The Daily Gospel

Sunday, 25 November 2012
Our Lord Jesus Christ the King - Solemnity - Year B

Christ the King, solemnity
St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr († c. 307)



Commentary of the day
Saint Teresa of Avila : "My kingdom does not belong to this world"

Reading

Jn 18:33b-37.


So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."


Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB



Commentary of the day

Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
The way of perfection, 22 (trans. E. Allison Peers)

"My kingdom does not belong to this world"

Thou, my God, are a King without end...; When the Creed says: “Whose
Kingdom will have no end” the phrase nearly always makes me feel
particularly happy. I praise you, Lord, and bless you for ever, for your
Kingdom will endure for ever. Never allow it to be thought right, Lord, for
those who come to speak with you to do so with their lips alone... For we
cannot approach a prince and address him in the same careless way we should
adopt in speaking to a peasant or to some poor woman like ourselves, whom
we may address however we like.The reason we sometimes do so is to be found
in the humility of this King, who, unskilled though I am in speaking with
him, does not refuse to hear me or forbid me to approach him, or command
his guards to throw me out. For the angels in his presence know well that
their King is such that he prefers the unskilled language of a humble
peasant boy, knowing that he would say more if he had more to say, to the
speech of the wisest and most learned men, however elegant may be their
arguments, if these are not accompanied by humility.But we must not be
unmannerly because he is good. If only to show our gratitude to him for
enduring our foul odor and allowing such a one as myself to come near him.
It is well that we should try to realize his purity and his nature. It is
true that we recognize this at once when we approach him... When you
approach God, then, my daughters, try to think and realize whom you are
about to address and continue to do so while you are addressing him. If we
had a thousand lives, we should never fully understand how this Lord merits
that we behave toward him, before whom even the angels tremble. He orders
all things and he can do all things: with him to will is to perform. It
will be right, then, daughters, for us to endeavour to rejoice in these
wondrous qualities of our Spouse and to know whom we have wedded and what
the holiness of our lives should be.

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Daily Gospel

Sunday, 18 November 2012
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Religious (1769-1852)



Commentary of the day
Origen : "Then they will see the Son of Man coming... with great power"

Reading

Mk 13:24-32.


But in those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels and gather (his) elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.


Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB



Commentary of the day

Origen (c.185-253), priest and theologian
Homilies on the book of Joshua, no.16, 3 ; SC 71

"Then they will see the Son of Man coming... with great power"

“A very large part of the land still remains to be conquered” (Jos 13,1)...
Consider our Lord and Savior's first coming, when he came to sow the word
on earth. He gained hold of the whole earth by force of this sowing alone.
He put opposing powers and the rebel angels who control the nations to
flight and, at the same time, sowed his word and spread abroad his
churches. This is his first possession of the land.Follow me, however...
through the subtlety of Scripture and I will show you what the second
conquest of the land means, of which it was said to Joshua / Jesus that
much had been left. Hear Saint Paul's words: “He must reign until he has
made all his enemies his footstool” (cf. 1Cor 15,25; Ps 110[109],1). This
is the land of which it was said that it had been left until everything has
been completely subjected under his feet and that thus he would make all
people his heritage... With regard to our own times, we are well aware of
things “that remain” and are not yet subject under Jesus' feet, yet he must
take possession of all things. For there is no end to the world until
everything has been subjected to him. Indeed, the prophet said: “All
nations shall be subject to him, from the ends of the rivers to the ends of
the earth; the Ethiopians shall bow before him” (cf. Ps 72[71] LXX) and
“From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia they shall bring him offerings” (Zeph
3,10).From this it follows that, at his second coming, Jesus will rule over
that land of which there remains much to possess. But how blessed will be
those who were his subjects from his first coming! Truly, they will be
loaded with gifts in spite of the resistance of so many enemies and the
attacks of so many foes; they will receive... their share of the Promised
Land. But when submission has been carried out by force, on that day when
“the last enemy, who is death, shall have been destroyed” (1Cor 15,26),
there can be no more favor for those who refuse to submit.

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You are called

This story is based on the life and conversion of a nominal Catholic to a practicing Catholic.

         It was a beautiful day, but for Mark, it wasn't so because he is bedridden for more than five years. he has not seen stars, moon and has not breathed fresh breezes for so long. Even if the people around him bring him outside of the house, he couldn't enjoy. Thinking his fate, 'what a bad fate.'

        since he is in the bed for many days and night, long hours of sleeplessness, he still felt happy. He had been a bad guy in this tiny village of theirs. He is not so committed to either to his duty as a husband and father of four lovely kids or practicing the faith he has professed long ago. Kids, normally are afraid to come near to him as he is not welcoming to them. Nonetheless, they are always around their mother, who, is caring and understanding though her husband is not.

