Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary,
Religious
Lectionary: 496
Lectionary: 496
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters,
especially for strangers;
they have testified to your love before the Church.
Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey.
For they have set out for the sake of the Name
and are accepting nothing from the pagans.
Therefore, we ought to support such persons,
so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
especially for strangers;
they have testified to your love before the Church.
Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey.
For they have set out for the sake of the Name
and are accepting nothing from the pagans.
Therefore, we ought to support such persons,
so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
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.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
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.
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.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
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.
AlleluiaSEE 2 THES 2:14
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel,
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel,
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, "There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'"
The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, "There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'"
The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Meditation: "Always pray and do not
lose heart"
What can a shameless and unjust judge pitted against a
crusty and pestering woman teach us about justice and vindication in the kingdom
of God? Jesus tells a story that is all too true - a defenseless widow is taken
advantaged of and refused her rights. Through sheer persistence she wears down
an unscrupulous judge until he gives her justice. Persistence pays off, and
that's especially true for those who trust in God. Jesus illustrates how God as
our Judge and Vindicator is much quicker to come to our defense and to bring us
his justice, blessing, and help when we need it. But we can easily lose heart
and forget to ask our heavenly Father for his grace and help.
Faith-filled persistence reaps the fruit of
justice and grace
Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) to give his disciples fresh hope and confidence in God's unfailing care and favor towards us (grace). In this present life we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. The Day of the Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices perpetrated by a fallen world of sinful people and that God's love is stronger than death (Song of Songs 8:6). Those who put their faith in God and entrust their lives to him can look forward with hope and confident assurance. They will receive their reward - if not fully in this present life then surely and completely in the age to come in God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) to give his disciples fresh hope and confidence in God's unfailing care and favor towards us (grace). In this present life we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. The Day of the Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices perpetrated by a fallen world of sinful people and that God's love is stronger than death (Song of Songs 8:6). Those who put their faith in God and entrust their lives to him can look forward with hope and confident assurance. They will receive their reward - if not fully in this present life then surely and completely in the age to come in God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
Jesus ends his parable with a probing question for us.
Will you and I have faith - the kind of faith that doesn't give up or lose hope
in God - but perseveres to the end of our lives - and to the end of this
present age when the Lord Jesus will return in glory as Ruler and Judge of All?
Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. We could not believe,
trust, and persevere with hope if God did not first draw us to himself and
reveal to us his merciful love and care. If we want to grow and persevere in
faith until the end of our days, then we must nourish our faith with the word
of God and ask the Lord to increase it (Luke 17:5). When trials and setbacks
disappoint you, where do you place your hope and confidence? Do you pray with
expectant faith and confident hope in God's merciful care and provision for
you?
"Lord Jesus, increase my faith and make it strong
that I may never doubt your word and promise to be with me always. In every
situation I face - whether trials, setbacks, or loss - may I always find
strength in your unfailing love and find joy and contentment in having you
alone as the treasure of my heart."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Persistent prayer transforms iniquity and
wickedness into mercy, by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)
"How was that unjust judge immoral and wicked?
How was the upright judge gracious and just? The first in his iniquity was not
willing to vindicate the widow, and in his wickedness, he was not willing to
put her mind at rest. The justice of God knows how to vindicate, and his grace
discerns how to give life. The iniquity of this wicked judge was contrary to
the justice of God, and the wickedness of this rebel was in opposition to the
grace of the gentle One. His wickedness therefore was stubbornness, for it dared
to go against the fear of God. His boldness was stubborn, for it refused the
lowly person."
