Saturday 16th november

Saint Margaret of Scotland

(1046 – 1093)

Green/White

She was born in Hungary of Anglo-Saxon and Hungarian parents. She founded monasteries and supported major reforms of Church life. She died in Edinburgh on 16 November 1093. She is remembered for devotion to prayer and learning, and especially for her generosity to the poor.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 87: 3    

Let my prayer come into your presence. Incline your ear to my cry for help, O Lord.

Collect

Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. 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 : 3 John 1:5-8

My friend, you have done faithful work in looking after these brothers, even though they were complete strangers to you. They are a proof to the whole Church of your charity and it would be a very good thing if you could help them on their journey in a way that God would approve. It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the pagans for anything; it is our duty to welcome men of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1-6

R/ Happy the man who takes delight in the commands of the Lord.

Happy the man who fears the Lord, who takes delight in all his commands. His sons will be powerful on earth; the children of the upright are blessed.

Riches and wealth are in his house; his justice stands firm for ever. He is a light in the darkness for the upright: he is generous, merciful and just.

The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honour. The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever.

Gospel Acclamation : Jm1:21

Alleluia, alleluia! Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. Alleluia!

Gospel : Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’ And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

Prayer over the Offerings              

Look with favour, we pray, O Lord, upon the sacrificial gifts offered here, that, celebrating in mystery the Passion of your Son, we may honour it with loving devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 22: 1-2         

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.

Prayer after Communion              

Nourished by this sacred gift, O Lord, we give you thanks and beseech your mercy, that, by the pouring forth of your Spirit, the grace of integrity may endure in those your heavenly power has entered. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

What can a shameless and unjust judge pitted against a crusty and persistent woman teach us about God’s kingdom justice and vindication? Jesus relates a narrative that is all too familiar: a defenceless widow is exploited and denied her rights. She wears down an unethical judge until he gives her justice via sheer force of will. Persistence pays off, especially for people who believe in God. Jesus demonstrates how God, as our Judge and Vindicator, comes to our defence far faster and brings us his justice, blessing, and support when we need it. But we can easily lose heart and forget to seek our heavenly Father’s grace and assistance.

Friday 15th november

Saint Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor (1206 – 1280)

Green/White

He was born in Germany and joined the Dominican Order. He taught in a number of places including the University of Paris, where St Thomas Aquinas studied under him. He was one of the greatest philosophers of the Middle Ages. He made great efforts to secure peace between people and between cities. He died at Cologne in 1280.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 87: 3    

Let my prayer come into your presence. Incline your ear to my cry for help, O Lord.

Collect

Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. 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 : 2 John 1:4-9

It has given me great joy to find that your children have been living the life of truth as we were commanded by the Father. I am writing now, dear lady, not to give you any new commandment, but the one which we were given at the beginning, and to plead: let us love one another. To love is to live according to his commandments: this is the commandment which you have heard since the beginning, to live a life of love. There are many deceivers about in the world, refusing to admit that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. They are the Deceiver; they are the Antichrist. Watch yourselves, or all our work will be lost and not get the reward it deserves. If anybody does not keep within the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he cannot have God with him: only those who keep to what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2,10-11,17-18

R/           They are happy who follow God’s law.

They are happy whose life is blameless, who follow God’s law! They are happy who do his will, seeking him with all their hearts.

I have sought you with all my heart; let me not stray from your commands. I treasure your promise in my heart lest I sin against you.

Bless your servant and I shall live and obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of your law.

Gospel Acclamation : Heb 4:12

Alleluia, alleluia! The word of God is something alive and active: it can judge secret emotions and thoughts.  Alleluia!

Gospel : Luke 17:26-37

Jesus said to the disciples: ‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It will be the same as it was in Lot’s day: people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but the day Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone from heaven and it destroyed them all. It will be the same when the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed. ‘When that day comes, anyone on the housetop, with his possessions in the house, must not come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back either. Remember Lot’s wife. Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe. I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left.’ The disciples interrupted. ‘Where, Lord?’ they asked. He said, ‘Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather.’

Prayer over the Offerings              

Look with favour, we pray, O Lord, upon the sacrificial gifts offered here, that, celebrating in mystery the Passion of your Son, we may honour it with loving devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 22: 1-2         

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.

Prayer after Communion              

Nourished by this sacred gift, O Lord, we give you thanks and beseech your mercy, that, by the pouring forth of your Spirit, the grace of integrity may endure in those your heavenly power has entered. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

A disciple once sought his guru for advice on three ways to advance spiritually. «Awareness,» the master retorted, «awareness, awareness, awareness.» Being alert is being aware of every action you take at all times. The inhabitants of the time of Noah and Lot lacked consciousness. When Noah entered the ark, and Lot left the city, they were caught up in a life of excess that they were unaware of. One may not have enough time to make amends with God because the day of the Son of Man will come so suddenly. God’s knowledge lets us discern what is best for our life.

Thursday 14th november

Saint Dyfrig

Green

He was born in what is now Herefordshire, the illegitimate son of the daughter of a local king. He founded monasteries in south-east Wales, was the teacher of Saints Teilo and Samson among others, and exercised the functions of a bishop.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 87: 3    

Let my prayer come into your presence. Incline your ear to my cry for help, O Lord.

