(Optional Memorial for Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr)
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“Submersion of Pharaoh in the Red Sea” (detail)
by Andrea Previtali, 1515-20 |
Readings for Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Exodus 14:21—15:1
Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,
and the LORD swept the sea
with a strong east wind throughout the night
and so turned it into dry land.
When the water was thus divided,
the children of Israel marched into the midst of the sea on dry land,
with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
The Egyptians followed in pursuit;
all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and charioteers went after them
right into the midst of the sea.
In the night watch just before dawn
the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud
upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic;
and he so clogged their chariot wheels
that they could hardly drive.
With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel,
because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians.
Then the LORD told Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea,
that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians,
upon their chariots and their charioteers."
So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,
and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth.
The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea,
when the LORD hurled them into its midst.
As the water flowed back,
it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army
that had followed the children of Israel into the sea.
Not a single one of them escaped.
But the children of Israel had marched on dry land
through the midst of the sea,
with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day
from the power of the Egyptians.
When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore
and beheld the great power that the LORD
had shown against the Egyptians,
they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD:
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
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Commentary on Ex 14:21—15:1
This passage continues the Exodus story with Moses opening a way through the sea for the Israelites. When the Egyptians try to follow, God delays them, using the same column (pillar of fire) that had been leading the Israelites, to confuse and panic the armies in pursuit. In the end Moses closes the way through the sea while Pharaoh’s army is still in the midst of the sea and no one survives. This wonder strengthens the faith of the Israelites in God and in Moses. "See the goodness of God the Creator: if you submit to his will and follow his Law, he will see to it that created things cooperate with you, against their own nature if necessary" (Origen "Homiliae In Exodum", 5,5).
CCC: Ex 15:1 2810
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Responsorial Psalm: Exodus 15:8-9, 10 and 12, 17
R. (1b) Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
At the breath of your anger the waters piled up,
the flowing waters stood like a mound,
the flood waters congealed in the midst of the sea.
The enemy boasted, "I will pursue and overtake them;
I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them;
I will draw my sword; my hand shall despoil them!"
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
When your wind blew, the sea covered them;
like lead they sank in the mighty waters.
When you stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them!
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
And you brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance—
the place where you made your seat, O LORD,
the sanctuary, O LORD, which your hands established.
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
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Commentary on Ex 15:8-9, 10 and 12, 17
The canticle is a victory anthem and continues the prayer of Moses. It gives thanks for the favor God has shown to the people and marvels at his great power. "It is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving which the three stages of the deliverance of Israel are remembered--the prodigies of the Red Sea (vv. 4-10), [followed later by] the triumphal pilgrimage in the desert (vv. 4-16) and the taking possession of the land of Canaan (vv. 17-18)." [4]
CCC: Ex 15:1 2810
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Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you."
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother."
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Commentary on Mt 12:46-50
In this selection from St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of the family of faith over the biological family. It is likely a parallel to the situation found in Mark 3:21. It is important to note that the Catholic Church holds that Mary bore only one child, Jesus. The reference in this passage to “your brothers” (the word “brethren” is used in most other translations) refers to kinsmen, other relatives of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. Similarly, other scriptural references to Jesus’ relatives find this same interpretation issue. The Aramaic term for brother/sister referred to relationships within the extended family (see notes on Mark 3:31ff). In apocryphal literature, specifically the History of Joseph the Carpenter, it is indicated that Mary was Joseph’s second wife, his first having died. From this union, the document explains, Joseph had four sons and two daughters, Judas, Justus, James, and Simon. The names of the two daughters were Assia and Lydia. This is one more possibility driving the language of the Gospel.
In Galatians 1:19 we find: “But I did not see any other of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord.” “James the brother of the Lord: not one of the Twelve, but a brother of Jesus (see note on Mark 6:3). He played an important role in the Jerusalem church (see note on Galatians 2:9), the leadership of which he took over from Peter (Acts 12:17). Paul may have regarded James as an apostle.” [5]
To further support this point, logic tells us that if Mary had other biological children, Jesus would not have entrusted her to St. John as he hung upon the cross. (John 19:26-27)
Jesus’ initial indication that the disciples are his family is clarified by the statement: “whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." Through his acceptance of the will of God, Jesus provides a natural continuation of our adoptive status as his brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29 ; 1 John 3:1).
CCC: Mt 12:49 764, 2233
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Reflection:
Our adoption by Christ is an amazing thing. We were created by God in his own image. As such we enjoy the world, which is also his creation, and have dominion over it. All these things are nice but when Christ came he extended the greatest benefit of all. Through baptism, which also has as one of its gifts the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are adopted by God and given all of the rights privileges, and responsibilities that go along with it.
As brothers and sisters of Christ we share in the life he came to bring us. We share in the kingdom of God where Jesus reigns as Lord for all eternity. We are offered the life of inexplicable joy that comes as part of our adopted status, ours to claim in faith, ours to keep in fidelity.
With that adoption comes purpose. Jesus calls us to go into the family business. Part of being adopted means taking up the responsibilities that go along with being part of the family of God. Those responsibilities include following the family code of conduct (we start with the Great Commandment and apply that principle to all our actions). We are also asked to gather at family meetings (Mass) so we can share the family meal. We are reminded to have regular talks with our Father (prayer) and to contribute to the upkeep of the family home (Church).
Because we are truly adopted, this is not really an analogy so there is no point at which it breaks down. We are called today to remember what it means to be a brother of sister of Christ. Our brother and Savior invites us to share with him the joys and sorrows of God’s family. We are called to act the part.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Submersion of Pharaoh in the Red Sea” (detail) by Andrea Previtali, 1515-20.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio[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] The Navarre Bible: “Pentateuch” Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, p. 297.
[5] NAB footnote on Galatians 1:19.
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