(Optional Memorial for Saint Louis of France)
(Optional Memorial for Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest)
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| “Sacrilegious Robbery” by Alessandro Magnasco, 1731 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Commentary on 1 Cor 1:1-9
This reading is the beginning of St. Paul’s first letter to the Church he founded in Corinth. News has reached him of some issues within the community that must be addressed, as well as some external situations for which guidance must be given. In typical letter format, he gives thanks to God for the gift of faith given to this community, and continues his fervent wish that they (and we) be steadfast in the faith: “He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus (Christ).“ His introduction, emphasizing his own call as Apostle, and the call each of the faithful has received, hints at the letter’s purpose.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Commentary on Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Psalm 145 is a hymn of praise. These strophes (because it is in the acrostic form, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet) although loosely assembled, praise God for his mercy and compassion and give thanks for his creation and redemption
CCC: Ps 145:3 300
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Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51
Commentary on Mt 24:42-51
This discourse from St. Matthew’s Gospel follows his reflections about the end times, and the need for vigilance. The Lord speaks to those who follow him, especially the leaders of the community he leaves behind, telling them they will not know the time when they will be called to the Kingdom of Heaven. In the second section he tells his followers that those who are found to be vigilant will be rewarded at the end of all things, while those who have fallen away will be punished.
CCC: Mt 24:44 673
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Homily:
Each day when we say our prayers, we pray for those who have not been vigilant, either because they were unwary, or because they chose to ignore Christ’s teachings, and have fallen into sin. We may even thank God, as we pray, that we have not fallen into that trap. But, there is a danger, even for the most faithful. That danger is complacency.
Think about the soldier standing guard at a well-protected base. Each day he stands guard and each day he is reassured by the strength of the defenses around him. He thinks: “What enemy would be foolish enough to attack such a strong fortress?” As day follows day he goes about his guard duty and becomes less and less vigilant, even though he is doing his duty faithfully. Then, when he has come to feel completely safe, the enemy attacks, and he is not ready for that assault and falls.
For the faithful, this is an apt analogy, and one to which the Gospel points. We must never take for granted that, because we love the Lord and do what we think is our best to follow him, the evil one will not find a way around our defenses and cause us to fall. He does it every day! He whispers in the ear of the most faithful, tempting them with rewards that on the surface may seem wholesome, but are in fact deadly to the spirit.
How do we avoid this complacency? Each day we must thoroughly inspect our defenses. We must look at our prayer and see that it is not self-serving, condescending, or rationalizing. We must measure ourselves against Jesus and the Saints he has sent to inspire and guide us. We must always see the room for improvement that exists in all but Jesus himself. If we are daily striving to achieve that perfect end, we can never be satisfied with our progress, and never take for granted our assumed holiness.
Today we pray that we might never lose our vigilance and in doing so, open the door to the thief.
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