"These two were stubborn, but persistent prayer
was even more stubborn. The persistence of the widow humiliated both the
iniquity that was rebelling against God and the boldness that was behaving
arrogantly towards human beings. She subjected them to her will, so that they
might provide her with a vindication over her adversary. Persistence
transformed these two bitter branches, and they bore sweet fruit that was against
their nature. The iniquity of the judge brought about a righteous judgment and
a just retribution for the falsely accused woman. His wickedness gave peace to
the afflicted one, although iniquity does not know how to judge, and wickedness
does not know how to give refreshment. Persistence forced these two evil and
bitter branches to give good fruit against their nature. If we persist in
prayer, we should be even more able to prevail on the grace and justice of God
to give us fruit that agrees with their nature. Let justice vindicate us, and
let grace refresh us. Accordingly, the fruit of justice is the just reward of
the oppressed, while the giving of refreshment to the afflicted is the fruit of
grace." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON
TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 16.16.6)
SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 17, LUKE 18:1-8
(3 John 5-8; Psalm 112)
(3 John 5-8; Psalm 112)
KEY VERSE: "He
told them a parable about the necessity of praying always and not losing
heart" (v. 1).
TO KNOW: Jesus told his disciples a parable to encourage them to persevere in prayer as they labored to build God's kingdom. In this story, a widow pleaded with a judge for her rights. Such judges may have been appointed either by Herod or by the Romans. They were popularly called 'robber judges' as they disregarded both God's law and human need. Unless plaintiffs had influence and money to bribe the judge there was no hope of ever getting their cases settled. Widows were especially defenseless members of society (Deut 10:18; 14:29; 16:11). Without support of a husband and lacking resources of any kind, they had no hope of expecting justice. However, in Jesus' story, the widow persisted in her demand to be heard, and the judge finally relented. Jesus said, if this hardhearted individual could be moved, how much more would God’s children be given what they needed? Jesus asks a hard question: “When the Son of Man returns in glory, will he find any faith on the earth?”
TO LOVE: Do I support just legislation on behalf of the poor and the defenseless?
TO SERVE: Lord God, hear the prayers of those who are treated unjustly.
TO KNOW: Jesus told his disciples a parable to encourage them to persevere in prayer as they labored to build God's kingdom. In this story, a widow pleaded with a judge for her rights. Such judges may have been appointed either by Herod or by the Romans. They were popularly called 'robber judges' as they disregarded both God's law and human need. Unless plaintiffs had influence and money to bribe the judge there was no hope of ever getting their cases settled. Widows were especially defenseless members of society (Deut 10:18; 14:29; 16:11). Without support of a husband and lacking resources of any kind, they had no hope of expecting justice. However, in Jesus' story, the widow persisted in her demand to be heard, and the judge finally relented. Jesus said, if this hardhearted individual could be moved, how much more would God’s children be given what they needed? Jesus asks a hard question: “When the Son of Man returns in glory, will he find any faith on the earth?”
TO LOVE: Do I support just legislation on behalf of the poor and the defenseless?
TO SERVE: Lord God, hear the prayers of those who are treated unjustly.
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of
Hungary, religious
Elizabeth was the daughter of King Andrew of Hungary, and she was the Great-aunt of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal. She was married to Prince Louis at age 13. Elizabeth built a hospital at the foot of the mountain on which her castle stood, and tended to the sick herself. Her family and courtiers opposed this, but she insisted she was only following Christ's teachings. According to tradition, once, when she was taking food to the poor and sick, Prince Louis stopped her and looked under her mantle to see what she was carrying. The food had been miraculously changed to roses. Upon Louis' death, Elizabeth sold all that she had, and worked to support her four children. Her gifts of bread to the poor, and of a large gift of grain to famine stricken Germany, led to her patronage of bakers and related fields.
Saturday 17
November 2018
St Elizabeth of Hungary.
3 John 5-8. Psalm 111(112):1-6. Luke 18:1-18.
3 John 5-8. Psalm 111(112):1-6. Luke 18:1-18.
Happy are those who fear the Lord – Psalm
111(112):1-6.
‘It is our duty to welcome people.’
If we listen to children we often hear phrases such as, ‘Oh come
on, Mum’ and ‘Why can’t I, Dad?’ and ‘Oh please!’ And if we listen to parents
you will hear a father say, ‘Go and ask your mother’, and a mother say, ‘Go and
ask your father.’ And if the children keep asking, like the widow in the Gospel
today, mothers and fathers can be heard to succumb in desperation to the
pressure and sigh, ‘OK, OK’, as the judge did.
