(Optional Memorial for Our Lady of Mount Carmel)
(Optional Memorial for the Blessed Virgin Mary)
On Saturdays in Ordinary Time when there is no obligatory memorial, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed. [1] Mass texts may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a Votive Mass, or from the special collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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| “The Prophet Micah” by Gustave Doré (1832-1883) |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Micah 2:1-5
Commentary on Mi 2:1-5
The second chapter of the book of the Prophet Micah opens with a denouncement of the evil rich who seek to steal the land of the poor. The practice, also mentioned in Isaiah, was prevalent in Judah. A person’s inherited land was, under Mosaic Law, supposed to be exempt from these schemes (1 Kings 21:1-4). However, the greedy were violating this precept.
The punishment the Prophet mentions relates to the initial division of property among the Israelites when they came into the land, led by Joshua. Boundaries were established for each person and tribe (see Joshua 13-21). Those who are found guilty of stealing land will have no place in the final reckoning (e.g. the Kingdom of Heaven).
CCC: Mi 2:2 2534
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14
R. (12b) Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
Commentary on Ps 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14
Psalm 10 (generally linked with Psalm 9) is considered a thanksgiving hymn. The strophes used in this selection, however, reflect a lament against the wicked that prey upon the poor and faithful. By their actions, they reject God and consider him unable or unwilling to stop their actions. The concluding strophe reflects the hope of the faithful, because of God’s mercy and salvation will vindicate them.
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Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21
Commentary on Mt 12:14-21
After the Lord challenged Pharisaic Law and declared the “Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8), the Pharisees see Jesus as a threat to their hold over the people. Jesus backs away from their intended violence. In doing so, he fulfills the “Suffering Servant” role in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4). This passage re-emphasizes his meekness (see Matthew 11:28-30), and extends his mission to the gentiles.
CCC: Mt 12:18-21 713
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Reflection:
One might think (and there are many extreme liberal thinkers that do) that because a person has accumulated wealth, they are viewed as the oppressor, or the enemy of the poor. If we read the passage from Micah and then interpret the Pharisaic class in the Gospel as being of that same privileged class, the thought might even be supported. However, we must always remember that just because a person has wealth or power, it does not automatically brand that person as evil, or even as an enemy.
Let’s try a little example to illustrate the point:
There are two very wealthy men in a town. They have both become so by hard work and wise decisions regarding their respective businesses. One man’s objective or goal is to accumulate wealth to pass on to his heirs and to live comfortably in the process. He has made shrewd dealings with his employees to maximize their productivity. Realizing if he paid a bit more in wages he could get more capable people, he increased his pay to the employees. His motive was profit, not their wellbeing. Similarly he sought ways to decrease the cost of his product so it would be bought by more people and increase his wealth. He cared nothing for his customers, only their money.
The other man was quite different. His objective was to make a product that would benefit people and to provide jobs to people in his community. He kept his profits at a bare minimum to insure more people could afford his product and be enriched by it. As a consequence, he didn’t have the money to pay his employees as much as his competitor (the other man). As time went on, he was not able to make any profit. His product, although superior in many ways to competing products, was more expensive and he could not reduce the price and still keep paying his employees. Eventually he went bankrupt and all of his employees lost their jobs.
Of these two men, who was the more moral person? It was the second man, the one who cared for his employees, the customer, and the good his product did. But, looking at the good that came out of the situation, it was the profit- focused man who (albeit inadvertently) accomplished the goals of the other man. His employees had jobs and a living wage. His products were affordable and enriched the customer. The second man, for all his good intentions, created unemployment and his products never again reached people.
The moral here is that it is not wealth in itself that is bad, but rather the attitudes and principles of those who wield it. God can accomplish good even when man’s intent is ignoble. And bad outcomes may come from the best intentions. Our call is to use all of our gifts to God’s greater glory. We are constantly amazed that God can use even our most ardent detractors to accomplish his will.
Pax
[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5
[2] The picture used today is “The Prophet Micah” by Gustave Doré (1832-1883)
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