Memorial Bench

AUGUST 19 SAINT JOHN EUDES

“St. John Eudes”
Artist and Date are UNKNOWN

AUGUST 19

SAINT JOHN EUDES, PRIEST

Biographical Information about St. John Eudes [1]

Readings for the Memorial of St. John Eudes

Readings and Commentary: [2]

FIRST READING
Ephesians 3:14-19

Brothers and sisters:
I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you, in accord with the riches of his glory,
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

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Commentary on Eph 3:14-19

St. Paul is addressing the Gentiles in Ephesus. “The apostle prays that those he is addressing may, like the rest of the church, deepen their understanding of God's plan of salvation in Christ. It is a plan that affects the whole universe with the breadth and length and height and depth of God's love in Christ or possibly the universe in all its dimensions. The apostle prays that they may perceive the redemptive love of Christ for them and be completely immersed in the fullness of God.” [3]

CCC: Eph 3:14 239, 2214, 2367; Eph 3:16-17 1073, 2714; Eph 3:16 1995; Eph 3:18-21 2565
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 131:1bcde, 2, 3
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
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Commentary on Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3

Psalm 131 is an individual lament praying for harmony and humility among the members of the community. The singer proclaims trust in the Lord and peace, like children's contented peace, secure in the knowledge of the love and protection of their parents.

CCC: Ps 131:2 239; Ps 131:2-3 370
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GOSPEL
Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus answered:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."
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Commentary on Mt 11:25-30

Jesus has just completed a fairly scathing criticism of the people in the places he has been and performed miracles, yet many have not accepted him as the Messiah. He now concludes this section as he reflects that, while the scribes and Pharisees (“the wise and learned”) have not understood who he is, those with simple faith have accepted him freely. He then issues an invitation to all who “labor and are burdened” quoting an invitation similar to one in the book of Sirach to learn wisdom and submit to her yoke (Sirach 51:23, 26).

“This Q saying, identical with Luke 10:21-22 except for minor variations, introduces a joyous note into this section, so dominated by the theme of unbelief. While the wise and the learned, the scribes and Pharisees, have rejected Jesus' preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds, the childlike have accepted them. Acceptance depends upon the Father's revelation, but this is granted to those who are open to receive it and refused to the arrogant. Jesus can speak of all mysteries because he is the Son and there is perfect reciprocity of knowledge between him and the Father; what has been handed over to him is revealed only to those whom he wishes.”[4]

The final verses of this section are found only in St. Matthew’s Gospel and promise salvation to those who are downtrodden or in pain. “In extending his extraordinary invitation Jesus is speaking as one possessing the full authority and compassion of God. ‘Come to me, you all you grown weary with labor and heavily burdened!’ The proclamation has all the universality and power that only a divine call to mankind can have, the sort of blessed clamor of God’s compassion within human history that we hear in the prophets.” [5]

CCC: Mt 11:25-27 2603, 2779; Mt 11:25-26 2701; Mt 11:25 153, 544, 2785; Mt 11:27 151, 240, 443, 473; Mt 11:28 1658; Mt 11:29-30 1615; Mt 11:29 459
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Reflection:

What intercession do we ask of St. John Eudes, a saint in heaven and a priest of the Church? He gave his life to those who needed spiritual graces with which he was so generously endowed. He lived the example of Christ who loved all people and who selflessly gave of his energy so that the poor and marginalized might find salvation.

Do we ask St. John that we be filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit which seemed to drive him to attempt greater and greater initiatives to build up the Church and find ways to bring people back to the heart of Jesus whom he dearly loved? Do we ask that he pray to Christ at whose throne he stands that we might be filled with the same love of people that inspired him to preach God’s word so eloquently? Or do we simply ask for his prayers that our love of God and devotion to the Mother of God, Mary, Most Holy, might match his own?

Scripture begs us to put aside our skepticism and disbelief and accept God as a child accepts, with innocence and trust. The Lord asks us to accept his yoke, his guiding hand that we might find peace in this life and an eternal reward in the next. Of all the things St. John Eudes asked of God’s people in his life, this was the message he brought – Come to the Lord with all of your cares and burdens and place them at his feet. Accept the loving hand of Christ; let him guide you and keep you safe on a path that avoids worldly cares.

Perhaps, as we celebrate his memorial, we should ask St John to pray for us that we might as willingly accept that sacred burden as he did and with that acceptance bring about the salvation of souls through our example as he did in is life.

Pax

[1] The picture is “St. John Eudes” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN.
[2] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[3] NAB Footnote on Ephesians 3:14-19.
[4] NAB footnote on Matthew 11:25ff,
[5] Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, Fire of Mercy Heart of the Word Volume I (Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, © 1996), 710.

AUGUST 16 SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY

“St. Stephen of Hungary
Embraced by St. Mary”
by Ippolito Scarsella, ~1580

AUGUST 16

SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY

Biographical Information about St. Stephen of Hungary [1]

Readings for the Memorial of St. Stephen of Hungary

Readings and Commentary: [2]

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 6:3-9

Moses said to the people:
"Hear, Israel, and be careful to observe these commandments,
that you may grow and prosper the more,
in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers,
to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!
Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your strength.
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.
Drill them into your children.
Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.
Bind them at your wrist as a sign
and let them be as a pendant on your forehead.
Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates."
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Commentary on Dt 6:3-9

The tale of Moses leading the children of Israel (Jacob) presents an important event. Moses begins in this passage giving the tribes the Shema Yisrael, arguably the most important of all Jewish prayers. It embodies the whole of Mosaic Law and is quoted by Christ as “the greatest and the first commandment,” summarizing the whole law of God.

His injunction to “Take to heart these words” gives rise to a number of Hebrew traditions including the use of phylacteries (“…as a pendant on your forehead”).

CCC: Dt 6:4-5 201, 459, 2093; Dt 6:4 228, 2083; Dt 6:5 368, 2055, 2133
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (1) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast;
he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9

This hymn of praise and thanksgiving from Psalm 112 commends the people faithful to the Law of Moses. The one who is blameless in the eyes of God has nothing to fear those of his community or others since the Lord is his protector. A repeating theme is the praise of those who are generous to the poor and poor in spirit.

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GOSPEL

Long Form
Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"A man who was going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the one who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master's money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back
and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.'
His master said to him,
`Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
`Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him,
`Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
`Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.'
His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth!"'
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Commentary on Mt 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents comes to us as part of Jesus’ dialogue about being prepared and vigilant. It combines two different but connected logions or morals/teaching points. The first is to use the gifts God has given for the benefit of God, who is represented by the “master” in the parable. The second is vigilance. This parable, directed at the disciples, exhorts his servants to use the gifts God has given them to the fullest, for the benefit of others (as well as God). It is an exclamation point to Jesus' earlier statement: “those to whom much is given, even more will be expected” (see also Luke 12:48).

CCC: Mt 25:14-30 546, 1936; Mt 25:21 1029, 1720, 2683; Mt 25:23 1029, 1720
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OR

Short Form
Matthew 25:14-23

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"A man who was going on a journey called in his servants
and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master's money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back
and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward
bringing the additional five.
He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.'
His master said to him,
`Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
`Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him,
`Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy!"'
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Commentary on Mt 25:14-23

This shorter form of the Gospel focuses narrowly on the need for the faithful to use the gifts God has given them to the fullest for the benefit of others (as well as God). It is an exclamation point to Jesus earlier statement “those to whom much is given, even more will be expected.”

CCC: Mt 25:14-30 546, 1936; Mt 25:21 1029, 1720, 2683; Mt 25:23 1029, 1720
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Reflection:

In modern politics, regardless of the nation, we see well-meaning individuals succumb to temptation: temptation to graft, temptation to sex, temptation to all kinds of abuses of power. If we look back to the era of St. Stephen of Hungary whose feast we celebrate, we can see that in the 10^th century even greater abuses were common. With many countries subject to the absolute power invested in the monarchy, many rulers of that day fell to all manner of temptations which make current day excesses of political figures pale in comparison (that of course does not excuse anyone from violating the public trust). It does, however, point to the heroic virtue of St. Stephen. His fidelity to Christian values is an example of what is possible when one surrenders one’s will to Christ for the glory of God.

The Gospel proclaimed on this feast sets out the need for all Christians to behave as if Jesus were constantly looking over their shoulder (which indeed he is). We are called to act in such a way as to be ready, at a moment's notice, to stand before the judgment seat of the Most High.

It is only by living daily faith that this is possible. It is only by dedicating all we do to the glory of God that we can avoid falling into the temptation we pray daily to be kept from.

Today we ask for the prayers of St. Stephen of Hungary. We ask that, through his prayers, our will might be conformed, as his was, to the will of Christ. We pray that by being so conformed, all our actions will be pleasing to God and provide and example for others to follow.

