Tuesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 492



Reading 1 (Wis 2:23–3:9)

God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19)

R. I will bless the Lord at all times.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.

The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.

Alleluia (Jn 14:23)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 17:7-10)

Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



Jesus says, "When you have done all you were ordered to do, say: We are unworthy servants, we have only done our duty." - Luke 17:10, Gospel Jesus is reminding us of our proper position in relation to our Creator. We do need this humbling reminder because there are times that we do good deeds like give donations or serve at church expecting honor, respect or other forms of payment.

In fact, all things that God deems good and beneficial are already put in place, ready to be picked up by the faithful who love God and who accept the work He offers, even if it is rough and difficult. When we do accept, we are contributing time, talent and treasure - materials that God uses to build a just and merciful society for the good of His entire human family, including ourselves.

That God deems us worthy to be given any part at all in building His Kingdom, is a great and mighty honor for which we ought to fall down on our knees and say, "I will bless the Lord at all times!" (Responsorial Psalm)

When we willingly accept the crosses that come with the job as part of our growth and as our grateful offering, we join the great Saints led by our Mother Mary in saying, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. Be it done to me according to thy word."

If we do this, we are assured that "Those who have put their trust in God will come to understand the truth of His ways. Those who have been faithful will live with Him in His love, for He is kind and merciful to the ones whom He has chosen." (Wisdom 2:9, First Reading)

And so, let us ask not what the Kingdom can do for us, but what we can do for the Kingdom.

I WILL SERVE THEE


Source: http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...800303293600761

THE REWARDS OF THE JUST AND DUTIFUL SERVANT



SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ Wis 2:23 – 3:9; Ps 33:2-3,16-19; Lk 17:7-10 ]

It is natural that we look for gratitude and rewards for what we do. Even if we do not seek material rewards or benefits, we would expect at least that those whom we serve are grateful for what we have done. Otherwise we will be discouraged, because we feel that we are not appreciated. Indeed, when appreciation is not forthcoming, many will be slighted and feel hurt. They will stop serving or giving.

This explains why in the first reading, we read that this is more so when a good and just man suffers for doing what is right and good. Again, we all expect the good to be rewarded and the just to be blessed. But when they suffer injustices, we find it difficult to accept. As the author of Wisdom says, “In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster; their leaving us like annihilation.” Indeed, the suffering of good and holy people is seen as tragic.

In the gospel, Jesus gives us His perspective of the reward of a servant. He said, a servant’s duty is to serve the master:“Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, ‘Come and have your meal immediately?’ Would he not be more likely to say, ‘Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards’” The truth is that the place of a servant is to serve. Only in serving can he or she find himself or herself. This explains why Jesus said, we should not be looking for any reward or gratitude from those whom we serve. This is because we are doing what we are called to do. Hence, Jesus postulated, “Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.’”

In other words, we are all called to live out our vocation in life. Regardless what we do or who we are, our calling is to be a servant of others through our vocation. It is when we live out our identity as servants that we find ourselves, our fulfillment and our meaning for existence. Unless we live out our identity, we will live a conflicted life. Those who are not faithful to their responsibilities in life are not living an integrated life. They contradict what they are called to be and to do. Unless we find unity of life between who we are and what we are called to do, and do accordingly, there will be a lack of peace within our hearts. The reward of being faithful to our servant hood, our vocation, our life is the joy of being our true self and allowing the doing to flow from our being. There is no other reward greater than the joy of satisfaction, fulfillment, self-realization and a clear conscience.

This is true for one who lives a just and good life and yet suffers injustice. As the author of Wisdom says, their suffering and death appear to the unwise as a punishment, a disaster, an annihilation and a tragedy. But the truth is that those who suffer unjustly “are in peace” because they suffer for what is right and true. Their conscience is clear and their suffering and even death is a witness to the truth that they proudly stand for. Indeed, “the souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God. No torment shall ever touch them.” For the unwise, their suffering means a failure of their mission, but for the just man, “their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be”. Indeed what greater life can one have than to be true to oneself, and to be ready to die for one’s beliefs? When we fail to stand up for our beliefs and be true to ourselves, we lose our self-dignity. It shows that we lack courage and we are simply dancing to the tunes of the world, not what is true but what is popular. Eventually, we lose our direction and our conscience is not at peace because what we do is contrary to what we believe in our hearts.

