GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY : Saturday - August 20, 2022

 

Saturday - August 20, 2022

The sinner who is sorry for his sins 

is closer to God 

than the just man 

who boasts of his good works.

 ~~ St. Padre Pio

August 20, 2022

MEMORIAL OF SAINT BERNARD, ABBOT AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

Lectionary: 424

 

Reading I     

                                                                                    EZ 43:1-7AB

 

The angel led me to the gate which faces the east,

and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel

coming from the east.

I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters,

and the earth shone with his glory.

The vision was like that which I had seen

when he came to destroy the city,

and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.

I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple

by way of the gate which faces the east,

but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court.

And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.

Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,

while the man stood beside me.

The voice said to me:

Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,

this is where I will set the soles of my feet;

here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.

 

Responsorial Psalm                      PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14

 

R. (see 10b)  The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

 

I will hear what God proclaims;

the LORD–for he proclaims peace.

Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,

glory dwelling in our land.

R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

 

Kindness and truth shall meet;

justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

and justice shall look down from heaven.

R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

 

The LORD himself will give his benefits;

our land shall yield its increase.

Justice shall walk before him,

and salvation, along the way of his steps.

R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

 

Alleluia                                              Phil 2 MT 23:9B, 10B           

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You have but one Father in heaven;

you have but one master, the Christ.

R. Alleluia

 

Gospel                                                           MT 23:1-12

 

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,

“The scribes and the Pharisees

have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,

but do not follow their example.

For they preach but they do not practice.

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry

and lay them on people’s shoulders,

but they will not lift a finger to move them.

All their works are performed to be seen.

They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,

greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father;

you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called ‘Master’;

you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

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Our Blessed Mother

“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’”  Matthew 23:2-7

 

Saturdays are traditionally dedicated to the honor of our Blessed Mother.  What a contrast there is between the Pharisees and our Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth! 

 

First, we start with the Pharisees.  They were continually condemned by Jesus for their pride and self-righteousness.  They spoke prayers to themselves, sought out places of honor, demanded the respect of others and were completely self-consumed.  Jesus’ continual condemnation of them was an act of mercy on His part.  It was a way of trying to break them out of their pride, helping them to see the light of truth. 

 

Second, we contrast this with our Blessed Mother.  She was humble beyond imagination.  She is the Immaculate Conception…perfect in every way.  She carried every virtue within her soul.  She is the New Eve, the new Mother of all the Living.  And she is honored eternally as Queen of Heaven and Earth. 

 

The stark contrast is seen in the way she lived.  It’s seen in the fact that she had every right to exalt herself and to expect honor and respect throughout her life.  But, in her humility, she claimed no such right.  She allowed herself to remain hidden and even ridiculed for becoming pregnant out of wedlock.  She was unlike the Pharisees in every way.

 

But now, for all eternity, God has raised her up.  She will eternally be seen as Queen and will be honored and loved by all.  All her virtue will perpetually shine forth as she has been rewarded and exalted for all to see.

 

Reflect, today, upon who you are more like.  Are you more like the Pharisees who seek to exalt themselves?  Or are you more like our Blessed Mother who humbled herself.  Choose to imitate our Blessed Mother and God will eternally reward you, too!

 

Today's Prayer

 

Lord, may I see the beauty and magnificence of Your mother’s soul.  May I love her and honor her.  And in that love and honor, may I imitate her in every way.  Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.

 

 

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!”