Additional Information about the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary[1]
Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: Galatians 1:13-24
St. Paul continues the defense of his authority, challenged by other evangelists who came after him to the churches of Galatia. The apostle begins this passage with a short history about his own formation in Judaism. He goes further relating how he was once the inquisitor assigned to persecute the Christians on behalf of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (recall it was young Saul who authorized the stoning of St. Stephen, see Acts 7:58 – 8:3).
St. Paul importantly mentions “when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace” a clear reference to his parents presenting him at the temple and dedicating him according to Prophetic Tradition. God’s action in setting him apart he links directly to Jesus the Son of God.
St. Paul goes on to describe his early ministry where he was directed by Jesus in his call without consultation to the Apostles in Jerusalem whom he only met briefly after three years. The time frame mentioned here is likely imprecise but underscores St. Paul’s “Gospel” as being authorized and approved by St. Peter.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
This song/prayer asks for guidance from the Holy Spirit. It recognizes that God’s spirit is in all His creation and its knowledge is omnipresent. The idea of being called from the womb – set aside for God is a common theme of the Prophetic Tradition in the Old Testament.
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
In this encounter with Martha and Mary in St. Luke’s Gospel we see two distinct messages. First, we see the importance of the role of women and Jesus’ attitude toward them. Second we see the importance of listening to the word of God "Mary has chosen the better part".
Homily:
There is a rather complex message in the story of Martha and Mary related in the Gospel of St. Luke. It is the tension between doing what is called for by societal obligation and doing what is called for under our call as Christians.
In the story, Jesus comes to the house of Martha (probably because her brother Lazarus is Jesus’ great friend (see John 11). The women of the house would be responsible for providing refreshments for the guests under the hospitality requirement of Jewish Tradition. Martha is busing doing this when she notices her sister, Mary, is sitting at Jesus feet with the Men!
Those of us with siblings know how these things go. Martha was put out. She probably tried to get Mary’s attention and finally took Jesus aside and asked him if he would please tell her sister that her place was with Martha- serving.
The Lord’s response must have surprised Martha (we make this assumption because she makes no reply at this time and we know from her later confrontation with Jesus when Lazarus had died, she was not intimidated by him). Jesus said “There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Mary had chosen the “better part”. She had chosen to place the demands of social obligation second and listening to Jesus words first. What that means for us can be applied in the priorities we set for ourselves. How many times have we decided to go to a social function rather than one with a spiritual focus? How often have we decided to watch one more television program rather than spend time with the Lord in prayer?
The Gospel makes it clear – Mary had chosen the better part and that part is offered to us as well. We pray today that we will be better at choosing well for ourselves.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Virgin and Child with a Rosary”, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1550-55
[2] ALTRE
Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: Galatians 1:13-24
St. Paul continues the defense of his authority, challenged by other evangelists who came after him to the churches of Galatia. The apostle begins this passage with a short history about his own formation in Judaism. He goes further relating how he was once the inquisitor assigned to persecute the Christians on behalf of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (recall it was young Saul who authorized the stoning of St. Stephen, see Acts 7:58 – 8:3).
St. Paul importantly mentions “when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace” a clear reference to his parents presenting him at the temple and dedicating him according to Prophetic Tradition. God’s action in setting him apart he links directly to Jesus the Son of God.
St. Paul goes on to describe his early ministry where he was directed by Jesus in his call without consultation to the Apostles in Jerusalem whom he only met briefly after three years. The time frame mentioned here is likely imprecise but underscores St. Paul’s “Gospel” as being authorized and approved by St. Peter.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
This song/prayer asks for guidance from the Holy Spirit. It recognizes that God’s spirit is in all His creation and its knowledge is omnipresent. The idea of being called from the womb – set aside for God is a common theme of the Prophetic Tradition in the Old Testament.
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
In this encounter with Martha and Mary in St. Luke’s Gospel we see two distinct messages. First, we see the importance of the role of women and Jesus’ attitude toward them. Second we see the importance of listening to the word of God "Mary has chosen the better part".
Homily:
There is a rather complex message in the story of Martha and Mary related in the Gospel of St. Luke. It is the tension between doing what is called for by societal obligation and doing what is called for under our call as Christians.
In the story, Jesus comes to the house of Martha (probably because her brother Lazarus is Jesus’ great friend (see John 11). The women of the house would be responsible for providing refreshments for the guests under the hospitality requirement of Jewish Tradition. Martha is busing doing this when she notices her sister, Mary, is sitting at Jesus feet with the Men!
Those of us with siblings know how these things go. Martha was put out. She probably tried to get Mary’s attention and finally took Jesus aside and asked him if he would please tell her sister that her place was with Martha- serving.
The Lord’s response must have surprised Martha (we make this assumption because she makes no reply at this time and we know from her later confrontation with Jesus when Lazarus had died, she was not intimidated by him). Jesus said “There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Mary had chosen the “better part”. She had chosen to place the demands of social obligation second and listening to Jesus words first. What that means for us can be applied in the priorities we set for ourselves. How many times have we decided to go to a social function rather than one with a spiritual focus? How often have we decided to watch one more television program rather than spend time with the Lord in prayer?
The Gospel makes it clear – Mary had chosen the better part and that part is offered to us as well. We pray today that we will be better at choosing well for ourselves.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Virgin and Child with a Rosary”, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1550-55
[2] ALTRE
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