(Optional Memorial for Saint John Paul II, Pope)
Proper for the Memorial of St. John Paul II
Biographical information about St. John Paul II
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| “Youth between Virtue and Vice” by Paolo Veronese, 1580-82 |
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Ephesians 3:14-21
Brothers and sisters:
I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine,
by the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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Commentary on Eph 3:14-21
St. Paul has informed the Ephesians of the difficulties (imprisonment) he is facing, but has asked them to stay focused on their own spiritual growth, rather than concern themselves over his “afflictions” (Ephesians 3:1). He offers them the “Apostle’s Prayer." “The apostle prays that those he is addressing may, like the rest of the church, deepen their understanding of God's plan of salvation in Christ. It is a plan that affects the whole universe (Ephesians 3:15) with the breadth and length and height and depth of God's love in Christ (Ephesians 3:18) or possibly the universe in all its dimensions. The apostle prays that they may perceive the redemptive love of Christ for them and be completely immersed in the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).”[4]
CCC: Eph 3:14 239, 2214, 2367; Eph 3:16-17 1073, 2714; Eph 3:16 1995; Eph 3:18-21 2565; Eph 3:20-21 2641
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Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19
R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten‑stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19
Psalm 33 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In this selection, the emphasis is on faithfulness to God, who has saving power, combined with hope, a central component of faith in God. It concludes, almost in answer to St. Paul’s "Apostles Prayer," for strength in the face of persecution (Ephesians 3:14-21).
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Gospel: Luke 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
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Commentary on Lk 12:49-53
This discourse from St. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the divisive nature of Christ’s message. He has already encountered resistance, and the author sees that his message of peace will have an even more profound influence on the world. It is clear that the Lord knows many will not be able to accept his words, and this will cause enmity among people, even within families.
In this passage, there is a glimpse of the passion (the baptism mentioned in v.50 shares the image presented in Psalm 124:4-5), and the anguish the Lord feels for the message he is bringing. He sees the flame of faith igniting the whole world. Jesus knows there will be those who accept the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, and those who will reject both it and him.
CCC: Lk 12:49 696; Lk 12:50 536, 607, 1225, 2804
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Homily:
Heavenly Father, we humbly pray that those suffering from the coronavirus be returned quickly to full health by the power of your Son’s healing presence, and those in fear be calmed through the Holy Spirit.
In Christ’s name we pray. – Amen.
I am reminded of a story recently told to me. It goes like this –
“A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said: 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.' The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.’ They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, 'I don't understand.’
'It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves.'
Those who are most concerned about their own happiness and comfort look at the Christians who dare to live the faith in a public way as fools! They hear the message that is at the root of Christ’s teaching and reject it completely as being naiveté or as gullible. Ironically, the only reason they do not take more advantage of those of us who believe in Christ is there are those among us who are not sufficiently committed to “turning the other cheek.” As a consequence, the wolves must be cautious.
The message in the Gospel, and tangentially in the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, is that Christ’s Gospel will not create harmony in the world. It will not even create peace in families. The commandment to love one another is not a requirement that everyone can accept. It is too difficult for some to overcome their need for self-gratification, either physically or emotionally.
As a consequence, when we leave the comfort and support of the faith community, those with whom we share God’s love and grace, we enter mission territory. If we forgive a person in that often hostile environment, we must not expect understanding, and should not be surprised if our forgiveness is met with suspicion. When we offer compassion and understanding, as we are taught, we should not expect the same in return, and should not be surprised if our love is met with fear, and fear’s companion, hatred.
As in all relationships, trust must be earned, and we, the Christian community, must continue to reach out to others. In spite of the fact that we know our out-stretched hand may be bitten, we are asked to evangelize the world. Jesus tells us that he did not come to magically bring peace to the world. He came on a mission and is now sending us to bring people back to him, one at a time.
In this strange year where many of us will not be able to receive the Blessed Sacrament or celebrate as a community in our houses of worship, we must be prepared to receive spiritual communion in prayer:
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Youth between Virtue and Vice” by Paolo Veronese, 1580-82.
[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 republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] NAB footnote on Ephesians 3:14-21.
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