Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Gn 3:1-8

Today continues the Genesis account with the story of “The Fall”. We hear how man fell from grace through Original Sin. The account is given of the temptation by the serpent first distorting the truth to tempt the woman first telling her that there would be no punishment and then telling her that she would become like God. The use of the serpent to represent the fallen human nature is probably a reference to the serpent used in pagan fertility rituals at the time. The serpent is one of the “beasts of the field” named by man and is not intrinsically evil.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

Providing hope for mankind following the story of “The Fall” is Psalm 32 rejoicing for the one whose sins are forgiven. The psalmist gives thanks for God’s saving work, emphasizing that only He can deliver man from sin.

Gospel Mk 7:31-37

Returning from his encounter with the Syrophoenician woman, the Lord now heals the deaf mute. This action, especially the wording of the final quote, (“He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” ) which is a paraphrase from Isaiah, has a prophetic feel.

The Lord’s actions are sacramental in nature. That is they accomplish what they signify. As the Lord takes the man aside, he puts his fingers into the man’s mouth and ears. He then sighs or groans looking heavenward, demonstrating his intimate relationship to the father rather than in prayer, and says, “ephphetha!” or “be opened.

This passage has two unusual characteristics. First, the Lord takes the man aside, in private, implying something of the secret of the Messiah. Next, after his cure was affected he tells the man not to tell anyone but not only does the man continue to do so but proclaims it. We are given the feel that the event taking place is special in revelation.

Reflection:

The scripture readings we are given today are all tied together in an event we share. What is this event? It is our Baptism. In the first reading from Genesis we hear the story of “The Fall”. Man falls from grace by violating the only law God had given. The Original Sin is thrust upon mankind.

Following the story of the Fall, we find in the Psalm, the realization that it is only God who can wash the stain of sin away. Happy are those for whom this has been done cries the author.

Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus cures the deaf mute. In doing so he opens the man’s ears and lips, pronouncing the word “Ephphetha”. In doing so he reveals his saving power.

Original Sin is the driving reason for our tradition of baptizing infants. The absence Original Sin was the gift given to Mary the Mother of God whose womb was free from all sin. Baptism restores us to grace by wiping away that fallen nature initiated in the Genesis story. It provides adoption to us and makes us children of God. Like the psalmist, we rejoice because “Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.”

If it has been a while since you have attended a baptism, let me refresh your memory a bit. Following the sacramental bath, that also does what it symbolizes, and following the anointing with Chrism and the vesting with the white garment, the celebrant goes to the child. He says:

“The Lord Jesus made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your lips to proclaim his faith, to the glory of God the Father. Amen”

The prayer is called the Ephphetha and we remember this very special event with that prayer each time a child is baptized in the Church. It recalls to us our adoption not only as children of God but disciples with all the responsibilities that go with it.

Today we thank God for our gift of Baptism and pray that the strength given in that sacrament will help us face the challenges of discipleship.

Pax

ALTRE

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time &
Saint Josephine Bakhita, Religious &
Saint Jerome Emiliani, Priest

Biographical Information about St. Josephine Bakhita
Biographical Information about St Jerome Emiliani

Readings for Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Gn 2:18-25

We continue the Yahwehest creation account with the creation of life. It is important to note early near eastern peoples felt that the individual who named a person or thing, had dominion over it. Here we see man naming all the animals in God’s creation thereby having dominion over them.

The passage concludes with God’s creation of woman as the perfect companion for man. He does so by taking a rib (thus also explaining why there is a “spare rib”). This passage will be familiar to those who attend weddings as it is one of the texts frequently uses because of the closing line: That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Psalm 128 supports the creation of woman and the marriage theme in the Genesis reading. It is the logical extension of the two becoming one flesh and the children flowing from that union.

Gospel Mk 7:24-30

This can be a particularly difficult Gospel on the surface. As luck has it I ran across it last year and did a good bit of research – If you would like to see that reflection and exegesis it is in the Blog Archive. In spite of what it may look like, Jesus is actually indicating two edifying points; First, he came for all peoples and second, we are given through our faith in him, the power of the Holy Spirit, that can heal even a wounded soul.

Homily:

This Gospel message is a bit difficult unless we stop and take a better look at it. Jesus has just come to Tyre and he is tired (No pun intended. Actually it would not have worked in Aramaic anyway because the word for tied sounds like MoANaA). He was hoping to be left alone but a Greek woman, a gentile who had apparently hear of his healing power, found him and interrupted his rest asking him to cure her daughter (moms are like that when it comes to their children).

Jesus, thinking about all the difficulty he had just faced with the Pharisees, (remember yesterday and the argument about what foods could be eaten) and his response to the woman is; “Let the children (Hebrew people) be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs (this reference is to a household custom where the children were fed first and then the leftovers were given to the family pets and was not intended as a degrading statement).”

The woman, however seized upon his innocent analogy, acknowledges the Hebrew’s prior claim on the Lord. Jesus knows when he has been beaten, he relents a cures the woman’s daughter.

In doing so the Lord sends a message. It is a message that, in the history of the world may be most needed at this time. He came for all people. Pope John Paul the Great heard this message a took steps to insure that we would have a clear reminder when he Canonized St. Josephine whose memorial we celebrate today. She was born in Sudan and raised in the Islamic faith until events brought her through many trials to the Lord. In this time of heated unrest that makes it so easy to stereotype Ishmael’s descendants as hated enemies, we need this example. It is exactly at this time that we need to recall that Christ came to bring us his peace and that gift is only attainable through love.

As we go out today, let us be especially aware that we do not fall into the trap of disrespecting others because of their racial or religious backgrounds. Jesus came for us all and we can do no less.

Pax

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17

Today we are given excerpts of the second creation account (also called the Yahwehest account because in Hebrew texts God is referred to as Yahweh God instead of God). As we go through Genesis it is clear that multiple authors are responsible for the texts and this is one way scholars distinguish them. The account today does not go through creation using a calendar but rather begins with a lifeless earth and builds up from there.

In this account we are given the beginnings of man in the Garden of Eden. We also hear the one rule man is given; “You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!

