(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 for this date: #26 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Image and Mother of the Church, II
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| “A Mother Entrusting Her Sons to Christ” Mattia Preti, 1630’s. |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Kings 19:19-21
Commentary on 1 Kgs 19:19-21
In response to God’s instruction, Elijah travels to a region near Damascus and finds his successor Elisha plowing a field using the symbolic twelve oxen (for the twelve tribes of Israel). “Elijah's act of throwing his mantle over the shoulders of Elisha expressed the divine call to share the prophetic mission. Elisha's prompt response through destruction of his plow and oxen is an example of total obedience and detachment from his former manner of living in order to promote the glory of God.”[5]
We note the similarity in the later response of Peter, James, and John to Jesus' summons in the Gospels.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10
R. (see 5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Commentary on Ps 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10
Psalm 16 is a song of thanksgiving that has become prophetic; it speaks clearly of the resurrection accomplished now in Christ. (“Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption”.)
CCC: Ps 16:9-10 627
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Gospel: Matthew 5:33-37
Commentary on Mt 5:33-37
Jesus paraphrases the Old Testament (see Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11; Leviticus 19:12). He is attacking the practices of guaranteeing one’s promise by calling on God to witness the pledge. The Lord tells his disciples that no oaths should be made; that what they say should need no guarantee beyond their own character (“Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one.”). This last reference speaks of the implied sinfulness of mankind in oath-breaking.
CCC: Mt 5:33-34 581, 2141, 2153; Mt 5:33 592, 2463; Mt 5:37 2153, 2338, 2466
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Reflection:
The Gospel takes up yet another element of character that is necessary for the faithful disciple of Jesus, truthfulness. While there is no commandment that says: “You shall not lie.” (The actual text is: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)), the exhortation that the Lord places on his disciples today tells them that they should be bound by their word. It is a fundamental axiom of our faith tradition and one that is frequently violated (as hard as we might try not to).
The word that expresses our ambition happens to be the first stipulation in the Boy Scout Law: “A Scout is Trustworthy.” The only way a person can achieve that label, “trustworthy,” is by following the words attributed to Jesus: “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’, and your ’No’ mean ‘No.’” That means that we follow through with commitments we make, most especially to those we make to God who knows our heart. But it also means that we deal with everyone honestly. That is one of the principal ways we identify ourselves as disciples of Jesus and bring the Gospel message to the world.
It is a very difficult thing the Lord asks us to do. Almost as hard as “Love one another.” In reality the two injunctions are linked. If we love one another, we would never think of betraying that trust with a lie. If we offer ourselves or our service to another and then renege, we disrespect them and violate our call to love one another.
We thank God today for the grace offered in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What he asks of us is so difficult we certainly need that gift to stay on the right path. We ask for God’s strength today, not only to be able to say yes when we mean yes and no when we mean no, but also to forgive others when they fail.
Pax
[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5.
[2] The picture used today is “A Mother Entrusting Her Sons to Christ” Mattia Preti, 1630’s.
[5] See NAB Footnote on 1 Kings 19:19ff.
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