Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the
Church
Lectionary: 433
Lectionary: 433
Brothers and
sisters,
I could not talk to you as spiritual people,
but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ.
I fed you milk, not solid food,
because you were unable to take it.
Indeed, you are still not able, even now,
for you are still of the flesh.
While there is jealousy and rivalry among you,
are you not of the flesh, and walking
according to the manner of man?
Whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another,
“I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men?
What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul?
Ministers through whom you became believers,
just as the Lord assigned each one.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.
Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,
but only God, who causes the growth.
He who plants and he who waters are one,
and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor.
For we are God’s co-workers;
you are God’s field, God’s building.
I could not talk to you as spiritual people,
but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ.
I fed you milk, not solid food,
because you were unable to take it.
Indeed, you are still not able, even now,
for you are still of the flesh.
While there is jealousy and rivalry among you,
are you not of the flesh, and walking
according to the manner of man?
Whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another,
“I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men?
What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul?
Ministers through whom you became believers,
just as the Lord assigned each one.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.
Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,
but only God, who causes the growth.
He who plants and he who waters are one,
and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor.
For we are God’s co-workers;
you are God’s field, God’s building.
Responsorial Psalm PS 33:12-13, 14-15, 20-21
R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be
his own.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down;
he sees all mankind.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
From his fixed throne he beholds
all who dwell on the earth,
He who fashioned the heart of each,
he who knows all their works.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down;
he sees all mankind.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
From his fixed throne he beholds
all who dwell on the earth,
He who fashioned the heart of each,
he who knows all their works.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Gospel LK 4:38-44
After Jesus left
the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases
brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, “To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent.”
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases
brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, “To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent.”
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Meditation: "He laid his hands on every one and healed
them"
Who do you take your troubles to? Jesus' disciples freely
brought their troubles to him because they found him ready and able to deal
with any difficulty, affliction, or sickness which they encountered. When Simon
Peter brought Jesus to his home for the Sabbath meal (right after Jesus
preached in the synagogue in Capernaum), his mother-in-law was instantly healed
because Jesus heard Simon's prayer. Jesus could not avoid drawing a crowd
wherever he went.
Jesus wants to set us free today
No one who asked Jesus for help was left disappointed. Jesus' numerous healings and exorcisims demonstrated the power and authority of his word, the "good news of the kingdom of God." When he rebuked the fever, it immediately left. When he rebuked the demons, they left as well. Why did the demons shudder at Jesus' presence? They recognized that he was the Christ, the Son of God and that he had power to destroy their kingdom by releasing those bound by it. Jesus came to set us free from bondage to sin and evil. Do you seek freedom in Christ and trust in his power to set you free?
No one who asked Jesus for help was left disappointed. Jesus' numerous healings and exorcisims demonstrated the power and authority of his word, the "good news of the kingdom of God." When he rebuked the fever, it immediately left. When he rebuked the demons, they left as well. Why did the demons shudder at Jesus' presence? They recognized that he was the Christ, the Son of God and that he had power to destroy their kingdom by releasing those bound by it. Jesus came to set us free from bondage to sin and evil. Do you seek freedom in Christ and trust in his power to set you free?
When Jesus and the disciples sought a lonely place to regroup
and rest, they found instead a crowd waiting for them! Did they resent this
intrusion on their hard-earned need for privacy and refreshment? Jesus
certainly didn't but welcomed them with open-arms. Jesus put human need ahead
of everything else. His compassion showed the depths of God's love and concern
for all who are truly needy. Jesus gave the people the word of God and he
healed them physically as well as spiritually.
Jesus never tires of hearing and answering our pleas
We can never intrude upon God nor exhaust his generosity and kindness. He is ever ready to give to those who earnestly seek him out. Do you allow Jesus to be the Lord and Healer in your personal life, family, and community? Approach him with expectant faith. God's healing power restores us not only to health but to active service and care of others. There is no trouble he does not want to help us with and there is no bondage he can't set us free from. Do you take your troubles to him with expectant faith that he will help you?
We can never intrude upon God nor exhaust his generosity and kindness. He is ever ready to give to those who earnestly seek him out. Do you allow Jesus to be the Lord and Healer in your personal life, family, and community? Approach him with expectant faith. God's healing power restores us not only to health but to active service and care of others. There is no trouble he does not want to help us with and there is no bondage he can't set us free from. Do you take your troubles to him with expectant faith that he will help you?
