Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 444
Lectionary: 444
Beloved, this saying is trustworthy:
whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.
Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable,
married only once, temperate, self-controlled,
decent, hospitable, able to teach,
not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle,
not contentious, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own household well,
keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;
for if a man does not know how to manage his own household,
how can he take care of the Church of God?
He should not be a recent convert,
so that he may not become conceited
and thus incur the Devil's punishment.
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders,
so that he may not fall into disgrace, the Devil's trap.
Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful,
not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,
holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
Moreover, they should be tested first;
then, if there is nothing against them,
let them serve as deacons.
Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers,
but temperate and faithful in everything.
Deacons may be married only once
and must manage their children and their households well.
Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing
and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.
Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable,
married only once, temperate, self-controlled,
decent, hospitable, able to teach,
not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle,
not contentious, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own household well,
keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;
for if a man does not know how to manage his own household,
how can he take care of the Church of God?
He should not be a recent convert,
so that he may not become conceited
and thus incur the Devil's punishment.
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders,
so that he may not fall into disgrace, the Devil's trap.
Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful,
not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,
holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
Moreover, they should be tested first;
then, if there is nothing against them,
let them serve as deacons.
Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers,
but temperate and faithful in everything.
Deacons may be married only once
and must manage their children and their households well.
Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing
and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 101:1B-2AB, 2CD-3AB,
5, 6
R.(2) I will
walk with blameless heart.
Of mercy and judgment I will sing;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
I will persevere in the way of integrity;
when will you come to me?
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
I will walk with blameless heart,
within my house;
I will not set before my eyes
any base thing.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
him will I destroy.
The man of haughty eyes and puffed up heart
I will not endure.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
My eyes are upon the faithful of the land,
that they may dwell with me.
He who walks in the way of integrity
shall be in my service.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
Of mercy and judgment I will sing;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
I will persevere in the way of integrity;
when will you come to me?
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
I will walk with blameless heart,
within my house;
I will not set before my eyes
any base thing.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
him will I destroy.
The man of haughty eyes and puffed up heart
I will not endure.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
My eyes are upon the faithful of the land,
that they may dwell with me.
He who walks in the way of integrity
shall be in my service.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
AlleluiaLK 7:16
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 7:11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Robert Bellarmine,
please go here.
Meditation: "The Lord
had compassion on her"
: How do you respond
to the misfortunes of others? In a number of places the Gospel records that
Jesus was "moved to the depths of his heart" when he met with
individuals and with groups of people. Our modern use of the word
"compassion" doesn't fully convey the deeper meaning of the original
Hebrew word which expresses heart-felt "sympathy" and personal
identification with the suffering person's grief and physical condition. Why
was Jesus so moved on this occasion when he met a widow and a crowded funeral
procession on their way to the cemetery? Jesus not only grieved the untimely
death of a young man, but he showed the depth of his concern for the woman who
lost not only her husband, but her only child as well. The only secure means of
welfare in biblical times was one's family. This woman had lost not only her
loved ones, but her future security and livelihood as well.
Jesus
is lord of the living and the dead
The Scriptures make clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (see Ezekiel 33:11) - he desires life, not death. Jesus not only had heart-felt compassion for the widow who lost her only son, he also had extraordinary supernatural power - the ability to restore life and to make a person whole again. Jesus, however, did something which must have shocked the sensibilities of the widow and her friends. Jesus approached the bier to make physical contact with the dead man. The Jews understood that contact with a dead body made oneself ritually unclean or impure. Jesus' physical touch and personal identification with the widow's loss of her only son not only showed the depths of his love and concern for her, but pointed to his desire to free everyone from the power of sin and moral corruption, and even death itself. Jesus' simple word of command - "Young man, arise" - not only restored him to physical life, but brought freedom and wholeness to his soul as well as his body.