Once again the Psalm of thanks and praise supports the Genesis reading praising God for his creation. In this song reference is also made of the creation of live from dust and the ultimate return of the body to dust.

Gospel Mk 7:14-23

Jesus takes that first command of God to man in the Garden and interprets it. He also stands Jewish Law that declares some foods to be unclean. The focus he makes is that the food that enters the body cannot destroy it but actions and words that contravene God’s Law will.

Reflection:

We are given some interesting scripture today. It is interesting because it seems to contradict it self. In the reading from Genesis we hear God command man not to eat from the tree of Knowledge of good and evil. (Let’s think for a moment, did that tree really grow? Or was God telling man to remain innocent, childlike in faith (where did we hear that before) in their understanding of God’s will?) So – in Genesis we are hearing not of a real tree and real food but rather a metaphor, God did not want man to lean from the Evil One. Unfortunately, the serpent ended up spoiling His plan anyway.

Based on the fact that the tree of Knowledge of good and evil was intended not for the physical wellbeing of mankind but rather the spiritual good, what we hear from Jesus in the Gospel of Mark today is completely consistent with God His Father’s will in Genesis. Jesus is making it plain that, while there were good practical reasons related to physical health for what are know as the Dietary Laws in the Old Testament, the health of our eternal soul is more important.

Jesus tells us that even if our body dies, and all bodies die, the soul will not die. He came to defeat death and where the soul goes when the body dies is determined by what comes out of the body not what goes into it. He has prioritized our concerns. Our first and most important concern should be our spiritual health and we can maintain that health by working toward inward purity. The Lord says that; “From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” We can avoid these if we hold fast to the moral values the God has left us.

We take note that of the things the Lord identifies as destructive to us only theft and murder are even considered illegal by our justice system. The rest are considered either acceptable behavior or ignored as personal characteristics. Even theft refers only to certain types of stealing and murder, only certain types of murder. We are called to a higher law. We will be held to a higher standard when we stand before the Lord in the Last Day.

Pax

ALTRE

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki, martyr

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki, martyr &
his companions, martyrs

Biographical Information about St. Paul Miki and his companion martyrs
Readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Gn 1:20—2:4a

This passage completes the Priestly creation account in Genesis. It leaves us today with the creation of all life on earth and concludes with the establishment of the Sabbath on the seventh day.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8 gives us a song of thanksgiving for the very event just described in Genesis. The song marvels at God’s great work, His creation and the life he gave us.

Gospel Mk 7:1-13

We begin the seventh chapter of Mark’s Gospel with an encounter with the Pharisees. Jesus’ disciples are not following strict pharisaic laws regarding ritual purification and the Lord, who is their teacher, is taken to task for it.

Jesus responds indignantly pointing out that it is the Pharisees with their man made laws who are sinning against God. He points out that not only have they placed pharisaic law above Mosaic Law but they have violated the Law of Moses by doing so. He gives one example about children who, under Mosaic Law are to honor and support their parents instead satisfy their contribution to the Temple and count that as support even though it gives the parents no comfort.

Reflection:

This week I was called to do a vigil service for Dorothy H. Szyniszewski who died at 86 of cancer. As usual when I don’t know a person well, I first read the obituary notice and then asked to speak with one of Dorothy’s daughters before the service. The picture that was painted of this woman’s life was a text book image of a lived faith. By all accounts, she lead an exemplary life, full of service, first to her children and then to the community at large. She was known as a go to person at the retirement home where she spent the last years of her life and always independent of her children.

The reason I think of her now is that I did not know her. I have been at St. Thomas as parishioner and Deacon for over thirty years and I can’t recall having met her even though her children and one of the priests of our diocese who were present vouched for her lively and lived faith.

Many people believe that in order to be a good church member one must be known to be pious by the clergy and seen by others as a person living a holy life by their observance of the traditions of the Church. Yet here is a person who at 86 had a vigil on Super Bowl Sunday, during the game, and had over 30 people present. Here is a woman who had hundreds file through the home during her visitation period. Here is a woman, who did not want to be a burden to her children so she took a part time job and worked, while suffering the ravages of her cancer, until two weeks before she died, never complaining.

When we think about the Gospel today and how Jesus ripped into the Pharisees, he was talking, not just about his disciples, but about the Dorothy H. Szyniszewski’s of the world who live the spirit of God’s law in humility. St. Paul Miki and his companion martyrs whom we memorialize today would be glad to have had her in their company. Our prayer today is that we may do as well as Dorothy when our time comes.

Pax

ALTRE

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

Biographical Information about St. Agatha
Readings for Monday of the 5th Week In Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Gn 1:1-19

The selection we are given today is the beginning of Genesis, the first book in the Bible. Here we see the first four days of the first of two creation accounts. This, the Priestly account, shows how God creates order out of chaos.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10 and 12, 24 and 35c
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.

This section of Psalm 104 is praising God for the creation of all things which supports Genesis’ creation account above. It reminds us not to take that first gift for granted but to constantly thank God for wonders of His works.

Gospel Mk 6:53-56

There is another gap in the Gospel readings from St. Mark that we missed as we celebrated the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time. On Saturday you will remember, the disciples returned after their first sending and after they had buried John the Baptist and as Jesus took them to a deserted place so they could rest, a large crowd had followed them.

Jesus felt sorry for them and taught them many things. – That is were we left the story on Saturday. The next section told how he had then fed that great throng with a few loaves and fishes. Today, we take up the story immediately following that miraculous event. Jesus continues his journey and curing many people who come to him. His fame spreads.

Reflection:

Today scripture gives us a pause from the very active message of last week of “call and response”, to consider the creation event. What an amazing controversy this simple account has caused in the scientific age. The Church, in her great wisdom, has given us tools with which to resolve our position in this debate by defining the nature of Holy Scripture in Dei Verbum, a document from the Vatican II Counsel, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation.

