Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary TIme

“Jesus Healing The Man Possessed With a Devil” 
by Gustave Dore, 1865

Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time [1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Readings and Commentary:[3]

 

Reading 1: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11

 

Commentary on 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11

 

St. Paul takes up the theme of vigilance and preparedness with the Thessalonians in this selection. The language used (“Concerning times and seasons…“) has a clear reference to the end time – the Eschaton (see also Daniel 2:21 and Daniel 7:12), He reminds them that the hour and the day of the Lord’s coming is not known (“like a thief “similar to the metaphor in Matthew 24:43 and 2 Peter 3:10) and that, unlike those who live in darkness (the pagans) they are children of the light. His tone makes it clear that his expectation is that the Parousia is immanent.

 

CCC: 1 Thes 5:2-3 675; 1 Thes 5:2 673; 1 Thes 5:5 1216; 1 Thes 5:6 2849

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

 

R. (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

 

Commentary on Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

 

Psalm 27 is an individual lament. Here the signer expresses faith in God who is the refuge of the faithful, longing to find the ultimate safety and bounty of God’s heavenly kingdom. This passage from the psalm captures the two major themes of the song, hope in God’s mercy and complete trust in his goodness. David here longs for the Lord’s protection and the gift of life which flows from his salvation.

 

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Gospel: Luke 4:31-37

 

Commentary on Lk 4:31-37

 

This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel begins a series of events around Capernaum that expand his public image from prophet to teacher, exorcist, healer and proclaimer of God’s kingdom. Here he expels an evil spirit that asks him if he has come to destroy evil. “How does your concern affect me?: literally, ‘What is this to me and to you?’--a Hebrew expression of either hostility (Judges 11:12; 2 Chronicles 35:21; 1 Kings 17:18) or denial of common interest (Hosea 14:9; 2 Kings 3:13). Cf Mark 1:24; 5:7 used by demons to Jesus.” [4]   It is interesting that the Spirit uses the Lords full name, perhaps in an attempt to control him.  Instead the Lord commands the evil spirit and it leaves, amazing the crowd and spreading his fame in the region.

 

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Reflection:

 

Both the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours [Morning Prayer] emphasize St. Paul’s exhortation that we (by way of his instructions to the Thessalonians) be “children of the light”.  It is Holy Scripture’s way of asking “What would your mother say…?”  As Christians, we are called to a very high standard of behavior.  It is fundamentally based upon the idea so frequently emphasized that we are called to love God and each other.  By inference, the love of God and others must extend to loving ourselves as well.

 

Being Children of the Light (making our mother proud of us) means we treat each day as a gift from God, basking in the light of his Son.  When we rise from our nightly rest, we give thanks to God for the new day.  Throughout the activities of that day we are constantly mindful that all those we meet are also God’s children, our adoptive brothers and sisters and we treat them with the love and respect they deserve as a consequence of that status.  All we accomplish during our day’s effort is likewise offered up to the Lord for it is only with his aid we accomplish any good works.  Throughout all of this we treat God’s great gift of life, given to us through the miracle of birth, with the love and respect it is due.  That means that we take care to nourish ourselves and avoid harmful things.  And when our day is done and we go once more to our beds, we thank God again for what he has given us and ask that he grant us restful night and a peaceful death.

 

In a perfect world, this is the course of our days.  In a holy life, all the light that is Christ would shine out of us during such a day.  Indeed, if we are blessed with a day that flows as this prefect day described above, we should bless God abundantly because days like this are rare.

 

In our all too real lives we constantly must fight off the clouds that threaten to block the Son.  Clouds of anger and feelings of bitterness at life’s setbacks tend to push us into the darkness of sin.  Our frustration at being thwarted in our noble efforts will become a shadow if we are not determined to stay the course and move into the light.  It is our call to struggle constantly to avoid the pits and snares the enemy has laid for us. 

 

Ah, St. Paul gave us good advice.  He called us to be Children of the Light and as such we would be in serene peace, basking in the glow of the Holy Spirit.  He also knew how difficult it would be; recalling the lure of sin and pride that could make us children of night instead of day.  Today our prayer is that we are constantly mindful of our call to be in the light of Christ and do all we can to avoid the darkness of sin.

