Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Justin, Martyr
Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Justin
Readings for Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time[i][ii]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1: 2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18
Beloved:
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.
Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned,
be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall from your own stability.
But grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
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Commentary on 2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18
The author begins this passage reaffirming the Parousia (the second coming and the apocalypse). Because they understand that the day is coming and they will be called to account for their actions, they are exhorted to watch out for false teachers (“…be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled”). They are called to remain faithful to the Gospel they have been given and thereby grow in faith.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16
R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Before the mountains were begotten
and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
or eighty, if we are strong,
And most of them are fruitless toil,
for they pass quickly and we drift away.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
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Commentary on Ps 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16
The psalm in its entirety is a communal lament. The strophes in this selection reflect on the mortality of humanity and the brevity of human life. (It is also an example of the human understanding that God’s immortal view of time is not like ours.) The recollection of God’s creative impulse recalls the Genesis event while final strophe brings us back rejoicing for God’s great mercy.
Gospel: Mark 12:13-17
Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent
to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.
They came and said to him,
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.
You do not regard a person’s status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?”
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,
“Why are you testing me?
Bring me a denarius to look at.”
They brought one to him and he said to them,
“Whose image and inscription is this?”
They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”
So Jesus said to them,
“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.”
They were utterly amazed at him.
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Commentary on Mk 12:13-17
In this account (similar to Matthew 22:15-22) the Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus by asking if people should pay taxes to Caesar. They think they can trick him with a question that will cause him problems which ever way he answers. If he says, yes, they should pay the tax; he is encouraging the people to pay homage to a false god, Caesar. By saying no, they should not pay; he will offend the Romans by encouraging the people not to pay taxes. Jesus sees the trap and amazes his persecutors by his balanced response.
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Reflection:
"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
We are sure the IRS would be pleased with Jesus response, were it to be made in the present day. We are also sure that many church leaders would not be, given the difficult with stewardship that exists in so many faith communities.
The statement begs a question and it is contained in the statement; “…and to God what belongs to God.” What does God expect from us? If we get very literal at this point and ask simply; “what belongs to God?” The answer is obvious – everything. We believe the Heavenly Father is the creator of all things; or is he? Yes, God created the heavens and the earth. We believe he created life in all its diversity (Not in the Neo-Darwinian sense that does not explain the beginning of life and does not account for speciation as an act of guided intent; and no, this is not Creationism).
As his ultimate creation, he made human beings in his own image and likeness. He gave us free will and the ability for form tools and artifacts from the earth; to mold clay and metal into useful and cunning shapes. Did God create these “things”? Are they His? It is an interesting philosophical question that we will not go further with here. The fundamental question still lies in front of us; “What do we need to give to God?”
That question at least is answered by Holy Scripture. There are numerous statements in the Old Testament, especially in the psalms, that God is not seeking burnt offerings placed upon an altar of sacrifice. Rather God wants our homage through deeds that show him that we have listened to Him, His Son, and the Holy Spirit he left to guide us. He requires us to adopt an attitude and behaviors that bring Him, our creator praise because all we accomplish is only through the gift of life he gave us and the talent with which he imbued us.
What God requires of us is not material but is concrete, he asks us to follow the example of His Son who always points to the Father. Just as the metalworker forges a coin and that coin is tribute to the nation whose emblem it bears, so too are our actions, as God’s creatures, a tribute to the one who created us. It is a tremendous call to receive and for our service we receive a tremendous reward.
Pax[i] ALTRE[ii] The Picture is “The Tribute to Caesar” by Valentin De Boulogne, c. 1620
[iii] 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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Information about the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary[i]
Readings for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary[ii]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1 Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.
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Commentary on Zep 3:14-18a
This reading from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah is part of a hymn of joy sung by the remnant restored to Zion. It comes at the end of the oracle as the faithful worship God their savior.
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Or: Romans 12:9-16
Brothers and sisters: Let love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another,
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;
do not be wise in your own estimation.
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Commentary on Rom 12:9-16
St. Paul gives a litany of instructions to those who wish to remain faithful to Christ’s teachings. Placed on the Feast of the Visitation we see the attributes St. Paul calls for manifested in purest form in Mary, the Mother of God.
