Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest

Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Dominic

Biographical information about St. Dominic

“St. Dominic”
by Claudio Coello, 1685

 
Readings for Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 4:32-40
 
Moses said to the people:
“Ask now of the days of old, before your time,
ever since God created man upon the earth;
ask from one end of the sky to the other:
Did anything so great ever happen before?
Was it ever heard of?
Did a people ever hear the voice of God
speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live?
Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself
from the midst of another nation,
by testings, by signs and wonders, by war,
with his strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors,
all of which the LORD, your God,
did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
All this you were allowed to see
that you might know the LORD is God and there is no other.
Out of the heavens he let you hear his voice to discipline you;
on earth he let you see his great fire,
and you heard him speaking out of the fire.
For love of your fathers he chose their descendants
and personally led you out of Egypt by his great power,
driving out of your way nations greater and mightier than you,
so as to bring you in
and to make their land your heritage, as it is today.
This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart,
that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below,
and that there is no other.
You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today,
that you and your children after you may prosper,
and that you may have long life on the land
which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.”
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Commentary on Dt 4:32-40
 
In this selection from Deuteronomy, Moses begins to describe the unique participation of the Hebrew people, the Chosen People, in God’s covenant. Moses actually presents a homily on the election of Israel, how God has shown his omnipotence through the salvific acts and signs (e.g. plagues in Egypt, saving miracles that facilitated the exodus).
 
These proofs, Moses explains, are the reason they must be faithful to God, and instruct their children to do the same. In doing so they receive the reward for their fidelity: “that you and your children after you may prosper." This section acts as a prologue to the introduction to Mosaic Law.
 
CCC: Dt 4:37 218
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 77:12-13, 14-15, 16 and 21
 
R. (12a) I remember the deeds of the Lord.
 
I remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I remember your wonders of old. 
And I meditate on your works;
your exploits I ponder.
R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.
 
O God, your way is holy;
what great god is there like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
among the peoples you have made known your power.
R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.
 
With your strong arm you redeemed your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
You led your people like a flock
under the care of Moses and Aaron.
R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 77:12-13, 14-15, 16 and 21
 
Psalm 77 is a communal lament. The first section of the psalm pleads for God not to abandon the people as they are in dire straits. The strophes used here reflect the psalmist's promise that the people will remember the great saving works of the Lord (as required by Moses’ instruction in Deuteronomy).
 
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Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28
 
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay each according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here
who will not taste death
until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
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Commentary on Mt 16:24-28
 
This is the second time, within the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Lord instructs the disciples that if they wish to follow him, they must take up the cross (the first time is in Matthew 10:38). This passage focuses the followers of Christ on the idea that serving the Lord must come before any other purposes in life, since it is through following Jesus that eternal life is gained. It is also explicit that bringing the Word of God, the message of the kingdom of God, to the world will lead to persecution, and even the possibility of death.
 
CCC: Mt 16:24-26 736; Mt 16:24 226, 618, 2029; Mt 16:25-26 363; Mt 16:25 2232; Mt 16:26 1021
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Reflection:
 
Ben Stein, the comedian (also a graduate of Columbia and valedictorian of his class at Yale Law School – not bad for the “clear eyes” guy) produced a movie called “eXpelled” in 2008 which was an absolute gem and therefore a box office flop.  It challenged the academic community and its “atheistic agenda” using the conflict between “creationists,” “intelligent design,” and academia to demonstrate its point.  If you want to understand this issue (and you should, since the constituents continue to attack religious and academic freedom), it is a “must see.” 
 
As a side note, one of the effects of adopting the attitude of “controlled evolution” pointed out in the film was a program called “eugenics” in the United States and later adopted by Nazi Germany.  South Carolina recently agreed to pay reparations to the victims of that program in their state who were sterilized to prevent them from reproducing “sub-optimal offspring.”
 
Without spoiling it for you, there is one segment in which Ben (who by the way is brilliant) is interviewing Richard Dawkins, the highly publicized atheist from the UK.  In a series of questions, Ben finally gets to the point of challenging Dawkins on the origin of life, first having allowed him to deny any possibility of God’s existence throughout their discussion of evolutionary history.  To our amazement, obviously finding no other logical or scientific explanation, the atheist suggests that it was likely that it was space aliens who brought life to earth.
 
