errr ... you forgot to put a link to here in the old page lehhhhh!!! ...

May 25, 2017 (Thursday) : Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Mass Times for Churches in KL Archdiocese

https://archkl.org/index.php/en/solemnity-o...ion-of-the-lord

This post has been edited by khool: May 23 2017, 02:14 PM

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 293



Reading 1 (Acts 17:15, 22—18:1)

After Paul's escorts had taken him to Athens,
they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy
to join him as soon as possible.

Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said:
"You Athenians, I see that in every respect
you are very religious.
For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines,
I even discovered an altar inscribed, 'To an Unknown God.'
What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.
The God who made the world and all that is in it,
the Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands,
nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything.
Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything.
He made from one the whole human race
to dwell on the entire surface of the earth,
and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions,
so that people might seek God,
even perhaps grope for him and find him,
though indeed he is not far from any one of us.
For 'In him we live and move and have our being,'
as even some of your poets have said,
'For we too are his offspring.'
Since therefore we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the divinity is like an image
fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and imagination.
God has overlooked the times of ignorance,
but now he demands that all people everywhere repent
because he has established a day on which he will 'judge the world
with justice' through a man he has appointed,
and he has provided confirmation for all
by raising him from the dead."

When they heard about resurrection of the dead,
some began to scoff, but others said,
"We should like to hear you on this some other time."
And so Paul left them.
But some did join him, and became believers.
Among them were Dionysius,
a member of the Court of the Areopagus,
a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

After this he left Athens and went to Corinth.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14)

R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys.
R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.
R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.

He has lifted up the horn of his people;
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia.
R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia (Jn 14:16)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will ask the Father
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you always.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Jn 16:12-15)
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you."

REFLECTION

He will not speak on his own. Jesus has come down from heaven to reveal the “name” or mysteries of God. He prays to the Father at the Last Supper, “This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God… I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world… the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you” (Jn 17:3, 6, 8).

The Spirit of truth that will come after Jesus will not have “new revelations” about the Father. Rather, he will take from what is Jesus’ and declare it to the disciples. Jesus says that what he says and who he is cannot be fully understood by the disciples in the present state. But when the Spirit comes with Jesus’ glorification, he will guide the disciples to all truth about Jesus—above all, that he is the Messiah and the Son of God.

When the Gospel of John was written, many of the actions and words of Jesus were already clear to the disciples because of the grace of the Spirit and the light of Jesus’ glorification. An example is Jesus’ declaration about the temple. Jesus tells the Jews, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn 2:19). The evangelist clarifies, “But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this” (Jn 2:21-22, emphasis added).

Ponder on the things that are “clearer” to you now because of certain events and of the wisdom that comes with the passage of time.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

The Ascension of the Lord
Lectionary: 58



Reading 1 (Acts 1:1-11)

In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for "the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

When they had gathered together they asked him,
"Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, "Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9)

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
for the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 (Eph 1:17-23)

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Alleluia (Mt 28:19a, 20b)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, until the end of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Mt 28:16-20)
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."



REFLECTION

A little while. When bidding good-bye to the disciples, Jesus declares that his impending absence will only be for “a little while” (Greek mikron). While this may refer to a short time—like the time from Jesus’ death to his resurrection on the third day—mikron points to the sorrow that will be soon replaced by great joy: “You will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy” (v 20).

From the perspective of God’s “eternity,” pain, sorrow, absence, or time itself is only a “little while.” The disciples will see Jesus again after his resurrection, and they will rejoice (cf Jn 20:20). Still, the glorification of Jesus will mark his “absence” because he will return to the Father, and they will no longer see him as before. But the believers will continue experiencing his presence in the community guided by the Consoler, the Holy Spirit.

In the light of this, grief and trials are “little” and cannot be compared with the promised joy. St. Paul writes, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us” (Rom 8:18).

“Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Pt 1:8-9).

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD : ITS REPERCUSSIONS IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.



In the 1st reading of today’s Mass, the Acts of the Apostles recount the last apparition and last instructions of Our Lord Jesus Christ on earth before ascending into heaven:

“’It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS, AS THEY WERE LOOKING ON, HE WAS LIFTED UP, AND A CLOUD TOOK HIM FROM THEIR SIGHT (Acts 1:7-9).”
St Luke, in his Gospel, added: “LIFTING UP HIS HANDS HE BLESSED THEM. WHILE HE BLESSED THEM, HE PARTED FROM THEM, AND WAS CARRIED UP INTO HEAVEN (Lk 24:50-51).”

