Memorial
of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 434
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
Let no one deceive himself.
If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age,
let him become a fool, so as to become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God,
for it is written:God catches the wise in their own ruses,
and again:
The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you,
Paul or Apollos or Cephas,
or the world or life or death,
or the present or the future:
all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1) To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills
it.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the
word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090320.cfm
Meditation: You
Will Catch People for the Kingdom of God
Why did Jesus perform the miracle of the great catch of fish? No
doubt the great crowd of people who had pressed upon Jesus had something to do
with this miracle. They were very hungry for God and were eager to hear his
word. Jesus wanted to use this occasion to teach his disciples an important
lesson. Although Simon was wearied from a night of fruitless toil, he
nonetheless did what the Lord Jesus told him to do: At your word I will
let down the nets. When you meet disappointment and failure, do you press
upon the Lord, like Simon, to hear his word and to receive his command?
God expects greater things than we can do by ourselves
This incident tells us an important truth about how God works in and through
each of us for his glory. God expects of us greater things than we can do by
ourselves. When we cooperate in his works, we accomplish far
beyond what we can do on our own. Therese of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun who died
of tuberculosis at the age of twenty-four, wrote to a friend: "Jesus has
so incomprehensible a love for us that he wills that we have a share with him
in the salvation of souls. He wills to do nothing without us. The Creator of
the universe awaits the prayer of a poor little soul to save other souls redeemed
like it at the price of all his Blood."
When God's word is spoken his kingdom is revealed and his power is released.
When people respond to God's word with faith and obedience they are changed and
made "a new creation" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Witness the joy of the Gospel
God chooses ordinary people, like you and me, as his ambassadors and he uses
the ordinary circumstances of our daily lives and work situations to draw
others into his kingdom. Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will "catch
people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to
shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way
we live, speak, and witness the joy of the Gospel. Paul the Apostle says,
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumph,
and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we
are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those
who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15).
Do you witness to those around you the joy of the Gospel and do you pray for
your neighbors, co-workers, and relatives that they may come to know the Lord
Jesus Christ and grow in the knowledge of his love and truth?
Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love and compassion for those who
do not know you or follow you. May I be a good witness of your truth and
salvation to my family, friends, and co-workers.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: By
faith Peter casts the nets of Christ's teaching, by Maximus of Turin (died
between 408-423 AD)
"'That you may understand that the Lord was speaking of
spiritual fishing, however, Peter says, 'Master, we toiled all night and took
nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.' It is as if he were saying,
'Through the whole night our fishing has brought us nothing, and we have been
laboring in vain. Now I will not fish with fishing gear but with grace, not
with diligence acquired by skill but with the perseverance acquired by
devotion.' When Peter lets down the nets at the word, therefore, he is in fact
letting down the teachings in Christ. When he unfolds the tightly woven and
well-ordered nets at the command of the Master, he is really laying out words
in the name of the Savior in a fitting and clear fashion. By these words he is
able to save not creatures but souls. 'We toiled all night,' he says, 'and took
nothing.' Peter, who beforehand was unable to see in order to make a catch,
enduring darkness without Christ, had indeed toiled through the whole night.
But when the Savior's light shone upon him the darkness scattered, and by faith
he began to discern in the deep what he could not see with his
eyes." (excerpt from SERMON 110.2.1)
https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=sep3
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, LUKE 5:1-11
Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church
(1 Corinthians 3:18-23; Psalm 24)
KEY VERSE: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men" (v. 10).
TO KNOW: As Jesus preached along the shore of Lake Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee), the crowds pressed in on him in such numbers that he was forced to get into a boat belonging to Simon Peter, who was cleaning his nets. Jesus told Simon to put out into the deep waters and prepare for a great catch. Simon protested that they had fished all night (the usual time for fishing) and caught nothing. But on the authority of Jesus' word he obeyed. Upon seeing the abundant catch, Simon was overcome by the power of Jesus’ words, and he confessed his sinfulness. Simon is called Peter for the first time, (Petros, “the Rock”) the name he will later have as the leader of the church. When the fishermen brought their boats ashore, they left everything behind and followed Jesus. This miraculous catch of fish signified the future mission of the Church. From earliest times, the Church has been called the “Bark of Peter. The disciples' efforts to bring souls to Christ would be successful if they obeyed him and remained true to his words.
