Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
Lectionary: 501
Lectionary: 501
Judas and his
brothers said,
“Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.”
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.
“Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.”
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.
Responsorial Psalm1 CHR 29:10BCD, 11ABC, 11D-12A, 12BCD
R. (13b) We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“You have dominion over all,
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“You have dominion over all,
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
GospelLK 19:45-48
Jesus entered the
temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.
Meditation: "All the people hung upon his words "
Why did
Jesus drive out the money changers in the temple at Jerusalem? Was he upset
with their greediness? This is the only incident in the Gospels where we see
Jesus using physical force. Jesus went to Jerusalem, knowing he would meet
certain death on the cross, but victory as well for our sake. His act of
judgment in the temple is meant to be a prophetic sign and warning to the
people that God takes our worship very seriously. In this incident we see
Jesus' startling and swift action in cleansing the temple of those who were
using it to exploit the worshipers of God. The money changers took advantage of
the poor and forced them to pay many times more than was right – in the house
of God no less! Their robbery of the poor was not only dishonoring to God but
unjust toward their neighbor. In justification for his audacious action Jesus
quotes from the prophets Isaiah (Isaiah 56:7) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:11). His
act of judgment aims to purify the worship of God's people and to discipline
their erring ways. Despite the objections of the religious leaders, no doubt
because Jesus was usurping their authority in the house of God, the people who
listened to Jesus teaching daily in the temple regarded him with great awe and
respect. Luke tells us that "they hung upon Jesus' words" (Luke
19:48). How hungry are you for God's word?
If we
approach God's word with a humble attentive heart and with a willingness to be
taught by the Lord, then we are in a good place to allow God's word to change
and transform us in the likeness of Christ. The Lord wants to teach us his ways
so that we may grow in holiness. The Lord both instructs and disciplines us in
love to lead us from the error of our sinful ways to his truth and justice.
"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness"
(Hebrews 12:10). The Lord calls us to be a holy people who worship him with
reverence and gratitude for his great mercy and kindness towards us. Do you
allow God's word to transform you in his way of love and holiness?
"Lord
Jesus, you open wide the door of your house and you bid us to enter confidently
that we may worship you in spirit and truth. Help me to draw near to you with
gratitude and joy for your great mercy. May I always revere your word and give
you acceptable praise and worship."
 God’s House Is Holy |
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Memorial of Saint
Cecilia, virgin and martyr
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Father John Doyle,
LC
Luke 19:45-48
Then Jesus entered the Temple area and
proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them,
"It is written, ´My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made
it a den of thieves.´" And every day he was teaching in the Temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish
their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega.
You have given me life and offer me eternal life with you. You deserve my
honor, gratitude and love, and yet you never impose yourself upon me. Thank
you for respecting my freedom so that I can offer myself to you. All that I
have is yours; I return it to you.
Petition: Lord God, teach me greater reverence for
your house.
1. Zeal for the Father’s House: Jesus was not an enemy of commerce. In fact,
many times the Gospel makes references to buying and selling without any
negative connotations at all. However, in today’s Gospel passage we find Our
Lord irate for two principal reasons. First, business activity was taking
place within the Temple area. This was, in a sense, a “profanation” of God’s
house. The Temple of Jerusalem contained, veiled behind a massive curtain,
the Holy of Holies, where God’s mysterious presence dwelled. Yet,
paradoxically, Temple worshipers had first to cross what had the appearance
of a marketplace to be able to worship before the Lord. Second, Jesus was
indignant due to the fact that the temple merchants were dishonest. Am I
always honest in my business dealings? Do I always respect God’s name and the
things of God?
2. Return to Reverence: Jesus was on fire with zeal for the house of
his Father and determined that it be respected as a house of prayer. Silence,
worship and prayer are elements that should be an essential part of every visit
to a church, especially for Sunday Mass. In the tabernacle of every Catholic
Church, Our Lord is present in the Eucharist as a prisoner of love waiting to
enter into dialogue with us. We are never closer to heaven than when we are
before Our Eucharistic Lord. Yet we can forget this truth. Our postures,
chatter, and dress might contribute to a general “profanation” of God’s
house. Do I try to remember every time I enter a church that I am standing
before my Lord who made heaven and earth? Can others see that I believe Jesus
is really present in the Eucharist? Is he the center of my attention? Can I
put aside all distractions?