WHAT DOES OUR LORD’S ASCENSION SIGNIFY?

With Our Lord’s Ascension into heaven, He once more demonstrates that He is God. His humanity is glorified with His Ascension. The Catechism teaches us that:

1. “Christ's Ascension marks the DEFINITIVE ENTRANCE OF JESUS' HUMANITY INTO GOD'S HEAVENLY DOMAIN, whence he will come again (cf. Acts 1:11)…

2. As “the head of the Church”, Jesus “PRECEDES US INTO THE FATHER'S GLORIOUS KINGDOM so that WE, THE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, MAY LIVE IN THE HOPE OF ONE DAY BEING WITH HIM FOR EVER…”

3. Moreover, Our Lord Jesus Christ, “having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, INTERCEDES CONSTANTLY FOR US AS THE MEDIATOR WHO ASSURES US OF THE PERMANENT OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 665-667).”

At the same time, Our Lord upon opening the minds of the Apostles to understand the scriptures and that all that has been written about Him in the law of Moses and the prophets have to be fulfilled told them in the Gospel of St. Luke:

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and THAT REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME TO ALL NATIONS, BEGINNING FROM JERUSALEM. YOU ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS. 49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high (Lk 24:46-48).”

He instructed the Apostles to be his witnesses not only in Jerusalem but all throughout the world, giving them thus their APOSTOLIC MISSION, as narrated also by St. Mark: “GO INTO THE WHOLE WORLD AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. WHOEVER BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED; WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE WILL BE CONDEMNED (Mk 16:15-16).”

After having seen the significance of Our Lord’s Ascension into heaven, we can now tackle its REPERCUSSIONS in our daily Christian life. The Ascension of Our Lord has the following practical implications in our daily life.

1. It CONFIRMS and STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH IN THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, Perfect God-Perfect Man.
2. By virtue of our Baptism, WE, CHRISTIANS, ARE ALSO CALLED TO BE CHRIST’S WITNESSES in our surroundings and CALLED AS WELL TO DO APOSTOLATE with the people around us. APOSTOLATE CONSISTS IN BRINGING SOULS CLOSER TO CHRIST through our prayer, our sacrifices, our good example, our timely and amiable understanding and advices and sincere friendship wherever God has placed us.
3. It should inspire us to “LOOK INTENTLY AT THE SKY (Acts 1:10)”, that is, to DIRECT OUR GAZE TOWARDS THE SUPERNATURAL AND LIFT OUR HEARTS AND OUR SPIRIT TO HEAVEN, SEEKING AND LOVING “THE THINGS OF THE ABOVE” WHILE WE CARRY OUT OUR DAILY ORDINARY ACTIVITIES, thereby, FOSTERING the virtue of HOPE, that one day, with God’s grace, WE SHALL BE UNITED WITH HIM. This is nothing but living a CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD.

As St. Josemaria wrote: “I will never share the opinion — though I respect it — of those who separate prayer from active life, as if they were incompatible.

WE CHILDREN OF GOD HAVE TO BE CONTEMPLATIVES: PEOPLE WHO, IN THE MIDST OF THE DIN OF THE THRONG, KNOW HOW TO FIND SILENCE OF SOUL IN A LASTING CONVERSATION WITH OUR LORD, people who know how to look at him as they look at a Father, as they look at a Friend, as they look at someone with whom they are madly in love (Forge, n. 738).”

Dear friends, although Our Lord ascended and gloriously entered into heaven, He hasn’t abandoned us: He has sent us the Holy Spirit, He is physically, truly and substantially present in the Tabernacle and hidden behind the most ordinary duties of our everyday life at the same time, present in our soul in grace with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

Let us then seek Him earnestly, with our mind, heart and soul in the midst of our daily occupations. Let us also take seriously of our apostolic responsibility to be His witnesses and gain souls for love of Him and for His Glory. These we ask God through Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles, Queen of Heaven!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/Catholicsstrivingforholiness

Ascension Day Mass: Live Telecast ...



Brothers and sisters in Christ ... Please join in the celebration!

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest
Lectionary: 295



Reading 1 (Acts 18:9-18)

One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,
"Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city."
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
"This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
"If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters."
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.

Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7)

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia (See Lk 24:46, 26)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
"Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory."
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Jn 16:20-23)

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."



REFLECTION

When a woman is in labor. Strictly speaking, John does not contain parables like the ones we find in the Synoptic gospels. Instead, John has paroimia or figures of speech that are akin to parables. An example is an image used by Jesus to shed light on His passion. At His “departure,” the disciples will grieve, but He will rise from the dead, and their sorrow will turn to joy. To illustrate this, Jesus points to the woman experiencing anguish at childbirth. But when the child is born, pain is easily replaced by joy.

Jesus’ imagery has roots in the scriptural portrayal of birth pangs that mothers experience. This is even presented as a consequence of the Fall. To the woman, the Lord said, “I will intensify your toil in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children” (Gn. 3:16). Birth pangs also allude to the time before salvation, like the “birth pangs” of Israel before the coming of the Day of the Lord. The book of Revelation (12:5) mentions the pain of the woman who delivers a male child, destined to rule all nations (a reference to the Messiah). And while the people of God await their final salvation, they likewise experience birth pangs. St. Paul writes, “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now… as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:22-23).

Recall a painful experience that later turned to a happy moment.
What lesson do you draw from this experience?

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

You are most welcome ...

I cannot speak for Bro Yeeck, but for myself, I try to post in the hope of providing other fellow LYN Catholics who do not have the chance to get daily readings and reflections because of the demands of today's lifestyle. I view it as a great honour for the opportunity to bring the joy of reading the word of God to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I also welcome others to post here for prayer intentions ... "where two or three are gathered in My name, there I will be" ... prayers daily is now more important than ever!

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lectionary: 297



Reading 1 (Acts 19:1-8)

While Apollos was in Corinth,
Paul traveled through the interior of the country
and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples.
He said to them,
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?"
They answered him,
"We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
He said, "How were you baptized?"
They replied, "With the baptism of John."
Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,
that is, in Jesus."
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab)

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia (Col 3:1)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Jn 16:29-33)

The disciples said to Jesus,
"Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God."
Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world."



REFLECTION

I have conquered the world. In John, the “world” has different connotations. It may mean the natural world created by God or humanity that lives in the world. But often, the world has a negative meaning — a world that is at enmity with God, a world ruled by the devil, and a world opposed to Jesus and His teaching. This last is the world that Jesus refers to when He tells His disciples, “In the world you will have trouble” (v 33b). Despite His miracles-signs showing that Jesus is from God, His detractors, who harden their hearts against Him, see Him only as a blasphemer, a Law-breaker, one who leads people astray. They even think that in seeking to kill Jesus, they give praise to God. Now, the faithful disciples share the fate of the Master, and later in persecuting them as well, their persecutors will think that they are doing the will of God.

But Jesus says, “Take courage, I have conquered the world” (v 33). Indeed, His enemies will succeed to have Him put to death, but His death will be His vindication. He will rise again, which is the Father’s glorification of His Son. His death — the sign of His total love — also marks the defeat of the devil and the world that prefers darkness because its deeds are evil.

What are your fears? What do you fear most?

Do you draw courage from your faith in Jesus who has conquered the world?

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

Pentecost (Whitsunday)



A feast of the universal Church which commemorates the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ, on the ancient Jewish festival called the "feast of weeks" or Pentecost (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10). Whitsunday is so called from the white garments which were worn by those who were baptised during the vigil; Pentecost ("Pfingsten" in German), is the Greek for "the fiftieth" (day after Easter).

Whitsunday, as a Christian feast, dates back to the first century, although there is no evidence that it was observed, as there is in the case of Easter; the passage in 1 Corinthians 16:8 probably refers to the Jewish feast. This is not surprising, for the feast, originally of only one day's duration, fell on a Sunday; besides it was so closely bound up with Easter that it appears to be not much more than the termination of Paschal tide.

That Whitsunday belongs to the Apostolic times is stated in the seventh of the (interpolated) fragments attributed to St. Irenæus. In Tertullian (On Baptism 19) the festival appears as already well established. The Gallic pilgrim gives a detailed account of the solemn manner in which it was observed at Jerusalem ("Peregrin. Silviæ", ed. Geyer, iv). The Apostolic Constitutions (Book V, Part 20) say that Pentecost lasts one week, but in the West it was not kept with an octave until at quite a late date. It appears from Berno of Reichenau (d. 1048) that it was a debatable point in his time whether Whitsunday ought to have an octave. At present it is of equal rank with Easter Sunday. During the vigil formerly the catechumens who remained from Easter were baptized, consequently the ceremonies on Saturday are similar to those on Holy Saturday.

The office of Pentecost has only one Nocturn during the entire week. At Terce the "Veni Creator" is sung instead of the usual hymn, because at the third hour the Holy Ghost descended. The Mass has a Sequence, "Veni Sancte Spiritus" the authorship of which by some is ascribed to King Robert of France. The colour of the vestments is red, symbolic of the love of the Holy Ghost or of the tongues of fire. Formerly the law courts did not sit during the entire week, and servile work was forbidden. A Council of Constance (1094) limited this prohibition to the first three days of the week. The Sabbath rest of Tuesday was abolished in 1771, and in many missionary territories also that of Monday; the latter was abrogated for the entire Church by Pius X in 1911. Still, as at Easter, the liturgical rank of Monday and Tuesday of Pentecost week is a Double of the First Class.

In Italy it was customary to scatter rose leaves from the ceiling of the churches to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues; hence in Sicily and elsewhere in Italy Whitsunday is called Pascha rosatum. The Italian name Pascha rossa comes from the red colours of the vestments used on Whitsunday. In France it was customary to blow trumpets during Divine service, to recall the sound of the mighty wind which accompanied the Descent of the Holy Ghost. In England the gentry amused themselves with horse races. The Whitsun Ales or merrymakings are almost wholly obsolete in England. At these ales the Whitsun plays were performed. At Vespers of Pentecost in the Oriental Churches the extraordinary service of genuflexion, accompanied by long poetical prayers and psalms, takes place. (Cf. Maltzew, "Fasten-und Blumen Triodion", p. 898 where the entire Greco-Russian service is given; cf. also Baumstark, "Jacobit. Fest brevier", p. 255.) On Pentecost the Russians carry flowers and green branches in their hands.

Source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07409a.htm

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lectionary: 298



Reading 1 (Acts 20:17-27)

From Miletus Paul had the presbyters
of the Church at Ephesus summoned.
When they came to him, he addressed them,
"You know how I lived among you
the whole time from the day I first came to the province of Asia.
I served the Lord with all humility
and with the tears and trials that came to me
because of the plots of the Jews,
and I did not at all shrink from telling you
what was for your benefit,
or from teaching you in public or in your homes.
I earnestly bore witness for both Jews and Greeks
to repentance before God and to faith in our Lord Jesus.
But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem.
What will happen to me there I do not know,
except that in one city after another
the Holy Spirit has been warning me
that imprisonment and hardships await me.
Yet I consider life of no importance to me,
if only I may finish my course
and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,
to bear witness to the Gospel of God's grace.

"But now I know that none of you
to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels
will ever see my face again.
And so I solemnly declare to you this day
that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you,
for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God."

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 68:10-11, 20-21)

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
Your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Blessed day by day be the Lord,
who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation.
God is a saving God for us;
the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia (Jn 14:16)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will ask the Father
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you always.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Jn 17:1-11a)

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said,
"Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
Now this is eternal life,
that they should know you, the only true God,
and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you,
with the glory that I had with you before the world began.

"I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
And now I will no longer be in the world,
but they are in the world, while I am coming to you."



REFLECTION

I pray for them. The Gospel begins Jesus’ long prayer at the Last Supper. Since the 16th century, this has been called the High Priestly Prayer. In truth, in his public ministry, Jesus never claims priestly dignity nor are priestly functions attributed to him. The letter to the Hebrews explains: “It is clear that our Lord arose from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests” (7:14). Nonetheless, the same letter calls Jesus our High Priest, not in the order of Levitical priests but “according to the order of Melchizedek”—by virtue of “the power of a life that cannot be destroyed” through his death and glorification (Heb 7:16-17). Now in heaven, our High Priest intercedes for us before God’s throne.

At the Last Supper, Jesus speaks as intercessor, with words addressed directly to the Father. As the priests in Israel interceded for the people, so Jesus prays for the disciples whom he is leaving behind as he is about to return to the Father. He prays for his immediate and future disciples because he knows that his mission to reveal God will be carried out from generation to generation. As he is sent by the Father, so he sends his disciples, and many more will be sent in his name in the future. As the heavenly High Priest, he intercedes for all those who reveal the Father’s name to the world.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

Saint Joan of Arc, patroness of soldiers



The saint of the day for May 30th is the courageous warrior Saint Joan of Arc, French national heroine, who was born in Domremy, France, 1412 and died in Rouen, France, 1431.