Supported by numerous citations from scripture itself, the Church teaches us that God revealed himself to us in the Word and that Holy Scripture was the work of human hands, inspired by God. This differs significantly from the definition used by many of our Christian brothers and sisters; especially of the Baptist and Evangelical sects who believe that God’s word (usually as codified in the English translation of the King James Version of the Bible) is somehow the work of God himself. They believe that the Lord somehow dictated the very words used and that it (the Bible) is to be interpreted literally using even the modern understanding of societal context.

The Church on the other hand sees, for instance, the creation account given today, not as a record of four, twenty four hour periods but rather as the encounter by the first believers in God with the understanding of how their earth and ours came into being. God created the universe and all that is in it, we believe this. Did He do it in a calendar week using a division of time that did not even exist at the time the authors crafted the language we see today? That we do not accept. Rather we believe the creative event took place in God’s time, which is beyond our understanding and that of the ancient Hebrews who handed this account down for 2,000 years before ever writing it on parchment.

Today we give thanks to the Church for helping us place God’s revelation into context. We give thanks that, unlike our Evangelical brothers and sisters, we have not placed the mind of God in a box bounded by words. Look around today and give thanks to a creator who gives us life and a natural world to enjoy as we journey to Him in His Heavenly Kingdom.

Pax

ALTRE

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Is 6:1-2a, 3-8

The Prophet Isaiah tells us the story of his call “In the year King Uzziah died” (742 B.C.) The prophet first relates his belief that he will die, since it is the common belief that no one who had not been purified could see the face of God and live. Then one of the seraphim flew to him and, using a coal from the fire at the altar (there would have been a fire for burning the holocaust – a sacrificial offering completely burnt as opposed to simply slaughtered).

With that coal, the seraphim touched Isaiah’s lips in symbolic cleansing, making the prophet worthy to proclaim God’s word. The Church remembers this event with the Priest’s blessing of himself or the Deacon with the words – “May the Lord open my (your) lips that I (you) may worthily proclaim the Holy Gospel; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

The reading closes with that lyric that we express in song in “Here I am Lord” many other hymns.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

The response we use in this song of thanksgiving and praise links us to Isaiah’s vision of the seraphim in the first reading. We are also reminded of God’s saving power and his enduring faithfulness.

Reading II 1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11

St. Paul cuts to the heart of the faith as he tells the Corinthians that first and of most importance we have the fact that Jesus, the Christ, died for our sins and on the third day was raised up. He goes on to offer proofs that Jesus was raised from the dead by giving what amounts to a chronology of his post resurrection appearances with which he includes his own vision on the road to Damascus. His last statement can be paraphrased as saying; “Regardless of who you hear it from that is truth and should be believed.”

Gospel Lk 5:1-11

Here we are given St. Luke’s account of the call of the first disciples. No mention is made here of Simon’s (Peter’s) brother Andrew who would also have been there and in fact as a disciple of John the Baptist actually introduced the two (John 1; 41 ff). We do hear that James and John, Zebedee’s sons were also there as Simon’s partners and are called at the same time.

Much like Isaiah in the first reading, Simon – Peter’s response to the Lord’s call is one of being sinful that thereby unworthy of the presence of the Lord. In response to Simon’s fearful humility, Jesus invites them all to leave what they have and become fishers of men.

Reflection:

The common thread that flows through our scripture today is “Call and Response”. In Isaiah we hear the prophet exposed to a vision of the throne of heaven and of God the Father. His response was fear since, being a sinful man, he was sure that he would not survive seeing God face to face. God’s response was to send one of his angels to purify Isaiah so that he could fulfill the mission he was called to.

In St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, we find the Apostle Paul referring to his own call; “Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.” Note the humility as he refers to himself as unworthy of the grace he receives in seeing and being sent. He goes on to flesh out his unworthiness recounting his former life, persecuting Christ’s followers.

Finally we come to the Gospel story from St. Luke’s Gospel. Here we find Jesus requisitioning St. Peter’s boat and using it as speaking platform so more people could hear his words. In recompense for taking the owner away from his work he instructs Peter to move away from shore a short distance and lower his nets. Peter resisted indicating that it was the wrong time of day to catch anything but did as he was asked. (We must surmise from his response at this point that Jesus’ words, spoken to the crowd from his boat, must have inspired some faith within him since this was not a simple task.)

When the nets came back so full of fish they threatened to swamp not only Peter’s boat but his partner, Zebedee’s boat as well, his epiphany was complete. Much like Isaiah, out of fear, he responded; “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” While the Lord did not immediately create a pure vessel for carrying the Word of God, as His Father did with Isaiah. His response was none the less to make the call and receive a wordless “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” The disciples left all they owned and followed him.

Our lives are similarly themed by call and response. As disciples of Jesus we are called to continue the work started by Peter, Andrew, James and John who began their journey of response in the Gospel today. We are unworthy of that call as were Isaiah who said; “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips” and St. Paul as he recounted; “…as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me”.

What is clear to us is that God takes us as we are, gives us the grace we need and then expects us to make a faith response. That response may be as simple as prayer for others, and ourselves, or it may be as all encompassing as a vocation to a formal ministry. The one message we must take from today’s scripture is we are called. No mater how meek or unworthy we feel; no mater how weak or unschooled our faith may feel, we are called. Today we are also given the expected response –

“Here I am,” I said; “send me!”

Pax

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time &
Saint Blaise Bishop and Martyr &
Saint Ansgar, Bishop

Biographical Information about St. Blaise
Biographical Information about St Ansgar

Readings for Saturday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 13:15-17, 20-21

This selection from Hebrews gives us a definition of the kind of sacrifice to be offered by Christians; praise from the lips and works of love and kindness. This is followed by the beginning of the closing salutary prayer as the Pauline author ends the letter with a blessing.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

We are given what is probably the most quoted Psalm in Holy Scripture and perhaps one of the most commonly used of all the scripture, Psalm 23. It is both a song of praise and a prayer in difficult times.

Gospel Mk 6:30-34

Since yesterday’s celebration of the Presentation of the Lord did not continue the story in Mark’s Gospel, and today’s passage seems to pick up where Thursday’s story ended, we need to put one historical event in place so continuity is not broken. Between St. Mark’s account of the disciples being sent two by two, and today when they return and give Jesus a report, Herod has had John the Baptist executed at the request of his wife’s daughter.