This film represents an exclamation point to Moses' instruction to the Hebrews in the reading from Deuteronomy.  The history of God’s creation stands around us every day.  The gifts God has given us are obvious in every breath we take.  Moses asks the question of that ancient audience that we should remember today: “Did anything so great ever happen before?”
 
Jesus revealed a gift when he pointed to his cross and told his disciples: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”  Before one takes up the Cross of Christ, that person needs to have the underlying gift of faith:  faith that the omnipotent Father, who created all that exists, will provide for them spiritually in the face of any difficulty or crisis.  Before we accept the Son, we must accept the Father who is one in him.
 
With the question still ringing in our ears: “Did anything so great ever happen before?” We pause to look around us.  We give thanks for all the marvels God has provided, proving beyond any question that he not only exists, but is active still in our world through the Divine Advocate he left us.  We give thanks and then take up the cross to bring God’s Heavenly kingdom to earth.
 
Pax

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[1] The picture is “St. Dominic” by Claudio Coello, 1685.
[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.

Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Optional Memorial for Saint Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, and His Companions, Martyrs
Proper readings for St. Sixtus II, and Companions
Biographical information about St. Sixtus II, and Companions
 
Or
 
Optional Memorial for Saint Cajetan, Priest
Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Cajetan
Biographical information about St. Cajetan
 

"The Punishment of Korah
and the Stoning of Moses and Aaron" (detail)
by Sandro Botticelli, 1481-82

Readings for Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading I: Numbers 20:1-13
 
The whole congregation of the children of Israel
arrived in the desert of Zin in the first month,
and the people settled at Kadesh.
It was here that Miriam died, and here that she was buried.
 
As the community had no water,
they held a council against Moses and Aaron.
The people contended with Moses, exclaiming,
“Would that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the Lord’s presence!
Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this desert
where we and our livestock are dying?
Why did you lead us out of Egypt,
only to bring us to this wretched place
which has neither grain nor figs nor vines nor pomegranates?
Here there is not even water to drink!”
But Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly
to the entrance of the meeting tent, where they fell prostrate.
 
Then the glory of the Lord appeared to them,
and the Lord said to Moses,
“Take your staff and assemble the community,
you and your brother Aaron,
and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters.
From the rock you shall bring forth water for the congregation
and their livestock to drink.”
So Moses took his staff from its place before the Lord, as he was ordered.
He and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock,
where he said to them, “Listen to me, you rebels!
Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?”
Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff,
and water gushed out in abundance for the people
and their livestock to drink.
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
“Because you were not faithful to me
in showing forth my sanctity before the children of Israel,
you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them.”
 
These are the waters of Meribah,
where the children of Israel contended against the Lord,
and where the Lord revealed his sanctity among them.
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Commentary on Nm 20:1-13
 
We continue to follow the journey of Moses and the children of Israel in the desert.  Here at Meribah (the name means “contention”), without water, the people again challenge Moses and Aaron. The reading comments that Miriam, Aaron’s sister, has died.  Earlier we had heard she was stricken with “white leprosy” when she and her brother challenged Moses Numbers 12:10. There is some confusion about when this event took place during the forty years in the desert.  Some accounts say it happened at the end of the wanderings, others say it was after only two years. [4]
 
At Meribah, Moses is commanded to speak to the rock so water will come forth and God’s mercy may be shown. (Note this is the second account of this event.  In Exodus 17:1-7 Moses is commanded to strike the rock with his staff.)  Perhaps because of Moses' own failing faith he strikes it twice before the promise is fulfilled.
 
"This rock prefigured Christ, according to 1 Corinthians 10:4-5. The Fathers gave an allegorical interpretation: the rock is Jesus, and the water the grace which flows from the open side of our Lord; the double strike stands for the two beams of the cross. Moses stands for the Jews, because just as Moses doubted and struck the rock, the Jewish people crucified Christ, not believing that he was the Son of God (cf. St Augustine, ‘Contra Faustum’, 16, 15; ‘Questiones In Heptateuchurn’, 35)." [5]
 
As a consequence of his failure, Moses is told that he will not see the land God promised the children of Israel.
 