At the age of 13, Joan began to hear the voices of Saints Michael the Archangel, Margaret of Antioch, and Catherine of Alexandria, telling her that she had been chosen to free her country from the English. Joan’s apparitions instructed her to find the true king of France and help him reclaim his throne. She resisted for more than three years, but finally went to Charles VII in Chinon and told him of her visions.

After overcoming opposition from churchmen and courtiers, she was given a small army with which she raised the siege of Orleans on May 8, 1429. Carrying a banner that read “Jesus, Mary”, she led the troops into battle.

She followed the famous campaign of the Loire during which the English were decisively beaten, and Charles was crowned at Rheims, on July 17, 1429. When she was captured by the Burgundians during the defense of Compiegne, Joan was sold to the English for 10 thousand francs. She was then put on trial by an ecclesiastical court conducted by Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, a tool of the English. Although she astounded her judges by her answers, she was condemned to death as a heretic, and burned at the stake on May 30. In 1456, her case was re-tried, and Joan was acquitted (23 years too late). She was canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.

Joan’s heroic virtues were plentiful. She was trustful of God, courageous in battle, benevolent in victory, and merciful toward those who betrayed her.

St. Joan of Arc is the patroness of: France, martyrs, prisoners, people ridiculed for their piety, rape victims, soldiers, Women’s Army Corps, WAVES (Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service).

Saint Quote

“About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they’re just one thing, and we shouldn’t complicate the matter.” ~ Joan of Arc, as recorded at her trial

Prayer of St. Joan of Arc For Healing
Composed by Andrea Oefinger
Holy Saint Joan, compassionate to the sick and wounded, who, while on earth, nursed so many back to health, hear me.
You who wished to see no one injured or in discomfort, pray for me and guide me through this difficult time.
Daughter of God, wounded many times in battle, I petition you for healing (here mention your request here) so that I may be better able to serve God in whatever capacity HE wishes. Intercede for me.
It may not be in God’s will for my body to be healed, for my sufferings may help another or my own soul. If my request is not granted, help me to remain strong, and instead be healed emotionally and spiritually. Amen.


Prayer of St. Joan of Arc For Healing
Composed by Andrea Oefinger

Holy Saint Joan, compassionate to the sick and wounded, who, while on earth, nursed so many back to health, hear me.
You who wished to see no one injured or in discomfort, pray for me and guide me through this difficult time.
Daughter of God, wounded many times in battle, I petition you for healing (here mention your request here) so that I may be better able to serve God in whatever capacity HE wishes. Intercede for me.
It may not be in God’s will for my body to be healed, for my sufferings may help another or my own soul. If my request is not granted, help me to remain strong, and instead be healed emotionally and spiritually. Amen.

To Joan of Arc – By St. Therese of Lisieux

When God, the Lord of hosts gave you the victory,
You drove the strangers out, made crowned your monarch, too.
Then, Joan, your name became renowned in history.
Our greatest conquerors all pale compared with you.
A fleeting glory, though! You needed to possess
That aureole, a saint’s which never can grow dim,
Your Love held out to you His cup of bitterness,
You drank; and humankind rejected you, like Him.
For, in a lightless cell, weighed down by heavy chains,
There then were rained on you the strangers’ cruel jeers.
No friend of yours was found to share with you your pains.
None was there to step forth and wipe away your tears.
That darkness in your jail more radiance projects
Than did the Crowning, when such high acclaim you got!
The luster you have now, in glory, it reflects:
What was it brought it you? Betrayal – that is what.
If God had not, from love unto His Passion come
And in this vale of tears sought death, betrayal, thus,
Our suffering would then have been so burdensome!…
Yet now we love it: for it’s treasure now for us.
– Via Collected Poems of St. Therese of Lisieux, Translated by Ann Bancroft, (Zondervan, 1996)



Source: http://www.jeanmheimann.com/2017/05/saint-...oness-soldiers/

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 572



Reading 1 (Zep 3:14-18a)

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

or

Rom 12:9-16 (Brothers and sisters:)

Let love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;
do not be wise in your own estimation.

