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| “Virgin and Angels Imploring Christ not to Punish Lust, Avarice, and Pride” by Scarsellino, 1580’s |
Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary: [3]
Reading 1: Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13
Like a stream is the king’s heart in the hand of the Lord;
wherever it pleases him, he directs it.
All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes,
but it is the Lord who proves hearts.
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart–
the tillage of the wicked is sin.
The plans of the diligent are sure of profit,
but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.
Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue
is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
The soul of the wicked man desires evil;
his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.
When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser;
when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
The just man appraises the house of the wicked:
there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.
He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself also call and not be heard.
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Commentary on Prv 21:1-6, 10-13
This list of wisdom sayings is part of the first collection of the sayings of Solomon. These verses are a loose collection of sayings that support various elements of the Law of Moses. The underlying theme is that God’s will is expressed by the faithful through the Holy Spirit operating within them, and that the development of this spirit of holiness is more desirable than material wealth.
“21:13 the cry of the poor: Concern for those in need is expressed several times in Proverbs (14:31; 17:5; 19:17; 22:9). Here, giving help to the poor and underprivileged is a condition for receiving similar treatment in return. The merciless can expect no mercy from the Lord in their own time of need (Matthew 5:7; 6:14-15) (CCC 2443-49) ▪ Poverty is crueler than a beast of prey. You must aid its victims and give ear to their cry. Give that you may receive, and hear that you may be heard. Almsgiving and charity crown us with the glory of God an bring us to the undying happiness that Christ gives to those who love him (St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke 103).” [4]
CCC: Prv 21:1 269
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44
R. (35) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
And I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
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Commentary on Ps 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44
Psalm 119 is a hymn in praise of the law and those who keep it. While at times within its structure it takes the form of an individual lament and at others a song of praise, the strophes presented in this reading emphasize its main theme: praise for the Law of Moses and those who follow it.
CCC: Ps119:30 2465
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Gospel: Luke 8:19-21
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
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Commentary on Lk 8:19-21
In this passage from the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus identifies his family as the family of faith as opposed to just his blood relatives. There are several connotations of the language used that are treated in the parallel story in Matthew 12:46-50 relating to the broader meaning of the language from the Aramaic, and also the apocryphal documentation regarding St. Joseph’s unnamed widow (prior to his betrothal to St. Mary). St. Luke’s treatment of this topic is softer than that found in St. Mark’s Gospel (Mark 3:31-35), probably because St. Mary had already been introduced as the model of fidelity to the Lord.
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Reflection:
Heavenly Father, we humbly pray that those suffering from the coronavirus be returned quickly to full health by the power of your Son’s healing presence, and those in fear be calmed through the Holy Spirit.
In Christ’s name we pray. – Amen.
The Book of Proverbs tells us:
“Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.”
It seems very obvious what this phrase means. The person who lies to achieve material wealth will ultimately fall (die the true death that awaits those condemned to the pit). This proverb has two moral imperatives. First, it focuses on a person’s aims in life. The person who thinks their purpose in life is to achieve wealth will never have enough. If that pursuit dominates the person, wealth becomes the golden idol that violates God’s commandments on several levels. Single- minded pursuit of wealth, greed, may be responsible for more death, destruction and misery than any other retreat from grace. We are not usually a huge fan of you-tube but in this case the persuasive nature of greed is beautifully captured by this link to an interview with the popular economist Milton Friedman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A). We see in this interview how easily secular values equate greed with the effort or work (that is work and greed are equivalent). The logic is insidious since even the faithful must work to support themselves and their families. According to this popular figure, greed is not only OK, but necessary for survival.
The second axiom contained within our short parable is the exhortation against lying. Telling a mistruth, duping some poor soul out of his meager portion, is perfectly acceptable to the greedy and praised by secular values. Is not “Buyer Beware” the byword of commerce?
For those of us trying to follow Christ in this world of greed, where taking advantage of the less fortunate, the powerless, and the poor is perfectly acceptable behavior in many circles, following Christ is a difficult thing. We must not be pressured into falling into the deadly snares so ignored by those who would lead us into spiritual destruction.
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” These words from St. Matthew should drive us toward the virtue of charity. Charity of heart is the great combatant of greed because it gives to those who are not just poor in the material sense but poor also in spirit. We, as a people who hear the word of God and act on it, are called to always act out of charity of heart toward all those we meet.
In this strange year where many of us will not be able to receive the Blessed Sacrament or celebrate as a community in our houses of worship, we must be prepared to receive spiritual communion in prayer:
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Virgin and Angels Imploring Christ not to Punish Lust, Avarice, and Pride” by Scarsellino, 1580’s.
[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, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, © 2012, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p. 40.
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