Now we hear the disciples called “Apostles” for the first time being gathered to give an account of what they had accomplished. They will not assume this formal title until after Pentecost but St. Mark uses it here perhaps because they have now become Christ’s emissaries, not just his students.

They go off to a deserted place to rest but are followed by a large crowd, which means, since they were in a boat, they did not sail far from shore since the crowd knew where they were putting in and were there to meet them. The Lord looked at this new Exodus and saw them as sheep without a shepherd – He began to teach them.

Reflection:

There is a saying of some indeterminate age that goes; “If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” The implication here is that our actions define our identity in an almost existential way.

If we lump together the three pericopes (the term means cohesive units of scripture); the story from Thursday where Jesus sends out the disciples; the story we missed about John’s execution; and the story today about the return of the disciples, we see a truth emerge that is important for us.

If we were the disciples sent by Jesus we might think; “Wow, this is going to be great. We get the authority to do the Lord’s work.” Off we go and our own fame starts to spread. Little do we know that King Herod hears about our exploits as well and begins to feel very threatened. Perhaps stimulated in part by our threat, he reacts, killing John the Baptist. We, being friends of his cousin, Jesus, go and bury the body and then return to Jesus to give a report of our first try at spreading the word.

The lesson for us is that when we do what we are called by the Lord to do, we are almost assuredly going to meet serious resistance. The great enemy, Satan, does not take the threat of God’s rule in our hearts lying down. He uses every trick in the book to derail our efforts and just as the disciples thought they had scored a victory, the evil one pushed back.

As we go forward now, armed with the strength of the Holy Spirit, let us not forget that we are struggling against a mighty foe. The same foe that moved Agricola, governor of Cappadocia, to kill St. Blaise whose only crime was curing the sick.




Pax

ALTRE

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

About the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)
Readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Commentary:

Reading 1 Mal 3:1-4

We hear in this, the final chapter of the Book of the Prophet Malachi ("My Messenger"), the prophet’s vision first of John the Baptist (“Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me”) and then of the coming of the Messiah (And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek”). Given that this passage is placed on the great feast of the Presentation of the Lord, it proposes that on this day we see Malachi’s prophecy fulfilled.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

In Psalm 24 we hear a longing for the coming of the Lord to his people. The psalmist gives us the image of the inanimate gates of the New Jerusalem, God’s Heavenly Kingdom welcoming the Lord of Hosts. For our purposes again, we have God in Jesus coming into the Temple. The song is appropriate for this revelatory event.

Reading II Heb 2:14-18

The Letter to the Hebrews today supports the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord by an apology 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 sons of Abraham.

Gospel Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

St. Luke begins the account of the Lord’s presentation reminding us that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, followed Mosaic Law by observing the Rite of Purification which by tradition was required of any member of the community who had come in contact with the “Mystery”, life and death, the birth of a child or the burial of the dead.

At the Temple in Jerusalem they encounter two prophetic figures Simeon and Anna. Both of these figures proclaim that the Messiah is come in the person of the Lord. We also hear from Simeon an image of the Lord’s passion and how a sword of sorrow will pierce the Holy Mother’s heart.

Reflection:

Jesus should have been only 40 days old when Mary and Joseph took him with them to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the requirements of the Hebrew Law. However, we also know that Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to avoid Herod following the Lord’s birth so the timing may be questionable (note; the scripture does not explicitly say how long it has been since the Lord’s birth, only that the Mary has returned in accordance to the Law.)

Last year I reflected upon how this feast has significance for parents and rightly so since the Holy Family coming to the temple is a great example, reminding us that the bond of faith is part of what holds a family together. This year I wanted to talk about another tradition that has grown up around this feast – Candlemas. I had not really heard of this until I started doing some research on the feast as we know it today. It seems that before the Vatican II reforms the Church celebrated the day with a procession with candles and at the end of that procession, the celebrant would bless the candles – hence “Candlemas”. I understand this is still the case in some of the eastern churches.

The reason I mention this is not to remind anyone that a tradition was lost but rather that the Church’s theology and understanding of the events revealed in scripture continues to evolve. You see when we celebrated Candlemas, we were focused on the Ritual Purification of the Virgin Mary. What does that feel like in today’s understanding of Mary’s nature and role within the Church? To me it seems as if we missed something important; like Mary is without sin and why should she need purifying? We understand that the answer to that question is because she was following Mosaic Law that required it. But what was more important as a focus of the feast; Mary’s purification or Simeon’s song of joy over the revelation of the Messiah?

The Church is constantly holding up her understanding of events, even ancient events in the life of the Church to the light of faith. While revelation of the Lord was completed in Holy Scripture, the actions of the Holy Spirit within the life of the community of faith are dynamic and the Church in her wisdom keeps a careful eye out for God’s actions through that mechanism. The finger prints God leaves are visible to the search eye, in the live of the community of faith and within the lives of it’s individual members.

Today we pray that the message that Simeon rejoiced over, the incarnation of the Messiah, will become clear to all the hearts of the world and that message will transform the world.

Pax

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 12:18-19, 21-24

The author speaking to the Hebrews launches a final appeal to compare the covenant of Moses with the New Covenant in Christ. The Mosaic Covenant, argues the author, is based in fear of God while the New Covenant grants direct access to God the heavenly father.

In the second section a comparison is drawn between the Jews waiting at Mount Sinai for Moses and the faithful Christians at the end times gathering at the Heavenly Throne, the New Jerusalem, with all the angels and saints.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

Psalm 48 is a song of praise to God, exhorting the community to praise the Lord for His salvation. The Psalm, for us, sings of the glory of the Heavenly Kingdom, the New Jerusalem, echoing the vision we have had painted in the Hebrews reading above..

