Wednesday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Saint Basil : Prefer nothing to Christ
Reading
Rm 13,8-10.
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, (namely) "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ps 112(111),1-2.4-5.9.
Hallelujah! Happy are those who fear the LORD, who greatly delight in God's commands. Their descendants shall be mighty in the land, generation upright and blessed. They shine through the darkness, a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and just. All goes well for those gracious in lending, who conduct their affairs with justice. Lavishly they give to the poor; their prosperity shall endure forever; their horn shall be exalted in honor.
Lk 14,25-33.
Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Saint Basil (c.330-379), monk and Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Doctor of the Church
Greater Monastic Rules; Q.8
Prefer nothing to Christ
Our Lord Jesus Christ said to all on many occasions and while giving many demonstrations of it: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me,” (cf Lk 9,23) and again: “anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Thus, he seems to demand of us the most entire renunciation… “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be,” he says elsewhere (Mt 6,21). So if we keep back for ourselves any earthly goods or any perishable supplies, our minds will remain sunk in them as though in mud. Then, inevitably, our souls will become unable to contemplate God and will be unmoved by desire for the splendours of heaven and for the good things promised us. We shall only be able to acquire those good things if we ask for them unceasingly, with a burning desire that will, besides, make easy the effort needed to gain them. To renounce ourselves means to undo the bonds that bind us to this earthly, passing life and free ourselves from human contingencies so that we may become more equal to walking along the way that leads to God. It is to free ourselves from all hindrances so as to possess and use the goods that are “far more precious than gold and silver,” (Ps 119 [118], 72). And, to sum up, to renounce oneself is to lift the human heart into the life of heaven so as to be able to say: “Our citizenship is in heaven,” (Phil 3,20). Above all, it is to begin to grow like Christ, who for our sake became poor although he was rich (2 Cor 8,9). We need to become like him if we want to live according to the Gospel.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
St. Leonard, St. Bertile
Tuesday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Didache : Gathered together from the four winds to the banquet of God
Reading
Rm 12,5-16.
so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.
Ps 131,1.2.3.
A song of ascents. Of David. LORD, my heart is not proud; nor are my eyes haughty. I do not busy myself with great matters, with things too sublime for me. Rather, I have stilled my soul, hushed it like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me. Israel, hope in the LORD, now and forever.
Lk 14,15-24.
One of his fellow guests on hearing this said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Didache (between 60-120), Judaeo-Christian catechesis (copyright: trans. Herbert Musurillo)
paras. 9, 10, 14
Gathered together from the four winds to the banquet of God
With regard to the Eucharist, this is the way you should give thanks: First of all, with regard to the cup:We give thanks to thee, our Father,for the holy vine of thy servant David,which thou didst make known to us through Jesus, thy Child.To thee be glory for ever! Then, on the morsel of bread:We thank thee, our Father,for the life and knowledge thou has made known to us through thye Child, Jesus.To thee be glory for ever! As this bread was scattered on the mountainsand yet was gathered and made one,so too may thy Church be gathered togetherfrom the corners of the world into thy Kingdom!For thine is the glory and power forever. And after you are filled, make your thanksgiving thus:Holy Father, we thank thee for thy holy name,which thou hast made to dwell within our hearts,and for the knowledge, faith and immortalitywhich thou hast revealed to usthrough thy Child Jesus.To thee be glory forever!Almighty Lord, thou didst create all thingsfor the sake of thy name;thou gavest food and drink to menfor their pleasure;but thou hast blessed us with spiritual food and drinkand with eternal life through Jesus thy Child.We thank thee above all because thou art mighty.To thee be glory forever!Lord, remember thy Church,to deliver it from all eviland perfect it in the love of thee.Gather it in from the four winds,once it has been made holy,into thy Kingdom which thou hast prepared for it.For thine is the power and glory forever."May the Lord come," (cf.Rv 2,20)and may this world passs away.Hosanna to the house of David!Let anyone come who is holy.And, if he is not, he should repent."Marana tha!" (1Co 16,22). Amen
Commentary of the day
Didache : Gathered together from the four winds to the banquet of God
Reading
Rm 12,5-16.
so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.
Ps 131,1.2.3.
A song of ascents. Of David. LORD, my heart is not proud; nor are my eyes haughty. I do not busy myself with great matters, with things too sublime for me. Rather, I have stilled my soul, hushed it like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me. Israel, hope in the LORD, now and forever.
Lk 14,15-24.
One of his fellow guests on hearing this said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Didache (between 60-120), Judaeo-Christian catechesis (copyright: trans. Herbert Musurillo)
paras. 9, 10, 14
Gathered together from the four winds to the banquet of God
With regard to the Eucharist, this is the way you should give thanks: First of all, with regard to the cup:We give thanks to thee, our Father,for the holy vine of thy servant David,which thou didst make known to us through Jesus, thy Child.To thee be glory for ever! Then, on the morsel of bread:We thank thee, our Father,for the life and knowledge thou has made known to us through thye Child, Jesus.To thee be glory for ever! As this bread was scattered on the mountainsand yet was gathered and made one,so too may thy Church be gathered togetherfrom the corners of the world into thy Kingdom!For thine is the glory and power forever. And after you are filled, make your thanksgiving thus:Holy Father, we thank thee for thy holy name,which thou hast made to dwell within our hearts,and for the knowledge, faith and immortalitywhich thou hast revealed to usthrough thy Child Jesus.To thee be glory forever!Almighty Lord, thou didst create all thingsfor the sake of thy name;thou gavest food and drink to menfor their pleasure;but thou hast blessed us with spiritual food and drinkand with eternal life through Jesus thy Child.We thank thee above all because thou art mighty.To thee be glory forever!Lord, remember thy Church,to deliver it from all eviland perfect it in the love of thee.Gather it in from the four winds,once it has been made holy,into thy Kingdom which thou hast prepared for it.For thine is the power and glory forever."May the Lord come," (cf.Rv 2,20)and may this world passs away.Hosanna to the house of David!Let anyone come who is holy.And, if he is not, he should repent."Marana tha!" (1Co 16,22). Amen
Monday, November 5, 2007
St. Sylvia
Monday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory of Nazianzen : Imitating the generosity of God
Reading
Rm 11,29-36.
For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may (now) receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?" For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Ps 69(68),30-31.33-34.36-37.
But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help protect me, God, That I may praise God's name in song and glorify it with thanksgiving. "See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, take heart! For the LORD hears the poor, does not spurn those in bondage. God will rescue Zion, rebuild the cities of Judah. God's servants shall dwell in the land and possess it; it shall be the heritage of their descendants; those who love God's name shall dwell there.
Lk 14,12-14.
Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390), Bishop, Doctor of the Church
On love for the poor, 27-28; PG 35,891-894
Imitating the generosity of God
There is no way in which man is more like God than in his capacity to do good, and even if we are only able to do it to a wholly different degree, let us at least do all we can. God created man and raised him up after he had fallen so don’t you, on your part, despise anyone who has fallen into hard times. God, moved by man’s great distress, gave him the Law and the prophets, having already given him the unwritten law of nature. He took care to guide us, help us, correct us. Ultimately, he gave himself as a ransom for the life of the world… As for you, when you are sailing before the wind in the stern, hold out your hands to those who suffer shipwreck. When you enjoy good health and plenty, give help to the unfortunate. Don’t wait to learn to your own cost what an evil egoism is and how good it is to open your heart to those in need. Take care, because God’s hand chastises the presumptuous who forget about the poor. Learn your lesson from other people’s misfortunes and be lavish to the needy, even though it be with only the smallest forms of assistance. For him, who lacks everything, it won’t be valueless. Nor for God either, if you have done what you can. Let your haste to give supply for the insignificance of your gift. And if you have nothing, offer him your tears. Pity that springs from the heart is a great comfort to the unfortunate and a sincere compassion sweetens the bitterness of suffering.
Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory of Nazianzen : Imitating the generosity of God
Reading
Rm 11,29-36.
For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may (now) receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?" For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Ps 69(68),30-31.33-34.36-37.
But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help protect me, God, That I may praise God's name in song and glorify it with thanksgiving. "See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, take heart! For the LORD hears the poor, does not spurn those in bondage. God will rescue Zion, rebuild the cities of Judah. God's servants shall dwell in the land and possess it; it shall be the heritage of their descendants; those who love God's name shall dwell there.
Lk 14,12-14.
Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390), Bishop, Doctor of the Church
On love for the poor, 27-28; PG 35,891-894
Imitating the generosity of God
There is no way in which man is more like God than in his capacity to do good, and even if we are only able to do it to a wholly different degree, let us at least do all we can. God created man and raised him up after he had fallen so don’t you, on your part, despise anyone who has fallen into hard times. God, moved by man’s great distress, gave him the Law and the prophets, having already given him the unwritten law of nature. He took care to guide us, help us, correct us. Ultimately, he gave himself as a ransom for the life of the world… As for you, when you are sailing before the wind in the stern, hold out your hands to those who suffer shipwreck. When you enjoy good health and plenty, give help to the unfortunate. Don’t wait to learn to your own cost what an evil egoism is and how good it is to open your heart to those in need. Take care, because God’s hand chastises the presumptuous who forget about the poor. Learn your lesson from other people’s misfortunes and be lavish to the needy, even though it be with only the smallest forms of assistance. For him, who lacks everything, it won’t be valueless. Nor for God either, if you have done what you can. Let your haste to give supply for the insignificance of your gift. And if you have nothing, offer him your tears. Pity that springs from the heart is a great comfort to the unfortunate and a sincere compassion sweetens the bitterness of suffering.
St. Charles Borromeo
Sunday, 04 November 2007
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Philoxenes of Mabbug : Zacchaeus discovers the only true good
Reading
Wisdom 11,22-26.12,1.
Indeed, before you the whole universe is as a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!
Ps 145(144),1-2.8-9.10-11.13.14.
Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever. Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever. The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love. The LORD is good to all, compassionate to every creature. All your works give you thanks, O LORD and your faithful bless you. They speak of the glory of your reign and tell of your great works, Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in every word, and faithful in every work. The LORD supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
2 Thess. 1,11-12.2,1-2.
To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.
Lk 19,1-10.
He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Philoxenes of Mabbug (?- c.523), Bishop in Syria
Homily 4, 78-80 (trans. SC 44, p.97)
Zacchaeus discovers the only true good
Our Lord called Zacchaeus out of the sycamore into which he had climbed and, at once, Zacchaeus made haste to come down and welcome him into his house. This is because, even before he had been called, he had hoped to see him and become his disciple. It is something worth admiring that he believed in him before Our Lord had ever spoken to him and before he had seen him with his bodily eyes but merely on the word of others. The faith within him had been kept safe within his ordinary life and soundness of mind. And this faith was made known when he believed in Our Lord at the very moment of learning of his coming. The simplicity of his faith was apparent when he promised to give the half of his goods to the poor and to pay back fourfold whatever he had unjustly taken. Indeed, if Zacchaeus’ mind had not been filled at that moment with the simplicity that belongs to faith, he could not have made that promise to Jesus and could not have spent and handed over in so little time what he had acquired in so many years of work. Simplicity handed out on all sides what cunning had gathered; purity of soul scattered abroad what duplicity had acquired; and faith renounced what injustice had obtained and possessed and it declared that these things were not its own. For faith, God is its only good and it refuses to possess any other good together with him. All possessions are of little importance, where it is concerned, besides that one, lasting good which is God. We have taken faith to ourselves so as to find God and possess nothing but Him and so that we might see that anything outside of Him is of no value.
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Philoxenes of Mabbug : Zacchaeus discovers the only true good
Reading
Wisdom 11,22-26.12,1.
Indeed, before you the whole universe is as a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!
Ps 145(144),1-2.8-9.10-11.13.14.
Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever. Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever. The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love. The LORD is good to all, compassionate to every creature. All your works give you thanks, O LORD and your faithful bless you. They speak of the glory of your reign and tell of your great works, Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in every word, and faithful in every work. The LORD supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
2 Thess. 1,11-12.2,1-2.
To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.
Lk 19,1-10.
