2021년 11월 8일 연중 제32주간 월요일
오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp
제1독서
<지혜는 다정한 영이고, 주님의 영은 온 세상에 충만하시다.>
지혜서. 1,1-7
1 세상의 통치자들아, 정의를 사랑하여라.
선량한 마음으로 주님을 생각하고 순수한 마음으로 그분을 찾아라.
2 주님께서는 당신을 시험하지 않는 이들을 만나 주시고
당신을 불신하지 않는 이들에게 당신 자신을 드러내 보이신다.
3 비뚤어진 생각을 하는 사람은 하느님에게서 멀어지고
그분의 권능을 시험하는 자들은 어리석은 자로 드러난다.
4 지혜는 간악한 영혼 안으로 들지 않고
죄에 얽매인 육신 안에 머무르지 않는다.
5 가르침을 주는 거룩한 영은 거짓을 피해 가고
미련한 생각을 꺼려 떠나가 버리며 불의가 다가옴을 수치스러워한다.
6 지혜는 다정한 영, 그러나 하느님을 모독하는 자는 그 말에 책임을 지게 한다.
하느님께서 그의 속생각을 다 아시고 그의 마음을 샅샅이 들여다보시며
그의 말을 다 듣고 계시기 때문이다.
7 온 세상에 충만한 주님의 영은
만물을 총괄하는 존재로서 사람이 하는 말을 다 안다.
복음
<너에게 하루에도 일곱 번 죄를 짓고 돌아와“회개합니다.”하면 용서해 주어야 한다.>
루카. 17,1-6
그때에 1 예수님께서 제자들에게 이르셨다.
“남을 죄짓게 하는 일이 일어나지 않을 수는 없다.
그러나 불행하여라, 그러한 일을 저지르는 자!
2 이 작은 이들 가운데 하나라도 죄짓게 하는 것보다,
연자매를 목에 걸고 바다에 내던져지는 편이 낫다.
3 너희는 스스로 조심하여라.
네 형제가 죄를 짓거든 꾸짖고, 회개하거든 용서하여라.
4 그가 너에게 하루에도 일곱 번 죄를 짓고 일곱 번 돌아와 ‘회개합니다.’ 하면,
용서해 주어야 한다.”
5 사도들이 주님께, “저희에게 믿음을 더하여 주십시오.” 하고 말하였다.
6 그러자 주님께서 이르셨다. “너희가 겨자씨 한 알만 한 믿음이라도 있으면,
이 돌무화과나무더러 ‘뽑혀서 바다에 심겨라.’ 하더라도,
그것이 너희에게 복종할 것이다.”
November 8, 2021
Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass
Reading 1
Wis 1:1-7
think of the Lord in goodness,
and seek him in integrity of heart;
Because he is found by those who test him not,
and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.
For perverse counsels separate a man from God,
and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;
Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not,
nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.
For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit
and withdraws from senseless counsels;
and when injustice occurs it is rebuked.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips;
Because God is the witness of his inmost self
and the sure observer of his heart
and the listener to his tongue.
For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world,
is all-embracing, and knows what man says
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Gospel
Lk 17:1-6
"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, "I am sorry,"
you should forgive him."
And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Our readings today challenge us to seek justice, open our hearts to wisdom and, above all, have faith. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom clearly delineates that wisdom does not dwell where there is deceit, evil and injustice. This reading creates an image of Wisdom in my mind and heart – kindness and forgiveness. This passage also leaves me with the image of the door – we are on one side – God is on the other. We choose by not only our actions but also by what is in our heart and whether or not we open the door.
This is a difficult time in my family – my sister is distraught with her husband’s illness and uncomfortable with his acceptance of a terminal illness. I’ve tried to support with presence and prayer, yet anger fills her heart and leaves little room for anything else, even comfort. When I speak of prayer, the retort is, God never listens to me. When I speak of faith, the answer is, I don’t have the faith you do. It would seem that the perception is that faith is a commodity – some are able to “procure” much of it and others can’t get any. I’m not sure how one builds up faith except by having an open heart and allowing God in. For some, the prayer is very specific – this is what I want, and if I don’t get it, God does not listen. A wise friend of mine once said in response to complains that God does not answer, “no” is an answer. When my sister talked of not having her prayers answered, she asked me – well, what do YOU pray for. My honest answer was that I pray for strength, I pray for peace and comfort for those suffering, I pray for wisdom and words to offer that will support those in pain.
It does take much emotional energy to support the ones we love as they grieve especially when they are enveloped in angry. I didn’t realize how much until the day after I returned home. God did provide me strength and the ability to stay calm and focused on the needs of others during my trip. However, the wave hit me that morning – I was so weepy, so weary. I parked the car and was rushing into a meeting when a song came on the radio Weary Traveler – a coincidence? I think not, another God wink! Two more minutes would not make a difference and I sat listening to the song.
As I entered the building and different people cheerfully greeted me, I found I had a trigger that morning. A simple “How are you?” was all it took for the tears to well and my voice to crack. As I was walking to my office at some point in the morning, I went down a hall I never take (it is rather a maze of hallways and offices) and someone that I know slightly was coming toward me. With a kind, sincere look on her face, she asked me how I was – a genuine seeking to know how I was doing – the tears flowed, and she was comforting beyond words – her warm hug and concern touched me and brought relief – as though Jesus Himself was there to remind me, we do not walk this journey alone. She reminded me that I am loved. My day was changed in a way I would not have imagined. Later, I was able to send her a note acknowledging the impact of her presence and my gratitude of how God randomly puts people in our path (literally and figuratively) with purpose and to remind us of His love for us. The angels on earth with human faces . . . .
