(Optional Memorial for Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of
the Church)
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| ”Submersion of Pharaoh in the Red Sea” (detail) by Andrea Previtali, 1515-20 |
Reading 1: Exodus
14:21—15:1
Moses stretched out his hand
over the sea,
and the LORD swept the sea
with a strong east wind
throughout the night
and so turned it into dry
land.
When the water was thus
divided,
the children of Israel
with the water like a wall to
their right and to their left.
The Egyptians followed in
pursuit;
all Pharaoh's horses and
chariots and charioteers went after them
right into the midst of the
sea.
In the night watch just
before dawn
the LORD cast through the
column of the fiery cloud
upon the Egyptian force a
glance that threw it into a panic;
and he so clogged their
chariot wheels
that they could hardly drive.
With that the Egyptians
sounded the retreat before Israel
because the LORD was fighting
for them against the Egyptians.
Then the LORD told Moses,
"Stretch out your hand over the sea,
that the water may flow back
upon the Egyptians,
upon their chariots and their
charioteers."
So Moses stretched out his
hand over the sea,
and at dawn the sea flowed
back to its normal depth.
The Egyptians were fleeing
head on toward the sea,
when the LORD hurled them
into its midst.
As the water flowed back,
it covered the chariots and
the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army
that had followed the
children of Israel
Not a single one of them
escaped.
But the children of Israel
through the midst of the sea,
with the water like a wall to
their right and to their left.
Thus the LORD saved Israel
from the power of the
Egyptians.
When Israel
and beheld the great power
that the LORD
had shown against the
Egyptians,
they feared the LORD and believed
in him and in his servant Moses.
Then Moses and the children
of Israel
I will sing to the LORD, for
he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast
into the sea.
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Commentary on Ex 14:21—15:1
This passage
continues the Exodus story with Moses opening a way through the sea for the
Israelites. When the Egyptians try to follow, God delays them using the same
column (pillar of fire) that had been leading to Israelites to confuse and
panic the armies ni pursuit. In the end Moses closes the way through the sea
while Pharaoh’s army is still in the midst of the sea and no one survives. This wonder strengthens the faith of the
Israelites in God and in Moses.
CCC: Ex 15:1 2810
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Responsorial Psalm: Exodus
15:8-9, 10 and 12, 17
R. (1b) Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered
himself in glory.
At the breath of your anger
the waters piled up,
the flowing waters stood like
a mound,
the flood waters congealed in
the midst of the sea.
The enemy boasted, "I
will pursue and overtake them;
I will divide the spoils and
have my fill of them;
I will draw my sword; my hand
shall despoil them!"
R. Let us sing to the
Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
When your wind blew, the sea
covered them;
like lead they sank in the
mighty waters.
When you stretched out your
right hand, the earth swallowed them!
R. Let us sing to the
Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
And you brought them in and
planted them on the mountain of your inheritance—
the place where you made your
seat, O LORD,
the sanctuary, O LORD, which
your hands established.
R. Let us sing to the
Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
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Commentary on Ex 15:8-9, 10 and 12, 17
The Psalm/Prayer
used today continues the prayer of Moses.
It gives thanks for the favor God has shown to the people and marvels at
His great power.
CCC: Ex 15:1 2810
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Gospel: Matthew
12:46-50
While Jesus was speaking to
the crowds,
his mother and his brothers
appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, "Your
mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with
you."
But he said in reply to the
one who told him,
"Who is my mother? Who
are my brothers?"
And stretching out his hand
toward his disciples, he said,
"Here are my mother and
my brothers.
For whoever does the will of
my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister,
and mother."
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In this selection from St.
Matthew’s Gospel Jesus emphasizes the importance of the family of faith over the
biological family and is likely a continuation of the situation of Mark 3:21. It is important to note
that the Catholic Church holds that Mary bore only one child, Jesus. The
reference in this passage to “…your brothers” (the word “brethren” is used in
most other translations) refers to kinsmen, other relatives of the Blessed
Mother and St. Joseph. Similarly, other scriptural references to Jesus’
relatives find this same interpretation issue. The Aramaic term for
brother/sister referred to relationships within the extended family. (see notes
on Mark 3:31ff). In
apocryphal literature, specifically the History
of Joseph the Carpenter, it is indicated that Mary was Joseph’s
second wife; his first having died previously.
From this union the document explains, Joseph had four sons and two
daughters; Judas, Justus, James, and Simon. The names of the two daughters were
Assia and Lydia. This is one more possibility driving the language of the
Gospel.
In Galatians 1:19 we find “But I did not see any other of the
apostles, only James the brother of the Lord.” “James the brother of the
Lord: not one of the Twelve, but a brother of Jesus (see note on Mark 6:3). He played an important
role in the Jerusalem church (see note on Galatians 2:9), the
leadership of which he took over from Peter (Acts 12:17). Paul may have regarded
James as an apostle.”[24]
To further support this point,
logic tells us that if Mary had other biological children Jesus would not have
entrusted her to St. John as he hung upon the cross. (John 19:26-27)
Jesus’ initial indication that
the disciples are his family is clarified by the statement “…whoever does
the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Through this acceptance of the “will” of God, Jesus provides a natural
continuation of our adoptive status and his brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29 ; 1 John 3:1)
CCC: Mt 12:49 764,
2233
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Reflection:
Our adoption by Christ is an
amazing thing. We were created by God in
his own image. As such we enjoy the
world, also his creation and have dominion over it. All these things are nice but when Christ
came he extended the greatest benefit of all.
Through baptism which also has as one of its gifts, the gift of the Holy
Spirit, we are adopted by God and given all of the rights privileges, and
responsibilities that go along with it.
As brothers and sisters of
Christ we share in the life he came to bring us. We share in the Kingdom of God
With that adoption comes
purpose. Jesus calls us to go into the
family business. Part of being adopted
means taking up the responsibilities that goes along with being part of the
family of God. Those responsibilities
include following the family code of conduct (we start with the Great
Commandment and apply that principle to all our actions). We are also asked to gather at family
meetings (Mass) so we can share the family meal. We are reminded to have regular talks with
our Father (prayer) and to contribute to the up-keep of the family home
(Church).
Because we are truly adopted,
this is not really an analogy so there is no point at which it breaks
down. We are called today to remember what
it means to be a brother of sister of Christ.
Our brother and Savior invites us to share with him the joys and sorrows
of God’s family. We are called to act
the part.
Pax
[1]
ALTRE
[2]
The picture is ”Submersion of Pharaoh in the Red Sea ”
(detail) by Andrea Previtali, 1515-20
[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.
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