 

Pax

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[1] S.S Commemoratio

[2] The picture is “Jesus Healing The Man Possessed With a Devil” by Gustave Dore, 1865

[4] See NAB footnote on John 2:4

Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

“Jesus Rejected”
by the Illustrator of Jerome Nadal's 
'Evangelicae Historiae Imagines', 1593

Readings for Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time [1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Commentary:

 

Reading 1: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

 

Commentary on 1 Thes 4:13-18

 

This passage from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians reassures the Church at Thessalonica that those who have already passed from this life to the next will not be forgotten in the resurrection that will take place at the second coming of Christ.  Rather they will be raised with him – first.  Then those faithful followers still alive will be taken up to heaven. (see also Wisdom 3:1-9)

 

It is important to understand, when reading this passage that it is clear St. Paul expected the Parousia – the second coming, to occur during his own lifetime.  This passage would emphasize the need for preparedness and vigilance, a common theme in the Gospels published later.

 

CCC: 1 Thes 4:13-14 1012; 1 Thes 4:14 649, 989; 1 Thes 4:16 1001; 1 Thes 4:17 1025; 1 Thes 4:18 1687

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1 and 3, 4-5, 11-12, 13

 

R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.

 

Commentary on Ps 96:1 and 3, 4-5, 11-12, 13

 

This song of praise exhorts the people to praise the Lord for his wondrous works of creation.  The reason for this exhortation is that God will come to rule the earth with his justice.  In this passage we see the forerunner of the understanding of the New Jerusalem – the Heavenly Kingdom.

 

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Gospel: Luke 4:16-30

 

Commentary on Lk 4:16-30

 

In this passage from St. Luke’s Gospel we find the Lord back in his home town of Nazareth.  He reads from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and then tells those present that he has come to fulfill the oracle he proclaimed (“he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind”).  These were clear references to the miraculous works he had already performed in other parts of the country.  The Lord saw that they were expectation that he would perform signs there as well but the lack of faith would prevent him.  Those congregated knew him form boyhood and did not believe he was the Messiah or even a prophet.

 

In response to this unbelief, Jesus brought out two examples from the stories about the Prophets that demonstrated that those unworthy of God’s grace were ignored in favor of more worthy subjects.  This caused the wholesale uprising against him and he left them.  In the eyes of those former friends and neighbors, Jesus had committed blasphemy, punishable by death.  But, because they were uncertain given the power and authority they had witnessed, none dared lay a hand on him.  “He passed though the midst of them and went away.”

 

CCC: Lk 4:16-22 1286; Lk 4:16-21 436; Lk 4:18-19 695, 714; Lk 4:18 544, 2443; Lk 4:19 1168

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Reflection:

 

The episode in Jesus’ ministry we see depicted in St. Luke’s Gospel when Jesus goes to the place where he grew up is a foretaste of where his mission will lead him.  He comes home, not to a hero’s welcome, but to anger and near tragedy.  The story is analogous to a common business cliché that defines an “expert” as someone who comes from out of town and carries a brief case.  The implication is that a person who is in your midst cannot be an “expert,” that level of knowledge must reside outside the local area.

 

The situation in Nazareth, on a human level, was understandable.  The Son of Mary and Joseph returns home.  Rumors of his exploits may have reached them.  He had become a Rabbi, a teacher of the faith.  He wandered around (consorting with all kinds of people) and was now coming back to his friends and neighbors.  We can imagine some of the men (and women) of Nazareth talking to each other before he arrived.  “He’d better not try to put on airs around us.  We know him and his family.”

 

When he is invited to speak at the Synagogue he tells them that the boy they watched grow up and the young man who had learned the carpenter trade at the elbow of Joseph was a great prophet – even quoting from Isaiah at them – like he was something special.  They were sorry for Joseph and Mary but he had to be stopped so they took him out of town with the idea of killing him for his blasphemy.  It was permitted, in fact it was their obligation, probably condoned and encouraged by the local Rabbi.

 

But there was something else at work.  The words he spoke and the way he said them – this was different.  Never mind that they had heard the book of Isaiah before.  Others had always used future tense –looking forward to the coming of the Messiah.  Jesus taught with authority, as if the Prophet had come back to life in him, making the words real and present.  It stirred them inside.  It frightened them.  While their rational minds said “We know this young man.”  In the backs of their minds the truth was screaming at them – here is something new, the likes of which have never been seen before.  And they stopped what they were doing, staring at him in fear and hesitation.  Seeing this reaction, Jesus pushed through them without resistance and left the area.  No doubt he was saddened by the reaction but probably not surprised.

