Servant of the Word: Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

On Saturdays in Ordinary Time when there is no obligatory memorial, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed. [1] Mass texts may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a Votive Mass, or from the special collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“The Faith of the Centurion” by Caspar Luiken (1712)

Readings for Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time[2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible[3]

Commentary:

Reading 1: Genesis 18:1-15

Commentary on Gn 18:1-15

Abraham and Sarah encounter God and two messengers in this selection from Genesis. Abraham recognizes the Lord (we note his act of obeisance and form of address “’ădonāy”) and acts as is required by oriental hospitality providing rest, drink, and food. It is clear that the Lord is the key figure in the story. The messengers are soon forgotten as Abraham hears God’s prediction that he would return, and when he did Abraham and Sarah would have a son. When Sarah hears this, she laughs. Sarah's laughter is actually a bit of ironic coloring. We recall in Genesis 17: 17 that Abraham laughed when he was first told he would bear a son. In Hebrew, the word is yitshaq, which is identical to Isaac. The name Isaac means "he laughs."[5]

CCC: Gn 18:1-15 706, 2571

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Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50 and 53, 54-55

R. (see 54b) The Lord has remembered his mercy.

Commentary on Lk 1:46-47, 48-49, 50 and 53, 54-55

The responsorial is the Magnificat, the beautiful Canticle of Mary. Her song of thanksgiving and humility captures the saintliness that has become synonymous with our image of Mary the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven, and the Mother of the Church. In her dedication to service, she offers herself to God as vessel of the Messiah. She sets the stage for the humble birth of Jesus.

CCC: Lk 1:46-55 722, 2619, 2675; Lk 1:46-49 2097; Lk 1:48 148, 971, 2676, 2676; Lk 1:49 273, 2599, 2807, 2827; Lk 1:50 2465; Lk 1:54-55 706; Lk 1:55 422

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Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

Commentary on Mt 8:5-17

This selection describes the second and third healing episodes (out of nine) found in St. Matthew’s Gospel. Once again, these encounters serve as proofs of the Lord’s identity as the Messiah. Clear evidence is given of this purpose with the use of the quote: “He took away our infirmities and bore our disease,” taken from the "suffering servant" oracle in Isaiah 53:4.

This didactic passage also contains the Centurion's humble profession of faith used in the liturgy of the Mass: "'Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant [soul] will be healed.'"

"Centurion": an officer of the Roman army in control of one hundred men. This man's faith is still an example to us. At the solemn moment when a Christian is about to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the Church's liturgy places on his lips and in his heart these words of the centurion, to enliven his faith: Lord, I am not worthy..."[6]

CCC: Mt 8:8 1386; Mt 8:10 2610; Mt 8:11 543; Mt 8:17 517, 1505

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Reflection:

Sacred Scripture provides a nice contrast of attitudes today. In the first reading we hear the story of Abraham and Sarah’s encounter with God and two angels. In spite of the fact that Abraham had been told earlier that he and Sarah would have a son (and he laughed), when he is told a second time, Sarah laughs in disbelief (in some ways worse, she also denies that she laughed). The authors of Genesis actually used a bit of irony in that the Hebrew word used for laughter is identical to the name Isaac; in fact, the name Isaac means “he laughs.” In the case of Abraham and Sarah, God has established a covenant and in spite of the fact that they lack faith in this promise, the Lord will ultimately deliver on his promise to them.

This encounter contrasts directly with the account of Jesus’ meeting with the Centurion. In the second instance, the Centurion demonstrates immediately that he has faith in the identity of Christ and the ability of God to heal his servant. His faith is rewarded with Christ’s healing word; the faith of the Centurion is justified.

Also contrasting with Abraham and Sarah’s skepticism about God’s willingness to intervene in their lives is the Canticle of Mary that is used as the Psalm response. Mary’s unconditional surrender to the will of God is the ultimate expression of faith as she offers her soul to God.

We are challenged by these tales of God’s interaction with his favorite creation. We ask God today to open our hearts to the miracles God offers us daily. We pray that like the Centurion, when we encounter the trials of this life we might offer our anxiety to the Lord, with faith that his will be done. We pray that like the Blessed Virgin, we might offer ourselves to God with complete confidence and accept his grace.

Pax

[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5

[2] The picture used is “The Faith of the Centurion” by Caspar Luiken (1712)

[3] S.S. Commemoratio