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Wednesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Jerome, Priest, Doctor
Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Jerome
Readings for Wednesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Nehemiah 2:1-8
In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,
when the wine was in my charge,
I took some and offered it to the king.
As I had never before been sad in his presence,
the king asked me, “Why do you look sad?
If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.”
Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king:
“May the king live forever!
How could I not look sad
when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins,
and its gates have been eaten out by fire?”
The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?”
I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king:
“If it please the king,
and if your servant is deserving of your favor,
send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves,
to rebuild it.”
Then the king, and the queen seated beside him,
asked me how long my journey would take
and when I would return.
I set a date that was acceptable to him,
and the king agreed that I might go.
I asked the king further: “If it please the king,
let letters be given to me for the governors
of West-of-Euphrates,
that they may afford me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah;
also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal park,
that he may give me wood for timbering the gates
of the temple-citadel and for the city wall
and the house that I shall occupy.”
The king granted my requests,
for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.
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Commentary on Neh 2:1-8
This reading from the Book of Nehemiah is one of the “Memoirs” of Nehemiah depicting his request to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. Nehemiah was a layman called to extraordinary service and effort with constant faith that God was supporting him.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
R. (6ab) Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
By the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
we hung up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
Though there our captors asked of us
the lyrics of our songs,
And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:
“Sing for us the songs of Zion!”
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
How could we sing a song of the LORD
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand be forgotten!
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
May my tongue cleave to my palate
if I remember you not,
If I place not Jerusalem
ahead of my joy.
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
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Commentary on Ps 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
The sadness that drove Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to rebuild is reflected in this communal lament. The people of God, dispersed throughout the region, recall the joys of being in God’s presence in Zion (Jerusalem). We feel in this hymn our own anticipation of being together in God’s presence as a community of faith.
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Gospel: Luke 9:57-62
As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey, someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
And to another he said, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
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Commentary on Lk 9:57-62
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel gives us three sayings of Jesus about the requirement to place the values of Christian discipleship above all other requirements of life. Proclaiming the Kingdom of God must come before even family obligations.
In the first, “Foxes have dens…” Jesus does not deceive anyone – he lives in poverty, dedicated to his mission.
The second; “Let the dead bury their dead” is a play on words; let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead; Jesus message is the message of life. This saying was never intended to be taken literally as filial piety is deeply ingrained in Jewish life.
The third saying; “No one who…looks to what was left behind” Jesus demands more than Elisha (see 1 Kings 19:19-21). “Plowing for the Kingdom demands sacrifice.”[4]
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Reflection:
The three different scripture passages we are given today combine to show us a call and an attitude. Follow the logic here – Jesus, in the Gospel, tells us that our faith in Him and the call to discipleship must color all of our actions since it is first in our lives. The Psalmist sings of our inner longing to be in God’s presence as a result of that call. And in Nehemiah, we see the fruits of one who listens to that call and places his life at the service of God. It is a call and an attitude.
As in much of Holy Scripture and the Teaching Magesterium of the Church the lessons are presented in their perfect or absolute state. Jesus, after all is our example and the one who we are called to emulate. In him, God’s perfect love is expressed to us and since he was also true man, his perfect love for God was also given as our example. The call is daunting.
We see the call and the attitude as a requirement in our lives. It is the bar set by Jesus and the Saints that we hope to follow. But how? We are not perfect as our Savior was perfect. We are not heroic as so many of the saints were heroic in life. Still, the call is there and Jesus asks that our attitude of love for others and humble service to all be what inspires our actions.
Taken as a whole, we could never hope to achieve the sort of perfect attitude of love driving all that we do. But taken incrementally, one piece at a time, we can move in the right direction. Our challenge is to first place ourselves on a scale. Where are we in our attitude of love for others, where are we in our actions that glorify the Father? Once we recognize were we are we pray that God will help us become a little better, today. Each day we weigh ourselves on that scale and each day we try for just the tiniest improvement in our quest to become more like the saints who were much like us and ultimately more like Christ our ideal.
Today we are challenged to follow Jesus, to place his glory and that of the Father first in our lives. To do that we know that our attitude must become more like our Savior’s, who every action has pointed to His Father and the Heavenly Kingdom to which we are all called. Today we hope for baby steps in the right direction.
Pax
[1] ALTRE[2] The picture used today is “The New Jerusalem” by Gustave Doré, 1865
[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.
[4] See Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice Hall, Inc., © 1968, 44:97.
