Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

In the United States Labor Day is celebrated.  It may be recognized using alternate texts from Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, III. In Various Public Needs, 18. For the Blessing of Human Labor, nos. 907-911.

“Jews in the Synagogue“
by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, c. 1640s

Readings for Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time [1][2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers and sisters,

proclaiming the mystery of God,

I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you

except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,

and my message and my proclamation

were not with persuasive words of wisdom,

but with a demonstration of spirit and power,

so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom

but on the power of God.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on 1 Cor 2:1-5

The apostle goes into an explanation of his axiomatic expression “…the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25) His difficulty in proclaiming his gospel in Athens using Hellenistic rhetoric (Acts 17:16-34) caused him to proclaim Christ to the Corinthians in an unvarnished way – “Christ and him crucified”.  Coming to them in humility, he provides an example and faith based not upon logic but upon the spirit that goes beyond human wisdom.  He offers this same “kenosis” in Philippians 2:6-11.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102

R. (97) Lord, I love your commands.

How I love your law, O Lord!

It is my meditation all the day.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

Your command has made me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

I have more understanding than all my teachers

when your decrees are my meditation.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

I have more discernment than the elders,

because I observe your precepts.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

From every evil way I withhold my feet,

that I may keep your words.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

From your ordinances I turn not away,

for you have instructed me.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Ps 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102

An acrostic poem; each of the eight verses of the first strophe (aleph) begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet; each verse of the second strophe (beth) begins with the second letter; and so on for all 22 letters of the alphabet.

The entire work is in praise of the Law, and the joys to be found in keeping it. It is not "legalism" but a love and desire for the word of God in Israel's Law, which is the expression of the Lord's revelation of himself and his will for man.  These particular verses focus on the wisdom transmitted through the Law “Your command has made me wiser than my enemies.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gospel: Luke 4:16-30

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,

and went according to his custom

into the synagogue on the sabbath day.

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll,

he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,

and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.

He said to them,

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

And all spoke highly of him

and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?”

He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,

‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place

the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’”

And he said,

“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.

Indeed, I tell you,

there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah

when the sky was closed for three and a half years

and a severe famine spread over the entire land.

It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,

but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.

Again, there were many lepers in Israel

during the time of Elisha the prophet;

yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

When the people in the synagogue heard this,

they were all filled with fury.

They rose up, drove him out of the town,

and led him to the brow of the hill

on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong.

But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Lk 4:16-30

In this passage from St. Luke’s Gospel we find the Lord back in his home town of Nazareth. He reads from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1-2) and then tells those present that he has come to fulfill the oracle he proclaimed (“he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind”). These were clear references to the miraculous works he had already performed in other parts of the country. The Lord saw that they were expectation that he would perform signs there as well but the lack of faith would prevent him. Those congregated knew him form boyhood and did not believe he was the Messiah or even a prophet.

In response to this unbelief, Jesus brought out two examples from the stories about the Prophets that demonstrated that those unworthy of God’s grace were ignored in favor of more worthy subjects. This caused the wholesale uprising against him and he left them. In the eyes of those former friends and neighbors, Jesus had committed blasphemy, punishable by death. But, because they were uncertain given the power and authority they had witnessed, none dared lay a hand on him. “He passed though the midst of them and went away.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reflection:

The episode in Jesus’ ministry we see depicted in St. Luke’s Gospel, when Jesus goes to the place where he grew up, is a foretaste of where his mission will lead him. He comes home, not to a hero’s welcome, but to anger and near tragedy. The story is analogous to a common business cliché that defines an “expert” as someone who comes from out of town and carries a brief case. The implication is that a person who is in your midst cannot be an expert; that level of knowledge must reside outside the local area.

The situation in Nazareth, on a human level, was understandable. The Son of Mary and Joseph returns home. Rumor of his exploits may have reached them. He had become a Rabbi, a teacher of the faith. He wandered around (consorting with all kinds of people) and was now coming back to his friends and neighbors. We can imagine some of the men (and women) of Nazareth talking to each other before he arrived. “He’d better not try to put on airs around us. We know him and his family.”

