Saturday November 9
DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA
Introduction
There is no indication whatsoever in the scriptures that Mary was presented in the Temple. But this pious legend wants to state something real: that Mary followed her Son, that her mentality and attitude was that of Jesus, and that like her Son she was entirely set on seeking God's will in everything. She was a true relative of Jesus, also mentally, spiritually, in the spirit of the gospel of today.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God,
you know and you love us;
like Mary we know that whatever happens to us
we are in your hands.
Wherever you lead us,
you know here you want us to go.
We ask you for trust and faith.
Make your will our will,
that you may lead us to your home
under the guidance of him
who did your will in everything
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Introduction to the First Reading:
John reprimands the Christians of Sardis and Laodicea that they have abandoned their earlier fervor and are in need of conversion. Note the harsh words to the Laodiceans who are neither cold nor hot but only lukewarm: "I will spit you out of my mouth."
First Reading: Rev 3:1-6, 14-22
I, John, heard the Lord saying to me:
“To the angel of the Church in Sardis, write this:
“‘The one who has the seven spirits of God
and the seven stars says this: “I know your works,
that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die,
for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent.
If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief,
and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you.
However, you have a few people in Sardis
who have not soiled their garments;
they will walk with me dressed in white,
because they are worthy.
“‘The victor will thus be dressed in white,
and I will never erase his name from the book of life
but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father
and of his angels.
“‘Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
“To the angel of the Church in Laodicea, write this:
“‘The Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the source of God’s creation, says this:
“I know your works;
I know that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either cold or hot.
So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of my mouth.
For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’
and yet do not realize that you are wretched,
pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich,
and white garments to put on
so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed,
and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see.
Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise.
Be earnest, therefore, and repent.
“‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
then I will enter his house and dine with him,
and he with me.
I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne,
as I myself first won the victory
and sit with my Father on his throne.
“‘Whoever has ears ought to hear
what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 15:2-3,3-4,5
R. (Rev. 3: 21) I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. (Rev. 3: 21) I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. (Rev. 3: 21) I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. (Rev. 3: 21) I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Introduction to Gospel Reading:
Today we meet Zacchaeus, the rich typical sinner as a tax collector, who is small and poor as a person. He runs to encounter Jesus and is converted through this encounter, but it is really Jesus who takes the initiative by calling Zacchaeus out of the tree and asking whether he can stay in his house. This is the solution for the sinner, cold or lukewarm: accept to encounter the Lord again. This message is spoken to us too. Encountering Jesus will change us too.
Gospel Reading: Luke 19:11-28
Jesus was now near Jerusalem and the people with him thought that God's reign was about to appear. So as they were listening to him. Jesus went on to tell them a parable. He said, "A man of noble birth went to a distant place to have himself appointed king of his own people, after which he would return. Before he left, he summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. He said: 'Put this money to work until I get back.' But his compatriots who disliked him sent a delegation after him with this message: 'We do not want this man to be our king.'
"He returned, however, appointed as king. At once he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in and reported: 'Sir, your pound has earned ten more.'
"The master replied: 'Well done, my good servant. Since you have proved yourself capable in a small matter, I can trust you to take charge of ten cities.' The second reported: 'Sir, your pound earned five more pounds.' The master replied: 'Right, take charge of five cities.'
"The third came in and said: 'Sir, here is your money which I hid for safekeeping. I was afraid of you for you are an exacting person; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.'
"The master replied: 'You worthless servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew I was an exacting person, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow! Why, then, did you not put my money on loan so that when I got back I could have collected it with interest?'
"Then the master said to those standing by: 'Take from him that pound, and give it to the one with ten pounds.' They objected: 'But, sir, he already has ten!'
"I tell you: everyone who has will be given more; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away." As for my enemies who did not want me to be king, bring them in and execute them right here in my presence.'" So Jesus spoke, and he went on ahead of them, on his way to Jerusalem.
Prayer over the Gifts
Almighty Father,
this bread and this wine
are signs that with Jesus and with Mary
we are ready to seek your will.
Allow us to share his table
as his brothers and sisters
and to follow him on his loyal way
to you, our God for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our God and Father,
with Mary we want to be
your true relatives, your mother,
your brothers, your sisters.
Make us capable of seeking your will
with the eagerness of Mary,
who did all the common tasks uncommonly well
because she knew she was serving you
as she served Jesus and his mission
with all that was in her.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Commentary
To the servants who did their Master's will, Jesus describes them as faithful. Why is this word important to us today? It is important because unfaithfulness has pervaded our society. Faithfulness, on the contrary, demands courage, sacrifice and risk-taking. Only the convinced can take this risk as we see in the faithful servant of today's gospel. The wicked servant betrayed the Master's trust and toasted it with insults. The reward for faithfulness is more trust and the Master's approval; the punishment for unfaithfulness which Jesus described as wickedness is a loss of the Master's favours and damnation. It really pays to be faithful.
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
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