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
 
R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
 
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
 
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the Lord who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
 
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tested me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
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Commentary on Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
 
This part of Psalm 95, commonly used as the invitatory psalm for the Liturgy of the Hours, is a song of thanksgiving. In these strophes the incident at Meribah is remembered (Exodus 17:3-7), and God’s undeserved mercy proclaimed. The community is rejoicing that the Lord is God and that he has brought us salvation in spite of our forebears' obstinacy. We are encouraged to listen to the Lord, even if what we are asked to do is difficult.
 
CCC: Ps 95:1-6 2628; Ps 95:7-8 2659; Ps 95:7 1165; Ps 95:9 2119
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Gospel: Matthew 16:13-23
 
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
and he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
 
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
 
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
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Commentary on Mt 16:13-23
 
St. Matthew’s story of how Jesus asked about what people were saying about him has a profound impact on the Church. Here, when challenged by Jesus with the question: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon answers: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The second title is not present in St. Mark’s version of this encounter. It adds an understanding that Jesus is not just the Messiah, but also the Son of God.

Given this response, Jesus confers upon Simon a new name, Kephas, which comes from the root Aramaic word kepa or “rock.” When translated into Greek it came out Petros and from there to Peter. The name, however, becomes the foundation for the Church, and Peter, as a consequence of this exchange, is given Christ’s authority that is passed down through papal succession to our pontiff today.

The passage continues with Jesus’ explanation of his coming passion. Jesus, using the title “Son of Man” (see Daniel 7:13-14), foresees his trials and passion. This frightens the disciples and probably confuses many of the entourage (remember, there were more than just the twelve following Jesus around), and Peter confronts him, asking him to take a different approach to what he tells his students. Seeing this request as an invitation to take an easier, less dangerous path, Jesus rebukes Peter.
 
CCC: Mt 16-18 1969; Mt 16:16-23 440; Mt 16:16 424, 442; Mt 16:17 153, 442; Mt 16:18-19 881; Mt 16:18 424, 442, 552, 586, 869; Mt 16:19 553, 1444; Mt 16:21-23 540, 607; Mt 16:21 554; Mt 16:22-23 554
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Reflection:
 
Contrasting themes of faith have, for a third day this week, been hurled at us through the Holy Scripture. We are driven to examine our own fidelity in the light of what we hear today.
 
The Old Testament reading about the great confrontation at Meribah leads us to wonder how the children of Israel could again challenge the Lord’s will.   Here, for the first time, we see Moses’ faith weaken.  He must strike the rock twice to release the life giving water God promised.  His punishment was swift and extreme.  He will not lead the people into the land God promised to this stiff-necked people.
 
In an almost black and white contrast, the Gospel story tells us of St. Peter’s great confession.  When Christ asks the disciples, after performing many miraculous works, who the people believe he is, it is Peter who answers correctly, making the leap of faith.  “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”  As with Moses, the response is swift.  Without hesitating Jesus names him the rock (in Greek – petros) upon which his Church will be established and gives him the authority, passed down through all of his successors, to be the moral compass of Christians.  He goes further saying that this authority to define right and wrong will be confirmed in God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
 
Given the examples of two holy men, Moses and Peter, we must ask ourselves where does our faith fall on that awesome scale?  Are we a “stiff-necked people” who challenge God’s will in our lives or do we instantly profess the Lord?  As we go about our lives today, let us be guided by Peter’s words and follow the Lord in all things.
 
Pax

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[1] S.S. Commemoratio
[2] The picture is "The Punishment of Korah and the Stoning of Moses and Aaron" (detail) by Sandro Botticelli, 1481-82.
[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] The Jewish Study Bible, © 2004 Oxford University Press, New York, NY, p. 323.
[5] The Navarre Bible: “Pentateuch,” (Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003) p. 603.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Additional Information about the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

“The Transfiguration”
by Sanzio Raffaello, 1516-20

 
Readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading I: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
 
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened.
 
As the visions during the night continued, I saw:
 
One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
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Commentary on Dn 7:9-10, 13-14
 
In this vision from the book of Daniel, we see the symbolic descriptions for God the Father, “the Ancient One,” seated on the Throne of Judgment (symbolized by fire), with all the faithful before him. Then comes “one like a Son of man"; this reference is a messianic vision. Jesus took that title upon himself in fulfillment of Scripture (in addition to John 1:51, see also Mark 14:62, Luke 22:69 and Matthew 26:64 all of which reference the attendance of heavenly powers).
 
