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First Reading: WIS 2:23-3:9
God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2–3, 16–17, 18–19
R./ I will bless the Lord at all times.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R./ I will bless the Lord at all times.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R./ I will bless the Lord at all times.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R./ I will bless the Lord at all times.
Gospel Introduction
The words of Jesus in the gospel of today seem to be directed more to the Pharisees and scribes, who claimed to be servants of God, than to the apostles. They were self-assured servants; they computed their merits for what they had done for God and asserted their right to his rewards. Perhaps the apostles too were not always too modest in their claims as companions of Jesus. All should put their trust in God and leave everything to him. Not what we have done for God counts, but what he does for us in his mercy. We are in his hands.
Gospel Reading: LK 17:7-10
The Lord said, "Who among you would say to your servant coming in from the fields after plowing or tending sheep: 'Come at once and sit down at table'? No, you tell him: 'Prepare my dinner. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; you can eat and drink afterwards.' Do you thank this servant for doing what you commanded? So for you. When you have done all that you have been told to do, you must say: 'We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty.'
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.
