Gospel and Saint of the day: 16 December 2019

Book of Numbers 24,2-7.15-17a.
In those days, Balaam looked up and saw Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the spirit of God was upon him.
He pronounced his poem and said: "Oracle of Balaam, son of Beor, and oracle of the man with the piercing eye;
oracle of one who hears the words of God and knows the science of the Most High, of one who sees the vision of the Almighty, and falls and the veil is removed from his eyes.
How beautiful your tents are, Jacob, your mansions, Israel!
They are like torrents that branch out, like gardens along a river, like aloe, which the Lord has planted, like cedars along the waters.
The water from its pails and its seed will flow like copious water. His king will be greater than Agag and his reign will be celebrated.
He uttered his poem and said: “Oracle of Balaam, son of Beor, oracle of man with a piercing eye,
oracle of one who hears the words of God and knows the science of the Most High, of one who sees the vision of the Almighty, and falls and the veil is removed from his eyes.
I see it, but not now, I contemplate it, but not up close: A star appears from Jacob and a scepter rises from Israel ».

Salmi 25(24),4bc-5ab.6-7bc.8-9.
Lord, make your ways known;
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
because you are the God of my salvation.

Remember, Lord, your love,
of your loyalty that has always been.
Remember me in your mercy,
for your goodness, Lord.

The Lord is good and upright,
the right way points to sinners;
guide the humble according to justice,
teaches the poor its ways.

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 21,23-27.
At that time, when Jesus entered the temple, while he taught, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him and said to him: «By what authority do you do this? Who gave you this authority? »
Jesus replied: «I will also ask you a question and if you answer me, I will also tell you with what authority I do this.
Where did John's baptism come from? From heaven or from men? » And they reflected to themselves saying: «If we say:" from Heaven ", he will answer:" why then did you not believe him? ";
if we say "by the men," we are afraid of the crowd, because everyone considers John a prophet. "
Responding therefore to Jesus, they said: "We don't know." Then he also said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."

16 December

BLESSED CLEMENT MARCHISIO

Parish priest of Rivalba Torinese - Founder of the institute "Daughters of St. Joseph"

Clemente Marchisio was born on 1st March 1833 in Racconigi (Turin). He was an indefatigable priest first as deputy parish priest in Cambiano and Vigone, then for 43 years he was parish priest in Rivalba Torinese, where he died on 16 December 1903. Without taking anything away from the pastoral care of his flock, he founded and directed the "Daughters of St. Joseph ".

PRAYER

LORD JESUS, master of truth and life, who you have given to your Church in Blessed Clement Marchisio a model of priestly holiness, through his intercession give us shepherds of souls filled with your Spirit, strong in the Faith, faithful in the service to God and to brothers.

MARY, Mother of the Church, who were help and consolation in every affair of life to Blessed Clemente Marchisio, through her intercession assure us of life and death serenity and peace.

GIUSEPPE, custodian of the treasures of God, who invoked with unlimited confidence by Blessed Clemente Marchisio, you were the guide in pastoral care and in the foundation of the Institute "Daughters of St. Joseph" to the glory of the ss. Eucharist, let us live our religious vocation in fullness and fidelity by communicating to the prayers and ideals of the blessed Founder. Amen.