August 15 2010 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Vigil
Official Readings of the Liturgy at – http://www.usccb.org/bible/http://www.usccb.org/bible/

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab (Apocalypse)
Haydock New Testament

And the temple of God was opened in heaven: And the ark of his testament was seen in his temple, and there were lightnings, and voices, and an earthquake, and great hail. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars: and being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to be delivered.

And there appeared another wonder in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his head seven diadems, and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman, who was ready to be delivered, that, when she should be delivered, he might devour her son.

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod: and her son was taken up to God, and to his throne: and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God.

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.

Responsorial Psalm 44:10-12, 16 (Ps 45 NAB)
DR Challoner Text Only

The daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory.
The queen stood on thy right hand,
in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety.
Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear:
and forget thy people and thy father’s house.
And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty;
for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore.
They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing:
they shall be brought into the temple of the king.

1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Haydock NT

But now Christ is risen from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep. For by a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.

But every one in his own order: the first-fruits, Christ; then they that are of Christ, who have believed in his coming: Afterwards the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father, when he shall have abolished all principality, and authority, and power. For he must reign, until he hath put all enemies under his feet.

And the enemy, death, shall be destroyed last: For he hath put all things under his feet. And whereas he saith, All things are put under him; undoubtedly, he is excepted, who put all things under him.

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Saint Luke 1:39-56
Haydock New Testament

And Mary rising up in those days, went into the mountainous country with haste, into a city of Juda: And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb: and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she cried out with a loud voice, and said:

Bless art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And when is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to the by the Lord.

And Mary said:

My soul doth magnify the Lord:
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Saviour.
Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid:
For behold, from henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done great things to me:
And Holy is his name.
And his mercy is from generation to generations, To them that fear him.
He hath shewed might in his arm:
He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
And hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
And the rich he hath sent away empty.
He hath received Israel, his servant,
Being mindful of his mercy.
As he spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham, and to his seed, for ever.

And Mary abode with her about three months: and she returned to her own house.

Haydock Commentary Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Notes Copied From Haydock Commentary Site

• Ver. 19. The temple of God was opened . . . the ark of his testament was seen; which P. Alleman applies to the cross that appeared in the air to Constantine. Such applications may be probable, but cannot be called certain. Wi. – Many have applied this to the appearance of the Blessed Virgin into heaven as the Ark of the New Covenant, hence our celebration of this passage on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. –Bob. For more on that I recommend Scott Hahn’s book – Hail Holy Queen, in which Dr Hahn provides excellent insight into this entire passage.
• CHAPTER XII.
• Ver. 1. A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet. By this woman, interpreters commonly understand the Church of Christ, shining with the light of faith, under the protection of the sun of justice, Jesus Christ. The moon, the Church, hath all changeable things of this world under her feet, the affections of the faithful being raised above them all. — A woman: the Church of God. It may also, by allusion, be applied to our blessed Lady. The Church is clothed with the sun, that is, with Christ: she hath the moon, that is, the changeable things of the world, under her feet; and the twelve stars with which she is crowned, are the twelve apostles: she is in labour and pain, whilst she brings forth her children, and Christ in them, in the midst of afflictions and persecutions. Ch. — Under the figure of a woman and of a dragon, are represented the various attempts of Satan to undermine the Church. — On her head . . . twelve stars, her doctrine being delivered by the twelve apostles and their successors. Wi.
• Ver. 2. With child, &c., to signify that the Church, even in the time of persecutions, brought forth children to Christ. Wi. — It likewise signifies the difficulties which obstructed the first propagation of Christianity. Past.
• Ver. 3. Another wonder in heaven; that is, in the Church of Christ, though revealed to S. John, in the visions, as if they were seen in heaven. — A great red dragon; a fiery dragon, with seven heads and ten horns; i.e. many heads and many horns. By the dragon is generally understood the devil, (see v. 7 and 9) and by the heads and horns, kings and princes, who act under him, persecuting the servants of God. Wi. — Dragon, &c. the devil; and by the seven heads and ten horns, are meant those princes and governors who persecute the Church of Christ. Calmet.
• Ver. 4. His tail drew the third part of the stars: a great part of mankind. This is spoken with an allusion to the fall of Lucifer from heaven, with the rebellious angels, driven from thence by S. Michael. Wi. — According to Pastorini, the passage refers to the angels whom Lucifer drew after him by sin to the earth. Menochius interprets it of those bishops and eminent persons who fell under the weight of persecution, and apostatized. — And the dragon stood before the woman, &c. The devil is always ready, as far as God permits him, to make war against the Church and the faithful servants of God. The woman, the Church, brought a man child, or rather many men children, stout and valiant in the profession of the true faith, able to resist and triumph over the attempts of the persecutors in all nations, not of themselves, but by the grace and power of Jesus Christ, their protector, whi is able to rule all nations as it were with a rod of iron, to frustrate all their attempts, and turn their hearts as he pleaseth. Wi.
• Ver. 5. A man child; that is, a masculine race of Christians, willing to confess the name of the Lord, and to fight his battles; who, through the merits of Jesus Christ, should triumph over all the attempts of the world. Calmet. — Her son (or children) was taken up to heaven, guarded by the special favour of God. They always overcome the devil, and all their adversaries, by reason of the blood of the Lamb, by the merits of Christ. And they loved not the life of the body, so as to preserve it, by incurring the death of the soul. Wi.
• Ver. 6. The woman fled into the wilderness. The Church, in the times of persecutions, must be content to serve God in a private manner; but by the divine Providence, such persecutions never lasted with violence only for a short time, signified by 1260 days, or as the same is expressed here, (v. 14) for a time, and times, and half a time, i.e. for a year, and two years, and half a year. Wi. — The Christians were accustomed to fly during the times of persecution into the deserts, to avoid the fury of the pagans. This was done by the greatest saints; and S. Jerom remarks, that it was this which gave rise to the eremitical state of life.