Besides being faithful to themselves when the just suffer, they take their sufferings as moments in which they purify themselves in love and faith. “God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they.” Through suffering, especially unjust and innocent suffering, we grow in grace and in the capacity to be detached from the passing values of life. So we should not be afraid to suffer because when we see sufferings positively, they teach us humility, purify our motives in service, strengthen our will, and help us to go beyond the sensual comfort to seek for inner peace and joy.

Unjust suffering is not only good for the ones who suffer but it is also meant for those who look upon their sufferings. Apparently, such unjust suffering is absurd, but only innocent and helpless suffering evokes the compassion and the sentiments of their fellowmen. We have more sympathy for the underdogs when they are helpless and marginalized than those who can fight back when they are attacked. This was the case of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah when he wrote, “As many were astonished at him – his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance and his form beyond that of the sons of men – so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand.” (Isa 52:14f) When Jesus died on the cross, the centurion who witnessed the whole event praised God and exclaimed, “Certainly this man was innocent!” (Lk 23:47) We also read, “And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. (Lk 23:48) We are moved by innocent and unjust suffering. By our innocent suffering and humble service, we will be a reprimand to those who are evil. “They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever.”

Jesus for us is a model of this servant that was faithful to Himself and as a result, suffered unjustly. Jesus’ identity was that of a servant. He told the disciples, “It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mt 20:26-28) The letter to the Philippians summarizes the servant hood of the Lord in these words, “Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:6-8)

We too are called to be like Jesus, to be the Suffering Servant for God and for others. This is our calling in life. Our identity as sons and daughters of God is to be like a servant as God is to us. The author of Wisdom says, “God made man imperishable, he made him in the image of his own nature; it was the devil’s envy that brought death into the world, as those who are his partners will discover.” God’s life is love, service and self-emptying. Indeed, servant hood marks the life of every Christian. Jesus said, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Mt 16:24f)

Only by walking in the way of servant hood and, when necessary, suffering for doing what is right and good, can we share in Christ’s exaltation. We are assured in the first reading that “they who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.” We will share in the resurrection of Christ because we share in His suffering and death. (cf Rom 8:17)Indeed, the joy of being united with the Lord and sharing in His life of grace and peace is worth the suffering. Hence, with the psalmist, let us in good times and in bad, say, “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad. The Lord is close to the broken hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save.”

SourcE: http://empoweringgoans.com/2017/11/13/the-...utiful-servant/

The 3 legged stool



Sacred Tradition <-> Sacred Scripture <-> Magisterial Teaching. Dogma cannot go against implicit or explicit scripture. St. Paul says spiritual things need to be spiritually examined and the sensual man percieveth not these things.

Scripture as understood by the disciples of the apostles had very deep spiritual meaning, not just a literalist meaning. Also many things were lived and understood through Sacred Tradition because of persecution.

Catechism of the Catholic Church : Part One - The Profession of Faith





This post has been edited by khool: Nov 15 2017, 12:17 PM

Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 493



Reading 1 (Wis 6:1-11)

Hear, O kings, and understand;
learn, you magistrates of the earth's expanse!
Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude
and lord it over throngs of peoples!
Because authority was given you by the Lord
and sovereignty by the Most High,
who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.
Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly,
and did not keep the law,
nor walk according to the will of God,
Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you,
because judgment is stern for the exalted–
For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy
but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.
For the Lord of all shows no partiality,
nor does he fear greatness,
Because he himself made the great as well as the small,
and he provides for all alike;
but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.
To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed
that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.
For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy,
and those learned in them will have ready a response.
Desire therefore my words;
long for them and you shall be instructed.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 82:3-4, 6-7)

R. Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.

Defend the lowly and the fatherless;
render justice to the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the poor;
from the hand of the wicked deliver them.
R. Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.

I said: "You are gods,
all of you sons of the Most High;
yet like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince."
R. Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.

Alleluia (1 Thes 5:18)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 17:11-19)

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"
And when he saw them, he said,
"Go show yourselves to the priests."
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
"Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"
Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



In the Gospel, Jesus is resolutely marching toward Jerusalem where He would offer His life as sacrifice to save all humanity. He came across ten lepers who, by law, stood at a distance. They called out to Him and begged Him for mercy and healing.

In Jesus' time, leprosy was an incurable disease suffered by the victim till death. They were outcasts of society who could not live with normal people. They had to live in caves (if they were lucky to find one) outside of town. Nobody took care of them; they were the original "living dead."

