Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207 – 1231)
Psalter: Week I
White
She was a daughter of the King of Hungary. She was given in marriage and she had three children. She frequently meditated on heavenly things and when her husband died she embraced poverty and built a hospice in which she cared for the sick herself.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 51:10
I am like a growing olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the mercy of God, for ever and ever.
Collect
O God, by whose gift Saint Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and revered Christ in the poor, grant, through her intercession, that we may serve with unfailing charity the needy and those afflicted. 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 : 1 Maccabees 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64
There grew a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; once a hostage in Rome, he became king in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. It was then that there emerged from Israel a set of renegades who led many people astray. ‘Come,’ they said ‘let us reach an understanding with the pagans surrounding us, for since we separated ourselves from them many misfortunes have overtaken us.’ This proposal proved acceptable, and a number of the people eagerly approached the king, who authorised them to practise the pagan observances. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, such as the pagans have, disguised their circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant, submitting to the heathen rule as willing slaves of impiety. Then the king issued a proclamation to his whole kingdom that all were to become a single people, each renouncing his particular customs. All the pagans conformed to the king’s decree, and many Israelites chose to accept his religion, sacrificing to idols and profaning the sabbath. The king erected the abomination of desolation above the altar; and altars were built in the surrounding towns of Judah and incense offered at the doors of houses and in the streets. Any books of the Law that came to light were torn up and burned. Whenever anyone was discovered possessing a copy of the covenant or practising the Law, the king’s decree sentenced him to death. Yet there were many in Israel who stood firm and found the courage to refuse unclean food. They chose death rather than contamination by such fare or profanation of the holy covenant, and they were executed. It was a dreadful wrath that visited Israel.
Responsorial Psal118(119):53,61,134,150,155,158
R/ Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your will.
I am seized with indignation at the wicked who forsake your law. Though the nets of the wicked ensnared me I remembered your law.
Redeem me from man’s oppression and I will keep your precepts. Those who harm me unjustly draw near; they are far from your law.
Salvation is far from the wicked who are heedless of your statutes. I look at the faithless with disgust; they ignore your promise.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn8:12
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’ The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’ And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened.
Prayer over the Offerings
We bring the offerings of our devotion to be consecrated by you, O Lord, in commemoration of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, for by the consolation you give us in this life you show that we should not lose hope of what is promised for eternity. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 44:2
My heart overflows with noble words. To the king I address the song I have made.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed, O Lord, at the wellsprings of salvation, we humbly entreat you that through the intercession of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, holding more closely day by day to Christ, we may merit to be co-heirs in his Kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
The poignant words of the blind man, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me,” find a responsive chord in Jesus’s compassionate heart, prompting Him to stop and engage with the man. Inquiring about the blind man’s desire, He receives the plea, “Let me see again.” Jesus, always ready to heal those who approach Him in faith, restores the blind man’s sight, who then immediately becomes His follower. This incident reaffirms Jesus’ willingness to heal those who come to Him in faith. He does not discriminate based on wealth, health, righteousness, or sinfulness. When we come to Jesus with our needs, we can be assured that He will hear our cries and extend mercy to us. Additionally, this passage imparts a valuable lesson on the importance of perseverance. Despite the discouragement fom the crowd, the blind man persists in calling out to Jesus, and his tenacity is rewarded with healing. Let us pray for the gift of perseverance in prayers, allowing us to experience Jesus’ healing and merciful love.