(Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)
(Optional Memorial for Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne) [United States]
Alternate readings for this memorial may be taken from the Common of Virgins or the Common of Holy Men and Women.
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| “Christ Cleansing the Temple” by Luca Giordano c. 1670 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Revelation 10:8-11
Commentary on Rv 10:8-11
The small scroll in this passage, according to scripture scholars, predicts the final victory of God’s heavenly host in the battle to come between good and evil. That is the reason it tastes like honey. There will be many who suffer and die in this struggle which is why it sours in the belly (e.g. victory tastes sweet but the cost is difficult to bear). This same symbolism is used in Ezekiel 3:1 as the prophet takes the word of salvation to the people but many reject that word.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
R. (103a) How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Commentary on Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
Psalm 119 is a song of praise directed at the Law of Moses. In this longest of Psalms dedicated to the love of the Law, the psalmist provides the image of “tasting” the Law of God. We note especially the sweetness experienced by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:3); the word of the Lord is sweet to those who receive it and understand.
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Gospel: Luke 19:45-48
Commentary on Lk 19:45-48
Following the lament for Jerusalem, the Lord proceeds directly to the Temple in Jerusalem and there displays his power and zeal for “His Father’s House.” He drives out the vendors who had set up business in the outer precincts so that he would have a purified place to continue his teaching mission.
This episode, also captured in Mark 11:11, 15-19, Matthew 21:10-17, and John 2:13-22 with different emphasis for each, is best understood, according to scholars, in conjunction with the words of the Prophet Malachi (Malachi 3:1-3). “And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek.” Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7 synthesizing it with Jeremiah 7:11 as in St. Luke’s Gospel. This is done to create an environment of holiness in which his mission of prayer and teaching may continue.
CCC: Lk 9:45 554
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Reflection:
We are reminded of the story of the Princess Bride today. For those not familiar with the story; the princess falls in love with a farm boy who disappears for five years and is presumed dead. The princess is about to be forced to marry a local prince, who has evil intentions. Her “true love” shows up, now a pirate captain, and through improbable feats and with the help of some equally improbable friends, defeats the evil prince and the two live happily ever after. The story has a fairly standard sequence of events. The hero or heroine endear themselves to the reader. They are placed in peril, and, in the end, are victorious. Stories like these are fun to read because good defeats evil and there is a happy ending.
While the story of Jesus has a similar feel and flow, the story is much more complex and we become a part of it. In other words, unlike a nice fiction story we can put down when the plot gets too intense, we find ourselves living our part of the story, and the plot has consequences for us.
We see the symbolism of this in St. John’s Revelation. The scroll, symbol of truth, prophecy, and knowledge, is given to St. John to be consumed, the sign of understanding and complete acceptance (think also about the Eucharist for us in this context). It tastes sweet in the mouth because the words of love and forgiveness are sweet to the soul. The eternal life promised is the happy ending, and we rejoice in that knowledge; how sweet it tastes.
But it sours in the belly. The path to salvation in this life is not simple. For many, that journey seems to be one test of faith after another. It has always been so, even for Jesus’ own Blessed Mother Mary, who from her earliest years was dedicated to God’s service.
For us too, along with our brothers and sisters in the Lord, the news of salvation is sweet on our lips. But the difficulty of walking that path in faith often causes us to feel that sourness, as the reality of the consequences is driven home. Today we pray that we may rejoice in the sweetness that is the knowledge of our eventual salvation, and our faith will overcome the sourness of sin and evil that we must pass through to achieve that final destination.
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