Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 490
Lectionary: 490
 |
| St.Leo the Great |
Brothers and sisters:
I rejoice greatly in the Lord
that now at last you revived your concern for me.
You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.
Not that I say this because of need,
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,
to be self-sufficient.
I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel,
when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me
in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.
For even when I was at Thessalonica
you sent me something for my needs,
not only once but more than once.
It is not that I am eager for the gift;
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.
I have received full payment and I abound.
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you
through Epaphroditus,
"a fragrant aroma," an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
I rejoice greatly in the Lord
that now at last you revived your concern for me.
You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.
Not that I say this because of need,
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,
to be self-sufficient.
I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel,
when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me
in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.
For even when I was at Thessalonica
you sent me something for my needs,
not only once but more than once.
It is not that I am eager for the gift;
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.
I have received full payment and I abound.
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you
through Epaphroditus,
"a fragrant aroma," an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a And 9
R. Blessed
the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel Lk 16:9-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon."
The Pharisees, who loved money,
heard all these things and sneered at him.
And he said to them,
"You justify yourselves in the sight of others,
but God knows your hearts;
for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God."
"I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon."
The Pharisees, who loved money,
heard all these things and sneered at him.
And he said to them,
"You justify yourselves in the sight of others,
but God knows your hearts;
for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God."
www.usccb.org
Meditation:"Who
will entrust to you the true riches?"
What does "tainted money" (or
"unrighteous mammon") have to do with heavenly treasure and eternal
life? Jesus exhorts his disciples to be like the shrewd steward who used money
generously to make friends and win for himself a secure and happy future (see
the parable of the dishonest steward in Luke 16:1-9). Generous giving
is connected with almsgiving – giving financial assistance to those in need (sell
your possessions and give alms -Luke 12:33). Those who receive alms become
your friends because you are merciful to them in their time of need, just as
God is merciful to you in your need for his forgiveness and help. What is the
enemy of generosity? It's greed, the excessive desire for personal gain and
security. True generosity does not impoverish the giver, but enriches that
person a hundredfold! Generosity expands the soul; greed contracts it. God is
generous and superabundant in lavishing his gifts upon us. We can never outgive
God in what he has already given to us. Do you know the joy and freedom of
generosity and liberality in giving to others what God has so richly given to
you?Jesus concludes his parable with a lesson on what controls or rules our lives. Who is the master (or ruler) in charge of your life? Our "master" is that which governs our thought-life, shapes our ideals, controls the desires of the heart and the values we choose to live by. We can be ruled by many different things – the love of money or possessions, the power of position, the glamor of wealth and prestige, the driving force of unruly passions and addictions. Ultimately the choice boils down to two: God and "mammon". What is mammon? "Mammon" stands for "material wealth or possessions" or whatever tends to "control our appetites and desires". There is one Master alone who has the power to set us free from the slavery of sin and addiction. That Master is the Lord Jesus Christ.
God loves generosity and he gives generously and liberally to those who share his gifts with others. The Pharisees, however, had no room in their hearts for God. The gospel says they were lovers of money. Love of money and wealth crowd out love of God and love of neighbor. Jesus makes clear that our heart must either be possessed by God's love or our heart will be possessed by the love of something else. What does your heart most treasure?
"Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love burn in my heart that I may be wholly devoted to you above all else. Free me from greed and attachment to material things that I may be generous in using the gifts and resources you give me for your glory and for the good of my neighbor."
www.dailyscripture.net
 The Choice Between God and Mammon |
|
Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, pope and
doctor of the Church
|
|
Luke 16: 9-15
Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God."
Introductory Prayer: Father in heaven, I
come to you today to praise and worship you. In my faith, I reach out to you,
knowing that you love me and are leading me to heaven. I trust in your mercy
and boundless love.
Petition: Lord, help me to
break the disordered attachments in my life.
1. Earning Trust: Parents know well what this means!
Discovering that your teenage child’s story about being at a friend’s house
studying was just that — a story — makes for a very unpleasant realization.