Moved with love and mercy for them whom He would also die to save, Jesus healed them all. We can only imagine the immense joy they felt for being saved from living death and restored back to their families. Jesus wanted nothing from them except their love, but to His great sadness, only one came back to Him in gratitude and thanksgiving...

ALL of us too were once lepers with the incurable disease of sin. We were bound to suffer that disease till eternal death in hell. Only the healing grace of Christ's sacrifice restored us to health. His death and resurrection gave us a second chance at life and restored us back into the family of God.

Without His sacrifice, we would still be prodigal sons and daughters wallowing in the pigsty of our old lives. Have you thanked Jesus lately for saving you? The God who loves much can hurt much.

The Greek word for thanksgiving is "eukharistia" from which comes our modern "Eucharist". The Holy Mass is the Eucharistic, thanksgiving celebration of Jesus' mighty sacrifice of love. There the Living God will pour out even more grace to make our lives not just mud-free but beautiful, living the fullness of life with Him. Let us go and thank Jesus daily.

THE TREMENDOUS VALUE OF ONE HOLY MASS


Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...800655083565582

Blood, Water, and the Sacraments



John’s Gospel records one of the most well-known elements of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion: the spear in his side. Jesus died pretty quickly, so to make sure he really was dead, a Roman soldier stabbed him with a spear (John 20:34). When he did this, blood and water flowed out from the wound, and this event has stuck firmly in the minds of many Christians ever since. However, what is not nearly as well known is that when this happens, John brings the narrative to a screeching halt and addresses his readers directly:

John makes a point to tell us that this really happened. He was there, and he saw the blood and water flow from Jesus’ pierced side. Why is this so important? Why does John make sure we know that he was not making this up? At first, we might be tempted to think that it’s because this event fulfills some prophecies from Scripture (John 19:36-37). However, John points out fulfilled prophecies elsewhere (for example, John 2:17, 19:24), but this is the only time he stops the narrative to point out that the event really happened. As a result, there has to be some deeper meaning to this event, some spiritual significance that John wants us to see in it. Let’s examine the passage and see just what that deeper meaning is.

“I Thirst”

To begin, we need to go back a few verses to the scene of Jesus’ death:

There is a lot going on in this passage, so let’s start with Jesus’ words “I thirst.” They seem fairly straightforward, but when we look at them more closely, questions begin to arise. He said this only when he knew that he was about to die (“knowing that all was now finished”), but why would he wait till then? He was going to die in a few moments, so why even bother?

This is a clue that there is something more here than meets the eye. Yes, Jesus was genuinely thirsty and really did want to quench that thirst, but his words also contain a second, deeper meaning. On a spiritual level, they tell us something about his impending death. Specifically, these words call to mind an event that happened near the beginning of John’s Gospel.

The Samaritan Woman

The only other place in this Gospel where Jesus asks for a drink is his encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well. He asks for a drink when they first meet (John 4:7), and then after a short exchange, he offers her some water (John 4:10-15). Specifically, he offers her “living water” that will result in eternal life. This conversation mirrors the scene of Jesus’ death perfectly: they both begin with Jesus asking for a drink and then end with him becoming a source of water.

This parallel sheds significant light on the meaning of Jesus’ death. By highlighting Jesus’ request for a drink on the cross, John was subtly telling us that the water that flowed from Jesus’ side (we’ll get to the blood later) was a symbol of the living water he offered to the Samaritan woman.

The Holy Spirit

And what was that living water? John does not tell us right away; instead, we have to wait a few chapters for an explanation:

Here we finally learn what this “living water” is, and it’s the Holy Spirit. However, there is a problem. In this passage, Jesus says that this water will flow from believers, but both in his conversation with the Samaritan woman and at his crucifixion, it comes from him. The problem, I would suggest, is with our English translations. In the original Greek, the text can be translated as I have quoted it above, or it can be translated to mean that the “rivers of living water” will flow from Jesus himself. That may seem strange to English speakers, but ancient Greek sentence structure is very different from that of modern English, so either translation is possible.

Now, while the grammar of the text is ambiguous, in the context of the entire Gospel of John, the translation I am proposing makes more sense. We see Jesus depicted as the source of this living water everywhere else it appears, so it makes sense that he would be its source here as well. As a result, when we put this all together, we can see that the water that flows from Jesus’ side at his death represents the Holy Spirit. It symbolizes the gift of the Spirit that Jesus won for us by His sacrifice on the cross.

