November 22, 2014

St. Cecilia

November 22, 2014:  St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

  • 'Blood drop' pin:  The witnesses can turn water into blood (1st reading)
  • 'Rock' tie pin:  Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!...  (psalm)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  ...who trains my hands for battle (psalm)
  • 'Stick figures' tie pin:  There were seven brothers... (gospel)
  • 'Angel' pin:  Those deemed worthy are like angels (gospel)
  • Music manuscript tie and suspenders:  St. Cecilia, patroness of music
  • Blinged piano tie pin:  St. Cecilia
  • Red in shirt:  Cecilia's martyrdom
Listen
Pope Francis
To Missionary Congress:  All Christians are called to go out and proclaim the joy of the Gospel to all.  Don't remain indifferent to poverty, war, violence, abandonment of the elderly, anonymity of people in need, and the distance we keep from the least among us.  Work for peace; the Lord gives it to us, and world needs it.  Never renounce the dream of peace, even amid difficulties.
Being an outbound Church means remembering the many who wait for a word of mercy, comfort, and hope from us.  Go out to the periphery, like Jesus, who met the poor, the sick, the possessed, sinners, and prostitutes.  His word was the beginning of a spiritual and human revolution, the Good News of a Lord who died and rose for us.  Carry this missionary spirit to bring about a true missionary conversion of the whole Church.
Read
    Click to animate
  • Rv 11:4-12  Here are my two witnesses; anyone wanting to harm them will be slain.  When they've finished testifying, a beast will conquer and kill them.  People will gaze on their corpses but not allow them to be buried.  After 3.5 days, a breath of life from God entered them, great fear fell on those who saw them, they heard a voice from heaven saying, “Come up,” and they went up to heaven in a cloud.
  • Ps 144:1-2, 9-10  "Blessed be the Lord, my Rock," mercy, fortress, stronghold, deliverer, and shield, in whom I trust.  I'll sing to you...
  • Lk 20:27-40  Sadducees / Jesus:   “Moses wrote, If a brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants.  Seven brothers married the same woman in sequence; each died childless.  At the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” / “The children of this age marry, but those who attain the resurrection of the dead don't.  They're children of God, like angels, and will rise.  Moses made it known that the dead will rise.  God is of the living, not the dead.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  The Sadducees, who don't believe in the resurrection (so they're sad, you see :-) ask Jesus a trick question.  Jesus says they're mistaken in thinking earth's rules apply in heaven, where we'll be in God's presence and live as God called us to.  Meanwhile, know God loves us without limit, be grateful, love actively, and hope.
    • One Bread One Body:  Revelation was written during Emperor Domitian's persecution of Christians to encourage fidelity to Jesus as many were being martyred.  The two witnesses are depicted as Moses and Elijah, shown as resurrected from the dead and in heaven.  The 3.5 days is like the 3.25 years the Maccabees revolted against Antiochus Epiphanes.  The witnesses triumphed.  Live in hope of the resurrection and be a strong follower of Jesus.
    • Passionist:  Elijah and Moses represent the Church that preaches that Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets.  The Church will continue to be persecuted, but the Risen Lord triumphs.  We have to contend with evil but choose to displace it through our love and goodness and so help build the Kingdom.  The anointing with chrism at Confirmation harks back to our baptism and reminds us of the anointing of athletes for upcoming contests.  We share the mission of the Gospel to battle against evil and advance goodness in our daily choices.  Am I ready to choose goodness every day?
    • DailyScripture.net:  We're like the Sadducees when we try to make heaven into an earthly image.  Jesus says the scriptures prove the resurrection; God's friendship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can't end at death.  The ultimate proof is Jesus' own resurrection.  Do I live in the joy and hope of the life to come?
    • Universalis:  St. Cecilia, perfect example of a Christian woman; patroness of music and musicians because her death candentibus organis (with red-hot pipes) was misread cantantibus organis (with organ playing)?  See Catholic Encyclopedia.
    • Sing to God in Jubilation/ St. Augustine (Exposition on Psalm 32, from today's Office of Readings):  Only one restored through God's grace and sharing in his Kingdom can sing to God a new song; rid yourself of what's old and worn out.  Sing well, not with lips but with life.  Words can't describe God or express the heart's song; cry out for joy beyond words.
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        November 21, 2014

