Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin
Biographical Information about St. Rose of Lima[1]
Readings for Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jgs 11:29-39a
We skip ahead two chapters and discover Jephthah who was a chieftain with a sullied past. Brought back from self imposed exile where he formed a gang and raided neighboring communities, he was put in charge of the Israelite’s defense against the Ammonites. We join him at the onset were he clearly vows human sacrifice, a tradition of his pagan neighbors.
Perhaps because of this pagan vow, we see him punished as his only child, a young daughter, becomes the object of this sacrifice. Because bearing children is seen as the “greatest pride; to be childless was regarded as a great misfortune. Hence Jephthah's daughter asks permission to mourn the fact that she will be put to death before she can bear children.” (see footnote from NAB)
Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 1
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
This selection of Psalm 40 has a teaching or didactic note as we hear the implied criticism of Jephthah who had not turned from idolatry. God’s harsh justice will be celebrated.
Gospel Mt 22:1-14
St. Matthew’s Gospel presents us with the parable of the King's Wedding Feast. The reference to the first servants sent to invite the guests were the Prophets, rejected or misunderstood by the Jewish Leadership. The second servants sent represent Christ Himself who here predicts his own death at the hands of the people he was sent to invite.
In the second section, we see the feast that was prepared for God’s chosen people, the Hebrew Nation, those first invited, is left unattended. Therefore God’s mercy is extended to all people of all nations. There is a warning at the end. Those not clothed in Christ who attempt to enter by deception will be punished severely.
Homily:
Today as we celebrate the Memorial of St. Rose of Lima, the first saint of the Americas, we recall her devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in which, according to tradition, she participated daily. We reflect upon the Gospel and the rich symbolism of Jesus’ parable of the Kings Wedding Feast.
Perhaps the reason this parable resonates with us so clearly is because of St. Paul’s constant reference to the Lord as the Bride Groom and the Church his bride. It is clear that we are the invited guests in the second part of the story. After he was rejected by the leaders of his day as represented in the first part of the parable, he sent his disciples to invite us. He brings us to this banquet table where we share heavenly food.
All that is necessary is that we accept this invitation. But, we are cautioned at the end of the tale, we must accept it from the depths of our hearts. We may not simply say the words “I accept” and be admitted. God can see past that façade. The wedding garment we must wear is Christ himself. We must put him on over our natural selves and it will be clear to the Lord we are ready to sit at this table and receive eternal life.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is St. Rose of Lima by Claudio Coello, 1884-85
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Biographical Information about St. Rose of Lima[1]
Readings for Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jgs 11:29-39a
We skip ahead two chapters and discover Jephthah who was a chieftain with a sullied past. Brought back from self imposed exile where he formed a gang and raided neighboring communities, he was put in charge of the Israelite’s defense against the Ammonites. We join him at the onset were he clearly vows human sacrifice, a tradition of his pagan neighbors.
Perhaps because of this pagan vow, we see him punished as his only child, a young daughter, becomes the object of this sacrifice. Because bearing children is seen as the “greatest pride; to be childless was regarded as a great misfortune. Hence Jephthah's daughter asks permission to mourn the fact that she will be put to death before she can bear children.” (see footnote from NAB)
Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 1
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
This selection of Psalm 40 has a teaching or didactic note as we hear the implied criticism of Jephthah who had not turned from idolatry. God’s harsh justice will be celebrated.
Gospel Mt 22:1-14
St. Matthew’s Gospel presents us with the parable of the King's Wedding Feast. The reference to the first servants sent to invite the guests were the Prophets, rejected or misunderstood by the Jewish Leadership. The second servants sent represent Christ Himself who here predicts his own death at the hands of the people he was sent to invite.
In the second section, we see the feast that was prepared for God’s chosen people, the Hebrew Nation, those first invited, is left unattended. Therefore God’s mercy is extended to all people of all nations. There is a warning at the end. Those not clothed in Christ who attempt to enter by deception will be punished severely.
Homily:
Today as we celebrate the Memorial of St. Rose of Lima, the first saint of the Americas, we recall her devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in which, according to tradition, she participated daily. We reflect upon the Gospel and the rich symbolism of Jesus’ parable of the Kings Wedding Feast.
Perhaps the reason this parable resonates with us so clearly is because of St. Paul’s constant reference to the Lord as the Bride Groom and the Church his bride. It is clear that we are the invited guests in the second part of the story. After he was rejected by the leaders of his day as represented in the first part of the parable, he sent his disciples to invite us. He brings us to this banquet table where we share heavenly food.
All that is necessary is that we accept this invitation. But, we are cautioned at the end of the tale, we must accept it from the depths of our hearts. We may not simply say the words “I accept” and be admitted. God can see past that façade. The wedding garment we must wear is Christ himself. We must put him on over our natural selves and it will be clear to the Lord we are ready to sit at this table and receive eternal life.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is St. Rose of Lima by Claudio Coello, 1884-85
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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