Thanksgiving Day
Lectionary: 943-947
Lectionary: 943-947
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.
AlleluiaPS 66:16
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Hear now, all you who fear God,
while I declare what he has done for me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Hear now, all you who fear God,
while I declare what he has done for me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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? The Book of 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 two peoples who had been divided for centuries. The Jews and Samaritans
had no dealings with one another even though Samaria was located in the central
part of Judea. Both peoples 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 people to drop
their barriers or to forget their prejudices. When this band of Jewish and
Samaritan lepers saw Jesus they made a bold request. They didn't ask for
healing, but instead asked for mercy.
Mercy is heartfelt sorrow at another's misfortune
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 or her own. And such a person will do everything in his or her power to dispel that misery.
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 or her own. And such a person will do everything in his or her power to dispel that misery.
Mercy is also connected with justice. Thomas Aquinas
(1225-1274), a great teacher and scripture scholar, 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.
God's mercy brings healing of mind, heart, and body
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.
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, another word which expresses gratitude of heart and a
thankful disposition, 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.
Ingratitude leads to lack of love and kindness, and
intolerance towards others
If we do not recognize and appreciate the mercy and help shown to us we will be ungrateful and unkind towards others. Ingratitude is forgetfulness or a poor return for kindness received. Ingratitude easily leads to lack of charity and intolerance towards others, as well as to other vices, such as complaining, grumbling, discontentment, 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 help and mercy towards you and are you gracious, kind, and merciful towards your neighbor in their time of need and support?
If we do not recognize and appreciate the mercy and help shown to us we will be ungrateful and unkind towards others. Ingratitude is forgetfulness or a poor return for kindness received. Ingratitude easily leads to lack of charity and intolerance towards others, as well as to other vices, such as complaining, grumbling, discontentment, 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 help and mercy towards you and are you gracious, kind, and merciful towards your neighbor in their time of need and support?
"Lord Jesus, may I never fail to recognize your
loving kindness and mercy. Fill my heart with compassion and thanksgiving, and
free me from ingratitude and discontentment. Help me to count my blessings with
a grateful heart and to give thanks in all circumstances."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Cleansing of the ten lepers, by Cyril of
Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"Why did [Jesus] not
say, 'I will, be cleansed,' as he did in the case of another leper (Luke 5:13),
instead of commanding them to show themselves to the priests? It was because
the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy
(Leviticus 14:2). It commanded them to show themselves to the priests and to
offer a sacrifice for their cleansing. He commanded them to go as being already
healed so that they might bear witness to the priests, the rulers of the Jews
and always envious of his glory. They testified that wonderfully and beyond
their hope, they had been delivered from their misfortune by Christ's willing
that they should be healed. He did not heal them first but sent them to the
priests, because the priests knew the marks of leprosy and of its
healing." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE,
HOMILIES 113-16)
Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
Lectionary: 500
Lectionary: 500
Reading 1RV 5:1-10
I, John, saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne.
It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.
Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice,
"Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to examine it.
I shed many tears because no one was found worthy
to open the scroll or to examine it.
One of the elders said to me, "Do not weep.
The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed,
enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals."
Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne
and the four living creatures and the elders
a Lamb that seemed to have been slain.
He had seven horns and seven eyes;
these are the seven spirits of God sent out into the whole world.
He came and received the scroll from the right hand
of the one who sat on the throne.
When he took it,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
fell down before the Lamb.
Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense,
which are the prayers of the holy ones.
They sang a new hymn:
"Worthy are you to receive the scroll
and break open its seals,
for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God
those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.
You made them a kingdom and priests for our God,
and they will reign on earth."
It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.
Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice,
"Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to examine it.
I shed many tears because no one was found worthy
to open the scroll or to examine it.
One of the elders said to me, "Do not weep.
The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed,
enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals."
Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne
and the four living creatures and the elders
a Lamb that seemed to have been slain.
He had seven horns and seven eyes;
these are the seven spirits of God sent out into the whole world.
He came and received the scroll from the right hand
of the one who sat on the throne.
When he took it,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
fell down before the Lamb.
Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense,
which are the prayers of the holy ones.
They sang a new hymn:
"Worthy are you to receive the scroll
and break open its seals,
for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God
those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.
You made them a kingdom and priests for our God,
and they will reign on earth."
Responsorial
PsalmPS 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A
AND 9B
R. (Rev. 5:10) The
Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaPS 95:8
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
"If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
"If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
Meditation: "Know the time of your
visitation"
What enables us to live in peace and harmony with our
families, neighbors, local communities, and the wider community of peoples and
nations? The Father in heaven sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus
Christ, to reconcile us with God and to unite us with one another in a bond of
peace and mutual love.
Jesus' earthly ministry centers and culminates in
Jerusalem, which Scripture describes as the holy city, the throne of the Lord
(Jeremiah 3:17);and the place which God chose for his name to dwell there (1
Kings 11:13; 2 Kings 21:4; 2 Kings 23:27); and the holy mountain upon which God
has set his king (Psalm 2:6). Jerusalem derives its name from the word "salem" which
mean "peace". The temple in Jerusalem was a constant
reminder to the people of God's presence with them.
Tears of mourning and sorrow over sin and refusal to
believe in God
When Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the multitude of homes surrounding the holy temple, he wept over it because it inhabitants did not "know the things that make for peace" (Luke 19:42). As he poured out his heart to the Father in heaven, Jesus shed tears of sorrow, grief, and mourning for his people. He knew that he would soon pour out his blood for the people of Jerusalem and for the whole world as well.
When Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the multitude of homes surrounding the holy temple, he wept over it because it inhabitants did not "know the things that make for peace" (Luke 19:42). As he poured out his heart to the Father in heaven, Jesus shed tears of sorrow, grief, and mourning for his people. He knew that he would soon pour out his blood for the people of Jerusalem and for the whole world as well.
Why does Jesus weep and lament over the city of
Jerusalem? Throughout its history, many of the rulers and inhabitants - because
of their pride and unbelief - had rejected the prophets who spoke in the name
of the Lord. Now they refuse to listen to Jesus who comes as their Messiah -
whom God has anointed to be their Savior and Prince of Peace (Isaiah
9:6).
Jesus is our only hope - the only one who can save us
and the world
Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem was a gracious visitation of God's anointed Son and King to his holy city. Jerusalem's lack of faith and rejection of the Messiah, however, leads to its eventual downfall and destruction by the Romans in 70 A.D. Jesus' lamentation and prophecy echoes the lamentation of Jeremiah who prophesied the first destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. Jeremiah's prayer of lamentation offered a prophetic word of hope, deliverance, and restoration:
Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem was a gracious visitation of God's anointed Son and King to his holy city. Jerusalem's lack of faith and rejection of the Messiah, however, leads to its eventual downfall and destruction by the Romans in 70 A.D. Jesus' lamentation and prophecy echoes the lamentation of Jeremiah who prophesied the first destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. Jeremiah's prayer of lamentation offered a prophetic word of hope, deliverance, and restoration:
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have
hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies are new every
morning ...For the Lord will not cast off for ever, but, though he cause grief,
he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love for he
does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men" (Lamentations
3:21-22, 31-32).
Jesus is the hope of the world because he is the only
one who can truly reconcile us with God and with one another. Through his death
and resurrection Jesus breaks down the walls of hostility and division by
reconciling us with God. He gives us his Holy Spirit both to purify us and
restore us as a holy people of God. Through Jesus Christ we become living
temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). God has visited his
people in the past and he continues to visit us through the gift and working of
his Holy Spirit. Do you recognize God's gracious visitation of healing and
restoration today?
God judges, pardons, heals, and restores us to new
life
When God visits his people he comes to establish peace and justice by rooting out our enemies - the world (which stands in opposition to God), the flesh (our own sinful cravings and inordinate desires), and the devil(who is Satan, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning - John 8:44) who enslave us to fear and pride, rebellion and hatred, envy and covetousness, strife and violence, and every form of evil and wrong-doing. That is why God both judges and purifies his people - to lead us from our sinful ways to his way of justice, peace, love, and holiness. God actively works among his people to teach us his ways and to save us from the destruction of our own pride and sin and from Satan's snares and lies.
When God visits his people he comes to establish peace and justice by rooting out our enemies - the world (which stands in opposition to God), the flesh (our own sinful cravings and inordinate desires), and the devil(who is Satan, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning - John 8:44) who enslave us to fear and pride, rebellion and hatred, envy and covetousness, strife and violence, and every form of evil and wrong-doing. That is why God both judges and purifies his people - to lead us from our sinful ways to his way of justice, peace, love, and holiness. God actively works among his people to teach us his ways and to save us from the destruction of our own pride and sin and from Satan's snares and lies.
Are God's judgments unjust or unloving? Scripture
tells us that "when God's judgments are revealed in the earth, the
inhabitants of the world learn righteousness" (Isaiah 26:9). To pronounce
judgment on sin is much less harsh than what will happen if those who sin are
not warned to repent. The Lord in his mercy gives us grace and time to turn
away from sin, but that time is right now. If we delay, even for a moment, we
may discover that grace has passed us by and our time is up. Do you accept the
grace to turn away from sin and to walk in God's way of peace and holiness?
"Lord Jesus, you have visited and redeemed your
people. May I not miss the grace of your visitation today as you move to bring
your people into greater righteousness and holiness of life. Purify my heart
and mind that I may I understand your ways and conform my life more fully to
your will."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus fulfills the beatitude for those who
weep, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254
AD)
"When our Lord and Savior approached Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept... By his example, Jesus confirms all the Beatitudes
that he speaks in the Gospel. By his own witness, he confirms what he teaches.
'Blessed are the meek,' he says. He says something similar to this of himself:
'Learn from me, for I am meek.' 'Blessed are the peacemakers.' What other man
brought as much peace as my Lord Jesus, who 'is our peace,' who 'dissolves
hostility' and 'destroys it in his own flesh' (Ephesians 2:14-15). 'Blessed are
those who suffer persecution because of justice.'
"No one suffered such persecution because of
justice as did the Lord Jesus, who was crucified for our sins. The Lord therefore
exhibited all the Beatitudes in himself. For the sake of this likeness, he
wept, because of what he said, 'Blessed are those who weep,' to lay the
foundations for this beatitude as well. He wept for Jerusalem and said,'If only
you had known on that day what meant peace for you! But now it is hidden from
your eyes,' and the rest, to the point where he says, 'Because you did not know
the time of your visitation'" (excerpt
from HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 38.1–2)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, LUKE 19:41-44
(Revelation 5:1-10; Psalm 149)
(Revelation 5:1-10; Psalm 149)
KEY VERSE: "If this day you only knew what makes for peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes" (v. 42).
TO KNOW: As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, he wept over the City of Peace (Yerushalaim, from the Hebrew word Shalom: "peace"). In the same way, the prophet Jeremiah mourned the Holy City's impending destruction (Jer 14:17). Although divinely favored, Jerusalem would find herself desolate because she rejected the "Prince of Peace" (Is 9:5), and refused to recognize his ministry of reconciliation and his offer of salvation. Four decades later, the Roman army under Titus surrounded the city, breached its walls and killed thousands of its citizens. The city and its Temple were burned to the ground and the survivors were taken into captivity. The Heavenly Jerusalem became a spiritual symbol of the place of final judgment for God's enemies and eternal peace for those who believe in Christ (Rv. 21:1-27).
TO LOVE: Pray for all of the places in the world that are in need of God’s peace.
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be an instrument of your peace in my community.
Memorial of Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr
Cecilia was a young patrician woman who vowed her virginity to God; however, her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. Cecilia told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order for him to see it, he must be purified. He agreed and was baptized. Returning from the ceremony, he found her in prayer attended by a praying angel. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favor. The new convert asked that his brother be baptized. The two brothers developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred Christians. They were arrested and martyred for their faith. Cecilia buried them at her villa on the Appian Way, and she was arrested for the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods, and when she refused, she was martyred in turn. The Acta of Cecilia includes the following: "While the profane music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse." It was this phrase that led to her association with music and musicians.
Thanksgiving Day (U.S.A.)
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 the bird is quick, wary, sharp- sighted, 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's cover painting for the Saturday Evening Post made the family Thanksgiving meal famous.
Thursday 22
November 2018
St Cecilia.
Apocalypse 5:1-10. Psalm 149:1-6, 9. Luke 19:41-44.
Apocalypse 5:1-10. Psalm 149:1-6, 9. Luke 19:41-44.
The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God –
Psalm 149:1-6, 9.
‘If you had only understood the message of peace.’
Jesus arrives at the city of Jerusalem and ‘saw the city and
wept over it’ because of the lack of understanding of who he was and what his
visitation meant. The themes in this short passage offer insight into the way
Jesus was received.
The ways that people missed the opportunities for the peace that
his arrival brought are reflected in our current situation both on a broad
scale and individually in our own lives. It rings true that probably, if we had
lived in Jesus’ time, we would not have realised who we were dealing with too.
Let us pray that we attend to Jesus’ presence and the
possibilities that his life has brought.
Saint Cecilia
Saint of the Day for November 22
(d. 230?)
 |
| Saint Cecilia | photo by Jill Watson | flickr |
Saint Cecilia’s Story
Although Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs,
the familiar stories about her are apparently not founded on authentic
material. There is no trace of honor being paid her in early times. A
fragmentary inscription of the late fourth century refers to a church named
after her, and her feast was celebrated at least in 545.
According to legend, Cecilia was a young Christian of high rank
betrothed to a Roman named Valerian. Through her influence, Valerian was
converted, and was martyred along with his brother. The legend about Cecilia’s
death says that after being struck three times on the neck with a sword, she
lived for three days, and asked the pope to convert her home into a church.
Since the time of the Renaissance she has usually been portrayed
with a viola or a small organ.
Reflection
Like any good Christian, Cecilia sang in her heart, and
sometimes with her voice. She has become a symbol of the Church’s conviction
that good music is an integral part of the liturgy, of greater value to the
Church than any other art.
Saint Cecilia is the Patron Saint of:
Musicians
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 19:41-44
Lectio Divina:
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near and came within sight
of the city, He shed tears over it and said, “If you too had only recognized on
this day the way to peace! But in fact it is hidden from your eyes!
Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all around you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation.”
Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all around you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation.”
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today tells us that Jesus,
when he saw Jerusalem as he approached, began to shed tears and to pronounce a
very dark future for the city of His people.
• Luke 19, 41-42 Jesus sheds tears over Jerusalem. At that time, Jesus was near Jerusalem, and when He saw the city, He shed tears over it and said “if you too had only recognized on this day the way to peace! But in fact it is hidden from your eyes!” Jesus sheds tears because He loves His homeland and His people, the capital city of His land, and the temple. He sheds tears because He knows that everything will be destroyed because of the fault of His people who were not aware of the call made by God through His ministry. People were not aware of the way to peace (Shalom). In fact, it is hidden from their eyes. This affirmation recalls the criticism of Isaiah to the person who adored idols: “He adores ashes, his deluded heart has led him astray; he will not save himself, he will not think. What I have in my hand is nothing but a lie!” (Is 44, 20). People became incapable of perceiving the truth. As Saint Paul says: “But for those who out of jealousy have taken for their guide not truth but injustice, there will be a fury of retribution” (Rm 2, 8). It is truth that remains the prisoner of injustice. On another occasion, Jesus complains that Jerusalem did not know how to become aware of God’s visit nor of accepting it: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! Look, your house will be left to you, it will be deserted” (Lk 13, 34-35).
• Luke 19, 43-44 Announcement of the destruction of Jerusalem. “Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all around you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and your children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation” Jesus describes what will happen to Jerusalem. He uses the images of war which were common at that time when an army attacked a city: trenches, killing of people, and total destruction of the walls and houses. In the past, this is the way Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The Roman legions used to do this with rebellious cities, and this is what will be done again, forty years later, to the city of Jerusalem. In fact, in the year 70, Jerusalem was surrounded and invaded by the Roman army. Everything was destroyed. Before this historical background, the gesture of Jesus becomes a very serious warning for all those who pervert the Good News.. They should have listened to the final warning: “Because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation” In this warning, everything which Jesus does is defined as a “visitation from God”.
• Luke 19, 41-42 Jesus sheds tears over Jerusalem. At that time, Jesus was near Jerusalem, and when He saw the city, He shed tears over it and said “if you too had only recognized on this day the way to peace! But in fact it is hidden from your eyes!” Jesus sheds tears because He loves His homeland and His people, the capital city of His land, and the temple. He sheds tears because He knows that everything will be destroyed because of the fault of His people who were not aware of the call made by God through His ministry. People were not aware of the way to peace (Shalom). In fact, it is hidden from their eyes. This affirmation recalls the criticism of Isaiah to the person who adored idols: “He adores ashes, his deluded heart has led him astray; he will not save himself, he will not think. What I have in my hand is nothing but a lie!” (Is 44, 20). People became incapable of perceiving the truth. As Saint Paul says: “But for those who out of jealousy have taken for their guide not truth but injustice, there will be a fury of retribution” (Rm 2, 8). It is truth that remains the prisoner of injustice. On another occasion, Jesus complains that Jerusalem did not know how to become aware of God’s visit nor of accepting it: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! Look, your house will be left to you, it will be deserted” (Lk 13, 34-35).
• Luke 19, 43-44 Announcement of the destruction of Jerusalem. “Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all around you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and your children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation” Jesus describes what will happen to Jerusalem. He uses the images of war which were common at that time when an army attacked a city: trenches, killing of people, and total destruction of the walls and houses. In the past, this is the way Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The Roman legions used to do this with rebellious cities, and this is what will be done again, forty years later, to the city of Jerusalem. In fact, in the year 70, Jerusalem was surrounded and invaded by the Roman army. Everything was destroyed. Before this historical background, the gesture of Jesus becomes a very serious warning for all those who pervert the Good News.. They should have listened to the final warning: “Because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation” In this warning, everything which Jesus does is defined as a “visitation from God”.
4) Personal questions
• Do you weep over a world situation?
Looking at the present day situation of the world, would Jesus shed tears? The
vision is dark. From the point of view of ecology, we have already gone beyond
the limit. The vision is tragic.
• In Jesus, God visits His people. In your life, have you received some visit from God?
• In Jesus, God visits His people. In your life, have you received some visit from God?
5) Concluding prayer
Sing a new song to Yahweh:
his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Israel shall rejoice in its Maker,
the children of Zion delight in their king. (Ps 149,1-2)
his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Israel shall rejoice in its Maker,
the children of Zion delight in their king. (Ps 149,1-2)
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