Responsorial Psalm (Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6)

R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Alleluia (See Lk 1:45)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 1:39-56)

Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."

And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever."

Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.



REFLECTION

How does this happen to me…? Some Bible scholars see in the Visitation story an allusion to the Virgin Mary as the “Ark of the Covenant,” one of the many titles in her litany. Given Luke’s propensity for symbolism and allusion, this may not altogether be farfetched. Can Luke be alluding to the story of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem?

David and all the Israelites brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts of joy (cf 1 Sm 6:15). Some verses earlier, he had expressed his fear and unworthiness by saying, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” (1 Sm 6:9). There are verbal similarities to the narrative of Luke. And if, in former times, the Shekinah or the presence of the Lord was “contained” in the ark, now the new ark is the womb of the Virgin Mary, containing God’s permanent presence among his people: the Word-made-flesh.

Joy and gladness because of the Lord’s visitation: we are reminded of it by the Preface of John the Baptist in the Mass: “His birth brought great rejoicing; even in the womb he leapt for joy, so near was man’s salvation.” In the ancient world, the coming of a great ruler brought rejoicing to the populace. Rome grandiosely proclaimed September 23, the birthday of Emperor Augustus: “the birthday of the god marked the beginning of the good news for the world.” Luke contradicts this propaganda by saying that it is the coming of Jesus that is the real good news and the cause of true joy. The Baptist feels it while still in the womb.

Does your visit bring joy to people? Are you happy to receivevisitors? Why?

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 354



Reading 1 (Tb 2:9-14)

On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead,
I, Tobit, went into my courtyard
to sleep next to the courtyard wall.
My face was uncovered because of the heat.
I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me,
till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts.
I went to see some doctors for a cure
but the more they anointed my eyes with various salves,
the worse the cataracts became,
until I could see no more.
For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and
all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition.
Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years,
until he left for Elymais.

At that time, my wife Anna worked for hire
at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do.
When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her.
Late in winter on the seventh of Dystrus,
she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners.
They paid her the full salary
and also gave her a young goat for the table.
On entering my house the goat began to bleat.

I called to my wife and said: "Where did this goat come from?
Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners;
we have no right to eat stolen food!"
She said to me, "It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages."
Yet I would not believe her,
and told her to give it back to its owners.
I became very angry with her over this.
So she retorted: "Where are your charitable deeds now?
Where are your virtuous acts?
See! Your true character is finally showing itself!"

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 112:1-2, 7-8, 9)

R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia (Eph 1:17-18)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Mk 12:13-17)
Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent
to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.
They came and said to him,
"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion.
You do not regard a person's status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?"
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,
"Why are you testing me?
Bring me a denarius to look at."
They brought one to him and he said to them,
"Whose image and inscription is this?"
They replied to him, "Caesar's."
So Jesus said to them,
"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."
They were utterly amazed at him.



REFLECTION

Repay to Caesar… And to God. The Jews in Jesus’ time pay to the Roman officials a census tax of one denarius (equivalent to the daily wage). The coins they use bear the image of Emperor Tiberius, “son of the divine Augustus.” We now find Jesus in Jerusalem under the direct rule of the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate. The Pharisees, who usually are anti-Romans and have no love for the Herodian rulers, join forces with the Herodians to trap Jesus with a politically loaded question.

On the lawfulness of the census tax, Jesus declares, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (v 17). While recognizing the legitimacy of civil authority (Roman or Herodian), he sets it in its proper place: it covers only one part of life. God, on the other hand, covers the whole of life. One’s duty towards God and that towards civil authority, although distinct, are not completely separate, but are united and governed by the principle of accomplishing the will of God in all things.

In our time, the principle of “separation of Church and State” is often referred to but is used to suit one’s interest. Our devotion to God does not detract us from our civil responsibilities. On the other hand, secular authorities should not curtail freedom of conscience, the choice of the person to exercise his or her faith in a manner fit.

How does your faith inspire you to be a responsible citizen of the country?

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

eh Bro Yeeck ... Wassup with the Sunday worship thingy? I thought the Church settled this once and for all a long time ago?

Some silly SDA-sad-sack or LDS-LSD popper / angel groupie spewing again arrrr?

