November 28, 2013 - Thursday Of The Thirty-Fourth Week
In Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 506
Some men rushed
into the upper chamber of Daniel’s home
and found him praying and pleading before his God.
Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition:
“Did you not decree, O king,
that no one is to address a petition to god or man
for thirty days, except to you, O king;
otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions?”
The king answered them, “The decree is absolute,
irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.”
To this they replied, “Daniel, the Jewish exile,
has paid no attention to you, O king,
or to the decree you issued;
three times a day he offers his prayer.”
The king was deeply grieved at this news
and he made up his mind to save Daniel;
he worked till sunset to rescue him.
But these men insisted.
They said, “Keep in mind, O king,
that under the Mede and Persian law
every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable.”
So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions’ den.
To Daniel he said,
“May your God, whom you serve so constantly, save you.”
To forestall any tampering,
the king sealed with his own ring and the rings of the lords
the stone that had been brought to block the opening of the den.
Then the king returned to his palace for the night;
he refused to eat and he dismissed the entertainers.
Since sleep was impossible for him,
the king rose very early the next morning
and hastened to the lions’ den.
As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully,
“O Daniel, servant of the living God,
has the God whom you serve so constantly
been able to save you from the lions?”
Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever!
My God has sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths
so that they have not hurt me.
For I have been found innocent before him;
neither to you have I done any harm, O king!”
This gave the king great joy.
At his order Daniel was removed from the den,
unhurt because he trusted in his God.
The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel,
along with their children and their wives,
to be cast into the lions’ den.
Before they reached the bottom of the den,
the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language,
wherever they dwell on the earth: “All peace to you!
I decree that throughout my royal domain
the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared:
“For he is the living God, enduring forever;
his Kingdom shall not be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be without end.
He is a deliverer and savior,
working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth,
and he delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.”
and found him praying and pleading before his God.
Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition:
“Did you not decree, O king,
that no one is to address a petition to god or man
for thirty days, except to you, O king;
otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions?”
The king answered them, “The decree is absolute,
irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.”
To this they replied, “Daniel, the Jewish exile,
has paid no attention to you, O king,
or to the decree you issued;
three times a day he offers his prayer.”
The king was deeply grieved at this news
and he made up his mind to save Daniel;
he worked till sunset to rescue him.
But these men insisted.
They said, “Keep in mind, O king,
that under the Mede and Persian law
every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable.”
So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions’ den.
To Daniel he said,
“May your God, whom you serve so constantly, save you.”
To forestall any tampering,
the king sealed with his own ring and the rings of the lords
the stone that had been brought to block the opening of the den.
Then the king returned to his palace for the night;
he refused to eat and he dismissed the entertainers.
Since sleep was impossible for him,
the king rose very early the next morning
and hastened to the lions’ den.
As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully,
“O Daniel, servant of the living God,
has the God whom you serve so constantly
been able to save you from the lions?”
Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever!
My God has sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths
so that they have not hurt me.
For I have been found innocent before him;
neither to you have I done any harm, O king!”
This gave the king great joy.
At his order Daniel was removed from the den,
unhurt because he trusted in his God.
The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel,
along with their children and their wives,
to be cast into the lions’ den.
Before they reached the bottom of the den,
the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language,
wherever they dwell on the earth: “All peace to you!
I decree that throughout my royal domain
the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared:
“For he is the living God, enduring forever;
his Kingdom shall not be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be without end.
He is a deliverer and savior,
working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth,
and he delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.”
Responsorial PsalmDN 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72,
73, 74
R. (59b) Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Dew and rain, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Frost and chill, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Ice and snow, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Nights and days, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Light and darkness, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Let the earth bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Dew and rain, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Frost and chill, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Ice and snow, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Nights and days, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Light and darkness, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Let the earth bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
GospelLK 21:20-28
Jesus said to his
disciples:
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
know that its desolation is at hand.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
for these days are the time of punishment
when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,
for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth
and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword
and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
know that its desolation is at hand.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
for these days are the time of punishment
when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,
for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth
and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword
and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”
Meditation: "The
Son of man coming with great glory"
Do you believe that the
world as we know it is going to end just as Jesus foretold? Jesus' prophetic
description of the destruction of the holy city Jerusalem, the destruction of
the world, and the day of final judgment, was not new to the people of Israel.