When he is invited to speak at the Synagogue he tells them that the boy they watched grow up and the young man who had learned the carpenter’s trade at the elbow of Joseph, was a great prophet – even quoting from Isaiah at them – like he was something special. They were sorry for Joseph and Mary but he had to be stopped so they took him out of town with the idea of killing him for his blasphemy. It was permitted, in fact it was their obligation (see Leviticus 24:13-16, 23), probably condoned and encouraged by the local Rabbi.

But there was something else at work. The words he spoke and the way he said them – this was different. Never mind that they had heard the book of Isaiah before. Others had always used future tense –looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. Jesus taught with authority, as if the Prophet had come back to life in him, making the words real and present. It stirred them inside. It frightened them. While their rational minds said “We know this young man.” In the backs of their minds the truth was screaming at them – here is something new, the likes of which have never been seen before. And they stopped what they were doing, staring at him in fear and hesitation. Seeing this reaction, Jesus pushed through them without resistance and left the area. No doubt he was saddened by the reaction but probably not surprised.

For us, this reaction of those who knew Jesus is seen as the greatest lost opportunity of all time. Yet don’t we find in ourselves that same incredulous rejection of Christ’s presence in those around us? Don’t we often fail to see the Lord present in those we encounter; especially members of our own families?

The lesson we receive today from St. Luke’s Gospel is that we must be constantly vigilant, looking for the Lord not just in prayer, not just in the sacraments, but In the people we meet. We must listen for the Word of God at all times and in all peoples because we do not know the hour or the day of his coming.

Pax

---

[1] ALTRE

[2] The picture is “Jews in the Synagogue“ by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, c. 1640s

[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL).  This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Jesus Carries the Cross”
by El Greco, 1600-05

Readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time [1][2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Reading 1: Jeremiah 20:7-9

You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped;

you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.

All the day I am an object of laughter;

everyone mocks me.

Whenever I speak, I must cry out,

violence and outrage is my message;

the word of the Lord has brought me

derision and reproach all the day.

I say to myself, I will not mention him,

I will speak in his name no more.

But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,

imprisoned in my bones;

I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Jer 20:7-9

Jeremiah’s oracle has foreseen the fall of Jerusalem and the great exile as Israel is sent into slavery in Babylon.  In this passage he makes an emotional outpouring to God.  He recognizes that God’s word makes him outcast and people think of him as a lunatic but even though he has tried to be silent God’s call forces him to cry out in the prophetic voice.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

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.

You are my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.

My soul clings fast to you;

your right hand upholds me.

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reading II: Romans 12:1-2

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.

Do not conform yourselves to this age

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and pleasing and perfect.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Rom 12:1-2

St. Paul begins a new topic with these verses from his letter to the Romans.  The demands of the “New Life” of the Christian are laid out; beginning with the idea of complete dedication to the ideals of their faith.  This dedication is expressed here in language reminiscent of the ritual sacrifice of animals as holocaust (burnt offering) in the Hebrew and pagan ceremonies but using the bodies of the faithful in this context. The clear idea is the Christian, like an animal sacrificed to God as a holocaust - completely burned and offered up to the Lord, is to be wholly given to Christ (see also Leviticus 1:3ff), untainted by the sins of the world (“Do not conform yourselves to this age”) but, in following the will of God – a pleasing sacrifice to him.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples

that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly

from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,

and be killed and on the third day be raised.

Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,

“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”

He turned and said to Peter,

“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples,

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,

take up his cross, and follow me.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world

and forfeit his life?

Or what can one give in exchange for his life?

For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,

and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Mt 16:21-27

The passage begins with Jesus’ explanation of his coming passion. Jesus, using the title “Son of Man” (see Daniel 7:13-14), foresees his trials and passion. This frightens the disciples and probably confuses many of the entourage (remember, there were more than just the 12 following Jesus around) and Peter confronts him asking him to take a different approach to what he tells his students. Seeing this request as an invitation to take an easier path, Jesus rebukes Peter.

