Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales,
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 314
Lectionary: 314
Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him,
since he lives forever to make intercession for them.
It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:
holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,
higher than the heavens.
He has no need, as did the high priests,
to offer sacrifice day after day,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people;
he did that once for all when he offered himself.
For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,
but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,
appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.
The main point of what has been said is this:
we have such a high priest,
who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne
of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary
and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up.
Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices;
thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer.
If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest,
since there are those who offer gifts according to the law.
They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary,
as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle.
For God says, "See that you make everything
according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry
as he is mediator of a better covenant,
enacted on better promises.
since he lives forever to make intercession for them.
It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:
holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,
higher than the heavens.
He has no need, as did the high priests,
to offer sacrifice day after day,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people;
he did that once for all when he offered himself.
For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,
but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,
appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.
The main point of what has been said is this:
we have such a high priest,
who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne
of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary
and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up.
Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices;
thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer.
If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest,
since there are those who offer gifts according to the law.
They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary,
as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle.
For God says, "See that you make everything
according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry
as he is mediator of a better covenant,
enacted on better promises.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 40:7-8A, 8B-9, 10, 17
R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, "The LORD be glorified."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, "The LORD be glorified."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
AlleluiaSEE 2 TM 1:10
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MK 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, "You are the Son of God."
He warned them sternly not to make him known.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, "You are the Son of God."
He warned them sternly not to make him known.
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, please go here.
Meditation:
All pressed upon Jesus to touch him
Is
there anything holding you back from giving yourself to God without fear or
reservation? Jesus offered freedom to everyone who sought him out. Wherever
Jesus went the people came to him because they had heard about all the
wonderful deeds and miracles which he performed. They were hungry for God and
desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they pressed upon
Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus and they were
healed. Do you seek to lay hold of Jesus' presence in your life that he may
touch and heal you?
Draw
near to Jesus with expectant faith and he will answer
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) remarked:
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) remarked:
"It
is by faith that we touch Jesus. And far better to touch him by faith than to
touch or handle him with the hands only and not by faith. It was no great thing
to merely touch him manually. Even his oppressors doubtless touched him when
they apprehended him, bound him, and crucified him, but by their ill-motivated
touch they lost precisely what they were laying hold of. O worldwide church! It
is by touching him faithfully that your 'faith has made you whole' (Isaiah
1:10-18; Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; Mark 10:52; Luke 8:48; John 20:29)." (excerpt
from SERMONS, ON EASTER 148)
The
Lord Jesus has power to heal, restore, and make us new
Why did Jesus perform so many countless miracles and signs during his earthly ministry? Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD) wrote that these signs and miracles showed that Jesus was truly God - the eternal Word who was made flesh for our salvation:
Why did Jesus perform so many countless miracles and signs during his earthly ministry? Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD) wrote that these signs and miracles showed that Jesus was truly God - the eternal Word who was made flesh for our salvation:
[Jesus]
performed very many wonderful miracles, rebuking demons, delivering from
incurable diseases whoever drew near to him, and displaying his own most divine
power. He did these works so that both the Jews, who had run together to him,
and those from the country of the Greeks might know that Christ was not some
ordinary man of those in our degree but, on the contrary, God. He honored these
chosen disciples with the dignity of the apostolate. He was the Word that was
made man but retained nevertheless his own glory. "For power went forth
from him and healed all." Christ did not borrow strength from some other
person, but being himself God by nature, even though he had become flesh, he
healed them all, by the demonstration of power over the sick. (COMMENTARY
ON LUKE, HOMILY 25)
Why
did the demons tremble in the presence of Jesus (Mark 3:11)? They recognized
that his power and authority came from heaven and not from earth. But while
they confessed Christ and trembled in his presence, they did not respond in
love.
Receive
God's word with expectant faith, persevering hope, and fervent love
When you read God's word and consider all that Jesus said and did, how do you respond? With indifference, hesitation, or skepticism, or with expectant faith, love, and willing obedience? Ask the Lord Jesus to draw you to himself with increasing faith, fervent love, and eager readiness to do his will.
When you read God's word and consider all that Jesus said and did, how do you respond? With indifference, hesitation, or skepticism, or with expectant faith, love, and willing obedience? Ask the Lord Jesus to draw you to himself with increasing faith, fervent love, and eager readiness to do his will.
