(Optional Memorial for Saint Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
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| “Innocence” by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, 1790 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Sirach 2:1-11
Commentary on Sir 2:1-11
The son of Sirach begins the second chapter of his work with an instruction to those who would serve the Lord, that they remain faithful and steadfast in God. He asks that we not waiver in the face of adversity which will come. He also uses that analogy from Zachariah 13:9 of being tested as gold and silver are tested.
The second paragraph begins with a litany for the faithful, first to wait for the Lord, then to trust him, to hope in him, and finally to love him. He reminds the reader of God’s compassion and mercy in the past and assures his forgiveness to those who seek it.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
R. (see 5) Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.
Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
Psalm 37 is a lament. It responds to the question: why do the wicked prosper? In these strophes it continues the plea to be faithful to God, and remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist adds that those who turn away should return and God will give them salvation.
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Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
Commentary on Mk 9:30-37
This selection describes Jesus’ interaction with the disciples following the cure of the boy with the mute spirit. Jesus and his disciples continue their journey through Galilee, and he teaches them in private about what is to come. It begins with the second prediction of the passion Jesus is to face. The disciples, characteristic of St. Mark’s description, do not understand, and begin to debate among themselves who was greatest. Jesus tells them directly that their role (and by extension the role of all Christian disciples) is one of service.
The Lord sees that they do not understand. When they don’t respond to his direct question, he gives them the example of first a servant, and then a child, so they can understand that it is through humility and innocence that God’s servants lead. He probably uses the example of children to represent the “anawim,” the poor in spirit, the most vulnerable of the Christian faithful.
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Reflection:
The Son of Sirach reminds us at the outset of the Liturgy of the Word that we will be tested if we remain faithful to God. What does it mean to be faithful to God and his Only Begotten Son? That is the question we try to understand today.
Faithfulness to God means following his commandments, his law. His law is not simply the one that the son of Sirach understood. Sirach’s son saw the law as the Torah which contains the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) and the associated laws from Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. We have that set of laws, but they were interpreted for us by God’s only Son who placed a law above the Law of Moses (the Torah); his law of love in the Great Commandment.
When Jesus wrapped God’s Law in love, he transformed it from a burden to be borne on bowed back, into a garment to be worn lightly, protecting us. When we consider the purpose of the Lord’s incarnation, we see in the Gospel an armor like that needed by ancient soldiers. They put on that armor, not because it was comfortable or fashionable, but because they knew they were going into battle and the armor protected them.
The Anointed One took away the strict but purposeless discipline of the Pharisees, and replaced it with a life that naturally conforms itself to God’s own. Suddenly the face of mercy is truly revealed and the giant Hammer of Justice is replaced with the Cross of Salvation.
The words of Sirach remind us that we are called to be a people who wait for the Lord; who trust in him, hope in him, and finally love him with all our hearts, all our strength, and all our spirit. This goal is filled in with Jesus’ reminder from Mark’s Gospel, that if we wish to lead others to him, we must first be servants, and finally form our faith as an innocent child. In this way we are faithful to him; this is our goal.
Pax
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