(Optional Memorial for the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul) or
(Optional Memorial of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin)
Texts for the Memorial of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne may be taken from the Common of Virgins #731-736, or the Common of Holy Men and Women #737-742, For Religious.
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| “Christ Healing the Blind” by El Greco, 1570-75 |
Reading 1: 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
[From the descendants of Alexander’s officers]
there sprang a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes,
son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome
He became king in the year one hundred and thirty‑seven
of the kingdom of the Greeks.
In those days there appeared in Israel
men who were breakers of the law,
and they seduced many people, saying:
“Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us;
since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.”
The proposal was agreeable;
some from among the people promptly went to the king,
and he authorized them to introduce the way of living
of the Gentiles.
Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem
according to the Gentile custom.
They covered over the mark of their circumcision
and abandoned the holy covenant;
they allied themselves with the Gentiles
and sold themselves to wrongdoing.
Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people,
each abandoning his particular customs.
All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king,
and many children of Israel
they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.
On the fifteenth day of the month Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-five,
the king erected the horrible abomination
upon the altar of burnt offerings
and in the surrounding cities of Judah
They also burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets.
Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt.
Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant,
and whoever observed the law,
was condemned to death by royal decree.
But many in Israel
and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean;
they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food
or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.
Terrible affliction was upon Israel
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Commentary on 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
This reading from the First Book of Maccabees describes the introduction of Hellenistic traditions into Israel, the attempt to suppress Hebrew tradition, desecration of the temple with idols, and persecution of those who attempt to retain their faith and traditions. The verses selected omit some of the classic Hebrew poetry included in this book. The final verses are actually part of a hymn of praise for those who resist the attempt by the Seleucid Kings to eliminate Mosaic Law.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158
R. (see 88) Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Indignation seizes me because of the wicked
who forsake your law.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,
your law I have not forgotten.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may keep your precepts.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
I am attacked by malicious persecutors
who are far from your law.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Far from sinners is salvation,
because they seek not your statutes.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
I beheld the apostates with loathing,
because they kept not to your promise.
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
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Commentary on Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158
David’s lament in Psalm 119 speaks of attempts by the Gentiles to force him to become apostate and recant his faith in the Law. He reiterates his faith in song, and calls upon God for help. Those held in greatest contempt are not the Gentiles, but the Hebrews who turn away from the Law of Moses, violating the covenant.
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Gospel: Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
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Commentary on Lk 18:35-43
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel takes place as Jesus is returning to Jerusalem for the last time. The blind man, whom he cures, addresses him as “Son of David,” a clear reference to Christ’s role as Messiah. Understanding his faith, the Lord announces: “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” The message is that those who recognize Jesus as the Messiah are saved. As a further testament to the identity of Jesus as Messiah, we are told the witnesses to this healing event recognized the action as a work of God's mercy, not the work of a man: "all the people gave praise to God."
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Reflection:
Did anyone notice the way the last line in the Gospel was phrased? “When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.” Let’s think about this incident and picture what took place. There was a blind man sitting at the road side begging. Someone tells him that Jesus is coming down the road. The first thing we notice is that the blind man knew more than “Jesus of Nazareth” was coming down the road. We know this because of the way he was addressed.
The blind man did not simply call out: “Jesus help me!” If it were simply someone famous coming down the road, the blind man would have begged for alms: “Alms for the blind” he might have called. But he called: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” This was not a simple designation that he knew Jesus was Jewish. That call would have been: “Jesus son of Abraham.” No, this blind man knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One from the house and line of David.
The call stops Jesus in his tracks. He must be very tense, knowing that he is heading to Jerusalem
The story, of course, is a great message for us. As we attempt to use God’s gifts to do the Lord’s will in the world, it must be God’s glory we seek, not our own. It would be like taking credit for inventing and building the car you drove. No, our task is first to seek God’s greater glory, and in doing so we receive his grace and the blessings of eternal life.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Christ Healing the Blind” by El Greco, 1570-75.
[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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
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