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Thứ Sáu, 1 tháng 12, 2017

DECEMBER 02, 2017 : SATURDAY OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 508

Reading 1DN 7:15-27
I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh,
and I was terrified by the visions of my mind.
I approached one of those present
and asked him what all this meant in truth;
in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things:
"These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms
which shall arise on the earth.
But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship,
to possess it forever and ever."

But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast,
so very terrible and different from the others,
devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws,
and trampling with its feet what was left;
about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up,
before which three horns fell;
about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly,
which appeared greater than its fellows.
For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones
and was victorious until the Ancient One arrived;
judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High,
and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom.
He answered me thus:

"The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth
different from all the others;
It shall devour the whole earth,
beat it down, and crush it.
The ten horns shall be ten kings
rising out of that kingdom;
another shall rise up after them,
Different from those before him,
who shall lay low three kings.
He shall speak against the Most High
and oppress the holy ones of the Most High,
thinking to change the feast days and the law.
They shall be handed over to him
for a year, two years, and a half-year.
But when the court is convened,
and his power is taken away
by final and absolute destruction,
Then the kingship and dominion and majesty
of all the kingdoms under the heavens
shall be given to the holy people of the Most High,
Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting:
all dominions shall serve and obey him."
Responsorial PsalmDN 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"You sons of men, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"O Israel, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
AlleluiaLK 21:36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray
That you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man."


Meditation: "Lest your hearts be weighed down"
Is there anything holding you back from the joy and freedom of the Lord? God wants our hearts for him and for his kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (Romans 14:17). But our hearts can be weighed down by many different things. Jesus, our Lord and Master, offers us true freedom - freedom from the power of sin and wasted life, and freedom from our unruly desires and disordered passions - such as making food, drink or anything else our master rather than our servant. Jesus wants our hearts to be ruled by one thing only - his love and truth which enables us to choose whatever is good and to reject whatever is evil and harmful for us.
Be ready to meet the Lord today 
Jesus also warns us of the temptation to slacken off - to become spiritually idle, lazy, indifferent, or inattentive to God's presence and his word and guidance for our lives. We can fall asleep spiritually if we allow other things to distract us from the reality of God and his kingdom. It is very easy to get caught up in the things of the present moment or to be weighed down with anxious cares and concerns. The Lord wants us to be ready at all times to meet him - whether it be in our rising, eating, working, or taking our rest. He comes to draw us to himself - are you alert and attentive to his voice?
Speak your troubles to the Lord - he is listening
The Lord knows our struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. And he assures us that we do not need to carry our burdens alone nor struggle without his help. He is always very present and ready to give us whatever strength, guidance, and help we need to fight temptation and to stay the course which he has set for us. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: indifference, an attitude of not caring, and doing nothing! The Lord wants us to cast our anxieties on him and to ask for his guidance and help. Do you pray for God's strength and wisdom?
Until the Lord comes again we can expect troubles, trials, and temptations. Our adversary the devil does not rest in his attempt to lure us away from God's will for our lives. If he cannot succeed in getting us to renounce our faith in Christ, he will try, little by little, to distract us from pursuing God, especially in prayer and listening to his word. Ask the Lord Jesus to rekindle the fire of his love in you so that you will be ready and eager to meet him when he comes again.
"Lord Jesus, rouse my spirit to the truth that this world is passing away. Give me a lively faith, a joyful hope, and a fervent love to see you face to face when you return in glory."
Daily Quote from the early church fathersDrunkenness weakens both soul and body, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
    "'But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare.' You heard the proclamation of the eternal King. You learned the deplorable end of 'drunkenness' or 'intoxication' Imagine a skilled and wise physician who would say, 'Beware, no one should drink too much from this or that herb. If he does, he will suddenly be destroyed.' I do not doubt that everyone would keep the prescriptions of the physician's warning concerning his own health. Now the Lord, who is both the physician of souls and bodies, orders them to avoid as a deadly drink the herb 'of drunkenness' and the vice 'of intoxication' and also the care of worldly matters. I do not know if any one can say that he is not wounded, because these things consume him.
    "Drunkenness is therefore destructive in all things. It is the only thing that weakens the soul together with the body. According to the apostle, it can happen that when the body 'is weak,' then the spirit is 'much stronger' (2 Corinthians 12:10), and when 'the exterior person is destroyed, the interior person is renewed' (2 Corinthians 4:16). In the illness of drunkenness, the body and the soul are destroyed at the same time. The spirit is corrupted equally with the flesh. All the members are weakened: the feet and the hands. The tongue is loosened. Darkness covers the eyes. Forgetfulness covers the mind so that one does not know himself nor does he perceive he is a person. Drunkenness of the body has that shamefulness." 
(excerpt from HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 7.5–6)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, LUKE 21:34-36
Weekday

(Daniel 7:15-27; Psalm: Daniel 3)

KEY VERSE: "For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth" (v 35).
TO KNOW: Jesus often used the title "Son of Man" to describe his role as the humble servant of God who would be exalted through his death and resurrection. This was a reference to the Book of Daniel in which the "Son of Man" ascended to the throne of God to receive everlasting "dominion, glory, and kingship" (Dn 7:13-14). Jesus told his disciples not to be fearful of the cosmic events that would precede his arrival, but to be ever watchful for his return. He warned them not to indulge in carnal cravings and worldly anxieties, which would dull their longing for that great day. He exhorted them to pray for the strength to endure the coming trials, and to be vigilant for his arrival (Greek, parousia).
TO LOVE: In what ways am I preparing myself for Christ's coming in Advent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to live in faith as I await your glorious return.




OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Chapter V of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Holy See in December 2001, describes the Church's traditional dedication of Saturday to the Virgin Mary. "Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (218). The chapter also describes the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in Catholic devotional life, in the Liturgy, and reflections on popular devotions to Mary, her feast days, and the Rosary.
 


Saturday 2 December 2017

Daniel 7:15-27. Luke 21:34-36.
Give glory and eternal praise to him – Luke 21:34-36.
Advent commences liturgically this evening, and we turn our thoughts to Mary.
As a very young woman, she was called to enter into a great mystery, for which she deemed herself unfit. Let us ponder on her faith and deep trust in her God. On the human level, she entrusted herself to the care of Joseph. Together, they set off on the incredible path which led to the birth of Jesus, our Saviour.
So, we pray, ‘Blessed are you, Mary. Help us to learn from you how to live with faith, trust and love, as we try to become increasingly aware of God’s will for us in our daily lives, and to do whatever he tells us.’


BLESSED LIDUINA MENEGUZZI

Elisa Angela Meneguzzi was born on September 12, 1901, to poor and humble farming family in Padua, Italy. She manifested an ardently spiritual soul and spent hours in prayer, attended Mass every day and taught catechism.

In 1926, willing to totally donate her life to God, she joined the Sisters Congregation of Saint Francis de Sales, taking the name Liduina. She began to work there as a nurse in a girls' boarding school before being sent to Ethiopia as a missionary in 1937.

With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, she devotedly tended to the sick at a military hospital in Dire-Dawa.

The inhabitants of the city were for the most part muslim, and through the saintly testimony of Sr. Liduina, many were drawn to the Catholic faith. For this reason she was given the name, the "ecumenical flame."

She died of cancer on December 2, 1941 in the hospital of Dire-Dawa, Ethiopia where she spent her last years. Her body was returned to the motherhouse of her congregation in 1961, and she was beatified on October 20, 2002 by Pope John Paul II.


LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 21,34-36
Lectio Divina: 
 Saturday, December 2, 2017
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.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 21:34-36
Jesus said to His disciples: “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth.
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of man.”
3) Reflection
• We are reaching the end of the long Apocalyptic Discourse and getting to the end of the ecclesiastical year. Jesus gives a last piece of advice, inviting us to watch (Lk 21: 34-35) and to pray (Lk 21: 36).
• Luke 21: 34-35: Attention to not lose conscientiousness. “Watch yourselves or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap; for it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth”. Jesus had already given similar advice when they asked Him about the coming of the Kingdom (Lk 17: 20-21). He answers that the coming of the Kingdom will arrive like lightening; unexpectedly and without warning. People must be attentive and always prepared (Lk 17: 22-27). When the wait is very long, there is a risk of not being attentive and not paying attention to the events of life: “the hearts become coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life”. Today, there are many distractions which render us insensitive, and the news, TV, Internet, and other propaganda can ruin our perspective on life. Being far away from the suffering of so many people in the world, we are not conscious of the injustices which are committed. The converse of this is also possible. The speed of communication today through satellite and Internet can overwhelm us with “bad news” and cause anxieties, fear, and worry and disturb our peace.
• Luke 21:36: Prayer, the source of critical conscience and hope. “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man”. Constant prayer is an important means to not lose the presence of spirit. We must deepen in our hearts the knowledge and awareness of God’s presence among us. In this way, He gives us the strength and the light to bear the bad days and to increase our hope.
• Summary of the Apocalyptic Discourse (Lk 21: 5-36). We have spent five days, from Tuesday to Saturday, meditating on and deepening the sense of the Apocalyptic Discourse for our life. All three Synoptic Gospels have this discourse of Jesus, each one in its own way. Let us try to see which version  the Gospel of Luke offers us. Here we give a brief summary of what we have been able to meditate on during these five days.
The whole of the Apocalyptic Discourse is an attempt to help the persecuted communities place themselves in the overall plan of God, and in this way, have hope and courage to continue on the way. In the case of the Apocalyptic Discourse of the Gospel of Luke, the persecuted communities were living in the year 85. Jesus speaks in the year 33. His discourse describes the stages, or the signs, of the realization of God’s plan. In all, there are eight signs and periods of time Jesus describes up through our time. Reading and interpreting their lives in the light of the signs given by Jesus, the communities discovered how the execution of the plan was to be found. It was thought that the first seven signs had already taken place and that they all belonged to the past. Especially in the 6th and 7th signs (persecution and destruction of Jerusalem), the communities found the image or reflection of what was happening in their present time.
The following are the seven signs:
Introduction to the discourse (Lk 21: 5-7)
1st sign: the false Messiahs (Lk 21: 8);
2nd sign: war and revolutions (Lk 21: 9);
3rd sign: nations which fight against other nations, a kingdom against another kingdom (Lk 21: 10);
4th sign: earthquakes in different places (Lk 21: 11);
5th sign: hunger, plagues and signs in the sky (Lk 21: 11);
6th sign: persecution of Christians and mission that they have to carry out (Lk 21: 12-19) + Mission
7th sign: destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21: 20-24)
Arriving at this 7th sign, the communities conclude: “We are in the 6th and 7th signs. So this is the more important question: “How much is lacking until the end?” Anyone who is persecuted does not want to know or hear about the distant future. He wants to know if he will be alive the following day or if he will have the strength to bear the persecution until the following day. The response to this disturbing question comes in the eighth sign.
8th sign: changes in the sun and the moon (Lk 21: 25-26) announce the coming of the Son of Man (Lk 21: 27-28).
Conclusion: little is lacking, all is according to God’s plan, and all is like birth pangs. God is with us. It is possible to bear all this. Let us try to give witness of our faith in the Good News of Jesus
At the end, Jesus confirms everything with His authority (Lk 21: 29-33).
4) Personal questions
• Jesus tells us to watch out so as not to be surprised by news or events. How do I live this advice of Jesus?
• How do I balance being aware and compassionate in my larger local community with the constant TV and Internet reporting of injustice and disasters in real time from all over the world? 
•The last warning of Jesus, at the end of the ecclesiastical year is this one: Watch and pray at all times. How do I put into practice in my life this advice of Jesus?
5) Concluding prayer
For Yahweh is a great God,
a king greater than all the gods.
In His power are the depths of the earth,
the peaks of the mountains are His;
the sea belongs to Him, for He made it,
and the dry land, molded by His hands. (Ps 95:3-5)



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