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| “Christ between the Virgin and St John the Baptist” by Jan Gossaert, 1510-15 |
Reading 1: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
Beloved:
I am writing you,
although I hope to visit you soon.
But if I should be delayed,
you should know how to behave in the household of God,
which is the Church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of truth.
Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,
Who was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed to the Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.
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Commentary on 1 Tm 3:14-16
St. Paul has apparently planned a trip to Ephesus to visit Timothy. His intent in sending this part of his message is to ensure the care Timothy must take over preserving the mysteries of Christ in the Church. Christ appeared in human flesh, was vindicated by the Holy Spirit, and revealed to the angels as God’s Son. “Several features in the Greek text suggest Paul is quoting from an ancient Christian hymn. It touches on key moments in the incarnate life of Christ: his coming as a man (manifested), his Resurrection (vindicated), his adoration in heaven (seen by angels), the spread of his message (preached), its acceptance in the world (believed in), and his Ascension into glory (taken up) (CCC 463, 2641).”[4]
CCC: 1 Tm 3:15 171, 756, 2032; 1 Tm 3:16 385, 463, 2641
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
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Commentary on Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Psalm 111 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In this selection we find the singer giving thanks for God’s guidance, and the Lord's works of creation and salvation. References to the covenant in these strophes relate directly to the promises made to Abraham and his descendants. The hymn professes God’s greatness, revealed in creation, and revered by all that live and have being.
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Gospel: Luke 7:31-35
Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?
What are they like?
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’
For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine,
and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.
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Commentary on Lk 7:31-35
St. Luke gives us a difficult parable (also found at Matthew 11:16-19). Jesus had just been criticized for eating with tax collectors and “sinners.” His reaction here indicates that those who reject his behavior are themselves behaving like children making fun of others. The unbelieving or critical group he tells us have rejected John the Baptist and are now rejecting the Lord himself, but history would prove their identities. (“But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”)
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Reflection:
St. Paul writes to Timothy in the first reading “you should know how to behave in the household of God,” essentially reminding him how difficult it is to maintain the wonder-- the mystical faith so necessary to understand God’s gift of his only Son. We see that same faith challenged in the Gospel as Jesus’ critics attack him for associating with those who were considered “out of favor with God” by the Pharisees and scribes. They don’t grasp the reason for the mission, first of John the Baptist who came as a herald of the Messiah, and second of Jesus himself.
We can hear the frustration the Lord must have felt because of the lack of understanding displayed by those who should have known the Lord’s intent the best. Are we guilty of the same lack of understanding? Have we missed the point and forgotten the mystery of God, coming to earth in the form of a man? Did we gloss over the reason the Holy Spirit was left to us and outgrow the angels who heralded his birth and supported him at his passion?
The caution we hear directed toward those of Jesus' day is valid for us as well. We must constantly remind ourselves that we do not understand all that God has planned, but that He did leave us the Holy Spirit to help and guide us. We are reminded today that Jesus, who is the Christ, came to us that we might have an example of God’s love, personified and mortal, so that we might see his intent in a real way. And through our acceptance of his model, we might take that same love to others and so pass on what we have been taught.
Today we are given a lesson in manners by St. Paul
Pax
[1] The picture is “Christ between the Virgin and St John the Baptist” by Jan Gossaert, 1510-15.
[2] S.S Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p.390.
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