Twenty-Third Sunday af. Pentecost (33rd S Ord Time)
SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY
Malachi, Chapter
3, verse 19-21
19 For the day is
coming, blazing like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be
stubble, And the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither
root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts.
20 But for you who fear
my name, the sun of justice will arise with healing in its wings; And you will
go out leaping like calves from the stall 21 and tread down the
wicked; They will become dust under the soles of your feet, on the day when I
take action, says the LORD of hosts.
We should pray today for those who use
drugs and we should pray for our country which is also in a drug induced
stupor. Likewise, today, I ask you to pray for the souls of those who die from
cancer and for their families. Our world nowadays is full of cancers in our
education, government, labor management, and in our media. Our Lord asks us to
not be afraid. He asks us to go out and proclaim His name. We can change the
world! We can all become bearers of Christ.[1]
The Paradox of Our Age
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
We spend more, but have less;
We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses, but smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgement;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicine, but less wellness.
We spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly,
Stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and lie too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.
We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space;
It’s time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stock room.
George
Carlin, Comedian
Scripture quotes are from the
Douay-Rheims translation of the Bible (a Catholic translation that is not under
copyright so it can be quoted freely.)
How
to be happy:
·
Psalm
1:1-3: "Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence:
But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day
and night. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running
waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall
not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper."
Trust
in God:
·
Proverbs
3:5-6: "Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon
thy own prudence. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy
steps."
·
Psalm
36:3-7 "Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou
shalt be fed with its riches. Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the
requests of thy heart. Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, and he
will do it. And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment
as the noonday. Be subject to the Lord and pray to him. Envy not the man who
prospereth in his way; the man who doth unjust things."
How
to have inner peace:
·
Philippians
4:4-13 "Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice. Let your
modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in everything,
by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known
to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your
hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely,
whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline:
think on these things. The things which you have both learned and received and
heard and seen in me, these do ye: and the God of peace shall be with you. Now
I rejoice in the Lord exceedingly that now at length your thought for me hath
flourished again, as you did also think; but you were busied. I speak not as it
were for want. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content
therewith. I know both how to be brought low, and I know how to abound (everywhere
and in all things I am instructed): both to be full and to be hungry: both to
abound and to suffer need. I can do all things in him who strengtheneth
me."
Seek
God first and all your needs will be taken care of:
·
Matt:
6:31-34 "Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we eat: or what
shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do
the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these
things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all
these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow;
for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the
evil thereof."
On
prayer:
·
Matt
6:5-15 "And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to
stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be
seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when
thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy
Father in secret, and thy father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when
you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their
much speaking they may be heard. Be not you therefore like to them for your
Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him. Thus, therefore
shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our super
substantial bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. For if you
will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also
your offences. But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father
forgive you your offences."
·
Matt
6:21-22 "And Jesus answering, said to them: Amen, I say to you, if you
shall have faith and stagger not, not only this of the fig tree shall you do,
but also if you shall say to this mountain, Take up and cast thyself into the
sea, it shall be done. And all things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer
believing, you shall receive."
·
Luke
6:12 "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain
to pray: and he passed the whole night in the prayer of God."
·
Matt.
26:39 "And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and
saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless,
not as I will but as thou wilt."
·
James
5:13 "Is any of you sad? Let him pray: Is he cheerful in mind? Let him
sing."
·
Luke
11:1-13 "And it came to pass that as he was in a certain place praying,
when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as
John also taught his disciples. And he said to them: When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to
us. And lead us not into temptation. And he said to them: Which of you shall
have a friend and shall go to him at midnight and shall say to him: Friend,
lend me three loaves, Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me
and I have not what to set before him. And he from within should answer and
say: Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed.
I cannot rise and give thee. Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you,
although he will not rise and give him because he is his friend; yet, because
of his importunity, he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say
to you: Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it
shall be opened to you. For everyone that asketh receiveth: and he that seeketh
findeth: and to him that knocketh it shall be opened: And which of you, if he
ask his father bread, will he give him a stone? Or a fish, will he for a fish
give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he reach him a scorpion? If
you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much
more will your Father from heaven give the good Spirit to them that ask
him?"
Twenty-Third
Sunday after Pentecost[3] The focus of this Sunday is a
reminder of the Book of Life and the resurrection of the body.
THE Introit of the Mass consoles us, and encourages us to confidence in
God, Who is so kind to us, and will not suffer us to be always in tribulation. “The
Lord saith, I think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction. You shall call
upon Me, and I will hear you, and I will bring back your captivity from all
places. Lord, Thou hast blest Thy land, Thou hast turned away the captivity of
Jacob.”
Prayer.
Absolve, we beseech Thee, O
Lord, the sins of Thy people, that we may be delivered by Thy goodness from the
bonds of sin which, by our frailty, we have committed.
EPISTLE.
Phil. iii. 17-21; iv. 1-3.
Be followers of me, brethren, and observe them who walk so as you have
our model. For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you
weeping) that they are enemies of the cross of Christ ; whose end is
destruction: whose God is their belly: and whose glory is in their shame: who
mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we
look for the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will reform the body of our
lowness, made like to the body of His glory, according to the operation whereby
also He is able to subdue all things unto Himself. Therefore, my dearly beloved
brethren, and most desired, my joy and my crown: so stand fast in the Lord, my
dearly beloved. I beg of Evodia, and I beseech Syntyche to be of one mind in
the Lord. And I entreat thee also, my sincere companion, help those women that
have labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement and the rest of my fellow-
laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Explanation.
In these words, the Apostle gives warning against the false teachers of
his day, who, although outwardly receiving and preaching Christianity, in heart
hated the strict requirements of Christian morals, and lived according to their
sensual lusts. He therefore cautions the faithful not to take them for
patterns, for they are only hastening to eternal perdition, but rather to be
followers of him, and of those who imitate his life. These warnings and
admonitions apply also to us. For are there not among us enemies of the cross
of Christ, who are called Christians, but who will have nothing to do with self-denial,
mortification, chastity, and such like virtues? who indeed despise them, and
count those who practice them fools? Let us not be led astray by them. For what
will be the end of them? Everlasting destruction. For he who does not crucify
his flesh does not belong to Christ (Gal. v. 24); whoever does not bear about
his body the dying of Christ, in his body the life of Christ, will never be
made manifest (n. Cor. iv. 10). Whoever does not already walk in heaven, that
is, direct his thoughts and desires to heavenly goods, will not find admission
there after death.
Ejaculation.
O my God would that I might say, with St. Paul, the world is crucified
to me, and I to the world (Gal. vi. 14).
At
that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, behold a certain ruler came
up, and adored Him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead; but come, lay
Thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus rising up, followed him with
His disciples. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood
twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment. For she said
within herself: If I shall touch only His garment I shall be healed. But Jesus
turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made
thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus was
come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude
making a rout, he said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And
they laughed Him to scorn. And when the multitude was put forth, He went in,
and took her by the hand. And the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad
into all that country.
Explanation
The
ruler and the woman here mentioned teach us that in diseases of body or of mind
we should have recourse to Jesus with faith and confidence; and even when the
malady continues, and seems to be incurable, we should not suffer our courage
to sink.
ON MOCKERY AND RIDICULE
When
Jesus entered the house of Jairus, and said, the girl is not dead, but
sleepeth, the multitude laughed Him to scorn, because they understood neither
the meaning of His words nor what He was about to do. Similar treatment
sensual-minded men of the world often give to those servants of God who, by
word and example, preach the contempt of honors, riches, pleasures, and the
love of poverty, humility, and mortification. Permit not yourself to be led
astray by those who ridicule your zeal for virtue; pay no heed to them,
according to the example of Jesus, and trust in Him Who was Himself derided for
your sake. Say to yourself: I know, O dearest Jesus, that the servant is not
greater than his master. When Thou wast so often mocked, why should it appear
strange to me to be jeered at and called senseless for endeavoring to practice
devotion and virtue? I would not fare differently from Thee, my Lord and my
God.
St. Elizabeth,
Duchess of Thuringia, it is said that the servant of God lost her mother,
Gertrude, Queen of Hungary, about the year 1220. In the spirit of a holy
Christian daughter, she gave abundant alms, redoubled her prayers and
mortifications, exhausted the resources of her charity for the relief of that
dear soul. God revealed to her that she had not done too much. One night the
deceased appeared to her with a sad and emaciated countenance; she placed
herself on her knees next to the bed, and said to her, weeping, “My daughter,
you see at your feet your mother overwhelmed with suffering. I come to implore
you to multiply your suffrages, that Divine Mercy may deliver me from the
frightful torments I endure. Oh! how much are those to be pitied who exercise
authority over others? I expiate now the faults that I committed upon the
throne. Oh! my daughter, I pray you by the pangs I endured when bringing you
into the world, by the cares and anxieties which your education cost me, I
conjure you to deliver me from my torments.” Elizabeth, deeply touched, arose
immediately, took the discipline to blood, and implored God, with tears, to
have mercy on her mother, Gertrude, declaring that she would not cease to pray
until she had obtained her deliverance. Her prayers were heard.
