Optional Memorial of St. Margaret of Scotland
November 16, 2023
First Reading: Wisdom 7:22–8:1
7:22 for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. For in her there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, 23 beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle. 24 For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things. 25 For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. 26 For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. 27 Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; 28 for God loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom. 29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, 30 for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail. 8:1 She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well.
Psalm: 119:89-91, 130, 135, 175
89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Thy faithfulness endures to all generations; thou hast established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By thy appointment they stand this day; for all things are thy servants. 130 The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 135 Make thy face shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes. 175 Let me live, that I may praise thee, and let thy ordinances help me.
20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!’ or `There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” 22 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, `Lo, there!’ or `Lo, here!’ Do not go, do not follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”
Reflection of the Day: “I understand that, each time we contemplate with desire and devotion, the Host in which is hidden Christ’s Eucharistic Body, we increase our merits in heaven and secure special joys to be ours, later in the beatific vision of God.” — St. Gertrude the Great
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