"Lord Jesus Christ, you have all power to heal and to
deliver. There is no trouble nor bondage you cannot overcome. Set me free to
serve you joyfully and to love and serve others generously. May nothing hinder
me from giving myself wholly to you and to your service."
 Risen People Called to Serve |
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September 3, 2014. Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, pope
and doctor of the Church
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Luke 4:38-44
After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon´s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded
with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick
with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them
and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are
the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to
a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "To
the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent." And he was preaching in the
synagogues of Judea.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming into my house. I am honored
that you wish to stop by even when I don’t call for you. I am extremely
grateful for the personal attention that you give me, especially when I am
ill and in need of your grace.
Petition: Lord, cure me of my spiritual ailments so I may serve
you in others.
1. Christ Raises Us Up: There is a certain matter-of-factness
about the cure in this Gospel passage: no special words of Jesus, no words of
thanks, no reaction of the people. It is as if Jesus simply and routinely
entered a home and helped a very sick woman up and out of bed. Not your
typical miracle that draws a lot of attention. While we hope for that
long-awaited miracle in our lives, we might be overlooking one of these very
ordinary cures that Christ often offers us. In the spiritual realm, it may be
a good confession, receiving him in the Eucharist, spiritual guidance, or a
regular examination of conscience. In the physical realm, it may be just
taking good care of my health by eating or sleeping properly. We don’t need to
demand a special cure. Rather we must be encouraged that Christ has directed
his gaze towards us.
2. He Helps Us to Our Feet: Notice how quickly everything happens
in today’s Gospel. Christ helps Simon’s mother-in-law to her feet
immediately. She cooperates without skepticism or words of protest. She
believes in Christ. His grace is effective. The cure is complete and
instantaneous. He allows us to stand up on our own and resume our duties.
3. He Cures Us So That We Might Serve: We are very good
about pleading to Christ for cures, yet frequently hassled when he sends us
the “bill” — namely that of serving others. Simon’s mother-in-law immediately
begins to serve Christ, who has put her back on her feet. She immediately
forgets about herself –– her problems, how she feels, how much time her
sickness has set her back –– and instead focuses on the needs of others.
Jesus raises up Christians from the death of sin and calls upon them to
serve. Christians are risen people whose vocation is to serve.
Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord, everybody is looking for
you. You have put me back on my feet and have asked me to imitate your life
of service. Help me to be generous with the life you have restored in me so
that I, too, might put the interests of your Kingdom above my personal plans.
Resolution: I will earnestly ask Christ to cure me of my most
dominant defect, taking one concrete step in acquiring its opposing virtue.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, LUKE 4:38-44
(1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Psalm 33)
(1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Psalm 33)
KEY VERSE: "To other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent" (v 43).
READING: God's power was at work in Jesus whose divine authority over all forms of evil came from within his very being. After curing the demoniac in the synagogue at Capernaum (Lk 4:33-35), he went to the home of Simon Peter. With a powerful word he cured Simon's mother-in-law who lay ill with a severe fever. She arose and waited on Jesus and his disciples as a true servant of God. At sunset the Sabbath ended and the people were free to bring their sick to Jesus. He laid hands on them, curing those who were ill and exorcizing evil spirits. In the morning, Jesus retired to a deserted place, but the people came in search of him, beseeching him to remain with them. Jesus told them that he must proclaim the gospel to others because that was why he had been sent.
REFLECTING: Do I know someone who needs Jesus' healing touch?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, I pray for all those in need of your healing word.
Memorial of Gregory the Great, pope and
doctor of the Church
Gregory was the son of a wealthy Roman senator. He was educated by the finest teachers in Rome and became Prefect of Rome for a year. Then he sold his possessions, turned his home into a Benedictine monastery, and used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. Upon seeing English children being sold in the Roman Forum, he became a missionary to England. Gregory was elected Pope by unanimous acclamation on 3 September 590, the first monk to be chosen. He sent St Augustine of Canterbury and a company of monks to evangelize England, and other missionaries to France, Spain, and Africa. Gregory wrote seminal works on the Mass and Office. He collected the melodies and plain chant that became so associated with him that they are now known as Gregorian Chants. Gregory is one of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
The Way In
The pierced, open side of Christ on the cross, which makes visible
the Sacred Heart of the Son of God, remains “the way in” to knowledge of Jesus
Christ.
September
3
St. Gregory the Great
(540?-604)
St. Gregory the Great
(540?-604)
Coming events cast their shadows before: Gregory was the prefect
of Rome before he was 30. After five years in office he resigned, founded six
monasteries on his Sicilian estate and became a Benedictine monk in his own
home at Rome.
