(Optional Memorial for Saint Hilary, Bishop, Doctor of the Church)
Proper for the Memorial of St. Hilary
Biographical information about St. Hilary
 |
| “The Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law” by James Tissot, 1883-94 |
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Reading 1: Hebrews 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Heb 2:14-18
The Letter to the Hebrews presents an apologia on the Lord’s humanity. The author is eloquent in logic as he says: “Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham,” meaning he came as man not as spirit in support of the sons of Abraham. By assuming humanity, the Lord became the perfect vessel in which the sins of all mankind were assumed and contained. As additional proof of Jesus’ humanity, the Lord’s passion is referenced as a source of strength for those who are likewise tested on account of their faith. He came as the sacrificial offering, that through his suffering and death, those he loves may not have to endure the fate reserved for those who live in darkness.
The language used at the beginning of the passage, “blood and flesh,” makes reference to human nature, its weakness and frailty in contrast with the “spirit” and God (see Psalm 78:39, Isaiah 31:3, 2 Chronicles 32:8). From the Fall, mankind has been under the bane of death. Now in the Christian paradox, Christ’s death defeats death and sin (also Romans 8:3).
CCC: Heb 2:14-15 635; Heb 2:14 407, 636; Heb 2:15 1520, 2602; Heb 2:17-18 609
-------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generationsB
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
The song of praise exhorts us to praise the Lord constantly and to remember his covenant with Abraham and Isaac. We praise him also for the new covenant in Jesus, for which the Son of God became the sealing sacrifice. It emphasizes the saving power of the name of the Lord. In using the name of God, the speaker implicitly gives glory to God for the blessings that follow.
CCC: Ps 105:3 30
-------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 1:29-39
Jesus comes to the house of Simon (Peter) and Andrew from Capernaum. He continues to heal the sick and to cast out demons. This episode is somewhat different in that it occurs in a private setting, attended by the three privileged disciples. Scholars speculate that this, like other such accounts (Mark 4:10, 34; 5:37-40; 6:31-32), is an eyewitness report of the Lord’s revelation in the privacy of a home setting.
It is noteworthy that Mark tells us that as Jesus cast out demons, he was “not permitting them to speak because they knew him.” Demons presumably had supernatural powers and were therefore able to recognize the nature of Jesus. Because of this, he silenced them. He did so, it is proposed, because he needed to show the people (and his disciples) that he was not the “royal messiah,” but something unexpected. [4]
The Gospel tells us that the Lord then went off to a deserted place to pray, and it was only when Simon and his companions came and found him that he continued his mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
CCC: Mk 1:35 2602
-------------------------------------------
Reflection:
“Everyone is looking for you.” That is what Simon said when the disciples came and found Jesus in prayer. The truth of the matter is that, whether they knew it or not, everyone is still looking for him.
Who is not looking for the peace that Christ brings? He comes to still the troubled mind. He brings that warmth of heart that is only achieved when we are convinced that we are at peace with all things, and that there is nothing we should fear.
He comes offering everlasting life. Who is not looking for salvation for all eternity? Even if some people say: “I don’t believe in God, and death is just the end of my journey,” they still hope for life in the world to come. They may have difficulty believing it, but they nonetheless fear that they may be wrong.
Who is not looking for belonging and the love that comes with being part of a family who loves them? Very few biological families live up to the standard of mutual love and respect that the Lord’s adopted sons and daughters find in his family.
Who does not secretly wish that they had a loving parent who, in all of the most difficult times of their life, would be with them to support them? That is a part of the peace of Christ. Belief in Lord brings us the constant assurance that our Father in heaven is with us, and his Son, Jesus left us the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. It marks us as his children forever.
The people we meet today will all fall into this class of “looking for him.” They may have found some piece of the truth in their lives, and they may have rejected that path, not knowing where it could lead them. It is, after all, a difficult path, and to find the Lord we must put aside our own greed and hedonistic impulses. That is something almost impossible for some people.
It strikes us that most people who seek the Lord, but don’t know it or can’t seem to bring themselves to travel that path, give one or more reasons: they don’t know what finding the Lord can do for them; they have never been shown the path or do not know how to get on it; they are unable to put aside the products and values of the world; or they may be prevented from getting on the path by their current life circumstances (e.g. buried in a culture that shuts out the light).
These reasons may manifest themselves in voiced rejection: “That’s stupid,” or “I don’t believe that,” or “That is for fools and simpletons.” (The famous atheist, Dawkins, recently put signs on buses in London, one of which read: “There is no God, so don’t worry.”) But if we can get past that initial rejection, perhaps we can show them that “everyone is looking for him.”
Pax
[1] The picture today is “The Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law” by James Tissot, 1883-94.
[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] The
No comments:
Post a Comment