Andrew Dũng-Lạc and 116 companions, Vietnamese martyrs of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, were canonized as a company of bishops, priests, and lay faithful. They would not trample the Cross. The Church keeps their memorial on 24 November as a company, not a single hero. Farmers, mothers, and priests stood in the same confession. Ask today for the Church in Vietnam and for a faith that will not buy safety by denying the Name, whether in a village or in a city.
Original – Prayer on Fire.
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Gospel
Mass Lectionary · Gospel
Luke 21:5–11
When some of them were saying, about the temple, that it was adorned with excellent stones and gifts, he said,
“These things that you see, the days will arrive when there will not be left behind stone upon stone, which is not thrown down.”
Then they questioned him, saying: “Teacher, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things will happen?”
And he said: “Be cautious, lest you be seduced. For many will come in my name, saying: ‘For I am he,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ And so, do not choose to go after them.
And when you will have heard of battles and seditions, do not be terrified. These things must happen first. But the end is not so soon.”
Then he said to them: “People will rise up against people, and kingdom against kingdom.
And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and pestilences, and famines, and terrors from heaven; and there will be great signs.
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Prayer on Fire Gospel Lesson
Some speak of the temple, how it is adorned. He says the days will come when not one stone is left on another. They ask when, and what the sign will be. He says do not be led astray. Many will come in my name. Do not go after them. Wars and tumults must take place first. The end is not yet. Nation against nation, earthquakes, famine, terrors. These are not the end.
Where this sits
The feast of Andrew Dũng-Lạc and companions reads this. Martyrs lived inside the upheaval he names.
Not yet
The destruction of the temple is real, and it is not the end. The false messiahs and the wars are the temptation to think the day has come, or to follow a voice that is not his. He tells them the sequence so they will not be terrified into leaving him.
What to take
Upheaval is not the signal to run after another. The end is not yet. Stay with him through the terrors.
Original – Prayer on Fire
Gospel of the Day · Text: Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) · Mass Lectionary · Gospel
The Mass of Saints Andrew Dũng-Lạc and companions may also use this Gospel. (Matthew 10:17–22)
Optional memorial Gospel
Matthew 10:17–22
Beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
And you shall be led before both rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
But when they hand you over, do not choose to think about how or what to speak. For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour.
For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you.
And brother will hand over brother to death, and father will hand over son. And children will rise up against parents and bring about their deaths.
And you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered, even to the end, the same shall be saved.
Not the weekday Gospel of the day · Text: Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) · Matthew 10:17–22
