Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Today’s Gospel reading from Luke follows immediately where yesterday’s reading left off, where Jesus observed the widow who contributed two small coins to the treasury. The placement of the two readings together come back to the theme of earthly wealth compared to the true wealth of dependence on God. Jesus seems to say, “Don’t you see the ruins that this temple will soon become?” And today he says not to be deceived by others who come in his name. Life is short; a day, a lifetime, passes quickly. Where do I place my faith?

God, help me see beyond passing things and keep my gaze fixed on you in this short life. I want to see you through the lives of others I encounter and in the opportunities you present to me. Nothing lasts but you. Through your grace help me remember you in moments when I stand among the rubble of something that seemed to my mind unassailable. I don’t know or understand well enough, Lord, that your love for me is not deception; you alone are unassailable. As Saint Thérèse says: “Jesus is on fire with love for us. Look at his adorable face! Look at his eyes lifeless and lowered! Look at his wounds. Look at Jesus in his face. There you will see how he loves us.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Saint Cecilia, pray for us!

Readings

Memorial of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

Jesus’ words from today’s Gospel reading reflect the compassion he felt toward the poor. But by saying the widow put in more than all the rest, Jesus seems to come to a conclusion that doesn’t make sense, at least according to conventional logic. Although the contributions of wealthy people amounted to more than the two small coins of the widow, her true wealth was her dependence on God and trust in his providence. More than that, Jesus beautifully expresses what happens when we are able to turn basic economics on its head and give Christ, King of the Universe, control of our livelihood. The Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates when Mary’s parents, Saints Joachim and Anne, brought Mary to the temple to be offered to God. By offering Mary, they too gave their whole livelihood.

God, help me understand what it means to detach from material possessions and learn what true wealth is, not as the world understands it but according to your divine order. In the first reading, John hears a sound like harps and a new song being sung: “They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth.” I don’t know what it’s like to give as the widow gave, not from surplus wealth but from an offering; teach me, Lord, with the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to let go of the fear of detachment and to offer myself freely to you.

How quieted is my soul, Lord, when I am able to say to you as Mary said to the archangel Gabriel: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” Take my works, joys, and sufferings of this day as an offering to you!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Readings

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, marks the end of the Church year, and next Sunday is the start of Advent. It seems strange that the Gospel reading relates to the Passion of Christ, deep into his suffering as he hangs on the cross. In the reading from today, he responds to the good thief when another mocks him. In a contradiction that would seem as evident today as in the past, the criminal asks Jesus why he doesn’t save himself if he is the Christ. The other recognizes the injustice he has done and acknowledges that Jesus is the anointed one, the Son of David: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

God, thank you for your mercy! Considering the words of the good thief and Jesus’ response to him, help me understand today that there will always be the skepticism that produces injustice and malice. Others though, through fear of God, and acknowledgment of Christ as King help show us the way to his kingdom. God, you owe me nothing, and there is nothing I can do to deserve your mercy. Yet, mercy flows from you—body and blood, soul and divinity—as you hang on the cross. Today as I live my life may I recognize you as first and foremost. As Saint Paul says in the second reading: “He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.” And on the day of my death, may I recognize you as Christ the King and hear your voice as you welcome me into Paradise.

Thank you, Lord, for your kingship. Only Christ, the Son of God, can say from the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Jesus, remember me, and the promise of your mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

“The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.”

This Gospel reading should sound familiar because it is from a recent Sunday Mass. Through Jesus’ response to the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, he expresses a hint of what the life to come will be like. We will be like angels, Jesus says, and those who are deemed worthy can no longer die because they are children of God, the ones who will rise. Marrying and marriage doesn’t take place, Jesus says. After Jesus answered the question the Sadducees meant to trap Jesus with, Luke says that they call Jesus teacher and no longer dared to ask him anything. What I hear from today’s reading is “They can no longer die.”

God, help me understand you, who are a God of the living. In this life, a sacramental marriage is meant to bring us closer to you. A husband takes a wife and a wife a husband, man and woman, to bring each other to sainthood. Along the way it is not easy, and there are many deaths before being deemed worthy to rise to new life. “That the dead will rise,” Jesus says, “even Moses made known.” In this life, Lord, supply me with the grace to die bravely to anything that prevents me from attaching to you so to rise to new life.

Lord, you sent your Son to us, the Incarnate Word. Thank you for your gifts, the gift of this day and the grace to know and do your will. I want to be made worthy of the promises of Christ and with the saints and angels declare your glory: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

https://youtu.be/R1BuL-WCYSQ