Memorial of Saint Jerome Emilian, Priest
Memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin
Additional Information about St. Jerome Emilian[1]
Additional Information about St. Josephine Bakhita[2]
Readings for Friday after Ash Wednesday[3]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 58:1-9a
We begin a short journey with the Prophet Isaiah with this passage from what is known as Deutero-Isaiah. Written in the latter part of the Babylonian exile (700 BC), the prophet begins this passage with his mission statement; “Proclaim their faults to my people, their sins to the House of Jacob.” (I like the Jerusalem translation here, it’s clearer.)
Isaiah’s prophecy continues as he chastises the people for missing the point of their fasts of atonement. They perform the rituals and follow the law but then violate the spirit of God’s Law by being uncaring and cruel to each other.
Finally the prophet explains what that spirit is and how it is to impact their actions and closes with the reward for following the spirit of God’s Law – “Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. Cry, and the Lord will answer; call, and he will say, ‘I am here’.”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
The psalm, 51 captures nicely the sentiment expressed in Isaiah regarding first our need for repentance and second our need for forgiveness. The final strophe is parallel to Isaiah’s description of the acceptable sacrifice.
Gospel Matthew 9:14-15
Jesus is challenged by the disciples of John the Baptist and asked why his disciples do not keep the ritual fasts of Pharisaic Law (According to the apostolic response in their early teaching document, the Didache (8.1), the early Christians were to fast on different days than the Jews.).
The Lord responds with the analogy of a marriage banquet were there can be no mourning as long as the bridegroom is present. He refers, of course, to his own presence and the need for fasting only after he is gone.
Reflection:
In past years on this date we have reflected on the proper attitude during our Lenten Fast and on the Teaching Magisterium of the Church as it relates to abstinence from meat on Friday during Lent. This year the first paragraph of the Isaiah reading jumped into sharp focus.
They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God.
“Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”
Isaiah is speaking prophetically with the voice of God. The statement above demonstrates two theological truths. First, in the day of Isaiah, centuries before his messianic prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, the relationship between God and his people was viewed as almost confrontational. The people we note have expectations of God. They feel that by following the Law of Moses they have done their part in fulfilling the rules of the Covenant between God and mankind. He (God), therefore, owes the people his part of the bargain.
In the case of this specific passage, what is owed to the people is forgiveness for any transgressions. After all, didn’t they go out and purchase the animals to be sacrificed at the temple? And didn’t they pray the ritual prayers of atonement and fast for the prescribed period? Ok God, now it’s your turn, hand out that forgiveness.
That first theological truth is that we cannot “earn” God’s love or forgiveness. The early Hebrews, not having had the revelation of God’s love in Christ” thought of their relationship with the Father as some sort of a contract. We must ask ourselves if we fall into that trap. Do we expect something in return for our love? Do we think that fulfilling the precepts of the Church somehow merits special consideration? Can we compare our “affliction” to that of Christ who for our sake “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave”. (Philippians 2:7)
The second theological truth is much clearer. Our attitude must be in concert with our actions. Isaiah makes it abundantly clear that even though we may follow the letter of the Law; the spirit of the law must be what is in our hearts. That was the whole purpose of the Law, to direct our heats to the love of God, in Christ.
The first Friday of Lent is upon us. Our plans for hitting the “Fish-Fry” are probably already made. This year, as we abstain from meat, let us think of those who have not had meat (or fish, or bread) for too long. Let us pray that we might be the instruments of God’s will in showing not only our own penitence but God’s love and mercy as well.
Pax
[1] The first picture is “St. Jerome Emiliani”. Artist and date are UNKNOWN.
[2] The second picture is “St. Josephine Bakhita”, photograph taken from the Vatican archives.
[3] After Links to Readings Expire
Memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin
Additional Information about St. Jerome Emilian[1]
Additional Information about St. Josephine Bakhita[2]
Readings for Friday after Ash Wednesday[3]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 58:1-9a
We begin a short journey with the Prophet Isaiah with this passage from what is known as Deutero-Isaiah. Written in the latter part of the Babylonian exile (700 BC), the prophet begins this passage with his mission statement; “Proclaim their faults to my people, their sins to the House of Jacob.” (I like the Jerusalem translation here, it’s clearer.)
Isaiah’s prophecy continues as he chastises the people for missing the point of their fasts of atonement. They perform the rituals and follow the law but then violate the spirit of God’s Law by being uncaring and cruel to each other.
Finally the prophet explains what that spirit is and how it is to impact their actions and closes with the reward for following the spirit of God’s Law – “Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. Cry, and the Lord will answer; call, and he will say, ‘I am here’.”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
The psalm, 51 captures nicely the sentiment expressed in Isaiah regarding first our need for repentance and second our need for forgiveness. The final strophe is parallel to Isaiah’s description of the acceptable sacrifice.
Gospel Matthew 9:14-15
Jesus is challenged by the disciples of John the Baptist and asked why his disciples do not keep the ritual fasts of Pharisaic Law (According to the apostolic response in their early teaching document, the Didache (8.1), the early Christians were to fast on different days than the Jews.).
The Lord responds with the analogy of a marriage banquet were there can be no mourning as long as the bridegroom is present. He refers, of course, to his own presence and the need for fasting only after he is gone.
Reflection:
In past years on this date we have reflected on the proper attitude during our Lenten Fast and on the Teaching Magisterium of the Church as it relates to abstinence from meat on Friday during Lent. This year the first paragraph of the Isaiah reading jumped into sharp focus.
They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God.
“Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”
Isaiah is speaking prophetically with the voice of God. The statement above demonstrates two theological truths. First, in the day of Isaiah, centuries before his messianic prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, the relationship between God and his people was viewed as almost confrontational. The people we note have expectations of God. They feel that by following the Law of Moses they have done their part in fulfilling the rules of the Covenant between God and mankind. He (God), therefore, owes the people his part of the bargain.
In the case of this specific passage, what is owed to the people is forgiveness for any transgressions. After all, didn’t they go out and purchase the animals to be sacrificed at the temple? And didn’t they pray the ritual prayers of atonement and fast for the prescribed period? Ok God, now it’s your turn, hand out that forgiveness.
That first theological truth is that we cannot “earn” God’s love or forgiveness. The early Hebrews, not having had the revelation of God’s love in Christ” thought of their relationship with the Father as some sort of a contract. We must ask ourselves if we fall into that trap. Do we expect something in return for our love? Do we think that fulfilling the precepts of the Church somehow merits special consideration? Can we compare our “affliction” to that of Christ who for our sake “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave”. (Philippians 2:7)
The second theological truth is much clearer. Our attitude must be in concert with our actions. Isaiah makes it abundantly clear that even though we may follow the letter of the Law; the spirit of the law must be what is in our hearts. That was the whole purpose of the Law, to direct our heats to the love of God, in Christ.
The first Friday of Lent is upon us. Our plans for hitting the “Fish-Fry” are probably already made. This year, as we abstain from meat, let us think of those who have not had meat (or fish, or bread) for too long. Let us pray that we might be the instruments of God’s will in showing not only our own penitence but God’s love and mercy as well.
Pax
[1] The first picture is “St. Jerome Emiliani”. Artist and date are UNKNOWN.
[2] The second picture is “St. Josephine Bakhita”, photograph taken from the Vatican archives.
[3] After Links to Readings Expire
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