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 355



Reading 1 (Tb 3:1-11a, 16-17a)

Grief-stricken in spirit, I, Tobit, groaned and wept aloud.
Then with sobs I began to pray:

"You are righteous, O Lord,
and all your deeds are just;
All your ways are mercy and truth;
you are the judge of the world.
And now, O Lord, may you be mindful of me,
and look with favor upon me.
Punish me not for my sins,
nor for my inadvertent offenses,
nor for those of my ancestors.

"We sinned against you,
and disobeyed your commandments.
So you handed us over to plundering, exile, and death,
till you made us the talk and reproach of all the nations
among whom you had dispersed us.

"Yes, your judgments are many and true
in dealing with me as my sins
and those of my ancestors deserve.
For we have not kept your commandments,
nor have we trodden the paths of truth before you.

"So now, deal with me as you please,
and command my life breath to be taken from me,
that I may go from the face of the earth into dust.
It is better for me to die than to live,
because I have heard insulting calumnies,
and I am overwhelmed with grief.

"Lord, command me to be delivered from such anguish;
let me go to the everlasting abode;
Lord, refuse me not.
For it is better for me to die
than to endure so much misery in life,
and to hear these insults!"

On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media,
it so happened that Raguel's daughter Sarah
also had to listen to abuse,
from one of her father's maids.
For she had been married to seven husbands,
but the wicked demon Asmodeus killed them off
before they could have intercourse with her,
as it is prescribed for wives.
So the maid said to her:
"You are the one who strangles your husbands!
Look at you!
You have already been married seven times,
but you have had no joy with any one of your husbands.
Why do you beat us? Is it on account of your seven husbands,
Because they are dead?
May we never see a son or daughter of yours!"

The girl was deeply saddened that day,
and she went into an upper chamber of her house,
where she planned to hang herself.

But she reconsidered, saying to herself:
"No! People would level this insult against my father:
'You had only one beloved daughter,
but she hanged herself because of ill fortune!'
And thus would I cause my father in his old age
to go down to the nether world laden with sorrow.
It is far better for me not to hang myself,
but to beg the Lord to have me die,
so that I need no longer live to hear such insults."

At that time, then, she spread out her hands,
and facing the window, poured out her prayer:

"Blessed are you, O Lord, merciful God,
and blessed is your holy and honorable name.
Blessed are you in all your works for ever!"

At that very time,
the prayer of these two suppliants
was heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God.
So Raphael was sent to heal them both:
to remove the cataracts from Tobit's eyes,
so that he might again see God's sunlight;
and to marry Raguel's daughter Sarah to Tobit's son Tobiah,
and then drive the wicked demon Asmodeus from her.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 25:2-3, 4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9)

R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

In you I trust; let me not be put to shame,
let not my enemies exult over me.
No one who waits for you shall be put to shame;
those shall be put to shame who heedlessly break faith.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Alleluia (Jn 11:25a, 26)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord;
whoever believes in me will never die.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Mk 12:18-27)

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,
came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying,
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,
If someone's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,
his brother must take the wife
and raise up descendants for his brother.
Now there were seven brothers.
The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.
So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants,
and the third likewise.
And the seven left no descendants.
Last of all the woman also died.
At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?
For all seven had been married to her."
Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled
because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
When they rise from the dead,
they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but they are like the angels in heaven.
As for the dead being raised,
have you not read in the Book of Moses,
in the passage about the bush, how God told him,




REFLECTION

When they rise from the dead. Belief in the resurrection is an integral element in popular Jewish piety. The second benediction of the Shemoneh ‘Esreh (18 Benedictions) declares, “Blessed are you, O Lord, who raises the dead.” In John, Martha speaks to Jesus of the fate of her dead brother Lazarus, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day” (Jn 11:24).

The Sadducees, who are an aristocratic party consisting of the high priestly and other leading families of Jerusalem, reject this belief. This, for them, is a later innovation on the Law of Moses. Referring to the Mosaic provision for levirate marriage (cf Dt 25:5ff), they bring to Jesus the case of a woman married to seven husbands to ridicule the belief in the resurrection with their question, “At the resurrection… whose wife will she be?” (v 23).

Jesus tells the Sadducees that they are mistaken. In opposition to the Jewish conception that earthly relationships will be resumed after the resurrection… Jesus declares that the resurrection-life is comparable to the life enjoyed by the angels, centered and focused on communion with God. Moreover, life does not end with death. God is not the God of the dead but of the living. The salvation promised by God to the patriarchs and their descendants will not have the final word in death but contains implicitly the assurance of the resurrection.

