(Optional Memorial of the
Dedication of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)
(Optional Memorial [United
States] Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne)
Alternate readings for this
memorial may be taken from the Common
of Virgins or the Common
of Holy Men and Women.
 |
| “Seven Brothers and Their Mother are Martyred” by Matthaeus Merian I, 1593-1650 |
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: 2 Maccabees
7:1, 20-31
It happened that seven
brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and
scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in
violation of God’s law.
Most admirable and worthy of
everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish
in a single day,
yet bore it courageously
because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit
that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their
ancestors with these words:
“I do not know how you came
into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the
breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of
you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the
Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s
beginning,
as he brings about the origin
of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both
breath and life,
because you now disregard
yourselves for the sake of his law.”
Antiochus, suspecting insult
in her words,
thought he was being
ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was
still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with
promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if
he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high
office.
When the youth paid no
attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the
mother,
urging her to advise her boy
to save his life.
After he had urged her for a
long time,
she went through the motions
of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel
tyrant,
she leaned over close to her
son and said in their native language:
“Son, have pity on me, who
carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years,
brought you up,
educated and supported you to
your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at
the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God
did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human
race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this
executioner,
but be worthy of your
brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy
I may receive you again with them.”
She had scarcely finished
speaking when the youth said:
“What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king’s
command.
I obey the command of the law
given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived
every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of
God.”
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Commentary on 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31
This selection
from the Second Book of Maccabees provides examples of courage in the face of
extreme cruelty based upon belief in the resurrection on the last day. This is
one of the important theological ideas expounded upon in the book and provides
a framework for our later understanding of the importance of Christ’s sacrifice
and promise.
“In the first part the
conviction that the just will rise and evildoers will be punished builds up as
the story goes on. Each of the replies given by the six brothers contains some
aspect of that truth. The first says that just men prefer to die rather than
sin (v. 2) because God will reward them (v. 6); the second, that God will raise
them to a new life (v. 9); the third, that they will rise with their bodies
remade (v. 11); the fourth, that for evildoers there will be no
"resurrection to life" (v. 14); the fifth, that there will be
punishment for evildoers (v. 17); and the sixth, that when just people suffer
it is because they are being punished for their own sins (v. 18).
"In the second part, both the
mother and the youngest brother affirm what the others have said: but the boy
adds something new when he says that death accepted by the righteous works as
atonement for the whole people (vv. 37-38).”[4]
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Responsorial Psalm: Ps
17:1bcd, 5-6, 8b and 15
R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will
be full.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from
lips without deceit.
R. Lord, when your glory
appears, my joy will be full.
My steps have been steadfast
in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will
answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear
my word.
R. Lord, when your glory
appears, my joy will be full.
Keep me as the apple of your
eye;
hide me in the shadow of your
wings.
But I in justice shall behold
your face;
on waking, I shall be content
in your presence.
R. Lord, when your glory
appears, my joy will be full.
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Commentary on Ps 17:1bcd, 5-6, 8b and 15
Psalm 17 is an
individual lament. The psalmist sings
for God’s help in distress, having been firm in faithfulness. The Lord is
called upon for justice. The
intercessors ask for this help in spite of the tests they are forced to undergo
proclaiming that God alone is the just judge. In the Lord and in his justice
the psalmist is content.
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Gospel: Luke
19:11-28
While people were listening
to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a
parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the
Kingdom of God
would appear there
immediately.
So he said,
“A nobleman went off to a
distant country
to obtain the kingship for
himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants
and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, ‘Engage in
trade with these until I return.’
His fellow citizens, however,
despised him
and sent a delegation after
him to announce,
‘We do not want this man to
be our king.’
But when he returned after
obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called,
to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained
by trading.
The first came forward and
said,
‘Sir, your gold coin has
earned ten additional ones.’
He replied, ‘Well done, good
servant!
You have been faithful in
this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.’
Then the second came and
reported,
‘Your gold coin, sir, has
earned five more.’
