Memorial Bench: November 2019

“Catherine of Alexandria” by Caravaggio, c. 1598

Readings for the Memorial of St. Catherine of Alexandria [1]

Biographical information about St. Catherine of Alexandria

Readings and Commentary: [2]

Below are the readings suggested for this Memorial. However, readings for the Memorial may also be taken from the Common of Martyrs (#713-718), or the Common of Virgins (#731-736).

Reading 1: Revelation 21:5-7

Then he said, "Write these words down,

for they are trustworthy and true."

He said to me, "They are accomplished.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the beginning and the end.

To the thirsty I will give a gift

from the spring of life-giving water.

The victor will inherit these gifts,

and I shall be his God,

and he will be my son."

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Commentary on Rv 21:5-7

In this passage from the Revelation of St. John, the evangelist speaks of the reign of God having already begun (“I make all things new…” and “They are accomplished”). The “victor[s]” referred to are Christians who have been faithful in the face of trials, and the promise given is the adoption by Christ in Baptism. The identification of himself by God "I am the Alpha and the Omega" (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) convey his eternal nature - existing before time and until the end of time.

"For the first and only time in the book God himself speaks. He does so as absolute Lord of all, to ratify what has just been expounded. While the author and his readers are still in this world of suffering, God affirms that he - even now - is crating a new world. There is, then, a connection between present human suffering and the future world which is taking shape thanks to the mercy of God." [3]

CCC: Rv 21:1-22:5 117; Rv 21:5 1044; Rv 21:6 694,1137; Rv 21:7 2788

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

Had not the LORD been with us—

When men rose up against us,

then would they have swallowed us alive,

When their fury was inflamed against us.

R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;

The torrent would have swept over us;

over us then would have swept the raging waters.

R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Broken was the snare,

and we were freed.

Our help is in the name of the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

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Commentary on Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

The psalm is one of thanksgiving to the Lord for his gift of salvation: salvation from physical enemies and salvation from nature’s fury. The song thanks God who rescues us if we but reach out to him.

CCC: Ps 124:8 287

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Gospel: Mt 10:28-33

Jesus said to the Twelve:

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body

but cannot kill the soul;

rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy

both soul and body in Gehenna.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?

Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.

Even all the hairs of your head are counted.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others

I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

But whoever denies me before others,

I will deny before my heavenly Father."

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Commentary on Mt 10:28-33

Jesus concludes his instructions to the Apostles as he sends them out. He tells them not to fear the persecution he has told them they will face. This fear should be absent because, while the body may be killed, their souls are safe with him. He concludes this passage telling them that the Father is watching over them and they have nothing to fear.

CCC: Mt 10:28 363,1034; Mt 10:29-31 305; Mt 10:32-33 1816; Mt 10:32 14,2145

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Reflection:

St. Catherine lived in the late third century in Alexandria, Egypt. She was known to be a brilliant student and at a very young age (18 according to early tradition) became very learned in all manner of academic studies as well as a devout Christian. As the daughter of Constus, the governor of Alexandria during the reign of the emperor Maximian (286–305), she went to Maximian and confronted him over his vicious persecution of Christians. The emperor was amazed at her audacity and attempted to have her dissuaded from her faith by his own academicians and advisors. Not only did they fail in their attempts but in many cases, they too were converted to the faith, even though it meant instant martyrdom.

St. Catherine (also known as Catherine of the Wheel) got this later assignation because Maximian attempted to execute her on a spiked wheel. Catherine touched the intended instrument of her torture and death and it shattered. Outraged by this miracle, Maximian commanded that she be beheaded. Angels transported her body to the highest mountain (now called Mt. Saint Catherine) next to Mount Sinai. In 850, her incorrupt body was discovered by monks from the Sinai Monastery.

The heroic virtue of St. Catherine should serve to remind us that God, through our Savior Jesus, his son, sends us into an unforgiving world as well. "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” we are told in the Gospel. Those words require action based upon belief. We are reminded of a young child who was caught on the second floor of a burning building and a stranger below called to the child to jump into his arms, assuring her he would catch her. She could not jump, not because she did not know her situation, but because she could not trust the stranger to catch her. When her father ran up below and told her to jump, she immediately leapt into his arms.

St. Catherine had that kind of faith in our Lord. We are called to have that same unfaltering faith. On St. Catherine’s feast day, we ask for her intercession. May she ask our Father to give us the courage to face all resistance to the Lord with courage and words to persuade others of the way to life through Christ.

Pax

[1] The picture is “Catherine of Alexandria” by Caravaggio, c. 1598

[2] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

“The Translation of Saint Rita of Cascia” by Nicolas Poussin c. 1630

Readings for the Memorial of St. Rita of Cascia [1]

Biographical information about St. Rita of Cascia

Readings and Commentary:[2]

Below are the readings suggested for this Memorial. However, readings for the Memorial may also be taken from the Common of Holy Men and Women: For Religious #737-742.

Reading 1: Philippians 4:4-9

Brothers and sisters:

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I shall say it again: rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all.

