redemption of mankind

by

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria II Classis) – Monday, 3 November 2014 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface of the Dead, Communion, Post-Communion Prayer

Offertory

Tradition of the Faith

Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de paenis inferni et de profundo lacu : libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum : sed signifer sanctus Michael repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam : Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.

Response : Hostias et preces Tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus : Tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam facimus : fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam. Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.

English translation

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the deep pit; deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell will not engulf them, nor that they fall into darkness, but let Michael, the holy standard-bearer, bring them into the holy light which You once had promised to Abraham and his seed.

Response : We offer You, o Lord, sacrifices and prayers of praise. May You accept them for those souls whom we commemorate this day; grant them, o Lord, to pass from death to the life which You once had promised to Abraham and his seed.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Secret for the First Mass

Hostias, quaesumus, Domine, quas tibi pro animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum offerimus, propitiatus intende : ut, quibus fidei christianae meritum contulisti, dones et praemium. Per Dominum…

English translation

Mercifully look down, we beseech You, o Lord, upon the sacrifice which we offer You for the souls of Your servants and handmaids, that, to those on whom You had conferred the merit of Christian faith, You may also grant its reward. Through our Lord…

Secret for the Second Mass

Propitiare, Domine, supplicationibus nostris, pro animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum, pro quibus tibi offerimus sacrificium laudis; ut eas Sanctorum tuorum consortio sociare digneris. Per Dominum…

English translation

Be propitiated, o Lord, by our supplications for the souls of Your servants and handmaids, whose anniversary is kept today, for whom we offer You the sacrifice of praise, that You vouchsafe to join them to the company of Your saints. Through our Lord…

Secret for the Third Mass

Deus, cujus misericordiae non est numerus, suscipe propitius preces humilitatis nostrae : et animabus fratrumm propinquorum et benefactorum nostrorum, quibus Tui Nominis dedisti confessionem, per haec sacramenta salutis nostrae, cunctorum remissionem tribue peccatorum. Per Dominum…

English translation

O God, whose mercy is boundless, mercifully receive the prayers of our lowliness, and grant, through these sacraments of our salvation, to the souls of our brethren, kindred, and benefactors, to whom You had granted the confession of Your Name, the remission of all sins. Through our Lord…

Mass for the Dead

Preface of the Dead

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : per Christum, Dominum nostrum. In quo nobis spes beatae resurrectionis effulsit, ut, quos contristat certa moriendi condicio, eosdem consoletur futurae immortalitatis promissio. Tuis enim fidelibus, Domine, vita mutatur, non tollitur : et, dissoluta terrestris hujus incolatus domo, aeterna in caelis habitatio comparatur.

Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes :

English translation

It is truly meet and just, right and profitable for us, at all times, and in all places, to give thanks to You, o holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God through Christ, our Lord, in whom the hope of a happy resurrection has shone on us, so that those whom the certain fate of dying renders sad, may be consoled by the promise of future immortality. For with regard to Your faithful, o Lord, life is changed, not taken away; and the house of their earthly dwelling being destroyed, an eternal dwelling in heaven is obtained.

So with the angels and archangels, with the dominions and powers, with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing of Your glory without end, saying :

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam.

English translation

Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world, give unto them rest.

Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world, give unto them rest.

Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world, give unto them rest forevermore.

Communion

4 Esdras 2 : 35, 34

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine : Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum : quia pius es.

Response : Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis. Cum Sanctis Tuis in aeternum : quia pius es.

English translation

May light eternal shine upon them, o Lord, with Your saints forever, for You are kind.

Response : Grant them everlasting rest, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, with Your Saints forever, for You are kind.

