Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday, February 19, 2016

19. Holy Mary, Mother of the Lord

FIRST READING

A Mary, whose womb bore the Lord, is hailed as the ark of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2

David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the Lord

to the place which he had prepared for it.

David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites.

The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with poles,

as Moses had ordained according to the word of the Lord.

David commanded the chiefs of the Levites

to appoint their kinsmen as chanters,

to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals,

to make a loud sound of rejoicing.

They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent

which David had pitched for it.

Then they offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.

When David had finished offering up the burnt offerings and peace offerings,

he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

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Commentary on 1 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2

David assembles all of the twelve tribes and proposes to bring the ark into their midst. The Ark of the Covenant is recovered from Kiriath-jearim, of Judah where, according to the chronicler, it had been since Saul’s reign (1 Chronicles 13:1ff). David establishes the Levites (the traditional tribe of priests) to bring it in procession before the people and, recalling their desert tradition (Numbers 1:50) has it placed in a tent. Placed within the context of sacred history, this event changes the understanding and structure of the Hebrew peoples. They are united in God’s presence represented by the Ark of the Covenant; not simply because of its attributes thought to bring blessings to the people (2 Samuel 6:12).

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B Or Appendix I, 3 Your blessed and fruitful virginity is like the bush which Moses saw on Horeb:
though on fire, the bush was not consumed.

Exodus 3:1-8

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro,

the priest of Midian.

Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb,

the mountain of God.

There an angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in fire

flaming out of a bush.

As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush,

though on fire, was not consumed.

So Moses decided,

“I must go over to look at this remarkable sight,

and see why the bush is not burned.”

When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely,

God called out to him from the bush, Moses! Moses!”

He answered, “Here I am.”

God said, “Come no nearer!

Remove the sandals from your feet,

for the place where you stand is holy ground.

I am the God of your fathers, “ he continued,

“the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.”

Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

But the LORD said,

“I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt

and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers,

so I know well what they are suffering.

Therefore I have come down to rescue them

from the hands of the Egyptians

and lead them out of that land into a good and spacious land,

a land flowing with milk and honey.”

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Commentary on Ex 3:1-8

The passage from Exodus is the story of God’s call of Moses from the burning bush. The Lord indicates that he has “come down” indicating that He will intervene in the plight of the Israelites. He has seen their trials and heard their prayer. Through Moses, his redemption will be fulfilled in the land he gives them, "a land flowing with milk and honey."

There is concern from Moses that he must be able to tell the Israelites the name of God in whose name he comes. The Lord names himself “I am who am.” Giving no name that can be used to have dominion over him as ancient Samarian tradition suggests (see Genesis – man names the animals as a sign that he has been given dominion over them). This is the origin of the term “Yahweh” used to name God in some English translations. It is transliterated Hebrew shortened from “Yahweh asher yahweh” or “He causes to be what comes into existence”. As an interesting side note, the use of the term “Jehovah” was a misreading of the Hebrew pointed text.

CCC: Ex 3:1-10 2575; Ex 3:5-6 208; Ex 3:5 2777; Ex 3:6 205, 207; Ex 3:7-10 1867

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 132:11, 13-14, 17-18

R. (11b) I will set on your throne a son, the fruit of your womb.

The LORD swore to David

a firm promise from which he will not withdraw:

"Your own offspring

I will set upon your throne."

R. I will set on your throne a son, the fruit of your womb.

For the LORD has chosen Zion;

he prefers her for his dwelling.

"Zion is my resting place forever;

in her will I dwell, for I prefer her."

R. I will set on your throne a son, the fruit of your womb.

"In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David;

I will place a lamp for my anointed.

His enemies I will clothe with shame,

but upon him my crown shall shine."

R. I will set on your throne a son, the fruit of your womb.

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Commentary on Ps 132:11, 13-14, 17-18

Psalm 132 is a song of thanksgiving song by the community as they remember the establishment of God’s salvation expressed in the Davidic dynasty. The promise of God is fulfilled in Jesus, the fruit of Mary's womb, the Messiah, who comes from the house of David to rule forever.

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GOSPEL

Blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Luke 1:39-47

Mary set out

and traveled to the hill country in haste

to a town of Judah,

where she entered the house of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,

the infant leaped in her womb,

and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,

cried out in a loud voice and said,

“Most blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And how does this happen to me,

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,

the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Blessed are you who believed

that what was spoken to you by the Lord

would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

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Commentary on Lk 1:39-47

The story of Mary’s meeting with Elizabeth following the annunciation by Gabriel that she would carry the Son of God proclaims the coming of the Lord and the faith of Mary before the nativity event. We note that Elizabeth is first to identify Jesus as Lord as she says, "how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She not only professes the identity of the infant but foreshadows Mary’s leadership standing, elevating the stature of her much younger cousin with reverence. Elizabeth continues her praise of Mary by establishing that Mary’s faith had allowed her to accept the incredible role God had offered her.

In response, we hear Mary’s humility as she begins with the opening verse of the Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

CCC: Lk 1:41 523, 717, 2676; Lk 1:43 448, 495, 2677; Lk 1:45 148, 2676; Lk 1:46-55 722, 2619, 2675; Lk 1:46-49 2097

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Thursday, February 18, 2016

18. The Blessed Virgin Mary/ Queen of Apostles

FIRST READING

With one heart the disciples continued in steadfast prayer
with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4

After Jesus had been taken up into heaven,

the apostles returned to Jerusalem

from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,

a sabbath day's journey away.

When the apostles entered the city

they went to the upper room where they were staying,

Peter and John and James and Andrew,

Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,

James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,

and Judas son of James.

All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,

together with some women,

and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,

the apostles were all in one place together.

And suddenly there came from the sky

a noise like a strong driving wind,

and it filled the entire house in which they were.

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,

which parted and came to rest on each one of them.

And they were all filled with the holy Spirit

and began to speak in different tongues,

as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

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Commentary on Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4

This passage provides part of the introductory comments of St. Luke as he begins the Acts of the Apostles. Like any well written story, he connects the events that have just taken place in his first volume- The Gospel of Luke, with what will follow. In the first verses Jesus ascended and told them to expect the gift of the Holy Spirit – in this selection the disciples with Mary the Mother of Jesus and his extended family return to Jerusalem and enter the locked room. Important to recognize is the presence not just of the apostles but of Mary, ever faithful to her son.

"Here we see Mary as the spiritual center round which Jesus' intimate friends gather: tradition has meditated on this 'tableau', and found it to depict our Lady's motherhood over the whole Church, both at its beginning and over the course of the centuries."[1]

The selection next takes up the Pentecost. “When the Time for Pentecost was fulfilled” – the word in its Greek form means “fifty” so we understand this phrase to mean – fifty days after Christ’s resurrection (Easter). An interesting coincidence is the Jewish Festival of Weeks (Harvest Festival “Shavuoth”) was also called Pentecost. Whether it was taken first by the Christians and later adopted by the Hellenistic Jews we do not know.

Those present (not just the disciples) heard a loud noise like the rushing of the wind. This signified a new action by God. Indeed we see the symbol of the Holy Spirit, a flame, descend upon the Apostles launching them into prayers of ecstasy that were heard by all present in their own language. This event can be interpreted as a representation of the universal mission of the Church to all peoples of all nations.

CCC: Acts 1:14 726, 1310, 2617, 2623, 2673; Acts 2:1-4 1287; Acts 2:1 2623; Acts 2:3-4 696

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7

R. (3) Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

The LORD loves the city

founded on holy mountains,

Loves the gates of Zion

more than any dwelling in Jacob.

R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

Glorious things are said of you,

O city of God!

But of Zion it must be said:

"They all were born right here."

R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

The Most High confirms this;

the LORD notes in the register of the peoples:

"This one was born here."

So all sing in their festive dance:

"Within you is my true home."

R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

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Commentary on Ps 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7

This post-exilic song was probably sung by pilgrims from around the known world returning to Jerusalem to celebrate in God’s holy city the joys of his bounty. The psalm proclaims the centrality of Jerusalem (Zion) as the source of holiness. The psalmist sings of how Jerusalem is the mother of faith and that, by implication, all are joined to her in faith.

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GOSPEL

Woman, this is your son. This is your mother.

John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother

and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,

and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved

he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."

Then he said to the disciple,

"Behold, your mother."

And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

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Commentary on Jn 19:25-27

Here is Jesus’ last address to his mother. Although the address sounds unnecessarily formal ("Woman, behold, your son.") this would have been considered a polite address in biblical times. The reference, “Woman”, is possibly to Genesis 3:15 which describes the mother of the Messiah as the “woman” whose offspring conquers the devil (CCC 726, 2618) [2]. The Lord, nearing the end of his life, commends the care of his mother to the disciple whom he loved. It is presumed this is done because Jesus has no brothers or sisters, and his adoptive father, Joseph, has already died.

In this instance, while it can be assumed that the disciple referred to is St. John, the author of the Gospel, the tender consignment of the care of the Lord’s mother is seen as iconic. That is, she is given into the care of all of the disciples, whom Jesus loves. Seeing her son dying upon the cross is one of the seven sorrows the Blessed Mother endured in faith.

CCC: Jn 19:25-27 726, 2618; Jn 19:25 495; Jn 19:26-27 501, 964, 2605; Jn 19:27 2677, 2679

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Reflection:

"Queen of Apostles"
by Fredrich Overbeck, c. 1813

As we consider this amazing title given to the Mother of God, “Queen of Apostles,” we must consider the nature and role of the Apostles first. What is an “Apostle”? According to the dictionary, and “apostle” (small “a”) would be any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world. In the Eastern Rite churches, it is applied to any member of the first 70 (72) disciples sent into by the Lord to carry the good news of the Kingdom of God (Luke 10:1ff). When capitalized, “Apostle” it specifically refers to the 12 disciples of Jesus who were sent into the world after his crucifixion (this would include Matthias who replaced Judas Iscariot (see Acts of the Apostles 1:20-26)). The title has been adopted by some modern day saints such as St. Junipero Serra, Apostle of California; Saint Damien De Veuster of Molokai, Apostle to the Lepers; and St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles. All of those who wear the title Apostle have one key characteristic in common, they were all sent into the world as Missionary Disciples of Christ.

Mother Mary rightly wears the title Queen of Apostles. It was her example and guidance that led those first Apostles following the crucifixion of Jesus. When they were lost and afraid, she was there with them, a magnificent example of grace and strength. Did not the Lord himself give her as “Mother” to St. John at the cross, a gift to the whole Church as he told his beloved disciple “Behold your mother”? (John 9:25ff) It was the Blessed Virgin Mary, seated among the Apostles at Pentecost, as reported in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles above, that lent calm assurance as the gift of the Holy Spirt was imparted to them that their sending would transform the world through the power given. And was she too not sent into the world, before all of the Lord’s friends gathered about him? She, through her example, was first in faith and “Full of Grace,” leading many to faith by her example while those early disciples still cowered in fear.

Today we give thanks to Jesus for giving us his Mother, Queen of Apostles, that we might also be given the strength to bring news of the Kingdom of God into the world by our words and example. We pray for the zeal to be what the Lord has called us to be and what the Queen of Apostles has shown us, examples of faith to inspire and attract the whole world to the King of Kings.

Pax

17. Our Lady of the Cenacle

FIRST READING

You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:6-14

After the resurrection of Jesus,

the apostles gathered together around him and asked,

"Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to

Israel?"

Jesus answered them,

"It is not for you to know the times or seasons

that the Father has established by his own authority.

But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you,

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,

throughout Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth."

When Jesus had said this, as the apostles were looking on,

he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.

While the apostles were looking intently at the sky as Jesus was

going,

suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside

them.

They said, "Men of Galilee,

why are you standing there looking at the sky?

This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven

will return in the same way as you have seen him going into

heaven."

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem

from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,

a sabbath day's journey away.

When the apostles entered the city

they went to the upper room where they were staying,

Peter and John and James and Andrew,

Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,

James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,

and Judas son of James.

All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,

together with some women,

and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

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Commentary on Acts 1:6-14

Using the interval of days, Luke links the resurrection, Christ’s glorification, and his ascension with the appearance of the Holy Spirit – the Pascal Mystery. Christ’s departure marks the end of his direct involvement with the Apostles, except for his appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus. The passage concludes with a unique description of the actual event or Jesus being taken into heaven.

The passage continues with the Apostles returning to Jerusalem and forming the Christian community. The body of apostles formed a community dedicated to prayer and mutual support. It is noteworthy that Mary the Mother of Christ was with them as were other women and relatives of the Lord.

CCC: Acts 1:6-7 672; Acts 1:7 474, 673; Acts 1:8 672, 730, 735, 857, 1287; Acts 1:9 659, 697; Acts 1:10-11 333; Acts 1:11 665; Acts 1:14 726, 1310, 2617, 2623, 2673
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7

R. (3) Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

The LORD loves the city

founded on holy mountains,

Loves the gates of Zion

more than any dwelling in Jacob.

R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

Glorious things are said of you,

O city of God!

But of Zion it must be said:

"They all were born right here."

R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

The Most High confirms this;

the LORD notes in the register of the peoples:

"This one was born here."

So all sing in their festive dance:

"Within you is my true home."

R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

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Commentary on Ps 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7

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GOSPEL

My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God

and put it into practice.

Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him

but were unable to join him because of the crowd.

He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside

and they wish to see you.”

He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers

are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

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Commentary on Lk 8:19-21

In this passage from the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus identifies his family as the family of faith as opposed to just his blood relatives. There are several connotations of the language used that are treated in the parallel story in Matthew 12:46-50 relating to the broader meaning of the language from the Aramaic and also the apocryphal documentation regarding St. Joseph’s unnamed widow (prior to his betrothal to St. Mary). St. Luke’s treatment of this topic is softer than that found in St. Mark’s Gospel (Mark 3:31-35), probably because St. Mary had already been introduced as the model of fidelity to the Lord.

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Sunday, February 14, 2016

16. Holy Mary/ Fountain of Light and Life

FIRST READING

Everyone must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

Acts 2:14a, 36-40a, 41-42

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven,

raised his voice, and proclaimed:

"Let the whole house of Israel know for certain

that God has made him both Lord and Christ,

this Jesus whom you crucified."

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,

and they asked Peter and the other Apostles,

"What are we to do, my brothers?"

Peter said to them,

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you,

in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;

and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is made to you and to your children

and to all those far off,

whomever the Lord our God will call."

He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them.

Those who accepted his message were baptized,

and about three thousand persons were added that day.

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles

and to the communal life,

to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.

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Commentary on Acts 2:14a, 36-40a, 41-42

This exhortation to repentance follows the first of six discourses in Acts (Acts 2:14-36) dealing with Jesus’ resurrection and mission as Messiah. It also follows on the heels of the Pentecost event. The focus of this selection is the Jewish response to Peter's revelation that Jesus, who was put to death at the hands of the Jews, was the Messiah. Their admission of this truth provoked a simple response; "What are we to do, my brothers?"

Peter responds "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." A special note; this injunction by St. Peter does not supersede the command that the Trinitarian formula be used in baptism (e.g. ...In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. see Matthew 28:19). Rather, he is telling his audience they must repent and be washed clean of their sins in baptism. A benefit of this healing bath is also the reception of the Holy Spirit, a gift sealed in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

St. Luke records that the message of the Apostles was received in truth and "...about three thousand persons were added that day." The passage concludes with the Apostles fervently dedicating themselves to follow the command that Christ left them, to living in common, loving one another, and to proclaiming the Good News as they shared the Eucharist.

CCC: Acts 2:34-36 447, 449; Acts 2:36-38 1433; Acts 2:36 440, 597, 695, 731, 746; Acts 2:38 1226, 1262, 1287, 1427; Acts 2:41 363, 1226

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 8, 9

R. (6a) Look to the Lord and be filled with light.

I will bless the LORD at all times/-
praise shall be always in my mouth.
My soul will glory in the LORD
that the poor may hear and be glad.
R. Look to the Lord and be filled with light.

Look to God that you may be radiant with joy
and your faces may not blush for shame.
In my misfortune I called,
the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.
R. Look to the Lord and be filled with light.

The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them,
delivers all who fear God.
R. Look to the Lord and be filled with light.

Learn to savor how good the LORD is;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
R. Look to the Lord and be filled with light.

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Commentary on Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 8, 9

Psalm 34 is a song of thanksgiving and a favorite for celebrating the heroic virtue of the saints. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Psalm 34:5, 7), can teach the "poor," those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone. This psalm, in the words of one being unjustly persecuted, echoes hope for deliverance and freedom. The promise of salvation for those who follow the Lord gives hope to the poor and downtrodden.

CCC: Ps 34:3 716; Ps 34:8 336

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GOSPEL

A I, the light, have come into the world.

John 12:44-50

Jesus cried out and said,

"Whoever believes in me believes not only in me

but also in the one who sent me,

and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.

I came into the world as light,

so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.

And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,

I do not condemn him,

for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words

has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,

it will condemn him on the last day,

because I did not speak on my own,

but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.

And I know that his commandment is eternal life.

So what I say, I say as the Father told me."

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Commentary on Jn 12:44-50

Setting the stage for this passage from St. John’s Gospel, we find Jesus in the Temple precincts again, this time after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He has been teaching, and while many believed that he was the Messiah, the Pharisees were intimidating many present and most did not acknowledge this belief. Jesus expresses his frustration in this passage as we hear: “Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me.”

Jesus goes on to explain that he and the Father are one, and that, not only was he sent by God, but that all he said was from God. We note also that Jesus says that those who do not believe in him will not be condemned by the Lord; rather they condemn themselves through their own actions, and will be so judged on the last day.

CCC: Jn 12:46 2466; Jn 12:48 679; Jn 12:49 1039

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B What is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:1-6

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

He came to Jesus at night and said to him,

"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,

for no one can do these signs that you are doing

unless God is with him."

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."

Nicodemus said to him,

"How can a man once grown old be born again?

Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?"

Jesus answered,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born of water and Spirit

he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

What is born of flesh is flesh

and what is born of spirit is spirit.

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Commentary on Jn 3:1-6

During the Passover Feast, Jesus instructs Nicodemus on the need to turn away from the world of the flesh and focus instead on life in the Spirit of God. This passage is filled with the images of the Christian baptismal calling “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” Placed in the Easter season, this can be seen as a reference to the Lord’s resurrection in the spirit.

CCC: Jn 3:2 581; Jn 3:3-5 782; Jn 3:5-8 691, 728, 1287; Jn 3:5 432, 720, 1215, 1225, 1238, 1257, 1262, 2790

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