        Mary's Presentation

        November 21, 2014:  Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

        • 'Angel' pin:  I went up to the angel...  (1st reading)
        • 'Honey' tie:  In your mouth the scroll will taste as sweet as honey. (1st reading)
        • Gold-colored suspenders bar [what is it really called?]:  Your law is more precious than gold (psalm)
        • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  "My house shall be a house of prayer" (gospel)
        • 'Car' tie pin:  Jesus 'drove' out those selling things in the temple (gospel)
        • 'Piano' pin in anticipation of tomorrow's memorial of St. Cecilia, patron saint of music and musicians
        Listen

        Pope Francis homily:  Keep the Lord's temple clean
        Jesus drove merchants from the Temple because it and God's People had been profaned.  People didn't go to the Temple for the merchants; the corruption scandalized them.  Recall Samuel's mother, Hannah, a humble woman who went to the temple to ask for a child, praying silently while the priest and his two sons were corrupt, exploiting pilgrims, scandalizing people [1 Sam 1-2].  Think how our attitude and unpriestly habits can scandalize; even now people are scandalized when a church has a price list for baptisms, blessings, or Mass intentions.  Jesus tells those who cause scandal, 'Better to be thrown into the sea!'
        When those in the Temple become merchants, people are scandalized.  We're responsible; if I see this, I need to tell the parish priest.  The people of God can forgive priests who sin but not ones attached to money or who mistreat people.  It's scandalous when God's House becomes a place of business.  Jesus wasn't angry; it was God's wrath and zeal for God's House, because you can't serve two masters.
        Jesus had an issue with money and purified the Temple because he came to bring God's gratuitous love and redemption.  When we do business, salvation doesn't seem free.  Today we celebrate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin in the Temple:  entering as a simple young girl, like Hannah.  May she teach us to keep the Temple clean and to receive with love all who come.
        Read
          Honey pot (1st reading)
          (Animate it)
        • Rv 10:8-11  “Take and swallow the scroll; it'll turn your stomach sour but taste sweet.”  I did; it was sweet but turned my stomach sour.  “Prophesy again...”
        • Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131  "How sweet to my taste is your promise!"  Your decrees are my delight, my counselors, my inheritance, my joy.  I gasp with open mouth in my yearning for your commands.
        • Lk 19:45-48  Jesus entered the temple area and drove out people selling things:  “My house shall be a house of prayer, but you've made it a robbers' den.”  He taught daily there.  The chief priests, scribes, and leaders were seeking to kill him but couldn't find a way because the people were hanging on his words.
        Reflect
          • Creighton:  Prophets have always angered the authorities.  I’ll have to risk that too and suffer the consequences if I want to follow Jesus.
          • One Bread One Body:  A prophet calls people to repent and come back to God.  The 1st reading is John's prophecy:  The scroll is the message of the New Testament.  Anyone who speaks in God's name must digest it so it becomes part of him; the sweetness helps deal with the subsequent bitterness.  One who digests Christ's message will be misunderstood and persecuted.  We're called to be prophets (Catechism, 1546), champions of truth.  Am I a prophet?  Am I willing to accept the consequences?
          • Passionist:  A close relationship between church/temple and Mary developed over time:  both housed God's Word.  The cleansing of the temple parallels Mary's own cleansing, her immaculate conception:  a cleansing from sin of the woman in whom God was to dwell, as in his temple.  This suggests why we associate Mary with religious buildings; they house, protect, and nourish God's Word.
          • DailyScripture.net:  This is the only place we see Jesus using physical force.  His judgment in the temple is a prophetic sign and warning that God takes worship seriously.  The money changers dishonored God and were unjust, taking advantage of the poor.  Do I allow God to transform me?
          • Universalis:  The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates Mary’s “dedication” of herself to God from her infancy, inspired by the Spirit, whose grace had filled her since her immaculate conception; see Wikipedia.
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          November 20, 2014