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Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
R. (6) Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
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Commentary on Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
This canticle from the Prophet Isaiah emphasizes the peace and confidence of his servant in the salvation of God. He sings his praise to God and exhorts all of Israel to praise Him as they see his constant presence among them in his blessings upon them.
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Gospel Luke 1:39-56
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever."
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
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Commentary on Lk 1:39-56
The Gospel selection from St. Luke gives us the story of Mary’s journey from Nazareth, over the mountains to Hebron, south of Jerusalem, to visit her cousin St. Elizabeth who was also with child. St. Elizabeth’s greeting gives us substance for the “Hail Mary” and Mary’s response is the great Canticle of Mary which exemplifies her faith and faithfulness, appropriate for the Mother of Jesus who is the Christ.
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Reflection:
As we reflect upon the Visitation, as sometimes happens, we consider the event in broad or general terms – Mary, the vessel of Jesus visits St. Elizabeth, the vessel of St. John the Baptist. The mothers greet each other but only after the Lord and St. John have already communed in spirit. St. John “leaped for joy” in the presence of the Lord, communicating his own exultation to his mother.
We see this reaction in St. Elizabeth when she greets Mary, already knowing the identity of the child she carries. St. Elizabeth clearly recognizes the holiness of Mary. This is remarkable when we consider that St. Elizabeth is far older than her young cousin. We were told that she was barren “And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;” (Luke 1:36) when Mary received the news of her own conception from the Archangel Gabriel. Yet, her cousin not only differs to her but offers her worshipful praise “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”.
This meeting, as we look back upon it is much more than an encounter between faith-filled women; rather it is the Messiah, the Only Begotten Son of God, being introduced to the world in the persons of St. John the Baptist and, secondly, to his mother St. Elizabeth. It is for this reason we celebrate this event in solemn worship. It is in essence our first meeting with the Incarnation.
Our joy in this meeting is echoed by St. Elizabeth who gives us the words of the Hail Mary in her salutation. It is a reminder, not only of the Blessed Virgin’s own faith in God and acceptance of His will, but our own need to thank St. Mary for her obedience, St. Elizabeth for her understanding, and St. John for his recognition of this wondrous event.
Today we pray that our faith may be as perceptive as St. Elizabeth’s in recognizing Christ in our brothers and sisters and that St. Mary’s unwavering obedience to God might give us courage to obey him as well.
Pax[i] The image used today is “The Visitation” by El Greco, 1610-13
[ii] ALTRE[iii] 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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
History of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity[i]
Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity[ii]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1: Proverbs 8:22-31
Thus says the wisdom of God:
"The Lord possessed me, the beginning of his ways,
the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago;
from of old I was poured forth,
at the first, before the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no fountains or springs of water;
before the mountains were settled into place,
before the hills, I was brought forth;
while as yet the earth and fields were not made,
nor the first clods of the world.
"When the Lord established the heavens I was there,
when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
when he made firm the skies above,
when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;
when he set for the sea its limit,
so that the waters should not transgress his command;
then was I beside him as his craftsman,
and I was his delight day by day,
playing before him all the while,
playing on the surface of his earth;
and I found delight in the human race."
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Commentary on Prv 8:22-31
The author of Proverbs here reflects on the eternal nature of the plurality of persons in God. Wisdom here is used as a metaphor for Christ and the Holy Spirit, the first becoming incarnate and the second coming on the heels of the first. Concurrently we are reminded of the creative -gift of the Triune God who delights in His people.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (2a) O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place —
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet:
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
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Commentary on Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
The psalmist here reflects upon the marvel of God’s creation and man’s place of underserved honor in it. Recognizing mankind’s power over the created environment, we thank God for his gifts to us.
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Reading II: Romans 5:1-5
Brothers and sisters:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
to this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction produces endurance,
and endurance, proven character,
and proven character, hope,
and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
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Commentary on Rom 5:1-5
In this passage St. Paul declares the peace of Christ which flows to the faithful from the Father through Jesus who cast out sin and death for our salvation. The complete acceptance of our earthly station is made possible by the Holy Spirit which flows from the Father and the Son into our hearts.