Trust has been broken. After the “grounding” takes effect, the speech is then
delivered: “Here’s what you do if you want to earn back our trust…” Certainly
the family car won’t be lent out again until progress in the small things has
been seen. That’s the message Jesus has for us today. Our sins are like the
trust-breakers of the teenage kid. They show we aren’t ready for God’s greatest
gifts, so we have to start with the small things. Each grace we respond to
opens the door to receiving another grace. If we are trustworthy in very
small matters, we can be trusted with the greater. Following through on the
everyday graces will someday lead to the grace of graces: the Beatific
Vision.
2. God and/or Mammon: Part of earning trust with God is
getting our priorities straight. Taking a God-AND-mammon approach to life is
similar to trying to say the rosary while watching television. The Hail
Mary’s may come out, but they do so with as much reflection as is put into
breathing. We simply can’t have our cake and eat it too. Foolishly
entertaining any bad habits (our personal version of mammon) that erode our
commitment shows God that we are not spiritually mature enough to be fully
trusted. On the other hand, when we take a determined step to break these
attachments, we make a big step forward. God must come first!
3. Human Eyes See Only Part of the Story: Naturally, this
effort to live a God-centered life is going to generate mixed reactions. The
Pharisees scorn Jesus for this: To them, he seems totally naïve about money.
Like them, if we see things only from a merely human perspective, big chunks
of reality elude us. Jesus is the one who has the complete picture. We can
trust him completely to lead us in the right direction. We won’t need to
hedge our bets with human props for our sense of security.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you
for helping me to realize that your grace is more important than anything I
could ever have in this world. Break the hold of mammon in my life so that I
might serve you with greater purity of intention.
Resolution: I will make that sacrificial donation to
charity that I have been putting off.
|
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10
LUKE 16:9-15
(Philippians 4:10-19; Psalm 112)
KEY VERSE: "You cannot serve God and mammon" (v 13).
READING: Jesus taught his disciples that material goods should be used to build up the kingdom of God on earth. The phrase to make friends with "mammon" (dishonest wealth) roughly means to do good works with material possessions. Jesus told his disciples to be faithful and honest in all their dealings, whether large or small. If they could not be trusted with material goods, how could they be trusted in the greater matters of spiritual wealth? Jesus rebuked those whose values were turned upside down. He warned them that worldly goods could lead to dishonesty and greed. Then a person could end up being possessed by their possessions. One cannot be a servant of God and a slave to material goods at the same time.
REFLECTING: Which master do I serve? God or mammon?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to have a balanced attitude toward my earthly goods.
Memorial of Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church
Leo the Great was Pope from 440 to 461 during the time of the invasion of Attila the Hun. When Attila marched on Rome, Pope Leo went out to meet him and pleaded for the army to leave. As Leo spoke, Attila saw a vision of a man in priestly robes, carrying a bare sword, and threatening to kill the invader if he did not obey Pope Leo. As Leo had a great devotion to St. Peter, it is generally believed Peter was the visionary opponent to the Huns. When Genseric invaded Rome,Pope Leo's sanctity and eloquence saved the city again. Pope Leo called the Council of Chalcedon to condemn heresies of the day: Nestorianism, Monophysitism, Manichaeism, and Pelagianism. He wrote letters and sermons encouraging and teaching his flock. Many of these writings survive today; it is for these writings that Leo was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1574.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
Happy are those who fear the Lord
‘You cannot be the slave of both God and money.’
Is it possible to give all to God? Is it possible to be God’s servant, God’s slave, as the gospel says? Most of us experience the push and pull of so many other attractions. It may be money, or success, or some other influence on our lives. At such times, there is little room for God.
My God, you are my All. Yet you see how comparatively rarely I think of you, and how I ignore others in the pursuit of my own concerns. Touch my heart, Lord. Make me sensitive to the goodness around me: the goodness of sympathy, kindness, generosity, which so impressed Paul. Give me your Spirit, so that I may be a person of sympathy, kindness and generosity.
www.churchresources.info
November 10
St. Leo the Great
(d. 461)
 |
| Raphael's The meeting between Leo the Great and Attila depicts Leo, escorted by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, meeting with the Hun King outside Rome. |
With apparent strong conviction of the
importance of the Bishop of Rome in the Church, and of the Church as the
ongoing sign of Christ’s presence in the world, Leo the Great displayed endless
dedication as pope. Elected in 440, he worked tirelessly as "Peter’s
successor," guiding his fellow bishops as "equals in the episcopacy
and infirmities."
