Priest and Martyr, and His Companions, Martyrs
(Saturday of the Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time)
Biographical Information about St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest and Martyr[1]
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Mc 6:1-13
The historical events published in this selection set the stage for the final battle between the Gentiles of the Seleucid Kings and the Jews. This passage paints a picture of the evil king being thwarted in his plans for domination, recognizing according to the chronicler, that he had wronged the Hebrews he none the less send his forces against Maccabeaus (Judas).
Responsorial Psalm Ps 9:2-3, 4 and 6, 16 and 19
R. I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord.
Psalm 9 is a song of thanksgiving. In these strophes thanks is given to God for His support in the face of oppression. The enemies are thrown down and the faithful triumph through God’s grace.
Gospel Lk 20:27-40
Christ refutes the Sadducees whose role, because of their rejection of the resurrection, would ironically parallel the evil king in the Maccabees reading. Jesus chides them as “children of this age,” a reference to their simplistic understanding of Mosaic Law.
The final section of this reading is Jesus’ apology on the resurrection as he describes God the Father as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who while they are dead in body are alive in God.
Reflection:
As we look at the whole picture of our celebration this day we see the nearly infinite combinations of scripture and saintly examples that provide us daily with a different lesson. The reading from Maccabees tells us the story of the evil King Antiochus. His attempts to spread his domination of the region by force are stopped in the East as he tries to take Persian treasure. He then learns that the Hebrews to his West, whose cities he had conquered and who’s Temple he had sacked had also risen up unexpectedly and thrown back his armies. The king we are told was so depressed over these defeats that he sank into an illness that would ultimately take his life. He recognized that what he had done was wrong (we remember this is a Hebrew recalling this history) and even so lashes out one more time against them. God strengthens Judas and these designs are turned back as well. God supports his faithful even against staggering odds.
This has happened many times throughout the history of the children of Israel. The psalm response sings about it in earlier times. How God’s salvation is always at hand for those who are faithful to Him and trust in his strength. How many times has he shown this? Yet still there are those who would believe that he does not exist, that his promises are hollow. Look at the Sadducees in the Gospel. They challenge Jesus using their narrow understanding of Mosaic Law.
Unlike some who would use this as a story about divorce, the meaning behind this story is our belief in the resurrection. The resurrection is our great hope and the promise made by God, sealed in the Blood of His only Son. It is the final promise, the ultimate gift, the lasting proof of God’s great love for us.
We couple all of these lessons and place on top of them the example of strength that faith in the promise of the resurrection can give to those who believe. Today we also remember St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions. One hundred and seventeen of these faithful stood in holy testament to God’s love in the face of torture and death. For them the prize of resurrection has been won and they stand with the choirs and angels. For us, the mosaic of lessons is brought together with the lived example of the Saints who have gone before us. They stand in the face of denial with the strength of God at their backs and heroically drive the Spirit forward with their example.
We pray today that we may also have that strength and faith in the face of any obstacles we face.
Pax
[1] The picture used is of “Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and His Companions, Martyrs” cited as being found at the Vatican Web site, Author and Date are UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
(Saturday of the Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time)
Biographical Information about St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest and Martyr[1]
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Mc 6:1-13
The historical events published in this selection set the stage for the final battle between the Gentiles of the Seleucid Kings and the Jews. This passage paints a picture of the evil king being thwarted in his plans for domination, recognizing according to the chronicler, that he had wronged the Hebrews he none the less send his forces against Maccabeaus (Judas).
Responsorial Psalm Ps 9:2-3, 4 and 6, 16 and 19
R. I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord.
Psalm 9 is a song of thanksgiving. In these strophes thanks is given to God for His support in the face of oppression. The enemies are thrown down and the faithful triumph through God’s grace.
Gospel Lk 20:27-40
Christ refutes the Sadducees whose role, because of their rejection of the resurrection, would ironically parallel the evil king in the Maccabees reading. Jesus chides them as “children of this age,” a reference to their simplistic understanding of Mosaic Law.
The final section of this reading is Jesus’ apology on the resurrection as he describes God the Father as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who while they are dead in body are alive in God.
Reflection:
As we look at the whole picture of our celebration this day we see the nearly infinite combinations of scripture and saintly examples that provide us daily with a different lesson. The reading from Maccabees tells us the story of the evil King Antiochus. His attempts to spread his domination of the region by force are stopped in the East as he tries to take Persian treasure. He then learns that the Hebrews to his West, whose cities he had conquered and who’s Temple he had sacked had also risen up unexpectedly and thrown back his armies. The king we are told was so depressed over these defeats that he sank into an illness that would ultimately take his life. He recognized that what he had done was wrong (we remember this is a Hebrew recalling this history) and even so lashes out one more time against them. God strengthens Judas and these designs are turned back as well. God supports his faithful even against staggering odds.
This has happened many times throughout the history of the children of Israel. The psalm response sings about it in earlier times. How God’s salvation is always at hand for those who are faithful to Him and trust in his strength. How many times has he shown this? Yet still there are those who would believe that he does not exist, that his promises are hollow. Look at the Sadducees in the Gospel. They challenge Jesus using their narrow understanding of Mosaic Law.
Unlike some who would use this as a story about divorce, the meaning behind this story is our belief in the resurrection. The resurrection is our great hope and the promise made by God, sealed in the Blood of His only Son. It is the final promise, the ultimate gift, the lasting proof of God’s great love for us.
We couple all of these lessons and place on top of them the example of strength that faith in the promise of the resurrection can give to those who believe. Today we also remember St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions. One hundred and seventeen of these faithful stood in holy testament to God’s love in the face of torture and death. For them the prize of resurrection has been won and they stand with the choirs and angels. For us, the mosaic of lessons is brought together with the lived example of the Saints who have gone before us. They stand in the face of denial with the strength of God at their backs and heroically drive the Spirit forward with their example.
We pray today that we may also have that strength and faith in the face of any obstacles we face.
Pax
[1] The picture used is of “Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and His Companions, Martyrs” cited as being found at the Vatican Web site, Author and Date are UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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