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| “Our Lady of the Rosary” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
Commentary on Bar 4:5-12, 27-29
This passage marks the change in the Book of Baruch from the lessons taught to the people through their exile to a representation of Jerusalem. In his first prophetic discourse, the holy city is given voice as it laments the sin of the people who have turned away from God and will be carried away as a punishment. She (Jerusalem) cries to the returnees to come back to the Lord who is their salvation.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:33-35, 36-37
R. (34) The Lord listens to the poor.
Commentary on Ps 69:33-35, 36-37
As if responding to the cry of Zion (Jerusalem) lamenting the sins of her people, the singer of this passage from Psalm 69 pleads for salvation and hope, that the Lord will provide help for those faithful to him.
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Gospel: Luke 10:17-24
Commentary on Lk 10:17-24
The return of the seventy (two) gives rise to the prayer of Jesus (expanding Mark 6:30), who turns the victory of the disciples into a means to glorify the Father. The Lord gives thanks that God has seen fit to reveal his identity, and pass on his power to these disciples of his. Jesus tells them of the positive effect of their mission saying: “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.” This is reminiscent of Isaiah 14:12; the evil one is defeated. The thought is concluded: “…do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” This warning is a caution against becoming fixed on external signs, but exhorts the Christian to look to the positive effect on the spirit (cf 1 Corinthians 12). The Gospel follows this with Jesus’ hymn of praise, also found in Matthew 11:25-27, and concludes the passage by telling the disciples that they are given a privilege beyond prophets and kings (see also Matthew 13:16-17). They are seeing God’s plan fulfilled in Jesus.
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Reflection:
The Gospel tells us the hard part of God’s plan is already done! The Lord has come, fulfilling all that was written in the Law and the Prophets. He has defeated the evil one: “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.” (Note – that’s past tense) Death and sin have been conquered and the gates of heaven flung open. Through the Apostles, led by St. Peter, the authority of the Lord is passed to us. All we are asked to do is wield that authority in His Name.
Ok, so it’s not that simple. Even though the authority was given, not all of us have accepted the fact that we can cast the defeated enemy down. We are not confident that our spiritual strength is sufficient to overcome the effects of Satan (even though beaten) in the world. But, all is not lost; we can rise to the challenge. It is within our grasp to do so.
We submit that it is like a child who is learning to ride a bike. As long as the child is sure the parent is there beside them holding them steady they are fine. But as soon as they look back and see that mom or dad’s hand is no longer on the bike holding them up, they fall. We need to be confident, confident that even though invisible, the hand of the Holy Spirit is there holding us up. We need to recall that the Lord has assigned heavenly messengers to keep us safe, giving us God’s own armor against evil. Our continued conversation with God in prayer helps us in this regard, constantly reminding us of his presence (this is especially true of the Rosary, as we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary).
Today we pray for confidence. We ask God to give us strength to do his will and the wisdom of the disciples, who saw and heard what the ancients did not, and recognize Jesus is Lord.
Pax
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