Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Biographical Information about St. Andrew Dung-Lac and companions
Readings for Friday, November 24, 2006
Commentary:
Reading 1 Rev 10:8-11
The modern analogy for this metaphor is “take your medicine”. The small scroll in this passage, according to scripture scholars, predicts the final victory of God’s heavenly host in the battle between good and evil to come. That is the reason it tastes like honey. There will be many who suffer and die in this struggle which is why it sours in the belly.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Out of this very long (176 verses) hymn of praise and thanksgiving we are focused onto the delight the psalmist takes in following God’s law and will. The taste of honey is again provided in verse 103: “…How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” There is no corresponding sourness mentioned in this song.
Gospel Lk 19:45-48
Jesus enters Jerusalem and immediately takes charge of his Father’s house, driving out those selling animals and birds for sacrifice and the money changers. The clear implication here is money cannot buy God’s favor. It is interesting that this is not thematic in many sermons on the subject.
Reflection:
It is coincidental that the Gospel story of Jesus driving out the money changers from the temple occurs this year on the day after Thanksgiving, the biggest shopping day of the year. I turned on the news this morning at around 5:30 AM and the news casters in Detroit were laughing about the good economic news heralded by a long line of people waiting (at 5:30 in the morning) to get into one of the local electronics boutiques. I wonder if they would ever think to wait outside the house of God for the privilege of receiving the Body of Christ at the same time of day – or any day and time for that matter. What do you think would happen if the doors of the Church were locked when we arrived for Mass? Would most people wait – wait hours for the doors to open?
Today on this first day of the “feeding frenzy” that will last until our Lord’s Nativity is celebrated we are reminded that it is not a season in which we should focus on how much we can spend or who we should buy for. It is a time when we should be looking at our own response to the gift God gave us in his only Son.
When we think of how much we are giving up by ignoring the temptation to jump into the fray, let us think about St. John’s revelation and the bitter sweet taste of victory. How the result tastes sweet but others will suffer. Instead of running out to the store today, think about the long suffering saints we remember today. St. Andrew was beheaded for being a Christian Priest. It would have been much easier for all 116 of this martyred bringing Christ the Viet Nam for them to simply follow Buddha or just hide their faith.
Today let’s take a stand. Instead of rushing out to take advantage of those bargains, let us take a trip to Church and gather in prayer. Instead of spending our money on merchandise, let’s find a way to make others who have nothing more comfortable.
Pax
Biographical Information about St. Andrew Dung-Lac and companions
Readings for Friday, November 24, 2006
Commentary:
Reading 1 Rev 10:8-11
The modern analogy for this metaphor is “take your medicine”. The small scroll in this passage, according to scripture scholars, predicts the final victory of God’s heavenly host in the battle between good and evil to come. That is the reason it tastes like honey. There will be many who suffer and die in this struggle which is why it sours in the belly.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Out of this very long (176 verses) hymn of praise and thanksgiving we are focused onto the delight the psalmist takes in following God’s law and will. The taste of honey is again provided in verse 103: “…How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” There is no corresponding sourness mentioned in this song.
Gospel Lk 19:45-48
Jesus enters Jerusalem and immediately takes charge of his Father’s house, driving out those selling animals and birds for sacrifice and the money changers. The clear implication here is money cannot buy God’s favor. It is interesting that this is not thematic in many sermons on the subject.
Reflection:
It is coincidental that the Gospel story of Jesus driving out the money changers from the temple occurs this year on the day after Thanksgiving, the biggest shopping day of the year. I turned on the news this morning at around 5:30 AM and the news casters in Detroit were laughing about the good economic news heralded by a long line of people waiting (at 5:30 in the morning) to get into one of the local electronics boutiques. I wonder if they would ever think to wait outside the house of God for the privilege of receiving the Body of Christ at the same time of day – or any day and time for that matter. What do you think would happen if the doors of the Church were locked when we arrived for Mass? Would most people wait – wait hours for the doors to open?
Today on this first day of the “feeding frenzy” that will last until our Lord’s Nativity is celebrated we are reminded that it is not a season in which we should focus on how much we can spend or who we should buy for. It is a time when we should be looking at our own response to the gift God gave us in his only Son.
When we think of how much we are giving up by ignoring the temptation to jump into the fray, let us think about St. John’s revelation and the bitter sweet taste of victory. How the result tastes sweet but others will suffer. Instead of running out to the store today, think about the long suffering saints we remember today. St. Andrew was beheaded for being a Christian Priest. It would have been much easier for all 116 of this martyred bringing Christ the Viet Nam for them to simply follow Buddha or just hide their faith.
Today let’s take a stand. Instead of rushing out to take advantage of those bargains, let us take a trip to Church and gather in prayer. Instead of spending our money on merchandise, let’s find a way to make others who have nothing more comfortable.
Pax
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