Readings for Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Hebrews 2:14-18
Now since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Heb 2:14-18
Continuing the theme of Christ’s humanity, we now hear how Christ came to destroy the fear of death to which we had been slaves. He came as the sacrificial offering that through his suffering and death, those he loves may not have to endure the fate reserved for those who live in darkness.
The language used at the beginning of the passage “blood and flesh” makes reference to human nature- its weakness and frailty in contrast with the “spirit” and God (see Psalm 78:39, Isaiah 31:3, 2 Chronicles 32:8). From the “Fall” mankind has been under the bane of death. Now in the Christian paradox Christ’s death defeats death and sin (also Romans 8:3).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
The song of praise we are given today exhorts us to praise the Lord constantly and to remember his covenant with Abraham and Isaac. We of course praise him for the new covenant in Jesus, for which the Son of God became the sealing sacrifice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
he (Jesus) entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 1:29-39
Jesus comes to the house of Simon (Peter) and Andrew from Capernaum, where we left him yesterday. He continues to heal the sick and to cast out demons. The Gospel tells us that the Lord then went off to a deserted place to pray and it was only when Simon and his companions came and found him that he continued his mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
“Everyone is looking for you.” That is what Simon said when the disciples came and found Jesus in prayer. The truth of the matter is this that, whether they know it or now, everyone is still looking for him.
Who is not looking for the peace that Christ brings? He comes to still the troubled mind, he brings that warmth of heart that is only achieved when we are convinced that we are one with all things and that there is nothing we should fear.
He comes offering everlasting life. Who is not looking for that salvation for all eternity? Even if they say; “I don’t believe in God and death is just the end of my journey.” They still hope for life in the world to come. They may have difficulty believing it, but they none the less fear they may be wrong.
Who is not looking for belonging and the love that comes with being part of a family who loves them? Very few biological families live up to the standard of mutual love and respect that the Lord’s adopted sons and daughters find in His family.
Who does not secretly wish that they had a loving parent who, in all of the most difficult times of their life would be with them to support them? That is a part of the peace of Christ. Belief in Him brings us the constant assurance that our Father in heaven is with us and His Son, Jesus, left us the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. It marks us as his children forever.
The people we meet today will all fall into this class of, “looking for Him. The may have found some piece of the truth in their lives and they may have rejected that path not knowing where it could lead them. It is, after all, a difficult path and to find Him we must put aside our own greed and hedonistic impulses. That is something almost impossible for some people.
It strikes us that most people who seek the Lord but don’t know it or can’t seem to bring them selves to travel that path fall in to one or more of the following classifications:
- They don’t know what finding the Lord can do for them.
- They have never been shown the path and do not know how to get on it.
- They are unable to put aside the products and values of the world.
- They may be prevented from getting on the path by their current life circumstances.
These reasons may manifest themselves in voiced rejection; “That’s stupid.” Or “I don’t believe that.” Or “That is for fools and simpletons.” (The famous atheist Dawkins recently put signs on buses in London, one of which read “There is no God, so don’t worry.) But if we can get past that initial rejection, perhaps we can show them that “everyone is looking for him.”
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Hebrews 2:14-18
Now since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Heb 2:14-18
Continuing the theme of Christ’s humanity, we now hear how Christ came to destroy the fear of death to which we had been slaves. He came as the sacrificial offering that through his suffering and death, those he loves may not have to endure the fate reserved for those who live in darkness.
The language used at the beginning of the passage “blood and flesh” makes reference to human nature- its weakness and frailty in contrast with the “spirit” and God (see Psalm 78:39, Isaiah 31:3, 2 Chronicles 32:8). From the “Fall” mankind has been under the bane of death. Now in the Christian paradox Christ’s death defeats death and sin (also Romans 8:3).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
The song of praise we are given today exhorts us to praise the Lord constantly and to remember his covenant with Abraham and Isaac. We of course praise him for the new covenant in Jesus, for which the Son of God became the sealing sacrifice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
he (Jesus) entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 1:29-39
Jesus comes to the house of Simon (Peter) and Andrew from Capernaum, where we left him yesterday. He continues to heal the sick and to cast out demons. The Gospel tells us that the Lord then went off to a deserted place to pray and it was only when Simon and his companions came and found him that he continued his mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
“Everyone is looking for you.” That is what Simon said when the disciples came and found Jesus in prayer. The truth of the matter is this that, whether they know it or now, everyone is still looking for him.
Who is not looking for the peace that Christ brings? He comes to still the troubled mind, he brings that warmth of heart that is only achieved when we are convinced that we are one with all things and that there is nothing we should fear.
He comes offering everlasting life. Who is not looking for that salvation for all eternity? Even if they say; “I don’t believe in God and death is just the end of my journey.” They still hope for life in the world to come. They may have difficulty believing it, but they none the less fear they may be wrong.
Who is not looking for belonging and the love that comes with being part of a family who loves them? Very few biological families live up to the standard of mutual love and respect that the Lord’s adopted sons and daughters find in His family.
Who does not secretly wish that they had a loving parent who, in all of the most difficult times of their life would be with them to support them? That is a part of the peace of Christ. Belief in Him brings us the constant assurance that our Father in heaven is with us and His Son, Jesus, left us the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. It marks us as his children forever.
The people we meet today will all fall into this class of, “looking for Him. The may have found some piece of the truth in their lives and they may have rejected that path not knowing where it could lead them. It is, after all, a difficult path and to find Him we must put aside our own greed and hedonistic impulses. That is something almost impossible for some people.
It strikes us that most people who seek the Lord but don’t know it or can’t seem to bring them selves to travel that path fall in to one or more of the following classifications:
- They don’t know what finding the Lord can do for them.
- They have never been shown the path and do not know how to get on it.
- They are unable to put aside the products and values of the world.
- They may be prevented from getting on the path by their current life circumstances.
These reasons may manifest themselves in voiced rejection; “That’s stupid.” Or “I don’t believe that.” Or “That is for fools and simpletons.” (The famous atheist Dawkins recently put signs on buses in London, one of which read “There is no God, so don’t worry.) But if we can get past that initial rejection, perhaps we can show them that “everyone is looking for him.”
Pax
Please Pray for Jennifer
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture today is “The Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law” by James Tissot, 1883-94
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment