Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:26-37)

“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to the disciples about the Second Coming and Final Judgment. He relates examples from the Old Testament as a way to help them understand the coming of the Son of Man. Going about their ordinary activities, the people in Noah’s time were caught off guard at the coming destruction as were the people of Sodom at the time of Lot when his wife looked back back to see “fire and brimstone” and turned to a pillar of salt. Saints and theologians have explained Jesus’ disturbing reference to vultures gathering around the body in different ways. Is it enough to recognize that the body will be raised up at the Second Coming for eternal condemnation or eternal life with the Body of Christ?

Father in heaven, help me be aware always of the suddenness of the coming of your Son. Whether to prepare for the ultimate judgment or the end of my life, help me be ready for Christ’s return. Give me the grace to see in the created world beyond the limitations of created things the author who created all. From the Book of Wisdom, help me recall you when I get lost in the ordinariness of a day: “All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan.” Give me the courage to die to the things of this world and, for the sake of the life of the world to come, not look back.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Saint Elizabeth, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaVQ82g2C4

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Jesus weeps as he draws near Jerusalem, realizing its destruction was imminent. Commentary on this passage notes that Jesus weeps this way in only one other instance—for the death of his friend Lazarus. Here is Emmanuel among his people, who do not recognize him and suffer division because of that.

God, help me understand that what Jesus says standing outside Jerusalem, he says to me in a personal way. Father in heaven, you sent your son out of love for each person. How is it that the enemies of the day—the enemies within me and the enemies without—hem me in and overtake me? God, give me the gift of wisdom to recognize that you are present, to recognize the moments of the day when you make your visitation. It is harder for me to acknowledge and confront the enemies within than the enemies that abound of “one holy catholic and apostolic Church,” who “smash you to the ground and your children within you.” How peace will come out of what seems impossible, only God knows. As Jesus says in the Gospel according to Matthew: “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your presence. I know you love your children and never turn away. Help me remember to turn to you today to see you through the eyes of faith. Saint Elizabeth, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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Source of content: mycatholic.life