(Optional Memorial for Our Lady of Fatima)
Optional Readings for the Memorial of Our Lady of Fátima may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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| “Handing Over the Keys” by Raphael, 1515-16 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Acts 25:13b-21
Commentary on Acts 25:13b-21
Here we see the interesting secular response to the “Christian Controversy” from the perspective of St. Luke’s portrayal of the dialog between King Agrippa and Festus. This passage explains why St. Paul’s protective custody is about to be moved to Rome, fulfilling the Apostle’s prophetic vision, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome” Acts 23:11. The Roman Procurator must respond under Roman law to a Roman Citizen (which St. Paul claims to be).
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
R. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
Psalm 103 is an individual hymn of praise. In this passage, the song acknowledges the blessings the Lord has given to those who believe in him, and then proclaims the universality of his reign.
Reading 1: Acts 25:13b-21
Commentary on Acts 25:13b-21
Here we see the interesting secular response to the “Christian Controversy” from the perspective of St. Luke’s portrayal of the dialog between King Agrippa and Festus. This passage explains why St. Paul’s protective custody is about to be moved to Rome, fulfilling the Apostle’s prophetic vision, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome” Acts 23:11. The Roman Procurator must respond under Roman law to a Roman Citizen (which St. Paul claims to be).
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
R. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab
Psalm 103 is an individual hymn of praise. In this passage, the song acknowledges the blessings the Lord has given to those who believe in him, and then proclaims the universality of his reign.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gospel: John 21:15-19
Commentary on Jn 21:15-19
Commentary on Jn 21:15-19
This selection describes events following the passion and resurrection. Jesus has already revealed himself to the disciples in the “locked room.” He now addresses himself to St. Peter. St. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times during the night of the Lord’s arrest. He now recants that betrayal with a threefold response to Jesus’ questions.
The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus, after his resurrection, gave St. Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock. It is interesting to note that this section of St. John’s Gospel is referred to by scripture scholars as “Peter’s rehabilitation.”
CCC: Jn 21:13-15 645; Jn 21:15-17 553, 881, 1429, 1551; Jn 20:19 575, 643, 645, 659
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Reflection:
We have a mission, given to us by Jesus. If we believe that Jesus came into the world to save it, and if we believe his instructions to the disciples must be applied to us, his modern-day disciples, then we must accept the mission he gave to Sts. Peter and Paul as our own.
Sacred Scripture is instructive in helping us understand how we are to do his will in an interesting way. In the story about St. Paul’s ongoing journey of evangelization from the reading in the Acts of the Apostles, we see how the Apostle uses the secular legal system to respond to his part of Christ’s mission. St. Paul must have been tempted to follow Jesus' footsteps and accept being put on trial in Jerusalem by the same people who condemned the Lord. Instead, having received instructions from Jesus (Acts 23:11), St. Paul uses his Roman Citizenship as a means to bring the Word of God to Rome, the very heart of the western world at that time.
It is this example, we believe, that helps us understand that we are not to be completely meek like sheep in the face of the secular world. We are not simply to roll over and embrace suffering in the face of our detractors. No! We have a mission to fulfill. And if the world hates that mission (as we have seen so many times), then we take comfort that it also hated Jesus in his day, and the Apostles in theirs. But like them, we do not simply accept the secular judgment of those who would have us embrace hedonism and greed. We use the system to take the Word of God where it must go.
This is the message of St. Paul. This is also the message of Jesus who tells St. Peter to feed the sheep of Kingdom of God. This mission is passed on to us, his hands in the world. We pray this day that we may be strong in the faith, using all of our skill and knowledge to bring the love of Christ to the world.
Pax
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Reflection:
We have a mission, given to us by Jesus. If we believe that Jesus came into the world to save it, and if we believe his instructions to the disciples must be applied to us, his modern-day disciples, then we must accept the mission he gave to Sts. Peter and Paul as our own.
Sacred Scripture is instructive in helping us understand how we are to do his will in an interesting way. In the story about St. Paul’s ongoing journey of evangelization from the reading in the Acts of the Apostles, we see how the Apostle uses the secular legal system to respond to his part of Christ’s mission. St. Paul must have been tempted to follow Jesus' footsteps and accept being put on trial in Jerusalem by the same people who condemned the Lord. Instead, having received instructions from Jesus (Acts 23:11), St. Paul uses his Roman Citizenship as a means to bring the Word of God to Rome, the very heart of the western world at that time.
It is this example, we believe, that helps us understand that we are not to be completely meek like sheep in the face of the secular world. We are not simply to roll over and embrace suffering in the face of our detractors. No! We have a mission to fulfill. And if the world hates that mission (as we have seen so many times), then we take comfort that it also hated Jesus in his day, and the Apostles in theirs. But like them, we do not simply accept the secular judgment of those who would have us embrace hedonism and greed. We use the system to take the Word of God where it must go.
This is the message of St. Paul. This is also the message of Jesus who tells St. Peter to feed the sheep of Kingdom of God. This mission is passed on to us, his hands in the world. We pray this day that we may be strong in the faith, using all of our skill and knowledge to bring the love of Christ to the world.
Pax
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