>>> St JOHN CHRYSOSTOM – Pray for Us!
YOUNG MAN, I TELL YOU, ARISE!
Introduction
St. John (344/49-407), monk and bishop of Constantinople, was called “Chrysostom,” that is “mouth of gold,” on account of his great eloquence. Though often in poor health, he deserved this name also for being outspoken against corruption at the court and neglect and exploitation of the poor by the mighty. For this reason, he was banned twice from his city and died in exile. We owe him much of the Orthodox Liturgy.
Opening Prayer
God our Father,
you entrusted your Good News
to St. John Chrysostom.
Loyally and without fear,
he sowed your word as a seed
that it might bear fruit
also when it was accepted reluctantly.
Give us trust in your word,
make it grow in us
that it may become in all of us
really good news to live by.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading – 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-14, 27-31A
Brothers and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the Church to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
Responsorial PSALM 10:1B-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song. R.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends. R.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name. R.
For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations. R.
Alleluia LUKE 7:16
Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LUKE 7:11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
Commentary
For You, Mother
Nothing in the gospel narrative suggests that anyone asked Jesus to raise the son of the widow. This is one of the rare occasions wherein Jesus takes the initiative, without being asked by anyone, to heal or raise someone to life. What moved him to do so? I wonder if the scene provoked in him the future scenario of his own mother at his death: Here is a widow, just like his mother. She has lost the only son – Jesus’ own mother would lose her only son. I wish to think that Mother Mary was present with Jesus at Naim (or the disciples narrated it to her later) and the scene would be etched in her heart; and when her turn came to be the widow who lost her only son, she would recall the scene and find consolation and hope. What greater gift can a son leave for his mother than the assurance that she would have him again, alive!
Intercessions
– God of mercy and compassion, keep your Church forgiving and patient with its members who err or rebel, we pray:
– God of the sad and the sorrowing, fill us with Christian empathy for those who suffer and make us bold enough to tell them: “Do not weep. The Lord loves you,” we pray:
– God of those who are sick in any way, bring your healing power to them through people who visit them and cheer them up, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
the harvest in our fields
has yielded its fruits
and here is bread and wine
to bring us strength and joy.
Let them become the body and blood of Jesus,
to keep us growing in the life
that he brought us by his death
and his rising to life,
until we are ready for your harvest.
Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you have called us again
through the body of your Son
to make the body of his Church more and more
the living sign of your presence
and of your action in the world.
Make us dialogue with this world and Church
and criticize and challenge
what ought to be changed,
that they become your Church and your world
in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
Young man, young woman, I tell you, get up. Let us speak these words also to people who are suffering and discouraged, for they are words of life and resurrection. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!