Haydock Commentary 1 Corinthians 15:20-27

• Ver. 13-23. Note from Bob – These notes are for a larger chunk of text not included in the readings, but the quality of the notes is adequate that they need not rely entirely on the text of St Paul’s Epistle. He brings many reasons to convince them of the resurrection. 1. If there be no resurrection for others, Christ is not risen again: but his resurrection (as he tells them ver. 4) was foretold in the Scriptures. 2. And if Christ be not risen again, . . your faith is also in vain, this being one of the chief articles of your belief. 3. We should be found guilty of lies and impostures; and yet we have confirmed this doctrine by many miracles. 4. It would follow that you are not freed from your sins; i.e. unless Christ, by his resurrection, has triumphed over sin and death. 5. Without a resurrection we Christians, who live under self-denials and persecutions, would be the most miserable of all men, neither happy in this world nor in the next, for the happiness of the soul requires also a happy resurrection of the body. 6. Christ is the first-fruits, and the first begotten of the dead, of those who have slept: and by his being the first-fruits, it must be supposed that others also will rise after him. 7. As death came by the first man, (Adam) so the second man (Christ) came to repair the death of men, both as to body and soul; and without Christ’s resurrection, both the souls of men have remained dead in their original sins, and their bodies shall not rise again. Wi.
• Ver. 24. &c. Afterwards the end; i.e. after the general resurrection of all, will be the end of the world. Then Christ shall deliver up his kingdom, as to this world, over all men, over the devil and his apostate angels, signified by principalities and powers; not but that Christ, both as God and man, shall reign for all eternity, not only over his elect but over all creatures, having triumphed by his resurrection over the enemy of mankind, the devil, over sin, and over death, which is as it were the last enemy of his elect. At the general resurrection, Christ will present these elect to his heavenly Father, as the fruits of his victory over sin and death; and though as man he came to suffer and die, and was also made subject to his eternal Father, yet being God as well as man, he is Lord of all, and will make his faithful servants partakers of his glory in his heavenly kingdom. Wi.