The Scriptures make clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (see Ezekiel 33:11) - he desires life, not death. Jesus not only had heart-felt compassion for the widow who lost her only son, he also had extraordinary supernatural power - the ability to restore life and to make a person whole again. Jesus, however, did something which must have shocked the sensibilities of the widow and her friends. Jesus approached the bier to make physical contact with the dead man. The Jews understood that contact with a dead body made oneself ritually unclean or impure. Jesus' physical touch and personal identification with the widow's loss of her only son not only showed the depths of his love and concern for her, but pointed to his desire to free everyone from the power of sin and moral corruption, and even death itself. Jesus' simple word of command - "Young man, arise" - not only restored him to physical life, but brought freedom and wholeness to his soul as well as his body.
The
Lord Jesus has power to restore us to wholeness of life - now and forever
This miracle took place near the spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son back to life again (see 2 Kings 4:18-37). Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of power he restored life for a lad marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the living but of the dead as well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he also triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day, just as he had promised his disciples. Jesus promises everyone who believes in him, that because he lives (and will never die again), we also shall have abundant life with and in him both now and forever (John 14:19). Do you trust in the Lord Jesus to give you abundant life and everlasting hope in the face of life's trials, misfortunes, and moments of despair?
This miracle took place near the spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son back to life again (see 2 Kings 4:18-37). Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of power he restored life for a lad marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the living but of the dead as well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he also triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day, just as he had promised his disciples. Jesus promises everyone who believes in him, that because he lives (and will never die again), we also shall have abundant life with and in him both now and forever (John 14:19). Do you trust in the Lord Jesus to give you abundant life and everlasting hope in the face of life's trials, misfortunes, and moments of despair?
"Lord
Jesus, your healing presence brings life and restores us to wholeness of mind,
body, and spirit. Speak your word to me and give me renewed hope, strength, and
courage to follow you in the midst of life's sorrows and joys."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The dead man who meets the Life and
the Resurrection, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"The
dead man was being buried, and many friends were conducting him to his tomb.
Christ, the life and resurrection, meets him there. He is the Destroyer of
death and of corruption. He is the One in whom we live and move and are (Acts
17:28). He is who has restored the nature of man to that which it originally
was and has set free our death-fraught flesh from the bonds of death. He had
mercy upon the woman, and that her tears might be stopped, he commanded saying,
'Weep not.' Immediately the cause of her weeping was done away." (excerpt
from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 36)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, LUKE 7:11-17
Weekday
(1 Timothy 3:1-13; Psalm 101)
Weekday
(1 Timothy 3:1-13; Psalm 101)
KEY VERSE: "Young man, I tell you, arise!" (v. 14).
TO KNOW: Soon after healing the centurion's servant, Jesus went to a town called Nain, which was a day's journey from Capernaum. His disciples and a large crowd followed him. Luke compared Jesus' ministry to that of two prophets in the Hebrew Testament: Elijah, who raised to life the only son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:8-24), and Elisha, who resuscitated the only son of a Shunammite woman (2 Kgs 4:8-37). When Jesus entered the village of Nain, he saw a widow accompanying the bier of her dead son. Jesus was moved with compassion, since, with no husband or son to support her, the woman would soon find herself destitute. Risking ritual impurity for touching a corpse (Nm 19:11), Jesus placed his hand on the litter of the dead man, and with a word of authority commanded him to rise to life. When Jesus gave the young man back to his grateful mother, the people praised God for sending a new prophet to them.
TO LOVE: In what ways can I offer Christ's compassion to the bereaved?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, thank you for your healing touch, which gives me new life.
Optional Memorial of Saint Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor
of the Church
Robert Bellarmine became a Jesuit in 1560. He taught Greek, Hebrew and theology at Louvain, Florence. Robert became college rector in 1592, Provincial of Naples in 1594, Cardinal in 1598, and Archbishop of Capua in1602. He lived an austere life in Rome, giving most of his money to the poor. He wrote exhaustive works against heresies of the day. Robert took a fundamentally democratic position – the authority that originated with God was vested in the people, who entrusted it to rulers, a concept that brought him trouble with the kings of both England and France. Robert was the spiritual father of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. He helped Saint Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order. He opposed severe action against Galileo. He revised Bible translations and wrote two catechisms. He was theological adviser to Pope Clement VIII and Pope Paul V, and taught catechism to children. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1931.
