(Optional Memorial for Saint Cyril of Alexandria)
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| “Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness” by Karel Dujardin, c.1662 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16
Commentary on Gn 16:1-12, 15-16
The story of Abram continues today and in it we find God’s promise of offspring for Abram kept, but in a surprising way. Not through his wife did God give Abram his first son, but through Hagar, Sarai’s maid servant. Here ironically is the beginning of Islam as well. Out of Ishmael comes the Prophet Mohammed and the prophetic statement by the Lord’s messenger “his hand against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him,” seems to be coming to pass in our generation.
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Commentary on Gn 16:6b-12, 15-16
The story of Abram continues today and in it we find God’s promise of offspring for Abram kept, but in a surprising way. Not through his wife did God give Abram his first son, but through Hagar, Sarai’s maid servant. Here, ironically, is the beginning of Islam as well. Out of Ishmael comes the Prophet Mohammed and the prophetic statement by the Lord’s messenger “his hand against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him,” seems to be coming to pass in our generation.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5
R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5
Psalm 106 is a song of thanksgiving. In this selection the singer thanks God for his saving mercy and favor to his chosen people. This hymn of praise rejoices over God’s gracious help to those who trust in him. We see clearly the hand of God guiding the faithful as the psalmist proclaims “That I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, rejoice in the joy of your people, and glory with your inheritance.”
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Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29
Commentary on Mt 7:21-29
This is the final section of the first of five great discourses of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. In it, he broadens his attack on false prophets to include those who perform acts in his name, but lead lives of sin. He uses the analogy of the house built upon sand and the house built upon rock to indicate that those who have a deep faith and act out of that faith have a strong foundation and can stand against adversity, while those who give the faith lip service for others to see, but do not have that deep faith, will fall. He will not even recognize them when they come before him in final judgment.
The Lord also makes a distinction between saying and doing. The metaphor of the “house built on rock” refers to those who hear the word of the Lord from an authentic source and act upon it. The house built on sand is a metaphor for those who either are not taught authentically (by false prophets) or who do not act upon what they have been given.
CCC: Mt 7:21-27 1970; Mt 7:21 443, 1821, 2611, 2826; Mt 7:28-29 581
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Homily:
How many times have we prayed “Lord, what is your will? What would you have me do?” We are reminded of a story that helps us approach these prayers:
There was once a master potter whose pottery was the marvel of all who saw his work. His art was highly praised, especially because of the religious themes portrayed on the pottery he made. As he grew older he took on an apprentice. An apt pupil, the youngster learned quickly and studied the master’s every technique. He practiced tirelessly under his master’s watchful eye and a great bond grew between them. The master also shared with his student his great love of God and knowledge of the sacred texts that allowed him to produce the wonderful images of God’s encounters with mankind.
After years of study and practice the master told his student that he had learned enough to go and start his own studio. But the pupil had such love for the old master that he could not bear the thought of leaving him. A few years later the old master became blind and could no longer practice his craft. His young student, however, told no one. Rather he continued to produce this wonderful pottery that was so much like his master’s work that no one could tell the difference.
Each night the student and master would eat together and the master would recount the great stories from the bible and his student’s heart would burn as he listened to the old man’s love for God. Each day, inspired by that love he would create wonderful pieces of art glorifying those words. Patrons remarked that the master’s work was improving and was even more spectacular than the work he had done earlier in his career. The student said nothing to correct them.
After a few more years, the old master died and the truth about his blindness came to light. Many patrons asked the student why he had not taken credit for the great pieces of art he had produced and established his own name as artisan. The student humbly laid all he had learned at his master’s feet saying he was merely the hands and eyes of his master.
This little story emphasizes the point being made in St. Matthew’s Gospel. The Lord calls upon us to hear the words of his Father, our Father and act upon them. The only way we can do this is to truly understand what God wants of us. Like the student in the story above, we must get to know our Lord intimately through scripture, prayer, and the sacraments that give us grace in order to reproduce the love and compassion he calls us to have for others. Only when we work to understand the will of God and how others have followed His commands can we hope to act under his will. Only then can we see the path to the Kingdom of Heaven
Pax
[1] The picture used is “Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness” by Karel Dujardin, c.1662.
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