Of course, most parents do good things for their children
without having to be pestered – and that is what God is like. Just as we are
kind and generous and loving to the little ones, so God is with us.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Saint of the Day for November 17
(1207 – November 17, 1231)
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| Detail | Saint Elizabeth of Hungary | Series of frescoes with scenes from the life of St. Martin of tours in the Lower Church of Saint Francis of Assisi | Simone Martini |
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary’s Story
In her short life, Elizabeth manifested such great love for the
poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and
of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth
chose a life of penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could
easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people
throughout Europe.
At the age of 14, Elizabeth was married to Louis of Thuringia,
whom she deeply loved. She bore three children. Under the spiritual direction
of a Franciscan friar, she led a life of prayer, sacrifice, and service to the
poor and sick. Seeking to become one with the poor, she wore simple clothing.
Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest in the land who came to
her gate.
After six years of marriage, her husband died in the Crusades,
and Elizabeth was grief-stricken. Her husband’s family looked upon her as
squandering the royal purse, and mistreated her, finally throwing her out of
the palace. The return of her husband’s allies from the Crusades resulted in
her being reinstated, since her son was legal heir to the throne.
In 1228, Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order, spending
the remaining few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital which she
founded in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Elizabeth’s health declined,
and she died before her 24th birthday in 1231. Her great popularity resulted in
her canonization four years later.
Reflection
Elizabeth understood well the lesson Jesus taught when he washed
his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper: The Christian must be one who serves
the humblest needs of others, even if one serves from an exalted position. Of
royal blood, Elizabeth could have lorded it over her subjects. Yet she served
them with such a loving heart that her brief life won for her a special place
in the hearts of many. Elizabeth is also an example to us in her following the
guidance of a spiritual director. Growth in the spiritual life is a difficult
process. We can play games very easily if we don’t have someone to challenge
us.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is the Patron Saint of:
Bakers
Catholic Charities
Secular Franciscan Order
Catholic Charities
Secular Franciscan Order
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 18:1-8
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
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.
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
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 18:1-8
Jesus told a parable to His disciples
about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. There was a judge in a
certain town, who had neither fear of God nor respect for anyone In the same
town there was also a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, ‘"I want
justice from you against my enemy!"’ For a long time he refused, but at
last he said to himself,Even though I have neither fear of God nor respect for
any human person, I must give this widow her just rights is troublesome to me, lest
continually coming she weary me."
And the Lord said, "You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now, will not God see justice done to His elect if they keep calling to Him day and night even though He still delays to help them?
I promise you, He will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of man comes, will He find any faith on earth?
And the Lord said, "You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now, will not God see justice done to His elect if they keep calling to Him day and night even though He still delays to help them?
I promise you, He will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of man comes, will He find any faith on earth?
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents an element
which is very dear to Luke: Prayer. This is the second time that Luke gives us
the words of Jesus to teach us to pray. The first time (Lk 11, 1-13), He taught
us the Our Father and, by means of comparisons and parables, He taught that we
have to pray continually, without getting tired. Now, this second time, (Lk
18,1-8), He uses a parable taken from life to teach us insistence in prayer. It
is the parable of the widow who pestered the unscrupulous judge. The way He
presents the parable is very didactic. In the first place, Luke presents a
brief introduction which serves as the key for the reading. Afterwards,
he narrates the parable. Finally, Jesus Himself explains it.
• Luke 18, 1: The introduction. Luke presents the parable with the following phrase: “Then He told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart". The recommendation “to pray without losing heart” appears many times in the New Testament (1 Th 5, 17; Rm 12, 12; Ep 6, 18; etc), aAnd it is a characteristic of the spirituality of the first Christian communities.
