Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Lectionary: 444
Lectionary: 444
Brothers and
sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
Responsorial Psalm PS 10:1B-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Gospel LK 7:11-17
Jesus journeyed to
a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
Meditation: "The Lord had compassion on her"
How do you respond to the misfortunes of others? In a number of
places the Gospel records that Jesus was "moved to the depths of his
heart" when he met with individuals and with groups of people. Our modern
use of the word "compassion" doesn't fully convey the deeper meaning
of the original Hebrew word which expresses heart-felt "sympathy" and
personal identification with the suffering person's grief and physical
condition. Why was Jesus so moved on this occasion when he met a widow and a
crowded funeral procession on their way to the cemetery? Jesus not only grieved
the untimely death of a young man, but he showed the depth of his concern for
the woman who lost not only her husband, but her only child as well. The only
secure means of welfare in biblical times was one's family. This woman had lost
not only her loved ones, but her future security and livelihood as well.
Jesus is lord of the living and the dead
The Scriptures make clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (see Ezekiel 33:11) - he desires life, not death. Jesus not only had heart-felt compassion for the widow who lost her only son, he also had extraordinary supernatural power - the ability to restore life and to make a person whole again. Jesus, however, did something which must have shocked the sensibilities of the widow and her friends. Jesus approached the bier to make physical contact with the dead man. The Jews understood that contact with a dead body made oneself ritually unclean or impure. Jesus' physical touch and personal identification with the widow's loss of her only son not only showed the depths of his love and concern for her, but pointed to his desire to free everyone from the power of sin and moral corruption, and even death itself. Jesus' simple word of command - "Young man, arise" - not only restored him to physical life, but brought freedom and wholeness to his soul as well as his body.
The Scriptures make clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (see Ezekiel 33:11) - he desires life, not death. Jesus not only had heart-felt compassion for the widow who lost her only son, he also had extraordinary supernatural power - the ability to restore life and to make a person whole again. Jesus, however, did something which must have shocked the sensibilities of the widow and her friends. Jesus approached the bier to make physical contact with the dead man. The Jews understood that contact with a dead body made oneself ritually unclean or impure. Jesus' physical touch and personal identification with the widow's loss of her only son not only showed the depths of his love and concern for her, but pointed to his desire to free everyone from the power of sin and moral corruption, and even death itself. Jesus' simple word of command - "Young man, arise" - not only restored him to physical life, but brought freedom and wholeness to his soul as well as his body.
The Lord Jesus has power to restore us to wholeness of life -
now and forever
This miracle took place near the spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son back to life again (see 2 Kings 4:18-37). Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of power he restored life for a lad marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the living but of the dead as well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he also triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day, just as he had promised his disciples. Jesus promises everyone who believes in him, that because he lives (and will never die again), we also shall have abundant life with and in him both now and forever (John 14:19). Do you trust in the Lord Jesus to give you abundant life and everlasting hope in the face of life's trials, misfortunes, and moments of despair?
This miracle took place near the spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son back to life again (see 2 Kings 4:18-37). Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of power he restored life for a lad marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the living but of the dead as well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he also triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day, just as he had promised his disciples. Jesus promises everyone who believes in him, that because he lives (and will never die again), we also shall have abundant life with and in him both now and forever (John 14:19). Do you trust in the Lord Jesus to give you abundant life and everlasting hope in the face of life's trials, misfortunes, and moments of despair?
"Lord Jesus, your healing presence brings life and restores
us to wholeness of mind, body, and spirit. Speak your word to me and give me
renewed hope, strength, and courage to follow you in the midst of life's
sorrows and joys."
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Do Not Weep! |
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September 16, 2014. Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope and
Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
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Luke 7: 11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a
large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man
who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a
widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he
was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He
stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he
said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began
to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they
glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our
midst," and "God has visited his people." This report about
him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that my life is in your hands from the
moment of my creation until my last day. Lord, I hope in you, because you
have created me for a purpose. Lord, I love you, for the great love that you
have for me.
Petition: Lord, help me place all of my hope in you!
1. “Do Not Weep.” There are many ‘reasons’ to despair. So
many difficulties in life have no human solution. Especially when it comes to
life and death, I find myself so powerless to help others. Jesus,
however, offers a different perspective: “Do not weep.” His infinite power
frees us from tragic human limitations. Furthermore, “We know that all things
work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his
purpose” (Romans 8:28). He acts, he intercedes, as Redeemer. “Do not
weep,” bears the weight of a command. As apocalyptic as suffering and death
might appear, ultimately Jesus reveals a life-giving love: “He will wipe
every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning,
wailing or pain” (Revelation 21:4). The widow of Nain is about to
receive a grace inconceivable to her present sorrow. I, too, should hope in
Christ’s kindness towards me and my loved-ones.