Leo is known as
one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. His work branched
into four main areas, indicative of his notion of the pope’s total
responsibility for the flock of Christ. He worked at length to control the
heresies of Pelagianism, Manichaeism and others, placing demands on their
followers so as to secure true Christian beliefs. A second major area of his
concern was doctrinal controversy in the Church in the East, to which he
responded with a classic letter setting down the Church’s teaching on the two
natures of Christ. With strong faith, he also led the defense of Rome against
barbarian attack, taking the role of peacemaker.
In these three
areas, Leo’s work has been highly regarded. His growth to sainthood has its
basis in the spiritual depth with which he approached the pastoral care of his
people, which was the fourth focus of his work. He is known for his spiritually
profound sermons. An instrument of the call to holiness, well-versed in
Scripture and ecclesiastical awareness, Leo had the ability to reach the
everyday needs and interests of his people. One of his sermons is used in the
Office of Readings on Christmas.
It is said of
Leo that his true significance rests in his doctrinal insistence on the
mysteries of Christ and the Church and in the supernatural charisms of the
spiritual life given to humanity in Christ and in his Body, the Church. Thus
Leo held firmly that everything he did and said as pope for the administration
of the Church represented Christ, the head of the Mystical Body, and St. Peter,
in whose place Leo acted.
Comment:
At a time when there is widespread criticism of Church structures, we also hear criticism that bishops and priests—indeed, all of us—are too preoccupied with administration of temporal matters. Pope Leo is an example of a great administrator who used his talents in areas where spirit and structure are inseparably combined: doctrine, peace and pastoral care. He avoided an "angelism" that tries to live without the body, as well as the "practicality" that deals only in externals.
www.americancatholic.orgAt a time when there is widespread criticism of Church structures, we also hear criticism that bishops and priests—indeed, all of us—are too preoccupied with administration of temporal matters. Pope Leo is an example of a great administrator who used his talents in areas where spirit and structure are inseparably combined: doctrine, peace and pastoral care. He avoided an "angelism" that tries to live without the body, as well as the "practicality" that deals only in externals.
MARIANGELA VIRGILI,
T.O.CARM. (1662-1734)
Liturgy:
Saturday, November 10, 2012 
Also Known as Maria
Angela Virgili
Mariangela was born in
1662 in Ronciglione Italy, to such impoverished parents that when she asked her
father for permission to become a cloistered Carmelite nun, he answered no
because they had nothing to give for a dowry. Her pious father added ‘…but you
can become a nun at home’. While dedicated to her household tasks and work in the
fields, she professed the Third Order Rule of Mt. Carmel. She became deeply
involved in her hometown and helped rescue many young girls from lives of
prostitution. She took personal care of the sick and poor and enlisted others
to do the same. Poor herself, she shared what she had with others and became
known as the Mother of the poor and Mother of charity.
Even though she was very involved in her duties at home and with her townspeople, she never neglected her prayer life, and a great number of witnesses at her beatification proceedings said that she seemed to be a person who knew how to pray constantly. She was often seen in the church, or at a small altar she had prepared in her home, sometimes remaining there through the night. One eyewitness testified that “When people came to see her they used to find her with Rosary in hand, and she urged those who came, to pray for their needs ‘as a means to receive from the Lord what was desired for the salvation of one’s soul and body’. But over and above concrete prayers, she strove to remain constantly aware of the Lord’s presence. She constantly sought to keep herself in the divine Presence. This is why she appeared, you could say ecstatic, with her mind raised to God…”.
Much could be said about her extraordinary devotion for the Eucharist, for the Rosary and other prayers. A typical meditation of hers on the Creed (below), provides a clue for the authentically Christian quality of her prayer life.
“I believe in one God, the Father almighty": if he is Almighty, he is able; if he is God, then he knows; if he is Father, then he wishes to help me in every need of mine, console me in every trial of mine, and forgive all my sins, just as he did for the Prodigal Son every time I return to him, good Father, kindly Father, loving Father, merciful Father.
