Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the
Church
Lectionary: 434
Lectionary: 434
Brothers and
sisters:
From the day we heard about you, we do not cease praying for you
and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding
to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit
and growing in the knowledge of God,
strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience,
with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
From the day we heard about you, we do not cease praying for you
and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding
to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit
and growing in the knowledge of God,
strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience,
with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Responsorial PsalmPS 98:2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6
R. (2) The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
AlleluiaMT 4:19
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 5:1-11
While the crowd was
pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.
Meditation: "You will catch people for the
kingdom of God"
Why did Jesus perform the miracle of the great catch of fish? No
doubt the great crowd of people who had pressed upon Jesus had something to do
with this miracle. They were very hungry for God and were eager to hear his
word. Jesus wanted to use this occasion to teach his disciples an important
lesson. Although Simon was wearied from a night of fruitless toil, he
nonetheless did what the Lord Jesus told him to do: At your word I will
let down the nets. When you meet disappointment and failure, do you press
upon the Lord, like Simon, to hear his word and to receive his command?
God expects greater things than we can do by ourselves
This incident tells us an important truth about how God works in and through each of us for his glory. God expects of us greater things than we can do by ourselves. When we cooperate in his works, we accomplish far beyond what we can do on our own. Therese of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun who died of tuberculosis at the age of twenty-four, wrote to a friend: "Jesus has so incomprehensible a love for us that he wills that we have a share with him in the salvation of souls. He wills to do nothing without us. The Creator of the universe awaits the prayer of a poor little soul to save other souls redeemed like it at the price of all his Blood."
This incident tells us an important truth about how God works in and through each of us for his glory. God expects of us greater things than we can do by ourselves. When we cooperate in his works, we accomplish far beyond what we can do on our own. Therese of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun who died of tuberculosis at the age of twenty-four, wrote to a friend: "Jesus has so incomprehensible a love for us that he wills that we have a share with him in the salvation of souls. He wills to do nothing without us. The Creator of the universe awaits the prayer of a poor little soul to save other souls redeemed like it at the price of all his Blood."
When God's word is spoken his kingdom is revealed and his power
is released. When people respond to God's word with faith and obedience they
are changed and made "a new creation" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians
5:17).
Witness the joy of the Gospel
God chooses ordinary people, like you and me, as his ambassadors and he uses the ordinary circumstances of our daily lives and work situations to draw others into his kingdom. Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will "catch people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the Gospel. Paul the Apostles says, "But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15).
God chooses ordinary people, like you and me, as his ambassadors and he uses the ordinary circumstances of our daily lives and work situations to draw others into his kingdom. Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will "catch people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the Gospel. Paul the Apostles says, "But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15).
Do you witness to those around you the joy of the Gospel and do
you pray for your neighbors, co-workers, and relatives that they may come to
know the Lord Jesus Christ and grow in the knowledge of his love and truth?
"Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love and compassion for
those who do not know you or follow you. May I be a good witness of your truth
and salvation to my family, friends, and co-workers."
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, LUKE 5:1-11
(Colossians 1:9-14; Psalm 98)
(Colossians 1:9-14; Psalm 98)
KEY VERSE: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men" (v 10).
TO READ: As Jesus preached along the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee), the crowds pressed in on him in such numbers that he was forced to get into a boat belonging to Simon Peter. Jesus told Simon to put out into the deep waters and prepare for a great catch. Simon protested that they had fished all night (the usual time for fishing) and caught nothing. But on the authority of Jesus' word he obeyed. Upon seeing the abundant catch, Simon was overcome and he confessed his sinfulness. When the fishermen brought their boats ashore, they left everything behind and followed Jesus. This miraculous catch of fish signified the future mission of the Church. The disciples' efforts to bring souls to Christ would be successful if they obeyed him and remained true to his words.
TO REFLECT: When have I brought someone to Christ?
TO RESPOND: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to obey your word and trust you when I am in "deep waters."