3. Hanging on Jesus’ Words: The crowds are described as “hanging” on
Jesus’ every word. Jesus showed a reverence for his Father’s house far
greater than any external piety the Pharisees demonstrated. He spoke the
truth and was never afraid to stand up for it, even when it was less than
convenient to do so. He was unafraid of those who “were seeking to put him to
death.” Jesus’ uprightness was the key to his effectiveness and the
attractive power of his words. As Christians we are called by vocation to
imitate the uprightness of Our Lord in our words and actions.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, many times I have entered Church
distractedly and forgotten that you were present. I beg your forgiveness. I
ask to be a zealous witness of your love, and I promise to show you greater
reverence in the Blessed Sacrament.
Resolution: I will live the Mass this Sunday with a
special reverence.
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We praise your glorious name, O
mighty God.
Jesus’ actions led him to being open to plots by those out to destroy him. But those he had been sent to listened to all he told them. They were encouraged, comforted, challenged and healed. How often, when reading the scriptures, does a word or phrase resonate so strongly it stays in our minds for days? Henri Nouwen describes this as ‘not just receiving useful data - but something happens’. These are words to live by, just as the words Jesus spoke to the sick and marginalised in his community were for them. We all have phrases from Jesus’ story that echo in our hearts and we try to live them out in our daily lives. Lord, help me to listen to you this day.
November 22
St. Cecilia
(3rd century)
St. Cecilia
(3rd century)
Although Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs,
the familiar stories about her are apparently not founded on authentic
material. There is no trace of honor being paid her in early times. A
fragmentary inscription of the late fourth century refers to a church named
after her, and her feast was celebrated at least in 545.
According
to legend, Cecilia was a young Christian of high rank betrothed to a Roman
named Valerian. Through her influence Valerian was converted, and was martyred
along with his brother. The legend about Cecilia’s death says that after being
struck three times on the neck with a sword, she lived for three days, and
asked the pope to convert her home into a church.
Since the
time of the Renaissance she has usually been portrayed with a viola or a small
organ.
Comment:
Like any good Christian, Cecilia sang in her heart, and sometimes with her voice. She has become a symbol of the Church's conviction that good music is an integral part of the liturgy, of greater value to the Church than any other art. In the present confused state of Church music, it may be useful to recall some words of Vatican II (see below).
Like any good Christian, Cecilia sang in her heart, and sometimes with her voice. She has become a symbol of the Church's conviction that good music is an integral part of the liturgy, of greater value to the Church than any other art. In the present confused state of Church music, it may be useful to recall some words of Vatican II (see below).
Quote:
“Liturgical action is given a more noble form when sacred rites are solemnized in song, with the assistance of sacred ministers and the active participation of the people.... Choirs must be diligently promoted, but bishops and other pastors must ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightfully theirs.... Gregorian chant, other things being equal, should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded.... Religious singing by the people is to be skillfully fostered, so that in devotions and sacred exercises, as also during liturgical services, the voices of the faithful may ring out” (Vatican II,Constitution on the Liturgy, 112-118).
“Liturgical action is given a more noble form when sacred rites are solemnized in song, with the assistance of sacred ministers and the active participation of the people.... Choirs must be diligently promoted, but bishops and other pastors must ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightfully theirs.... Gregorian chant, other things being equal, should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded.... Religious singing by the people is to be skillfully fostered, so that in devotions and sacred exercises, as also during liturgical services, the voices of the faithful may ring out” (Vatican II,Constitution on the Liturgy, 112-118).
Patron Saint of:
Musicians
Musicians
LECTIO: LUKE
19,45-48
Lectio:
Friday, November 22, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
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 19,45-48
Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were busy trading, saying to them, 'According to scripture, my house shall be a house of prayer but you have turned it into a bandits' den.'
He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, in company with the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they could not find a way to carry this out because the whole people hung on his words.