The Lord is near.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received

and heard and seen in me.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

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Commentary on Phil 4:4-9

In the certain knowledge that Christ is with them, St. Paul begins this address, as part of a series of ethical instructions, by exhorting the Christian community to prayer. Through prayer God’s peace will come into their hearts and minds as a gift from Christ Jesus. He calls upon them to meditate upon the great good that is provided through God and provides a litany of adjectives: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and gracious, as descriptors of Christ’s actions in their midst. Through a focus on what is excellent they will achieve the peace of Christ.

CCC: Phil 4:6-7 2633; Phil 4:8 1803

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

or:

R. (2a) Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.

or:

R. (92:13-14) The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Blessed the man who follows not

the counsel of the wicked

Nor walks in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the company of the insolent,

But delights in the law of the LORD

and meditates on his law day and night.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

or:

R. Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.

or:

R. The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

He is like a tree

planted near running water,

That yields its fruit in due season,

and whose leaves never fade.

Whatever he does, prospers.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

or:

R. Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.

or:

R. The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Not so, the wicked, not so;

they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

For the LORD watches over the way of the just,

but the way of the wicked vanishes.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

or:

R. Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.

or:

R. The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

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Commentary on Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Psalm 1 serves as a preface to the whole book of psalms. The psalmist here exalts those who follow the Lord’s commands, and reflects upon the blessings they will receive. As in Romans 6:19ff, this selection emphasizes the contrast between the salvation of the just and the punishment of the wicked.

This wisdom psalm begins by extolling the virtue of those who follow the law. The focus is to look to God for guidance, and not to trust only in the counsel of others. Those who reject the law will be blown away like “chaff,” an image used in the Gospel as well (Matthew 3:12).

This portion of the psalm is later echoed in Isaiah 48:17-19, like an overlapped formula of covenant. Blessed is the man who “delights in the law day and night,” but “the way of the wicked vanishes.” It also takes up the theme of following right paths and staying true to the teachings of God: “Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night.”

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Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples:

"To you who hear I say,

love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

To the person who strikes you on one cheek,

offer the other one as well,

and from the person who takes your cloak,

do not withhold even your tunic.

Give to everyone who asks of you,

and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

For if you love those who love you,

what credit is that to you?

Even sinners love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you,

what credit is that to you?

Even sinners do the same.

If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,

what credit is that to you?

Even sinners lend to sinners,

and get back the same amount.

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,

and lend expecting nothing back;

then your reward will be great

and you will be children of the Most High,

for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

"Stop judging and you will not be judged.

Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.

Forgive and you will be forgiven.

Give and gifts will be given to you;

a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,

will be poured into your lap.

For the measure with which you measure

will in return be measured out to you."

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Commentary on Lk 6:27-38

This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel continues the Sermon on the Plain. In this section, Jesus extends the commandment to love one’s neighbor to include one’s enemy, breaking new ground in the interpretation of Mosaic Law. Jesus turns from our relationship with God in prayer to how we interact with our neighbor in the world. The “Golden Rule” is proclaimed and with it the two paths that are presented to the Christian believer: the path that leads to life, and the path that leads to death (Cf. Deuteronomy 30:15-20). [3] What follows is an extension of each of the laws governing hospitality. It continues by extending even the judicial laws that govern dispute resolution. In the conclusion of this section, the Lord exhorts the disciples to embrace forgiveness, saying, “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

CCC: Lk 6:28 1669; Lk 6:31 1789, 1970; Lk 6:36 1458, 2842

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Reflection:

The first reading from Philippians and the Gospel from St. Luke are two faces of the same coin. St. Paul encourages the church at Philippi to live the faith they have been given, to do things in their lives that would proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this way they would declare themselves faithful. In St. Luke’s excerpt from the Sermon on the Plain, he gives a more specific example with a broad-brushed approach to God’s commandment to love your neighbor, going beyond simple hospitality required by Mosaic Law.

When these two facets of Christian living are taken together they give us an excellent picture of what our Lord expects of his disciples. As we hear later in Luke 11:27-28: “blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

On this feast day we look at another example of living Christ’s example of love and humility. St. Rita of Cascia (Born Margherita Lotti 1381 – 22 May 1457), although she wanted to dedicate her life totally to God from a young age, was forced to marry. When her family (husband and two sons) had died, she entered the Augustinian convent in Cascia, Italy. She lived the Gospel and was venerated for her piety and humility. Her example inspires many, even to this day, who visit and pray at her shrine.

On her feast day, we pray for her intercession. We ask her to ask God to forgive our weaknesses and that the Holy Spirit might support us as we try to live as our Savior has commanded, by loving all we meet. In this way we might join her one day as she rejoices at the throne of the Lamb.

Pax

[1] The picture is “The Translation of Saint Rita of Cascia” by Nicolas Poussin c. 1630.

Memorial Bench

NOVEMBER 25 SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

MAY 22 - MEMORIAL OF SAINT RITA OF CASCIA, RELIGIOUS

Readings and Commentary:[2]

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