“Creator of heaven and earth." Why did he create heaven and earth if not for me? When did he create it for me? When I was not born yet, when I was nothing. Andy why did he create it for me? Because of his infinite love and so that I could enjoy him forever in Heaven.
“And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord." Jesus Christ means Savior. Who saved me, who knew me for what I would be – ungrateful, rebellious, evasive. And from what? From death, from the devil, from hell, from sin.
“He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary." He came down from heaven for me and for my salvation. Where? He had been served by angels, archangels, by the whole court of heaven. For me and for my salvation he was born in Bethlehem, where he was laid in a manger, where he had need of hay, of the breath of animals – he by whom all things were made.
“He suffered under Pontius Pilate.": For me and for my salvation he suffered under Pontius Pilate. For whom? For me. How? With innumerable floggings, with unheard of shame. For whom? For me whom he knew to be so ungrateful.
“He was crucified.": For me and for my salvation, he was crucified. Where? On Mount Calvary, infamous, stench-filled place. How? Nude – O truly wondrous sight!
“Died and was buried.": For me and for my salvation he willed that his body die. A stupendous thing to think about; What do you say, my soul? What do you think? How do you answer that? He died of thirst in order to satiate me with his blood. He put his life to death in order to give us life – he who gives life to all.
“He descended into hell.": How many times I would have gone to hell, if he had not restrained me and freed me by his mighty hand. It’s true; how many have gone to hell for a single sin. Lord free us!
“The third day he rose again from the dead": For me and for my salvation, he rose from the dead on the third day, even visiting his few faithful friends, making himself seen, allowing his holy body to be touched, and consoling a great deal, without really needing them.
“He ascended into heaven." Taking possession of heaven for me, where the Bl. Trinity is constantly waiting for me in order that I go and rejoice forever with those blessed spirits.
“Sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty": For me and for my salvation he is at the right hand of the Father, keeping us in mind constantly; a holy remembrance, a kindly remembrance, a salvation-bearing remembrance which he has had for us from all eternity. He continuously shows his wounds to his Father. His Mother shows her Son the breasts with which she gave him to drink. The Son shows the Father the Wounds he suffered. What will the Father deny the Son or the Son his Mother and one and the other to us? It is true that nothing is denied us; if something is denied us, it is only because of sin, because that is the root of all evil. For this reason God hates sin so much.
“From there he shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead": For me and for my salvation he will come glorious on the day of judgment, both to exalt those who here were humiliated and to glorify those who here despised their own glory. It is true that with humility, we keep the devil underfoot; this does not happen without humility.
“I believe in the Holy Spirit": For me and for my salvation, from heaven he sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love, the Spirit of peace, the Spirit of piety, the Spirit of kindliness, of all consolation, so that we always love one another and always remain united together with the bond of most pleasant love, that we be saints, and as sons of a holy Father we always live in a holy way and be enabled afterwards in heaven to sing, Holy, Holy, Holy.
“The Holy Catholic Church": For me and for my salvation he created the holy Mother, Catholic Church, that she prove us with the tasty milk of God’s own jubilation and now with one thing and now with another she spur us on to live him, to serve whom is to reign.
“The Communion of Saints": For me and for my salvation he arranged it so that all the saints wore themselves out, were mortified and suffered to make me a sharer in their merits – and not only in those of the saints, but also of the Saint of saints, Jesus Christ and as my patrimony, my inheritance and my own possession, I could always offer it to the eternal Father.
“The forgiveness of sins": For me and for my salvation he instituted the sacrament of penance, so that I always have the opportunity to be cleansed of all my sins.
“The resurrection of the body": for me and for my salvation, he will raise up my flesh and since with it I have served God, so with it I shall enjoy him in heaven.
“And life everlasting. Amen": For me and for my salvation he was born, lived, died and rose to give me life eternal.”
Mariangela died on November 10th 1734 at the age of 72. The local townspeople of Ronciglione consider her their “saint” to the extent that in 1900 and again in 1909, the Holy See forbade the continuation of her Cause at the Congregation for Saints, because public veneration shown her precluded a serene and objective study of her holiness by the Holy See.