Haydock Commentary Luke 1:39-56

• Ver. 36. We find that Aaron, who was of the tribe of Levi, took a wife of the tribe of Juda, viz. Elizabeth, the sister of Naasson. In the successors of David we find that Joiada, the chief priest, took a wife of the family of David, viz. the daughter of Joram; from which it appears that both the royal and sacerdotal tribes were united, and that Mary and Elizabeth were relatives. It was certainly proper that Christ should be born of both these tribes, because he was in himself both king and priest. Ven. Bede.
• Ver. 38. Behold the handmaid. With all modesty and humility of heart and mind, the blessed Virgin consented to the divine will: and from that moment in her was conceived the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. Wi. — Thus ought the virgin, who brought forth meekness and humility itself, to shew forth an example of the most profound humility. S. Amb.
• Ver. 39. This city is generally supposed to be Hebron, a sacerdotal town, (Jos. xxi. 11.) situated in the mountains, to the south of Juda, and about 120 miles from Nazareth. V.
• Ver. 41. The infant leaped in her womb.[7] According to the general opinion of the interpreters, this motion of the child at the time was not natural: and some think that God gave to S. John, even in his mother’s womb, a passing knowledge of the presence of his Redeemer. See S. Aug. in the above cited letter to Dardanus. Wi.
• Ver. 42. In the same words she is pronounced blessed by Elizabeth, and by the angel Gabriel, both inspired by the Holy Ghost, and this not only to the praise of Jesus, but for his sake, to the praise of Mary, calling her blessed, and her fruit blessed; and thus, as Ven. Bede asserts, holding her up to the veneration of both men and angels.
• Ver. 43. The mother of my Lord. A proof that Christ was truly God, and the blessed Virgin Mary truly the mother of God. Wi. — Elizabeth was a just and blessed woman; yet the excellency of the mother of God does so far surpass that of Elizabeth, and of every other woman, as the great luminary outshines the smaller stars. S. Jerom præf. in Sophon.
• Ver. 47. In God my Saviour, as appears by the Greek text,[8] though literally in Latin, in God my salvation. Wi.
• Ver. 48. The humility of his handmaid,[9] i.e. the humble, low, and abject condition; as perhaps might be translated both in this and in v. 52. For the blessed Virgin does not here commend and praise her own virtue of humility; as divers interpreters observe. See S. Francis de Sales, in his introduction to a devout life, part 3, c. vi. Wi. — As death entered into the world by the pride of our first parents, so was it proper that the path to life should be opened by the humility of Mary. Ven. Bede. — Not Elizabeth only, but all nations of believers are to call her blessed. Theophy.
• Ver. 51. The wise men of the Gentiles, the Pharisees and Scribes, were powerful; but these the Almighty cast down, and exalted those, who humbled themselves under his powerful hand. 1 Peter v. The Jews were proud in their strength, but their incredulity brought on them their humiliation; whilst the low and mean among the Gentiles, have by faith ascended to the summit of perfection. S. Cyril Alex. in S. Thom. catenâ aureâ. Wi.
• Ver. 53. The Jews were rich in the possession of the law, and the doctrines of the prophets; but, as they would not humbly unite themselves to the incarnate word, they were sent away empty, without faith, without knowledge, deprived of all hopes of temporal goods, excluded from the terrestrial Jerusalem, and also from that which is in heaven. But the Gentiles, oppressed with hunger and thirst, by adhering to their Lord, were filled with all spiritual gifts. S. Basil in Ps. xxxiii.

July 29 2010 Thursday Memorial of St Martha
Official Readings of the Liturgy at – http://www.usccb.org/bible/

Jeremiah 18:1-6
DR Challoner

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:

Arise, and go down into the potter’s house, and there thou shalt hear my words.

And I went down into the potter’s house, and behold he was doing a work on the wheel. And the vessel was broken which he was making of clay with his hands: and turning he made another vessel, as it seemed good in his eyes to make it.

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

Cannot I do with you, as this potter, O house of Israel, saith the Lord? behold as clay is in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm 145:2-6 (Ps 146:1b-6ab NAB)
DR Challoner Text Only

Praise the Lord, O my soul,
in my life I will praise the Lord:
I will sing to my God as long as I shall be.
Put not your trust in princes:
In the children of men,
in whom there is no salvation.
His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth:
in that day all their thoughts shall perish.
Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper,
whose hope is in the Lord his God:
Who made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all things that are in them.

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Saint John 11:19-27
Haydock New Testament
There is an alternative reading below

And many of the Jews were come to Martha, and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha, therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home. Martha therefore said to Jesus:

Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died: But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Jesus saith to her;

Thy brother shall rise again.

Martha saith to him;

I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day.

Jesus said to her;

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live: And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?

She saith to him;

Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, who art come into this world.

James Tissot: The Life of Christ

Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Martha at Bethany

Alternate
The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Saint Luke 10:38-42
Haydock New Testament

Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house: And she had a sister, called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving: who stood, and said:

Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her, therefore, that she help me.

And the Lord answering, said to her:

Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled by many things. But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Haydock Commentary Jeremias 18:1-6
Notes Copied From Haydock Commentary Site

• Ver. 2. Potter’s. Thus God would shew his dominion over all.  Rom. ix. 21.
• Ver. 3. Wheel. Heb. “stones.”  Sept. “seats;” or “wheel.”  Chal.  Ex. i. 16.  See Eccle. xxxviii. 32.  C.
• Ver. 4. Broken. So Providence ordered it.  S. Jer. — How should this idea humble man!  C. — A potter may mould afresh the clay as long as it is soft, but God can change the hardest heart.  W.

Haydock Commentary John 11:19-27

• Ver. 21. If thou hast been here. These words shew that the faith of the two sisters was but weak; as if the Son of God was not everywhere: or as if he could not restore him to life when dead and buried.  Wi. — Martha believed in Christ, but not as she ought to have done.   She did not yet believe him to be God, but addressed him as one who is remarkable for virtue, and approved of by heaven.  S. Chrys. hom. 61. in Joan.
• Ver. 23. Thy brother shall rise again. Martha took  notice that Christ did not express, whether immediately, or at the general resurrection, which she and the Jews generally believed.  Wi.
• Ver. 25. I am the resurrection, and the life. That is, the author of both.  Wi. — I am the resurrection, I am he who will at the last day raise him up; I can, therefore, if I will, raise him up now also.  S. Aust.
• Ver. 27. Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. Martha breaks out into an act of perfect faith.  See C. i. v. 49.  Wi.