Gospel Mk 6:7-13

In out passage today the twelve disciples are sent, two by two, to begin the ministry for which Christ has been preparing them. They have been with him since they were called now he sends them into the world to, as Jesus had done, proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

Homily:

In Jesus mind, the disciples understand the basics. He calls them together and sends them out on their mission to do as he has done, proclaim the good news and cast out unclean spirits. It must be for Jesus like giving the keys of the car to a teenager for the first time. They have been with him for a while and have seen what he has done in God’s name, now Jesus gives them the same authority and sends them out.

Of course, the analogy is flawed. Unlike a parent trusting (and praying) that the training and practice of a new driver is sufficient to keep their child out of serious trouble, Jesus sees into the hearts of the disciples and knows they have the faith and courage necessary to do what he asks of them. He must send them because he knows that, like the seed analogy he has used so often, the gift of salvation must be allowed to spread out from himself who is the source of that life.

This tableau set before us is the heart of the great paradox we, as Christians, must face daily. While the Lord commands us to be a people set apart from the world, set apart because we belong to him and not to the secular world, we too are sent into the world to be the new disciples, proclaiming the Good News through our words and actions.

It is the power of the New Covenant that makes this possible. While we may worry that we are not prepared for such a difficult task, the Lord gives us the authority we need to do as he asks. We are given the strength of the Holy Spirit, God’s own strength, to tap into at need. Probably the hardest part for us is to remember that we are actually sent. So often we leave our residence in the morning and forget that part of what we are asked to do and be each day is the disciple sent into the world. We walk out thinking only of going to work, to school or even to some do something around the house and we forget that part of what we do is in response to God’s call through his Son.

It is difficult to keep that constantly before us; to remember always that we are sent. Perhaps we should adopt a little mechanism to help us. Perhaps we should put something by the door where we would be sure to see it. That something, whether it is a written prayer or a symbol would remind us that we are going out as one of God’s own children to do not just our daily tasks but his work as well.

Personally I think a token on my key chain, next to the car keys may be kind of appropriate. May God grant us a safe and prosperous trip.

Pax

ALTRE

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

Biographical Information about St. John Bosco
Readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 12:4-7, 11-15

The Hebrews author continues the exhortation to remain strong in the faith and not to become discouraged because there are obstacles. He counts these trials as discipline from the Lord and then analogizes a father disciplining his child. He begs the Hebrews to be strengthened by this resistance rather than disheartened by it.

The passage today ends with encouragement to seek the peace of Christ in all things and with everyone.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Psalm 103 continues the analogy used in the Hebrews reading speaking to us of the loving and compassionate Father. It goes on to emphasize the omnipresence of God and His eternal nature, know us from eternity.

Gospel Mk 6:1-6

We are given St. Mark’s version of the story we heard in St. Luke on Sunday of this week. The Lord goes to his home town to speak in the Synagogue, amazes the people he grew up with. In the version today the part about their attempt on his life is omitted, but we still see the Lord’s response to their lack of faith.

Reflection:

The Memorial of St. John Bosco marks a special day for me. It was one year ago today that I began this work – this reflection on scripture published in the form of a web log or Blog. I looked back on that first post today. I started it on Myspace because that is where my son suggested I go. In my time there, roughly six months, it was hacked into three times and taken off line for a short time. It changed in it’s organization and composition to some degree. There were times when I was more involved in taking scripture apart and less focused on the practical messages contained in it.

Before I leave this blogday party I thought I’d pass on one important learning experience gained over this past year. When I made my commitment to open up Holy Scripture in this way I did not know where it would take me. I have grown more in love with the sacred texts and gained a better understanding of the Lord in this mostly solitary exercise than I would have believed possible. I hope those of you who have traveled some of this path with me have gained some benefit and come closer to Christ as well.

Today we have a smorgasbord of topics. We could talk about St. John Bosco and his amazing ministry to children and how he patterned himself after Christ in that way. We could talk about rekindling our faith as we are exhorted to do by the reading from Hebrews and supported by the Psalm. Or we could talk about what the Lord would say about us if he were to come into our Church today.

I can tell you I was very disturbed to see an article in Newsweek about another person who has taken the Lord’s ministry and perverted it for his own use. A Puerto Rican; Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda formed an organization called Growing in Grace which has evolved into a money making machine for him. It probably started simply enough as another evangelical group but it is clear that Miranda is a real piece of work. He has claimed over the past few years to be first the reincarnation of St. Paul, then Jesus Christ returned and most recently the Anti Christ down to displaying the 666 on his body.

Thank God for the Church our rock that keeps people like this from our Churches. Thank God for the standards of the Magesterium that keeps us faithful to the teachings of Christ. Today we should pray for those who have been lead astray, that they see their error and turn away from false idols and prophets.

Pax

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 12:1-4

Hebrews returns to its principle theme in our selection today. We are encouraged to redouble our zeal for the faith. It is interesting that the author mentions specifically how the community (cloud of witnesses) strengthens the faith.

The reading goes on to place Christ’s passion as a model of steadfastness, encouraging the faithful to resist against all opposition. This resistance, says the author, should include shedding one’s own blood for the faith.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

In this song of praise we hear the response to God’s covenant. It supports once more the idea from Hebrews that this act of worship is done in community by the individual. In fact the song presumes a communal worship of God. (“Let the coming generation be told of the Lord that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born the justice he has shown.”)

Gospel Mk 5:21-43

Mark’s Gospel continues today with Jesus continuing his journey of healing. The passage today relates two interwoven examples of the power of faith in healing. First we hear the Synagogue Official’s plea to Jesus to heal his daughter. This is important from the standpoint that it is recognition of Jesus status by the local faith community.

On the way to the little girl, a woman with a hemorrhage that had been incurable by local physicians pressed in close and touched his cloak. She was cured and it was like her faith reached out and touched Jesus unlike the others crowded around because he felt her touch among all the others. He turned and was able to specifically identify her. The Lord’s words to her were; “…your faith has saved you.”

Arriving at the Synagogue Officials house Jairus’ faith was tested a second time as he was informed his daughter had died. Jesus ignored these reports and proceeded to reward Jairus’ faith by bringing his daughter back from death; a sign of his mission to all mankind.

