 |
“Martyrdom of Sts. John De Brébeuf
and Isaac Jogues and their companions” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Ephesians 3:2b-12
Commentary on Eph 3:2b-12
St. Paul’s dialogue on the unity of all the faithful in Christ is continued in this passage. He begins this section with a brief reference to his own specific mission, to bring the Gospel of Christ to the Gentile community (see Galatians 1:6ff; Acts 15:2ff based upon the decisions made at the Council of Jerusalem). The apostle pronounces the Gentiles as coheirs to the salvation offered by God in Jesus, and uses the analogy of the “body” to signify the degree to which all are united. He concludes this passage with a summary of the grace and richness offered in proclaiming Christ to the world using himself as example.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Commentary on Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
This hymn of praise is a profession of faith: “My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.” It also does something interesting in that it challenges those who profess their faith in the Lord to proclaim it in the world: “…among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.”
This canticle emphasizes the peace and confidence found in his servant, enjoying the salvation of God. He sings his praise to God and exhorts all of Israel to praise him as they see his constant presence among them in the blessings they receive.
CCC: Is 12:3 2561
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 12:39-48
Commentary on Lk 12:39-48
Following the Lord’s initial exhortation to his audience about the need to remain faithful, even if it seemed the hour was getting late, St. Peter asks the Lord if that message is for everyone or just for the disciples. The Lord responds with a parable similar to that which was used in the previous verses (Luke 12:35-38), and then punctuates it with a special injunction for the disciples. He uses the analogy of a servant entrusted with the master’s property, concluding with: “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” The final verse in this passage answers St. Peter’s question clearly.
CCC: Lk 12:35-40 2849
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
One of the big objections to Catholicism in the world at large is its apparent overly strict and idealistic stand against moral issues like birth control, premarital sex, cohabitation of couples, same-sex marriage, and overall critical view of the hedonistic lifestyle so prevalent in much of the developed world.
This has been emphasized in the media firestorm over the recently concluded Synod on Marriage and the Family in which different views on how to express the Church’s dogma on some of these hot-button issues were expressed by the attendees. (As a side note we find it ironic that the press somehow feels that all Bishops participating should agree on exactly how the Church should change or not change.) For those of us who understand the role of the Synod, we know that these are deliberations with recommendations and have no final authority within the magisterium.
Many of these critics say the leadership is unrealistic and the Church’s position on these issues is so provincial that her stance makes her irrelevant to large numbers of peoples and cultures. At the heart of this apparent unbending moral doctrine is that last line in St. Luke’s Gospel “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Through St. Peter, Christ gave the Church the “Keys to the Kingdom of God.” He told St. Peter that whatever he loosed on earth (whatever standards he approved on earth) would be loosed in heaven. In essence, what was entrusted to the Church and its leaders was nothing less that the teaching and moral authority of the Lord himself (The Magisterium). In keeping and holding that trust, the leaders of the Church must take the highest moral standard, no matter how unpopular, and cling to it. Think of the consequences if they should fail. There is a reason that when a new Pontiff is elected he goes immediately to “the room of tears,” so much rests on Peter.
For each of us, we are called, not to be perfect, although that is the standard set for us by Jesus and the one the Chair of Peter continues to strive for, but rather to work constantly to improve our understanding of God’s call to holiness. We must, because we are of the world, react to situations with which we are faced. Sometimes our human nature gets the better of us and we fail to love, consciously and withhold our compassion. Our goal is at some point to instinctively react out of the love and compassion given to us in the Gospel. Until that day, we listen to the teaching words of our leaders, the successors of St. Peter, and do our best to follow their high standards in spite of the ridicule of those who would have us take an easier path.
Today we pray that we are able to accept our share in of the responsibility Christ placed upon our shoulders at the time of our Baptism and Confirmation. Much has been given to us as well, and we are assured that much will be expected in return. We give thanks that the yoke is light with the support given in the Holy Spirit, and we shoulder it gladly in Christ’s name.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Martyrdom of Sts. John De Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues and their companions” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN
No comments:
Post a Comment