When we listen to your word, our minds are filled with light. – It is the lowly heart that understands. READINGS First reading From the first letter of the apostle Paul to Timothy 4:1—5:2 Concerning teachers of error; concerning respect for older people The Spirit distinctly says that in later times some will turn away from the faith and will heed deceitful spirits and things taught by demons through plausible liars—men with seared consciences who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by believers who know the truth. Everything God created is good; nothing is to be rejected when it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by God’s word and by prayer. If you put these instructions before the brotherhood you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, reared in the words of faith and the sound doctrine you have faithfully followed. Have nothing to do with profane myths or old wives’ tales. Train yourself for the life of piety, for while physical training is to some extent valuable, the discipline of religion is incalculably more so, with its promise of life here and hereafter. You can depend on this as worthy of complete acceptance. This explains why we work and struggle as we do; our hopes are fixed on the living God who is the savior of all men, but especially of those who believe. Such are the things you must urge and teach. Let no one look down on you because of your youth, but be a continuing example of love, faith, and purity to believers. Until I arrive, devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you received when, as a result of prophecy, the presbyters laid their hands on you. Attend to your duties; let them absorb you, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch yourself and watch your teaching. Persevere at both tasks. By doing so you will bring to salvation yourself and all who hear you. Never censure an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. You should treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. RESPONSORY 1 Timothy 4:8, 10; 2 Corinthians 4:9 The value of spirituality is immeasurable, for it holds promise for our present life and the life hereafter. We toil and struggle for this reason: – we have put our trust in the living God. We have been persecuted but never abandoned, struck down but never destroyed. – We have put our trust in the living God. Second reading From the beginning of a letter to the Trallians by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr Renew yourselves in the faith that is the body of Christ and in the love that is his blood Make yourselves gentle, and be born again in the faith which is the body of the Lord and in the love which is the blood of Jesus Christ. No one must bear a grudge against his neighbor. Never give the pagans the slightest pretext, so that the great majority who serve God will not be mocked because of the folly of a few. Woe to him on account of whose folly my name is blasphemed. So turn a deaf ear to the talk of anyone whose language has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. Descended from David, he was truly born of Mary, he really ate and drank. He was really persecuted under Pontius Pilate, and truly died by crucifixion, while heavenly and earthly beings and those under the earth looked on. He truly rose from the dead, being raised by his Father. Those who believe in him will be raised like him by the Father. We shall rise again in Christ without whom we do not have true life. Avoid, then, those poisonous growths that bear deadly fruit; the mere taste of them is sudden death. Such growths are not of the Father’s planting; if they were such they would be recognized as branches of the cross, their fruit would be imperishable. The cross of Christ’s passion is his invitation to you who are the members of his body. The head cannot come to life without the members, since God, the very ground of unity, has foretold such a union. I send you greetings from Smyrna and from all God’s churches which are here with me. They have been a comfort to me in every way, both physically and spiritually. The chains which I wear for the sake of Jesus Christ, praying all the time that I may come to God, are my plea. Continue to live together in that harmony of yours and persevere in prayer together. It is fitting that everyone, and especially the presbyters, should comfort the bishop and thereby honor the Father and Jesus Christ, and his apostles. I beg you, if you love me, listen to me, so that this letter of mine may not witness against you. And pray for me, too, lest I be found unfit, for in God’s mercy I need your love to make me worthy of the destiny that is mine. The communities of Smyrna and Ephesus send greetings. In all your prayers remember the church in Syria. I am unworthy to claim membership in it, being the least of them all. And now, farewell in Jesus Christ. Be submissive to your bishop, as you would to God’s command, and also to the clergy. As individuals, love one another with undivided affection. My life is being sacrificed for you, not only at this moment, but also when I shall come before God. Though I am still in danger, God the Father through Jesus Christ, is my pledge that my prayer and yours will be heard. My desire is that, through him, you may be found without fault. RESPONSORY 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15; Sirach 15:13 Through the Gospel God has called you to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Therefore, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions you have been taught. The Lord hates all that is vile, and those who fear him show no love for it either. – Therefore, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions you have been taught.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 23:16:04 +0000
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