Reading 1
Rom 10:9-18
Brothers and sisters:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!
But not everyone has heeded the good news;
for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?
Thus faith comes from what is heard,
and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, did they not hear?
Certainly they did; for
Their voice has gone forth to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.
Gospel
Mt 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
Meditation: Matthew 4:18-22
They left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:20)
Have you ever been so excited about someone that you wanted to tell everyone you knew about him or her? That’s the way Andrew was about Jesus. John tells us that the first thing Andrew did after meeting Jesus was to introduce his brother Peter to him. “We have found the Messiah,” Andrew announced excitedly (John 1:41).
Whenever we hear about Andrew, we see his faith in action. He is either talking intimately with Jesus or taking someone to meet him. When Jesus fed a large crowd with five loaves and two fishes, it was Andrew who brought the young boy who had the food to Jesus (John 6:8-9). Later, when a group of Greeks asked to see Jesus, it was Andrew who took the message—and the people—to him.
It seems that Andrew was always eager to see what God would do in people’s hearts, always looking out to see how they would respond and be transformed by their time with Jesus. And that’s something worth considering as we begin the Advent season. Advent is, after all, a time of anticipation. Children wait excitedly for Christmas, and we adults wait to see how the holidays will unfold. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be just as excited about the coming of the Lord—both his coming at the end of time and his coming into the hearts of those who don’t yet know him all that well? Maybe this year we can try to follow Andrew’s example and find ways to tell people about Jesus. Maybe we can even find the courage to offer to pray with them and invite them to welcome Jesus into their hearts!
This doesn’t have to be a difficult task, either. All we have to do is find our own way of saying: “I have met someone so amazing that I simply have to tell you about him.” This Advent, think of someone—perhaps a family member, a friend, or a neighbor—and ask the Spirit to show you how you can invite them to see what it’s like to know Jesus. Follow Andrew’s example, and watch what happens!
“Lord Jesus, give me the excitement and courage of Andrew so that I can witness to you. Let my enthusiasm be like a magnet to draw others to you.”
30 November 2009
29 November 2009
29 Nov 09, First Sunday of Advent - Year I
Reading 1
Jer 33:14-16
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”
Reading II
1 Thes 3:12-4:2
Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us
how you should conduct yourselves to please God
and as you are conducting yourselves
-you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Gospel
Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Meditation: Luke 21:25-28,34-36
They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud. (Luke 21:27)
Don’t you find it strange that today’s Gospel reading would focus on the end times and not Christmas? But as confusing as this may seem at first, it really is quite appropriate. In many ways, there are a lot of similarities between Christmas and the Second Coming.
First, there is the obvious similarity that both events are marked by the coming of Jesus. It’s true that he came as a baby at Christmas, and at the Second Coming, he will come as a conquering king. But in both instances, it’s still Jesus, the all-holy Son of God, who is breaking into our finite, limited world.
Second, in both instances Jesus comes to bring the kingdom of God. At Christmas, he came to inaugurate that kingdom through his preaching, his miracles, his death, and his resurrection. At the Second Coming, he will bring to fulfillment what he began at Christmas. All sin and suffering will be wiped away, and we will enter into eternal life with all the angels and saints.
Finally, both Christmas and the Second Coming are times of excitement mixed with awe. At Christmas, we hear angels singing, see a magnificent star, and watch Herod tremble with fear. At the Second Coming, the heavens will open to reveal Jesus, shining like the sun, and all who are opposed to him will face his judgment. Both are times of great hope that call us to examine our own lives.
So as Advent begins, ask yourself who Jesus is for you. Is he just a little baby in a manger? Or is he also the Suffering Servant who gave up his life to set you free from sin and death? Is he the Lord of all creation, who is coming back to bring his faithful people to heaven? May God open our eyes this season so that we can see Jesus in a new way and be transformed by what we see!
“Jesus, I want to dedicate this season to seeing you more fully. Come, Lord, and make me ready to greet you when you come again!”
Jer 33:14-16
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”
Reading II
1 Thes 3:12-4:2
Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us
how you should conduct yourselves to please God
and as you are conducting yourselves
-you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Gospel
Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Meditation: Luke 21:25-28,34-36
They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud. (Luke 21:27)
Don’t you find it strange that today’s Gospel reading would focus on the end times and not Christmas? But as confusing as this may seem at first, it really is quite appropriate. In many ways, there are a lot of similarities between Christmas and the Second Coming.
First, there is the obvious similarity that both events are marked by the coming of Jesus. It’s true that he came as a baby at Christmas, and at the Second Coming, he will come as a conquering king. But in both instances, it’s still Jesus, the all-holy Son of God, who is breaking into our finite, limited world.
Second, in both instances Jesus comes to bring the kingdom of God. At Christmas, he came to inaugurate that kingdom through his preaching, his miracles, his death, and his resurrection. At the Second Coming, he will bring to fulfillment what he began at Christmas. All sin and suffering will be wiped away, and we will enter into eternal life with all the angels and saints.
Finally, both Christmas and the Second Coming are times of excitement mixed with awe. At Christmas, we hear angels singing, see a magnificent star, and watch Herod tremble with fear. At the Second Coming, the heavens will open to reveal Jesus, shining like the sun, and all who are opposed to him will face his judgment. Both are times of great hope that call us to examine our own lives.
So as Advent begins, ask yourself who Jesus is for you. Is he just a little baby in a manger? Or is he also the Suffering Servant who gave up his life to set you free from sin and death? Is he the Lord of all creation, who is coming back to bring his faithful people to heaven? May God open our eyes this season so that we can see Jesus in a new way and be transformed by what we see!
“Jesus, I want to dedicate this season to seeing you more fully. Come, Lord, and make me ready to greet you when you come again!”
28 November 2009
28 Nov 09, Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Year I
Reading 1
Dn 7:15-27
I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh,
and I was terrified by the visions of my mind.
I approached one of those present
and asked him what all this meant in truth;
in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things:
“These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms
which shall arise on the earth.
But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship,
to possess it forever and ever.”
But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast,
so very terrible and different from the others,
devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws,
and trampling with its feet what was left;
about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up,
before which three horns fell;
about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly,
which appeared greater than its fellows.
For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones
and was victorious until the Ancient One arrived;
judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High,
and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom.
He answered me thus:
“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth
different from all the others;
It shall devour the whole earth,
beat it down, and crush it.
The ten horns shall be ten kings
rising out of that kingdom;
another shall rise up after them,
Different from those before him,
who shall lay low three kings.
He shall speak against the Most High
and oppress the holy ones of the Most High,
thinking to change the feast days and the law.
They shall be handed over to him
for a year, two years, and a half-year.
But when the court is convened,
and his power is taken away
by final and absolute destruction,
Then the kingship and dominion and majesty
of all the kingdoms under the heavens
shall be given to the holy people of the Most High,
Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting:
all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
Gospel
Lk 21:34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Meditation: Luke 21:34-36
Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy. (Luke 21:34)
Have you ever felt drowsy? Maybe you had some time on your hands without much to do, or you felt worn down by the demands of life and didn’t want to deal with anything. Drowsiness feels very passive, like a waking sleep. It certainly doesn’t conjure images of a bright-eyed, eager participant in life!
But there’s another side to the drowsiness that Jesus is warning us against. In today’s Gospel reading, it is a state of dullness to spiritual things—a dullness that can come not just from indulging our senses but from the very real demands and anxieties of life. We can get so weighed down by everything we have to do that we become dull to the life of God in and around us. Our eyes get focused on this world, leaving our spiritual vision blurry and tired. And that sets us up for missing out on the ways God makes himself present to us every day.
How can we avoid this drowsiness? One answer lies in the verses used for today’s responsorial psalm: Praising God raises our hearts and minds up to heaven. It wakes us up to spiritual realities as we recall and praise God for who he is and all he has done in our lives and throughout history.
There are many ways we can praise God every day—many ways we can focus our minds and guard against spiritual drowsiness. Some days, you may want to recall God’s wonderful works of creation, the salvation he brought us in Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of the second coming. Other days, you may want to praise each person of the Trinity for their attributes: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Or another day, you may turn to the psalms to help you focus your attention.
However you decide to begin, just start thanking God for who he is. The more you praise God, the easier it gets. As you remember more things to thank him for, your praise can become like an avalanche! And the very act of raising your mind above your own concerns and gazing heavenward will wake up your heart and mind to spiritual realities!
“Father, you are exalted above all things! You have made everything and are enthroned in power! You are worthy of all praise!”
Dn 7:15-27
I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh,
and I was terrified by the visions of my mind.
I approached one of those present
and asked him what all this meant in truth;
in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things:
“These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms
which shall arise on the earth.
But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship,
to possess it forever and ever.”
But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast,
so very terrible and different from the others,
devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws,
and trampling with its feet what was left;
about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up,
before which three horns fell;
about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly,
which appeared greater than its fellows.
For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones
and was victorious until the Ancient One arrived;
judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High,
and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom.
He answered me thus:
“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth
different from all the others;
It shall devour the whole earth,
beat it down, and crush it.
The ten horns shall be ten kings
rising out of that kingdom;
another shall rise up after them,
Different from those before him,
who shall lay low three kings.
He shall speak against the Most High
and oppress the holy ones of the Most High,
thinking to change the feast days and the law.
They shall be handed over to him
for a year, two years, and a half-year.
But when the court is convened,
and his power is taken away
by final and absolute destruction,
Then the kingship and dominion and majesty
of all the kingdoms under the heavens
shall be given to the holy people of the Most High,
Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting:
all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
Gospel
Lk 21:34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Meditation: Luke 21:34-36
Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy. (Luke 21:34)
Have you ever felt drowsy? Maybe you had some time on your hands without much to do, or you felt worn down by the demands of life and didn’t want to deal with anything. Drowsiness feels very passive, like a waking sleep. It certainly doesn’t conjure images of a bright-eyed, eager participant in life!
But there’s another side to the drowsiness that Jesus is warning us against. In today’s Gospel reading, it is a state of dullness to spiritual things—a dullness that can come not just from indulging our senses but from the very real demands and anxieties of life. We can get so weighed down by everything we have to do that we become dull to the life of God in and around us. Our eyes get focused on this world, leaving our spiritual vision blurry and tired. And that sets us up for missing out on the ways God makes himself present to us every day.
How can we avoid this drowsiness? One answer lies in the verses used for today’s responsorial psalm: Praising God raises our hearts and minds up to heaven. It wakes us up to spiritual realities as we recall and praise God for who he is and all he has done in our lives and throughout history.
There are many ways we can praise God every day—many ways we can focus our minds and guard against spiritual drowsiness. Some days, you may want to recall God’s wonderful works of creation, the salvation he brought us in Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of the second coming. Other days, you may want to praise each person of the Trinity for their attributes: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Or another day, you may turn to the psalms to help you focus your attention.
However you decide to begin, just start thanking God for who he is. The more you praise God, the easier it gets. As you remember more things to thank him for, your praise can become like an avalanche! And the very act of raising your mind above your own concerns and gazing heavenward will wake up your heart and mind to spiritual realities!
“Father, you are exalted above all things! You have made everything and are enthroned in power! You are worthy of all praise!”
27 November 2009
27 Nov 09, Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Year I
Reading 1
Dn 7:2-14
In a vision I, Daniel, saw during the night,
the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea,
from which emerged four immense beasts,
each different from the others.
The first was like a lion, but with eagle’s wings.
While I watched, the wings were plucked;
it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet
like a man, and given a human mind.
The second was like a bear; it was raised up on one side,
and among the teeth in its mouth were three tusks.
It was given the order, “Up, devour much flesh.”
After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard;
on its back were four wings like those of a bird,
and it had four heads.
To this beast dominion was given.