          Nov. 20

          November 20, 2014:  Thursday, 33rd week, Ordinary Time

          • 'Angel' pin: A mighty angel proclaimed, “Who's worthy to open the scroll?”... (1st reading)
          • 'Lion' pin: ..."The lion of Judah can open it." (1st reading)
          • 'Lamb' tie bar: I saw a Lamb that seemed to have been slain (1st reading); The Lamb made us a kingdom of priests (psalm)
          • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  "If only you knew what makes for peace..." (gospel)
          • 'Stone' tie pin: They won't leave one stone upon another within you... (gospel)
          • 'Clocks' tie: ...because you didn't recognize the time of your visitation (gospel); countdown to end of church year (next Sat.)
          Listen
          • Worthy is the Lamb, from Messiah/ Handel (with "Blessing and honor and glory and power" and "Amen") (1st reading)

          Pope Francis homily
          Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they didn't recognize the One who brings peace; their hearts were closed.  They were busy, content, self-satisfied, with no need of God or salvation.  Jesus tells them, if you only knew what brings you peace.  They were afraid to be visited by the Lord and saved by his surprises, safe in their knowledge.
          We too feel safe in what we can handle but can't handle surprises.  We fear happiness, the joy he brings, because we can't control it; we fear conversion because it allows God to lead us.  Today he knocks on our hearts and the Church and weeps over us. When God visits us, he brings joy and leads us to conversion.  The Cross shows us Jesus' love and what leads him to weep today.  Reflect and ask:  Am I content, having organized everything?  The Lord keeps knocking!
          Read

            'Sealed scroll' from today's readings
            (animate it)
          • Rv 5:1-10  I saw a sealed scroll with writing on both sides.  Angel:  “Who's worthy to open it?”  Elder:  “The lion of Judah; he triumphed.”  A Lamb came and received the scroll.  Elders, holding harps and incense-filled bowls:  “Worthy are you to receive and open the scroll, for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those from every nation.  You made them a kingdom and priests for God, and they'll reign.”
          • Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b  "The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God."  Sing praise to the Lord; rejoice in your king.  The Lord loves his people and adorns the lowly with victory.
          • Lk 19:41-44  As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he wept over it:  “If you only knew what makes for peace.  The days are coming when your enemies will hem you in and smash you and your children because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
          Reflect
            • Creighton:   When things are going well, it’s easy to think less about God, but our relationship with God needs to be as strong in good times as well as bad.
            • One Bread One Body:   John hears the elder announce the entry of "the Lion of Judah" who has triumphed but sees a Lamb appearing to have been slain.   Jesus has the strength of a Lion but also the strength of love, displayed by the Lamb's meekness.   The chosen people expected the Messiah to be a "lion-king," preying and subduing his enemies (Gn 49:9-10), but also "like a lamb led to the slaughter" (Is 53:7).   Isaiah prophesied the lion and the lamb would be together (11:6-7); in Jesus the Lion and the Lamb, strength and dignity, are united.
            • Passionist:  Jesus laments Jerusalem's fate, sealed by the leaders' narrow vision and inability to recognize Jesus as fulfilling God's promise to Israel.   We too can fail to see God's presence and action, because of complacence, cynicism, self-righteousness, fear, disappointment, loss, or sin; our unbelief can trap us.   Am I struggling with past experiences that keep me from seeing God in my life or trusting more?
            • DailyScripture.net:   Jerusalem gets its name from 'salem' ('shalom,' 'peace'); its temple reminded the people of God's presence.   Jesus wept over it because they "didn't know what makes for peace," refusing to accept him as Messiah.   Jesus is our hope; he alone can restore us to life and reconcile us with God and one another.
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            November 19, 2014