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
Information about Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
Readings for the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael[1][2]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1
First Option: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
As I watched:
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
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Commentary on Dn 7:9-10, 13-14
This reading from Daniel (of the genre of eschatological prophetic visions) describes the throne of God who sits in judgment. Approaching this throne comes “One like a son of man”, to us a clear reference to Jesus who took that title upon himself in fulfillment of scripture (in addition to John 1:51 [below], see also Mark 14:62, Luke 22:69 and Matthew 26:64 all of which reference the attendance of heavenly powers).
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OR
Second Option: Revelations 12:7-12ab
War broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.”
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Commentary on Rev 12:7-12ab
This selection from the Book of Revelations is of that same eschatological prophetic genre as the first option from Daniel. Here St. John envisions the battle for heaven, joined by the forces of God lead by St. Michael who is victorious.
The vision makes clear that those who were thought to be from God but who opposed the “anointed one”, Christ, were influenced by Satan and in the Devil’s defeat, by the blood of the Lamb, God’s victory is assured and the truth will prevail.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
R. (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
“Great is the glory of the LORD
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
This song of praise gives thanksgiving for the visible support of God here attributed to angelic action. The hymn attributes this saving help to an all merciful God to whom all glory and honor are due.
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Gospel: John 1:47-51
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
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Commentary on Jn 1:47-51
There is much more here than just Nathanael’s profession of faith. When Jesus see’s him approaching he announces “Here is a true Israelite.” (one who sees God). The statement and the dialogue that follows contrasts Nathanael’s innocent faith (without duplicity or deceit) with the historical guileful character of Jacob. All of this gives the profession “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
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Reflection:
Today, as we celebrate the great feast of the Archangels we give thanks to the Lord’s consolation. The word “consolation” comes from the Latin word con-solatio. It suggests being with the other in their solitude[4] - In other words not only did the Son leave us the Holy Spirit as advocate and guide, God also sends us heavenly messengers insuring that those who believe in him know that we are never alone, never without a heavenly presence to stand with us as we travel this life on earth.
The fact that from the earliest of times, God has provided us with these helps does not change the fact that to accept this aid we are required to take a leap of faith. We note that when Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael have been identified as being physically (metaphysically) present, that is manifested in such a way as their presence and will were felt, a specific task was laid upon them; tasks that were critical for the salvation of mankind.
St. Michael, tradition holds stands guard at the Tree of Life in the Garden from which Adam and Eve were ejected (Genesis 3:24). It is also St. Michael who will lead the heavenly forces in battle against evil at the end of time (Revelations 12:7). From the sheer span of existence we get a fleeting glimpse of immortality in their angelic presence and involvement with our salvation.
St. Gabriel, again out of scripture is titled the Archangel of Consolation as he touches the life of the Prophet and poet Daniel who, at his touch predicts the coming of God’s only Son in Daniel 9:21 and then informs Zachariah of the impending birth of the “Voice” – his son St. John the Baptist (Luke 1:10). His greatest message he bore to the Blessed Mother of God when he informed her of God’s plan and asked for her cooperation in the salvation of mankind in the Annunciation (Luke 1:26). Can we imagine the joy of the heavenly messenger given such a wondrous message?
Finally, we recall St. Raphael, third of the named Archangels. It given to him, whose name means “God has healed” to walk in disguise with Tobias, keeping him steadfast on his mission and battling demons to save Sarah (Tobit 5:11ff). It is tradition that St. Raphael stood with the Lord himself at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:4) healing the faithful.
Many more stories are told of angelic involvement, the will of God is accomplished through them for us and today we rejoice in their activity. Our prayer today is that we are able to cooperate in this heavenly action and come at last to meet them where they stand at the foot of the throne rejoicing with all the saints.
Pax
[1] ALTRE[2] The picture is “The Three Archangels” by Marco d’ Oggiomo, c. 1490
[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.
[4] Spi Salvi, 38
Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr
Saints Laurence Ruiz and his Companions, Martyrs
Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. WenceslausAlternate Texts for the Common of Martyrs
Readings for Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Zechariah 8:1-8
This word of the LORD of hosts came:
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
I am intensely jealous for Zion,
stirred to jealous wrath for her.
Thus says the LORD:
I will return to Zion,
and I will dwell within Jerusalem;
Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city,
and the mountain of the LORD of hosts,
the holy mountain.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women,
each with staff in hand because of old age,
shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem.
