Daily Mass Meditations

November 10, 2020

Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

CHRYSOSTOM:

When the soul is unclean, it thinks all things unclean. Therefore scrupulous observances are no mark of purity, but it is the part of purity to be bold in all things.… What then is unclean? Sin, malice, covetousness, wickedness.

AUGUSTINE:

As far as we are concerned, our consciences are all that matters. As far as you are concerned, our reputation among you ought not to be tarnished but influential for good. Mark what I’ve said, and make the distinction. There are two things, conscience and reputation; conscience for yourself, reputation for your neighbor. Those who, being clear in their consciences, neglect their reputations, are being cruel; especially if they find themselves in this position. The apostle writes about this to his disciple: “Showing yourself to all around you as an example of good works.” read more

November 8, 2020

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The parable of the ten virgins gives us an important teaching about how we live our lives here below, and how we must think about Christ’s coming. Many comparisons could be drawn between ourselves and the virgins, and we are compelled to put ourselves in the parable. We are almost forced us to ask ourselves the question: am I a wise virgin or a foolish virgin? The good news is that if we can still ask ourselves the question, we have not yet fallen asleep and if we find ourselves to be foolish we can seek wisdom. The two readings we have today lead us to consider these two themes in connection with the Gospel parable. read more

November 7, 2020

Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

The theme of generosity in today’s readings invites us to reflect spiritually but does not excuse us from examining our attitude towards money. We know that money isn’t good in and of itself: it can give us a certain power to acquire other material goods, but is itself neither good nor evil. The Pharisees are accused by Jesus of being “lovers of money.” On the other hand, Saint Paul thanks the Philippians for giving to him in his need. The Pharisees are interested in increasing wealth in order to continue to have power and influence. Saint Paul sees neither wealth nor poverty as evil in and of themselves, but rather the attitude of heart we can have in either of those situations. read more

Daily Readings

Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
by USCCB on November 25, 2024 at 9:30 am
Reading 1 Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5 I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb. On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished. Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. Alleluia Mt 24:42a, 44 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel LK 21:1-4 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Daily Mass Meditations

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Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

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