November 23, 2016

Nov. 23

November 23, 2016:  Wednesday, 34th week, Ordinary Time

  • 'Signs' tie, 'angel' pin:  I saw a sign:  angels... (1st reading)
  • 'Fire' pin:  ...a sea of glass mingled with fire (1st reading)
  • 'Lamb' tie bar:  They sang the song of the Lamb (1st reading)
  • 'Hands' pin:  His right hand has won victory; let the rivers clap their hands (psalm); they'll 'hand' you over (gospel)
  • 'Alps' tie pin:  Let the mountains shout for joy (psalm)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  The Lord will 'rule' with justice (psalm)
  • 'Owl' tie pin:  I'll give you wisdom your adversaries won't be able to refute (gospel)
  • 'Gun' pin:  They'll put some of you to death (gospel)
  • 'Clock' tie bar:  Persevere (gospel); countdown to eschaton and end of church year
Listen

  • But who may abide the day of His coming, from Messiah/ Handel (gospel):  traditional, "soulful" (gospel)
Pope Francis
General audience:  The spiritual works of mercy “counseling the doubtful” and “instructing the ignorant”  are related and can be practiced daily in our families and communities, as well as through instututional efforts.  The Church’s mission of evangelization has always included teaching, since education promotes human dignity and provides for full development of our God-given gifts.  Illiteracy and lack of access to education are a form of poverty and injustice.  Education develops our ability to think critically about ourselves and the world, raises questions, and helps us find answers.
Counseling those troubled by doubts about the meaning of life or shaken in their faith is an act of love that soothes the pain and suffering that comes from fear and anguish that come from doubt.  Everyone has doubts; they can be positive and lead us to deeper faith and understanding of God’s love.  But doubts must be overcome, both by catechesis, and by living our faith.  We don't make faith abstract where doubts are multiplied but rather make it our life, serving others, especially the needy; then doubts vanish, because we feel God's presence and the truth of the gospel in the love dwelling in us that we share with others.  We're all called to support one another by our witness of faith and concern, signs of God's love which gives meaning and direction to life.  The most profound teaching we're called to transmit, and the most certainty we can offer to free us from doubt, is God's love.  More
Read
  • Rv 15:1-4  I saw a sign:  angels... singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:  “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God....  Just and true are your ways, O king.  You alone are holy.  All will worship before you...”
  • Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9  "Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!"  Sing to the Lord who has done wondrous deeds, winning victory, making salvation known, revealing his justice, remembering his kindness and faithfulness.  Shout for joy, for he comes to rule the earth.
  • Lk 21:12-19  “They'll seize you, persecute you, and hand you over because of my name.  You'll give testimony.  Don't prepare your defense beforehand; I'll give you wisdom your adversaries won't be able to resist or refute.  Even family and friends will hand you over, and kill some of you.  All will hate you because of me, but by your perseverance you'll secure your lives.”
Reflect
    • One Bread, One Body:  "No compromise with the spoiler":  Satan plays the role of spoiler, trying to get people not to love God with all their hearts, to make people lukewarm in their ties with the Lord.  Those who have won the victory over Satan are the single-hearted for Jesus, who haven't compromised.   May we be among them.
    • Passionist:  John’s visions in Revelation are almost impossible to imagine, but they inspire hope and trust in God.  Today's vision tells me it's possible to win victory over "the beast," whatever the “beast” may be for us, whether addiction, resentment, fear, or despair:  in Christ, but not on our own.  We have wisdom from putting our trust in God's love for us.
      Pro's martyrdom
    • DailyScripture.net:  "Not a hair of your head will perish":  Jesus warns his followers they'll be confronted with wickedness, false teaching, persecution, and temptation to renounce their faith.  Satan opposes God and his followers; Jesus calls him a "murderer" and the "father of lies."  Satan will use any means to turn people away from God:  envy, deception, hatred, fear....  Jesus' response to hostility and persecution is love, forbearance, and forgiveness.  Only love can overcome prejudice, hatred, and envy.  God's love purifies us of all that would divide and tear people apart.  Jesus tells us we don't need to fear; he promises strength, wisdom, and courage as we take a stand witness to Christ.  The Gospel has power to set people free from sin, fear, and death, and bring peace, pardon, and life.  God gives endurance to those who trust in him.  Endurance is patience that never gives up hope.  Patience looks beyond present difficulties to the promised reward.  Endurance is linked with hope, the assurance we'll see God face to face and inherit his promises.  Jesus is our model; he endured the cross for our sake.  "When persecution comes, God's soldiers are tested, and heaven opens to martyrs.  We have not enlisted in an army;...  the Lord has taken first place in the conflict" (Cyprian).  Martyrs live and die as witnesses of the Gospel, overcoming their enemies through hope, courage, love, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and compassion, whether or not they actually shed their blood for bearing witness.  May we testify to the Gospel in our daily challenges; may people see us loving our enemies, joyful in suffering, patient in adversity, pardoning injuries, and showing comfort and compassion to the hopeless and helpless....
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