Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial for Saint Angela Merici, Virgin)
 
Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Angela Merici
 
Biographical information about St. Angela Merici

“Christians Persecuted”
by Eugene Thirion, c. 1870’s

Readings for Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: Hebrews 10:32-39
 
Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened,
you endured a great contest of suffering.
At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction;
at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.
You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison
and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,
knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;
it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
For, after just a brief moment,
he who is to come shall come;
he shall not delay.
But my just one shall live by faith,
and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.
We are not among those who draw back and perish,
but among those who have faith and will possess life.
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Commentary on Heb 10:32-39
 
Hebrews continues instructing the faithful in the practical aspects of living the faith they have been given. The author calls on the readers to recall a time of great trial following their baptism into Christ (enlightenment in this context refers to baptism rather than just hearing the Gospel). The author refers to a persecution that was endured and now calls them to persevere. The Hebrew Scriptures are quoted to support the injunction to remain steadfast, starting with a brief introduction from Isaiah 26:20 “after just a brief moment” and continues with support from Habakkuk 2:3-4. (Note the Pauline usage of Hebrews 2:4 in Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11.[4])
 
CCC: Heb 10:32 1216; Heb 10:36 2826
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40
 
R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
 
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
 
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
 
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
 
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40
 
Psalm 37 is a lament containing the plea to be faithful to God, and remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist sings that the faith of the people will bring them salvation, and that the Lord is faithful and intercedes for them against the wicked. Salvation comes from the Lord alone is the common message.
 
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Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
 
Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”
He said,
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
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Commentary on Mk 4:26-34
 
We are given two parables from the Gospel of St. Mark. The first is unique to Mark’s Gospel and follows the parable of the Sower in Mark 4:1-9. The mystery of the seed is analogous to Jesus’ own ministry which starts as a seed but grows to encompass the world.  Another frequent analogy follows: the seed, apparently dying, falling to the earth and buried, then rising to new life - the great Paschal Mystery.
 
The second parable, the parable of the Mustard Seed, echoes the vision of the Kingdom of God described in Ezekiel 17:23; Ezekiel 31:6, with the image of the Kingdom of God providing a resting place for all, just as the giant cedars of Lebanon do for the birds.
 
CCC: Mk 4:33-34 546
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Reflection:
 
If we look to the leaders of the Church to be responsible for evangelizing the world, and excuse ourselves because “it’s not our job, and we’re too busy,” we have missed the point of the Lord’s call completely.  If that was our attitude, when the Word of God first came to us, we should have covered our ears and started mumbling nonsense words like a child.  Everyone who hears the Word of God and listens to it is handed grace which must be passed on to have its potential realized.
 
Does that mean that we are called to stand on street corners calling out to passersby to repent and turn to the Gospel?  In most cases no, although there are some who feel compelled to do just that.  We are, however, required to live our faith as best we can.  That means applying the values we profess to believe in.  Minimally it means loving God and neighbor, and even that is difficult at times for many.
 
The parables of the mustard seed and the sower are of critical importance to us.  They tell us that we do not come to the faith simply to have it give us comfort or consolation (although it does).  The parables tell us that the treasure contained in the Word of God must not be taken to our hearts like a comfort pillow, and hugged closely, never to be released (although at times we certainly need to treat our faith just that way). 
 
Jesus makes it clear that what we are given is to be shared.  Our very lives are a gift from God; how can we be so selfish as to think only that this word of salvation should be kept like some secret.  No, our actions, all of our actions, should proclaim God’s praise.  And when we complete our day’s tasks, and reflect back on what we have accomplished, we must ask ourselves if what we accomplished did what God would have intended.
 
As we have said before, the beauty of the parables of the sower and the mustard seed is that we are both the seed and the sower.  These images compel us move forward with our faith, not passively accept what God sends to us.  We are called to be active participants in God’s Kingdom on earth; there will be time enough for rest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
 
Pax
 

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[1] The picture is “Christians Persecuted” by Eugene Thirion, c. 1870’s.
[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.
[4] NAB footnote on Hebrews 10:37-38.