Saturday, November 6, 2010

Roman Catholic Readings For 7 November

From CNA, Catholic Online and USCCB:

Daily Readings


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2010


12:06 AM (seconds ago)First Reading - 2 Macc 7:1-2, 9-14from CNA - Daily Readings


1 And it happened also that seven brothers, united with their mother, were apprehended and compelled by the king to eat the flesh of swine against divine law, being tormented with scourges and whips.2 But one of them, who was first, spoke in this way: “What would you ask, or what would you want to learn from us? We are ready to die, rather than to betray the laws that our fathers received from God.”9 And when he had reached his last breath, he spoke in this way: “You, indeed, O most wicked man, are destroying us in this present life. But the King of the world will raise us up, in eternal life at the resurrection, for we die on behalf of his laws.”10 After this one, the third was ridiculed, and when he was asked, he quickly offered up his tongue, and he resolutely extended his hands.11 And he said with confidence, “I possess these from heaven, but, because of the laws of God, I now despise them, for I hope to receive them again from him.”12 So then, the king and those who were with him, wondered at the soul of this youth, because he considered the torments as if they were nothing.13 And after he had died in this way, they afflicted the fourth with similar tortures.14 And when he was about to die, he spoke in this way: “It is preferable, being put to death by men, to wait for hope from God, so as to be revived again by him. But the resurrection to life will not be for you.



Liturgical Year C

Gospel - Lk 20:27-38


27 And then they will see the Son of man coming on a cloud, with great power and majesty.

28 But when these things begin to happen, lift up your heads and look around you, because your redemption draws near.”

29 And he told them a comparison: “Take notice of the fig tree and of all the trees.

30 When presently they produce fruit from themselves, you know that summer is near.

31 So you also, when you will have seen these things happen, know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 Amen I say to you, this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things happen.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away. But my words shall not pass away.

34 But be attentive to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts may be weighed down by self-indulgence and inebriation and the cares of this life. And then that day may overwhelm you suddenly.

35 For like a snare it will overwhelm all those who sit upon the face of the entire earth.

36 And so, be vigilant, praying at all times, so that you may be held worthy to escape from all these things, which are in the future, and to stand before the Son of man.”

37 Now in the daytime, he was teaching in the temple. But truly, departing in the evening, he lodged on the mount that is called Olivet.

38 And all the people arrived in the morning to listen to him in the temple

 
 
12:06 AM (seconds ago)Psalm - Ps 17:1,5-6,8,15from CNA - Daily Readings


1 A Prayer of David. Lord, listen to my justice, attend to my supplication. Pay attention to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.5 Perfect my steps in your paths, so that my footsteps may not be disturbed.6 I have cried out because you, O God, have listened to me. Incline your ear to me and heed my words.8 From those who resist your right hand, preserve me like the pupil of your eye. Protect me under the shadow of your wings,15 But as for me, I will appear before your sight in justice. I will be satisfied when your glory appears.
 
 

12:06 AM (seconds ago)Second Reading - 2 Thess 2:16-3:5from CNA - Daily Readings

16 exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good word and deed.5 And may the Lord direct your hearts, in the charity of God and with the patience of Christ
 
 
Saints/Feasts to be commemmorated:
 
ST. ENGELBERT OF COLOGNE


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2010

St. Engelbert was born in Berg around the year 1185 to Engelbert, Count of Berg and Margaret, daughter of the Count of Gelderland. He studied at the cathedral school of Cologne and, while still a boy, was made provost of the churches of St. George and St. Severin at Cologne and of St. Mary's at Aachen, as it was a common abuse in the Church at the time to appoint the children of nobles to such positions.



In 1199 he was elected provost of the cathedral at Cologne. He led a worldly life and in the conflict between Archbishops Adolf and Bruno sided with his cousin Adolf, and waged war for him. Consequently, he was excommunicated by the pope along with his cousin. After his submission he was reinstated in 1208 and, to atone for his sin, joined the crusade against the Albigenses in 1212. On 29 Feb., 1216, the chapter of the cathedral elected him archbishop by a unanimous vote.



