Saint Stephen of Hungary
Biographical Information about St. Stephen of Hungary[1]
Readings for Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jos 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17
Earlier this week we heard Moses pass on the leadership of the tribes of Israel to Joshua. In this passage from the Book principally concerned with that next phase in the history of God’s interaction with the descendents of Abraham we find Joshua instructed by God to demonstrate that He (the Lord) would precede them as he had promised. The miraculous damning of the Jordan river is the sign chosen to mark this transition.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 114:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Alleluia!
The final strophe of this psalm of thanksgiving recalls the miracle of the crossing of the Jordan. This event, like other salvific involvement by God, is celebrated in song by Kind David’s line.
Gospel Mt 18:21–19:1
The Gospel from St. Matthew today deals with forgiveness among the disciples. Peter asks Jesus how many times his fellow disciples must be forgiven. Jesus responds that forgiveness must be without limits. He illustrates this point with the parable of the unmerciful servant.
Homily:
The relationship between the first reading from Joshua and the Gospel is not a strong one today. The first reading focuses on God’s promise and the salvation he gives as a result of his Covenant. The second reading is about forgiveness which is indeed central to God’s covenant with us, but the reading itself is much more pragmatic.
Peter’s question: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?” is answered by Jesus first symbolically (seventy times seven) and then emphatically using the parable of the unmerciful servant. The moral of this parable is quite clear to us. If God will forgive us the sins we have committed against him, how can we hold those (especially our brothers and sisters) accountable for sins we perceive that they have committed against us?
As we hear time and time again in the Gospel we profess, forgiveness is the great healer. When we forgive from the heart as Jesus commands, we are ourselves healed.
Biographical Information about St. Stephen of Hungary[1]
Readings for Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jos 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17
Earlier this week we heard Moses pass on the leadership of the tribes of Israel to Joshua. In this passage from the Book principally concerned with that next phase in the history of God’s interaction with the descendents of Abraham we find Joshua instructed by God to demonstrate that He (the Lord) would precede them as he had promised. The miraculous damning of the Jordan river is the sign chosen to mark this transition.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 114:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Alleluia!
The final strophe of this psalm of thanksgiving recalls the miracle of the crossing of the Jordan. This event, like other salvific involvement by God, is celebrated in song by Kind David’s line.
Gospel Mt 18:21–19:1
The Gospel from St. Matthew today deals with forgiveness among the disciples. Peter asks Jesus how many times his fellow disciples must be forgiven. Jesus responds that forgiveness must be without limits. He illustrates this point with the parable of the unmerciful servant.
Homily:
The relationship between the first reading from Joshua and the Gospel is not a strong one today. The first reading focuses on God’s promise and the salvation he gives as a result of his Covenant. The second reading is about forgiveness which is indeed central to God’s covenant with us, but the reading itself is much more pragmatic.
Peter’s question: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?” is answered by Jesus first symbolically (seventy times seven) and then emphatically using the parable of the unmerciful servant. The moral of this parable is quite clear to us. If God will forgive us the sins we have committed against him, how can we hold those (especially our brothers and sisters) accountable for sins we perceive that they have committed against us?
As we hear time and time again in the Gospel we profess, forgiveness is the great healer. When we forgive from the heart as Jesus commands, we are ourselves healed.
The worst hurt in the world is often caused by those we love most dearly. When we perceive that they have wronged us, because of that close relationship, we hold them accountable for their actions. If there is not recognition by the other that reconciliation is required of them, that debt of atonement festers. It grows and develops into anger and even hatred which is self destructive and leads to even greater sin.
Forgiveness washes away that gulf that is opened by perceived wrongs. Again especially in close relationships, forgiveness by the one wronged often will open the way for reconciliation and a strengthening of the bond of love that exists.
Today we praise the Lord for his gift of forgiveness and ask him to help us as we try to emulate him.
Pax
[1] The picture today is a medieval fresco of St. Stephen of Hungary artist is UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Forgiveness washes away that gulf that is opened by perceived wrongs. Again especially in close relationships, forgiveness by the one wronged often will open the way for reconciliation and a strengthening of the bond of love that exists.
Today we praise the Lord for his gift of forgiveness and ask him to help us as we try to emulate him.
Pax
[1] The picture today is a medieval fresco of St. Stephen of Hungary artist is UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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