God calls us to reject self-indulgence & to follow His example of actively helping the hurting. (Readings for Sept. 29, 2019; Lectionary 138)

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

What these scriptures tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Commentary

Reading 1 Amos 6:1, 4-7  

Thus says the LORD the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall! Improvising to the music of the harp, like David, they devise their own accompaniment. They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils; yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph! Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 147:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
Blessed he who keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;the LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

Reading 2 1 Timothy 6:11-16

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  Compete well for the faith.  Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were calledwhen you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see.  To him be honor and eternal power.  Amen.

Alleluia  2 Corinthians 8:9 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 16:19-31  

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. 

The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.  Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.'

Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.'

He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.'

But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.'

He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

What these scriptures tell us about God

they shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.

The LORD sets captives free.
The LORD gives sight to the blind

the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just

the LORD protects strangers.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains

the way of the wicked he thwarts
The LORD shall reign forever

your God, O Zion, through all generations

God, who gives life to all things

Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession

the King of kings and Lord of lords
who dwells in unapproachable light

To him be honor and eternal power

Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.'

They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them

If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,  neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead

What these scriptures tell us to do

Praise the Lord
Blessed he who keeps faith forever

secures justice for the oppressed

gives food to the hungry

Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord

pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness

Compete well for the faith

Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called 

keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ 

They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them

listen to Moses and the prophets

What these scriptures tell us not to do

Woe to the complacent 

they devise their own accompaniment

They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils; yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!

Additional scriptures dealing with the principles underlying today’s readings are collected at Wisdom Principles: Caring For the Weak & Vulnerableand Wisdom Principles--Rely on God Rather than Material Wealth  

The Church gives us direction on how we can help the hurting. Check out these materials on Corporal Works of Mercyand the Spiritual Works of Mercy. 

God puts people and relationships before profit; He wants us to do the same. (Readings for Sept. 22, 2019) (Lectionary: 135)

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

What these scriptures tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Commentary

Reading 1  Amos 8:4-7  

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land! "When will the new moon be over," you ask, "that we may sell our grain, and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat? We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating! We will buy the lowly for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!" The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:  Never will I forget a thing they have done!

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8  

R. (cf. 1a, 7b) Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
High above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
to seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

Reading 2  1 Timothy 2:1-8 

Beloved:
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.  This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle— I am speaking the truth, I am not lying —teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Alleluia 2 Corinthians 8:9 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 16:1-13  

Jesus said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property.  He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you?  Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.'

The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?  I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note.  Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.

"For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.  I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.  If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?  If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?

No servant can serve two masters.  He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and mammon."

What these scriptures tell us about God:

The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:  Never will I forget a thing they have done!

Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever.
Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
High above all nations is the LORD

above the heavens is his glory.
Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
He raises up the lowly from the dust

from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth

there is one God

There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all. 

Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

No servant can serve two masters

You cannot serve both God and mammon

What these scriptures tell us to do:

Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
praise the name of the LORD.
Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority

in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.
make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth

trustworthy in very small matters 

trustworthy in great ones

trustworthy with what belongs to another

What these scriptures tell us not to do:

trample upon the needy and destroy the poor 

diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating

We will buy the lowly for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell

dishonest wealth

the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones

You cannot serve both God and mammon

Commentary:

Additional scriptures addressing these principles are collected at:

Wisdom Principles—Rely on God, not Material Power or Wealth

Wisdom Principles: Caring for the Weak & Vulnerable

Wisdom Principles--Ill Gotten Gains Do Not Last

Praying for Leaders: Why, How & About What  

The omnipotent God of the universe humbly, mercifully, reaches out to ALL folks. We should follow His example. (readings for Sept. 21, 2019) (Lectionary: 643)

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

Reading 1 EPH 4:1-7, 11-13

I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5

R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Alleluia See Te Deum       

R. Alleluia, alleluia.We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me."And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

What these scriptures tell us about God:

one Lord, one faith, one baptism 

one God and Father of all

who is over all and through all and in all
grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift

The heavens declare the glory of God

the firmament proclaims his handiwork
Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me."

your teacher eat[s] with tax collectors and sinners
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners

What these scriptures tell us to do:

live in a manner worthy of the call you have received

with all humility and gentleness

with patience

bearing with one another through love

striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit
we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

We praise you, O God

we acclaim you as Lord

Follow me

A rosary prayer for husbands

Introduction

Although marriage is a great blessing, it also requires great effort. The things we have to do to give and receive that blessing do not all come naturally, particularly for guys. In fact, some are contrary to what we tend to in our own nature. But we give and receive great blessing if we overcome our natural inclinations and do those things. 