            Nov. 19

            November 19, 2014:  Wednesday, 33rd week, Ordinary Time


            • 'Lion,' 'cow,' and 'man' pins:  Creatures resembled lion, calf, man. (1st reading)
            • 'Eyeball' tie pin:  The creatures were covered with eyes. (1st reading)
            • 'Crowns' tie:  They throw down their crowns before the throne. (1st reading); nobleman became king (gospel)
            • 'Angel with trumpet' pin:  Praise him with the blast of the trumpet (psalm)
            • 'Coin' button:  Nobleman gave coins to servants... (gospel)
            Listen

            Pope Francis audience
            Holiness, a gift the Lord offers everyone everywhere, is rediscovering ourselves in communion with God, in the fullness of his life and love.  We're called to become saints by living with love and offering witness in our daily tasks, living your ministry, loving your family, working with honesty and competence, serving others, being receptive to grace working in us, becoming signs of God's love and presence.  God gives the grace to travel the road to sainthood; don't be discouraged.
            Ask, "How have I responded to God's call to holiness?"  God doesn't call us to something hard or sad but invites us to share his joy, to live and offer our lives, making it a gift of love for the people around us, beginning with little things like refusing to gossip at the store, listening to your son, praying, going to Mass, making a good confession, or helping someone in need.  Every step makes us better, free from selfishness and self-absorption, open to others and their needs.
            Here's the call:  "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's grace.... so that in all things God may be glorified" (4:10-11).  Accept it with joy, and support one another, because we travel the path together, in the Church Christ loved and made holy.  Go forward with courage!
            Read
            • Rv 4:1-11  I saw an open door to heaven and heard a trumpet-like voice:  “I'll show you what must happen.”  A throne was in heaven, and on it sat one whose appearance sparkled.  Around it were a brilliant halo and elders on 24 more thrones, crowned and dressed in white.  There was lightning, rumbling, thunder, burning torches, a sea of glass, eye-covered 6-winged creatures resembling a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle, all exclaiming, “Holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, is, and is to come.”  The elders fell down in worship, exclaiming:  “Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory, honor, and power; you created all things.”

              "Ten coins" from today's readings
              (click to animate)
            • Ps 150:1b-6  "Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!" Praise the Lord for his deeds and majesty, with trumpet, lyre, harp, timbrel, dance, strings, pipe, cymbals, everything that breathes...

            • Lk 19:11-28  “A nobleman gave servants gold coins to trade with.  On return:

            1st:  ‘Your coin earned ten more.’ / ‘Well done, good servant!  You've been faithful in this small matter; take charge of ten cities.’
            2nd:  ‘Your coin earned five more.’ / ‘Take charge of five cities.’
            3rd:  ‘Here's your coin; I was afraid, so I stored it,’ / ‘Wicked servant!  Why didn't you at least put my money in the bank to earn interest?’ ‘Give his coin to the servant with ten.’‘To those who have, more will be given, but those who don't will lose the little they have.’”
            Reflect
              • Creighton:  As the servant had to use their judgment to make decisions, so do I daily.  May I listen to God and discern well...
              • One Bread One Body:  As soon as the elders give their crowns to Jesus, another crown is placed on them; they give the glory back to Jesus.  We receive crowns of life, glory, joy; may we cast them at Jesus' feet.  When crowned with glory, we don't pause to admire it. In loving worship, we immediately pass the glory onto Jesus.
              • Passionist:  "I'll show you what must happen afterwards:"  There will be no greater desire or joy than to worship God.  Parable:  Nobleman = Jesus; servants = hearers conspiring against him.  We're either faithful to the graces God gives us or we reject them.  Liturgical year-end readings remind us God is our ultimate fulfillment, and our path to him is through Jesus.  Those who worship other gods (e.g. power, money) or reject the Gospel won't find fulfillment in God.
              • DailyScripture.net:  In the parable, the king trusts his servants and rewards the faithful ones.  Do I trust God will make good use of the gifts he's given me?
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              November 18, 2014

              Nov. 18

              November 18, 2014:  Tuesday, 33rd week, Ordinary Time

              • White shirt:  The victor will be dressed in white (1st reading)
              • Wedding ring containing gold (not shown), Gold-colored tie pin:  buy refined gold (1st reading)
              • 'Door' and 'house' tie: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." (1st reading) "I must stay at your house" (gospel)
              Listen