Pax

[1] The picture is “St. Stephen of Hungary Embraced by St. Mary” by Ippolito Scarsella, ~1580
[2] The readings are taken from the New American Bible. This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

AUGUST 14 SAINT MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE

St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe
Photographer and Date are UNKNOWN

AUGUST 14

SAINT MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE,
PRIEST AND MARTYR MEMORIAL

Biographical Information about St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe [1]

Readings for the Memorial of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe

Readings and Commentary: [2]

FIRST READING
First Option
Wisdom 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever.
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.
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Commentary on Wis 3:1-9

This passage, while frequently used on the feasts of martyrs, can be understood as an early description of the process of achieving a place in the heavenly kingdom by all those who went before us in faith. The flow of this description provides a good picture of the purification of all the faithful that takes place in the transition from life, through purification in Purgatory (“…chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed”), to new life with the Father.

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OR
Second Option
1 John 3:14-18

Beloved:
We know that we have passed from death to life
because we love our brothers.
Whoever does not love remains in death.
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer,
and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
The way we came to know love
was that he laid down his life for us;
so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
If someone who has worldly means
sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion,
how can the love of God remain in him?
Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth.
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Commentary on 1 Jn 3:14-18

St. John continues his narrative on righteousness and love in this passage. Note he has not really focused on what he considers to be the central teaching of Christ – love one another. In this particular section he begins with the comparison from scripture of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16). He brings that analogy to why the world, in his eyes intrinsically evil, hates the Christian community, who are good because they love each other.

CCC: 1 Jn 3:15 1033; 1 Jn 3:17 2447
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 116:10-11, 12-13, 16ac-17

R. (15) Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.

I believed, even when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted";
I said in my alarm,
"No man is dependable."
R. Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.

How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.

O LORD, I am your servant;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.
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Commentary on Ps 116:10-11, 12-13, 16ac-17

Psalm 116 is a song of thanksgiving. This selection is an individual prayer and promise to God. The singer understands that the Lord is his salvation. A little confusing is -“Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.”- The meaning is that the death of God's faithful is grievous to God, not that God is pleased with the death.

CCC: Ps 116:12 224; Ps 116:13 1330; Ps 116:17 1330
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GOSPEL
John 15:12-16

Jesus said to his disciples:
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
I was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."
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Commentary on Jn 15:12-16

This selection is part of the discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of his departure. There is much made of the use of the difference in the Greek words for “love” used in this discourse. When Jesus says “No one has greater love than this…” the word agapao (intimate, selfless love) is used while when he says “You are my friends…” the word phileo (casual "friendly" [brotherly] type of love) is used. St. John uses the two words synonymously so the message is clear.

CCC: Jn 15:12 459, 1823, 1970, 2074; Jn 15:13 363, 609, 614; Jn 15:15 1972, 2347; Jn 15:16-17 2745; Jn 15:16 434, 737, 2615, 2815
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Reflection:

Jesus speaks to his disciples about what St. John will later call the most important thing he told us (this said in response to a critic on Patmos toward the end of his life when for several days his daily homily consisted only of the phrase “Love one another.”). This command, a central part of Christian thought and teaching – a basic truth of the Gospel and implicit in all Christ’s teachings, is handed down to all people in every age of history since it was first commanded.

In every age great saints of the Church step forward and demonstrate what it means to live this phrase: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” Some take the command completely to its fullest expression, as Christ showed his friends in his great passion. That phrase; “Love one another” is fastened as a pendant around the neck of every martyr who stood in the face of hatred and persecution and offered themselves up for Christ who is present in every man, woman, and child.

Such a person was St. Maximilian Kolbe whose memorial we celebrate today. A Catholic priest born in Poland in 1894, he felt the need to call out to the world. He was tireless in his efforts to extol the virtues of the Blessed Virgin and engaged in numerous missionary activities. When Nazi Germany invaded Poland during World War II, he was sent to the concentration camp, Auschwitz, where he continued to offer his spiritual comfort among his fellow prisoners. He did this in complete response to the Gospel, offering his own life to spare a fellow prisoner (a Jew but that makes no difference, we were all there).

His heroic example of expressing a lived imitation of Christ has elevated him in the eyes of the Church to that special place of friend of God. We ask for his intercession on this day. May he pray that we too have the courage to love one another and if needed, lay down our lives for God’s children.

