(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.
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| “The Holy Family with God the Father and the Holy Spirit” by Carlo Dolci, 1630 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Romans 4:13, 16-18
Commentary on Rom 4:13, 16-18
St. Paul continues his discourse on justification through faith. In this passage he reasserts that Abraham was given the promise that he would be blessed with prosperity, not because of adherence to the Law, but because of God’s love. In an intense theological statement, St. Paul states that the Law has the negative function of bringing deep-seated rebellion against God to the surface in specific sins.
CCC: Rom 4:16-21 706, 2572; Rom 4:17 298; Rom 4:18-21 723; Rom 4:18 146, 165, 1819
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Commentary on Ps 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43
Psalm 105 is a Hymn of thanksgiving. These strophes recount the covenant with the houses of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and faithfulness of the descendants of this line.
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Gospel: Luke 12:8-12
Commentary on Lk 12:8-12
Jesus, still addressing the disciples about their mission, brings in the person of the Holy Spirit. “The sayings about the Holy Spirit are set in the context of fearlessness in the face of persecution (Luke 12:2-9; cf Matthew 12:31-32). The Holy Spirit will be presented in Luke's second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, as the power responsible for the guidance of the Christian mission and the source of courage in the face of persecution.”[5]
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Reflection:
St. Luke’s Gospel provides us with a look into the mind of Christ as he instructs his disciples about their upcoming mission. He tells them that if anyone denies Jesus, the “son of man,” they may be forgiven, but if anyone blasphemes against God in the person of the Holy Spirit, they will be condemned.
This small set of sayings about the Holy Spirit provides us with an understanding of the power the Lord left to us, his modern-day disciples. He promised that this Divine Advocate would be provided so that we could have ongoing guidance from God (recall his words: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always” (John 14:16)).
He reminds us, his faithful followers, that what he asks of us will not be easy. We, like so many who have gone before us, will be resisted, persecuted, and rejected by those who would rather embrace darkness. On our own we will be ineffective in overcoming this resistance. The Lord did not leave physical proof that the Kingdom of God
He tells his disciples not to worry about these times of confrontation. He tells them: “…the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” The faith that St. Paul
That is the hard part, of course, being so at peace with the knowledge of God’s love that we can reach in and open our indwelling source of grace, giving it the power to silence the evil one and proclaim God’s glory. Today we pray for that peace, that state of grace which will allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into instruments of God’s purpose. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Pax
[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5
[2] The Picture is “The Holy Family with God the Father and the Holy Spirit” by Carlo Dolci, 1630
[5] See NAB footnotes on Luke 12:8ff
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