Readings for Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: Proverbs 3:27-34
The book of Proverbs provides us with these supports and clarifications to the Law of Moses. These verses stress service to God through kindness and service to one’s neighbor. Going further the author enjoins the faithful not to envy the wicked but to abhor that which God has deemed wicked – those who act in arrogance or wickedness will not find friendship with God but will feel his punishment.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Psalm 15 is a Jewish form of examination of conscience. In this selection the poem asks first about lying, then committing violence against his neighbor, and finally about usury, making money by lending to the poor instead of helping without charge as Mosaic Law demands.
Gospel: Luke 8:16-18
In this saying of Jesus from St. Luke’s Gospel the disciples are enjoined once more to share what they are given with the world. The metaphor, in this instance, sees the light multiplying it self and the greater the understanding of the light the more responsibility of the one to which that gift is given for passing it on. Contrasted with the disciples are the unbelievers who will not accept the light.
Reflection:
There are a number of reasons to reflect upon God’s word recorded in Sacred Scripture. Chief among these is to get to understand the mind of Christ and the will of God. This effort increases our faith and brings us peace in this life and eternal joy on the next. A second and equally compelling reason to delve in to the Bible is to be able to understand how we are expected to act in responding to Christ’s commandments and the will of God as we go about our daily lives.
We meditate upon these passages and recall how we have either failed to respond appropriately or have succeeded in bringing Christ glory through our actions on his behalf. In St. Luke’s Gospel today Jesus tells his disciples that they must take the “good news” into the world; that what they have been given is not some private knowledge or some secret to be guarded. They are called to tell anyone who will listen, likening the word to light in the darkness a fire that will light the night.
Coupled, as it is today with the Proverbs injunction to serve our neighbors; dealing fairly with them and forgiving them for any transgressions, the act of taking God’s word to the world means acting upon what we have learned. In a very pragmatic way we are called to be light to the world through how we interact with the world in which night constantly tries to rule. Just as living in Christ’s light is difficult for us, so the struggle between love and hate is constantly being waged in the world around us.
The message for us today is one of the basics; we are called to be a light for the world. Reflecting upon the great love that stimulated this call, how can we not respond with all our hearts? We pray especially that our actions will be that light and those who meet us today will see it and be enflamed by the love we show them.
Pax
[1] After Links to readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Lamp on a Stand” by Johann Christoph Weigel, 1695
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: Proverbs 3:27-34
The book of Proverbs provides us with these supports and clarifications to the Law of Moses. These verses stress service to God through kindness and service to one’s neighbor. Going further the author enjoins the faithful not to envy the wicked but to abhor that which God has deemed wicked – those who act in arrogance or wickedness will not find friendship with God but will feel his punishment.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Psalm 15 is a Jewish form of examination of conscience. In this selection the poem asks first about lying, then committing violence against his neighbor, and finally about usury, making money by lending to the poor instead of helping without charge as Mosaic Law demands.
Gospel: Luke 8:16-18
In this saying of Jesus from St. Luke’s Gospel the disciples are enjoined once more to share what they are given with the world. The metaphor, in this instance, sees the light multiplying it self and the greater the understanding of the light the more responsibility of the one to which that gift is given for passing it on. Contrasted with the disciples are the unbelievers who will not accept the light.
Reflection:
There are a number of reasons to reflect upon God’s word recorded in Sacred Scripture. Chief among these is to get to understand the mind of Christ and the will of God. This effort increases our faith and brings us peace in this life and eternal joy on the next. A second and equally compelling reason to delve in to the Bible is to be able to understand how we are expected to act in responding to Christ’s commandments and the will of God as we go about our daily lives.
We meditate upon these passages and recall how we have either failed to respond appropriately or have succeeded in bringing Christ glory through our actions on his behalf. In St. Luke’s Gospel today Jesus tells his disciples that they must take the “good news” into the world; that what they have been given is not some private knowledge or some secret to be guarded. They are called to tell anyone who will listen, likening the word to light in the darkness a fire that will light the night.
Coupled, as it is today with the Proverbs injunction to serve our neighbors; dealing fairly with them and forgiving them for any transgressions, the act of taking God’s word to the world means acting upon what we have learned. In a very pragmatic way we are called to be light to the world through how we interact with the world in which night constantly tries to rule. Just as living in Christ’s light is difficult for us, so the struggle between love and hate is constantly being waged in the world around us.
The message for us today is one of the basics; we are called to be a light for the world. Reflecting upon the great love that stimulated this call, how can we not respond with all our hearts? We pray especially that our actions will be that light and those who meet us today will see it and be enflamed by the love we show them.
Pax
[1] After Links to readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Lamp on a Stand” by Johann Christoph Weigel, 1695
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