Pax

[1] The photograph is of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe. Photographer and Date are UNKNOWN.
[2] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

AUGUST 13 SAINT PONTIAN AND SAINT HIPPOLYTUS

AUGUST 13

SAINT PONTIAN, POPE AND MARTYR
AND SAINT HIPPOLYTUS, PRIEST AND MARTYR

“Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus”
Artist and Date are UNKOWN

Biographical Information about Saint Pontian [1]

Biographical Information about Saint Hippolytus

Readings for the Memorial of Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus

Readings and Commentary:[2]

FIRST READING
1 Peter 4:12-19

Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you,
as if something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed
you may also rejoice exultantly.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
But let no one among you be made to suffer
as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.
But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed
but glorify God because of the name.
For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God;
if it begins with us, how will it end
for those who fail to obey the Gospel of God?

And if the righteous one is barely saved,
where will the godless and the sinner appear?

As a result, those who suffer in accord with God's will
hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good.
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Commentary on 1 Pt 4:12-19

The suffering to which the author has already frequently referred is presented in more severe terms. This has led some scholars to see these verses as referring to an actual persecution. Others see the heightening of the language as only a rhetorical device used at the end of the letter to emphasize the suffering motif. [3]

"Before the divine judgement which lies ahead (it is one of the frequent themes of the letter) no one can be complacent (vv. 17-18). The Apostle's severe warnings are reminiscent of those Jesus gave the women of Jerusalem on his way to Calvary: 'if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?' (Luke 23:31). However if one has suffered on Christ's account in this life it is clear that one can approach the judgment with greater confidence (cf. Matthew 5:11-12; 10:32)." [5]

CCC: 1 Pt 4:14 693; 1 Pt 4:17 672
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 124:2-3. 4-5, 7-8R. (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.

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, 7-8

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. The final verse, v.8, combined with "Blessed be the name of the LORD - both now and forever." (Psalm 113:2) is a traditional final blessing when Mass is celebrated by a bishop and is called episcopal or pontifical blessing.

CCC: Ps 124:8 287
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GOSPEL
John 15:18-21

Jesus said to his disciples:
"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
`No slave is greater than his master.'
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me."
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Commentary on Jn 15:18-21

Jesus gives the disciples a paradox in telling them that, while they are part of the world, they do not belong to the world. John gives us three different meanings of "the world." In this instance it probably refers to fallen Israel - the spear of the devil that opposes God and hates the truth. In other instances it refers to the universe created by God (John 1:10) and the fallen family of mankind in need of redemption. (John 3:17 ).[4] The disciples are separated from that society through their association with Christ. He then reminds them that because they are his, they too will suffer persecution by those he came to save.

CCC: Jn 15:19-20 675; Jn 15:20 530, 765
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Reflection:

The great saints whose memorial we celebrate today must look down from heaven upon Holy Mother Church and smile at the irony that they share this feast day. For many years, as contemporaries they were polarized administratively, being on opposite sides of a power struggle within the Church (the Novatian schism). While they were divided by the petty plottings of others, they were always unified in Christ whom they both served with vigor and fidelity in their roles with God’s people. They accepted the martyr’s mantle in an ignoble way, suffering long deprivation in the mines of Sardinia rather than the swift violent deaths of so many of those whose robes are stained white in martyrdom.

Their faithful service, even in the face of violent opposition, provides a live example of what Christ exhorts his disciples to do in St. John’s Gospel. Seeing his own passion rushing toward him, the Lord looks with love upon those who follow him and, in what almost looks like an attempt to drive them away so they do not undergo the trials that await him (and them), he tells them that the world will not love them for the message they bring. He explains that many will not understand the message he prepares them to bring and others will reject it out of hand.

Throughout history his words have found truth in the martyrs whose graves mark a path through two thousand years to this very date. We hope in this day that the Christians in the middle east, especially Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Africa and Pakistan may see the examples of Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus and be strengthened in their resolve. Even as they undergo the great persecution of this age, may the intercession of their predecessors in the struggle give them hope and courage.

Pax

[1] The picture is “Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus” Artist and Date are UNKOWN.
[2] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[3] See NAB footnote on 1 Peter 4:12-19.
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. © 2010), 161.

