Reading 1 Is 26:1-6

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:

“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”

Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a

R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Is 55:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call him while he is near.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas, born in Cappadocia, was a pivotal figure in early Eastern monasticism, renowned for his devout life of solitude and community leadership.
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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

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As I was reading today’s readings, I was struck by the frequency of the word “Lord.” In the first reading, the Jews sing a song about God’s fidelity in keeping them in peace. They trust in the Lord, and He keeps them safe: “Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down” (Isa 26:4–5). The psalm focuses on giving thanks to the Lord and taking refuge in Him, recognizing that He has opened His gates to the just, bringing salvation, prosperity, and light to the faithful. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the security of those who hear the words of the Lord and act on them, not simply saying, “Lord, Lord.”

In the first reading, it is the Lord who does everything: He keeps the people in peace, He humbles those in high places, He brings down the lofty city, and He opens the gates to let in a just nation. In the psalm, the speaker takes refuge in the Lord rather than any other authority, and recognizes that it is God alone who saves, gives prosperity, and provides light. The speaker cannot even attribute the “gates of justice” to man: “This gate is the Lord’s” (Ps 118:20).

The common thread here, besides the word “Lord,” is the exalted status of God. Of course we should put God first. But the sacred authors, instructed by Revelation, recognize that this means that we ought to follow Him without reservation, attributing the efficacy of all our endeavors to His grace. The Lord is the one doing all of the work, and we follow by trusting in Him and relying on Him. Jesus carries this theme to its conclusion, pointing out that if we rely solely on our own intelligence, we will have a shaky foundation. If we rely on God’s word, we will have a firm foundation.

To have a firm foundation, prosperity, light, salvation, and all the rest, we have to put our trust in the Lord and follow Him. This means that we should both hear and do His word, even when it is difficult for us. This is not self-annihilation, even though the path to discipleship begins with a great deal of self-denial. Jesus contrasts the man who built his house based on his own intelligence with the man who built his house using God’s word as the foundation, but in the end our own desires should come into conformity with God’s will. St. Augustine’s famous line “Love God and do what you will” expresses this union. The one who loves God completely, trusting in Him and following Him in all circumstances, will soon find that his only desire is to do what God thinks is best. If we focus on God first, recognizing that He is to thank for everything, and remain in a state of grace, we can trust that our desires will be aligned with His.

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Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas, born in Cappadocia, was a pivotal figure in early Eastern monasticism, renowned for his devout life of solitude and community leadership.
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The Word Among Us

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Saint Sabas, born in Cappadocia (now part of modern-day Turkey) 439AD, stands as a towering figure in the history of Eastern monasticism and is deeply revered among the monks of Palestine. His journey to sainthood was marked by trials and profound spiritual growth.

His early years were marred by abuse and turmoil, leading him to flee to a monastery for refuge. Despite familial efforts to draw him back, Sabas found his calling in monastic life, quickly distinguishing himself by his exemplary virtues, even as the youngest monk.

At 18, Sabas’ spiritual quest took him to Jerusalem, driven by a desire to deepen his understanding of solitary life. His youth initially made him an unlikely candidate for the life of a hermit, but he didn’t waver. He began his journey living in a monastery, balancing his days with labor and his nights with prayer. When he turned 30, Sabas embarked on a more solitary path, spending days in a remote cave near Jerusalem, dedicating his time to prayer and weaving baskets.

Following the death of his mentor, St. Euthymius, Sabas retreated further into the desert near Jericho. His new home was a cave, accessible only by rope, where he subsisted on wild herbs and occasional food from visitors. His lifestyle attracted many followers, and though initially reluctant, Sabas eventually established a monastic community, known as a laura, comprising over 150 monks living in separate huts.

In his 50s, Sabas was persuaded to become a priest to better lead his growing community. Despite his responsibilities as an abbot, he continually felt drawn to the solitary life, often leaving his monks for extended periods, especially during Lent.