For those of you, who are weary and worn . . .
Worn by Tenth Avenue North
Weary Traveler by Jordan St. Cyr
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
HOW TO ACCEPT THE GRACE OF DIVINE INTIMACY
“Into a soul that plots evil wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.” —Wisdom 1:4
If we wish to be close to God and to keep the faith rather than lose it, we must:
- not test God (Wis 1:2). God has already proved Himself on the cross and in millions of other ways. We need to be tested, not Him.
- not disbelieve God (Wis 1:2). Some doubts are steps toward faith, but others are a refusal to accept the gift of faith. These doubts must be dismissed, not entertained.
- repent of making perverse and senseless counsels (Wis 1:3, 5; cf Eph 5:3-4). We may have plans that we know are not of God. We either change these plans or separate ourselves from the Lord.
- repent of our sins and let Jesus pay our debt of sin (see Wis 1:4).
- not disdain the discipline of the Lord (see Wis 1:5; Heb 12:5).
The Lord wants to live in us. God, Who is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), wants to be Love in us. He also wants us to live in Him and have an intimacy with Him beyond anything we can imagine. He will do this miracle of love. All we need do is to cooperate with His grace by following His directions.
Prayer: Father, make every aspect of my life reflect my commitment to live for You alone.
Promise: “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith,’ and He answered; ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore, “Be uprooted and transplanted into the sea,” and it would obey you.’ ” —Lk 17:5-6
Praise: Jerry goes to Confession at least monthly.
http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
What's the driving force in your life? Jesus speaks of two forces at work in our lives - the power of the temptation to sin and cause harm and the power of faith to overcome obstacles and difficulties that stand in the way of loving God and our neighbor. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The Scriptures warn us about the snare or enticement to go astray and to do what is evil. "Keep me from the trap which they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers!" (Psalm 141:9) "Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling" (1 John 2:10).
Jesus commands us to not give bad example or lead others into sin
The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he or she in turn may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the bad example of those who should be passing on the faith.
The power of faith for overcoming obstacles
While Jesus warns against the danger of giving bad example and causing scandal, he also demonstrates the power of faith for overcoming obstacles and temptation to sin and wrongdoing. What did Jesus mean when he said that our faith can move trees and mountains as well (see Matthew 17:20; Mark 11:23)? The term "mountain remover" was used for someone who could solve great problems and difficulties.
The Holy Spirit helps us to grow in faith and to rely on God's strength
Don't we often encounter challenges and difficulties which seem beyond our power or strength to handle? What appears impossible to human power is possible to those who believe in God's power. Paul the Apostle reminds us, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do you trust in God's help and rely on his strength when you are put to the test or led into temptation?
Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God personally, to understand his truth clearly, and to live in the power of his love and mercy freely. God calls us to be like him - holy, loving and wise. God expects more from us than we can simply do by ourselves. That is why the Lord Jesus unites us to himself through the gift of faith so that we may live in the power of his love through the gift of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (Romans 5:5). The Lord gives us the strength of the Holy Spirit who helps us to grow strong in faith, persevere in hope, and endure in love.
Faith is the key that unlocks God's power in our lives
Faith in God is the key for removing obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing his will. We belong to God and our lives are no longer our own. Our joy and privilege is to follow the Lord Jesus and to serve in the power of his love, truth, and goodness. The Lord Jesus is ever ready to work in and through us for his glory. For our faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and with obedience - an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. Do you trust in the grace and strength which God freely gives to help you resist temptation and to overcome obstacles in doing his will?
Lord Jesus, you give us victory over the destructive forces of sin and harmful desires that keep us from doing your will. Give me the strength to always choose what is good and to reject what is wrong. May your love and truth rule my heart that I may give good example to others and guide those who need your wise instruction and help.
Psalm 24:1-6
1 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein;
2 for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Selah]
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: To increase faith is to strengthen it by the Holy Spirit, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"They ask, 'Add faith to us.' They do not ask simply for faith, for perhaps you might imagine them to be without faith. They rather ask Christ for an addition to their faith and to be strengthened in faith. Faith partly depends on us and partly is the gift of the divine grace. The beginning of faith depends on us and our maintaining confidence and faith in God with all our power. The confirmation and strength necessary for this comes from the divine grace. For that reason, since all things are possible with God, the Lord says that all things are possible for him who believes (Mark 9:23). The power that comes to us through faith is of God. Knowing this, blessed Paul also says in the first epistle to the Corinthians, 'For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, and to another faith in the same Spirit' (1 Corinthians 12:8). You see that he has placed faith also in the catalogue of spiritual graces. The disciples requested that they might receive this from the Savior, contributing also what was of themselves. By the descent upon them of the Holy Spirit, he granted it to them after the fulfillment of the dispensation. Before the resurrection, their faith was so feeble that they were liable even to the charge of being 'little of faith'." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 113-16)
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