The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Even if this should seem impossible
in the eyes of the remnant of this people,
shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also,
says the LORD of hosts?
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun,
and from the land of the setting sun.
I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem.
They shall be my people, and I will be their God,
with faithfulness and justice.
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Commentary on Zec 8:1-8
The Prophet Zechariah, whose oracle we hear in this passage, was another contemporary of Ezra and Haggai. Zechariah here issues God’s call to the people to come back from exile to Zion, Jerusalem that the city might be reborn in greatness. We may see it as a call to conversion, a return to more steadfast faith in the New Jerusalem – Christ’s Kingdom.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23
R. (17) The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the Lord:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The children of your servants shall abide,
and their posterity shall continue in your presence.
That the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion;
and his praise, in Jerusalem,
When the peoples gather together,
and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
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Commentary on Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23
Psalm 102 is actually a lament – one of the Penitential Psalms. In this selection we see the call to return to the foundations of faith set in Jerusalem or Zion. These strophes support the call from Zechariah heard in the first reading.
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Gospel: Luke 9:46-50
An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest.”
Then John said in reply,
“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company.”
Jesus said to him,
“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
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Commentary on Lk 9:46-50
St. Luke depicts a teaching moment for Jesus as he tells his Disciples that they must not fall into the all too human trap of rivalry for leadership. Rather he tells them that humble leadership will be the norm. In the second instance, the Lord insists that his Disciples accept support from those whom they do not know (see also comments on Mark 9:38-48).
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Reflection:
Kneeling before the tabernacle, I can think of only one thing to say to our Lord: "My God, you know that I love You." And I feel that my prayer does not weary Jesus; knowing my weakness, He is satisfied with my good will. -Saint Therese of Lisieux
When we read the Gospel of St. Luke and hear the words we heard today; “For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest” there are some contemporary examples we could point to for meaning. None, however, are more eloquent than the attitude expressed by St. Thérèse, the Little Flower of Jesus who was quoted at the beginning of this entry.
The simple faith captured in that one piercing prayer “My God, you know that I love You.” says volumes and when it comes from the heart it drives our actions to imitate those of Christ. His whole mission was to give exactly that message from God to us “My Children, you know that I love you.”
The Lord was telling his Disciples that when their intent was unselfish, their actions directed at loving God, then their leadership would be genuine and the outcome pleasing to the Father whose love is expressed perfectly in Jesus. It is such a simple concept that, like them, we often “over think” it. We get caught up in the complexity of human interaction, trying to detect motives and appeal to agendas. Our expression of that prayer; “My God, you know that I love You.” in our every action will accomplish what God intends.
Pax
[1] ALTRE[2] The picture is “Zechariah and Gabriel” artist and date are UNKNOWN
[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.
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time[1][2]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Numbers 11:25-29
The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.
Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’aide, said,
"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"
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Commentary on Nm 11:25-29
This experience of God sending his spirit upon the seventy Hebrew Elders is set in the midst of the desert narratives. The people have been fed with manna and now there was a demand for meat. God imparts to the chosen seventy some of the prophetic charism of Moses. This gift was not prophetic in terms of foreseeing the future but rather an enthusiasm or charismatic expression of faith in God seen elsewhere in the early Hebrew history and the Christian writings as well (see 1 Samuel 10:10-12; 1 Samuel 19:20-22 and Acts 2:6-11, 17; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12-14).
Joshua’s loyalty to Moses causes him to challenge the charismatic exhortations of Eldad and Medad, seeing their spiritual awakening as an affront because they were not with the others, attending Moses, when the spirit came upon them. Moses sees the hand of God upon them and in a prefigurement of Jesus actions in Mark 9:39, cautions him against jealousy in God’s work.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
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Commentary on Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
Psalm 19 is a hymn of praise. In this passage we give praise to God’s gift of the Law which guides us in our daily lives. The hymn also extols the virtue of obedience and steadfastness to the Law and its precepts.
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Reading II: James 5:1-6
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
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Commentary on Jas 5:1-6
St. James reminds his audience of the importance of building up spiritual riches rather than secular wealth. This passage could be a commentary on the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (see Luke 16; 19-31). The transitory nature of wealth is decried (“…Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded”) and God’s coming justice for the poor is predicted (“…the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.”)
