Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
 
On Saturdays in Ordinary Time when there is no obligatory memorial, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed.[1] Mass texts may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a Votive Mass, or from the special collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary (Suggested is #26, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Image and Mother of the Church, II).
 

"The Calling of Matthew”
by Marinus van Reymerswaele, 1536

Readings for Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time [2]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [3]
 
Readings and Commentary:[4]
 
Reading 1: Hebrews 4:12-16
 
The word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit,
joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
 
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Heb 4:12-16
 
The selection begins with focus on the Word of God (the Logos), and how the Lord is omnipresent and hypervigilant. The Logos discerns the heart of the person, each of whom will undergo the final judgment. Verse 14 introduces Christ as the “great high priest,” and contrasts the Lord with the Hebrew high priests who were aloof and separated from the people of God. Since Jesus came in humility, he brings consolation, because he suffered in the same way as those he came to serve. This humanity makes him approachable even as Godhead.
 
CCC: Heb 4:13 302; Heb 4:14-15 1137; Heb 4:15 467, 540, 609, 612, 2602; Heb 4:16 2778
-------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
 
R. (see John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
 
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
 
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
 
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
 
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
 
Psalm 19 is a song of praise. It rejoices in the laws and precepts set down by God and asks the Lord to find favor in those who follow them. This part of Psalm 19 is a formulaic profession of faith. It begins with the Law of God, then the rules based upon the law, and finally on faith in God. Essentially this litany says if you follow God’s law in all its fullness, salvation is yours.
 
-------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 2:13-17
 
Jesus went out along the sea.
All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the customs post.
Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners
and tax collectors and said to his disciples,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 2:13-17
 
This passage from St. Mark’s Gospel documents the call of Matthew, here named Levi.  The Gospel of St. Matthew renames Levi to Matthew so this tax collector, whose call is given special notice, will be included with the elevated status of the call of the first four disciples.
 
This story is the setting for the next conflict/response interchange. Once Matthew follows Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees challenge the Lord about the people with whom he chooses to associate because it threatens his status as “teacher.” In response, the Lord uses the famous analogy of a doctor not being needed by those who are well: "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
 
CCC: Mk 2:14-17 574; Mk 2:17 545, 1484, 1503
-------------------------------------------
Reflection:
 
Scripture calls us to reflect upon our relationship with Jesus, and how we understand our individual interaction with him. The reading from Hebrews shows the contrasting natures of Jesus, our high priest.  While he is both omnipresent and powerful, which would seem to make us place him on high, beyond the reach of mortals, it also speaks of his humanity and humility.  He is our brother, loving and approachable. 
 
This same contrast of natures is seen in St. Mark’s account of the call of St. Matthew (Levi).  He walks past his would-be disciple and says commandingly, “Follow me.”  Levi immediately does so and takes the Lord to his home where they are joined by Levi’s associates, “tax collectors and sinners.”  Jesus does not require the homage and deference persons of power and importance might expect.  The humility he assumes upsets the religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, who are critical of him.  They no doubt feel he is lowering himself, making himself impure by this sordid association.
 
The question we ask ourselves in relation to this example is complex.  We are shown the high priest, the Son of God with all power and majesty appropriate to his rank. And at the same time we see the carpenter’s son who sits down with the lowest members of the social order.  Do we see ourselves as worshiping him from afar? Are we fearful of coming too close in our unworthiness?  Or do we pray to our brother and friend, a fellow traveler and personal confidante, with whom we share secrets, and who mentors us in a familiar way?
 
As was noted, it is a complex question and neither answer is wrong.  The Lord is, after all, both high priest and carpenter’s son.  He is at once the Lord and Messiah and our brother and friend.  This is a topic that needs to be part of our ongoing discernment in the faith.  We need to have a direct and personal relationship with Jesus that at once shows the awe and respect due to the Son of God, and, at the same time, gives us access to the grace he provides through our close association with him.
 
Today we pray to our high priest that he might give us the courage to approach him and take his hand.  It is a loving and gentle hand.  We hope that our love for him will allow us to find an intimate place where all our hopes and needs are laid bare, and we can feel the peace, comfort, and grace he offers.
 
Pax
 

---

[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5
[2] The picture is  "The Calling of Matthew” by Marinus van Reymerswaele, 1536.
[3] S.S. Commemoratio
[4] 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.