Post-Communion

Post-Communion for the First Mass

Animabus, quaesumus, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum oratio proficiat supplicantium : ut eas et a peccatis omnibus exuas, et tuae redemptionis facias esse participes : Qui vivis…

English translation

May the prayer of Your suppliants profit the souls of Your servants and handmaids, we beseech You, o Lord, that You may free them from all sins and make them sharers in Your redemption. Who lives…

Post-Communion for the Second Mass

Praesta, quaesumus, Domine : ut animae famulorum famularumque tuarum, his purgatae sacrificiis, indulgentiam pariter et requiem capiant sempiternam. Per Dominum…

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Lord, that the souls of Your servants and handmaids, the anniversary of those whose burial we commemorate, may be purged by this sacrifice and obtain alike forgiveness and everlasting rest. Through our Lord…

Post-Communion for the Third Mass

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens et misericors Deus : ut animae fratrum, propinquorum et benefactorum nostrorum, pro quibus hoc sacrificium laudis tuae obtulimus majestati; per hujus virtutem sacramenti a peccatis omnibus expiatae, lucis perpertuae, te miserante, recipiant beatitudinem. Per Dominum…

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Almighty and merciful God, that the souls of our brethren, kindred, and benefactors, for whom we have offered this sacrifice of praise to Your majesty, being purified of all sins by the virtue of this sacrament, may, by Your mercy receive the beatitude of perpetual light. Through our Lord…

Dismissal (Mass for the Dead)

Priest : Requiescant in pace.

Response : Amen.

English translation

Priest : May they rest in peace.

Response : Amen.

by

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria II Classis) – Monday, 3 November 2014 : Holy Gospel

Gospel for the First Mass

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 5 : 25-29

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum : Amen, amen, dico vobis, quia venit hora, et nunc est, quando mortui audient vocem Filii Dei : et qui audierint, vivent. Sicut enim Pater habet vitam in semetipso, sic dedit et Filio habere vitam in semetipso : et potestatem dedit ei judicium facere, quia Filius hominis est.

Nolite mirari hoc, quia venit hora, in qua omnes, qui in monumentis sunt, audient vocem Filii Dei : et procedent, qui bona fecerunt, in resurrectionem vitae : qui vero mala egerunt, in resurrectionem judicii.

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, “Amen, amen, I say unto you, that the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live. For as the Father had live in Himself, so He had given to the Son to also have life in Himself, and He had given Him power to do judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

Do not wonder at this, for the hour is coming where all who are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life, but those who have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

Gospel for the Second Mass

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 6 : 37-40

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum : Omne, quod dat mihi Pater, ad me veniet : et eum, qui venit ad me, non ejiciam foras : quia descendi de caelo, non ut faciam voluntatem meam, sed voluntatem ejus, qui misit me.

Haec est autem voluntas ejus, qui misit me, Patris : ut omne, quod dedit mihi, non perdam ex eo, sed resuscitem illud in novissimo die. Haec est autem voluntas Patris mei, qui misit me : ut omnis, qui videt Filium et credit in eum, habeat vitam aeternam, et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die.

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, “All who the Father gave Me shall come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will not cast out, because I came down from heaven not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

“Now this is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all those whom He had given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again in the last day; and this is the will of My Father who sent Me, that everyone who see the Son, and believe in Him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Gospel for the Third Mass

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 6 : 51-55

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum : Ego sum panis vivus, qui de caelo descendi. Si quis manducaverit ex hoc pane, vivet in aeternum : et panis, quem ego dabo, caro mea est pro mundi vita.

Litigabant ergo Judaei ad invicem, dicentes : Quomodo potest hic nobis carnem suam dare ad manducandum? Dixit ergo eis Jesus : Amen, amen, dico vobis : nisi manducaveritis carnem Filii hominis et biberitis ejus sanguinem, non habebitis vitam in vobis.

Qui manducat meam carnem et bibit meum sanguinem, habet vitam aeternam : et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die.

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, “I am the living Bread, who came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread he shall live forever, and the Bread that I will give is My Flesh for the life of the world.”

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His Flesh to eat?” Then Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say unto you, except you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood, you shall not have life in you.”

“He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood, has everlasting life, and I will raise him up in the last day.”

by

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria II Classis) – Monday, 3 November 2014 : Sequence

Dies Irae, Dies Illa, solvet saeclum in favilla : Teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus tremor est futurus, quando judex est venturus. Cuncta stricte discussurus!

Tuba, mirum spargens sonum, per sepulcra regionum. Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura, cum resurget creatura. Judicanti responsura.

Liber Scriptus proferetur, in quo totum continetur, unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit, quidquid latet, apparebit : Nil inultum remanebit.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, cum vix justus sit securus?

Rex tremendae majestatis, qui salvandos salvas gratis. Salva me, fons pietatis.

Recordare, Jesu pie, quod sum causa Tuae viae : Ne me perdas illa die.

Quaerens me, sedisti lassus : Redemisti Crucem passus : Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Juste judex ultionis, donum fac remissionis. Ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco, tamquam reus : Culpa rubet vultus meus : Supplicanti parce, Deus.

Qui Mariam absolvisti, et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces meae non sunt dignae : Sed Tu bonus fac benigne, Ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter oves locum praesta, et ab haedis me sequestra, statuens in parte dextra.

Confutatis maledictis, Flammis actibus addictis : Voca me cum benedictis.

Oro supplex et acclinis, cor contritum quasi cinis : Gere curam mei finis.

Lacrimosa dies illa, qua resurget ex favilla. Judicandus homo reus : Huic ergo parce, Deus.

Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. Amen.

English translation

The day of wrath, that awful day, shall reduce the world to ashes, as David and the Sybil prophesied.

How great shall be the trembling, when the Judge shall come to examine all things rigorously.

The trumpet, with astounding blast, echoing over the sepulchres of the whole world, shall summon all before the throne.

Death and Nature will stand aghast, when the creature shall rise again, to answer before his Judge.

The written book shall be brought forth, containing all for which the world must be judged.

When, therefore, the Judge shall be seated, whatsoever is hidden shall be brought to light; nothing shall remain unpunished.

What shall I, wretched, then say? Whom shall I invoke as protector, when even the just shall hardly be secure?

O King of awful majesty, who of Your free gift saved those who are to be saved, save me, o Fount of mercy.

Remember, o loving Jesus, that for my sake You had come upon the earth. Let me not, then, be lost on that day.

In search of me, You sat down, weary, suffering the Cross, You had redeemed me. Let not so great a labour be in vain.

O righteous Awarder of punishment, grant me the gift of pardon before the day of accounting.

I groan as one guilty, while I blush for my sins : oh! Spare Your suppliant, my God!

You who had absolved Mary, and had hearkened to the thief, to me You had also given hope.

My prayers deserve not to be heard, but You are good. Grant, in Your kindness, that I may not burn in the unquenchable fire.

Amid Your sheep appoint me a place, and separate me from the goats, placing me at Your right hand.

The accursed having been silenced and given over to the bitter flames, call me with the blessed.

Kneeling and prostrate I pray, with a heart contrite as though crushed to ashes; oh! Have a care for my last hour.

A mournful day that day shall be, when from the glowing embers shall arise. Guilty man, that he may be judged; spare him, then, o God!

Merciful Jesus, Lord, grant them rest. Amen.

by

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria II Classis) – Monday, 3 November 2014 : Gradual and Tract

Gradual

4 Esdras 2 : 34-35 and Psalm 111 : 7

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

In memoria aeterna erit justus : ab auditione mala non timebit.

English translation

Eternal rest give to them, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

The just shall be in everlasting remembrance, he shall not fear the evil hearing.

Tract

Tradition of the Faith

Absolve, Domine, animas omnium fidelium defunctorum ab omni vinculo delictorum.

Response : Et gratia Tua illis succurrente, mereantur evadere judicium ultionis,

Response : Et lucis aeternae beatitudine perfrui.

English translation

O Lord, absolve the souls of all the faithful departed from every bond of sin.

Response : And by the help of Your grace may they be worthy to escape the sentence of vengeance.

Response : And to enjoy all the beatitude of the light eternal.

by

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria II Classis) – Monday, 3 November 2014 : Epistle

Epistle for the First Mass

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Corinthios – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 15 : 51-57

Fratres : Ecce, mysterium vobis dico : Omnes quidem resurgemus, sed non omnes immutabimur. In momento, in ictu oculi, in novissima tuba : canet enim tuba, et mortui resurgent incorrupti : et nos immutabimur.