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Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"
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Commentary on Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
This section from St. Mark’s Gospel provides an important attitude in Jesus’ teaching. He warns the disciples about jealousy and intolerance toward others who use the Lord’s name but are not traveling with them. “For whoever is not against us is for us.” The Lord finishes his warning saying that those who call people to faith in him, even if they do not walk with the disciples are friends. He then speaks of those who would lead the people away from him. He uses the “Little Child” as a symbol of the weak in spirit and the poor. Those that lead them astray, or who are tempted to do so, should resist such temptation at any price or they will find an eternal punishment waiting for them.
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Reflection:
What is there about God that causes people to think that they can “posses” him exclusively? On the surface, that seems to be what is taking place in the book of Numbers with Joshua and with the disciples in the Gospel of St. Mark.
In Moses’ case, God has called seventy elders to receive what certainly looks like the Holy Spirit (although we cannot make that leap because that gift was not bestowed until the Son of God left it as the new advocate at Pentecost). We are told that God took “…some of the spirit that was on Moses, the Lord[4] bestowed it on the seventy elders”. The issue arises because all seventy are not present; Eldad and Medad had remained in camp instead of coming to the gathering called by Moses. We are told that even though they were not with the others, the spirit came upon them as well and they began to proclaim God’s presence and mercy in the camp.
Seeing this (or hearing about it) Moses’ young apprentice Joshua becomes indignant and asks (demands) that Moses stop them. Since they were not with Moses when God acted, Joshua either thinks they are not influenced by the same event or that they may challenge Moses for spiritual leadership of the people. Regardless of his thoughts or motives, Moses, great Prophet of God, laments that all the people did not receive the same spirit; wishing that all Hebrews would receive the call to prophesy in the same way.
In St. Mark’s Gospel we find Jesus instructing the disciples who had just come to him asking who would be greatest when the Lord assumed his kingly mantle. Jesus sees a pecking order developing among his closest friends and immediately rebukes them. No sooner has he corrected their attitudes on this score than they come to him jealously complaining that someone else (outside the chosen group) was using his name to drive out demonic spirits. This was probably a very sore point for them as, at this juncture in the Gospel, they had just encountered a demonic spirit they could not exorcise (Mark 9:20-30) and Jesus had to take them aside telling them “This kind can only come out through prayer."
This attitude of jealousy and petty rivalry must have been upsetting to the Lord who was faced with bringing the whole world to understand the love of God and the salvation that could only come through his Only Son. He tells them (probably with a tinge of disappointment) that anyone who helps the cause, doing good works in the name of Jesus must be seen as an ally not as competition.
These two examples are received with great difficulty among those called to do God’s work. We see it among individuals possessively competing for leadership of ministerial programs. We see it among groups, jealous of the success of other groups seeking the same goals; be those goals in missionary work, charity, or even vocations to religious life. We leave it to you to site specific examples but the underlying problem is the all too human desire one person’s or group’s for power over others. It is not restricted to the Catholic Church or even Christian denominations. However, it is most inappropriate in those organizations; all of whom profess to be doing Christ’s work on earth.
Today we call out in prayer to all Christians to look with the eyes of Christ at the attitudes and interactions they have with others. Hold those attitudes up to the light of today’s Gospel and see if Christ’s words “whoever is not against us is for us” rings in our ears. Today, the Lord calls out for Christian unity.
Pax [1] ALTRE[2] The picture is “Christ Blessing the Children” by Lucas Cranach the Younger, 1540s
[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.
[4] Note – in this translation, the use of upper case fonts for LORD and GOD indicates the actual reference to God was made (e.g. Yahweh, El, or Elohim).
Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
Alternate Proper for the Memorial of Sts. Cosmas and Damian
Readings for Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time [1][2]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15a
I, Zechariah, raised my eyes and looked:
there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.
I asked, “Where are you going?”
He answered, “To measure Jerusalem,
to see how great is its width and how great its length.”
Then the angel who spoke with me advanced,
and another angel came out to meet him and said to him,
“Run, tell this to that young man:
People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country,
because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst.
But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD,
and I will be the glory in her midst.”
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people and he will dwell among you.
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Commentary on Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a
This first selection from the Book of the Prophet Zechariah is the third vision the prophet has described. The vision requires and angel to measure the expanse of the New Jerusalem, God’s heavenly Kingdom (see also Ezekiel 40:2-3 and 41:13). In the broader sense, it predicts the coming of the Messiah providing a rather unique glimpse at the messianic expectation – He comes to unify and bring security to the faithful. This passage also demonstrates the “true man, true God” essence of the Lord by saying “I am coming to dwell among you.”
