(Optional Memorial for Saint Bruno, Priest)
Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Bruno
Biographical information about St. Bruno
Or
(Optional Memorial for Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Virgin) [USA]
Proper readings for the Memorial of Bl. Marie-Rose Durocher
Biographical information about Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher
Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Bruno
Biographical information about St. Bruno
Biographical information about Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher
“Ask, And It Shall Be Given” by Alexandre Bida, c. 1858 |
O stupid Galatians!
Who has bewitched you,
before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
I want to learn only this from you:
did you receive the Spirit from works of the law,
or from faith in what you heard?
Are you so stupid?
After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now ending with the flesh?
Did you experience so many things in vain?–
if indeed it was in vain.
Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you
and works mighty deeds among you
do so from works of the law
or from faith in what you heard?
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Gal 3:1-5
St. Paul lashes out at the Galatians (stupid - other translations use the word “foolish,” or ask “are you mad”) for succumbing to the exhortations of the Judaizers. They have apparently become focused on “works of the law,” the legalistic practices thought to earn them salvation, or to gain favor in the eyes of God. In either case, St. Paul asks rhetorically if these hollow practices caused the Spirit to manifest itself in them. Was it not, he asks, the Gospel of Christ, and him crucified, proclaimed by the apostle that had brought about the works of the Spirit?
CCC: Gal 3:2 476
-------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
R. (68) Blessed be the Lord, the God of
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of
-------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
CCC: Lk 1:73 706
-------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 11:5-13
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose one of you has a friend
to whom he goes at
‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey
and I have nothing to offer him,’
and he says in reply from within,
‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked
and my children and I are already in bed.
I cannot get up to give you anything.’
I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves
because of their friendship,
he will get up to give him whatever he needs
because of his persistence.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake
when he asks for a fish?
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him?”
-------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 11:5-13
CCC: Lk 11:5-13 2613; Lk 11:9 2761; Lk 11:13 443, 728, 2623, 2671
-------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
God did not give us life to live it for us. He did not create us as slaves, he gave us free will. He did not create the earth and all that is in it to constantly reshape it for our safety. However, we are given the Holy Spirit, free for the asking. That Spirit supports us in times of difficulty and gives us strength in the face of adversity. All we need to do is ask from our hearts and it is ours. Come Holy Spirit. It is a reality St. Paul recognized, and the reason for his zeal (and language) as he saw the understanding being diluted by his detractors.
[1] The Picture used today is “Ask, And It Shall Be Given” by Alexandre Bida, c. 1858.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[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.
No comments:
Post a Comment