Memorial Bench

“Our Lady of Fatima”
artist and date are unknown

Readings for the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima [1]

Additional information about Our Lady of Fatima

Readings and Commentary:[2]

Or from Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, #707-712.

Reading 1: Isaiah 61:9-11

Thus says the LORD:

Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations,

and their offspring among the peoples;

All who see them shall acknowledge them

as a race the LORD has blessed.

I rejoice heartily in the LORD,

in my God is the joy of my soul;

For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation,

and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,

Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,

like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

As the earth brings forth its plants,

and a garden makes its growth spring up,

So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise

spring up before all the nations.

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Commentary on Is 61:9-11

This selection provides the last verses of “Glad Tidings to the Lowly,” one of the songs of those returning from exile. Jesus quoted from the first part of this song (not included) when he announced the messianic kingdom had come (Luke 4:18-19). In these verses, the prophet sees the New Jerusalem coming forth as a light upon the world, bringing salvation to the people and glory to God.

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

R. (11) Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

or:

R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,

forget your people and your father's house.

So shall the king desire your beauty;

for he is your lord, and you must worship him.

R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

or:

R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

All glorious is the king's daughter as she enters;

her raiment is threaded with spun gold.

In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the king;

behind her the virgins of her train are brought to you.

R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

or:

R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

They are borne in with gladness and joy;

they enter the palace of the king.

The place of your fathers your sons shall have;

you shall make them princes through all the land.

R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

or:

R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

Alleluia

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Commentary on Ps 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

Psalm 45 is a royal psalm originally sung in honor of the king’s marriage to a queen (of foreign extraction). It is likely that it influenced St. Paul’s instructions on virgins and marriage. It emphasizes the beauty of the sacramental relationship (see 1 Corinthians 7:25-35).

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Gospel: Luke 11:27-28

While Jesus was speaking,

a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,

"Blessed is the womb that carried you

and the breasts at which you nursed."

He replied, "Rather, blessed are those

who hear the word of God and observe it."

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Commentary on Lk 11:27-28

This short saying of Jesus is not a contradiction of the woman who blesses Mother Mary; rather it is an assertion by the Lord that God's message is more important, in his eyes, than that biological relationship. Mary is more blessed because she heard “the word of God” (see also Luke 1:28-29 and Luke 1:42-45). This passage is consistent in meaning with Luke 8:19-21.

"In the course of her Son's preaching she [Mary] received the words whereby, in extolling a Kingdom beyond the concerns and ties of flesh and blood, he declared blessed those who heard and kept the word of God (cf. Mark 3:35; Luke 11:27-28) as she was faithfully doing (cf. Luke 2:19, 51)" (Lumen gentium, 58)". [3]

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Reflection:

The three children to whom our Blessed Mother appeared were simple peasant children who did not understand what they were seeing initially. Why they were chosen is a mystery. It seems the Lord always picks humble people to do spectacular things. It would have been so much easier for St. Mary to pick an influential person who would have instant credibility to whom she would present herself. But then, the same can be said of Juan Diego in Mexico. Even the Lord’s disciples were simple fishermen or tax collectors, not people of high rank and authority.

There is a lesson here that echoes the passage from St. Luke. When the Lord’s earthly mother is praised, he points out that those who hear and observe God’s law are blessed. He does not hold up his mother, knowing she is “full of grace.” Rather he points to the average person who has faith, like Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta.

The real miracle of Fatima was not so much the “miracle of the sun” as the fact that the simple faith of three children should touch millions and bring countless miracles of faith to pass. It is this example that should give us courage and hope.

On this feast day, we pray for the intercession of Mother Mary. May she give us the strength and courage of the children of Fatima, that we too might be examples of faith to inspire others and bring peace to a troubled world.

Pax

[1] The picture is “Our Lady of Fatima” artist and date are unknown.

[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. These texts are from the Lectionary for Mass – Supplement, (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New Jersey © 2017).

The house of the Holy Family at Loreto,
photographer and date are unknown

Readings for the Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto [1]

Additional information about Our Lady of Loreto

Readings and Commentary: [2]

Reading 1: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10

The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying:

Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God;

let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!

But Ahaz answered,

"I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!"

Then Isaiah said:

Listen, O house of David!

Is it not enough for you to weary people,

must you also weary my God?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:

the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son,

and shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us!"

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Commentary on Is 7:10-14; 8:10

In the first part of this reading, the prophet attempts to reassure the king as Jerusalem comes under threat of attack from Syria. King Ahaz is offered a sign by the prophet Isaiah. However, Ahaz refuses the sign because it would indicate that God was intervening on the prophet’s side and he did not want to accept that.

The sign that would be given, in spite of the king’s refusal, is the oracle we understand as referring to the perfect realization of the promise of a Davidic dynasty in the birth of the Messiah – Christ Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary.