Haydock Commentary Luke 10:38-42

• Ver. 40. Calvin here ridicules the professors of evangelical poverty, because they gather from this place that there are two states of life, viz. the active and the contemplative, figured by Martha and Mary.  But what will he answer, when he is informed, that this is the opinion not merely of monks, but even of a S. Austin, (Serm. xxvii, De verbis Domini,) of a S. Jerom, (Com. 3 cap. of Jeremiah,) of a S. Greg. and many others?  Not that they were ignorant that there was another more natural explanation; but they were of opinion that nothing could be found more proper for the illustration of these different states of life.  Maldonatus.
• Ver. 42. One thing is necessary. Some think that Christ’s meaning was, that Martha was preparing many dishes, when one was sufficient.  But others, that this one thing necessary, was to learn, and comply with the will of God; which Mary was employed about.  Wi.

July 18 2010 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Official Readings of the Liturgy at – http://www.usccb.org/bible/

Genesis 18:1-10a
Douay-Rheims Challoner

And the Lord appeared to him in the vale of Mambre as he was sitting at the door of his tent, in the very heat of the day. And when he had lifted up his eyes, there appeared to him three men standing near to him: and as soon as he saw them, he ran to meet them from the door of his tent, and adored down to the ground. And he said:

Abraham lavant les pieds aux anges 1854 Felix Henri Giacomotti

Lord, if I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away from thy servant. But I will fetch a little water, and wash ye your feet, and rest ye under the tree. And I will set a morsel of bread, and strengthen ye your heart, afterwards you shall pass on: for therefore are you come aside to your servant.

And they said:

Do as thou hast spoken.

Abraham made haste into the tent to Sara, and said to her:

Make haste, temper together three measures of flour, and make cakes upon the hearth.

And he himself ran to the herd, and took from thence a calf, very tender and very good, and gave it to a young man, who made haste and boiled it. He took also butter and milk, and the calf which he had boiled, and set before them: but he stood by them under the tree. And when they had eaten, they said to him:

Where is Sara thy wife?

He answered:

Lo she is in the tent.

And he said to him:

I will return and come to thee at this time, life accompanying, and Sara, thy wife, shall have a son.

Responsorial Psalm 14:2-5
DR Challoner Text Only

Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? or who shall rest in thy holy hill?
He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:
He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue:
Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.
In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth not;
He that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent:
He that doth these things, shall not be moved for ever.

Colossians 1:24-28
Haydock NT

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfil the word of God: The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations, but now is made manifest to his saints. To whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory. Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Saint Luke 10:38-42
Haydock New Testament

Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house: And she had a sister, called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving: who stood, and said:

Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her, therefore, that she help me.

And the Lord answering, said to her:

Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things. But one thing is necessary.  Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Haydock Commentary Genesis 18:1-10a
Notes Copied From Haydock Commentary Site

• Ver. 1. Sitting, &c. that he might lose no opportunity of exercising hospitality.
• Ver. 2. Men in outward appearance, but angels indeed.  Heb. xiii. 2. S. Aug. de C. D. xvi. c. 29.  Some have supposed, that one of them was the Son of God, whom Abraham adored, and who bears throughout the chief authority.  Tres vidit et unum adoravit. He saw three and adored one, as we read in the Church office.  In the former supposition, which is generally adopted, this adoration was only a civil ceremony, if Abraham considered them as mere men; or it might be mixed with a degree of religious, though inferior veneration, if he imagined they were angels; or in fine, he adored God in his representatives.  H.
• Ver. 4. Wash ye, or let your feet be washed by me, or by my servants, laventur. M.
• Ver. 5. Therefore, Providence has directed you hither.  Abraham promises but little, and gives much, in the true spirit of generous hospitality.  C.
• Ver. 6. Measures, or one epha; that is, three pecks and three pints, English corn measure. — Flour, of the finest quality, similæ. — Hearth, as being soonest ready.
• Ver. 7. Himself. These rich and truly noble people, do not esteem it beneath themto wait on strangers.  They provide abundance, but no dainties.  H.
• Ver. 9. Eaten apparently.  Tob. xii. 19. or perhaps they consumed the food, as fire may be said to eat.  S. Justin’s Dial.
• Ver. 10. Time, or season of the year ensuing, if I be alive; which he says after the manner of men, as he had assumed also the human form.  H.

