2022년 11월 12일 연중 제32주간 토요일
오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp
제1독서
요한 3서. 5-8
사랑하는 가이오스,
5 그대는 형제들을 위하여, 특히 낯선 이들을 위하여
무슨 일을 하든 다 성실히 하고 있습니다.
6 그들이 교회 모임에서 그대의 사랑에 관하여 증언하였습니다.
그들이 하느님께 맞갖도록 그대의 도움을 받아
여행을 계속할 수 있게 해 주었으면 좋겠습니다.
7 그들은 그리스도를 위하여 길을 나선 사람들로,
이교인들에게서는 아무것도 받지 않습니다.
8 그러므로 우리가 그러한 이들을 돌보아 주어야 합니다.
그렇게 하여 우리는 진리의 협력자가 되는 것입니다
복음
루카. 18,1-8
그때에 1 예수님께서는 낙심하지 말고 끊임없이 기도해야 한다는 뜻으로
제자들에게 비유를 말씀하셨다.
2 “어떤 고을에 하느님도 두려워하지 않고
사람도 대수롭지 않게 여기는 한 재판관이 있었다.
3 또 그 고을에는 과부가 한 사람 있었는데 그는 줄곧 그 재판관에게 가서,
‘저와 저의 적대자 사이에 올바른 판결을 내려 주십시오.’ 하고 졸랐다.
4 재판관은 한동안 들어주려고 하지 않다가 마침내 속으로 말하였다.
‘나는 하느님도 두려워하지 않고 사람도 대수롭지 않게 여기지만,
5 저 과부가 나를 이토록 귀찮게 하니
그에게는 올바른 판결을 내려 주어야겠다.
그렇게 하지 않으면 끝까지 찾아와서 나를 괴롭힐 것이다.’”
6 주님께서 다시 이르셨다.
“이 불의한 재판관이 하는 말을 새겨들어라.
7 하느님께서 당신께 선택된 이들이 밤낮으로 부르짖는데
그들에게 올바른 판결을 내려 주지 않으신 채, 그들을 두고 미적거리시겠느냐?
8 내가 너희에게 말한다.
하느님께서는 그들에게 지체 없이 올바른 판결을 내려 주실 것이다.
그러나 사람의 아들이 올 때에
이 세상에서 믿음을 찾아볼 수 있겠느냐?”
November 12, 2022
Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Daily Mass : https://www.youtube.com/c/EWTNcatholictv : https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyTVMass
Reading 1
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters,
especially for strangers;
they have testified to your love before the Church.
Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey.
For they have set out for the sake of the Name
and are accepting nothing from the pagans.
Therefore, we ought to support such persons,
so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
Responsorial Psalm
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.’”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Praying For the Grace We Seek
The woman in today’s Gospel reminds me of every young child I have ever met, determined to get his or her way through sheer determination and the gradual wearing down of exasperated parents. Although we are no longer small children asking for a piece of candy, a new toy, or an extra story at bedtime, the desires of our heart are still things that we should bring to God, who loves us even more than any earthly parent can.
In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius invites us to name the grace that we seek, that which we want and desire, at the beginning of each prayer period. In asking for what we desire, though, we must be attentive to God’s answer. Perhaps the grace we are granted may look different than what we expect. A prayer for increased patience might be answered through those people in our lives who irritate us, requiring a greater dose of patience than we knew we contained.
What is the grace that you need from God today? How can you be attentive to the ways that grace may be given to you?
—Jesuit Prayer team
Prayer
Lord God, we know that you bless us with an abundance of graces. Help us to recognize the gifts you have given us, even when they come in unexpected ways. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Jesuit Prayer team
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
The theme that ties all these lessons together today is faithfulness. It is good news to us to read that the Lord blesses the faithful, the beloved of the Lord. Yet, as I reflect on these lessons, it seems the emphasis on faithfulness suggests that there is a big difference between faith and faithfulness. We may have faith, but are we faithful? Even Jesus is concerned that there might be times when there are too few faithful on this earth. Faith is difficult to see, it is in our hearts, but faithfulness can be observed. The faithful are active in their faith. They serve others, especially strangers. The faithful testify to their love of God before the Church. They delight in the commands of the Lord. They are generous, merciful, and just. They pray constantly. And most importantly, they support others who are faithful as co-workers in the truth.
Well, that is a lot of work Faithfulness has us in church every Sunday professing our faith in the company of others. It has us serving on the committees in the church that serve others. It has us giving generously to support the work of the Lord through others. Faithfulness has us studying the word of God. It has us doing a lot of praying. It has us working toward justice on this earth. And faithfulness has us standing by each other supporting each other in our faith journeys. All of this is just a lot of work for those who are not called through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. They have not yet learned that for the faithful, it is a privilege and a joy for our faithfulness to be a light that shines through the darkness. I pray today that we will all experience our faithfulness as blessedness and that we will all be a light in the darkness for someone.
