“To do the will of God, man must despise his own; the more he dies to himself, the more he will live to God.” +SAINT PETER CLAVER

The Twenty-Third Week
in Ordinary Time

Monday, September 9 | St. Peter Claver

Holy Gospel: Luke 6:6-11 

Prayer: O God, who made Saint Peter Claver a slave of slaves and strengthened him with wonder, charity and patience as he came to their help, grant, through his intercession, that, seeking the things of Jesus Christ, we may love our neighbor in deeds and in truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: The Sabbath for Catholics (and all Christians for that matter) is celebrated on Sunday as the “Lord’s Day” to commemorate God’s work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation accomplished through Christ’s death and resurrection (ref. 2 Corinthians 5:17). God’s action is a model for us. If God “rested and was refreshed” on the seventh day, we, too, ought to “rest” and let others, especially the poor, “be refreshed” (ref. Exodus 31:17; 23:12). Taking “our Sabbath rest” is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us. Such “rest” however does not exempt us from our love for our neighbor. If we truly love the Lord above all else, then the love of God will overflow to love of neighbor as well. Saint Augustine once said: “The charity of truth seeks holy leisure; the necessity of charity accepts just work.” How can we make Sunday a day holy to the Lord? First, by refraining from unnecessary work and from activities that hinder the worship we owe to God. We can also perform works of mercy, such as humble service of the sick, the infirmed, and the elderly. And we ought to seek appropriate relaxation of mind and body as well. The joy of the Lord’s Day is a great gift to refresh and strengthen us in our love of God and of neighbor (ref. Nehemiah 8:10). Let’s think about how we can make every Sunday – the Lord’s Day – a day of rest, and rest in the arms of the Lord.

Tuesday, September 10

Holy Gospel: Luke 6:12-19

Prayer: O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters, that those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: Wherever Jesus went the people came to him because they had heard all the things he did. They were hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they pressed upon Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus and they were healed. Even demons trembled in the presence of Jesus and left at his rebuke. Jesus offers freedom from the power of sin and oppression to all who seek him with expectant faith. When you hear God’s word and consider all that Jesus did, how do you respond? With doubt or with expectant faith? With skepticism or with confident trust? Pray to Jesus; while in prayer, ask him to increase your faith in his saving power and grace.

Wednesday, September 11 | Anniversary of 9/11 + Remember, Honor and Pray

Holy Gospel: Luke 6:20-26

Prayer: O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters, that those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Contemplation: When you encounter misfortune, grief, or tragic loss, do you respond with fear or with faith? With passive resignation or with patient hope and trust in God? We know from experience that no one can escape all of the inevitable trials of life — pain, suffering, sickness, and death. When Jesus began to teach his disciples he gave them a “way of happiness” that transcends every difficulty and trouble that can weigh us down with grief and despair. Jesus began his sermon on the mount by addressing the issue of where true happiness can be found. The word beatitude literally means happiness or blessedness. Jesus’ way of happiness, however, demands a transformation from within — a conversion of heart and mind which can only come about through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit.

Thursday, September 12 | Most Holy Name of the
Blessed Virgin Mary

Holy Gospel: Luke 1:39-47

Prayer: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, for all who celebrate the glorious Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she may obtain your merciful favor. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: Mary received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. Her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that “no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take away. Do you know the joy of a life given over to God in faith and trust?

About the Holy Name of Mary: The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryãm, (in Latin Domina) means “lady” or “sovereign;” this Mary is in virtue of her Son’s sovereign authority as Lord of the World. We call Mary “our Lady” as we call Jesus “our Lord,” and when we pronounce her name we implore her aid and place ourselves under her protection. On this day dedicated to the Holy Name of Mary let us repeat that wonderful prayer of Saint Bernard, responding to Pope Benedict XVI’s invitation to “invite everyone to become a trusting child before Mary, even as the Son of God did. Saint Bernard says, and we say with him: ‘Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary ... in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart ... If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination”’ (Pope Benedict XVI, September 9, 2007).

Friday, September 13 | St. John Chrysostom

Holy Gospel: Luke 6:39-42

Prayer: O God, strength of those who hope in you, who willed that the Bishop Saint John Chrysostom should be illustrious by his wonderful eloquence and his experience of suffering, grant us, we pray, that, instructed by his teachings, we may be strengthened through the example of his invincible patience. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Contemplation: A true disciple of Christ is one who listens to the voice of their Master and who submits to the skillful help of the Divine Physician for treating and removing the cancer of sin in our lives. If we are to be guides and teachers for others, then we need clear vision, both spiritual and moral vision, and a map that shows us the right destination for our life’s journey. If our ultimate destination is heaven, then there is only one way to get there and that way is through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the cross of Christ sin is pardoned and the sinner is made whole, darkness and corruption give way to light and truth, death is defeated and new life restored. The cross of Christ frees us from condemnation and guilt and shows us the way of perfect love.

Scripture passages (NAB translation) courtesy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; prayers are from The Roman Missal, Catholic Book Publishing, 2011; information about saints, solemnities, feasts and memorials courtesy of Catholic Culture.
 frlumpe:2024