Reflection:

While there are some real “Wow” level miracles in the Gospel today, at a higher altitude there is a a flow in scripture today that emphasizes a really important element of our faith that many have ignored or said is unimportant. How many times have you heard or even said something like this yourself; “I don’t need to go to Church. I can pray and read scripture myself. I am a good person and do not need to be part of a community to prove that.”

I have heard it many times. The difficult part of this kind of rationalization is that it is difficult to refute, not because it’s true, but because personal spirituality is important; living the faith as a good person is important. This is especially a favorite defense used by teenagers who do not think it’s cool to go to Church or find it to be too much extra work.

What is missed when a person says; “I don’t need the community aspect of the faith” is a huge part of God’s message was sent to us, not as individuals but as community. The commandments, while they can and should be used as a personal code of conduct, were given to the community so that we can live together as God planned. The message cannot be fully understood applied to the individual. Look at just one example. The Great Commandment, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22; 37-39) The first part of this commandment we can do on our own, love God, but the second part cannot be accomplished unless we live in community. When we go off by ourselves and say I do not need the community we have missed something very big because the community needs us. As Paul says in his letters, the body has many parts and all are needed.

This topic is huge and we cannot do it justice in the short reflective time we have. Today let us pray for the whole community of faith, that with them we are stronger in the faith and with us the Body of Christ which is the Church is also stronger.

Pax

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 11:32-40

The Pauline author tells his audience he did not come to proclaim the prophets that he describes as righteous and brave. He explains that while they did what was good in the eyes of God, they did not receive the promise that is made to the followers of Christ. It is only through Christ that the resurrection and salvation may be achieved.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

A song of thankfulness and praise for God whose mercy is boundless and his forgiveness complete.

Gospel Mk 5:1-20

We are given St. Mark’s version of Jesus casting out the multitude of demons and sending them into the heard of swine. It is important to note that this is a pagan region so what the Lord is doing in helping the man with unclean spirits is ministering to non-Hebrews indicating the breadth of his mission. Also in this story the demon addresses him as “Jesus, Son of the Most High God” a title that identifies him clearly and without equivocation.

Reflection:

Perhaps one of the most important statements we are given today may seem anticlimactic. The man whom Jesus had cured asked, pleaded with Jesus to stay with him. Rather than accepting his offer, the Lord sent him back to his own people with the words: “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”

The message we can take from this incident is that what God does for us, He does out of his great love for us. We do not earn his mercy or his salvation; it is given to us because God has a special love for us. We can think of it as we think of what a good parent does for his or her child. What right do children have to expect all of the good things parents give them? What effort on the part of children causes the parent to lavish their love on them? It is not some merit in the child that causes or entitles the child to this love, rather it is the natural love the parent feels for the life that they, with God’s help and grace, brought into the world.

We have seen children try to do things that please their loving parents. They are eager to please them, especially when they are young. Do we not act the same way toward God our father? Are we not anxious to act in ways that we feel should make that heavenly parent happy? But think of the reward God promises. It is not an allowance or a special treat – it is the grace and peace of Christ. It is the resurrection on the last day. There is nothing we as human being could do to make our selves worthy of so great a prize.

Today let us give thanks to God the loving Father who through his great love for us gave his only Son so that we, who are totally unworthy, might enjoy an eternity with him.

Pax

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time &
Saint Angela Merici, Virgin

Biographical Information about St. Angela Merici
Readings for Saturday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 11:1-2, 8-19

The beginning of this reading gives us a rather interesting definition of faith: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” That is followed by a description a few verses later of Abraham’s response to faith and the Lord’s reward, incomplete before Christ and completed by him.

Responsorial Psalm Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

This responsorial is taken from the Canticle of Zachariah. Zachariah sings to his new born son, John the Baptist about his role as forerunner to Jesus. He reminds us of the Lord fulfilling the promise made to Abraham in this first section of the Canticle.

Gospel Mk 4:35-41

In our Gospel, Jesus embarks in what is probably a fishing boat with his disciples. A storm comes up and the disciples a afraid. Jesus with a word, “Quiet! Be still!" silences the storm and waters. The implication of his next statement is that if they had a mature faith, they could have done the same. The disciples are awed by his command of the elements.

Reflection:

We are forced to face up to the question the Lord asked the disciples today; “Then he asked them, ‘Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?’” We see the disciples afraid, even though the Lord is with them in the boat. They do not yet fully realize that as long as they have the Lord with them, nothing can hurt them.

It brings us to the realization that fear for our physical selves, while natural, should be the least of our worries. We only have these shells of human form for a short while in the eyes of God (Ps 91;4) but we look forward to an eternity with God the Father in his Heavenly Kingdom.

This miracle of Jesus does more that demonstrate his authority over God’s creation. It reminds us that our faith in Him must put us in a place where we can reach out for the salvation of our souls. If we could not do that, we should indeed be terrified.

It is, however, a hard thing to do. But we have it in us. In Baptism we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, in Confirmation that gift is sealed and in the Eucharist we receive the Sacred Body and Blood of him who saves us. Those gifts combine to point the way. They are our compass in the storm of life. If the Lord wishes and we have faith he can calm that storm as well and we need not be afraid.

Pax

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

Biographical Information about St. Timothy
Biographical Information about St. Titus

Readings for Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-8

St. Paul writes to one of his key disciples, St. Timothy, from Rome where he is a prisoner. It is clear that the affection between the two of them is strong as Paul reminds him of his installation as Bishop (‘…the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands”). Paul encourages Timothy to remain strong and faithful to the Gospel, even in the face of opposition.

Or Ti 1:1-5

This selection is the introduction to St. Paul’s letter to Titus. In the second paragraph he lets us know what Titus’ mission is – to form the Church on Crete (which according to the best scholarship, Paul himself never visited.).

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

“Announce his salvation, day after day.” This song of praise to the Lord invites all humanity to participate in God’s salvation.

Gospel 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 we were given earlier this week. The mystery of the seed is analogous to Jesus’ own ministry which starts as a seed but grows to encompass the world.

The second parable, the parable of the Mustard Seed, echo’s the vision of the Kingdom of God described in Ezekiel Ezekiel 17:23; 31:6.