This is the second time within the Gospel of St. Matthew the Lord instructs the disciples that if they wish to follow him, they must take up the cross (the first time is in Matthew 10:38). This passage focuses the followers of Christ on the idea that serving the Lord must come before any other purposes in life since it is through following Jesus that eternal life is gained. It is also explicit that bringing the Word of God, the message of the Kingdom of God to the world will lead to persecution and even the possibility of death.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reflection:

In the novel “Dune” by Frank Herbert, the young hero of the story, Paul, was at one point tested under torture to see if he was “human.”  In the story the proof of his humanity was that he could endure great pain because he knew that he would be killed if he did not.  In Sacred Scripture today, Jesus proposes a test for fidelity to the faithful discipleship that requires the believer to deny those human impulses that would lead one to follow the wisdom of the world but deny the eternal life of the spirit.

If we follow the Lord’s logic we see the truth of it.  The wisdom of the world is completely focused on self-preservation and propagation.  That means that when a desired course of action is challenged, human wisdom weighs the odds of success and the consequences of failure and follows the least risky path, regardless of collateral damage and regardless of which moral principles must be sacrificed.  An amoral person will predictably always follow this pattern in life decisions.  Society’s laws have attempted to curb these baser impulses, especially when it comes to dealing with the general population.  However, in dealing with personal relationships, these laws do not dictate a moral course but rather allow great latitude as long as the individual does not disturb the status quo. 

Jesus changes that for his followers.  God the Father tried to tell the ancient Hebrew peoples about the need to be more concerned for things of faith than for things of flesh.  This concept flies in the face of human tendencies toward self-preservation.  We see that emotional appeal in the reading from the Book of Jeremiah.  The prophet recognizes that exhorting the people of Jerusalem to repent – to turn away from their hedonistic worship of false gods, is making him a laughing stock and an outcast.  He even tries to deny his role as Prophet but God’s spirit drives him to continue.

St. Paul tells us the depths of conversion to which we are called.  He analogizes that we are to become like the holocaust, made sacred in prayer and totally dedicated to God.  It is that same conversion that Jesus calls us to when he says “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Today we are called to conversion once more.  We are shown the depths to which we must conform our hearts, denying those primal impulses that make us human but deny our spirit.  We are called to “…be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God”.  Let us vow today to attempt that transformation toward the people God calls us to be.

Pax

---

[1] ALTRE

[2] The picture used is “Jesus Carries the Cross” by El Greco, 1600-05

[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible hyperlinked to the Vatican.VA site 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.

Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

On Saturdays in Ordinary Time when there is no obligatory memorial, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed[1]. Mass texts may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a Votive Mass, or from the special collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“The Parable of the Talents”
Artist and Date is UNKNOWN

Readings for Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time [2][3]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:[4]

Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.

Not many of you were wise by human standards,

not many were powerful,

not many were of noble birth.

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,

and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,

and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,

those who count for nothing,

to reduce to nothing those who are something,

so that no human being might boast before God.

It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,

who became for us wisdom from God,

as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

so that, as it is written,

Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on 1 Cor 1:26-31

St. Paul continues his attack on “worldly wisdom” by pointing to the community that is comprised of all stratus of society.  He points out that all are called to the same Lord and that wisdom that is Jesus (“…who became for us wisdom from God”) and are made righteous, sanctified, and redeemed in Him.  It is for this reason that the only boast a Christian should make is in God.  The evangelist does so paraphrasing Jeremiah 9:23.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.

From heaven the Lord looks down;

he sees all mankind.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

But see, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him,

upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the Lord,

who is our help and our shield,

For in him our hearts rejoice;

in his holy name we trust.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Ps 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise in which God as creator is celebrated. In this selection the just are invited to share the Lord’s salvation and are promised his protection. The psalm rejoices in the active help God gives to his chosen people.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

“A man going on a journey

called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.

To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–

to each according to his ability.

Then he went away.

Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,

and made another five.

Likewise, the one who received two made another two.

But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground

and buried his master’s money.

After a long time

the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.

The one who had received five talents

came forward bringing the additional five.

He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.

See, I have made five more.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Since you were faithful in small matters,

I will give you great responsibilities.

Come, share your master’s joy.’

