DR Squared: Thursday Of The Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  1 Timothy 4:12-16

Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity. Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine. Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophesy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood. Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all. Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 111 (110):2a; V. 7-8, 9, 10

R.  Great are the works of the Lord:

V.  That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles:

     the works of his hands are truth and judgment.

     All his commandments are faithful:

     confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity.

V.  He hath sent redemption to his people:

     he hath commanded his covenant for ever.

     Holy and terrible is his name:

V. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

     A good understanding to all that do it:

     his praise continueth for ever and ever.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 7:36-50

And one of the Pharisees desired him to eat with him. And he went into the house of the Pharisee, and sat down to meat. And behold a woman that was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that he sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment; And standing behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet, with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. And the Pharisee, who had invited him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: This man, if he were a prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. But he said: Master, say it. A certain creditor had two debtors, the one who owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most? Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him: Thou hast judged rightly. And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon: Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she with tears hath washed my feet, and with her hairs hath wiped them. Thou gavest me no kiss; but she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she with ointment hath anointed my feet. Wherefore I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less. And he said to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves: Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Hildegard Of Bingen, Virgin And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Song of Songs 8:6-7

Put me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy as hard as hell, the lamps thereof are fire and flames. Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it: if a man should give all the substance of his house for love, he shall despise it as nothing.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 45 (44):11a OR cf. Matthew 25:6; V. 11-12, 14-15, 16-17

R.  Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear:

OR

R.  Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. 

V.  Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear:

     and forget thy people and thy father's house.

     And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty;

     for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore.

V.  All the glory of the king's daughteris within in golden borders,

     Clothed round about with varieties.

     After her shall virgins be brought to the king:

     her neighbours shall be brought to thee.

V.  They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing:

     they shall be brought into the temple of the king.

     Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee:

     thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 25:1-13

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them:  But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Wisdom 7:7-10, 15-16

Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:  And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold in comparison of her, is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out. And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise:  For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 19 (18):8, 9, 10, 11

R.  Psalm 19 (18):10 

     (T)he judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

OR

John 6:33 (DR--64)

     The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life. 

V.  The law of the Lord is unspotted,

     converting souls:

     the testimony of the Lord is faithful,

     giving wisdom to little ones.

V.  The justices of the Lord are right,

     rejoicing hearts:

     the commandment of the Lord is lightsome,

     enlightening the eyes.

V.  The fear of the Lord is holy,

     enduring for ever and ever:

     the judgments of the Lord are true,

     justified in themselves.

V.  More to be desired than gold

     and many precious stones:

     and sweeter than honey

     and the honeycomb.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 7:21-29

Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. And every one that heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  1 Timothy 3:14-16

These things I write to thee, hoping that I shall come to thee shortly. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And evidently great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 111 (110):2a; V. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (DR--7a)

R.  Great are the works of the Lord:

V.  I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;

     in the council of the just: and in the congregation.

     Great are the works of the Lord:

     sought out according to all his wills.

V.  His work is praise and magnificence:

     and his justice continueth for ever and ever.

     He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works,

     being a merciful and gracious Lord:

V.  He hath given food to them that fear him.

     He will be mindful for ever of his covenant:

     He will shew forth to his people the power of his works.

     That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles:

Gospel Reading:  Luke 7:31-35

And the Lord said: Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? They are like to children sitting in the marketplace, and speaking one to another, and saying: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have mourned, and you have not wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and you say: He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking: and you say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a drinker of wine, a friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by all her children.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Cornelius, Pope And Martyr, And Saint Cyprian, Bishop And Martyr

First Reading:  2 Corinthians 4:7-15

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God, and not of us. In all things we suffer tribulation, but are not distressed; we are straitened, but are not destitute; We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:  Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake; that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe, for which cause we speak also:  Knowing that he who raised up Jesus, will raise us up also with Jesus, and place us with you. For all things are for your sakes; that the grace abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 126 (125):5; V. 1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

R.  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

V. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion,

     we became like men comforted. 

     Then was our mouth filled with gladness;

     and our tongue with joy.

V.  Then shall they say among the Gentiles:

     The Lord hath done great things for them.