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Gospel: John 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you."
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Commentary on Jn 16:12-15
Jesus, in this reading from St. John’s Gospel, is telling the disciples that the Holy Spirit will not bring new revelations but will allow them to understand the things that have already happened. And in that revelatory understanding Christ will be glorified because He and the Father are one.
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Reflection:
At the beginning of our Diaconal Formation Class on Christology that Father Phil Gallagher asked each of the individuals in our class to rise and give a definition of the Trinity. After each person stood and gave forth pious wisdom, Father would say; “You’re a hieratic, sit down.” To try to put into words that which is beyond human understanding is a dangerous thing.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this:
“237 The Trinity is a mystery of faith in the strict sense, one of the "mysteries that are hidden in God, which can never be known unless they are revealed by God". To be sure, God has left traces of his Trinitarian being in his work of creation and in his Revelation throughout the Old Testament. But his inmost Being as Holy Trinity is a mystery that is inaccessible to reason alone or even to Israel's faith before the Incarnation of God's Son and the sending of the Holy Spirit.”
So many people have said over the years have said, “What does that tell us? It’s a mystery.” We need to look at the traces of its effect upon us in scripture to answer that question. Today we are happily exposed to a divinely inspired reflection on that “What does that tell us” question. In Proverbs we see the ancient understanding of how God existed in that unknowable pluralistic state from before the world was. We rejoice in the consequences of that diversity because it gives us the ability to be touched by our creator on so many levels.
Today we thank God the Father for creating heaven and hearth and choosing us as His special possession. We thank God the Son for revealing the amazing love He has for us by sacrificing himself so that we might have lives of peace and happiness. And we thank the Holy Spirit for coming to us at our baptism and guiding in the ways of peace throughout our lives.
Pax[i] The image used today is “Holy Trinity” by Hendrick van Balen, 1620s
[ii] ALTRE[iii] 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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
Beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand
by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the love of God
and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
that leads to eternal life.
On those who waver, have mercy;
save others by snatching them out of the fire;
on others have mercy with fear,
abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh.
To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling
and to present you unblemished and exultant,
in the presence of his glory,
to the only God, our savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord
be glory, majesty, power, and authority
from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.
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Commentary on Jude 17, 20b-25
This passage from the Letter of Jude has the flavor of St. Peter’s epistles. It encourages the Christian Community to continue to build itself in holiness through prayer and faith in the Holy Spirit. It goes on to enjoin them to encourage others to remain faithful. The reference to the those who deport themselves out of character with the communities conservative norms - “Outer garment stained by the flesh: the imagery may come from Zechariah 3:3-5, just as that of snatching . . . out of the fire comes from Zechariah 3:2; the very garments of the godless are to be abhorred because of their contagion.”[iv]
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
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Commentary on Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6
Psalm 63 is an individual lament. In this selection we see the emotion of one who longs to be reunited with God from whom separation is like being cast into a desert without water. The singer professes faith in God’s salvation and expresses faith that the prayers offered will be answered.
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Gospel: Mark 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem.
As he was walking in the temple area,
the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders
approached him and said to him,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
Or who gave you this authority to do them?”
Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.
Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”–
they feared the crowd,
for they all thought John really was a prophet.
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
Then Jesus said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
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Commentary on Mk 11:27-33
Following the scandal caused by Jesus disrupting the commerce being conducted in the Temple, the chief priest attempt to spring a trap on Jesus into admitting he either has no authority or has broken the law or into blasphemy so they could arrest him. Lord turns the tables on them by using John the Baptist, a popular figure and thought to be a prophet, to defeat their plan and at the same time provide the reader with his identity as one who wields God’s authority.
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Reflection:
The Gospel passage reminds us that there will always be those whose faith will not allow them to accept the identity of Jesus. They may even think themselves to be deeply spiritual people (the Priests of the Temple surely thought of themselves as such). But there is something fairly common that prevents them from accepting that Jesus is the only Begotten Son of God.