A Novel Phrase

And in case there’s any doubt, there is one more piece to this puzzle. When John narrates Jesus’ death, he says that Jesus “gave up his spirit” (John 19:30). Again, this seems simple enough, but there is a deeper meaning here as well. The Greek literally means that Jesus “handed over the spirit,” and this phrase was never used as a euphemism for death in ancient Greek literature. John made it up, and that has to be significant. If he had meant it to refer to Jesus’ death and nothing more, he would have used another, more common expression. However, he instead chose to make up a new one, and he must have done so for a reason.

You may be able to guess why John described Jesus’ death this way. By saying that he “handed over the spirit,” John was teaching us that at Jesus’ death, he handed over the Holy Spirit to his followers, thereby confirming everything we’ve seen about the symbolism of the water that flowed from his side. However, this leaves us with one last question: what about the blood?
The Sacraments

In John’s Gospel, the word “blood” appears with its normal meaning in only one other passage (elsewhere, we find it only as part of an idiom referring to birth). In a sermon dubbed by scholars the “Bread of Life Discourse,” Jesus tells us repeatedly that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood (John 6:53-56), a clear reference to the Eucharist. Consequently, in the context of this Gospel, the blood that flows from Jesus’ side has to symbolize the Eucharist.

Once we realize this, we can see that the water has a sacramental meaning as well. Like the phrase John used to describe Jesus’ death, this water also has a double meaning. In addition to symbolizing the Holy Spirit in general, it also represents baptism. Towards the beginning of John’s Gospel, Jesus describes baptism as a birth “of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5), so just as the blood calls to mind his words about the Eucharist, so too does the water call to mind these words about baptism. And if we think about it, this dual meaning makes perfect sense. Baptism is the first time we receive the Holy Spirit and the prerequisite for receiving the Spirit in other ways, so it’s fitting that the water would symbolize both baptism and the Spirit.

The Importance of the Sacraments

Now that we’ve seen what the blood and water symbolize, we have one final question to answer: What does this all mean when we put it together? In other words, is there any relation between the sacraments and Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit?

Yes, there is. By linking the Spirit with baptism and the Eucharist, John is telling us that we receive Jesus’ parting gift to us primarily through the sacraments. Granted, the blood and water that flowed from Jesus’ side only call to mind two of them, but as Catholics, we can extrapolate from that and conclude that God gives us the Spirit in all seven sacraments. This is extremely important because the Holy Spirit enables our faith (1 Corinthians 12:3), our good works (Romans 8:3-4), and our prayer (Romans 8:15, 1 Corinthians 12:3), the three pillars of the Christian life. Simply put, we can’t be Christians without the Spirit, and we can’t have the Spirit without the sacraments.

Source: http://catholicexchange.com/blood-water-sacraments

Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 494



Reading 1 (Wis 7:22b–8:1)

In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.

Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175)

R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

Through all generations your truth endures;
you have established the earth, and it stands firm.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

Alleluia (Jn 15:5)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord:
whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 17:20-25)

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."

Then he said to his disciples,
"The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,
'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



In the Gospel, the Pharisees ask Jesus when the Kingdom of God will come. Like them, we may also be wondering what "Your Kingdom come" in the Our Father means. What is this kingdom? Where is it coming from? When is it arriving?

Jesus came down from heaven to start building the Kingdom of God. At the start of His pubic ministry, He said to the people, "Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17). In the Rosary, this is the Third Luminous Mystery, "The Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God."

For us today, citizenship in the Kingdom starts with Baptism when the Holy Spirit comes down from heaven to live with us. "In every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God and prophets." (First Reading)

Throughout our lives, the Holy Spirit gently guides us into friendship with the Father by living the Gospel of the Son, then promoting it (being prophets). This means that side by side with Jesus, we too "must suffer and be rejected by this generation." (Gospel)

Like Jesus we sacrifice our comforts and securities for the good of others, and we reject the false values of the world and in turn be rejected by it.

God's Kingdom has come when, by the way we live, a piece of heaven comes down to earth.

BLEST ARE THEY - THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS THEIRS


Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...801062420191515



This post has been edited by khool: Nov 17 2017, 12:28 PM

Seeking What’s Wise …

Lord, may I be a seeker,
a follower of Your light
may I have the wisdom
like the Magi’s had that night.