After this, in the visions of the night I saw the fourth beast,
different from all the others,
terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength;
it had great iron teeth with which it devoured and crushed,
and what was left it trampled with its feet.
I was considering the ten horns it had,
when suddenly another, a little horn, sprang out of their midst,
and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it.
This horn had eyes like a man,
and a mouth that spoke arrogantly.
As I watched,
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was snow bright,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened, and the books were opened.
I watched, then, from the first of the arrogant words
which the horn spoke, until the beast was slain
and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up.
The other beasts, which also lost their dominion,
were granted a prolongation of life for a time and a season.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Gospel
Lk 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”
Meditation: Daniel 7:2-14
If you’ve studied any history, you know that the authority held by a monarch is meant to be passed down from one ruler to the next, not taken by force.
This transfer of power typically happens in a coronation ceremony. In many cultures, the coronation ceremony reflects the belief that the power to rule comes from God—or at least from a source higher than themselves. Here in Daniel, we see the ultimate coronation. The figure of “the son of man” receives “dominion, glory, and kingship” from none other than his heavenly Father (Daniel 7:13,14).
Daniel’s author saw this “son of man” as an apocalyptic ruler who would bring justice to the earth. With Spirit-inspired hindsight, we know him as Jesus, who has power over all creation (Ephesians 1:21-22). Contrast Jesus’ power with that of the four beasts that precede him in Daniel’s vision. These four animals signified the empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. In spite of their great might, these dynasties eventually crumbled. Like many governments, they fell because their rulers became greedy and tyrannical, caring more about their influence than about their subjects. Clearly, that’s not how Jesus rules his people!
What about us? As Christians, we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). That means we share in Jesus’ authority and in his commission to build his kingdom here on earth. It is a high calling, and with it comes a high dignity. We are children of Almighty God! Filled with the power of the Spirit, we can do even greater things than Jesus himself did (John 14:12)!
Today and every day, remember who you are in Christ. United with him, you have enormous potential to transform your family, workplace, and community. You have the mind of Christ to bring wisdom where there is confusion and comfort where there is anxiety. You have the anointing of Christ to bring healing, love, and mercy where there is hatred and division. Put yourself in his hands today, and call on his power to help you live a life pleasing to him. Then, you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.
“Lord, I thank you that you have made me a little lower than the angels! May I never forget that I carry your name. Help me to shine your light into every situation.”
Dn 7:2-14
In a vision I, Daniel, saw during the night,
the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea,
from which emerged four immense beasts,
each different from the others.
The first was like a lion, but with eagle’s wings.
While I watched, the wings were plucked;
it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet
like a man, and given a human mind.
The second was like a bear; it was raised up on one side,
and among the teeth in its mouth were three tusks.
It was given the order, “Up, devour much flesh.”
After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard;
on its back were four wings like those of a bird,
and it had four heads.
To this beast dominion was given.
After this, in the visions of the night I saw the fourth beast,
different from all the others,
terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength;
it had great iron teeth with which it devoured and crushed,
and what was left it trampled with its feet.
I was considering the ten horns it had,
when suddenly another, a little horn, sprang out of their midst,
and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it.
This horn had eyes like a man,
and a mouth that spoke arrogantly.
As I watched,
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was snow bright,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened, and the books were opened.
I watched, then, from the first of the arrogant words
which the horn spoke, until the beast was slain
and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up.
The other beasts, which also lost their dominion,
were granted a prolongation of life for a time and a season.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Gospel
Lk 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”
Meditation: Daniel 7:2-14
If you’ve studied any history, you know that the authority held by a monarch is meant to be passed down from one ruler to the next, not taken by force.
This transfer of power typically happens in a coronation ceremony. In many cultures, the coronation ceremony reflects the belief that the power to rule comes from God—or at least from a source higher than themselves. Here in Daniel, we see the ultimate coronation. The figure of “the son of man” receives “dominion, glory, and kingship” from none other than his heavenly Father (Daniel 7:13,14).
Daniel’s author saw this “son of man” as an apocalyptic ruler who would bring justice to the earth. With Spirit-inspired hindsight, we know him as Jesus, who has power over all creation (Ephesians 1:21-22). Contrast Jesus’ power with that of the four beasts that precede him in Daniel’s vision. These four animals signified the empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. In spite of their great might, these dynasties eventually crumbled. Like many governments, they fell because their rulers became greedy and tyrannical, caring more about their influence than about their subjects. Clearly, that’s not how Jesus rules his people!
What about us? As Christians, we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). That means we share in Jesus’ authority and in his commission to build his kingdom here on earth. It is a high calling, and with it comes a high dignity. We are children of Almighty God! Filled with the power of the Spirit, we can do even greater things than Jesus himself did (John 14:12)!
Today and every day, remember who you are in Christ. United with him, you have enormous potential to transform your family, workplace, and community. You have the mind of Christ to bring wisdom where there is confusion and comfort where there is anxiety. You have the anointing of Christ to bring healing, love, and mercy where there is hatred and division. Put yourself in his hands today, and call on his power to help you live a life pleasing to him. Then, you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.
“Lord, I thank you that you have made me a little lower than the angels! May I never forget that I carry your name. Help me to shine your light into every situation.”
26 November 2009
26 Nov 09, Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Year I
Reading 1
Dn 6:12-28
Some men rushed into the upper chamber of Daniel’s home
and found him praying and pleading before his God.
Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition:
“Did you not decree, O king,
that no one is to address a petition to god or man
for thirty days, except to you, O king;
otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions?”
The king answered them, “The decree is absolute,
irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.”
To this they replied, “Daniel, the Jewish exile,
has paid no attention to you, O king,
or to the decree you issued;
three times a day he offers his prayer.”
The king was deeply grieved at this news
and he made up his mind to save Daniel;
he worked till sunset to rescue him.
But these men insisted.
They said, “Keep in mind, O king,
that under the Mede and Persian law
every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable.”
So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions’ den.
To Daniel he said,
“May your God, whom you serve so constantly, save you.”
To forestall any tampering,
the king sealed with his own ring and the rings of the lords
the stone that had been brought to block the opening of the den.
Then the king returned to his palace for the night;
he refused to eat and he dismissed the entertainers.
Since sleep was impossible for him,
the king rose very early the next morning
and hastened to the lions’ den.
As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully,
“O Daniel, servant of the living God,
has the God whom you serve so constantly
been able to save you from the lions?”
Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever!
My God has sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths
so that they have not hurt me.
For I have been found innocent before him;
neither to you have I done any harm, O king!”
This gave the king great joy.
At his order Daniel was removed from the den,
unhurt because he trusted in his God.
The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel,
along with their children and their wives,
to be cast into the lions’ den.
Before they reached the bottom of the den,
the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language,
wherever they dwell on the earth: “All peace to you!
I decree that throughout my royal domain
the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared:
“For he is the living God, enduring forever;
his Kingdom shall not be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be without end.
He is a deliverer and savior,
working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth,
and he delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.”
Gospel
Lk 21:20-28
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
know that its desolation is at hand.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
for these days are the time of punishment
when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,
for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth
and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword
and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”
Meditation: Luke 21:20-28
The powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:26)
Readings about the Second Coming of Christ can really make our hearts quicken—but not necessarily with excitement. They make us feel as if a dark cloud just entered the room, heralding doom and destruction. Is it because we are hiding something in our hearts that we don’t want to bring into the light? Perhaps, but when you get right down to it, this is a silly way to think. After all, God sees everything!
It’s true that as we give the Holy Spirit access into our hearts, he will begin to show us sinful areas that we need to change—but he won’t do it in a condemning way that beats us down. Rather, he will fill us with hope as he shows us the road to freedom.
Today’s reading is an invitation for us to take stock. If we ask the Lord to come in and purify us, we will find joy and peace, not fear and judgment. We may have some work to do, but it won’t be pointless labor. It will be more like spring-cleaning, resulting in a house that is clean and free of clutter and cobwebs. The closer we get to the Lord, the more we will want to be free of the sins that bind us and keep our eyes focused only on this world.
Our God is not a harsh judge waiting for us to fail so that he can throw us in jail. No, he is our Father and Creator. He longs to form us into a people set apart for him, a people who are ready to welcome Jesus when he returns in glory. Every step that we take toward Jesus is a step toward getting ready. It is one more step out of the old life and into the new life. It is one more step away from hardheartedness and toward the soft heart that loves as fully as he does.
Jesus is coming back one day. He will bring judgment upon the sins of the world. But he will also bring salvation to all who are looking for him. So stay alert, and welcome him in today!
“Holy Spirit, please come into my heart and shed light on the areas that are out of order. Help me to rejoice in Jesus’ Second Coming, not fear it.”
Dn 6:12-28
Some men rushed into the upper chamber of Daniel’s home
and found him praying and pleading before his God.
Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition:
“Did you not decree, O king,
that no one is to address a petition to god or man
for thirty days, except to you, O king;
otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions?”
The king answered them, “The decree is absolute,
irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.”
To this they replied, “Daniel, the Jewish exile,
has paid no attention to you, O king,
or to the decree you issued;
three times a day he offers his prayer.”
The king was deeply grieved at this news
and he made up his mind to save Daniel;
he worked till sunset to rescue him.
But these men insisted.
They said, “Keep in mind, O king,
that under the Mede and Persian law
every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable.”
So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions’ den.
To Daniel he said,
“May your God, whom you serve so constantly, save you.”
To forestall any tampering,
the king sealed with his own ring and the rings of the lords
the stone that had been brought to block the opening of the den.
Then the king returned to his palace for the night;
he refused to eat and he dismissed the entertainers.
Since sleep was impossible for him,
the king rose very early the next morning
and hastened to the lions’ den.
As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully,
“O Daniel, servant of the living God,
has the God whom you serve so constantly
been able to save you from the lions?”
Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever!
My God has sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths
so that they have not hurt me.
For I have been found innocent before him;
neither to you have I done any harm, O king!”
This gave the king great joy.
At his order Daniel was removed from the den,
unhurt because he trusted in his God.
The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel,
along with their children and their wives,
to be cast into the lions’ den.
Before they reached the bottom of the den,
the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language,
wherever they dwell on the earth: “All peace to you!
I decree that throughout my royal domain
the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared:
“For he is the living God, enduring forever;
his Kingdom shall not be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be without end.
He is a deliverer and savior,
working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth,
and he delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.”
Gospel
Lk 21:20-28
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
know that its desolation is at hand.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
for these days are the time of punishment
when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,
for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth
and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword
and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”
Meditation: Luke 21:20-28
The powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:26)
Readings about the Second Coming of Christ can really make our hearts quicken—but not necessarily with excitement. They make us feel as if a dark cloud just entered the room, heralding doom and destruction. Is it because we are hiding something in our hearts that we don’t want to bring into the light? Perhaps, but when you get right down to it, this is a silly way to think. After all, God sees everything!
It’s true that as we give the Holy Spirit access into our hearts, he will begin to show us sinful areas that we need to change—but he won’t do it in a condemning way that beats us down. Rather, he will fill us with hope as he shows us the road to freedom.
Today’s reading is an invitation for us to take stock. If we ask the Lord to come in and purify us, we will find joy and peace, not fear and judgment. We may have some work to do, but it won’t be pointless labor. It will be more like spring-cleaning, resulting in a house that is clean and free of clutter and cobwebs. The closer we get to the Lord, the more we will want to be free of the sins that bind us and keep our eyes focused only on this world.
Our God is not a harsh judge waiting for us to fail so that he can throw us in jail. No, he is our Father and Creator. He longs to form us into a people set apart for him, a people who are ready to welcome Jesus when he returns in glory. Every step that we take toward Jesus is a step toward getting ready. It is one more step out of the old life and into the new life. It is one more step away from hardheartedness and toward the soft heart that loves as fully as he does.
