Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr
Red
Devotion to St Cecilia, in whose honour a basilica was constructed in Rome in the fifth century, has spread far and wide because of the Passion of Saint Cecilia, which holds her up as a perfect example of a Christian woman, who embraced virginity and suffered martyrdom for the love of Christ.
Entrance Antiphon
Behold, now she follows the Lamb who was crucified for us, powerful in virginity, modesty her offering, a sacrifice on the altar of chastity.
Collect
O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of your handmaid Saint Cecilia, grant, we pray, that what has been devoutly handed down concerning her may offer us examples to imitate and proclaim the wonders worked in his servants by Christ your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Apocalypse 10:8-11
I, John, heard the voice I had heard from heaven speaking to me again. ‘Go,’ it said ‘and take that open scroll out of the hand of the angel standing on sea and land.’ I went to the angel and asked him to give me the small scroll, and he said, ‘Take it and eat it; it will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.’ So I took it out of the angel’s hand, and swallowed it; it was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, ‘You are to prophesy again, this time about many different nations and countries and languages and emperors.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
118(119):14,24,72,103,111,131
R/ Your promise is sweet to my taste, O Lord.
I rejoiced to do your will as though all riches were mine. Your will is my delight; your statutes are my counsellors.
The law from your mouth means more to me than silver and gold. Your promise is sweeter to my taste than honey in the mouth.
Your will is my heritage for ever, the joy of my heart. I open my mouth and I sigh as I yearn for your commands.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.2Tim1:10
Alleluia, alleluia! Our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death and he has proclaimed life through the Good News. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 19:45-48
Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. ‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’ He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offerings we bring in celebration of St. Cecilia. win your gracious acceptance, O Lord, we pray, just as the struggle of her suffering and passion was pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Rv 7: 17
The Lamb who is at the centre of the throne will lead them to the springs of the waters of life.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who bestowed on St. Cecilia. a crown among the Saints for her twofold triumph of virginity and martyrdom, grant, we pray, through the power of this Sacrament, that, bravely overcoming every evil, we may attain the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Temple, meant to be a house of prayer, has been transformed into a marketplace instead of promoting worship. Despite the vendors’ intention, Jesus makes it abundantly clear to them that the Temple is a house of prayer and not a marketplace! He does so in a way that cuts the hearts of the traders like a sword piercing human flesh. Jesus’ actions and teaching in the Temple went against the thought pattern and lifestyles of the chief priests and leading citizens. So they longed to do away with him. How open are we to correction, especially when it contradicts our conviction? We need to be open to correction and respect the Church as a place of prayer.