May I travel the distance,
regardless of how far
may I be willing to go
to wherever You are.

May I have the resolve,
to follow where You lead
may I see to Your will
I must be willing to heed.

May I have the tenacity,
not to ever quit
may I be to Your ways
determined to submit.

May I have the fortitude,
to journey into what’s wise
may I have the stamina
so Your path I’ll recognize.

Lord, may I always seek You,
like the Magi’s did that night
may I have the courage . . .
to follow after wisdom’s light!

By Deborah Ann

“Wisdom is the reflection of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. And she, who is

one, can do all things…” – Wisdom 7:26-27



Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1663218997255048/

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious
Lectionary: 495



Reading 1 (Wis 13:1-9)

All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God,
and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is,
and from studying the works did not discern the artisan;
But either fire, or wind, or the swift air,
or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water,
or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods.
Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods,
let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these;
for the original source of beauty fashioned them.
Or if they were struck by their might and energy,
let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them.
For from the greatness and the beauty of created things
their original author, by analogy, is seen.
But yet, for these the blame is less;
For they indeed have gone astray perhaps,
though they seek God and wish to find him.
For they search busily among his works,
but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair.
But again, not even these are pardonable.
For if they so far succeeded in knowledge
that they could speculate about the world,
how did they not more quickly find its Lord?

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 19:2-3, 4-5ab)

R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

Alleluia (Lk 21:28)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 17:26-37)

Jesus said to his disciples:
"As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be in the days of the Son of Man;
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage up to the day
that Noah entered the ark,
and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot:
they were eating, drinking, buying,
selling, planting, building;
on the day when Lot left Sodom,
fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.
So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
On that day, someone who is on the housetop
and whose belongings are in the house
must not go down to get them,
and likewise one in the field
must not return to what was left behind.
Remember the wife of Lot.
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it,
but whoever loses it will save it.
I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed;
one will be taken, the other left.
And there will be two women grinding meal together;
one will be taken, the other left."
They said to him in reply, "Where, Lord?"
He said to them, "Where the body is,
there also the vultures will gather."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



The First Reading says, "Anyone who does not know God is simply foolish. Such people look at the good things around them and still fail to see the living God. They have studied the things he made, but they have not recognized the one who made them." (Wisdom 13:1, GNT Bible)

Indeed we live in an age of foolish godlessness. We master the complex sciences of nature and the human body; we know their abilities, capacities and limitations. But we abuse them both, using nature for quick gain without responsibility, and using our bodies for pleasure without consequence.

Jesus warns that "In the days before the flood, people enjoyed banquets, parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the great flood came to destroy them all." (Luke 17:27)

We see the terrifying warning signs in nature and the appalling symptoms of corruption in human society, but we just foolishly bandage the surface wound with palliative solutions but ignore the underlying deadly infection of godlessness.

Before it's too late, let us be wise and stop playing god and get on board the rock-solid teachings of the Church, the unsinkable Boat of Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and unfailing vehicle of Christianity for 2,000 years.

SHOUT TO THE LORD


Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...801456456818778

Trans-what??? Trans-fatty acids arrrrhhh? Da flying Cat6A monster is awakened! ...

This post has been edited by khool: Nov 21 2017, 12:34 PM

Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 497



Reading 1 (1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63)

[From the descendants of Alexander's officers]
there sprang a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes,
son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome.
He became king in the year one hundred and thirty seven
of the kingdom of the Greeks.

In those days there appeared in Israel
men who were breakers of the law,
and they seduced many people, saying:
"Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us;
since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us."
The proposal was agreeable;
some from among the people promptly went to the king,
and he authorized them to introduce the way of living
of the Gentiles.
Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem
according to the Gentile custom.
They covered over the mark of their circumcision
and abandoned the holy covenant;
they allied themselves with the Gentiles
and sold themselves to wrongdoing.

Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people,
each abandoning his particular customs.
All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king,
and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion;
they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.

