Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
Lectionary: 186
Lectionary: 186
In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 80:2ac And 3b, 15-16, 18-19
R. (4) Lord,
make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Gospel Mt 17:9a, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
www.usccb.org
Meditation: "Elijah must first come"
God gives signs to show what he
is about to do. John the Baptist is one such sign, who pointed to Jesus and
prepared the way for his coming. John fulfilled the essential task of all the
prophets: to be fingers pointing to Jesus Christ. John is the last and greatest
prophet of the old kingdom, the old covenant. The Jews expected that when the
Messiah would come, Elijah would appear to announce his presence. John fills
the role of Elijah and prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ by
preaching a baptism of repentance and renewal. As watchful servants, we, too
must prepare for the Lord's coming again by turning away from sin and from
everything that would keep us from pursuing his will. Are you eager to do God's
will and are you prepared to meet the Lord Jesus when he returns in glory?"Lord Jesus, stir my zeal for your righteousness and for your kingdom. Free me from complacency and from compromising with the ways of sin and worldliness that I may be wholeheartedly devoted to you and to your kingdom."
www.dailyscripture.net
 Bethlehem and the Cross |
|
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
|
|
Father Walter Schu, LC
Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
As they were coming
down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say
that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and
restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did
not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of
Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was
speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, your disciples sincerely tried
to comprehend your identity and believe in you. I come before you today with
my doubts and problems, hoping to find in this prayer an answer to my deepest
aspirations. I want to believe with unwavering faith, and I want to love you
with a devout heart. I offer you this time of prayer as my token of gratitude
for all I have received from you.
Petition: Mary, help me to embrace God’s will in my
life, just as Christ embraced the Father’s plan for our salvation.
1. John the Baptist as Elijah: Once again the Gospel
refers to John the Baptist as the one whose role is to prepare us for the One
who is to come. Through the prophet Malachi, the Jews expectation of the
return of Elijah, who will prepare the way for the promised Messiah, has
grown. But they have come to view him as a figure of great power, someone who
will sweep men away. So they fail to recognize Elijah’s presence in the
person of John the Baptist, whose only power is that of the Spirit of God,
calling all people to conversion of heart in order to receive the Christ. How
many times in my life do I fail to recognize the presence of Christ in my
life because I’m seeking something other than Christ’s promises to his
followers? Christ doesn’t offer an easy path of comfort and consolations.
2. Bethlehem and the Cross: Why did Christ become
a helpless baby at Bethlehem? Why did he take on a fragile human body?
Precisely so he could suffer for us in order to redeem us. What does that
mean for our lives as Christians? It means nothing less than the fact that
suffering is a gift from God. It is the Father’s gentle caress, molding us
into the image of his Son. The cross is the source of our fruitfulness, not
only in our personal spiritual growth, but also in the mission to win graces
for others, for all of the souls God has mysteriously entrusted to our care.
3. Obedience unto Death: Christ’s desire to
embrace suffering rose from his loving obedience to his Father’s plan,
without condition or limit. This loving obedience is what gives suffering its
redemptive value. From the moment of his birth at Bethlehem, Christ shows us
what it means to obey with love. Bethlehem is a school of obedience. In
Bethlehem, Christ teaches us that only a loving obedience frees, only loving
obedience redeems and sanctifies, only loving obedience enriches. Loving
obedience alone saves, loving obedience alone frees us from sin and loving
obedience alone pleases God. Let us embrace the cross of obedience in the
challenging circumstances of our daily lives, in the trials brought by the
passing of years, in the sorrow that afflicts us when God calls our loved
ones back to him. Loving obedience is the path to holiness, the way to the
Father’s house.
Conversation with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for
giving us a school of loving obedience at Bethlehem, throughout your life and
in your death on the cross. Help me to embrace suffering like you did and to
be confident in its power to make me holy and win graces for souls.
Resolution: I will seek to recognize God’s presence in
my day by patiently welcoming the suffering and trials he permits, so he can
bring about a greater good.
|
www.regnumchristi.com
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
Advent Weekday
MATTHEW 17:9a, 10-13
(Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Psalm 80)
KEY VERSE: "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things" (v 11).