Memorial of Gregory the Great, pope and
doctor of the Church
Gregory was the son of a wealthy Roman senator. He was educated by the finest teachers in Rome and became Prefect of Rome for a year. Then he sold his possessions, turned his home into a Benedictine monastery, and used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. Upon seeing English children being sold in the Roman Forum, he became a missionary to England. Gregory was elected Pope by unanimous acclamation on 3 September 590, the first monk to be chosen. He sent St Augustine of Canterbury and a company of monks to evangelize England, and other missionaries to France, Spain, and Africa. Gregory wrote seminal works on the Mass and Office. He collected the melodies and plain chant that became so associated with him, known as Gregorian Chants. Gregory is one of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church.
Thursday 3 September 2015
THU 3RD. St Gregory
the Great Colossians 1:9-14. The Lord has made known his salvation—Ps
97(98):2-3, 3-4, 5-6. Luke 5:1-11.
‘Put out your nets for a
catch.’
St Peter obliged Our Lord by
letting him use his boat as a platform from which he could address the crowds.
No doubt, he regarded it as
a great favour. But he was overwhelmed by the reward Jesus gave him—the
miraculous draught of fish. His response was a deep feeling of unworthiness.
Jesus’ response to this was to call him to be an apostle. Peter, James and John
responded by leaving everything to follow Jesus.
Our Lord asks us not to
lend our boats but to help him bring his message of faith, hope and love to the
world in which we live. He does not promise us a great catch of fish but an
eternal reward.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Saying Yes to Jesus
|
Loving trust and total surrender made Our Lady say yes to the
message of the angel, and cheerfulness made her run in haste to serve her
cousin Elizabeth. So much in our lives, too, is saying yes to Jesus, and
running haste to serve him in the poorest of the poor. –Mother Theresa
September
3
St. Gregory the Great
(540?-604)
St. Gregory the Great
(540?-604)
Coming events cast their shadows before: Gregory was the prefect
of Rome before he was 30. After five years in office he resigned, founded six
monasteries on his Sicilian estate and became a Benedictine monk in his own
home at Rome.
Ordained
a priest, he became one of the pope's seven deacons, and also served six years
in the East as papal representative in Constantinople. He was recalled to
become abbot, and at the age of 50 was elected pope by the clergy and people of
Rome.
He was
direct and firm. He removed unworthy priests from office, forbade taking money
for many services, emptied the papal treasury to ransom prisoners of the
Lombards and to care for persecuted Jews and the victims of plague and famine.
He was very concerned about the conversion of England, sending 40 monks from
his own monastery. He is known for his reform of the liturgy, for strengthening
respect for doctrine. Whether he was largely responsible for the revision of
"Gregorian" chant is disputed.
Gregory
lived in a time of perpetual strife with invading Lombards and difficult
relations with the East. When Rome itself was under attack, he interviewed the
Lombard king.
An
Anglican historian has written: "It is impossible to conceive what would
have been the confusion, the lawlessness, the chaotic state of the Middle Ages
without the medieval papacy; and of the medieval papacy, the real father is
Gregory the Great."
His book, Pastoral
Care, on the duties and qualities of a bishop, was read for centuries after
his death. He described bishops mainly as physicians whose main duties were
preaching and the enforcement of discipline. In his own down-to-earth
preaching, Gregory was skilled at applying the daily gospel to the needs of his
listeners. Called "the Great," Gregory has been given a place with
Augustine (August 28), Ambrose (December 7) and Jerome (September 30)as one of
the four key doctors of the Western Church.
Comment:
Gregory was content to be a monk, but he willingly served the Church in other ways when asked. He sacrificed his own preferences in many ways, especially when he was called to be Bishop of Rome. Once he was called to public service, Gregory gave his considerable energies completely to this work.
Gregory was content to be a monk, but he willingly served the Church in other ways when asked. He sacrificed his own preferences in many ways, especially when he was called to be Bishop of Rome. Once he was called to public service, Gregory gave his considerable energies completely to this work.
