Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial for Saint Junípero Serra, Priest) USA
(Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Readings for the Memorial of St. Junípero Serra may be taken from From the Common of Pastors: For Missionaries, or the Common of Holy Men and Women: For Religious.

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 Faith of the Centurion” by Caspar Luiken (1712)

Readings for Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time[2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible[3]

Readings and Commentary:[4]

Reading 1: Genesis 18:1-15

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the Terebinth of Mamre,

as Abraham sat in the entrance of his tent,

while the day was growing hot.

Looking up, he saw three men standing nearby.

When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;

and bowing to the ground, he said:

"Sir, if I may ask you this favor,

please do not go on past your servant.

Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,

and then rest yourselves under the tree.

Now that you have come this close to your servant,

let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;

and afterward you may go on your way."

The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."

Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,

"Quick, three measures of fine flour! 

Knead it and make rolls."

He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,

and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.

Then Abraham got some curds and milk,

as well as the steer that had been prepared,

and set these before them;

and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.

They asked him, "Where is your wife Sarah?"

He replied, "There in the tent."

One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year,

and Sarah will then have a son."

Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, just behind him.

Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years,

and Sarah had stopped having her womanly periods.

So Sarah laughed to herself and said,

"Now that I am so withered and my husband is so old,

am I still to have sexual pleasure?"

But the LORD said to Abraham: "Why did Sarah laugh and say,

'Shall I really bear a child, old as I am?'

Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?

At the appointed time, about this time next year, I will return to you,

and Sarah will have a son."

Because she was afraid, Sarah dissembled, saying, "I didn't laugh."

But he replied, "Yes you did."

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Commentary on Gn 18:1-15

Abraham and Sarah encounter God and two messengers in this selection from Genesis. Abraham recognizes the Lord (we note his act of obeisance and form of address “’ădonāy”) and acts as is required by oriental hospitality providing rest, drink, and food. It is clear that the Lord is the key figure in the story. The messengers are soon forgotten as Abraham hears God’s prediction that he would return, and when he did Abraham and Sarah would have a son. When Sarah hears this, she laughs. Sarah's laughter is actually a bit of ironic coloring.  We recall in Genesis 17: 17 that Abraham laughed when he was first told he would bear a son.  In Hebrew, the word is yitshaq, which is identical to Isaac. The name Isaac means "he laughs."[5]

CCC: Gn 18:1-15 706, 2571

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Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50 and 53, 54-55

R. (see 54b) The Lord has remembered his mercy.

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

R. The Lord has remembered his mercy.

"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."

R. The Lord has remembered his mercy.

"He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty."

R. The Lord has remembered his mercy.

"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."

R. The Lord has remembered his mercy.

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Commentary on Lk 1:46-47, 48-49, 50 and 53, 54-55

The responsorial is the Magnificat, the beautiful Canticle of Mary. Her song of thanksgiving and humility captures the saintliness that has become synonymous with our image of Mary the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven, and the Mother of the Church. In her dedication to service, she offers herself to God as vessel of the Messiah. She sets the stage for the humble birth of Jesus.

CCC: Lk 1:46-55 722, 2619, 2675; Lk 1:46-49 2097; Lk 1:48 148, 971, 2676, 2676; Lk 1:49 273, 2599, 2807, 2827; Lk 1:50 2465; Lk 1:54-55 706; Lk 1:55 422

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Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

When Jesus entered Capernaum,

a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,

"Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully."

He said to him, "I will come and cure him."

The centurion said in reply,

"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;

only say the word and my servant will be healed.

For I too am a man subject to authority,

with soldiers subject to me.

And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes;

and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes;

and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,

"Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.

I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,

and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven,

but the children of the Kingdom

will be driven out into the outer darkness,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."

And Jesus said to the centurion,

"You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you."

And at that very hour his servant was healed.

Jesus entered the house of Peter,

and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.

He touched her hand, the fever left her,

and she rose and waited on him.

When it was evening, they brought him many

who were possessed by demons,

and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick,

to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet:

He took away our infirmities

and bore our diseases.

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Commentary on Mt 8:5-17

This selection describes the second and third healing episodes (out of nine) found in St. Matthew’s Gospel. Once again, these encounters serve as proofs of the Lord’s identity as the Messiah. Clear evidence is given of this purpose with the use of the quote: “He took away our infirmities and bore our disease,” taken from the "suffering servant" oracle in Isaiah 53:4.