 

For us, this reaction of those who knew Jesus is seen as the greatest lost opportunity of all time.  Yet don’t we find in ourselves that same incredulous rejection of Christ’s presence in those around us?  Don’t we often fail to see the Lord present in those we encounter; especially members of our own families?

 

The lesson we receive today from St. Luke’s Gospel is that we must be constantly vigilant, looking for the Lord not just in prayer, not just in the sacraments, but in the people we meet.  We must listen for the Word of God at all times and in all peoples because we do not know the hour or the day of his coming.

 

Pax

---

[1] S.S Commemoratio

[2] The picture is “Jesus Rejected”, by the Illustrator of Jerome Nadal's 'Evangelicae Historiae Imagines', 1593

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catechism Links [1]

CCC 577-582: Christ and the Law

CCC 1961-1974: the Old Law and the Gospel

“Christ among the Doctors” 
by Bonifacio Veronese,1544-45

 

Readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time [2][3]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Readings and Commentary:[4]

 

Reading 1:  Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8

 

Commentary on Dt 4:1-2, 6-8

 

This passage from Deuteronomy marks the end of the historical part of the book and the beginning of Moses’ presentation of the law and statutes.  He addresses the whole people telling them that unless they follow the statutes which he is about to present, they do not receive what God promises the faithful, in this case the land of milk and honey. While the promise of Moses was the inheritance of the physical land, God’s later promise was of a kingdom not of this earth.

 

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

 

Commentary on Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

 

This selection records the response of the Temple representative when asked what virtues are appropriate in the eyes of God.  The response lauds the person who follows the “Law”, specifically the Hebrew laws that warn against slander or false accusations. In the second strophe it honors the person who does no violence against another. And finally, in the last strophe, we are told that the person who does not charge interest on a loan (usury) is also uplifted.

 

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Reading II: James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

 

Commentary on Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

 

This section of St. James letter continues his discourse started following the introduction about the value of trials and temptations.  The one who follows the path of sin finds death while the one who overcomes temptation and remains faithful to the “Father of lights” will find life – the “kind of first fruits of his creatures.”

 

“This means that Christians should not be depressed or cowed by the difficulties which God permits them to experience; on the contrary, they should see them as a series of tests which with God's help they should surmount in order to receive the reward of Heaven. "The Lord does not allow His followers to experience these trials and temptations unless it be for their greater good," St. John of Avila comments. "He disposed things in this way: endurance in adversity and struggle against temptation prove who His friends are. For the mark of a true friend is not that he keeps you company when times are good, but that he stands by you in times of trial [...]. Companions in adversity and later in the Kingdom, you should strive to fight manfully when you meet opposition that would separate you from God, for He is your help here on earth and your reward in Heaven" ("Audi, Filia", 29).”[5]

 

CCC: Jas 1:17 212, 2642; Jas 1:27 2208

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Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 

Commentary on Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 

We begin the seventh chapter of Mark’s Gospel with an encounter with the Pharisees. Jesus’ disciples are not following strict pharisaic laws regarding ritual purification and the Lord, who is their teacher, is taken to task for it.

Jesus responds indignantly quoting Isaiah 29:13 and pointing out that it is the Pharisees with their man made laws who are sinning against God.  Jesus then takes that first command of God to man in the Garden and interprets it. He also stands Jewish Law that declares some foods to be unclean. The focus he makes is that the food that enters the body cannot destroy it but actions and words that contravene God’s Law will.

 

CCC: Mk 7:8-13 2196; Mk 7:8 581; Mk 7:14-23 574; Mk 7:18-21 582; Mk 7:21 1764

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Reflection:

 

We pose this question: in the following two examples, which person is a good Christian?  In the first example we have the person who attends Mass every Sunday, follows the precepts of the Church scrupulously and prays the Rosary daily as well. Outside of these practices, however, they are focused completely on making life for themselves as comfortable as possible.  Some would call them hedonistic and certainly uncharitable.  In the second example, the person rarely attends Mass, is lax in virtually all of the precepts of the faith.  However, their lives are dedicated to serving others.  They give of themselves and their material goods unselfishly and go out of their way to help others.