As with the chief priests in the Gospel faith is always challenged by a personal agenda. That agenda many be to find acceptance with some social group or it may be because of a desire to justify actions of the individual to violate the difficult precepts of faith required of the Christian. But if we examine the motives of individuals who reject the faith, we generally find one of these driving factors. We exclude, of course, some of those who have never been exposed to Jesus but instead were indoctrinated into another faith system (e.g. Buddhists, Muslims, and others who seek the truth with sincerity).
In the case of most members of western cultures Jesus is rejected for personal reasons because what he asks is just to difficult or to restrictive. As an example, there was a recent article about a noted Catholic evangelist who confronted a young man who immediately began to tell him all the things wrong with the Church – past sins of the hierarchy, hypocrisy among the faithful, the superstition of the ignorant – the list went on. At the end of his tirade, the evangelist simply asked – “You’re sleeping with your girl friend, aren’t you?”
The point the Lord makes in the Gospel is not that we should reject those who will not see, but accept that they exist and will always be there to challenge us. The letter to Jude gives us solid advice on what to do when we encounter such as these. We pray for the wisdom to act at the Lord would, constantly reaching out with love to those who stumble and fall.
Pax [i] ALTRE[ii] The picture is “Expulsion of the Moneychangers from the Temple” by Luca Giordano, c. 1675
[iii] 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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[iv] See NAB footnote on Jude 23
Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time[i][ii]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1: 1 Peter 4:7-13
Beloved:
The end of all things is at hand.
Therefore be serious and sober-minded
so that you will be able to pray.
Above all, let your love for one another be intense,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another
as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God;
whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies,
so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you,
as if something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed
you may also rejoice exultantly.
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Commentary on 1 Pt 4:7-13
“The inner life of the eschatological community” (the Christian Community’s focus on the end times) “is outlined as the end (the parousia of Christ) and the judgment draws near in terms of seriousness, sobriety, prayer, and love expressed through hospitality and the use of one's gifts for the glory of God and of Christ”[iv] The doxology in v. 11may have been the ending of an address or possibly even the conclusion of a baptismal celebration.
The concluding verses recapitulate the baptismal exhortation and encourage the Christian community to share in the tribulations of Christ and share also the salvation that flows through him. See also Romans 8:17.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13
R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
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Commentary on Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13 This hymn of praise of God who is God alone poses an invitation to the faithful. The selection rejoices in God’s creative power and establishes His role as King over all that he has created.
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Gospel: Mark 11:11-26
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area.
He looked around at everything and, since it was already late,
went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry.
Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf,
he went over to see if he could find anything on it.
When he reached it he found nothing but leaves;
it was not the time for figs.
And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”
And his disciples heard it.
They came to Jerusalem,
and on entering the temple area
he began to drive out those selling and buying there.
He overturned the tables of the money changers
and the seats of those who were selling doves.
He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.
Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written:
My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples?
But you have made it a den of thieves.”
The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it
and were seeking a way to put him to death,
yet they feared him
because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.
When evening came, they went out of the city.
Early in the morning, as they were walking along,
they saw the fig tree withered to its roots.
Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look!
The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”
Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God.
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,
‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’
and does not doubt in his heart
but believes that what he says will happen,
it shall be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,
believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.
When you stand to pray,
forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance,
so that your heavenly Father may in turn
forgive you your transgressions.”
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Commentary on Mk 11:11-26
The Gospel today has three intertwined elements. First we hear Jesus uncharacteristically “curse” the fig tree for its lack of fruit. The common thought about this incident is that it is a metaphor for the Jewish lack of faith and acceptance of scriptures fulfilled in Christ.The second element is the story of Jesus and the money changers. The Lord drives out the merchants who had set up their tables in the outer most courtyard of the Temple called the Court of Gentiles. The sacrifices for sale could only be purchased with money from Tyre – all other currency had to be exchanged at these tables.Finally we come to the last part of the Gospel as Jesus instructs the disciples about prayer. Our reading concludes much like the Lord’s Prayer, with the request for forgiveness. v. 26 (which is omitted because it is not found in the best source documents) actually reads: "But if you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your transgressions,"
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Reflection:
The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree provides us with some shock value. It is so out of character that the Lord of love would do anything like cursing a tree (or for that matter disrupting the money changers in the temple). In this case we can almost miss the real point being made by these short vignettes.
