(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. (USCCB recommends #29 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of All Creation).
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| “Christ Blessing the Children” by Nicolaes Maes, 1652-53 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Sirach 17:1-15 [5]
Commentary on Sir 17:1-15
This selection is part of Sirach’s treatise linking God’s Wisdom to creation. We note here that Sirach does not consider mankind before and after the fall, but rather accepts the faithful in the cultural situation of his day. Creation is a part of God’s salvific work. Mankind (especially Israel) is given a privileged position in having dominion over what God has provided, but is still a debtor to God. Man's wisdom is but a shadow of the Wisdom of God. The Father gave a part of his wisdom as the law imparted at the covenant at Sinai, and sees how it is kept.
CCC: Sir 15:14 1730, 1743
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18
R. (see 17) The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Commentary on Ps 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18
Psalm 103 is a hymn of praise (and thanksgiving). It is a simple and beautiful reaction to God’s goodness. Reflecting upon human mortality, the psalmist sings of the brevity of life, and the mercy God bestows upon us in his eternal blessing of those who follow him and keep his covenant.
CCC: Ps 103 304
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Gospel: Mark 10:13-16
Commentary on Mk 10:13-16
The image of Jesus portrayed by this passage demonstrates that those who had seen his works and heard his words saw greatness in him. They brought their children to him instinctively, that these little ones might receive the grace bestowed by his touch. This activity made his disciples indignant. They felt that their master should not be pestered by the children. The Lord, however, used this situation as a teaching moment. Jesus told the crowd that only complete dependence upon God’s support would allow them salvation (“for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”).
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Reflection:
We must, given the direction offered by Sacred Scripture, contemplate the need for prayer and its power in our lives. If we think about the relationship we hope to establish with God our Father, and his Son, Jesus, we can use the relationships we build on earth as a worldly model.
When we wish to get to know someone well, we speak with them. We ask them questions. We hope that by speaking with them we can uncover who they are, where they were from, how and where they grew up, and what do they like or dislike. The more intensely we want this relationship, the deeper and more intensely we talk to them, spending hours conversing about all manner of things.
With members of our own families, much of this discussion is not necessary since we share a common history and life. Much of what we need to know we have learned through long association. The love we have for these family members is stimulated by our common desires, our common experiences, and the deep understanding we build with them over time.
For a child who knows the mind of their loving parent, the worst thing they could imagine is disappointing that parent through actions they know would be against their wishes. Likewise the child knows, without question, that if they are in trouble, that parent will do everything in their power to rescue them from that situation. And if that child falls ill, the loving parent does whatever they can to see that the child of their love returns to health.
The analogy comes so easily. If we wish to know God, to build that relationship with him, prayer is our best approach. Much of who God is and what he likes or does not like, we discover in the sacred texts of the Bible. The deeper we delve into that treasure chest of our predecessors’ past experiences of God, the better we understand how to know him in our lives.
But God was not a “historical figure,” he is a living God who loves and cares for us. It is this present and living Trinity that we want to know. So we talk to him. We tell him we love him, we honor him because he deserves honor, and when we are in need, we ask for his help. We ask, confident as the child with a loving parent, that he will do all he can to save us from our difficulty. He may show us the way, he may open a door, and if all that is not enough and he wishes to demonstrate his love more visibly, he may offer up a miracle. They are more common than we know.
Today we pray to know our Loving Father better. We thank him for all he has done for us, and in a special way we pray for all those who are sick that through the sacrament of anointing, they might be restored to health and oneness with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pax
[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5.
[2] The picture is “Christ Blessing the Children” by Nicolaes Maes, 1652-53.
[5] Note: The citation for this reading is incorrect in the published index from the Lectionary for Mass
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