Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time[1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 11:1-9
The author here uses the explanation of how there came to be multiple languages used around the world to illustrate how pride in ones own strength is punished by God. In the story of the Tower of Babel, based upon the temple towers or ziggurats of Babylonia, the author describes the increasing wickedness of the people as they thought they could accomplish anything they wanted without God’s help.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Psalm 33 used here today echoes the lesson presented in Genesis. “The Lord brings to nuoght the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples.” Without God there is no creation, progress or salvation.
Gospel Mk 8:34--9:1
Jesus calls all of those who are with him to authentic discipleship. Answering that call means placing Christ first and if necessary denying even ones life for the sake of the truth of the Son of God.
He challenges those who are wavering by indicating the sort of reception they will receive when they come before him on the last day; “Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Homily:
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
In these economic times, the words of the Lord can give us peace. While it sounds like a huge challenge (and it is) there is a sense of hope. Hope because what the Lord is telling us is that what is truly important is not strictly our physical or financial well being, but our spiritual focus.
We listen to the news each day and see what is going on around us in the secular world. Worse, much of this news affects us directly and if we dwell upon it we find only depression and hopelessness. It seems in parallel to the story from Genesis we heard today about the great tower the Babylonians were building. Because they were so arrogant, they thought they could undertake a work of human hands that would rival God’s creation.
In response to their arrogance and unbelief, God showed them the error of false pride by introducing serious communication problems – they could not understand on another. We see that today, in the work place and in our lives. Without the common language of a united purpose or goal, our language fails us and what we attempt is doomed to failure.
Into this confusion comes the words; “follow me.” Christ is our uniting purpose. He is the one who gives us direction and shows us what is truly important in our lives. In difficult and desperate times, we contemplate drastic and extreme actions. Christ calls to us – what good is it to gain the whole world and loose you life?
He keeps us focused on what is important; what is at the core of Christian faithful; love of God and love of neighbor. Let us keep those words in mind in the difficult days ahead.
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Pax
Readings for Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time[1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 11:1-9
The author here uses the explanation of how there came to be multiple languages used around the world to illustrate how pride in ones own strength is punished by God. In the story of the Tower of Babel, based upon the temple towers or ziggurats of Babylonia, the author describes the increasing wickedness of the people as they thought they could accomplish anything they wanted without God’s help.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Psalm 33 used here today echoes the lesson presented in Genesis. “The Lord brings to nuoght the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples.” Without God there is no creation, progress or salvation.
Gospel Mk 8:34--9:1
Jesus calls all of those who are with him to authentic discipleship. Answering that call means placing Christ first and if necessary denying even ones life for the sake of the truth of the Son of God.
He challenges those who are wavering by indicating the sort of reception they will receive when they come before him on the last day; “Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Homily:
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
In these economic times, the words of the Lord can give us peace. While it sounds like a huge challenge (and it is) there is a sense of hope. Hope because what the Lord is telling us is that what is truly important is not strictly our physical or financial well being, but our spiritual focus.
We listen to the news each day and see what is going on around us in the secular world. Worse, much of this news affects us directly and if we dwell upon it we find only depression and hopelessness. It seems in parallel to the story from Genesis we heard today about the great tower the Babylonians were building. Because they were so arrogant, they thought they could undertake a work of human hands that would rival God’s creation.
In response to their arrogance and unbelief, God showed them the error of false pride by introducing serious communication problems – they could not understand on another. We see that today, in the work place and in our lives. Without the common language of a united purpose or goal, our language fails us and what we attempt is doomed to failure.
Into this confusion comes the words; “follow me.” Christ is our uniting purpose. He is the one who gives us direction and shows us what is truly important in our lives. In difficult and desperate times, we contemplate drastic and extreme actions. Christ calls to us – what good is it to gain the whole world and loose you life?
He keeps us focused on what is important; what is at the core of Christian faithful; love of God and love of neighbor. Let us keep those words in mind in the difficult days ahead.
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Pax
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