Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious
Biographical Information about Saint Bridget of Sweden[1]
Readings for Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
This is the beginning of the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (the two verses omitted set a span of time in which he was active that is contradicted later in modern manuscripts). It is clear that the author sees the call of the prophet from before his birth (see Isaiah 49:1, 5; Luke 1:15; Gal 1:15, 16. I knew you: I loved you and chose you. I dedicated you: I set you apart to be a prophet.)
In spite of protesting that he was not yet of age (he was less than thirty years of age), God tells him that he (the Lord) will overcome all obstacles (“To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you”). The passage culminates with formal statement of his prophetic mission to tear down (those who follow false paths) and to build and plant (uphold the Kingdom of God).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15 and 17
R. I will sing of your salvation.
Psalm 71 is an individual lament. In this section we hear a profession of faith in the saving power of God. In the third strophe we also find a link to the “Servant of the Lord” in Jeremiah and Isaiah. In both cases the servant is known by God and prepared for his service from the womb.
Gospel Matthew 13:1-9
St. Matthew’s Gospel begins the third great discourse of teachings on the Kingdom of God through parables. We hear that Jesus is teaching from a boat which would provide a natural amphitheater with the ground sloping to the shore. Here the Lord presents the parable of the “Sower”. Jesus follows the unvarnished parable with a deeper explanation to the Disciples (Matthew 13: 18-23). As a historical note, at that point in history in that region, when planting a field, the seed was sown first and then the field was plowed.
Reflection:
After the brief pause to reflect on those who have influenced us in our faith, we come back to the mission we are handed and our preparation for it. We have reflected at length about the Parable of the Sower since it has been used extensively. We are always finding new ways of understanding the complexity of the story since we can assume the role of the sower, the seed, or the environment into which the seed is sown.
Today, however, we are introduced to the Prophet Jeremiah and his call and response. Placed as it is with the parable of the sower, it is as if we are told; “See, you are called to play an important role in my plan. Which part will you play?” Our part in God’s plan may be one that requires us to place our selves at risk (Like the prophets, the Apostles, and the Lord himself) or it may be a more supportive role (like Mary, the virgin mother of Christ, Mary Magdalene, or the great contemplatives of the faith). It may be something in between and it may even change over time. We are called, after all, to constantly build up spiritual treasure for ourselves. Sometimes God tells us to go out and spend it.
The point of Jeremiah’s example is that we may not understand what God is calling us to do or to be for the world. We do know, like Jeremiah, that we were called before we were born to be the adopted sons and daughters of God. A call first fulfilled in our Baptism, our dedication, our first call to be set aside for God’s purpose. Also like the prophet, we may resist what God calls us to be. Look at the mission He gave Jeremiah: “To root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.” His was not a passive role, yet, like us God promises to stand with us and support us as we work for his greater glory.
Today, let’s take time to reflect and pray about what God has called us to be. What barriers are we to tear down or what seed are we to plant? Let us pray that our ears are open that we might hear and follow.
Pax
[1] The picture today is “St. Bridget of Sweden, Artist and Date UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Biographical Information about Saint Bridget of Sweden[1]
Readings for Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
This is the beginning of the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (the two verses omitted set a span of time in which he was active that is contradicted later in modern manuscripts). It is clear that the author sees the call of the prophet from before his birth (see Isaiah 49:1, 5; Luke 1:15; Gal 1:15, 16. I knew you: I loved you and chose you. I dedicated you: I set you apart to be a prophet.)
In spite of protesting that he was not yet of age (he was less than thirty years of age), God tells him that he (the Lord) will overcome all obstacles (“To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you”). The passage culminates with formal statement of his prophetic mission to tear down (those who follow false paths) and to build and plant (uphold the Kingdom of God).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15 and 17
R. I will sing of your salvation.
Psalm 71 is an individual lament. In this section we hear a profession of faith in the saving power of God. In the third strophe we also find a link to the “Servant of the Lord” in Jeremiah and Isaiah. In both cases the servant is known by God and prepared for his service from the womb.
Gospel Matthew 13:1-9
St. Matthew’s Gospel begins the third great discourse of teachings on the Kingdom of God through parables. We hear that Jesus is teaching from a boat which would provide a natural amphitheater with the ground sloping to the shore. Here the Lord presents the parable of the “Sower”. Jesus follows the unvarnished parable with a deeper explanation to the Disciples (Matthew 13: 18-23). As a historical note, at that point in history in that region, when planting a field, the seed was sown first and then the field was plowed.
Reflection:
After the brief pause to reflect on those who have influenced us in our faith, we come back to the mission we are handed and our preparation for it. We have reflected at length about the Parable of the Sower since it has been used extensively. We are always finding new ways of understanding the complexity of the story since we can assume the role of the sower, the seed, or the environment into which the seed is sown.
Today, however, we are introduced to the Prophet Jeremiah and his call and response. Placed as it is with the parable of the sower, it is as if we are told; “See, you are called to play an important role in my plan. Which part will you play?” Our part in God’s plan may be one that requires us to place our selves at risk (Like the prophets, the Apostles, and the Lord himself) or it may be a more supportive role (like Mary, the virgin mother of Christ, Mary Magdalene, or the great contemplatives of the faith). It may be something in between and it may even change over time. We are called, after all, to constantly build up spiritual treasure for ourselves. Sometimes God tells us to go out and spend it.
The point of Jeremiah’s example is that we may not understand what God is calling us to do or to be for the world. We do know, like Jeremiah, that we were called before we were born to be the adopted sons and daughters of God. A call first fulfilled in our Baptism, our dedication, our first call to be set aside for God’s purpose. Also like the prophet, we may resist what God calls us to be. Look at the mission He gave Jeremiah: “To root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.” His was not a passive role, yet, like us God promises to stand with us and support us as we work for his greater glory.
Today, let’s take time to reflect and pray about what God has called us to be. What barriers are we to tear down or what seed are we to plant? Let us pray that our ears are open that we might hear and follow.
Pax
[1] The picture today is “St. Bridget of Sweden, Artist and Date UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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