Churches of the Day

Tuesday of the Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2

Saint of the Day ; Nov. 10; St Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church.
C/f A short look at this saint’s life can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.


FIRST READING

A reading from the letter of St Paul to Titus         2:1-8. 11-14
We must live religious lives while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the appearing of  our God and saviour Christ Jesus.

It is for you, then, to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine. The older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy.

Similarly, the older women should behave as though they were religious, with no scandal-mongering and no habitual wine-drinking - they are to be the teachers of the right behaviour and show the younger women how they should love their husbands and love their children, how they are to be sensible and chaste, and how to work in their homes, and be gentle, and do as their husbands tell them, so that the message of God is never disgraced.

In the same way, you have got to persuade the younger men to be moderate and in everything you do make yourself an example to them of working for good: when you are teaching, be an example to them in your sincerity and earnestness and in keeping all that you say so wholesome that nobody can make objections to it; and then any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us

You see, God's grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.

The Word of the Lord         Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm      Ps 36:3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29 R/v v39
Response                           The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

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

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

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

Gospel  Acclamation      Mt 4: 4
Alleluia, alleluia!
Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Alleluia!

or                                           Jn 14: 23
Alleluia, alleluia!
If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him .
Alleluia!

GOSPEL  

The Lord be with you.                       And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke    17:7-10            Glory to you, O Lord
"We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty"

Jesus said to his disciples:
'Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields,
"Come and have your meal immediately"?
Would he not be more likely to say, "Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards"

Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, "We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty".    

The Gospel of the Lord.      Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

********************
Gospel Reflection        Tuesday            Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time       Luke 17:7-10

The short parable Jesus speaks in today’s gospel reading reminds us that we never have a claim on God. After we have done all that God asks of us, we cannot then say to God, ‘I am due some recompense for all that I have done.’ That would be usual in the world of human affairs. People expect to be recompensed in proportion to the work they have done. However, that is not how we are to relate to God. God is never in debt to us, no matter how generous we have been towards God. This is because our good work on God’s behalf is itself due to God’s good working within us. All the good we do is of God. Without God’s loving initiative towards us, we could do nothing that is pleasing to God.

Saint Paul speaks in today’s first reading of how God’s grace was revealed towards us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We have been greatly graced by God and all that is good in our lives is the fruit of that gracious initiative of God towards us. In faithfully serving God we are giving back to God what God has already given to us. Yet, elsewhere, the gospel makes clear that our efforts to serve the Lord well will always be met by further loving initiatives of the Lord towards us. The Lord’s love for us is a given; it doesn’t have to be earned. Our lives of loving service in response to the Lord’s love for us open us up more fully to the Lord’s love for us. As Jesus says elsewhere, if we give to God, it will be given to us by God; a full measure, running over will be poured into our lap.

________________________________

The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers.  http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings 2024: The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/

________________

Saint of the Day ; Nov. 10; St Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church.
Pope Leo the Great was a layman when chosen for the office; he was able to keep the invaders from the north - the Huns and the Vandals - at bay; he was a focus for unity in the Church; and he gave powerful expression to the dignity of all Christians who believe in the incarnation of Jesus, truly God and truly human.

Leadership
John Murray PP draws attention to the four main features of Pope Leo's pontificate. Surprisingly only two Popes have received the title 'Great' in the two-thousand-year history that is the papacy. One was Gregory who lived at the end of the sixth century and the other was Leo who was Pope between 440 and 461. He is the subject of this article.

Leo is rightly called 'Great' for all manner of things that he did and for the way he led the Church at a time of political turmoil. However I want to remember him as we approach the holy season of Christmas - mainly for something he wrote, but more about that later.

Worthy Lay Papal Candidate !
Leo was born in Tuscany, central Italy, about the year 400 but the family came to live in Rome when he was still young. Strangely enough, Leo was not even a priest or a bishop when he was chosen to lead the Church of Rome.

His position was more that of a civil servant and he was away on a civil mission in France to bring about peace between two of Rome's military leaders when the call to return came. The clergy and the people of the city could think of no more worthy candidate for the vacant see after the death of Pope Sixtus III. By the clarity of his vision for the Church and by the force of his administration he was to do much to fashion the papacy as we know it.

Northern Invaders
It is said that were it not for the Popes, Rome today would very likely be a mass of ruins like Babylon or Carthage or other ancient cities. Leo is especially remembered for saving the city from the invasions of the Northern tribes. The power of the empire was at a low ebb at that time and the prospect of riches and fame was attractive to the invaders from northern Europe. Attila the Hun came in 452.

A painting by Raphael shows the invader facing Leo, but behind him he sees Peter and Paul supporting the Pope's demands. In any event, Attila backed down. However when Genseric the Vandal came a few years later, the Emperor was dead and no military leader was defending the city. Again Leo met the invader and persuaded him not to destroy the city. Genseric and his men pillaged for two weeks but no one was killed and much of the art and architecture was spared.

