Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Biographical Information about Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus[1]
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Zec 8:1-8
The Prophet Zechariah, whose oracle we hear in this passage, was another contemporary of Ezra and Haggai (the authors of the OT readings we heard last week). Zechariah here issues Gods call to the people to come back from exile to Zion, Jerusalem that the city might be reborn in greatness. We may see it as a call to conversion, a return to more steadfast faith in the New Jerusalem – Christ’s Kingdom.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Psalm 102 is actually a lament – one of the Penitential Psalms. In this selection we see the call to return to the foundations of faith set in Jerusalem or Zion. These strophes support the call from Zechariah heard in the first reading.
Gospel Lk 9:46-50
St. Luke depicts a teaching moment for Jesus as he tells his Disciples that they must not fall into the all too human trap of rivalry for leadership. Rather he tells them that humble leadership will be the norm. In the second instance, the Lord insists that his Disciples accept support from those whom they do not know.
Reflection:
Kneeling before the tabernacle, I can think of only one thing to say to our Lord: "My God, you know that I love You." And I feel that my prayer does not weary Jesus; knowing my weakness, He is satisfied with my good will. -Saint Therese of Lisieux
When we read the Gospel of St. Luke and hear the words we heard today; “For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest” there are some contemporary examples we could point to for meaning. None, however, are more eloquent than the attitude expressed by St. Thérèse, the Little Flower of Jesus, who was quoted at the beginning of this entry.
The simple faith captured in that one piercing prayer “My God, you know that I love You” says volumes and when it comes from the heart it drives our actions to imitate those of Christ. His whole mission was to give exactly that message from God to us “My Children, you know that I love you.”
The Lord was telling his Disciples that when their intent was unselfish, their actions directed at loving God, then their leadership would be genuine and the outcome pleasing to the Father whose love is expressed perfectly in Jesus. It is such a simple concept that, like them, we often “over think” it. We get caught up in the complexity of human interaction, trying to detect motives and appeal to agendas. Our expression of that prayer; “My God, you know that I love You” in our every action will accomplish what God intends.
Pax
[1] The Photograph is Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, photographer and date were not cited at the Carmelite web site where it was found.
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Biographical Information about Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus[1]
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Zec 8:1-8
The Prophet Zechariah, whose oracle we hear in this passage, was another contemporary of Ezra and Haggai (the authors of the OT readings we heard last week). Zechariah here issues Gods call to the people to come back from exile to Zion, Jerusalem that the city might be reborn in greatness. We may see it as a call to conversion, a return to more steadfast faith in the New Jerusalem – Christ’s Kingdom.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Psalm 102 is actually a lament – one of the Penitential Psalms. In this selection we see the call to return to the foundations of faith set in Jerusalem or Zion. These strophes support the call from Zechariah heard in the first reading.
Gospel Lk 9:46-50
St. Luke depicts a teaching moment for Jesus as he tells his Disciples that they must not fall into the all too human trap of rivalry for leadership. Rather he tells them that humble leadership will be the norm. In the second instance, the Lord insists that his Disciples accept support from those whom they do not know.
Reflection:
Kneeling before the tabernacle, I can think of only one thing to say to our Lord: "My God, you know that I love You." And I feel that my prayer does not weary Jesus; knowing my weakness, He is satisfied with my good will. -Saint Therese of Lisieux
When we read the Gospel of St. Luke and hear the words we heard today; “For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest” there are some contemporary examples we could point to for meaning. None, however, are more eloquent than the attitude expressed by St. Thérèse, the Little Flower of Jesus, who was quoted at the beginning of this entry.
The simple faith captured in that one piercing prayer “My God, you know that I love You” says volumes and when it comes from the heart it drives our actions to imitate those of Christ. His whole mission was to give exactly that message from God to us “My Children, you know that I love you.”
The Lord was telling his Disciples that when their intent was unselfish, their actions directed at loving God, then their leadership would be genuine and the outcome pleasing to the Father whose love is expressed perfectly in Jesus. It is such a simple concept that, like them, we often “over think” it. We get caught up in the complexity of human interaction, trying to detect motives and appeal to agendas. Our expression of that prayer; “My God, you know that I love You” in our every action will accomplish what God intends.
Pax
[1] The Photograph is Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, photographer and date were not cited at the Carmelite web site where it was found.
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
No comments:
Post a Comment