              Pope Francis
              Homily:  Conversion is a grace, a visit from God.  The Lord asks the lukewarm Laodiceans to convert.  They live a "comfortable spirituality," thinking, "I'm fine; I don't want to be disturbed."  Feeling spiritually comfortable is a state of sin; the Lord tells them to "dress themselves" because comfortable Christians are naked.
              The Lord also calls to conversion those who live by appearances, dead though thinking themselves alive; appearances are their shroud.  "Am I a Christian of appearances?  Do I listen to the Spirit?"  Seek and reinvigorate life within and move forward.  Convert from appearances to reality, from lukewarmness to fervor.
              Zacchaeus was corrupt, working for foreigners and betraying his homeland, exploiting instead of serving the people; there are some like him now.  He was putrefied but felt something, wanting to see the healer, the prophet.  The Spirit sowed the seed of curiosity, and so in order to see him, that leader of leaders took the ridiculous step of climbing a tree!  He had no shame.  Once God's Word came into him, he converted, promising to give back four times what he stole.  Conversion touching pockets is real; there are fewer Christians with pockets than Christians in heart or by blood.  Faced with this, those who didn't want to convert grumbled.
              Jesus called to conversion the lukewarm, the comfortable, those of appearance, the poor who think they're rich, the dead who think they're alive, and the corrupt.  God's Word can change everyone, but we don't always have the courage to believe and receive it.  Think seriously about our conversion, so that we can move forward.  Remember God's Word, be vigilant, and obey it, and begin a new life.
              Read
                'Sycamore' word cloud
                (Animate)
              • Rv 3:1-6, 14-22  To Sardis Church:  “You're dead.  Remember how you accepted and heard; repent.”  To Laodicea Church:  “You're neither cold nor hot.  Because you're lukewarm, I'll spit you out.  You say, ‘I don't need anything’ but don't realize you're wretched...  Those I love, I reprove.  Repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear me and open up, I'll enter your house and dine with you.  Hear what the Spirit is saying.”
              • Ps 15:2-4ab, 5  "I will seat the victor beside me on my throne."  Those who do justice, think the truth, and don't slander, do harm, or accept bribes will never be disturbed.
              • Lk 19:1-10  Jesus / wealthy Zacchaeus on sycamore:  “Hurry down; I must stay at your house.”  He hurried down and received him with joy.  Others grumbled:  “He's going to a sinner's house.”  Zacchaeus / Jesus:  “Lord, I'll give the poor half my possessions and repay people fourfold.” / “Today salvation has come to this house.  The Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost.”
              Sycamore tree
              Reflect
                • One Bread One Body:  If we open the door to Jesus, we must deny ourselves, repent, give to the poor, be wholehearted, witness, suffer, live, and die for him.
                • Passionist:  Zacchaeus's public action (tree climbing) indicates he wants to see Jesus, but his response to Jesus goes further, showing his repentance.  Jesus wants to make his home in us; let us welcome him and let him dwell and act in us.
                • DailyScripture.net:  People hated tax collectors like Zacchaeus and treated them as outcasts, but he showed the depth of his repentance.  Zacchaeus' change of heart resulted in a change of life.  "Zacchaeus climbed away from the crowd and saw Jesus without the crowd getting in his way.  The crowd laughs at the lowly:  'You helpless, miserable clod....'  They prevent Jesus from being seen.  But he climbed a sycamore tree, tree of 'silly fruit.'  We preach Christ crucified, 'folly' to the Gentiles.'  The wise of this world laugh at us about the Cross:  'What sort of minds do you have, who worship a crucified God?'  Not your kind! Climb the sycamore tree and see Jesus.  Let Zacchaeus grasp the tree, and let the humble climb the cross....' [Augustine, Sermon 174.3, paraphrased]  Do I make room for Jesus in every area of my life?
                • Universalis:  Dedication of the Basilicas of SS. Peter and Paul.  St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, religious, started school for Indian girls at 72; see Wikipedia.
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                November 17, 2014