READING: In Matthew's account of the Transfiguration, Jesus summoned his disciples "to the mountain" to reveal himself as the one who had full authority "in heaven and on earth" (Mt 28:16-18). The mountain was a unique place of God's revelation, such as Moses, who received the Law on Mount Sinai Ex 20:1-17, and Elijah, who defended the supremacy of Gods' covenant against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs 18:19-39). On the Mount of the Transfiguration, both Elijah and Moses appeared alongsideJesus revealing that he was the new prophet and liberator. After the vision, as Jesus and his disciples came down the mountain, Jesus' disciples asked him about the belief that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (Mal 3:1, 23). Jesus answered that John the Baptist had already come in the prophetic tradition of Elijah. John's preaching against those who perverted the moral teaching of God had fulfilled the expectation of Elijah's return.
REFLECTING: What is the moral corruption in my community that I must oppose?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, turn my heart to the truth that you teach.
Advent Weekday
MATTHEW 17:9a, 10-13
(Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Psalm 80)
KEY VERSE: "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things" (v 11).
READING: In Matthew's account of the Transfiguration, Jesus summoned his disciples "to the mountain" to reveal himself as the one who had full authority "in heaven and on earth" (Mt 28:16-18). The mountain was a unique place of God's revelation, such as Moses, who received the Law on Mount Sinai Ex 20:1-17, and Elijah, who defended the supremacy of Gods' covenant against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs 18:19-39). On the Mount of the Transfiguration, both Elijah and Moses appeared alongsideJesus revealing that he was the new prophet and liberator. After the vision, as Jesus and his disciples came down the mountain, Jesus' disciples asked him about the belief that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (Mal 3:1, 23). Jesus answered that John the Baptist had already come in the prophetic tradition of Elijah. John's preaching against those who perverted the moral teaching of God had fulfilled the expectation of Elijah's return.
REFLECTING: What is the moral corruption in my community that I must oppose?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, turn my heart to the truth that you teach.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
December 15
Blessed Mary Frances Schervier
(1819-1876)
Blessed Mary Frances Schervier
(1819-1876)
This woman who once wanted to become a
Trappistine nun was instead led by God to establish a community of sisters who
care for the sick and aged in the United States and throughout the world.
Born into a
distinguished family in Aachen (then ruled by Prussia but formerly
Aix-la-Chapelle, France), Frances ran the household after her mother’s death
and established a reputation for generosity to the poor. In 1844 she became a
Secular Franciscan. The next year she and four companions established a
religious community devoted to caring for the poor. In 1851 the Sisters of the
Poor of St. Francis (a variant of the original name) were approved by the local
bishop; the community soon spread. The first U.S. foundation was made in 1858.
Mother Frances
visited the United States in 1863 and helped her sisters nurse soldiers wounded
in the Civil War. She visited the United States again in 1868. When Philip
Hoever was establishing the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis, she encouraged
him.
When Mother
Frances died, there were 2,500 members of her community worldwide. They are
still engaged in operating hospitals and homes for the aged. Mother Mary
Frances was beatified in 1974.
Comment:
The sick, the poor and the aged are constantly in danger of being considered "useless" members of society and therefore ignored—or worse. Women and men motivated by the ideals of Mother Frances are needed if the God-given dignity and destiny of all people are to be respected.
The sick, the poor and the aged are constantly in danger of being considered "useless" members of society and therefore ignored—or worse. Women and men motivated by the ideals of Mother Frances are needed if the God-given dignity and destiny of all people are to be respected.
Quote:
In 1868, Mother Frances wrote to all her sisters, reminding them of Jesus’ words: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.... I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another” (John 15:14,17).
In 1868, Mother Frances wrote to all her sisters, reminding them of Jesus’ words: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.... I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another” (John 15:14,17).