The prophets had foretold these events many centuries before. Behold
the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger to make the earth
a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it (Isaiah 13:9-13; see
also Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18). Jesus warns of the
imminent destruction of Jerusalem as a consequence of the rejection of the
gospel. According the historian Josephus, over a million inhabitants died when
the Romans destroyed Jerusalem with its temple in 70 A.D. Jerusalem's vengeance
resulted from her indifference to the visitation of God in the person of the
Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:44).
Jesus also speaks about the
judgment at the end of the world. Only spiritual blindness can keep us from
recognizing the obvious signs of approaching disaster which awaits the day of
judgment for those who refuse to heed God's word of grace and salvation. Jesus
was completely honest. He told his disciples what it would cost to follow him.
And he promised that he would never leave them alone, even in their time of
tribulation. The saints and martyrs who underwent torment and death made their
prisons a temple of praise and their scaffolds a throne to the glory of God.
They knew the saving presence of Jesus Christ with them in all circumstances.
Jesus offers us safety in the face of earth's threats. Not a hair of
your head will perish (Luke 21:18). The disciple who walks with Christ
may lose their body but not their soul.
The greatest gift which no
one can take from us and which we can be most thankful for is our redemption
through the precious blood of Jesus, which was shed on the cross for our sins,
and our adoption through Christ as children of God our heavenly Father. Jesus Christ
has redeemed us from slavery to sin, from fear of death, and from final
destruction. We can be eternally thankful because our hope is anchored in
heaven and in the promise that Jesus will return to fully establish his reign
of peace and righteousness. Jesus speaks of his second coming as a known fact,
a for certain event which we can confidently expect to take place in the Lord's
time of choosing. This coming will be marked by signs that all will recognize –
signs which will strike terror and grief in those who are unprepared and wonder
and joy in those who are ready to meet the Lord. When the Lord Jesus returns he
will fully establish his kingdom of justice and righteousness and he will
vindicate all who have been faithful to him. His judgment is a sign of hope for
those who have placed their trust in him. Do you hope in God and in the promise
of Christ to return again to establish his reign of righteousness and peace?
"Lord Jesus, fill me
with gratitude for the gift of redemption and increase my hope and longing for
your return again in glory. May that day bring joy to my heart rather than
sorrow. Help me to serve you faithfully and to make the best use of my time now
in the light of your coming again."
 Scary Times |
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Thursday of the
Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
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Father Edward
McIlmail, LC
Luke 21:20-28
Jesus said to his disciples: "When you
see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then
those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape
from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days
are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to
pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity
will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will
fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of
the Gentiles are fulfilled. "There will be signs in the sun, the moon,
and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the
roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation
of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be
shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power
and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise
your heads because your redemption is at hand."
Introductory Prayer: Jesus my Savior, thank you for another day
and another chance to grow in holiness with your grace. I love you and wish
to make you the true center of my thoughts, desires and actions.
Petition: Lord, give me a healthy, but realistic
Christian optimism.
1. Desolation at Hand: What a grim Gospel passage! Lots of talk of
armies and calamity and roaring seas. Jesus is speaking of the coming
destruction of Jerusalem (in A.D. 70) as well as images of the End-Times. In
our day we can think of wars, tsunamis, floods and wonder why the world is
such a nasty place sometimes. Why can´t life be easier? Why do so many
innocent people suffer? Alas, Our Lord asked the same questions. All the evil
we see springs from original sin, from the fall of Adam. It wasn´t God´s plan
to have all this suffering -- but he allows it. He allows it because he
respects our freedom. He allows it too because he knows he can bring good out
of it. How do I use my freedom? Do I have enough faith in Christ to be
optimistic?
2. Trampled Underfoot: The fall of Jerusalem didn´t mean that God
abandoned the world. True, the focus of religion would no longer be the
Temple; rather, it would be a new focus: Christ, truly present in the
Eucharist. The tabernacle would be the new center of attention. How few souls
grasp that truth? After 2,000 years, Jesus is still humble, allowing himself
to be kept in a tabernacle. Does that fact influence the way I act in a
church? Does it affect the way I dress when going to church? Do I try to
enter church with the proper state of heart and mind?
3. Redemption at Hand: Faithful following of Christ gives us the
best assurance that our lives have meaning. Christ will make sense of
everything at the end of our lives. All our struggles to live the Gospel will
be worth it. On the last day we might regret many things, but we will never
regret the things we did for Christ. Does that truth guide our lives each
day? Do we live each day as if it were our last? What is there in my life
that I would be ashamed of on the last day? Why not weed it out of my life
now?