Ordained
a priest, he became one of the pope's seven deacons, and also served six years
in the East as papal representative in Constantinople. He was recalled to
become abbot, and at the age of 50 was elected pope by the clergy and people of
Rome.
He was
direct and firm. He removed unworthy priests from office, forbade taking money
for many services, emptied the papal treasury to ransom prisoners of the
Lombards and to care for persecuted Jews and the victims of plague and famine.
He was very concerned about the conversion of England, sending 40 monks from
his own monastery. He is known for his reform of the liturgy, for strengthening
respect for doctrine. Whether he was largely responsible for the revision of
"Gregorian" chant is disputed.
Gregory
lived in a time of perpetual strife with invading Lombards and difficult
relations with the East. When Rome itself was under attack, he interviewed the
Lombard king.
An
Anglican historian has written: "It is impossible to conceive what would
have been the confusion, the lawlessness, the chaotic state of the Middle Ages
without the medieval papacy; and of the medieval papacy, the real father is
Gregory the Great."
His book, Pastoral
Care, on the duties and qualities of a bishop, was read for centuries after
his death. He described bishops mainly as physicians whose main duties were
preaching and the enforcement of discipline. In his own down-to-earth
preaching, Gregory was skilled at applying the daily gospel to the needs of his
listeners. Called "the Great," Gregory has been given a place with
Augustine (August 28), Ambrose (December 7) and Jerome (September 30)as one of
the four key doctors of the Western Church.
Comment:
Gregory was content to be a monk, but he willingly served the Church in other ways when asked. He sacrificed his own preferences in many ways, especially when he was called to be Bishop of Rome. Once he was called to public service, Gregory gave his considerable energies completely to this work.
Gregory was content to be a monk, but he willingly served the Church in other ways when asked. He sacrificed his own preferences in many ways, especially when he was called to be Bishop of Rome. Once he was called to public service, Gregory gave his considerable energies completely to this work.
Quote:
"Perhaps it is not after all so difficult for a man to part with his possessions, but it is certainly most difficult for him to part with himself. To renounce what one has is a minor thing; but to renounce what one is, that is asking a lot" (St. Gregory,Homilies on the Gospels).
"Perhaps it is not after all so difficult for a man to part with his possessions, but it is certainly most difficult for him to part with himself. To renounce what one has is a minor thing; but to renounce what one is, that is asking a lot" (St. Gregory,Homilies on the Gospels).
Patron Saint of:
England
Teachers
England
Teachers
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 4,38-44
Lectio:
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
every good thing comes from you.
Fill our hearts with love for you,
increase our faith,
and by your constant care
protect the good you have given us.
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.
every good thing comes from you.
Fill our hearts with love for you,
increase our faith,
and by your constant care
protect the good you have given us.
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 4,38-44
Leaving the synagogue Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s
mother-in-law was in the grip of a high fever and they asked him to do
something for her. Standing over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And
she immediately got up and began to serve them.
At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them.
Devils too came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he warned them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his proclamation in the synagogues of Judaea.
At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them.
Devils too came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he warned them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his proclamation in the synagogues of Judaea.
3) Reflection
● The
Gospel today narrates four different events: the cure of Peter’s mother-in-law
(Lk 4, 38-39), the cure of many sick people at night, after Saturday (Lk 4,
40-41), the prayer of Jesus in a deserted place (Lk 4, 42) and his insistence
on the mission (Lk 4, 43-44). With small differences Luke follows and adapts
the information taken from the Gospel of Mark.
● Luke 4, 38-39: Jesus restores life for service. After having participated in the celebration of Saturday, in the Synagogue, Jesus goes to Peter’s house and cures his mother-in-law. The cure causes her to render service immediately, already standing. Having recovered her health and dignity, she places herself at the service of the people. Jesus not only cures, but he cures in such a way that the person places herself at the service of life.
● Luke 4, 40-41: Jesus accepts and cures the marginalized. At night, when the first stars appear in the sky, after Saturday is over, Jesus accepts and cures the sick and those possessed who the people bring to him. The sick and the possessed were the most marginalized persons at that time. They had no one to whom to go. They were at the mercy of public charity; besides, religion considered them impure. They could not participate in the community. It was as if God rejected and excluded them. Jesus accepts and cures them, placing his hands on each one of them. Thus, it is clear in what the Good News of God consists and what he wants to do in the life of persons: to accept the marginalized and the excluded and to integrate them into the community, to live with others.
“Devils came out of many persons shouting: “You are the Son of God!” But he warned them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ”. At that time the title Son of God did not have as yet the density and depth that it has for us today. Jesus did not allow the devils to speak. He did not want an easy propaganda dictated by spectacular expulsions.
● Luke 4, 42a: To remain united to the Father by means of prayer. “When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him from leaving them”. Here we see Jesus praying. He has to make an enormous effort to have time available and a place suitable for prayer. He goes to a deserted place to be able to stay alone with God. Many times, the Gospels speak about Jesus’ prayer, in silence (Lk 3, 21-22; 4, 1-2.3-12; 5,15-16; 6,12; 9,18; 10,21; 5,16; 9,18; 11,1; 9, 28;23,34; Mt 14, 22-23; 26,38; Jn 11, 41-42; 17,1-26; Mk 1,35; Lk 3, 21-22). Through prayer, he maintains alive the conscience of his mission.
● Luke 4, 42b-44: To maintain alive the conscience of one’s own mission and not think about the result. Jesus becomes known. People follow him and they did not want him to leave them. Jesus does not respond to this petition and says: “I must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do”. Jesus was very clear about his mission. He does not stop at the result that he has already obtained, but he wishes to maintain very alive the awareness if his mission. It is the mission received from the Father which orientates him when he has to take a decision. I have been sent for this! And here in this text this conscience which is so alive springs as fruit of his prayer.
● Luke 4, 38-39: Jesus restores life for service. After having participated in the celebration of Saturday, in the Synagogue, Jesus goes to Peter’s house and cures his mother-in-law. The cure causes her to render service immediately, already standing. Having recovered her health and dignity, she places herself at the service of the people. Jesus not only cures, but he cures in such a way that the person places herself at the service of life.
● Luke 4, 40-41: Jesus accepts and cures the marginalized. At night, when the first stars appear in the sky, after Saturday is over, Jesus accepts and cures the sick and those possessed who the people bring to him. The sick and the possessed were the most marginalized persons at that time. They had no one to whom to go. They were at the mercy of public charity; besides, religion considered them impure. They could not participate in the community. It was as if God rejected and excluded them. Jesus accepts and cures them, placing his hands on each one of them. Thus, it is clear in what the Good News of God consists and what he wants to do in the life of persons: to accept the marginalized and the excluded and to integrate them into the community, to live with others.
“Devils came out of many persons shouting: “You are the Son of God!” But he warned them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ”. At that time the title Son of God did not have as yet the density and depth that it has for us today. Jesus did not allow the devils to speak. He did not want an easy propaganda dictated by spectacular expulsions.
● Luke 4, 42a: To remain united to the Father by means of prayer. “When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him from leaving them”. Here we see Jesus praying. He has to make an enormous effort to have time available and a place suitable for prayer. He goes to a deserted place to be able to stay alone with God. Many times, the Gospels speak about Jesus’ prayer, in silence (Lk 3, 21-22; 4, 1-2.3-12; 5,15-16; 6,12; 9,18; 10,21; 5,16; 9,18; 11,1; 9, 28;23,34; Mt 14, 22-23; 26,38; Jn 11, 41-42; 17,1-26; Mk 1,35; Lk 3, 21-22). Through prayer, he maintains alive the conscience of his mission.
● Luke 4, 42b-44: To maintain alive the conscience of one’s own mission and not think about the result. Jesus becomes known. People follow him and they did not want him to leave them. Jesus does not respond to this petition and says: “I must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do”. Jesus was very clear about his mission. He does not stop at the result that he has already obtained, but he wishes to maintain very alive the awareness if his mission. It is the mission received from the Father which orientates him when he has to take a decision. I have been sent for this! And here in this text this conscience which is so alive springs as fruit of his prayer.
4) Personal questions
● Jesus
spent much time in prayer and to be alone with the Father, and he looked for
this time. Do I dedicate time for prayer and to be alone with God?
● Jesus had a clear conscience of his mission. And I, a Christian, am I conscious that I have a mission, or do I live without a mission?
● Jesus had a clear conscience of his mission. And I, a Christian, am I conscious that I have a mission, or do I live without a mission?
5) Concluding Prayer
We are waiting for Yahweh;
he is our help and our shield,
for in him our heart rejoices,
in his holy name we trust. (Ps 33,20-21)
he is our help and our shield,
for in him our heart rejoices,
in his holy name we trust. (Ps 33,20-21)
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