Josaphat

November 12, 2016:  St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

• 'Street lamp' tie bar:  Light shines through the darkness for the upright (psalm)

• 'Stamps from countries' tie:  Be co-workers in the truth:  help foreigners continue their journey (1st reading)

• 'Scales of justice' pin:  The dishonest judge will do justice (gospel)

• Red shirt, 'blood drop' pin:  St. Josaphat's martyrdom

Listen

• They'll know we are Christians/ Scholtes (St. Josaphat)

• More Christian unity music in St. Josaphat's honor:  4+3+3

• Seek ye first/ Lafferty (gospel-inspired)

• God will answer your prayer/ Jenkins (gospel)

Pope Francis

Final jubilee audience:  I 'd like to stress the importance of inclusion.  God’s mercy challenges us to be merciful and open to everyone's needs, especially of the poor, weary, and burdened.  We, who have experienced that mercy, have a part to play in his plan.  God calls everyone to become members of the body of Christ, the Church, and work together to building a world of justice, solidarity, and peace.  God, who reconciled us to himself by the sacrifice of his Son, sends us, his Church, to extend that merciful embrace throughout the world, bearing witness to God’s love through the mercy, love, and forgiveness we show to others.

To health care workers at Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers conference:  Cornerstones of good care in a Catholic context:

• Primacy of the human person:  Integrated, integral awareness of the place of human being within creation and the duty to stewardship 

• The missionary and outward-moving commitment of the Church to care for the sick 

• Justice in assuring necessary care to suffering people who can't care for themselves or get care they need.

In the name of love for every human being, especially suffering ones, I wish you renewed impetus and dedication towards sick people, and tireless drive towards the common good in healthcare.

Read

Animate

• 3 Jn 5-8  You're faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially strangers.  Help them continue their journey; they've set out for the Name's sake and deserve our support.

• Ps 112:1-6  "Blessed those who fear the Lord," delight in his commands, and are gracious, merciful, and just; they'll be mighty, blessed, rich, and generous.

• Lk 18:1-8  “There was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people, and a widow who kept asking him to render a just decision for her.  He eventually thought, ‘Because she keeps bothering me, I'll deliver her a just decision lest she come strike me.’  If the dishonest judge does that, won't God secure the rights of his chosen who keep calling out to him?  He'll see that justice is done speedily.  When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Reflect

• Creighton:  Today’s readings call us to faithfulness:  Faithful stewardship requires hospitality and a commitment to share in the Lord’s work, to become co-workers, transforming our work into God's work.  Sharing transforms both gift and giver.  Support, hospitality, and prayer can change our habits and dispositions; the just, merciful, and generous bear the image of God in their life.   The judge cared only about his well-being, not generosity or justice, but still rendered justice for the widow and against her more powerful adversary.  God will surely do justice, but we sometimes cry out for justice but aren't satisfied.  Do we trust God to do justice, show mercy, and respond generously?  Do we know justice well enough, particularly when it involves adversaries, to recognize it when it comes?  Is our struggle with injustice a participation in God's work?  Lord, give us persistence in prayer and patience in listening, seeking, and joining with you as co-workers.

St. Josaphat

• One Bread, One Body:  "Tough love":  John told Gaius to demonstrate fidelity and love by helping and supporting the missionaries John sent; this would cost time, money, his reputation, and his membership in his local church (because its leader threatened to excommunicate anyone who accepted John's missionaries).  Obedience, faithfulness, love, and support sometimes result in persecution, slander, and rejection.  Are we willing to suffer rather than be unfaithful?  Will we lay down our lives for each other?

• Passionist:  Jesus says we should always pray and not become weary.  Cultivating interiority is a challenge, especially if it seems our prayer isn't getting us anywhere, but....

• DailyScripture.net:  "Always pray; don't lose heart":  The defenseless widow refused her rights wore down the judge till he gave her justice.  Persistence pays off, and God is quick to bring us justice, blessing, and help when we need it, but we can lose heart and not ask for his grace and help.  Today's parable gives us hope and confidence in God's care and favor.  We can expect trials but have hope in God, whose justice ultimately triumphs. When with faith we entrust our lives to God, we can look forward with hope.  Faith is God's gift. To grow and persevere in faith, we must pray for it and nourish it with God's word....

• Universalis:  St. Josaphat, bishop, Ruthenian-Roman reconciler, martyr

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