So what are those things?  Scripture gives us important guidance about what is expected of husbands.  Are they always easy? No, but marriage is like anything else in life—you get out of it what you put into it. Moreover, God will supplement your sincere effort with His graces.

Five of those scriptures are arranged here in the form of a rosary-based prayer. Each of the key passages are set out as a “Marital Mystery” where a glorious, luminous, joyous or sorrowful mystery would be in a traditional rosary.  Each Marital Mystery is followed by definitions of the key verbs in the passage or something else to meditate on in connection with that scripture. 

Things in green text are things scripture tells us to do. Things in red text are things that scripture tells us not to do. There are bolded hyperlinks (sometimes in green or red) to different translations of the scriptures, to definitions of key Greek and Hebrew terms within those scriptures, and to the text of the standard prayers.

One final note, additional scriptures and principles about being a good husband are collected/discussed at What Scripture Says About Being a Good Husband  and Scriptural directions for husbands—collected

Sign of the Cross

Apostles' Creed

Our Father

Hail Mary  

Glory Be

Oh My Jesus

First Marital Mystery:

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Our Father

How does Christ love the church?

-      He is patient with us

-      He reassures when doubt arises 

-      Through the scriptures

-      Through recollection of past successes/faithfulness

-      He is subtle

-      He frees up time/relieves other pressures so we can attend to what He wants us to do

-      He provides the resources we need to do what He is calling us to

-      He is persistent, He perseveres

-      He intercedes for us

-      He does practical acts of service

-      He is energetic, He does not let fatigue get in the way

“gave”

to give over

to deliver one up

Glory Be

Oh My Jesus

Second Marital Mystery:

Ephesians 5:28-29

In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church.

Our Father

“love”& “loves”

an exercise of … will in deliberate choice

is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered.

seeks the welfare of

works no ill to

seeks opportunity to do good 

the deep and constant … interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects

wish well to, regard the welfare of

to take pleasure in the thing, prize it above other things, be unwilling to abandon it or do without it

to welcome with desire, long for

“nourishes”

to nurture, rear

to rear up to maturity

to cherish or train

“tenderly cares for”

to keep warm, as of birds covering their young with their feathers

to foster with tender care

to cherish with tender love

“hates”

malicious and unjustifiable feelings towards

animosity

feeling of aversion

disregard for

detest

to love less

postpone in love or esteem, to slight

disregard and indifference to a thing

Glory Be

Oh My Jesus

Third Marital Mystery: 

Colossians 3:19

Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

Our Father

“loves”

an exercise of … will in deliberate choice

is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered.

seeks the welfare of

works no ill to

seeks opportunity to do good 

the deep and constant … interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects

wish well to, regard the welfare of

to take pleasure in the thing, prize it above other things, be unwilling to abandon it or do without it

to welcome with desire, long for

“embittered”

to embitter

Exasperate

render angry, indignant

irritated

Glory Be

Oh My Jesus

Fourth Marital Mystery:

 

1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.

Our Father

“consideration”

primarily "a seeking to know, an enquiry, investigation" ... denotes, in the NT, "knowledge," general intelligence, understanding moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living

intelligence, understanding

“honor”

Valuing

the honor which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds

thing prized

honor which belongs or is shown to one: the honor of one who outranks others

pre-eminence

veneration

preciousness

value

Glory Be

Oh My Jesus

Fifth Marital Mystery:

Proverbs 5:18-19

Rejoice with the wife of thy youth. ¹⁹Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

Our Father

“Rejoice”

be glad

gladden, make glad

brighten up

cheer up

“love”

human love for human object

of man toward himself

between man and woman

sexual desire

Of God towards Israel

Of friends towards each other

Hail Holy Queen

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Final Prayer

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