying to him, Come out of the man, unclean spirit. What is your name? Jesus asked. My name is legion, he answered for there are many of us. And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.
Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, Send us to the pigs, let us go into them. So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses the very man who had had the legion in him before and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you. So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
Mark | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
Mark 5 |
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1. | AND they came over the strait of the sea into the country of the Gerasens. | Et venerunt trans fretum maris in regionem Gerasenorum. | και ηλθον εις το περαν της θαλασσης εις την χωραν των γαδαρηνων |
2. | And as he went out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the monuments a man with an unclean spirit, | Et exeunti ei de navi, statim occurrit de monumentis homo in spiritu immundo, | και εξελθοντι αυτω εκ του πλοιου ευθεως απηντησεν αυτω εκ των μνημειων ανθρωπος εν πνευματι ακαθαρτω |
3. | Who had his dwelling in the tombs, and no man now could bind him, not even with chains. | qui domicilium habebat in monumentis, et neque catenis jam quisquam poterat eum ligare : | ος την κατοικησιν ειχεν εν τοις μνημασιν και ουτε αλυσεσιν ουδεις εδυνατο αυτον δησαι |
4. | For having been often bound with fetters and chains, he had burst the chains, and broken the fetters in pieces, and no one could tame him. | quoniam sæpe compedibus et catenis vinctus, dirupisset catenas, et compedes comminuisset, et nemo poterat eum domare : | δια το αυτον πολλακις πεδαις και αλυσεσιν δεδεσθαι και διεσπασθαι υπ αυτου τας αλυσεις και τας πεδας συντετριφθαι και ουδεις αυτον ισχυεν δαμασαι |
5. | And he was always day and night in the monuments and in the mountains, crying and cutting himself with stones. | et semper die ac nocte in monumentis, et in montibus erat, clamans, et concidens se lapidibus. | και δια παντος νυκτος και ημερας εν τοις ορεσιν και εν τοις μνημασιν ην κραζων και κατακοπτων εαυτον λιθοις |
6. | And seeing Jesus afar off, he ran and adored him. | Videns autem Jesum a longe, cucurrit, et adoravit eum : | ιδων δε τον ιησουν απο μακροθεν εδραμεν και προσεκυνησεν αυτω |
7. | And crying with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus the Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not. | et clamans voce magna dixit : Quid mihi et tibi, Jesu Fili Dei altissimi ? adjuro te per Deum, ne me torqueas. | και κραξας φωνη μεγαλη ειπεν τι εμοι και σοι ιησου υιε του θεου του υψιστου ορκιζω σε τον θεον μη με βασανισης |
8. | For he said unto him: Go out of the man, thou unclean spirit. | Dicebat enim illi : Exi spiritus immunde ab homine. | ελεγεν γαρ αυτω εξελθε το πνευμα το ακαθαρτον εκ του ανθρωπου |
9. | And he asked him: What is thy name? And he saith to him: My name is Legion, for we are many. | Et interrogabat eum : Quod tibi nomen est ? Et dicit ei : Legio mihi nomen est, quia multi sumus. | και επηρωτα αυτον τι σοι ονομα και απεκριθη λεγων λεγεων ονομα μοι οτι πολλοι εσμεν |
10. | And he besought him much, that he would not drive him away out of the country. | Et deprecabatur eum multum, ne se expelleret extra regionem. | και παρεκαλει αυτον πολλα ινα μη αυτους αποστειλη εξω της χωρας |
11. | And there was there near the mountain a great herd of swine, feeding. | Erat autem ibi circa montem grex porcorum magnus, pascens. | ην δε εκει προς τω ορει αγελη χοιρων μεγαλη βοσκομενη |
12. | And the spirits besought him, saying: Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. | Et deprecabantur eum spiritus, dicentes : Mitte nos in porcos ut in eos introëamus. | και παρεκαλεσαν αυτον παντες οι δαιμονες λεγοντες πεμψον ημας εις τους χοιρους ινα εις αυτους εισελθωμεν |
13. | And Jesus immediately gave them leave. And the unclean spirits going out, entered into the swine: and the herd with great violence was carried headlong into the sea, being about two thousand, and were stifled in the sea. | Et concessit eis statim Jesus. Et exeuntes spiritus immundi introierunt in porcos : et magno impetu grex præcipitatus est in mare ad duo millia, et suffocati sunt in mari. | και επετρεψεν αυτοις ευθεως ο ιησους και εξελθοντα τα πνευματα τα ακαθαρτα εισηλθον εις τους χοιρους και ωρμησεν η αγελη κατα του κρημνου εις την θαλασσαν ησαν δε ως δισχιλιοι και επνιγοντο εν τη θαλασση |
14. | And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city and in the fields. And they went out to see what was done: | Qui autem pascebant eos, fugerunt, et nuntiaverunt in civitatem et in agros. Et egressi sunt videre quid esset factum : | οι δε βοσκοντες τους χοιρους εφυγον και ανηγγειλαν εις την πολιν και εις τους αγρους και εξηλθον ιδειν τι εστιν το γεγονος |
15. | And they came to Jesus, and they see him that was troubled with the devil, sitting, clothed, and well in his wits, and they were afraid. | et veniunt ad Jesum : et vident illum qui a dæmonio vexabatur, sedentem, vestitum, et sanæ mentis, et timuerunt. | και ερχονται προς τον ιησουν και θεωρουσιν τον δαιμονιζομενον καθημενον και ιματισμενον και σωφρονουντα τον εσχηκοτα τον λεγεωνα και εφοβηθησαν |
16. | And they that had seen it, told them, in what manner he had been dealt with who had the devil; and concerning the swine. | Et narraverunt illis, qui viderant, qualiter factum esset ei qui dæmonium habuerat, et de porcis. | διηγησαντο δε αυτοις οι ιδοντες πως εγενετο τω δαιμονιζομενω και περι των χοιρων |
