(Optional Memorial for Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
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| “Studies of a Fox” by Pieter Boel, 1669-71 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Amos 2:6-10, 13-16
Commentary on Am 2:6-10, 13-16
Placed in context, the prophet protests against the crimes of Moab (2 Kings 3:9ff). The selection from Amos begins with a detailed list of the crimes the Hebrew people of Jerusalem have committed. They disregard the poor, and treat them without dignity; they take that which was given in tribute to God, and use it for their own pleasure; they turn to idolatry (“…they recline beside any altar”). They did so in the face of God’s faithfulness: God stood with their armies as they defeated the Amorites, and was with Moses who led them out of bondage in Egypt.
The prophet concludes with a warning oracle. (“I will crush you into the ground.”) God will abandon them, and they will not be able to hide from his punishment.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23
R. (22a) Remember this, you who never think of God.
Commentary on Ps 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23
Psalm 50 is in the form of a “covenant lawsuit” that is a lament against those who have violated God’s law, and the covenant made with him upon which it was based. Much like the oracle from Amos 2:6ff (above), the strophes point to those who are unfaithful, and contrast them with God who is always faithful.
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Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22
Commentary on Mt 8:18-22
This is an interlude between the miracle stories in St. Matthew’s Gospel. In this passage we find two sayings dealing with discipleship, and what that means. The first of these is in the form of a reply to a scribe who wished to travel with the Lord. The Savior’s response indicated that he must be prepared to have no permanent home if he was going to do so. The scribe must give up material wealth, and embrace Christ's consistently stated love of the poor.
In the second situation, the would-be disciple asks to be allowed to bury his father. This does not mean his father had already died, but that he wished to wait for that to happen so he could carry out his family responsibilities. The Lord’s response makes it clear that ties to the family would be secondary to the disciples' call to follow him (see also commentary on Luke 9:51-62).
CCC: Mt 8:20 2444
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Reflection:
In the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Lord asks the scribe, in the form of a metaphor, if he is willing to give up all the world holds as important so he can follow him. His inference with the statement: “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head,” is that accepting the way of Christ means placing everything of earthly value second. Homes, jobs, and families become secondary to the work of spreading the news of God’s salvation.
Using a more contemporary image, we were reminded recently of the great example set for us by St Josemaria Escriva who, though he did not know what he was being called to, repeatedly said yes to the call of the Lord. In his life, like so many of the great saints, worldly values beckoned to him, and he was forced to say no. The Lord asks for our love, and understands that, when we say yes, we take up a cross that is very familiar to him. It may mean family and friends turn away, they will not understand single- hearted love of God. It will almost certainly mean that secular definitions of success will not apply. Financial wealth, material goods, and worldly pleasures will have little value in the life of Christ’s disciples.
Why then, one might ask, would a person willingly choose to follow Jesus? It seems almost as if the Lord is trying to push us away. No, he is simply trying to teach us where true happiness and peace can be found. By embracing God, we find an inner peace that eludes those whose passion is building wealth, whose treasure is fiscal gain. Wealth demands attention, effort, and work. Trusting Jesus to walk with us, and the Father to watch over us, our spirit soars and a great burden is lifted.
Today we ask for the strength to let go of our earthly desires and turn away from the urgings of the flesh (as St. Paul would say), and to embrace Christ and follow his way to salvation.
Pax
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