Readings for Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1
We are introduced in this passage to Saul. Saul, while on a journey of three days to try to recover livestock that went missing from his home, encounters Samuel who is called Seer as opposed to Prophet at this point in history. Samuel is told by God that this is the person he is to appoint as King of Israel. He invites Saul to dine with him and the next day anoints his head with oil as a sign that he is commander over the heritage given to the Jewish people by God.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Psalm 21 is a song of thanksgiving. The thanks being offered is by the king who was first given the position by God’s authority and rules at his pleasure. All accomplishments of the king are to God’s glory. There is a clear linkage here between the psalm and the call and anointing of Saul as king of Israel.
Gospel Mark 2:13-17
This passage from St. Mark’s Gospel documents the call of Matthew, here named Levi. The Gospel of St. Matthew renames him to Matthew so this tax collector, whose call is given special notice, will be included with the special status of the call of the first four disciples.
We also note that the conflict with the Scribes and Pharisees continues as they see in Jesus’ association with “tax collectors and sinners” actions which threaten his status as teacher. The Lord uses the famous analogy of a doctor not being needed by those who are well in response.
Reflection:
Holy Scripture tells the stories of the call of two men in two different ages. It is the contrast in these stories that we reflect upon today. We hear first about the call of Saul to be king of Israel. Saul is a likely choice. We are told he is tall and handsome; “There was no other child of Israel more handsome than Saul; he stood head and shoulders above the people.”
Samuel anoints his head with oil when the young man is directed to him. His anointing is significant in that it is through the will of God that he is set apart. In the same way we are set apart at our baptism, our heads anointed with Chrism, the sanctifying oil. One might think that because he is now anointed that he will fill the role for which God has chosen him nobly and with great renown. Alas, as we will see in the coming week, this is not the case. Even with the gift of the spirit to guide him, Saul falls prey to temptation and disobeys God’s commands. The God of Justice demands justice.
On this same day we are told about the call of Levi (Matthew) the tax collector. He is as unlikely a candidate for a chosen servant of God as Saul was likely. Matthew is in the business of collecting taxes and as such is seen as a puppet of the Romans and a thief by many. His position is one considered by his contemporaries as “institutionalized graft”. Yet here comes Jesus and his entourage. Jesus calls to him; “Follow me.” in St. Mark’s story, and he leaves his post and follows the Lord. Of course when Jesus has dinner with Matthew and his associates the Scribes and Pharisees have a hay day. We can almost hear them talking to his followers outside where Jesus is, telling his admirers “See what kind of people your teacher is consorting with! How can he be considered a prophet of God when he sits with sinners?” We can see the seeds of doubt being cast among those who are just following him because he has cured the sick and done some pretty spectacular things. They have to wonder now whose side he’s on.
The response Jesus gives probably confuses the weak minded and chastises the “Holier than thou” Pharisees. He tells them “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” We understand what is going on, but to those expecting a Royal Messiah; this still must have been disappointing.
And what does this marked (pun intended) contrast in call and response tell us? That God’s call and gifts cannot be taken casually. Just because we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit and been called by God, set aside for God, does not mean the evil one is not able to push us in wrong directions. The best person can fall into the desperate trap and the worst person can rise above that same temptation to become a saint.
We pray today that we have the strength and courage of St. Matthew and that our call will be answered with faithfulness to the glory of God whose Son is our Savior and Lord.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Calling of Matthew” by Marinus van Reymerswaele, 1536
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1
We are introduced in this passage to Saul. Saul, while on a journey of three days to try to recover livestock that went missing from his home, encounters Samuel who is called Seer as opposed to Prophet at this point in history. Samuel is told by God that this is the person he is to appoint as King of Israel. He invites Saul to dine with him and the next day anoints his head with oil as a sign that he is commander over the heritage given to the Jewish people by God.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Psalm 21 is a song of thanksgiving. The thanks being offered is by the king who was first given the position by God’s authority and rules at his pleasure. All accomplishments of the king are to God’s glory. There is a clear linkage here between the psalm and the call and anointing of Saul as king of Israel.
Gospel Mark 2:13-17
This passage from St. Mark’s Gospel documents the call of Matthew, here named Levi. The Gospel of St. Matthew renames him to Matthew so this tax collector, whose call is given special notice, will be included with the special status of the call of the first four disciples.
We also note that the conflict with the Scribes and Pharisees continues as they see in Jesus’ association with “tax collectors and sinners” actions which threaten his status as teacher. The Lord uses the famous analogy of a doctor not being needed by those who are well in response.
Reflection:
Holy Scripture tells the stories of the call of two men in two different ages. It is the contrast in these stories that we reflect upon today. We hear first about the call of Saul to be king of Israel. Saul is a likely choice. We are told he is tall and handsome; “There was no other child of Israel more handsome than Saul; he stood head and shoulders above the people.”
Samuel anoints his head with oil when the young man is directed to him. His anointing is significant in that it is through the will of God that he is set apart. In the same way we are set apart at our baptism, our heads anointed with Chrism, the sanctifying oil. One might think that because he is now anointed that he will fill the role for which God has chosen him nobly and with great renown. Alas, as we will see in the coming week, this is not the case. Even with the gift of the spirit to guide him, Saul falls prey to temptation and disobeys God’s commands. The God of Justice demands justice.
On this same day we are told about the call of Levi (Matthew) the tax collector. He is as unlikely a candidate for a chosen servant of God as Saul was likely. Matthew is in the business of collecting taxes and as such is seen as a puppet of the Romans and a thief by many. His position is one considered by his contemporaries as “institutionalized graft”. Yet here comes Jesus and his entourage. Jesus calls to him; “Follow me.” in St. Mark’s story, and he leaves his post and follows the Lord. Of course when Jesus has dinner with Matthew and his associates the Scribes and Pharisees have a hay day. We can almost hear them talking to his followers outside where Jesus is, telling his admirers “See what kind of people your teacher is consorting with! How can he be considered a prophet of God when he sits with sinners?” We can see the seeds of doubt being cast among those who are just following him because he has cured the sick and done some pretty spectacular things. They have to wonder now whose side he’s on.
The response Jesus gives probably confuses the weak minded and chastises the “Holier than thou” Pharisees. He tells them “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” We understand what is going on, but to those expecting a Royal Messiah; this still must have been disappointing.
And what does this marked (pun intended) contrast in call and response tell us? That God’s call and gifts cannot be taken casually. Just because we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit and been called by God, set aside for God, does not mean the evil one is not able to push us in wrong directions. The best person can fall into the desperate trap and the worst person can rise above that same temptation to become a saint.
We pray today that we have the strength and courage of St. Matthew and that our call will be answered with faithfulness to the glory of God whose Son is our Savior and Lord.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Calling of Matthew” by Marinus van Reymerswaele, 1536
1 comment:
great thought daer Rev. Deacon. thanks again
Fr. Vincent
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