2. “Young Man, I Tell You, Arise!” Jesus does not console
me simply by removing my emotion or by having me imagine that things are
different than they really are. If I lose someone who is dear to me, I am
truly sad. Instead, Christ comes to restore what was lost. He acts to remove
the cause of pain and sorrow: “for I, the LORD, am your healer” (Exodus
15:26). When Jesus tells the widow of Nain, “Do not weep,” he does not
accuse her of being an overly-emotional woman who takes things too seriously.
Quite the contrary, Jesus is compassionate towards her because of the loss of
her son. Therefore, with all my heart and soul I ought to be obedient to
hope. My life is in God’s hands. The lives of my loved ones are in God’s
hands. If I live, I live for Christ; if I die, I die for Christ (see Romans
14:8).
3. “God Has Visited His People.” Even at his birth, the
Son of God who took on our human nature was named “Emmanuel”: “God-with-us.”
Our Savior associates himself with us not only in life and grace, but also
taking our sins upon himself and giving his very life in order to redeem us.
“God has visited his people” even refers to sinners: those who suffer death
as an ultimate consequence of original and personal sin.
I can rejoice because God seeks me out wherever I am, heals me, and restores me for eternal life. If I have received such great love, I should repay love with love. I should bring the love of Christ to others just as I have experienced his visit to me.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, I entrust my entire life
and the lives of my loved ones to your care. Allow me to grow in your love so
that I truly benefit from your grace, which leads to eternal life. Let me
hope in your resurrection as I offer you my everyday burdens.
Resolution: In a conversation today, I will speak to someone about
life as a journey meant to lead us and prepare us for heaven.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, LUKE 7:11-17
(1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a; Psalm 100)
(1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a; Psalm 100)
KEY VERSE: "Young man, I tell you, arise!" (v 14).
READING: Soon after healing the centurion's servant, Jesus went to a town called Nain, which was a day's journey from Capernaum. His disciples and a large crowd followed him. Luke compared Jesus' ministry to that of two prophets in the Hebrew Testament: Elijah, who raised the only son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:8-24), and Elisha, who resuscitated the only son of a Shunammite woman (2 Kgs 4:8-37). When Jesus entered the village of Nain, he saw a widow accompanying the bier of her dead son. Jesus was moved with compassion, since, with no husband or son to support her, the woman would soon find herself destitute. Risking the possibility of ritual impurity for touching a corpse (Nm 19:11), Jesus placed his hand on the litter bearing the dead man, and with a word of authority commanded him to rise to life. The people praised God for sending a new prophet to them.
REFLECTING: How can I offer Christ's compassion to the bereaved?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, thank you for your healing touch, which raises me to new life.
Memorial of Cornelius, pope and martyr
Cornelius was the Twenty-First pope, elected during a period when persecutions were so bad that papal ascension was a quick death sentence. Cornelius worked to maintain unity in a time of schism and apostasy. He fought Novatianism, a heresy that held that the lapsed Christian might not be received again into communion with the Church, and that second marriages were unlawful. He was exiled by Roman authorities to punish Christians in general, said to have provoked the gods who sent the plague against Rome. A document from Cornelius shows the size of the Church of Rome in his papacy: 46 priests, 7 deacons, 7 sub-deacons, approximately 50,000 Christians. He died a martyr in 253 and is buried at the cemetery of St. Callistus at Rome.
Memorial of Cyprian, bishop and martyr
Cyprian was born to wealthy pagan parents. He taught rhetoric and literature. An adult convert, he was ordained Priest in 246, then Bishop of Carthage in 249. He was exiled during the persecutions of Valerian. Cyprian was involved in the great argument over whether apostates should be readmitted to the Church. Cyprian believed they should, but under stringent conditions. A martyr, Cyprian was beheaded September 258. He is a Latin Father of the Church.
