Thursday - August 27, 2020
In darkness, at times of tribulation and distress of the spirit, Jesus is with you. In such a state you see nothing but darkness, but I can assure you on God's behalf that the light of the Lord is all around you and pervades your spirit. . .You see yourself forsaken and I assure you that Jesus is holding you tighter than ever to His divine Heart.
-- Saint Padre Pio
In darkness, at times of tribulation and distress of the spirit, Jesus is with you. In such a state you see nothing but darkness, but I can assure you on God's behalf that the light of the Lord is all around you and pervades your spirit. . .You see yourself forsaken and I assure you that Jesus is holding you tighter than ever to His divine Heart.
-- Saint Padre Pio
Memorial of St. Monica
| First reading |
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| Ecclesiasticus 26:1-4,13-16 |
A perfect wife is the joy of her husband
Happy the husband of a really good wife;
the number of her days will be doubled.
A perfect wife is the joy of her husband,
he will live out his years in peace.
A good wife is the best of portions,
reserved for those who fear the Lord:
rich or poor, they will be glad of heart,
cheerful of face, whatever the season.
The grace of a wife will charm her husband,
her accomplishments will make him the stronger.
A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,
no price can be put on a well-trained character.
A modest wife is a boon twice over,
a chaste character cannot be weighed on scales.
Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord
is the beauty of a good wife in a well-kept house.
| Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 130(131) |
|---|
Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.
O Lord, my heart is not proud
nor haughty my eyes.
I have not gone after things too great
nor marvels beyond me.
Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.
Truly I have set my soul
in silence and peace.
A weaned child on its mother’s breast,
even so is my soul.
Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
both now and forever.
Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.
| Gospel Acclamation | Jn8:12 |
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Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!
| Gospel | Luke 7:11-17 |
|---|
The only son of his mother, and she a widow
Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’ And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.
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When Jesus Comes for You
As Jesus says in today's Gospel reading, we don't know when that will happen. What if you have a brain aneurysm while enjoying a movie that glorifies violence, or shows sex outside the sacred union of a married man and woman, or other immoralities? What if you have a massive heart attack while swearing angrily at a motorist who cuts you off on the highway? Jesus comes for you and says --- ?
Hey, it could happen! There is no guarantee that our death will come while we're being nice to someone. Nor can we count on dying in bed peacefully while a priest gives us the Sacraments of Anointing and Holy Communion to send us on our way to heaven free from all sin.
Jesus tells us: "Stay awake! Don't get sleepy and close your eyes to the needs around you! Pay attention! Look at what you could be doing!"
St. Paul points out in today's first reading that God endows us abundantly with every gift and talent that we need, every bit of knowledge that we need, and all the strength and endurance that we need to remain blameless until Christ comes for us. How do we remain blameless? By choosing every day to live the reality of who we really are: As followers of Christ we are no longer sinners but are saints learning to be holier today than yesterday, and in this reality we continue the mission of Christ right up to the moment of death, even with our dying breaths!
The far-sighted servant that Jesus mentions is one who wastes no time in worthless activities that have no eternal value. We are faithful servants if we bless the kingdom of God through everything we do, even -- and especially -- in secular places. Everything we do can have eternal value if we pay attention to the Holy Spirit's guidance and do everything for the glory of God.
Washing dishes can have eternal value. Taking a friend out to dinner certainly has eternal value. We work for God when we smile at a stranger or give a compliment. We can serve his kingdom in the way we drive and in the birthday cards we send. Every task in our jobs glorifies God if we do it well and honestly. How we spend our money can honor God. Each word we speak should bless and not curse.
We don't have to be constantly active in ministry to be God's faithful servant. But we do have to stay awake and alert to what we're doing, how we're doing it, and for whom we're doing it. Ultimately, everything we do should bless the kingdom of God.
Today's Prayer
We thank You, Lord, because You have entrusted to us great things! Grant us the grace of having an alert and persevering heart in expecting Your Word. Amen.
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God Bless You.....
The Rosary Family
The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”
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