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,

‘Master, you gave me two talents.

See, I have made two more.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Since you were faithful in small matters,

I will give you great responsibilities.

Come, share your master’s joy.’

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,

‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,

harvesting where you did not plant

and gathering where you did not scatter;

so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.

Here it is back.’

His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!

So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant

and gather where I did not scatter?

Should you not then have put my money in the bank

so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.

For to everyone who has,

more will be given and he will grow rich;

but from the one who has not,

even what he has will be taken away.

And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Mt 25:14-30

The parable of the Talents comes to us as part of Jesus’ dialog about being prepared and vigilant. It combines two different but connected logions or morals/teaching points; the first is to use the gifts God has given for the benefit of God who is represented by the “Master” in the parable. The second continues the theme of vigilance. This parable, directed at the disciples, exhorts his servants to use the gifts God has given them to the fullest for the benefit of others (as well as God). It is an exclamation point to Jesus earlier statement “those to whom much is given, even more will be expected.” (see also Luke 12:48)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reflection:

Have you ever done something that you think is really spectacular and it seemed that no one noticed or appreciated your effort? Have you ever been asked to do something very difficult and, in spite of the obstacles, accomplished that task but the person who assigned it didn’t even say thanks, let alone praise you for your work? It is only natural that we take pride in our work or study. Success in tasks set before us motivates us and invigorates us. So it stands to reason that when we do something we feel deserves recognition and it goes unrecognized we become unmotivated less apt to extend the same effort the next time.

What was described above is a pretty typical of what most secular literature would say about motivating people in the work place or in an educational setting. If you want someone to really maximize the use of their abilities, praise them publicly when they succeed using behaviors you wish to encourage (and chastise privately those you want to discourage).

For the Christian, praise of effort should not be required. In fact praising ones abilities is like telling a sunset what great color it has. The sunset is a reflection of the beauty of God’s creation. Likewise, for us as faithful members of a faith community dedicated to following Jesus who is the Christ, if we are praised for our efforts or abilities, our response should be to thank God for the gifts that made that accomplishment possible. To take pride in such things is like taking pride in our ability to breath air – it is a natural consequence of the life God gave us. Quoting St. Paul “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”

The Parable of the Talents from St. Matthew’s Gospel takes that idea further. The Lord’s example, because it is being addressed to his disciples, makes it clear that the gifts they have include the gift of Christ’s teachings; of his revelation of the kingdom of God. That gift is meant to be passed on. It is only in that way that it can grow. The knowledge of the incredible love God has for us is not some special, private knowledge or some powerful secret meant to be kept hidden away (That, my friends, is called Gnosticism). It is intended to be passed on and to grow.

And when we do this well, through word or example, we should be carful to give praise where praise is do – to God who first gave the gift to us. Our expectation is that the merciful Lord, like the Master in the Parable will see what we have done and give us His gratitude which is peace and joy beyond all understanding.

Today our message is clear. Through Jesus we have been redeemed and sanctified. We have been given a gift greater that golden talents – the gift of the knowledge of the Kingdom of God and we are charged to see that what was given to us grows and flourishes. By word and example, may we faithfully extend that love and understanding to all we meet.

Pax

---

[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar no. 15

[2] ALTRE

[3] The picture used today is “The Parable of the Talents” Artist and Date is UNKNOWN

[4] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL).  This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

“ Beheading of Saint John the Baptist”
(detail)
by Caravaggio, 1608

Alternate Proper for the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Readings for the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist [1][2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Note: The Gospel for this Memorial is from the Proper 

Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

Brothers and sisters:

Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel,

and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,

so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

For it is written:

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the learning of the learned I will set aside.

Where is the wise one?

Where is the scribe?

Where is the debater of this age?

Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

For since in the wisdom of God

the world did not come to know God through wisdom,

it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation

to save those who have faith.

For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

but we proclaim Christ crucified,

a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,

and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on 1 Cor 1:17-25

This passage from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians begins with an announcement of his own mission – to proclaim the “unvarnished” truth of the Gospel “…not with the wisdom of human eloquence”.

