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| “The Ecstasy of St Therese” by Francesco Fontebasso, c.1750s |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31–5:1
Commentary on Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31–5:1
St. Paul uses the analogy of the two sons of Abraham to describe the difference between two covenants. First, the covenant of Sinai is represented by the birth of Ishmael to Hagar (see Genesis 16:3ff). This was where the Torah (the Book of the Law) was given to Jewish people. Then, the New Covenant represented by the birth of Isaac to Sara, a miraculous intervention of the Spirit, which represents the New Jerusalem, God’s Kingdom revealed in Christ. The clear reference here is that those born under the Law of Moses are slaves to the Law, while those born under faith in Christ are set free (“For freedom Christ set us free”).
CCC: Gal 4:21-31 1972; Gal 4:26-28 723; Gal 4:26 757; Gal 5 1454; Gal 5:1 1741, 1748
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5a and 6-7
R. (see 2) Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5a and 6-7
Psalm 113 is a song of praise. The song is directed to the faithful of Israel (servants of the Lord), likely temple priests. In these strophes, the psalmist rejoices in all of God’s creation, an eternal testament to his power and glory. The psalmist sings of the Lord’s omnipresence (from the heavens above to the earth below), yet God's gaze is loving mercy for the poor.
CCC: Ps 113:1-2 2143
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Gospel: Luke 11:29-32
Commentary on Luke 11:29-32
Jesus is asked again for a sign that would prove to his audience that he is what he claims to be. His response is vehement: the only sign that will be given to them will be the sign of Jonah, the message that they are under a condemnation from God unless they repent and return to faithfulness. This is followed by another reference to the Old Testament “the queen of the south,” a reference to the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10: 1ff), who came seeking the wisdom of Solomon. Using this imagery, the Lord refers to himself as God’s Wisdom incarnate.
The final verse of this passage summarizes the message. Christ’s call to repentance carries more weight than Jonah’s call did for the Ninevites (Jonah 3:1-10) and his wisdom is greater than that of Solomon.
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Reflection:
If Paul had been living today and made the statement: “One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar,” there would be riots in Palestine, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. People would die because Paul dared to say anything against Hagar, the mother of Ishmael who, we all know, was in the line of their revered prophet.
Paul’s use of this allegory today is directed once more at some of the Christian converts from Judaism who continued their dedication to the Law of Abraham. His point was that God gave us the law, not to enslave us, but to set us free. This same kind of argument would become necessary again in the late 1500s as the Calvinists asserted, not so much that we were slaves to the law, but that we were predestined to either be saved or forever damned. Ironically the biggest scriptural sign-post for the Calvinists was Jesus teaching his disciples to pray; “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:9-10).
This sentiment leaked into the Church during that same period in history in which Jansenism reared its head in France. The theological principles of Jansenism "emphasize predestination, deny free will, and maintain that human nature is incapable of good.” [4] Like all attacks on doctrine, this one served to build up the Church’s understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit. Ironically many of the Jansenists were vehemently opposed to the devotion of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who was also French, but she was devoted to the intercession of the Holy Spirit, and the merit of works in support of salvation.
We must ask what practical impact the word for today has for us. First, it is always good to be reminded that whatever we do each day is a free choice made by us. It is also important that we remember that these actions have consequences, not only in this life but the next. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to those who reject him on his fateful trip to Jerusalem
Although the scriptures today are somewhat dark, our response today must be one of light. It is up to us to accept the mantle of discipleship, and carry the Word of God to the world today (or at least our part of it).
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “The Ecstasy of St Therese” by Francesco Fontebasso, c.1750s
[4] Source is the on-line Free Dictionary.
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