Do you believe that in death life is changed, not ended?

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 356



Reading 1 (Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a)

When the angel Raphael and Tobiah had entered Media
and were getting close to Ecbatana,
Raphael said to the boy,
"Tobiah, my brother!"
He replied: "Here I am!"
He said: "Tonight we must stay with Raguel, who is a relative of yours.
He has a daughter named Sarah."

So he brought him to the house of Raguel,
whom they found seated by his courtyard gate.
They greeted him first.
He said to them, "Greetings to you too, brothers!
Good health to you, and welcome!"
And he brought them into his home.

Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock
and gave them a cordial reception.
When they had bathed and reclined to eat, Tobiah said to Raphael,
"Brother Azariah, ask Raguel to let me marry
my kinswoman Sarah."
Raguel overheard the words; so he said to the boy:
"Eat and drink and be merry tonight,
for no man is more entitled
to marry my daughter Sarah than you, brother.
Besides, not even I have the right to give her to anyone but you,
because you are my closest relative.
But I will explain the situation to you very frankly.
I have given her in marriage to seven men,
all of whom were kinsmen of ours,
and all died on the very night they approached her.
But now, son, eat and drink.
I am sure the Lord will look after you both."
Tobiah answered,
"I will eat or drink nothing until you set aside what belongs to me."

Raguel said to him: "I will do it.
She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses.
Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!
Take your kinswoman;
from now on you are her love, and she is your beloved.
She is yours today and ever after.
And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both.
May he grant you mercy and peace."
Then Raguel called his daughter Sarah, and she came to him.
He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobiah with the words:
"Take her according to the law.
According to the decree written in the Book of Moses
she is your wife.
Take her and bring her back safely to your father.
And may the God of heaven grant both of you peace and prosperity."
Raguel then called Sarah's mother and told her to bring a scroll,
so that he might draw up a marriage contract
stating that he gave Sarah to Tobiah as his wife
according to the decree of the Mosaic law.
Her mother brought the scroll,
and Raguel drew up the contract, to which they affixed their seals.

Afterward they began to eat and drink.
Later Raguel called his wife Edna and said,
"My love, prepare the other bedroom and bring the girl there."
She went and made the bed in the room, as she was told,
and brought the girl there.
After she had cried over her, she wiped away the tears and said:
"Be brave, my daughter.
May the Lord grant you joy in place of your grief.
Courage, my daughter."
Then she left.

When the girl's parents left the bedroom
and closed the door behind them,
Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife,
"My love, get up.
Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on us
and to grant us deliverance."
She got up, and they started to pray
and beg that deliverance might be theirs.
And they began to say:

"Blessed are you, O God of our fathers,
praised be your name forever and ever.
Let the heavens and all your creation
praise you forever.
You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve
to be his help and support;
and from these two the human race descended.
You said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone;
let us make him a partner like himself.'
Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine
not because of lust,
but for a noble purpose.
Call down your mercy on me and on her,
and allow us to live together to a happy old age."

They said together, "Amen, amen," and went to bed for the night.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5)

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
Blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Alleluia (2 Tm 1:10)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Mk 12:28-34)

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"
Jesus replied, "The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these."
The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.



REFLECTION

The first of all the commandments. A revered rabbi in Israel, Simon the Just, is credited with this maxim: “The world rests on three things: the Law, the sacrificial worship, and expressions of love.” The prophets, on the other hand, affirm the superiority of moral life over cultic sacrifice. The prophet Hosea records God’s declaration: “It is loyalty that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hos 6:6).
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In the Gospel, a scribe asks Jesus which is the first—the most important—of the commandments. The scholars of the Law have found 613 commands in Scriptures. Jesus points to the most familiar command that the Jews recite daily: the Shema Israel (“Hear, O Israel”) from Dt 6:4-5. He adds to it the command focused on the neighbor from Lv 19:18. The commandment of love touches on our relationship with God and our neighbor. The Decalogue, another “summary” of God’s commands, speaks of our responsibilities towards God and our fellow human beings.

The scribe, pictured in a favorable light, agrees with Jesus and declares the superiority of the double commandment of love over ritual sacrifices. Open to the proclamation of Jesus, he is “not far from the Kingdom of God” (v 34).

“Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Rom 13:8).

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/