Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo,
Bishop
Lectionary: 485
Lectionary: 485
Brothers and sisters:
The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Just as you once disobeyed God
but have now received mercy
because of their disobedience,
so they have now disobeyed in order that,
by virtue of the mercy shown to you,
they too may now receive mercy.
For God delivered all to disobedience,
that he might have mercy upon all.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given him anything
that he may be repaid?
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To God be glory forever. Amen.
The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Just as you once disobeyed God
but have now received mercy
because of their disobedience,
so they have now disobeyed in order that,
by virtue of the mercy shown to you,
they too may now receive mercy.
For God delivered all to disobedience,
that he might have mercy upon all.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given him anything
that he may be repaid?
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To God be glory forever. Amen.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 69:30-31, 33-34, 36
R. (14c) Lord,
in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
They shall dwell in the land and own it,
and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
They shall dwell in the land and own it,
and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
AlleluiaJN 8:31B-32
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 14:12-14
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.
He said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.
He said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, please go here.
Meditation:
"You
will be repaid at the resurrection of the just"
Who
do you honor at your table? The Lord is always ready to receive us at his
table. As far as we can tell from the Gospel accounts, Jesus never refused a
dinner invitation! Why, in this particular instance, does Jesus lecture his
host on whom he should or shouldn't invite to dinner? Did his host expect some
favor or reward from Jesus? Did he want to impress his neighbors with the honor
of hosting the "miracle worker" from Galilee?
Generous
giving doesn't impoverish - but enriches the heart
Jesus probes our hearts as well. Do you only show favor and generosity to those who will repay you in kind? What about those who do not have the means to repay you - the poor, the sick, and the disadvantaged? Generosity demands a measure of self-sacrifice. However, it doesn't impoverish, but rather enriches the soul of the giver. True generosity springs from a heart full of mercy and compassion. God has loved us first, and our love for him is a response of gratitude for the great mercy and kindness he has shown to each one of us. No one can outmatch God in his generous love and kindness towards us. Do you give freely as Jesus gives without seeking personal gain or reward?
Jesus probes our hearts as well. Do you only show favor and generosity to those who will repay you in kind? What about those who do not have the means to repay you - the poor, the sick, and the disadvantaged? Generosity demands a measure of self-sacrifice. However, it doesn't impoverish, but rather enriches the soul of the giver. True generosity springs from a heart full of mercy and compassion. God has loved us first, and our love for him is a response of gratitude for the great mercy and kindness he has shown to each one of us. No one can outmatch God in his generous love and kindness towards us. Do you give freely as Jesus gives without seeking personal gain or reward?
"Lord
Jesus, you love never fails and your mercies abound. You offer us the best of
gifts - peace, pardon and everlasting friendship with you at your banquet
table. Fill me with gratitude for your great mercy and kindness towards me. And
may I never fail to show kindness and mercy towards all I meet so that they may
know the mercy and goodness you offer them as well."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: First and last at the banquet table,
by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"'When,'
he says, 'a man more honorable than you comes, he that invited you and him will
say, 'Give this man place.' Oh, what great shame is there in having to do this!
It is like a theft, so to speak, and the restitution of the stolen goods. He
must restore what he has seized because he had no right to take it. The modest
and praiseworthy person, who without fear of blame might have claimed the
dignity of sitting among the foremost, does not seek it. He yields to others
what might be called his own, that he may not even seem to be overcome by empty
pride. Such a one shall receive honor as his due. He says, 'He shall hear him
who invited him say, 'Come up here.' ...If any one among you wants to be set
above others, let him win it by the decree of heaven and be crowned by those
honors that God bestows. Let him surpass the many by having the testimony of
glorious virtues. The rule of virtue is a lowly mind that does not love
boasting. It is humility. The blessed Paul also counted this worthy of all
esteem. He writes to those who eagerly desire saintly pursuits, 'Love
humility.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, LUKE 14:12-14
(Romans 11:29-36; Psalm 69)
(Romans 11:29-36; Psalm 69)
KEY VERSE: "For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" (v. 14).
TO KNOW: When Jesus was invited to a banquet at the home of an influential religious leader, he used the opportunity to teach both host and guests about the equality of all God's people. Jesus told them that when they gave a dinner party, they should not invite only those who were in a position to return the invitation. They should also invite the disadvantaged who had no means to repay them. These anawim (the poor, vulnerable, marginalized, and economically oppressed) were the ones to whom Jesus addressed in his proclamation of the reign of God (Lk 4:18). His followers had no need to be repaid for their generosity in serving him and God's people; God would reward them in the resurrection of the just. Can we imagine what it would be like if banquets were held in honor of the poor and deprived instead of the rich and famous? How would this change us? How would it change the world?
TO LOVE: In what ways can I apply Jesus' teaching to my everyday life?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to see everyone as my brothers and sisters.
