January 9
St. Andrew Corsini, Bishop
OC: Feast
OCD: Optional Memorial
Common of Pastors
Andrew was born at the beginning of the fourteenth century in Florence and
entered the Carmelite Order there. He was elected provincial of Tuscany at
the general chapter of Metz in 1348. He was made bishop of Fiesole on
October 13th, 1349, and gave the Church a wonderful example of love,
apostolic zeal, prudence and love of the poor. He died on January 6th,
1374.
Office of Readings
First Reading
James 2:1-9, 14-24
My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man with gold rings and in fine
clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also
comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and
say, "Have a seat here, please," while you say to the poor man, "Stand
there,"
or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and
become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God
chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the
kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? But you have
dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they
who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme that honorable name
which was invoked over you? If you really fulfill the royal law, according
to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.
But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as
transgressors. What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith
but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is
ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in
peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the
body, what does it profit?
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say,
"You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works,
and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you
do well.
Even the
demons believe -- and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man,
that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified
by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith
was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, and the
scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was
reckoned to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God. You
see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Second Reading
(for O. Carm it is from the Life of St. Andrew) for OCD it is from The
Pastoral Rule of Pope St. Gregory the Great
"It is important that a man who is set up as a model of how to live should
be one who is dead to all the passions of the flesh and lives by the spirit,
turns his back on what the world has to offer, is unafraid of hardship, and
is attracted only by the interior life. He does not let his body shirk its
duty out of frailty; he does not become depressed when abused, for he
realizes that things of this kind further his true ends. He does not
readily covet what is not his, but with what he does possess he is generous.
His loving nature is quick to forgive, thought he never allows himself to be
misled into condoning more than he should. While he does no wrong himself,
he grieves over the misdeeds of others as if they were his own. His
compassion for others when they are sick is heartfelt, and he is just as
glad when good befalls his neighbor as when his own interests are advanced.
His behavior is so exemplary in all respects that he need never fear being
made to blush, even for past faults. He so conducts his life that those
whose hearts are in need of refreshment can always find it in the guidance
he gives. He is so well versed in the art of prayer that he can obtain
anything he asks for from the Lord; it is as though he were singled out by a
prophetic voice saying to
him: 'While you are still speaking I will say, "See, I am here."'
If someone happened to come and ask one of us to intercede for him with an
influential man we did not know and who was annoyed with him, we should at
once say: 'I cannot come and intercede -- I do not know what he is like.'
So if a person is afraid to intercede with a mere man about whom he knows
nothing, how can one, who is not sure whether or not his conduct makes him
worthy to be counted God's friend, take it upon himself to be the people's
advocate before God? How can he ask pardon for others if he is not sure
that his own sins have been forgiven?
Responsory
R/. Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily
as God forgave you in Christ.* Try then to imitate God, as children of His
that He loves.
V/. Tend the flock that is placed under your care, willingly as God would
have you do, being examples to your '
flock.* Try then to imitate God, as children of His that He loves.
Prayer
God our Father,
You reveal that those who work for peace will be called Your children.
Through the prayers of St. Andrew Corsini, who excelled as a peacemaker,
help us to work without ceasing for that justice which brings true and
lasting peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Canticle of Zechariah
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called children of God, says the
Lord.
Canticle of Mary
The kingdom of God consists of justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;
whoever serves Christ in this way pleases God and wins the esteem of all.
***********
For Mass
Entrance Antiphon
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the man who brings tidings of
peace, joy and salvation.
Prayer
(same as above)
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord,
accept the gifts we bring to Your altar
in memory of St. Andrew Corsini.
As you led him to glory through these mysteries, grant us also Your pardon
and love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon
I was eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I was a father to the poor,
and listened to the plea of the stranger.
Prayer after Communion
God of all mercy,
strengthen with your peace
the people You have fed with the bread of heaven.
Through the prayers of Your bishop St. Andrew Corsini bring them at last to
their eternal rest.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Isaiah 61:1-3
OR
Malachi 2:5-7
My covenant with him was one of life and peace; fear I put in him, and he
feared me, and stood in awe of my name. True doctrine was in his mouth, and
no dishonesty was found upon his lips; He walked with me in integrity and in
uprightness, and turned many away from evil. For the lips of the priest are
to keep knowledge, and instruction is to be sought from his mouth, because
he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps. 88
R/. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
OR
R/. This is God's steward, Who taught the doctrine of faith.
I will sing for ever of Your love, O Lord; through all the ages my mouth
will proclaim Your truth.
Of this I am sure, that Your love lasts for ever, that Your truth is firmly
established as the heavens. R/.
With My chosen one I have made a covenant; I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish Your dynasty for ever
and set up Your throne through all ages. R/.
I have found David My servant
and with My holy oil anointed him.
My hand shall always be with him
and My arm shall make him strong. R/.
My truth and My love shall be with him;
by My name his might is exalted.
He will say to Me: "You are my Father,
My God, the Rock Who saves me."' R/.
Gospel
Matthew 23:8-12
OR
Matthew 28:16-20
23: 8-12
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are
all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in
heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah.
The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be
humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