                Elizabeth of Hungary

                November 17, 2014:  St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious


                • 'Angel' pin:  God made the revelation known by sending his angel (1st reading)
                • 'Clocks' tie:  The appointed time is near (1st reading); see also yesterday.
                • Gold-colored accoutrements:  gold lampstands (1st reading)
                • 'Tree' pin:  I will feed them from the tree of life (psalm)
                • 'Eyeball' tie pin [Holy Tony came through with an unsolicited replacement from a reader :-):  "Blind Bart" (gospel)
                • 'No peace' button:  Sunday 2nd reading
                • White shirt:  color of Elizabeth's memorial
                Listen

                For the gospel
                Psalm-motivated
                For St. Elizabeth of Hungary
                Immaculate Heart Radio launched today in LA
                Pope Francis
                Homily:  The blind man was begging, sad, wondering “Why me?”  He was an outcast, with no way out; he cried out to Jesus, wanting salvation and healing.Those walking with the Lord—apostles, disciples, and converts who had accepted the Kingdom and were happy about salvation—rebuked him, distancing the Lord from the periphery.
                Unfortunately, this happens among us believers:  we can create an ecclesiastical microclimate, but in looking at the Lord we can end up not seeing him hungry, thirsty, in prison, in the hospital; in the outcast.  They'd forgotten their own marginalization and how Jesus called them and so, happy in their world, didn't allow others to disturb him.  They'd forgotten the journey of conversion, calling, and healing the Lord made with them; they'd abandoned their first love.  When we become ecclesiastical, privileged with closeness to God, instead of ecclesial, we're tempted to forget the love we had when the Lord called, loved, and saved us.  The disciples were tempted: to forget the peripheries where they once were:  “Lord, he smells; don't let him come to you.”
                His response: “Didn't you smell when I kissed you?”  When Jesus stops, it's a grace. He made the disciples turn:  “Don't look only at me. See me in the needy too!”  When God stops, it's with mercy and justice, but also sometimes with anger, as when the ruling class stopped him; it was no caress.  Jesus wanted the man brought near and healed him, recognizing his faith.
                The others were the simple people needing signs of salvation.  They gave praise to God; they could celebrate, losing time with the Lord. Often we find simple people, elderly women who walk and sacrifice to go and pray at a shrine; they ask only for grace. They follow the Lord without asking for privileges.
                Consider nonbelievers, sinners who don’t want to get up, lacking strength to start over.  Consider the Church of children, the sick, prisoners, simple people, and ask for the grace to never distance ourselves from this Church.that is suffering, asking for salvation, faith, and God's Word.
                Angelus:  In the parable, Jesus is the master, we the servants, the talents are what he's given us:  Word, Eucharist, faith, forgiveness…  How do we make them grow in others?  Whom have we ‘infected’ with faith, encouraged with our hope?  How have we loved our neighbor?  We can make our talents grow in any time and place.  Don't hide ('bury') the Gospel or our faith and belonging to Christ but make it circulate in your life, relationships, and concrete situations.
                God knows you personally, and gives you what's right for you.  God trusts you, has hope in you!  Don't let fear deceive you, but have confidence in God.  Mary incarnates this attitude in receiving and welcoming the greatest gift, Jesus himself, and offering him to humanity.  May she help us be "good and faithful servants" and participate in the joy of our Lord.
                On complementarity and marriage:   The Spirit has endowed each of us with different gifts that work together for the benefit of each.  The Creator made all complementarities; the Spirit brings harmony.  Man-woman complementarity is at the root of marriage and family, taking many forms as each brings distinctive contributions.  Marriage and family are in crisis in this culture of the temporary; the decline is devastating people, especially the most vulnerable.  Social environments, like natural ones, need protection; we need to advance a new "human ecology." 
                The family is the foundation of co-existence and a guarantee against social fragmentation;  the contribution of marriage to society is indispensable, transcending the couple's feelings and momentary needs (Evangelii Gaudium 66).  Commitment to solidarity, fidelity, and fruitful love responds to our deepest longings; the young must courageously seek lasting love, not give in to the temporary.  More on Humanum; thanks to Matt Meeks and his team for the site!)
                Read
                Wordle: Readings 11-17-14
                • Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5  The revelation of Jesus Christ, to show what must happen soon.  The appointed time is near.  “To the Church in Ephesus:  'I know your works and your endurance, but you've lost the love you had at first.  Repent, and do the works you did at first.'”
                • Ps 1:1-4, 6  "Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life."  Blessed those who delight in and meditate on the Lord's law; whatever they do prospers.
                • Lk 18:35-43  Blind beggar / Jesus:  “Son of David, have pity on me!” / “What do you want me to do for you?” / “Lord, please let me see.” / “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”  He received sight and followed him; he and the people gave glory to God.
                Reflect