     The Lord hath done great things for us:

     we are become joyful.

V.  Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

     as a stream in the south.

     They that sow in tears

     shall reap in joy.

V.  Going they went and wept,

     casting their seeds.

     But coming they shall come with joyfulness,

     carrying their sheaves.

Gospel Reading:  John 17:11b-19

Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name. Those whom thou gavest me have I kept; and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture may be fulfilled. And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy filled in themselves. I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world; as I also am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  1 Timothy 3:1-13

A faithful saying: if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher, Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity. But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Not a neophyte: lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony of them who are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons in like manner chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre:  Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime. The women in like manner chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children, and their own houses. For they that have ministered well, shall purchase to themselves a good degree, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 101 (100):2c; V. 1b-2ab, 2cd-3ab, 5, 6

R.  I walked in the innocence of my heart,

V.  Mercy and judgment I will sing to thee,

     O Lord: I will sing,

     And I will understand in the unspotted way,

     when thou shalt come to me.

V.  I walked in the innocence of my heart,

     in the midst of my house.

     I did not set before my eyes

     any unjust thing:

V.  The man that in private detracted his neighbour,

     him did I persecute.

     With him that had a proud eye, and an unsatiable heart,

     I would not eat.

V.  My eyes were upon the faithful of the earth,

     to sit with me:

     the man that walked in the perfect way,

     he served me.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 7:11-17

And it came to pass afterwards, that he went into a city that is called Naim; and there went with him his disciples, and a great multitude. And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow: and a great multitude of the city was with her. Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, he said to her: Weep not. And he came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it, stood still. And he said: Young man, I say to thee, arise. And he that was dead, sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. And there came a fear on them all: and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet is risen up among us: and, God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the country round about.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Holiday PSA

There are only 99 shopping days until Christmas.

(Just a friendly reminder, for all you looking to beat the rush.)

UPDATE 9/15/2015:  That was back when there wasn't the glut of stores being open on Thanksgiving Day. Now it seems that day must be counted as well.

Anyway, there are only 100 shopping days until Christmas.

Avoid that last-minute rush.

**********

Originally posted 9/15/2008.
Updated and re-posted 9/15/2015.

Re-posted 9/15/2018.

Re-posted 9/15/2020.

Re-posted 9/15/2021.

Re-posted 9/15/2022.

Re-posted 9/15/2023.

Re-posted 9/15/2024.

"...You Yourself Shall Be Pierced With A Sword..."

Statue of Our Lady of Sorrows

Church of the True Cross

Salamanca, Spain

The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows follows the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Once again, like the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the liturgical calendar shows us that we, like Mary, should be close to Jesus. We also must be ready to share the sorrows of both.

Many of you sing the following during the Stations of the Cross. A 13th. Century hymn, it was suppressed as a sequence by the Council of Trent, only to be restored by Benedict XIII in 1727. Its use in the Ordinary Form of the Mass is optional. The English translation is by Edward Caswall.

Stabat mater dolorosa

juxta Crucem lacrimosa,

dum pendebat Filius.

Cuyus animam gementem,

contristatam et dolentem,

pertransivit gladius.

O quam tristis et afflicta

fuit illa benedicta

Mater Unigeniti.

Quae moerebat et dolebat,

Pia Mater cum videbat

Nati poenas incliti.

Quis est homo qui non fleret,

Matrem Christi si videret

in tanto supplicio?

Quis non posset contristari,

Christi Matrem contemplari

dolentem cum Filio?

Pro peccatis suae gentis

vidit Jesum in tormentis

et flagellis subditum.

Vidit suum dulcem natum

moriendo desolatum,

dum emisit spiritum.

Eia Mater, fons amoris,

me sentire vim doloris

fac, ut tecum lugeam.

Fac ut ardeat cor meum

in amando Christum Deum,

ut sibi complaceam.

Sancta mater, istud agas,

crucifixi fige plagas

cordi meo valide.

Tui nati vulnerati,

tam dignati pro me pati,

poenas mecum divide.

Fac me tecum pie flere,

crucifixo condolere,

donec ego vixero.

Iuxta crucem tecum stare,

et me tibi sociare

in planctu desidero.