He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Philoxenes of Mabbug (?- c.523), Bishop in Syria
Homily 4, 78-80 (trans. SC 44, p.97)
Zacchaeus discovers the only true good
Our Lord called Zacchaeus out of the sycamore into which he had climbed and, at once, Zacchaeus made haste to come down and welcome him into his house. This is because, even before he had been called, he had hoped to see him and become his disciple. It is something worth admiring that he believed in him before Our Lord had ever spoken to him and before he had seen him with his bodily eyes but merely on the word of others. The faith within him had been kept safe within his ordinary life and soundness of mind. And this faith was made known when he believed in Our Lord at the very moment of learning of his coming. The simplicity of his faith was apparent when he promised to give the half of his goods to the poor and to pay back fourfold whatever he had unjustly taken. Indeed, if Zacchaeus’ mind had not been filled at that moment with the simplicity that belongs to faith, he could not have made that promise to Jesus and could not have spent and handed over in so little time what he had acquired in so many years of work. Simplicity handed out on all sides what cunning had gathered; purity of soul scattered abroad what duplicity had acquired; and faith renounced what injustice had obtained and possessed and it declared that these things were not its own. For faith, God is its only good and it refuses to possess any other good together with him. All possessions are of little importance, where it is concerned, besides that one, lasting good which is God. We have taken faith to ourselves so as to find God and possess nothing but Him and so that we might see that anything outside of Him is of no value.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
St. Winifred, St. Martin de Porres
Saturday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Diadochus of Photike : "Give the first place to God"
Reading
Rm 11,1-2.11-12.25-29.
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number. I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not become wise (in) your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob; and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins." In respect to the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Ps 94(93),12-13.14-15.17-18.
Happy those whom you guide, LORD, whom you teach by your instruction. You give them rest from evil days, while a pit is being dug for the wicked. You, LORD, will not forsake your people, nor abandon your very own. Judgment shall again be just, and all the upright of heart will follow it. If the LORD were not my help, I would long have been silent in the grave. When I say, "My foot is slipping," your love, LORD, holds me up.
Lk 14,1.7-11.
On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Diadochus of Photike (c.400 - ?), Bishop
On spiritual perfection, 12-15
"Give the first place to God"
No one who cares about himself can love God, but whoever takes no care for himself on account of the far greater riches of divine charity is one who loves God. Such a one never looks to his own glory but that of God, for the man who cares about himself is looking for glory for himself. Whoever cares for God loves the glory of his Creator. Indeed, it is characteristic of an interior soul, a friend of God, always to seek God’s glory in all the commands it carries out and to rejoice in its own nothingness. For glory is fitting to God because of his greatness but to man, nothingness. This is the way he becomes God’s friend. If we act like this, rejoicing like Saint John the Baptist in the glory of the Lord, then we will begin to say unceasingly: “He must increase, I must decrease,” (Jn 3,30). I know of someone who loves God so much that, even though he groans because he does not love Him as much as he would like, his soul is always burning with the desire to see God glorified in him and to see himself as though he were not. That man has no words for telling what he is, even when he is praised, for he has no thought for his own dignity in his great desire to be abased. He carries out the divine services as is fitting for a priest, but in the extremity of his attraction towards love for God he hides the memory of his own dignity in the abyss of his charity for his God, burying the glory that he might have drawn from it in the humility of his thoughts. At all times he thus seems to be, in his own eyes, nothing but an unprofitable servant: his desire for abasement excludes him, after a fashion, from his proper dignity. Here is what we also must do, in such a way as to flee all honour, all glory, on account of the overflowing riches of the love of Him who has so loved us.
Commentary of the day
Diadochus of Photike : "Give the first place to God"
Reading
Rm 11,1-2.11-12.25-29.
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number. I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not become wise (in) your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob; and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins." In respect to the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Ps 94(93),12-13.14-15.17-18.
Happy those whom you guide, LORD, whom you teach by your instruction. You give them rest from evil days, while a pit is being dug for the wicked. You, LORD, will not forsake your people, nor abandon your very own. Judgment shall again be just, and all the upright of heart will follow it. If the LORD were not my help, I would long have been silent in the grave. When I say, "My foot is slipping," your love, LORD, holds me up.
Lk 14,1.7-11.
On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Diadochus of Photike (c.400 - ?), Bishop
On spiritual perfection, 12-15
"Give the first place to God"
No one who cares about himself can love God, but whoever takes no care for himself on account of the far greater riches of divine charity is one who loves God. Such a one never looks to his own glory but that of God, for the man who cares about himself is looking for glory for himself. Whoever cares for God loves the glory of his Creator. Indeed, it is characteristic of an interior soul, a friend of God, always to seek God’s glory in all the commands it carries out and to rejoice in its own nothingness. For glory is fitting to God because of his greatness but to man, nothingness. This is the way he becomes God’s friend. If we act like this, rejoicing like Saint John the Baptist in the glory of the Lord, then we will begin to say unceasingly: “He must increase, I must decrease,” (Jn 3,30). I know of someone who loves God so much that, even though he groans because he does not love Him as much as he would like, his soul is always burning with the desire to see God glorified in him and to see himself as though he were not. That man has no words for telling what he is, even when he is praised, for he has no thought for his own dignity in his great desire to be abased. He carries out the divine services as is fitting for a priest, but in the extremity of his attraction towards love for God he hides the memory of his own dignity in the abyss of his charity for his God, burying the glory that he might have drawn from it in the humility of his thoughts. At all times he thus seems to be, in his own eyes, nothing but an unprofitable servant: his desire for abasement excludes him, after a fashion, from his proper dignity. Here is what we also must do, in such a way as to flee all honour, all glory, on account of the overflowing riches of the love of Him who has so loved us.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
The Commemoration of all of the Faithful Departed
Commentary of the day
Saint Cyprian : "Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live" (Jn 11,25)
Reading
Wisdom 3,1-9.
