(Optional Memorial of Saint Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor of the Church)
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| “Cain and Abel” by Pietro Novelli, c. 1640’s |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Kings 18:41-46
Commentary on 1 Kgs 18:41-46
Elijah the Prophet tells King Ahab that the three year drought is about to end (“Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain”). He positions himself upon the top of Mt. Carmel in order to see the first signs of rain, and then assumes a position of humble prayer. In the fullness of time (symbolized by the servant’s “seventh” report), his prophecy is fulfilled, and under the impulse of God he runs ahead of the king’s chariot as a sign of his prophetic prowess.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13
R. (2a) It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
Commentary on Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13
Psalm 65 is a hymn of thanksgiving from an unworthy community. These strophes sing of the goodness of the Lord in providing a bountiful harvest as the agricultural year is described. This imagery is reminiscent of the ending of the drought in 1 Kings 18:41-46.
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Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26
Commentary on Mt 5:20-26
This passage is the first of six examples in St. Matthew’s Gospel of conduct demanded of the Christian disciple. The first three, including this one, take a commandment of Mosaic Law and deepen the meaning. Here the Lord takes the commandment: “You shall not kill” (quoted from Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17) to a new level. He traces the logic from thought, to vulgar or abusive words, to violent action. In this translation, the Greek word "Raqa" is used to indicate deep insult. Where the Jewish Law forbids the action, Christian law forbids the antecedents as well. The passage continues with the remedy for this action, and a foundation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He instructs us to be reconciled with a person with whom we have bad feelings, before coming to the altar. The consequences of failing to do so, he warns, are judgment and punishment.
Commentary on Mt 5:20-26
This passage is the first of six examples in St. Matthew’s Gospel of conduct demanded of the Christian disciple. The first three, including this one, take a commandment of Mosaic Law and deepen the meaning. Here the Lord takes the commandment: “You shall not kill” (quoted from Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17) to a new level. He traces the logic from thought, to vulgar or abusive words, to violent action. In this translation, the Greek word "Raqa" is used to indicate deep insult. Where the Jewish Law forbids the action, Christian law forbids the antecedents as well. The passage continues with the remedy for this action, and a foundation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He instructs us to be reconciled with a person with whom we have bad feelings, before coming to the altar. The consequences of failing to do so, he warns, are judgment and punishment.
CCC: Mt 5:20 2054; Mt 5:21-22 2054, 2257; Mt 5:21 2262, 2302; Mt 5:22-39 2262; Mt 5:22 678, 1034, 2302; Mt 5:23-24 2608, 2792, 2841, 2845; Mt 5:24 1424
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Homily:
As we hear the Lord speak in the Gospel of St. Matthew, we wonder what it must be like to have the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ would accept injury, not with anger, but with remorse for the person committing the injury. The mind of Christ would accept betrayal, not with anger or hatred, but with sorrow for the betrayer, who had consigned himself with his sin to incredible punishment.
As difficult as it may seem, taking on the mind of Christ is what we are asked to do. It is a process of spiritual growth that will take us a lifetime. Like a child who must first learn their ABCs, then learn to read, then learn to comprehend the subject matter they are reading, we too must go through stages of spiritual growth. When we were young, we memorized (or tried to memorize) the Ten Commandments. We were taught, when we were preparing for our first Reconciliation, to use those commandments to examine our behavior, to see if we had sinned.
As we grew older, our understanding of sin changed (along with the opportunity to sin, unfortunately), and we began to understand the ways of spiritual growth. However, just like young people who drop out of school, some people do not know there is growth beyond learning rote prayers, and knowing when to stand and when to kneel during Mass. To those who did not see the need to grow beyond that point, change, when it comes in the Church, is very painful. We saw this when the changes of Vatican II were implemented. We saw it again when the changes to the Roman Missal were recently implemented.
Putting on the mind of Christ, when we pray, when we act, and when we worship is something necessary and difficult for us. But we are called to always strive to be more generous in our praise of God; more compassionate with our brothers and sisters, and more disciplined in our attitudes. In this way, we are told; we will find entry into the Heavenly Kingdom.
Pax
Homily:
As we hear the Lord speak in the Gospel of St. Matthew, we wonder what it must be like to have the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ would accept injury, not with anger, but with remorse for the person committing the injury. The mind of Christ would accept betrayal, not with anger or hatred, but with sorrow for the betrayer, who had consigned himself with his sin to incredible punishment.
As difficult as it may seem, taking on the mind of Christ is what we are asked to do. It is a process of spiritual growth that will take us a lifetime. Like a child who must first learn their ABCs, then learn to read, then learn to comprehend the subject matter they are reading, we too must go through stages of spiritual growth. When we were young, we memorized (or tried to memorize) the Ten Commandments. We were taught, when we were preparing for our first Reconciliation, to use those commandments to examine our behavior, to see if we had sinned.
As we grew older, our understanding of sin changed (along with the opportunity to sin, unfortunately), and we began to understand the ways of spiritual growth. However, just like young people who drop out of school, some people do not know there is growth beyond learning rote prayers, and knowing when to stand and when to kneel during Mass. To those who did not see the need to grow beyond that point, change, when it comes in the Church, is very painful. We saw this when the changes of Vatican II were implemented. We saw it again when the changes to the Roman Missal were recently implemented.
Putting on the mind of Christ, when we pray, when we act, and when we worship is something necessary and difficult for us. But we are called to always strive to be more generous in our praise of God; more compassionate with our brothers and sisters, and more disciplined in our attitudes. In this way, we are told; we will find entry into the Heavenly Kingdom.
Pax
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