Biographical Information about St. Philip Neri[1]
Readings for Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Peter 1:3-9
St. Peter writes to early churches (this letter is thought to have been composed while St. Peter was in Rome and published to them between 64 and 67 AD shortly before his martyrdom at the hands of Nero). This passage is the beginning of the first section of his letter dealing primarily with the gift and call of Christ in Baptism.
In this passage, although Baptism is not mentioned, we see the allusion to it, first with “…who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope” and then later with “…you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls”. These gifts of hope and faith, presented in Baptism, give the Christian their indelible character.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Psalm 111 is a song of praise. The hymn professes God’s greatness, revealed in creation and revered by all that live and have being. The final reference to God’s imperishable covenant (“…he has ratified his covenant forever) links nicely to the baptismal references above.
Gospel Mark 10:17-27
The story of the rich young man presented today in St. Mark’s Gospel is an ideal teaching moment for Christ. After he has heard that the young man has carefully followed Mosaic Law (summarized in the Decalogue the Lord mentions), Jesus tells the young man he has only one more step to take. Selling all he has and giving the proceeds to the poor is too much for the rich young man who leaves downcast.
Jesus uses this example to emphasize first that love of God must come first and before possessions, before the accumulation of wealth. Those listening were also down hearted and say “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus then makes his second point. No one earns salvation from God! Only the Lord alone can grant it and nothing is impossible for Him. “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Reflection:
Our faith has a remarkable range of textures of emotion. In the Letter of St. Peter we see encouragement to Christians under pressure (“In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials”). They are encouraged to rejoice in the faith they have been given. In this letter we feel the zeal of St. Peter, coupled with his love and understanding (the flavor of this understanding is empathy). He knows (has known) the persecution they have encountered and will encounter. He asks them to remember the joy they have discovered in the promise of salvation given in Baptism. He reminds them of the great hope in the promise they share. In this exchange we are given zeal and excitement for the faith and concern out of love for their continued struggle on the path to salvation.
In the Gospel we have another set of emotions. First we see the young man who approaches Jesus with youthful pride. He knows he has been faithful to the Law of Moses. His question to the Lord; “…what must I do to inherit eternal life?” demonstrates his belief that he is very close to being on the path. Jesus certainly sees this in him and makes sure where he is – Jesus knows! “Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” Jesus loved him for trying but had to point out the missing piece – humility and commitment.
When he told the young man he must give up his material wealth, remember, the young man was wealthy, meaning he had spent his energy on success as defined by the secular world (another source of pride) the young man was disappointed. He thought he could gain the great prize, win the great race while maintaining his comfortable lifestyle.
The Lord’s comments had the needed impact on the young man. It also had an impact on those casual followers who were present. It would be as if, during the course of Mass, the Priest announced that no one could receive communion unless they went out, sold all they owned and joined a religious order, taking vows of poverty. The sound of crickets would be the only ones heard the following day. The people of Jesus day heard that message with the same kind of impact, (astonishment we are told). Their emotions must have echoed those of the rich young man. Among themselves they said “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus ignores their immediate concern and drives home a very important point. Christian followers cannot “earn” salvation. There is not enough money, enough energy, or enough time to pay so great a price. It is God’s offer, presented in love by the personification of love, Jesus.
We marvel as we look at the range of emotions our faith has offered us today. Zeal for Christ and his offer of salvation is one. Another is the love and concern for those undergoing trials for the faith. There is disappointment which should evoke humility in us as we empathize with the rich young man whose only sin was he placed too much trust in wealth. And finally we have gratitude because God has offered us the gift of eternal life and as part of the offer, provided us with the means to achieve (not earn) it in Christ Jesus.
Pax
[1] The picture today is “St. Philip Neri” artist and date are UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Readings for Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Peter 1:3-9
St. Peter writes to early churches (this letter is thought to have been composed while St. Peter was in Rome and published to them between 64 and 67 AD shortly before his martyrdom at the hands of Nero). This passage is the beginning of the first section of his letter dealing primarily with the gift and call of Christ in Baptism.
In this passage, although Baptism is not mentioned, we see the allusion to it, first with “…who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope” and then later with “…you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls”. These gifts of hope and faith, presented in Baptism, give the Christian their indelible character.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Psalm 111 is a song of praise. The hymn professes God’s greatness, revealed in creation and revered by all that live and have being. The final reference to God’s imperishable covenant (“…he has ratified his covenant forever) links nicely to the baptismal references above.
Gospel Mark 10:17-27
The story of the rich young man presented today in St. Mark’s Gospel is an ideal teaching moment for Christ. After he has heard that the young man has carefully followed Mosaic Law (summarized in the Decalogue the Lord mentions), Jesus tells the young man he has only one more step to take. Selling all he has and giving the proceeds to the poor is too much for the rich young man who leaves downcast.
Jesus uses this example to emphasize first that love of God must come first and before possessions, before the accumulation of wealth. Those listening were also down hearted and say “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus then makes his second point. No one earns salvation from God! Only the Lord alone can grant it and nothing is impossible for Him. “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Reflection:
Our faith has a remarkable range of textures of emotion. In the Letter of St. Peter we see encouragement to Christians under pressure (“In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials”). They are encouraged to rejoice in the faith they have been given. In this letter we feel the zeal of St. Peter, coupled with his love and understanding (the flavor of this understanding is empathy). He knows (has known) the persecution they have encountered and will encounter. He asks them to remember the joy they have discovered in the promise of salvation given in Baptism. He reminds them of the great hope in the promise they share. In this exchange we are given zeal and excitement for the faith and concern out of love for their continued struggle on the path to salvation.
In the Gospel we have another set of emotions. First we see the young man who approaches Jesus with youthful pride. He knows he has been faithful to the Law of Moses. His question to the Lord; “…what must I do to inherit eternal life?” demonstrates his belief that he is very close to being on the path. Jesus certainly sees this in him and makes sure where he is – Jesus knows! “Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” Jesus loved him for trying but had to point out the missing piece – humility and commitment.
When he told the young man he must give up his material wealth, remember, the young man was wealthy, meaning he had spent his energy on success as defined by the secular world (another source of pride) the young man was disappointed. He thought he could gain the great prize, win the great race while maintaining his comfortable lifestyle.
The Lord’s comments had the needed impact on the young man. It also had an impact on those casual followers who were present. It would be as if, during the course of Mass, the Priest announced that no one could receive communion unless they went out, sold all they owned and joined a religious order, taking vows of poverty. The sound of crickets would be the only ones heard the following day. The people of Jesus day heard that message with the same kind of impact, (astonishment we are told). Their emotions must have echoed those of the rich young man. Among themselves they said “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus ignores their immediate concern and drives home a very important point. Christian followers cannot “earn” salvation. There is not enough money, enough energy, or enough time to pay so great a price. It is God’s offer, presented in love by the personification of love, Jesus.
We marvel as we look at the range of emotions our faith has offered us today. Zeal for Christ and his offer of salvation is one. Another is the love and concern for those undergoing trials for the faith. There is disappointment which should evoke humility in us as we empathize with the rich young man whose only sin was he placed too much trust in wealth. And finally we have gratitude because God has offered us the gift of eternal life and as part of the offer, provided us with the means to achieve (not earn) it in Christ Jesus.
Pax
[1] The picture today is “St. Philip Neri” artist and date are UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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