Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop
Memorial Bench for St. Augustine of Canterbury
Readings for Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Acts 20:28-38
At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
"Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 20:28-38
The discourse St. Paul began yesterday is concluded today. He is speaking to the presbyters that have been appointed over the various communities around Ephesus (a very large city at the time). He has already explained that he is returning to Jerusalem and does not believe he will see them again. Now he tells them to be on guard against false prophets and teachers and against members of their own communities who will spread dissension. He reminds them, finally, to keep focused on the Lord’s commands and to remain charitable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power,
the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
let the kings bring you gifts.
R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
"Confess the power of God!"
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Over Israel is his majesty;
his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
We continue in Psalm 68 for a third day. Our hymn of thanksgiving sings of the great favor the Lord has show to his chosen people. It rejoices in God’s salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 17:11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 17:11b-19
We continue the “High Priestly Prayer” started in St. John’s Gospel yesterday. This part of the prayer begins with a plea for unity between the Father and disciples (note the reference here to Judas Iscariot as the “son of destruction). Still speaking directly to God, Jesus again says he is going to the Father and that the disciples should share his joy at prospect. He then asks the father to keep them safe from the poison of sin (similar here to the petition in the Lord’s Prayer) and to consecrate them in truth (defining truth as the Word).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
“They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.”
Think of what Jesus meant by this prayer to the Father! We do not belong to the world, yet, like the Lord when he was in the flesh; we walk in the world and must be part of it. But we do not belong to it. Is it any wonder that we sometimes fell out of place?
The Lord is fond of using parables. In his prayer; specifically in this part of his prayer, he implies that we are like seasoning in a dish to be placed in front of the king. Without the seasoning of the Good News, the dish that is the human race, tastes wrong; something important is missing. It is that Good News that the Lord brings that transforms the dish into something pleasant, into something delicious that the king will enjoy, savior.
We become that seasoning which is not part of the dish, but is necessary for that offering to be pleasing to our King. All parts of the dish are flavored by seasoning. Just so we reach out to all parts of the world, changing it by our presence but not being changed by it.
Today we hear Christ calling us to be in the world but not belong to it. We are to season those we meat with the attitude of Christ who is love. May we live up to that great call.
Pax
Memorial Bench for St. Augustine of Canterbury
Readings for Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Acts 20:28-38
At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
"Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 20:28-38
The discourse St. Paul began yesterday is concluded today. He is speaking to the presbyters that have been appointed over the various communities around Ephesus (a very large city at the time). He has already explained that he is returning to Jerusalem and does not believe he will see them again. Now he tells them to be on guard against false prophets and teachers and against members of their own communities who will spread dissension. He reminds them, finally, to keep focused on the Lord’s commands and to remain charitable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power,
the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
let the kings bring you gifts.
R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
"Confess the power of God!"
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Over Israel is his majesty;
his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
We continue in Psalm 68 for a third day. Our hymn of thanksgiving sings of the great favor the Lord has show to his chosen people. It rejoices in God’s salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 17:11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 17:11b-19
We continue the “High Priestly Prayer” started in St. John’s Gospel yesterday. This part of the prayer begins with a plea for unity between the Father and disciples (note the reference here to Judas Iscariot as the “son of destruction). Still speaking directly to God, Jesus again says he is going to the Father and that the disciples should share his joy at prospect. He then asks the father to keep them safe from the poison of sin (similar here to the petition in the Lord’s Prayer) and to consecrate them in truth (defining truth as the Word).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
“They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.”
Think of what Jesus meant by this prayer to the Father! We do not belong to the world, yet, like the Lord when he was in the flesh; we walk in the world and must be part of it. But we do not belong to it. Is it any wonder that we sometimes fell out of place?
The Lord is fond of using parables. In his prayer; specifically in this part of his prayer, he implies that we are like seasoning in a dish to be placed in front of the king. Without the seasoning of the Good News, the dish that is the human race, tastes wrong; something important is missing. It is that Good News that the Lord brings that transforms the dish into something pleasant, into something delicious that the king will enjoy, savior.
We become that seasoning which is not part of the dish, but is necessary for that offering to be pleasing to our King. All parts of the dish are flavored by seasoning. Just so we reach out to all parts of the world, changing it by our presence but not being changed by it.
Today we hear Christ calling us to be in the world but not belong to it. We are to season those we meat with the attitude of Christ who is love. May we live up to that great call.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used is “Head of Christ Crowned with Thorns“, Lucas the Elder Cranach, c. 1510
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[2] The picture used is “Head of Christ Crowned with Thorns“, Lucas the Elder Cranach, c. 1510
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
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