In the context of the Feast of the Transfiguration, this image is consistent with that seen by the disciples in the Gospel.
 
CCC: Dn 7:10 678; Dn 7:13 440; Dn 7:14 664
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
 
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
 
The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
 
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
 
Because you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
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Commentary on Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
 
This song of thanksgiving rejoices in God’s rule of the earth from his heavenly throne. The images presented extol God’s supreme authority over earth and heaven.  The Heavenly Father is exalted above all of man’s deified creations. The imagery is consistent with God’s special presence (“clouds and darkness” seen but untouchable, emanating unspeakable power). The psalmist announces God’s justice and power over all creation.
 
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Reading II: 2 Peter 1:16-19
 
Beloved:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
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Commentary on 2 Pt 1:16-19
 
St. Peter offers his reference to the transfiguration event, as part of an apologia; he presents his experience, claiming Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. He quotes the Gospel account of this event explicitly, saying that he was indeed present and heard the words: “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (See Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; and Luke 9:35.)
 
"These verses encapsulate the whole notion of biblical prophecy  ̶  its value, interpretation and divine origin. They also show the close connection between the Old and the New Testaments. ‘The books of the Old Testament, all of them caught up into the Gospel message, attain and show forth their full meaning in the New Testament (cf. Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27; Romans 16:25-26; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16) and, in their turn, shed light on it and explain it’” (Vatican II, ‘Dei Verbum', 16). [4]
 
CCC: 2 Pt 1:16-18 554
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Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36
 
Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up a mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.
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Commentary on Lk 9:28b-36
In this passage, St. Luke relates the account of the Transfiguration. Jesus goes up a mountain, to a high place with Peter, James, and John. ["Open-air cultic sites.  The term 'high place' is the usual translation of these worship sites.  Although these sites were often located on hills, they were not all so placed (cf. 1 Kings 11:7, 2 Kings 16:4, 17:9-10; Jeremiah 7:31, 32:35). They could be sited on mountain-tops (Deuteronomy 32:13; Isaiah 58:14; Amos 4:13; Micah 1:3) or even by the sea (Job 9:8).  The high places were dedicated to God or to Canaanite deities, and in the period before the establishment of the temple at Jerusalem, such worship centers could be considered legitimate (Exodus 20;24; Judges 6:26; 2 Kings 14:4; 1 Chronicles 21:15).  The first mention of them is in 1 Samuel 9:13, likely a reference to Ramah."[5]]  His appearance changed and the disciples observe him conversing about “his exodus” with Moses and Elijah (Jesus’ exodus would be the Passion toward which he was moving).
 
The disciples' response to this vision was first to “make three tents,” alluding to the Jewish feast of Tabernacles, placing the Lord at the same level of importance as Moses and Elijah. Before any response was made, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and God’s voice came from the cloud announcing: “This is my chosen Son, listen to him.” (Reminiscent of the words heard at his baptism in the Jordan: Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; and Luke 3:22.)  Jesus is elevated above Moses and Elijah to a place with God himself.
 
It is clear from this story, and the other transfiguration accounts, that what had happened was kept secret until after Jesus' death and resurrection. It was at that time that the true significance of the event was understood by the Christian community, and the experience placed in its proper position chronologically.
 
CCC: Lk 9:28 2600; Lk 9:30-35 2583; Lk 9:31 554, 1151; Lk 9:33 556; Lk 9:34-35 659, 697; Lk 9:35 516, 554
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Reflection:
 
When did Jesus (true man) completely understand that he was God?  The answer to the question is unknowable, but as we seek to understand the Lord, it helps sometimes to ask such questions.  Let us speculate for a moment.
 
Since he was true man, we could postulate that he could not have had complete knowledge of his nature from the moment of his birth.  That knowledge would have changed his behavior.  However, we do hear Jesus refer to “my father’s house” in St. Luke’s Gospel (Luke 2:49) when Jesus became separated from his family in Jerusalem, and they found him in the temple.  It could also be argued (and has been) that Jesus, the boy, was simply beginning to understand that special relationship he had with God.
 
It has been said that Jesus did not completely realize he was God until his Baptism, the first time God spoke saying: “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; and Luke 3:22).  But then immediately following that event he was driven into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  This was clearly a test (for our benefit?).  Could he have known with absolute certainty that he was God at that point, allowing the devil to tempt him?
 
