And Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop, Doctor
Biographical Information about St. Cyril of Alexandria[1]
Readings for Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Reading from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 15:1-12, 17-18
Abram, as we have heard earlier in the week, was promised the land he is in as a possession. In this section we find Abram complaining that he has no heir and therefore all he has will pass to his servant. In response God tells him that he will be given offspring and then has Abram offer a sacrifice using the covenant formula. It is sealed by fire passed between the halves.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
In this section of Psalm 105 the covenant of Abram is remembered in song. We rejoice in God who has remembered his promise (indeed, for us, he has forged a new covenant in Christ, our Paschal Sacrifice).
Gospel Mt 7:15-20
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against people claiming to be God’s messengers but whose message goes against God’s commands. Jesus uses an analogy of the fruit produced by various plants as a way to test the authenticity of those who come in God’s name. He tells them that the product or result of the words offered by a self proclaimed messenger will identify them. In his time, this was probably another warning about the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees who placed self serving demands upon the people.
Reflection:
Earlier in this decade a great tragedy occurred in Waco Texas at the compound of a religious group called the Branch Davidians. A charismatic leader named David Koresh was able to convince a large group of people that he was from God and was leading them to God. The fruits of his teaching tell us what he truly was. On November 18, 1978 in a place commonly known as Jonestown in Guyana, a charismatic religious leader named Jimmy Jones lead 913 men women and children to mass suicide claiming that he was leading them to God. The fruits of his teaching identified him clearly.
If we believe the waning from the Lord can be lightly taken because we have two thousand years of history and understanding to fortify us against teachers who might lead us down the wrong path, all we need to do is look at recent history. If we believe that, because we have Saints like St. Cyril of Alexandria who fought the battles with the Nestorian Heresy, we are free from those who would twist the word of God to their own purposes then look at the present day. Look at the on-going saga of Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda. He is building a financial empire based in Miami predicated upon the idea that he himself is the incarnation of God and people believe him!
The words of Jesus come rushing upon us today. We are reminded that we base our hope and trust on those whose fruits are clearly seen. The Church, for all her faults, is an on-going force for good in the world. Her message of the Risen Lord, justice for the poor and love for all mankind is what we look at and see the finger prints of God. Let us take the time to inform our selves and inform those we love about the truth so they too may avoid the many false prophets who come seeming good but whose fruits proclaim them as messengers of darkness.
Pax
[1] The modern icon used of St. Cyril of Alexandria is by an UNKNOWN artist
[2] After Links Expire
Biographical Information about St. Cyril of Alexandria[1]
Readings for Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Reading from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 15:1-12, 17-18
Abram, as we have heard earlier in the week, was promised the land he is in as a possession. In this section we find Abram complaining that he has no heir and therefore all he has will pass to his servant. In response God tells him that he will be given offspring and then has Abram offer a sacrifice using the covenant formula. It is sealed by fire passed between the halves.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
In this section of Psalm 105 the covenant of Abram is remembered in song. We rejoice in God who has remembered his promise (indeed, for us, he has forged a new covenant in Christ, our Paschal Sacrifice).
Gospel Mt 7:15-20
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against people claiming to be God’s messengers but whose message goes against God’s commands. Jesus uses an analogy of the fruit produced by various plants as a way to test the authenticity of those who come in God’s name. He tells them that the product or result of the words offered by a self proclaimed messenger will identify them. In his time, this was probably another warning about the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees who placed self serving demands upon the people.
Reflection:
Earlier in this decade a great tragedy occurred in Waco Texas at the compound of a religious group called the Branch Davidians. A charismatic leader named David Koresh was able to convince a large group of people that he was from God and was leading them to God. The fruits of his teaching tell us what he truly was. On November 18, 1978 in a place commonly known as Jonestown in Guyana, a charismatic religious leader named Jimmy Jones lead 913 men women and children to mass suicide claiming that he was leading them to God. The fruits of his teaching identified him clearly.
If we believe the waning from the Lord can be lightly taken because we have two thousand years of history and understanding to fortify us against teachers who might lead us down the wrong path, all we need to do is look at recent history. If we believe that, because we have Saints like St. Cyril of Alexandria who fought the battles with the Nestorian Heresy, we are free from those who would twist the word of God to their own purposes then look at the present day. Look at the on-going saga of Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda. He is building a financial empire based in Miami predicated upon the idea that he himself is the incarnation of God and people believe him!
The words of Jesus come rushing upon us today. We are reminded that we base our hope and trust on those whose fruits are clearly seen. The Church, for all her faults, is an on-going force for good in the world. Her message of the Risen Lord, justice for the poor and love for all mankind is what we look at and see the finger prints of God. Let us take the time to inform our selves and inform those we love about the truth so they too may avoid the many false prophets who come seeming good but whose fruits proclaim them as messengers of darkness.
Pax
[1] The modern icon used of St. Cyril of Alexandria is by an UNKNOWN artist
[2] After Links Expire
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