Jesus is coming back one day. He will bring judgment upon the sins of the world. But he will also bring salvation to all who are looking for him. So stay alert, and welcome him in today!
“Holy Spirit, please come into my heart and shed light on the areas that are out of order. Help me to rejoice in Jesus’ Second Coming, not fear it.”
25 November 2009
25 Nov 09, Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Year 1
Reading 1
Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his lords,
with whom he drank.
Under the influence of the wine,
he ordered the gold and silver vessels
which Nebuchadnezzar, his father,
had taken from the temple in Jerusalem,
to be brought in so that the king, his lords,
his wives and his entertainers might drink from them.
When the gold and silver vessels
taken from the house of God in Jerusalem had been brought in,
and while the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers
were drinking wine from them,
they praised their gods of gold and silver,
bronze and iron, wood and stone.
Suddenly, opposite the lampstand,
the fingers of a human hand appeared,
writing on the plaster of the wall in the king’s palace.
When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, his face blanched;
his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook,
and his knees knocked.
Then Daniel was brought into the presence of the king.
The king asked him, “Are you the Daniel, the Jewish exile,
whom my father, the king, brought from Judah?
I have heard that the Spirit of God is in you,
that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom.
I have heard that you can interpret dreams and solve difficulties;
if you are able to read the writing and tell me what it means,
you shall be clothed in purple,
wear a gold collar about your neck,
and be third in the government of the kingdom.”
Daniel answered the king:
“You may keep your gifts, or give your presents to someone else;
but the writing I will read for you, O king,
and tell you what it means.
You have rebelled against the Lord of heaven.
You had the vessels of his temple brought before you,
so that you and your nobles, your wives and your entertainers,
might drink wine from them;
and you praised the gods of silver and gold,
bronze and iron, wood and stone,
that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence.
But the God in whose hand is your life breath
and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify.
By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down.
“This is the writing that was inscribed:
MENE, TEKEL, and PERES.
These words mean:
MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it;
TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting;
PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Gospel
Lk 21:12-19Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Meditation: Luke 21:12-19
You will be persecuted, Jesus warns, but “it will lead to your giving testimony” (Luke 21:13).
There is absolutely no reason to be fearful and no need to rehearse what you might say. Jesus promises: “I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute” (21:15).
Jesus’ promise was dramatically fulfilled in St. Catherine of Alexandria, whose feast we celebrate today. Although we know nothing for certain about her, including when she lived, this saint has been venerated as a “holy helper” for a thousand years. In fact, hers was one of the voices St. Joan of Arc heard.
According to tradition, Catherine was a pagan who had a fine education because she belonged to a noble family. In the course of her studies, she learned about Christianity. After the Virgin Mary and her Child appeared to her, Catherine became a Christian. When the emperor Maxentius began persecuting Christians, the lovely eighteen-year-old girl boldly rebuked him for being so tyrannical. Unable to answer her arguments against his pagan gods, the emperor called in fifty of his smartest philosophers. Instead of changing Catherine’s mind, they were all convinced by her and wound up being burned by the emperor for having converted.
When Catherine indignantly refused Maxentius’ smooth talk, he ordered her to be beaten and thrown into jail. While he was away inspecting a military camp, his curious wife and one of his officers went to see Catherine in prison. They too were converted, along with two hundred of the soldiers guarding her. Ultimately, Catherine was put to death, a heroic witness to the faith.
Few of us are likely to be martyred for our faith, but we may be ridiculed when we take a stand, whether it‘s bowing our heads for grace before a meal, refusing to join in gossip, or speaking up to defend a belief someone is making fun of. Don’t worry! Just trust that the Holy Spirit will inspire what you say and what you don’t say, how others hear it, and with what result.
“Holy Spirit, help me be bold when my faith is called into question. Speak through me so that others can hear what you want to say to their hearts.”
Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his lords,
with whom he drank.
Under the influence of the wine,
he ordered the gold and silver vessels
which Nebuchadnezzar, his father,
had taken from the temple in Jerusalem,
to be brought in so that the king, his lords,
his wives and his entertainers might drink from them.
When the gold and silver vessels
taken from the house of God in Jerusalem had been brought in,
and while the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers
were drinking wine from them,
they praised their gods of gold and silver,
bronze and iron, wood and stone.
Suddenly, opposite the lampstand,
the fingers of a human hand appeared,
writing on the plaster of the wall in the king’s palace.
When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, his face blanched;
his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook,
and his knees knocked.
Then Daniel was brought into the presence of the king.
The king asked him, “Are you the Daniel, the Jewish exile,
whom my father, the king, brought from Judah?
I have heard that the Spirit of God is in you,
that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom.
I have heard that you can interpret dreams and solve difficulties;
if you are able to read the writing and tell me what it means,
you shall be clothed in purple,
wear a gold collar about your neck,
and be third in the government of the kingdom.”
Daniel answered the king:
“You may keep your gifts, or give your presents to someone else;
but the writing I will read for you, O king,
and tell you what it means.
You have rebelled against the Lord of heaven.
You had the vessels of his temple brought before you,
so that you and your nobles, your wives and your entertainers,
might drink wine from them;
and you praised the gods of silver and gold,
bronze and iron, wood and stone,
that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence.
But the God in whose hand is your life breath
and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify.
By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down.
“This is the writing that was inscribed:
MENE, TEKEL, and PERES.
These words mean:
MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it;
TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting;
PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Gospel
Lk 21:12-19Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Meditation: Luke 21:12-19
You will be persecuted, Jesus warns, but “it will lead to your giving testimony” (Luke 21:13).
There is absolutely no reason to be fearful and no need to rehearse what you might say. Jesus promises: “I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute” (21:15).
Jesus’ promise was dramatically fulfilled in St. Catherine of Alexandria, whose feast we celebrate today. Although we know nothing for certain about her, including when she lived, this saint has been venerated as a “holy helper” for a thousand years. In fact, hers was one of the voices St. Joan of Arc heard.
According to tradition, Catherine was a pagan who had a fine education because she belonged to a noble family. In the course of her studies, she learned about Christianity. After the Virgin Mary and her Child appeared to her, Catherine became a Christian. When the emperor Maxentius began persecuting Christians, the lovely eighteen-year-old girl boldly rebuked him for being so tyrannical. Unable to answer her arguments against his pagan gods, the emperor called in fifty of his smartest philosophers. Instead of changing Catherine’s mind, they were all convinced by her and wound up being burned by the emperor for having converted.
When Catherine indignantly refused Maxentius’ smooth talk, he ordered her to be beaten and thrown into jail. While he was away inspecting a military camp, his curious wife and one of his officers went to see Catherine in prison. They too were converted, along with two hundred of the soldiers guarding her. Ultimately, Catherine was put to death, a heroic witness to the faith.
Few of us are likely to be martyred for our faith, but we may be ridiculed when we take a stand, whether it‘s bowing our heads for grace before a meal, refusing to join in gossip, or speaking up to defend a belief someone is making fun of. Don’t worry! Just trust that the Holy Spirit will inspire what you say and what you don’t say, how others hear it, and with what result.
“Holy Spirit, help me be bold when my faith is called into question. Speak through me so that others can hear what you want to say to their hearts.”
24 November 2009
24 Nov 09 Tuesday, Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Reading 1
Dn 2:31-45
Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar:
“In your vision, O king, you saw a statue,
very large and exceedingly bright,
terrifying in appearance as it stood before you.
The head of the statue was pure gold,
its chest and arms were silver,
its belly and thighs bronze, the legs iron,
its feet partly iron and partly tile.
While you looked at the statue,
a stone which was hewn from a mountain
without a hand being put to it,
struck its iron and tile feet, breaking them in pieces.
The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once,
fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer,
and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace.
But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain
and filled the whole earth.
“This was the dream;
the interpretation we shall also give in the king’s presence.
You, O king, are the king of kings;
to you the God of heaven
has given dominion and strength, power and glory;
men, wild beasts, and birds of the air, wherever they may dwell,
he has handed over to you, making you ruler over them all;
you are the head of gold.
Another kingdom shall take your place, inferior to yours,
then a third kingdom, of bronze,
which shall rule over the whole earth.
There shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron;
it shall break in pieces and subdue all these others,
just as iron breaks in pieces and crushes everything else.
The feet and toes you saw, partly of potter’s tile and partly of iron,
mean that it shall be a divided kingdom,
but yet have some of the hardness of iron.
As you saw the iron mixed with clay tile,
and the toes partly iron and partly tile,
the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.
The iron mixed with clay tile
means that they shall seal their alliances by intermarriage,
but they shall not stay united, any more than iron mixes with clay.
In the lifetime of those kings
the God of heaven will set up a kingdom
that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people;
rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms
and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever.
That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain
without a hand being put to it,
which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold.
The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future;
this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure.”
Gospel
Lk 21:5-11
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
Meditation: Luke 21:5-11
Have you ever been caught in a storm and heard the crack of a thunderbolt close by?
It’s a rather frightening sound, to say the least, and you know if that lightning hits you, you might not be around very long! You might be so rattled by it that you need a couple of minutes to catch your breath. Yet after witnessing such a display of power, you might find you have a sense of awe and respect for nature that you didn’t have before.
It’s possible to think of current events in the same way. It seems that every time we check on the news, there’s another disaster to read about—a murder downtown, a bombing in the Middle East, or a renewed conflict in Africa. What’s amazing is that Jesus tells us not to be terrified by such things (Luke 21:9). As awful as they may be, these aren’t merely random events. This apparent chaos is in fact a sign that we are drawing ever closer to his return in glory!
That doesn’t mean that God is busy planning to bring us misery. He is not the author of calamity, but he does bend it to his purposes. Neither does it mean that we should ignore the effects of disaster and sit around waiting for Jesus to come back. On the contrary, God wants us to reach out to those affected by tragedy in whatever way we can. Nevertheless, we can still be comforted and even amazed at the way he is using all of history—even its darkest chapters—to bring about his triumph.
On a smaller scale, we can also take a more positive view of our own suffering. It’s true that God is never the cause of anyone’s pain. But it is also true that he can turn even the worst catastrophe into something positive. When misfortune befalls you, wait to see how God will work through it. Believe that he can use the situation to strengthen your faith—and perhaps to bring victory out of what looks like certain defeat. He will make all things work together for your good (Romans 8:28) if you will trust him to do it.
“Lord, I thank you that you are in control, no matter what happens. I trust that you are holding me in the palm of your hand, today and always—and that you’ll never let me go.”
Dn 2:31-45
Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar:
“In your vision, O king, you saw a statue,
very large and exceedingly bright,
terrifying in appearance as it stood before you.
The head of the statue was pure gold,
its chest and arms were silver,
its belly and thighs bronze, the legs iron,
its feet partly iron and partly tile.
While you looked at the statue,
a stone which was hewn from a mountain
without a hand being put to it,
struck its iron and tile feet, breaking them in pieces.
The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once,
fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer,
and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace.
But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain
and filled the whole earth.
“This was the dream;
the interpretation we shall also give in the king’s presence.
You, O king, are the king of kings;
to you the God of heaven
has given dominion and strength, power and glory;
men, wild beasts, and birds of the air, wherever they may dwell,
he has handed over to you, making you ruler over them all;
you are the head of gold.
Another kingdom shall take your place, inferior to yours,
then a third kingdom, of bronze,
which shall rule over the whole earth.
There shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron;
it shall break in pieces and subdue all these others,
just as iron breaks in pieces and crushes everything else.
The feet and toes you saw, partly of potter’s tile and partly of iron,
mean that it shall be a divided kingdom,
but yet have some of the hardness of iron.
As you saw the iron mixed with clay tile,
and the toes partly iron and partly tile,
the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.