• Luke 18, 2-5: The parable. Then Jesus presents two personages of real life: a judge who had no consideration for God and no consideration for others, and a widow who struggles to obtain her rights from the judge. The simple fact of indicating these two personages reveals the critical conscience which He had regarding the society of His time. The parable presents the poor people who struggle in the tribunal to obtain their rights. The judge decides to pay attention to the widow and to do justice. The reason is to free himself from the widow who is pestering him and to get rid of her. This is an interesting reason. But the widow obtained what she wanted! This is an example from daily life, which Jesus uses to teach us to pray.
• Luke 18, 6-8: The application. Jesus applies the parable: “You notice what the unjust judge has said. Now, will not God see justice done to His elect if they keep calling to Him day and night even though He still delays to help them? Will He make them wait long? I tell you He will see justice done to them, and done speedily”. If it had not been Jesus, we would not have had the courage to compare Jesus to an unjust judge!Nevertheless, at the end, Jesus expresses a doubt: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” In other words, will we have the courage to wait and have patience, even if God delays in doing what we ask him?
• Jesus in prayer. The first Christians had an image of Jesus in prayer, in permanent contact with the Father. In fact, the life of Jesus was to do the will of the Father (Jn 5, 19). Jesus prayed very much and insisted that His disciples also pray. T. Luke is the Evangelist who gives us a great deal of information on the prayer life of Jesus. He presents Jesus in constant prayer. The following are some moments in which Jesus appears praying:
- When He was twelve years old and goes to the temple, to the House of the Father (Lk 2, 46-50).
- He prays when He is baptized and assumes His mission (Lk 3, 21).
- At the beginning of the mission, He spends forty days in the desert (Lk 4, 1-2).
- At ta time of temptation, He opposes the devil with texts from Scripture (Lk 4, 3-12).
- Jesus used to participate in the celebration in the Synagogue on Saturday (Lk 4, 16)
- He seeks solitude in the desert to pray (Lk 5, 16; 9, 18).
- Before choosing the twelve Apostles, He spends the night in prayer (Lk 6, 12).
- He prays before meals (Lk 9, 16; 24, 30).
- (Lk 9, 18).
- In a time of crises, He goes up to the mountain and pray where he is transfigured. (Lk 9, 28).
- When revealing the Gospel to little ones He says: “Father, I thank you!” (Lk 10, 21)
- In praying, He arouses in the Apostles the desire to pray (Lk 11, 1).
- He prays for Peter so that he does not lose his faith (Lk 22, 32).
- He celebrates the Paschal Supper with His disciples (Lk 22, 7-14).
- In the Garden of Olives, He prays, even when sweating blood (Lk 22, 41-42).
- In the anguish of the agony, He asks His friends to pray with Him (Lk 22, 40.46).
- At the moment when He was being nailed to the Cross, He asks pardon for the murderers (Lk 23, 34).
- At the hour of death, He says“Into your hands I commend my spirit!” (Lk 23, 46; Ps 31, 6)
- Jesus dies crying out with the cry of the poor (Lk 23, 46).
• This long list indicates everything which follows. For Jesus, prayer is intimately linked to life, to concrete facts, and to the decisions which He had to take. In order to be able to be faithful to the project of the Father, He sought to remain alone with Him. He listened to Him. In difficult and decisive moments in His life, Jesus recited Psalms. Just as any devout Jew, He knew them by heart. The recitation of the Psalms did not take away His creativity. Rather, Jesus Himself created a Psalm which He transmitted to us: the Our Father. His life is a permanent prayer: “I always seek the will of the one who sent me!” (Jn 5, 19.30) The Psalm applies to Him when it says: “I am prayer!” (Ps 109, 4)
• Luke 18, 1: The introduction. Luke presents the parable with the following phrase: “Then He told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart". The recommendation “to pray without losing heart” appears many times in the New Testament (1 Th 5, 17; Rm 12, 12; Ep 6, 18; etc), aAnd it is a characteristic of the spirituality of the first Christian communities.