Haydock Commentary Colossians 1:24-28

• Ver. 24. And fill up those things . . . in my flesh for his body, which is the church.[5]  Nothing was wanting in the sufferings or merits of Christ, for a sufficient and superabundant redemption of mankind, and therefore he adds, for his body, which is the church, that his sufferings were wanting, and are to be endured by the example of Christ by the faithful, who are members of a crucified head.  See S. Chrys. and S. Aug.  Wi. — Wanting. There is no want in the sufferings of Christ himself as head; but many sufferings are still wanting, or are still to come in his body, the Church, and his members, the faithful.  Ch. — S. Chrysostom here observes that Jesus Christ loves us so much, that he is not content merely to suffer in his own person, but he wishes also to suffer in his members; and thus we fill up what is wanting of the sufferings of Christ.  S. Chrys. — The wisdom, the will, the justice of Jesus Christ, requireth and ordaineth that his body and members should be companions of his sufferings, as they expect to be companions of his glory; that so suffering with him, and after his example, they may apply to their own wants and to the necessities of others the merits and satisfaction of Jesus Christ, which application is what is wanting, and what we are permitted to supply by the sacraments and sacrifice of the new law.
• Ver. 25. According to the dispensation of God; i.e. to the appointment of his divine providence.  Wi.
• Ver. 26. The mystery of Christ’s incarnation, which hath been hidden, &c.  See Ephes. i. 12. and v. 4, &c.  Wi.

Haydock Commentary Luke 10:38-42

• Ver. 40. Calvin here ridicules the professors of evangelical poverty, because they gather from this place that there are two states of life, viz. the active and the contemplative, figured by Martha and Mary.  But what will he answer, when he is informed, that this is the opinion not merely of monks, but even of a S. Austin, (Serm. xxvii, De verbis Domini,) of a S. Jerom, (Com. 3 cap. of Jeremiah,) of a S. Greg. and many others?  Not that they were ignorant that there was another more natural explanation; but they were of opinion that nothing could be found more proper for the illustration of these different states of life.  Maldonatus.
• Ver. 42. One thing is necessary. Some think that Christ’s meaning was, that Martha was preparing many dishes, when one was sufficient.  But others, that this one thing necessary, was to learn, and comply with the will of God; which Mary was employed about.  Wi.

Catena Aurea Luke 10:38-42
From Catechetics Online

• THEOPHYL; The love of God and our neighbor, which was contained above in words and parables, is here set forth in very deed and reality; for it is said, Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village.
• ORIGEN. The name of which village Luke indeed here omits, but John mentions, calling it Bethany.
• AUG. But the Lord, who came to his own, and his own received him not, was received as a guest, for it follows, And a certain woman named Martha received him into her house, &c. as strangers are accustomed to be received. But still a servant received her Lord, the sick her Savior, the creature her Creator. But if any should say, “O blessed are they who have been thought worthy to receive Christ into their houses,” grieve not you, for He says, For inasmuch as you have done it to the least of my brethren, you have done it to me. But taking the form of a servant, He wished therein to be fed by servants, by reason of His condescension, not His condition. He had a body in which He was hungry and thirsty, but when He was hungry in the desert, Angels ministered to Him. In wishing therefore to be led, He came Himself to the feeder.
  • Martha then, setting about and preparing to feed our Lord, was occupied in serving, but Mary her sister chose rather to be fed by the Lord, for it follows, And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
• CHRYS. It is not said of Mary simply that she sat near Jesus, but at His feet, to show her diligence, steadfastness, and zeal, in hearing, and the great reverence which she had for our Lord.
• AUG. Now as was her humility in sitting at His feet, so much the more did she receive from him. For the waters pour down to the lowest part of the valley, but flow away from the rising of the hill.
• BASIL; Now every work and word of our Savior is a rule of piety and virtue For to this end did He put on our body, that as much as we can we might imitate His conversation.
• CYRIL; By His own example then He teaches His disciples how they ought to behave in the houses of those who receive them, namely, when they come to a house, they should not remain idle, but rather fill the minds of those who receive them with sacred and divine teaching. But let those who make ready the house, go to meet their guests gladly and earnestly, for two reasons. First, indeed, they will be edified by the teaching of those whom they receive; nest also they will receive the reward of charity. And hence it follows here, But Martha was cumbered about much serving, &c.
• AUG. Martha was as well engaged in ministering to the bodily wants or wishes of our Lord, as of one who was mortal, but He who was clothed in mortal flesh, in the beginning was the Word. Behold then what Mary heard, The Word was made flesh. Behold then Him to whom Martha ministered. The one was laboring, the other at rest. But yet Martha, when much troubled in her occupation and business of serving, interrupted our Lord, and complained of her sister. For it follows, And said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? For Mary was absorbed in the sweetness of our Lord’s words; Martha was as preparing a feast for our Lord, in whose feast Mary was now rejoicing. While then she was listening with delight to those sweet words, and was feeding on them with the deepest affection, our Lord was interrupted by her sister. What must we suppose was her alarm, lest the Lord should say to her, “Rise, and help your sister?”
  • Our Lord therefore, who was not at a loss, for He had shown He was the Lord, answered as follows, And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha. The repetition of the name is a mark of love, or perhaps of drawing the attention, that she should listen more earnestly. When twice called, she hears, You are troubled about many things. that is, you art busied about many things. For man wishes to meet with something when he is serving, and can not; and thus between seeking what is wanting and preparing what is at hand, the mind is distracted. For if Martha had been sufficient of herself, she would not have required the aid of her sister.
  • There are many, there are diverse things, which are carnal, temporal, but one is preferred to many. For one is not from many, but many from one. Hence it follows, But one thing is needful. Mary wished to be occupied about one, according to that, It is good for me to cling close to the Lord. The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, are one. To this one he does not bring us, unless we being many have one heart.
• CYRIL; Or else, when certain brethren have received God, they will not be anxious about much service, nor ask for those things which are not in their hands, and are beyond their needs. For every where and in every thing that which is superfluous is burdensome. For it begets weariness in those who are wishing to bestow it, while the guests feel that they are the cause of trouble.
• BASIL; It is foolish also to take food for the support of the body, and thereby in return to hurt the body, and to hinder it in the performance of the divine command. If then a poor man come, let him receive a model and example of moderation in food, and let us not prepare our own tables for their sakes, who wish to live luxuriously. For the life of the Christian is uniform, ever tending to one object, namely, the glory of God. But the life of those who are without is manifold and vacillating, changed about at will. And how in truth can you, when you set your table before your brother with profusion of meats, and for the pleasure of feasting sake, accuse him of luxury, and revile him as a glutton, censuring his indulgence in that which you yourself afford him? Our Lord did not commend Martha when busied about much serving.
• AUG. What then? Must we think that blame was cast upon the service of Martha, who was engaged in the cares of hospitality, and rejoiced in having so great a guest? If this be true, let men give up ministering to the needy; in a word, let them be at leisure, intent only upon getting wholesome knowledge, taking no care what stranger is in the village in want of bread; let works of mercy be unheeded, knowledge only be cultivated.
• THEOPHYL. Our Lord does not then forbid hospitality, but the troubling about many things, that is to say, hurry and anxiety. And mark the wisdom of our Lord, in that at first He said nothing to Martha, but when she sought to tear away her sister from hearing, then the Lord took occasion to reprove her. For hospitality is ever honored as long as it keeps us to necessary things. But when it begins to hinder us from attending to what is of more importance, then it is plain that the hearing of the divine word is the more honorable.
• AUG. Our Lord then does not blame the actions, but distinguishes between the duties. For it follows, Mary has chosen that good part, &c. Not yours a bad one, but hers a better. Why a better? because it shall not be taken away from her. From you the necessary burden of business shall one time be taken away. For when you come into that country, you will find no stranger to receive with hospitality. But for your good it shall be taken away, that what is better may be given you. Trouble shall be taken away, that rest may be given. You are yet at sea; she is in port. For the sweetness of truth is eternal, yet in this life it is increased, and in the next it will be made perfect, never to be taken away.
• AMBROSE; May you then like Mary be influenced by the desire of wisdom. For this is the greater, this the more perfect work. Nor let the care of ministering to others turn your mind from the knowledge of the heavenly word, nor reprove or think indolent those whom you see seeking after wisdom.
• AUG. Now mystically, by Martha’s receiving our Lord into her house is represented the Church which now receives the Lord into her heart. Mary her sister, who sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word, signifies the same Church, but in a future life, where ceasing from labor, and the ministering to her wants, she shall delight in Wisdom alone. But by her complaining that her sister did not help her, occasion is given for that sentence of our Lord, in which he shows that Church to be anxious and troubled about much service, when there is but one thing needful, which is yet attained through the merits of her service; but He says that Mary has chosen the good part, for through the one the other is reached, which shall not be taken away.
• GREG. Or by Mary who sat and heard our Lord’s words, is signified the contemplative life; by Martha engaged in more outward services, the active life. Now Martha’s care is not blamed, but Mary is praised, for great are the rewards of an active life, but those of a contemplative are far better. Hence Mary’s part it is said will never be taken away from her, for the works of an active life pass away with the body, but the joys of the contemplative life the rather begin to increase from the end.

June 4 2010 Friday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint of the Day – Blessed John XXIII

About the sources used. The readings on this site are not the official lectionary readings for  Mass in the US Catholic Church, but are from sources free from copyright. They are here to present the comparable readings along with traditional Catholic commentary as published in the Haydock Bible for your own personal study. Readings may vary depending on your local calendar.

Official Readings of the Liturgy at – http://www.usccb.org/bible/

2 Timothy 3:10-17
Haydock New Testament

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience, Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of all the Lord delivered me. And all who will live piously in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. But evil men, and seducers, shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and which have been committed to thee: knowing of whom thou hast learned. And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which can instruct thee unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture divinely inspired is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice: That the man of God may be perfect, furnished unto every good work.