He continues refuting those who point to Christ’s crucifixion as proof of Jesus’ fallibility by saying that faith, graciously given by God allows the Christian to see the victory in what appears to the scoffers to be a defeat (“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”) St. Paul supports his premise by quoting Isaiah 29:14 attacking the “wisdom of the wise”. He calls Jesus a stumbling block for the Jews (probably because they expected a Royal Messiah taking power like King David) and again foolishness for the rational gentiles (Greeks) who pride themselves in logic – the cross is not logical for a savior.

St. Paul concludes by telling the community (“…those who were called”), that it is God who acts in them giving them faith (see also Romans 9:16) and that in the face of God’s omnipotence all the wisdom and strength of humanity pales in comparison.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm. 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

R. (5) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Exult, you just, in the LORD;

praise from the upright is fitting.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;

with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

For upright is the word of the LORD,

and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right;

of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;

he foils the designs of peoples.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever;

the design of his heart, through all generations.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Ps. 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

Psalm 33 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In this selection the emphasis is on faithfulness to God who has saving power combined with hope, a central component of faith in God.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gospel: Mark 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison

on account of Herodias,

the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.

John had said to Herod,

"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

Herodias harbored a grudge against him

and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,

and kept him in custody.

When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,

yet he liked to listen to him.

She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,

gave a banquet for his courtiers,

his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.

Herodias' own daughter came in

and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.

The king said to the girl,

"Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you."

He even swore many things to her,

"I will grant you whatever you ask of me,

even to half of my kingdom."

She went out and said to her mother,

"What shall I ask for?"

She replied, "The head of John the Baptist."

The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request,

"I want you to give me at once

on a platter the head of John the Baptist."

The king was deeply distressed,

but because of his oaths and the guests

he did not wish to break his word to her.

So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders

to bring back his head.

He went off and beheaded him in the prison.

He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.

The girl in turn gave it to her mother.

When his disciples heard about it,

they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on  Mk 6:17-29

The story of St. John the Baptist life from St. Mark’s Gospel gives a concise picture of St. John’s end. Especially here we note the similarities between the passing of St. John and the passion of Jesus in Mark 15:1-47 . The rationale in both cases was the anger and guilt felt at the truth proclaimed; in the case of John the guilt of Herodias, in the case of Jesus, the Jewish leaders. Both Herod and Pilot acknowledge the holiness of the ones they are to put to death. In both cases following the executions, faithful followers insure the body is given a respectful burial. St. Matthew’s Gospel gives a more complete introduction of Herod and Herodias (see Matthew 14:1-3). The actual account presented here is done as a flashback as Herod questions the identity of Jesus whose disciples have just been sent into his region with great authority.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reflection:

We continue to marvel at God’s plan for us as we are given the end of St. John the Baptist. From the womb he was chosen to be a forerunner of Jesus Christ. He was the one predicted by the prophets – the new Elijah who prepared the way for Jesus’ mission on earth – the ultimate revelation of God in human flesh. He preceded Jesus in life, in ministry, and, as we see in Mark’s Gospel, his death at the hands of those he invited to repent and return to the path to God’s Kingdom.

In his martyrdom St. John the Baptist shared in Christ’s victory. Victory? One might think that being beheaded by a lecherous, hedonistic, and sadistic ruler like Herod was not a victory. Yet, as St. Paul points out in his First Letter to the Corinthians, Jesus used the cross to redefine victory. His death became a defeat for death for all who lay aside the wisdom of the world and have faith.

And what practical lesson do we take away from this “redefinition”; this incredible act that defies the wisdom of the world and changes the perspective of those struggling to know God? First, with intense humility, we thank God for giving us the faith needed to understand how his love expressed itself through the sacrifice of His Son; foreshadowed by St. John’s own death. We see in the events that unfold in the Gospel that we must not expect the world to welcome the love we offer as followers of Christ.  We know Jesus obediently followed St. John in death at the hands of his captors.

We thank God for the examples of St. John the Baptist and all the Saints who have gone before us in faith for their examples of heroic fidelity to the Lord and their unswerving dedication to passing on the message they were given. We pray today that our own examples of faith will give encouragement to our brothers and sisters who, like St. John, are persecuted for their faith and demonstrate for those who have not heard the Lord’s call that his hand is our-stretched to them as well.

