(Optional Memorial for the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome)
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| “Christ Carrying the Cross” (detail) by Lorenzo Lotto,1526 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7
Commentary on Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7
This passage takes excerpts from both sections of the short book of the Prophet Nahum. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, writing in about 612 BC. His oracle envisions the restoration of Judah and Israel as well as God’s just retribution against the Assyrians, whose ruthlessness was legendary.
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Responsorial Psalm: Deuteronomy 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41
R. (39c) It is I who deal death and give life.
Commentary on Dt 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41
This passage is taken from the “Song of Moses,” which follows the proclamation of the Law. Moses foresees a setback for the people of Israel, but God is their salvation and will take their side against those who attack them. Placed with the reading from Nahum, it reaffirms that God will smite the enemies of God's chosen people.
CCC: Dt 32:39 304
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Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28
Commentary on Mt 16:24-28
This is the second time, within the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Lord instructs the disciples that if they wish to follow him, they must take up the cross (the first time is in Matthew 10:38). This passage focuses the followers of Christ on the idea that, serving the Lord must come before any other purposes in life, since it is through following Jesus that eternal life is gained. It is also explicit that, bringing the Word of God, the message of the Kingdom of God, to the world will lead to persecution, and even the possibility of death.
CCC: Mt 16:24-26 736; Mt 16:24 226, 618, 2029; Mt 16:25-26 363; Mt 16:25 2232; Mt 16:26 1021
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Reflection:
The message that resonates with us today is the Lord calling us to “…deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” That call is different for each one of us. Denying oneself we interpret to mean putting aside our personal desires and goals when they conflict with what we perceive God is calling us to. This phrase, taken to extremes, has led many of our saintly predecessors in the faith to excesses of physical hardship, even to the point of death in some cases. Each of us must look into our own heart and find there that reflexive relationship between what it means to deny our human ambitions, and answer Christ’s call to follow him.
The “following Christ” part of our call may dictate what necessarily needs to be denied. For example, there is an individual in our parish who feels called to take Holy Communion to the sick and elderly, to bring them the sacramental grace and hope in eternal life that flows from that sacrament. Each Sunday after Mass he goes to the houses of a number of the elderly or homebound on that holy errand. He has done this for over ten years. In following Christ this way he has reflexively given up his leisure pursuits on that day. In placing the mission of Christ before his own personal comfort, he has denied himself and followed Christ.
There is another example of a husband and wife who are actively involved in ministry to migrant workers who come to the region each summer to work in the fields. In addition to going to the camps to minister to them, this family has spent thousands of dollars of their own funds to put together a special day for these people, the poor and burdened, that included bringing in speakers, putting on a meal (for three hundred, for which they paid) and having a Spanish-speaking Bishop preside at a special Mass for them. They denied themselves, gave up time and resources in order to follow Christ’s call to serve the poor.
There is one other example that should be shared. There is an elderly parishioner who is afflicted with osteoporosis; she can barely walk because of the pain. Each day she comes to Mass and prays for people who have written down prayer requests in the book of intentions. She prays for others! She has given of her time and her own comfort to take up her cross and follow the Lord.
It is up to us to examine our own call to follow Christ. What has he given us that can be used to proclaim his love to the world through our efforts? What are we called to offer to him? It is a question that needs to be considered constantly and we are called to do that once more today.
Pax
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