 |
| "Sower with Setting Sun" by Vincent Van Gogh, 1888 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Hebrews 10:11-18
Commentary on Heb 10:11-18
When one of the early Jews committed an act contrary to Hebrew Law, they were required to make a “sin offering” to mitigate the dire consequences that were likely to follow. It was the Hebrew belief that, when they were afflicted by disease or ill fortune, it was God punishing them for an offense against him. In these circumstances there was the need for a “sin offering” given by the priest.
Jesus, through his supreme sacrifice, forgave sins once and for all, something no false sacrifice could accomplish. The author of Hebrews again emphasizes the New Covenant. Psalm 110 (Psalm 110:1) is quoted and then the book of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34). He takes the prophecy of the New Covenant and shows how it is fulfilled in Christ.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R. (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
Commentary on Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4
We are given the reference point used in Hebrews 5:1-10. The psalmist, David, reflects upon the call to service of the people. The final verse specifically mentions the High Priest Melchizedek. Melchizedek was the ancient king of Salem (Jerusalem) who blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20). Like other kings of the time, he also performed priestly functions.
Psalm 110 thanks God for earthly authority, recognizing that it is only through the Lord's strength that authority is exercised. The psalmist uses Melchizedek as an arch-example. He was a secular king in the time of Abraham who ruled on the spiritual side as well. Though he was not of the Hebrew race, he was nonetheless chosen by God to be priest, not of the line of Aaron. Since the ancient text refers neither to his lineage nor his death, his office is seen as eternal: “You are a priest forever.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 4:1-20
Commentary on Mk 4:1-20
St. Mark’s Gospel begins a section of teachings on the kingdom of God through parables. We note that Jesus is teaching from a boat, which would provide a natural amphitheater with the ground sloping to the shore. Here the Lord presents the parable of the “Sower.” As in St. Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 13:1-18) he follows the unvarnished parable with a deeper explanation to the Disciples.
In the parable of the Sower from Mark’s Gospel, Jesus uses the rich analogy of the seed (of faith given in Baptism) to show the various courses of faith in human endeavor. Because this selection gives not only the parable, but the Lord’s explanation of its meaning, the only historical note we will make is that, at that point in history in that region, when planting a field, the seed was sown first and then the field was plowed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The parable of the Sower is a powerful one. It reminds us that we are both the sower/harvester and the seed in the parable. Initially the sower was Jesus and before him to a lesser extent the prophets of the Old Testament. They sought to reveal God’s will to the people, and much of what they said fell on deaf ears. That would be, according to the parable’s legend, the seed that fell on the “path." It had no chance to bear fruit because it was never planted. Similar fates awaited the seed that landed on “rocky ground,” and among the “thorns”; while they germinated the plants never reached maturity.
The sower’s task was handed on. It was handed from the Apostles who received it from Jesus to the saints and especially the Doctors of the Church. The task came down through all those millennia to us, the disciples of Christ in this age. And here is where the analogy gets interesting. Today, if we looked at the same agrarian analogy, we would wonder why, in those early days, so much was wasted. Today, mechanical planters multitask to plow the fields, plant the grain, and then cover it so the birds cannot get it. Now, with aid of modern techniques, the labor of a single person can produce yields that far exceed anything the farmers of Jesus’ day could have expected.
The sowers of the word today have similar automated tools that can help spread the word. But unlike the agricultural counterpart, more is wasted, not less. In the end, words are cheap. Words that are not backed by action are not only cheap, but they could be analogized with sterile seed. As sowers, we must first be the seeds that fall on fertile ground and grow to maturity. We must make sure our roots go deep to withstand the harsh conditions that will be faced. We must insure that that stalk of grain we hope will provide the next generation of grain is well nourished with food and water, that is, word and sacrament.
Pax
No comments:
Post a Comment