The mendicant orders of the Franciscans and the Dominicans settled in his realm while he was Archbishop. He was well disposed towards the monasteries and insisted on strict religious observance in them. Ecclesiastical affairs were regulated in provincial synods. He was considered a friend of the clergy and a helper of the poor.



Engelbert exerted a strong influence in the affairs of the empire. Emperor Frederick II, who had taken up his residence permanently in Sicily, gave Germany to his son, Henry VII, then still a minor, and in 1221 appointed Engelbert guardian of the king and administrator of the empire. When the young king reached the age of twelve he was crowned at Aachen by Engelbert, who loved him as his own son and honoured him as his sovereign. Engelbert watched over the young king's education and governed the empire in his name, careful to secure peace both within and without the realm.



Engelbert's devotion to duty, and his obedience to the pope and to the emperor, were eventually the cause of his ruin. Many of the nobility feared rather than loved him, and he was obliged to surround himself with bodyguards. The greatest danger came from his relatives.



His cousin, count Frederick of Isenberg, the secular administrator for the nuns of Essen, had grievously oppressed that abbey. Honorius III and the emperor urged Engelbert to protect the nuns and their rights. Frederick wished to forestall the archbishop, and his wife incited him to murder. On November 7, 1225, as he was journeying from Soest to Schwelm to consecrate a church, Engelbert was attacked on a dark evening by Frederick and his associates, was wounded in the thigh, torn from his horse and killed. His body was covered with forty-seven wounds. It was placed on a dung-cart and brought to Cologne four days later. King Henry wept bitterly over the remains, put the Frederick under the ban of the empire, and saw him broken on the wheel a year later at Cologne. Frederick died contrite, having acknowledged and confessed his guilt.



Engelbert's body was placed in the old cathedral of Cologne on February 24, 1226, by Cardinal Conrad von Urach. The latter also declared him a martyr though a formal canonization did not take place. In the martyrology, Engelbert is commemorated on November 7 as a martyr. A convent for nuns was erected at the place of his death.



ST. PETER OU


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2010

St. Peter Ou is one of the Martyrs of China. He was born to a non-Christian family in 1768. As a young man, he was outspoken, had a deep understanding of justice, and would come to the defense of the poor and oppressed.



He married and ran his own business, a large hotel. He was one of the first to convert to Christianity after missionaries arrived in his area and took the name Peter at baptism. He enthusiastically preached Christianity to anyone who came by, later becoming a lay leader of the converts in his district. He also worked as a catechist.



In 1814, he was imprisoned and tortured in a violent backlash against the faith. Under these conditions, he continued to inspire his fellow prisoners to the faith and he led prayer services in the cells. He was sentenced to death for refusing to apostatize by stepping on a crucifix.



St. Peter Ou was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000

 
 
St. Achillas


Feastday: November 7

313
Bishop and theologian who lived in an era of dispute in the Church. Achillas was the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, one of the most powerful cities in the world at the time. Succeeding as bishop a man named St. Peter the Martyr, Achillas ordained Arius, who was to begin the influential heresy of Arianism. When Achillas recognized the untruths in Arius' preaching, he took steps to defend the faith and was attacked by Arius and another heretical group called the Meletians. Achillas remained firm in the faith. A council held in Alexandria condemned Arius and forced him to flee to Palestine. Achillas, however, did not live to see this condemnation.




More Saints of the Day


•St. Ernest

•St. Amarand

•St. Amaranthus

•Bl. Anthony Baldinucci

•St. Auctus

•St. Blinlivet

•St. Vincent Liem

•St. Willibrord

•St. Tremorus

•St. Cumgar

•St. Engelbert

•St. Florentius of Strasbourg

•St. Gebetrude

•St. Hieron

•St. Hyacinth Castaneda

•St. Rufus of Metz

•St. Melasippus

•Bl. Peter Ou

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