Pax

---

[1] ALTRE 429/634

[2] The picture is “ Beheading of Saint John the Baptist” (detail) by Caravaggio, 1608

[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL).  This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

“Saint Augustine”
by Antonello da Messina, c.1472

Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Augustine

Readings for Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul, called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

and Sosthenes our brother,

to the Church of God that is in Corinth,

to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,

with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always on your account

for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,

that in him you were enriched in every way,

with all discourse and all knowledge,

as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,

so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift

as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He will keep you firm to the end,

irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is faithful,

and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on 1 Cor 1:1-9

This reading is the beginning of St. Paul’s first letter to the Church he founded in Corinth. News has reached him of some issues with the community that must be addresses as well as some external situations for which guidance must be given.  In typical letter format, he gives thanks to God for the gift of faith given to this community and continues his fervent wish that they (and we) be steadfast in the faith; “He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus (Christ).“  His introduction, emphasizing his own call as Apostle and the call each of the faithful has received, hints at the letter’s purpose.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Every day will I bless you,

and I will praise your name forever and ever.

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised;

his greatness is unsearchable.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Generation after generation praises your works

and proclaims your might.

They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty

and tell of your wondrous works.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds

and declare your greatness.

They publish the fame of your abundant goodness

and joyfully sing of your justice.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

Psalm 145 is a hymn of praise. These strophes (because it is in the acrostic form – each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet) although loosely assembled, praise God for his mercy and compassion and give thanks for His creation and redemption.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Stay awake!

For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

Be sure of this:

if the master of the house

had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,

he would have stayed awake

and not let his house be broken into.

So too, you also must be prepared,

for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant,

whom the master has put in charge of his household

to distribute to them their food at the proper time?

Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.

Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.

But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’

and begins to beat his fellow servants,

and eat and drink with drunkards,

the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day

and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely

and assign him a place with the hypocrites,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary on Mt 24:42-51

This discourse from St. Matthew’s Gospel follows his reflections about the end times and the need for vigilance. The Lord speaks to those who follow and especially the leaders of the community he leaves behind as he tells them they will not know the time when they will be called to the Kingdom of Heaven. In the second section he tells his followers that those who are found to be vigilant will be rewarded at the end of all things while those who have fallen away will be punished.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Homily:

Each day when we say our prayers, we pray for those who have not been vigilant either because they were unwary or because they chose to ignore Christ’s teachings and have fallen into sin.  We may even thank God, as we pray, that we have not fallen into that trap.  But, there is a danger, even for the most faithful.  That danger is complacence.

Think about the soldier standing guard at a well-protected base.  Each day he stands guard and each day he is reassured by the strength of the defenses around him.  He thinks; “What enemy would be foolish enough to attack such a strong fortress?”  As day follows day he goes about his guard duty and becomes less and less vigilant even though he is doing his duty faithfully.  Then, when he has come to feel completely safe, the enemy attacks and he is not ready for that assault and falls.

For the faithful, this is an apt analogy and one to which the Gospel points.  We must never take for granted that, because we love the Lord and do what we think is our best to follow him, the evil one will not find a way around our defenses and cause us to fall.  He does it every day!  He whispers in the ear of the most faithful, tempting them with rewards that on the surface may seem wholesome but are in fact, deadly to the spirit.

How do we avoid this complacence?  Each day we must thoroughly inspect our defenses.  We must look at our prayer and see that it is not self-serving, condescending, or rationalizing.  We must measure ourselves against Jesus and the Saints he has sent to inspire and guide us. We must  always see the room for improvement that exists in all but Jesus himself.  If we are daily striving to achieve that perfect end, we can never be satisfied with our progress and never take for granted our assumed holiness.

Today we pray that we might never lose our vigilance and in doing so, open the door to the thief.

Pax

---

[1] ALTRE

[2] The picture is “Saint Augustine” by Antonello da Messina, c.1472

[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL).  This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.