(Optional Memorial for Saint Margaret of Scotland)
(Optional Memorial for Saint Gertrude, Virgin)
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| “Wisdom “ by Vecellio Tiziano, 1560 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Wisdom 7:22b-8:1
Commentary on Wis 7:22b-8:1
This passage from the Book of Wisdom describes Wisdom, the spirit of God that guides the faithful. The author captures the character of this spirit with adjectives that only serve to show us the limits of language, trying to describe what is beyond human understanding. It does, however, give us an understanding of the omnipresent spirit of God in all things.
Because it is placed with much older wisdom material (i.e. Psalms and Proverbs), the development of human understanding of God’s revelation is somewhat obscured. We see clearly in this passage the evolution of divine inspiration concerning the merciful character of our Heavenly Father. This description, borrowing heavily from Greek philosophical language, and written only 50 years before Christ, provides us with a more comprehensive understanding of God’s will and merciful nature than that of sacred scripture written much earlier.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175
R. (89a) Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Commentary on Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175
Placed within the body of the Psalter, Psalm 119 invites the singer to meditate upon the joys of following God’s law. It prepares the singer for the psalms that follow. Psalms 120-124 are called the “Songs of Ascents,” they are the psalms sung as pilgrims approach their goal – the Temple of the Lord. Psalm 119 prepares them for the joy of their arrival.
The words in Wisdom described the spirit contained in it, and the Psalm now describes the Word of God, everlasting in Heaven. The indelible and eternal character of God’s creation is proclaimed in this song of praise to God’s Law.
CCC: Ps 119:90 2465
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Gospel: Luke 17:20-25
Commentary on Lk 17:20-25
In this selection from St. Luke’s Gospel, the Pharisees ask Jesus to tell them when the Kingdom of God will come. Throughout Luke, Jesus has been denying that the messianic age will come simply by following Mosaic Law and the Prophets (even the greatest of them – John the Baptist).[4] He is now confronted with the question: “Where is the Kingdom of God?” He answers that it is already among them (referring to his own ministry and the effect it has on his followers).
Jesus’ description of the “coming days” is also a reference to the coming destruction of Jerusalem.”(1) Many of the sayings collected here appear in the Olivet Discourse, where they more explicitly refer to the doom that awaits the city and the Temple (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13). (2) Mention of the days of the Son of man (17:22) is echoed later in Luke when reference is made to the “days” when foreign armies will besiege the city (Luke 19:43) and the “days” when the Temple will be devastated (Luke 21:6).”[5]
To his disciples, Jesus makes it clear that his coming passion will cause them to flee, and that doubt will assail them. He reassures them of his eternal presence as he tells them that, once he has gone from them, he will not be coming back, but at the same time he will always be with them (“…just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be [in his day]”).
To his disciples, Jesus makes it clear that his coming passion will cause them to flee, and that doubt will assail them. He reassures them of his eternal presence as he tells them that, once he has gone from them, he will not be coming back, but at the same time he will always be with them (“…just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be [in his day]”).
CCC: Lk 17:19-31 2463
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Reflection:
Today scripture begs us to unzip the bag of skin we live in and look inside. The reading from the Book of Wisdom describes the spirit of the Wisdom of God: how when it is taken up by those who believe, it becomes a force within us that guides and heals; it infuses us with holiness itself.
The Lord says the same thing in St. Luke’s Gospel. He is asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God kingdom of God kingdom of God
They don’t understand, of course, unless they are among those who already believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Then they would see. The Kingdom of God Kingdom of God
He explains that once he is physically taken up, the “Kingdom of God” must flash to every part of God’s creation: “…just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). “
So that lightning flash has happened, and the Lord seared his presence in our hearts as the Holy Spirit entered us in Baptism. We refresh it with the Sacraments to keep the grace (that indwelling connectedness, our share of God’s life) strong within us. And today we look inside and thank God for that gift that gives us strength to face all things and endure all obstacles.
Pax
[1] The picture is
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice Hall, Inc., © 1968, 44:125, pp.150
[5] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco , CA. pp.140
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