Saints Denis, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs
Saint John Leonardi, priest
Biographical Information about Sts. Denis and Companions[1]
Biographical Information about St. John Loonardi
Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jon 3:1-10
Jonah has tried to run from God after the first time the word of God came to him. He has been swallowed by a giant fish and spewed out on dry land. He now accepts his charge and goes to Nineveh. Against all odds, the people of that great city believed the prophet’s call and immediately began a fast and repentance. The Lord held true to his promise and did not destroy the city.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 130:1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Psalm 130 is an individual lament. It supports the penitence of the people of Nineveh as the singer pleads for forgiveness.
Gospel Lk 10:38-42
The story of Jesus’ meeting with Martha and Mary conveys the importance of listening to the teachings of the Lord. While in some early texts the Lord tells Martha there is “need for only a few things” or of one, the message is clear, Mary, in assuming the role of disciple (listening at the master’s feet) has chosen the correct or better role. Martha, concerning herself with the requirements of hospitality (old law) has chosen the lesser.
Reflection:
Jonah must be shocked (he will later be angry) that the people of Nineveh have listened to him and, more importantly, believed the word of God he spoke to them. We are told that only one day into his three day trip across the city the people reacted to his call to repentance and proclaimed a fast. In accordance with God’s requirement, the entire city participated, putting on sack cloth and ashes, the traditional sign of repentance. The key for the purpose of the message we receive today is they listened to God’s word and took it to heart.
In St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus visits the house of Martha and Mary. Jewish Law demands that guests be shown hospitality, an obligation Martha takes seriously as she is portrayed “…burdened with much serving”. Her sister, however, is not helping. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his word.
There are a few remarkable things about the scene St. Luke describes. First, is that Mary assumes the place, “…beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak” that would normally be reserved for his disciples. As a woman, her acceptance at this place is remarkable in ancient Palestine. The fact that the other men present allowed her to stay shows the role women play in St. Luke’s Gospel. This is capped when Martha approaches Jesus and asks him to have Mary help her (Anyone with siblings could immediately identify with Martha in this situation.). Instead of doing this the Lord tells Martha that her sister has chosen the better part.
The message delivered by the example of the Ninevites in the story of Jonah is reiterated at an individual level. Listen to God’s Word; it is more important than almost anything we do. It is the whole point of this faith journey we share. The Word of God comes to us each day. It is important that we listen and try to understand what the Lord is telling us, it is for us “the better part and it will not be taken from” us.
Pax
[1] The Picture used today is The Virgin and Child with Ss. Denis (left), Thomas Aquinas, Dominic and Clement I, by Ghirlandaio, 1480
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Saint John Leonardi, priest
Biographical Information about Sts. Denis and Companions[1]
Biographical Information about St. John Loonardi
Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jon 3:1-10
Jonah has tried to run from God after the first time the word of God came to him. He has been swallowed by a giant fish and spewed out on dry land. He now accepts his charge and goes to Nineveh. Against all odds, the people of that great city believed the prophet’s call and immediately began a fast and repentance. The Lord held true to his promise and did not destroy the city.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 130:1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Psalm 130 is an individual lament. It supports the penitence of the people of Nineveh as the singer pleads for forgiveness.
Gospel Lk 10:38-42
The story of Jesus’ meeting with Martha and Mary conveys the importance of listening to the teachings of the Lord. While in some early texts the Lord tells Martha there is “need for only a few things” or of one, the message is clear, Mary, in assuming the role of disciple (listening at the master’s feet) has chosen the correct or better role. Martha, concerning herself with the requirements of hospitality (old law) has chosen the lesser.
Reflection:
Jonah must be shocked (he will later be angry) that the people of Nineveh have listened to him and, more importantly, believed the word of God he spoke to them. We are told that only one day into his three day trip across the city the people reacted to his call to repentance and proclaimed a fast. In accordance with God’s requirement, the entire city participated, putting on sack cloth and ashes, the traditional sign of repentance. The key for the purpose of the message we receive today is they listened to God’s word and took it to heart.
In St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus visits the house of Martha and Mary. Jewish Law demands that guests be shown hospitality, an obligation Martha takes seriously as she is portrayed “…burdened with much serving”. Her sister, however, is not helping. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his word.
There are a few remarkable things about the scene St. Luke describes. First, is that Mary assumes the place, “…beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak” that would normally be reserved for his disciples. As a woman, her acceptance at this place is remarkable in ancient Palestine. The fact that the other men present allowed her to stay shows the role women play in St. Luke’s Gospel. This is capped when Martha approaches Jesus and asks him to have Mary help her (Anyone with siblings could immediately identify with Martha in this situation.). Instead of doing this the Lord tells Martha that her sister has chosen the better part.
The message delivered by the example of the Ninevites in the story of Jonah is reiterated at an individual level. Listen to God’s Word; it is more important than almost anything we do. It is the whole point of this faith journey we share. The Word of God comes to us each day. It is important that we listen and try to understand what the Lord is telling us, it is for us “the better part and it will not be taken from” us.
Pax
[1] The Picture used today is The Virgin and Child with Ss. Denis (left), Thomas Aquinas, Dominic and Clement I, by Ghirlandaio, 1480
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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