The iron mixed with clay tile
means that they shall seal their alliances by intermarriage,
but they shall not stay united, any more than iron mixes with clay.
In the lifetime of those kings
the God of heaven will set up a kingdom
that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people;
rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms
and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever.
That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain
without a hand being put to it,
which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold.
The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future;
this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure.”
Gospel
Lk 21:5-11
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
Meditation: Luke 21:5-11
Have you ever been caught in a storm and heard the crack of a thunderbolt close by?
It’s a rather frightening sound, to say the least, and you know if that lightning hits you, you might not be around very long! You might be so rattled by it that you need a couple of minutes to catch your breath. Yet after witnessing such a display of power, you might find you have a sense of awe and respect for nature that you didn’t have before.
It’s possible to think of current events in the same way. It seems that every time we check on the news, there’s another disaster to read about—a murder downtown, a bombing in the Middle East, or a renewed conflict in Africa. What’s amazing is that Jesus tells us not to be terrified by such things (Luke 21:9). As awful as they may be, these aren’t merely random events. This apparent chaos is in fact a sign that we are drawing ever closer to his return in glory!
That doesn’t mean that God is busy planning to bring us misery. He is not the author of calamity, but he does bend it to his purposes. Neither does it mean that we should ignore the effects of disaster and sit around waiting for Jesus to come back. On the contrary, God wants us to reach out to those affected by tragedy in whatever way we can. Nevertheless, we can still be comforted and even amazed at the way he is using all of history—even its darkest chapters—to bring about his triumph.
On a smaller scale, we can also take a more positive view of our own suffering. It’s true that God is never the cause of anyone’s pain. But it is also true that he can turn even the worst catastrophe into something positive. When misfortune befalls you, wait to see how God will work through it. Believe that he can use the situation to strengthen your faith—and perhaps to bring victory out of what looks like certain defeat. He will make all things work together for your good (Romans 8:28) if you will trust him to do it.
“Lord, I thank you that you are in control, no matter what happens. I trust that you are holding me in the palm of your hand, today and always—and that you’ll never let me go.”
23 November 2009
23 Nov 09, Monday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Year I
Reading 1
Dn 1:1-6, 8-20
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came
and laid siege to Jerusalem.
The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and some of the vessels of the temple of God;
he carried them off to the land of Shinar,
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god.
The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain,
to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood
and of the nobility, young men without any defect,
handsome, intelligent and wise,
quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,
such as could take their place in the king’s palace;
they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans;
after three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service.
The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine
from the royal table.
Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah.
But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself
with the king’s food or wine;
so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy
of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel,
“I am afraid of my lord the king;
it is he who allotted your food and drink.
If he sees that you look wretched
by comparison with the other young men of your age,
you will endanger my life with the king.”
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain
had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
“Please test your servants for ten days.
Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men
who eat from the royal table,
and treat your servants according to what you see.”
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days;
after ten days they looked healthier and better fed
than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.
So the steward continued to take away
the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency
in all literature and science,
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation,
the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
When the king had spoken with all of them,
none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah;
and so they entered the king’s service.
In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them,
he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.
Gospel
Lk 21:1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Meditation: Daniel 1:1-6,8-20
The Book of Daniel is a compelling story of a young man taken from Jerusalem during the Babylonian exile and forced to adapt to a strange new land.
Though set in the sixth century b.c., most biblical scholars believe the book came into its final form around 165 b.c. during the reign of the oppressive Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
Daniel is likely a compilation of several authors’ works, as the language, writing style, and cultural and historical references shift throughout the book. There is also a lack of cohesion to the book as a whole: The first six chapters relate the events of Daniel’s life during the reigns of several kings of Babylon, while the second six chapters describe visions and dreams Daniel had concerning world events. Then, the final two chapters—included only in Catholic Bibles—offer further edifying stories from the lives of Daniel and Susanna.
Though the Book of Daniel tells stories rooted in actual events, it is not a historical document according to the way “history” is defined today. Rather, it is made up of “inspired stories” intended to help readers stand up to a time of persecution and testing.
In today’s reading, Daniel and his friends confront the challenge of how to keep true to their Hebrew culture and beliefs while in an alien land. This is similar to the challenge we face as Christians trying to hold on to God’s ways in a culture that is becoming increasingly ungodly and dismissive of Christian values. It encourages us to see that Daniel’s resolve to not defile himself with the king’s food left him stronger and wiser than all of the other young men in the land. This has great practical application for us, as we must choose each day the proper balance of how much time we spend consuming the world’s philosophies, attitudes, and values, versus how much time we spend consuming God’s word in Scripture.
As we meditate on the Book of Daniel over the next several days, let’s ask God to make us stronger and wiser as we choose to feast on him. Then we too will have the strength and wisdom of this great Old Testament hero!
“Holy Spirit, open my mind and heart to understand the dreams and visions you gave Daniel and to apply them to my life in these present times.”
Dn 1:1-6, 8-20
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came
and laid siege to Jerusalem.
The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and some of the vessels of the temple of God;
he carried them off to the land of Shinar,
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god.
The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain,
to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood
and of the nobility, young men without any defect,
handsome, intelligent and wise,
quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,
such as could take their place in the king’s palace;
they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans;
after three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service.
The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine
from the royal table.
Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah.
But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself
with the king’s food or wine;
so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy
of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel,
“I am afraid of my lord the king;
it is he who allotted your food and drink.
If he sees that you look wretched
by comparison with the other young men of your age,
you will endanger my life with the king.”
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain
had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
“Please test your servants for ten days.
Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men
who eat from the royal table,
and treat your servants according to what you see.”
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days;
after ten days they looked healthier and better fed
than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.
So the steward continued to take away
the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency
in all literature and science,
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation,
the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
When the king had spoken with all of them,
none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah;
and so they entered the king’s service.
In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them,
he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.
Gospel
Lk 21:1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Meditation: Daniel 1:1-6,8-20
The Book of Daniel is a compelling story of a young man taken from Jerusalem during the Babylonian exile and forced to adapt to a strange new land.
Though set in the sixth century b.c., most biblical scholars believe the book came into its final form around 165 b.c. during the reign of the oppressive Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
Daniel is likely a compilation of several authors’ works, as the language, writing style, and cultural and historical references shift throughout the book. There is also a lack of cohesion to the book as a whole: The first six chapters relate the events of Daniel’s life during the reigns of several kings of Babylon, while the second six chapters describe visions and dreams Daniel had concerning world events. Then, the final two chapters—included only in Catholic Bibles—offer further edifying stories from the lives of Daniel and Susanna.
Though the Book of Daniel tells stories rooted in actual events, it is not a historical document according to the way “history” is defined today. Rather, it is made up of “inspired stories” intended to help readers stand up to a time of persecution and testing.
In today’s reading, Daniel and his friends confront the challenge of how to keep true to their Hebrew culture and beliefs while in an alien land. This is similar to the challenge we face as Christians trying to hold on to God’s ways in a culture that is becoming increasingly ungodly and dismissive of Christian values. It encourages us to see that Daniel’s resolve to not defile himself with the king’s food left him stronger and wiser than all of the other young men in the land. This has great practical application for us, as we must choose each day the proper balance of how much time we spend consuming the world’s philosophies, attitudes, and values, versus how much time we spend consuming God’s word in Scripture.
As we meditate on the Book of Daniel over the next several days, let’s ask God to make us stronger and wiser as we choose to feast on him. Then we too will have the strength and wisdom of this great Old Testament hero!
“Holy Spirit, open my mind and heart to understand the dreams and visions you gave Daniel and to apply them to my life in these present times.”
22 November 2009
22 Nov 09 Sunday, The Solemnity of Christ the King
Reading 1
Dn 7:13-14
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
one like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
when he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Reading II
Rv 1:5-8
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him.
All the peoples of the earth will lament him.
Yes. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,
"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."
Gospel
Jn 18:33b-37
Pilate said to Jesus,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
Meditation: Revelation 1:5-8
Christ the King
I am the Alpha and the Omega. (Revelation 1:8)
Today begins the last week of the liturgical year. And what a difficult year it has been! Wars continue in the Middle East. There seems to be no end to abortion. Church attendance continues to decline, and the worldwide financial crisis has hurt millions of families.
Yet in the midst of these very real problems, God wants us to know that he is still the “Alpha and the Omega.” He hasn’t abandoned us. He knows what is going on in the world, and he is still with us to comfort us and guide us.
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet, and the use of these names symbolizes our belief that God has always existed and that he will always exist. As the beginning and the end of all things, God will bring all things to a conclusion that is both just and merciful. He will resolve every conflict and heal every wound.
How will this happen? We really don’t know. But we do know that when the time is fulfilled, God the Father will send Jesus back to earth. He will come not as a little baby but as a powerful judge. He will overthrow every evil empire and establish his kingdom of peace and justice. Our faith in him will be vindicated. Sin will be no more. Jesus will usher in a new heaven and a new earth, and he will reign over us all.
As this year comes to a close and another one begins—another year that will have its own set of challenges—remember that you are a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus Christ reigns in your life, and he is ready to pour his love on you all year long. Even in the midst of trials and disturbances, he will show you his love and his power. So rejoice in your King! He, the Alpha and the Omega, will always be close to you!
“Blessed are you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory! You are the beginning and end of my life—and all the world!”
Dn 7:13-14
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
one like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
when he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Reading II
Rv 1:5-8
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him.
All the peoples of the earth will lament him.
Yes. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,
"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."
Gospel
Jn 18:33b-37
Pilate said to Jesus,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
Meditation: Revelation 1:5-8
Christ the King
I am the Alpha and the Omega. (Revelation 1:8)
Today begins the last week of the liturgical year. And what a difficult year it has been! Wars continue in the Middle East. There seems to be no end to abortion. Church attendance continues to decline, and the worldwide financial crisis has hurt millions of families.
Yet in the midst of these very real problems, God wants us to know that he is still the “Alpha and the Omega.” He hasn’t abandoned us. He knows what is going on in the world, and he is still with us to comfort us and guide us.
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet, and the use of these names symbolizes our belief that God has always existed and that he will always exist. As the beginning and the end of all things, God will bring all things to a conclusion that is both just and merciful. He will resolve every conflict and heal every wound.
How will this happen? We really don’t know. But we do know that when the time is fulfilled, God the Father will send Jesus back to earth. He will come not as a little baby but as a powerful judge. He will overthrow every evil empire and establish his kingdom of peace and justice. Our faith in him will be vindicated. Sin will be no more. Jesus will usher in a new heaven and a new earth, and he will reign over us all.
As this year comes to a close and another one begins—another year that will have its own set of challenges—remember that you are a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus Christ reigns in your life, and he is ready to pour his love on you all year long. Even in the midst of trials and disturbances, he will show you his love and his power. So rejoice in your King! He, the Alpha and the Omega, will always be close to you!
“Blessed are you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory! You are the beginning and end of my life—and all the world!”
21 November 2009
21 Nov 09 Saturday, Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Reading 1
1 Mc 6:1-13
As King Antiochus was traversing the inland provinces,
he heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais,
famous for its wealth in silver and gold,
and that its temple was very rich,
containing gold helmets, breastplates, and weapons
left there by Alexander, son of Philip,
king of Macedon, the first king of the Greeks.
He went therefore and tried to capture and pillage the city.
But he could not do so,
because his plan became known to the people of the city
who rose up in battle against him.
So he retreated and in great dismay withdrew from there
to return to Babylon.
While he was in Persia, a messenger brought him news
that the armies sent into the land of Judah had been put to flight;
that Lysias had gone at first with a strong army
and been driven back by the children of Israel;
that they had grown strong
by reason of the arms, men, and abundant possessions
taken from the armies they had destroyed;
that they had pulled down the Abomination
which he had built upon the altar in Jerusalem;
and that they had surrounded with high walls
both the sanctuary, as it had been before,
and his city of Beth-zur.