Conversation with Christ:Lord, help me to judge the things of my
daily life against eternity. Let me see things with your eyes. Let me see
what is really valuable and what is fleeting. And help me to act accordingly.
Resolution: I will make a fresh effort to get rid of the
biggest vice in my life
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Thanksgiving Day
Lectionary: 943
Lectionary: 943
The following are a selection
of the readings that may be chosen for this day.
Reading 1SIR 50:22-24
And now, bless the
God of all,
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
May he grant you joy of heart
and may peace abide among you;
May his goodness toward us endure in Israel
to deliver us in our days.
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
May he grant you joy of heart
and may peace abide among you;
May his goodness toward us endure in Israel
to deliver us in our days.
Responsorial PsalmPS 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7,
8-9, 10-11
R. (see 1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds
and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds
and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Reading 21 COR 1:3-9
Brothers and
sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
GospelLK 17:11-19
As Jesus continued
his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
Meditation: "He fell at
Jesus' feet giving thanks"
What can adversity teach us about the blessing of
thanksgiving and the healing power of love and mercy? Proverbs states: A
friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs
17:17). When adversity strikes you find out who truly is your brother, sister,
and friend. The gospel records an unusual encounter between people who had been
divided for centuries. The Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with one
another. And they were openly hostile whenever their paths crossed. In this
gospel narrative we see one rare exception – a Samaritan leper in company with
nine Jewish lepers. Sometimes adversity forces us to drop our barriers or to
forget our prejudices. When this band of lepers saw Jesus they made a bold
request. They didn't ask for healing, but instead asked for mercy.
The word mercy literally means "sorrowful
at heart". But mercy is something more than compassion, or heartfelt
sorrow at another's misfortune. Compassion empathizes with the sufferer. But
mercy goes further; it removes suffering. A merciful person shares in another's
misfortune and suffering as if it were his own. And he will do everything
in his power to dispel that misery. Mercy is also connected with justice.
Thomas Aquinas said that mercy "does not destroy justice, but is a
certain kind of fulfillment of justice. ..Mercy without justice is the mother
of dissolution; (and) justice without mercy is cruelty." Pardon
without repentance negates justice. So what is the significance of these ten
lepers asking for mercy? They know they are in need of healing, not just
physical, but spiritual healing as well. They approach Jesus with
contrition and faith because they believe that he can release the burden of
guilt and suffering and make restoration of body and soul possible. Their
request for mercy is both a plea for pardon and release from suffering.
Jesus gives mercy to all who ask with faith and contrition.
Why did only one leper out of ten return to show gratitude?
Gratefulness is related to grace – which means the release
of loveliness. Gratitude is the homage of the heart which responds with
graciousness in expressing an act of thanksgiving. The Samaritan approached
Jesus reverently and gave praise to God. If we do not recognize and appreciate
the mercy shown us we will be ungrateful. Ingratitude is forgetfulness or a
poor return for kindness received. Ingratitude easily leads to lack of charity
and intolerance towards others. It easily leads to lack of charity and
intolerance towards others, as well as to other sins, such as discontent,
dissatisfaction, complaining, grumbling, pride and presumption. How often have
we been ungrateful to our parents, pastors, teachers, and neighbors? Do you
express gratitude to God for his abundant grace and mercy and are you gracious
and merciful towards your neighbor?
"Lord Jesus, may I never fail to recognize your love
and mercy. Fill my heart with gratitude and thanksgiving and free me from
pride, discontentment, and ingratitude. Help me to count my blessings with
gratefulness and to give thanks in all circumstances."
Blessing for Thanksgiving
Day
God most provident, we join all creation in raising to you a hymn
of thanksgiving, through Jesus Christ, your Son. For generation upon generation
peoples of this land have sung of your bounty; we too offer you praise for the
rich harvest we have received at your hands.
Bless us and this food which we share with grateful hearts.
Continue to make our land fruitful and let our love for you be seen in our
pursuit of peace and justice and in generous response to those in need.
Praise and glory to you, Lord God, now and forever.
Amen.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, LUKE 21:20-28
(Daniel 6:12-28; Psalm: Daniel 3)
(Daniel 6:12-28; Psalm: Daniel 3)
KEY VERSE: "But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand" (v 28).
