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| “The Last Judgment” by Lucas van Leyden, 1526 |
Reading 1: Romans 7:18-25a
Brothers and sisters:
I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.
The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.
For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells in me.
So, then, I discover the principle
that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Miserable one that I am!
Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Commentary on Rom 7:18-25a
St. Paul continues his existential apologia about over-dependence on the letter of the Law: “…persons who do not experience the justifying grace of God, and Christians who revert to dependence on law as the criterion for their relationship with God, will recognize a rift between their reasoned desire for the goodness of the law and their actual performance that is contrary to the law. Unable to free themselves from the slavery of sin and the power of death, they can only be rescued from defeat in the conflict by the power of God's grace working through Jesus Christ.” [4]
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94
R. (68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
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Commentary on Ps 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94
In ironic counterpoint to St. Paul’s discourse about the need to be dependent upon the spirit rather than the letter of the law (Romans 7:18-25a), this passage from Psalm 119 give thanks for the Law and rejoices in its structure as a saving grace.
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Gospel: Luke 12:54-59
Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”
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Commentary on: Lk 12:54-59
The Lord continues his reflection on the end times (the Parousia), and using the analogy of seeing what weather will come based upon the direction of the wind, he asks the people if they cannot see the signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God. Applying the image of an impending court date, at which time a judge will pass a sentence, he urges the people to reconcile themselves with the Lord. Using the urgency generated by the uncertainty of the hour of that call to judgment, he exhorts the crowd to order their lives now, and do not delay.
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Reflection:
For us, however, we look at a much more practical application of that same kind of logic. As Christians we are defined by the language and logic of Christ. The concepts he taught go against modern norms surrounding some important concepts. Let’s take the Lord’s definition of leadership for example. In his day, political leaders ruled with an iron fist. There was no democracy, no benevolent governance. There were rules and armies to enforce those rules, and the leaders lived in lavish comfort, usually having attained their posts through ruthless dealings with their competitors.
Christ taught his disciples to lead through service, telling them that the greatest among them would be the servant of the rest. This is a complete inversion of the view of leadership in his day (and to a large degree, ours).
Let’s also look at how the Lord defines victory or success. It is not as the world counts success. His victory was the baptism of his passion. It is his great suffering, sacrifice, and ultimate crucifixion that marked his victory. By the standards of his day (and ours) that would have seemed a defeat, but in dying he destroyed death for those who love him, and fulfilled the plan God had set in motion from the beginning of time.
Pax
[1] The picture is “The Last Judgment” by Lucas van Leyden, 1526.
[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] NAB footnote on Romans 7:18ff.
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