 

Again – which is the good Christian?

 

It is, of course, a trick question.  The true answer is neither are really good Christians.  In the first example, the person who is scrupulous about the discipline and precepts of the Church might be seen as pillars of the Church by Sunday Church-goers.  In appearance they do all the right things but without actions outside the community that reflects an interior attitude, these pious actions are empty.  In St. Mark’s Gospel story, Jesus is referring to the critical Pharisees as falling into that category.  He quotes the Prophet Isaiah and says “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”  St. James also supports this view.  He tells the early Church in his letter “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”

 

The second example is also has a serious problem.  Yes, they are “doers of the word” as St. James said, however, in not fulfilling their basic obligations they have placed themselves above the Law God gave us.  If we say, as many do, that what is truly important is how we act toward others; how we live Christian values, then we have thrown away an important aspect of what the Lord calls us to do and be.  Arguing with a close friend about this very subject not too long ago, he made this argument – that the best “Christian” he knew was Gandhi.  He missed the difference between being “moral” and being Christian. 

 

One who lives a life that expresses the values of our faith but does not participate in the faith life of the community is not necessarily even Christian.  What makes one Christian is the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  It does not matter how many people they help or how “good” they may be in all other aspects of their lives.  Without that belief, they are not on the path to eternal life.  They have not accepted the offer and are not necessarily going to enjoy the reward.

 

It may seem at times that selections from Sacred Scripture force us to understand the unique way in which God chooses to reveal himself in Christ.  Moses speaks to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy telling them “…you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it” (referring to the Law). This is important based upon what happens in the Gospel story where Jesus encounters a group of Pharisees who observe that the Lord’s disciples are not scrupulous in following “Pharisaic Law” (which the group asserts is an accurate interpretation of how Mosaic Law is to be expressed).  This passage has been interpreted by some as exempting us from scrupulously following what the Church demands in terms of discipline.  It does not!  What it does do is forces us to understand that what we do in the Sacrifice of the Mass must be expressed also in our lives outside the walls of the church.

 

What Jesus advocates in St. Mark’s Gospel is a balance between the stark demands of Moses and the pragmatic application of St. James.  We must both adhere to the discipline of our faith and express its intent in our lives if we are to be counted as followers of Christ in fullness. 

 

Pax

 

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[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014

[2] S.S Commemoratio

[3] The picture is “Christ among the Doctors” by Bonifacio Veronese,1544-45

[5] The Navarre Bible: “Revelation and Hebrews and Catholic Letters”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, pp. 282

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catechism Links [1]

CCC 577-582: Christ and the Law

CCC 1961-1974: the Old Law and the Gospel

“Christ among the Doctors” 
by Bonifacio Veronese,1544-45

 

Readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time [2][3]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Readings and Commentary:[4]

 

Reading 1:  Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8

 

Commentary on Dt 4:1-2, 6-8

 

This passage from Deuteronomy marks the end of the historical part of the book and the beginning of Moses’ presentation of the law and statutes.  He addresses the whole people telling them that unless they follow the statutes which he is about to present, they do not receive what God promises the faithful, in this case the land of milk and honey. While the promise of Moses was the inheritance of the physical land, God’s later promise was of a kingdom not of this earth.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

 

Commentary on Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

 

This selection records the response of the Temple representative when asked what virtues are appropriate in the eyes of God.  The response lauds the person who follows the “Law”, specifically the Hebrew laws that warn against slander or false accusations. In the second strophe it honors the person who does no violence against another. And finally, in the last strophe, we are told that the person who does not charge interest on a loan (usury) is also uplifted.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reading II: James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

 

Commentary on Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

 

This section of St. James letter continues his discourse started following the introduction about the value of trials and temptations.  The one who follows the path of sin finds death while the one who overcomes temptation and remains faithful to the “Father of lights” will find life – the “kind of first fruits of his creatures.”