On the fifteenth day of the month Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-five,
the king erected the horrible abomination
upon the altar of burnt offerings
and in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars.
They also burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets.
Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt.
Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant,
and whoever observed the law,
was condemned to death by royal decree.
But many in Israel were determined
and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean;
they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food
or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.
Terrible affliction was upon Israel.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158)

R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

Indignation seizes me because of the wicked
who forsake your law.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,
your law I have not forgotten.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may keep your precepts.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

I am attacked by malicious persecutors
who are far from your law.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

Far from sinners is salvation,
because they seek not your statutes.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

I beheld the apostates with loathing,
because they kept not to your promise.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

Alleluia (Jn 8:12)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 18:35-43)

As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
"Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me!"
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
"What do you want me to do for you?"
He replied, "Lord, please let me see."
Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



This week is the final week of the Church liturgical calendar, or the annual schedule of Mass readings. The First Readings will be from the two books Maccabees. They narrate the events in Jerusalem between the return of the Jews from Babylonian and the birth of Jesus Christ. In this period (350 BC to 63 BC), Jerusalem was invaded and came under Greek rule, then Syrian rule, and then Roman rule.

These powerful foreign nations forced their pagan ways on Jerusalem. In today's reading, the Syrian King and many Jewish collaborators try to erase God by burning the Bible and rejecting God's Commandments. They introduce godless practices and entertainment.

Today, powerful foreign nations continue to do the same things to our country the Philippines. Pornography flows in like a mighty flood through the internet and flows out taking naked pictures of our little boys and girls to pedophiles worldwide. In every corner of our cities and towns are internet cafes where children play online games where they kill non-stop.

Quietly, subtly, and with the use of unlimited dollars, rich foreign nations have successfully hammered in the passage of artificial contraception law that promote casual sex. Now there are exploratory talks about legal abortion (the last-resort contraception) and same-sex unions. There is a new bill proposing "dissolution of marriage", another name for divorce. In 2014 there was even a bill filed in Senate for euthanasia ("mercy killing"). Then there is the extra-judicial killing of suspected criminals.

And the sad thing is that in this predominantly Catholic country, these crossless solutions that end life, dissolve marriage and destroy the family has many supporters.

In the Gospel, Jesus continues His march to Jerusalem where He knew the cross awaited Him, where He would willingly give up His life that we may live.

A blind man calls out to Jesus, "Lord, let me see."

Jesus gave him sight and he followed Jesus to Jerusalem and the cross. Let us ask Jesus to open our spiritual eyes and make us see the evil in the growing culture of death.

The last Sunday of the Church liturgical calendar (this coming Sunday) is the grand celebration of Christ the King. May we never forget that it is Jesus Christ we follow, the King of our lives, our homes, our family and our country.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...802617043369386

Do You Trust Him?

I know God knows what’s best.
I know I don’t.
I know he cares.

Such words come easily when the water is calm. But when you’re looking at a wrecked car or a suspicious-looking mole, when war breaks out or thieves break in, do you trust him? Scripture, from Old Testament to New, from prophets to poets to preachers, renders one unanimous chorus: God directs the affairs of humanity. No leaf falls without God’s knowledge. No dolphin gives birth without his permission. No wave crashes on the shore apart from his calculation. God has never been surprised. Not once.

I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things. (Isa 45:7)

Some find the thought impossible to accept. One dear woman did. After I shared these ideas in a public setting, she asked to speak with me. Husband at her side, she related the story of her horrible childhood. First abused, then abandoned by her father.

Unimaginable and undeserved hurts scar her early memories. Through tear-filled eyes she asked, “Do you mean to tell me God was watching the whole time?”

The question vibrated in the room. I shifted in my chair and answered, “Yes, he was. I don’t know why he allowed your abuse, but I do know this. He loves you and hurts with you.” She didn’t like the answer. But dare we say anything else? Dare we suggest that God dozed off? Abandoned his post? That heaven sees but can’t act? That our Father is kind but not strong, or strong but doesn’t care?

I wish she could have spoken to Joseph. His brothers abused him, selling him into slavery. Was God watching? Yes. And our sovereign God used their rebellious hearts to save a nation from famine and the family of the Messiah from extinction. As Joseph told them, “God turned into good what you meant for evil” (Gen 50:20).

Best of all would have been a conversation with Jesus himself. He begged God for a different itinerary: a crossless death. From Gethsemane’s garden Christ pleaded for a Plan B. Redemption with no nails. “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine. Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him” (Luke 22:42–43).

Did God hear the prayer of his Son? Enough to send an angel. Did God spare his Son from death? No. The glory of God outranked the comfort of Christ. So Christ suffered, and God’s grace was displayed and deployed.

