Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Col 2:6-15
St. Paul begins this selection with a warning to the Colossians to be careful not to fall into traps laid by secular teaching. He reminds them that Jesus Christ is God (who took on flesh as true man and was crucified for our salvation) and that all power resides in him. He concludes this passage with the classic witness of the triumph of the cross over sin and death.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:1b-2, 8-9, 10-11
R. The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Psalm 145 is an individual song of praise and thanksgiving. Here the singer praises God for his merciful kindness. His compassion extends to all creation and all should give thanks.
Gospel Lk 6:12-19
Today we are given the call of the Twelve Disciples from St. Luke’s Gospel. It is noteworthy that he began this process with a prayer of discernment.
In addition to giving the names, we are told that once the choice had been made he immediately renewed his teaching and healing ministry with renewed vigor. All “wished to touch him” because of his power to heal mind and body.
Reflection:
One of the most important and difficult tasks Jesus had in his ministry was the selection of those who would carry his message to the world once he was called home to the Father. Earlier in the Gospel we heard his statement that anyone who wanted to be his disciple must forsake all their earthly ties and possessions. Having done this he now is forced to choose from all of those who remain, twelve who will be his special friends, who will receive special training, and who will be given the task of calling the rest of the world.
How did the Lord decide to pick these twelve? Some of them we know he knew personally and had called individually. Specifically we know he chose Simon Peter, and James and John, Zebedee’s sons. We know he knew Andrew who was one of the Disciples of John the Baptist and we have also heard how he came to know Matthew the tax collector. St. John’s Gospel tells us of the call of the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Stories of how he selected the others have not been handed down as individual encounters. What is supremely important to us is the example we see in how the Lord made this important selection (yes, including the call of Judas Iscariot who betrayed the Son of God). The Gospel tells us that before these men were called the Lord went up to a high place and prayed by himself. It was not a short prayer for guidance. We are told that “Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.”
That his selections were divinely inspired is a given (the Lord is after all true God as well as true man.) What we take away is that even the Son of God took time to commune with the Father before making his choice. How often do we make equally important decisions that affect our lives and families without taking that most important first step?
While it is easy to remember to spend time in prayer when we think about things of God or when we want events impacting us, over which we have no control, to come out a certain way; do we also ask for guidance when we take on tasks over which we do have control? How often do we ask “Lord should I really make this purchase?” or “God help me to make the right choice about the school my child should attend.”
The Holy Spirit was sent to guide us in such situations. We cannot get the full benefit from the Lord if we do not ask for and listen to his advice. The simple act of asking places things in perspective and the answer will be given. We have had that promise from the Lord himself.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The watercolor is Jesus Appointing the Apostles by James Tissot, 1886-96
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Col 2:6-15
St. Paul begins this selection with a warning to the Colossians to be careful not to fall into traps laid by secular teaching. He reminds them that Jesus Christ is God (who took on flesh as true man and was crucified for our salvation) and that all power resides in him. He concludes this passage with the classic witness of the triumph of the cross over sin and death.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:1b-2, 8-9, 10-11
R. The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Psalm 145 is an individual song of praise and thanksgiving. Here the singer praises God for his merciful kindness. His compassion extends to all creation and all should give thanks.
Gospel Lk 6:12-19
Today we are given the call of the Twelve Disciples from St. Luke’s Gospel. It is noteworthy that he began this process with a prayer of discernment.
In addition to giving the names, we are told that once the choice had been made he immediately renewed his teaching and healing ministry with renewed vigor. All “wished to touch him” because of his power to heal mind and body.
Reflection:
One of the most important and difficult tasks Jesus had in his ministry was the selection of those who would carry his message to the world once he was called home to the Father. Earlier in the Gospel we heard his statement that anyone who wanted to be his disciple must forsake all their earthly ties and possessions. Having done this he now is forced to choose from all of those who remain, twelve who will be his special friends, who will receive special training, and who will be given the task of calling the rest of the world.
How did the Lord decide to pick these twelve? Some of them we know he knew personally and had called individually. Specifically we know he chose Simon Peter, and James and John, Zebedee’s sons. We know he knew Andrew who was one of the Disciples of John the Baptist and we have also heard how he came to know Matthew the tax collector. St. John’s Gospel tells us of the call of the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Stories of how he selected the others have not been handed down as individual encounters. What is supremely important to us is the example we see in how the Lord made this important selection (yes, including the call of Judas Iscariot who betrayed the Son of God). The Gospel tells us that before these men were called the Lord went up to a high place and prayed by himself. It was not a short prayer for guidance. We are told that “Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.”
That his selections were divinely inspired is a given (the Lord is after all true God as well as true man.) What we take away is that even the Son of God took time to commune with the Father before making his choice. How often do we make equally important decisions that affect our lives and families without taking that most important first step?
While it is easy to remember to spend time in prayer when we think about things of God or when we want events impacting us, over which we have no control, to come out a certain way; do we also ask for guidance when we take on tasks over which we do have control? How often do we ask “Lord should I really make this purchase?” or “God help me to make the right choice about the school my child should attend.”
The Holy Spirit was sent to guide us in such situations. We cannot get the full benefit from the Lord if we do not ask for and listen to his advice. The simple act of asking places things in perspective and the answer will be given. We have had that promise from the Lord himself.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The watercolor is Jesus Appointing the Apostles by James Tissot, 1886-96
1 comment:
How awesome that you suggest we turn to God for guidance in every situation. All too often we think we can handle things on our own...but no...when we turn it over to Our Lord, and listen intently for an answer, we will choose the right path.
Thank you for this inspiration.
Marty
Post a Comment