Sunday Bible Readings 31st Sunday Ordinary Time November 4 2007 with Traditional Catholic Commentary

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November 4 2007 Bible Readings 31st Sunday Ordinary Time

About the sources used.

The readings on this site are not official for the Mass of Roman Catholic Church, but are from sources free from copyright. They are here to present the comparable readings alongside traditional Catholic commentary as published in the Haydock Bible.

Official Readings of the Liturgy at – http://www.usccb.org/nab/110407.shtml – Note. The Official Liturgical readings may not match the current NAB you may have.

Wisdom 11:22-12:2
Douay-Rheims OT from SacredBible.org

22 For great power always belonged to thee alone: and who shall resist the strength of thy arm?
23 For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon the earth.
24 But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of repentance.
25 For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it.
26 And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee?
27 But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord, who lovest souls.
1 O how good and sweet is thy Spirit, O Lord, in all things!
2 And therefore thou chastisest them that err, by little and little: and admonishest them, and speakest to them, concerning the things wherein they offend: that leaving their wickedness, they may believe in thee, O Lord.

PSALM 144/145
CLICK HERE!

2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Haydock NT

11 Wherefore also we pray always for you: that our God would make you worthy of his calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith in power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him: 2 That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.

The Gospel According to Saint Luke 19:1-10
Haydock NT

1 And entering in, he walked through Jerico. 2 And behold there was a man, by name Zacheus; and he was the chief of the publicans, and was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus, who he was: and he could not for the crowd, because he was low in stature.

4 And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, he saw him, and said to him:

Zacheus, make hast, and come down; for today I must abide in thy house.

6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him with joy. 7 And when they all saw it, they murmured saying: That

He was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner.

8 But Zacheus standing, said to the Lord:

Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him fourfold.

9 Jesus said to him:

This day salvation come to this house: because he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek, and to save that which was lost.

Haydock Commentary Wisdom 11:22-12:2

• Ver. 24. Repentance. If people neglect to reform their conduct in this world, they must expect to be treated with all severity in the other.
• Ver. 25. It. Sin and disorder is the work of man, deserving hatred. C.—God created nothing evil, nor is there any but one God, as the Manichees pretended. W.
• Ver. 26. Called. Into existence, or into its proper place. Rom iv. 17.
• Ver. 27. All. Awaiting their amendment, and unwilling to destroy thy creatures. C. xii. 10. Hence thou didst not exterminate the Egyptians at once. C.
• Ver. 1. Ch. 12. O how. Sept. “for incorruptible is thy Spirit;” which S. Athanasius (ad Serap.) adduces as a proof of the Holy Ghost’s divinity. C.—God loves the soul of man. Grot.