She continued: “If we do this faithfully and zealously, we will
experience the truth of the words of our father St. Francis who says that love
lightens all difficulties and sweetens all bitterness. We will likewise partake
of the blessing which St. Francis promised to all his children, both present
and future, after having admonished them to love one another even as he had
loved them and continues to love them.”
www.americancatholic.org
St. Mary Di Rosa
Feastday:
December 15
Died: 1885
Saint Mary
(Paula) Di Rosa December 15 The pounding on the barricaded door of the military
hospital sent every heart thudding in terror. In the middle of the war in
Brescia (Italy) in 1848, the wounded, sick, and those who cared for them knew
what that pounding meant. The shouts from beyond the door came from soldiers,
not obeying any command but their inner desire to destroy and plunder. Who
could do anything to stop them? The only people here were some Sisters, the
Handmaids of Charity, who devoted themselves to helping the sick. The doctors
had not even wanted them there. The doctors wanted medical people who were
secular and military, not nuns. And in the face of this new danger they were
even more useless! Worse than useless -- because that Paula (as she was known)
di Rosa was actually moving to open the door!
When the door
swung wide, the soldiers saw their way blocked with a great crucifix held by
Paula di Rosa and two candles held by two of the six sisters who stood by her.
Suddenly their frenzy to destroy disappeared, and full of shame before this
display of courage and faith, they slunk back into the shadows.
Throughout her
life, Paula di Rosa was never afraid to open the door on a new opportunity to
serve God, especially when she was unsure of what lay beyond. People who didn't
know her well must have thought she was too frail and delicate for these
ventures, but she came armed not only with her faith but boundless energy,
intelligence, and hunger to serve.
Born in 1813,
she had tackled enormous projects from the time she was seventeen, arranging
retreats and special missions for her parish and setting up a women's guild.
Because of all she accomplished, when she was only twenty-four she was asked to
be supervisor of a workhouse for poor girls. After two years, she became
concerned because there was no place for the girls to go at the end of the day.
Night held special dangers for these girls and Paula wanted to give them a safe
place to stay. The trustees refused to provide that place. For Paula the choice
was easy -- she once said that she could never go to bed with a clear
conscience if she had missed the chance to do some good. So she quit the
workhouse to set up a boardinghouse for poor girls while helping her brother
with a school for the deaf.
At 27 she stood
before another door. She was appointed superior of the Handmaids of Charity, a
religious society whose purpose was to dedicate all their time and attention to
the suffering in hospitals. With her friends Gabriela Bornati and Monsignor
Pinzoni, she won the respect of those who thought of these
"handmaids" as intruders.
Then in 1848,
her whole life seemed to fall apart. First she lost Gabriela and then Monsignor
Pinzoni died, leaving her without the support and friendship she had come to
depend on. War started in Europe and her homeland was invaded. Facing that kind
of grief and turmoil, many others would have crawled into bed and pulled the
covers over their head. But Paula had always seen opportunity in everything
that came her way. War meant that many would be wounded and displaced by the
war so she and her sisters went to work at a military hospital and even went
out to the battlefield to give spiritual and physical comfort to the wounded
and dying.
She died in
1855, going through the final door, unafraid and joyful to be joining her Lord
forever.
In Her
Footsteps :Mary di Rosa would go out at a moment's notice if she felt that
someone needed her help. The next time someone you know needs your aid, don't
put off helping and make excuses. Drop what you are doing and give them what
they need.
Prayer : Saint Mary, you weren't afraid to take
new opportunities. It's frightening when we are asked to do something that is
different or new. We would rather stay in our safe and comfortable routines.
Help us to embrace each obstacle in our path as a new opportunity to serve God.
Amen
www.catholic.org
LECTIO: MATTHEW
17,10-13
Lectio:
Saturday,
December 15, 2012
2nd Week of Advent
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
let us never become indifferent
to the ardent message
which your Son speaks to us in the gospel
When we have become inattentive and uninvolved,
send us again prophets to wake us up
and to make us attentive again
to make your kingdom among us a reality
of love of you and of people,
of justice and serving love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 17, 10-13
And the disciples put this question to him, 'Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'
He replied, 'Elijah is indeed coming, and he will set everything right again; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of man will suffer similarly at their hands.'
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking of John the Baptist.
