Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier
Cabrini, Virgin
Lectionary: 492
Lectionary: 492
Beloved:
You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine,
namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified,
self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance.
Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior,
not slanderers, not addicted to drink,
teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women
to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers,
under the control of their husbands,
so that the word of God may not be discredited.
Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves,
showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect,
with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech
that cannot be criticized,
so that the opponent will be put to shame
without anything bad to say about us.
For the grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of the great God
and of our savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine,
namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified,
self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance.
Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior,
not slanderers, not addicted to drink,
teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women
to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers,
under the control of their husbands,
so that the word of God may not be discredited.
Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves,
showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect,
with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech
that cannot be criticized,
so that the opponent will be put to shame
without anything bad to say about us.
For the grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of the great God
and of our savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 37:3-4, 18 AND 23, 27
AND 29
R. (39a) The
salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
The just shall possess the land
and dwell in it forever.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
The just shall possess the land
and dwell in it forever.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
AlleluiaJN 14:23
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
Meditation: "We have only done our
duty"
Are you ready to give the Lord your best, regardless
of what it might cost you? Perhaps we are like the laborer in Jesus' parable
who expected special favor and reward for going the extra mile? How unfair for
the master to compel his servant to give more than what was expected! Don't we
love to assert our rights: "I will give only what is required and no
more!" But who can satisfy the claims of love?
We are called to serve God and neighbor selflessly and generously
Jesus used this parable of the dutiful servant to explain that we can never put God in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We must regard ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). Service of God and of neighbor is both a voluntary or free act and a sacred duty. One can volunteer for service or be compelled to do service for one's country or one's family when special needs arise. Likewise, God expects us to give him the worship and praise which is his due. And he gladly accepts the free-will offering of our lives to him and to his service. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express in the act of self-giving. True love is sacrificial, generous, and selfless.
Jesus used this parable of the dutiful servant to explain that we can never put God in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We must regard ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). Service of God and of neighbor is both a voluntary or free act and a sacred duty. One can volunteer for service or be compelled to do service for one's country or one's family when special needs arise. Likewise, God expects us to give him the worship and praise which is his due. And he gladly accepts the free-will offering of our lives to him and to his service. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express in the act of self-giving. True love is sacrificial, generous, and selfless.
The love of God compels us to give our best
How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? Scripture tells us that God himself is love (1 John 4:16) - he is the author of life and the source of all true relationships of love and friendship. He created us in love for love, and he fills our hearts with the boundless love that gives whatever is good for the sake of another (Romans 5:5). If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:12).
How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? Scripture tells us that God himself is love (1 John 4:16) - he is the author of life and the source of all true relationships of love and friendship. He created us in love for love, and he fills our hearts with the boundless love that gives whatever is good for the sake of another (Romans 5:5). If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:12).
God honors the faithful servant who loves and serves
others generously. He is ever ready to work in and through us for his glory. We
must remember, however, that God can never be indebted to us. We have no claim
on him. His love compels us to give him our best! And when we have done our
best, we have simply done our duty. We can never outmatch God in doing good and
showing love. God loves us without measure. Does the love of God compel you to
give your best?
"Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love, gratitude
and generosity. Make me a faithful and zealous servant for you. May I
generously pour out my life in loving service for you and for others, just as
you have so generously poured yourself out in love for me."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: We are called to humble service, by
Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"You do not say to your servant, 'Sit down,' but
require more service from him and do not thank him. The Lord also does not
allow only one work or labor for you, because so long as we live we must always
work.
"Know that you are a servant overwhelmed by very much obedience. You must not set yourself first, because you are called a son of God. Grace must be acknowledged, but nature not overlooked. Do not boast of yourself if you have served well, as you should have done. The sun obeys, the moon complies (Joshua 10:12-13; Baruch 6:60), and the angels serve... Let us not require praise from ourselves nor prevent the judgment of God and anticipate the sentence of the Judge but reserve it for its own time and Judge." (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.31-32)
"Know that you are a servant overwhelmed by very much obedience. You must not set yourself first, because you are called a son of God. Grace must be acknowledged, but nature not overlooked. Do not boast of yourself if you have served well, as you should have done. The sun obeys, the moon complies (Joshua 10:12-13; Baruch 6:60), and the angels serve... Let us not require praise from ourselves nor prevent the judgment of God and anticipate the sentence of the Judge but reserve it for its own time and Judge." (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.31-32)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, LUKE 17:7-10
(Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 37)
(Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 37)
KEY VERSE: "We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do" (v. 10).
TO KNOW: The demands of discipleship weighed heavily on Jesus' followers and they begged for an increase of faith. Jesus told them that they only needed a small amount of faith, the size of a tiny mustard seed, to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. Jesus told them that the road ahead would be difficult, but they must be faithful servants and follow him in obedience. A servant must not take advantage of his master's benevolence, expecting special favors or rewards. In discharging their duties, servants must do what was expected of them. A true servant perseveres in good times and in bad times. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples a model to follow. Although he was their teacher and master, he was among them "as the one who serves" (Lk 22:27).
TO LOVE: Am I a servant of the gospel, or do I expect others to serve me?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to "labor without reward save that of knowing I do your will" (St. Ignatius Loyola)
Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier
Cabrini, virgin
One of thirteen children raised on a farm, Frances received a convent education and training as a teacher. A priest asked her to teach at a girl's school, the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadagono, Italy, which she did for six years. She took religious vows in 1877, and when the orphanage closed in 1880, her bishop asked her to found the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Pope Leo XIII then sent her to the United States to carry on this mission. She and six Sisters arrived in New York in 1889. They worked among immigrants, especially Italians. Mother Cabrini founded 67 institutions, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States, Europe and South America. Like many of the people she worked with, Mother Cabrini became a United States citizen during her life, and after her death she was the first US citizen to be canonized.
Tuesday 13
November 2018
St Stanislaus Kostka.
Titus 2: 1-8, 11-14. Psalm 36(37):3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29. Luke 17:7-10.
Titus 2: 1-8, 11-14. Psalm 36(37):3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29. Luke 17:7-10.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord
– Psalm 36(37):3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29.
‘God’s grace has been revealed to save the whole human race.’
Today’s readings help us live a good life. Paul tells Titus how
to instruct the men and women in his communities, and for Titus himself to lead
by example. In the psalm, we are told that if we put our trust in God, and make
God our joy, God will give us our heart’s desire. In the gospel, Jesus teaches
us about humble service.
Our world is very different from the world Luke describes,
although there are many people who even today don’t know freedom. Jesus showed
an unreserved love for all, slave and free alike. We are called to share in
this work, to challenge the oppressive structures that cause poverty.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
Saint of the Day for November 13
(July 15, 1850 – December 22, 1917)
 |
| Statue of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini in the portico of the sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary in Pompei | photo by Dario Crespi |
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s Story
Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first United States citizen to be
canonized. Her deep trust in the loving care of her God gave her the strength
to be a valiant woman doing the work of Christ.
Refused admission to the religious order which had educated her
to be a teacher, she began charitable work at the House of Providence Orphanage
in Cadogno, Italy. In September 1877, she made her vows there and took the
religious habit.
When the bishop closed the orphanage in 1880, he named Frances
prioress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Seven young women from
the orphanage joined her.
Since her early childhood in Italy, Frances had wanted to be a
missionary in China but, at the urging of Pope Leo XIII, Frances went west
instead of east. She traveled with six sisters to New York City to work with
the thousands of Italian immigrants living there.
She found disappointment and difficulties with every step. When
she arrived in New York, the house intended to be her first orphanage in the
United States was not available. The archbishop advised her to return to Italy.
But Frances, truly a valiant woman, departed from the archbishop’s residence
all the more determined to establish that orphanage. And she did.
In 35 years, Frances Xavier Cabrini founded 67 institutions
dedicated to caring for the poor, the abandoned, the uneducated and the sick.
Seeing great need among Italian immigrants who were losing their faith, she
organized schools and adult education classes.
As a child, she was always frightened of water, unable to
overcome her fear of drowning. Yet, despite this fear, she traveled across the
Atlantic Ocean more than 30 times. She died of malaria in her own Columbus
Hospital in Chicago.
Reflection
The compassion and dedication of Mother Cabrini is still seen in
hundreds of thousands of her fellow citizens who care for the sick in
hospitals, nursing homes, and state institutions. We complain of increased
medical costs in an affluent society, but the daily news shows us millions who
have little or no medical care, and who are calling for new Mother Cabrinis to
become citizen-servants of their land.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is the Patron Saint of:
Hospital Administrators
Immigrants
Impossible Causes
India
Immigrants
Impossible Causes
India
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 17,7-10
Lectio Divina:
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
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.
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
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 17:7-10
Jesus said: "Which of you, with a
servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the
fields, ’Come and have your meal at once?’ Would he not be more likely to say,
’Get my supper ready. Fasten your belt and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You yourself can eat and drink afterwards’? Must he be grateful to the servant
for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been
told to do, say’We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty.’”
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today narrates a parable
which is found only in Luke’s Gospel and has no parallel in the other Gospels.
The parable wants to teach that our life has to be characterized by an attitude
of service. It begins with three questions which are ultimately answered by
Jesus..
• Luke 17, 7-9: The three questions of Jesus. It asks three questions taken from daily life, and therefore the listeners have to think about each one with his own experience to give a response according to that experience. In the first question, Jesus asks “which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields Come and have your meal at once?” All will answer “No!” The second question asks would he not be more likely to say “Get my supper ready. Fasten your belt and wait on me while I eat and drink. You yourself can eat and drink afterwards?” All will answer: “Yes! Certainly!” Finally, the third question inquires “must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told?” All will answer “No!” The way in which Jesus asks the questions orientates people to his way of thinking . He wants us to be servants to one another.