Responsorial Psalm 118:157, 160-161, 165-166, 168 (Ps 119 NAB)
DR Challoner Text Only

Many are they that persecute me and afflict me;
but I have not declined from thy testimonies.
The beginning of thy words is truth:
all the judgments of thy justice are for ever.
Princes have persecuted me without cause:
and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.
Much peace have they that love thy law,
and to them there is no stumbling block.
I looked for thy salvation, O Lord:
and I loved thy commandments.
I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies:
because all my ways are in thy sight.

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Saint Mark 12:35-37
Haydock New Testament

And Jesus answering, said, teaching in the temple:

How do the Scribes say, that Christ is the son of David? For David himself saith by the Holy Ghost: The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy foot-stool. David, therefore, himself calleth him Lord, and whence is he then his son?  And a great multitude heard him gladly.

Haydock Commentary 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Notes Copied From Haydock Commentary Site

• Ver. 14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, &c.  S. Paul here gives particular advice to his disciple, S. Timothy, who had been long since instructed in all the truths and mysteries of the Christian faith, who had received the gifts of the Holy Ghost, of prophecy, of interpreting the Scriptures, who was a priest, a bishop of Ephesus, the metropolis of Asia, whose office it was to instruct, direct, and convert others.  He tells this great bishop, that the holy Scriptures are able, and may conduce or can instruct him unto salvation, (v. 15.) unto his own salvation and that of others.  Wi. — The apostle here entreats his disciple, and in him all future Christians, to adhere to the true deposit of doctrine.  He teaches with Catholics, that all Scripture is profitable; but not with Protestants, that Scripture alone is necessary and sufficient.
• Ver. 16. All scripture divinely inspired is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, or admonish, to instruct others in justice, and in the ways of virtue, that thus he who is a man of God, a minister of the gospel, may be perfect and instructed unto every good work.  But when our adversaries of the pretended reformation, undertake from these four verses to shew, first, that every ignorant man or woman is hereby warranted to read and put what construction his or her private spirit, or private judgment, suggests upon all places of the holy Scriptures; and secondly, that the Scriptures alone contain all truths which a Christian is bound to believe; or at least, that the Scriptures teach him all things necessary to salvation, without regard to the interpretation and authority of the Catholic Church: I may at least say (without examining at present any other pretended grounds of these assertions) that these consequences are very remote from the text and sense of S. Paul in this place.  As to the first, does this follow; the Scriptures must be read by Timothy, a priest, a bishop, a man of God, a minister of the gospel, whose office it is to instruct and convert others, therefore they are proper to be read and expounded by every ignorant man or woman?  Does not S. Paul say elsewhere, (2 Cor. ii. 17.) that many adulterate and corrupt the word of God? does not  S. Peter tell us also, (2 Pet. iii. 16.) that in S. Paul’s epistles are some things . . . . which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as also the other scriptures, to their own perdition? See the preface to S. John, where reasons are brought for which it was requisite that the Church should put some restraint to the abuse which the ignorant made of reading the Scriptures in vulgar tongues.  As to the second consequence, does it follow: every Scripture divinely inspired is profitable for S. Timothy, for a priest, a bishop, a man of God, a minister and preacher of the gospel, to teach and instruct, and conduce to bring both him and others to salvation; therefore they contain all things that a Christian need to believe? &c.  Is not every Christian bound to believe that the books in the canon of the New and Old Testament are of divine authority, as in particular these two epistles of S. Paul to Timothy?  Where does the Scripture assure us of this?  But of this elsewhere.  Wi. — Every part of divine Scripture is certainly profitable for all these ends.  But if we would have the whole rule of Christian faith and practice, we must not be content with those Scriptures which Timothy knew from his infancy, (that is, with the Old Testament alone) nor yet with the New Testament, without taking along with it the traditions of the apostles and the interpretation of the Church, to which the apostles delivered both the book and the true meaning of it.  Ch.

Haydock Commentary Mark 12:35-37

• Ver. 35. According to S. Mat. it was principally to the Pharisees that Christ proposed this question.  See Mat. 22, 41.
• Ver. 37. This interrogation of Jesus instructs us how to refute the adversaries of truth; for if any assert that Christ was but a simple and holy man, a mere descendant of the race of David, we will ask them, after the example of Jesus: If Christ be man only, and the Son of David, how does David, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, call him Lord?  The Jews were not blamed for calling him the Son of David, but for denying him to be the Son of God.  Ven. Bede.

June 3 2010 Thursday Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga,
martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Saint of the Day – St Charles Lwanga and his companions

About the sources used. The readings on this site are not the official lectionary readings for  Mass in the US Catholic Church, but are from sources free from copyright. They are here to present the comparable readings along with traditional Catholic commentary as published in the Haydock Bible for your own personal study. Readings may vary depending on your local calendar.

Official Readings of the Liturgy at – http://www.usccb.org/bible/

2 Timothy 2:8-15
Haydock NT

Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, In which I labour even unto chains, as an evil doer: but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.

A faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him: If we suffer we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he will also deny us. If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he can not deny himself.

Of these things put them in mind, testifying before the Lord.  Contend not in words: for it is to no profit, but to the subversion of the hearers. Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Responsorial Psalm 24:4-5ab, 8-10 and 14 (Ps 25 NAB)
DR Challoner Text Only

Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause.
Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths.
Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Saviour
The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.
He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways.
All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth,
to them that seek after his covenant and his testimonies.
The Lord is a firmament to them that fear him:
and his covenant shall be made manifest to them.

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Saint Mark 12:28-34
Haydock New Testament

And there came one of the Scribes, that had heard them reasoning together, and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him which was the first commandment of all. And Jesus answered him:

The first commandment of all is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God, is one God: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength.  This is the first commandment.

And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.

And the Scribe said to him:

Well, master, thou hast said in truth, that there is one God, and there is no other besides him. And that he should be loved with the whole heart, and with the whole understanding, and with the whole soul, and with the whole strength: and to love one’s neighbour as one’s self, is a greater thing than all holocausts and sacrifices.

And Jesus seeing that he had answered wisely, said to him:

Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.

And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Haydock Commentary 2 Timothy 2:8-15
Notes Copied From Haydock Commentary Site

• Ver. 8. According to my gospel. He seems to understand his preaching.  Wi.
• Ver. 9. In which I labour, or suffer, by the Greek.  Wi.
• Ver. 10. The elect. By the elect, we need not always understand those predestinated to eternal glory, but chosen or called to the true faith; and this must rather be the meaning of S. Paul in this place, who could not distinguish between those predestinated to glory and others.  Wi. — Therefore I announce it with full liberty, suffering willingly all I have to endure for the sake of the elect.
• Ver. 11, &c. If we be dead with him, to sin, or as others expound it, by martyrdom, we shall live also, and reign with him in heaven.  But if we deny him, by renouncing our faith, or by a wicked life, he also will deny us, and disown us hereafter.  See Mat. x. 33.  He continues always faithful and true to his promises.  He is truth, and cannot deny himself.  Wi.
• Ver. 13. If we believe not; i.e. if we refuse to believe in God, or if after having believed, we depart from our faith, the Almighty still continues faithful; he is still what he was.  Our believing in him cannot increase his glory, nor can our disbelief in him cause any diminution thereof, since it is already infinite.  Estius. — The sense may be: when we renounce God, and refuse to believe in him, will he be less powerful to punish us? or, will his menaces be less true or less efficacious?  He will effect his work without us, for he will infallibly bring about the salvation of his elect.  V.
• Ver. 14. Give this admonition to all, especially to the ministers of the gospel, that they may expose themselves willingly to suffer every thing for the establishment of the faith in Jesus Christ. — Testifying. Call God to witness the truths which you announce to the faithful; and for your part, do not amuse yourself with disputes about words.  In the Greek it is thus translated by many: Warn them of these things, by conjuring them in the name of the Lord not to amuse themselves with disputes about words.  Calmet.
• Ver. 15. Thyself approved,[5] or acceptable to God. — Rightly handling.[6]  In the Greek, cutting or dividing the word of truth, according to the capacities of the hearers, and for the good of all.  Wi. — The Prot. version has, dividing the word of truth. All Christians challenge the Scriptures, but the whole is in the rightly handling them.  Heretics change and adulterate them, as the same apostle affirms, 2 Cor. xi. and 4.  These he admonishes us (as he did before, 1 Tim. vi. 20.) to avoid, for they have a popular way of expression, by which the unlearned are easily beguiled.  “Nothing is so easy,” says S. Jerom, “as with a facility and volubility of speech to deceive the illiterate, who are apt to admire what they cannot comprehend.”  Ep. ii. ad Nepot. c. 10

Haydock Commentary Mark 12:28-34

• Ver. 29. Literally the Lord our God is the only Lord: and this is the sense of the text in Deuteronomy vi. 4.  The word in the original text, rendered by the term Lord, is the grand name JEHOVA, which signifies properly God, considered as the supreme Being, or the author of all existence.
• Ver. 33. Venerable Bede gathers from this answer of the Scribes, that it had been long disputed among the Scribes and Pharisees, which was the greatest commandment in the law; some preferring the acts of faith and love, because many of the fathers, before the law was instituted, were pleasing to God on account of their faith and piety, and not on account of their sacrifices; yet none were agreeable to God who had not faith and charity.  This Scribe seems to have been of the opinion of those who preferred the love of God.  Ven. Bede. — This excellence of charity teacheth us that faith only is not sufficient.  B.
• Ver. 34. Being now refuted in their discourse, they no longer interrogate him, but deliver him up to the Roman power.  Thus envy may be vanquished, but with great difficulty silenced.  Ven. Bede.