thursday 18 June 2020
St. Gregory Barbarigo (1625-1657)
St. Gregory Barbarigo was born in 1625 in Venice. He first embraced a diplomatic career before becoming priest, bishop and cardinal. He worked unceasingly in carrying out the reforms set forth by the Council of Trent. He died in 1697.
Green
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 26: 7, 9
O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; be my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Saviour!
Collect
O God, strength of those who hope in you, graciously hear our pleas, and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you by our resolve and our deeds. 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: Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15
The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch. It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal. By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire. How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have? – rousing a corpse from death, from Sheol by the word of the Most High; dragging kings down to destruction, and high dignitaries from their beds; hearing reproof on Sinai, and decrees of punishment on Horeb; anointing kings as avengers, and prophets to succeed you; taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses; designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob, Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love; for we too will have life. Elijah was shrouded in the whirlwind, and Elisha was filled with his spirit; throughout his life no ruler could shake him, and no one could subdue him. No task was too hard for him, and even in death his body prophesied. In his lifetime he performed wonders, and in death his works were marvellous.
Psalm 96(97):1-7
R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.
- The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, let all the coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right.
- A fire prepares his path; it burns up his foes on every side. His lightnings light up the world, the earth trembles at the sight.
- The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory.
- Let those who serve idols be ashamed, those who boast of their worthless gods. All you spirits, worship him.
Gospel Acclamation: 1S 3:9, Jn 6:68
Alleluia, alleluia! Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, but save us from the evil one. ‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who in the offerings presented here provide for the twofold needs of human nature, nourishing us with food and renewing us with your Sacrament, grant, we pray, that the sustenance they provide may not fail us in body or in spirit. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 26: 4
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Prayer after Communion
As this reception of your Holy Communion, O Lord, foreshadows the union of the faithful in you, so may it bring about unity in your Church. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray and corrects some misconceptions they had about prayer. He teaches them to call God, Father, “Abba” which is the name Jesus uses to address himself to God. It reveals a new relationship that characterizes the life of the communities. Calling God, “Our Father” and not “my Father” raises the awareness that we all belong to one Father, no matter our race, creed or social status. To pray is to enter into a special relationship with God which in turn would mean being sensitive to the cry of all the brothers and sisters who cry for their daily bread. The first part makes three requests for God’s cause: the Name, the Kingdom and the Will. We ask that our relationship with God be re-established. This is followed by four petitions for the cause of our brothers and sisters: bread, forgiveness, victory and freedom. In this prayer we pronounce the phrase which either condemns or absolves us when we say, “…forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We offer God the measure of pardon that we want for ourselves.