3) Reflection
• Context. Luke after having described the journey of Jesus going up to Jerusalem (11-19, 28) now presents him while he is carrying out his activity in the context of the Temple. After the entrance of the one sent by the Lord into Jerusalem passing through the door on the East (19, 45), the Temple becomes the first place where Jesus carries out his activity: the controversies that are narrated take place in this place and they refer to this. Jesus’ going to the Temple is not only a personal fact but also concerns the “multitude of his disciples” (v. 37) on their relationship with God (vv. 31-34). Luke above all, presents a first episode in which are presented the preparations for the entrance of Jesus into the Temple (vv. 29-36) and their realization (vv. 37-40); then follows a scene where we find the passage of today’s liturgy: his installation in the Temple and driving out the sellers from the Temple (vv. 45-48).
• The gesture of Jesus. This does not have a political value but a prophetic significance. The reader thinks that the great purpose of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is the entrance into the Temple. To recall the prophecy of Malachi is evident that is fulfilled at the entrance of Jesus into the Temple: “And suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his Temple...” (3, 1). The gesture of driving out the sellers from the Temple is accompanied by Jesus with two references to Scripture. Above all, Is 56, 7: “My house will be a house of prayer”. The Temple is the place in which Jesus turns back to the Father. The commercial and business activity has made the Temple a den of bandits and has deprived it of its only and exclusive function: the encounter with the presence of God. The second reference from Scripture: is taken from Jeremiah 7, 11: “Do you look on this Temple that bears my name as a den of bandits?” The image of the den of bandits serves Jesus to condemn the material traffic on the one side and not only the dishonest traffic of trade or business that in a hidden and illegal way was carried out in the Temple. Jesus demands a complete change: to purify the Temple from all that human negative things and to bring it back to its original function: to render an authentic service to God. And driving out those impostors of the trade and business the prophecy of Zechariah is fulfilled: «There will be no more traders in the Temple of Yahweh Sabaoth, when that Day comes” (14, 21). These words of Jesus on the Temple are not directed to a restoration of the purity of the cult or worship, as was the intention of the Zelots. The intention of Jesus goes beyond the purity of the cult; it is more radical, intransigent: the Temple is not a work done by human efforts; the presence of God is not bound to its material aspect; the authentic service of God is carried out by Jesus through his teaching. Because of this preaching “the high priests and the Scribes together with the leading citizens tried to do away with him” (v. 47). Within this temporary place of the Temple Jesus carries out a highly significant teaching, in fact, it is precisely in this place that is so fundamental for the Jews that his teaching reaches the summit and it will be from here that the words of the Apostles will begin also (Act 5, 12.20.25.42). The diffusion of the Word of grace of which Jesus is the only bearer extends itself like an arch that begins with his opposition, when he was still only twelve years old in the Temple among the doctors of the Law; it is prolonged with his teaching when going across Galilee and during his journey to Jerusalem; until he entered the Temple where he takes possession of the house of God. The bases for the future mission of the Church are placed in this place: the diffusion of the Word of God. The heads of the people do not intend to suppress Jesus for having ruined the progress of the economic affairs of that time, but the reasons go back to all his previous activity of teaching and now these act in his discourse against the temple. Jesus claims something and this causes the reaction of the high priests and of the Scribes to break out. In contrast with this hostile behaviour one can see the positive one of the people who “are hanging from his words”. Jesus is considered as the Messiah who gathers around him with his Word of grace the people of God.
4) Personal questions
• Does your prayer to the Lord consist in a simple relationship of father to son in which to find all the strength to communicate with God, or rather is it accompanied by uses and practices to gain over his goodness?
• When you listen to the Word of Jesus do you feel seized by his teaching like the crowds who hung from his words? Or rather are you sufficiently attentive to listen to the Gospel and do you adhere to Christ?
5) Concluding Prayer
The Law you have uttered is more precious to me
than all the wealth in the world.
How pleasant your promise to my palate,
sweeter than honey in my mouth! (Ps 119,72.103)
Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
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 19,45-48
Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were busy trading, saying to them, 'According to scripture, my house shall be a house of prayer but you have turned it into a bandits' den.'