"Lord
Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Inflame my
heart with a burning love for you and with an expectant faith in your saving
power. Set me free from all that hinders me from drawing closer to you."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Faith works by love, by Augustine
of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The
'faith that works by love' (Galatians 5:6), is not the same faith that
demons have. 'For the devils also believe and tremble' (James 2:19) but
do they love? If they had not believed, they would not have said: 'You are the
holy one of God' or 'You are the Son of God' (Mark 3:11-12; Luke 4:34,41).
But if they had loved, they would not have said: 'What have we to do with
you?' (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28)" (excerpt from Letter 194,
To Sixtus)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, MARK 3:7-12
(Hebrews 7:25--8:6; Psalm 40)
(Hebrews 7:25--8:6; Psalm 40)
KEY VERSE: "He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him" (v 10).
TO KNOW: After Jesus’ confrontation with the religious leaders in the synagogue, he withdrew to the area around the Sea of Galilee. There he concentrated on the formation of his disciples. As Jesus taught and healed people, he attracted large crowds from many regions: Jerusalem in the south, Tyre and Sidon in the north, Idumea to the east, and even beyond the Jordan River to the west. Jesus was creating a new people of God made up of all peoples. When he encountered some individuals possessed by "unclean spirits" (v 11), they identified him as the "Son of God" (v 11). Ancient people believed that they could gain mastery over a spirit by naming it, and the demons made the effort to ward off God's power. Jesus silenced the demonic attempt to thwart God's plan. By naming the enemy, Jesus had power over them.
TO LOVE: Have I experienced the power of Jesus’ Name in my life?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to pray in your Holy Name.
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the
Church
Francis de Sales was born in Savoy near Annecy in 1567, shortly after the conclusion of the Council of Trent. He studied the law, but abandoned the prospect of a brilliant career, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1593. Francis was appointed bishop of Geneva, and spent the rest of his life reforming and reorganizing the diocese and in caring for the souls of his people by preaching and spiritual guidance. He became the spiritual director of Saint Jane de Chantal with whom he founded the nuns of the Visitation in 1610. In his most famous writings, the “Introduction to the Devout Life” (1609) and the “Treatise on the Love of God” (1616), Francis taught that that true holiness is not reserved for monks and hermits alone. We can all attain a devout and spiritual life no matter what our position in society. In this he anticipated the Second Vatican Council's teaching that all Christians are called to holiness (Lumen Gentium, chapter 4). Francis died at Lyons on December 28, 1622 and was canonized in 1665. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877 and Patron of the Catholic Press in 1923.
Thursday 24 January 2019
St Francis De Sales.
Hebrews 7:25 – 8:6. Psalm 39(40):7-10, 17. Mark 3:7-12.
Hebrews 7:25 – 8:6. Psalm 39(40):7-10, 17. Mark 3:7-12.
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will –
Psalm 39(40):7-10, 17.
‘He warned them strongly not to make him known.’
Moved by his growing reputation, people came from far and wide
to hear Jesus preach by the lakeside and to seek healing for their physical and
spiritual ailments.
Jesus was the source and foundation of their hope, just as he is
for us now. This hope is both a virtue and a sustaining gift. It affirms the
ultimate goal of eternal life with God and identifies a way of travelling
towards it.
As we endeavour to learn and to do God’s will, Jesus is
companion and guide for our path.
Saint Francis de Sales
Saint of the Day for January 24
(August 21, 1567 – December 28, 1622)
 |
Saint Francis de Sales |
Saint Francis de Sales’ Story
Francis was destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the
young man could eventually take his elder’s place as a senator from the
province of Savoy in France. For this reason Francis was sent to Padua to study
law. After receiving his doctorate, he returned home and, in due time, told his
parents he wished to enter the priesthood. His father strongly opposed Francis
in this, and only after much patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle
Francis did his father finally consent. Francis was ordained and elected
provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a center for the Calvinists. Francis set
out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching and
distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine,
he had remarkable success.
At 35, he became bishop of Geneva. While administering his
diocese he continued to preach, hear confessions, and catechize the children.
His gentle character was a great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own
axiom, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”
Besides his two well-known books, the Introduction to
the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, he
wrote many pamphlets and carried on a vast correspondence. For his writings, he
has been named patron of the Catholic Press. His writings, filled with his
characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make
them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The
Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to
say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince,
or a married woman…. It has happened that many have lost perfection in the
desert who had preserved it in the world.”
In spite of his busy and comparatively short life, he had time
to collaborate with another saint, Jane Frances de Chantal, in the work of
establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the
virtues exemplified in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety, and mutual
charity. They at first engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the
poor and the sick. Today, while some communities conduct schools, others live a
strictly contemplative life.
Reflection
Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn of
me for I am meek and humble of heart.” As he said himself, it took him 20 years
to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a problem,
so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of acting.
His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of
“Gentleman Saint.”
Saint Francis de Sales is the Patron Saint of:
Authors
Deafness
Journalists
Writers
Deafness
Journalists
Writers
LECTIO DIVINA: MARK 3:7-12
Lectio Divina:
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of heaven and earth,
hear our prayers,
and show us the way to Your peace in the world.
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.
hear our prayers,
and show us the way to Your peace in the world.
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 - Mark 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number
of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a
large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from
beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his
disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would
not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were
pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would
fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned
them sternly not to make him known.
3) Reflection
• The conclusion reached at the end of this fifth conflict (Mk
3: 2 to 6) is that the Good News as it was announced by Jesus said exactly the
opposite of the teaching of the religious authority of the time. This is why,
at the end of the last conflict, it is foreseen that Jesus will not have an
easy life and will be put to death. Death is already appearing on the horizon.
They decide to make Him die (Mk 3:6). Without sincere conversion it is not
possible for people to reach a correct understanding of the Good News.
• A summary of the evangelizing action of Jesus. The verses of today’s Gospel (Mk 3:7-12) are a summary of the activity of Jesus and they highlight an enormous contrast. Earlier, in Mk 2:1 to 3:6, only conflicts were spoken of, including the conflict of life and death between Jesus and the civil and religious authority of Galilee (Mk 3:1-6). Now, in the summary, we have the contrary: an immense popular movement, greater than the movement of John the Baptist, because people come not only from Galilee, but also from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, from Transjordan, and even from the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon to encounter Jesus! (Mk 3:7-12). All want to see Him and to touch Him. The people are so numerous that Jesus Himself is concerned. There is a danger of being crushed by the multitude. This is why He asks the disciples to have a boat ready for Him so that the crowd would not crush Him. And from the boat He spoke to the crowds. Especially the excluded and the marginalized who came to Him with their ailments: the sick and those possessed. Those who were not accepted in the society of the time were accepted by Jesus. Here is the contrast: on the one side the religious and civil leaders decided to put Jesus to death (Mk 3:6), and on the other side there was an immense popular movement seeking salvation in Jesus. Who will win?
• The unclean spirits and Jesus. Mark insists very much on the expulsion of the unclean spirits. The first miracle of Jesus is the expulsion of the unclean spirits (Mk 1:25). The first impact caused by Jesus is due to the expulsion of the devil (Mk 1:27). One of the principal causes of Jesus’ clash with the s is the expulsion of the unclean spirits. (Mk 3:22). The first power which the Apostles received when they were sent out on mission was the power to expel demons (Mk 16:17). What does it mean in Mark’s Gospel to drive out or expel evil spirits?
• At the time of Mark the fear of the devil was increasing. Some religions, instead of liberating the people, increased fear and anguish. One of the objectives of the Good News of Jesus is to help people liberate themselves from this fear. The coming of the Kingdom means the coming of a stronger power. Jesus is “the Stronger Man” Who has come to conquer and overcome Satan, the power of evil, and to take way from Satan those imprisoned by fear (Mk 3:27). This is why Mark insists very much on the victory of Jesus over the power of evil, over the devil, over Satan, sin and death. From the beginning to the end, with similar words, Mark repeats the same message: “And Jesus drove out, expelled the impure spirits!” (Mk 1: 26.27,34,39; 3:11-12,15,22,30; 5:1-20; 6:7.13; 7:25-29; 9:25-27,38; 16:9,17). It seems almost a refrain which is repeated! Today, instead of always using the same words, we prefer to use diverse words. We would say, “The power of evil, Satan, which causes so much fear to people - Jesus overcame him, dominated him, conquered him, threw him off the throne, drove him out or expelled him, eliminated him, annihilated him, knocked him down, destroyed him and killed him!” What Mark wants to tell us is this: “Christians are forbidden to be afraid of Satan!” After Jesus rose from the dead, it is madness and a lack of faith to invoke Satan at every moment, as if he still had any power over us. To insist on the power of the devil in order to persuade people to return to Church means to ignore the Good News of the Kingdom. It is a lack of faith in the Resurrection of Jesus!
