Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
- Readings for the Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin [In the Dioceses of the United States]
Reading 1 Ti 3:1-7
Beloved:
Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities,
to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise.
They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate,
exercising all graciousness toward everyone.
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded,
slaves to various desires and pleasures,
living in malice and envy,
hateful ourselves and hating one another.
But when the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,
not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
he saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Responsorial Psalm 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Alleluia 1 Thes 5:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life. // Psalm 23:6
The sanctuary is darkened. Men, women, and some children fill the pews; some sit, some kneel. Many candles are lit on, around, and leading up to the altar, where shining most brightly sits the beautiful golden monstrance. In the center, Jesus is present to us in the Eucharist. We are there to spend time with Him in a special evening of Adoration—what a blessing.
Tonight I have the honor of helping to lead worship with my voice. That the Lord would give me such a gift of an opportunity humbles me.
As the evening draws closer to the end, we begin a song that has been a blessing for me in the years since I first heard it. It’s called “Goodness of God,” and the lyrics sing of the Lord’s faithfulness. The song builds to the bridge, and the melody rises up from the depths of my heart: “Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.” This beautiful line repeats multiple times, and tonight I can’t help but smile as I lift my voice to the Father.
I have sung this song before (most often in personal worship sessions with the Lord while driving in the car). There have been days when I admit the lyrics, closely tied to the verse from Psalm 23, do not feel true. I have struggled to see Him working in different seasons, and it is then when I have sung this bridge through tears, declaring truth over my life, proclaiming God’s goodness over my circumstances.
A powerful act of faith, worship through music has been a tremendous gift to my heart, one I pray also brings some small consolation to the Lord. When we lift our voices in worship, we show Him our love, we express our gratitude. Find some time this week to sing to Him in thanksgiving of all He has done for you, sister. His goodness and kindness know no bounds. Thank You, Jesus.
Elise Howe is a wife, mother, vocal artist, and teacher. She is most joyful when creating with the inspiration of the Divine Artist. Elise hopes to live a life full of authentic beauty—especially through her song, her cut-flower garden, great books, delicious ice cream, and her yes to the Father. A born-and-raised Midwestern gal, she happily resides in Michigan with her husband, son, and two daughters. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire and Blessed Conversations: Misericordia.
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