October 19
Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intention
7:45 AM – Parishioners of Holy Cross
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Readings
First Reading
Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21
Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.
If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one the many will be made righteous. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17
R. (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sinofferings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Gospel Acclamation
Luke 21:36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 12:35-38
Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”
“Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.”
Reflection
In commenting on today’s Gospel passage, St. Basil notes, “What is the mark of a Christian? It is to watch daily and hourly and to stand prepared in that state of total responsiveness pleasing to God, knowing that the Lord will come at an hour that he does not expect.”
We are often used to hearing counsel from the Gospel like this (especially during Advent!) but how often do we take it seriously? Do we live with the same sense of urgency that Jesus is calling us to? Do we choose the path of mercy in a way that reflect we really do know God’s love? Do we extend forgiveness as readily as we could? Do we choose to live consciously aware that our actions can have eternal significance?
While it may seem that further reflection on these things could only lead to greater anxiety and restlessness, let’s instead choose to be consoled by the reminder St. Paul gives us in our first reading: wherever sin increased, we can have confidence that grace has abounded and overflowed all the more. Grace will ultimately have the last word, and Jesus invites us to rely completely on him rather than on ourselves. The North American Martyrs—remembered in today’s liturgy—lived that level of extreme “responsiveness” to the point of shedding their blood for their love of Jesus Christ just a few miles from us here!!! Any time the Church calls to mind the courageous witness of martyrs we are inspired to consider how willing we are to stand up for our love for the Lord. Today may we find ourselves renewed in our ability to respond to God’s activity alive in us, and may we tap into that gift of his presence to be courageous and faithful witnesses wherever we go.
Peace,
Fr. Foley
P.S. If you've never engaged Ss. Isaac Joques, John de Brébeuf, René Goupil and the other North American Martyrs research them! Visit Our Lady of the Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville NY!
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