                • Creighton:  "Remember your first love":  aspirations, convictions, no compromises... / Gospel irony:  "Jesus fans" try to silence the blind beggar Jesus, then praise God once he restores his sight. / Elizabeth loved the poor and suffering, choosing simplicity over luxury, became patroness of Catholic charities and Secular Franciscans.
                • Passionist:  Revelation was written by an exiled persecuted Christian leader, likely during Domitian's persecution, to churches in the Roman province of Asia.  Ephesus was the New York of its day:  busy, cosmopolitan, large, prosperous.  "Lord, let me see" how I've lost my first love...
                • DailyScripture.net:  The beggar, whom Mark identified as Bartimaeus (10:46-52), is determined to get near Jesus, though the crowd, likely conversing with Jesus, is annoyed.  Jesus stops, showing deed is more important than word, commends him for his faith, and grants him sight.  Do I recognize my need for healing and seek Jesus with persistent faith and trust?
                St Elizabeth washing a beggar
                St. Elisabeth Cathedral
                KoŔice, Slovakia
                'Bart,' grateful for the gifts of faith and physical sight, followed Jesus and gave God glory.  The crowd also praised God when they saw this double miracle of spiritual and physical vision.  "Delivered from blindness, he followed Jesus; he was freed from double blindness:  of body and mind/heart, or else he wouldn't have glorified him as God.  He became the means of others giving Christ glory" (Clement of Alexandria, paraphrased).  Do I give God glory for giving me eyes of faith to recognize Jesus as Lord and Healer?
                • Saints via Universalis:
                  • Elizabeth of Hungary, mother of 3, cared for sick; see Wikipedia.
                  • Hilda, religious, abbess
                  • Hugh of Lincoln, Carthusian bishop
                  • Dionysius of Alexandria, bishop
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                November 16, 2014

                33rd Sun., Ordinary Time

                November 16, 2014:  33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

                • 'Pearl' tie bar:  A worthy wife is more valuable than pearls (1st reading)
                • 'Hand' tie pin:  She works with loving hands and reaches out her hands to the poor. (1st reading)
                • 'Grapes' pin:  If you fear the Lord, your wife shall be like a fruitful vine (psalm)
                • 'Clocks' tie:  We don't need to write you about times; the day of the Lord will come like a thief (2nd reading)
                • 'No peace' button:  When people say, "Peace and security," sudden disaster comes. (2nd reading)
                • Red in shirt:  UCA martyrs
                • Green in suspenders:  Ordinary Time (season)
                Listen


                Pope Francis Angelus
                Take up immigration as a priority that has become a social emergency.  Be engaged concretely to promote encounter over confrontation.  Citizens and immigrants, discuss the situation together and with the civil authorities.  Reject violence.  It's possible to dialogue, listen, make plans together, and so overcome suspicion and prejudice to build a secure, peaceful, and inclusive coexistence.