Reflection:

If we take the parable of the seed in today’s Gospel and run it out we find that its germination is critical. That is why God sent his only Son to make sure that His Kingdom and Holy Spirit were appropriately begun. Like a seed, Christ fell and died. He was put into the ground and the seed that is God’s Kingdom sprouted. It spouted first, as seeds do, with tender shoots, the Apostles. The Lord sent them nourishment in the Holy Spirit and at Pentecost the roots were set firm and the branches were set to divide.

If we look at the progress of that parable in our celebration today we find St. Paul, whose great conversion we celebrated yesterday addressing two of the major branches that have sprung from his own branching; Titus and Timothy. We know these two were key disciples of Paul. They traveled with him and acted on his behalf, building up the Church throughout the region.

According to tradition, they labored tirelessly for the Gospel and received the reward for their efforts. Timothy, according to history, was stoned while interrupting a pagan ritual and Titus passes to the next life on the island Paul had sent him to, Crete where the Church still venerates him as Patriarch.

Two Branches from a third branch, from the trunk that is the Apostles are formed. Where then are we today? We are the buds of the new growth. We have a sold foundation upon a tree of faith with roots so deep that the world itself would need to break apart to shake them. We know reach for the Son as do any new shoots. We pray today that we, like all those branches that support us may bare fruit in our time.

Pax

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Biographical Information about St. Paul
Readings for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

Commentary:

Reading 1 Acts 22:3-16

This is the second account given in Acts of Paul’s conversion experience. In this account Paul himself recalls his role in the Hebrew Temple as an enforcer. The reason related for his trip to Damascus was the persecution of Christians whom he was to return to Jerusalem in Chains.

By this miraculous event, Saul who is renamed to Paul, becomes a witness to the resurrected Christ and an Apostle as a consequence.

Or Acts 9:1-22

This selection is the first the three accounts of Paul’s conversion. In this passage we are given more details about the events leading up to Saul’s actual experience adding the mind set of Ananias and his fear of approaching Saul because of is reputation. We are also given a little Hebrew numerology as we hear that Saul neither ate nor drank for three days, the same period Jesus was in the Tomb, prior to his conversion.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1bc, 2
R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.

We are given a song of rejoicing and praise for God’s unfailing love for us.

Gospel Mk 16:15-18

In this passage we are given St. Mark’s version of Jesus’ final commissioning of the Apostles. This Gospel account is the final recorded meeting between Jesus and the Apostles. Given to us as it is, on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, it is important because it supports the mission Paul is given in his time of conversion; “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” This mission was shared by Paul.

Homily:

On this Feast of Paul’s Conversion we ask ourselves a question. Why are we celebrating this event and what relevance does it have for me?

Yes, it was a spectacular intervention by Jesus and the Holy Spirit into the life of the Church. Saul, who is Paul, was given the task of taking the Way, as it was called by the early Christians, to the Gentiles. Without his acceptance of that mission we know the name of Christ would have taken much longer to reach the known world.

It does show us once more the mystery of God’s plan. The Lord could have taken any of his existing converts and assigned that task to them. Yet, instead he picks not just any member of the Pharisaic Community, but one of the most zealous, prone to violence against the early converts. In addition to his stated purpose for the mission to Damascus of bringing those who had come to believe in Christ (people he called heretics and blasphemers) back in chains to face the Sanhedrin, Paul is thought to be the same Saul that authorized the stoning of our first martyr, the Deacon, St. Stephen. No, the Lord did not pick and easy target, he chose a passionate person who was misguided.

Jesus looked into Saul’s heart and saw there the overwhelming desire to do God’s will. Paul admits in the account from Acts that he was trained in Mosaic Law (“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law”) All the Lord needed to do to gain an effective servant was to give Saul that last piece of understanding, that the very person Saul was persecuting was the Son of the God he served.

We have answered the first part of our question; why do we celebrate this conversion event? But what is its relevance for us? We see in Saul, to some degree ourselves. We see in Paul what we wish to become. Part of us is always fighting the Lord. It is easier not to love one another, to allow our natural selves be guided by the evil one on a course that leads to our destruction.

We see in Paul, through his conversion, how that conflict should be resolved. We see in Paul’s example of zealous love for the Lord, the way we should be. And there we have it. Paul’s conversion should be echoed by our conversion. We pray today that our eyes might be as completely opened as were Paul’s at that we too might become the Way for others to follow.

Pax

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales,
bishop and doctor of the Church

Biographical Information about St. Francis de Sales
Readings for the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 10:11-18

We begin today with a statement of how the levitcal priesthood’s sacrifices for the remittance of sin is ineffective compared to the sacrifice of Jesus whose one sacrifice released us for all time. Then Hebrews again hammers the New Covenant home to us. The author quotes, first Psalm 110 (Psalm 110:1 )and then the book of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34). He takes the prophecy of the New Covenant and shows how it is fulfilled in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

This passage from Psalm 110 supports the Hebrews reading that quotes it today. The messianic reference in the first verse gives a clear indication of Christ’s eternal nature and ultimate destiny.

Gospel Mk 4:1-20

We are given today the parable of the Sower from Mark’s Gospel. Jesus uses the rich analogy of the seed (of faith given in Baptism) to show the various courses of faith in human endeavor. Because our selection gives not only the parable but the Lord’s explanation of its meaning the only historical not we will make is that, at that point in history in that region, when planting a field, the seed was sown first and then the field was plowed.

Reflection:

The Parable of the Sower is a powerful one. It reminds us that we are both the Sower/Harvester and the seed in the parable. Initially the sower was Jesus and before him to a lesser extent the Prophets of the Old Testament. They brought us the word of God and much of what they said fell on deaf ears. That would be, according to the parable’s legend the seed that fell on the “path “. It had no chance to bear fruit because it was never planted. Similar fates awaited the seed that landed on “rocky ground” and among the “thorns”, while they germinated they never reached maturity.