• A summary of the evangelizing action of Jesus. The verses of today’s Gospel (Mk 3:7-12) are a summary of the activity of Jesus and they highlight an enormous contrast. Earlier, in Mk 2:1 to 3:6, only conflicts were spoken of, including the conflict of life and death between Jesus and the civil and religious authority of Galilee (Mk 3:1-6). Now, in the summary, we have the contrary: an immense popular movement, greater than the movement of John the Baptist, because people come not only from Galilee, but also from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, from Transjordan, and even from the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon to encounter Jesus! (Mk 3:7-12). All want to see Him and to touch Him. The people are so numerous that Jesus Himself is concerned. There is a danger of being crushed by the multitude. This is why He asks the disciples to have a boat ready for Him so that the crowd would not crush Him. And from the boat He spoke to the crowds. Especially the excluded and the marginalized who came to Him with their ailments: the sick and those possessed. Those who were not accepted in the society of the time were accepted by Jesus. Here is the contrast: on the one side the religious and civil leaders decided to put Jesus to death (Mk 3:6), and on the other side there was an immense popular movement seeking salvation in Jesus. Who will win?
• The unclean spirits and Jesus. Mark insists very much on the expulsion of the unclean spirits. The first miracle of Jesus is the expulsion of the unclean spirits (Mk 1:25). The first impact caused by Jesus is due to the expulsion of the devil (Mk 1:27). One of the principal causes of Jesus’ clash with the s is the expulsion of the unclean spirits. (Mk 3:22). The first power which the Apostles received when they were sent out on mission was the power to expel demons (Mk 16:17). What does it mean in Mark’s Gospel to drive out or expel evil spirits?
• At the time of Mark the fear of the devil was increasing. Some religions, instead of liberating the people, increased fear and anguish. One of the objectives of the Good News of Jesus is to help people liberate themselves from this fear. The coming of the Kingdom means the coming of a stronger power. Jesus is “the Stronger Man” Who has come to conquer and overcome Satan, the power of evil, and to take way from Satan those imprisoned by fear (Mk 3:27). This is why Mark insists very much on the victory of Jesus over the power of evil, over the devil, over Satan, sin and death. From the beginning to the end, with similar words, Mark repeats the same message: “And Jesus drove out, expelled the impure spirits!” (Mk 1: 26.27,34,39; 3:11-12,15,22,30; 5:1-20; 6:7.13; 7:25-29; 9:25-27,38; 16:9,17). It seems almost a refrain which is repeated! Today, instead of always using the same words, we prefer to use diverse words. We would say, “The power of evil, Satan, which causes so much fear to people - Jesus overcame him, dominated him, conquered him, threw him off the throne, drove him out or expelled him, eliminated him, annihilated him, knocked him down, destroyed him and killed him!” What Mark wants to tell us is this: “Christians are forbidden to be afraid of Satan!” After Jesus rose from the dead, it is madness and a lack of faith to invoke Satan at every moment, as if he still had any power over us. To insist on the power of the devil in order to persuade people to return to Church means to ignore the Good News of the Kingdom. It is a lack of faith in the Resurrection of Jesus!
4) Personal questions
• How do you live your faith in the Resurrection of Jesus? Does
your faith in some way help you to overcome fear?
• To drive away or expel the devil! What do you do in order to neutralize this power in your life?
• To drive away or expel the devil! What do you do in order to neutralize this power in your life?
5) Concluding prayer
Joy and happiness in You to all who seek You!
Let them ceaselessly cry,”'Great is Yahweh”
who love Your saving power. (Ps 40)
Let them ceaselessly cry,”'Great is Yahweh”
who love Your saving power. (Ps 40)
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