Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
Lectionary: 501
Lectionary: 501
Judas and his brothers said,
"Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it."
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests' chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.
"Now that our enemies have been crushed,
let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it."
So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month,
that is, the month of Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-eight,
they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law
on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it,
on that very day it was reconsecrated
with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.
All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven,
who had given them success.
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.
They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields;
they repaired the gates and the priests' chambers
and furnished them with doors.
There was great joy among the people
now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.
Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel
decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar
should be observed with joy and gladness
on the anniversary every year for eight days,
from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.
Responsorial
Psalm1 CHRONICLES 29:10BCD,
11ABC, 11D-12A, 12BCD
R.(13b) We
praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"You have dominion over all,
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
"You have dominion over all,
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all."
R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
AlleluiaJN 10:27
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 19:45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
"It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves."
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.
those who were selling things, saying to them,
"It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves."
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, please go here.
Meditation: "All
the people hung upon his words "
Why
did Jesus drive out the money changers in the temple at Jerusalem? Was he upset
with their greediness? This is the only incident in the Gospels where we see
Jesus using physical force. Jesus went to Jerusalem, knowing he would meet
certain death on the cross, but victory as well for our sake. His act of
judgment in the temple is meant to be a prophetic sign and warning to the
people that God takes our worship very seriously.
Jesus
honors the Father's house of prayer by cleansing it of unholy practices
In this incident we see Jesus' startling and swift action in cleansing the temple of those who were using it to exploit the worshipers of God. The money changers took advantage of the poor and forced them to pay many times more than was right - in the house of God no less! Their robbery of the poor was not only dishonoring to God but unjust toward their neighbor.
In this incident we see Jesus' startling and swift action in cleansing the temple of those who were using it to exploit the worshipers of God. The money changers took advantage of the poor and forced them to pay many times more than was right - in the house of God no less! Their robbery of the poor was not only dishonoring to God but unjust toward their neighbor.
The
people were hungry for the word of God
In justification for his audacious action Jesus quotes from the prophets Isaiah (Isaiah 56:7) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:11). His act of judgment aims to purify the worship of God's people and to discipline their erring ways. Despite the objections of the religious leaders, no doubt because Jesus was usurping their authority in the house of God, the people who listened to Jesus teaching daily in the temple regarded him with great awe and respect. Luke tells us that "they hung upon Jesus' words" (Luke 19:48). How hungry are you for God's word?
In justification for his audacious action Jesus quotes from the prophets Isaiah (Isaiah 56:7) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:11). His act of judgment aims to purify the worship of God's people and to discipline their erring ways. Despite the objections of the religious leaders, no doubt because Jesus was usurping their authority in the house of God, the people who listened to Jesus teaching daily in the temple regarded him with great awe and respect. Luke tells us that "they hung upon Jesus' words" (Luke 19:48). How hungry are you for God's word?
The
Lord wants to share his holiness with us
If we approach God's word with a humble attentive heart and with a willingness to be taught by the Lord, then we are in a good place to allow God's word to change and transform us in the likeness of Christ. The Lord wants to teach us his ways so that we may grow in holiness. The Lord both instructs and disciplines us in love to lead us from the error of our sinful ways to his truth and justice. "God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness" (Hebrews 12:10). The Lord calls us to be a holy people who worship him with reverence and gratitude for his great mercy and kindness towards us. Do you allow God's word to transform you in his way of love and holiness?
If we approach God's word with a humble attentive heart and with a willingness to be taught by the Lord, then we are in a good place to allow God's word to change and transform us in the likeness of Christ. The Lord wants to teach us his ways so that we may grow in holiness. The Lord both instructs and disciplines us in love to lead us from the error of our sinful ways to his truth and justice. "God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness" (Hebrews 12:10). The Lord calls us to be a holy people who worship him with reverence and gratitude for his great mercy and kindness towards us. Do you allow God's word to transform you in his way of love and holiness?