The Sower’s task was handed on. It was handed from the Apostles who received it from Jesus to the Saints and especially the Doctors of the Church like St. Francis de Sales whose memorial we celebrate today. The task came down through all those millennia to us, the Disciples of Christ in this age. And here is where the analogy gets interesting. Today if we looked at the same agrarian analogy we would wonder why in those early days so much was wasted. Today, mechanical planters multitask to plow the fields, plant the grain, and then cover it so the birds cannot get it. No waste and the labor of a single person can produce yields that far exceed anything the farmers of Jesus’ day could have expected.

The sowers of the word today have similar automated tools that can help spread the word. But unlike the agricultural counterpart, more is wasted, not less. In the end words are cheap. Words that are not backed by action are not only cheap but they could be analogized with sterile seed. As sowers we must first be the seeds that fall on fertile ground and grow to maturity. We must make sure our roots go deep to withstand the harsh conditions that will be faced. We must insure that that stalk of grain we hope will provide the next generation of grain is well nourished with food and water that is Word and Sacrament.

Books have been written about the wondrous analogy of the Sower and the Harvester. We leave you today with a short quote from St. Francis de Sales whom we memorialize who was an example of what we can be:

“There are many who say to the Lord, "I give myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve," but there are few who embrace the practice of this abandonment, which consists in receiving with a certain indifference every sort of event, as it happens in conformity with Divine Providence, as well afflictions as consolations, contempt and reproaches as honor and glory. “

Saint Francis de Sales

Pax

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 10:1-10

The author (and we are not sure if it is Paul) continues his apologetic by comparing the Law to the fulfillment of the Law in Christ. Next, a passage from Psalm 40:7-9 is placed in the mouth of the Son at his incarnation. This again refutes the need of Christians to follow the Hebrew Law of Sin offerings since the Lord offered his own body once and for all time.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2 and 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11
R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

We are given, in support of the reading from Hebrews, the very Psalm that was quoted in today’s selection. The focus God wants from us is not burnt offerings but our own faithfulness.

Gospel Mk 3:31-35

This passage, while affirming our own adoption as brothers and sisters in Christ, does cause some confusion among those who take scripture at face value without understanding the culture of the time.

“In Semitic usage, the terms "brother," "sister" are applied not only to children of the same parents, but to nephews, nieces, cousins, half-brothers, and half-sisters.”[1] Because of this, when Mary comes looking for Jesus in this selection, she is, as would be expected, joined by members of the extended family.

Reflection:

Today we can pause and thank God for his great gift that brought us into a new relationship with him. If Christ had not come as the perfect offering for our sins, we would still be obliged to offer sacrifices as our Hebrew ancestors did. We would be one step removed from the relationship we have in Christ who at once saved us and adopted us as children of God; “For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

The sense of adoption vs. the former relationship of the Hebrew people can be analogized by examining the relationship between ourselves and family and ourselves and a guest. While we treat a guest with courtesy and respect, we do not have the same love for the guest as we would for our close family member.

A guest would be welcomed to our home. A family member lives with us sharing not just our food, but all that we have. A guest comes and stays a while and leaves, but a family member is with us and shares our lives with us, the good and the bad. A guest does not share our pain or our joy to the extent a member of our own family does. The guest is held at arms length, never quite achieving that place of familial intimacy that is part of the family’s members.

Jesus changed that relationship for us. He came making God, His Father, our Father. Be brought not a guest to the table but a bride. He himself, out of his great love for us provided the sacrificial meal. He did this so we would have the intimate access to him and through that access find life eternal with the Father.
Because of this, we should take as our prayer today the family prayer of the Church, the Lord’s Prayer. As we say; “Our Father…”, let us embrace the Father who has adopted us, and through his great mercy has given us life with him.

Pax

ALTRE
[1] From the reference note on Mark 6; 3 in the NAB

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time &
Saint Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon and Martyr

Biographical Information about St. Vincent
Readings for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time[1]

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 9:15, 24-28

Hebrews continues this week, speaking of Christ as the mediator of the new covenant. He is our great intercessor, having offered his life so our sins might be forgiven. He has done this once and for all eternity.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

The psalm is a song of praise to God for his saving work. From our perspective, knowing that he sent us His Son for our salvation, we see clearly the reference to Jesus as God’s saving hand is extended.

Gospel Mk 3:22-30

The reading from Mark’s Gospel takes up the story from Saturday when Jesus had taken his disciples to Matthew’s house for a meal but could not eat because of the crowd. If you remember, his mother and family came to get him and the word passed it was that they thought he had lost his mind.

That word comes not from the scribes from Jerusalem who start picking up on that and going further, calling Jesus a servant of the devil. Finally Jesus is forced to confront them. He asks why Satan would send someone to attack himself. He goes on with two other examples and ends with a condemnation of the attack saying; “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”

Reflection:

If we are to live the life of Christ then compassion must be our motto. Can you see the Lord in the story above from Mark’s Gospel? As he is attacked and condemned by the scribes, he knows the doom they have sealed for themselves.

It would be as if naturalists, while exploring in Africa were suddenly attached by a rare and endangered species of animal and the only way to survive was to kill them. They would feel something like the anguish the Lord must have suffered as the scribes blasphemed against to Holy Spirit and, in doing so, condemned themselves to spend eternity with the very Satan with whom they accused the Lord of being in league.

If we are truly compassionate, when we face opposition of any kind, the gate to love that person is opened to us. Compassion flows from the Lord in His gift to us, the Holy Spirit. It was given to us at our Baptism, an indelible gift that marks us as God’s adopted Children. All we need to do is reach for that gift when people persecute us or attack us and the compassion of the Lord will well up in us. It will banish the feelings for hated and revenge. Those emotions come from Satan.

Compassion allows us to try, with humility, to show our errant brothers and sisters where the have gone wrong. The Lord tries to do this with the scribes in the Gospel today. We know that if our brothers and sisters attack us they are committing a sin. Is it not always sinful to hurt another person? In doing so they are placing themselves at risk. It is our duty to at least warn them of the consequences.

It is difficult, what the Lord shows us. We have our whole lives to get it right but we don’t know how long that might be so we had better get started.

Pax

[1] ALTRE