Proper for the Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions
Biographical information about the Martyrs of Nagasaki
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| “St. Paul Miki and His Companions” Artist and date are unknown |
Readings for Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Reading 1: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Obey your leaders and defer to them,
for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account,
that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow,
for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
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Commentary on Heb 13:15-17, 20-21
This selection from Hebrews gives us a definition of the kind of sacrifice to be offered by Christians: praise from the lips and with works of love and kindness. The sacrificial offering of communal sharing and love reflects the teaching from the psalms (see Psalm 50: 14, Psalm 51:18-19).
The homily to the Hebrews is concluded by a blessing (which also concludes the letter). The beginning of the closing salutary prayer invokes God's peace and concludes with a doxology. It is a wish for, and an assurance that, the Lord will provide all that is necessary to assist the faithful in carrying out the mission Jesus has placed before us.
CCC: Heb 13:15 1330; Heb 13:17 1269; Heb 13:20 632
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. (see 10) (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
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Commentary on Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar songs in the entire psalter. “God's loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Psalm 23:1-4) and a host's generosity toward a guest (Psalm 23:5-6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Isaiah 40:11; 49:10; Jeremiah 31:10).” [4] While the theme of shepherd is mentioned in the first strophe, the psalm really speaks to the peace given to those who follow the Lord and place their trust in him, even into the “dark valley.”
The reference in the third strophe above: “'You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes' occurs in an exodus context in Psalm 78:19. As my enemies watch: my enemies see that I am God's friend and guest. Oil: a perfumed ointment made from olive oil, used especially at banquets (Psalm 104:15; Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:37, 46; John 12:2).” [5]
CCC: Ps 23:5 1293
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Gospel: Mark 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
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Commentary on Mk 6:30-34
This passage from St. Mark’s Gospel continues the story of the disciples as they return from being sent, and give Jesus a report of their efforts. The disciples are called “apostles” for the first time, as they are gathered to give an account of what they had accomplished. They will not assume this formal title until after Pentecost, but St. Mark uses it here, perhaps because they have now become Christ’s emissaries, not just his students.
They go off to a deserted place to rest in a boat but are followed by a large crowd. They did not sail far from shore, since the crowd knew where they were putting in and was there to meet them. The Lord looked at this new exodus and saw them as "sheep without a shepherd:" "A familiar simile from the Old Testament. It generally depicts Israel's need for spiritual leadership (Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Judith 11:19; Jeremiah 23:1-3; Zechariah 10:2). Ultimately God himself promised to shepherd his sheep through the Messiah (Ezekiel 34:23; John 10:11-16)." [6] He began to teach them.
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Reflection:
Of all the possible elements of scripture available today, what strikes us most is Jesus’ response to the Apostles upon their return from the mission upon which he had sent them. His first concern was that they go off “to a deserted place and rest a while.” This is important. The active Christian has developed a mindset of service to others. This attribute is clearly seen by others and the more service performed by the giving disciple, the more seems to be asked.
We look at the disciples (now called Apostles for they have started the work of spreading the Gospel). When they came back after their successful mission, we are told: “people were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.” If the Lord had not insisted, clearly those who wished to see, hear and touch these holy agents would have (inadvertently) brought them to an untimely end.
While, for those who minister to others, the situation may not be as extreme in terms of numbers, the consequences of not being able to say “no” are similar. If that person does not take time for personal spiritual refreshment, alone with God to recharge and refresh, what is known as burn-out (or worse) will almost certainly occur.
It is for this reason that clergy are required to make an annual retreat. The wise pastor will recognize that pastoral staff members should also be given this requirement and many do. However, what about the zealous member of the community of faith? Too often no one is watching out for them. Too often, they are not offered the advice to "come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while," but are constantly drawn upon for additional service.
For all who work diligently at practicing the faith, the message from Jesus today is clear. You must take time to be alone with the Father, to shut out the cries of those who would demand your attention, and to listen only to his voice. It is only in this way that the great faith that pours out of you onto others may be refilled. It is a good lesson for all of us today. Now we only need to follow it.
Pax
[1] The picture used is “St. Paul Miki and His Companions” Artist and date are unknown.
[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] See NAB footnote on Psalm 23.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p. 76.
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