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop
Charles Borromeo was born to a wealthy, noble family, and was the nephew of Pope Pius IV. He was a civil and canon lawyer at age 21, cardinal at 22, and archbishop of Milan at 24. He spent his life and fortune in the service of the people of his diocese. He directed and fervently enforced the decrees of the Council of Trent, and fought tirelessly for peace in the wake of the storm caused by Martin Luther and the Reformation. Charles founded schools for the poor, instituted children's Sunday school, established seminaries for clerics, hospitals for the sick, and conducted synods. Although Charles suffered with a speech impediment, he was a teacher, confessor and parish priest to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Charles did great public and private penance, and worked tirelessly among the sick and dying during the plague. He was canonized in 1610 by Pope Paul V.
Monday 4 November 2019
St Charles Borromeo
Rom 11:29-36. Psalm 68(69):30-31, 33-34, 36-37. Luke 14:12-14.
Lord, in your great love, answer me – Psalm 68(69):30-31, 33-34,
36-37.
‘How rich are the depths of God’
St Charles Borromeo had eyes to see and ears to hear, but most
of all an intelligent and merciful heart. He noticed that the people were not
being guided and cared for in ways that were life giving. They were subject to
empty rituals and threats of a punitive God. The promises of forgiveness,
healing and affirmation were not high priorities. The people were bowed down
with hard burdens. In his prayer he decided that priests and bishops needed
good and ongoing formation. The hearts and minds of people would be touched by
a gentle and welcoming God.
Let us pray for the seminarians today that they learn at the
hands of enlightened minds, so that in their ministry they only offer the
multiple ways of God’s love. Karl Rahner SJ distilled the experience of God
into one’s capacity to love. That potential is within all of us.
Saint Charles Borromeo
Saint of the Day for November 4
(October 2, 1538 – November 3, 1584)
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| San Carlo Borromeo, cardinal of Milan | Wellcome Images |
Saint Charles Borromeo’s Story
The name of Charles Borromeo is associated with reform. He lived
during the time of the Protestant Reformation, and had a hand in the reform of
the whole Church during the final years of the Council of Trent.
Although he belonged to the Milanese nobility and was related to
the powerful Medici family, Charles desired to devote himself to the Church. In
1559, when his uncle, Cardinal de Medici was elected Pope Pius IV, he made
Charles cardinal-deacon and administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan. At the
time Charles was still a layman and a young student. Because of his
intellectual qualities Charles was entrusted with several important offices
connected with the Vatican, and later appointed secretary of state with
responsibility for the papal states. The untimely death of his elder brother
brought Charles to a definite decision to be ordained a priest, despite his
relatives’ insistence that he marry. Soon after being ordained a priest at age
25, Borromeo was consecrated bishop of Milan.
Working behind the scenes, Saint Charles deserves the credit for
keeping the Council of Trent in session when at several points it was on the
verge of breaking up. Borromeo encouraged the pope to renew the Council in
1562, after it had been suspended for 10 years. He took upon himself the task
of the entire correspondence during the final phase. Because of his work at the
Council, Borromeo was unable to take up residence in Milan until the Council
concluded.
Eventually, Borromeo was allowed to devote his time to the
Archdiocese of Milan, where the religious and moral picture was far from
bright. The reform needed in every phase of Catholic life among both clergy and
laity was initiated at a provincial council of all the bishops under him.
Specific regulations were drawn up for bishops and other clergy: If the people
were to be converted to a better life, Borromeo had to be the first to give a
good example and renew their apostolic spirit.
Charles took the initiative in giving a good example. He
allotted most of his income to charity, forbade himself all luxury, and imposed
severe penances upon himself. He sacrificed wealth, high honors, esteem, and
influence to become poor. During the plague and famine of 1576, Borromeo tried
to feed 60,000 to 70,000 people daily. To do this he borrowed large sums of
money that required years to repay. Whereas the civil authorities fled at the
height of the plague, he stayed in the city, where he ministered to the sick
and the dying, helping those in want.
Work and the heavy burdens of his high office began to affect
Archbishop Borromeo’s health, leading to his death at the age of 46.
Reflection
Saint Charles Borromeo made his own the words of Christ: “…I was
hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger
and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in
prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). Borromeo saw Christ in his
neighbor, and knew that charity done for the least of his flock was charity
done for Christ.
Saint Charles Borromeo is the Patron Saint of:
Catechists
Catechumens
Seminarians
Catechumens
Seminarians
Lectio Divina: Luke 14:12-14
Lectio Divina
Monday, November 4, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
only with Your help
can we offer You fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust Your promise of eternal life.
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.
only with Your help
can we offer You fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust Your promise of eternal life.
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 14:12-14
Jesus said to His host, "When you give a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relations or rich
neighbors, in case they invite you back and so repay you. No, when you have a
party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and then you will be
blessed, for they have no means to repay you and so you will be repaid when the
upright rise again."
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today continues to present the teaching Jesus was
giving on different themes, all related to curing in the setting of a banquet:
a cure during a meal (Lk 14: 1-6), advice not to take the places of honor (Lk
14:7-12), and advice to invite the excluded (Lk 14:12-14). This organization of
Jesus’ words around a particular word, for example, table or banquet, helps one
to understand the method used by the first Christians to keep the words of
Jesus in their memory.
