Suggested Format: •
We used a ten-day format, using the daily readings (except for Sept. 19th/Sept. 20th), connecting them to the message of Mary at La Salette through various themes; • Red words in the scripture indicate connections with the theme of the day. • La Salette Scripture Reflections are given at the end of each day’s materials to help the homilist in preparing for the day’s liturgy. • These notes are meant to help connect the homilist and musician to the content of the daily readings and their application to the La Salette message. Each pastoral situation is different; therefore they can use whatever portions of this format might be helpful to them.
Day One: Thursday, September 10, 2015: Day of La Salette Laity
Theme: Jesus, the center of Mary’s life and message
Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Lectionary: 440
Reading 1: COL 3:12-17
Brothers and sisters:Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,bearing with one another and forgiving one another,if one has a grievance against another;as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.And over all these put on love,that is, the bond of perfection.And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,the peace into which you were also called in one Body.And be thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songswith gratitude in your hearts to God.And whatever you do, in word or in deed,do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Alleluia: 1 JN 4:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: LK 6:27-38
Jesus said to his disciples:“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,pray for those who mistreat you.To the person who strikes you on one cheek,offer the other one as well,and from the person who takes your cloak,do not withhold even your tunic.Give to everyone who asks of you,and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.Do to others as you would have them do to you.For if you love those who love you,what credit is that to you?Even sinners love those who love them.And if you do good to those who do good to you,what credit is that to you?Even sinners do the same.If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,what credit is that to you?Even sinners lend to sinners,and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,and lend expecting nothing back;then your reward will be greatand you will be children of the Most High,for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.“Stop judging and you will not be judged.Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.Forgive and you will be forgiven.Give and gifts will be given to you;a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,will be poured into your lap.For the measure with which you measurewill in return be measured out to you.”
La Salette Scripture Reflection: Thursday Of The Twenty-Third Week Of The Year
Luke 6:27-28: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who maltreat you."
In the early morning hours of June 7, 1998, in the small community of Jasper, Texas, three white men dragged a black man behind a truck for three miles down a dirt road to his death. The gruesome murder shocked the country and the world. The community of Jasper, white and black alike, was appalled that so horrible a crime could occur in their midst. The victim's family immediately called for forgiveness and peace. They wanted healing to begin.
As active members in their church, they had often heard their minister preach the words of scripture that are quoted above. Were these words merely a fantasy of some beautiful world to come, or words that held promise for the present situation? This family showed the community, not by mere words but by their actions just what it means to “love your enemies.”
At La Salette, Mary spoke of children dying in the arms of their parents. Today there seems to be so much hatred and violence in our society. Mary's entire conversation with the two children was one of great compassion and love. Her very presence at La Salette told of her deep love for her children. She told them she was compelled to pray without ceasing on their behalf. How reassuring that is for us!
Some Reflection Questions: Do I love my enemies? Do I do good to those who hate me? When was the last time I prayed for anyone who maltreated me?
Other La Salette Feast materials (including La Salette words to ordinary familiar hymn tunes) are available on our website (www.lasalette.org) in the upper menu under: “About La Salette….Resources…..La Salette Liturgy and Music.”
NOTE: A full version of the Mass for the Feast of La Salette (with priest’s prayers, General Intercessions, special prefaces, etc.) is also available on our Province website in PDF format (www.lasalette.org) in the upper menu under: “About La Salette….Resources…..La Salette Liturgy and Music.”
Wishing you joyous celebration of Mary's Feast!
Peace,
Ron Gagne, M.S.
La Salette Communications Center
947 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703
Tel: 508-838-0313