We come next to the feast we celebrate today, the Transfiguration.  We hear how Jesus has gone up to a “high place” (a clear reference to sacred ground, a sanctified place dedicated to God) to pray, to speak with God.  In doing so his nature is revealed to the disciples, as his glorified nature overcomes his physical form, and his appearance is changed.  With him, the disciples observe Moses, giver of the Law, and Elijah, prince of prophets.  It was these two elements of faith, the law and the prophets, that Jesus came to fulfill.  Did the Lord fully understand his nature at that moment?
 
When God came in the form of a cloud and said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him,” did Jesus hear and understand that the word “Son” was spoken with a capital “S,” not in the lower case as we understand our relationship to him?  If he did, then why did he allow the events that followed?  He took this event with him, even into the Garden where he begged the Father to take the cup from him.  Could he have known completely, as his tears fell like blood?
 
Certainly, Jesus knew his true nature at the resurrection.  He returned with complete knowledge, knowing that he had come from God, and returned to the Father in fulfillment of all that was written in the Law and the Prophets.  As true man, he suffered, and he suffered not just the physical pain of life and the Passion, he suffered too the emotional and psychological pain of not knowing what would come of his mission and his life on earth.
 
While such woolgathering may not provide answers for us, today we rejoice in our sure and complete faith that Jesus is Lord and Savior, and it is to him we owe our thanks and prayers.
 
Pax
 
In other years: Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Yr. 1)
 

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[1] S.S. Commemoratio
[2] The painting today is “The Transfiguration” by Sanzio Raffaello, 1516-20.
[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: “Revelation and Hebrews and Catholic Letters”, (Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003) p. 361.
[5] Catholic Bible Dictionary, © 2009 by Scott W. Hahn p. 361.

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Optional Memorial for Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome
 
Proper readings for the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
 
Additional information about the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

“St Peter is Walking on the Water”
by  Lluis Borrassa, 1411-13

 
Readings for Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary:[3]
 
Reading 1: Numbers 12:1-13
 
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses on the pretext
of the marriage he had contracted with a Cushite woman.
They complained, “Is it through Moses alone that the LORD speaks?
Does he not speak through us also?”
And the LORD heard this.
Now, Moses himself was by far the meekest man on the face of the earth.
So at once the LORD said to Moses and Aaron and Miriam,
“Come out, you three, to the meeting tent.”
And the three of them went.
Then the LORD came down in the column of cloud,
and standing at the entrance of the tent,
called Aaron and Miriam.
When both came forward, he said,
“Now listen to the words of the LORD:
 
Should there be a prophet among you,
in visions will I reveal myself to him,
in dreams will I speak to him;
not so with my servant Moses!
Throughout my house he bears my trust:
face to face I speak to him;
plainly and not in riddles.
The presence of the LORD he beholds.
 
Why, then, did you not fear to speak against my servant Moses?”
 
So angry was the LORD against them that when he departed,
and the cloud withdrew from the tent,
there was Miriam, a snow-white leper!
When Aaron turned and saw her a leper, he said to Moses,
“Ah, my lord! Please do not charge us with the sin
that we have foolishly committed!
Let her not thus be like the stillborn babe
that comes forth from its mother’s womb
with its flesh half consumed.”
Then Moses cried to the LORD, “Please, not this! Pray, heal her!”
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Commentary on Nm 12:1-13
 
In this selection from Numbers, the authority of Moses is challenged because he has married a woman from outside the Hebrew community. In response to this, God first calls the accusers to the “meeting tent.” This action reaffirms the Lord's connection with Moses. God then punishes those who challenged him. This passage sets Moses apart from the later prophets by differentiating the means by which God communicates with him, that is, face to face.
 
CCC: Num 12:3 2576; Num 12:7-8 2576; Num 12:13-14 2577
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13
 
R. (see 3a)  Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
 
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
 
For I acknowledge my offense;
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned;
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
 
That you may be justified in your sentence,
vindicated when you condemn.
Indeed, in guilt was I born,
and in sin my mother conceived me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
 
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not off from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
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Commentary on Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13
 
Psalm 51 (one of the great penitential psalms) is an individual lament. The psalmist praises God’s goodness, acknowledges his offenses against God, and asks for absolution from sin. In these strophes we hear the singer beg forgiveness, linking it to the plea of Aaron and Moses in the first reading.
 