He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, in company with the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they could not find a way to carry this out because the whole people hung on his words.
3) Reflection
• Context. Luke after having described the journey of Jesus going up to Jerusalem (11-19, 28) now presents him while he is carrying out his activity in the context of the Temple. After the entrance of the one sent by the Lord into Jerusalem passing through the door on the East (19, 45), the Temple becomes the first place where Jesus carries out his activity: the controversies that are narrated take place in this place and they refer to this. Jesus’ going to the Temple is not only a personal fact but also concerns the “multitude of his disciples” (v. 37) on their relationship with God (vv. 31-34). Luke above all, presents a first episode in which are presented the preparations for the entrance of Jesus into the Temple (vv. 29-36) and their realization (vv. 37-40); then follows a scene where we find the passage of today’s liturgy: his installation in the Temple and driving out the sellers from the Temple (vv. 45-48).
• The gesture of Jesus. This does not have a political value but a prophetic significance. The reader thinks that the great purpose of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is the entrance into the Temple. To recall the prophecy of Malachi is evident that is fulfilled at the entrance of Jesus into the Temple: “And suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his Temple...” (3, 1). The gesture of driving out the sellers from the Temple is accompanied by Jesus with two references to Scripture. Above all, Is 56, 7: “My house will be a house of prayer”. The Temple is the place in which Jesus turns back to the Father. The commercial and business activity has made the Temple a den of bandits and has deprived it of its only and exclusive function: the encounter with the presence of God. The second reference from Scripture: is taken from Jeremiah 7, 11: “Do you look on this Temple that bears my name as a den of bandits?” The image of the den of bandits serves Jesus to condemn the material traffic on the one side and not only the dishonest traffic of trade or business that in a hidden and illegal way was carried out in the Temple. Jesus demands a complete change: to purify the Temple from all that human negative things and to bring it back to its original function: to render an authentic service to God. And driving out those impostors of the trade and business the prophecy of Zechariah is fulfilled: «There will be no more traders in the Temple of Yahweh Sabaoth, when that Day comes” (14, 21). These words of Jesus on the Temple are not directed to a restoration of the purity of the cult or worship, as was the intention of the Zelots. The intention of Jesus goes beyond the purity of the cult; it is more radical, intransigent: the Temple is not a work done by human efforts; the presence of God is not bound to its material aspect; the authentic service of God is carried out by Jesus through his teaching. Because of this preaching “the high priests and the Scribes together with the leading citizens tried to do away with him” (v. 47). Within this temporary place of the Temple Jesus carries out a highly significant teaching, in fact, it is precisely in this place that is so fundamental for the Jews that his teaching reaches the summit and it will be from here that the words of the Apostles will begin also (Act 5, 12.20.25.42). The diffusion of the Word of grace of which Jesus is the only bearer extends itself like an arch that begins with his opposition, when he was still only twelve years old in the Temple among the doctors of the Law; it is prolonged with his teaching when going across Galilee and during his journey to Jerusalem; until he entered the Temple where he takes possession of the house of God. The bases for the future mission of the Church are placed in this place: the diffusion of the Word of God. The heads of the people do not intend to suppress Jesus for having ruined the progress of the economic affairs of that time, but the reasons go back to all his previous activity of teaching and now these act in his discourse against the temple. Jesus claims something and this causes the reaction of the high priests and of the Scribes to break out. In contrast with this hostile behaviour one can see the positive one of the people who “are hanging from his words”. Jesus is considered as the Messiah who gathers around him with his Word of grace the people of God.
4) Personal questions
• Does your prayer to the Lord consist in a simple relationship of father to son in which to find all the strength to communicate with God, or rather is it accompanied by uses and practices to gain over his goodness?
• When you listen to the Word of Jesus do you feel seized by his teaching like the crowds who hung from his words? Or rather are you sufficiently attentive to listen to the Gospel and do you adhere to Christ?
5) Concluding Prayer
The Law you have uttered is more precious to me
than all the wealth in the world.
How pleasant your promise to my palate,
sweeter than honey in my mouth! (Ps 119,72.103)
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