Virgo virginum praeclara,

mihi iam non sis amara:

fac me tecum plangere.

Fac ut portem Christi mortem,

passionis fac consortem,

et plagas recolere.

Fac me plagis vulnerari,

fac me cruce inebriari,

et cruore Filii.

Flammis ne urar succensus

per te Virgo, sim defensus

in die judicii

Christe, cum sit hinc exire,

da per matrem me venire

ad palmam victoriae.

Quando corpus morietur,

fac ut animae donetur

Paradisi gloria.

Amen.

++++++++++

At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,

All His bitter anguish bearing,

Now at length the sword had pass'd.

Oh, how sad and sore distress'd

Was that Mother highly blest

Of the sole-begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs;

She beneath beholds the pangs

Of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,

Whelm'd in miseries so deep

Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain

From partaking in her pain,

In that Mother's pain untold?

Bruis'd, derided, curs'd, defil'd,

She beheld her tender child

All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation,

Saw Him hang in desolation,

Till His spirit forth He sent.

O thou Mother! fount of love!

Touch my spirit from above;

Make my heart with thine accord.

Make me feel as thou hast felt;

Make my soul to glow and melt

With the love of Christ our Lord.

Holy Mother! pierce me through;

In my heart each wound renew

Of my Saviour crucified.

Let me share with thee His pain,

Who for all my sins was slain,

Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,

Mourning Him who mourn'd for me,

All the days that I may live.

By the cross with thee to stay,

There with thee to weep and pray,

Is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins best,

Listen to my fond request

Let me share thy grief divine.

Let me, to my latest breath,

In my body bear the death

Of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,

Steep my soul till it hath swoon'd

In His very blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,

Lest in flames I burn and die,

In His awful Judgment day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,

Be Thy Mother my defence,

Be Thy cross my victory.

While my body here decays,

May my soul Thy goodness praise,

Safe in Paradise with Thee.

Amen.

**********

Originally published 3/21/2008 (Good Friday).

Re-posted with image 9/15/2018.

Re-posted without image 9/15/2020.

Re-posted 9/15/2021.

Re-posted 9/15/2022.

Re-posted 9/15/2023.

DR Squared: Memorial Of Our Lady Of Sorrows

First Reading:  Hebrews 5:7-9

Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence. And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered:  And being consummated, he became, to all that obey him, the cause of eternal salvation.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 31 (30):17b; V. 2 and 3b, 3cd-4, 5-6, 15-16, 20

R.  (S)ave me in thy mercy.

V.  In thee, O Lord, have I hoped,

     let me never be confounded:

     deliver me in thy justice.

     (M)ake haste to deliver me.

V.  Be thou unto me a God, a protector,

     and a house of refuge, to save me.

     For thou art my strength and my refuge;

     and for thy name's sake thou wilt lead me, and nourish me.

V.  Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me:

     for thou art my protector.

     Into thy hands I commend my spirit:

     thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.

V.  But I have put my trust in thee, O Lord:

     I said: Thou art my God.

     My lots are in thy hands. Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies;

     and from them that persecute me.

V.  O how great is the multitude of thy sweetness, O Lord,

     which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee!

     Which thou hast wrought for them that hope in thee,

     in the sight of the sons of men.  

Gospel Reading:  John 19:25-27

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

OR

Luke 2:33-35

And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time (Year I)

First Reading:  1 Timothy 2:1-8

I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men:  For kings, and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus:  Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle, (I say the truth, I lie not,) a doctor of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 28 (27):6; V. 2, 7, 8-9

R.  Blessed be the Lord, for he hath heard the voice of my supplication.

V.  Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication, when I pray to thee;

     when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple.

V.  The Lord is my helper and my protector:

     in him hath my heart confided, and I have been helped.

     And my flesh hath flourished again,

     and with my will I will give praise to him.

V.  The Lord is the strength of his people,

     and the protector of the salvation of his anointed.

     Save, O Lord, thy people, and bless thy inheritance:

     and rule them and exalt them for ever.

Gospel Reading:  John 19:25-27

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

OR

Luke 2:33-35

And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.