Month: September 2024

Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Reading 1 Jb 1:6-22

One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?”
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
“From roaming the earth and patrolling it.”
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”
And the LORD said to Satan,
“Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person.”
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
“The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
“The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!”

In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7

R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

Alleluia Mk 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest.”

Then John said in reply,
“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company.”
Jesus said to him,
“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reflect and Pray / Reflexionar y Rezar

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The last line in each of today’s readings really caught my attention.

The first reading from Job says, “In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.” (Job 1:21-22)  Crack open a Bible and read each of the situations that happened to Job. He didn’t sin or disrespect God, at all. Wow! That’s incredible! What a countercultural perspective not to sin or disrespect God or my sisters and brothers in this world. This is definitely a Bible verse I need to take into my personal reflection and prayer time. There is a lot to take note of here and then take to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, because of how I have reacted or what I have failed to do in response to specific situations in my life. 

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the apostles, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Lk 9:50)  How many times have I ignored or not accepted another person’s insights or perspective when working on a project, or in numerous other situations? This verse is another one to spend time with in personal prayer and reflection.

It is extremely important to reflect and pray about the choices we make each and every day. The New Testament notes time and again how Jesus went off to pray. I need to make prayer and reflection an intentional part of my day. I need to hold myself in check and honor the Lord in my words and deeds. Lord, help me to offer you my reflections and prayers to stay on the path of truth, The Way to you. Amen.

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La última línea de las dos lecturas de hoy realmente me llamaron la atención.

La primera lectura de Job dice: “A pesar de todo lo que le sucedió, Job no pecó ni profirió ninguna insolencia contra Dios.” (Job 1,21-22) Abre una Biblia y lee cada una de las situaciones que le sucedieron a Job. No pecó ni le faltó el respeto a Dios en absoluto. ¡Guau! ¡Que increíble! Qué perspectiva más contracultural no pecar ni faltarle el respeto a Dios ni a mis hermanas y hermanos en este mundo. Este es definitivamente un versículo de la Biblia que necesito incluir en mi tiempo de reflexión personal y en la oración. Hay mucho que notar aquí y luego llevar al Sacramento de la Reconciliación, por cómo he reaccionado o qué he dejado de hacer en respuesta a situaciones específicas de mi vida.

En el Evangelio de Lucas, Jesús dice a los apóstoles: “No se lo prohíban, pues el que no está contra ustedes, está en favor de ustedes“. (Lc 9,50) ¿Cuántas veces he ignorado o no aceptado las ideas o la perspectiva de otra persona cuando trabajaba en un proyecto, o en muchas otras situaciones? Debo pasar tiempo en oración y reflexión personal con este versículo también.

Es muy importante reflexionar y rezar sobre las decisiones que tomamos a diario. El Nuevo Testamento registra una y otra vez cómo Jesús fue a rezar. Necesito hacer de la oración y la reflexión una parte intencional de mi día. Necesito controlarme y honrar al Señor en mis palabras y obras. Señor, ayúdame a ofrecerte mis reflexiones y oraciones para permanecer en el camino de la verdad, El Camino hacia ti. Amén.

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Beth Price is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and a practicing spiritual director. Beth shares smiles, prayers, laughter, a listening ear and her heart with all of creation. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Nm 11:25-29

The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.

Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
“Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, “
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
“Moses, my lord, stop them.”
But Moses answered him,
“Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Reading 2 Jas 5:1-6

Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.

Alleluia Cf. Jn 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Casting Off Sin / Deshacernos del Pecado

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In today’s Gospel, we read that Christ said to His followers: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” He then goes on to say that if your hand, foot, or eye cause you to sin, you should cut it off or pluck it out. Now, we need not take Jesus literally and begin to chop off body parts. He certainly does not want us to harm ourselves. But He does want us to get rid of the source of sin in our lives.

What does that look like today? It could be a toxic friend who leads us away from Christ rather than to Him. It could be social media or a TV show that causes us to forgo our faith or to do something contrary to the commandments. Or it could be spending too much time on our phone and putting this “idol” before God.

Anything that leads us away from God should be cast away. But that takes a lot of moral courage. It takes us having—and sustaining—the ability to ask God for His help, to take His hand, and to allow Him to lead us. This is especially difficult when others make fun of us, when others call us names or rebuke us for our faith, or when things don’t seem to go our way. During these times, we may feel abandoned by those on Earth and by God. 

This loneliness can lead to despair. And that despair can pitch us into anger or even resentment, which of course can lead to sinful behavior. And you know what? That’s exactly what the evil one wants. In fact, he revels in those feelings because they create distance between us and God. So as we think about driving out the things that cause us to sin, we must remember that those things include the feelings and the thoughts that pull away from our Lord.

That is why a solid prayer life is so vital. When we feel these dark thoughts creeping in on us, when we feel them about to overtake us, or when we notice things of the outside world replacing things of the spiritual world, that is when we must train ourselves to press the proverbial pause button and find a quiet place to pray, to give ourselves to God, to listen to Him, and to tell Him we trust in Him. 

Better yet, go see Him in Adoration. Sit with Him. Ask for the courage and the strength to battle the evil affecting you and to cut from your life the things causing you to sin. This is what Christ asks of us. This is how we can grow closer to Him.

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En el Evangelio de hoy leemos que Cristo dijo a sus seguidores: “Al que sea ocasión de pecado para esta gente sencilla que cree en mí, más le valdría que le pusieran al cuello una de esas enormes piedras de molino y lo arrojaran al mar.” Luego continúa diciendo que si tu mano, pie u ojo te hacen pecar, debes cortártelo o arrancarlo. Ahora bien, no debemos tomar a Jesús literalmente y comenzar a cortar partes del cuerpo. Ciertamente no quiere que nos hagamos daño a nosotros mismos. Pero sí quiere que nos deshagamos de la fuente del pecado en nuestras vidas.

¿Cómo se ve eso hoy? Podría ser un amigo tóxico que nos aleja de Cristo en lugar de acercarnos a Él. Podrían ser las redes sociales o un programa de televisión que nos haga renunciar a nuestra fe o hacer algo contrario a los mandamientos. O podría ser pasar demasiado tiempo en el teléfono y empezar a poner este “ídolo” ante Dios.

Todo lo que nos aleje de Dios debe ser desechado. Pero eso requiere mucho valor moral. Se necesita que tengamos (y sostengamos) la capacidad de pedirle a Dios su ayuda, tomar su mano y permitirle que nos guíe. Esto es especialmente difícil cuando otros se burlan de nosotros, cuando otros nos insultan o nos reprenden por nuestra fe, o cuando las cosas no parecen salir como queremos. Durante estos tiempos, podemos sentirnos abandonados por aquellos en la Tierra y por Dios.

Esta soledad puede llevarnos a la desesperación. Y esa desesperación puede llevarnos a la ira o incluso al resentimiento, lo que claramente puede llevarnos a un comportamiento pecaminoso. ¿Y sabes qué? Eso es exactamente lo que quiere el maligno. De hecho, se deleita con esos sentimientos porque crean distancia entre nosotros y Dios. Entonces, cuando pensamos en expulsar las cosas que nos hacen pecar, debemos recordar que esas cosas incluyen los sentimientos y pensamientos que nos alejan de nuestro Señor.

Por eso es tan vital una vida de oración sólida. Cuando sentimos que estos pensamientos oscuros empiezan a entrar la mente, cuando sentimos que están a punto de apoderarse de nosotros, o cuando notamos que las cosas del mundo exterior empiezan a reemplazar a las cosas del mundo espiritual, en estos momentos debemos entrenarnos a pausar y encontrar un lugar tranquilo para orar, entregarnos a Dios, escucharlo y decirle que confiamos en Él.

Mejor aún, anda a verlo en el Santísimo. Siéntate con Él. Pide el valor y la fuerza para luchar contra el mal que te afecta y cortar de tu vida las cosas que te hacen pecar. Esto es lo que Cristo nos pide. Así es cómo podemos acercarnos más a Él.

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Susan Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, with an MA in liberal studies from Indiana University. For the past 19 years, she has worked as a professional editor and writer, editing both fiction and nonfiction books, magazine articles, blogs, educational lessons, professional materials and website content. Thirteen of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently Susan freelances and writes weekly for HLI, edits for American Life League, and is the executive editor of Celebrate Life Magazine. She also serves as executive editor for the Culture of Life Studies Program—an educational nonprofit program for K-12 students. You can reach her at slochner0.wixsite.com/website.

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Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 ECCL 11:9—12:8

Rejoice, O young man, while you are young 
and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart,
the vision of your eyes;
Yet understand that as regards all this
God will bring you to judgment.
Ward off grief from your heart
and put away trouble from your presence,
though the dawn of youth is fleeting.

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the evil days come
And the years approach of which you will say,
I have no pleasure in them;
Before the sun is darkened,
and the light, and the moon, and the stars,
while the clouds return after the rain;
When the guardians of the house tremble,
and the strong men are bent,
And the grinders are idle because they are few,
and they who look through the windows grow blind;
When the doors to the street are shut,
and the sound of the mill is low;
When one waits for the chirp of a bird,
but all the daughters of song are suppressed;
And one fears heights,
and perils in the street;
When the almond tree blooms,
and the locust grows sluggish
and the caper berry is without effect,
Because man goes to his lasting home,
and mourners go about the streets;
Before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is broken,
And the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the broken pulley falls into the well,
And the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the life breath returns to God who gave it.

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
all things are vanity!

Responsorial Psalm PS 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 AND 17

R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight 
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

 

 

Alleluia 2 TIMOTHY 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 9:43B-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed,
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Pay attention to what I am telling you.
The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” 
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Meat and Potatoes / Comida Fuerte

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I love getting the slightly controversial passages in Scripture that could have several different meanings. It is fun because I get to research what others who are much smarter than I have said about these verses. But then I also get to reflect on what the verse means to me and how God is speaking through it. The Gospel today is one such verse. 

It seems very strange that Jesus would ask the disciples to pay attention to what he is telling them but then in the next sentence make it clear that the meaning of his words were hidden from them. Why would God try to communicate something but then purposefully hide its meaning? There are some great commentaries on this passage and I encourage you to look some of these up and see how they strike you. But my take on it is that the disciples weren’t ready. 

They needed to hear the basics of what was going to happen but God could tell that they weren’t ready yet for the meat and potatoes. Notice that he doesn’t just hide the meaning from them and tell them good luck, but instead he reveals the true meaning over time. He gives them the sprinkles so that eventually they will be ready for the whole ice cream cone. 

The Catechism tells us how God has chosen to reveal himself. “God communicates himself to man gradually. He prepares him to welcome by stages the supernatural Revelation that is to culminate in the person and mission of the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ.” (CCC 53)

A pedagogue was someone in ancient times who would walk with a family and especially with the children and make sure that the things they were learning outside the home conformed with what they were learning in the home. Jesus is the divine pedagogue. He walks with us in stages in order that we might draw closer to him. He ensures that the things we learn here on earth conform with the realities of his father’s house. 

In order for this to be effective it must be done in stages. If Jesus asked the disciples to follow him and then immediately said that at some point they would be eating his flesh, they would have lost it. They would not have been ready. It is the same for you and I. God works on us gradually and gives us exactly what we need when we need it. This ensures that eventually we get to the point where we no longer want the baby food, but we want the steak. God loves us so much that he wants us to experience the fullness of his love. We just have to endure the fasting of this life so we can properly enjoy the wedding feast that awaits us in heaven. 

From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!

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Me encanta cuando me tocan los pasajes un poco controversiales de las Escrituras que podrían tener varios significados diferentes. Es divertido porque puedo investigar lo que otros, que son mucho más inteligentes que yo, han dicho sobre estos versículos. Pero luego también puedo reflexionar sobre lo que el versículo significa para mí y cómo Dios habla a través de él. El Evangelio de hoy es uno de esos versículos.

Parece muy extraño que Jesús pidiera a los discípulos que prestaran atención a lo que les estaba diciendo pero luego, en la siguiente frase, dejara claro que el significado de sus palabras estaba oculto. ¿Por qué Dios intentaría comunicar algo pero luego ocultaría intencionalmente su significado? Hay algunos comentarios excelentes sobre este pasaje y te animo a buscar algunos de ellos para ver cómo te impresiona, pero mi opinión es que los discípulos no estaban preparados.

Necesitaban escuchar los conceptos básicos de lo que iba a suceder, porque Dios se dio cuenta que aún no estaban listos para la comida fuerte. Nota que no se les oculta el significado y luego desearles la buena suerte, sino que revela el verdadero significado con el tiempo. Les da la cremita para que al final estén listas para comer el helado completo.

El Catecismo nos dice cómo Dios ha elegido revelarse. “Dios se comunica gradualmente al hombre, lo prepara por etapas para acoger la Revelación sobrenatural que hace de sí mismo y que culminará en la Persona y la misión del Verbo encarnado, Jesucristo.” (CIC 53)

Un pedagogo era alguien en la antigüedad que caminaba con una familia y especialmente con los niños y se aseguraba de que las cosas que estaban aprendiendo fuera del hogar se ajustaran a lo que estaban aprendiendo dentro del hogar. Jesús es el pedagogo divino. Él camina con nosotros en etapas para que podamos acercarnos a él. Se asegura de que las cosas que aprendemos aquí en la tierra se ajusten a las realidades de la casa de su Padre.

Para que esto sea efectivo debe hacerse por etapas. Si Jesús les pidiera a los discípulos que lo siguieran y luego inmediatamente les dijera que en algún momento iban a comer su carne, se hubieran vuelto locos. No hubieran estado listos. Es lo mismo para ti y para mí. Dios obra en nosotros gradualmente y nos da exactamente lo que necesitamos cuando lo necesitamos. Esto asegura que eventualmente lleguemos al punto en el que ya no queremos comida de bebe, sino el bistec. Dios nos ama tanto que quiere que experimentemos la plenitud de su amor. Sólo tenemos que soportar el ayuno de esta vida para poder disfrutar adecuadamente del banquete de bodas que nos espera en el cielo.

De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!

Comunicarse con el autor

Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”

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Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

Reading 1 Eccl 3:1-11

There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.

What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man’s ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4

R. (1) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
my mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
LORD, what is man, that you notice him;
the son of man, that you take thought of him?
Man is like a breath;
his days, like a passing shadow.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Alleluia Mk 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

Reading 1 Eccl 3:1-11

There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.

What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man’s ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4

R. (1) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
my mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
LORD, what is man, that you notice him;
the son of man, that you take thought of him?
Man is like a breath;
his days, like a passing shadow.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Alleluia Mk 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Who Do You Say He Is? / ¿Quién dices que es Jesús?

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks who people say he is. Some people think he is Elijah or another prophet. But then Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter then affirms that Jesus is the Christ. (Lk 9:20)

Is your life reflecting who Jesus is? Do you live as though you believe in Him? Or do you live as anyone else you may pass on the street who doesn’t know and love Jesus? 

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a French priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. There are St. Vincent de Paul Societies in virtually every corner of the globe, devoted to serving the needs of God’s precious children. Because St. Vincent de Paul knew who Christ was and affirmed him as Lord in his life, he was able to go and minister to those who needed it most. 

The same can be true for us. Ask Jesus to show you His Lordship in your life, and ask to be transformed by it, so that you may then go out and transform the world. 

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En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús pregunta quién dice la gente que es. Algunas personas piensan que es Elías u otro profeta. Pero entonces Jesús les pregunta a los discípulos: “Y ustedes, ¿quién dicen que soy yo?” Pedro luego afirma que Jesús es el Cristo. (Lucas 9,20)

¿Tu vida refleja quién es Jesús? ¿Vives como si creyeras en Él? ¿O vives como cualquier otra persona con la que te cruzas en la calle que no conoce ni ama a Jesús?

Hoy celebramos la fiesta de San Vicente de Paúl. Fue un sacerdote francés que se dedicó a servir a los pobres. Hay Sociedades de San Vicente de Paúl en prácticamente todos los rincones del mundo, dedicadas a atender las necesidades de los preciosos hijos de Dios. Debido a que San Vicente de Paúl sabía quién era Cristo y lo afirmó como Señor en su vida, pudo ir y ministrar a quienes más lo necesitaban.

Lo mismo puede ser cierto para nosotros. Pídele a Jesús que te muestre Su Señorío en tu vida y pide ser transformado por Él, para que luego puedas ir y transformar el mundo.

Comunicarse con la autora

Mary Thissen is a St. Louis native living in East Central Illinois with her husband and children. She is blessed with twin boys Earthside and four children now living in Heaven. When she is not working as a healthcare data analyst or caring for her boys, she enjoys studying and writing about the Catholic faith and ministering to women who are suffering through miscarriage or infertility. You can connect with Mary on Instagram @waitingonmiracles. 

Feature Image Credit: Larm Rmah, unsplash.com/photos/five-children-smiling-while-doing-peace-hand-sign-AEaTUnvneik

Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 ECCL 1:2-11

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities!  All things are vanity!
What profit has man from all the labor
which he toils at under the sun?
One generation passes and another comes,
but the world forever stays.
The sun rises and the sun goes down;
then it presses on to the place where it rises.
Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north,
the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds.
All rivers go to the sea,
yet never does the sea become full.
To the place where they go,
the rivers keep on going.
All speech is labored;
there is nothing one can say.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing
nor is the ear satisfied with hearing.

What has been, that will be;
what has been done, that will be done.
Nothing is new under the sun.
Even the thing of which we say, “See, this is new!”
has already existed in the ages that preceded us.
There is no remembrance of the men of old;
nor of those to come will there be any remembrance
among those who come after them.
 

Responsorial Psalm PS 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 AND 17BC

R. (1)  In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD!  How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

 

 

Alleluia JN 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.