Proper for the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas [1]
Biographical information for St. Thomas Aquinas
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| “Saint Thomas Aquinas Girded by Angels” Diego Velázquez, c. 1650’s |
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary: [3]
Reading 1: Hebrews 10:19-25
Brothers and sisters:
Since through the Blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
We should not stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,
and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.
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Commentary on Heb 10:19-25
This selection begins a discourse on the practical consequences for the Christian that flow from the earlier reflection on the High Priesthood of Jesus and the sacrifice the Lord makes contrasted with the Levitical sacrifices of the Hebrew priests. In Christ the faithful have direct access to God, differentiating from the barrier veils that separate the Jews from the sanctuary. Christ is the eternal High Priest “a great priest over the house of God.”
The Christian is enjoined to approach the Lord with sincerity of faith having been made a new creation in baptism, their "hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience.” The faithful are encouraged to be steadfast in hope and unified, encouraging each other to love and good works. There is an urgent tone to this exhortation as reference is made to the return of Christ in the parousia (“and this all the more as you see the day drawing near” see also 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
CCC: Heb 10:19-21 1137; Heb 10:19 2778; Heb 10:23 1817; Heb 10:25 2178
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
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Commentary on Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Psalm 24 is a processional song. It recalls that God is the great Creator and he calls his people to be faithful. It asks the question: "Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord?" The psalmist answers, only those who are sinless (completely reconciled to God). They who achieve that beatified state will receive the reward of eternal life from the Savior. It focuses on the character of the one who worthily seeks God, and the one who is worthy to come into God’s kingdom and stand before him. We are answered: “He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.”
This is part of an entrance hymn, sung as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the temple at Jerusalem, followed by the faithful. Once again in this song, we find a reference borrowed by St. John’s Revelation (Revelation 14:5), and an image created in the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:22). Who are the ones allowed full access to God?
CCC: Ps 24:6 2582
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Gospel: Mark 4:21-25
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?
For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;
nothing is secret except to come to light.
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”
He also told them, “Take care what you hear.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.
To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
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Commentary on Mk 4:21-25
Jesus continues his private talk with his disciples, explaining the parables he had used when speaking to the crowds from the boat. The description of the lamp placed high so that all can benefit from the light continues the description of the seed that fell on fertile ground in the parable of the Sower. It therefore takes the character of a description of the duties of those who hear the word and have it take root in them.
The second part of the reading speaks of “the measure.” Again, this refers to his disciples who are given the gift of the word. In them the word will grow. The Lord understands that one of their number will fall: “from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
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Reflection:
We picture the scene once more. Jesus is sitting on the shore with his disciples after having spent much of the day teaching from a boat so the people could hear. His disciples are gathered around him, listening intently as the Lord explains the parts of his parables that were difficult for them to understand. He had used the parable of the Sower and had just finished his explanation that the seed that fell on fertile ground represented those who heard his word and had it take root in them. We pray we are among that number, don’t we?
He continues his explanation now, telling his disciples that the “Word” they are given is not private or secret knowledge. He has not given it to them so they alone can find peace and happiness in their own salvation. No, he asks them the rhetorical question; "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?” Their duty is to take their understanding into the world – to give it away. There is a resonance in this action. The more they give away their knowledge of the Kingdom of God, the love the Father has for us, the greater that knowledge and understanding grows in them. He tells them to listen closely “Take care what you hear.” Each word from the Lord’s lips is precious, it carries life and hope.
Give it away, he tells them. Like light from the lamp, let it illuminate all dark places. And the wonder of it, the light will be reflected back and grow and become brighter until it lights up the whole world. And even as he tells them how they will be filled up, perhaps his eyes rest ever so briefly on Judas Iscariot, the Zealot, and he is reminded that not all who hear will understand and even the little wisdom that is imparted will be taken away.
For us, we who have heard the word of love poured out from the Father through his Son, the injunction of Jesus comes to us clearly. We, like his disciples, have been given the gift of faith. Our faith is not a private thing. It is not a secret to be kept or a treasure to be hidden. It is for the world, this Word we are given. Today we are reminded once more that we must live that Word and speak that Word so that all who hear us are bathed in the light of it. This is our great mission and we are also reminded that as we give away what we have, it will come back to us magnified and fill us up as well.
Pax
[1] The picture today is “Saint Thomas Aquinas Girded by Angels” Diego Velázquez, c. 1650’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.
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