1.11 Sat All Saints
Rev 7,2-4,9-14; Psalm 24; I John 3,1-3; Matt 5,1-12

Blessed are you when you suffer insults … for my sake. Matt 5,11

Dear friends who are already with the Father, we look to you, today, with joy. How many saintly examples and how much help the Lord sends us through you! You have experienced today's beatitude. You too, suffered with the Lord the world's hate and together with him you replied with blessings; in this way the kingdom of the Father may come to our hearts!

2.11 Sun Commemoration of the Dead
Mal 1,14 - 2,2,8-10; Psalm 131; I Thess 2,7-9,13; Matt 23,1-12

You have one Father and he is in heaven. Matt 23,9

The readings of the commemoration of the dead are perhaps announced in your parish. With Sunday's readings the Lord wants to help us be humble, to love each other, to be patient with each other, for we all need help even if we have important jobs in the community or in society. We are children of the only God who loves us all equally, with no preferences.

3.11 Mon 31st OT (Hubert)
Phil 2,1-4; Psalm 131; Luke 14,12-14

Humbly reckon others better than yourselves. Phil 2,3

St Paul, a true disciple looked with love to the Lord Jesus and learnt from him. He "saw" him become small and poor for us, he "saw" him dedicate his whole life to our salvation, he "saw" him die for us. Jesus truly preferred us to his life, he considered us all "better than himself". Thank you, Father, for helping us to glorify Jesus.

4.11 Tues 31st OT (Charles Borromeo)
Phil 2,5-11; Psalm 22; Luke 14,15-24

He made himself nothing, assuming the form of a slave. Phil 2,7

The Apostle invites us to imitate Jesus and the way of love: for us he became man; to forgive us, he sacrificed his life. Lord Jesus, I wish to learn from you; I want to live my days, with your grace, as a gift for the Father to serve others with love!

5.11 Wed 31st OT (Zechariah and Elizabeth)
Phil 2,12-18; Psalm 27; Luke 14,25-33

No one who does not carry his cross can be a disciple of mine. Luke 14,27

You, Lord Jesus, saved us with your suffering on the cross. Every true disciple will follow your path with love: the obstacles and suffering he meets every day he will live in unity with you; he will offer them to the Father with gratitude: they are a precious contribution for the coming of his kingdom.

6.11 Thurs 31st OT (Leonard of Noblac)
Phil 3,3-8; Psalm 105; Luke 15,1-10

Rejoice with me! Luke 15,6

Christians receive from their heavenly Father a heart which loves all people; so while they suffer and pray for someone who has chosen the wrong path, they delight at any signs of conversion and new life. Their joy will be all the greater the closer they are to Jesus in offering to the Father for the coming of his kingdom.

7.11 Fri 31st OT (Herculanus)
Phil 3,17 - 4,1; Psalm 122; Luke 16,1-8

Stand firm in the Lord. Phil 4,1

The apostle Paul who loves the Christians entrusted to him by Jesus like his own children, sees that they are endangered in their walk of faith. He exhorts them to stand firm in the Lord and to accept his cross and is an example to them. We also wish to follow you Jesus! Your path is not "easy" , but it is the only one that leads to the Father.

8.11 Sat 31st OT (Four Crowned Ones)
Phil 4,10-19; Psalm 112; Luke 16,9-15

You cannot serve God and money. Luke 16,13

Jesus knew that the Pharisees who were listening while he spoke to the disciples, loved money; for this reason he warned those who wished to serve God against following their example. The longing to possess not only money, but also pleasures, glory, affection … prevents full, free service to the Lord: let us pray that he give us today and every day, a pure heart able to love him and to serve him in joy.

9.11 Sun 32nd OT (Theodore the Recruit)
I Kings 8,22-23,27-30; Psalm 95; I Peter 2,4-9; John 4,19-24

Sir! I can see you are a prophet. John 4,19

The Samaritan woman recognises Jesus sitting tired at the well, as a prophet. Accepting him, she was saved, she had recognised God. Today we thank the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for those in Churches all over the world, who pray together with others expressing their relationship with God, a relationship of love and faith.

10.11 Mon 32nd OT (Leo the Great)
Titus 2,1-8,11-14; Psalm 24; Luke 17,1-6

Increase our faith! Luke 17,5

Increase our faith! The gift of faith has a very special place in the life of Christians: it is an open door to all other gifts. Because of our faith in Jesus from poor sinners we become strong, able to love, to be like true children of the Father.

11.11 Tues 32nd OT (Mennas)
Titus 2,1-8,11-14; Psalm 37; Luke 17,7-10

He it is who sacrificed himself for us! Titus 2,14

Today's passage in St Paul's letter to Timothy invites the disciple to teach Christians the way of saintliness, with firmness. Today too, the Lord sends us teachers to guide us in the faith with words of truth, words which can give us life, because they are disciples of the Lord Jesus who gave himself for us.

12.11 Wed 32nd OT (Joseph of Polotsk)
Titus 3,1-7; Psalm 23; Luke 17,11-19

Jesus, Master, take pity on us! Luke 17,13

From the prayer of the ten lepers we can learn not to pose limits to our faith in Jesus: nothing is impossible for him! He is God. Let us remember that our truest and most potent prayer is not our words, but our lives as children of God in Jesus.

13.11 Thurs 32nd OT (Frances Cabrini)
Philem 7-20; Psalm 146; Luke 17,20-25

The Kingdom of God is among you! Luke 17,21

With these words Jesus reminds us of something very important: he is already amongst us, he has risen and is alive; we need not worry about the day of his final coming, when it will be, how it will be … We can concentrate on living with him and for him, with love and faith: we will be ready for that glorious day.

If you wish to receive the calendar for 2009 before Christmas, please order it straight away. Thank you!

14.11 Fri 32nd OT (Gregory Palamas)
II John 1,3-9; Psalm 119; Luke 17,26-37

Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it! Luke 17,33

Lord Jesus, you are talking about the last days, and say whoever in those days tries to save their lives will lose them. I will try to remain in a constant attitude of giving myself; if I have younger brothers or sisters in the faith, I will try to encourage in them the same attitude: that of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and true love in which there is eternal life.

15.11 Sat 32nd OT (Albert the Great)
III John 1,3-9; Psalm 112; Luke 18,1-8

Then will not God give justice to his chosen ones. Luke 18,7

Jesus encourages us to pray in filial faith to the heavenly Father. Sometimes we are discouraged: "despite my frequenting the Church I am still the same sinner…". But Jesus always listens to us; he comes as a free gift from the love of the Father; he will be your, our judge.

16.11 Sun 33rd OT Year A (Margaret of Scotland)
Peter 31,10-13,19-20,30-31; Psalm 128; I Thess 5,1-6; Matt 25,14-30

You have proved trustworthy in a small matter; I will now put you in charge of something big!
Matt 25,23

It is encouraging to know that even the little things, humble, hidden services, done with a faithful heart and for love of the Lord above all, are pleasing to him and will be recognised. Think of the saints: they served the Lord with humility and now are glorified: they can drink at the source of grace, the heart of their Father and Lord and can pour it out abundantly on many.

17.11 Mon 33rd OT (Elizabeth of Hungary)
Rev 1,1-4; 2,1-5; Psalm 2; Luke 18,35-43

…he followed Jesus! Luke 18,43

Illuminated by the Holy Spirit, we can begin to follow Jesus today; we can try to live according to his heart, expecting from him only strength, joy, love and life.

If you wish to order the calendar 2009 before Christmas please do so immediately!

18.11 Tues 33rd OT (Mawes)
I Kings 8,22-23 (or I Peter 2,4-9); Psalm 84; Luke 19,1-10

He was eager to see what Jesus looked like. Luke 19,3

For every community it is a joy to remember the faith and love of so many on our earth and their coming together in prayer. The best way to love our Community is through our faith and reciprocal love for the Lord Jesus so that whoever is searching for him may meet him and find in him the fullness of life.

19.11 Wed 33rd OT (Barlaam)
Rev 4,1-11; Psalm 151; Luke 19,11-28

I was afraid of you because you are a hard man! Luke 19,21

Today's words show us what kind of relationship the Lord wants us to have with him: not a relationship of fear, but of trust and confidence, like those who look up to a Father who loves them, knows them and understands them; a Father who enjoys the collaboration of his children in the realization of his works and who is more aware and sensitive of love than of concrete results.

20.11 Thurs 33rd OT (Edmund the Martyr)
Rev 5,1-10; Psalm 150; Luke 19,41-44

If only you had known this day the road that leads to peace! Luke 19,42

The road that leads to peace is you, Lord Jesus! With you in my heart I can approach the Father with trust, I can look at all men with love. I have accepted you with joy in my life, Lord Jesus; may I be with you every day!

If you wish to order the calendar for 2009 before Christmas, remember to do it now. Thank you! We will not remind you again!

21.11 Fri 33rd OT (The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Rev 1o,8-11; Psalm 119; Luke 19,45-48

Day by day he taught in the Temple. Luke 19,47

Lord Jesus, you did this service out of love of the Father: and for this reason you did it with great care, loyalty and wisdom. I too, with you, wish to offer my efforts to the Father; I wish to do my best out of love for him. I know the Father will accept me as he accepted your sacrifice and our Mother's whom we celebrate today.

22.11 Sat 33rd OT (Cecilia)
Rev 11,4-12; Psalm 143; Luke 20,27-40

God is not God of the dead but of the living. Luke 20,38

The desire that life lasts forever is strong in our hearts and there is also an intimate conviction that corresponds to the reality of human nature. Those who believe in Jesus and trust in his word are certain that life is never ending: everybody lives in God. St Cecilia pray for us and for all those who offer their singing in Church.

23.11 Sun 34th OT (Jesus Christ, King of the Universe) Year A
Ezek 34,11-12,15-17; Psalm 23; I Cor 15,20-26,28; Matt 25,31-46

All the nations will be gathered before him. Matt 25,32

You are the true king, Lord Jesus! The Father delivers all men to you; and you, who spread your arms on the cross, will open wide the gates of eternal life. Glory unto you, Lord Jesus, King of the Universe. Your glory will be to deliver everyone to the Father! I am here, Jesus, my King, for your glory!

24. 11 Mon 24th OT (Andrea Dung-Lac and company, Vietnamese martyrs)
Rev 14,1-3,4-5; Psalm 24; Luke 21,1-4

She has given all she had to live on. Luke 21,4

Jesus praises the poor widow's act; it was a sign of great love and trust in the Father; one could say; "Father, I know that you love me. All I have I offer to you; you will use it with a love and wisdom that is superior to mine. For my life, what you provide for me is sufficient tomorrow as it is today".

25.11 Tues 24th OT (Catherine of Alexandria)
Rev 14,14-19; Psalm 96; Luke 21,5-11

Take care that you are not misled. Luke 21,8

Only looking to you, Lord Jesus, only "keeping" your words of eternal life in our hearts and expressing them with love in our actions, will we be able to avoid being misled and will we be able to be serene. The Father on that wonderful day will be able to give us his eternal embrace.

26.11 Wed 24th OT (Peter of Alexandria)
Rev 15,1-4; Psalm 98; Luke 21,12-19

Great and marvellous are your deeds. Rev 15,3

In these final days of the year, the liturgy puts words of praise and blessing in our mouths. We repeat them with joy; we know that every true gift this year too, has come from the Father! The little and big victories over our egoism, forgiveness with the peace and strength to begin again after our defeats … these are all signs of the Father's love for us.

27.11 Thurs 24th OT (James Intercisus)
Rev 18,1-2,21-23; 19,1-3.9; Psalm 100; Luke 21,20-28

Victory, glory and power belong to our God! Rev 19,1

This is the unanimous exaltation of the heavenly Jerusalem with everyone gathered round the throne of God for ever. Let us sing this praise to the Lord with joy; let us sing it now that we are nearing the end of the liturgical year and renew our expectations in the Kingdom to come!

28.11 Fri 24th OT (Catherine Labourè)
Rev 20,1-4,11 - 21,1; Psalm 84; Luke 21,29-33

My words will never pass away! Luke 21,33

It is true, Lord Jesus, your words will never pass away! When, with your grace, I accept your words, eternal life enters with them, that eternal life that will never pass away even when heaven and earth are no longer!

29.11 Sat 24th OT (Sernin of Toulouse)
Rev 22,1-7; Psalm 94; Luke 21,34-36

Be on the alert, praying at all times! Luke 21.36

Lord Jesus, you gave us the example of continuous prayer. Your prayer is not asking, but an offering of yourself to the Father, so that his plans might be fulfilled and his love poured out over everyone! When I pray, my heart changes, it becomes better, more generous, free from worldly chains. That is why you wish me to pray constantly.

30.11 Sun 1st AT Year B (Andrew the Apostle)
Isa 63,16-17,19 - 64,1-7; Psalm 80; I Cor 1,3-9; Mark 13,33-37

Be on your guard! Keep watch! Mark 13,33

The time of advent begins today. The Lord Jesus invites us to be on our guard: if we are watchful and listen to God's word, day by day, we will enjoy the fruits during the liturgical year; our ability to listen to the Lord and his desires will improve in the awareness that he is our true life. All our attention and all our hope is on his coming.

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