Despite this prohibition, in 1984, Civic and religious festivities commemorated the 250th anniversary of her death in Ronciglione. The local Bishop was impressed enough to petition the Holy See to lift the ban and the Cause was resumed.
She is remembered today, more than 250 years after he death because, for her, religion was not a private thing between God and herself. People flocked to her asking for advice (even priests sought out her counsel) and for a remembrance in her prayers, because she lived her faith with authenticity. There was no human need that she encountered that she did not do something about.
Even though she was very involved in her duties at home and with her townspeople, she never neglected her prayer life, and a great number of witnesses at her beatification proceedings said that she seemed to be a person who knew how to pray constantly. She was often seen in the church, or at a small altar she had prepared in her home, sometimes remaining there through the night. One eyewitness testified that “When people came to see her they used to find her with Rosary in hand, and she urged those who came, to pray for their needs ‘as a means to receive from the Lord what was desired for the salvation of one’s soul and body’. But over and above concrete prayers, she strove to remain constantly aware of the Lord’s presence. She constantly sought to keep herself in the divine Presence. This is why she appeared, you could say ecstatic, with her mind raised to God…”.
Much could be said about her extraordinary devotion for the Eucharist, for the Rosary and other prayers. A typical meditation of hers on the Creed (below), provides a clue for the authentically Christian quality of her prayer life.
“I believe in one God, the Father almighty": if he is Almighty, he is able; if he is God, then he knows; if he is Father, then he wishes to help me in every need of mine, console me in every trial of mine, and forgive all my sins, just as he did for the Prodigal Son every time I return to him, good Father, kindly Father, loving Father, merciful Father.
“Creator of heaven and earth." Why did he create heaven and earth if not for me? When did he create it for me? When I was not born yet, when I was nothing. Andy why did he create it for me? Because of his infinite love and so that I could enjoy him forever in Heaven.
“And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord." Jesus Christ means Savior. Who saved me, who knew me for what I would be – ungrateful, rebellious, evasive. And from what? From death, from the devil, from hell, from sin.
“He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary." He came down from heaven for me and for my salvation. Where? He had been served by angels, archangels, by the whole court of heaven. For me and for my salvation he was born in Bethlehem, where he was laid in a manger, where he had need of hay, of the breath of animals – he by whom all things were made.
“He suffered under Pontius Pilate.": For me and for my salvation he suffered under Pontius Pilate. For whom? For me. How? With innumerable floggings, with unheard of shame. For whom? For me whom he knew to be so ungrateful.
“He was crucified.": For me and for my salvation, he was crucified. Where? On Mount Calvary, infamous, stench-filled place. How? Nude – O truly wondrous sight!
“Died and was buried.": For me and for my salvation he willed that his body die. A stupendous thing to think about; What do you say, my soul? What do you think? How do you answer that? He died of thirst in order to satiate me with his blood. He put his life to death in order to give us life – he who gives life to all.
“He descended into hell.": How many times I would have gone to hell, if he had not restrained me and freed me by his mighty hand. It’s true; how many have gone to hell for a single sin. Lord free us!
“The third day he rose again from the dead": For me and for my salvation, he rose from the dead on the third day, even visiting his few faithful friends, making himself seen, allowing his holy body to be touched, and consoling a great deal, without really needing them.
“He ascended into heaven." Taking possession of heaven for me, where the Bl. Trinity is constantly waiting for me in order that I go and rejoice forever with those blessed spirits.
“Sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty": For me and for my salvation he is at the right hand of the Father, keeping us in mind constantly; a holy remembrance, a kindly remembrance, a salvation-bearing remembrance which he has had for us from all eternity. He continuously shows his wounds to his Father. His Mother shows her Son the breasts with which she gave him to drink. The Son shows the Father the Wounds he suffered. What will the Father deny the Son or the Son his Mother and one and the other to us? It is true that nothing is denied us; if something is denied us, it is only because of sin, because that is the root of all evil. For this reason God hates sin so much.
“From there he shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead": For me and for my salvation he will come glorious on the day of judgment, both to exalt those who here were humiliated and to glorify those who here despised their own glory. It is true that with humility, we keep the devil underfoot; this does not happen without humility.