In the case of the fig tree, Jesus is demonstrating the power of faith. Note when the disciples see the results of the curse he laid upon the tree and call it to his attention he makes the profound response “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.”
It is that incredible faith, the faith of Bartimaeus the blind man whose site was restored, that the Lord asks us to have. It is so difficult for us to accept that the use of this gift can have such an amazing effect on our lives. But there it is; we are promised that if we do not let doubt enter in, our faith in the Christ will allow almost anything to be possible.
Today as we recall the shock value of the cursed fig tree, let us pray in our hearts for the faith the Lord asks us to have. We have been assured, if we can approach that level of trust in God, all things are possible.
Pax
[i] ALTRE[ii] The picture is “The Accursed Fig Tree” by James Tissot, 1886-94
[iii] 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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[iv] See NAB Footnote on 1 Peter 4:7-11
Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop
Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Augustine of Canterbury
Readings for Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time[i][ii]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1: 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12
Beloved:
Like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk
so that through it you may grow into salvation,
for you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones,
let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were no people
but now you are God’s people;
you had not received mercy
but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners
to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul.
Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles,
so that if they speak of you as evildoers,
they may observe your good works
and glorify God on the day of visitation.
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Commentary on 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12
St. Peter uses Old Testament imagery to encourage his audience. He begins with “…you have tasted that the Lord is good” borrowed from Psalm 34:8 and continues with the cornerstone image from Isaiah 28:16. He tells them to simply follow God’s call, letting themselves be built (not an active image but passive) into what God wishes.
The prerogatives of ancient Israel mentioned here are now more fully and fittingly applied to the Christian people: "a chosen race" (cf Isaiah 43:20-21) indicates their divine election (Ephesians 1:4-6); "a royal priesthood" (cf Exodus 19:6) to serve and worship God in Christ, thus continuing the priestly functions of his life, passion, and resurrection; "a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6) reserved for God, a people he claims for his own (cf Malachi 3:17) in virtue of their baptism into his death and resurrection. This transcends all natural and national divisions and unites the people into one community to glorify the one who led them from the darkness of paganism to the light of faith in Christ. From being "no people" deprived of all mercy, they have become the very people of God, the chosen recipients of his mercy (cf Hosea 1:9; 2:23).[iv]
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5
R. (2c) Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Know that the Lord is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him;
bless his name.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
The Lord is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 100:2, 3, 4, 5
We have the beginning of Ps. 100, a song of praise. In this section we praise God because He created us. We praise God because he continues to guide us. It affirms God’s saving grace given to His sons and daughters through all generations.
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Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.
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Commentary on Mk 10:46-52
In St. Mark’s story of the cure of the blind man (see also Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43) it is the way he addresses Jesus that becomes the focus. We are told he address him as “Son of David”. This is the messianic title applied by Jewish tradition to the one who comes to “heal the blind and the lame and set the prisoners free” (Isaiah 42;6-7). In response to the blind man’s request “Master, I want to see”, in an almost casual way Jesus tells him his faith has saved him and the blind man sees. Not surprisingly the now sighted man follows Jesus.
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Homily:
What would we ask Jesus if we were sitting beside the road when he came walling by? It is a good question to think about. In the case of the Gospel story, when Bartimaeus approached Jesus, is there anyone who could not have known what he wanted? It was predictable that when Jesus was asked “What do you want me to do for you?” he would answer “Master, I want to see.”
If we approached Jesus and he asked us the same question, what would we want him to do for us? Notice he does not leave it open ended. We cannot ask for some boon for another person, he asks specifically what he can do for us. So what would you like him to do for you? Remember, he can do anything, as long as we have faith in his identity and the power that goes along with it.
This is such a personal question that we will not try to go further with it now by using examples. We will however point out a few things. First, as you are imagining yourself sitting there and Jesus walking by and asking you to come to him, understand that in his presence in the Eucharist, he is doing just that. Next, because he is truly here in his glorified body and blood, he wants to give us what we truly need. He loves us more deeply than we can comprehend. So if we ask, in faith, for some gift in our lives, as the blind man did, if our faith is strong enough and the gift we ask for is requested with pure intent, it will be given.
