November 11, 2013

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Lectionary: 491
Reading 1 WIS 1:1-7

Love justice, you who judge the earth;

Those who judge human affairs should judge righteously.

think of the Lord in goodness,
and seek him in integrity of heart;

 They should seek to do good before God.

Because he is found by those who test him not,
and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.

 God hides himself from those who don't believe in him. But those who have faith find them wherever they go.

For perverse counsels separate a man from God,
and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;

 Because sin separates God from man. In his power disciplines the sinner.

Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not,
nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.

 The wisdom of God does not exist in the mind of a sinner.

For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit
and withdraws from senseless counsels;
and when injustice occurs it is rebuked.

 Sinners flee from discipline and withdraw from correction.

For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips;

 Wisdom is kind but does not permit sins.

Because God is the witness of his inmost self
and the sure observer of his heart
and the listener to his tongue.

 God is in every man's heart. God sees all and judges all.

For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world,
is all-embracing, and knows what man says.

 Therefore God judges the world.

Responsorial Psalm PS 139:1B-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10

R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.

R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.

R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.

R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

 God sees everything. God knows everything. Therefore you cannot hide from God anything which you do. Everything which is done in secret will be brought to light at the judgment.

Gospel LK 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples,
“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.

Love cures a multitude of sins. But those who bring about a multitude of sins will be condemned that the judgment.

Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’
you should forgive him.”

If a man commits sins against you, correct him.   If he repents and asked forgiveness forgive him.

And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

  Faith is powerful. Because faith allows God to work through you.