“I believe in the Holy Spirit": For me and for my salvation, from heaven he sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love, the Spirit of peace, the Spirit of piety, the Spirit of kindliness, of all consolation, so that we always love one another and always remain united together with the bond of most pleasant love, that we be saints, and as sons of a holy Father we always live in a holy way and be enabled afterwards in heaven to sing, Holy, Holy, Holy.
“The Holy Catholic Church": For me and for my salvation he created the holy Mother, Catholic Church, that she prove us with the tasty milk of God’s own jubilation and now with one thing and now with another she spur us on to live him, to serve whom is to reign.
“The Communion of Saints": For me and for my salvation he arranged it so that all the saints wore themselves out, were mortified and suffered to make me a sharer in their merits – and not only in those of the saints, but also of the Saint of saints, Jesus Christ and as my patrimony, my inheritance and my own possession, I could always offer it to the eternal Father.
“The forgiveness of sins": For me and for my salvation he instituted the sacrament of penance, so that I always have the opportunity to be cleansed of all my sins.
“The resurrection of the body": for me and for my salvation, he will raise up my flesh and since with it I have served God, so with it I shall enjoy him in heaven.
“And life everlasting. Amen": For me and for my salvation he was born, lived, died and rose to give me life eternal.”
Mariangela died on November 10th 1734 at the age of 72. The local townspeople of Ronciglione consider her their “saint” to the extent that in 1900 and again in 1909, the Holy See forbade the continuation of her Cause at the Congregation for Saints, because public veneration shown her precluded a serene and objective study of her holiness by the Holy See.
Despite this prohibition, in 1984, Civic and religious festivities commemorated the 250th anniversary of her death in Ronciglione. The local Bishop was impressed enough to petition the Holy See to lift the ban and the Cause was resumed.
She is remembered today, more than 250 years after he death because, for her, religion was not a private thing between God and herself. People flocked to her asking for advice (even priests sought out her counsel) and for a remembrance in her prayers, because she lived her faith with authenticity. There was no human need that she encountered that she did not do something about.
LECTIO: LUKE 16,9-15
Lectio:
.png)
Saturday,
November 10, 2012
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust your promise of eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust your promise of eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading -
Luke 16,9-15
Jesus said to his disciples: 'And so I tell
you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure
that when it fails you, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.
Anyone who is trustworthy in little things is trustworthy in great; anyone who is dishonest in little things is dishonest in great.
If then you are not trustworthy with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches?
And if you are not trustworthy with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?
'No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.'
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and jeered at him. He said to them, 'You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as upright in people's sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed in human eyes is loathsome in the sight of God.
Anyone who is trustworthy in little things is trustworthy in great; anyone who is dishonest in little things is dishonest in great.
If then you are not trustworthy with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches?
And if you are not trustworthy with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?
'No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.'
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and jeered at him. He said to them, 'You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as upright in people's sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed in human eyes is loathsome in the sight of God.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents some words of
Jesus concerning goods. They are words and loose phrases and, we do not know in
which context they were said. Luke puts them here so as to form a small unity
around the correct use of the goods of this life and to help us to understand
better the sense of the parable of the dishonest steward (Lk 16, 1-8).
• Luke 16, 9: Use well the unjust money. "Use money tainted as it is, to win friends, and then make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.” In the Old Testament, the more ancient word to indicate the poor (ani) means impoverished. It comes from the verb ana, to oppress, to lower. This affirmation recalls the parable of the dishonest steward, whose richness was unjust, dreadful. Here we have the context of the communities at the time of Luke, that is, of the years 80’s after Christ. At the beginning the Christian communities arose among the poor (cf. 1 Co 1, 26; Ga 2, 10). Little by little persons who were richer joined the communities. The entrance of the rich caused some problems which appear in the advice given in the Letter of James (Jm 2, 1-6;5, 1-6), in the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (1Cor 11, 20-21) and in the Gospel of Luke (Lk 6, 24). These problems became worse toward the end of the first century, as it is said in the Apocalypse in its letter to the community of Laodicea (Rev 3, 17-18). The phrases of Jesus kept by Luke are a help to clarify and solve this problem.
• Luke 16, 10-12: To be faithful in small as well as in great things. “Anyone who is trustworthy in little things is trustworthy in great; and anyone who is dishonest in little things is dishonest in great. If then you are not trustworthy with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you are not trustworthy with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?” This phrase clarifies the parable of the dishonest steward. He was not faithful. That is why he was taken away from the administration. This word of Jesus also suggests how to give life, to put into practice the advice of making friends with unjust money. Today something similar takes place. There are persons who speak well of liberation, but at home they oppress the wife and their children. They are unfaithful in small things. Liberation begins in the small world of the family, of daily relationships among persons.
• Luke 16, 9: Use well the unjust money. "Use money tainted as it is, to win friends, and then make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.” In the Old Testament, the more ancient word to indicate the poor (ani) means impoverished. It comes from the verb ana, to oppress, to lower. This affirmation recalls the parable of the dishonest steward, whose richness was unjust, dreadful. Here we have the context of the communities at the time of Luke, that is, of the years 80’s after Christ. At the beginning the Christian communities arose among the poor (cf. 1 Co 1, 26; Ga 2, 10). Little by little persons who were richer joined the communities. The entrance of the rich caused some problems which appear in the advice given in the Letter of James (Jm 2, 1-6;5, 1-6), in the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (1Cor 11, 20-21) and in the Gospel of Luke (Lk 6, 24). These problems became worse toward the end of the first century, as it is said in the Apocalypse in its letter to the community of Laodicea (Rev 3, 17-18). The phrases of Jesus kept by Luke are a help to clarify and solve this problem.
• Luke 16, 10-12: To be faithful in small as well as in great things. “Anyone who is trustworthy in little things is trustworthy in great; and anyone who is dishonest in little things is dishonest in great. If then you are not trustworthy with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you are not trustworthy with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?” This phrase clarifies the parable of the dishonest steward. He was not faithful. That is why he was taken away from the administration. This word of Jesus also suggests how to give life, to put into practice the advice of making friends with unjust money. Today something similar takes place. There are persons who speak well of liberation, but at home they oppress the wife and their children. They are unfaithful in small things. Liberation begins in the small world of the family, of daily relationships among persons.
• Luke 16, 13: You cannot serve God and money. Jesus is very clear in his affirmation: No servant can be the slave of two masters; he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money”. Each one of us should make a choice, and ask himself/herself: “Whom do I put in the first place in my life: God or money? “In the place of the word money each one can put any other word: auto, employment, prestige, goods, house, image, etc. From this choice will depend the understanding of the advice on Divine Providence which follow (Mt 6, 25-34). It is not a question of a choice made only with the head, but of a very concrete choice of life which includes attitudes.
• Luke 16, 14-15: Criticism of the Pharisees who like money. “The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and jeered at him. He said to them, “You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as upright in people’s sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed in human eyes is loathsome in the sight of God”. On another occasion Jesus mentions the love of some Pharisees toward money: “You devour the property of widows, and rob in their houses and, and in appearance you make long prayers” (Mt 23, 14: Lk 20, 47; Mk 12, 40). They allowed themselves to be dragged by the wisdom of the world, of which Paul says: “Consider, brothers, how you were called; not many of you are wise by human standards, not many influential, not many from noble families. But God chose those who by human standards are fools to shame the wise; he chose those who by human standards are weak to shame the strong, those who by common standards are common and contemptible indeed those who count for nothing - to reduce to nothing all those who do count for something” (1 Cor 1, 26-28). Some Pharisees liked money, just like today some priests like money. The advice of Jesus and of Paul is valid for them.
4) Personal
questions
• You and money: what choice do you make?
• Faithful in small things. How do you speak of the Gospel and how do you live the Gospel?
• Faithful in small things. How do you speak of the Gospel and how do you live the Gospel?
5) Concluding prayer
How blessed is anyone who fears Yahweh,
who delights in his commandments!
His descendants shall be powerful on earth,
the race of the honest shall receive blessings. (Ps 112,1-2)
www.ocarm.orgwho delights in his commandments!
His descendants shall be powerful on earth,
the race of the honest shall receive blessings. (Ps 112,1-2)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét