Saint Thomas Cantilupe
Originally from a rich Anglo-Norman family, he was ordained priest in 1245 while taking part in the First Council of Lyons. In 1275 he became Bishop of Hereford, where his austerity and his zeal as a reforming bishop became well known. He died while on a journey to the papal court, and was canonised in 1320.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Deut 32
The Lord led her and taught her, and kept her as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle spreading its wings he took her up and bore her on his shoulders. The Lord alone was her guide.
Collect
O God, who open your Kingdom to those who are humble and to little ones, lead us to follow trustingly in the little way of Saint Therese, so that through her intercession we may see your eternal glory revealed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Zechariah 8:20-23
The Lord of Hosts says this: “There will be other peoples yet, and citizens of great cities. And the inhabitants of one city will go to the next and say, ‘Come, let us go and entreat the favour of the Lord, and seek the Lord of Hosts; I am going myself.’ And many peoples and great nations will come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favour of the Lord.” The Lord of Hosts says this: “In those days, ten men of nations of every language will take a Jew by the sleeve and say, “We want to go with you, since we have learnt that God is with you.’”
Psalm 86(87)
R/ God is with us.
On the holy mountain is his city cherished by the Lord. The Lord prefers the gates of Zion to all Jacob’s dwellings. Of you are told glorious things, O city of God!
‘Babylon and Egypt I will count among those who know me; Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia, these will be her children and Zion shall be called “Mother” for all shall be her children.’
It is he, the Lord Most High, who gives each his place. In his register of peoples he writes: ‘These are her children,’ and while they dance they will sing: ‘In you all find their home.’
Gospel Acclamation: Ps118:36, 29
Alleluia, alleluia! Bend my heart to your will, O Lord, and teach me your law. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 9:51-56
As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But he turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.
Prayer over the Offerings
As we proclaim your wonders in Saint Therese, O Lord, we humbly implore your majesty, that, as her merits were pleasing to you, so, too, our dutiful service may find favour in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 18: 3
Thus says the Lord: Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Prayer after Communion
May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord, kindle in us the force of that love with which Saint Therese dedicated herself to you and longed to obtain your mercy for all. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
It is through their attitude towards the Saviour of the world that people judge themselves worthy or unworthy of the salvation offered to them. They save themselves by reaching out for truth and life and by taking the only path that leads there. They condemn themselves by refusing to go down this path of salvation. This is why Jesus, who is the total revelation of God in our world, renounces the exercise of his omnipotence in the face of the refusal of men to accept his person, his message, his salvation. With Jesus, from now on, no more pressure, no more violence, but only the gentle persuasion of patience and love. May the Lord grant us the grace to peacefully propose the Good News to our rather violent world.