Readings for Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Micah 2:1-5
The second chapter of the book of the Prophet Micah opens with a denouncement of the evil rich who seek to steal the land of the poor. The practice, also mentioned in Isaiah was prevalent in Judah. A person’s inherited land was, under Mosaic Law, supposed to be exempt from these schemes (1 Kings 21:1-4) however the greedy were violating this precept.
The punishment the Prophet mentions relates to the initial division of property among the Israelites when they came into the land, lead by Joshua. Boundaries were established for each person and tribe (see Joshua 13-21). Those who are found guilty of stealing land will have not place in the final reckoning (e.g. the Kingdom of Heaven).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
Psalm 10 (generally linked with Psalm 9) is considered a thanksgiving hymn. The strophes used in this selection, however, reflect a lament against the wicked that prey upon the poor and faithful. By their actions they reject God and consider him unable or unwilling to stop their actions. The concluding strophe reflects the hope of the faithful because of God’s mercy and salvation will vindicate them.
Gospel Matthew 12:14-21
After challenging Pharisaic Law and declaring the “Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” the Pharisees now see Jesus as a threat to their hold over the people. Jesus backs away from this intended violence and in doing so fulfills the “Suffering Servant” role in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4). This passage emphasizes his meekness and extends his mission to the gentiles.
Reflection:
A few days ago the news commentator Paul Harvey made the statement “Just remember, each time you choose to walk to the corner for the newspaper or a cup of coffee instead of driving, an oil speculator who is betting on $200 a barrel will have to eat peanut butter and jelly for lunch.”
The obvious implication is that those who speculate on commodities (and not just oil) understand that they are causing hardships on the end consumer. This is not a critical blast at capitalism, but rather an indictment of greed that is the constant temptress of those whose vocation places them in positions where they have great sums of money at their disposal. Part of the system rewards these brokers regardless of the consequences of their actions if they create more wealth for their patrons. They are like the greedy ones mentioned in the reading from the Prophet Micah in the first reading: “Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches; In the morning light they accomplish it when it lies within their power.“
The U.S. news in the past weeks has been full of reports about the consequences of the actions of people who trade in big money. It has not just been in the meteoric rise in oil prices but also in the collapse of the mortgage industry as a direct result of abuses and greed by individuals who saw the possibility to become wealthy at the expense of others. And what was that possibility? It was an opportunity for a large number of people to buy homes they previously could not afford or to live even further beyond their means. Again, this is not a criticism of individuals now being forced into foreclosure. Many were duped by unscrupulous lenders who saw an opportunity and did not care about consequences.
What this current situation demonstrates most eloquently is the value of humility and meekness shown by the Lord and the danger of placing material wealth before the desire to please God with our actions and concern for the poor. While many were indeed duped into their situations, many others were placed their through their own greed (“I can get a bigger, better house and impress my peers while building more wealth for me.”). The situation as it exists for millions in this country is an indictment secular values.
Today we pray for those who suffer because of others who find greed a way of life. We ask God to help us bring hope and consolation to those who find themselves in difficult situations. We also pray that we can always be vigilant and never fall into the trap so often laid for the unsuspecting.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Women Evicted” by B. Pighein, Date UNKNOWN
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Micah 2:1-5
The second chapter of the book of the Prophet Micah opens with a denouncement of the evil rich who seek to steal the land of the poor. The practice, also mentioned in Isaiah was prevalent in Judah. A person’s inherited land was, under Mosaic Law, supposed to be exempt from these schemes (1 Kings 21:1-4) however the greedy were violating this precept.
The punishment the Prophet mentions relates to the initial division of property among the Israelites when they came into the land, lead by Joshua. Boundaries were established for each person and tribe (see Joshua 13-21). Those who are found guilty of stealing land will have not place in the final reckoning (e.g. the Kingdom of Heaven).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
Psalm 10 (generally linked with Psalm 9) is considered a thanksgiving hymn. The strophes used in this selection, however, reflect a lament against the wicked that prey upon the poor and faithful. By their actions they reject God and consider him unable or unwilling to stop their actions. The concluding strophe reflects the hope of the faithful because of God’s mercy and salvation will vindicate them.
Gospel Matthew 12:14-21
After challenging Pharisaic Law and declaring the “Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” the Pharisees now see Jesus as a threat to their hold over the people. Jesus backs away from this intended violence and in doing so fulfills the “Suffering Servant” role in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4). This passage emphasizes his meekness and extends his mission to the gentiles.
Reflection:
A few days ago the news commentator Paul Harvey made the statement “Just remember, each time you choose to walk to the corner for the newspaper or a cup of coffee instead of driving, an oil speculator who is betting on $200 a barrel will have to eat peanut butter and jelly for lunch.”
The obvious implication is that those who speculate on commodities (and not just oil) understand that they are causing hardships on the end consumer. This is not a critical blast at capitalism, but rather an indictment of greed that is the constant temptress of those whose vocation places them in positions where they have great sums of money at their disposal. Part of the system rewards these brokers regardless of the consequences of their actions if they create more wealth for their patrons. They are like the greedy ones mentioned in the reading from the Prophet Micah in the first reading: “Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches; In the morning light they accomplish it when it lies within their power.“
The U.S. news in the past weeks has been full of reports about the consequences of the actions of people who trade in big money. It has not just been in the meteoric rise in oil prices but also in the collapse of the mortgage industry as a direct result of abuses and greed by individuals who saw the possibility to become wealthy at the expense of others. And what was that possibility? It was an opportunity for a large number of people to buy homes they previously could not afford or to live even further beyond their means. Again, this is not a criticism of individuals now being forced into foreclosure. Many were duped by unscrupulous lenders who saw an opportunity and did not care about consequences.
What this current situation demonstrates most eloquently is the value of humility and meekness shown by the Lord and the danger of placing material wealth before the desire to please God with our actions and concern for the poor. While many were indeed duped into their situations, many others were placed their through their own greed (“I can get a bigger, better house and impress my peers while building more wealth for me.”). The situation as it exists for millions in this country is an indictment secular values.
Today we pray for those who suffer because of others who find greed a way of life. We ask God to help us bring hope and consolation to those who find themselves in difficult situations. We also pray that we can always be vigilant and never fall into the trap so often laid for the unsuspecting.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Women Evicted” by B. Pighein, Date UNKNOWN
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