23rd Sunday of the Year (C)

Paraphrasing the Sunday Readings

Author's note: Paraphrasing the Sunday gospel is a method I learned from Maryhill School of Theology. The method I used is only an adaptation of the original, which was formatted on a blackboard. The method by our theology professor was for exegetical purposes. My purpose is to format it in poetic/prosaic form for clarity of reading and reflection. Formatting this way makes the gospel easy to digest for one's thoughts.

Sunday Readings for Your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

23rd Sunday of the Year (C), September 8, 2013

Liturgical readings
Wisdom 9:13-18
Psalm 90
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33

"...He will send a delegation...asking for terms of peace."


On one occasion
when a great crowd was with Jesus,


he turned to them and said,


"If anyone comes to me
without turning his back
        on his father
        and mother,
        his wife
        and his children,
        his brothers
        and sisters,
        indeed his very self,


he cannot be my follower.


Anyone who does not take up his cross
and follow me
cannot be my disciple.


If one of you
decides to build a tower,


will he not first sit down
and calculate the outlay


to see if he has enough money
to complete the project?


He will do that
for fear of laying the foundation
and then not being able
to complete the work;


at which all who saw it
would then jeer at him,


saying,


'That man began to build
what he could not finish.'"


"Or


if a king
is about to march
on another king


to do battle with him,


will he not sit down first
and consider


whether,


with ten thousand men,
he can withstand an enemy
coming against him with twenty thousand?


If he cannot,


he will send a delegation
while the enemy is still at a distance,
asking for terms of peace.


In the same way,


none of you can be my disciple


if he does not renounce
all his possessions."

Scripture quotes from the readings:
"In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge." (Psalm 90)
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may know wisdom of heart." (Psalm 90)
"And may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours." (Psalm 90)

Reflection: 23rd Sunday of the Year (C) - September 5, 2010 (edited for September 5, 2025)

Liturgical readings

Wisdom 9:13-18b
Psalm 90
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33

"Anyone who does not take up his cross...cannot be My follower."

The gospel for the 23rd Sunday of the Year (C) is a real eye-opener on the cost of discipleship. The structure of the gospel can be divided into three: the first is Jesus demanding full following in His mission (to "turn one's back" on family and self); the second are two parables about building a tower and a king doing battle with another king; and the last is a continuation of the first (to renounce also one's possessions in addition to family and self).

At first, it appears difficult to find the connection between the two parables and Jesus's saying on discipleship. However, Robert J. Karris, in his book, "Invitation to Luke: A Commentary on the Gospel of Luke", gives us a clue. He says that the purpose of the parables' message was to seriously weigh the costs before you embark on a project.

Jesus in the gospel is inviting his hearers to embark on a project, a life project. It is a vocation that requires sage planning so that you will not only be ridiculed or derided as the men in the parables experienced, but by the grace of God, prove yourself faithful in committing yourself to your life's project. The costs of Christian discipleship is not only material (as with building the tower) or strength (as with doing battle with a substantial amount of soldiers), but one's whole life, lifetime: 1) to follow Jesus above family and self; 2) to take up the "crosses" of one's daily tasks and responsibilities; 3) to do one's work faithfully and accomplish what God wills; and 4) to be ready to detach oneself from possessions that can hinder in following Christ.

This passage of the gospel is heard every year and reminds all that the Christian life and its demands are like a "take it or leave it" arrangement. Many of the Saints really did that. Their vocation was really a "take it or leave it". St. Anthony of Egypt gave away all of his possessions and lived in the desert. Another is St. John Paul II. As Jesus never descended from the Cross, St. John Paul II did not resign from his papacy despite his ailment.

We need not be heroic to the same degree as St. John Paul II, but we too can do as he did in following Jesus by living the Christian faith in "every area of our lives...[and allow these areas] to enter into the plan of God, who desires these areas as occasions for loving Him and serving others." This was what St. John Paul II wrote in one of his writings. He says that it is by these daily actions of commitment that every Christian learns by faith what discipleship consists of. It is a basic self-denial and taking up of one's crosses in the commitments and responsibilities of one's respective state of life. This is Christian discipleship at its simplest and most basic form and substance.

The substance of following Jesus and practicing Christian discipleship continues to remain the same throughout centuries of history, since its roots are the Words of the gospel, the liturgy of the Sacraments, and the teaching Magisterium of the Church. Only its form differs because of the cultures and historical situation wherein all the abovementioned are contextualized. But Christ, His Person, and His message will always be the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will always be the Vision of Truth, the Way to Salvation, and the Source of Life for all who have faith in Him. What every Christian only needs to remember is to let His Spirit and the gospel permeate every area of one's life, and everyone and everything he lives for or works for. As long as all Christians today faithfully commit themselves to following Jesus by taking up their crosses in all areas of their work and life, then faithfulness in all their actions will ripple and influence others to do the same. That ripple of influence can grow and become a wave of hope to inspire others to also do as Christ did: to give oneself wholeheartedly in the service of God and others.

St. Catherine of Genoa, Widow and Mystic: 1447-1510 A.D.

Author's note: Check the other Saints Commemorated in the Roman Catholic Church for the Month of September.

Birth and early life

St. Catherine, a.k.a. Caterinetta, is the daughter of James Fieschi and Francesca di Negro. Born in Genoa, she was their fifth and last child. She wanted to enter religious life, but then her father died, and she married Julian Adorno at the age of sixteen. Julian was not a faithful husband to Catherine. His extravagance also became a problem, for it led their ten years of marriage to poverty. But in time, Julian was converted and reformed his life. He became a Franciscan tertiary and together with St. Catherine, both led a continent life.

St. Catherine's conversion experience

In 1473 A.D. during Lent, Catherine underwent a conversion experience when she saw a vision of Christ on the cross. She began to live an intense spiritual life. Her follower, Ettore Vernazza, wrote and said that St. Catherine exercised prolonged fasting, enjoyed frequent ecstasies, and lived with a great desire for the Eucharist (which she received every day - a rare privilege during her time).

Assisting the sick and the poor

Since St. Catherine was instrumental in the reform of her husband Julian, she was able to convince him to assist her in her work. In 1479 A.D., both of them moved into the Pammatone Hospital to make themselves more available to assist both the sick and the poor. In 1490 A.D., she became the director of the hospital.

Genoa stricken with a plague

In 1493 A.D., Genoa was stricken with a plague. St. Catherine was very active especially during this time. Because of her contact with the plague-stricken, she almost died. The plague wiped out three quarters of Genoa's residents. St. Catherine was able to recover from the effects of the plague on herself, but she was obliged to resign her position in 1496 A.D., as director of Pammatone Hospital, because of her health. She and her husband Julian continued though to live in the hospital. The following year, her husband Julian died.

The Oratory of Divine Love

St. Catherine met Ettore Vernazza, a wealthy businessman and philantrophist, and together, they were able to form the Oratory of Divine Love, a group of clergy and lay people devoted to achieving a deeper spriritual life through both contemplative prayer and active charity. Vernazza became St. Catherine's follower. It was through the pen of Vernazza that we can read of St. Catherine's intensive spiritual life.

St. Catherine of Genoa's spiritual teachings

Although St. Catherine wrote nothing during her life, her "writings" are from the pen of Vernazza and her confessor, the priest Fr. Cattaneo Marabotta. Both written views of St. Catherine's spiritual teachings reflect on the way of life of a married mystic who was able to combine action and contemplation so effectively. The written works on her spiritual teaching are: "Life", by Vernazza; "Purgation and Purgatory"; and the "Spiritual Dialogue". The latter two writings are outstanding documents in the field of mysticism.

Beatified in 1737 A.D., St. Catherine of Genoa was then canonized by Pope Benedict XIV and added to the Roman Martyrology. The Church celebrates her feast on September 15.

Sources of this blog post:

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism, by editor Bernard McGinn

22nd Sunday of the Year (C)

Paraphrasing the Sunday Readings

Author's note: Paraphrasing the Sunday gospel is a method I learned from Maryhill School of Theology. The method I used is only an adaptation of the original, which was formatted in a blackboard. The method by our theology professor was for exegetical purposes. My purpose is to format it in poetic/prosaic form for clarity of reading and reflection. Formatted this way makes the gospel easy to digest for one's thoughts.

From Sunday Readings: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

22nd Sunday of the Year (C), September 1, 2013 (Edited for August 31, 2025)


Liturgical readings
Ecclesiasticus 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Psalm 68
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24
Luke 14:1, 7-14

"Humility will win you the esteem of your fellow guests."


When Jesus came on a sabbath
        to eat a meal
        in the house
        of one of the leading Pharisees,


they observed him closely,


He went on to address a parable
        to the guests,
        noticing how they were trying
        to get places of honor
        at the table:


"When you are invited
by someone to a wedding party,


do not sit in the place of honor


in case some greater dignitary
has been invited.


Then the host might come
and say to you,


'Make room for this man',


and you would have to proceed
shamefacedly to the lowest place.


What you should do
when you have been invited


is


go and sit in the lowest place,


so that
when your host approaches you
he will say,


'My friend,
come up higher.'


This will win you
the esteem of your fellow guests.


For everyone
        who exalts himself
        shall be humbled


and


he
        who humbles himself
        shall be exalted."


He said to the one who invited him:


Whenever you give a lunch or dinner,


do not invite your friends
        or brothers
        or relatives
        or wealthy neighbors.


They might invite you in return
and thus repay you.


No,


when you have a reception,


invite beggars
        and the crippled,
        the lame
        and the blind.


You should be pleased
        that they cannot repay you,
        for you will be repaid
        in the resurrection of the just."



Scripture verses from the Readings:
"An attentive ear is the wise man's joy." (Ecclesiasticus 3)
"What is to sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength, search not." (Ecclesiasticus 3)
"God is the father of orphans and the defender of widows." (Psalm 68)
"You have drawn near to Mount Zion and the city of the living God." (Hebrews 12)
"Be pleased that the poor cannot repay you, for you will be repaid in the resurrection of the just." (Luke 14)

Reflection

The gospel for the 22nd Sunday of the Year (C) speaks about the theme of humility, and Jesus took occasion to teach about the virtue when He was invited to a meal. Humility ought to be practiced as a social virtue whenever invited to feasts or dinner. When the gospel described the guests competing for the seats of honor, Jesus told a parable, teaching the importance of seeking not a place of honor but to let the host decide where one ought to be seated. He also challenged His Pharisee-host to invite to the banquet people who cannot repay him: the beggars and the crippled, the lame and the blind.

Humility is one of the Christian virtues that is very difficult to practice - given the heroic example presented by our Lord in His life and teachings. The virtue will be easier if it is part of a disciplined way of work and life. Self-awareness in prayer helps remedy whatever traces of pride one has in the soul. As long as the soul never gives up, then the the grace to be humble needed for daily and practical living can be received. It is a state of mind and heart that is detached from relationships or things that make us proud.

Jesus is the perfect example of humility in being and action. Though He is divine, He lived and worked as a carpenter's Son. He has divine power, but He used it for the poor, the sick and the marginalized. He is the Beloved Son of the Father, but He obediently took His cross and suffered greatly for our salvation. And even when He was vindicated by His Father in the Resurrection event, which proved His victory over sin and death that afflicts all humanity, He quietly and simply made His Risen appearances only to His apostles and disciples.

21st Sunday of the Year (C)

Paraphrasing the Sunday Readings

Author's note: This Sunday, there are three paraphrases of the readings: from the book of Isaiah, the letter to the Hebrews, and the gospel of Luke. Paraphrasing of the Sunday gospel is a method taught in Maryhill School of Theology. The method I used is only an adaptation of the original, which was formatted in a blackboard. The method by our theology professor was for exegetical purposes. My purpose is to format it in poetic/prosaic form for clarity of understanding and reflection.

From Sunday Readings: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

21st Sunday of the Year (C), August 25, 2013 - (Edited for August 24, 2025)

Liturgical readings
Isaiah 66:18-21
Psalm 117
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Luke 13:22-30


Paraphrase of Isaiah 66:18-21

"The Lord has come to gather nations of every language."



"I come to gather nations of every language;


they shall come and see my glory.


I will set a sign among them;


from them I will send
        fugitives to the nations;
            to Tarshish
            Put and Lud,
            Mosoch,
            Tubal and Javan,
        to the distant coastlands
        that have never heard of my fame,
        or seen my glory;


and they shall proclaim my glory
        among the nations.

They shall bring all your brethren
        from all the nations
        as an offering to the Lord,
            on horses and in chariots,
            in carts,
            upon mules and dromedaries,


to Jerusalem my holy mountain,"


says the Lord,


"just as the Israelites bring their offering
to the house of the Lord in clean vessels.


Some of these I will take as priests and Levites,"


says the Lord.


Paraphrase of Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13


"That your halting limbs may not be dislocated but healed."


You have forgotten the encouraging words
addressed to you as sons:


"My sons,
do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
nor lose heart when he reproves you;


For,
whom the Lord loves,
he disciplines;


he scourges every son he receives.


Endure your trials as the discipline of God
who deals with you as sons.


For what son is there
whom his father does not discipline?


At the time it is administered,
all discipline seems a cause for grief
and not for joy,


but later it brings forth
the fruit of peace and justice
to those who are trained in its school.


So
strengthen your drooping hands
and your weak knees.


Make straight the paths you walk on,


that your halting limbs
may not be dislocated but healed."




Paraphrase of Luke 13:22-30


"People will come from the east...west...north...south...and take their place in the kingdom of God."


Jesus went through cities and towns


teaching --


all the while
making his way toward Jerusalem.


Someone asked him,


"Lord,
are they few in number
who are to be saved?"


He replied:


"Try to come in through the narrow door.


Many,
I tell you,
will try to enter and be unable."


"When once the master of the house has risen
to lock the door
and you stand outside
knocking and saying,


'Sir,
open for us,'


he will say in reply,


'I do not know where you come from.
Away from me, you evildoers!'"


"There will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see
        Abraham,
        Isaac,
        Jacob,
        and all the prophets
safe in the kingdom of God


and you yourselves rejected.


People will come from
        the east
        and the west,
        from the north
        and the south,
and will take their place
at the feast in the kingdom of God.


Some who are last
        will be first
and some who are first
        will be last."

20th Sunday of the Year (C)

Paraphrasing the Gospel for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Paraphrase of the Sunday gospel

20th Sunday of the Year (C), August 18, 2013 (edited 8/17/25)

Liturgical readings
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Psalm 40
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53

"Jesus has come to light a fire on the earth."


Jesus said to his disciples:


"I have come
to light a fire on the earth.


How I wish the blaze were ignited!


I have a baptism to receive.


What anguish I feel till it is over!



Do you think I have come
to establish peace on the earth?


I assure you,
the contrary is true;


Wherever your treasure lies,
there your heart will be.


I have come for division.


From now on,
a household of five
will be divided
three against two
and two against three;


father will be split against son
and son against father,


mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,


mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."


Scripture verses from the Sunday Readings:
"The Lord heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction." (Psalm 40)
"You are my help and my deliverer,  O my God, hold not back." (Psalm 40)
"Let us aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us and persevere in running the race which lies ahead." (Hebrews 12)
"Many shall look on in awe and trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40)

19th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2008 (A), 2009 (B), and 2010 (C)

19th Sunday of the Year (C), August 8, 2010 (edited for 8/11/25)

Liturgical readings
Wisdom 18:6-9
Psalm 33
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Luke 12:32-48

Paraphrase of the Sunday gospel

The Lord said, "Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward..?"

Jesus said to his disciples:

Do not live in fear, little flock.

It has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.

Sell what you have and give alms.

Get purses for yourself that do not wear out, a never-failing treasure with the Lord which no thief comes near nor any moth destroys.

Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be.

Let your belts be fastened around your waists and your lamps be burning ready.

Be like a man awaiting their master's return from a wedding, so that when he arrives and knocks, you will open for him without delay.

It will go well with those servants whom the master finds wide-awake on his return.

I tell you, he will put on an apron, seat them at table, and proceed to wait on them.

Should he happen to come at midnight or before sunrise and find them prepared, it will go well with them.

You know as well as I that if the head of the house knew when the thief was coming he would not let him break into his house.

Be on guard, therefore.

The Son of Man will come when you least expect him."

Peter said,

"Do you intend this parable for us, Lord, or do you mean it for the whole world?"

The Lord said,

"Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward whom the master will set over his servants to dispense their ration of grain in season?

That servant is fortunate whom his master finds busy when he returns

Assuredly, his master will put him in charge of all his property.

But if the servant says to himself,

'My master is taking his time about coming,'

and begins to abuse the housemen and servant girls, to eat and drink and get drunk,

that servant's master will come back on a day when he does not expect him, at a time he does not know.

The slave who knew his master's wishes but did not prepare to fulfill them will get a severe beating, whereas the one who did not know them and who nonetheless deserved to be flogged will get off with fewer stripes.

When much has been given a man, much will be required of him.

More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted."

Scripture quotes for reflection

• "Your people awaited the salvation of the just and the destruction of their foes." (Wisdom 18)
• "Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield." (Psalm 33)
• "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." (Hebrews 11)
• "The eyes of the Lord are upon those who hope for his kindness." (Psalm 33)

Gospel reflection

"That servant is fortunate whom his Master finds busy when He returns."

After the parable of the rich fool last Sunday, we again continue to listen to Luke's gospel. And the theme of pursuing eternal riches developed in last Sunday's Eucharist continues this Sunday in Luke 12:33-34. This theme of "Get purses for yourself that do not wear out, a never-failing treasure with the Lord which no thief comes near nor any moth destroys" is combined with the theme of preparedness for the return of the Son of Man (Luke 12:35-48) in the second part of the gospel. What can be the liturgical reason? It is because we are nearing the end of the year's liturgy with Christ the King on the 34th Sunday of the Year (and the beginning of Advent, Year A). So we have to expect additional themes of preparing for Christ's coming in the coming Sunday gospels. The coming gospels before the end of the year, through the mouth of the Lord, will teach the importance of 'preparedness'. And how to prepare? With vigilance, diligence, faithful service, and responsible stewardship.

Reading this Sunday's gospel passage more closely, we will notice that the term "servant" Luke uses in the parable, is transformed into the phrase "faithful, farsighted steward" towards the middle part of the gospel passage. This "servant" Jesus speaks of is obliged to busy himself, and take good care of his Master's household. So when his Master returns and he has fulfilled all what is required him, he is judged as fortunate. But if he does otherwise, his Master will punish him severely.

All of us baptized Christians have responsibilities, that are based on each one's respective states of life and work. Some are required to do more; others much less. Some are entrusted with more; others with less. What Jesus says as important for all is that to whom much is given, much is required. And more also will be asked of whom more has been entrusted. How fortunate those who have less, because they are not overburdened with the responsibilities of those who have more. But whatever one's political, economic, or social status, in the spiritual and temporal journey of the Christian life, whenever in the course of a lifetime one has less or more, each one still has to follow the counsel of Jesus: be vigilant, diligent, faithful in service (work or apostolate), and continue to be responsible in whatever has been entrusted. No one is exempted from temptation, whether one has less or more. So constant practice of the virtues, as well as a disciplined life of prayer and work will prepare all well with the faith, hope, and love one needs before the "Master's return".

Disclaimer

18th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

18th Sunday of the Year (C), August 5, 2013 (edited)

Liturgical readings
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23
Psalm 90
Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
Luke 12:13-21

Paraphrase of the Sunday gospel


Someone in the crowd
said to Jesus,


"Teacher,
tell my brother to give me
my share of our inheritance."


He replied,


"Friend,
who has set me up
as your judge or arbiter?"


Then he said to the crowd,


"Avoid greed in all its forms.
A man may be wealthy,
but his possessions
do not guarantee him life."


He told them a parable
in these words:


"There was a rich man
who had a good harvest.


'What shall I do?'
he asked himself,



'I have no place
to store my harvest.


I know!'
he said.


'I will pull down my grain bins
and build larger ones.
All my grain and my goods
will go there.



Then I will say to myself:
You have blessings in reserve
for years to come.


Relax!
Eat heartily,
drink well.
Enjoy yourself.'


But God said to him,


'You fool!
This very night
your life shall be required of you.


To whom
will all this piled-up wealth
of yours go?'


That is the way it works
with the man who grows rich for himself
instead of growing rich
in the sight of God."

Scripture quotes:

• "Let us kneel before the Lord who made us." (Psalm 95)
• "Set your heart on what pertains to higher realms." (Colossians 3)
• "Oh, that today you would hear his voice." (Psalm 95)

Disclaimer

17th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

17th Sunday of the Year (C), July 28, 2013 (edited)

Liturgical readings
Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm 138
Colossians 2:12-14
Luke 11:1-13

Paraphrase of the Sunday gospel


One day
Jesus was praying
in a certain place.


When he had finished,
one of his disciples asked him,


"Lord,
teach us to pray
as John taught his disciples."


He said to them,


"When you pray, say:


'Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day
our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
for we too forgive all
who do us wrong;
and subject us not to the trial.'"


Jesus said to them:


"If one of you knows
someone who comes to him
in the middle of the night
and says to him,


'Friend,
lend me three loaves,
for a friend of mine has come in
from a journey
and I have nothing to offer him';


and he from inside
should reply,


'Leave me alone.
The door is shut now
and my children
and I are in bed.


I can't get up
to look after your needs.'"


- I tell you,
even though he does not get up
and take care of the man because of friendship,
he will find himself doing so because of his persistence
and give him as much as he needs.'"


"So I say to you,


'Ask
and you shall receive;


seek
and you shall find;


knock
and it shall be opened to you.'"



"For whoever asks,
receives;


whoever seeks,
finds;


whoever knocks,
is admitted.


What father among you
will give his son a snake if he asks for a fish,
or hand him a scorpion if he asks for an egg?


If you,
with all your sins, know how to give your children good things,


how much more will the heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Gospel Reflection

"Lord, teach us to pray."

Jesus took the occasion to teach about prayer in this Sunday's gospel passage. In the passage, one of the Lord's disciples asked Jesus how they are to pray. This is how Jesus proceeded. First, He taught the "Our Father" (Lk 11:2-4) - from which the Pater Noster, as formulated today in the form familiar to us in the Mass, comes from. Second, He proceeds to tell a parable (Lk 11:5-8) - emphasizing the importance of persistence in prayer. And Lastly, He teaches the importance of faith in prayer (Lk 11:9-13) - faith in a heavenly Father who knows how to give his children what they need, when they "ask and seek" Him in prayer.


That gospel story of Jesus teaching His disciples, is one source from which the Church continues the mission of Jesus to teach about prayer. As the community of Christians brought this tradition of prayer to mission areas, this tradition of prayer became inculturated in the many cultures that accepted the Christian life. Below are excerpts from Italian and French Saints who extended the teaching of Jesus on praying the "Our Father" to other truths about prayer:


The Holy Spirit is the teacher of prayer. He enables us to
live in perfect peace and constant joy, which is a foretaste
of paradise. (St. Philip Neri)


As often as you become conscious of these promptings to good
in your hearts, give glory to God and reverence the Holy Spirit
whose voice is sounding in your ears. (St. Bernard of Clairvaux)


Ask God to give you the grace of prayer...ask him ceaselessly
It is an alms that you beg of him. It is not possible, if you
persevere, for him to refuse you. (St. Vincent de Paul)


The grace of prayer taught by Jesus in the "Our Father" is a very precious gift. It is the most basic prayer that completes other forms of prayer. Many fail to see its importance in daily life. But it is what gives life to the soul. Prayer feeds every baptized believer with the faith, hope, and love to do God's will. It is a gift that we receive from the Holy Spirit. It brings the peace and joy that often eludes those who are excessively active in the world. It leads anyone to a God who keeps us balanced, to be contemplative and active in a way that makes us productive and life-giving instruments to all we work and live with. Prayer makes us see a Father who is holy, and whose will and dominion spans the earth and the heavens. The grace of prayer reveals a God who provides for all His children, who in humility, understand His will for every step they need to take.

Scripture quotes:

• "I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart." (Psalm 138)
• "God gave you new life in company with Christ." (Colossians 2)

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16th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

16th Sunday of the Year (C), July 21, 2013 (edited)

Liturgical readings
Genesis 18:1-10
Psalm 15
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42

Paraphrase of the Sunday gospel


"One thing only is required."

Jesus entered a village


where a woman named Martha
welcomed him to her home.


She had a sister named Mary,


who seated herself at the Lord's feet

and
listened to his words.


Martha,
who was busy with all the details
of hospitality,


came to him and said,


"Lord,
are you not concerned that my sister
has left me all alone to do the household tasks?


Tell her to help me."


The Lord in reply
said to her:


"Martha, Martha


you are anxious and upset
about many things;


one thing only is required.


Mary has chosen the better portion
and she shall not be deprived of it."

Gospel Reflection

This gospel story of the Lord Jesus visiting the house of Martha and Mary presents to us two spiritual paths in serving God. There is Martha's path - which is to serve the Lord directly by detailing all food and drink necessities, and other matters of hospitality. And there is Mary's path - which is to sit by the Lord, keep him company, and listen to his words. Both paths are good and holy. But what makes Mary's path "better" in the eyes of the Lord, is its opportunity to listen to Him, give Him importance in one's life, and receive the freedom to set as corollary the many cares and anxieties that can accompany Martha's path.

Traditional interpretation of this gospel passage teach that Martha's path is followed by Catholics in the active apostolate: by the clergy, religious, and lay; in ministry to the family, the education apostolate, the media, health sector, and in parish or missionary work to both Catholics or non-Catholics. Mary's path, on the other hand represent those who are pure contemplatives: the monks and the cloistered nuns. The simplicity and constancy of life of the monks and the nuns makes it easier for them to follow the "one thing only is required". On the other hand, those in the active apostolate can accomplish many things, but have to avoid the temptation and anxiety of so many cares that they forget that "one thing only is required".

Up to this time, there are very few who are called to the purely contemplative life. The majority of Catholics balance both contemplation and activity in each of their respective states of life. In practice, both "Martha's path" and "Mary's path" are really integrated and intertwined with each other in one's daily life of prayer and work. One only needs to discern at times what balance of prayer and activity can help achieve all that has to be accomplished and at the same time listen to the Lord well and discern which work should be given priority over another in obedience to His will. This gospel passage is an eye-opener for all. It raises two important questions to the soul. Is the Lord calling us to be more prayerful at this time, or is He calling us to be more active in doing His will? What balance of prayer and work can remind that "one thing only is required"?

Scripture quotes:

• "The Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre." (Genesis 18)
• "He honors those who fear the Lord." (Psalm 15)
• "A mystery hidden from ages and generations past but now revealed to his holy ones." (Colossians 1)

Reference:

Disclaimer

15th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

15th Sunday of the Year (C), July 14, 2013 (edited)

Liturgical readings
Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Psalm 69
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37

Paraphrase of the Sunday gospel


On one occasion


a lawyer stood up
to pose this problem
to Jesus:


"Teacher,
what must I do
to inherit everlasting life?"


Jesus answered him:


"What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"


He replied:


"You shall love the Lord your God


        with all your heart
        with all your soul
        with all your strength
        and with all your mind;


and your neighbor as yourself."


Jesus said,
"You have answered correctly.
Do this and you shall live."


But because he wished
to justify himself
he said to Jesus,


"And who is my neighbor?"


Jesus replied:


"There was a man
going down from Jerusalem
to Jericho
who fell in with robbers.


They stripped him,
beat him,
and then went off
leaving him half-dead.


A priest happened to be going down
the same road;
he saw him
but continued on.


Likewise
there was a Levite
who came the same way;
he saw him
and went on.


But
a Samaritan
who was journeying along
came on him
and was moved to pity
at the sight.


He approached him
and dressed his wounds,
pouring in oil and wine
as a means to heal.


He then hoisted him
on his own beast
and brought him to an inn,
where he cared for him.


The next day
he took out two silver pieces
and gave them to the innkeeper
with the request:


'Look after him,
and if there is any further expense
I will repay you on my way back'."


"Which of these three,
in your opinion,
was neighbor to the man
who fell in with robbers?"


The answer came,


"The one who treated him
with compassion."


Jesus said to him, 'Then go and do the same.'

Gospel Reflection

"Then go and do the same." Jesus presented to the lawyer, who questioned Him about eternal life, the strong and positive influence of good example. We need a lot of this in our times. This Sunday's gospel portrays a parable to show what good example is. Jesus makes this point clearer through the parable of the Good Samaritan which He presented not only to the lawyer but to everyone in the crowd. This parable is a familiar story not only to Catholics and Christians of other denominations but also to non-Christians.

The parable has many lessons to teach us. When a man who was on a journey fell into robbers and was left half-dead, notice who left his focus on what he had to do, to attend to a call to practice compassion and charity.

• A priest saw him and passed him by.
• the Levite did the same: he saw him and went on.
• But when a Samaritan saw him, noticing that he was a Jew (Jews of that time looked down on their Samaritan neighbors), his heart was nevertheless moved with compassion.

Despite the racial barriers between them, the Samaritan took care of the wounded Jew.

Compassion is a universal virtue. It is a language understood by all. It went beyond the racial boundaries between Jew and Samaritan. In today's AI-mindset, compassion is an irreplaceable human skill and gift from God which AI cannot automate. Only humans can practice compassion. If the Samaritan in biblical times can practice it, so can people of warring nations do the same. The Spirit of Christ's compassion can possess any soul in the battlefield. It is the stuff that produces heroes, like St. John Paul II.

Compassion is also the reason why St. John Paul II drew huge audiences wherever he went in his missionary journeys. Everyone understood well the language of compassion he spoke. His respect for life in all its stages, enkindled and encouraged every soul who sought God earnestly and sincerely. His devotion to the Blessed Mother of God influenced the entire world, to work for the cause of peace, and to care for the sick, the elderly, and life at its most vulnerable stages.

"Then go and do the same." Like Jesus and John Paul II, we are called by our baptismal consecration, to cultivate in that same quality of compassion and care for others in whatever circumstances our work and life leads us. We need not be itinerant missionaries like Jesus and St. John Paul II, but each one has the potential to practice compassion. And for the lay faithful, the spirit of compassion Jesus has shown by his life and mission can be brought to places of work and in secular environments which the clergy or religious cannot attend to. The call of Jesus in the gospel will always be with us: "Then go and do the same."

Scripture quotes:

• "This command is something very near to you, already in your hearts; you have only to carry it out." (Deuteronomy 30)
• "For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah." (Psalm 69)
• "Christ is before all else that is. In him everything continues in being." (Colossians 1)

Reference:

Disclaimer

14th Sunday of the Year (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

14th Sunday of the Year (C), July 7, 2013

Liturgical readings
Isaiah 66:10-14
Psalm 66
Galatians 6:14-18
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Author's note: Below is a Paraphrase of the gospel with a reflection written below it. This paraphrase of the gospel is based on Fr. Ver Miranda's (CICM) method of presenting the gospel for the purpose of exegetical studies. His method is more effective on a blackboard. I have adapted his method for a blog and not for exegetical purposes. This may help the reader understand the gospel from the perspective of reflection.

Gospel paraphrase

The Lord appointed
a further seventy-two


and sent them in pairs before him
to every town and place
he intended to visit


He said to them:
"The harvest is rich
but the workers are few;


therefore


ask the harvest-master
to send workers to his harvest


Be on your way,
and remember:


I am sending you as lambs
in the midst of wolves.


Do not carry a walking staff
or traveling bag:


wear no sandals
and greet no one along the way.


On entering any house,
first say,
'Peace to this house.'


If there is a peacable man there,
your peace will rest on him;
if not, it will come back to you.


Stay in the one house
eating and drinking what they have,
for the laborer is worth his wage.


Do not move from house to house


Into whatever city you go,
after they welcome you,
eat what they set before you,


and cure the sick there.


Say to them
'The reign of God is at hand.'


If the people of any town you enter
do not welcome you,
go into its streets and say,


'We shake the dust of this town
from our feet
as testimony against you.


But know that the reign of God
is near.'


I assure you,
on that day
the fate of Sodom
will be less severe
than that of such a town."


The seventy-two
returned in jubilation
saying,


"Master
even the demons are subject to us
in your name."


He said in reply:


"I watched Satan
fall from the sky
like lightning.


See what I have done;


I have given you power
to tread on snakes
and scorpions
and all forces of the enemy,
and nothing shall ever injure you.


Nevertheless,


do not rejoice so much
in the fact
that the devils are subject to you


as that your names
are inscribed in heaven."

Reflection:

In the gospel for the 14th Sunday of the Year (C), Jesus commissions seventy-two disciples to extend his mission "to every town and place he intended to visit." The mission he intends to do is a mission of peace, healing the sick, and expelling evil spirits. When the 72 disciples finished completing the mission, they received much success from their efforts. But these efforts were done in the name of Jesus. They were jubilant because they were able to expel demons. Jesus sobered them up from their experience and told them this truth: there is a greater joy and reward than what they have accomplished here on earth - an eternal reward where their "names are inscribed in heaven".

The mission which Jesus gave to the 72 disciples is also the mission of all the baptized in the Church. By one's baptismal consecration, we become part of this mission of peace the Lord and His seventy-two disciples began. We may not have the gift to cure the sick, nor the power to expel demons, but we all have the potential to be peacemakers - to bring peace to every family or house we visit informally, or formally, through a parish apostolate or charitable cause. What we are called to do is one of the Beatitudes: "Blest are the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God." St. Francis of Assisi made popular this beatitude through his prayer for peace: "Make me an instrument of thy peace".

Probably the best source of peace we can receive in prayer is in the Eucharist. The whole Mass itself is a gift of peace for all who participate. There is a prayer (which may seem unnoticeable due to its familiarity) after the prayer of the Pater Noster. But it exactly prays for the peace the whole community needs: from the priest-presider, everyone in the altar, and all those who attend the Sacrament. It is the priest who prays this short prayer:

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is a short prayer before we make the sign of peace, but it is effective in increasing the faith of the community. A prayer to: "deliver us from every evil"..."grant peace in our days"..."to be always free from sin"..."safe from all distress"..."as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior".

Scripture quotes:

• "In Jerusalem you shall find comfort." (Isaiah 66:10-14)
• "Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness." (Psalm 66)
• "Peace and mercy on all who follow this rule of life." (Galatians)

Disclaimer

Corpus Christi (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Feast of Corpus Christi (C), June 2, 2013

Liturgical readings
Genesis 14:18-20
Psalm 110
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Luke 9:11-17

"Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and pronounced a blessing over the loaves."

The multiplication of the loaves is one gospel passage the Church refers to when she teaches about the Eucharist and the solemnity of Corpus Christi. This miracle story in the life of our Lord is not only in Luke 9:11-17 but has its gospel parallel in Matthew 14:13-21 and in Mark 6:30-44. There are distinct differences among the three versions of this miracle story. Theology can teach those differences. But for purposes of reflection, what can impress us among these three presentations of the miracle of the loaves, is what is common among the three gospel versions: the manner by which Christ fed the crowd

• 1 "he looked up to heaven"
• and 2 "blessed, broke and gave the loaves to his disciples", for distribution to the people.
• (The second quote contains the same words used in the Last Supper story, and also the same words spoken by the priest-presider during the consecration in the Mass).

Now, from Scriptural tradition, we go to traditional Catholic spirituality. And one classic reflection given by an important teacher of the Church is from St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Thomas of Aquinas wrote about the feast of Corpus Christi:

"He offered his body to God the Father on the altar
of the cross as a sacrifice for our reconciliation.
He shed his blood for our ransom and purification,
so that we might be redeemed from our wretched
state of bondage and cleansed from all sin. But
to ensure that the memory of so great a gift would
abide with us forever, he left his body as food
and his blood as drink for the faithful to consume
in the form of bread and wine."

The Body and Blood of the Lord is a sacrament of charity. It nourishes the soul and fills him with God's love - ennobling his human spirit to be aware beyond his usual routines, and see the people around him who not only lack the opportunity to be nourished in spirit, but also lack the means to purchase food and medicines. There are two ways to put this Sacrament of charity to practice: if pressed for time because of profession or business, he can donate to charitable causes; if time is abundant because of retirement, volunteering to any of the pastoral works of a parish or mission is making the Eucharist a force for good. We see that as the Body and Blood of Jesus is received in the Eucharist, the community that gathered makes that Body of Christ alive in the very circumstances they will be working and living. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves, so the Eucharist multiplies the presence of Jesus for our time. Just as Jesus is the Bread of Life, the Eucharist makes us the bread of life for others as well.

Scripture quotes:

• "Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine...he blessed Abram." (Genesis 14)
• "Before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you." (Psalm 110)
• "The Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you.'" (1 Corinthians)

Disclaimer

Trinity Sunday (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Trinity Sunday (C), May 26, 2013

Liturgical readings
Proverbs 8:22-31
Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

"The Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth."

The gospel passage for the feast of the Holy Trinity is comprised of only four verses in chapter 16 of St. John's gospel. In the Jerusalem bible, this gospel passage is part of a paragraph with the subtitle, "The coming of the Advocate". The Advocate referred to in this gospel passage is the Holy Spirit. Though the focus of the gospel passage seems to be on the Person of the Holy Spirit, if we read the gospel passage more closely, we can notice how Jesus relates His Person with the Person of the Holy Spirit (verse 14), and with the Person of the Father (verse 15).

The Catholic doctrine of the Holy Trinity is an ancient doctrine. If by chance you are able to find the Athanasian Creed in a Catholic prayer book (specifically Handbook of Prayers by Charles Belmonte and James Socias), you will see how intricately detailed the doctrine is, and how it is excellently interwoven into a prayer. Here is an excerpt of that prayer:

"For the Father is a distinct person; the Son is a distinct
person; and the Holy Spirit is a distinct person. Still the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit have one divinity, equal glory,
and coeternal majesty. What the Father is, the Son is, and the
Holy Spirit is.....Glory be to you, equal Trinity, one God-head,
both before all time, and now and for ever, Alleluia." [1]

The truth about God as a Person can breathe new life to spirits broken by the difficulties of family life and work (especially those who endure stresses from a series of disruptive events). God as a Person is always ready to hear our prayer. With the Lord before us in prayer, "there are no impossible expectations; no loss of self-esteem; no humiliations; no rejections; only unconditional love..." (from Sister Joan Chittister, OSB's, meditation tapes). God accepts and loves us as we are: broken or healed. When we bring our broken or healed selves in prayer, and are renewed in strength in the Sacraments, the life of the Trinity becomes more real in us - in ourselves and in relation to others in the Church. When the life of the Trinity leads us, we become a healing instrument for others.

Scripture quotes:

• "What is man that you should be mindful of him." (Psalm 104)
• "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans)

Reference

[1] Quicumque vult AI Overview, Google.com, June 17, 2025:

The Athanasian Creed is traditionally attributed to St. Athanasius of Alexandria, a doctor of the Church in the first millenium of the Christian faith. Because of the use of socio-historical tools, it is not believed to have been authored by him by modern scholars. It is generally known that the creed was composed in the Western Church, likely in southern France, centuries after St. Athanasius's death.

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Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Short Novena in Honor of the Holy Spirit

Opening Prayer for every day:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth
Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall
renew the face of the earth.

Prayer for the 1st, 4th, and 7th day

O divine Spirit, Spirit of light and love, we implore
Your special assistance and guidance for our Holy Father,
our Bishops, Priests and Religious, and for the Laity,
the people of God. Unite us all in true love and
understanding, so that in everything we may seek only
the greater glory of God and our own sanctification, as
the Ecumenical Council Vatican II reminds us. Let us all
be guided by the love of God, our Father, and teach us
to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. May we all
be one family under the guidance of the Holy Father
and our Bishops, the successors of the Apostles, and
seek to please God in everything. Amen.

May You be blest, O divine Spirit, one true God with
the Father and the Son! Amen.

Closing Prayer for every day:

O Holy Spirit, Divine Spirit, of light and love,
we consecrate to You our understanding, heart and
will; our whole being for time and eternity. May
our understanding be always submissive to Your
heavenly inspirations and to the teachings of the
Catholic Church, of which You are the infallible
Guide. May our hearts be ever inflamed with love
with God and neighbor; may our will be ever
conformed to the divine will; and may our whole
life be a faithful imitation of the life and
virtues of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
to Whom, with the Father and You be honor and
glory forever. Amen.

O Spirit of Wisdom, preside over all my
thoughts, words and actions, from this day
till the end of my life.

Spirit of Understanding, enlighten and
teach me.

Spirit of Counsel, direct my inexperience.

Spirit of Fortitude, strengthen my weakness.

Spirit of Knowledge, instruct my ignorance.

Spirit of Piety, make me fervent in good works.

Spirit of Fear, restrain me from all evil. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son...

Say the Opening Prayer for Every Day

Prayer for the 2nd, 5th, and 8th day

O Divine Spirit, Spirit of light and love, continue
to guide Your Church and all its members as You have
guided the Council Fathers in such a marvelous and
visible manner. Enlighten all of us so as to
understand the teachings of Christ, our Lord and
Saviour, better and better every day and conform
our lives entirely to things eternal and to find,
through this kind of life, the peace which the world
cannot give. Teach the whole world that lasting
peace is to be found only in the true and unselfish
love of God and neighbor. Amen.

May You be blest, O divine Spirit, one true God with
the Father and the Son! Amen.

Say the Closing Prayer for every day

Say the Opening Prayer for Every Day

Prayer for the 3rd, 6th, and 9th day

O Divine Spirit, Spirit of light and love,
through the Ecumenical Council, Vatican II,
You have presented the Catholic Church in all
her beauty and splendor, as the Mystical Body
of Christ; give us strength and courage to carry
out all the resolutions of Vatican II. Shed the
brightness of Your light on all nations, their
rules and people, that all may become one in
Faith and Love, and always please the one
Triune God, and bring us all together in one
family of God where there will be understanding,
peace and happiness. Bring about, O Spirit of
light and love, a new and lasting Pentecost. Amen.

May You be blest, O Divine Spirit, one true
God with the Father and the Son! Amen.

Say the Closing Prayer for every day

Pentecost Sunday (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Pentecost Sunday (C), May 19, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104
Romans 8:8-11
John 14:15-16, 23-26

"The Father will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever."

The first reading from the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts gives a vivid description of what happened on Pentecost. And a chapter before this passage, in Acts 1:13-14, we learn who were in that upper room before the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the whole apostolic community: the Eleven apostles, several women - including Mary, the mother of the Lord. Altogether, as that passage describes, there were about 120 of the Lord's followers (Acts 1:13). All were joined in continuous prayer (Acts 1:14). This was the setting before that "powerful wind from heaven, with a noise that filled the entire house, came, and something like tongues of fire rested on the head of each of them" (Acts 2:2-3). They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in different languages (Acts 2:4).

From that Pentecost event, the apostolic community, and eventually the Church, became missionary and preached the gospel of Jesus to the four corners of the world. The first country to be evangelized was France (King Clovis and the Franks). That was between the late 5th to the 8th century A.D. Fast-forward to the 17th century and we discover St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, a French missionary priest. Montfort wrote about this Pentecost event within the context of devotion to the Blessed Mother. His spiritual intuition taught a parallel truth we would not know if not for his ardent devotion to the Mother of God. He said, (paraphrasing): "just as the birth of Jesus came to fulfillment in Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit, so the birth of the Church came about also through Mary's grace-filled presence with the apostolic community during Pentecost." For Montfort, the plenitude of Mary's graces brought about both the birth of the head and the body of the Church. [The Blessed Mother was present during the Pentecost event (Acts 1:13)] [1][2].

This feast of Pentecost is a time to be grateful to God for the gift of the Blessed Mother, who was instrumental in the birth also of the Church. In Montfort's spiritual intuition, just as Christ was born through Mary, so is the Church also given birth through her presence among the apostolic community. The Holy Spirit is the the third Person of the Holy Trinity. All prayers begin and end with Him (as we make the sign of the cross). He is the One who can bring light to every important decision we need to make. He is the One who "fills our hearts", "takes possession of our souls", "confirms our mortal frame", "drives from us our hellish foe", and will "renew the face of the earth". As the Holy Spirit gave wisdom and courage to the apostolic community, so shall He continue to do so with the Church and all succeeding generations baptized in the "name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". He is the Lord and the Giver of Life.

Scripture quotes:

• "They had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven." (Acts 2)
• "All creatures depend on you to feed them throughout the year." (Psalm 104)
• "He who raised Jesus from the dead will life to your own mortal bodies through His Spirit living in you."(Romans)

References:

• Christianization of the Franks, Wikipedia.org
• God Alone: The Collected Writings of St. Louis Marie de Montfort

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Veni Creator Spiritus - 2 English translations & Original Latin prayer

Modern English Translation

Come, Holy Spirit, maker, come
and with your servant live;
to hearts that you yourself have made
your grace from heaven give.

We name you as our strengthener,
God's gift from out his height;
love's-self, and fire, and course of life,
soul's-hardening for the fight.

God's finger writing in our hearts,
yourself seven times a gift;
the Father's solemn promise, you
with words our tongue enriched.

A flame to guide our senses, light;
with love our hearts endower;
the failings of our flesh supply
with never-failing power.

Still further yet drive back our foe,
and straightway give your peace;
with you before us leading on
may we from all wrong cease.

Through you may we the Father know,
and learn through you the Son;
have faith in you for evermore,
of both the Spirit one.

All glory to the Father be,
and to the risen Son;
all glory, Spirit, be to you
while endless ages run.

2nd translation into English from the Latin

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator come,
From thy bright heavenly throne!
Come, take possession of our souls,
And make them all thine own!

Thou who art called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction, and true love!

Thou who are sevenfold in thy grace,
Finger of God's right hand.
His promise, teaching little ones
To speak and understand!

O guide our minds with thy blest light,
With love our hearts inflame,
And with thy strength which ne'er decays
Confirm our mortal frame.

Far from us drive our hellish foe,
True peace unto us bring.
And through all perils guide us safe
Beneath thy sacred wing.

Through thee may we the Father know,
Through thee the eternal Son,
And thee the Spirit of them both
Thrice-blessed three in one.

All glory to the Father be,
And to the risen Son;
The same to thee, O Paraclete,
While endless ages run. Amen.

Original text in Latin

Veni Creator Spiritus,
Mentes tuorum visita,
Imple superna gratia,
Quae tu creasti pectora.

Qui Paraclitus diceris,
Donum Dei altissimi
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
Et spiritalis unctio.

Tu septiformis munere,
Dexterae Dei tu digitus,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
Sermone ditans guttura.

Accende lumen sensibus:
Infunde amorem cordibus:
Infirma nostri corporis
Virtute firmans perpeti.

Hostem repellas longius,
Pacemque dones protinus:
Ductore sic te praevio,
Vitemus omne noxium.

Per te sciamus da Patrem,
Noscamus atque Filium;
Te utriusque Spiritum
Credamus omni tempore.

Gloria Patri Domino,
Natoque qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In saeculorum saecula. Amen.

Reference

• Veni Creator Spiritus, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• St. Rabanus Maurus was credited for composing the hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus. His feast day is commemorated every February 4.

Litany to the Holy Spirit

In many prayer books, the popular litanies that are often published are the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Litany of Loreto or the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Very rare to find is the Litany of the Holy Spirit. Given below is the Litany to the Holy Spirit from the book "Cenacle With Mary: Towards the Third Millenium", by Bro. Edgar C. Karganilla.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us.
Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.
Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Son, enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us (*).
Source of heavenly water, (*).
Ardent charity, (*).
Consuming fire, (*).
Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, (*).
Spiritual unction, (*).
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, (*).
Spirit of knowledge and piety, (*).
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, (*).
Spirit of fear of the Lord, (*).
Spirit of grace and prayer, (*).
Spirit of peace and meekness, (*).
Spirit of modesty and innocence, (*).
Holy Spirit, the Comforter, (*).
Holy Spirit, Who governs the Church, (*).
Gift of God, in the Most High, (*).
Spirit who fills the universe, (*).
Spirit of adoption of the Children of God, (*).
Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Spirit, shed your light in our souls.
Holy Spirit, engrave your law in our hearts.
Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of your love.
Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of your graces.
Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well.
Holy Spirit, enlighten us with your heavenly inspirations.
Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Spirit, be you our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
send us your Holy Spirit
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.
Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful.
And enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Let us pray.

Grant, O merciful Father, that Your Divine Spirit englighten,
inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly
dew and make us fruitful in good works; through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Your Son, Who with you, in the unity of the same Spirit,
lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

There are other versions of the Litany of the Holy Spirit. Two that can be found online:

• Litany to the Holy Spirit by EWTN.com
• Litany of the Holy Ghost by Catholic.org

Commemoration of Saints (June 4)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Francis of Caracciolo, confessor
• Quirinus, bishop and martyr
• Metrophanes, bishop
• Optatus of Milevis, bishop
• Petroc, abbot
• Vincentia Gerosa, virgin [1]

June 4. The Catholic Church commemorates today 3 bishops (with St. Quirinus who is a bishop and a martyr), 1 abbot, 1 confessor, and founder, and 1 virgin [2][3].

St. Optatus of Milevis (d. ca. 387 A.D.) was converted to the Christian faith before he was elevated to the episcopate at Milevis in North Africa. He wrote the treatise Against Parmenian the Donatist, which is a treatise that speaks of the supremacy of the Roman Pontiff. St. Optatus also articulated a theological principle that holds up to our modern times - that the validity or efficacy of the sacraments do not depend on the holiness of the minister. But his best contribution to the Church is the ecclesiological principle that defends the primacy of the universal Church over the particular Church. The local churches around the world, the "particular" churches, are seen to be parts of the one ecclesial whole.

There are no other records of his early life, how long he lived, and no specific account of him being martyred or suffering a violent death. What is prominent in the life he committed to the Church is his work as an apologist. So it is generally presumed he died of natural causes after a life dedicated to defending the Catholic faith and promoting Church unity against the Donatists [2][3][4][5].

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [June 4]

• Metrophanes, Patriarch of Constantinople [2]

References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon
• [2] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney
• [3] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien
• [4] Homiletic & Pastoral Review: First millenium Petrine ministry by Joseph F. Previtali, March 2009
• [5] Google Gemini for search query "how many years did st. optatus live and what is the story of his death?", Google.com

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Ascension Sunday (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Ascension Sunday (C), May 12, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
Ephesians 1:17-23
Luke 24:46-53

"As Jesus blessed, he left the Eleven, and was taken up to heaven."

Unlike in other countries, where the Solemnity of the Lord's Ascension is celebrated on a Thursday (following the 40 days tradition), in the Philippines, the feast of the Ascension is celebrated every 7th Sunday after Easter. The reason is pastoral and allowed by the Vatican through the local episcopal conference. This allows more Filipinos to celebrate an important feast of the Lord on a Sunday.

Let us examine now parallel readings for this feast of the Ascension. The readings in Luke 24:46-53, which is proclaimed in the Eucharist, have parallel passages also describing the Ascension event. Parallel descriptions of the event is found in the gospel of Mark and in the Acts of the Apostles:

• Mark 16:19-20
• and Acts 1:9-11.

Reading these three scripture passages will provide more descriptive details of the event and mystery. And one can have a more integrated perception of what happened during the event of the Lord's Ascension from three perspectives.

• In Luke's version, Jesus gives a blessing before he is taken up to heaven.
• In Mark's version, Jesus is described as sitting at the right hand of God.
• And in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, he ascended to heaven until a cloud hid him from the sight of his followers. Then, there is also mention of two men dressed in white who said: "This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way you saw him go to heaven."

The Scriptures are the primary source of our canonical understanding of who Jesus is and the mystery of His person and mission. But our Catholic tradition along the continuum of Christian history has also a lot to say about the mystery of the Lord's Ascension. One strong voice in our timeline as a Catholic Church is found in St. Leo the Great, one of the doctors of the Church in the 1st millenium. St. Leo the Great has left a sermon reflecting on the feast of the Lord's Ascension. Below is an excerpt of his message:

"...in spite of being taken from men's sight of everything that is rightly felt to command their reverence, faith does not fail, hope is not shaken, charity does not grow cold...the light of truly believing souls is their unhesitating faith in what is not seen with the bodily eye but fix their desires on what is beyond sight...our Redeemer's visible presence has passed into the sacraments. Our faith is nobler and stronger because sight has been replaced by a doctrine whose authority is accepted by believing hearts, enlightened from on high."

The three readings on the mystery of the Ascension cited above and the quoted sermon of St. Leo the Great, all lead the Catholic faithful to see Jesus' presence among us after His Ascension through His Spirit in the Church. He is present among His ordained ministers, in the congregation gathered for prayer and the Sacraments, and in the Word proclaimed and lived nobly in the heart of family and work environments. It is by the virtues of faith, hope, and charity that we see the light of Christ in each other. It is by faith that we know Jesus as the Son who sacrificed his life for our sins in order to shepherd our souls back to the Church and the Father. As Christ fulfilled his mission and returned to the Father, by our baptismal consecration, we are called to continue His mission in prayer and in the respective areas of work. We too are entasked every day, each according to the ability or talents given by God, to sanctify all the realities we are immersed in - big or small.

Scripture quotes:

• "No sooner had he said this than he was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took him from their sight." (Acts 1)
• "He has put all things under Christ's feet and has made him thus exalted, head of the church." (Ephesians)

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