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| “Saint Claire” by Simone Martini, 1312-1320 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 31:1-8
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Commentary on Dt 31:1-8
In this passage from Deuteronomy, Moses passes the leadership of the Children of Israel to Joshua. Because of Moses’ long standing image as the one who could speak face to face with God and because he was told that he would not lead them on this final part of the journey, he tells the Israelites that God Himself will lead them into the land that was promised to them. In the final section Moses places the mantle of leadership on Joshua. He enjoins him to be “brave and steadfast” since he must lead the people to the fulfillment of God’s promise.
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Responsorial Psalm: Deuteronomy 32:3-4ab, 7, 8, 9 and 12
R. (9a) The portion of the Lord is his people.
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Commentary on Dt 32:3-4ab, 7, 8, 9 and 12
In this hymn of praise for God’s salvation we hear the pledge of Moses again, that God himself would lead them into the land promised to the Children of Israel (who was once named Jacob).
CCC: Dt 32:8 57, 441
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Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
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Commentary on Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Jesus, in this selection from St. Matthew’s Gospel, summarizes what is known as “church order”. It is called this because, in response to the question “who will be greatest in the Kingdom of heaven”, Jesus refutes the rank and privilege of the secular world and indicates that those whose faith is like a small child will find greatness in heaven. He goes on to remind the disciples that angles of God watch over those with child-like faith and that there is no greater sin than leading a child to sin. Nor is there a greater duty than seeking a child who is lost (to sin).
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Reflection:
Imagine standing among the ranks of the Saints in God’s Heavenly Kingdom
It is this innocence the Lord holds up in St. Matthew’s Gospel. It is the ability to cast aside the rational view, the practical attitudes, and the secular shrewdness the Lord sees as necessary in order for us to attain the spiritual strength he calls his faithful to accept.
How easy the yoke but how difficult the acceptance. The very attitudes we must set aside are those that some might call “survival instincts” in the secular world. Some of the saints have seen the need to remove themselves from all the material possessions of world, desiring no ownership whatsoever; adopting an ascetic lifestyle. In this way they would not be tempted to accept the mantle of secular success but would attain that innocence demanded by the Lord.
For those of us who remain part of the world it is much more difficult to achieve and retain that singular focus on Christ. All of us cannot forego the material things of the world. We must use our God-given gifts to provide for ourselves and our families as best we can. In a sense that responsibility is lost innocence, however, we overcome it by a constant effort to seek Christ even as we labor.
On this day, we pray that while we must make our way in the world, let us not be seduced by material wealth, but rather seek the spiritual wealth of God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
Pax
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