• Luke 14:12: Interested invitation. Jesus is eating in the house of a Pharisee who has invited Him (Lk 14:1). The invitation to share at table is the theme of the teaching of today’s Gospel. There are different types of invitations: the interested invitations for the benefit of oneself and disinterested invitations for the benefit of others. Jesus says, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relations or rich neighbors, in case they invite you back and so repay you”. That was the normal custom of the people: to invite friends, brothers and relatives to eat. Nobody would sit at table with unknown people. They would sit around the table only with people who were their friends. That was the custom of the Jews. Even now we also act in the same way. Jesus thinks differently and orders us to invite unknown people. These were invitations which nobody made.
• Luke 14:13-14: Disinterested invitation. Jesus says “On the contrary, when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; then you will be blessed, for they have no means to repay you. So you will be repaid when the upright rise again.” Jesus orders them and us to break the closed circle and asks us to invite the excluded, the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. This was not the custom then and it is not today either. But Jesus insists, “Invite these people”. Why? Because in the disinterested invitation, addressed to excluded and marginalized persons, there is a source of happiness: “And then you will be blessed for they have no means to repay you”. This is a strange type of happiness, a different happiness! You will be blessed for they have no means to repay you. It is the happiness that comes from doing a totally gratuitous gesture, without asking for anything. Jesus says that this is the happiness which God will give us in the Resurrection; the happiness of the Resurrection which He will give us not only at the end of history, but even now. To act in this way is to catch a glimpse of the happiness in the Resurrection!
• It is the Kingdom which will be confirmed. The advice which Jesus gives us in the Gospel today recalls the sending out of the seventy-two on the mission to announce the Kingdom (Lk 10:1-9). Among the different recommendations given on that occasion, as signs of the presence of the Kingdom, there is: (a) the invitation to the table and (b) the acceptance of the excluded: “Whenever you go into a town, where they make you welcome, eat what is put before you, cure those who are sick and say, the Kingdom of God is very near to you!” (Lk 10:8-9) Here, in these recommendations, Jesus orders the transgression of that norm of legal purity which prevented fraternal living together.
• Luke 14:12: Interested invitation. Jesus is eating in the house of a Pharisee who has invited Him (Lk 14:1). The invitation to share at table is the theme of the teaching of today’s Gospel. There are different types of invitations: the interested invitations for the benefit of oneself and disinterested invitations for the benefit of others. Jesus says, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relations or rich neighbors, in case they invite you back and so repay you”. That was the normal custom of the people: to invite friends, brothers and relatives to eat. Nobody would sit at table with unknown people. They would sit around the table only with people who were their friends. That was the custom of the Jews. Even now we also act in the same way. Jesus thinks differently and orders us to invite unknown people. These were invitations which nobody made.
• Luke 14:13-14: Disinterested invitation. Jesus says “On the contrary, when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; then you will be blessed, for they have no means to repay you. So you will be repaid when the upright rise again.” Jesus orders them and us to break the closed circle and asks us to invite the excluded, the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. This was not the custom then and it is not today either. But Jesus insists, “Invite these people”. Why? Because in the disinterested invitation, addressed to excluded and marginalized persons, there is a source of happiness: “And then you will be blessed for they have no means to repay you”. This is a strange type of happiness, a different happiness! You will be blessed for they have no means to repay you. It is the happiness that comes from doing a totally gratuitous gesture, without asking for anything. Jesus says that this is the happiness which God will give us in the Resurrection; the happiness of the Resurrection which He will give us not only at the end of history, but even now. To act in this way is to catch a glimpse of the happiness in the Resurrection!
• It is the Kingdom which will be confirmed. The advice which Jesus gives us in the Gospel today recalls the sending out of the seventy-two on the mission to announce the Kingdom (Lk 10:1-9). Among the different recommendations given on that occasion, as signs of the presence of the Kingdom, there is: (a) the invitation to the table and (b) the acceptance of the excluded: “Whenever you go into a town, where they make you welcome, eat what is put before you, cure those who are sick and say, the Kingdom of God is very near to you!” (Lk 10:8-9) Here, in these recommendations, Jesus orders the transgression of that norm of legal purity which prevented fraternal living together.
4) Personal questions
• An interested or disinterested invitation: which of these
takes place in my life?
• If you invited people in a disinterested way, would this cause some difficulties? Which ones?
• If you invited people in a disinterested way, would this cause some difficulties? Which ones?
5) Concluding prayer
Yahweh, my heart is not haughty,
I do not set my sights too high.
I have taken no part in great affairs,
in wonders beyond my scope.
No, I hold myself in quiet and silence,
like a little child in its mother's arms,
like a little child, so I keep myself. (Ps 131:l-2)
I do not set my sights too high.
I have taken no part in great affairs,
in wonders beyond my scope.
No, I hold myself in quiet and silence,
like a little child in its mother's arms,
like a little child, so I keep myself. (Ps 131:l-2)
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