Tuesday 17 September 2019
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| Detail | Stained glass window in Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Dayton, Ohio | photo by Nheyob |
St Robert Bellarmine
1 Timothy 3:1-13. Psalm 100(101):1-3, 5, 6. Luke 7:11-17.
I will walk with blameless heart – Psalm 100(101):1-3, 5, 6
‘He was moved with pity for her’
1 Timothy 3:1-13. Psalm 100(101):1-3, 5, 6. Luke 7:11-17.
I will walk with blameless heart – Psalm 100(101):1-3, 5, 6
‘He was moved with pity for her’
The Gospel scene begins with such sadness. It appears that the widow
is now completely alone in the world. She had no husband and now no child.
She is probably walking through the streets in absolute shock, cradling
overwhelming grief. We are not told many details about her.
Why did this particular widow draw the attention of Jesus?
Perhaps the ‘large crowd from the city with her’ spoke volumes to him. Perhaps
she was very well respected, someone who was always available for those in
need. Certainly, Jesus was moved with pity for her and performed an amazing
miracle. The widow’s grief would be replaced with complete joy as Jesus ‘gave
her son back to her’.
Jesus notices us too. He sees our grief, our losses. He wants
our restoration. We just have to ask for our mourning to be turned into joy.
Saint Robert Bellarmine
Saint of the Day for September 17
(October 4, 1542 – September 17, 1621)
Saint Robert Bellarmine’s Story
When Robert Bellarmine was ordained in 1570, the study of Church
history and the fathers of the Church was in a sad state of neglect. A
promising scholar from his youth in Tuscany, he devoted his energy to these two
subjects, as well as to Scripture, in order to systematize Church doctrine
against the attacks of the Protestant Reformers. He was the first Jesuit to
become a professor at Louvain.
His most famous work is his three-volume Disputations on
the Controversies of the Christian Faith. Particularly noteworthy are the
sections on the temporal power of the pope and the role of the laity.
Bellarmine incurred the anger of monarchists in England and France by showing
the divine-right-of-kings theory untenable. He developed the theory of the
indirect power of the pope in temporal affairs; although he was defending the
pope against the Scottish philosopher Barclay, he also incurred the ire of Pope
Sixtus V.
Bellarmine was made a cardinal by Pope Clement VIII on the
grounds that “he had not his equal for learning.” While he occupied apartments
in the Vatican, Bellarmine relaxed none of his former austerities. He limited
his household expenses to what was barely essential, eating only the food
available to the poor. He was known to have ransomed a soldier who had deserted
from the army and he used the hangings of his rooms to clothe poor people,
remarking, “The walls won’t catch cold.”
Among many activities, Bellarmine became theologian to Pope
Clement VIII, preparing two catechisms which have had great influence in the
Church.
The last major controversy of Bellarmine’s life came in 1616
when he had to admonish his friend Galileo, whom he admired. He delivered the
admonition on behalf of the Holy Office, which had decided that the
heliocentric theory of Copernicus was contrary to Scripture. The admonition
amounted to a caution against putting forward—other than as a
hypothesis—theories not yet fully proven. This shows that saints are not
infallible.
Robert Bellarmine died on September 17, 1621. The process for
his canonization was begun in 1627, but was delayed until 1930 for political
reasons, stemming from his writings. In 1930, Pope Pius XI canonized him, and
the next year declared him a doctor of the Church.
Reflection
The renewal in the Church sought by Vatican II was difficult for
many Catholics. In the course of change, many felt a lack of firm guidance from
those in authority. They yearned for the stone columns of orthodoxy and an iron
command with clearly defined lines of authority. Vatican II assures us in The
Church in the Modern World, “There are many realities which do not change
and which have their ultimate foundation in Christ, who is the same yesterday
and today, yes, and forever” (#10, quoting Hebrews 13:8).
Robert Bellarmine devoted his life to the study of Scripture and
Catholic doctrine. His writings help us understand that the real source of our
faith is not merely a set of doctrines, but rather the person of Jesus still
living in the Church today.