• Luke 18, 2-5: The parable. Then Jesus presents two personages of real life: a judge who had no consideration for God and no consideration for others, and a widow who struggles to obtain her rights from the judge. The simple fact of indicating these two personages reveals the critical conscience which He had regarding the society of His time. The parable presents the poor people who struggle in the tribunal to obtain their rights. The judge decides to pay attention to the widow and to do justice. The reason is to free himself from the widow who is pestering him and to get rid of her. This is an interesting reason. But the widow obtained what she wanted! This is an example from daily life, which Jesus uses to teach us to pray.
• Luke 18, 6-8: The application. Jesus applies the parable: “You notice what the unjust judge has said. Now, will not God see justice done to His elect if they keep calling to Him day and night even though He still delays to help them? Will He make them wait long? I tell you He will see justice done to them, and done speedily”. If it had not been Jesus, we would not have had the courage to compare Jesus to an unjust judge!Nevertheless, at the end, Jesus expresses a doubt: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” In other words, will we have the courage to wait and have patience, even if God delays in doing what we ask him?
• Jesus in prayer. The first Christians had an image of Jesus in prayer, in permanent contact with the Father. In fact, the life of Jesus was to do the will of the Father (Jn 5, 19). Jesus prayed very much and insisted that His disciples also pray. T. Luke is the Evangelist who gives us a great deal of information on the prayer life of Jesus. He presents Jesus in constant prayer. The following are some moments in which Jesus appears praying:
- When He was twelve years old and goes to the temple, to the House of the Father (Lk 2, 46-50).
- He prays when He is baptized and assumes His mission (Lk 3, 21).
- At the beginning of the mission, He spends forty days in the desert (Lk 4, 1-2).
- At ta time of temptation, He opposes the devil with texts from Scripture (Lk 4, 3-12).
- Jesus used to participate in the celebration in the Synagogue on Saturday (Lk 4, 16)
- He seeks solitude in the desert to pray (Lk 5, 16; 9, 18).
- Before choosing the twelve Apostles, He spends the night in prayer (Lk 6, 12).
- He prays before meals (Lk 9, 16; 24, 30).
- (Lk 9, 18).
- In a time of crises, He goes up to the mountain and pray where he is transfigured. (Lk 9, 28).
- When revealing the Gospel to little ones He says: “Father, I thank you!” (Lk 10, 21)
- In praying, He arouses in the Apostles the desire to pray (Lk 11, 1).
- He prays for Peter so that he does not lose his faith (Lk 22, 32).
- He celebrates the Paschal Supper with His disciples (Lk 22, 7-14).
- In the Garden of Olives, He prays, even when sweating blood (Lk 22, 41-42).
- In the anguish of the agony, He asks His friends to pray with Him (Lk 22, 40.46).
- At the moment when He was being nailed to the Cross, He asks pardon for the murderers (Lk 23, 34).
- At the hour of death, He says“Into your hands I commend my spirit!” (Lk 23, 46; Ps 31, 6)
- Jesus dies crying out with the cry of the poor (Lk 23, 46).
• This long list indicates everything which follows. For Jesus, prayer is intimately linked to life, to concrete facts, and to the decisions which He had to take. In order to be able to be faithful to the project of the Father, He sought to remain alone with Him. He listened to Him. In difficult and decisive moments in His life, Jesus recited Psalms. Just as any devout Jew, He knew them by heart. The recitation of the Psalms did not take away His creativity. Rather, Jesus Himself created a Psalm which He transmitted to us: the Our Father. His life is a permanent prayer: “I always seek the will of the one who sent me!” (Jn 5, 19.30) The Psalm applies to Him when it says: “I am prayer!” (Ps 109, 4)
4) Personal questions
• There are people who say that they do
not know how to pray, but they speak with God the whole day. Do you know
such a person? There are many ways which people express their devotion
and pray today. What are they?
• What do these two parables teach us on prayer? What do they teach me regarding the way of seeing life and persons?
• What do these two parables teach us on prayer? What do they teach me regarding the way of seeing life and persons?
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)
who delights in His commandments!
His descendants shall be powerful on earth,
the race of the honest shall receive blessings. (Ps 112,1-2)
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