READING: Jesus warned the people about the eventual destruction of Jerusalem. The Holy City would be trampled by non-believers until the times of the Gentiles was fulfilled (v 24), an indefinite period from the beginning of the Church's missionary activity until the final coming of Christ. Many cosmic signs would precede Christ's return, but his followers were not to fear these events. Just as Jesus' words would be fulfilled, so too, the redemption of his followers would be assured. Those who heeded Jesus' words fled across the Jordan to the city of Pella. The Jews of Jerusalem regarded this as traitorous desertion, and it marked a significant break between Christianity and Judaism.
REFLECTING: Do I work for better relations between Christians and Jews?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be alert to the signs of your presence in my life.
NOVEMBER 28, THANKSGIVING
On June 20, 1676, the governing council of
Charlestown, Massachusetts instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim
June 29 as a day of thanksgiving. Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the turkey
(Tom, after Thomas Jefferson) the United States national symbol because it is a
quick runner, wary, with sharp eyesight, and exhibited a regal stance. The bald
eagle nudged out the wild turkey for our official national symbol. The actual
day we celebrate Thanksgiving in America was picked by our presidents, starting
with George Washington who declared a one-time holiday. Abraham Lincoln
proclaimed the last Thursday in November to be "...a day of Thanksgiving and
Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens." Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it to the
fourth Thursday of November in 1939, to lengthen the Christmas shopping season.
Norman Rockwell made the image of the family Thanksgiving famous.
Give glory and eternal praise to
him.
Daniel shows us the way to live is in trust and not fear.The story of Daniel is one of a person being under the greatest of threats but ignoring it and placing his own life in jeopardy. Despite the king prohibiting prayer under threat of death, Daniel places his trust through prayer in God. As an answer to Daniel’s prayer, God rescues him from the lion’s den. In today’s gospel, Jesus describes the Last Day. He writes of people ‘dying in fear as they await what menaces the world’. This painful scene is overturned when ‘they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory’. This will be the next and last redemption. Let us pray for the grace to be like Daniel and trust in God.
November 28
St. James of the Marche
(1394-1476)
St. James of the Marche
(1394-1476)
Meet one of the fathers of the modern pawnshop!
James was
born in the Marche of Ancona, in central Italy along the Adriatic Sea. After
earning doctorates in canon and civil law at the University of Perugia, he
joined the Friars Minor and began a very austere life. He fasted nine months of
the year; he slept three hours a night. St. Bernardine of Siena told him to
moderate his penances.
James
studied theology with St. John of Capistrano. Ordained in 1420, James began a
preaching career that took him all over Italy and through 13 Central and
Eastern European countries. This extremely popular preacher converted many
people (250,000 at one estimate) and helped spread devotion to the Holy Name of
Jesus. His sermons prompted numerous Catholics to reform their lives and many
men joined the Franciscans under his influence.
With John
of Capistrano, Albert of Sarteano and Bernardine of Siena, James is considered
one of the "four pillars" of the Observant movement among the
Franciscans. These friars became known especially for their preaching.
To combat
extremely high interest rates, James established montes pietatis(literally,
mountains of charity) — nonprofit credit organizations that lent money at very
low rates on pawned objects.
Not
everyone was happy with the work James did. Twice assassins lost their nerve
when they came face to face with him. James was canonized in 1726.
Comment:
James wanted the word of God to take root in the hearts of his listeners. His preaching was directed to preparing the soil, so to speak, by removing any rocks and softening up lives hardened by sin. God’s intention is that his word take root in our lives, but for that we need both prayerful preachers and cooperative listeners.
James wanted the word of God to take root in the hearts of his listeners. His preaching was directed to preparing the soil, so to speak, by removing any rocks and softening up lives hardened by sin. God’s intention is that his word take root in our lives, but for that we need both prayerful preachers and cooperative listeners.
Quote:
"Beloved and most holy word of God! You enlighten the hearts of the faithful, you satisfy the hungry, console the afflicted; you make the souls of all productive of good and cause all virtues to blossom; you snatch souls from the devil’s jaw; you make the wretched holy, and men of earth citizens of heaven" (Sermon of St. James).
"Beloved and most holy word of God! You enlighten the hearts of the faithful, you satisfy the hungry, console the afflicted; you make the souls of all productive of good and cause all virtues to blossom; you snatch souls from the devil’s jaw; you make the wretched holy, and men of earth citizens of heaven" (Sermon of St. James).