• Luke 17, 10: The response of Jesus. At the end Jesus draws a conclusion which was already implicit in the questions: “So with you, when you have done all you have been told to do, say ‘We are useless servants, we have done no more than our duty”. This applies to all Christians, to serve the Master and to avoid pride in doing so. Jesus has told us what to do, and we must do it with the humility of one who sees himself as a useless servant, expecting to have our reward after doing the Master’s work. He has given us an example of service when He said: “The Son of Man has not come to be served, but to serve” (Mk 10, 45). Service is a theme which Luke likes. Service represents the form in which the poor in the time of Jesus, the anawim, were waiting for the Messiah. Not like a royal and glorious Messiah, high priest or judge, but rather as the Servant of Yahweh, announced by Isaiah (Is 42, 1-9). Mary, the Mother of Jesus, says to the angel: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word!” (Lk 1, 38). In Nazareth, Jesus presents Himself as the Servant described by Isaiah (Lk 4, 18-19 and Is 61, 1-2). In Baptism and in the Transfiguration, He was confirmed by the Father who quotes the words addressed by God to the Servant (Lk 3, 22; 9, 35 e Is 42, 1). Jesus asks His followers: “Anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave” (Mt 20, 27). Useless servants! This is the definition of the Christian. Paul speaks about this to the members of the community of Corinth when he writes “I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but God gave the growth. In this, neither the planter nor the waterer counts for anything only God who gave growth” (1Co 3, 6-7). Paul and Apollos are nothing, only simple instruments. The only one who counts is God. He alone! (1Co 3, 7).
• To serve and to be served. Here in this text, the servant serves the master and not the master the servant. But in the other text of Jesus the contrary is said: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. In truth, I tell you, he will do up his belt, sit them down at table and wait on them” (Lk 12, 37). In this text, the master serves the servant and not the servant the master. In the first text, Jesus spoke in the present. In the second text, Jesus is speaking in the future. This contrast is simply another way of saying that the one who is ready to lose his life out of love for Jesus and the Gospel will find it (Mt 10, 39; 16, 25). Anyone who serves God in this present life will be served by God in the future life!
4) Personal questions
• Luke 17, 7-9: The three questions of Jesus. It asks three questions taken from daily life, and therefore the listeners have to think about each one with his own experience to give a response according to that experience. In the first question, Jesus asks “which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields Come and have your meal at once?” All will answer “No!” The second question asks would he not be more likely to say “Get my supper ready. Fasten your belt and wait on me while I eat and drink. You yourself can eat and drink afterwards?” All will answer: “Yes! Certainly!” Finally, the third question inquires “must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told?” All will answer “No!” The way in which Jesus asks the questions orientates people to his way of thinking . He wants us to be servants to one another.
• Luke 17, 10: The response of Jesus. At the end Jesus draws a conclusion which was already implicit in the questions: “So with you, when you have done all you have been told to do, say ‘We are useless servants, we have done no more than our duty”. This applies to all Christians, to serve the Master and to avoid pride in doing so. Jesus has told us what to do, and we must do it with the humility of one who sees himself as a useless servant, expecting to have our reward after doing the Master’s work. He has given us an example of service when He said: “The Son of Man has not come to be served, but to serve” (Mk 10, 45). Service is a theme which Luke likes. Service represents the form in which the poor in the time of Jesus, the anawim, were waiting for the Messiah. Not like a royal and glorious Messiah, high priest or judge, but rather as the Servant of Yahweh, announced by Isaiah (Is 42, 1-9). Mary, the Mother of Jesus, says to the angel: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word!” (Lk 1, 38). In Nazareth, Jesus presents Himself as the Servant described by Isaiah (Lk 4, 18-19 and Is 61, 1-2). In Baptism and in the Transfiguration, He was confirmed by the Father who quotes the words addressed by God to the Servant (Lk 3, 22; 9, 35 e Is 42, 1). Jesus asks His followers: “Anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave” (Mt 20, 27). Useless servants! This is the definition of the Christian. Paul speaks about this to the members of the community of Corinth when he writes “I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but God gave the growth. In this, neither the planter nor the waterer counts for anything only God who gave growth” (1Co 3, 6-7). Paul and Apollos are nothing, only simple instruments. The only one who counts is God. He alone! (1Co 3, 7).
• To serve and to be served. Here in this text, the servant serves the master and not the master the servant. But in the other text of Jesus the contrary is said: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. In truth, I tell you, he will do up his belt, sit them down at table and wait on them” (Lk 12, 37). In this text, the master serves the servant and not the servant the master. In the first text, Jesus spoke in the present. In the second text, Jesus is speaking in the future. This contrast is simply another way of saying that the one who is ready to lose his life out of love for Jesus and the Gospel will find it (Mt 10, 39; 16, 25). Anyone who serves God in this present life will be served by God in the future life!
4) Personal questions
• How do I define my life?
• Do I ask myself the three questions Jesus asks? Do I live like a useless servant?
5) Concluding prayer
• Do I ask myself the three questions Jesus asks? Do I live like a useless servant?
5) Concluding prayer
The lives of the just are in Yahweh's
care.
Their birthright will endure forever.
Yahweh guides a strong man's steps and keeps them firm
and takes pleasure in him. (Ps 37,18.23)
Their birthright will endure forever.
Yahweh guides a strong man's steps and keeps them firm
and takes pleasure in him. (Ps 37,18.23)
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