Wednesday of the Thirty fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Wednesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
Reading 1 Rev 15:1-4
This part of John’s eschatological vision shows us the victory of the martyrs (“who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name”). They are singing the same Canticle of Moses we hear in Exodus 15:1-18 as the Hebrew people escape the bondage of Egypt.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9
R. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
Once again, the psalm selection supports the vision of John. Here we have a song of victory, song in praise of God’s salvation. The imagery could have been borrowed by John; “Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it;”
Gospel Lk 21:12-19
The Gospel today continues Jesus eschatological discourse from yesterday. Today we hear how the good news will result in persecution from every side for the early Christian community. The Lord foresees this time of intense persecutions and asks for a steadfast response. By not preparing a defense, he is asking that those persecuted not recant the faith and promises them the reward of the martyrs.
Reflection:
As we move closer to the end of our Liturgical year we are once again reminded of both the challenge we chose to accept by being followers of Christ and the ultimate reward of faithfulness. John’s Revelation shows us that what Luke’s Gospel means when Jesus says; “not a hair on your head will be destroyed” he is not referring to our physical body but our spiritual body. Only by denying the Lord can we be destroyed in that sense.
The Gospel predicts that; “You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends”. The clear implication is that the Gospel message is so divisive that even family bonds can be shattered by it. While the great persecutions have ended in the western world, they are heating up elsewhere in the world. Especially in China where Christianity is suppressed, persecution still takes this form. In other parts of the world, specifically the Middle East, were radical Islam now flourishes; conversion to Christianity earns the death sentence. Lest we forget, freedom of worship is still a somewhat unique gift of our great country.
We do not need to travel to the Orient or to the Middle East to find a more subtle form of persecution. We see it in the numerous law suits spring up at this time of year. Here in Michigan I think we are breaking about even. The City of Berkley caved in and prohibited the erection of a 34 year old nativity display on public property when threatened with a law suit brought by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union – isn’t that a unique oxymoron). The City of Plymouth, however, allowed their display to go up (provided no public funds were used or any city employee assisted) when faced with the same threat.
Even in our own lives we have seen the very tension predicted in Luke’s Gospel. Our own families’ acceptance or rejection of the Good News has caused serious strife. The conversion of children stimulates hatred by parents and the inverse is true as parents see their children reject those long held values.
Our response to these situations and to this message must be one that is consistent with Christ’s message; “Love one another.” It is only way we can respond and the only way that leads to the Peace of Christ. Any other response opens the gates of hatred that comes from the one whose number is defeated in the last battle.
Pax
Wednesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
Reading 1 Rev 15:1-4
This part of John’s eschatological vision shows us the victory of the martyrs (“who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name”). They are singing the same Canticle of Moses we hear in Exodus 15:1-18 as the Hebrew people escape the bondage of Egypt.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9
R. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
Once again, the psalm selection supports the vision of John. Here we have a song of victory, song in praise of God’s salvation. The imagery could have been borrowed by John; “Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it;”
Gospel Lk 21:12-19
The Gospel today continues Jesus eschatological discourse from yesterday. Today we hear how the good news will result in persecution from every side for the early Christian community. The Lord foresees this time of intense persecutions and asks for a steadfast response. By not preparing a defense, he is asking that those persecuted not recant the faith and promises them the reward of the martyrs.
Reflection:
As we move closer to the end of our Liturgical year we are once again reminded of both the challenge we chose to accept by being followers of Christ and the ultimate reward of faithfulness. John’s Revelation shows us that what Luke’s Gospel means when Jesus says; “not a hair on your head will be destroyed” he is not referring to our physical body but our spiritual body. Only by denying the Lord can we be destroyed in that sense.
The Gospel predicts that; “You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends”. The clear implication is that the Gospel message is so divisive that even family bonds can be shattered by it. While the great persecutions have ended in the western world, they are heating up elsewhere in the world. Especially in China where Christianity is suppressed, persecution still takes this form. In other parts of the world, specifically the Middle East, were radical Islam now flourishes; conversion to Christianity earns the death sentence. Lest we forget, freedom of worship is still a somewhat unique gift of our great country.
We do not need to travel to the Orient or to the Middle East to find a more subtle form of persecution. We see it in the numerous law suits spring up at this time of year. Here in Michigan I think we are breaking about even. The City of Berkley caved in and prohibited the erection of a 34 year old nativity display on public property when threatened with a law suit brought by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union – isn’t that a unique oxymoron). The City of Plymouth, however, allowed their display to go up (provided no public funds were used or any city employee assisted) when faced with the same threat.
Even in our own lives we have seen the very tension predicted in Luke’s Gospel. Our own families’ acceptance or rejection of the Good News has caused serious strife. The conversion of children stimulates hatred by parents and the inverse is true as parents see their children reject those long held values.
Our response to these situations and to this message must be one that is consistent with Christ’s message; “Love one another.” It is only way we can respond and the only way that leads to the Peace of Christ. Any other response opens the gates of hatred that comes from the one whose number is defeated in the last battle.
Pax
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