'Doctor' of Unity
Leo also combatted heresy in any form whatever. Whether it was the Manichaeans in Italy or the writings of the British monk Pelagius, Leo was a fiery opponent and an able adversary. 'The integral and true faith is a great bulwark to which nothing can be added or taken from by anyone.' In his encyclical Aeterna Dei Sapientia (1961), Pope John XXIII wrote, 'St. Leo is celebrated above all as the Doctor of the unity of the Church.'

Leo constantly appealed to the canons of the Council of Nicea (325) and often in his sermons cited previous decisions of the popes. Above all, he had a clear sense of his own role in speaking for the whole Church. 'For the stability which the Rock himself was given by the Rock which is Christ, he conveyed also to his successors, and wheresoever any steadfastness is apparent, there without doubt is to be seen the strength of the shepherd.'

This love for the Church even extended on occasion to the correction of his fellow bishops. One such was St. Hilary, bishop of Arles. Hilary, a holy and saintly man, had deposed Celidonius, bishop of Besancon. The latter had come to Rome to appeal and Hilary quickly followed to make his case. At the same time, others had protested that Hilary had consecrated another bishop while the incumbent was sick but still in office.

In a letter to the bishops of Gaul (France) Leo declared Hilary deposed from metropolitan jurisdiction and limited to his own bishopric: 'Anyone who dares to secede from Peter's solid rock may understand that he has no part or lot in the divine mystery.' Hilary, saint that he was, submitted and peace was restored to the church of that region.

Christology
Many of Leo's sermons have come down to us today. Written in Latin they are renowned for their clarity of thought and ability to reach the common man. However it is his Christmas sermons (eight in all) which above all merit his unique role in Christology. When Christians gaze upon the crib today or attend Midnight Mass, they inherit the truths which Leo crafted in his sermons and writings. In the divine office for the feast his words echo through the centuries: 'Christian, be aware of your dignity for it is God's own nature that you share.'

In one of Leo's 173 letters, dubbed 'The Tome', he wrote to St. Flavian, bishop of Constantinople, in reference to the views of an abbot, Eutyches, which had been condemned earlier at a synod held in the great Eastern city. 'The Tome' is dated 13 June 449 and later it was read to more than 500 bishops at the great Council of Chalcedon in 452.

Greatest Moment
St. Leo's words describe the greatest moment in human history, that moment when God the Son took on our human nature: 'Thus the Son of God enters this lowly world, He comes down from the throne of heaven, yet does not separate himself from the Father's glory. He is born in a new condition, by a new birth. Beyond our grasp, He chose to come within our grasp.

'Existing before time began, He began to exist at a moment in time. Lord of the Universe, He hid his infinite glory and took the nature of a servant. Incapable of suffering as God, He did not refuse to be a man, capable of suffering. He who is true God is also true man.  With Magi and shepherds, with Mary and Joseph, we can but only adore.' 

_________________________

******************************

Memorable Saying for Today

 St Peter committed one of the greatest sins, denying Christ,
and yet they made him Pope. Think about that today.

~ Pope Francis ~

******************************

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

The emphasis in the readings today is on fidelity and on dedication to duty and work.  Talents and gifts are given for service of the community. The Christian is meant to be fully dedicated to working in the service of others while watching and waiting for the life to come. There is always so much good to be done for others, so little time in which to do it.

World Day of the Poor

FIRST READING               

 A reading from the book of  Proverbs            31:10-13. 19-20. 30-31
A perfect wife-who can find her?

A perfect wife-who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.
Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.

She is always busy with wool and with flax, she does her work with eager hands.
She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.
She holds out her hand to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.

The Word of the Lord.              Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm           Ps 127: 1-5. Rv:1
Response                                O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

1. O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper.    Response

2. Your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive, around your table.                                   Response

3. Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion in a happy Jerusalem
all the days of your life.                                                                                               Response

SECOND READING           

A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians      5:1-6
The Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night.

 You will not be expecting us to write anything to you, brothers, about 'times and seasons', since you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when people are saying, 'How quiet and peaceful it is' that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there will be no way for anybody to evade it. But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.

The Word of the Lord.              Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation           Apoc 2: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Even if you have to die, says the Lord,
keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life
Alleluia!

Or                                              Jn 15:4-5
Alleluia, alleluia!
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you, says the Lord
Whoever remains in me, with me bears fruit in plenty
Alleluia!

GOSPEL 

The Lord be with you                         And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew   25:14-30             Glory to you, O Lord
You have shown you can be faithful in small things, come and join in your master's happiness.

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them.  To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third is one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.
The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more.
The man who had received two made two more in the same way.
But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them.
The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more.
"Sir," he said "you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made."
His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness".

Next the man with the two talents came forward. "Sir," he said "you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made."
His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness".

Last came forward the man who had the one talent. "Sir," said he "I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back."
But his master answered him, "You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."

The Gospel of the Lord.          Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

_____________________

Shorter form

The Lord be with you                         And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew     25:14-15.19-20
You have shown you can be faithful in small things, come and join in your master's happiness.

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples:
" The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third is one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out. The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them.

The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. "Sir," he said "you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made." His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness".

The Gospel of the Lord.              Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

*******************

For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here:  https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/




Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966,  by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.