Saturday, September 30, 2006
25th Week in Ordinary Time
Jerome

Eccl 11:9-12:8: Psalm 90:3-4,5-6,12-13,14,17; Luke 9:43-45


Daily Gospel

Introduction

The scholar St. Jerome translated most of the Bible from the original languages into Latin and revised some parts already translated to make them more understandable. His immense work opened the scriptures to the parts of Europe that spoke Latin. He fought al his life against his difficult character. He can still inspire us today to love the word of God… and to live it.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
you continue speaking your word to us today.
as St. Jerome loved it.
Like him,
may we understand it in your way,
keep your word faithfully in word and deed,
and pass it on to those who are with us
and who will come after us.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

Introduction to the First Reading
       

First Reading: Eccl 11:9-12:8

Rejoice, O young man, while you are young
and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart,
the vision of your eyes;
Yet understand that as regards all this
God will bring you to judgment.
Ward off grief from your heart
and put away trouble from your presence,
though the dawn of youth is fleeting.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the evil days come
And the years approach of which you will say,
I have no pleasure in them;
Before the sun is darkened,
and the light, and the moon, and the stars,
while the clouds return after the rain;
When the guardians of the house tremble,
and the strong men are bent,
And the grinders are idle because they are few,
and they who look through the windows grow blind;
When the doors to the street are shut,
and the sound of the mill is low;
When one waits for the chirp of a bird,
but all the daughters of song are suppressed;
And one fears heights,
and perils in the street;
When the almond tree blooms,
and the locust grows sluggish
and the caper berry is without effect,
Because man goes to his lasting home,
and mourners go about the streets;
Before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is broken,
And the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the broken pulley falls into the well,
And the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the life breath returns to God who gave it.
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
all things are vanity!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:3-4,5-6,12-13,14,17

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Introduction to Gospel Reading
       

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:43-45

While all were amazed at everything Jesus did, he said to his disciples, "Listen and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands." But the disciples didn't understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it..

Commentary

God will bring us to judgment. Sobering reality to hear. We are to remember our Creator and look to the world that has been made along with us to teach us wisdom and the reality of life bound to death. God gives all breath in life and takes it from all as well. This Creator is the Son of Man, who will give his life so that everything might live forever and be renewed and blessed again and again. Do we understand this yet? Are we still reacting in fear to the words of invitation to come and follow the Son of Man whose power is steeped in creation and life, but not in the power of men and women? Lord, help us see the meaning of you, Son of Man.

General Intercessions

- That we may be patient and forgiving with those who hurt us, we pray:

- That by his way of the cross Jesus may lighten the burden of all who suffer, we pray:

- That we may willingly share in the sufferings of Christ by accepting the pains of renewal and the trials that are part of life, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Loving Father,
your word has become our food in Jesus Christ.
He makes us one with you.
Through him, give us your strength
to enlighten our minds and to guide us
that we may put your words into practice
and follow your living Word,
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
you have made a covenant with us,
a union of life and love,
and you want the whole of creation to share in it.
You speak to us and to the world
your liberating word.
God, may we be the answer to your word,
not only by what we say,
but in everything we are and do.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

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