Oportet enim corruptibile hoc induere incorruptionem : et mortale hoc induere immortalitatem. Cum autem mortale hoc induerit immortalitatem, tunc fiet sermo, qui scriptus est : Absorpta est mors in victoria. Ubi est, mors, victoria tua? Ubi est, mors, stimulus tuus?

Stimulus autem mortis peccatum est : virtus vero peccati lex. Deo autem gratias, qui dedit nobis victoriam per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum.

English translation

Brethren, behold, I tell you a mystery : we shall all indeed rise again, but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal had put on immortality, then what is written shall come to pass. Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

Now the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, who had given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Epistle for the Second Mass

Lectio libri Machabaeorum – Lesson from the Book of Maccabees

2 Maccabees 12 : 43-46

In diebus illis : Vir fortissimus Judas, facta collatione, duodecim milia drachmas argenti misit Jerosolymam, offerri pro peccatis mortuorum sacrificium, bene et religiose de resurrectione cogitans (nisi enim eos, qui ceciderant, resurrecturos speraret, superfluum videretur et vanum orare pro mortuis) : et quia considerabat, quod hi, qui cum pietate dormitionem acceperant, optimam haberent repositam gratiam.

Sancta ergo et salubris est cogitatio pro defunctis exorare, ut a peccatis solvantur.

English translation

In those days, the most valiant man Judas, making a gathering, sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection (for if he had not hoped that those who were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead); and because he considered that those who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.

It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosened from sins.

Epistle for the Third Mass

Lectio libri Apocalypsis Beati Joannis Apostoli – Lesson from the Book of the Apocalypse of Blessed John the Apostle

Apocalypse 14 : 13

In diebus illis : Audivi vocem de caelo, dicentem mihi : Scribe : Beati mortui, qui in Domino moriuntur. Amodo jam dicit Spiritus, ut requiescant a laboribus suis : opera enim illorum sequuntur illos.

English translation

In those days I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me, “Write : blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord.” “From henceforth now,” said the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, for their works follow them.”

by

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria II Classis) – Monday, 3 November 2014 : Introit and Collect

Introit

4 Esdras 2 : 34, 35 and Psalm 64 : 2-3

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et Tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem : exaudi orationem meam, ad Te omnis caro veniet.

Response : Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

English translation

Eternal rest give to them, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

A hymn, o God, becomes Yours in Sion, and a vow shall be paid to You in Jerusalem. O Lord, hear my prayer, all flesh shall come to You.

Response : Eternal rest give to them, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Collect

Collect for the First Mass

Fidelium, Deus, omnium Conditor et Redemptor : animabus famulorum famularumque Tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum; ut indulgentiam, quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis…

English translation

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Your servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins, that they may obtain by loving prayers the forgiveness which they have always desired. Who lives…

Collect for the Second Mass

Deus, indulgentiarum Domine : da animabus famulorum famularumque Tuarum refrigerii sedem, quietis beatitudinem et luminis claritatem. Per Dominum…

English translation

O God, the Lord of mercies, grant to the souls of Your servants and handmaids, the anniversary of whose burial we commemorate, an abode of refreshment, the beatitude of rest, and the brightness of light. Through our Lord…

Collect for the Third Mass

Deus, veniae largitor et humanae salutis amator : quaesumus clementiam Tuam; ut nostrae congregationis fratres, propinquos et benefactores, qui ex hoc saeculo transierunt, Beata Maria semper Virgine intercedente cum omnibus Sanctis Tuis, ad perpetuae beatitudinis consortium pervenire concedas. Per Dominum…

English translation

O God, the bestower of pardon and lover of man’s salvation, we beseech Your clemency, through the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and all Your saints, that the brethren, who have passed out of this world may together enjoy everlasting happiness. Through our Lord…

by

Plenary Indulgence for the Souls in Purgatory

Brothers and sisters in Christ, do take note, that in accordance with the celebrations of the Solemnity of All Saints and the Feast of All Souls, the time has come once again for the chance for us to obtain plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory.

The conditions for the indulgence are listed below, and hence do pray for the souls in Purgatory, for the souls of our loved ones, that they may be brought out of Purgatory into the glory of heaven through this indulgence.

 

Plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory :

1. If any of the faithful on one of the days from 1 to 8 November visit devoutly a cemetery or who simply pray mentally for the dead.

2. If any of the faithful on All Souls’ Day (or on Sunday that precedes or follows the All Souls’ Day, with permission of the local Bishop) visit a church or chapel with devotion and there recite the Our Father and the Creed.

 

Partial indulgence for the souls in Purgatory :

1. If any of the faithful visit devoutly a cemetery or who simply pray mentally for the dead (can be at any time).

2. If any of the faithful recite devoutly Lauds or Vespers of the Office of the Dead, or the invocation of ‘Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis – Eternal rest grant unto them, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine unto them’.

by

(Usus Antiquior) Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost (II Classis) – Sunday, 2 November 2014 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Offertory

Job 1

Vir erat in terra Hus, nomine Job : simplex et rectus ac timens Deum : quem Satan petiit ut tentaret : et data est ei potestas a Domino in facultates et in carnem ejus : perdiditque omnem substantiam ipsius et filios : carnem quoque ejus gravi ulcere vulneravit.

English translation

There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, simple, and upright, and fearing God, whom Satan besought that he might them. And power was given to him from the Lord over his possessions and his flesh; and he destroyed all his substance and his children, and also wounded his flesh with a grievous ulcer.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Suscipe, Domine, propitius hostias : quibus et Te placari voluisti, et nobis salutem potenti pietate restitui. Per Dominum…

English translation

Graciously receive, o Lord, the sacrifices with which You had willed that You should be appeased and our salvation, by Your mighty love, restored. Through our Lord…

Communion

Psalm 118 : 81, 84, 86

In salutari Tuo anima mea, et in verbum Tuum speravi : quando facies de persequentibus me judicium? Iniqui persecuti sunt me, adjuva me, Domine, Deus meus.

English translation

My soul is in Your salvation, and in Your word I have hoped when You will execute judgment on them that persecute me? The wicked have persecuted me, help me, o Lord my God.

Post-Communion Prayer

Immortalitatis alimoniam consecuti, quaesumus, Domine : ut, quod ore percepimus, pura mente sectemur. Per Dominum…

English translation

Having obtained the nourishment of immortality, we beseech You, o Lord, that what has passed our lips we may embrace with a pure mind. Through our Lord…

by

Friday, 31 October 2014 : 30th Week of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 110 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Alleluia! I thank the Lord with all my heart in the council of the just, in the assembly. The works of the Lord are great and pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are His deeds, His righteousness endures forever. He lets us remember His wondrous deeds, the Lord is merciful and kind.

Always mindful of His covenant, He provides food for those who fear Him. He shows His people the power of His arm by giving them the lands of other nations.

 

Homily and Reflection : https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/10/30/friday-31-october-2014-30th-week-of-ordinary-time-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

by

Thursday, 30 October 2014 : 30th Week of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we heard about the lamentation of Jesus on the evils that exist in the world, the forces of evil that prowl about seeking the destruction of all that is good, and the thwarting of all the good works of the Lord, designed to break mankind free from the tyranny of this force of darkness, represented by Satan and all of his fellow fallen angels, the demons.

But we also hear of the method on how to handle this great wickedness and evil, by the means of faith and zeal, and most importantly through the power of prayer, made in genuine devotion and love for God, which are our armour against the power and advances of the evil one. And therefore, we are not naked and defenseless against the attacks of the devil, for God is with us, as long as we put our trust in Him and live according to His teachings and love.

Today Jesus spoke of His upcoming suffering and death, the Holy Passion which He would go through in Jerusalem. He knew of the fate of the many prophets who had been sent to the people of God and to the Holy City, who were rejected, cast aside and were tortured for their faith and works by the people who adamantly refused to believe in them and in the One who sent them.