Quote:
"Perhaps it is not after all so difficult for a man to part with his possessions, but it is certainly most difficult for him to part with himself. To renounce what one has is a minor thing; but to renounce what one is, that is asking a lot" (St. Gregory,Homilies on the Gospels).
"Perhaps it is not after all so difficult for a man to part with his possessions, but it is certainly most difficult for him to part with himself. To renounce what one has is a minor thing; but to renounce what one is, that is asking a lot" (St. Gregory,Homilies on the Gospels).
Patron Saint of:
England
Teachers
England
Teachers
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 5,1-11
Lectio:
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
every good thing comes from you.
Fill our hearts with love for you,
increase our faith,
and by your constant care
protect the good you have given us.
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.
every good thing comes from you.
Fill our hearts with love for you,
increase our faith,
and by your constant care
protect the good you have given us.
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 5,1-11
Now it happened that Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of
Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God,
when he caught sight of two boats at the water’s edge. The fishermen had got
out of them and were washing their nets.
He got into one of the boats - it was Simon’s - and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ Simon replied, ‘Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled both boats to sinking point.
When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely awestruck at the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will be catching.’
Then, bringing their boats back to land they left everything and followed him.
He got into one of the boats - it was Simon’s - and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ Simon replied, ‘Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled both boats to sinking point.
When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely awestruck at the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will be catching.’
Then, bringing their boats back to land they left everything and followed him.
3) Reflection
• In today’s Gospel we have the call of Jesus to Peter. The
Gospel of Mark places the call of the first disciples after the beginning of
the public ministry of Jesus (Mk 1, 16-20). Luke after that the fame of Jesus
was already extended across the whole region (Lk 4, 14). Jesus had cured many
people (Lk 4, 40) and had preached in the Synagogues of all the country (Lk 4,
44). The people looked for him and the crowds pushed him on all sides in order
to hear the Word of God (Lk 5, 1). Luke makes more understandable the call. In
the first place, Peter can listen to the words of Jesus to the people. And then
he is a witness of the miraculous catch of fish. It is only after this double
surprising experience that he understands the call of Jesus. Peter responds, he
abandons everything and becomes a “fisherman of men”.
• Luke 5, 1-3: Jesus teaches from the boat. People look for Jesus in order to listen to the Word of God. Many persons get together around Jesus, they make a throng around him. And Jesus seeks help from Simon Peter and from some of his companions who had just returned from fishing. He goes into the boat with them and responds to the expectation of the people, communicating to them the Word of God. Sitting down, Jesus takes the attitude of a Teacher and speaks from a fisherman’s boat. The novelty consists in the fact that he teaches, not only in the Synagogue for a choice public but in any place, where there are people who wish to listen, even on the seashore.
• Luke 5, 4-5: “But if you say so, I will pay out the nets”. When he had finished speaking, he addresses himself to Simon and encourages him to fish again. In Simon’s response there is frustration, tiredness and discouragement: “Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing!” But trustful in Jesus’ word, they throw in the nets again and continue the struggle. The word of Jesus has greater force for them than the experience of frustration of that night!
• Luke 5, 6-7: The result is surprising. The catch is so abundant that the nets are about to tear and the boat begins to sink. Simon needs the help of John and of James who are in the other boat. Nobody is complete in himself, alone. One community has to help the other. The conflict among the communities, both at the time of Luke as well as today, should be overcome in order to attain a common objective, which is the mission. The experience of the force of the word of Jesus which transforms is the axis around which the differences are embraced and overcome.
• Luke 5, 8-11: “Be fishermen of men”. The experience of the closeness of God in Jesus makes Peter understand who he is: “Leave me Lord, I am a sinful man!” Before God we are all sinners. Peter and his companions are afraid and, at the same time, they feel attracted to Jesus. Jesus drives away fear: “Do not be afraid!” He calls Peter and commits him to the mission, ordering him to be a fisherman of men. Peter experiences, quite concretely, that the word of Jesus is like the word of God. It is capable to bring about what it affirms. In Jesus those rough and tough labourers will have an experience of power, of courage, of trust. And so then, “they will abandon everything and follow Jesus!” Up until now it was only Jesus who announced the Good News of the Kingdom. Now other persons will be called and involved in the mission. This way in which Jesus works, in ‘equipe’, in a team is also Good News for the people.