TO LOVE: Do I cooperate with Jesus when he asks me to go to someplace new?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to trust you when I am afraid.
Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church
Gregory was the son of a wealthy Roman senator. He was educated by the finest teachers in Rome and became Prefect of Rome for a year. Then he sold his possessions, turned his home into a Benedictine monastery, and used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. Upon seeing English children being sold in the Roman Forum, he became a missionary to England. Gregory was elected Pope by unanimous acclamation on 3 September 590, the first monk to be chosen for this office. He sent St. Augustine of Canterbury and a company of monks to evangelize England, and other missionaries to France, Spain, and Africa. Gregory wrote seminal works on the Mass. He collected the melodies and plain chant that became associated with him, known as Gregorian Chants. Gregory is one of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church.
http://www.togetherwithgodsword.com/commentaries-on-the-daily-gospel-of-the-mass.html
Thursday 3 September 2020
St Gregory the Great
1 Corinthians 3:18-23. To the Lord belongs the earth and all
that fills it – Psalm 23(24):1-6. Luke 5:1-11.
The lowly are important to God
I have always loved the image of Jesus as a shepherd. Someone
whose job is to care for their sheep, to protect them, nurture them and be
aware of each individual. Shepherds are not important nor rich people, they are
often lonely and away from family. Yet throughout the Old and New Testament,
the image of the shepherd is there.
Today’s psalm is probably the most famous of all. It is
shepherds who were the first to go to see the new baby and Jesus himself uses
the image of the shepherd over and over. A reminder that those important to God
are not necessarily those seen as important by our world. Our world could not
go on without the shepherds and those who care.
http://www.pray.com.au/gospel_reflection/thursday-3-september-2020/
Saint Gregory the Great
Saint of the Day for September 3
(c. 540 – March 12, 604)
Saint Gregory the Great | Jusepe de Ribera, also known as José de Ribera
Saint Gregory the Great’s Story
Gregory was the prefect of Rome before he was 30. After five
years in office he resigned, founded six monasteries on his Sicilian estate,
and became a Benedictine monk in his own home at Rome.
Ordained a priest, Gregory became one of the pope’s seven
deacons, and also served six years in the East as papal representative in
Constantinople. He was recalled to become abbot, but at the age of 50 was
elected pope by the clergy and people of Rome.
Gregory was direct and firm. He removed unworthy priests from
office, forbade taking money for many services, emptied the papal treasury to
ransom prisoners of the Lombards and to care for persecuted Jews and the
victims of plague and famine. He was very concerned about the conversion of
England, sending 40 monks from his own monastery. He is known for his reform of
the liturgy, and for strengthening respect for doctrine. Whether he was largely
responsible for the revision of “Gregorian” chant is disputed.
Gregory lived in a time of perpetual strife with invading
Lombards and difficult relations with the East. When Rome itself was under
attack, he interviewed the Lombard king.
His book, Pastoral Care, on the duties and qualities
of a bishop, was read for centuries after his death. He described bishops
mainly as physicians whose main duties were preaching and the enforcement of
discipline. In his own down-to-earth preaching, Gregory was skilled at applying
the daily Gospel to the needs of his listeners. Called “the Great,” Gregory has
been given a place with Augustine, Ambrose, and Jerome, as one of the four key
doctors of the Western Church.
An Anglican historian has written: “It is impossible to conceive
what would have been the confusion, the lawlessness, the chaotic state of the
Middle Ages without the medieval papacy; and of the medieval papacy, the real
father is Gregory the Great.”
Reflection
Gregory was content to be a monk, but he willingly served the
Church in other ways when asked. He sacrificed his own preferences in many
ways, especially when he was called to be Bishop of Rome. Once he was called to
public service, Gregory gave his considerable energies completely to this work.
Gregory’s description of bishops as physicians fits in well with Pope Francis’
description of the Church as a “field hospital.”
Saint Gregory the Great is the Patron Saint of:
England
Epilepsy
Musicians
Teachers
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-gregory-the-great/
Lectio Divina: Luke 5:1-11
Lectio Divina
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
every good thing comes from You.
Fill our hearts with love for You,
increase our faith,
and by your constant care
protect the good You have given us.