And to this servant too he
said,
‘You, take charge of five
cities.’
Then the other servant came
and said,
‘Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a
handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you,
because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not
lay down
and you harvest what you did
not plant.’
He said to him,
‘With your own words I shall
condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding
man,
taking up what I did not lay
down
and harvesting what I did not
plant;
why did you not put my money
in a bank?
Then on my return I would
have collected it with interest.’
And to those standing by he
said,
‘Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant
who has ten.’
But they said to him,
‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’
He replied, ‘I tell you,
to everyone who has, more
will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be
taken away.
Now as for those enemies of
mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them
before me.’”
After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey
up to Jerusalem.
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Commentary on Lk 19:11-28
This selection
from St. Luke’s Gospel contains two parables interwoven. The first is the Parable of the Talents (see
also Matthew 25:14ff). The gold coins here
represent the gifts God has given us. The king’s return is meant to symbolize
his final return in judgment. His reaction to each of the servants indicates
the Lord’s expectation that the gifts he gives us are expected to be used, and
used for his greater glory. We are not to hide them; in doing so we lose them.
The second is
Parable of the rejected King. This latter
parable could have had historical significance since after the death of Herod
the Great, his son Archelaus went to Rome to receive the same authority. He was opposed by a delegation of Jews. Although he was not given the title of King
he was given authority over Judea and Samaria.
This parallel used by St. Luke would have served to stop speculation
about the imminent Parousia. A second
possibility is that the Lord himself was predicting that his impending entry to
Jerusalem was not to be a glorious kingship but rather he would have to travel
to a far distant place (heaven) to receive that crown.
St. Luke’s
version of the Parable of the Talents serves to reinforce the idea that the
faithful must be diligent in building up the Kingdom of God through the use of
what God has provided. Failure to do so
(presuming the immanent second coming and laying down one’s vocation) would
result in severe punishment.
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Reflection:
The focus of the parables from
the Gospel today is an exhortation to be diligent in practicing the faith which
God has given and Holy Mother Church has instructed. The heart of the message is clear, that God
will expect an accounting for what we have been given in his name and used (it
is hoped) for his greater glory.
Today, however, we reflect
upon the part of the parable where the group of residents had sent the
delegation after the king saying “We do not want this man
to be our king.” It is those individuals, analogized in the
parable, who later would crucify Jesus, martyr the Apostles, and who continue
to persecute the faithful to this day.
We are amazed to see the depth of the hatred directed at the Church,
even by those who call themselves Christian.
As long as the Catholic
Church, founded by St. Peter and grown by St. Paul, remains quietly doing the
work the Lord left to us, secular society enjoys our presence, extols our
virtue. But when society wishes to
embrace policy that diametrically contravenes the moral teaching of the Church
and the faithful, led by their shepherds, cry out –we are suddenly a threat – a
force of evil, because we do not embrace the hedonistic values at the core of
these propositions.
We speak here of the U.S.
Bishop’s on-going fight against the HSS Mandate and the erosion of religious
liberty. We speak also of the vitriolic
attacks in across the country as the Church resists being forced to adopt
acceptance of gay marriages. Finally, we speak of the redefinition of
“Marriage”; the only institution that binds children to their biological
parents. The hatred for the Church’s
courageous stance against the weakening of the value of human life and dignity
is palpable and we must stand at the forefront of this attack, supporting the
justice of Christ. He bids us to use our
God-given talents to fight this very kind of attack.
Today we remember those who
do not want a just king – those who said so many years ago “We do not want this man to be our king.” They are
still walking among us and still hate us (although usually quietly). Today we pray for them, that God’s mercy will
not see treated as the parable demanded; “… as for
those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and
slay them before me.’
Pax
[2]
The picture today is
“Seven Brothers and Their Mother are Martyred” by Matthaeus Merian I, 1593-1650
[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]
The Navarre Bible: “Chronicles-Maccabees”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, ©
2003, pp. 569-570
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