 

“This means that Christians should not be depressed or cowed by the difficulties which God permits them to experience; on the contrary, they should see them as a series of tests which with God's help they should surmount in order to receive the reward of Heaven. "The Lord does not allow His followers to experience these trials and temptations unless it be for their greater good," St. John of Avila comments. "He disposed things in this way: endurance in adversity and struggle against temptation prove who His friends are. For the mark of a true friend is not that he keeps you company when times are good, but that he stands by you in times of trial [...]. Companions in adversity and later in the Kingdom, you should strive to fight manfully when you meet opposition that would separate you from God, for He is your help here on earth and your reward in Heaven" ("Audi, Filia", 29).”[5]

 

CCC: Jas 1:17 212, 2642; Jas 1:27 2208

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Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 

Commentary on Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 

We begin the seventh chapter of Mark’s Gospel with an encounter with the Pharisees. Jesus’ disciples are not following strict pharisaic laws regarding ritual purification and the Lord, who is their teacher, is taken to task for it.

Jesus responds indignantly quoting Isaiah 29:13 and pointing out that it is the Pharisees with their man made laws who are sinning against God.  Jesus then takes that first command of God to man in the Garden and interprets it. He also stands Jewish Law that declares some foods to be unclean. The focus he makes is that the food that enters the body cannot destroy it but actions and words that contravene God’s Law will.

 

CCC: Mk 7:8-13 2196; Mk 7:8 581; Mk 7:14-23 574; Mk 7:18-21 582; Mk 7:21 1764

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Reflection:

 

We pose this question: in the following two examples, which person is a good Christian?  In the first example we have the person who attends Mass every Sunday, follows the precepts of the Church scrupulously and prays the Rosary daily as well. Outside of these practices, however, they are focused completely on making life for themselves as comfortable as possible.  Some would call them hedonistic and certainly uncharitable.  In the second example, the person rarely attends Mass, is lax in virtually all of the precepts of the faith.  However, their lives are dedicated to serving others.  They give of themselves and their material goods unselfishly and go out of their way to help others.

 

Again – which is the good Christian?

 

It is, of course, a trick question.  The true answer is neither are really good Christians.  In the first example, the person who is scrupulous about the discipline and precepts of the Church might be seen as pillars of the Church by Sunday Church-goers.  In appearance they do all the right things but without actions outside the community that reflects an interior attitude, these pious actions are empty.  In St. Mark’s Gospel story, Jesus is referring to the critical Pharisees as falling into that category.  He quotes the Prophet Isaiah and says “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”  St. James also supports this view.  He tells the early Church in his letter “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”

 

The second example is also has a serious problem.  Yes, they are “doers of the word” as St. James said, however, in not fulfilling their basic obligations they have placed themselves above the Law God gave us.  If we say, as many do, that what is truly important is how we act toward others; how we live Christian values, then we have thrown away an important aspect of what the Lord calls us to do and be.  Arguing with a close friend about this very subject not too long ago, he made this argument – that the best “Christian” he knew was Gandhi.  He missed the difference between being “moral” and being Christian. 

 

One who lives a life that expresses the values of our faith but does not participate in the faith life of the community is not necessarily even Christian.  What makes one Christian is the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  It does not matter how many people they help or how “good” they may be in all other aspects of their lives.  Without that belief, they are not on the path to eternal life.  They have not accepted the offer and are not necessarily going to enjoy the reward.

 

It may seem at times that selections from Sacred Scripture force us to understand the unique way in which God chooses to reveal himself in Christ.  Moses speaks to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy telling them “…you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it” (referring to the Law). This is important based upon what happens in the Gospel story where Jesus encounters a group of Pharisees who observe that the Lord’s disciples are not scrupulous in following “Pharisaic Law” (which the group asserts is an accurate interpretation of how Mosaic Law is to be expressed).  This passage has been interpreted by some as exempting us from scrupulously following what the Church demands in terms of discipline.  It does not!  What it does do is forces us to understand that what we do in the Sacrifice of the Mass must be expressed also in our lives outside the walls of the church.

 

What Jesus advocates in St. Mark’s Gospel is a balance between the stark demands of Moses and the pragmatic application of St. James.  We must both adhere to the discipline of our faith and express its intent in our lives if we are to be counted as followers of Christ in fullness. 

 

Pax

 

---

[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014

[2] S.S Commemoratio

[3] The picture is “Christ among the Doctors” by Bonifacio Veronese,1544-45

[5] The Navarre Bible: “Revelation and Hebrews and Catholic Letters”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, pp. 282