Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": November 19

November 19, 2013

November 19

November 19, 2013: Tuesday, 33rd week, Ordinary Time

Readings

2 Mc 6:18-31 Eleazar was forced to eat pork, spat it out, refused offer, endured torture with joy, stayed loyal, died willingly with courage, set noble example of virtue for all.

Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 "The Lord upholds me." My adversaries rise up, but you, my shield, answer me.

Lk 19:1-10 Short, rich tax collector Zacchaeus climbs sycamore to see Jesus. “Come down; I must stay at your house.” Zeke receives Jesus, makes restitution, gives to poor. “Salvation has come; the Son of Man has come to seek and save what was lost.”

Reflections

Pope Francis homily: Elderly Eleazar, rejecting advice to pretend to eat pork to save his life, was steadfast in faith, thinking of the young who would remember his courage. Now the elderly are put aside as nuisances, but they tell us history and give us faith. A society that doesn't care for and respect the elderly has no future. Those living in homes for the aged and those abandoned by their families are treasures.

Creighton: Courage ≠ bravery. Face/deal with difficulty, adversity; don't withdraw. Faith, “be not afraid” is about courage, not bravery, daring, or gallantry.

RC.net: What if Jesus told me, "I must stay at your home today"? Zacchaeus needed God's mercy, testified with change of heart and life. St. Augustine: climb sycamore ["silly fig"] tree; see Jesus without crowd in the way; embrace cross [folly to Gentiles]. “World's wisdom is folly with God.” Climb cross; don't be ashamed. Do I make room for him in every area of my life?

My heart Christ's home/ Munger (gospel)

Marian retreat, day 15: Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta puts Marian consecration into context of an intimate relationship with Christ. Satiate Jesus' thirst for love and for souls. At times you come so close to Jesus on the cross that he can kiss you. Help me find Jesus' love hidden in darkness.