Readings for Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Philippians 4:10-19
I rejoice greatly in the Lord
that now at last you revived your concern for me.
You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.
Not that I say this because of need,
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,
to be self-sufficient.
I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel,
when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me
in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.
For even when I was at Thessalonica
you sent me something for my needs,
not only once but more than once.
It is not that I am eager for the gift;
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.
I have received full payment and I abound.
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you
through Epaphroditus,
“a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Phil 4:10-19
St. Paul has received financial aid from the Philippians (see Philippians 2:25). He now expresses his overwhelming thanks for that gift. This expression of gratitude is characteristic of the Christian community and the apostle sees this gift as a sharing in his own tribulations (“…my distress.” A reference to his the future deprivations of his apostolic mission.).The final verses of this reading are a solemn doxology expressing the faith that whatever is needed will be supplied. This latter refers to needs of the spirit “in accord with the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm[4]: Psalm 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
This hymn of David exalts the person who follows the Law of God. Actions associated with this faithfulness are extolled especially acts of generosity,. That person, we are told, will be held up by God. The one who follows the Lord will be upheld by God “in everlasting remembrance.” Following St. Paul’s expression of thanks in Philippians above, the psalm emphasizes the Christian call to charity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 16:9-15
“I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”
The Pharisees, who loved money,
heard all these things and sneered at him.
And he said to them,
“You justify yourselves in the sight of others,
but God knows your hearts;
for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 16:9-15
This passage contains the conclusions or morals of the parable of the dishonest steward. “Dishonest wealth: literally, "mammon of iniquity." Mammon is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic word that is usually explained as meaning "that in which one trusts." The characterization of this wealth as dishonest expresses a tendency of wealth to lead one to dishonesty. Eternal dwellings: or, "eternal tents," i.e., heaven. as opposed to the teachings.”[5]The lesson taught to the disciples in the second and third morals of that story are first the need to be faithful to positions of responsibility and finally the inability of a person to serve two masters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Love one another! This short phrase is, according at least to St. John the Evangelist, the most important commandment Jesus left for us. We express that love in a number of ways. We share the joys of our neighbors – heightening their own joy. We share their sorrows – lessening the pain they feel in that consolation. We support each other and help each other in efforts large and small. We pray for each other. It is the hallmark of the Christian Community.
Other nations in the world are often surprised at how charitable the people of the United States can be when disaster strikes far from these shores. That tradition of giving stems directly from the predominantly Christian roots of our nation.
Today in the passage from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the apostle is sending them his thanks for their gifts to him in support of his mission. It is clear from his language that they have sent him material support on a number of occasions (“you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once”). We see how human the apostle is as he couples a little bit of pride with his thanks (“Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient.”). But we can also assume he does to want to impose upon their generosity, which he might feel he is doing if he does not say in essence, “…you didn’t need to do this.”
The point made is St. Paul is grateful for the aid and accepts it graciously. Now we must come to the practical realities of our time. There are probably now and will likely in the future be more families among our congregations who have been stricken hard by the economic recession in which the world finds itself. In the US, the unemployment rate has climbed to its highest point in decades, and without work, many families will be felling the strain and be struggling with the necessities of existence – food, shelter, heat and even water. Many, like St. Paul, will feel that they have always been “self-sufficient” and will not ask for help. They will remain anonymous as they do what they can to support themselves. That means we as a community must find ways to reach out to them – providing support for those in most critical need.
And for those of you who many find yourselves in uncharacteristically difficult situations, please make your needs known. It is a grace to the community to be able to help its membership in difficult times. You have shared the Eucharistic meal with us, drank from the same cup. Don’t be ashamed to let us help you. Be gracious as St. Paul was gracious.
Today the Gospel reminds us we serve only one Lord and Master – our Triune God who bids us, through the Son to “Love on another!” Today our prayer is that this commandment will allow us to share the joys and sorrows or our neighbors in a meaningful way.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used today is “Charity” by Andrea Del Sarto, 1518
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[5] See NAB footnote on Luke 16:9
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Philippians 4:10-19
I rejoice greatly in the Lord
that now at last you revived your concern for me.
