(Optional Memorial for Saint Bruno, Priest)
(Optional Memorial for Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Virgin) United States
Biographical Information about Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher alternate readings many be taken from the Common of Virgins or the Common of Holy Men and Women
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| “Ask, And It Shall Be Given” by Alexandre Bida, date UNKNOWN |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Galatians 3:1-5
Commentary on Gal 3:1-5
St. Paul lashes out at the Galatians (Stupid - other translations use the word “foolish,” or ask “are you mad”) for succumbing to the exhortations of the “Judaizers.” They have apparently become focused on “works of the Law,” either the legalistic practices thought to earn them salvation, or to gain favor in the eyes of God. In either case, St. Paul asks rhetorically if these hollow practices caused the spirit to manifest itself in them. Was it not, he asks, the Gospel of Christ, and him crucified, proclaimed by the apostle that had brought about the works of the spirit?
CCC: Gal 3:2 476
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Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
R. (68) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
Commentary on Lk 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
These strophes are the opening lines of the great Canticle of Zachariah sung to the newborn St. John the Baptist by his father at the occasion of his naming. He reminds the infant St. John that God is faithful to his promises and proclaims the Savior’s mission of salvation, a promise to Abraham, as a fulfillment of that promise. These introductory verses serve as a profession of faith in God and the Messiah of whom St. John will be the forerunner. Zachariah sings of the promise of salvation first promised to Abraham, now to be fulfilled in Jesus.
CCC: Lk 1:73 706
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Gospel: Luke 11:5-13
Commentary on Lk 11:5-13
In this passage from St. Luke’s Gospel, the Lord continues his response to the disciples’ request to “teach them how to pray.” The Lord, using the story of the one friend asking another for bread (a strong Eucharistic reference) in the middle of the night as an instrument to tell them that God will always answer prayers, but in his own time. (“I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.”) He makes his message clear in the verses that follow: “ask and you will receive.”
CCC: Lk 11:5-13 2613; Lk 11:9 2761; Lk 11:13 443, 728, 2623, 2671
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Reflection:
The passage from Galatians, in other translations, uses the words foolish and senseless in the place of “stupid.” The Apostle moves from the theme of justifying his own position in the hierarchy of Apostles back to an emotional attack on those who would have the people believe they can somehow earn salvation through religious practices. Paul continues to fight the Judaizers, who came to the Galatian community, and who are continuing to hold up the Law of Moses as supreme over the new covenant the Lord has brought, taught by St. Paul.
In a very real sense, things have not changed much to this day where faith is concerned. Look at the reaction of many members of our faith community when even minor changes are introduced to our worship. Now imagine a people who now must face a radical change. Even though these early converts were given the gift of the Holy Spirit, they were trying to adopt the legalistic ways of thought exhorted by those who believe one must first convert to Judaism in order to be Christian. Is it any wonder Paul goes on a bit of a tear? Sometimes it’s even hard for us, all these years later, to remember that Jesus changed everything.
We come now to St. Luke’s Gospel. We actually are given the Gospel twice today. The first time it is in the form of the Responsorial Psalm, where we hear the front part of the Canticle of Zachariah as he prophesies about the coming of Jesus, and the great gift that is for all of us.
In the Gospel’s continuing story of Jesus’ return to Jerusalem, we hear the familiar phrase: “…ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.” The Lord frames that offer and assures us with a brief analogy, asking, if a child asked for fish, would his loving father give him a snake? Or, if he asked for an egg, would he give him a scorpion?
On the surface it sounds like if we ask God for anything, he will just give it to us. And, if we quit reading the scripture right there, we could set ourselves up for a real disappointment later. God does not just swoop down and grant wishes like some genie in a bottle. Just because we want something, even something good, does not mean that we automatically get it. God has his own purpose and time.
If we look at the very end of the scripture passage we see: “…how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Even in the parallel passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew (Matthew 7:11) he qualifies the answers to prayers with: “…give good things to those who ask him.”
God did not give us life to live it for us. He did not create us as slaves, he gave us free will. He did not create the earth and all that is in it to constantly reshape it for our safety. However, we are given the Holy Spirit, free for the asking. That spirit supports us in times of difficulty, and gives us strength in the face adversity. All we need to do is ask from our hearts and it is ours. Come Holy Spirit. It is a reality St. Paul recognized, and the reason for his zeal (and language) as he saw the understanding being diluted by his detractors.
Pax
Pax
[1] The Picture used today is “Ask, And It Shall Be Given” by Alexandre Bida, date UNKNOWN
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