First Reading: WIS 6:1–11
Hear, O kings, and understand;
learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse!
Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude
and lord it over throngs of peoples!
Because authority was given you by the Lord
and sovereignty by the Most High,
who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.
Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly,
and did not keep the law,
nor walk according to the will of God,
Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you,
because judgment is stern for the exalted–
For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy
but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.
For the Lord of all shows no partiality,
nor does he fear greatness,
Because he himself made the great as well as the small,
and he provides for all alike;
but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.
To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed
that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.
For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy,
and those learned in them will have ready a response.
Desire therefore my words;
long for them and you shall be instructed.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 82:3-4, 6-7
R./ Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
Defend the lowly and the fatherless;
render justice to the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the poor;
from the hand of the wicked deliver them.
R./ Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
I said: “You are gods,
all of you sons of the Most High;
yet like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”
R./ Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
Gospel Reading: LK 17:11–19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
ST. JOSAPHAT, Bishop and Martyr
Memorial
November 12
Introduction
How tragic it is that "Christ is divided" in many denominations and sects… The Polish bishop Josaphat (1580-1623) dedicated much of his life in the 17th century to the reunion of the Orthodox Church with Rome. This task cost him his life. The work of Church unity is far from ended. There are still many obstacles in the way. Good progress has been made, though, toward mutual tolerance and respect.
Opening Prayer
One God and Father of all,
St. Josaphat dedicated his life and his death
to unite in one faith and love
those who believe in your Son, Jesus Christ.
Let your Holy Sprit pour out his love
in all those for whom Jesus
is the ground and meaning of their lives.
Let this love unite us in one common bond
of understanding and respect of one another
and let this love dispose us
to live for one another and to serve one another
in our brother Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
at his invitation, we gather at the table of your Son
and we prepare ourselves to share his meal together.
As he has united us as his brothers and sisters,
may the Holy Spirit keep us one
in the life of every day.
Let him bind us together
in strong and dedicated communities,
in which we accept one another
notwithstanding our differences.
Unite us in the one love
of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
the Psalmist rejoices
whenever brothers and sisters
can live together in one love.
Let this become a reality among us
who believe in our one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Let the deepest witnessing of our faith be,
that we live for one another in the same unity
that united your Son Jesus, with you,
our living and loving God,
now and for ever.
