Tuesday – Saint Martin of Tours, b.

Saint Martin of Tours was born around 316. Bishop in 371 Died in 397.
Cut off half of his soldier’s clothes and gave them to the beggar.

Invitation

May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?

This invitation wants to share with You the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, no one excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day.

Consideration

The author wrestles with the problem of retribution failing in this life. The wicked often fare well and the pious are not rewarded. We also find this problem in many psalms and in the book of Job. Only faith in eternal life can bring light into this. However great the injustice, we find peace in the thought that the worst criminals, the greatest instigators of evil and sin, all those who escape trial on earth, will one day stand before God and be judged by Him.

FIRST READING                  Wis. 2, 23-3,9

In the eyes of men they seemed to die, but they are at peace.

From the Book of Wisdom

God created man for immortality,
made him the image of his own being.
Through the envy of the devil, however, death came into the world,
and taste him,
all who belong to the devil.
But the souls of the righteous are in God’s hand,
no suffering can harm them.
In the eyes of men they seemed to die,
their end was considered a disaster,
their passing from us as a ruin :
But they are at peace !
For though it seemed to men
that they were being punished,
yet their hope will be rewarded
with a life without end.
After a short time of trial
they will be overwhelmed with great benefits :
For God has tested them ,
and found them worthy of Himself.
Like gold in the furnace of fire, He has purified them ,
and accepted them as a fragrant burnt offering.
When the time of retribution comes,
they will shine,
they will sparkle
like sparks of fire in a field of stubble.
They shall judge the nations,
they shall rule over the nations,
and their Lord shall be King for ever!
Those who hope in God will experience His faithfulness,
who remain faithful to Him shall be secure in His love:
For mercy and pity fall to his elect !

INTERLUDIUM                      Ps. 34(33), 2-3, 16-17, 18-19

The Lord I will praise every day.

The Lord I will praise every day,
his praise is always on my lips.
My spirit is proud of the Lord’s favour,
let every one who hears it rejoice.

The eye of the Lord is on the pious,
his ear turned to their supplications.
From evildoers He turns His face away,
they are forgotten on earth.

To the pious who cry out the Lord listens,
and rescues them from every need.
The Lord is near to grieving hearts,
He helps those who acknowledge their guilt.

ALLELUYA                     cf. Acts 16, 14b

Alleluia.
Make our hearts receptive, Lord,
and that we turn to the word of your Son.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL                  Lk. 17, 7-10

We are useless servants ;
we have only done our duty.

From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Luke

At that time Jesus spoke :
“Which of you shall speak to the servant
whom he employs as a ploughman or herdsman
on his return from the land say :
Come immediately to the table and grope?
“Will he not rather say :
Prepare my meal ;
gird yourself and serve me while I eat and drink ;
after that you can eat and drink yourself ?
“Should he sometimes be grateful to that servant
because he has carried out what he was told to do ?
“So is it with thee :
When thou hast done all that thou art commanded ,
then say : We are useless servants;
we have only done our duty.”

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Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCISCUS

On caring for the common home

181. Continuity is indispensable because one cannot change political
policies related to climate change and environmental protection
whenever a change of government takes place. Results require
a lot of time and involve immediate costs with effects that
do not become visible during a current government period. Therefore, there will be without popular and institutional pressure, always be resistance to
intervention, especially when urgent issues need to be resolved. That
a politician takes on this responsibility, with the associated costs, does not
assumes, does not correspond to the “efficiency and immediate
result-oriented” logic of today’s economy and politics, but if he
will have the courage to do so anyway, he will once again be able to recognise the dignity God has given him, and he will leave a testimony
of noble responsibility. One needs to create more space
to create solid politics capable of reforming institutions,
coordinate them and make it possible to overcome pressure and pernicious
inertia . One must add, however, that the
best measures ultimately fail when great goals are missing
as well as values and a humanistic attitude to life capable of giving
every society a noble and generous orientation.