Haydock Commentary 2 Thes 1:11-2:2

• Ver. 11. Wherefore, also we pray, &c. By the Greek, the sense and construction cannot be in, or on which day; and therefore it must be referred to what was said before, that God should be glorified in his saints, and so may be translated, on which account we pray, &c. that Christ may be glorified in you, being made saints by his grace, &c. Wi.
• Ver. 12. That the name of our Lord, &c. The name of God is glorified by the virtuous lives of Christians, but more especially by that constancy and firmness evinced by the faithful under the hands of the executioner. It is an act of the most perfect charity, to lay down our lives in defence of his truths and the glory of his name, and the most disinterested testimony of our allegiance to him. Nothing appeared more admirable than the constancy of the first Christians, and nothing contributed more to the conversion of the Gentiles than the firmness with which they maintained, even in death, the truths that had been taught them. For, said they, this religion is certain true, since there is nothing they are not willing to suffer in defence of it. Calmet.—And you in him, &c. If Christians are any way instrumental in procuring the glory of God, let them not attribute it to themselves, but to God alone, from whom comes every gift. If they procure his glory before men, he at the day of final retribution will clothe them with never-fading robes of immortality, in the presence of men and Angels. If it be glorious for God to be adored by such faithful servants, it is much more glorious for Christians to be rewarded by such a Master: for it is the glory of a servant to be faithful to his master, and the glory of the master to recompense his servant. Est. Grot. Theophylact. &c.
• Ver. 1. Ch. 2. And we, &c. Some imposters had taken occasion from S. Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians, to teach that the day of judgment was at hand. The apostle here maintains that it certainly will come, but that it will come like a thief in the night. He says nothing of the time when it is to arrive; he merely refutes those who spoke of its taking place immediately.—By the coming, &c. Grotius and some others explain this coming, of the vengeance he took on the Jews by the arms of the Romans. It is true he speaks in many places of the destruction of Jerusalem, and of his coming at the last day, in terms exactly of the same, But the context of the whole epistle demonstrates that he is here speaking of the last day. Calmet.—And of our gathering together unto him. Lit. of our congregation unto him. That is, that you be not moved by any pretended revelation, nor by any words or letter, as spoken or written by me. Wi.
• Ver. 2. S. Austin, writing to Hesychium, declareth that no one from the Scripture can be assured of the day, year, or age when the second coming shall be. ep. lxxx. Let us attend to what S. Austin declares he had learnt from the first Church authorities. At the last judgment, or about that time, will arrive Elias, the Thesbite, the conversion of the Jews, the persecution of antichrist, the coming of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the separation of the good from the bad, the conflagration of the world, and the renovation of the same: that these things will arrive, we are to believe, but in what manner and in what order experience will teach better than reason. It is my opinion that they will come in the order I have related them. De. Civ. Dei. l. xx. cap. ult. That the man of sin will be born of the Jewish tribe of Dan, that he will cruelly persecute the faithful for three years and a half, that he will put to death Henoch and Elias, and that great, very great, will be the apostasy, is the general belief. Oh! God, preserve us with thy grace, and do not permit us to lose sight of the dreadful danger that threatens even the elect.

Haydock Commentary Luke 19:1-10

• Ver. 2. What sinner can despair when he sees the Saviour of mankind seeking to save him; when he beholds even a publican and a rich man, at the same time, who, as our Saviour informs us in another place, are so seldom truly converted, brought to the light of faith, and the grace of a true conversion! S. Ambrose.—Zacheus (who was a farmer of the customs, not a collector, as some falsely imagine) immediately hearkened to the interior voice fo the Almighty, calling him to repentance; he made no delay, and therefore deserved immediately not only to see, but to eat, drink, and converse with Jesus. S. Cyril.—Behold here the three steps of his conversion: 1. an ardent desire of seeing Jesus; 2. the honourable reception he gave him in his house; 3. the complete restitution of all ill-acquired property.
• Ver. 9. Zacheus is here style a son of Abraham; i.e. his spiritual son, a partaker of the promises made to Abraham concerning the Messias: not that he was actually born of his seed, but because he imitated his faith; and as Abraham at the voice of God, left the land and house of his father; so Zacheus renounced his goods and possessions, by giving them to the poor. Ven. Bede.

Psalm 144 Vulgate and Douay-Rheims or Psalm 145 Hebrew/NAB

Psalm 144(Vulgate/DR) 145 (NAB/Heb)
Douay-Rheims OT from SacredBible.org

1 Praise, for David himself. I will extol thee, O God my king: and I will bless thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless thee: and I will praise thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: and of his greatness there is no end.
4 Generation and generation shall praise thy works: and they shall declare thy power.
5 They shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of thy holiness: and shall tell thy wondrous works.
6 And they shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and shall declare thy greatness.
7 They shall publish the memory of the abundance of thy sweetness: and shall rejoice in thy justice.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful: patient and plenteous in mercy.
9 The Lord is sweet to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
10 Let all thy works, O lord, praise thee: and let thy saints bless thee.
11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom: and shall tell of thy power:
12 To make thy might known to the sons of men: and the glory of the magnificence of thy kingdom.
13 Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages: and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words: and holy in all his works.
14 The Lord lifteth up all that fall: and setteth up all that are cast down.
15 The eyes of all hope in thee, O Lord: and thou givest them meat in due season.
16 Thou openest thy hand, and fillest with blessing every living creature.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways: and holy in all his works.
18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: to all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will do the will of them that fear him: and he will hear their prayer, and save them.
20 The Lord keepeth all them that love him; but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name forever; yea, for ever and ever.

Haydock Commentary Psalm 144 (145)

• Ver. 1. Praise. The remaining seven psalms relate to the praises of God, to intimate that this occupation ought to be our glory, both in time and in eternity, as all were created for that purpose. Ven. Bede.—This is the seventh of the alphabetical psalms, the four last of which are only recognized by S. Jer. as perfect. See Ps. xxiv. xxxiii. xxxvi. cx. cxi. and cxviii. Yet here the Ver. 14 which should commence with N, is wanting in Heb. though it was probably there at first, as it is in the Greek and Latin, (W.) as well as in the Syr. and Arabic. C.—Hence is appears, that our versions ought not always to be corrected by the Heb. which might be rendered more perfect by a collation with them. W.—The Jews assert, that whoever reads this psalm thrice a-day, may be sure of obtaining heaven, provided, says Kimchi, that his heart accompany his words. The new baptized used to recite it in thanksgiving for having received the body and blood of Christ. S. Chrys.—Ferrand supposes that this psalm was composed after the captivity. But there seems to be no ground for this supposition, and the author had probably no particular even in view. C.—My king. On whom I entirely depend. Bert.—And ever. S. Jer. “and after,” (H.) both in time and in eternity. Christ is styled king, to whom the nations were promised; (Ps. ii.) and David gives the highest honour to the blessed Trinity. W.—David still praises God by the mouths of the faithful, as also in heaven.
• Ver. 3. End. Heb. “finding out,” because he is infinite. Bert. Job v. 9
• Ver. 4. And. Heb. “to generation.” The vocation of the Gentiles is insinuated. C.
• Ver. 5. And shall. Heb. “and I shall relate the words of thy wonders,” (S. Jerome), or “shall meditate on,” &c. Pagn. H.—Yet our version is more followed. C.
• Ver. 6. Acts. Miracles which strike people with awe, (W.) such as those which overwhelmed the Egyptians, &c. Theod. C.—And shall. Heb. “and shalt,” &c. But Chal. (S. Jer. ) read more naturally with the Sept.
• Ver. 7. Justice. Or mercy. S. Chrys. C.—They shall approve of thy judgments. H.
• Ver. 8. Patient. Heb. “slow to anger,” which is more expressive. Bert.
• Ver. 9. Works. The people of Israel (v. 10. Ps. lxxxix. 18. Ferrand) and all mankind, who are all invited to embrace the true faith, and the mercy of God. C.—The effects of mercy shine forth above all his other works, in the redemption, and in the recalling of sinners, when they have gone astray. W.—This sense is good, but not literal. His mercy extends to all. Bert.—Yet he punishes the reprobate for ever, chastising their works, S. Aug.
• Ver. 10. Works. They shew his power, and excite us to praise him. S. Jer.
• Ver. 12. Thy. Heb. “his.” But the Septuagint read more correctly, with the Chal. &c.—Men. The Gentiles, to whom the saints, (Bert.) or converted Jews, preached. H.
• Ver. 13. Ages. The kingdom of God in his Church is very magnificent, but not so much as in heaven. W.—The. Heb. Chal. Aquila, St. Jerome &c. omit this verse, which is necessary to complete the alphabet. It probably commenced with Namon, “Faithful.” C.—The Sept could not insert it by inspiration, as they were only interpreters. Bert.—It was consequently in their Heb. copies. Houbig.
• Ver. 14. Lifteth. Heb. “upholdeth all who are falling.” H.—No one can stand or rise without God. Bert.—He is ready to lift up every one. W.
• Ver. 15. Hope. For sustenance. Ps. cxxii. 2. Matt. vi. 26.
• Ver. 16. Blessing. Abundantly (C.) “satisfieth the desire” (Prot H.) even of brute beasts, giving to all what is requisite. W.
• Ver. 17. Just. Before, his fidelity was noticed, v. 13. H.
• Ver. 18. Truth. Observing his commandments. Matt. vii. 21. Theod.
• Ver. 19. Will. He will obey their voice; (Jos. x. 14) or rather he will grant their requests (C.) of eternal happiness. Bert.
• Ver. 21. Flesh. Every human being, though even the least favoured, must praise God, as all have received much from him. H.

Placeholder for Readings for October 28 2007

The readings for Sunday Oct 28,2007 were published many, many days ago on a server far, far away….

HERE THEY ARE

Well. I woke up this morning to a curious ‘trackback’ from a post I made last night. Apparently I already prepublished this several days ago, and published another one last night.