Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11
St. Paul takes up the theme of vigilance and preparedness with the Thessalonians in this selection. He reminds them that the hour and the day of the Lord’s coming is not known and that, unlike those who live in darkness (the pagans) they are children of the light. His tone makes it clear that his expectation is that the parousia is coming soon.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27 echoes St. Paul in his expectation of the coming before the Lord in the final judgment. The song is one of thanksgiving; its expectation is the salvation that comes from God for the faithful.
Gospel Lk 4:31-37
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel begins a series of events around Capernaum that expand his public image from prophet to teacher, exorcist, healer and proclaimer of God’s kingdom. Here he commands an evil spirit which asks him if he has come to destroy evil. It is interesting that the Spirit uses the Lords full name, perhaps in an attempt to control him. Instead the Lord commands the evil spirit and it leaves, amazing the crowd and spreading his fame in the region.
Reflection:
St. Paul’s address to the Thessalonians carries forward the theme we have heard much about in the Gospels over the past few weeks about being prepared and not knowing the day or the hour when we will be called to account for our actions. St. Paul’s letter carries a little different feel to It than the Gospel passages. Jesus encouraged individual actions while St. Paul asks the whole community to act in concert. This changes the sense of urgency somewhat in that it becomes clear that St. Paul expected the second coming of Christ and the end of all things eminently, within his lifetime.
The message is .none the less, one we should take to heart. We should behave as if each day will be our last, conscious of our every action and thought. We should treat each person with the love, dignity and respect they are due as Christ’s children and our brothers and sisters. We should, with the same urgency that St. Paul expresses, carry the work of the Lord forward in our lives and with those we meet.
While our attitude must be one of urgency, our spirit must also be at peace, knowing with certain faith that Christ, when he comes, will destroy sin and death. We are assured and comforted that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He leads us forward in to God’s kingdom where there will be no more pain and sorrow and all things are light and life.
With St. Paul’s attitude we embark upon the day, full of hope and purpose. We pray that our actions today will stand as worthy tribute to God should we be brought before that judgment seat, and that our example will lead others along the way of truth.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is Jesus Healing The Man Possessed With a Devil by Gustave Dore, 1865
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11
St. Paul takes up the theme of vigilance and preparedness with the Thessalonians in this selection. He reminds them that the hour and the day of the Lord’s coming is not known and that, unlike those who live in darkness (the pagans) they are children of the light. His tone makes it clear that his expectation is that the parousia is coming soon.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27 echoes St. Paul in his expectation of the coming before the Lord in the final judgment. The song is one of thanksgiving; its expectation is the salvation that comes from God for the faithful.
Gospel Lk 4:31-37
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel begins a series of events around Capernaum that expand his public image from prophet to teacher, exorcist, healer and proclaimer of God’s kingdom. Here he commands an evil spirit which asks him if he has come to destroy evil. It is interesting that the Spirit uses the Lords full name, perhaps in an attempt to control him. Instead the Lord commands the evil spirit and it leaves, amazing the crowd and spreading his fame in the region.
Reflection:
St. Paul’s address to the Thessalonians carries forward the theme we have heard much about in the Gospels over the past few weeks about being prepared and not knowing the day or the hour when we will be called to account for our actions. St. Paul’s letter carries a little different feel to It than the Gospel passages. Jesus encouraged individual actions while St. Paul asks the whole community to act in concert. This changes the sense of urgency somewhat in that it becomes clear that St. Paul expected the second coming of Christ and the end of all things eminently, within his lifetime.
The message is .none the less, one we should take to heart. We should behave as if each day will be our last, conscious of our every action and thought. We should treat each person with the love, dignity and respect they are due as Christ’s children and our brothers and sisters. We should, with the same urgency that St. Paul expresses, carry the work of the Lord forward in our lives and with those we meet.
While our attitude must be one of urgency, our spirit must also be at peace, knowing with certain faith that Christ, when he comes, will destroy sin and death. We are assured and comforted that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He leads us forward in to God’s kingdom where there will be no more pain and sorrow and all things are light and life.
With St. Paul’s attitude we embark upon the day, full of hope and purpose. We pray that our actions today will stand as worthy tribute to God should we be brought before that judgment seat, and that our example will lead others along the way of truth.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is Jesus Healing The Man Possessed With a Devil by Gustave Dore, 1865
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