CCC: Ps 51:6 431, 1850; Ps 51:12 298, 431
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Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36
 
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
 
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.
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Commentary on Mt 14:22-36
 
This passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel follows the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples return to the boat that brought them to this remote site, while Jesus stays alone to pray. (Recall he had just gotten word of the murder of St. John the Baptist by Herod, and had come to this place to mourn him.)

The events that follow, Jesus' approach to the boat and walking on the water, support the Lord’s earlier demonstration that he has power over the sea and elements (see Matthew 8:26). St. Peter’s response to the Lord is to try to do as the Lord wishes, but his fear prevents him from accomplishing what the Lord has called him to do. This entire episode has one purpose, to allow the readers to share in the awe of the disciples as they make their profession of faith: “Truly, you are the Son of God." This is account stands in stark contrast to St. Mark’s account of their response (see Mark 6:51).
 
CCC: Mt 14:30 448
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Or: (especially in year A where Mt 14:22-36 is read on Monday) Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14
 
Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?
They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.”
He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand.
It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man;
but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.”
Then his disciples approached and said to him,
“Do you know that the Pharisees took offense
when they heard what you said?”
He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted
will be uprooted.
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.
If a  blind man leads a blind man,
both will fall into a pit.”
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Commentary on Mt 15:1-2, 10-14
 
This dispute begins with the question of the Pharisees and scribes why Jesus' disciples are breaking the tradition of the elders about washing one's hands before eating. In front of the larger crowd of followers the Lord refutes them with a parable that is an attack on Mosaic Law concerning clean and unclean foods (see also Matthew 5:31-32, 33-34, 38-39). [4] The concluding remarks concerning the blind leading the blind indicate to the disciples that the Pharisees and scribes do not understand God’s law but lead those who refuse to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
 
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Reflection:
 
Faith is a very hard thing to wrap our heads around.  We are taught that it is a gift, freely given, a consequence of our baptism in the Lord.  We know that some people (look at St. Dominic) seem to have faith in abundance while others have little or no faith at all.  We cannot see it. Faith is an intangible quality of the soul, but we can feel it inside ourselves.
 
In Scripture today we see two examples of faith in action.  In the first reading, Miriam and Aaron apparently lost faith in Moses.  They presumed to pass judgment on him because he had married outside the Hebrew community; how could the person to whom God spoke do such a thing.  In response or out of bigotry they publicly refuted his spiritual leadership.  Scripture tells us that God had an immediate response, calling them to account and then punishing Miriam with the outward sign of her sinfulness, leprosy.  Was her sin the lack of faith in God’s selected holy one, the one to whom he spoke, face to face?  Or was her sin the bigotry in her heart as she rejected the wife Moses had selected?  Scripture does not say, but had her faith been stronger, she would not have fallen into that trap.
 
In the Gospel, we see the disciples in a bad way.  They had ventured out into the sea and were caught in a storm.  Jesus comes to their aid in an unexpected way, walking on the water.  Unprepared for his appearance, the disciples think he is a ghost at first.  Peter, first among the disciples, sees (or thinks he sees) the Lord and calls out to him: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." (Not quite sure, is he?)  When Peter goes out to the Son of God, his faith is fastened on Christ.  He does not see the sea or the waves.  He does not feel the wind.  But when he loses that focus and starts looking around. He sees that he is doing the impossible and becomes frightened and starts to sink.  God, of course, saves him.  We can almost hear the Lord speaking to his friend in secular tones saying “Peter, you almost had it.  Why didn’t you just keep coming?”
 
We often feel that way don’t we?  We almost had it, our faith was almost strong enough to withstand the temptation of doing something we should not have.  It was almost strong enough to carry us through a difficult situation without faltering.  But in the end, like Peter, the Lord had to help us out as well.
 
Faith may be a gift, but it also acts like a muscle.  If we don’t use it, we lose it.  If we don’t exercise it, when we need the strength that comes from a strong and lively faith, it will not be there.  Our challenge today is to renew our dedication to get into the gym (church), get on the machines (prayer), and do some jogging (exercise charity), so that when we are called out onto the water we will not fail.
 
Pax

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[1] The picture is “St Peter is Walking on the Water” by  Lluis Borrassa, 1411-13.
[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] NAB footnote on Matthew 15:1.