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
DO NOT LOSE HEART (LK 18:1)
“This widow is wearing me out.” —Luke 18:5
If the unjust judge, who tends toward evil, and who simply wants the powerless widow to go away, will relent and render her justice (Lk 18:3-5), how much more will the Just Judge, the Lord, act rightly.
We give the forces of evil so much credit. Evil strongholds seem indestructible to us (see Nm 13:31-33; 1 Sm 17:11). Yet evil is prone to imploding and bringing about its own destruction (see e.g. Jgs 7:19-22). The kingdom of God will outlast the forces of evil and emerge victorious (see 1 Jn 4:4). Even if we, God’s soldiers, wear out, God will protect His property (Ps 46:6).
Jesus wonders if there will be any faith when He returns (Lk 18:8). In the context of this parable, Jesus is also wondering if He will find any persistence at the time of His return. Be the answer to Jesus’ search for faith.
“Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Heb 3:1). Persevere. Persist. Have confident faith in His power and loving-kindness. Do not lose heart (Lk 18:1).
Prayer: Lord, “increase our faith” (Lk 17:5). Give us a steadfast, persevering, persistent faith to defeat the forces of evil.
Promise: “Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands.” —Ps 112:1
Praise: St. Josaphat worked diligently to restore unity between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. He produced catechisms and other works promoting dialogue between the two groups.
http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
What can a shameless and unjust judge pitted against a crusty and pestering woman teach us about justice and vindication in the kingdom of God? Jesus tells a story that is all too true - a defenseless widow is taken advantaged of and refused her rights. Through sheer persistence she wears down an unscrupulous judge until he gives her justice. Persistence pays off, and that's especially true for those who trust in God. Jesus illustrates how God as our Judge and Vindicator is much quicker to come to our defense and to bring us his justice, blessing, and help when we need it. But we can easily lose heart and forget to ask our heavenly Father for his grace and help.
Faith-filled persistence reaps the fruit of justice and grace
Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) to give his disciples fresh hope and confidence in God's unfailing care and favor towards us (grace). In this present life we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. The Day of the Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices perpetrated by a fallen world of sinful people and that God's love is stronger than death (Song of Songs 8:6). Those who put their faith in God and entrust their lives to him can look forward with hope and confident assurance. They will receive their reward - if not fully in this present life then surely and completely in the age to come in God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
Jesus ends his parable with a probing question for us. Will you and I have faith - the kind of faith that doesn't give up or lose hope in God - but perseveres to the end of our lives - and to the end of this present age when the Lord Jesus will return in glory as Ruler and Judge of All? Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. We could not believe, trust, and persevere with hope if God did not first draw us to himself and reveal to us his merciful love and care. If we want to grow and persevere in faith until the end of our days, then we must nourish our faith with the word of God and ask the Lord to increase it (Luke 17:5). When trials and setbacks disappoint you, where do you place your hope and confidence? Do you pray with expectant faith and confident hope in God's merciful care and provision for you?
Lord Jesus, increase my faith and make it strong that I may never doubt your word and promise to be with me always. In every situation I face - whether trials, setbacks, or loss - may I always find strength in your unfailing love and find joy and contentment in having you alone as the treasure of my heart.
Psalm 105:2-3,36-37,42-43
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works!
3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
36 He smote all the first-born in their land, the first issue of all their strength.
37 Then he led forth Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
43 So he led forth his people with joy, his chosen ones with singing.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Persistent prayer transforms iniquity and wickedness into mercy, by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)
"How was that unjust judge immoral and wicked? How was the upright judge gracious and just? The first in his iniquity was not willing to vindicate the widow, and in his wickedness, he was not willing to put her mind at rest. The justice of God knows how to vindicate, and his grace discerns how to give life. The iniquity of this wicked judge was contrary to the justice of God, and the wickedness of this rebel was in opposition to the grace of the gentle One. His wickedness therefore was stubbornness, for it dared to go against the fear of God. His boldness was stubborn, for it refused the lowly person."
"These two were stubborn, but persistent prayer was even more stubborn. The persistence of the widow humiliated both the iniquity that was rebelling against God and the boldness that was behaving arrogantly towards human beings. She subjected them to her will, so that they might provide her with a vindication over her adversary. Persistence transformed these two bitter branches, and they bore sweet fruit that was against their nature. The iniquity of the judge brought about a righteous judgment and a just retribution for the falsely accused woman. His wickedness gave peace to the afflicted one, although iniquity does not know how to judge, and wickedness does not know how to give refreshment. Persistence forced these two evil and bitter branches to give good fruit against their nature. If we persist in prayer, we should be even more able to prevail on the grace and justice of God to give us fruit that agrees with their nature. Let justice vindicate us, and let grace refresh us. Accordingly, the fruit of justice is the just reward of the oppressed, while the giving of refreshment to the afflicted is the fruit of grace." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 16.16.6)
https://www.youtube.com/user/AnthonyCompanions/videos
More Homilies
November 14, 2020 Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary time