Elizabeth
was the daughter of the Hungarian King Andrew II. At the age of four (b. 1207),
she was brought to the court of her future husband, Ludwig, landgrave of
Thuringia. After her marriage in 1221, she very conscientiously fulfilled her
duties both toward her husband and as a servant of God. During the night she
would rise from bed and spend long periods in prayer. Zealously she performed
all types of charitable acts; she put herself at the service of widows, orphans,
the sick, the needy. During a famine she generously distributed all the grain
from her stocks, cared for lepers in one of the hospitals she established,
kissed their hands and feet. For the benefit of the indigent she provided
suitable lodging. After the early death of her husband (in 1227 while on a
crusade led by Emperor Frederick II), Elizabeth laid aside all royal dignities
in order to serve God more freely. She put on simple clothing, became a
tertiary of St. Francis, and showed great patience and humility. Nor was she
spared intense suffering - the goods belonging to her as a widow were withheld,
she was forced to leave Wartburg. In Eisenach no one dared receive her out of
fear of her enemies. Upon much pleading a shepherd of the landgrave permitted
her to use an abandoned pig sty. No one was allowed to visit or aid her; with
her three children, of whom the youngest was not more than a few months old,
she was forced to wander about in the winter's cold. In 1228 she took the veil
of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis at Marburg and there built a
hospital with some property still belonging to her. She retained for herself
only a small mud house. All her strength and care were now devoted to the poor
and the sick, while she obtained the few things she needed by spinning. Young
in years but rich in good works, she slept in the Lord in 1231, only
twenty-four years old.
Things to
Do
·
Love
for the poor is characteristic of every genuine follower of Christ, those
lacking the truth are the poorest of the poor, spend some time on a regular
basis studying your faith (by reading or taking a home study course) so that
you will be prepared to feed those who are hungry for the truth.
·
St.
Elizabeth is the patroness of the Franciscan Third Order (tertiary) and of all
Catholic Charities. Find out more about what a third order is, particularly the
Franciscan Third Order.
·
Follow
these links for some wonderful works of art of St. Elizabeth:
National
UnFriend Day (NUD) is an unofficial holiday designed to promote unfriending
other Facebook users that are not true friends. Social media now provides
access to just about anyone, anywhere on the globe. However, this easy global
access exposes personal information to theft or misuse and unnecessary
cluttering by other's junk posts. In this digital age, it is imperative that
identities remain protected and that time spent on social media be reduced and
replaced by face-to-face human interaction. National UnFriend Day was
originally conceived and proposed by TV personality Jimmy Kimmel on November
17, 2010 in an effort to remind society of the true meaning of friendship. Kimmel believes
that there are many Facebook offenses that can lead to unfriending someone,
some of which include, posting too much, spell-checking too little, repetitively
posting the same kind of material, not googling before asking questions, being
on Facebook all the time and sending in-app Facebook requests for games. In
addition to unfriending irritating offenders, it is advisable to unfriend those
whom you no longer have steady contact with and any unknown users that may have
access to your information and posts.
National UnFriend
Day Facts & Quotes
·
According
to a report by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
helping navigate the world of media and technology, teenagers spend about 9
hours a day consuming media, 1.5 hours of which is spent on social media.
·
As
of January 2016, compared to other social networks, Facebook is the leading
social network with approximately 1.6 billion active monthly users. This
is in comparison to WhatsApp (900 million active monthly users), Instagram (400
million active monthly users) and Twitter (320 million active monthly users).
·
The
average Facebook user has 338 friends. 27% of young Facebook users have
more than 500 friends, compared an average of 100 friends for 72% of Facebook
users who are older than 65 years of age.
·
36%
of Facebook users strongly dislike it when someone shares too much information
or photos about themselves, as well as when they post photos of others without
asking for permission.
·
I
encourage you to cut out some of the friend fat in your life. A friend is
someone you have a special relationship with. It's not someone who asks which
Harry Potter character you are.- Jimmy Kimmel, November 2010
National UnFriend
Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Go
through your privacy settings on Facebook. Keep in mind that some of the people
that you have previously friended may not be friends at all. Your privacy
settings can control who is able to see your content and whose content will
show up on your news feed.
·
Decide
who you are going to unfriend on Facebook. Facebook also offers the
possibility of making friends into acquaintances. Your acquaintance list can
then be separated from your friend list, allowing you to publish and read
'friend-only' content.
·
Review
your posting habits. Have you been posting too much content, or have you
been posting photos of your friends, without receiving permission? Check to see
whether you have also violated any Facebook UnFriend Day Offenses as defined by
Jimmy Kimmel.
·
Watch
movies about friendship. Here are some to consider:
1) Stand by Me (1986)
2) The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
3) Good Will Hunting (1997)
4) The Intouchables (2011)
5) The Social Network (2010)
6) The Bucket List (2007)
7) As Good as it Gets (1997)
Daily Devotions
·
Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do
the Divine Office giving
your day to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after SUNSET ON SATURDAY till
Monday. Don’t forget the internet.
[1] James Keller, You Can Change the World!
[4]Goffines Devout Instructions, 1896
[5]Schouppe
S.J., Rev. Fr. F. X.. Purgatory Explained
[6]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-11-17
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