Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin, Martyr
Biographical Information about St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross[1]
Readings for Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 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 (Aaron’s wife Miriam, who we had heard was stricken with “White Leprosy” when she and Aaron challenged Moses, dies.)
Moses is commanded to strike the rock so water will come forth and God’s mercy may be shown. Perhaps because of Moses own failing faith he needs to strike it twice before the promise is fulfilled. As a consequence of his failure, Moses is told that he will not see the land God promised the children of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
This part of Psalm 95, commonly used as the invitatory psalm for the Liturgy of the Hours, is a song of thanks giving. In these strophes the incident at Meribah is remembered and God’s underserved mercy proclaimed.
Gospel Mt 16:13-23
In response to Jesus’ question about his own image with the disciples, Peter answers with “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." This differs slightly from the accounts of Mark and Luke as he adds “Son of God” to the title. In response to this confession the Lord remarks that this is divine revelation and makes him the “rock” upon which the Church will be built. He also establishes that his authority in the Church on earth will be confirmed in heaven.
Homily:
Contrasting themes of faith have, for a third day this week, been hurled at us through the Holy Scripture. Even if we do not delve into the remarkable story of faith that is the life of Edith Stein, St. Teresa Benidicta of the Cross which has in it the same contrast of 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 (it is out of this faith tradition Edith Stein was born) 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 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
[1] The photograph of St.Teresa Benedicta is taken from the Vatican Web site
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Biographical Information about St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross[1]
Readings for Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 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 (Aaron’s wife Miriam, who we had heard was stricken with “White Leprosy” when she and Aaron challenged Moses, dies.)
Moses is commanded to strike the rock so water will come forth and God’s mercy may be shown. Perhaps because of Moses own failing faith he needs to strike it twice before the promise is fulfilled. As a consequence of his failure, Moses is told that he will not see the land God promised the children of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
This part of Psalm 95, commonly used as the invitatory psalm for the Liturgy of the Hours, is a song of thanks giving. In these strophes the incident at Meribah is remembered and God’s underserved mercy proclaimed.
Gospel Mt 16:13-23
In response to Jesus’ question about his own image with the disciples, Peter answers with “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." This differs slightly from the accounts of Mark and Luke as he adds “Son of God” to the title. In response to this confession the Lord remarks that this is divine revelation and makes him the “rock” upon which the Church will be built. He also establishes that his authority in the Church on earth will be confirmed in heaven.
Homily:
Contrasting themes of faith have, for a third day this week, been hurled at us through the Holy Scripture. Even if we do not delve into the remarkable story of faith that is the life of Edith Stein, St. Teresa Benidicta of the Cross which has in it the same contrast of 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 (it is out of this faith tradition Edith Stein was born) 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 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
[1] The photograph of St.Teresa Benedicta is taken from the Vatican Web site
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
2 comments:
The old testament readings of the last few days have been a bit sobering. How can we have such faith? Look what complaining brought to Miriam! Look at the punishment of one year in the dessert for every day! I guess when we know better, more is expected. How sobering! Thanks for your commentaries. They are a great help to me. I found one comment confusing today - please correct me if I am wront. Wasn't Miriam Moses' and Aaron's sister?
God bless, Mary Ann
Mary Ann,
Very good catch. Miriam was in fact the sister of Aaron and Moses not Aaron's wife. We find her mentioned in Exodus 15; 20-21 - "Then Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
As such, when she and Aaron complained that Moses was not behaving appropriately as a leader (see post of Tuesday of 18th Week in Ordinary Time), she carried much more authority.
Dcn. Jim
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