"Lord
Jesus, you open wide the door of your house and you bid us to enter confidently
that we may worship you in spirit and truth. Help me to draw near to you with
gratitude and joy for your great mercy. May I always revere your word and give
you acceptable praise and worship."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The home of sanctity, by Augustine
of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"God
does not want his temple to be a trader's lodge but the home of sanctity. He
does not preserve the practice of the priestly ministry by the dishonest duty
of religion but by voluntary obedience. Consider what the Lord’s actions impose
on you as an example of living... He taught in general that worldly
transactions must be absent from the temple, but he drove out the money
changers in particular. Who are the money changers, if not those who seek
profit from the Lord's money and cannot distinguish between good and evil? Holy
Scripture is the Lord's money." (excerpt from EXPOSITION
OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 9.17–18)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, LUKE 19:45-48
(1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; Psalm: 1 Chronicles 29)
(1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; Psalm: 1 Chronicles 29)
KEY VERSE: "My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves" (v. 46).
TO KNOW: When Jesus entered the precincts of the Jerusalem temple and saw all the money changers there, he was filled with righteous indignation. God intended that the temple would be a "house of prayer" (Is.56:7), but it had become a "den of thieves" (Jer 7:11). Jesus swiftly acted to cleanse the temple of the abusive practices. His actions represented divine judgment against the religious leaders who failed to instruct the people as to the meaning of true worship. The leaders were outraged and wanted to do away with Jesus, but because of his popularity, they could not find a way. By Jesus' actions, he took possession of the temple as its legitimate and authoritative teacher. From that time until his arrest, the temple would be the center of his ministry.
TO LOVE: What do I do to help make my parish a true place of worship?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to respect your holy dwelling place.
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.
Friday 22 November 2019
St Cecilia. Day of Penance
1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59. 1 Chronicles 29:10-12. Luke
19:45-48.
We praise your glorious name, O mighty God – 1 Chronicles
29:10-12
‘The people were hanging on his words’
Jesus’ actions led him to being open to plots by those out to
destroy him. But those he had been sent to listened to all he told them. They
were encouraged, comforted, challenged and healed. How often, when reading the
scriptures, does a word or phrase resonate so strongly it stays in our minds
for days? Henri Nouwen describes this as ‘not just receiving useful data – but
something happens’.
These are words to live by, just as the words Jesus spoke to the
sick and marginalised in his community were for them. We all have phrases from
Jesus’ story that echo in our hearts and we try to live them out in our daily
lives.
Lord, help me to listen to you this day. Grant me the ears to
hear what I need to hear. Give me a heart tender enough to be moved by your
Word alive within me.
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 19:45-48
Lectio Divina
Friday, November 22, 2019
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.
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.
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 19:45-48
Jesus went into the temple and began driving out those who were
busy trading, saying to them, “According to scripture, my house shall be a
house of prayer but you have turned it into a den of robbers.”
He taught in the temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, along with the leading citizens, tried to do away with Him, but they could not find a way to carry this out because the whole people hung on His words.
He taught in the temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, along with the leading citizens, tried to do away with Him, but they could not find a way to carry this out because the whole people hung on His words.
3) Reflection
• Context. Luke, having described Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem
(11-19, 28), now presents carrying out His mission in the temple.
(vv. 45-48).
• The gesture of Jesus. His action does not have political value but rather prophetic significance. The great purpose of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is to enter the temple. The prophecy of Malachi is fulfilled with Jesus’ entrance. Malachi says, “and suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to His Temple...” (3:1). Jesus’ gesture of driving out the sellers recalls Isaiah 56:7, which says, “My house will be a house of prayer”. Jesus returns the temple to the Father. The commercial and business activity has made the temple a den of robbers and has deprived it of its only function: to provide a dwelling for the presence of God. The second reference from scripture is taken from Jeremiah 7:11: “Do you look on this temple that bears my name as a den of robbers?” The image of a den of robbers serves Jesus to condemn the material traffic on the one side and the dishonest traffic of trade or business that was carried out in the temple. Jesus demands a complete change in order to purify the temple from all of these negative human things and to make it a place for authentic service to God. In driving out those merchants of trade and business, the prophecy of Zechariah is fulfilled: "There will be no more traders in the temple of Yahweh Sabaoth, when that day comes” (14:21). These words of Jesus regarding the temple are not directed at a restoration of the purity of the cult or worship, as was the intention of the Zealots. The intention of Jesus goes beyond the purity of the cult. It is more radical and timeless. The temple is not a work done by human efforts, and the presence of God is not bound to its material aspect. The authentic service of God is carried out by Jesus through His teaching. Because of this preaching, “the high priests and the scribes together with the leading citizens tried to do away with him” (v. 47). Within this temporary place of the temple, Jesus carries out a highly significant teaching. It is precisely because this place is so fundamental to the Jews that His teaching reaches its summit and it will be from here that the words of the Apostles will also begin (Acts 5:12, 20, 25, 42). The diffusion of the Word of grace which Jesus bears extends like an arch. It begins with His opposition when He was still only twelve years old in the temple among the doctors of the Law. It is continued with His teaching across Galilee and during His journey to Jerusalem, until it reaches a climax when He enters the temple and takes possession of the house of God. The basis for the future mission of the Church, the proclamation of the Word of God, begins in this place. The leaders of the people do not intend to suppress Jesus for having ruined the progress of the economic affairs of that time. Rather, the reasons go back to His previous teaching activities. These play a part in His discourse against the temple. Jesus claims something and this causes a reaction from the high priests and the scribes. In contrast with this hostile behavior, one can see a positive one from the people who “are hanging from His words”. Jesus is the Messiah who gathers around Him with His Word of grace the people of God.
