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| “St. Philip Neri" artist and date are UNKNOWN |
In other regions of the world the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12
Commentary on 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12
St. Peter uses Old Testament imagery to encourage his audience. He begins with, “…you have tasted that the Lord is good,” borrowed from Psalm 34:8, and continues with the cornerstone image from Isaiah 28:16. He tells them to simply follow God’s call, letting themselves be built (not an active image but passive) into what God wishes.
The prerogatives of ancient Israel mentioned here are now more fully and fittingly applied to the Christian people: "a chosen race" (cf Isaiah 43:20-21) indicates their divine election (Ephesians 1:4-6); "a royal priesthood" (cf Exodus 19:6) to serve and worship God in Christ, thus continuing the priestly functions of his life, passion, and resurrection; "a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6) reserved for God, a people he claims for his own (cf Malachi 3:17) in virtue of their baptism into his death and resurrection. This transcends all natural and national divisions and unites the people into one community to glorify the one who led them from the darkness of paganism to the light of faith in Christ. From being "no people" deprived of all mercy, they have become the very people of God, the chosen recipients of his mercy (cf Hosea 1:9;2:23).[4]
CCC: 1 Pt 2:1-10 2769; 1 Pt 2:4-5 1141, 1179; 1 Pt 2:4 552; 1 Pt 2:5 756, 901, 1268, 1330, 1546; 1 Pt 2:9 709, 782, 803, 1141, 1268, 1546
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5
R. (2c) Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Commentary on Ps 100:2, 3, 4, 5
Psalm 100 is a communal song of thanksgiving. In this selection the psalmist gives thanks for God’s favor and his unending support in all good things. It affirms God’s saving grace given to his sons and daughters through all generations.
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Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
Commentary on Mk 10:46-52
In St. Mark’s story of the cure of the blind man (see also Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43), it is the way he addresses Jesus that becomes the focus. We are told he address him as, “Son of David.” This is the messianic title applied by Jewish tradition to the one who comes to “heal the blind and the lame and set the prisoners free” (Isaiah 42;6-7). In response to the blind man’s request, “Master, I want to see,” in an almost casual way, Jesus tells him his faith has saved him and, the blind man sees. Not surprisingly the now sighted man follows Jesus.
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Homily:
What would we ask Jesus if we were sitting beside the road when he came walking by? It is a good question to think about. In the case of the Gospel story, when Bartimaeus approached Jesus, is there anyone who could not have known what he wanted? It was predictable that when Jesus was asked: “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man would answer: “Master, I want to see.”
If we approached Jesus and he asked us the same question, what would we want him to do for us? Notice, he does not leave it open ended. We cannot ask for some boon for another person, he asks specifically what he can do for us. So, what would you like him to do for you? Remember, he can do anything, as long as we have faith in his identity, and the power that goes along with it.
This is such a personal question that we will not try to go further with it now by using examples. We will however point out a few things. First, as you are imagining yourself sitting there and Jesus is walking by and asking you to come to him, understand that in his presence in the Eucharist he is doing just that. Next, because he is truly here in his glorified body and blood, he wants to give us what we truly need. He loves us more deeply than we can comprehend. So if we ask, in faith, for some gift in our lives, as the blind man did, if our faith is strong enough and the gift we ask for is requested with pure intent, it will be given.
As we recall once more the story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus, let us ask the Lord in prayer for what we truly want and need. Let us also pray that our faith is strong enough to heal us of our inadequacies so that we might see as clearly as the one who was blind.
Pax
[2] The picture used is “St. Philip Neri, author and date are UNKNOWN
[4] See NAB footnote on 1 Peter 1: 9-10
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