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Responsorial Psalm:
Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12ab, 13
R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
proclaim it on distant isles, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd guards his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob,
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
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Commentary on Jer 31:10, 11-12ab, 13
The song from Jeremiah recalls the Diaspora, the exile of the Hebrews. Jeremiah continues the song and prophesies their return and reunification of the people; giving praise to God for his mercy.
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Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45
While they were all amazed at his every deed,
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Pay attention to what I am telling you.
The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
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Commentary on Lk 9:43b-45
Jesus begins this second announcement of his coming passion using language that would have evoked a sense of the holy as his words (literally; “lay these words within your ears.”) would be reminiscent of Exodus 17:14b. “…meaning; Think seriously about what you have seen and heard, for my life is moving determinately to a violent death. handed over: From Isaiah 53: 12 (LXX) the fourth song of the suffering servant.”[4] The fact that the disciples “…should not understand it” was not seen as a defect of belief on their part, but rather as necessary (not yet time) in the plan of revelation.
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Reflection:
The Gospel proclaimed today is set shortly after the miracle of the Transfiguration of the Lord. He has continued with his disciples toward Jerusalem and his great passion, curing and preaching along the way. As the disciples become more and more in awe of the Lord’s great majesty, he finds it necessary to remind them what he has already told them – he is not to assume power and majesty in the earthly kingdom, his place is in the New Jerusalem (as described by the Prophet Zechariah in the first reading).
Even with the added emphasis “Pay attention to what I am telling you” they did not grasp what was unfolding. They were so completely taken aback that they were even afraid to ask him for an explanation. They would have to wait and face their fear in the Garden.
The spiritual frailty of the twelve painted in this excerpt from St. Luke’s Gospel gives us hope for ourselves. How often have we been confronted by issues in our lives and said in prayer “Lord help me to know what to do! I don’t understand what is happening and I can’t see the way.” The disciples were in that place and we know that ultimately the love of God showed them the way.
Our great solace is that when we are confronted with a situation we do not understand, recalling the disciples’ similar challenge, we can be patience and have hope. The Lord went to his passion for our salvation and his Holy Spirit is with us still to help and guide us. We pray today for the Wisdom to hear that word and have hope.
Pax
[1] ALTRE[2] The picture is “Saint John the Evangelist's Vision of Jerusalem” by Alonso Cano, 1636-37
[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.
[4] See Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice Hall, Inc., © 1968, 44:92.
Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Haggi 2:1-9
In the second year of King Darius,
on the twenty-first day of the seventh month,
the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai:
Tell this to the governor of Judah,
Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,
and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak,
and to the remnant of the people:
Who is left among you
that saw this house in its former glory?
And how do you see it now?
Does it not seem like nothing in your eyes?
But now take courage, Zerubbabel, says the LORD,
and take courage, Joshua, high priest, son of Jehozadak,
And take courage, all you people of the land,
says the LORD, and work!
For I am with you, says the LORD of hosts.
This is the pact that I made with you
when you came out of Egypt,
And my spirit continues in your midst;
do not fear!
For thus says the LORD of hosts:
One moment yet, a little while,
and I will shake the heavens and the earth,
the sea and the dry land.
I will shake all the nations,
and the treasures of all the nations will come in,
And I will fill this house with glory,
says the LORD of hosts.
Mine is the silver and mine the gold,
says the LORD of hosts.
Greater will be the future glory of this house
than the former, says the LORD of hosts;
And in this place I will give you peace,
says the LORD of hosts!
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Commentary on Hg 2:1-9
The Prophet Haggai continues his prophecy regarding the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem with two additional statements. First, the second building of the Temple should be even grander than that built originally by Solomon. And second, that God is with them in this great work and will find the means to support it financially.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 43:1, 2, 3, 4
R. (5) Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.
Do me justice, O God, and fight my fight
against a faithless people;
from the deceitful and impious man rescue me.
R. Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.
For you, O God, are my strength.
Why do you keep me so far away?
Why must I go about in mourning,
with the enemy oppressing me?
R. Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling place.
R. Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
R. Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.
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Commentary on Ps 43:1, 2, 3, 4
Psalm 43 is an individual lament. We hear a tone in these strophes that supports the situation in which the Jews of Haggai’s time found themselves – facing resistance to the great work they were to complete. The hope of God’s support is expressed in the final strophe.