As we recall once more the story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus, let us ask the Lord in prayer for what we truly want and need. Let us also pray that our faith is strong enough to heal us of our inadequacies so that we might see as clearly as the on who was blind.
Pax[i] ALTRE[ii] The picture today is “Jesus Healing the Blind” by El Greco, 1570-75
[iii] 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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[iv] See NAB footnote on 1 Peter 1: 9-10
Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Philip Neri, Priest
Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Philip Neri
Readings for Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time[i][ii]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1: 1 Peter 1:18-25
Beloved:
Realize that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious Blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished Lamb.
He was known before the foundation of the world
but revealed in the final time for you,
who through him believe in God
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God.
Since you have purified yourselves
by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love,
love one another intensely from a pure heart.
You have been born anew,
not from perishable but from imperishable seed,
through the living and abiding word of God, for:
“All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like the flower of the field;
the grass withers,
and the flower wilts;
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
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Commentary on 1 Pt 1:18-25
Following St. Peter’s call to holiness, he reminds the five churches that they were saved from their sin by the perfect sacrificed of Christ (the Blood of the Lamb) who was raised from the dead so they might have hope in the resurrection to eternal life.
The passage concludes, again with a call to actions that reflect the grace they are given in Baptism (“…You have been born anew”). This rebirth is not just through water but the Word (Logos) which is eternal and is food for the soul (“…from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God”).
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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Commentary on Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise. In this second section of the song, the Lord is praised for sending food that sustains the people. The final strophe also rejoices that the Law was handed on to them through Jacob.
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Gospel Mark 10:32-45
The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem,
and Jesus went ahead of them.
They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.
Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them
what was going to happen to him.
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man
will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death
and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him,
spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death,
but after three days he will rise.”
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
came to Jesus and said to him,
“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?”
They answered him,
“Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”
Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
They said to him, “We can.”
Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am
baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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Commentary on Mk 10:32-45
This Gospel passage starts with the third prediction of the Passion in St. Mark’s Gospel. The sons of Zebedee take this opportunity (thinking the time for Christ to come into glory) to ask for places of honor when he assumes his place. The Lord responds with the metaphors of “drinking the cup he will drink” and “being baptized with the baptism with which he will be baptized” symbolic of his passion and death. When the brothers respond in the affirmative, Jesus predicts that they will follow him in martyrdom but that only God can give them the places of honor they request.
When the disciples become upset at James and John, Jesus uses the opportunity to explain “servant leadership”. Unlike secular leaders who autocratically order their subjects about, the servant leader comes to lead by example and service to those being lead. He concludes by describing his own role “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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Reflection:
Once upon a time there were two young men, twins in fact, who came to see their father who was going on a long journey. Their father gave them each an intricate and beautiful key, telling them that they were to keep it safe always because it was the key that unlocked their inheritance. He told them further that between his departure and when they would come into this inheritance, many evil people would attempt to take the keys away from them.
Now one of these twins truly loved his father and took all of these words to heart. The other did not listen to the wise words spoken to him. The loving son did as his father had asked. He kept the key safe, on a chain next to his heart. In times of trouble he would take it out and be reminded of his father and the love he bore his sons. The other son threw his key into a box containing other knickknacks of little importance and generally forgot about the key all together.
In the years that followed, the son who carried his key always seemed to make good choices in life and was happy and content. While the other twin fell in with people who used him and were cruel to him. In short his life was miserable.
At the end of their lives they had to make the final journey their father had made. It was long and difficult. At the end of this journey was a wondrous palace surrounded by a mote. The palace was beautiful and the twins could hear music and smell flowers and luscious food coming from inside. When they approached the gate, they saw their father on the other side and he was overjoyed to see them. He told them all they had to do to enter was to use the key he had given them and unlock the gate.
The loving son immediately pulled out the key he wore on the chain about his neck and unlocked the gate and went in. The other son pleaded to come too but he had left his key behind. The father and his brother were both heartbroken at this news but explained that each key would let in only one – the one that it was made for and the other twin must go back and retrieve his key if he wanted to enter. It would take him a very long and miserable time to do this but it must be done. Eventually the second twin learned the value of the key and returned to receive his inheritance was well.
The sacrament of Baptism is the key we are given. It is the key to salvation and sets us on a course to eternal life. So many of those given this key are never reminded they have it and forget how to use it. Our prayer today is that we encourage all of those baptized in Christ and show them, with our words and actions the means by which their own salvation may be insured.
Pax[i] ALTRE[ii] The picture used today is “The Handing-over the Keys” Raffaello Sanzio, 1515
[iii] 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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Gregory VII, Pope
Saint Mary Magdalene De’ Pazzi, Virgin
Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest, Doctor
Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Gregory VIIAlternate Proper for the Memorial of St Mary Magdalene De’ PazziAlternate Proper for the Memorial of St Bede the Venerable
Readings for Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time[i][ii]Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1: 1 Peter 1:10-16
Beloved:
Concerning the salvation of your souls
the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it
investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when it testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you
with regard to the things that have now been announced to you
by those who preached the Good News to you
through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,
things into which angels longed to look.
Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly,
and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Like obedient children,
do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
but, as he who called you is holy,
be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.
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Commentary on 1 Pt 1:10-16
The Apostle here continues to exhort the five churches to respond to the call to holiness. A call brought to them by the Apostles who were filled with “the Spirit of Christ”. It was this Holy Spirit that motivated them as it had motivated the prophets of old in their understanding of the salvation to come.
The passage concludes with very practical instructions about their behavior, instructing them to avoid their former way of life “…do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance” but rather be holy as God is holy quoting Leviticus (see Leviticus 11; 44).
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The Lord has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
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Commentary on Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Psalm 98 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. We see in this selection how God is praised for the strength he lends his people and the salvation he brings to those who are faithful. The psalm rejoices in God’s salvation. The Lord has revealed his compassion toward the people and they sing his praises in response. As the Hebrews saw this as salvation for the people of Israel from its enemies, we see the deeper expression of God’s love as he sent his Son for salvation and justice for the whole world.
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Gospel: Mark 10:28-31
Peter began to say to Jesus,
“We have given up everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
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Commentary on Mk 10:28-31
Following the exchange with the rich young man and the rest of the crowd, St. Peter brings up the fact that the disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus. The Lord responds telling them they will receive a reward “a hundred times more” and “eternal life”. The last statement “But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first” is thought to have been added to reconcile the fact that some called first outlived some early Christians.
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Reflection:
As we hear the response of the Disciples to Jesus’ requirement of the “Rich Young Man” we empathize with them. Jesus has just told him that he must give up what is most important to him in order to follow Jesus. Seeing this requirement of self-sacrifice, the Disciples exclaim that they have given up everything to follow the Lord and are now wondering what they will receive in return. To this Jesus reassures them that the material wealth and social position they have given up in this world will be made up many times over in the next.
Responding so completely to the call of the Lord is something most of us just cannot do. We have accepted the vocation of marriage or we live in a secular world that places responsibilities upon us that force us to keep a job, dedicating much of our time to that effort. Or we are called care for a home and children, an equally important vocation. How then can we fulfill the requirements of social responsibility and also dedicate ourselves to Jesus?
We come closest to doing this when we dedicate our effort to God’s greater glory, rather than our own. We offer our success to the Lord and give him credit. We ask for his help in being examples to others, bringing the Holy Spirit to the world as we are called while, in our heart of hearts, remaining apart from it. We reject the call of Satan who beacons to us constantly and we embrace the austerity we can while supporting our families.
It is a very difficult thing the Lord asks and we must be constantly mindful of our own tendency to procure an excess of material wealth in the name of familial support. We pray today for the spirit of the disciples, that we might offer up our lives for the sake of the one who gave up his life for us.
Pax[i] ALTRE[ii] The picture is “St. Peter” by Andrea di Vanni d'Andrea, 1390s
[iii] 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 re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