Sabas’ influence extended beyond his monastic community. He traveled across Palestine, preaching and bringing many back to the Church. At 91, he undertook a significant journey to Constantinople to address the Samaritan revolt. He fell ill upon his return and passed away at the Mar Saba monastery in 532 AD.

Today, the Mar Saba monastery is still active with Eastern Orthodox monks. Saint Sabas’ life and works have left an indelible mark on early monasticism, making him one of its most celebrated figures.

Photo credit: Mihai Andrei via Wikimedia Commons

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Reading 1 Is 25:6-10a

On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Alleluia <a href="https://bible.usccb.orgroute? “>

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 15:29-37

At that time:
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,
and many others.
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking,
the deformed made whole,
the lame walking,
and the blind able to see,
and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,
for they have been with me now for three days
and have nothing to eat.
I do not want to send them away hungry,
for fear they may collapse on the way.”
The disciples said to him,
“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place
to satisfy such a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas, born in Cappadocia, was a pivotal figure in early Eastern monasticism, renowned for his devout life of solitude and community leadership.
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The Word Among Us

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During this first week of Advent, as we prepare for the great coming of our Savior, the Gospel helps us see what this Savior will give us. Jesus draws great crowds with his preaching of the Kingdom. He heals the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, “and many others.” He amazes the crowd, who in turn glorify the God of Israel.

The compassionate Heart of Jesus is moved with pity for the hungry crowd, who have almost run out of food, but not out of enthusiasm for hearing the Truth! The disciples note that, there in the middle of nowhere, there are no resources to feed all these people. So Jesus asks them to bring to him the meager supplies they have – seven loaves and a few fish. And then he does what is so familiar to us: Jesus gives thanks, breaks the bread, and gives it to the disciples, who in turn give it to the crowds. “They all ate and were satisfied,” and there were seven baskets of leftovers. An impossible abundance.

Does this story sound familiar? This is indeed the second time Jesus multiplies bread for a crowd. The first time (in Mt 5), there are 12 baskets left over; scholars point out that this is meant to signify enough for the 12 tribes of Israel. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is probably preaching to the Gentiles, and there are seven baskets leftover; seven is the number of completion and ending, the number of times the Gentile army commander Naaman had to wash in the Jordan to be cured of his leprosy. The Gentiles are included in Jesus’ abundant self-gift as well.

This prefiguring of the Eucharist – the sacrament that unites the entire human family around the one altar – is also prefiguring the inclusion of non-Jews in the New Covenant. In Christ, we are all one Body, and there is neither Gentile nor Jew, woman or man, free or slave.

At every Mass, Jesus again gives thanks, breaks the Bread, and gives it to us through the priest. If we are eager for Truth, we will receive healing and grace. If in that Communion we give Him all we have – as meager as it is – we will see that Jesus can multiply it and do amazing things with the little resources we have to offer. If we receive the Bread of Life with joy and gratitude, we too will eat and be satisfied, with overflowing.

This Advent, let’s consider that the little Infant born of Mary in Bethlehem and laid in an animals’ feeding trough is truly Food for all, giving himself wholly to feed immense crowds every day in every place, bringing the whole human family together in His Heart.

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Saint Sabas, born in Cappadocia, was a pivotal figure in early Eastern monasticism, renowned for his devout life of solitude and community leadership.
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Saint John of Damascus, renowned as the last major figure among the Eastern Church fathers and its most eminent poet, has a life story shrouded in both history and legend. His biographer, John of Jerusalem, who wrote about him two centuries posthumously, blended myth with fact, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

John hailed from a family that stood steadfast in their Christian faith even as Damascus fell to Arab rule. His forebears were not only respected by the conquerors but also held significant judicial roles, likely overseeing Christian laws for the Sultan’s Christian subjects. His father, apart from his prestigious position, amassed considerable wealth, dedicating it to freeing Christian slaves and granting them liberty. John’s birth was seen as a divine reward for these virtuous deeds, and he was baptized immediately, possibly by Peter II, Bishop of Damascus.