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Gospel: Luke 9:18-22
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
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Commentary on Lk 9:18-22
As is frequently the case in St. Luke’s Gospel, we find the Lord at prayer. When asked by the Lord about the attitude of the people, the disciples answer much like the councilors of Herod did previously (Luke 9:7-9) with identities of John the Baptist and Elijah. St. Peter answers for the group when asked about Jesus’ identity pronouncing him the Messiah.
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Reflection:
There is a favorite question asked by teachers of Christology: “At what point in his life did Jesus know he was the Son of God?” The answer to this question is, of course, not known. Theological and scripture scholars can site dozens of examples to support positions that say he knew who he was from his earliest moments to those who say he was not fully aware until his crucifixion.
We pose this question today because of Jesus question to his disciples in the Gospel “Who do the crowds say that I am?” We wonder if the Lord was curious or whether he wanted to see what the disciples would say. Perhaps he was asking God in prayer who he was (“Father, I heard the voice at my baptism – you said "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22) Am I truly your son?”) As true man, even Jesus must have had doubts at times. We see them in the Garden when he also prayed "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)
While it is good for us to consider questions like this because it helps us get a more complete image of the Lord, it is only good so far as it helps us understand who the Lord is in our own lives. Ultimately we stand in the place of the disciples. We are there with St. Peter and the others. We see the Lord break from his commune with the Father, look at us and ask “Who do you say that I am?” And when we answer as we are expected to – Jesus, Lord, you are the Only Begotten Son of the Living God. He looks into our hearts to see what that means to us. He sees if our lives are patterned on that belief or if we are just saying what we have been taught to say.
Today we pray that the question “Who do you say that I am?” is answered with our actions and words that others may see what we believe. We pray that the Lord walks and talks through us so that others will see and believe as well.
Pax
[1] ALTRE[2] The picture is “Christ Praying in the Garden” (detail) by Marco Basaiti, 1510 or 1516
[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.
Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time [1][2]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Haggi 1:1-8
On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius,
The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai
to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,
and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
This people says:
“The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”
(Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:)
Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses,
while this house lies in ruins?
Now thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
You have sown much, but have brought in little;
you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated;
have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed;
And whoever earned wages
earned them for a bag with holes in it.
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
Go up into the hill country;
bring timber, and build the house
That I may take pleasure in it
and receive my glory, says the LORD.
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Commentary on Hg 1:1-8
The Prophet Haggai was the first of the Minor Prophets and a contemporary of Ezra. It is suggested that he was either a priest or a cultic prophet heavily involved in temple worship[4]. Here the Prophet calls on the people to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. This is his principle ministry and he sees that while the foundation for the new temple has been laid (Ezra 3:7-13), nothing further has been done (Ezra 4). The exception apparently presented by the people of being too poor is rejected and he accuses them of sloth in this effort. His strong message is: think of God before yourselves.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
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Commentary on Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Psalm 149 is a communal song of praise used in temple worship. This passage rejoices in God’s kingship and invites the faithful to celebrate his saving works.
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Gospel: Luke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.
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Commentary on Lk 9:7-9
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel begins a section that assembles incidents from the life of the Lord. In this introduction, King Herod asks the question “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” The proposed identities of Jesus coincide directly with the later report of the disciples to Jesus in Luke 9:18-19. Confusion about Jesus’ identity will be clarified in the subsequent passages as his divinity is revealed.
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Reflection:
There are days at work, at school, or in the home when no matter how hard we work, we don’t feel like we’ve accomplished enough or the right thing. There is an emptiness; a mild feeling of frustration that we can’t quite pull into focus. It’s like the cherished recipe passed down from generation to generation but missing one ingredient. It looks the same when finished but when eaten it’s not quite right – something is missing.
The prophet Haggi points this out to the people of Israel because they have been too focused on themselves. They have been busy rebuilding their city after being returned to it after a long exile in Babylonia. Haggi sees the temple foundation has been laid but no further work has been done and points out that no matter how hard the people work they will not feel the prosperity, no matter how much they eat they will not be filled – there is a missing ingredient and that ingredient is the worship of God.
In a similar way King Herod must feel that with the loss of St. John, something is not quite right. He questions his advisors regarding the identity of Jesus about whom he has heard. That queasy feeling that God’s justice is coming for him is growing again and he needs to know why. He has seen St. John’s head on a platter and knows it’s not him – but who is it? It’s the missing ingredient.