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.
Ps 27,1.4.7.8.9.13-14.
Of David The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid? One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the LORD'S house all the days of my life, To gaze on the LORD'S beauty, to visit his temple. I Hear my voice, LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. "Come," says my heart, "seek God's face"; your face, LORD, do I seek! Do not hide your face from me; do not repel your servant in anger. You are my help; do not cast me off; do not forsake me, God my savior! But I believe I shall enjoy the LORD'S goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!
Rm 6,3-9.
Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
Mt 25,31-46. When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Saint Cyprian (c.200-258), Bishop of Carthage and martyr
Treatise on death, PL4, 596f.
"Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live" (Jn 11,25)
We should not weep for those brothers of ours whom the Lord’s call has drawn away from this world since we know that they are not lost but have set out before us: they have left us, like travellers or navigators, so that they might go ahead of us. We should envy them, then, rather than weep for them and should not clothe ourselves in black when they are clothed above in robes of white. Do not let us give the pagans an opportunity for very rightly reproaching us for lamenting over those whom we assert to be alive before God, as though they were wiped out or lost. We betray our hope and our faith if what we say appears to be deception and lies. There is no use in protesting one’s courage in words and destroying its veracity in deeds. When we die, we pass through death to immortality and eternal life cannot be bestowed unless we depart from this world. This is not an ending but a passing. At the completion of our temporal journey comes our passing into eternity. Who would not hurry towards so great a good? Who would not long to be changed and transformed into the image of Christ? Heaven is our homeland… A great number of our dear ones are waiting for us there, a huge crowd of parents, brothers, sons are longing for us… Let us hurry to come to them, let us ardently desire to be with them speedily and to be speedily with Christ.
Commentary of the day
Saint Cyprian : "Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live" (Jn 11,25)
Reading
Wisdom 3,1-9.
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.
Ps 27,1.4.7.8.9.13-14.
Of David The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid? One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the LORD'S house all the days of my life, To gaze on the LORD'S beauty, to visit his temple. I Hear my voice, LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. "Come," says my heart, "seek God's face"; your face, LORD, do I seek! Do not hide your face from me; do not repel your servant in anger. You are my help; do not cast me off; do not forsake me, God my savior! But I believe I shall enjoy the LORD'S goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!
Rm 6,3-9.
Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
Mt 25,31-46. When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Saint Cyprian (c.200-258), Bishop of Carthage and martyr
Treatise on death, PL4, 596f.
"Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live" (Jn 11,25)
We should not weep for those brothers of ours whom the Lord’s call has drawn away from this world since we know that they are not lost but have set out before us: they have left us, like travellers or navigators, so that they might go ahead of us. We should envy them, then, rather than weep for them and should not clothe ourselves in black when they are clothed above in robes of white. Do not let us give the pagans an opportunity for very rightly reproaching us for lamenting over those whom we assert to be alive before God, as though they were wiped out or lost. We betray our hope and our faith if what we say appears to be deception and lies. There is no use in protesting one’s courage in words and destroying its veracity in deeds. When we die, we pass through death to immortality and eternal life cannot be bestowed unless we depart from this world. This is not an ending but a passing. At the completion of our temporal journey comes our passing into eternity. Who would not hurry towards so great a good? Who would not long to be changed and transformed into the image of Christ? Heaven is our homeland… A great number of our dear ones are waiting for us there, a huge crowd of parents, brothers, sons are longing for us… Let us hurry to come to them, let us ardently desire to be with them speedily and to be speedily with Christ.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
All Saints - Solemnity of All Saints
Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory the Great : “The Kingdom of heaven is theirs”
Reading
Revel. 7,2-4.9-14.
Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, "Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites: After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb." All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen." Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?" I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Ps 24(23),1-2.3-4.5-6.
A psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S and all it holds, the world and those who live there. For God founded it on the seas, established it over the rivers. Who may go up the mountain of the LORD? Who can stand in his holy place? "The clean of hand and pure of heart, who are not devoted to idols, who have not sworn falsely. They will receive blessings from the LORD, and justice from their saving God. Such are the people that love the LORD, that seek the face of the God of Jacob." Selah
1 Jn 3,1-3.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
Mt 5,1-12.
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory the Great (c.540-604), Pope, Doctor of the Church
Homily 14 on the Gospel; PL 76, 1129
“The Kingdom of heaven is theirs”
In the Gospel, Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life,” (Jn 10,27). A little earlier on he had said: “Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture,” (v.9). For we come in through faith but go out of faith towards the vision face to face. Passing from belief to contemplation, we will find pasture for our eternal repose. The Lord’s sheep are those, therefore, who gain access to these pastures, for whoever follows him in simplicity of heart receives grass that is always green as his food. What are the pastures for these sheep if not the profound joy of a paradise ever green? The pasture of the elect is the face of God, present and beheld in contemplation, in a vision without shadows. The soul fills itself with this food of life forever. In these pastures those who have escaped the nets of worldly desires are satisfied eternally. There, the choirs of angels are singing; there, the heavenly host come together. There, there is a welcome feast for those who return after the hardships of their sad sojourn abroad. There are to be found the choir of prophets with their piercing eyes, the twelve apostolic judges, the victorious army of innumerable martyrs whose joy is all the greater insofar as they were cruelly tormented here below. In that place the steadfastness of the confessors of the faith is comforted by receiving its reward. There are to be found those faithful men whose strength of soul could not be softened by the pleasures of this world; the holy women who overcame both their weakness and this world together; the children who, through the way they lived, were raised far above their years; the elderly, whom age did not weaken here below and whose strength for the task did not desert them. Beloved brethren, let us go in search of those pastures where we shall become happy in the company of so many saints.
Saint Gregory the Great : “The Kingdom of heaven is theirs”
Reading
Revel. 7,2-4.9-14.
Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, "Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites: After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb." All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen." Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?" I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Ps 24(23),1-2.3-4.5-6.
A psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S and all it holds, the world and those who live there. For God founded it on the seas, established it over the rivers. Who may go up the mountain of the LORD? Who can stand in his holy place? "The clean of hand and pure of heart, who are not devoted to idols, who have not sworn falsely. They will receive blessings from the LORD, and justice from their saving God. Such are the people that love the LORD, that seek the face of the God of Jacob." Selah
1 Jn 3,1-3.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
Mt 5,1-12.
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory the Great (c.540-604), Pope, Doctor of the Church
Homily 14 on the Gospel; PL 76, 1129
“The Kingdom of heaven is theirs”
In the Gospel, Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life,” (Jn 10,27). A little earlier on he had said: “Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture,” (v.9). For we come in through faith but go out of faith towards the vision face to face. Passing from belief to contemplation, we will find pasture for our eternal repose. The Lord’s sheep are those, therefore, who gain access to these pastures, for whoever follows him in simplicity of heart receives grass that is always green as his food. What are the pastures for these sheep if not the profound joy of a paradise ever green? The pasture of the elect is the face of God, present and beheld in contemplation, in a vision without shadows. The soul fills itself with this food of life forever. In these pastures those who have escaped the nets of worldly desires are satisfied eternally. There, the choirs of angels are singing; there, the heavenly host come together. There, there is a welcome feast for those who return after the hardships of their sad sojourn abroad. There are to be found the choir of prophets with their piercing eyes, the twelve apostolic judges, the victorious army of innumerable martyrs whose joy is all the greater insofar as they were cruelly tormented here below. In that place the steadfastness of the confessors of the faith is comforted by receiving its reward. There are to be found those faithful men whose strength of soul could not be softened by the pleasures of this world; the holy women who overcame both their weakness and this world together; the children who, through the way they lived, were raised far above their years; the elderly, whom age did not weaken here below and whose strength for the task did not desert them. Beloved brethren, let us go in search of those pastures where we shall become happy in the company of so many saints.
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