And Saint Norbert, Bishop
Biographical Information about St. Norbert[1]
Readings for Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Reading from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Tb 3:1-11a, 16-17a
We take up the story of Tobit once more. In the beginning of this passage we hear Tobit’s prayer of penitence probably stimulated by the chastisement he received from his wife at the end of the previous chapter. (It is also likely that his mood was amplified by his malady which he would interpret as a punishment from God for his sins and the sins of his forbearers.)
While the prayer of Tobit rises we begin to hear the story of Sarah whose part in the story becomes important. She too has suffered chastisement (note: we see more evidence here of the influence of Near Eastern myth at the introduction of the demon Asmodeus as the murder of Sarah’s seven husbands.) The number seven is in Hebrew Numerology the perfect number. This part of the story is likely the source of the example used in the Gospel below.
In her sorrow she also turns to prayer and both prayers reach God who decides to intervene. He sends the Archangel Raphael to heal both their hurts and to intertwine their fates.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 25:2-3, 4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
In the first strophe of this hymn of thanksgiving we hear support for our belief that God did indeed answer the prayers of Tobit and Sarah. Their trust was justified. The song continues as an individual prayer asking for guidance and salvation.
Gospel Mk 12:18-27
The Sadducees are approaching Jesus in this passage with a two fold attack against his teaching on the resurrection (Sadducees, as a group, do not hold with the theology of resurrection of the dead). First they ask Jesus to solve the puzzle of who the widow of seven husbands would be married to in heaven. Jesus chides them for their lack of understanding telling them that life in the Kingdom of Heaven transcends life in the body. He then goes further attacking their disbelief in the resurrection by quoting Exodus 3; 6 telling them the Father is the God of the living not the dead.
Reflection:
Ignatius of Loyola once said “Pray as if it is all up to God and work as if it is all up to you.” His words come to mind as we hear the story of Tobit and the Lord’s intervention in his life. It is also a big part of what we know of St. Norbert whose memorial we celebrate today. St. Norbert, following his Pauline like conversion (less the scales) dedicated himself to reformation within the Church with strict rules. His journey started with a prayer; “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
That same prayer must have been implicit in the prayer of Tobit and Sarah and is explicit in Psalm 25 as we hear the song pray; “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.” With faith that God does answer prayers, that must become our prayer as well.
We conclude today’s reflection with the Collect from Mass:
Father,
You made the bishop Norbert
an outstanding minister of Your Church,
renowned for his preaching and pastoral zeal.
Always grant to Your Church faithful shepherds
to lead Your people to eternal salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
[1] The Picture today is “St. Norbert” by Marten Peplin 1637
[2] After Links Expire
Biographical Information about St. Norbert[1]
Readings for Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Reading from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Tb 3:1-11a, 16-17a
We take up the story of Tobit once more. In the beginning of this passage we hear Tobit’s prayer of penitence probably stimulated by the chastisement he received from his wife at the end of the previous chapter. (It is also likely that his mood was amplified by his malady which he would interpret as a punishment from God for his sins and the sins of his forbearers.)
While the prayer of Tobit rises we begin to hear the story of Sarah whose part in the story becomes important. She too has suffered chastisement (note: we see more evidence here of the influence of Near Eastern myth at the introduction of the demon Asmodeus as the murder of Sarah’s seven husbands.) The number seven is in Hebrew Numerology the perfect number. This part of the story is likely the source of the example used in the Gospel below.
In her sorrow she also turns to prayer and both prayers reach God who decides to intervene. He sends the Archangel Raphael to heal both their hurts and to intertwine their fates.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 25:2-3, 4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
In the first strophe of this hymn of thanksgiving we hear support for our belief that God did indeed answer the prayers of Tobit and Sarah. Their trust was justified. The song continues as an individual prayer asking for guidance and salvation.
Gospel Mk 12:18-27
The Sadducees are approaching Jesus in this passage with a two fold attack against his teaching on the resurrection (Sadducees, as a group, do not hold with the theology of resurrection of the dead). First they ask Jesus to solve the puzzle of who the widow of seven husbands would be married to in heaven. Jesus chides them for their lack of understanding telling them that life in the Kingdom of Heaven transcends life in the body. He then goes further attacking their disbelief in the resurrection by quoting Exodus 3; 6 telling them the Father is the God of the living not the dead.
Reflection:
Ignatius of Loyola once said “Pray as if it is all up to God and work as if it is all up to you.” His words come to mind as we hear the story of Tobit and the Lord’s intervention in his life. It is also a big part of what we know of St. Norbert whose memorial we celebrate today. St. Norbert, following his Pauline like conversion (less the scales) dedicated himself to reformation within the Church with strict rules. His journey started with a prayer; “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
That same prayer must have been implicit in the prayer of Tobit and Sarah and is explicit in Psalm 25 as we hear the song pray; “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.” With faith that God does answer prayers, that must become our prayer as well.
We conclude today’s reflection with the Collect from Mass:
Father,
You made the bishop Norbert
an outstanding minister of Your Church,
renowned for his preaching and pastoral zeal.
Always grant to Your Church faithful shepherds
to lead Your people to eternal salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
[1] The Picture today is “St. Norbert” by Marten Peplin 1637
[2] After Links Expire
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