17. | And they began to pray him that he would depart from their coasts. | Et rogare cperunt eum ut discederet de finibus eorum. | και ηρξαντο παρακαλειν αυτον απελθειν απο των οριων αυτων |
18. | And when he went up into the ship, he that had been troubled with the devil, began to beseech him that he might be with him. | Cumque ascenderet navim, cpit illum deprecari, qui a dæmonio vexatus fuerat, ut esset cum illo, | και εμβαντος αυτου εις το πλοιον παρεκαλει αυτον ο δαιμονισθεις ινα η μετ αυτου |
19. | And he admitted him not, but saith to him: Go into thy house to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had mercy on thee. | et non admisit eum, sed ait illi : Vade in domum tuam ad tuos, et annuntia illis quanta tibi Dominus fecerit, et misertus sit tui. | ο δε ιησους ουκ αφηκεν αυτον αλλα λεγει αυτω υπαγε εις τον οικον σου προς τους σους και αναγγειλον αυτοις οσα σοι ο κυριος πεποιηκεν και ηλεησεν σε |
20. | And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men wondered. | Et abiit, et cpit prædicare in Decapoli, quanta sibi fecisset Jesus : et omnes mirabantur. | και απηλθεν και ηρξατο κηρυσσειν εν τη δεκαπολει οσα εποιησεν αυτω ο ιησους και παντες εθαυμαζον |
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 Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]
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
+
Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of February has been primarily asociated with the Holy Family, probably due to the feast of Our Lord's presentation at the temple, celebrated on February 2. At the very outset of Christ's work on earth, God showed the world a family in which, as Pope Leo XIII teaches, "all men might behold a perfect model of domestic life, and of all virtue and holiness." The harmony, unity, and holiness which characterized this holy Family make it the model for all Christian families.
INVOCATION
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph most kind, Bless us now and in death's agony.
FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Roman Missal
CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.
Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.
O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, three times.
IN HONOR OF THE HOLY FAMILY
O God, heavenly Father, it was part of Thine eternal decree that Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, should form a holy family with Mary, His blessed mother, and His foster father, Saint Joseph. In Nazareth home life was sanctified, and a perfect example was given to every Christian family. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may fully comprehend and faithfully imitate the virtues of the Holy Family so that we may be united with them one day in their heavenly glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
Holy Family Chaplet
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me in my last hour.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul
in peace with you.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Amen.
Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Mary's, and 3 Glory be's.
PRAYER TO
THE HOLY FAMILY
===================================================================== ================
GOD our Heavenly Father, You call all peoples to be united as one family in worshipping You as the one and true God. You willed that Your Son become man, giving Him a virgin mother and a foster father to form the Holy Family of Nazareth.
WE pray: may the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, image and model of every human family unit walk in the spirit of Nazareth and grow in the understanding of its particular mission in society and the Church. May our families be living cells of love, faithfulness and unity, thus reflecting God's covenant with humanity and Christ's redeeming love for His Church.
JESUS, Mary and Joseph protect our families from all evil; keep us, who are away from home, one in love with our dear ones.
Imitating the Holy Family: Four Traits that Make It Possible
[Catholic Caucus] On the Holy Family [Angelus]
Biblical Teachings on Marriage and Family. A Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Recovering God's Plan for Marriage and Family: A Sermon on the Feast of the Holy Family
"Why were you looking for me?" (On the Feast of The Holy Family)
U.S. Postal Service Issues Holy Family Forever Stamp
On Prayer in the Life of the Holy Family
The Holy Family - held together by Love through all their problems [Ecumenical]
Feast of the Holy Family: The Christian Family is a Domestic Church
Chesterton on "The Human Family and the Holy Family"
Joseph, Mary and Jesus: A Model Family
ADVICE TO PARENTS by Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
The Holy Family
St. Joseph as Head of the Holy Family (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Feast of the Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family (Dom Guéranger OSB)
The Feast of the Holy Family
The Holy Family vs. The Holy Innocents: A Christmas season reflection [Catholic Caucus]
Vatican creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop
The Redemption and Protection of the Family [Feast of the Holy Family]
Study Backs Tradition of Loreto House - Stones in Altar Match Those in Nazareth, It Says
Unraveling Jesus' mystery years in Egypt
Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family to be ready for worship in 2008
Imitating the Holy Family; Four Traits that Make It Possible
Lots of Graphics: Post your favorite image of the St. Mary and Child, the Holy Family...
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