3) Reflection
• The disciples have just seen Moses and Elijah before Jesus in the Transfiguration on the mountain (Mt 17, 3). In general, people believed that Elijah had to return to prepare the coming of the Kingdom. Prophet Malachi said: “Look, I shall send you the prophet Elijah before the great and awesome Day of Yahweh comes. He will reconcile parents to their children and children to their parents, to forestall my putting the country under the curse of destruction!” (Mal 3, 23-24; cf. Eccl. 48, 10). The disciples want to know: What does the teaching of the Doctors of the Law mean, when they say that Elijah has to come before?” Because Jesus, the Messiah, was already there, had already arrived, and Elijah had not come as yet. Which is the value of this teaching of the return of Elijah?
• Jesus answers: “Elijah has already come and they have not recognized him; rather, they have treated him as they have wanted. In the same way, they will also make the Son of Man suffer”. Then the Disciples understood that Jesus was speaking of John the Baptist.
• In that situation of Roman domination which disintegrated the clan and the familiar living together, people expected that Elijah would return to reconstruct the community: to reconcile the parents to their children and the children to their parents. This was the great hope of the people. Today also, the neo-liberal system of communism disintegrates the families and promotes the masses which destroy life.
• To reconstruct and remake the social fabric and the community living of the families is dangerous because it undermines the basis of the system of domination. This is why John the Baptist was killed. He had a project to reform human living together (cf. Lk 3, 7-14). He carried out the mission of Elijah (Lk 1, 17). This is why he was killed.
• Jesus continues the same mission of John: to reconstruct the life in community. Because God is Father, we are all brothers and sisters. Jesus joins together two loves: love toward God and love toward neighbour and makes them visible in the form of living together. This is why, like John, he was put to death. This is why Jesus, the Son of Man, will be condemned to death.
Lord our God,
let us never become indifferent
to the ardent message
which your Son speaks to us in the gospel
When we have become inattentive and uninvolved,
send us again prophets to wake us up
and to make us attentive again
to make your kingdom among us a reality
of love of you and of people,
of justice and serving love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 17, 10-13
And the disciples put this question to him, 'Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'
He replied, 'Elijah is indeed coming, and he will set everything right again; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of man will suffer similarly at their hands.'
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking of John the Baptist.
3) Reflection
• The disciples have just seen Moses and Elijah before Jesus in the Transfiguration on the mountain (Mt 17, 3). In general, people believed that Elijah had to return to prepare the coming of the Kingdom. Prophet Malachi said: “Look, I shall send you the prophet Elijah before the great and awesome Day of Yahweh comes. He will reconcile parents to their children and children to their parents, to forestall my putting the country under the curse of destruction!” (Mal 3, 23-24; cf. Eccl. 48, 10). The disciples want to know: What does the teaching of the Doctors of the Law mean, when they say that Elijah has to come before?” Because Jesus, the Messiah, was already there, had already arrived, and Elijah had not come as yet. Which is the value of this teaching of the return of Elijah?
• Jesus answers: “Elijah has already come and they have not recognized him; rather, they have treated him as they have wanted. In the same way, they will also make the Son of Man suffer”. Then the Disciples understood that Jesus was speaking of John the Baptist.
• In that situation of Roman domination which disintegrated the clan and the familiar living together, people expected that Elijah would return to reconstruct the community: to reconcile the parents to their children and the children to their parents. This was the great hope of the people. Today also, the neo-liberal system of communism disintegrates the families and promotes the masses which destroy life.
• To reconstruct and remake the social fabric and the community living of the families is dangerous because it undermines the basis of the system of domination. This is why John the Baptist was killed. He had a project to reform human living together (cf. Lk 3, 7-14). He carried out the mission of Elijah (Lk 1, 17). This is why he was killed.
• Jesus continues the same mission of John: to reconstruct the life in community. Because God is Father, we are all brothers and sisters. Jesus joins together two loves: love toward God and love toward neighbour and makes them visible in the form of living together. This is why, like John, he was put to death. This is why Jesus, the Son of Man, will be condemned to death.
4) Personal questions
• Placing myself in the position of the disciples: does the ideology of consumerism have power over me?
• Placing myself in the position of Jesus: Do I have the force to react and to create a new human way of living together?
5) Concluding Prayer
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name. (Ps 80)
www.ocarm.org
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét