The BreadCast

O brother of the Rock of our Church, you who brought him to our Lord, you who were crucified on the Cross of our Savior, who shed your blood freely for His cause… you who thirsted for His coming and welcomed Him so readily into your life – bring us also to the Messiah's side and pray we shall receive Him as well as your brother has done; pray we, too, will abandon our boats, our moorings in this world, to follow the Christ along the way He leads, even apart from home and family. Brothers to the Son pray we become, accomplishing the Father's will with our lives; capture us in His net this day that we too might stand in His light with all the redeemed of Israel.

(Dn.7:15-27; Dn.3:59,82-87; Lk.21:34-36) "The day I speak of will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth." And so we must "pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand before the Son of Man." The vision is explained to Daniel, and really it is quite simple: evil shall come, but good shall triumph in the end. Kingdoms of the Beast, of the evil one, "shall arise on earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever," the angel tells Daniel, and reiterates this simple point: "All the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the holy people of the Most High, whose kingdom shall be everlasting." Yes, evil kingdoms shall rise and make war "against the holy ones," devouring the earth, beating it down, and crushing it… but the court of the Lord will be convened and the "final and absolute destruction" of the evil one is thus at hand. In Daniel's vision "the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom." And so it is; and so it shall be. "Be on the watch," the Lord exhorts us in our gospel for this the final day of our liturgical year. We must indeed "be on guard," for if we do not watch, we will not be prepared for the coming day of the Lord which is ever at hand. Certainly we do not wish to be destroyed with the devil and his angels, but if our "spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares," how shall we stand? And so it is that we must indeed pray constantly for the strength to withstand the coming chastisement – we cannot underestimate the devil's power to seduce us with his lies even as the grass grows beneath our feet. As the grass grows, so must our spirits grow, in truth and goodness and love. His peace must surround us to guard us against the sin which attacks us here as we live and breathe upon the face of the earth. The day will come. Let it be our joy to be found waiting for the Lord. (And so, Advent is now upon us.) ******* O LORD, preserve us from what is to come; give us the strength to stand in your glorious presence. YHWH, the day of your judgment is coming upon all who dwell on the face of the earth, but on that day your holy ones will be glorified. The beasts and their kingdoms shall all be destroyed and your holy people will reign with your Son. But we must be ready for that day; we cannot fall into drunkenness. If we become bloated with indulgence and worldly cares, we shall not stand secure before Jesus but be driven out with the evil one. O let not that day overtake us, dear LORD! Rather, take us then into your kingdom. There is great trial coming upon this world; it is now underway. War is made against your holy ones, and they must suffer and even die. But let us praise your eternal glory, LORD. Let all your servants, the souls of all the just, bless your holy NAME. For our salvation is on the horizon, and nothing need we fear from Him who comes. Let us be awake in prayer.

(Dn.7:2-14; Dn.3:59,75-81; Lk.21:29-33) "The beast was slain and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up." Daniel prophesies the coming of pagan empires in his vision of the four beasts. The vision is, in short, an overview of the coming salvation. Notice that even as Daniel watches the beasts emerge with their horns and tusks and great iron teeth, even as he watches these terrible creatures devour and crush and trample in a kind of destructive euphoria… what does he see? "Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took His throne." The Lord God, the Eternal King, is there. (He is never far away.) And the arrogant horn is cast into eternal flame, and the other beasts lose their dominion, too, though they received "a prolongation of life for a time," indicating that a measure of the wickedness of such beastly empires – several of which we have seen very clearly in the last century – shall remain. But, nonetheless, there is "one like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven," and He indeed receives "everlasting dominion," a "kingship [that] shall not be destroyed." Like the Father in His eternal reign is the Son, who has come into our midst and even now winnows away the chaff of this world. That even as evil presumes to reign the Lord is at work, is assuming His eternal reign in the heavenly kingdom, is evident in Jesus' words to the disciples in our gospel. He has told them to watch for the terrible signs which will come upon the earth and bring its destruction, and equates the recognition of these signs and wonders of the end time with the budding of a fig tree signaling the coming summer. Jesus is the fig tree, the peace that is born even in the midst of war, the love that grows though surrounded by hatred – the light that overcomes all darkness. "The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Though the mountains fall into the sea, the Lord's heavenly reign but comes to fulfillment. Then all creatures, all "beasts, wild and tame," "everything growing from the earth" and all "seas and rivers" will "praise and exalt Him" whose kingdom lasts forever. ******* O LORD, the myriads ministering to you overcome the power of all beasts, and by your only Son their fate is sealed and the kingdom comes forever. YHWH, your reign is near, always at hand. Despite the beasts which remain for a time, your Son has come and conquered all darkness. There is no death or sin in Him, no power that evil has before Him, and so those who find their life in Him shall indeed endure forever. Heaven and earth are passing away but His dominion is everlasting. Thank you for sending your Son to us, dear God, to cast all evil to the dust, to teach of the kingdom to come. In Him indeed summer is near, a time of great fruitfulness – the time when we shall share with Him in the eternal fruits of Heaven. Peace is upon us, though the destruction of war be all around. And so, what can we do but praise you, LORD of Heaven and earth? All your creatures can but sing of your glory and bless your holy NAME. This day let your fire burn all our sins away. Alleluia.

(Dn.6:12-28; Dn.3:59,68-74; Lk.21:20-28) "Your ransom is near at hand." "He is a deliverer and savior, working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth." And as "He delivered Daniel from the lions' power," so He shall save our souls from the destruction to come upon the face of the earth. The king's prayer is answered: "To Daniel he said, 'May your God whom you serve so constantly, save you.'" And when the lions' mouths are closed because of David's innocence before God and men, Darius in awe of the living God writes to the nations that the kingdom of the God of Daniel "shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be without end." Another pagan king is brought to his knees in truth… "Praise and exalt Him above all forever"! Indeed, "let the earth bless the Lord." But it is deliverance which is our theme today. Daniel is delivered from certain death in the lions' den, and our Lord speaks to us of the utter destruction of Jerusalem and the coming of the end of time – "Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" – and of our means of escape from annihilation. Yes, we must flee the devastation that is near, flee to the mountains from the midst of the city, not linger behind in the land of Sodom as the angel comes to guide us to safety. Indeed, we must lift our heads to the sky even as its powers are shaken and all comes crashing to the ground but the strength of our God. For on that Day He will be made manifest, and on that Day, if we "stand up straight," our deliverance from sin and the powers of this world will be joyously known by our eternal souls. And we shall celebrate as did the king and Daniel upon the holy man's removal from the lion's den – and we shall praise the Almighty's name with "nights and days," with "lightnings and clouds," with all the elements of the Lord's universe. Alleluia! Fear not, brothers and sisters, "in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth." Even as you are called, so you must be – to be "clever as snakes and innocent as doves" (Mt.10:16). Follow the saints' examples in simple obedience to the Shepherd's voice and, harboring no ill will toward your persecutors, be prepared to lay down your life if it be in the Lord's will, knowing full well that He will rescue you.* * For this final thought I credit St. John Chrysostom and his wisdom, as found in this morning's Office of Readings. ******* O LORD, you are coming with great power and glory – praise your holy NAME! YHWH, we need not fear that the lion's mouth will close upon us. Though the heavens be shaken and darkness cover the land, with your Son we may stand tall. Anticipation of His coming, joy at the salvation He brings – the eternal peace that follows in His wake – will keep us strong on the Day of judgment. From the den of the lion we shall be freed. The end must come, we know, O LORD. All these things must pass away. May we stand in innocence before you on that day, and so live with you forever in your kingdom. In this city let us not desire to remain, but with your Son let us fly to Heaven. O LORD, let all hearts turn to you before that great and terrible Day; let even the kings of this world recognize you as the one true God. Send your angels throughout the earth to work your wonders and save all holy souls from destruction.

(Dn.5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28; Dn.3:59,62-67; Lk.21:12-19) "You will be brought to give witness." "Daniel was brought into the presence of the king." And what did this wisest of men have to say to this pagan king who ruled the earth? "You have rebelled against the Lord of heaven." He did not hesitate to tell him of the emptiness of his "gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence." And, remarkably, not a hair of his head is harmed; even this pagan ruler recognizes the truth of his words, and accepts that he will lose his kingdom. "Before kings and governors" you will be summoned, "all because of my name," says the Lord. Yes, witness must be given to "the God in whose hand is [our] life breath and the whole course of [our] life." The world must come to know Him; light must be brought into the darkness. Is this an easy task? Certainly not. It may be glorious insofar as the Lord blesses our words, insofar as we trust in Him, not worrying about our "defense" beforehand – but the darkness resists the light; the world does not wish to hear of its sins, nor to be called to turn from them. Turning from sin is a painful process, and rather than endure its throes there will be those who would prefer to impose such persecution upon those who call to the depths of their hearts. Unwilling to suffer conversion, they make others suffer for their righteousness.… All the apostles underwent martyrdom: our Lord rules from a cross. But though we may not escape punishment from those to whom we are called to speak, as has Daniel the prophet, yet as Daniel surely "not a hair of [our] head will be harmed." For though we be killed for the Word of truth, yet our redemption awaits us: in heaven's light all is whole. And the rewards offered Daniel even by this pagan king will be as our own in paradise. "I will give you words and a wisdom which none of your adversaries can take exception to or contradict," our Lord assures us. Let us trust in this gift of faith and witness, and praise with "sun and moon" and "stars of heaven" Him who is "exalted above all forever." Let us never fear to speak of our God and His hand at work in our lives. ******* O LORD, if before kings we speak the truth, yet will our lives be spared, for your Son indeed rules over all. YHWH, your dew from Heaven falls upon us and we are given words and wisdom. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to stand before kings and governors and give witness to your glory. And though our words may accuse those to whom we speak of their failure to worship you, yet not a hair of our heads shall be harmed, even if we be executed. For Jesus has died on the Cross, yet He lives forever. And now His Spirit reigns over all who put their trust in you. By patient endurance may our lives be saved, O mighty LORD and God. To you let us ever turn our sights, and our spirits shall not be defeated. Rather, the kingdom of those who mock your glory shall be divided and brought low. O may we not be found wanting on the day you judge the world! All the gods of silver and gold, wood and stone, let us set aside to praise you alone, our Savior and our God.

O virgin pure and brilliant, you gave your life in defense of the faith, refuting all arguments to its contrary; though you were but a child yourself, you stood strong before your tormentors, enduring the persecution and torture they struggled in vain to muster against you, ever shining the light of purity and truth before their corrupted minds and hearts – pray for those who defend the faith and all those who would explain it away, that the light of pure reason will dispel all doubt and darkness and the verity of the faith be known by all souls on this earth, undeniable as it is by the mind of any man. Pray we not waste words or time but live a holy life before God, giving witness to His presence in the world and in the Church, and come finally to rest on His mountain.

(Dn.2:31-45; Dn.3:57-61; Lk.21:5-11) "The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once, fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer, and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace." So shall the kingdom of this world be destroyed by "a stone which was hewn from a mountain without a hand being put to it"; so shall Jesus come – the Son of God, the King of kings – and make all things subject to Himself. And when shall this be? It has happened, and is happening, and will happen soon: fear not in your hearts. Simply praise the Lord of the universe. There will be no trace of this world remaining when the Lord does come. He shall be the stone that "became a great mountain and filled the whole earth," which "shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them." And by whose hand shall this be done? "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people." And so, if accomplished by the hand of God and not by man, why do we look upon the "wars and insurrections," "plagues and famines," and become fearful, as if these shall bring the end? No, "the end does not follow immediately." We cannot state the time any more than could Daniel, the greatest of all interpreters of dreams and visions. So why are we misled when many come in the Lord's name saying, "I am He" or "The time is at hand," as if these could force the hand of God? Let not the "fearful omens" and "great signs" perturb you, brothers and sisters. These are for those without faith as a warning to turn to God, but for those with faith they should prove no disturbance. Our souls should be set on Jesus, who surpasses all these things – even the temple "adorned with precious stones" – and whose coming we should see clearly in our hearts. Is He not at work in you? Are you not His children? Then why fear these things which are "bound to happen" to the earth? You should "praise and exalt" Him who is "above all" with the "angels of the Lord" and the "heavens." Let your hearts rise up to Him. Yes, "the day will come when not one stone will be left upon another, but it will all be torn down." And in that day the Lord will reign supreme. Set your sights upon His majesty. ******* O LORD, not one stone will be left upon another; all will become as dust – then shall come the eternal reign of your Son. YHWH, your hand shall crush all things of this world; your right arm shall see to it that the gold and silver, the riches of the earth, all pass away. When your Son returns, all this shall be accomplished. Let us stand ready and waiting for that day. Why should we fear, O LORD, the destruction of kingdoms? Why should we lament even the temple's fall? For what is anything of this world in comparison to your glory? Your glory is indeed above earth and heaven and shall never pass away. With the angels let us praise you, LORD. With all your disciples let us glorify your NAME. You alone are holy, you alone are worthy of praise, and this lesson we must learn if we are to be saved. And so, on the day when there is not one stone left on another, let us not be anxious or afraid. Though wars and earthquakes come, let our hearts be set upon you, LORD, and exalt your kingdom as it draws nigh.

O you who were martyred over three centuries of persecution in a country so bitter toward the faith, bishops and priests and laymen alike, native to the land and foreign-born, all innocent souls who suffered even torture in joy, all for the sake of the Lord and His Church – pray we shall be as ready as you to bear witness to the faith with our lives, that all as one in the Body of Christ we will be willing even to die to satiate our thirst for the kingdom and for the salvation of souls. O what joy to be as Jesus, to walk in His steps even to the Cross! No greater blessing could any soul know on this corrupted plane… Pray we shall come with you to Heaven.

(Dn.1:1-6,8-20; Dn.3:52-56; Lk.21:1-4) "To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams." God is the giver of all good gifts; all is a gift from God. Whatever we give to Him can only seem paltry to Him "who look[s] into the depths from [His] throne upon the cherubim." But He makes any gift we give, anything we do, great by His heavenly grace. All our offerings are as the widow's – but a couple of copper coins – even if we give vast wealth from our surplus. What is anything we offer in the sight of God, who owns the world and all that is in it, who sits "in the firmament of heaven"? So the size matters not. But when we give our paltry gift with a heart of faith, in answer to the love He gives us, how great our gift then becomes. For this He blesses. This He looks upon with favor. This He sees as He glances up; for it is the heart He looks upon and measures. It cannot but be that the widow gave her offering out of love, out of her deep faith in God. How could one become bereft of all riches if one did not believe in Him who surpasses all? And is it not Daniel and the young men's faith which God does bless with His gifts of wisdom and prudence? Because "Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king's food or wine" sacrificed to his pagan gods, God first blesses him and his companions with exceptional health. Though they eat food that is poor as the widow's offering, yet "they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table" – again, because all gifts, including that of health, are in God's hands and not in the things themselves. And God's gift of knowledge and understanding is a reward for their faith in Him as well; they give themselves to Him in obedience and He who holds all such light of wisdom in "the temple of [His] holy glory," who is "exalted above all forever" – which the young men readily recognize – grants them His favors by His grace. What gift have we to give? What paltry sum have we to offer? Let it be as the two fish the boy offered in faith and generosity to the Lord (Jn.6:9), and with it He will feed five thousand. Let it be as the two coins jangling in the widow's pocket, and with it He will build a home for you in heaven. Let it be given in the faith of the four young men and God will bless it and reveal Himself at work in you. ******* O LORD, you provide, you take care… let us not be afraid but give ourselves entirely to your service. YHWH, praiseworthy and exalted are you, glorious above all for all ages. And those who trust in you are truly blessed; you give them wealth and health – all wisdom comes from you. And though we may have but two copper coins, if we offer them to you, you will provide all we need in this world, and bring us to the riches of Heaven. O let us be raised up with you, dear God! Let us join you on high where you dwell in glory. To your Temple let us come and before your throne let us bow. If so humbly we worship you, you shall sit us beside you. Let us be in your service this day, our hearts set on doing your will alone, and we shall be blessed even before kings, even before the Son of Man. O LORD, help us to give all we have to you.

O father of holy monasteries who dug deeply in the earth, in the heart of man, and laid their foundation on the Rock that is Christ that they might be made in His image, in the image of Him who created us – pray we shall love the Lord as He commands and so be holy as He is holy, truly reflecting the image of our God and living in His surpassing peace. Pray austerity serve well to make us in the Lord's image, to purge from us all that is not of Him; may we be blessed to serve with untiring devotion and care the will of our Lord in all things, in worship of Him, in prayer, and in genuine love of our neighbor, that the Gospel may go forth to the ends of the earth not just in words but in our very flesh and blood.

O successor to Peter, Shepherd of God's Church, Father of all the churches in the Body of Christ, these you instructed well; these you gave a shepherd's care… for these and for the Lord you shed your blood – pray for God's Church even this day, that she shall remain united under her one Lord and Savior, each member serving the good of all as wholly as you have done. Pray we all work together in Jesus' name and in His blood to do the Father's will and so become as holy as He, as holy as you were blessed to become. Pray the teaching of the apostles ever ring in our ears that we shall never forget the way the Christ marks out for us, the way of truth that leads to life.

O holy virgin and martyr, you sang a song of love to Jesus, a song that could not be dimmed, could not be taken away, for you were protected by an angel of the Lord and willing to give your life to maintain your love for Him – pray for us poor souls of this day and age from whom purity is so far removed, who need deep conversion to believe, to see the angel at your side, to know the path to which the Lord calls us, the Cross which is every Christian's song. So far removed, so far removed are we, and so impassible is the way to Him… inspire in our souls, dear saint, the desire for the incorruptible that beat in your heart, that we too might sing a song to Jesus pleasing to His ears.

(1Mac.6:1-13; Ps.9:2-4,6,16,19; Lk.20:27-40) "The needy shall not always be forgotten, nor shall the hope of the afflicted forever perish." Death comes, yes. Death is upon us and surrounds us in this world. But the suffering we face in this life has its reward. Jesus has brought redemption: He has been resurrected, and we with Him. And this new life is eternal. It seemed the Israelites were doomed. Antiochus had ruthlessly destroyed Jerusalem and the inhabitants of Judah. All hope seemed lost. But hope was not lost, and today we read of the return of the people to Jerusalem in strength and the defeat and death of their enemy, the king. Now Antiochus has become "sick with grief because his designs ha[ve] failed." Now he is "overwhelmed with sorrow" as he sees the evils he has committed overtake him and finds himself dying "in bitter grief, in a foreign land." While in Jerusalem the Israelites celebrate and sing praise to God: "My enemies are turned back, overthrown and destroyed before you." And now such redemption is made eternal in the Person of Jesus Christ. What was but human and temporal, the fall and rise of empires and of temples, now becomes divine, now becomes everlasting in the coming of the Messiah in the flesh of God. Yet with Him there is death – but after His crucifixion it shall be no more. Yet with Him is new life – but with His resurrection it has no end. Now "those judged worthy of a place in the age to come and of resurrection from the dead… become like angels and are no longer liable to death." In His death He destroys death: He makes it bereft of all power. In His rising He draws all into the eternal presence of the Father. Now "all are alive for Him." Brothers and sisters, may any "floods of sorrow" which afflict us now because of our sins or by the oppression of our persecutors not overwhelm us in this day. Let our sins be nailed to the cross with Him who is our salvation, and our hope of overcoming all the scourges of the evil one be made strong in the surpassing light of His glorious rising. With David let us "declare all [the Lord's] wondrous deeds," and our enemies will be left speechless. (I must note today that the city named for this evil king – Antioch – would soon become the place where the followers of Christ were called "Christians" for the first time; and that the seat of the state which would next oppress the people of God – Rome – is now the place from which the Chair of Peter reigns. How God's redeeming Hand does work.) ******* O LORD, in Heaven we shall be as angels; let us not be weighed down by the cares of this earth. YHWH, turn back our enemies, we pray, the sins that grieve us in this dark place. Let us not in exile die, but by your grace come to new life. O LORD, how we long for the day when we will no more be liable to death. Like the angels of Heaven let us be; in the age to come let us make our home, leaving behind the vestiges of this vain world. For all we have done or spoken against you, let us be forgiven, O LORD. From all the evils we have committed in Jerusalem, let us be washed clean. Make your City holy this day, that to your NAME we might sing praise. Build up the walls round about us, dear God, that we might be protected from all the attacks of the enemy. Give us arms to defend ourselves from their snares, and we shall declare your wondrous deeds. O let us rise again with your Son!

O holy Temple of the Lord, preeminent member of His Church, you who were destined from all ages to bear the Son of God, to be His chosen dwelling place… you were weaned into His Temple; there you ever remained, becoming yourself the House of God, where He now ever stays – pray we be built into His Temple; pray we become sons and daughters unto you. In you let us make our home, dear Mother, that the holiness of Jesus we shall ever share. We cannot live in Him if apart from you; we cannot be as Christ's Body, blessed by the Holy Spirit and doing the Father's will on earth, if you are not our Mother, if you are not the Temple in which we dwell. Pray our holiness mirror your own.

(1Mac.4:36-37,52-59; 1Chr.29:10-13; Lk.19:45-48) "Let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it." In both our reading and gospel today, we hear of the cleansing of the temple, and we see its purpose and fulfillment. "My house is meant for a house of prayer," declares Jesus. A house of prayer, and a house for teaching: "He was teaching in the temple area from day to day." It is a house of music, for by the Israelites after the Maccabean revolution it "was reconsecrated with songs, harps, lutes, and cymbals." It is a place for humility: "All the people prostrated themselves…" and worship: "…and adored and praised Heaven." Praise is most fitting for the house of the Lord, for His holy temple, for it is this which unites us with our God. When we sing of His greatness – "Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours" – we are joined to Him who is "exalted as head over all." For in proclaiming the truth of His "power and might" over all, we ourselves are cleansed and become as temples of the Lord, holy and radiant as gold. "The entire populace was listening to Him and hanging on His words." To whom did the people listen but the Temple itself? What was begun by the Maccabee brothers is accomplished in Jesus. It had long been the hope and desire of the Israelites, and indeed the longing of all mankind, to have a holy place to worship God, to offer sacrifice to Him who is the greatest love of all hearts. And now He stands before them, now He speaks to them. And He effects the renewal of the temple not so much by His "ejecting the traders" who had made it "a den of thieves," as by His presence in their midst. For the temple exists not so much in the walls adorned "with gold crowns and shields" as in the flesh of Christ; and it is this Temple we become when we follow Him, when we hear and heed the words which issue forth like a cleansing stream from these sacred lips and heart, and when we eat His body and drink His blood. The destruction of this Temple will come. Even now the leaders of the people are "looking for a way to destroy Him." But in three days the Temple will be rebuilt and dedicated forever in perfect purity for all who desire to enter there. ******* O LORD, purify our hearts that we might rejoice in your Temple, our prayer ever rising up to you. YHWH, may your Temple be cleansed that we might offer true worship to you here in your Church. Let all souls be purified by your Son and by His sacrifice, that your children might sing your praise forever. From eternity to eternity you are exalted, you are the Most High – O let us freely bless your holy NAME! O LORD, may we know the great blessing of falling prostrate before you who are God. May we find the grace of adoring you alone. May we ever be in prayer in your holy House, and so become holy ourselves in your eternal presence. Let your sanctuary be purified; let it be dedicated to you, dear God. Let all that is sinful be cast from us by your Son that we might indeed be blessed to be as He is; listening always to His teaching and obeying His every word, let us become a House of prayer for you.

(1Mac.2:15-29; Ps.50:1-2,5-6,14-15,23; Lk.19:41-44) "We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree." The king of heaven shall soon come into the city of peace, humble and riding on an ass, but today He weeps as He sees Jerusalem and knows of its imminent destruction for its sins. Yet He shall ride into Jerusalem, yet He shall be dragged within its walls… and the death He proclaims upon all its children, He Himself shall know, He Himself shall undergo, that there may be means of escape for us all, for all who turn from the prince of this world and his seduction and seek to remain true to the commands of our God. The persecution of the Jews some two hundred years before Christ's own we continue to hear of in our reading from Maccabees: "The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices." And though many go over to the enemy, Mattathias and his sons remain faithful, remain true to the Lord. Great is their zeal in the face of the threat and in the sight of the ways of the evil one. And flee the city and its abominations Mattathias did with all the righteous, to make a home apart in the desert. For he recognizes the time of visitation and the destruction of faith upon his city and his people; he has not "completely lost" vision of "the path to peace" but remains faithful even in time of persecution. "Days will come upon you when your enemies encircle you with a rampart, hem you in, and press you hard from every side," Jesus prophesies as He weeps over Jerusalem. He wishes not to see the persecution come, nor to have to die Himself. But the people do not recognize with their hearts the love He offers forth… and so what can He do but die; and so what can they know but destruction. But His sacrifice shall prove redemptive for those who turn; a place in the desert He shall prepare for those who desire to be holy, to be set apart from the wickedness of this race. "From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth" and His "faithful ones" gather before Him. In their praise of His glory they fulfill their "vows to the Most High" and so the king of this world holds no power over them. In the New Jerusalem with the risen Lord they live, beyond the destruction of the old. ******* O LORD, you will come to visit your people; let us flee the sin of this world or we will be destroyed. YHWH, it is better for us to dwell in a desert apart if it means we can remain with you. Better for us to leave all our possessions behind than to be enslaved by the silver and gold and many gifts this world offers to those who abandon their faith. Let us remain steadfast with you and fight always for what is just in your sight. Days will soon come when there will not be one stone left on another. Indeed, our enemies come to encircle us and close in upon us. But we need not fear the darkness, the powers of this dying age. For with you, O LORD, we are strong, stronger than death itself. Let us ever offer a holy sacrifice to you; forever let us praise your NAME. Jesus weeps for the blindness of the people to His presence among us. They hear Him not as He speaks and summons them to the kingdom. Let us not be so blind and deaf, dear LORD, but obey your every word, and we shall be rescued.

(2Mac.7:1,20-31; Ps.17:1,5-6,8,15; Lk.19:11-28) "He, in His mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of His Law." When the Lord returns "crowned as king" He will call all before Himself and judge each according to the profit he has made with his life. If we are like the seven brothers who suffered and died for the faith, if we have been like the good servants who invested wisely the gifts left with them by the Lord, we shall come into His reign. If we have wasted His talents or, God forbid, have persecuted, as Antiochus – who "contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews" – those who strive with the Lord to remain faithful to His call, we "will not escape the hands of God." He will come to judge; in justice He is known. "On waking, I shall be content in your presence," sings David in our psalm, expressing the hope of those whose "steps have been steadfast" in the paths of God. And how this hope in the coming kingdom is embodied by the seven brothers with their mother "who were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king" – how well they presage the suffering and death of Jesus, and the sword which pierces His mother's heart. The mother's words are particularly beautiful and wise as she witnesses to her sons that she was not the author of their lives: "It was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed," thus stirring them to faith in "the Creator of the universe who shapes each man's beginning" and holds the life of all in His hands. Hear her words of exhortation to faith spoken to her youngest son: "I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them; then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things." And so she encourages him to "accept death, so that in the time of mercy [she] may receive [him] again." Here, certainly, is our faith in essence. Here the hope we have in the Lord is lived. The Lord has gone from us to the "faraway country" of heaven to receive His kingship and return for our souls. He has left with each of His servants gifts for the time of waiting. Today He and His heavenly kingdom are not far away for He is very present in His Church, in her priests and the sacraments, in the Word of God revealed to us, in the sky upon which we gaze to see His handiwork… in all things we know Him and for all our needs He provides. Let us not be afraid to live with Him and so to die for Him, to disregard our very lives in the employment of His talents… and the breath and life we do so cherish shall be ours forever in heaven. ******* O LORD, Jesus goes to the Cross, but He shall return; He shall return and judge the souls of all. YHWH, your Son has gone from us to a faraway land, to your side in the kingdom of Heaven. And if we wish to join Him there, we must employ well the talents He leaves us now in His stead. We must be willing to lay down our lives as He has done if we are to enter into His reign in the time of mercy. O may your Son come to us even this day, dear LORD! May we know His presence among us in the gifts and graces He leaves us in His sacraments and in His Word. And may we work each day to increase their yield upon this earth, until He returns in glory. Soon He shall return and we must stand strong in the face of death and torture, before the evils contrived by the hands of men. For you, O LORD, who made the heavens and the earth shall reward every man who gives witness to your love. We shall wake in your presence; breath and life will be ours in your eternal kingdom.

O woman who prayed always and had great mercy on souls, whose missionary zeal led you across the ocean, thousands of miles from your home, to educate the poor and care for the sick, to bring the love of Jesus to those most in need – pray we too shall have a heart set on service of the Lord and remembrance of His presence, that our concern for those apart from Christ will drive us to great ends, even to the ends of the earth, where certainly He dwells. Pray we shall have your courage in facing the unknown, in calling all home to the Heart of God; and through all we do for Him let us remain in prayer, knowing His Heaven here on earth.

(2Mac.6:18-31; Ps.3:2-8; Lk.19:1-10) "I fear not the myriads of people arrayed against me on every side." Zacchaeus' running up ahead and climbing a tree in order to be able to see Jesus as He passed along the way may not be a witness on the order of Eleazar, who "declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God" and went willingly to torture and death, "leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation," but the same faith inspired both. And perhaps this wealthy man giving half of his belongings to the poor does approach the heroism of Eleazar. The principal figures in both our reading and gospel today indeed give witness to the faith in the salvation which Jesus has come to bring to all our houses. And both reflect the strength needed to overcome the myriad of obstacles set in our paths. "O Lord, how many are my adversaries!" David cries in our psalm. "Many rise up against me!" Eleazar is threatened by the systematic persecution of his faith and his people by the pagan king and his minions, but in the face of "the instrument of torture" this noble old man tells his persecutors "to send him at once to the abode of the dead," for he would not bring "shame and dishonor" on himself nor lead the people astray by giving in to an unlawful act. And in our gospel Zacchaeus finds himself surrounded by the murmuring crowd accusing him of being a sinner. But he stands his ground in the face of this persecution, justified or not, and proves himself worthy to be at the side of Jesus. "The Son of Man has come to search out and save what was lost." It is His desire to bring us to salvation. Yet if we do not seek Him, He will not find us. If we do not call to Him, He will not hear us. And if we do not stand our ground and give witness to Him when put to the test for our faith, He cannot stand with us. Temptations must necessarily come. We cannot escape persecution. But we must not listen to those who say, "There is no salvation for him in God." We must remember that God stands with us if we stand with Him, and that it is just such as us He has come to save. ******* O LORD, help us to stand strong in your NAME in the face of persecution; let us endure all with you. YHWH, our adversaries surround us on every side saying there is no salvation for us in God because of our sins against you, or because they doubt your existence. Thus the darkness closes in upon us, the wickedness of this evil place. But standing with you we are saved. When we call on your NAME, when we climb the tree of life, your holy mountain, to gaze on your face, you are there to receive our souls: though we die we shall wake with you. Why should we be afraid, LORD, though myriads of people are arrayed against us, though they threaten us with torture and death? Even if our sins should accuse us, even if rightly we should be condemned, yet your Son comes to seek us out and redeem us from condemnation to stand with Him in your kingdom. O let Him come to our house this day! and with Him let us remain faithful till the end.

O charitable soul who gave all you owned for the sake of the Gospel, though endowed with great riches you embraced lady poverty that you might serve the Lord with a heart beating for the poor. With your own hands you tended the sickest; into your own home you welcomed the most destitute – pray that in our small way we too may follow in the footsteps of Christ and give our lives to the poor whom He loves and to prayer in His presence. Pray our hearts, too, may know His tender care for souls and our own souls meditate upon Him night and day; pray we too shall give up all to find His holy kingdom.

(1Mac.1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-63; Ps.119:53,61,88,134,150,155,158; Lk.18:35-43) "Terrible affliction was upon Israel." Oh how the nation had become so blind. Oh how they had turned from their God. Some "preferred to die rather than be defiled with unclean food or to profane the covenant," but most ate freely of the poisonous fruit of the tree of abomination, and so became as the blind man begging by the side of the road – so spiritually bereft were they. Our reading from Maccabees tells of a terrible time of persecution upon the Israelite nation less than two hundred years before the coming of Christ, and it shows that that persecution comes from within the community itself, as "men who were breakers of the law" sought alliance with the Gentiles and their pagan worship, thinking so foolishly that this would bring them blessing and comfort. How readily "they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath." And the date is given here when "the king erected the horrible abomination upon the altar of holocausts," signifying Israel's complete turn from God and His laws to the vain worship of false gods. Our psalm speaks repeatedly of "the snares of the wicked," "the oppression of men," the "malicious persecutors," the "sinners," the "apostates" who turn from the law and attempt to "twine" others about in their evil. This is man's sin from the beginning – attempting to form God of his own hands, refusing to be obedient to the ways the loving Father has imparted for his salvation, for his blessing. Man gives himself over to the lusts of this world and the imagination of a proud mind, and through such exaltation of self finds himself soon lost in the confusion that such vanity can only bring. But in the meantime he persecutes the just who hold to the way of truth; for a while he fools himself by the glamour of his idols. But soon the blindness sets in, and soon the salvation of the just shall come. If we are in affliction because of the persecution of this world of sin that surrounds and closes in, we should consider ourselves blessed; this affliction is proof of our faith, and upon it the Lord looks with favor. If we are afflicted with the blindness of the nations wrought by our wallowing in sin, we'd best cry out to the Lord as He passes us on the way to Jerusalem. He will hear us and He will stop, if we are persistent in our cries. And it is so that our faith will make us whole. Let us find our sight by the intercession of Christ and "giving God the glory" begin "to follow Him," whatever cross may await us. ******* O LORD, woe to those who forsake your law! – let them cry out to you with full voice that they may be saved. YHWH, how blind we have become, turning from your law, from your holy ways, to worship the false and empty gods of the nations. O may your Son turn to us and have pity this day that we might see His goodness before us and follow Him to the New Jerusalem. Let us not be counted among those who forsake your Law and profane your Temple; let us rather die than break your Covenant. By the side of the road we sit and cry for all the afflictions our sin has brought upon us. What hope have we, O LORD, of being taken from this dark place, how could we escape the snares of the wicked round about us, if your Son did not stop and call us to Himself, if He did not come into the midst of the darkness to save us. Glory to you, O God, and to you alone, for your promise you have not forgotten. From all evil keep us safe.

O blessed mystic of Jesus, you were saved by Him from a life of vain pursuit of the things and thoughts of this world to find union with His Sacred Heart, which holds all heavenly treasures. You see Him now (do you not, dear virgin?) in His perfection, even as you saw Him, though only in the shadow of vision, here upon this plane – pray we shall also know His blessed perfection, the beating of His Sacred Heart within our own, the love which surpasses all understanding illumining our soul… that no more will we ever desire than to be with Him where you are now, in His eternal glory.

O devout mother and queen whose concern was ever for your children and your people, that they might ever be fed in body and in soul and so grow unto the fullness of Christ – pray for us, O holy queen, that we the Lord's poor subjects might receive from His hand all we need to become His sons and daughters. In prayer and gratitude let us remain ever before His throne, that by such holy fear we might be made fruitful as you, bearing children unto Him and raising them to His glory. A heart for the poor may we ever nourish that, as poor as we are, by our King's gracious blessing we might give what He provides until all enter His reign.

O patron of scientists and philosophers, you of brilliant mind who taught with both human and divine wisdom, who led your students to deeper and purer understanding of God and His world and most especially His Church – pray we partake of your teaching this day, that the light you brought to the minds of your flock will not be lost or forgotten by eyes blind to the truth. Pray the word upon your soul will bring us closer to the Lord that we might partake of Him in sacrament and in preaching. O how shall we see if you do not pray for us, if you do not serve to guide us to the glory that surpasses our poor ability to comprehend Him?

(Ws.18:14-16,19:6-9; Ps.105:2-3,5,36-37,42-43; Lk.18:1-8) "He led forth His people with joy; with shouts of joy, His chosen ones." "They beheld stupendous wonders." Before their eyes, "out of what had been water, dry land was seen emerging." And so, sheltered by the mighty hand of the Lord, they crossed over, from the land of bondage to freedom. And in their joy "they ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs…" praising the Lord, "their deliverer." This is the story of our own salvation; this is the way of our own redemption from the sin which holds us bound on this earthly plane. Our exodus, too, must come. The Lord shall return to earth. As He was faithful in leading the Israelites forth from the land of Egypt, where they had been slaves four hundred years, so He will not forget us who have been in the bonds of Satan upon this plane. Our deliverance, too, will come. Yes, my brothers and sisters, God will "do justice to His chosen who call out to Him day and night." He will not "delay long over them" but will "give them swift justice." The vision of the Israelites at the Red Sea will be our own. Before our eyes we will see the dry land appearing. We shall rejoice at the Lord's hand guiding our steps out of this dark land. "An unimpeded road" we shall travel, moving toward His promised land. Yes, heaven will be ours. The first-born of Satan, the flower of his evil, shall be destroyed in the stillness of the night, and truth and goodness and light will emerge victorious; and we shall be led forth, as it were, "laden with silver and gold," rejoicing in the abundant blessings of our Lord and God. He does not delay. He will not delay. We wait, yes, and struggle with our faith… but He is ready – He does not have to be asked twice. But as our hearts are weakened by sin, we must be encouraged, we must continue to pray, always, even in the face of darkness. Through the darkness the Lord's light shall come shining, if we remain faithful in our cries. So, "sing to Him, sing His praise… O hearts that seek the Lord!" for He is near in all our prayers, and shall lead us forth into His blessed kingdom. Alleluia! ******* O LORD, your justice is swift but who is there that calls out to you, that desires your hand at work in his life? YHWH, what marvels you have worked for us; for we who were overshadowed by sin, who seemed trapped by its darkness, abandoned to its clutches, have been mightily delivered from sure death and destruction to stand with you in your kingdom. And should we now have no faith in you? Should we fail to cry out to you for secure protection? Will your justice not come quickly to us, whom you so love and for whom you so desire salvation? O LORD, let us not be so foolish as to doubt your good will toward us and your power to save us; let us not forget the wonders you have performed for us even to this day. And what greater wonders await those who hope in you! For the dry land we shall soon stand upon when your Son returns, when He has overshadowed our enemies and redeemed us from all darkness, shall be the Promised Land of Heaven. O praise you, LORD! Your people glory in your holy NAME.

(Ws.13:1-9; Ps.19:2-5; Lk.17:26-37) "Wherever the carcass is, there will the vultures gather." It is so that "the heavens proclaim the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork." It is true that "from the greatness and the beauty of created things their original author, by analogy, is seen." Yes, "the things seen are fair," and speak even of the glory of our God… but they shall indeed all come to naught when He alone stands before us on the last day. In the created world we exist. To an extent, in the created world we take refuge, discerning the hand of God at work in the things around us and coming by way of the knowledge presented to us in their beauty and wonder to that Hand which has created all. And so they can be beneficial to us. And so they can help to reveal God's presence to us who are so blind. But both the warning of our reading from Wisdom and Christ's own words in the gospel must be heeded: we cannot make "fire," "wind," or "mighty water" our gods; and we cannot be attached to our possessions. For these things of nature, as great as God has made them, and these things at our disposal, as much a blessing they may be to us for our time on earth, are passing away. Only God remains. Brothers and sisters, we must look upon the stars of heaven, we must see the signs wrought in our midst… but we cannot be distracted by them from the God who made them. We must eat and drink, we must take husbands and wives… but we cannot get drunk or live in lust, allowing the earthly to overcome our spirits. Lot's wife turned to see what she'd left behind; she longed to return to her possessions and the carnal life of Sodom. Unable to understand or accept the grace of the angel of God who was leading her forth to a safer and more glorious land, she was turned to salt – all of worth was taken from her; only the carcass remained. The day shall come when all we see shall be destroyed. And so, how important it is that our hearts not be set on all we see, else we shall be destroyed with it. Though with utmost respect we treat this world and even find joy in its beauty, we must ever keep in mind that its beauty is passing and is only significant if it leads to the eternal beauty of heaven. ******* O LORD, we must discern the signs of the times, for your Son will soon return and we will have to leave all things behind. YHWH, the heavens declare your glory to all, but do we upon earth hear the angels' voices? Do we take their message of your beauty and wonder and power to heart, or do we lose ourselves in these things and pass away as they do? For the things in the heavens and those upon the earth, though blessed to find your voice resounding in them, soon turn to dust – only your kingdom remains. Will we stand with you on the last Day? Soon your Son shall come and fully reveal your glory shining in our midst. Soon He will be here to carry us to Heaven. But will we be ready to travel with Him, or will our souls be dead and empty as a carcass? Will we turn back to the things of the earth and so be turned to salt, or place our faith in Him alone and so fly unto your presence? Let us not be lost in the things we see, O LORD, but raise our minds to look upon that which passes not away. Let us come to you.

O mother of the faith and helper of the stranger in the New World, you sought with great diligence to preserve the true religion in a land hostile to Mother Church, to assist those in spiritual as well as physical need – pray a measure of your missionary spirit be poured out upon your daughters, upon the many houses you established and all those served by them. Pray the country you took to heart and which became your own will turn resolutely to the Lord and His blood and away from the destruction of its soul, upon which it seems so set. Pray the faith shall be restored from shore to shore and this nation in truth become a light on a hill.

(Ws.7:22-8:1; Ps.119:89-91,130,135,175; Lk.17:20-25) "Let your countenance shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes." Wisdom, who "is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars… reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well." Wisdom "penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity," for she is "the refulgence of eternal light." How like the Lord she is, He whose coming "day will be like the lightning that flashes from one end of the sky to the other" and yet whose reign is "already in [our] midst." How we are filled with understanding when this light which "endures forever," which "is firm as the heavens," shines upon our simple minds, leading us to the grace of eternal glory. Wisdom we need, brothers and sisters. The Lord's Word must be with us. "For there is naught God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom." Else we shall be as those who "go running about excitedly" at every report of the Lord's being "here" or "there," at every proclamation of the end being near. The end is here; it is now the Son of Man "must suffer much and be rejected by the present age." The Lord has come, and so "the reign of God is already in [our] midst." Its fulfillment we shall not discern by "careful watching," by setting our sights on the things of the earth, but only with the "intelligent, pure, and very subtle" spirit of Wisdom. She alone teaches us of the kingdom, for she alone is "the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of His goodness." Without her purity, our minds are dimmed. Without her surpassing light, we cannot but be blind. She alone knows, she alone leads holy souls into the truth of His presence. All words lacking her light are but vain speculation, which shall come to naught, which shall fall to the earth from which they are derived. Heaven alone is lasting. Have we the light of Wisdom directing our thoughts and actions, brothers and sisters? Is her purity set firmly within us? Will we then stand on the day the lightning flashes, on the day the glory of the Lord is revealed? Do we carry that glory now within us? If not, let us turn to Wisdom, and she will teach us. Like a mother who cares for her children she will be. And led to the presence of the Lord we will be, where we will find our peace. Let us not fail to take her gentle yoke upon our shoulders; let the cross of Christ and the light of the coming kingdom be ever our guide. ******* O LORD, your Son is in our midst most especially in His Cross, and it is through His Cross Wisdom shines most brightly. YHWH, let the Spirit of Wisdom fill us, your Holy Spirit pass into us and make us as your prophets. Let us speak only your Word in all we do, moving ever with the One who is beyond all motion – intelligent, holy, and pure let us be. Without the light of Wisdom our lives shall be as nothing in your sight; let your countenance shine upon us. Your reign is coming by the power of the Holy Spirit; it is now already in our midst. Not relegated to space or time, it is not readily perceived by the mind of man – he cannot put his finger upon it or control it in any way. All we can do is desire your presence with us, LORD, that when the lightning flashes in your eternal sky, we will stand firm with you who endure forever, and with your Son. Give us your light, dear God, that we might be established well in your glorious kingdom.

O shepherd thirsty for souls, whose only desire was the unity of the Church under Christ her King and on the Rock of Peter… for this cause you gave your life; for this call from the Lord you shed your blood – pray this day all may be one, that none shall shrink from fulfilling this desire of Jesus but by the power of the Holy Spirit work tirelessly and with great courage to slake the thirst of the Lord. We are all children of one Father; we have but one Brother in Christ and one Mother in the Catholic faith. Pray this truth shall prevail over the deceptions of the devil, who would separate and conquer souls but who is turned back from his evil course when we are willing to die for one another.

(Ws.6:1-11; Ps.82:3-4,6-8; Lk.17:11-19) "Stand up and go your way; your faith has been your salvation." "This man was a Samaritan." Jesus chose the lowest of the low, not only a leper, the most ostracized of all individuals, but a Samaritan, a foreigner most despised by the Israelite nation, to reveal His mercy, to reveal the universal nature of His forgiveness, and so the universal call to salvation. He demonstrates that all may have faith in Him, and that it is for us to call all to Him. Many are given power on this earth, power which was far from the Samaritan leper healed by Jesus. And Wisdom makes clear the responsibility that comes with that authority, the manner in which that judgment placed in the hands of princes must be effected. For the Lord shall hold accountable all to whom power is given; He shall "probe [their] works and scrutinize [their] counsels." And if they keep not His law and "walk according to the will of God," great as the power given them shall be their punishment. "For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy," as was the leper in our gospel today, "but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test." I find it rather frightening to hear that "for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends," for, brothers and sisters, we are all given a measure of power by the Lord, and so all shall be held responsible for their gifts. It can make us quake in our shoes to think that we are answerable to God, to the all-powerful Lord of the universe, for all we do. Do we "keep the holy precepts" well? Will we "have ready a response" when He stands before us, when He inquires of our actions? If we desire His words, we know that He will instruct us, but how can we who are so human and sinful be as faithful as we need to be? Our psalm warns us: "You are gods, all of you sons of the Most High" – we are all gifted greatly by our God to be as His children – "yet like men you shall die, and fall like any prince…" yet oh how human we are, how subject to the elements of sin and death. What shall we do? Our psalm indicates what our actions should be: "Defend the lowly and the fatherless; render justice to the afflicted and the destitute." And the blessed leper in our gospel reveals the attitude we should have toward our Lord: "He threw himself on his face at the feet of Jesus and spoke His praises." If we think ourselves any better than he or do anything differently, we shall not hear the Lord calling us to rise and go forth – we shall not find our salvation. Let us demonstrate our faith and the grace at work within us. ******* O LORD, you raise the lowly who call to you, but the wicked who turn their faces from your presence you cut down. YHWH, the lowly and the poor you raise up, so let us fall on our face before you. Like the leper let us know and remember that only by your Son are we made whole; only by you do we have life at all. Whatever power we may have in this world comes only from you, and we shall be answerable for it. You scrutinize all matters, LORD, for your eye sees all things. The haughty soul does not escape your glance but shall be brought to judgment for the evil in his heart and at his hands. If we desire to find blessing from you, to come into your presence in the kingdom, how humble we must be and faithful in your service. We are all made princes by your grace upon us. Though we come from dust you breathe the breath of life into us and so form us in your image. And in your image we must remain, to it we must return, O LORD. Without your wisdom to lead us, how terribly we shall be judged. Save us from such a deadly fate, and we shall sing your praise.

O sacrificial shepherd, you gave your life for your flock; a poor and humble man, you gathered the poor and humble of the Lord into the arms of His Church, where they might be fed with His grace. Ever with arms upraised you taught your people ever to pray and founded many houses of prayer; peace you brought to your church that all might serve the one true God – pray we shall be humble and lowly as you, dear shepherd, and so mirror the life of our Lord. Pray our lives be entrusted to Him, that whatever we do be in His will; whether we live or die, let it not matter to us, but only let matter the laying down of our lives, that by such sacrificial offering God's Word might go forth and all souls be welcomed into Abraham's arms.

(Ws.2:23-3:9; Ps.34:2-3,16-19; Lk.17:7-10) "The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and no torment shall touch them." What does the Lord mean when He instructs us in our gospel to say, "We are useless servants," than that which David says in our psalm, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit He saves," and that which the Book of Wisdom states in our first reading: "Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself"? For though we who serve Christ seem to be dead in the judgment of this world, and the laying down of our lives in service of Christ – who died upon the cross quite freely – seems to be nothing but "utter destruction," yet we know that it is precisely this death in Christ which brings life… and in His hands we shall be blessed. "The Lord confronts evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth." Yet "when the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress He rescues them." Yes, "those who trust in Him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with Him in love: because grace and mercy are with His holy ones, and His care is with His elect." And "they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their king forever." For they have given their service to the One who rules the universe, and so in His service they shall remain – death shall have no power over them. If "God formed man to be imperishable" and made him "the image of His own nature," what shall touch those who serve Him, who treasure that image of God upon them? How shall they die? "We have done no more than our duty." This is the bottom line of our time on earth. And the accomplishment of our duty, the fulfillment of the Lord's Word at work in our hearts, is all that is needed to bring us to eternal life. And though it is not His obligation, though certainly no reward is due us who have but carried out the orders of our superior, the Lord will say to us in His grace on that day, "Come and sit down at table." And we shall sup with Him eternally, His gracious hand upon us for good. Brothers and sisters, forget not your call to serve Him, to lay down your lives before Him, and He shall not neglect to hear you now, and to give you life eternal. Keep your "hope full of immortality" even "as gold in the furnace" your mettle is proven this day, and the day of the Lord shall be yours, when all torment shall have fled away. ******* O LORD, we are indeed useless servants, but you greatly bless those who serve you. YHWH, death is upon us this day, you know. But we who are joined to the Cross of your Son are not touched by it: from death you save your faithful servants. Whatever power the devil has to threaten us with our sins and the death that comes from them has been destroyed by the sacrifice of Jesus. And so, we who humble ourselves with Him will be blessed in your kingdom. When we cry out to you, dear LORD, you are quick to save us; near indeed you are to the brokenhearted. Though our spirits be crushed by the travails of this life, you raise them to your presence. And so, what can we do but glory in your NAME? What can we do but look forward to that day when we shall sit at your table? O LORD, let us be purified of all dross by the affliction we suffer in union with your only Son. Remade in His image, into your peace let us come, dwelling in immortality.

O true Pastor of God's Church, defender of the faith from forces without and within her walls, you proved that this House founded by Christ the Lord shall never succumb to the powers of hell but ever stand strong against all tides of the world and the evil influence of the devil – pray though the flesh be weak, though every member be prone to sin, that all souls set on the Rock that is the bark of Peter shall repel every attack against the integrity of the faith and stand with Jesus as king over the flesh, as priest offering pure sacrifice, as prophet speaking His words… and so until the end of time may God's Church be ever blessed.

(Wis.1:1-7; Ps.139:1-10,24; Lk.17:1-6) "Where can I hide from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee?" Yes, "wisdom is a kindly spirit, yet she acquits not the blasphemous of his guilty lips." For the spirit of the Lord is everywhere and hears everything, listening closely to a man's inmost thoughts. "For the spirit of the Lord fills the world, is all-embracing, and knows what man says." And so it is that David sings, "If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, you are there, too." How could we escape His encircling Hand and His omnipresent justice if, as David says, "Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all"? And so, in heaven He is present to raise us to glory; but in hell, His presence condemns our sin. We cannot sin, brothers and sisters. If we do, we shall not escape His hand. It cannot but be that the Lord condemns all evil, for "into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not," and what hope have we of life if the spirit of wisdom guides us not? Indeed, we must "seek Him in integrity of heart." Yes, justice must be our love, and wisdom our treasure. This alone will bring us unto heaven. If our counsels are perverse and we cause sin to occur, leading others astray by our unjust words and actions, the Lord makes quite clear our fate in our gospel today: "It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin." And there is a "little one" in ourselves, whom only the Lord – who probes our heart and mind – knows, and whom we condemn to destruction by our sin. Rather, we must have faith. We must forgive others and have an abiding faith in Him, Jesus tells us. This faith will manifest itself in the great works done in His name, and in our following Him simply day to day. With such faith we cannot be shaken. Holding such faith, the light shining upon our souls by Him who sees all will purify us for the coming of His kingdom. What can we say, brothers and sisters? The Lord hears us. Where can we go? He is with us. Either for evil because of our turning away, or for our good by our turning to Him, the Lord is ever present. It must be our desire to come to Him, in wisdom and in justice, in forgiveness and in faith… and hell we shall avoid as gratefully into His glory we fly, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. ******* O LORD, you see us and the sin we commit, and so we must turn to you for forgiveness. YHWH, your Spirit fills the world; wherever we may go, you are present. We cannot escape your light, and should we try, we would but find ourselves in hell. You hear every word we speak: our inmost selves are exposed to your eye. We must but believe in your love, and Wisdom will be with us as guide. But how difficult we make the path to faith. How ready we are to listen to senseless and perverse counsels and so disbelieve you. As easily as Eve we fall, O LORD. May we know your just rebuke of our sins that we might find repentance and taste your forgiveness upon our souls. O let us not fight against you, dear God! but work always and only for the salvation of all, for the recognition of your eternal glory present in our midst by the Spirit come through your only Son. And so with you let us dwell.

(Rm.16:3-9,16,22-27; Ps.145:1-5,10-11; Lk.16:9-15) "Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you." We are in the world, and amongst the wealth of this world. We have nothing to do with money and the world – "You cannot serve God and money," the Lord has told us, and so we cannot serve money… yet what have we to use but the riches of this world? And so "through use of this world's goods," by showing ourselves trustworthy with this "elusive wealth," we find and bring others to the "lasting" riches of heaven. Paul at the end of his letter to the Romans lists all his "fellow workers in the service of Christ." Here are those who have been faithful with the elusive wealth of this world. They themselves have died, their bodies have been laid in the tomb, yet their works live on in the Spirit they have brought forth. Nothing of this world lasts long, yet these transitory things can and must be used, that "glory be given through Jesus Christ unto endless ages." "Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might," sings David to the Lord. And with our voice, too, while we have breath, we must "speak of the splendor of [His] glorious majesty and tell of [His] wondrous works." Forever and in all our works we must praise and bless the Lord of all, that all we do leads unto the glory of the kingdom, that in all we serve God with all our might. We must join ourselves to Him, and we do this by the gifts He gives us, and by employing now what is at our disposal. So it is. So it has been back beyond the time of Paul, and so it shall be unto the coming of eternity. Today we must think of how well we use this world's goods, how well we employ this Word of the Lord in the world. In the "little" things of our daily lives do we honor God, or are we unjust in some manner? For today begins the road to heaven; this time leads to eternity. And if we wish to find "lasting reception" with the Lord in heaven, we must be ever faithful in our works today. To God let us give thanks. May we who are the work of the Lord give praise to Him in all our works upon this earth. ******* O LORD, let us give you glory through all that is at our hands. YHWH, generation after generation praises your works; from the time of the apostles unto this day, all those who serve the Gospel of your Son speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty – let us always discourse of the glory of your reign and give you due praise by all we do in your NAME. O LORD, we are in the world, and though we can never be of the world, what do we have but the world this day? And so we must use it wisely and make great profit by it, even the salvation of the world itself. May many men come into your presence by the work of your servants each day. And may we always be in their company. O LORD, let our names be written in the Book of those who have faithfully served you, who have turned their backs on unjust gain for the sake of your Church. May we forever sing your praise with all those your Son has saved.

(Rm.15:14-21; Ps.98:1-4; Lk.16:1-8) "The worldly take more initiative than the otherworldly when it comes to dealing with their own kind." What is the Lord teaching His disciples? What does He wish to tell them of their call? We need only look at the Apostle Paul, for here is a man, a child of God, who has taken the initiative the Lord would see wrought in us all. Our first reading indeed speaks clearly of Paul's mission to the Gentiles. Not only has he covered a vast measure of the globe (particularly for that time), but his intense initiative is seen most acutely in his never going "to preach in places where Christ's name was already known"; rather, "they who received no word of Him" became Paul's audience. A greater example of taking initiative in the Spirit of Christ to bring His light to the world perhaps will never be known. But it is required of all of us. We are not free to revel in complacency because Paul has been so industrious. It is still true that the Lord must make His salvation known "in the sight of the nations," and it is still so that we Christians of the Church militant have the responsibility to see that the Lord's work is accomplished. Each of us is called to take a measure of initiative, is gifted by God with the responsibility of bringing a portion of His kingdom to light – in our own way, in our own time… but invariably the call is there and must be answered. All must fulfill their role in salvation history before it can be truly and completely proclaimed: "All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God." The devious employee's heart was set thoroughly on the business at his hands, and he used his business wisdom, his worldly savvy, to save his skin. Where is our spiritual savvy? Where is the employment of our spiritual wisdom and insight to the salvation of others' souls, and our own? "I can take glory in Christ Jesus for the work I have done for God," Paul says quite freely. Are we able to say the same? Let us work industriously and with initiative to bring the spiritual kingdom to fulfillment. By God's grace, let the Spirit come. ******** O LORD, let us do all we can to bring your Word to the world. YHWH, you have made your salvation known in the death and resurrection of your Son, but we must carry that truth to the ends of the world, even as the Apostle Paul. We cannot sit on our hands, dear LORD; we must not dissipate your grace. Rather, let us readily preach your Gospel in all we think, do, and say. Then we will be pleasing in your sight, and all souls will be drawn into your presence. O LORD, to your children you have granted complete knowledge of your ways and made them able to serve your kingdom. In the power of your Spirit let us go forth to see that all peoples are consecrated to you. Let all souls sing a new song to your NAME; let all praise your goodness to us, LORD. From your work let us never turn away until we stand with you on your holy Day.

(Rm.14:7-12; Ps.27:1,4,13-14; Lk.15:1-10) "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Since "every one of us will have to give an account of himself before God," who are we to "sit in judgment" or "look down on" a brother? Why are our eyes set upon others' sins instead of the Lord's glory? Why do we fall into this pit of condemnation? Yes, Jesus welcomes sinners. For this has He come. How blessed are we that He makes such "a diligent search" to retrieve our souls from the grave of sin; how blessed are we when He finds us and puts us "on His shoulders in jubilation." In this forgiveness should we glory. In this grace we should praise the Lord, and seek to help others come to such blessing. But do we blind ourselves to the grace at work in our souls by setting our sights on the sins of others rather than the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ? Are we as judgmental as the Pharisees and as those Paul warns today against condemnation of others? Brothers and sisters, we should rather be with David in his psalm and seek "to dwell in the house of the Lord" forever, and set our "gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate His temple"; we must not let our sights fall from heaven to earth and so lose ourselves in the judgment of others' sin. This is the great danger. This is the devil's temptation: "Look at him," he says, "see how evil he is." If he cannot get us to believe it about ourselves and so lose hope of redemption for our souls, he attempts to distract us with the sins of others, and so achieve the same ends. We must realize that "both in life and death we are the Lord's," that He loves us and desires our salvation, and that He loves and desires the salvation of all our neighbors. And so we must come to Him, take refuge in Him and in His love and forgiveness, and then we will "see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living" and not die a miserable death. Brothers and sisters, let each of us be that "repentant sinner" over whom the angels of God rejoice. The Lord welcomes us though we are sinners. Let us not forget His grace. And let us welcome others. ******* O LORD, let me be that one repentant sinner you find and place upon your shoulders – come to me even this day. YHWH, it is your great joy to see the repentance of the sinner, and so your Son has come among us to invite us to such grace. And if we are your friends, will we not rejoice with you? If all of Heaven rejoices at the conversion of the poor lost sinner, we show ourselves not to be of you, not to be of Heaven, if instead we look down upon our brother. O save us from such a miserable fate! We all must bend the knee before your Son; we all shall have to appear before your judgment seat and give an account of our lives. And is any of us without sin, except your Son's dear Mother? Then we must know that to dwell in your House, to contemplate your face, we all require your blessed forgiveness, LORD, that without it we will be left standing outside your gates. And so, let us praise you for your goodness to us, and to others. Let all souls be found rejoicing in your kingdom.

(Rm.13:8-10; Ps.112:1-2,4-5,9; Lk.14:25-33) "Love is the fulfillment of the law." Jesus tells us, "None of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his possessions," turning our backs even on father and mother, even on our very selves. Our psalm states of the happy man, "Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever." And Paul makes clear that we "owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." What is this love? Where is this generous spirit? How do we renounce all our possessions? In the cross of Christ we find our call. The cross of Christ means giving all, means laying down our lives for the Lord and our neighbor – the cross of Christ is love itself at work in this world in the death of self and the finding of the grace and the love of God in heaven. Jesus wishes that you be sure about this. He desires that you understand what is required of you – your very life, your absolute love. Nothing short of total sacrifice will do; we must be entirely whole, utterly holy, to enter His gates, to follow Him into glory. This is greater and more significant than any war, than any project conceived by the mind of man, for it is our eternal soul that is at stake, whose weight cannot compare to even all the world. "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." We all have a cross graciously placed upon our shoulders by our loving Lord to make us one with Him in His redemptive suffering and death, to make us one with Him in such utter love. How will we find heaven if we do not love? How do we come to that place which is only of love if we do not give ourselves to love completely? "How can I do this?" you say. "The Lord asks too much." You must remember that it is only love He asks of you, and that it is His cross you carry – He who is only of love – and so He carries your cross with you, making it ever so sweet and light. Do you think the saints feared to die in the name of Christ? Do you think they shrank back even in the face of torture? None of this has any significance to the soul who is set on Christ; and without Christ a hangnail can seem overwhelming. Love, brothers and sisters. It is simple as that. Love. Not this world, but His heart, His sacrifice, His cross. And you will see all brought to life before you; and you will find joy in your soul. ******* O LORD, what a beautiful invitation to love is Jesus' call to carry our cross with Him! for He is only love, and what can we find but love if we follow Him – and who will we then not truly love? YHWH, teach us of your way of love, embodied so perfectly in your Son, that we might give ourselves as generously as He to all those we find in need. Help us to give up all things, to renounce our possessions, to turn our backs even on friends and family that we might truly love them and so teach them of your surpassing love. O how sweet is the Cross your Son would impart to all His followers! What light it gives to the world. If with willing heart we lend to others, expecting nothing in return, how blessed are we to thus share in your love! Love is all that matters; it is the fulfillment of your Law, O LORD. And we find it in the Cross. Jesus gives so lavishly to us poor souls, we who are so poor in spirit. Nothing have we to offer in return, dear God, but the sacrifice of our lives. May this poor offering be acceptable to you.

O defender of the Catholic faith in which all the saints make their home, O great pastor of souls, shepherd of Christ's flock, who would see all enter fully into the fold only the saints know – pray for the Lord's Church this day, that it shall never turn away from the Truth which is at its heart, from the Son of God who made it, forming it in His own blood; pray our souls be set on prayer to Him, our minds on meditation on His life, that nothing may distract us from His holy presence within the walls of Mother Church and within our own hearts.

(Rm.12:5-16;   Ps.131:1-3;   Lk.14:15-24) "Come along, everything is ready now." Dinner is being served now in the kingdom of God.  But are we prepared to sit down at table?  Or do we turn our hearts to other things? Jesus sets our place now in the kingdom of heaven.  He has come.  He has died.  He has risen and sends now the Holy Spirit to invite us into His presence.  And His presence is ever with us; He is ever knocking at the door of our hearts – His Spirit is always with us.  But, again, do we hear His call, do we heed His call?  Do we care to come into His presence and sup with Him, and receive His gracious gifts at His precious table, at His holy altar… or do we cling to what is evil, what is worldly? How do we come to His kingdom?  How do we find ourselves in His presence?  Paul instructs us: we must simply do His will.  Doing His will upon the face of this earth brings us to the kingdom of heaven.  The teaching should be evident to all Christians: "One who is a teacher should use his gift for teaching…  He who gives alms should do so generously…  Rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer…"  Do all things as is meet for those things.  It is not complex.  There needs no genius to figure it out, or a scholastic degree to understand it.  One need not travel miles to discover it.  It is truth.  It is Jesus.  It is to suffer and die for Him as called by the Lord.  "Your love must be sincere.  Detest what is evil, cling to what is good."  What more can be said?  Find peace in the arms of the Lord.  Say with our psalmist, "I have still and quieted my soul… like a weaned child upon its mother's lap."  We must do as he proclaims: "I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me."  We must not complicate God's simple love for us and our call simply to love Him with all He gives us.  We must, rather, heed His voice, and come into His presence when He calls. The table is set.  His Word is speaking to us.  In silence we will hear Him; in quiet we will find His voice.  In the vain activity of this world we become deaf.  Only by hearing and doing His Word and will, will we come to sit at His table and partake of His heavenly banquet – only if this is the true desire of our souls.  Even now we taste Him in the Blessed Sacrament; even today we hear His Word proclaimed.  Are we prepared to meet Him?  Do we seek to do His holy will? ******* O LORD, all are invited your House – let us find our place in the Body of Christ and serve Him well. YHWH, help us to do your will in all things, simply and purely, as your sons.  What you give to us let us share with others, answering you readily when you call. What need we do, dear God, but share the gifts you give us with others?  What do you expect of us but to use well what you place in our hands?  If we can teach, let us teach; if serve, let us serve.  Whatever we have let us be generous in offering at the service of our brothers.  Let us indeed love freely as you. Then we will be ready to answer your Son's call to the kingdom – we will already be answering it in our very actions.  We will not be distracted from coming to you, LORD, if our only desire is to do your will in all things, if we are serving you with all our lives.  Then your Bread will already be before us, and we shall come into your presence this day.  O let your peace reign in our hearts!

O humble and charitable soul whose healing hands served the poor and all those the Lord placed in your care, with great love you looked upon Christ on the Cross and in the Blessed Sacrament, and so sought to love your neighbor even as Jesus Himself – pray we shall somehow learn to put others before ourselves, that in this way, in the way of the Lord, we will truly love and serve God, knowing our sins outweigh those of any other soul, and yet that the mercy of our Savior outweighs any human fault. And so, pray we shall be humble as you, as kind and as caring, that we too will lay down our lives in prayer and in penance, in the blood and tears of Jesus.

(Rm.11:29-36;   Ps.69:14,30-31,33-34,36-37;   Lk.14:12-14)   "God has imprisoned all in disobedience that He might have mercy on all."   I begin to see "how deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God."  For though I am far from knowing "the mind of the Lord," yet He does offer me a certain insight this early morning about Him whom Paul says, "From Him and through Him and for Him all things are." It is in the complementarity of the readings the insight comes, particularly viewing the gospel in light of the first reading.  Jesus instructs the chief of the Pharisees that when giving a banquet he should "invite beggars and the crippled, the lame and the blind" and to be "pleased that they cannot repay" him for his generosity, assuring him he "will be repaid in the resurrection of the just."  Now, the Lord does not instruct us to be anything more or less than He and the Father are.  So this instruction reflects God's own great desire and joy in giving to those who are not able to repay Him: it serves as a reminder that God is love, that He thrives, as it were, on mercy, on compassion. Paul, in the first reading, states to the Romans, "God wished to show you mercy," and that for this reason the Jews "have become disobedient," as well as to fulfill God's longing that "they too may receive mercy" upon returning to Him who set them apart for Himself.  Again we see the greatness of God's love, we glimpse His burning desire to show compassion to all creatures.  Now, to the mind lacking wisdom (and love), it might seem as if God is somehow playing with us, causing our falling that He might lift us up again.  But it is necessary to remember that God did not desire us to sin, that this was not His intention… and indeed that He did not need us to sin to show us His mercy and love.  But our disobedience having come, God in His love is not conquered.  This temporary and empty victory by the devil does not tie His hands.  Rather, the Lord takes this opportunity to show in an even greater way the very mercy and love which are His essence – shown to us so clearly in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to forgive men's sins – to show, really, His greatness, which has its source in this love. And David's psalm speaks in the same line: "The Lord hears the poor, and His own who are in bonds He spurns not."  In our affliction and pain we cry out and He comes with His "saving help"; He is pleased to "rebuild the cities of Judah," to return us to His side.  It is not sin He desires, but the recognition of our dependence on Him for all things, that He might freely show us His love.  For this love at His heart's core and which overcomes all – which is the essence of God and His creation – let us praise Him, brothers and sisters.  "To Him be glory forever.  Amen."    ******* O LORD, who can repay you for your mercy toward us, for your love is without measure? YHWH, how great is your mercy, and how greatly you desire us to share in that mercy.  And so we have become imprisoned in disobedience, that your love you might freely bestow upon us.  And so you call us to give freely to others, that your blessing of mercy we might know even in our own souls.  O LORD, how can we poor creatures share so intimately in your merciful love?  How can we who have hardened our hearts so much against you be blessed with the grace of forgiveness and come to the fountain of love you are?  We deserve it not.  We merit only condemnation.  And yet, it is your desire to show us such love, and to have us show it to others.  How can we thank you, LORD, we poor beggars, we blind souls…?  How can we repay you for giving us, and then giving us back, our very lives?  In your generosity invite us to your table and by your grace let us feast with you.

O God's holy ones, His apostles and martyrs, His virgins and confessors, all who have borne witness to Him with your lives, who have washed your robes in His blood, whose hands are clean in His sight and so are clothed in white, all you who have suffered under the Cross in the flesh in this world and so now stand in His light in the Spirit before His throne in Heaven… O all holy ones of the Lord from every age, from every time and place; from every nation you come, speaking in every tongue of His undying love – please, pray for us, His pilgrim children!

(Rm.9:1-5;   Ps.147:12-15,19-20;   Lk.14:1-6) "They could not answer." The Pharisees are dumb.  The leaders of the Jewish nation cannot speak as to whether a man should be healed on the sabbath.  How far they have fallen from the presence of God. We know the Israelites were God's chosen people.  This is proclaimed clearly by both Paul and our psalmist today: "Theirs were the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the lawgiving, the worship, and the promises; theirs were the patriarchs, and from them came the Messiah"; yet when the Messiah, the Son, the fulfillment of all the gifts given them, stands before them… they are blind, they are dumb – they have no wisdom, no light.  This is the nation whom the Lord has given "His statutes and His ordinances…  He has not done thus for any other nation."  And yet they are unable to judge that it is right for a man to be healed at any time, that this is God's will, that human life supersedes the mere observance of law, a law they have suffocated of its life. And we?  Again, being successors to the Jews we must always ask ourselves if we do the things which caused the promise to be taken from their hands.  Do we proclaim the glory of this Word?  Do we "speak the truth in Christ"?  Or do we keep silent, too?  And not the silence that bears all suffering as has our Savior upon the cross do I speak – I mean the death of the Word in our souls.  The inability to discern His will.  The fear to praise God by teaching the nations of the grace which has been granted us.  "He sends forth His command to the earth; swiftly runs His Word!"  But does that Word come through us, does it work through us who are the keepers of the New Covenant, or do we let it die in our throats? "Blessed forever be God who is over all!" Paul shouts as despair he begins to detect for the failure of so many Jews to turn to Christ.  And so we should ever praise our God whenever doubt or fear enters our soul.  It is our only refuge.  It is our only strength.  Silence before the courts of this world which observe us closely will not do.  Acceptance of our death, yes, but not fear of retribution should be ours.  We must speak the truth in love, relying on the wisdom which comes from Him alone as we make our way through the challenges of this world. ******* O LORD, why should our mouths be shut in the presence of your glory? YHWH, may your Word run swiftly to us and work swiftly through us.  May we never hesitate to proclaim your praise, to declare your love for all in all our words and actions.  May we think only the good and seek only your will.  Let the dictates of the law never quash our souls. How blessed were your chosen people, LORD!  All things were given them at your gracious hands.  True worship of you was theirs; but how far they have fallen from your love.  Though all was made known to them by your Word, they forgot the blessing upon their nation and became blind to your will.  O let their eyes be opened! You desire only good for all, dearest LORD, and nothing that is for our neighbor's good can contravene your law.  The law you give to lead us to glory, and now that glory is in our midst in your only Son.  Let us open our hearts to His teaching and live forever in your love.

(Rm.8:31-39;   Ps.109:21-22,26-27,30-31;   Lk.13:31-35)   "For your sake we are being slain all the day long."   And yet, "in all this we are more than conquerors because of Him who has loved us." We die.  Each day we die, we sacrifice our lives.  We are "as sheep to be slaughtered."  This is our call, to be as our Lord who was crucified – our King wears a crown of thorns.  And yet in all this apparent weakness, in all those places where violence seems to reign, where death presumes dominion over us… it is void.  It has no power.  For God holds all the world in His creating hand, and He watches over us.  So, indeed, "if God is for us, who can be against us?"  If God fights for us, how shall we be conquered?  We shall not, we cannot.  "Christ Jesus, who died or rather was raised up… intercedes for us."  And so the death He suffered, which led only to life, becomes our own, and only life is ours in Him. The Lord would gather all His "children together, as a mother bird collects her young under her wing," but so many refuse.  So many are disobedient.  So many desire not the love of God.  And so, death comes.  Because of our sin, Jesus must suffer, Jesus must die.  And we must die with Him if we are to follow Him through this world of darkness and sin into the kingdom of light.  For the emptiness of the power of this world must be exposed.  It must be shown for the nothingness it is.  And only by dying does this become clear to our minds. And so, Jesus does not shy away from death; He does not save Himself from its clutches.  Freely He offers Himself for our sakes, that we might overcome the fear it produces in our fallen souls, that we might then be raised from darkness to light.  The prayer of David is the prayer of Christ, standing in our stead, "I am wretched and poor, and my heart is pierced within me."  The sword, which has no power over Him, nor over us now, He accepts in His side that new life might flow out from His broken flesh.  The suffering which should be our own He takes and nails to the cross.  And it is dead.  And the power of Satan is nullified.  And in His "generous kindness" the Lord has rescued us.  And so as we suffer now with Him all the temptations of this earthly life, our heavenly king is by our side breathing upon us new life.  Let us have no fear for any presumed power of this universe; the Lord is greater than them all.    ******* O LORD, you will save us from all trial and persecution – even death. YHWH, by the love of Christ we have been saved, and nothing can separate us from that love.  Though Satan persecute us, though the kings of this earth seek to destroy us, yet we shall live in your only Son who, though He died, was raised up and sits now at your right hand interceding for us this day.  And so, what need we fear? To His death Jesus went, freely and without fear.  In Jerusalem He was slain like all of the prophets.  Yes, the walls of Jerusalem were torn down and the temple abandoned.  But in His resurrection the true Temple is rebuilt, and to the holy City we are now drawn.  Blessed is he who comes in the Name of your Son!  Blessed are you, dear God, who desire so earnestly to justify our poor, broken souls. And so, now that Jesus has died for our sakes, we shall not be condemned.  We shall conquer all sword and danger in His love.  Praise you for your kindness, LORD!  You have heard our cries.

(Rm.8:26-30;   Ps.13:4-6;   Lk.13:22-30)   "Lord, are they few in number who are to be saved?"   We question.  We wonder.  With the man who spoke to the Lord as He made His way toward Jerusalem, as He approached His own death, we question Jesus, "Who will be saved?" particularly as we face our own imminent death.  Jesus answers the man, and so He responds to us, too.  His answer is simple: "Come in through the narrow door."  His answer is wise, and comes with, and itself is, a warning to us not to take for granted the salvation by our God but to be diligent about our striving toward His kingdom, to be purposeful about our dying for Him.  Those who walked with Him may have thought that this alone would be sufficient to ensure their entrance into heaven.  But simply knowing Him, seeing Him, and even eating with Him will not do: He must know us.  He must see us about His work as we see Him about the Father's work – He must come in and eat with us, nourishing our souls with His daily bread of labor in His Name, of life in His Word. Brothers and sisters, we may come to His table every day.  We may eat of His Body and drink of His Blood and hear His Word proclaimed to our ears; we may be members of His Church, sitting here in these pews; we may have since birth been graced with the blessings of the sacraments and teaching of our Catholic faith – but this alone does not assure our entering into heaven.  We must live that faith.  We must put flesh and blood to our belief.  There is no other way we can be saved, because this is our life and our life is required of us by God.  It will not magically occur at the moment of death if we have not spent our lives for Him. O brothers and sisters, we must cry out with David, "Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death."  We must sing to the Lord with him, "Let my heart rejoice in your salvation."  We must seek Him, seek His life, with all our hearts, that the prophetic words of Paul might become our own, that our predestination "to share the image of His Son" the Father might accomplish in us.  For the Lord does call us, and we must respond.  As we respond, we shall be justified – He shall enter in and cleanse us of our sin.  And remaining on this path of justification we shall soon find glory with God in His eternal kingdom. Brothers and sisters, let the will of the Lord be accomplished in us.  In our moments of doubt, when we have no words with which to come to God, let us turn to the Spirit who "intercedes for the saints as God Himself wills," "with groanings which cannot be expressed in speech."  He truly is our help in weakness.  He truly is our guard on this perilous journey.  Only remaining with Him and in His Church do we find comfort in the knowledge that we are to be saved. ******* O LORD, call us unto your kingdom that with your Son we might be glorified –  let us embrace the Cross as we make our way to you.  YHWH, send your Spirit to help us in our weakness; hear us as we cry out to you.  In our lives let your will be accomplished, that with your Son we might be glorified.  You lead us forth in your goodness – may we be obedient to the promptings of our heart. Within us you place your Spirit, LORD; to our ears come the teachings of your Son.  Through the narrow door let us pass, by the groanings you inspire in us.  What can we do but call upon your NAME?  Let us not cry out in vain. Our enemies surround us, LORD, and seek our downfall.  How they wish to see us sleep in death.  They would bar the door to your House that we might not enter – in your loving kindness defeat their plans.  Let us be made in the image of your Son that on the last day we might join your saints in the kingdom.

O zealous and loving apostles, to the ends of the earth you brought the Word of the Lord; calling sinners to repentance, seeking healing for all souls, you carried the light of Christ to all the world – pray we shall match your zeal for the Gospel; pray we serve to impart the mercy of God unto life everlasting for all children of the Lord. May the power and glory upon you in the name of Jesus Christ build up His Temple in forgiveness and love this day that soon all will be one with Him and with you in Heaven.

(Rm.8:12-17;   Ps.68:2,4,6-7,20-21;   Lk.13:10-17)   "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."   It is the Spirit of God that led the poor stooped woman in our gospel today to the synagogue to see and hear the teaching of Jesus the Lord, and to find a healing for her infirmity.  "This daughter of Abraham… in the bondage of Satan for eighteen years" was by the Lord "released from her shackles" and became a daughter also of the Most High God.  She is a sign of us all.  For all, whether sons of Abraham by the flesh or not, are called into the presence of God to find healing for the sin and sadness and oppression of the devil which trouble us.  On our own we cannot stand straight in the sight of God, but by the touch of Jesus we find our dignity and become sons of God with Him. God is "the father of orphans and the defender of widows"; He "gives a home to the forsaken."  And so we who were once under the "spirit of slavery" to sin may now find "a spirit of adoption through which we cry out, 'Abba!' (that is, 'Father')."  Once having no father to watch over us, now "the Spirit Himself gives witness with our spirit that we are children of God."  A greater blessing one could not find than to be a son or daughter of the Most High God.  For "God is a saving God for us."  Not only does He love us, but He shows that love even by dying for us, that we might live. And it is so that "if we are children, we are heirs as well: heirs of God, heirs with Christ."  And though it is by the death of Jesus that we are made heirs of the Father's glory, we only come into full possession of the riches of our glorious Lord by our own death, for we must "suffer with Him so as to be glorified with Him."  It is this death of ours, a death to self, to flesh, to sin and the world, that brings us the life of Him "who controls the passageways of death" and so is able to free us from all death. Day by day the Lord "bears our burdens."  On all days, eternally, He is our Father and our Savior, waiting to heal us.  Whenever we come to Him, we shall find Him ready to bless us.  His Spirit He sends upon all, like a sun that never sets, calling us to His presence.  We must but respond in humility and faith, and as we bow ourselves before Him, He will raise us up to the dignity He desires for all our lives.  And we shall be His sons.   ******* O LORD, your Son bears our burdens for us – He releases us from bondage to the flesh that we might live with Him in the Holy Spirit. YHWH, orphans and widows we have been, far from you we were separated from the beginning, cast off like a forsaken wife.  And we could not find our way back to you by the flesh, try as we might by following the line of our ancestors – this but brought us back repeatedly to their weakness, to their separation from your grace, from the light of your holy face. But your Son you sent to show us the way to you.  In Him we find the blood that must course through our veins; wed unto His flesh we are redeemed….  It is He who puts to death the evil deeds of the body and makes us sons once again of you – now His Spirit is upon us to call out your NAME, dear Father. O let us be your children! wherever we are from; whether children of Abraham or of foreign lands, let us all be blessed this holy day to know the healing touch of your Son and so inherit your kingdom.  O LORD, of your love let us not be afraid.

(Rm.8:1-11;   Ps.24:1-6;   Lk.13:1-9)   "You will all come to the same end unless you reform."   We hear again today in our readings of the distinction between those who are of the flesh, and so of sin, and those who are of the spirit and justice.  And since "the tendency of the flesh is toward death but that of the spirit toward life and peace," rightly does Jesus warn us that we will die in our sin if we do not repent and turn to Him.  For indeed He and the Father, with the Spirit, are of life and have nothing to do with death, with sin. Paul continues to make clear the difference, the separation, between those of flesh and those of spirit, and continues to encourage his reader to allow the body to die that the spirit might live: "If Christ is in you, the body is indeed dead because of sin, while the spirit lives because of justice."  It is in Jesus that our salvation from sin has come, for when "God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, thereby condemning sin in the flesh," He made it possible for us to live no longer "according to the flesh," but "according to the spirit," for we know that "He who raised Christ from the dead will bring [our] mortal bodies to life also through His Spirit."  Even now His Spirit brings our spirit to life, and on the last day our flesh shall also be joined to Him in heaven. David's psalm questions, "Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord?  Or who can stand in His holy place?"  Only those "whose hands are sinless… shall receive a blessing from the Lord," and so, again, we must turn to Him, we must be of "the race that seeks for Him."  "The Lord's are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it" are of Him.  But how our hearts have turned from Him in sin, and so, how shaken we have become, inviting death into our lives.  And so only those who renounce their sin, who come by the power of the Spirit and the grace of Jesus' blood, shall attain to His presence.  And only those who bear fruit in His Name will He preserve. The end of our gospel makes clear that there must be fruit in our lives, brothers and sisters.  This is indeed the sign that we are of the spirit – if we "bear fruit" in the Spirit.  We cannot claim to be of the spirit and bear the fruit of the flesh, which is sin.  Jesus will not fail to recognize the difference, however much we may fool ourselves or others.  We will die in the flesh like any sinner if we do not live according to Christ and His Word.   ******* O LORD, let us be dead to the flesh that we might bear fruit in the Spirit of Christ! YHWH, let your Spirit dwell in us that we might conquer the flesh and bear fruit in your holy NAME.  How shall we be holy as you are holy, how shall we stand in your holy place, if your Spirit is not with us?  Fulfill our desire to see your face! Your Son came and walked amongst us for three years, seeking fruit upon this fig tree.  Upon His death and resurrection He sent the Spirit forth to nourish the Church that we might perform works worthy of Heaven.  O LORD, help us to repent of our sin and reform our lives in the image of your Son. Jesus has indeed condemned sin in the flesh that what is mortal might be redeemed and come to life in the Spirit, that we might be free from the law of sin and death by which all creatures are justly condemned and come to dwell in the peace of your presence.  LORD God, may the Spirit of Christ make us worthy to stand in your sight.

O zealous apostle who traveled throughout the earth driven by the fire of the Holy Spirit, you labored strenuously, rejoicing in poverty and welcoming hardships as you gave your very life for the flock in your care – pray the love of Christ will urge us on to holy zeal that we might approach your apostolic spirit, desiring to inflame all men with the fire of God's love. Concerned always and only for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, may we fulfill our call; as sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with her same purity and commitment, pray we give birth to Christ in souls by the preaching of the Gospel until all are formed in His image in the heavenly kingdom.

(Rm.7:18-25;   Ps.119:66,68,76-77,93,94;   Lk.12:54-59)   "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is just?"   Do we not have the law of God at work in us now?  Must we yet subject ourselves to the judge of this earth, who cannot but condemn us for our sin?  If we cried out with our psalmist for the Lord to teach us His "commands," His "statutes," His "law," and His "precepts," His "promise" of "compassion" would be with us, His Spirit would come to us and instruct us on all matters.  No longer "the prisoner of the law of sin in [our] members," we would be freed "from this body under the power of death."  Not only would our "inner self agree with the law of God," but our actions would reflect, by the grace of Him who is at work within us, that law now written on our hearts.  The "wisdom and knowledge" the Lord thereby imparts would be sufficient for the resolution of any problem in our lives, for there is nothing beyond the scope of the Spirit. Both Paul and Jesus Himself encourage us to find the Spirit of Christ at work in our hearts.  We as a community of believers would have no need to turn to the works of the world to resolve our problems if we followed well the teaching of the Lord and His Church.  Should not the Church be our government?  Should not the teaching of God, which transcends all earthly wisdom, be sufficient for our discerning right and wrong in any situation?  Or is sin still at work in our members?  Are we yet subject to this law and the condemnation and death it brings?  Has the devil yet a hold upon us; does he yet cast us into darkness?  Are we therefore too blind to see right from wrong? Brothers and sisters, we must cast from our souls all vestige of sin; it cannot hold power over us any longer.  We must find the light of Christ in our eyes and so be made able to judge all things in His justice.  With our psalmist we must proclaim to the Lord, "Your law is my delight."  If we yet take refuge in the law of sin, it will bring but judgment upon our lives.  But if we turn to Him, true wisdom will be ours – and His compassion will save us. All teaching the Lord puts into the hands of His apostles.  Our Pope and bishops and priests continue, as His servants, to proclaim His truth and impart His grace.  The Church is the home Jesus leaves us; upon it He places His Spirit.  Let us follow the teachings of the Lord and find His power at work in our lives, and all things will be clear to our eyes.  And so, condemnation we shall avoid as by the grace of God we judge all things rightly. ******* O LORD, Jesus has indeed set us free by His power – let us turn to Him for wisdom. YHWH, keep us from being imprisoned by sin; only you and your Son have the power to release us from such bondage.  Help us to follow your precepts, help us to walk in His way, that we might find your kindness upon our souls and live in freedom this day. Why is it we are so blind?  Why so trapped in the flesh?  Our eyes do not look upon the things of the Spirit except with great difficulty, except by the grace that comes to us through your only Son.  O LORD, let our eyes be opened to see Him standing before us, and let us follow your Law by His power. Here we find a war at work within us.  Without you we have not the wisdom and knowledge to judge well the path to victory over sin.  O LORD, let us not be delivered up to the jailer, for we are not able to pay the price of our transgressions.  Let your compassion be upon us that we might live and do what is right.