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 5:1-11
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the
word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there
alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put
out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds
from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out
into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply,
"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at
your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught
a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their
partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both
boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this,
he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a
sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized
him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now
on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.
3) Reflection
• In today’s Gospel we have the call of Jesus to Peter. The
Gospel of Mark places the call of the first disciples after the beginning of
the public ministry of Jesus (Mk 1:16-20). Luke places it after the fame of
Jesus was already extended across the whole region (Lk 4:14). Jesus had cured
many people (Lk 4:40) and had preached in the synagogues of all Judea (Lk
4:44). The people looked for Him and the crowds pushed Him on all sides in
order to hear the Word of God (Lk 5:1). Luke makes the call easier to
understand. In the first place, Peter can listen to Jesus’ words to the people,
and then he is a witness to the miraculous catch of fish. It is only after this
double surprising experience that he understands the call of Jesus. Peter
responds. He abandons everything and becomes a “fisher of men.”
• Luke 5:1-3: Jesus teaches from the boat. People look for Jesus in order to
listen to the Word of God. Many people get together around Jesus, making a
throng around Him. Jesus seeks help from Simon Peter and from some of his
companions who had just returned from fishing. He goes into the boat with them
and responds to the expectation of the people, communicating the Word of
God to them. Sitting down, Jesus takes the attitude of a Teacher and speaks
from a fisherman’s boat. The novelty consists in the fact that He teaches, not
only in the synagogue for a choice public but in any place, where there are
people who wish to listen, even on the seashore.
• Luke 5:4-5: “But if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When He had
finished speaking, Jesus addresses Himself to Simon and encourages him to fish
again. In Simon’s response there is frustration, fatigue and discouragement:
“Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing!” But trustful in
Jesus’ word, they throw in the nets again and continue the struggle. The word
of Jesus has greater force for them than the experience of frustration of that
night!
• Luke 5: 6-7: The result is surprising. The catch is so abundant that the nets
are about to tear and the boat begins to sink. Simon needs the help of John and
James, who are in the other boat. Nobody is complete in himself, alone. One community
has to help the other. The conflict among the communities, both at the time of
Luke as well as today, should be overcome in order to attain a common
objective, which is the mission. The experience of the force of the
transformative word of Jesus is the axis around which the differences are
embraced and overcome.
• Luke 5:8-11: “Be fishers of men.” The experience of the closeness of God in
Jesus makes Peter understand who he is: “Leave me Lord, I am a sinful man!”
Before God we are all sinners. Peter and his companions are afraid and, at the
same time, they feel attracted to Jesus. Jesus drives away fear: “Do not be
afraid!” He calls Peter and commits him to the mission, ordering him to be a
fisher of men. Peter experiences, quite concretely, that the word of Jesus is
like the word of God. It is capable of bringing about what it affirms. In Jesus
those rough and tough laborers will have an experience of power, of courage, of
trust. And so then, “they will abandon everything and follow Jesus!” Up until
now it was only Jesus who announced the Good News of the Kingdom. Now other
people will be called and involved in the mission. This way in which Jesus
works, in a team, is also Good News for the people.
• The episode of the catch of fish along the lake indicates the attraction and
the force of the Word of Jesus. He attracts people (Lk 5:1). He urges Peter to
offer his boat to Jesus to be able to speak (Lk 5:3). The word of Jesus is so
strong that it overcomes the resistance in Peter. It convinces him to cast the
nets into the sea again and there is the miraculous catch (Lk 5:4-6). It
overcomes in him the urge to leave Jesus and attracts him to become a “fisher
of men” (Lk 5, 10). This is the way the Word of God acts in us, even now!
4) Personal questions
• Where and how does the miraculous catch of fish take place
today?
• And they leaving everything followed Jesus. What do I have to leave in order
to follow Jesus?
• In joining with other communities to, to overcome conflict between
communities, how do we work together when both communities have the same stated
mission, but have competing or conflicting ways to attain it?
5) Concluding Prayer
Who shall go up to the mountain of Yahweh?
Who shall take a stand in His holy place?
The one with clean of hands and a pure heart,
who does not swear an oath in order to deceive. (Ps 24:3-4)
https://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-luke-51-11
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