Saint Robert Bellarmine is the Patron Saint of:
Catechists
Catechumens
Catechumens
Lectio: Luke 7:11-17
Lectio Divina
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
our creator and guide,
may we serve You with all our hearts
and know Your forgiveness in our lives.
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.
our creator and guide,
may we serve You with all our hearts
and know Your forgiveness in our lives.
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 7:11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a
large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who
had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a
widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was
moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped
forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said,
"Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to
speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they
glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"
and "God has visited his people." This report about him spread
through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents the episode of the resurrection of the
son of the widow of Nain. The literary context of this episode of the VII
chapter of Luke helps one to understand. The Evangelist wants to show that
Jesus opens the road, revealing the novelty of God which is presented to us in
the announcement of the Good News. And in this way the transformation and
openness take place: Jesus accepts the request of a foreigner, a non Jew (Lk
7:1-10) and resurrects the son of a widow (Lk 7:11-17). The way in which Jesus
reveals the Kingdom surprises the Jewish brothers who were not accustomed to
such great openness. Even John the Baptist is surprised and orders to go and
ask: “Are you the one who is to come or are we to expect someone else?” (Lk
7:18-30). Jesus denounces the disconnectedness of His patricians: “They are
like children shouting to one another without knowing what they want!” (Lk
7:31-35). And finally, there is the openness of Jesus toward women (7:36-50).
• Luke 7:11-12: The meeting of the two processions. “Jesus
went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a great crowd were going with
Him. When He was close to the gate of the town, there was a dead man being
carried out to the cemetery, the only son of his mother and she was a widow.”
Luke is like a painter. With few words he succeeds to paint a very beautiful
picture on the encounter of the two processions: the procession of death which
is going out of the city and accompanies the widow who is taking her only son
towards the cemetery; the procession of life which enters the city and
accompanies Jesus. The two meet in the small square at the side of the gate of
the town of Nain.
• Luke 7:13: Compassion begins to act here. “When the
Lord saw her, He felt sorry for her and said to her: “Do not cry!” It is
compassion which moves Jesus to speak and to act. Compassion signifies
literally: “to suffer with”, to assume or make ours the suffering of the other
person, identifying oneself with the person, feeling the pain, the suffering.
It is compassion which puts into action the power of Jesus, the power of life
over death, the creative power.
• Luke 7:14-15: “Young man, I tell you, get up!” Jesus gets near
the bier and says: “Young men, I tell you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and
began to talk; and Jesus gave him to his mother”. Sometimes, at the moment of a
great sorrow caused by the death of a loved person, people say: “In Jesus’
time, when He walked on this earth there was hope not to lose a loved person
because Jesus could resurrect her”. These persons consider the episode of the
resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain as an event of the past which
arouses nostalgia and also certain envy. The intention of the Gospel, instead,
is not, that of arousing nostalgia or envy, but rather of helping us to
experience better the living presence of Jesus in our midst. It is the same
Jesus, who continues alive in our midst, capable of overcoming death and the
sorrow of death. He is with us today, and in the face of the problems of sorrow
which strike us, He tells us: “I tell you, get up!”
•Luke 7:16-17: The repercussion. “Everyone was filled
with awe and glorified God saying: ‘A great prophet has risen up among us; God
has visited His people”. The fame of these events spread throughout Judaea and
all over the countryside”. It is the prophet who was announced by Moses (Dt
18:15). It is God who comes to visit us and the “Father of orphans and
protector of the widows” (Ps 68:6: Judith 9:11).
4) Personal questions
• Compassion moves Jesus to resurrect the son of the widow. Does
the suffering, the sorrow of others, produce in me the same compassion? What do
I do to help the others to overcome the sorrow and to create a new life?
• God visited His people. Do I perceive the many visits of God
in my life and in the life of the people?
5) Concluding Prayer
Serve Yahweh with gladness,
come into His presence with songs of joy!
Be sure that Yahweh is God, He made us,
we belong to Him, His people, the flock of His sheepfold. (Ps 100:2-3)
come into His presence with songs of joy!
Be sure that Yahweh is God, He made us,
we belong to Him, His people, the flock of His sheepfold. (Ps 100:2-3)
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