AUGUST 12 SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL

“St. Jane Frances De Chantal”
Artist and Date are UNKNOWN

AUGUST 12
[In the Dioceses of the United States]*

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL, RELIGIOUS

Biographical Information about St. Jane Frances De Chantal [1]

Readings for the Memorial of St. Jane Frances De Chantal

Readings and Commentary: [2]

FIRST READING

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

When one finds a worthy wife,
her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her,
has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil,
all the days of her life.
She obtains wool and flax
and makes cloth with skillful hands.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her fingers ply the spindle.
She reaches out her hands to the poor,
and extends her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a reward of her labors,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
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Commentary on Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

This entire section (Proverbs 31:10-31) is an acrostic poem (each strophe starting with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet). It is sincere praise for the virtuous wife (unlike Ecclesiastes 7:28 in which the author finds guile) and is intended to be a model for the good Hebrew wife to follow. The strophes selected emphasize first the esteem in which she is to be held by all (not just her family), and next the example of diligence in the tasks she performs. The concluding strophe is praise for the woman who “fears the Lord,” as indicated earlier in Proverbs 9:10 and 1:7. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 131:1bcde, 2,3

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
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Commentary on Ps 131:1bcde, 2,3

Psalm 131 is an individual lament praying for harmony and humility among the members of the community. The singer proclaims trust in the Lord and peace, like children's contented peace, secure in the knowledge of the love and protection of their parents.

CCC: Ps 131:2 239; Ps 131:2-3 370
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GOSPEL
Mark 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived.
Standing outside they sent word to him and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
"Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you."
But he said to them in reply,
"Who are my mother and my brothers?"
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother."
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Commentary on Mk 3:31-35

This passage, while affirming our own adoption as brothers and sisters in Christ, does cause some confusion among those who take scripture at face value without understanding the culture of the time. The first part of this reading from St. Mark’s Gospel is somewhat controversial in that many of the Protestant and Evangelical apologists take the term “and his brothers” to mean his familial or biological brothers. The Church teaches that Mary bore only one child – Jesus. Responding to this Scripture, Catholic scripture scholars teach that “in Semitic usage, the terms "brother," "sister" are applied not only to children of the same parents, but to nephews, nieces, cousins, half-brothers, and half-sisters; cf Genesis 14:16; Genesis 29:15; Leviticus 10:4.” [3]

Another possible explanation, although it comes from an apocryphal source from the second or third century AD, is that the Lord’s foster father, St. Joseph, had been previously married (and widowed). According to “The History of Joseph the Carpenter” from this first marriage, [2.] “… he begot for himself sons and daughters, four sons, namely, and two daughters. Now these are their names— Judas, Justus, James, and Simon. The names of the two daughters were Assia and Lydia.” These would have been the half-brothers and sisters of the Lord.

Because of this, when Mary comes looking for Jesus in this selection, she is, as would be expected, joined by members of the extended family. Jesus extends the family even further though his adoption of those “seated in the circle” who listen to his word and believe, telling those gathered that “whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

CCC: Mk 3:31-35 500
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Reflection:

A brief study of the life of St. Jane Frances De Chantal gives us a picture of a woman of great strength of faith expressed in a life so virtuous that she was able to overcome great obstacles to provide for her family and, by establishing the Order of Visitation, bring others to faith and obedience to Jesus. Compounding the heroic virtue she demonstrated was the very environment in which her fidelity and long-suffering obedience to her faith was demonstrated. It was an era in French history when privileged decadence was rampant. In her status as baroness she could easily have assumed a much more comfortable lifestyle. Yet she embraced humility, chastity, and charity with such strength of character as to stimulate St. Francis de Sales to say of her “"In Madame de Chantal I have found the perfect woman, whom Solomon had difficulty in finding in Jerusalem". [4]

By her life and example we see what is meant by God’s adoption of us as his children. Jesus said in St. Mark’s Gospel above that “…whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." Clearly St. Jane accomplished that noble goal and in doing so showed us that even under the most difficult circumstances our own fidelity to the Lord will be rewarded.

Today we celebrate not just the Memorial of St. Jane Frances De Chantal and her triumphant legacy but all those, especially women, who persevere in the face of great challenges and worldly pressures. May Christ’s abundant love and the strength of the Holy Spirit buoy them up and provide them with peace.

Pax
*St. Jane's feast day was moved to this date in 2002 (previously August 18) Missale Romanum, edicio typica tertia

[1] The picture is “St. Jane Frances De Chantal”, Artist and Date are UNKNOWN
[2] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[3] From the reference note on Mark 6; 3 in the NAB
[4] Pernin, R. (1910). St. Jane Frances de Chantal. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved August 12, 2009 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08282c.htm