(Optional Memorial for Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious)
Or:
(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. (Suggested: 35. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Pillar of Faith)
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| “Christ Heals the Lunatic” by Gustave Doré, 1865 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 6:4-13
Commentary on Dt 6:4-13
The tale of Moses leading the children of Israel (Jacob) presents an important event. In this passage, Moses begins giving the tribes the Shema Yisrael, arguably the most important of all Jewish prayers. It embodies the whole of Mosaic Law and is quoted by Christ as “the greatest and the first commandment,” summarizing the whole law of God.
He reminds the people that the land they will inherit is already prepared for habitation and that God expects to be remembered for the salvation he has brought them.
CCC: Dt 6:4-5 201, 459, 2093; Dt 6:4 228, 2083; Dt 6:5 368, 2055, 2133; Dt 6:13-14 2084; Dt 6:13 2096, 2150
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 47 and 51
R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.
Commentary on Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 47 and 51
Psalm 18 is a song of thanksgiving for a military victory. The psalmist, in these strophes, rejoices in God’s saving power. The theme of the “rock” is a reference to the solid nature of the faith foundation. The strophes in this selection sound like a love song to God as David thanks the Lord for his inheritance.
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Gospel: Matthew 17:14-20
Commentary on Mt 17:14-20
This story of the possessed boy is a shortened version of the story from St. Mark’s Gospel (Mark 9:17-27). Here there is little background given and the focus instead is on lack of faith. Jesus' comments, directed to the disciples, indicate their faith was insufficient to drive out the demon and the speech envisions a time when they may be able to “move mountains” with stronger faith.
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Reflection:
Nothing can be accomplished of an enduring and positive nature without God’s support and will. This message is echoed in both the first reading from Deuteronomy and the Gospel of St. Matthew. In Deuteronomy, Moses begins his address to the people with the words:
“Hear, O Israel
Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your strength”.
These words speak to an attitude of love of God. Moses tells the people to bind that attitude in the minds and hands ("Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead"). It is through their actions that they will be known as Children of God. It is only though him that their works take on meaning. Moses concludes by reminding them that God has been the source of their salvation and that must be constantly before them.
The Lord is more pragmatic in the Gospel of Matthew. We hear of the cure of the boy possessed by a demon and, while it is not stated in the story from Matthew, it is implied that the disciples had tried unsuccessfully to expel it from the boy. Jesus, clearly frustrated (probably as much at the evil one for continuing to test him as at the disciples who did not yet possess the faith to accomplish the task at hand), drives the demon out almost it seems without effort. He then tells the disciples in no uncertain terms that if they have (absolute) faith in God, a faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains.
If we question this radical seeming statement (“Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”), we see the truth of it later as the Apostles prove their power showing us what is possible with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
Today we are given another example of how God, if allowed to act through us, can move mountains as we meditate upon the works of St. Jane Frances De Chantal. Her actions and those of her followers show us the truth with which this reflection began: “Nothing can be accomplished of an enduring and positive nature without God’s support and will.” The inverse is also true, with God anything is possible.
Pax
[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5
[2] The picture is “Christ Heals the Lunatic” by Gustave Doré, 1865
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