Keen to shield his son from the prevalent martial and piratical culture of Damascus’s youth, John’s father focused on nurturing his intellectual growth. During this era, Saracen pirates captured a monk named Cosmas. Facing execution, he was spared upon revealing his educational prowess, which prompted John’s father to free him and appoint him as John’s tutor. John rapidly absorbed all of Cosmas’s knowledge, leading Cosmas to eventually retire to the Monastery of S. Sabas.

John’s intellectual acumen earned the admiration of the Saracens, and he was reluctantly thrust into a role of greater authority than his father. As the Iconoclastic controversy intensified, John boldly opposed the Eastern Emperor, penning treatises advocating for the veneration of religious images. These writings, especially potent after Leo the Isaurian’s decree against icons in 730, swiftly spread across the Christian world.

A dramatic episode in John’s life involves a purported act of treason against Damascus, fabricated by Emperor Leo. The Sultan, believing this ruse, ordered John’s hand severed. However, a miraculous event – the restoration of his hand following prayer before an image of the Virgin Mary – convinced John of divine protection, leading him to a monastic life at the monastery of Saint Sabas.

The historical accuracy of this tale is debated, as scholarly research suggests John may have joined Saint Sabas’s monastery before the Iconoclasm controversy. During the Khalif Ahlid II’s persecution of Christians in 743, John composed an eulogy for the martyred Peter, Bishop of Majuma.

John’s life also includes a poignant anecdote where, donned in humble attire, he was sent to sell baskets in Damascus. His creative spirit was initially suppressed by the monastery’s abbot but, after composing a lament for a grieving individual, he was eventually allowed to focus on religious poetry and theological works. His hymns and defenses of Christian art and doctrine have immortalized him as “The Doctor of Christian Art.” His death date is uncertain, but it likely occurred between 754 and 787.

Photo credit: Fæ via CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Reading 1 Is 11:1-10

On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.

On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

R. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
He shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Alleluia <a href="https://bible.usccb.orgroute? “>

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 10:21-24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas, born in Cappadocia, was a pivotal figure in early Eastern monasticism, renowned for his devout life of solitude and community leadership.
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“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to the childlike.”

What does it mean to become childlike? Should we return to the innocent ignorance of our childhood? Or ignore the knowledge we already have? That seems unlikely. We can’t turn back time, and Christ still calls us to learn. So how else do we access “these things” that Christ mentions in His prayer?

Christ invites us here to set aside the search for human wisdom and embrace our human littleness. Some of the most pressing questions we grapple with are questions we might never answer ourselves. “How will my life go? Where will I end up? What if I never accomplish X, or understand Y?”

But the simplicity of God is beautiful. He’s not asking us to find all the answers. Remember, He has hidden them from the wise and the learned. His message isn’t restricted to people with multiple degrees or Einstein-level genius. Who receives the wisdom of God? According to Christ, “the childlike.” The little. Those who, regardless of their knowledge or wisdom, have humility.

What if hunting for answers actually draws us away from Him?

Christ’s words call us to consider that maybe having the wisdom or the answers actually isn’t the answer. He knew that a quest for human wisdom might distance us from Him. Christ’s closest friends, the Apostles, were ordinary men – fishermen, workers; not scribes or scholars. Likewise, some of the greatest saints never received formal schooling. It was not wisdom that brought them close to Christ. It was their childlikeness, their humility.

St. Francis Xavier, whose feast day is celebrated today, stated: “With humility, all things are obtained.” He was a priest of the Society of Jesus and a close friend of Ignatius of Loyola. His words give us a simple, beautiful explanation of Our Lord’s prayer in the Gospel today.

St. Francis Xavier did attend the University of Paris for a time, but that’s not how he became a saint. He was a missionary in many countries, notably India and Japan, and it definitely wasn’t easy. St. Francis Xavier probably never knew ahead of time where he’d be sent, or what challenges he’d find on the way, or whether people would accept the Gospel. But St. Francis Xavier had childlike trust in God, and he ultimately baptized around thirty thousand converts before his death. 

St. Francis didn’t rely on human wisdom to do God’s will. Rather, he embraced his littleness. He allowed God to carry his life, as a father carries a little child. Christ is calling you to do the same. Can you let go of the quest for answers? Can you let Him carry you?

St. Francis Xavier, pray for us! 

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Born on April 7, 1506, in the Castle of Xavier near Sanguesa, Navarre, Saint Francis Xavier embarked on an extraordinary journey that would make him one of the most influential missionaries in history. His early education in Navarre prepared him for more advanced studies in Paris at the Collège de Sainte-Barbe, where he arrived in 1525. It was here that he developed a deep friendship with Pierre Favre, a fellow student.

The pivotal moment in Xavier’s life came at this college when he met St. Ignatius Loyola, the future founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Loyola’s vision and spirituality deeply influenced Xavier, leading him and Favre to join Loyola in establishing the Society. Along with four others – Lainez, Salmerón, Rodríguez, and Bobadilla – they took the historic vow at Montmartre on August 15, 1534.

After a period of teaching in Paris, Xavier, with his companions, departed for Venice in November 1536, dedicating himself to serving the sick. His ordination came on June 24, 1537, alongside St. Ignatius. A year later, Xavier was in Rome, contributing to the foundational work of the Jesuit order. In 1540, at King John III of Portugal’s request, he embarked on a mission to the East Indies, leaving Rome and reaching Lisbon by June.

April 7, 1541, marked the beginning of Xavier’s monumental voyage to India, where he landed at Goa on May 6, 1542. His initial months were spent preaching and caring for the sick. He had a unique approach to teaching children, gathering them with a bell and instructing them in the faith.

Xavier’s mission expanded rapidly, taking him to the pearl fisheries of Southern India and even Ceylon. Despite facing numerous challenges, including persecution and the unhelpful conduct of Portuguese soldiers, his efforts led to many conversions.

In 1545, Xavier’s journey took him to Malacca and then to the Molucca Islands, reaching out to the communities in Amboyna, Ternate, Baranura, and possibly Mindanao. His return to Malacca in 1547 introduced him to a Japanese individual, Anger (Han-Sir), sparking his interest in Japan.

After organizing the growing Jesuit missions in India and founding a novitiate and house of studies in Goa, Xavier, along with others, set off for Japan in June 1549. Landing in Kagoshima on August 15, 1549, he spent a year learning Japanese and preparing for his preaching mission. Despite opposition from local religious leaders, he made significant inroads in southern Japan and even reached the influential city of Meaco (Kyoto).

Leaving Japan after two and a half years, he appointed Father Cosme de Torres and Brother Juan Fernández to continue the mission. His return to Goa in 1552 was brief, as he soon focused on reaching China. Despite facing opposition in Malacca and encountering health challenges, Xavier reached the island of Sancian near China’s coast, where he passed away on December 2, 1552.

Saint Francis Xavier’s ten-year mission from 1542 to 1552 stands unparalleled in history for its breadth and impact. His zeal, miracles, and conversions earned him the title of the greatest missionary since the Apostles. Canonized with St. Ignatius in 1622, his remains are enshrined in Goa, with his right arm, a relic, housed in Rome’s Church of the Gesu.

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Reading 1 Is 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come,
The mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
That he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.

O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the LORD!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Alleluia See Ps 80:4

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come and save us, LORD our God;
Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum,
a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,
“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”
He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes;
and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes;
and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,
and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Saint Sabas

Saint Sabas, born in Cappadocia, was a pivotal figure in early Eastern monasticism, renowned for his devout life of solitude and community leadership.
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