Saint Christopher Magallanes and his Companions, Martyrs
Biographical Information about St. Christopher Magallanes and his Companions, Martyrs[1]
Readings for Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 James 4:13-17
St. James points out the need to submit humbly to God’s plan rather than being arrogant in human strength. He exhorts the people to pray for guidance in all things and tells them that when His will is revealed, to go against it falls into sin (“…for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin.”)
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Psalm 49 is a “Wisdom Psalm”. In this selection strophes focus on the folly of those who trust in temporal wealth. All the riches one can posses cannot ransom them from God’s judgment. In the end, the psalmist says, all die the wise and the foolish alike and the wealth of the world stays in the world.
Gospel Mark 9:38-40
This short section from St. Mark’s Gospel provides an important attitude in Jesus’ teaching. He warns the disciples about jealousy and intolerance toward others who use the Lord’s name but are not traveling with them. “For whoever is not against us is for us.”
Reflection:
It is said that the proof that God has a sense of humor is that he allows mankind to make plans. It is interesting to see St. James pointing out that, for the Christian it is important to pray about life decisions and to listen to God’s plan. He contrasts this with those who believe that it is through their own will their goals will be accomplished.
This same theme is carried out in Psalm 49. The psalmist says “Why should I fear in evil days when my wicked ensnarers ring me round? They trust in their wealth; the abundance of their riches is their boast.” Those who trust in their own ability to amass wealth will find, in the end, and empty heart and the treasure they build up on earth will stay on earth. What did they sacrifice to attain what they seek? Look at the wealthy who live for their wealth. It controls them and directs them. It happens to all of us.
Think for a moment about the “things” you have. Let’s take for instance a car. A car is a wonderful thing. It takes us were we want to go. It can go great distances and provide us with comfort and safety. If we look at the car, as many do as a status symbol, way beyond transportation, it can take control over our lives. It needs to be scrupulously maintained if it is to project the image of the vain owner. It needs to be protected from dings and dents, maintained by top mechanics, and even though it looses much of its value in the first two years of ownership, many who own such vehicles trade them in at the time when they have lost that big chunk of value.
All of this costs money and money comes through labor or shrewd dealings. It takes time and effort. Supporting this “thing” requires the owner to devote a portion of their time to earning the money to have it. The more “Things” one has, the greater the portion of time necessary to fund them. Since time is something there is only so much of, the more time necessary for supporting “things” the less time is available for other activities. Family suffers, friends suffer, and God suffers. Is it any wonder wealthy people are frequently the loneliest people in the world?
There is a good reason most religious orders require a vow of poverty. The distraction of physical wealth can devastate the soul. Today we pray for God’s guidance in all that we do. We pray also that the “Things” we own do not own us and that we can always put them aside and keep God, who gives us treasure in heaven, first in our lives.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “St. Christopher Magallanes” from the Vatican web site, Artist and Date UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Biographical Information about St. Christopher Magallanes and his Companions, Martyrs[1]
Readings for Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 James 4:13-17
St. James points out the need to submit humbly to God’s plan rather than being arrogant in human strength. He exhorts the people to pray for guidance in all things and tells them that when His will is revealed, to go against it falls into sin (“…for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin.”)
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Psalm 49 is a “Wisdom Psalm”. In this selection strophes focus on the folly of those who trust in temporal wealth. All the riches one can posses cannot ransom them from God’s judgment. In the end, the psalmist says, all die the wise and the foolish alike and the wealth of the world stays in the world.
Gospel Mark 9:38-40
This short section from St. Mark’s Gospel provides an important attitude in Jesus’ teaching. He warns the disciples about jealousy and intolerance toward others who use the Lord’s name but are not traveling with them. “For whoever is not against us is for us.”
Reflection:
It is said that the proof that God has a sense of humor is that he allows mankind to make plans. It is interesting to see St. James pointing out that, for the Christian it is important to pray about life decisions and to listen to God’s plan. He contrasts this with those who believe that it is through their own will their goals will be accomplished.
This same theme is carried out in Psalm 49. The psalmist says “Why should I fear in evil days when my wicked ensnarers ring me round? They trust in their wealth; the abundance of their riches is their boast.” Those who trust in their own ability to amass wealth will find, in the end, and empty heart and the treasure they build up on earth will stay on earth. What did they sacrifice to attain what they seek? Look at the wealthy who live for their wealth. It controls them and directs them. It happens to all of us.
Think for a moment about the “things” you have. Let’s take for instance a car. A car is a wonderful thing. It takes us were we want to go. It can go great distances and provide us with comfort and safety. If we look at the car, as many do as a status symbol, way beyond transportation, it can take control over our lives. It needs to be scrupulously maintained if it is to project the image of the vain owner. It needs to be protected from dings and dents, maintained by top mechanics, and even though it looses much of its value in the first two years of ownership, many who own such vehicles trade them in at the time when they have lost that big chunk of value.
All of this costs money and money comes through labor or shrewd dealings. It takes time and effort. Supporting this “thing” requires the owner to devote a portion of their time to earning the money to have it. The more “Things” one has, the greater the portion of time necessary to fund them. Since time is something there is only so much of, the more time necessary for supporting “things” the less time is available for other activities. Family suffers, friends suffer, and God suffers. Is it any wonder wealthy people are frequently the loneliest people in the world?
There is a good reason most religious orders require a vow of poverty. The distraction of physical wealth can devastate the soul. Today we pray for God’s guidance in all that we do. We pray also that the “Things” we own do not own us and that we can always put them aside and keep God, who gives us treasure in heaven, first in our lives.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “St. Christopher Magallanes” from the Vatican web site, Artist and Date UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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