Menu
First Reading: Philippians 4:10-19
Brothers and sisters:
I rejoice greatly in the Lord
that now at last you revived your concern for me.
You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.
Not that I say this because of need,
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,
to be self-sufficient.
I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel,
when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me
in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.
For even when I was at Thessalonica
you sent me something for my needs,
not only once but more than once.
It is not that I am eager for the gift;
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.
I have received full payment and I abound.
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you
through Epaphroditus,
“a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
R./ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or: Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R./ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or: Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R./ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or: Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R./ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Gospel Introduction
After the Lord’s parable on the unjust steward, Luke adds several statements from various sources, some allegorical reflections of the early Christian communities, some his own comments, all rather remotely related to the parable. Behind these lies his attitude toward poverty and the use of the goods of this earth.
Gospel Reading: Lk 16:9-15
Jesus said to his disciples, "And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes.
"Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling filthy money, who could entrust you with true wealth? And if you have not been trustworthy with things that are not really yours, who will give you the wealth which is your own?
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God and to Money."
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and sneered at Jesus. He said to them, "You do your best to be considered righteous by people. But God knows the heart, and what rises high among humans is loathed by God."
ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY, Religious
Memorial
November 17
Introduction
Daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth (1207-1231) was given in marriage at the age of 14 to the count of Thuringia in what could be called an ideal marriage. She devoted most of her time and the resources of her husband to the sick and the poor. At her husband's death, she was driven away from the castle, her children ware taken away from her and she shared the life of the poor. She died at the age of 24. We can learn from her what it means to be poor.
Opening Prayer
God, lover of the poor,
fill us with your own gratuitous love,
as you showed us in St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
Teach us to love and bless
even those who maltreat us.
Indeed, deepen and widen our limited love,
and make it without measure, like yours,
that we may be called sons and daughters
of you, the Most High,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer over the Gifts
Compassionate God,
you set for us the table of your Son
as a sign of love open to all,
even and especially to the poor.
As we have accepted your invitation,
may we also accept all its consequences,
that your compassionate love
may become flesh and blood in us,
weak and fallible people,
and that it may benefit
the most destitute and abandoned.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our hospitable God,
you have let us share the table of your Son.
Let this mean for us that, like St. Elizabeth,
we have also to share our table
with the humble and the dispossessed,
even with people who are difficult and not very lovable.
Inspire us to help them back on their feet
and to restore to them that which no one can dispense with:
self-esteem, self-confidence,
and the indestructible courage
to be human persons.
Grant this through Christ, our Lord.