LECTIO: LUKE
21,20-28
Lectio:
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord,
increase our eagerness to do your will
and help us to know the saving power of your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
increase our eagerness to do your will
and help us to know the saving power of your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 21,20-28
Jesus said to his disciples: 'When you see Jerusalem surrounded
by armies, then you must realise that it will soon be laid desolate. Then those
in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it,
and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. For this is the time
of retribution when all that scripture says must be fulfilled.
Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come! 'For great misery will descend on the land and retribution on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every gentile country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the gentiles until their time is complete.
'There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the turmoil of the ocean and its waves; men fainting away with terror and fear at what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.'
Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come! 'For great misery will descend on the land and retribution on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every gentile country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the gentiles until their time is complete.
'There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the turmoil of the ocean and its waves; men fainting away with terror and fear at what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.'
3) Reflection
• In today’s Gospel we have the continuation of the Apocalyptic
Discourse which gives two signs, the 7th and the 8th, which should take place
before the end of time or better before the coming of the end of this world in
order to give place to the new world, to the “new Heavens and the New Earth”
(Is 65, 17). The seventh sign is the destruction of Jerusalem and the eighth is
the upsetting of the old creation.
• Luke 21, 20-24. The seventh sign: the destruction of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was for them the Eternal City. And now it was destroyed! How can this fact be explained? Is it possible that God is not aware of this? It is difficult for us to imagine the trauma and the crisis of faith that the destruction of Jerusalem caused in the communities both of the Jews and of the Christians. Here it is possible to make an observation on the composition of the Gospel of Luke and of Mark. Luke writes in the year 85. He uses the Gospel of Mark to compose his narrative on Jesus. Mark writes in the year 70, the same year in which Jerusalem was surrounded and destroyed by the Roman armies. This is why Mark writes giving an indication to the reader: “When you see the appalling abomination set up where it ought not to be – (and here he opens a parenthesis and says) “let the reader understand!”) (he closes the parenthesis) - then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains” (Mk 13, 14). When Luke mentions the destruction of Jerusalem, for the past fifteen years Jerusalem was in ruins. This is why he omits the parenthesis of Mark and Luke says: “When you will see Jerusalem surrounded by the army, then you must realize that it will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it; for this is the time of retribution when all that Scripture says must be fulfilled. Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come. For great misery will descend on the land and retribution on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every gentile country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by gentiles until their time is complete”. Hearing Jesus who announces persecution (6th sign) and the destruction of Jerusalem (7th sign), the readers of the persecuted communities in the time of Luke concluded saying: “This is our day! We are in the 6th and 7th signs!”
• Luke 21, 25-26: The eighth sign: changes in the sun and in the moon. When will the end come? At the end, after having spoken about all these signs which had already been realized, there was still the following question: “God’s project is very much advanced and the stages foreseen by Jesus are already being realized. We are in the sixth and the seventh stages, how many stages or signs are still lacking until the end arrives? Is there much lacking?” The response is now given in the 8th sign: "There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the turmoil of the ocean and its waves; men fainting away with terror and fear at what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken”. The 8th sign is different from the other signs. The signs in heaven and on earth are an indication of what is taking place, at the same time, at the end of the old world, of the ancient creation, it is the beginning of the coming of the new Heaven and the new earth. When the shell of the egg begins to crack it is a sign that the novelty is about to appear. It is the coming of a New World which is provoking the disintegration of the ancient world. Conclusion: very little is lacking! The Kingdom of God is arriving already!
• Luke 21, 27-28: The coming of the Kingdom of God and the appearance of the Son of Man. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect; hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand”. In this announcement, Jesus describes the coming of the Kingdom with images taken from the prophecy of Daniel (Dn 7, 1-14). Daniel says that, after the misfortunes caused by the kingdoms of this world, the Kingdom of God will come. The kingdoms of this world, all of them, had the figure of an animal: lion, panther, bear, and ferocious beast (Dn 7, 3-7). These are animal signs which dehumanize life, like it happens with the neo-liberal kingdom, today! The Kingdom of God then appears with the aspect of the Son of Man, that is, with a human aspect (Dn 7, 13). It is a human kingdom. To construct this kingdom which humanizes is the task of the persons of the community. It is the new history that we have to take to fulfilment and which brings together people from the four corners of the earth. The title Son of Man is the name that Jesus liked to use. In the four Gospels this name appears more than 80 times (eighty)! Any pain which we bear from now, any struggle in behalf of life, any persecution for the sake of justice, any birth pangs, are a seed of the Kingdom which will come in the 8th sign.