• The episode of the catch of fish along the lake indicates the attraction and the force of the Word of Jesus. He attracts people (Lk 5, 1). He urges Peter to offer his boat to Jesus to be able to speak (Lk 5, 3). The word of Jesus is so strong that it overcomes the resistance in Peter, it convinces him to throw the nets into the sea again and there is the miraculous catch (Lk 5, 4-6). It overcomes in him the will to leave Jesus and attracts him to become a “fisherman of men” (Lk 5, 10). This is the way the Word of God acts in us, up until now!
• Luke 5, 1-3: Jesus teaches from the boat. People look for Jesus in order to listen to the Word of God. Many persons get together around Jesus, they make a throng around him. And Jesus seeks help from Simon Peter and from some of his companions who had just returned from fishing. He goes into the boat with them and responds to the expectation of the people, communicating to them the Word of God. Sitting down, Jesus takes the attitude of a Teacher and speaks from a fisherman’s boat. The novelty consists in the fact that he teaches, not only in the Synagogue for a choice public but in any place, where there are people who wish to listen, even on the seashore.
• Luke 5, 4-5: “But if you say so, I will pay out the nets”. When he had finished speaking, he addresses himself to Simon and encourages him to fish again. In Simon’s response there is frustration, tiredness and discouragement: “Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing!” But trustful in Jesus’ word, they throw in the nets again and continue the struggle. The word of Jesus has greater force for them than the experience of frustration of that night!
• Luke 5, 6-7: The result is surprising. The catch is so abundant that the nets are about to tear and the boat begins to sink. Simon needs the help of John and of James who are in the other boat. Nobody is complete in himself, alone. One community has to help the other. The conflict among the communities, both at the time of Luke as well as today, should be overcome in order to attain a common objective, which is the mission. The experience of the force of the word of Jesus which transforms is the axis around which the differences are embraced and overcome.
• Luke 5, 8-11: “Be fishermen of men”. The experience of the closeness of God in Jesus makes Peter understand who he is: “Leave me Lord, I am a sinful man!” Before God we are all sinners. Peter and his companions are afraid and, at the same time, they feel attracted to Jesus. Jesus drives away fear: “Do not be afraid!” He calls Peter and commits him to the mission, ordering him to be a fisherman of men. Peter experiences, quite concretely, that the word of Jesus is like the word of God. It is capable to bring about what it affirms. In Jesus those rough and tough labourers will have an experience of power, of courage, of trust. And so then, “they will abandon everything and follow Jesus!” Up until now it was only Jesus who announced the Good News of the Kingdom. Now other persons will be called and involved in the mission. This way in which Jesus works, in ‘equipe’, in a team is also Good News for the people.
• The episode of the catch of fish along the lake indicates the attraction and the force of the Word of Jesus. He attracts people (Lk 5, 1). He urges Peter to offer his boat to Jesus to be able to speak (Lk 5, 3). The word of Jesus is so strong that it overcomes the resistance in Peter, it convinces him to throw the nets into the sea again and there is the miraculous catch (Lk 5, 4-6). It overcomes in him the will to leave Jesus and attracts him to become a “fisherman of men” (Lk 5, 10). This is the way the Word of God acts in us, up until now!
4) Personal questions
• Where and how does the miraculous catch of fish take place
today; the one which takes place paying attention to the word of Jesus?
• And they leaving everything followed Jesus. What do I have to leave in order to follow Jesus?
• And they leaving everything followed Jesus. What do I have to leave in order to follow Jesus?
5) Concluding Prayer
Who shall go up to the mountain of Yahweh?
Who shall take a stand in his holy place?
The clean of hands and pure of heart,
who does not swear an oath in order to deceive. (Ps 24,3-4)
Who shall take a stand in his holy place?
The clean of hands and pure of heart,
who does not swear an oath in order to deceive. (Ps 24,3-4)
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