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| Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, Artist and Date are UNKNOWN |
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a
Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
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Commentary on 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a
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Responsorial
Psalm: Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his
people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the Lord is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his
people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his
people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the Lord,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his
people: the sheep of his flock.
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Commentary on Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Psalm 100 is a hymn of praise in which the psalmist invites the
people to come to God with praise and thanksgiving for the wondrous things he
has done. The song recalls God the
creator who is love and fidelity knows no bounds.
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Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
Jesus
journeyed to a city called Nain,
and
his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As
he drew near to the gate of the city,
a
man who had died was being carried out,
the
only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A
large crowd from the city was with her.
When
the Lord saw her,
he
was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do
not weep.”
He
stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at
this the bearers halted,
and
he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The
dead man sat up and began to speak,
and
Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear
seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A
great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and
“God has visited his people.”
This
report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and
in all the surrounding region.
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Commentary
on Lk 7:11-17
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Reflection:
What
does God call us to do – to be in His service?
He sent his only Son to us to show us how to follow him and as the great
revelation of his love for us. He gave
us prophets and scripture that chronicle his involvement in human history from
the dawn of creation. His son, Jesus,
selected and trained the Apostles to carry on his message and teaching. But where do we fit into his great plan of
salvation?
Anyone
who takes their faith seriously has asked this question, probably countless
times. Very few individuals hear a clear
answer and see the vision God has for their lives. Some of the saints seem to have had that
gift. But each time we ask the question
our logical minds may not hear a clear answer.
Frequently it is only looking at past events that we can see the
direction in which God has pushed us.
Often that direction is unexpected and occasionally quite uncomfortable.
The
comfort comes when, in our own discernment, we find we cannot do all that needs
to be done. If it were entirely up to us
as individuals, we would despair (perhaps as Christ did as he prayed in the
garden) – so much to do and our efforts seem so insignificant. It is at these times when we remember all
those who ask as we do; what is it that God needs and wants? They will take up their share as well and in
God’s time and way – his mission will be accomplished.
There
– the weight is lifted from our shoulders.
We are not alone. All the angels
and saints as well as our brothers and sisters take up their unique parts of
the challenge and we move forward.
Pax
[1]
ALTRE
[2]
The icons are of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, Artist and Date are UNKNOWN
[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.
[4]
See NAB footnote on Luke 7:11ff
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