Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop
Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Biographical Information about Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop [1]
Biographical Information about Saint Peter Julian Eymard[2]
Readings for Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time[3]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ex 40:16-21, 34-38
This reading from Exodus gives the details of the establishment of the meeting tent referred to earlier in the story of the journey of the Children of Israel. The Ark of the Commandments is placed here and through the perception by the people of the will of God as symbolized by the cloud over the tent, they are guided on the path God has chosen for them.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
Psalm 84 gives thanks for the courts of the Temple in Jerusalem. Placed as it is, supporting the story of the establishment of the “meeting tent”, the reference can also have application to the less permanent symbol of God’s guiding presence.
Gospel Mt 13:47-53
Jesus concludes his discourse about the Kingdom of Heaven with a final parable about the fisherman’s net. He then makes reference to the disciples' (and their successor's) role as “Christian scribes” or teachers of the Kingdom of God. In his description he refers to the “new and the old” being brought out. This reference is to the new teaching from Jesus and the old from the Law and Prophets.
Reflection:
The scripture today guides us to understand how God is actively involved in guiding us toward His Kingdom in Heaven. In the first reading from Exodus we hear how the Children of Israel are guided through the desert to the Promised Land. They are guided by God in the form of the Tablets of the Law which Moses restored to them. This reminder of the Covenant was always before them.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear Jesus speaking to is disciples about the Kingdom of God. In this passage he refers to their role as scribes or teachers. Indeed this is what they became, spreading the Lord’s words of salvation, his promise of the Kingdom throughout the world.
The most ancient and authentic words they left us are contained in Holy Scripture which we study fervently. The precepts contained in those pages are most authentically captured by the Teaching Magesterium of the Church. It is the legacy of Christ, Himself, who appointed Peter, the first Pontiff, as keeper of the Keys to the Kingdom. It has been faithfully passed down to us to provide us guidance as we walk in the world.
Like those who have gone before us (we remember today especially St. Eusebius of Vericelli an early leader of our fledgling Church, and St. Peter Julian Eymard, who centuries later carried the flame of the Eucharist even further) we are given the guidance of the “scribes” teaching us from the books of the Law and Prophets in the Old Testament and the twelve and those who chronicled the story of Christ in the New Testament. We thank God today for His guidance and pray for the strength to follow it.
Pax
[1] The first picture is of St. Eucebus Vercelli, Artist unknown
[2] The second picture is of St Peter Julian Eymard, from a prayer card, Artist unknown
[3] After Links to Readings Expire
Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Biographical Information about Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop [1]
Biographical Information about Saint Peter Julian Eymard[2]
Readings for Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time[3]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ex 40:16-21, 34-38
This reading from Exodus gives the details of the establishment of the meeting tent referred to earlier in the story of the journey of the Children of Israel. The Ark of the Commandments is placed here and through the perception by the people of the will of God as symbolized by the cloud over the tent, they are guided on the path God has chosen for them.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
Psalm 84 gives thanks for the courts of the Temple in Jerusalem. Placed as it is, supporting the story of the establishment of the “meeting tent”, the reference can also have application to the less permanent symbol of God’s guiding presence.
Gospel Mt 13:47-53
Jesus concludes his discourse about the Kingdom of Heaven with a final parable about the fisherman’s net. He then makes reference to the disciples' (and their successor's) role as “Christian scribes” or teachers of the Kingdom of God. In his description he refers to the “new and the old” being brought out. This reference is to the new teaching from Jesus and the old from the Law and Prophets.
Reflection:
The scripture today guides us to understand how God is actively involved in guiding us toward His Kingdom in Heaven. In the first reading from Exodus we hear how the Children of Israel are guided through the desert to the Promised Land. They are guided by God in the form of the Tablets of the Law which Moses restored to them. This reminder of the Covenant was always before them.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear Jesus speaking to is disciples about the Kingdom of God. In this passage he refers to their role as scribes or teachers. Indeed this is what they became, spreading the Lord’s words of salvation, his promise of the Kingdom throughout the world.
The most ancient and authentic words they left us are contained in Holy Scripture which we study fervently. The precepts contained in those pages are most authentically captured by the Teaching Magesterium of the Church. It is the legacy of Christ, Himself, who appointed Peter, the first Pontiff, as keeper of the Keys to the Kingdom. It has been faithfully passed down to us to provide us guidance as we walk in the world.
Like those who have gone before us (we remember today especially St. Eusebius of Vericelli an early leader of our fledgling Church, and St. Peter Julian Eymard, who centuries later carried the flame of the Eucharist even further) we are given the guidance of the “scribes” teaching us from the books of the Law and Prophets in the Old Testament and the twelve and those who chronicled the story of Christ in the New Testament. We thank God today for His guidance and pray for the strength to follow it.
Pax
[1] The first picture is of St. Eucebus Vercelli, Artist unknown
[2] The second picture is of St Peter Julian Eymard, from a prayer card, Artist unknown
[3] After Links to Readings Expire
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