When the king heard this news,
he was struck with fear and very much shaken.
Sick with grief because his designs had failed, he took to his bed.
There he remained many days, overwhelmed with sorrow,
for he knew he was going to die.
So he called in all his Friends and said to them:
“Sleep has departed from my eyes,
for my heart is sinking with anxiety.
I said to myself: ‘Into what tribulation have I come,
and in what floods of sorrow am I now!
Yet I was kindly and beloved in my rule.’
But I now recall the evils I did in Jerusalem,
when I carried away all the vessels of gold and silver
that were in it, and for no cause
gave orders that the inhabitants of Judah be destroyed.
I know that this is why these evils have overtaken me;
and now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land.”
Gospel
Lk 20:27-40
Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,
came forward and put this question to Jesus, 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 but died childless.
Then the second and the third married her,
and likewise all the seven died childless.
Finally the woman also died.
Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?
For all seven had been married to her.”
Jesus said to them,
“The children of this age marry and remarry;
but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age
and to the resurrection of the dead
neither marry nor are given in marriage.
They can no longer die,
for they are like angels;
and they are the children of God
because they are the ones who will rise.
That the dead will rise
even Moses made known in the passage about the bush,
when he called ‘Lord’
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;
and he is not God of the dead, but of the living,
for to him all are alive.”
Some of the scribes said in reply,
“Teacher, you have answered well.”
And they no longer dared to ask him anything.
Meditation: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13
How peculiar that Antiochus said to himself, “I was kindly and beloved in my rule”?(1 Maccabees 6:12)!
From the information here, we know that he thoroughly plundered Jerusalem, tortured and destroyed its inhabitants, was in the process of attacking Judah again, and was proposing to capture and pillage nearby Elymais. Torture, murder, destruction, theft, and forcible restraint do not paint the picture of a generous and compassionate ruler.
Clearly, Antiochus had no real or accurate idea about his life—at least, not until he stopped and thought things over. Then he recognized the terribly wicked way he had lived.
Maybe not to the extent of King Antiochus, but we all run the risk of becoming so preoccupied with ourselves that we don’t take the time to examine what we are doing and the effect our actions may have on other people.
So let’s get in the habit of asking: “How have I acted today toward the people I encountered?” Let’s also ask: “What has God been saying to me about the way I act toward them in general?” “Why is it that I can be so kind and generous at times, but then so sharp and critical at other times?” Asking questions like these can give the Holy Spirit a chance to show us some of our deeper drives and motivations—the good ones as well as the bad ones.
The last thing any of us wants is to die “in bitter grief, in a foreign land” as Antiochus did (1 Maccabees 6:13). The “foreign land” for us is any place where Christ doesn’t reign in our lives. It’s any world that we have constructed that feeds our selfish inclinations instead of honoring the Lord and his people.
The Holy Spirit wants to help us see ourselves as we really are. He wants to show us how to get out of any foreign land that we have fallen into. He’s just waiting for us to ask him to build up our virtues and to change any of our “foreign” ways. A simple daily examination is one of the best ways we can learn more about ourselves. It’s also one of the best ways we can ask the Spirit to show us how to live in God’s way of love.
“Holy Spirit, help me to begin to see myself truthfully, rejoicing in your life in me and facing what needs to change.”
1 Mc 6:1-13
As King Antiochus was traversing the inland provinces,
he heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais,
famous for its wealth in silver and gold,
and that its temple was very rich,
containing gold helmets, breastplates, and weapons
left there by Alexander, son of Philip,
king of Macedon, the first king of the Greeks.
He went therefore and tried to capture and pillage the city.
But he could not do so,
because his plan became known to the people of the city
who rose up in battle against him.
So he retreated and in great dismay withdrew from there
to return to Babylon.
While he was in Persia, a messenger brought him news
that the armies sent into the land of Judah had been put to flight;
that Lysias had gone at first with a strong army
and been driven back by the children of Israel;
that they had grown strong
by reason of the arms, men, and abundant possessions
taken from the armies they had destroyed;
that they had pulled down the Abomination
which he had built upon the altar in Jerusalem;
and that they had surrounded with high walls
both the sanctuary, as it had been before,
and his city of Beth-zur.
When the king heard this news,
he was struck with fear and very much shaken.
Sick with grief because his designs had failed, he took to his bed.
There he remained many days, overwhelmed with sorrow,
for he knew he was going to die.
So he called in all his Friends and said to them:
“Sleep has departed from my eyes,
for my heart is sinking with anxiety.
I said to myself: ‘Into what tribulation have I come,
and in what floods of sorrow am I now!
Yet I was kindly and beloved in my rule.’
But I now recall the evils I did in Jerusalem,
when I carried away all the vessels of gold and silver
that were in it, and for no cause
gave orders that the inhabitants of Judah be destroyed.
I know that this is why these evils have overtaken me;
and now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land.”
Gospel
Lk 20:27-40
Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,
came forward and put this question to Jesus, 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 but died childless.
Then the second and the third married her,
and likewise all the seven died childless.
Finally the woman also died.
Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?
For all seven had been married to her.”
Jesus said to them,
“The children of this age marry and remarry;
but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age
and to the resurrection of the dead
neither marry nor are given in marriage.
They can no longer die,
for they are like angels;
and they are the children of God
because they are the ones who will rise.
That the dead will rise
even Moses made known in the passage about the bush,
when he called ‘Lord’
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;
and he is not God of the dead, but of the living,
for to him all are alive.”
Some of the scribes said in reply,
“Teacher, you have answered well.”
And they no longer dared to ask him anything.
Meditation: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13
How peculiar that Antiochus said to himself, “I was kindly and beloved in my rule”?(1 Maccabees 6:12)!
From the information here, we know that he thoroughly plundered Jerusalem, tortured and destroyed its inhabitants, was in the process of attacking Judah again, and was proposing to capture and pillage nearby Elymais. Torture, murder, destruction, theft, and forcible restraint do not paint the picture of a generous and compassionate ruler.
Clearly, Antiochus had no real or accurate idea about his life—at least, not until he stopped and thought things over. Then he recognized the terribly wicked way he had lived.
Maybe not to the extent of King Antiochus, but we all run the risk of becoming so preoccupied with ourselves that we don’t take the time to examine what we are doing and the effect our actions may have on other people.
So let’s get in the habit of asking: “How have I acted today toward the people I encountered?” Let’s also ask: “What has God been saying to me about the way I act toward them in general?” “Why is it that I can be so kind and generous at times, but then so sharp and critical at other times?” Asking questions like these can give the Holy Spirit a chance to show us some of our deeper drives and motivations—the good ones as well as the bad ones.
The last thing any of us wants is to die “in bitter grief, in a foreign land” as Antiochus did (1 Maccabees 6:13). The “foreign land” for us is any place where Christ doesn’t reign in our lives. It’s any world that we have constructed that feeds our selfish inclinations instead of honoring the Lord and his people.
The Holy Spirit wants to help us see ourselves as we really are. He wants to show us how to get out of any foreign land that we have fallen into. He’s just waiting for us to ask him to build up our virtues and to change any of our “foreign” ways. A simple daily examination is one of the best ways we can learn more about ourselves. It’s also one of the best ways we can ask the Spirit to show us how to live in God’s way of love.
“Holy Spirit, help me to begin to see myself truthfully, rejoicing in your life in me and facing what needs to change.”
20 November 2009
20 Nov 09, Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time - Year 1
Reading 1
1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59
Judas and his brothers said,
“Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.”
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.
Gospel
Lk 19:45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purposebecause all the people were hanging on his words.
Meditation: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59
Do religious people know how to celebrate?
Well, consider this reading, which describes the first observance of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah. For eight days, the Israelites are caught up in an ecstasy of joy at the Jerusalem Temple—singing, praying, playing instruments, and even happily doing building repairs. They have good reason to rejoice: After a forty-year war against a harshly repressive ruler, they have finally regained their independence.
The earlier chapters of 1 Maccabees introduced the main players in this struggle. Heading the list of villains is King Antiochus Epiphanes, who imposed Greek ways on the Jews after gaining control of Judea in 175 b.c. He not only outlawed their religious practices but demanded—under penalty of death—that they break the Sabbath, eat forbidden foods, and join in pagan worship. He robbed and desecrated the Temple, even offering sacrifice to an idol there. But Antiochus also had Jewish partners in crime: “certain renegades” who sought advantages through alliance with a great political power.
Against this dark background, the heroes shine like the sun. There is Mattathias, who defied the king and spearheaded a revolt. Today’s reading spotlights the most renowned among his sons, Judas Maccabeus. With a fighting force of just ten thousand, he has recaptured Jerusalem, crushing an army of sixty thousand plus.
Time to celebrate! But notice how Judas goes about it. His first priority is to purify and rededicate the Temple. This housecleaning takes some work. But how sweet it must have been to see God’s house restored and to offer a pleasing sacrifice on a new altar! Every year since then, Hanukkah recalls that initial joy and gladness, inviting Jews everywhere to remember God’s saving deeds.
It’s interesting to reflect on all this in light of today’s Gospel reading, where Jesus drives the merchants out of the Temple area. Since each of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit, we can ask: What’s the state of my heart? Is it a pure sanctuary for the Lord, or is it harboring some renegades? Could it use some repairs? How can I make my house beautiful for God?
“Lord Jesus, I rejoice in your goodness to me. And I want you to be able to rejoice over me as well! With glad thanksgiving, I rededicate myself to you.”
1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59
Judas and his brothers said,
“Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.”
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.
Gospel
Lk 19:45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purposebecause all the people were hanging on his words.
Meditation: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59
Do religious people know how to celebrate?
Well, consider this reading, which describes the first observance of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah. For eight days, the Israelites are caught up in an ecstasy of joy at the Jerusalem Temple—singing, praying, playing instruments, and even happily doing building repairs. They have good reason to rejoice: After a forty-year war against a harshly repressive ruler, they have finally regained their independence.
The earlier chapters of 1 Maccabees introduced the main players in this struggle. Heading the list of villains is King Antiochus Epiphanes, who imposed Greek ways on the Jews after gaining control of Judea in 175 b.c. He not only outlawed their religious practices but demanded—under penalty of death—that they break the Sabbath, eat forbidden foods, and join in pagan worship. He robbed and desecrated the Temple, even offering sacrifice to an idol there. But Antiochus also had Jewish partners in crime: “certain renegades” who sought advantages through alliance with a great political power.
Against this dark background, the heroes shine like the sun. There is Mattathias, who defied the king and spearheaded a revolt. Today’s reading spotlights the most renowned among his sons, Judas Maccabeus. With a fighting force of just ten thousand, he has recaptured Jerusalem, crushing an army of sixty thousand plus.
Time to celebrate! But notice how Judas goes about it. His first priority is to purify and rededicate the Temple. This housecleaning takes some work. But how sweet it must have been to see God’s house restored and to offer a pleasing sacrifice on a new altar! Every year since then, Hanukkah recalls that initial joy and gladness, inviting Jews everywhere to remember God’s saving deeds.
It’s interesting to reflect on all this in light of today’s Gospel reading, where Jesus drives the merchants out of the Temple area. Since each of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit, we can ask: What’s the state of my heart? Is it a pure sanctuary for the Lord, or is it harboring some renegades? Could it use some repairs? How can I make my house beautiful for God?
“Lord Jesus, I rejoice in your goodness to me. And I want you to be able to rejoice over me as well! With glad thanksgiving, I rededicate myself to you.”
19 November 2009
19 Nov 09, Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time - Year 1
Reading 1
1 Mc 2:15-29
The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy
came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices.
Many of Israel joined them,
but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.
Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:
“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city,
supported by sons and kin.
Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command,
as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah
and those who are left in Jerusalem have done.
Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends,
and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.”
But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:
“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him,
so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers
and consents to the king’s orders,
yet I and my sons and my kin
will keep to the covenant of our fathers.
God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.
We will not obey the words of the king
nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”
As he finished saying these words,
a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all
to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein
according to the king’s order.
When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal;
his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused;
he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.
At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king
who was forcing them to sacrifice,
and he tore down the altar.
Thus he showed his zeal for the law,
just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.
Then Mattathias went through the city shouting,
“Let everyone who is zealous for the law
and who stands by the covenant follow after me!”
Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons,
leaving behind in the city all their possessions.
Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom
went out into the desert to settle there.
Gospel
Lk 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
Meditation: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29
The events in 1 and 2 Maccabees took place in the second century b.c., when the Seleucid kings invaded Israel and tried to eradicate the Jewish religion.
They set up pagan altars in the Temple, and many faithful Jews died because they continued to circumcise their children, avoid forbidden foods, and keep copies of God’s Law.
Mattathias, a respected elder with five sons, was a natural leader. Recognizing this, the officials who came to enforce pagan sacrifice addressed him first. They offered enticements if he would lead others in giving in. “You’ll be rich,” they promised. “You’ll be known as the king’s friend.”
“In a loud voice,” Mattathias refused. Even if everyone else abandoned their ancestral religion, he was determined that he and his family would not “depart from our religion in the slightest degree”?(1 Maccabees 2:19,22). Mattathias exercised defiant leadership, inviting faithful Jews to rally to his cause, even though that meant leaving their homes, livelihood, and security. The courageous actions of this family, eventually made it possible for Israel to drive out their enemies and exist as a sovereign state again.
What kind of leadership position are you in? Are you in charge of a business? Do you have responsibilities for a major project at work? Are you the head of a family? Even if you see yourself as just an “underling,” you can still be a leader. You can model diligent work habits. You can be a source of encouragement and inspiration to your co-workers. You can even engage in spiritual warfare through intercessory prayer.
The most important leadership role any of us can take is to lead people to Jesus. For example, simply taking the time after Mass to get to know a young couple and share with them about God’s work in your life can make a huge difference. Offering to help a neighbor can open up opportunities for witnessing. Volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center can put you in a position to begin to pray with people and help them find the Lord. You can make a difference because Christ is in you. Each of us can lead, even as we follow the Lord!
“Lord, you have called me to follow you. Help me to keep my eyes on you and to discover how you want me to influence others.”
1 Mc 2:15-29
The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy
came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices.
Many of Israel joined them,
but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.
Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:
“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city,
supported by sons and kin.
Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command,
as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah
and those who are left in Jerusalem have done.
Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends,
and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.”
But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:
“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him,
so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers
and consents to the king’s orders,
yet I and my sons and my kin
will keep to the covenant of our fathers.
God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.
We will not obey the words of the king
nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”
As he finished saying these words,
a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all
to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein
according to the king’s order.
When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal;
his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused;
he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.
At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king
who was forcing them to sacrifice,
and he tore down the altar.
Thus he showed his zeal for the law,
just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.
Then Mattathias went through the city shouting,
“Let everyone who is zealous for the law
and who stands by the covenant follow after me!”
Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons,
leaving behind in the city all their possessions.
Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom
went out into the desert to settle there.
Gospel
Lk 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
Meditation: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29
The events in 1 and 2 Maccabees took place in the second century b.c., when the Seleucid kings invaded Israel and tried to eradicate the Jewish religion.
They set up pagan altars in the Temple, and many faithful Jews died because they continued to circumcise their children, avoid forbidden foods, and keep copies of God’s Law.
Mattathias, a respected elder with five sons, was a natural leader. Recognizing this, the officials who came to enforce pagan sacrifice addressed him first. They offered enticements if he would lead others in giving in. “You’ll be rich,” they promised. “You’ll be known as the king’s friend.”
“In a loud voice,” Mattathias refused. Even if everyone else abandoned their ancestral religion, he was determined that he and his family would not “depart from our religion in the slightest degree”?(1 Maccabees 2:19,22). Mattathias exercised defiant leadership, inviting faithful Jews to rally to his cause, even though that meant leaving their homes, livelihood, and security. The courageous actions of this family, eventually made it possible for Israel to drive out their enemies and exist as a sovereign state again.
What kind of leadership position are you in? Are you in charge of a business? Do you have responsibilities for a major project at work? Are you the head of a family? Even if you see yourself as just an “underling,” you can still be a leader. You can model diligent work habits. You can be a source of encouragement and inspiration to your co-workers. You can even engage in spiritual warfare through intercessory prayer.
The most important leadership role any of us can take is to lead people to Jesus. For example, simply taking the time after Mass to get to know a young couple and share with them about God’s work in your life can make a huge difference. Offering to help a neighbor can open up opportunities for witnessing. Volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center can put you in a position to begin to pray with people and help them find the Lord. You can make a difference because Christ is in you. Each of us can lead, even as we follow the Lord!
“Lord, you have called me to follow you. Help me to keep my eyes on you and to discover how you want me to influence others.”
18 November 2009
18 Nov 09, Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time - Year 1
Reading 1
2 Mc 7:1, 20-31
It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.
Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
“I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”
Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,
thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high office.
When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother,
urging her to advise her boy to save his life.
After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:
“Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”
She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:
“What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king’s command.
I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of God.”
Gospel
Lk 19:11-28
While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.
So he said,
“A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.
The first came forward and said,
‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’
He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.’
Then the second came and reported,
‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’
And to this servant too he said,
‘You, take charge of five cities.’
Then the other servant came and said,
‘Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.’
He said to him,
‘With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?
Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’
And to those standing by he said,
‘Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.’
But they said to him,
‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’
He replied, ‘I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.’”
After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
Meditation: 2 Maccabees 7:1,20-31
It’s hard to imagine what that mother of seven sons went through as she watched each of them executed for refusing to deny his faith.
The only glimpse we have into her thoughts is in the words she spoke to her youngest son, and they are remarkable. Instead of telling him what to do or discussing the political viability of his choices, she told him to “look to the heavens!” Her words reveal a simple truth: When we face suffering and temptation, when we are confused or feeling persecuted, we need to keep the big picture in focus!
In the face of a life-or-death decision, this mother instructed her son to consider who God is: As maker of the universe, God knew what this young man was facing and was perfectly capable of seeing him through and beyond it.
We can see a similar attitude in Mary, who witnessed the rejection, torture, and unjust execution of her only son. Surely her heart was broken. But in everything she went through, she kept her eyes on the heavens and was able to find comfort from the Holy Spirit. She didn’t give in to despair. Instead, she remembered all that she had grasped of God’s plan and found in that plan the strength to endure.
As our heavenly Mother, Mary gives us similar encouragement: Don’t forget who God is! Remember his love for you! Remember his good plan for you and your family! Remember that he made the universe and has everything under control, no matter how bad things may seem right now. No matter what you are going through, whether as simple as daily deaths to sin or self-denial, or as confusing or complicated as unjust persecution, God walks with you and will give you his divine strength.
Take these two mothers’ words and attitudes to heart today. Approach this day alert to the opportunities and challenges you will face, but be sure to look up! When you are tempted to sin or feel weighed down by burdens, try to picture the God who made the universe looking on you in love. Let that vision clear your head and fortify your resolve to follow him.
“Jesus, I believe that you love me. I believe that you made everything and have everything under control, even when I can’t understand what’s going on. I will look to you for the strength to persevere!”
2 Mc 7:1, 20-31
It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.
Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
“I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”
Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,
thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high office.
When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother,
urging her to advise her boy to save his life.
After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:
“Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”
She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:
“What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king’s command.
I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of God.”
Gospel
Lk 19:11-28
While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.
So he said,
“A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.
The first came forward and said,
‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’
He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.’
Then the second came and reported,
‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’
And to this servant too he said,
‘You, take charge of five cities.’
Then the other servant came and said,
‘Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.’
He said to him,
‘With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?
Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’
And to those standing by he said,
‘Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.’
But they said to him,
‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’
He replied, ‘I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.’”
After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
Meditation: 2 Maccabees 7:1,20-31
It’s hard to imagine what that mother of seven sons went through as she watched each of them executed for refusing to deny his faith.
The only glimpse we have into her thoughts is in the words she spoke to her youngest son, and they are remarkable. Instead of telling him what to do or discussing the political viability of his choices, she told him to “look to the heavens!” Her words reveal a simple truth: When we face suffering and temptation, when we are confused or feeling persecuted, we need to keep the big picture in focus!
In the face of a life-or-death decision, this mother instructed her son to consider who God is: As maker of the universe, God knew what this young man was facing and was perfectly capable of seeing him through and beyond it.
We can see a similar attitude in Mary, who witnessed the rejection, torture, and unjust execution of her only son. Surely her heart was broken. But in everything she went through, she kept her eyes on the heavens and was able to find comfort from the Holy Spirit. She didn’t give in to despair. Instead, she remembered all that she had grasped of God’s plan and found in that plan the strength to endure.
As our heavenly Mother, Mary gives us similar encouragement: Don’t forget who God is! Remember his love for you! Remember his good plan for you and your family! Remember that he made the universe and has everything under control, no matter how bad things may seem right now. No matter what you are going through, whether as simple as daily deaths to sin or self-denial, or as confusing or complicated as unjust persecution, God walks with you and will give you his divine strength.
Take these two mothers’ words and attitudes to heart today. Approach this day alert to the opportunities and challenges you will face, but be sure to look up! When you are tempted to sin or feel weighed down by burdens, try to picture the God who made the universe looking on you in love. Let that vision clear your head and fortify your resolve to follow him.
“Jesus, I believe that you love me. I believe that you made everything and have everything under control, even when I can’t understand what’s going on. I will look to you for the strength to persevere!”
17 November 2009
17 Nov 09 Tuesday, Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, religious
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.
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.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost.”
Meditation: Luke 19:1-10
Today salvation has come to this house. (Luke 19:9)
Aren’t these words we all long to hear? This story of Zacchaeus is a wonderful encouragement to seek the Lord and the salvation he offers. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector for the Roman government and earned his pay by charging fees over and above what was due to the government. Tax collectors were thought of as cheats and sinners because they made themselves rich off of these exorbitant fees, driving others into a downward spiral of poverty.
Like so many people, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus as he traveled through Jericho. But because he was so short, he couldn’t see above the crowd. Why did he want “to see who Jesus was” (Luke 19:3)? We don’t know for sure. It could have been only curiosity, but more likely he knew he was a sinner and that Jesus could heal him. Whatever the reason, he wanted to see him enough to push through the crowd and climb up a tree just to catch a glimpse.
And what was Zacchaeus’ reward for all his efforts? Salvation came to his house! He didn’t let any obstacles keep him from his goal of seeing Jesus—not the crowds and certainly not his small stature. But notice that the moment of interaction did not occur until Jesus looked up and said: “Zacchaeus, come down quickly” (Luke 19:5). Zacchaeus was seeking Jesus, but it was Jesus who found him and welcomed him. And finding himself in Jesus’ presence, Zacchaeus was moved to repent, give half of his possessions to the poor, and make restitution for anything he had extorted from anyone.
Wherever you may be in your walk with God, what happened to Zacchaeus can happen to you. All it takes is sincere repentance—a repentance that shows itself in concrete actions. Don’t be afraid to make the changes necessary to restore or deepen your relationship with God and your brothers and sisters. Keep seeking Jesus, and he will find you. He will reach out to you and assure you that salvation has come to your house!
“Lord Jesus, I seek you with all my heart. Let me be found by you. I want to surrender my life to you so that you will say to me, ‘Today salvation has come to your house.’ “
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.
