Memorial of Saints (November 21)

The Presentation of Mary is a feast rooted in the Church's ancient tradition. Tradition says that Mary was brought to the Temple of Jerusalem, at the age of three, to be consecrated to the Lord. She remained in the Temple for years until the age of fifteen, when she was returned to her family with purity and wholesomeness.

St. Albert of Louvain became an archdeacon of Brabant. In 1191 A.D., he was elected bishop of Liege. There was some conflict over this episcopate with Albert's cousin. But when Albert appealed to Pope Celestine III, the pope declared Albert's election as bishop valid. Because of this and other related conflicts, St. Albert was killed while on his way to Saint-Remi abbey (died ca. 1202 A.D.).

St. Amalberga married and had three children. When her spouse decided to become a Benedictine monk, Amalberga also entered the Benedictines as a nun in Flanders. It was in this abbey in Mauberg, Flanders, where St. Amalberga lived in holiness and spent the rest of her life devoted to prayer and the Benedictine way of life (died ca. 690 A.D.).

St. Gelasius I was elected pope on March 1, 492 A.D., succeeding Pope Felix. Gelasius was very much involved in defending the rights of the patriarchates of Alexandria and Antioch, because these patriarchates were being encroached upon by the patriarchate of Constantinople. Aside from this involvement, St. Gelasius also ordered the reception of the Eucharistic species in both forms (bread and wine) - something that is being done in post-Vatican II Eucharistic worship and liturgy (died ca. 496 A.D.).

Memorial of Saints (November 20)

St. Bernward was orphaned at an early age, but his uncle, a bishop of the Netherlands, took care of him. Bernward entered the priesthood and became the imperial chaplain and tutor of the child-Emperor, Otto III. In 993 A.D., he became the bishop of Hildesheim. People looked up to him because of his holiness and skill in artwork. He built the church and monastery dedicated to St. Michael. After 30 years as bishop, he retired to a Benedictine monastery.

St. Felix of Valois founded together with St. John of Matha, the Order of the Most Holy Trinity (the Trinitarians). The mission of the Order is to ransom captives from the Moors. St. John worked in Spain, while St. Felix administered the French province of the Order. By 1240 A.D., the Trinitarian Order had some six hundred monasteries (died ca. 1212 A.D.).

St. Edmund the Martyr was the king of East Anglia - an old Anglo-Saxon kingdom. During the great war with the Vikings (the Danes) in 869-870 A.D., he was defeated and captured. Edmund refused to renounce the Christian faith. He was first scourged, shot with arrows and beheaded at Hellesden. His body was found incorrupt in ca. 915 A.D. and was transferred to a place near Bedricsworth (died ca. 870 A.D.).

St. Dasius was a Roman soldier at Durostorum (in Bulgaria). He was chosen by his companions to be the leader of the saturnalia - a pagan ritual to the pagan god Kronos. Because Dasius was Christian, he refused to participate in this pagan ritual. When he continued to resist and also to refuse to sacrifice before the image of the Emperor, he was beheaded (died ca. 303 A.D.).

St. Nerses of Sahgerd was arrested together with his disciple Joseph. This was the time of the Christian persecutions in Persia under Sapor II. Nerses and Joseph were brought before the King and were offered their freedom if they would worship the sun. When Nerses refused to worship the sun, he and Joseph were beheaded (died ca. 343 A.D.).

33rd Sunday of the Year (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

November 16, 2014
Liturgical readings
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Psalm 128
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Matthew 25:14-30

"Come, share the Lord's joy."

Each one has been given gifts and abilities by the Lord. The majority have them in their personality or character; some have them in artistic, musical or sports abilities; and others in professional life, or raising a family. Life itself is a gift. All receive the gift of life. In the first part of this Sunday's parable, a lesson is taught to make good use of all God gave: making them yield well for His glory, and for the benefit of others. The last part of the parable prepares all to understand well the seriousness of not placing our gifts in God's service. For the Lord wants that everyone use the gifts of life to please Him, and to make it yield for the common good, and the greater good.

At some point of life, some can misuse or abuse the gifts of life the Lord gives. If those gifts were wasted by the influence of vice (as ancient monastics define vice as originating from thought and spirit), then it can destroy not only Christ's image in a person, but his life, and other lives as well. But when misfortune, tragedy, loss, broken relationships, or a pandemic occurs, many realize the need for God's forgiveness for time or gifts wasted. But God is merciful - the author of all that is good. He is ready to point a way back to use one's gifts according to His will. It takes time though. As physical illness takes time to heal, even the soul needs time for healing. Venerable Matt Talbot is one inspiring life story that can point a road back to the Lord.

Once vices are purged, the habits of sin are ended, and there is strength to do God's will. God's grace gives the spiritual vision needed to make good use of the abilities received from Him. There is no need to change one's state of life, or to go elsewhere. St. Josemaria Escriva says that even one's "ordinary activities are not an insignificant matter; rather, they are the very hinge on which sanctity turns". We can employ the gifts given according to God's will, and reap the reward of sharing in God's joy at making His gifts bear a joyful harvest for Him and others. God can give additional freedom and the golden treasure of time. And whenever freedom and time are properly used, lives are rebuilt in productivity and fruitfulness. Lives are renewed in joy with a greater responsibility towards God, others, and to one's well-being.


Scripture quote:
"We belong neither to darkness nor to night; therefore let us not sleep like the rest, but awake and sober!" (1 Thessalonians 5)