Why did Jesus lament on Jerusalem and her people? Not because He feared the suffering and death that was to come for Him, and not because He was complaining about the treatment which His prophets had received, and which He would soon receive as well, but it was because He was genuinely and utterly concerned about the wickedness with which the city of Jerusalem, which in fact referred to God’s people, had lived, and how if they continued in such actions, they would be lost to Him forever into death.

Yes, as Jesus had said, with the metaphor of a chicken, a mother hen trying to gather her chicks under the protection and care of her wings, so does the Lord try His best to bring all of His beloved people, that is all of us, under His love and protection. God never intended us to suffer the consequences of our sins, that is death and separation from Him, but He wants us to be reunited with Him in full reconciliation and love.

This however, would not be possible if we do not embrace the ways of the Lord and continues with our ways of living in sin and darkness. If we allow Satan to have his ways on us, indeed we are defenseless, naked and weak against his assaults on our body, mind, heart and soul, which he corrupts through sin, and which therefore will bring mankind into eternal damnation.

This is why we have to heed the words and teachings of St. Paul, where in his letter to the Church and the faithful in Ephesus, he said that we need to wear the complete and whole ‘armour’ of God. This armour is not a physical armour of medieval knights we often associate with, but the spiritual armour which God gives to all those who put their complete trust and faith in Him.

And this spiritual armour is powerful tool against Satan’s attacks, and as long as we hold up high the shield and keep the armour together, no attack from Satan, no matter how vile and wicked they are, will be able to penetrate the defenses to reach into the depths of our soul, and thus we will remain free from corruption, the corruption of sin and wickedness.

This armour consists of faith, justice, zeal, truth and the grace of salvation in God. We have to be mindful that we are in constant and ever continuous battle, a spiritual battle for the sake of our souls. What is at stake is no less than our very souls which will be under great harm if we are not aware of this spiritual warfare raging around us. The angels, our guardian angels are also fighting for us, against the forces of the devil sent to corrupt us. But we cannot leave them to fight alone, as most importantly is that we have to take an active role in this spiritual warfare.

Hence, we have to wear the spiritual armour of faith, that is the firm belief in the truth and love of God, not dividing our focus and attention to the distractions and the corruptions of the world, and not listening to the lies and sweet words of Satan and his angels. And then we also must wear the shoes of zeal, that in all of our words, actions and deeds, we have to always implement our faith, whatever we believe in, and put them into concrete action, done for our own salvation and for the salvation of those around us.

And it is also important that we wear the armour of justice and truth, as all of our actions must be just, especially when we deal with one another and when we interact with each other. We must uphold justice and truth in all the things that we do. The moment that we allow injustice, desires and falsehood to darken our actions, then we can say that we have failed to prevent the devil and sin from penetrating into the depths of our heart and soul.

If we want to seek salvation in God, therefore, we must be serious in our faith and devotion to God, and we must be ever ready and vigilant. And the way to do this, according to St. Paul is through devout and genuine prayer. Yes, genuine prayer and not just recitation of prayer without a clear intention from the heart. It is indeed possible for us to pray just for the sake of praying, but our heart is not focused at the Lord and instead on some other things.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all make it a habit to pray from our heart, to seek the Lord with all of the strength of our soul and heart, giving the best of our love as holy offering to God, who will then in turn affirm that love and strengthen our faith, giving us powerful armour and defense against all the possible assaults of the evil one and sin.

May all of us be strong amidst the persecution and the temptations of evil, and may we all be able to resist the temptations to follow Satan into our destruction, and let us all grow ever stronger in faith and love, and practicing them actively and regularly in our own lives, and show justice and mercy in all of our actions as well, that evil has no place in our hearts and we will be saved through the justification of our faith and actions. Amen.

 

First Reading : https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/10/29/thursday-30-october-2014-30th-week-of-ordinary-time-first-reading/

Psalm : https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/10/29/thursday-30-october-2014-30th-week-of-ordinary-time-psalm/

Gospel Reading : https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/10/29/thursday-30-october-2014-30th-week-of-ordinary-time-gospel-reading/