Back to our own sense that something is missing. When we have those feelings, even if we believe we have done all we should have done in a given situation, it is likely that we have relied too heavily on our own efforts and not allowed the Lord to be present in our actions. When we listen to that voice, one cultivated in prayer, echoed in Sacred Scripture, and strengthened in the sacraments, we will feel complete.
Our prayer today is that all the ingredients are present and applied in the right order. We pray that the Lord, through the Holy Spirit will support the work of our hands this day and bring us peace.
Pax
[1] ALTRE[2] The picture is “The Feast of Herod” (detail) by Pieter Pauwel Rubens, 1633
[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.
[4] See Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice Hall, Inc., © 1968, pp.388, 6
Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Biographical Information about St. Pio of PietrelcinaAlternate Readings from the Common of Pastors
Readings for Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Ezra 9:5-9
At the time of the evening sacrifice, I, Ezra, rose in my wretchedness,
and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees,
stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God.
I said: “My God, I am too ashamed and confounded to raise my face to you,
O my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads
and our guilt reaches up to heaven.
From the time of our fathers even to this day
great has been our guilt,
and for our wicked deeds we have been delivered up,
we and our kings and our priests,
to the will of the kings of foreign lands,
to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, and to disgrace,
as is the case today.
“And now, but a short time ago, mercy came to us from the LORD, our God,
who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place;
thus our God has brightened our eyes
and given us relief in our servitude.
For slaves we are, but in our servitude our God has not abandoned us;
rather, he has turned the good will
of the kings of Persia toward us.
Thus he has given us new life
to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins,
and has granted us a fence in Judah and Jerusalem.”
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Commentary on Ezr 9:5-9
This passage from the Book of Ezra is a prayer of atonement. It recalls the unworthiness of the Jews in all of their sinful acts and praises the mercy of God who brought them back to Jerusalem and Judah.
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Responsorial Psalm: Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8
R. (1b) Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
He scourges and then has mercy;
he casts down to the depths of the nether world,
and he brings up from the great abyss.
No one can escape his hand.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles,
for though he has scattered you among them,
he has shown you his greatness even there.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
So now consider what he has done for you,
and praise him with full voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness,
and exalt the King of ages.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
In the land of my exile I praise him
and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones,
and may all of you praise his majesty.
Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
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Commentary on Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8
This hymn of praise from Tobit recalls the Diaspora and the Restoration of Israel. Echoing the prayer of Ezra (Ezra 9:6), it recalls that it was through God’s mercy that these things were accomplished rather than the merit of a sinful people.
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Gospel: Luke 9:1-6
Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
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Commentary on Lk 9:1-6
“Armed with the power and authority that Jesus himself has been displaying in the previous episodes, the Twelve are now sent out to continue the work that Jesus has been performing throughout his Galilean ministry:”[4] They are to rely completely on the Lord, being part of the world but set apart from it.
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Reflection:
Jesus summoned the Apostles (no longer just disciples) and gave them power and authority and sent them out. That summoning and sending has been taking place ever since the Lord handed the keys to the Kingdom of God to St. Peter. We might ask; “Then why do all Christians not have the same authority the same power over diseases and evil spirits? We are all summoned, we are all sent.”
That is actually a very good question. Why can’t each of us heal with a word, cure with a touch? The answer, we propose, can be likened to making a copy of a document. Not like we do today by placing it into an electronic copier (in the old days a Xerox machine) or scanning it into a computer. No it’s like making a copy the way the monks did sacred manuscripts in the middle ages. Some of the copies turned out were works of art – accurate to the finest detail; exact replicas of the manuscript in its original form. Others suffered small errors and those errors were copied by subsequent copyists etc. We could go into great detail here comparing flaws in the paper used or the ink available. The words could have been transliterated or changed. The results, in many cases, caused meaning to be changed or lost.
The really good copies, those illuminated manuscripts, the real works of art are analogous to the Saints. They captured most clearly the intent of Jesus when he summoned the twelve and sent them. We see in them the authority that he passed on to the twelve, the authority we know was effective because later we will hear in the same Gospel how excited they were at their own success.
God in his wisdom has continued to encourage us with flashes of the brilliance. Saint’s like Padre Pio, whose feast celebrate today shows us that we may still aspire to the authority handed on to the twelve. It is ours to reach for.
Pax
[1] ALTRE[2] The picture is an Illuminated Chronicle by a Hungarian Miniaturist, c. 1360
[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.
[4] see NAB footnote on Luke 9:1-6