Collect

Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. 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 : Philemon 1:7-20

I am so delighted, and comforted, to know of your love; they tell me, brother, how you have put new heart into the saints. Now, although in Christ I can have no diffidence about telling you to do whatever is your duty, I am appealing to your love instead, reminding you that this is Paul writing, an old man now and, what is more, still a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for a child of mine, whose father I became while wearing these chains: I mean Onesimus. He was of no use to you before, but he will be useful to you now, as he has been to me. I am sending him back to you, and with him – I could say – a part of my own self. I should have liked to keep him with me; he could have been a substitute for you, to help me while I am in the chains that the Good News has brought me. However, I did not want to do anything without your consent; it would have been forcing your act of kindness, which should be spontaneous. I know you have been deprived of Onesimus for a time, but it was only so that you could have him back for ever, not as a slave any more, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, as a blood-brother as well as a brother in the Lord. So if all that we have in common means anything to you, welcome him as you would me; but if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, then let me pay for it. I am writing this in my own handwriting: I, Paul, shall pay it back – I will not add any mention of your own debt to me, which is yourself. Well then, brother, I am counting on you, in the Lord; put new heart into me, in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:7-10

R/  He is happy who is helped by Jacob’s God.

It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free.

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down, the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan.

It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever, Zion’s God, from age to age.

Gospel Acclamation : 1P1:25

Alleluia, alleluia! The word of the Lord remains for ever: What is this word? It is the Good News that has been brought to you.  Alleluia!

Gospel : Luke 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’ He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.’

Prayer over the Offerings              

Look with favour, we pray, O Lord, upon the sacrificial gifts offered here, that, celebrating in mystery the Passion of your Son, we may honour it with loving devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 22: 1-2         

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.

Prayer after Communion              

Nourished by this sacred gift, O Lord, we give you thanks and beseech your mercy, that, by the pouring forth of your Spirit, the grace of integrity may endure in those your heavenly power has entered. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

What might lightning reveal about the Lord’s second coming and his upcoming kingdom? When Jesus was alive, the Jews eagerly awaited a sign to tell them when the Messiah would appear and start the kingdom of God. The purpose of the Pharisees’ inquiry into this matter was to put Jesus to the test because they did not recognise him as the Messiah. Jesus’ response—that the kingdom or rule of God had already come—surprised them. Jesus described the establishment of God’s kingdom as occurring now and at the end of the world.

Wednesday 13th november

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850 – 1917)

Green/White

She was born in Lombardy. Because of her frail health she was refused admission to two convents. She devoted herself to teaching, and founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She founded 67 institutions across the United States, South America and Europe. She died of malaria at Chicago in 1917.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 87: 3    

Let my prayer come into your presence. Incline your ear to my cry for help, O Lord.

Collect

Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. 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: Titus 3:1-7  

Remind your people that it is their duty to be obedient to the officials and representatives of the government; to be ready to do good at every opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels, but to be courteous and always polite to all kinds of people. Remember, there was a time when we too were ignorant, disobedient and misled and enslaved by different passions and luxuries; we lived then in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves. But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22(23)             

R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path;  he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness  no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me  in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil;  my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me  all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

Gospel Acclamation: cf.2Th2:14

Alleluia, alleluia! Through the Good News God called us to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19   

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’

Prayer over the Offerings              

Look with favour, we pray, O Lord, upon the sacrificial gifts offered here, that, celebrating in mystery the Passion of your Son, we may honour it with loving devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 22: 1-2         

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.

Prayer after Communion              

Nourished by this sacred gift, O Lord, we give you thanks and beseech your mercy, that, by the pouring forth of your Spirit, the grace of integrity may endure in those your heavenly power has entered. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

A grateful mindset improves our quality of life. Our lives become blessed when we nurture an attitude of thanksgiving to God for his kindness. The obstacle to receiving God’s numerous blessings is ungratefulness. Interestingly, just one Samaritan, out of the ten lepers Jesus healed, came back to thank him. Maybe the other nine Jews took their treatment for granted. When we accept other people’s kindness for granted, we are less grateful for God’s gifts and generosity. Let’s practise counting our blessings and expressing gratitude for them.

Tuesday 12th november

Saint Josaphat, Bishop, Martyr

(c.1580 – 1623)

Red

He was born in Ukraine of Orthodox parents. Josaphat joined the first monastery of the order of St Basil to be united to the Catholic Church: he was the first person to do so. He was ordained priest and, eventually and reluctantly, appointed bishop of Polotsk in 1617. Josaphat was murdered by a mob in 1623 while on a pastoral visit to Vitebsk.

Entrance Antiphon

Because of the Lord’s covenant and the ancestral laws, the Saints of God persevered in loving brotherhood, for there was always one spirit in them, and one faith.

