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First Reading: Wis 7:22-8:1
In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of
her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.
Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.
The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175
R./ Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R./ Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Through all generations your truth endures;
you have established the earth, and it stands firm.
R./ Your word is for ever, O Lord.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R./ Your word is for ever, O Lord.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R./ Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
R./ Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R./ Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Gospel Reading: Lk 17:20-25
The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was to come. He answered, "The kingdom of God is not like something you can observe and say of it: 'Look, here it is! There it is!' See, the kingdom of God is among you."
And Jesus said to his disciples, "The time is at hand when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Then people will tell you: 'Look there! Look here!' Do not go, do not follow them. As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this people."
Memorial - ST. LEO THE GREAT
Introduction
At the occasion of the feast of a Pope(+461) who understood his time and who is therefore one of the two popes called "the great," we reflect for a moment on the task and service of leadership in the Church. Serving, witnessing, collegiality among the leaders and with priests and the laity, seeking together to translate the Gospel in a language our time understands-these seem to be the key demands made today on the leadership of the Church.
Opening Prayer
Father in heaven,
you have revealed to us
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
At this celebration of St. Leo the Great, we ask you:
Give us a great understanding
and trust in the leadership of the Church,
that together with the pope and our bishops,
we may strengthen the community
of the faithful of your Church
and bear witness with them to the world
of your saving mercy and love.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
we profess that Jesus, your living Son,
will be present among us
in these signs of bread and wine.
Let him strengthen us with his Spirit
to follow him wherever he leads us,
even through pain and death,
that with him we may share
in your glory and lasting joy.
For he is our Lord for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God of power and might,
your Son, Jesus Christ, has come among us
without any display of power
but rather as the humble servant
of his brothers and sisters.
Let those who bear in the Church
the burden of authority
become more like your Son.
Unconcerned about power and prestige,
may they reflect the attitude of Jesus,
who came not to be served but to serve.
Let this be their way
to Christ Jesus, our Lord.
