November 26, 2014: Wednesday, 34th week, Ordinary Time
- 'Signs' tie, 'angel' pin: I saw a sign: angels... (1st reading)
- 'Hand' tie pin: His right hand has won victory (psalm)
- 'Ruler' tie bar: The Lord will 'rule' with justice (psalm)
- 'Owl' tie pin: I'll give you wisdom your adversaries won't be able to refute (gospel)
- 'Clock' tie bar: countdown to eschaton and end of church year
- Great and wonderful/ Dauermann (1st reading)
- But who may abide the day of His coming, from Messiah/ Handel (gospel): traditional, "soulful" (gospel)
The Church is not an end in herself but on the road to the kingdom of heaven, of which the Church on earth is seed and beginning. The pilgrimage will reach fulfillment when the universe becomes a new Jerusalem consumed by joy, peace, and love of God.
Even now there's continuity between the Church on earth and in heaven where those in God's sight support the living, praying for us. And we're invited to offer good deeds, prayer, and the Eucharist to alleviate suffering of souls still waiting for heavenly bliss.
The distinction is between who's in Christ and who isn't, not between the dead and the living.Read
St. Paul tells us that all creation will be liberated from corruption and brought into the fullness of being, truth, and beauty.
- Rv 15:1-4 I saw a sign: angels... singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God.... Just and true are your ways, O king. You alone are holy. All will worship before you...”
- Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9 "Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!" Sing to the Lord who has done wondrous deeds, winning victory, making salvation known, revealing his justice, remembering his kindness and faithfulness. Shout for joy, for he comes to rule the earth.
- Lk 21:12-19 “They'll seize you, persecute you, and hand you over because of my name. You'll give testimony. Don't prepare your defense beforehand; I'll give you wisdom your adversaries won't be able to resist or refute. Even family and friends will hand you over, and kill some of you. All will hate you because of me, but by your perseverance you'll secure your lives.”
Reflect
- Creighton: Meditating on Heaven provides perspective. Our journey toward Heaven has its joys, but we sacrifice pride, greed, lust, and popularity along the way. Recognize the concomitant delights: “in dying we're born to eternal life.” Find a way to sacrifice and “win the victory” and be invited into the heavenly chorus.
- Passionist: Holidays become disconnected from their origins; the journey, not always an easy one, gives meaning to the holiday. Jesus promises he'll be our companion along the way, guiding and encouraging us.
- DailyScripture.net: Jesus' response to hostility is love and forgiveness. God's love purifies us of what tears people apart. Endure: be patient; keep hoping. Patience: look beyond present difficulties to reward. Endurance is a gift of the Spirit that enables us to bear trials. Jesus is our model, enduring the cross for us; now we take up our cross and follow him. Greek 'martyr' means 'witness.' "Jesus was the faithful witness who freed us by his blood" (Rv 1:5). "Christians' blood is seed" (Tertullian [Apologeticus, 50, vs. mistranslations]). "When persecution comes, God's soldiers are put to the test, and heaven is open to martyrs. We didn't enlist in an army to decline battle; the Lord took first place in the conflict" (Cyprian). Martyrs live and die as witnesses of the Gospel, overcoming enemies through perseverance, love, kindness, goodness, and compassion. We're called to be martyrs, witnesses to Christ, likely 'dry' ones who testify in daily challenges, temptations, and adversities, attracting others to the Gospel as they see us loving enemies, joyful in suffering, patient, forgiving, and compassionate.
- Saints remembered today
- John Berchmans, Jesuit scholastic
- Leonard of Porto Maurizio, Franciscan preacher, Stations of the Cross popularizer
No comments:
Post a Comment