• The gesture of Jesus. His action does not have political value but rather prophetic significance. The great purpose of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is to enter the temple. The prophecy of Malachi is fulfilled with Jesus’ entrance. Malachi says, “and suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to His Temple...” (3:1). Jesus’ gesture of driving out the sellers recalls Isaiah 56:7, which says, “My house will be a house of prayer”. Jesus returns the temple to the Father. The commercial and business activity has made the temple a den of robbers and has deprived it of its only function: to provide a dwelling for the presence of God. The second reference from scripture is taken from Jeremiah 7:11: “Do you look on this temple that bears my name as a den of robbers?” The image of a den of robbers serves Jesus to condemn the material traffic on the one side and the dishonest traffic of trade or business that was carried out in the temple. Jesus demands a complete change in order to purify the temple from all of these negative human things and to make it a place for authentic service to God. In driving out those merchants of trade and business, the prophecy of Zechariah is fulfilled: "There will be no more traders in the temple of Yahweh Sabaoth, when that day comes” (14:21). These words of Jesus regarding the temple are not directed at a restoration of the purity of the cult or worship, as was the intention of the Zealots. The intention of Jesus goes beyond the purity of the cult. It is more radical and timeless. The temple is not a work done by human efforts, and the presence of God is not bound to its material aspect. The authentic service of God is carried out by Jesus through His teaching. Because of this preaching, “the high priests and the scribes together with the leading citizens tried to do away with him” (v. 47). Within this temporary place of the temple, Jesus carries out a highly significant teaching. It is precisely because this place is so fundamental to the Jews that His teaching reaches its summit and it will be from here that the words of the Apostles will also begin (Acts 5:12, 20, 25, 42). The diffusion of the Word of grace which Jesus bears extends like an arch. It begins with His opposition when He was still only twelve years old in the temple among the doctors of the Law. It is continued with His teaching across Galilee and during His journey to Jerusalem, until it reaches a climax when He enters the temple and takes possession of the house of God. The basis for the future mission of the Church, the proclamation of the Word of God, begins in this place. The leaders of the people do not intend to suppress Jesus for having ruined the progress of the economic affairs of that time. Rather, the reasons go back to His previous teaching activities. These play a part in His discourse against the temple. Jesus claims something and this causes a reaction from the high priests and the scribes. In contrast with this hostile behavior, one can see a positive one from the people who “are hanging from His words”. Jesus is the Messiah who gathers around Him with His Word of grace the people of God.
4) Personal questions
• Does your prayer to the Lord consist in a simple relationship
of father to son in which you find all that is needed to communicate with God,
or is it accompanied by usage and practices to gain His goodness?
• When you listen to the Word of Jesus do you feel seized by His teaching like the crowds who hung from His words? Are you sufficiently attentive to listen to the Gospel and do you adhere to Christ?
• When you listen to the Word of Jesus do you feel seized by His teaching like the crowds who hung from His words? Are you sufficiently attentive to listen to the Gospel and do you adhere to Christ?
5) Concluding Prayer
The Law You have uttered is more precious to me
than all the wealth in the world.
How pleasant Your promise to my palate,
sweeter than honey in my mouth! (Ps 119:72, 103)
than all the wealth in the world.
How pleasant Your promise to my palate,
sweeter than honey in my mouth! (Ps 119:72, 103)
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