                 Read
                • Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31  A worthy wife is more valuable than pearls.  She brings good, works with loving hands, and reaches out to the poor and needy.  Charm is deceptive, but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised and rewarded.
                • Ps 128:1-5  "Blessed are those who fear the Lord" and walk in his ways!  Your wife and children will bless you....
                • 1 Thes 5:1-6  We don't need to write you about times and seasons; you know the day of the Lord will come like a thief.  When people are saying, "Peace and security," disaster will come, but you're children of the light.  Don't sleep like the rest, but stay alert.
                • Mt 25:14-30  "A man entrusted his possessions to his servants—5, 2, and 1 talents—then left.  The ones who got 5 and 2 made 5 and 2 more, but the one who got 1 buried it.  When the master returned, the ones who got 5 and 2 reported their earnings and were given great responsibilities for their faithfulness, but the other returned the talent, saying he was afraid of the master's demands, and was thrown into the darkness for not at least earning interest.  To everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken."
                Reflect
                  • Creighton:  The “master” represents the Son of Man, and during his journey, between the Ascension and 2nd Coming, his servants are entrusted with gifts and freedom.  The proper response, from "fear (reverence) of the Lord," is fruit-bearing and generosity; the 3rd servant, motivated from a false image of the master, turns in on himself.  Many things can cause anxiety and fear:  old age, ill health, finances, job insecurity, concern for loved ones, the news...; may we turn reverently to the Lord and respond with love and hope.
                  • One Bread One Body:  The Lord wants us to do our best with what we've received.  "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord" (Col 3:23).
                  • DailyScripture.net:  In Jesus' time, wealthy merchants had to travel and leave matters to others while away.  The parable says the master trusted and rewarded or punished his servants.  God gives the means to use well the talents he's given us.  Do I seek to serve God with the gifts I've received?
                  • Saints via Universalis though trumped by Sunday celebration:
                    • Margaret of Scotland, queen, mother, reformer, monastery foundress, generous to the poor
                    • Gertrude, religious, mystic, spiritual writer, precursor of devotion to Sacred Heart of Jesus
                    • Edmund of Abingdon, bishop, reformer, peacemaker, spiritual writer.
                    • Mary as Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn
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                  November 15, 2014

                  Nov. 15

                  November 15, 2014:  Saturday, 32nd week, Ordinary Time
                  • 'Stamps from countries' tie:  Be co-workers in the truth:  help foreigners continue their journey (1st reading)
                  • 'Scales of justice' pin:  The dishonest judge will do justice (gospel)
                  • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  Pray always (gospel)




                  Listen

                  Pope Francis
                  Read
                  • 3 Jn 5-8  You're faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially strangers.  Help them continue their journey; they've set out for the Name's sake and deserve our support.
                  • Ps 112:1-6  "Blessed those who fear the Lord," delight in his commands, and are gracious, merciful, and just; they'll be mighty, blessed, rich, and generous.
                  • Lk 18:1-8  “There was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people, and a widow who kept asking him to render a just decision for her.  He eventually thought, ‘Because she keeps bothering me, I'll deliver her a just decision lest she come strike me.’  If the dishonest judge does that, won't God secure the rights of his chosen who keep calling out to him?  He'll see that justice is done speedily.  When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
                  Reflect
                  • Creighton:  The powerless widow's persistence prevailed over the unjust judge.  Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of the martyrdom of the six Jesuits and their companions at the Univ. of Central America (UCA, El Salvador); so far persistence has brought little justice for the 75,000 civilians who died in the Salvadoran civil war including Archbishop Oscar Romero.   Ellacuria:  "Live as though the truth were true"; to him faith was inseparable from justice. "We ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth." (3 Jn 8)  Who do we know who do the work of truth, love, justice, peace, and faith, and how do we support and become like them?
                    St. Albert the Great
                  • Passionist:  The 1st reading is from a private one-page letter about hospitality and support for foreign missionaries ("strangers").  Today "We're all asked to obey God's call to go forth from our comfort zone to reach the 'peripheries' in need of the gospel" (Evangelii Gaudium 20).
                  • DailyScripture.net:   Faith-filled persistence reaps the fruit of justice and grace.   If we want to live, grow, and persevere in faith, we must nourish our faith and ask God to increase it.
                  • Universalis:   St. Albert the Great, Dominican, bishop, doctor of the Church, medieval thinker, taught St. Thomas Aquinas; see Wikipedia.
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