We are his people: the sheep of his flock
Worship the Lord with gladness.What a lovely thought, when the psalmist tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord. What is a joyful noise? For some it is a cheer or song, but to others the thought of laughing out loud with pleasure on meeting the Lord is very appealing. Laughing with pleasure is such a happy sound. One imagines that when the poor widow had her son restored to her, laughter would not be deep enough to express her gratitude. She, and those around her, would have been awestruck and, at first, filled with fear. Luke tells us that they glorified God in gratitude. We are all members of one body, needing one another, and God is good and reliable and loves us, individually. Joyfully, we thank you, Lord.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
God's Design
For God judged it better to bring good out of evil than not to
permit any evil to exist. —St. Augustine
September
16
St. Cornelius
(d. 253)
St. Cornelius
(d. 253)
There was
no pope for 14 months after the martyrdom of St. Fabian because of the
intensity of the persecution of the Church. During the interval, the Church was
governed by a college of priests. St. Cyprian, a friend of Cornelius, writes
that Cornelius was elected pope "by the judgment of God and of Christ, by
the testimony of most of the clergy, by the vote of the people, with the
consent of aged priests and of good men."
The
greatest problem of Cornelius's two-year term as pope had to do with the
Sacrament of Penance and centered on the readmission of Christians who had
denied their faith during the time of persecution. Two extremes were finally
both condemned. Cyprian, primate of North Africa, appealed to the pope to
confirm his stand that the relapsed could be reconciled only by the decision of
the bishop.
In Rome,
however, Cornelius met with the opposite view. After his election, a priest
named Novatian (one of those who had governed the Church) had himself
consecrated a rival bishop of Rome—one of the first antipopes. He denied that
the Church had any power to reconcile not only the apostates, but also those
guilty of murder, adultery, fornication or second marriage! Cornelius had the
support of most of the Church (especially of Cyprian of Africa) in condemning
Novatianism, though the sect persisted for several centuries. Cornelius held a
synod at Rome in 251 and ordered the "relapsed" to be restored to the
Church with the usual "medicines of repentance."
The
friendship of Cornelius and Cyprian was strained for a time when one of
Cyprian's rivals made accusations about him. But the problem was cleared up.
A
document from Cornelius shows the extent of organization in the Church of Rome
in the mid-third century: 46 priests, seven deacons, seven subdeacons. It is
estimated that the number of Christians totaled about 50,000.
Cornelius
died as a result of the hardships of his exile in what is now Civitavecchia
(near Rome).
Comment:
It seems fairly true
to say that almost every possible false doctrine has been proposed at some time
or other in the history of the Church. The third century saw the resolution of
a problem we scarcely consider—the penance to be done before reconciliation
with the Church after mortal sin. Men like Cornelius and Cyprian were God's
instruments in helping the Church find a prudent path between extremes of
rigorism and laxity. They are part of the Church's ever-living stream of
tradition, ensuring the continuance of what was begun by Christ, and evaluating
new experiences through the wisdom and experience of those who have gone
before.
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 7,11-17
Lectio:
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 09
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
our creator and guide,
may we serve you with all our hearts
and know your forgiveness in our lives.
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.
our creator and guide,
may we serve you with all our hearts
and know your forgiveness in our lives.
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 7,11-17
It happened that soon afterwards Jesus went to a town called
Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people.
Now when he was near the gate of the town there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople was with her.
When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her and said to her, ‘Don’t cry.’ Then he went up and touched the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you: get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us; God has visited his people.’ And this view of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.
Now when he was near the gate of the town there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople was with her.
When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her and said to her, ‘Don’t cry.’ Then he went up and touched the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you: get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us; God has visited his people.’ And this view of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.
3) Reflection
• Today’s
Gospel presents the episode of the resurrection of the son of the widow of
Nain. The literary context of this episode of the VII chapter of Luke helps one
to understand. The Evangelist wants to show that Jesus opens the road,
revealing the novelty of God which is presented to us in the announcement of
the Good News. And in this way the transformation and openness take place:
Jesus accepts the request of a foreigner, a non Jew (Lk 7, 1-10) and resurrects
the son of a widow (Lk 7, 11-17). The way in which Jesus reveals the Kingdom
surprises the Jewish brothers who were not accustomed to such great openness. Even
John the Baptist is surprised and orders to go and ask: “Are you the one who is
to come or are we to expect someone else?” (Lk 7, 18-30). Jesus denounces the
incoherence of his patricians: “They are like children shouting to one another
without knowing what they want!” (Lk 7, 31-35). And finally, there is the
openness of Jesus toward women (7, 36-50).
• Luke 7, 11-12: The meeting of the two processions. “Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a great crowd were going with him. When he was close to the gate of the town, there was a dead man being carried out to the cemetery, the only son of his mother and she was a widow.” Luke is like a painter. With few words he succeeds to paint a very beautiful picture on the encounter of the two processions: the procession of death which is going out of the city and accompanies the widow who is taking her only son towards the cemetery; the procession of life which enters the city and accompanies Jesus. The two meet in the small square at the side of the gate of the town of Nain.