Collect

Stir up in your Church, we pray, O Lord, the Spirit that filled Saint Josaphat as he laid down his life for the sheep, so that through his intercession we, too, may be strengthened by the same Spirit and not be afraid to lay down our life for others. 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 : Titus 2:1-8,11-14

It is for you to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine. The older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy. Similarly, the older women should behave as though they were religious, with no scandal-mongering and no habitual wine-drinking – they are to be the teachers of the right behaviour and show the younger women how they should love their husbands and love their children, how they are to be sensible and chaste, and how to work in their homes, and be gentle, and do as their husbands tell them, so that the message of God is never disgraced. In the same way, you have got to persuade the younger men to be moderate and in everything you do make yourself an example to them of working for good: when you are teaching, be an example to them in your sincerity and earnestness and in keeping all that you say so wholesome that nobody can make objections to it; and then any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us. You see, God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 36:3-4,18,23,27,29

R/           The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

If you trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live in the land and be secure. If you find your delight in the Lord, he will grant your heart’s desire.

He protects the lives of the upright, their heritage will last for ever. The Lord guides the steps of a man and makes safe the path of one he loves.

Then turn away from evil and do good and you shall have a home for ever; The just shall inherit the land; there they shall live for ever.

Gospel Acclamation : Mt4:4

Alleluia, alleluia! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.Alleluia!

Gospel : Luke 17:7-10

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’

Prayer over the Offerings

Most merciful God, pour out your blessing upon these offerings and confirm us in the faith that Saint Josaphat professed by the shedding of his blood. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Mt. 10: 39

Whoever loses his life for my sake, will find it in eternity, say the Lord.

Prayer after Communion

May this heavenly table, O Lord, bestow on us a spirit of fortitude and peace, so that, following Saint Josaphat’s example, we may willingly spend our lives working for the honour and unity of the Church. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Jesus expresses his utter contempt for someone who leads others into sin, particularly the young, the innocent, the ignorant, and the naive. We can mislead others by scandalising them through our words and actions. We can tempt or entice others to sin if we are not embarrassed by our sinfulness. Jesus disapproves of such behaviour because He loves us. Jesus also added another quality many take for granted: forbearance. Each of us, bishops, priests, and lay faithful, must learn to forgive because no family or parish can coexist without the ability to do so.

Sunday 10th november

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalter: Week 4

Saint  Leo the Great, Pope

Green

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 87: 3        

Let my prayer come into your presence. Incline your ear to my cry for help, O Lord.

Collect  

Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. 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 Kings 17:10-16

Elijah the Prophet went off to Sidon. And when he reached the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks; addressing her he said, ‘Please bring me a little water in a vessel for me to drink.’ She was setting off to bring it when he called after her. ‘Please’ he said ‘bring me a scrap of bread in your hand.’ ‘As the Lord your God lives,’ she replied ‘I have no baked bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am just gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat, and then we shall die.’ But Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, go and do as you have said; but first make a little scone of it for me and bring it to me, and then make some for yourself and for your son. For thus the Lord speaks, the God of Israel: “Jar of meal shall not be spent, jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the day when the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth.”’ The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145(146):7-10

R/ My soul, give praise to the Lord.

It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry,  the Lord, who sets prisoners free.

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,  who raises up those who are bowed down. It is the Lord who loves the just,  the Lord, who protects the stranger.

The Lord upholds the widow and orphan  but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever,  Zion’s God, from age to age.

Second reading: Hebrews 9:24-28  

It is not as though Christ had entered a man-made sanctuary which was only modelled on the real one; but it was heaven itself, so that he could appear in the actual presence of God on our behalf. And he does not have to offer himself again and again, like the high priest going into the sanctuary year after year with the blood that is not his own, or else he would have had to suffer over and over again since the world began. Instead of that, he has made his appearance once and for all, now at the end of the last age, to do away with sin by sacrificing himself. Since men only die once, and after that comes judgement, so Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults of many on himself, and when he appears a second time, it will not be to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting for him.

Gospel Acclamation: Rv2:10            

Alleluia, alleluia! Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life. Alleluia!

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44       

In his teaching Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’ He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’

Prayer over the Offerings  

Look with favour, we pray, O Lord, upon the sacrificial gifts offered here, that, celebrating in mystery the Passion of your Son, we may honour it with loving devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 22: 1-2             

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.

Prayer after Communion  

Nourished by this sacred gift, O Lord, we give you thanks and beseech your mercy, that, by the pouring forth of your Spirit, the grace of integrity may endure in those your heavenly power has entered. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Today we are told the story of two generous widows. What these widows had in common was a determination to give everything they had without regard for the cost or repercussions. In response to God’s word as declared by the prophet Elijah, the first widow gave her entire supply of food to the prophet Elijah, and God fulfilled Elijah’s prophecy for her. She donated to the prophet with complete trust and obedience to God’s message. Do I place my complete confidence and faith in Christ, God’s word, as a Christian? Or do I put my life and trust in material things? If I do the latter, my future is bleak and hopeless. Might I believe and obey God no matter what so that God’s promises might be fulfilled in my life? The second widow offered only two little coins, yet it was all she had to live on, according to Jesus. She did not give from her wealth. Both widows provided tiny gifts, yet what they gave represented the giving of themselves. They contributed without regard for their lack of food and money, just as the scribes in the Gospel most likely did.