Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

Biographical Information about St. Anthony
Readings for Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 7:1-3, 15-17

This selection uses two sets of verses from the 7th Chapter. The first set, verses 1-3 describes the appointment by Abraham of Melchizedek as High Priest. The second set of verses, 15-17 references Jesus’ coming and how his authority comes, not from appointment or lineage but rather from his immortal existence.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Psalm 110 thanks God for earthly authority, recognizing that it is only through His strength that authority is exercised. Using Melchizedek as an arch example, he was a secular king in the time of Abraham who ruled on the spiritual side as well.

Gospel Mk 3:1-6

Mark’s Gospel today again shows us a picture of Jesus in contention with the scribes and Pharisees. This time they use bate; a man with an affliction is apparently used to trap Jesus into doing something that by Pharisaic Law was considered “labor”. Jesus tries to show them the flaw in their logic with a question; “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they will not respond – rather they run to the minions of King Herod to continue their plotting.

Reflection:

Fr. Jeff Neus, our Pastor, wrote in his comments in the Parish Bulletin of last Sunday about the Precepts of the Church, they are as he said the minimums but I wanted to start with the basics:

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

There are other rules in the Church contained in the Code of Canon Law and the General Instructions of the Roman Missal. These rules govern how the members of the Church behave in the secular world and how we behave in worship. Coupled with the teaching Magesterium of the Church which reflect on the practical implications of what and how we believe these works constitute the general norms under which all one billion of us relate to each other and God.

When we think about the size and scope of the universal Church, this is not really a lot. But, it’s enough to stimulate tension. There are those among us who do not think the Church should condemn abortion, infanticide. There are those who believe the Church should bring women into the ordained ranks and there are those who believe that all the Church has done to change itself since the Second Vatican Counsel ended in 1964 is a travesty.

What we hear in the Gospel today is the story of a group of individuals so focused on the rules that they have forgotten the spirit of the Law. In our own Code of Canon Law this lesson is not forgotten. The last words in it are; “Can. 1752 …servata aequitate canonica et prae oculis habita salute animarum, quae in Ecclesia suprema semper lex esse debet “ (“…the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law in the Church, is to be kept before one’s eyes.”)

The problem that most often surfaces is the belief on behalf of some that “traditions” in the local Church community are somehow the perfect reflection of the Church’s precepts, rules, and dogma. As a consequence when changes are made we become uncomfortable and sometimes even indignant. This cannot be what we are about lest we fall into the trap of the Pharisees. We must focus on the spirit of God’s Law, perfectly exemplified by His Son. Jesus said first and foremost, love one another.

Pax