• Luke 7,13: Compassion begins to act here. “When the Lord saw her, he felt sorry for her and said to her: “Do not cry!” It is compassion which moves Jesus to speak and to act. Compassion signifies literally: “to suffer with”, to assume or make ours the suffering of the other person, identifying oneself with the person, feeling the pain, the suffering. It is compassion which puts into action the power of Jesus, the power of life over death, the creative power.
• Luke 7,14-15: “Young man, I tell you, get up!” Jesus gets near the bier and says: “Young men, I tell you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and began to talk; and Jesus gave him to his mother”. Sometimes, at the moment of a great sorrow caused by the death of a loved person, people say: “In Jesus’ time, when he walked on this earth there was hope not to lose a loved person because Jesus could resurrect her”. These persons consider the episode of the resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain as an event of the past which arouses nostalgia and also certain envy. The intention of the Gospel, instead, is not, that of arousing nostalgia or envy, but rather of helping us to experience better the living presence of Jesus in our midst. It is the same Jesus, who continues alive in our midst, capable of overcoming death and the sorrow of death. He is with us today, and in the face of the problems of sorrow which strike us, he tells us: “I tell you, get up!”
• Luke 7, 16-17: The repercussion. “Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God saying: ‘A great prophet has risen up among us; God has visited his people”. The fame of these events spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside”. It is the prophet who was announced by Moses (Dt 18, 15). It is God who comes to visit us and the “Father of orphans and protector of the widows” (Ps 68, 6: Judith 9, 11).
• Luke 7, 11-12: The meeting of the two processions. “Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a great crowd were going with him. When he was close to the gate of the town, there was a dead man being carried out to the cemetery, the only son of his mother and she was a widow.” Luke is like a painter. With few words he succeeds to paint a very beautiful picture on the encounter of the two processions: the procession of death which is going out of the city and accompanies the widow who is taking her only son towards the cemetery; the procession of life which enters the city and accompanies Jesus. The two meet in the small square at the side of the gate of the town of Nain.
• Luke 7,13: Compassion begins to act here. “When the Lord saw her, he felt sorry for her and said to her: “Do not cry!” It is compassion which moves Jesus to speak and to act. Compassion signifies literally: “to suffer with”, to assume or make ours the suffering of the other person, identifying oneself with the person, feeling the pain, the suffering. It is compassion which puts into action the power of Jesus, the power of life over death, the creative power.
• Luke 7,14-15: “Young man, I tell you, get up!” Jesus gets near the bier and says: “Young men, I tell you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and began to talk; and Jesus gave him to his mother”. Sometimes, at the moment of a great sorrow caused by the death of a loved person, people say: “In Jesus’ time, when he walked on this earth there was hope not to lose a loved person because Jesus could resurrect her”. These persons consider the episode of the resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain as an event of the past which arouses nostalgia and also certain envy. The intention of the Gospel, instead, is not, that of arousing nostalgia or envy, but rather of helping us to experience better the living presence of Jesus in our midst. It is the same Jesus, who continues alive in our midst, capable of overcoming death and the sorrow of death. He is with us today, and in the face of the problems of sorrow which strike us, he tells us: “I tell you, get up!”
• Luke 7, 16-17: The repercussion. “Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God saying: ‘A great prophet has risen up among us; God has visited his people”. The fame of these events spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside”. It is the prophet who was announced by Moses (Dt 18, 15). It is God who comes to visit us and the “Father of orphans and protector of the widows” (Ps 68, 6: Judith 9, 11).
4) Personal questions
• Compassion
moves Jesus to resurrect the son of the widow. Does the suffering, the sorrow
of others produce in me the same compassion? What do I do to help the others to
overcome the sorrow and to create a new life?
• God visited his people. Do I perceive the many visits of God in my life and in the life of the people?
• God visited his people. Do I perceive the many visits of God in my life and in the life of the people?
5) Concluding Prayer
Serve Yahweh with gladness,
come into his presence with songs of joy!
Be sure that Yahweh is God, he made us,
we belong to him, his people, the flock of his sheepfold. (Ps 100,2-3)
come into his presence with songs of joy!
Be sure that Yahweh is God, he made us,
we belong to him, his people, the flock of his sheepfold. (Ps 100,2-3)
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