In other years: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231); Saint Hilda of Whitby (614-680)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 39 The Proper Amount of Food
Mass: Malachi 3:19-20a; Resp Ps 98; 2 Th 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19
THE JUST ONE, BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH, SHALL LIVE.
(Hab 2:4)
We are completely in God's hands! The trials we encounter for our faith and our commitment to the Gospel are occasions to give witness; we must not distance ourselves from the Lord, but instead abandon ourselves even more to him, to the power of his Spirit and grace … The trials and difficulties are part of the bigger picture; the Lord, the Lord of history, leads all to fulfillment. Despite the turmoil and disasters that upset the world, God's design of goodness and mercy will be fulfilled! And this is our hope: go forward on this path, in God's plan which will be fulfilled.
(Hab 2:4)
Welcome to the penultimate Sunday of the liturgical year! There are a number of things on my mind, some stemming from our celebration of Morning Prayer. It was proclaimed: Be watchful, stand firm in faith; be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love (1 Cor 16:13-14). Many trials and tribulations come our way, in various shapes in sizes: illness, death, disappointments, unfulfilled expectations, even rejection or betrayal by family members and friends (see Lk 21:16); yes, we may even be hated by all because of the Name of Jesus (Lk 21:17). It may be helpful to have the words from St Paul in our hearts and on our lips at those times. Other words for us may come from Psalm 13 also proclaimed this morning. I include here the last verse: I trust in your faithfulness. Grant my heart joy in your help, That I may sing of the Lord, "How good our God has been to me"! (Ps 13:6). Remember what Jesus tells us in today's Gospel: "Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives" (Lk 21:18-19). Living and true God, grant us the grace to persevere.
We are completely in God's hands! The trials we encounter for our faith and our commitment to the Gospel are occasions to give witness; we must not distance ourselves from the Lord, but instead abandon ourselves even more to him, to the power of his Spirit and grace … The trials and difficulties are part of the bigger picture; the Lord, the Lord of history, leads all to fulfillment. Despite the turmoil and disasters that upset the world, God's design of goodness and mercy will be fulfilled! And this is our hope: go forward on this path, in God's plan which will be fulfilled.
(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, 2013)
The Holy Father has asked for prayers as he is scheduled to set off Tuesday for an apostolic visit to Thailand and Japan.
SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY,
SAINT HILDA OF WHITBY,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: Courtesy of our chaplain. Grazie padre!
© Gertrude Feick 2019
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