St. Matthias Men's Life Ministry

Saturday, October 22nd, 2016, 7:00 AM



Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
Merciful like the Father
Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 through Sunday, November 20th 2016




" In Deo Speramus "
(In God We Hope)
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity-greedy, dishonest, adulterous-or even like this tax collector. 
Readings:
Oremus pro invicem
(Let us pray for one another)
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

Listen to Raymond,
who moved from storage bin to apartment.
With no bed he sleeps on the floor.
"What else could I want?"
he prays.
 
"God is so merciful."
 
And to George
with no ID, he can't get in a shelter,
has disease-ravaged toes.
He finds shoes that fit,
and cries to God,
 
"Oh, I am so blessed."
 
Lord.
Have mercy on us.
 
 Come fill our emptiness too.

 
Amen
First Reading
 Sir 35:12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.


The Word of the Lord
Discussion Questions
1. "The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds." How are the orphan, the widow, and the oppressed mentioned in the reading, lowly or humble? Name some people you know who fit this description. What does humility look like on them? How is your humility; are you honest with God?
2. Do you do anything when you hear the cry of the oppressed, the wail of the orphan or the widow's complaint? Is there something you could do that you are not doing now, to help anyone in need? How is our own Pope Francis like Sirach in biblical times?

Second Reading
Beloved:
I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord
Discussion Questions
1. Do you feel like you are sometimes being "poured out like a libation," or that everyone has deserted you? What do you think Paul did to combat these feelings in himself? What do you think would help you?
2. Paul was rescued from "the lion's mouth" and he trusted that he would be safe from every evil threat. What are the evil threats to the earth? To the Church? What are threats to you? How is your trust?


Alleluia
   2 Cor 5:19
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.

Alleluia, alleluia
Gospel
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.'
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

The Gospel of the Lord





Discussion Questions
1. Is the Pharisee saying the prayer to God or to himself? If you were in God's place, which kind of prayer would you answer first? Of the two praying, which one has a sincere heart?
2. According to Pope Francis, God has a weakness for the humble ones, and their prayers open God's heart wide. Which heart can God fill with his mercy, the humble empty one, or the one that keeps track of all his/her good deeds and his/her neighbors' misdeeds?

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now turn to the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector ( Gospel). Jesus contrasts the arrogance and self-righteousness of the Pharisee's prayer with the tax collector's humble recognition of his sinfulness and need for the Lord's mercy. True prayer is born of a heart which repents of its faults and failings, yet pleads for the grace to live the great commandment of love of God and neighbor. Indeed, the proud disdain of the Pharisee for the sinner at his side prevents him from being righteous in God's sight. To pray well, then, we need to look into our own hearts and there, in humble silence, let the Lord speak to us. The honesty and humility which God asks of us is the necessary condition for our receiving his mercy.


 For what are we born if not to aid one another?

Ernest Hemingway

 

 

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then we'll have peace."

By: Jimi Hendrix

 

"My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."

Abraham Lincoln

 

 

If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is brought to perfection in us.

1 John 4:12
 

 

Deus fit homo ut homo fieret Deus

God became human so that humans might become God

(Catholicism, Page 2 by Fr. Robert Barron)

 

"The Glory of God is a human being fully alive."

Meyers, Robin R. (2009-02-19).  Saving Jesus from the Church: How to Stop Worshiping Christ and Start Following Jesus (Kindle Location 639).  Harper Collins, Inc..  Kindle Edition.

 

God "dwells in us." 
God's love is not meant for us alone;  
we must give it away.

 

 

Do small things today and for many tomorrows,
with a generous heart.

 

Give God Away Today!
Help us then, Lord,  
to be so united with the paschal mystery of Jesus,  
that through Him the world can become a better place to dwell.  
You promise us much for this life  
and for our eternal presence with You;  
may we live into that promise  
each day.

 

 

An interesting thought:

The birth of St. John is celebrated on June 24th, in the moment of the summer solstice. From that point onward, daylight begins to reduce. On the other hand, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated on December 25th, during the winter solstice. From that point onward, daylight begins to grow, to get longer.