Sunday, November 8, 2020
Twenty-Third Sunday af. Pentecost (32nd S Ord Time)
Romans, Chapter 15, Verse 13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The God of Hope?
It has been
said that the only things worse than insanity are despair and hopelessness. But
praise the Lord, we serve a God of hope! The Greek word for "hope" is
elpo meaning "to look forward to with pleasurable confidence and
expectation." The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, "Now the God of
hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may aboard in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:13).
Paul
introduces an incredible idea "that you may abound in hope" He means,
"that you may have enough to spare; a supply that is overflowing,
excessive, beyond measure!" Some may think, "That sounds like a cruel
joke. In my present condition all I want is a ray of hope, just a single
evidence of answered prayer. Just one little sign of change!" But beloved,
God's Word is true! He is a God of hope -- a hope that is excessive,
overflowing and beyond measure. Paul's prayer for the people of God was that He
would "fill you with all joy and peace in believing." This is to be a
normal state for all Christians: not just for well-adjusted, happy-go-lucky
believers -- but for all! God is not mocking His hurting children today. He is
now a God of hope, ready to flood your soul with exceeding, overflowing joy and
peace by the power of the Holy Ghost in you. Paul said, "For we are saved
by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he
yet hopes for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience
wait for it" (Romans 8:24-25) Yet we respond by demanding to see a change
in our situation: "But I could have hope if I could just see a little
movement, a small piece of evidence that God is working for my good, just
something to get hold of. I need to see something change. How can I have hope
when months go by and things only get worse?" But "to abound in
hope" is to have excessive, overflowing patience -- more than enough
patience to "wait for it." You see, the joy and peace come when you
know God has everything under control![1]
ON KEEPING THE LORD'S DAY HOLY[2]
4. Until quite recently, it was easier in traditionally Christian countries to keep Sunday holy because it was an almost universal practice and because, even in the organization of civil society, Sunday rest was considered a fixed part of the work schedule.
Today,
however, even in those countries which give legal sanction to the festive
character of Sunday, changes in socioeconomic conditions have often led to
profound modifications of social behavior and hence of the character of Sunday.
The custom of the "weekend" has become more widespread, a weekly
period of respite, spent perhaps far from home and often involving
participation in cultural, political, or sporting activities which are usually
held on free days. This social and cultural phenomenon is by no means without
its positive aspects if, while respecting true values, it can contribute to people's
development and to the advancement of the life of society as a whole. All of
this responds not only to the need for rest, but also to the need for
celebration which is inherent in our humanity. Unfortunately, when Sunday loses
its fundamental meaning and becomes merely part of a "weekend", it
can happen that people stay locked within a horizon so limited that they can no
longer see "the heavens". Hence, though ready to celebrate, they are
really incapable of doing so.
The
disciples of Christ, however, are asked to avoid any confusion between the
celebration of Sunday, which should truly be a way of keeping the Lord's Day
holy, and the "weekend", understood as a time of simple rest and
relaxation. This will require a genuine spiritual maturity, which will enable
Christians to "be what they are", in full accordance with the gift of
faith, always ready to give an account of the hope which is in them (cf. 1 Pt
3:15). In this way, they will be led to a deeper understanding of Sunday, with
the result that, even in difficult situations, they will be able to live it in
complete docility to the Holy Spirit.
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).
GOSPEL. Matt, ix. 18-26[4]
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.
The Resurrection of
the Dead[5] Don't forget to pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory from November 1 to the 8th.
The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns to earth, he
will physically raise all those who have died, giving them back the bodies they
lost at death. These will be the same bodies people had in earthly
life—but our resurrection bodies will not die and, for the righteous, they will
be transformed into a glorified state, freed from suffering and pain, and
enabled to do many of the amazing things Jesus could do with his glorified
body. The resurrection of the body is an essential Christian doctrine, as
the apostle Paul declares: "[I]f the dead are not raised, then Christ has
not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you
are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have
perished". Because, as Paul tells us, the Christian faith cannot
exist without this doctrine, it has been infallibly defined by the Church. It
is included in the three infallible professions of faith—the Apostles’ Creed,
the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed—and has been solemnly, infallibly
taught by ecumenical councils. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215), infallibly
defined that at the second coming Jesus "will judge the living and the
dead, to render to every person according to his works, both to the reprobate
and to the elect. All of them will rise with their own bodies, which they now
wear, so as to receive according to their deserts, whether these be good or
bad" (constitution 1).
Most recently, the Catechism of the Catholic Church reiterated
this long-defined teaching, stating, "‘We believe in the true resurrection
of this flesh that we now possess’ (Council of Lyons II). We sow a corruptible
body in the tomb, but he raises up an incorruptible body, a ‘spiritual body’
(cf. 1 Cor 15:42–44)" (CCC 1017).
Cappuccino
Day[6]
Italy is famous for the
variety of coffees it produces. Cappuccinos are loved among coffee lovers and
despite its vague history, many people still appreciate the comfort it brings.
Thus, comes a happy day called Cappuccino Day, where people from all over can
order a frothy and whipped cup of coffee and eat with whatever meal they’re
having. Let’s take a look at how Cappuccino Day came to be.
The name “Cappuccino” came
from the Capuchin Friars, a minor order of friars within the Catholic Church,
who in the 16th century was well known for their missionary work helping the
poor and were dedicated to extreme austerity, poverty, and simplicity. Wearing
a brown robe with a pointed hood, it is believed that the name stemmed from a
specific person in the order, Marco d’Aviano. According to the Telegraph, when
an Ottoman Turk army tried marching into Vienna in 1683, d’Aviano united the
outnumbered Christian troops and made them victorious in defending Vienna. The
legend says that after the Turks fled, they left behind Ottoman coffee, and
because the Christians found it to be bitter, they sweetened it with milk and
honey and named it after the Order of Capuchins. Another source says that the
idea of the cappuccino drink appears to have originated in the 1700’s, in the
“Kapuziner” coffee houses in Austria, which contained coffee with cream and
sugar and eventually added spices. However, the cappuccino we know today was
invented in Italy during the 1900’s after the invention of the espresso machine
gained popularity. The first record of the cappuccino appeared in the 1930’s.
After World War II, the espresso machine improved, and so changed the process
of making cappuccinos, which now have steamed and frothed cream and thus spread
its popularity around the world.
How to Celebrate Cappuccino Day
Buy a cappuccino at your
favorite cafe. If you’d rather have a cup at home, get an espresso machine and
make a cup yourself. Or if you love the process of making cappuccinos, look up
famous baristas and be wowed by their ability to make beautiful creations with
coffee. Cappuccinos are one of the hardest drinks to make, but their elegance
and frothy taste will be sure to have you wanting a cup for yourself. If you’re
a lover of taking photos of your food, take a picture of your cappuccino and
hashtag #CappuccinoDay to show to your friends.
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 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t forget the internet.
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
·
On waking go to Mass
early and do the prayer before
Mass
·
Receive our Lord in
the Eucharist in thanksgiving.
·
Break your fast and
strive to be a soldier for Christ and live the beatitudes
walking with our Lord.
Comments
Post a Comment