Friday, May 25, 2007

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter


And Saint Bede the Venerable, priest, doctor
And Saint Gregory VII, pope
And Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, Virgin

Biographical Information about St. Bede the Venerable[1]
Biographical Information about St. Gregory VII[2]
Biographical Information about St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi[3]

Readings for Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter[4]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universais

Commentary:

Reading 1 Acts 25:13b-21

Here we see the interesting secular response to the “Christian Controversy” from the perspective of St. Luke’s portrayal of the dialog between King Agrippa and Festus. St. Paul’s protective custody is about to be moved to Rome as the Lord, in our reading yesterday, intended.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

Psalm 103 is an individual hymn of praise. In this passage, the song acknowledges the blessings the Lord has given to those who believe in him and then proclaims the universality of his reign.

Gospel Jn 21:15-19

We skip ahead now to events following the passion and resurrection. Jesus has already revealed himself to the disciples in the “locked room”. He now addresses himself to St. Peter. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times during the night of the Lord’s arrest. He now recants that betrayal with a three fold response to Jesus questions.

The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus, after his resurrection gave, Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock. It is interesting to note that this section of St. John’s Gospel is referred to by scripture scholars as “Peter’s rehabilitation”.


Reflection:

We are constantly amazed at the depth of thought and prayer that must have gone into the formulation of the Roman Missal from which the readings for each day are taken. Today we see St. Paul fulfilling the Lord’s will as he is prepared, through secular machinations, to go to Rome. On this same day we hear St. Peter “rehabilitated” and given a renewed commission to establish the Church with himself as the “First Shepherd”.

All the symbols today revolve around the centrality of the Vatican as the See of the universal Church. Perhaps one might think “Well, so the composers of the Missal selected readings that would highlight our common allegiance today.” Then we turn our attention to the calendar and look at the Saints we memorialize today. We notice a striking fact about each of their lives. They are each recognized, not just for being models of piety (which they are), not just for being great examples of how to live the faith as our Lord insists (which they are), but each contributed to building up the Church in a special way.

St. Bede, known as the “Father of English History” captured the ecclesial history of the English Church. Without his writings much of what we know and many of the contributions of our predecessors in the faith would have been lost.

St. Gregory IV, a Pontiff following in the succession of St. Peter the first of his line, reformed the Church, making sure that secular influences would not distract her from the great mission the Lord had given her.


Finally, St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, a simple Carmelite sister, yet her quit faith and constant prayer caused her entire order to be reformed and revitalized. Each of these Saints whom we remember in a special way today made contributions that blessed the Church, built upon the rock that was St. Peter and continues to do the work of Christ today.

Today, we thank the Lord, who, in his wisdom. established the Church. He made St. Peter the first shepherd of that Church and provided holy men and women along the way to keep it faithful to the mission the Lord gave her “Feed my Sheep”.

Pax




[1] The first image is 'The Venerable Bede translates John' J. D. Penrose (ca. 1902)
[2] The second image is “St. Gregory VII” by an UNKNOWN artist
[3] The third image is “St. Mary Magdalen of Pizza” from a holy card, artist UNKNOWN
[4] After Links Expire

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