• Luke 21, 20-24. The seventh sign: the destruction of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was for them the Eternal City. And now it was destroyed! How can this fact be explained? Is it possible that God is not aware of this? It is difficult for us to imagine the trauma and the crisis of faith that the destruction of Jerusalem caused in the communities both of the Jews and of the Christians. Here it is possible to make an observation on the composition of the Gospel of Luke and of Mark. Luke writes in the year 85. He uses the Gospel of Mark to compose his narrative on Jesus. Mark writes in the year 70, the same year in which Jerusalem was surrounded and destroyed by the Roman armies. This is why Mark writes giving an indication to the reader: “When you see the appalling abomination set up where it ought not to be – (and here he opens a parenthesis and says) “let the reader understand!”) (he closes the parenthesis) - then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains” (Mk 13, 14). When Luke mentions the destruction of Jerusalem, for the past fifteen years Jerusalem was in ruins. This is why he omits the parenthesis of Mark and Luke says: “When you will see Jerusalem surrounded by the army, then you must realize that it will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it; for this is the time of retribution when all that Scripture says must be fulfilled. Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come. For great misery will descend on the land and retribution on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every gentile country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by gentiles until their time is complete”. Hearing Jesus who announces persecution (6th sign) and the destruction of Jerusalem (7th sign), the readers of the persecuted communities in the time of Luke concluded saying: “This is our day! We are in the 6th and 7th signs!”
• Luke 21, 25-26: The eighth sign: changes in the sun and in the moon. When will the end come? At the end, after having spoken about all these signs which had already been realized, there was still the following question: “God’s project is very much advanced and the stages foreseen by Jesus are already being realized. We are in the sixth and the seventh stages, how many stages or signs are still lacking until the end arrives? Is there much lacking?” The response is now given in the 8th sign: "There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the turmoil of the ocean and its waves; men fainting away with terror and fear at what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken”. The 8th sign is different from the other signs. The signs in heaven and on earth are an indication of what is taking place, at the same time, at the end of the old world, of the ancient creation, it is the beginning of the coming of the new Heaven and the new earth. When the shell of the egg begins to crack it is a sign that the novelty is about to appear. It is the coming of a New World which is provoking the disintegration of the ancient world. Conclusion: very little is lacking! The Kingdom of God is arriving already!
• Luke 21, 27-28: The coming of the Kingdom of God and the appearance of the Son of Man. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect; hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand”. In this announcement, Jesus describes the coming of the Kingdom with images taken from the prophecy of Daniel (Dn 7, 1-14). Daniel says that, after the misfortunes caused by the kingdoms of this world, the Kingdom of God will come. The kingdoms of this world, all of them, had the figure of an animal: lion, panther, bear, and ferocious beast (Dn 7, 3-7). These are animal signs which dehumanize life, like it happens with the neo-liberal kingdom, today! The Kingdom of God then appears with the aspect of the Son of Man, that is, with a human aspect (Dn 7, 13). It is a human kingdom. To construct this kingdom which humanizes is the task of the persons of the community. It is the new history that we have to take to fulfilment and which brings together people from the four corners of the earth. The title Son of Man is the name that Jesus liked to use. In the four Gospels this name appears more than 80 times (eighty)! Any pain which we bear from now, any struggle in behalf of life, any persecution for the sake of justice, any birth pangs, are a seed of the Kingdom which will come in the 8th sign.
4) Personal questions
• Persecution of the communities, destruction of Jerusalem. Lack
of hope. Before the events which today make people suffer, do I despair? Which
is the source of my hope?
• Son of Man is the title which Jesus liked to use. He wants to humanize life. The more human it is the more divine as Pope Leo the Great said. Am I human in my relationships with others? Do I humanize?
• Son of Man is the title which Jesus liked to use. He wants to humanize life. The more human it is the more divine as Pope Leo the Great said. Am I human in my relationships with others? Do I humanize?
5) Concluding prayer
For Yahweh is good,
his faithful love is everlasting,
his constancy from age to age. (Ps 100,5)
his faithful love is everlasting,
his constancy from age to age. (Ps 100,5)
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