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.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost.”
Meditation: Luke 19:1-10
Today salvation has come to this house. (Luke 19:9)
Aren’t these words we all long to hear? This story of Zacchaeus is a wonderful encouragement to seek the Lord and the salvation he offers. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector for the Roman government and earned his pay by charging fees over and above what was due to the government. Tax collectors were thought of as cheats and sinners because they made themselves rich off of these exorbitant fees, driving others into a downward spiral of poverty.
Like so many people, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus as he traveled through Jericho. But because he was so short, he couldn’t see above the crowd. Why did he want “to see who Jesus was” (Luke 19:3)? We don’t know for sure. It could have been only curiosity, but more likely he knew he was a sinner and that Jesus could heal him. Whatever the reason, he wanted to see him enough to push through the crowd and climb up a tree just to catch a glimpse.
And what was Zacchaeus’ reward for all his efforts? Salvation came to his house! He didn’t let any obstacles keep him from his goal of seeing Jesus—not the crowds and certainly not his small stature. But notice that the moment of interaction did not occur until Jesus looked up and said: “Zacchaeus, come down quickly” (Luke 19:5). Zacchaeus was seeking Jesus, but it was Jesus who found him and welcomed him. And finding himself in Jesus’ presence, Zacchaeus was moved to repent, give half of his possessions to the poor, and make restitution for anything he had extorted from anyone.
Wherever you may be in your walk with God, what happened to Zacchaeus can happen to you. All it takes is sincere repentance—a repentance that shows itself in concrete actions. Don’t be afraid to make the changes necessary to restore or deepen your relationship with God and your brothers and sisters. Keep seeking Jesus, and he will find you. He will reach out to you and assure you that salvation has come to your house!
“Lord Jesus, I seek you with all my heart. Let me be found by you. I want to surrender my life to you so that you will say to me, ‘Today salvation has come to your house.’ “
16 November 2009
16 Nov 09, Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time - Year 1
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.
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
Meditation: Luke 18:35-43
Judging from all the symptoms, we can probably conclude that the blind beggar in today’s Gospel reading had a condition called SPE.
He was specific, persistent, and expectant. If only we had the same symptoms! Through them, we can discover the power of prayer to change our lives, regardless of the circumstances we are praying about. The mere act of praying confirms our faith in a God who we believe hears us and answers us.
We should be specific. No one doubts that it’s important to pray for world peace in general. But if there is an annoying next-door neighbor who bothers you every time you see him, be sure to take it to prayer as well. Praying, for instance, that he quit yelling at the kids could make you more sensitive to the things that may cause him to yell. Praying for a friend on a regular basis may accomplish something, but knowing that a back injury incapacitated her and that she has been in therapy for three weeks allows you to be specific. Not only has your petition reached God’s ears but your heart goes out to her distress. God is in the details.
We should be persistent. The blind beggar in today’s Gospel was not going to be put off by rebukes. When we are dedicated with our prayer, we are reconfirming our trust that in God’s time—which is eternity—our prayer is already answered. Our faithfulness to persistent prayer builds our faith whether we see answers in our lifetime or not. Keep praying. Know that God hears you and will answer you in his own good time.
Finally, we should be expectant. Expectant prayer assumes that God will act. Once you offer your prayer, watch for an answer. Often, God will give you more than you expected, and you don’t want to miss how he does it. The more you look for miracles, the more of them you will see—simply because your eyes are open. Your faith will continue to grow as you live each day expecting the blessings that God wants to pour out.
So be specific, be persistent, be expectant, and leave the answers up to God.
“Jesus, just as you prayed to the Father, I place all my needs in your care.”
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.
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
Meditation: Luke 18:35-43
Judging from all the symptoms, we can probably conclude that the blind beggar in today’s Gospel reading had a condition called SPE.
He was specific, persistent, and expectant. If only we had the same symptoms! Through them, we can discover the power of prayer to change our lives, regardless of the circumstances we are praying about. The mere act of praying confirms our faith in a God who we believe hears us and answers us.
We should be specific. No one doubts that it’s important to pray for world peace in general. But if there is an annoying next-door neighbor who bothers you every time you see him, be sure to take it to prayer as well. Praying, for instance, that he quit yelling at the kids could make you more sensitive to the things that may cause him to yell. Praying for a friend on a regular basis may accomplish something, but knowing that a back injury incapacitated her and that she has been in therapy for three weeks allows you to be specific. Not only has your petition reached God’s ears but your heart goes out to her distress. God is in the details.
We should be persistent. The blind beggar in today’s Gospel was not going to be put off by rebukes. When we are dedicated with our prayer, we are reconfirming our trust that in God’s time—which is eternity—our prayer is already answered. Our faithfulness to persistent prayer builds our faith whether we see answers in our lifetime or not. Keep praying. Know that God hears you and will answer you in his own good time.
Finally, we should be expectant. Expectant prayer assumes that God will act. Once you offer your prayer, watch for an answer. Often, God will give you more than you expected, and you don’t want to miss how he does it. The more you look for miracles, the more of them you will see—simply because your eyes are open. Your faith will continue to grow as you live each day expecting the blessings that God wants to pour out.
So be specific, be persistent, be expectant, and leave the answers up to God.
“Jesus, just as you prayed to the Father, I place all my needs in your care.”
15 November 2009
15 Nov 09, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year 1
Reading 1
Dn 12:1-3
In those days, I Daniel,
heard this word of the Lord:
"At that time there shall arise
Michael, the great prince,
guardian of your people;
it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress
since nations began until that time.
At that time your people shall escape,
everyone who is found written in the book.
“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;
some shall live forever,
others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
“But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
and those who lead the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever."
Reading II
Heb 10:11-14, 18
Brothers and sisters:
Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.
But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering
he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.
Where there is forgiveness of these,
there is no longer offering for sin.
Gospel
Mk 13:24-32
Jesus said to his disciples:
"In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Meditation: Mark 13:24-32
As we near the end of another church year, our attention is drawn more and more to the end of time, that final day when Jesus will come again.
Today’s Gospel tells us: “Of that day or hour, no one knows … but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).
It is less important for us to know the exact time that Jesus will come again than it is to make sure that when he does come, we won’t be taken by surprise. Above every responsibility we have in this world, the one that is most critical is for us to be able to say: “I am right with the Lord. If he comes now, I am ready.”
It is a common philosophy in the world that basic goodness is sufficient grounds for confidence in our heavenly home: I haven’t killed anyone; I haven’t told any outrageous lies; I haven’t stolen huge amounts of money. What’s the problem? Even among believers, there can be a sense that God’s love is so gentle and forgiving that he will overlook our sins and our lack of readiness and just let us into his kingdom anyway. While it is true that God is rich in mercy, we also need to be alert to the fact that he is a God of justice and righteousness.
Today’s Gospel reading is a call to make sure we are ready for the end. It is easy to fill our attention with less important issues, such as the clothes we wear or the way we are going to spend our free time. But our spiritual state is far more important. Simply assuming that we are bound for eternal life without checking ourselves may work out, but the consequences of being wrong are severe. So make sure that you are secure in your faith. Be sure to “confess” and “believe” in Jesus each day (Romans 10:9). Examine your conscience every day, and let no grave sin remain. And do your best to care for the outcast, the lonely, and the marginalized.
“Jesus, help me to keep my eyes fixed on heaven so that I can remain pure in heart and pleasing to you!”
Dn 12:1-3
In those days, I Daniel,
heard this word of the Lord:
"At that time there shall arise
Michael, the great prince,
guardian of your people;
it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress
since nations began until that time.
At that time your people shall escape,
everyone who is found written in the book.
“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;
some shall live forever,
others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
“But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
and those who lead the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever."
Reading II
Heb 10:11-14, 18
Brothers and sisters:
Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.
But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering
he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.
Where there is forgiveness of these,
there is no longer offering for sin.
Gospel
Mk 13:24-32
Jesus said to his disciples:
"In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Meditation: Mark 13:24-32
As we near the end of another church year, our attention is drawn more and more to the end of time, that final day when Jesus will come again.
Today’s Gospel tells us: “Of that day or hour, no one knows … but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).
It is less important for us to know the exact time that Jesus will come again than it is to make sure that when he does come, we won’t be taken by surprise. Above every responsibility we have in this world, the one that is most critical is for us to be able to say: “I am right with the Lord. If he comes now, I am ready.”
It is a common philosophy in the world that basic goodness is sufficient grounds for confidence in our heavenly home: I haven’t killed anyone; I haven’t told any outrageous lies; I haven’t stolen huge amounts of money. What’s the problem? Even among believers, there can be a sense that God’s love is so gentle and forgiving that he will overlook our sins and our lack of readiness and just let us into his kingdom anyway. While it is true that God is rich in mercy, we also need to be alert to the fact that he is a God of justice and righteousness.
Today’s Gospel reading is a call to make sure we are ready for the end. It is easy to fill our attention with less important issues, such as the clothes we wear or the way we are going to spend our free time. But our spiritual state is far more important. Simply assuming that we are bound for eternal life without checking ourselves may work out, but the consequences of being wrong are severe. So make sure that you are secure in your faith. Be sure to “confess” and “believe” in Jesus each day (Romans 10:9). Examine your conscience every day, and let no grave sin remain. And do your best to care for the outcast, the lonely, and the marginalized.
“Jesus, help me to keep my eyes fixed on heaven so that I can remain pure in heart and pleasing to you!”
14 November 2009
14 Nov 09, Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Year 1
Reading 1
Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9
When peaceful stillness compassed everything
and the night in its swift course was half spent,
Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal throne
bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land,
bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree.
And as he alighted, he filled every place with death;
he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth.
For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew,
serving its natural laws,
that your children might be preserved unharmed.
The cloud overshadowed their camp;
and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging:
Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road,
and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood.
Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand,
after they beheld stupendous wonders.
For they ranged about like horses,
and bounded about like lambs,
praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.
Gospel
Lk 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.’”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Meditation: Luke 18:1-8
This is a “how much more …” story.
If the crooked judge eventually gives this petitioner justice because she wears him down with her persistence, how much more will God act swiftly on behalf of his beloved children? He knows what we need, he has the “big picture” about how our needs and gifts intersect with those of others, and he always chooses to do the most loving thing possible.
What would our prayer look like if we really believed in such a Father-Judge? Or, to put it another way: The way we pray can say a lot about the way we imagine and relate to God.
For instance, if it’s our habit to pray only as a last resort, it may be that we don’t think God is very concerned about the details of our lives. We think that he has left us on our own to do the best we can and that we should call to him only when all else has failed. But the truth is, he sent his only Son to be with us and to make every resource in heaven and on earth available to us—at every point along the way (Ephesians 1:3).
Another example may be if we keep telling God over and over what we want. We may think that God is stingy, uninterested, quick to punish, and slow to give us good things. Or perhaps we fear there may be a conflict between his will and ours—and we are determined to change his mind!
Let’s approach our loving Father as children who know that he loves us. Let’s believe that he wants to give us every good gift, beginning with the Holy Spirit who inspires our prayers in the first place (Romans 8:26). Let’s remember another “how much more” promise from Jesus: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13).
”Father, in your great kindness you have made me your child. You know the desires of my heart, and you know what’s best for me and for those I love. Hear my prayer, and show me what I can do to bring your kingdom into clearer focus in this situation.”
Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9
When peaceful stillness compassed everything
and the night in its swift course was half spent,
Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal throne
bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land,
bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree.
And as he alighted, he filled every place with death;
he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth.
For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew,
serving its natural laws,
that your children might be preserved unharmed.
The cloud overshadowed their camp;
and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging:
Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road,
and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood.
Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand,
after they beheld stupendous wonders.
For they ranged about like horses,
and bounded about like lambs,
praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.
Gospel
Lk 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.’”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Meditation: Luke 18:1-8
This is a “how much more …” story.
If the crooked judge eventually gives this petitioner justice because she wears him down with her persistence, how much more will God act swiftly on behalf of his beloved children? He knows what we need, he has the “big picture” about how our needs and gifts intersect with those of others, and he always chooses to do the most loving thing possible.
What would our prayer look like if we really believed in such a Father-Judge? Or, to put it another way: The way we pray can say a lot about the way we imagine and relate to God.
For instance, if it’s our habit to pray only as a last resort, it may be that we don’t think God is very concerned about the details of our lives. We think that he has left us on our own to do the best we can and that we should call to him only when all else has failed. But the truth is, he sent his only Son to be with us and to make every resource in heaven and on earth available to us—at every point along the way (Ephesians 1:3).
Another example may be if we keep telling God over and over what we want. We may think that God is stingy, uninterested, quick to punish, and slow to give us good things. Or perhaps we fear there may be a conflict between his will and ours—and we are determined to change his mind!
Let’s approach our loving Father as children who know that he loves us. Let’s believe that he wants to give us every good gift, beginning with the Holy Spirit who inspires our prayers in the first place (Romans 8:26). Let’s remember another “how much more” promise from Jesus: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13).
”Father, in your great kindness you have made me your child. You know the desires of my heart, and you know what’s best for me and for those I love. Hear my prayer, and show me what I can do to bring your kingdom into clearer focus in this situation.”
13 November 2009
13 Nov 09 Friday, Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin
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?
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.”
Meditation: Luke 17:26-37
The Pharisees wanted to know when the kingdom of God was coming.
According to their way of thinking, the kingdom’s coming heralded a day of freedom from domination of Rome—or anyone else—and the preeminence of Israel. Even the disciples might have wondered about that great and glorious day. And so Jesus warned them against looking for it so carefully, because “the kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21). They had in mind an earthly kingdom, but Jesus steered them toward heaven, toward a kingdom that exists within each of us.
Jesus’ point is that the day when the Son of Man is revealed will be unmistakable. So rather than become obsessed with its details, they should live each day firmly established in the kingdom of God that Jesus has already come to inaugurate. Live in the present moment, since the Spirit is already in you. Don’t be anxious about what might come. Don’t focus on how the coming kingdom will look or how it will change things. Be careful, also not to live in the past, endlessly reviewing what has already gone. Don’t worry about what you should have said, how you may have failed or succeeded. Live now!
Approach the Father in prayer today, and ask: “What do you want me to do—or not do—today?” Living in the kingdom of God has everything to do with your heart’s attitude towards the King of kings: “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). “Whatever is true … honorable … just … pure … lovely … gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).
This is how God wants us to live, not consumed with what might be or what used to be. Whatever you do, do it in the Lord. Whatever you need to live solidly in his kingdom today—patience with the family, faithfulness at work, joy in your relationships, self-control with food or drink—ask Jesus for it, and know that he will give it to you. Be ready for whatever comes, not out of fear and worry but because the kingdom of God has come, and is within you.
“Jesus, free me from concerns about the past and fears of the future. Teach me to live in your kingdom today and every day, confident that you will provide everything I need.”
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?
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.”
Meditation: Luke 17:26-37
The Pharisees wanted to know when the kingdom of God was coming.
According to their way of thinking, the kingdom’s coming heralded a day of freedom from domination of Rome—or anyone else—and the preeminence of Israel. Even the disciples might have wondered about that great and glorious day. And so Jesus warned them against looking for it so carefully, because “the kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21). They had in mind an earthly kingdom, but Jesus steered them toward heaven, toward a kingdom that exists within each of us.
Jesus’ point is that the day when the Son of Man is revealed will be unmistakable. So rather than become obsessed with its details, they should live each day firmly established in the kingdom of God that Jesus has already come to inaugurate. Live in the present moment, since the Spirit is already in you. Don’t be anxious about what might come. Don’t focus on how the coming kingdom will look or how it will change things. Be careful, also not to live in the past, endlessly reviewing what has already gone. Don’t worry about what you should have said, how you may have failed or succeeded. Live now!
Approach the Father in prayer today, and ask: “What do you want me to do—or not do—today?” Living in the kingdom of God has everything to do with your heart’s attitude towards the King of kings: “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). “Whatever is true … honorable … just … pure … lovely … gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).
This is how God wants us to live, not consumed with what might be or what used to be. Whatever you do, do it in the Lord. Whatever you need to live solidly in his kingdom today—patience with the family, faithfulness at work, joy in your relationships, self-control with food or drink—ask Jesus for it, and know that he will give it to you. Be ready for whatever comes, not out of fear and worry but because the kingdom of God has come, and is within you.
“Jesus, free me from concerns about the past and fears of the future. Teach me to live in your kingdom today and every day, confident that you will provide everything I need.”
12 November 2009
12 Nov 09 Thursday, Memorial of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr
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.
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.”
Meditation: Wisdom 7:22–8:1
The Book of Wisdom is one of the deuterocanonical books of the Bible.
These books appear in all Catholic Bibles but are omitted or added as an appendix in Protestant Bibles. Rabbis in the first century excluded these highly esteemed books from their collection of inspired writings because not only were they written in Greek instead of Hebrew, they had been written too recently to be considered sacred Scripture. They did, however, remain in the Greek versions of the Old Testament.
From early on, Christians embraced these books as inspired—works such as Tobit, Judith, Maccabees, and Wisdom. During the sixteenth century, however, Protestant reformers rejected these books since they were not in the Hebrew canon and because some of the teaching supported Catholic doctrines like purgatory.
Although the Book of Wisdom was probably edited into its present form many centuries after the death of King Solomon, the text still speaks in the voice of this wise and ancient ruler of Israel. Written as a response to a spirit of futility and uncertainty that is common in every age, the author declares that living in trust and fear of the Lord rescues us from this futility and puts us on the path to immortality.
As old as it is, the Book of Wisdom still speaks to us today. We live in a world in which belief in God is soundly rejected by influential voices. Books debunking the Lord are displayed prominently in bookstores, and freeway billboards advertise toll-free atheist hotlines. How refreshing to hear about the “might of God” and the “glory of the Almighty” (Wisdom 7:25)! How encouraging to hear that God really does reveal himself to those who search for him (1:1-2)!
Today’s reading captures the essence of God’s goodness and awakens our hearts to the beauty of Christ, who is the wisdom of God. The “wisdom” of this world offers only futility and death. But in response, we can place our trust in Jesus and find in him riches that can sustain us in this life and bring us to the peace of heaven.
“The revelation of your words, O Lord, sheds light, gives understanding to the simple. Let me live to praise you.” (Psalm 119:130,175)
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.
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.”
Meditation: Wisdom 7:22–8:1
The Book of Wisdom is one of the deuterocanonical books of the Bible.
These books appear in all Catholic Bibles but are omitted or added as an appendix in Protestant Bibles. Rabbis in the first century excluded these highly esteemed books from their collection of inspired writings because not only were they written in Greek instead of Hebrew, they had been written too recently to be considered sacred Scripture. They did, however, remain in the Greek versions of the Old Testament.
From early on, Christians embraced these books as inspired—works such as Tobit, Judith, Maccabees, and Wisdom. During the sixteenth century, however, Protestant reformers rejected these books since they were not in the Hebrew canon and because some of the teaching supported Catholic doctrines like purgatory.
Although the Book of Wisdom was probably edited into its present form many centuries after the death of King Solomon, the text still speaks in the voice of this wise and ancient ruler of Israel. Written as a response to a spirit of futility and uncertainty that is common in every age, the author declares that living in trust and fear of the Lord rescues us from this futility and puts us on the path to immortality.
As old as it is, the Book of Wisdom still speaks to us today. We live in a world in which belief in God is soundly rejected by influential voices. Books debunking the Lord are displayed prominently in bookstores, and freeway billboards advertise toll-free atheist hotlines. How refreshing to hear about the “might of God” and the “glory of the Almighty” (Wisdom 7:25)! How encouraging to hear that God really does reveal himself to those who search for him (1:1-2)!
Today’s reading captures the essence of God’s goodness and awakens our hearts to the beauty of Christ, who is the wisdom of God. The “wisdom” of this world offers only futility and death. But in response, we can place our trust in Jesus and find in him riches that can sustain us in this life and bring us to the peace of heaven.
“The revelation of your words, O Lord, sheds light, gives understanding to the simple. Let me live to praise you.” (Psalm 119:130,175)
11 November 2009
11 Nov 09 Wednesday, Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop
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.
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.”
Meditation: Luke 17:11-19
If the Samaritan leper in today’s reading could have written in his diary about the day Jesus healed him, it just might possibly read something like this:
“No one will believe what just happened to me! My open sores and decaying skin have been completely healed. All the numbness is gone, and I can feel again! I was so sick for so long, but now I am perfectly fine! I can’t help but jump and dance with joy!
“As awesome as it is, though, my healing seems to go far beyond the physical. For inside my very self, I feel changed and restored. The unlimited mercy and the unconditional and unmerited love of God have been poured out upon me, and my heart is filled to the point of bursting! I am filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to Jesus for what he has done.
“I can do nothing now but return to the One who healed me and give him thanks. But even that doesn’t seem to be enough. I want to get to know this fellow, follow him and his disciples, and learn all I can from him about the God whose love he poured into my heart.”
Very few, if any, of us will need to be healed from leprosy, but we are all in need of other forms of healing. Perhaps we don’t recognize this need, as we have been formed by the world to look only to our physical well-being. Perhaps, too, we have simply accepted and settled for an easier version of the Christian life—one that doesn’t demand change but doesn’t promise much transformation either. Or maybe it could be that a lack of openness to God may be limiting our experience of the many healings that he wants to give us.
Take some time today to review all that Jesus has done in your life. Let yourself be amazed—like the fellow in today’s reading—at his kindness, mercy, and generosity toward you. Then, open your heart to let Jesus fill you today with even more of the grace that he has already given you.
“Lord Jesus, you want to heal us just as much as you did when you walked the earth! Help me to seek the grace necessary for these healings to take place. Fill me, Lord, with awe at what you have already done.”
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.
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.”
Meditation: Luke 17:11-19
If the Samaritan leper in today’s reading could have written in his diary about the day Jesus healed him, it just might possibly read something like this:
“No one will believe what just happened to me! My open sores and decaying skin have been completely healed. All the numbness is gone, and I can feel again! I was so sick for so long, but now I am perfectly fine! I can’t help but jump and dance with joy!
“As awesome as it is, though, my healing seems to go far beyond the physical. For inside my very self, I feel changed and restored. The unlimited mercy and the unconditional and unmerited love of God have been poured out upon me, and my heart is filled to the point of bursting! I am filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to Jesus for what he has done.
“I can do nothing now but return to the One who healed me and give him thanks. But even that doesn’t seem to be enough. I want to get to know this fellow, follow him and his disciples, and learn all I can from him about the God whose love he poured into my heart.”
Very few, if any, of us will need to be healed from leprosy, but we are all in need of other forms of healing. Perhaps we don’t recognize this need, as we have been formed by the world to look only to our physical well-being. Perhaps, too, we have simply accepted and settled for an easier version of the Christian life—one that doesn’t demand change but doesn’t promise much transformation either. Or maybe it could be that a lack of openness to God may be limiting our experience of the many healings that he wants to give us.
Take some time today to review all that Jesus has done in your life. Let yourself be amazed—like the fellow in today’s reading—at his kindness, mercy, and generosity toward you. Then, open your heart to let Jesus fill you today with even more of the grace that he has already given you.
“Lord Jesus, you want to heal us just as much as you did when you walked the earth! Help me to seek the grace necessary for these healings to take place. Fill me, Lord, with awe at what you have already done.”
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