      Mark has heard this strange calls in his ears at night while struggling to get some sleep. When he is half asleep, he clearly heard "Come." what would this mean, and who is urging him to come. How could I? I am bedridden for so long. He has dropped his hope of coming out of his bed. He is just waiting for the death to come and take his life. He has no thought of exercising his normal life before. And not only this, what matter is his age. He is not young any longer, 50 years old already.

        At first, he is doubtful of the voice, he thought of it as a kind of noise or his hearing is already impaired. But when this unknown voice calling him to come is already been so long. It has not stop a single night. He neglected it but later he notice that this call is something strange and there must also be something supernatural. because he asked his wife, beside him, "did you hear a voice saying 'Come,' his wife said 'No." It is not a single time that he ask his wife about it. And she asked him 'why'?

          Then days passed by, surprisingly he was told by his Mother of 80 years of age, the deeply devout woman, said, "Mark, Son  Please pray to the Lord Jesus for healing or whatever you want."  So that he can heal or do whatever he wanted for you." Just entrust yourself to him. There is nothing impossible for our Lord.

         When this thought came to his mind, he started to pray and pray as he is always in the bed. One day he dreamed of our Lord Jesus in the dream, Mark asked "Lord, why do you call me 'Come' always. I am bedridden for so long. Is there anything I can do for you? If so please heal me."

          Weeks passed quickly. Mark has forgot that he prayed to our Lord. Then, suddenly, he heard "Come" a command! which he heard, so familiar, but this time is louder and clearer to him. Then he fell asleep instantly. A centipede fell on him from his thatch roof which he is always looking through these years. He tried to asked for help, unfortunately neither his hands moving nor his voice coming out. The insect crawled onward his neck, then gave a sharp bite on the skin. He felt pain so much even though he could react nothing to that little nasty insect.

        Next day morning, he was awakened by his wife telling him that what would he like to eat. He has no appetite at all, all he wants is to leave his bed. He stretched out his hands, then suddenly he was push by someone that he jumped off his bed. Then personally went to comfort room and later he is found trying to find a bible. His wife saw and was astounded seeing him walking. He looked at his wife as if she is seeing an alien from other world and she could not say a word. He felt a bit angry about it. Why should she looking at him like this?

        Oh, Yes! he remember that he had been lying in bed for years. Now, why is he able to walk again. Since he is able to walk again he is has already a desire to read the bible. In his teenage years, he did not receive education well because he has been an disobedient one. Either he has not gone to the college for a proper degree. He just dropped out before his college degree. Though he just continue to read the bible day after day. Strange enough, whatever he read, he remember so well that even the chapter and verse numbers are as if hard written in his memory.

       After someday, he found himself so willing to go to Holy Mass and he went. He gave thanks to the lord as he listen to the prayers of the priest and offered prayers for his family and friends. Soon afterwards he heard many criticisms from other christian denomination regarding the practices of Catholic Church. He is very curious about it. Why are they saying these things? Mark went and visited a neighbour who is repeating the words of their church's pastor. He said, Catholic Mass is un-biblical and other accusations related to saints and Mother Mary. He debated with his neighbour until his neighbour said he just says that he is just repeating his pastor and continues that he will try to ask the pastor about it. The spark has created a big fire. The neighbour got upset about the response of his pastor but h just kept silence. Later the pastor sent a message to him that if he would like they would like to talk about it cos the pastor already knew that this fellow is not so well versed in the biblical knowledge.

          At first he trembled when he heard of the message of the pastor. But what has he got to do is to pray and entrust his challenge to Mother Mary that she protect him. Yes, he gave the response to the pastor. They met in a secluded area, what he brought is a Catholic Bible and a rosary. The pastor brought doctrinal books about protestantism and other books too. Before they start the debate, Mark ask the pastor that they will find a solution. If he wins the debate the pastor should be converted to Catholicism, but if he fails he will be a protestant like the pastor.

     "Okay" said the pastor with confidence believing that Catholics are wrong. They started the Debate, the people listening their debate was so much attracted as if they forgot to breath sometime. Their argument is so tense  that they took so long in their discussion. Finally, Mark, the biblically-uneducated-person won the debate. Therefor, the pastor has to change his beliefs in protestantism.

      Mark realized that his victory over the baptist pastor is not his own but it was given to him by our Lord Jesus and of course thru the intercession of Mother Mary. His battle is not yet ceased because the news of the victory of him spread the whole town, folks are talking about this matter and it shook some pastors.

       Some pastors are so furious that they like to challenge him. But for Mark, there should be an agreement that if he wins the pastor should change, if he fails he would change. Many pastor agreed and had debate. They fail and they had to change, they came back to catholicism. Many fallen Catholics too, after talking to him or questioning him, they realized and came back to the flock of Jesus, the Catholic Church.

    Give thanks to the Lord who works wonders.

N.B. Mark(name changed) is still alive in the Philippines and converting the fallen ones and still debating with many pastors. Among them, converted one is, a prominent, well known protestant biblical scholar pastor. The pastor is now a Catholic and is already a Lay Preacher actively participating in lay movement.

     

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The Daily Gospel

Sunday, 11 November 2012
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Martin of Tours, Bishop († 397) - Memorial



Commentary of the day
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus : "She has contributed all she had"

Reading

Mk 12:38-44.


               In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."


Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB



Commentary of the day

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Autobiographical manuscript B, 1 r°-v°

"She has contributed all she had"

         “I want to make you read in the book of life, wherein is contained the
science of Love.” The science of Love, ah, yes, this word resounds sweetly
in the ear of my soul, and I desire only this science. Having given all my
riches for it, I esteem it as having given nothing as did the bride in the
sacred Canticle [of Canticles] (Sg 8,7). I understand so well that it is
only love which makes us acceptable to God that this love is the only good
I ambition. Jesus deigned to show me the road that leads to this Divine
Furnace, and this road is the surrender of the little child who sleeps
without fear in its Father's arms. "Whoever is a little one, let him come
to me." So speaks the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Solomon (Prv 9,4).
This same Spirit of Love also says: "For to him that is little, mercy will
be shown." (Wsd 6,6). The Prophet Isaiah reveals in his name that on the
last day: "God shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather
together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom." (Is
40,11)... Ah! if all weak and imperfect souls felt what the least of souls
feels, that is, the soul of your little Therese, not one would despair of
reaching the summit of the mount of love. Jesus does not demand great
actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude. Has he not said in
Psalm 49: "I will not take the he-goats from out your flocks, for all the
beasts of the forest are mine, the cattle on the hills and the oxen...
Offer to God the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving”. See, then, all
that Jesus lays claim to form us; he has no need of our works but only of
our love. For the same God who declares he has no need to tell us when he
is hungry (Ps 49[50]) did not fear to beg for a little water from the
Samaritan woman. He was thirsty... He was thirsty for love. Ah, I feel it
more than ever before, Jesus is parched. For he meets only the ungrateful
and indifferent among his disciples in the world. And among his own
disciples, alas, he finds few hearts who surrender to him without
reservations, who understand the real tenderness of his infinite love.

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The Daily Gospel

Sunday, 04 November 2012
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

St. Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan († 1584) - Memorial,  St. Felix of Valois, Hermit and co-founder of the Trinitarians (1127-1212)



Commentary of the day
Saint Bernard : "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart"

Reading

Mk 12:28b-34.


One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?"
Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.'
The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, 'He is One and there is no other than he.'
And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
And when Jesus saw that (he) answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.


Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB



Commentary of the day

Saint Bernard (1091-1153), Cistercian monk and doctor of the Church
Sermons on the Song of Songs, no.83 (trans. ©Classics of Western Spirituality)

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart"

I have read that God is love (1Jn 4,16), but not that he is honor. It is
not that God does not want honor, for he says, "If I am a Father, where is
my honor?" (Mal 1,6). Here he speaks as a Father. But if he shows himself
to be a Bridegroom, I think he will speak differently and say, "If I am a
Bridegroom, where is my love?" For he spoke differently before, "If I am
the Lord where is my fear?" (ibid.) God, then, demands to be feared as
Lord, honored as Father, and loved as Bridegroom. Which of these is first?
Which is supreme? Surely love. Without love, fear is a source of pain, and
honor is thankless. Fear is servile until it is set free by love. And the
honor which does not proceed from love is not honor but adulation. And,
indeed, honor and glory belong to God alone, but God will accept neither if
they are not sweetened with the honey of love. Love is enough on its own;
it pleases by itself and on its own account. It is its own merit and its
own reward. Love needs no cause, no fruit besides itself; its enjoyment is
its use. I love because I love; I love that I may love... In love alone, of
all the movements of the soul and the senses and affections, can the
creature respond to its Creator, if not as equal to equal, at least as like
to like (cf Gn 1,26).

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Trick or Treat!

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