(Optional Memorial for Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop)
(Optional Memorial for Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Priest)
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| “Moses with the Ten Commandments” by Philippe de Champaigne, 1648 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Exodus 34:29-35
Commentary on Ex 34:29-35
Moses returns a second time (see Exodus 32:19) bearing the tablets of the Law to his charges, the children of Israel whom he has led out of Egypt. The startling change in Moses' appearance (“…the skin of Moses’ face was radiant”) will later be remembered as Jesus is transfigured in front of his disciples (Matthew 17:1-9, Luke 9:28b-36, and Mark 9:1-8). The episode concludes with Moses veiling his face. “St. Paul sees in this a symbol of the failure of the Jews to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah: the true spiritual meaning of the writings of Moses and the prophets is still veiled from the unbelieving Jews. Cf 2 Corinthians 3:7-18.”[4]
CCC: Ex 34:29 2058
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 99:5, 6, 7, 9
R. (see 9c) Holy is the Lord our God.
Commentary on Ps 99:5, 6, 7, 9
This psalm of praise and thanksgiving holds up the traditions of Moses and Aaron. The praise and respect given to the Law of Moses extolled here stands between Paul’s assertion that the New Covenant superseded the covenant of Moses and Jesus' assurance that the Law of Moses stands firm. The psalmist recalls the great boon given to the Children of Israel as God gave the Law to Moses on the holy mountain.
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GOSPEL: Matthew 13:44-46
Commentary on Mt 13:44-46
The parable of the buried treasure and the parable of the pearl have the same point. One who understands the Kingdom of Heaven and sees its worth joyfully places obtaining that promise before all else. It is the primacy of Christ’s teaching that guides the disciple in all things. While these two parables have generally the same meaning, it is interesting to note they have some subtle differences. The parable of the hidden treasure which is found by accident refers to an abundance of gifts. The parable of the pearl sought out through diligence refers to the beauty of the Kingdom of God.
“Anyone who understands the Kingdom which Christ proposes realizes that it is worth staking everything to obtain it […]. The Kingdom of heaven is difficult to win. No one can be sure of achieving it, but the humble cry of the repentant man can open wide its doors” (St. Josemaria Escriva, Christ Is Passing By, 180).[5]
CCC: Mt 13:44-45 546
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Reflection:
We reflect today on the outward signs of inner conversion. In the first reading today we hear how Moses, after having a close encounter of the holiest kind, came down the mountain and “he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant.” It was as if he had stepped across the threshold and had entered the Kingdom of God. From that point, the light of his spirit burst out and his physical appearance to those who knew him changed.
So remarkable was this change that his friends asked him to veil his face so they would not see it. Why would they ask such a thing? It could have been because they were afraid that by looking upon one who had been so thoroughly converted by God they might die, which is what they thought would happen if they ever saw God, face to face.
Their fear could also have been because they recognized their own sinfulness. Like placing a poor copy of a beautiful painting next to the original, the contrast became so apparent that they could not accept their own flaws. As a result, they asked Moses to cover himself so he would not shame them.
Faith and conversion have that effect. Internal conversion manifests itself externally. It is something we must all remember. A wise person once said, “The person who can remain calm in the face of a heated argument has already won.” This true statement has a side effect. The person who cannot remain calm in the face of an emotional argument will become even more incensed and irrational in the face of that calm. The same is true of the outward peace of conversion in the face of the enemy. That wondrous peace of Christ can stir up resentment and mistrust in those who do not understand it. I will quote St. Augustine who famously said: “Resentment is like taking poison and hoping the other person dies.” It is something we must be at least aware of because resentment can blindside us if we are not aware that our inner peace has an exterior affect.
Nonetheless, today we pray for that complete conversion that will cause us to glow with the light of our spirit. May all who encounter us see that light and be comforted by it.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Moses with the Ten Commandments” by Philippe de Champaigne, 1648
[4] See NAB footnote on Exodus 34:33
[5] The Navarre Bible, “Gospels and Acts”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, pp.136
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