“The sign proposed by Isaiah was concerned with the preservation of Judah in the midst of distress (cf Isaiah 7:15, 17), but more especially with the fulfillment of God's earlier promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) in the coming of Immanuel (meaning, 'With us is God') as the ideal king (cf. Isaiah 9:5-6; 11:1-5). The Church has always followed St. Matthew in seeing the transcendent fulfillment of this verse in Christ and his Virgin Mother.”[3]

"The child, the son, is the most significant part of the sign. If the prophecy refers to the son of Ahaz, the future King Hezekiah, it would be indicating that his birth will be a sign of divine protection, because it will mean that the dynasty will continue. If it refers to another child, not yet known, the prophet's words would mean that the child's birth could manifest hope that 'God was going to be with us,' and his reaching the age of discretion (v. 16) would indicate the advent of peace; the child's birth would, then, be the sign that 'God is with us.'" [4]

CCC: Is 7:14 497

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Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55

R. (49) The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

or:

R. O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

R. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

or:

R. O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.

For he has looked upon his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

R. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

or:

R. O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

R. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

or:

R. O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

R. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

or:

R. O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children forever.

R. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

or:

R. O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.

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Commentary on Lk 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55

We are given a selection from the Magnificat, the beautiful Canticle of Mary. Her song of thanksgiving and humility captures the saintliness that has become synonymous with our image of Mary the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven, and the Mother of the Church. In her dedication of the service she offers to God as vessel of the Messiah she sets the stage for the humble birth of Jesus.

CCC: Lk 1:46-55 722, 2619, 2675; Lk 1:46-49 2097; Lk 1:48 148, 971, 2676, 2676; Lk 1:49 273, 2599, 2807, 2827; Lk 1:50 2465; Lk 1:54-55 706; Lk 1:55 422

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Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,

“How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

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Commentary on Lk 1:26-38

This passage, from St. Luke’s Gospel, is the story of Mary being informed by the archangel Gabriel that she has been chosen for the great privilege of bearing the Savior of the world. St. Mary graciously accepts this honor, although with very human fear, indicating that her free will is at play. This response makes her obedience to God’s will more powerful. It is proposed that, with this acceptance, Mary entered into a vow of perpetual virginity because of the demands of Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel."

In St. Luke’s story of the Annunciation, the archangel Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her she will bear a son and name him Jesus (the eternal implication of this statement is made clear in the greeting which presupposes knowledge of Mary’s entire existence). Mary confirms the title “Virgin” as she questions Gabriel saying: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Even though she does not understand, Mary accepts her role and is told that the Holy Spirit will be the agent of the life within her. She then utters those amazing words: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

This announcement parallels Zechariah’s news about John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-23), also delivered by the archangel Gabriel. This passage clearly identifies Jesus as Son of David and Son of God, thus linking it with the messianic predictions from the Old Testament.

CCC: Lk 1:26-38 497, 706, 723, 2571; Lk 1:26-27 488; Lk 1:26 332; Lk 1:28-37 494; Lk 1:28 490, 491; Lk 1:31 430, 2812; Lk 1:32-33 709; Lk 1:32 559; Lk 1:34 484, 497, 505; Lk 1:35 437, 484, 486, 697; Lk 1:37-38 494; Lk 1:37 148, 269, 273, 276; Lk 1:38 64, 148, 510, 2617, 2677, 2827, 2856

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Reflection:

Through our sacred history, as told through the Scriptures, God has promised his help and support, sometimes in miraculous ways. He gave Isaiah a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And Mary herself was graced by God to have his abundant grace and to receive a special place in his heavenly kingdom. For our Holy Mother’s part, she has been most active in reminding us of her son’s love. She has reminded the peoples of the Americas and in various places and times around the globe of her constant care through signs and wonders. She reminds us so we would not lose hope. We understand that even when all seems hopeless and there is no escaping terrible consequences, we must not lose hope because, with God, all things are possible.

We know this of course. We see the gift Christ himself gives us each time simple bread is transubstantiated, and his body is presented to us in the Eucharist. Even that constant reminder has lost impact as more and more of the faithful do not accept that miracle. Throughout history, God has decided that something bigger was needed, more spectacular, impossible, to shake us up and remind us that God so loved us that he sent his Only Begotten Son, the Virgin Mary’s child, that we might have life eternally.

The miracle of the house of the Holy Family, now located in Loreto, Italy: According to the history of this amazing place, angels have kept it from destruction by moving it bodily first from Palestine to Europe (after having twice protected it from destruction that ruined the basilicas erected over it in that country) and then to its current location. That this was indeed miraculous is unquestioned (it has no foundation and sits partially on a road and partially on a farmer’s field). Our Lady is attributed with commanding those angels.

In this day when so many have lost faith, when so few believe in miracles, we need to be reminded of the signs left for us. We face a crisis of faith globally and the forces of evil conspire to bring the good that God created in the world down in ruin. Lift up your hearts! We have a great Savior and God who loves us, and St. Mary who makes sure we are reminded of that love.

Pax

[1] The photograph is The house of the Holy Family at Loreto, photographer and date are unknown.

[3] NAB footnote on Isaiah 7: 10ff.

Memorial Bench

MAY 13 - MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

DECEMBER 10 MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF LORETO

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