Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
- Readings for the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
Reading 1 RV 10:8-11
Then the voice spoke to me and said:
“Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel
who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll.
He said to me, “Take and swallow it.
It will turn your stomach sour,
but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.”
I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it.
In my mouth it was like sweet honey,
but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.
Then someone said to me, “You must prophesy again
about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Alleluia JN 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 19:45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written,
My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.
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.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me. // John 10:27 (From the Alleluia)
What is Your voice, Lord? And what is it not? I found myself asking every day in prayer during a difficult season of my life. There were many voices coming at me, well intentioned, but all of them contradicting each other, which sent me into even more confusion. I was desperate to hear His voice, no matter what it would cost me.
As I prayed and asked the Lord for guidance, I finally heard His voice. It was rare that I received such clarity about what to pray with, but He led me to today’s Alleluia verse (John 10:27). Through it, He invited me to stay with the Good Shepherd and learn to trust His words wherever they may lead. I did not know how much fear was holding me back from doing His will. To listen to His voice meant to obey His call, even if it would cost me everything. In that moment I needed to surrender deeper than my heart had known before.
Sister, perhaps you, too, have been in a season where you desire ardently to hear the Shepherd’s voice and yet fear what He will say. The fear here can be so real, so crippling, and so dark, but His promise is one of peace and freedom. Wherever He leads you, He goes with you on the way. What is one thing you may have been holding back from asking the Lord out of fear of what He will speak? Bring that to Him today. Pray to Him: My sweet Shepherd, help me to follow You even if I fear Your voice. Give me the grace to trust that You only have goodness and kindness coming every step of the way.
Mariana Pimiento is a Colombia-born storyteller and artist. She enjoys big dinners with her Colombian family, talking about Theology of the Body, and any chance for a bonfire. The preaching Dominican friars brought her back to the Catholic faith while a student in New York City. Mariana served several years as a FOCUS missionary and now continues college ministry work in Nashville. Find out more about her here.
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