You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.
Not that I say this because of need,
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,
to be self-sufficient.
I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel,
when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me
in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.
For even when I was at Thessalonica
you sent me something for my needs,
not only once but more than once.
It is not that I am eager for the gift;
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.
I have received full payment and I abound.
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you
through Epaphroditus,
“a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Phil 4:10-19
St. Paul has received financial aid from the Philippians (see Philippians 2:25). He now expresses his overwhelming thanks for that gift. This expression of gratitude is characteristic of the Christian community and the apostle sees this gift as a sharing in his own tribulations (“…my distress.” A reference to his the future deprivations of his apostolic mission.).The final verses of this reading are a solemn doxology expressing the faith that whatever is needed will be supplied. This latter refers to needs of the spirit “in accord with the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm[4]: Psalm 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
This hymn of David exalts the person who follows the Law of God. Actions associated with this faithfulness are extolled especially acts of generosity,. That person, we are told, will be held up by God. The one who follows the Lord will be upheld by God “in everlasting remembrance.” Following St. Paul’s expression of thanks in Philippians above, the psalm emphasizes the Christian call to charity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 16:9-15
“I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”
The Pharisees, who loved money,
heard all these things and sneered at him.
And he said to them,
“You justify yourselves in the sight of others,
but God knows your hearts;
for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 16:9-15
This passage contains the conclusions or morals of the parable of the dishonest steward. “Dishonest wealth: literally, "mammon of iniquity." Mammon is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic word that is usually explained as meaning "that in which one trusts." The characterization of this wealth as dishonest expresses a tendency of wealth to lead one to dishonesty. Eternal dwellings: or, "eternal tents," i.e., heaven. as opposed to the teachings.”[5]The lesson taught to the disciples in the second and third morals of that story are first the need to be faithful to positions of responsibility and finally the inability of a person to serve two masters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Love one another! This short phrase is, according at least to St. John the Evangelist, the most important commandment Jesus left for us. We express that love in a number of ways. We share the joys of our neighbors – heightening their own joy. We share their sorrows – lessening the pain they feel in that consolation. We support each other and help each other in efforts large and small. We pray for each other. It is the hallmark of the Christian Community.
Other nations in the world are often surprised at how charitable the people of the United States can be when disaster strikes far from these shores. That tradition of giving stems directly from the predominantly Christian roots of our nation.
Today in the passage from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the apostle is sending them his thanks for their gifts to him in support of his mission. It is clear from his language that they have sent him material support on a number of occasions (“you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once”). We see how human the apostle is as he couples a little bit of pride with his thanks (“Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient.”). But we can also assume he does to want to impose upon their generosity, which he might feel he is doing if he does not say in essence, “…you didn’t need to do this.”
The point made is St. Paul is grateful for the aid and accepts it graciously. Now we must come to the practical realities of our time. There are probably now and will likely in the future be more families among our congregations who have been stricken hard by the economic recession in which the world finds itself. In the US, the unemployment rate has climbed to its highest point in decades, and without work, many families will be felling the strain and be struggling with the necessities of existence – food, shelter, heat and even water. Many, like St. Paul, will feel that they have always been “self-sufficient” and will not ask for help. They will remain anonymous as they do what they can to support themselves. That means we as a community must find ways to reach out to them – providing support for those in most critical need.
And for those of you who many find yourselves in uncharacteristically difficult situations, please make your needs known. It is a grace to the community to be able to help its membership in difficult times. You have shared the Eucharistic meal with us, drank from the same cup. Don’t be ashamed to let us help you. Be gracious as St. Paul was gracious.
Today the Gospel reminds us we serve only one Lord and Master – our Triune God who bids us, through the Son to “Love on another!” Today our prayer is that this commandment will allow us to share the joys and sorrows or our neighbors in a meaningful way.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used today is “Charity” by Andrea Del Sarto, 1518
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[5] See NAB footnote on Luke 16:9
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