Are you called to endure a Gethsemane season? Have you “been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Phil. 1:29)?

If so, then come thirsty and drink deeply from his Lordship. He authors all itineraries. He knows what is best. No struggle will come your way apart from his purpose, presence, and permission. What encouragement this brings! You are never the victim of nature or the prey of fate. Chance is eliminated. You are more than a weather vane whipped about by the winds of fortune. Would God truly abandon you to the whims of drug-crazed thieves, greedy corporate raiders, or evil leaders? Perish the thought!


We live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of our lives and delights in doing us good.

Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of his love.

Learn well the song of sovereignty: I know God knows what’s best. Pray humbly the prayer of trust: “I trust your Lordship. I belong to you. Nothing comes to me that hasn’t passed through you.”

A word of caution:
The doctrine of sovereignty challenges us. Study it gradually. Don’t share it capriciously. When someone you love faces adversity, don’t insensitively declare, “God is in control.” A cavalier tone can eclipse the right truth. Be careful.

And be encouraged. God’s ways are always right. They may not make sense to us. They may be mysterious, inexplicable, difficult, and even painful. But they are right. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Rom. 8:28)

by Max Lucado

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost." – Luke 19:10

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 498



Reading 1 (2 Mc 6:18-31)

Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes,
a man of advanced age and noble appearance,
was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork.
But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement,
he spat out the meat,
and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture,
as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food
which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life.
Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately,
because of their long acquaintance with him,
and urged him to bring meat of his own providing,
such as he could legitimately eat,
and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice
prescribed by the king;
in this way he would escape the death penalty,
and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.
But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner,
worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age,
the merited distinction of his gray hair,
and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood;
and so he declared that above all
he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.

He told them to send him at once
to the abode of the dead, explaining:
"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense;
many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar
had gone over to an alien religion.
Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life,
they would be led astray by me,
while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age.
Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men,
I shall never, whether alive or dead,
escape the hands of the Almighty.
Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now,
I will prove myself worthy of my old age,
and I will leave to the young a noble example
of how to die willingly and generously
for the revered and holy laws."

Eleazar spoke thus,
and went immediately to the instrument of torture.
Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed,
now became hostile toward him because what he had said
seemed to them utter madness.
When he was about to die under the blows,
he groaned and said:
"The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that,
although I could have escaped death,
I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging,
but also suffering it with joy in my soul
because of my devotion to him."
This is how he died,
leaving in his death a model of courage
and an unforgettable example of virtue
not only for the young but for the whole nation.

Responsorial Psalm (PS 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7)

R. The Lord upholds me.

O LORD, how many are my adversaries!
Many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"There is no salvation for him in God."
R. The Lord upholds me.

But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, you lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
he answers me from his holy mountain.
R. The Lord upholds me.

When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
R. The Lord upholds me.

Alleluia (1 Jn 4:10b)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God loved us, and sent his Son
as expiation for our sins.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 19:1-10)

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
"Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house."
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."



because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost."



REFLECTIONS: WORD Today



When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: "The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him." -2 Maccabees 6:

In the First Reading, the Jew Eleazar was beaten to death because he loved God and would not break His law. He was an Old Testament martyr of God the Father.

Fear of death is the biggest obstacle to love. Fear of poverty stops us from donating. Fear of losing face stops us from preaching the Word of God. Fear of getting sick stops us from going to Mass because it's raining. Fear of loss of beauty stops us from kneeling because it would scar our knees.

Fear stops love - and love is the greatest commandment of Jesus. Martyrs and Saints gave up health and wealth in order to love totally like Jesus. In the Gospel, the very rich man Zacchaeus, surrendered his social standing and shamelessly climbed a tree just to see Jesus. And he surrendered half his huge wealth in exchange of having Jesus in his home.

Jesus says, "Whoever wants to save their life will lose it (in hell), but whoever loses their life for Me will save it (in heaven)." -Luke 9:24

Let us make it part of our prayer to ask God to increase our love and decrease our fears.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED


Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMassReflec...802893976675026



This post has been edited by khool: Nov 21 2017, 02:25 PM

VENERATION IN PRAYER

As we venerate the glorious memory
of the most holy Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession,
that we, too, may merit to receive
from the fullness of your grace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.






This post has been edited by khool: Nov 21 2017, 02:26 PM

This post has been edited by khool: Nov 21 2017, 02:31 PM