This didactic passage also contains the Centurion's humble profession of faith used in the liturgy of the Mass: "'Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant [soul] will be healed.'"

"Centurion": an officer of the Roman army in control of one hundred men. This man's faith is still an example to us. At the solemn moment when a Christian is about to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the Church's liturgy places on his lips and in his heart these words of the centurion, to enliven his faith: Lord, I am not worthy..."[6]

CCC: Mt 8:8 1386; Mt 8:10 2610; Mt 8:11 543; Mt 8:17 517, 1505

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Reflection:

Sacred Scripture provides a nice contrast of attitudes today.  In the first reading we hear the story of Abraham and Sarah’s encounter with God and two angels.  In spite of the fact that Abraham had been told earlier that he and Sarah would have a son (and he laughed), when he is told a second time, Sarah laughs in disbelief (in some ways worse, she also denies that she laughed).  The authors of Genesis actually used a bit of irony in that the Hebrew word used for laughter is identical to the name Isaac; in fact, the name Isaac means “he laughs.” In the case of Abraham and Sarah, God has established a covenant and in spite of the fact that they lack faith in this promise, the Lord will ultimately deliver on his promise to them.

This encounter contrasts directly with the account of Jesus’ meeting with the Centurion.  In the second instance, the Centurion demonstrates immediately that he has faith in the identity of Christ and the ability of God to heal his servant.  His faith is rewarded with Christ’s healing word; the faith of the Centurion is justified.

Also contrasting with Abraham and Sarah’s skepticism about God’s willingness to intervene in their lives is the Canticle of Mary that is used as the Psalm response.  Mary’s unconditional surrender to the will of God is the ultimate expression of faith as she offers her soul to God.

We are challenged by these tales of God’s interaction with his favorite creation.  We ask God today to open our hearts to the miracles God offers us daily.  We pray that like the Centurion, when we encounter the trials of this life we might offer our anxiety to the Lord, with faith that his will be done.  We pray that like the Blessed Virgin, we might offer ourselves to God with complete confidence and accept his grace.

Pax

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[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5

[2] The picture used is “The Faith of the Centurion” by Caspar Luiken (1712)

[3] S.S. Commemoratio

[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.

[5] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Genesis © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. pp.40

[6] The Navarre Bible, “Gospels and Acts”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, pp 101

Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial for the First Holy Martyrs of Rome)

Proper for the Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

“Abraham, Sarah, and the Angel”
by Jan Provost, 1520s

Readings for Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time[1]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible[2]

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Reading 1: Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him

and said: "I am God the Almighty.

Walk in my presence and be blameless."

God also said to Abraham:

"On your part, you and your descendants after you

must keep my covenant throughout the ages.

This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you

that you must keep:

every male among you shall be circumcised."

God further said to Abraham:

"As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai;

her name shall be Sarah.

I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her.

Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations,

and rulers of peoples shall issue from him."

Abraham prostrated himself and laughed as he said to himself,

"Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?

Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?"

Then Abraham said to God,

"Let but Ishmael live on by your favor!"

God replied:  "Nevertheless, your wife Sarah is to bear you a son,

and you shall call him Isaac.

I will maintain my covenant with him as an everlasting pact,

to be his God and the God of his descendants after him.

As for Ishmael, I am heeding you:  I hereby bless him.

I will make him fertile and will multiply him exceedingly.

He shall become the father of twelve chieftains,

and I will make of him a great nation.

But my covenant I will maintain with Isaac,

whom Sarah shall bear to you by this time next year."

When he had finished speaking with him, God departed from Abraham.

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Commentary on Gn 17:1, 9-10, 15-22

This selection follows the birth of Ishmael in Chapter 16. In the first 9 verses omitted (see readings and commentary Genesis 17:3-9) Abram’s name is changed to Abraham and God’s promise is made. In this passage, the second half to the Covenant with Abraham is laid out, explaining what Abraham and his descendants are expected to do to honor God. It is here that circumcision becomes a mark of faith.

The selection continues with God renaming Abraham’s wife from Sarai to Sarah, a unique mark of favor and dedication, used to identify individuals who have a special mission from the Father. In Sarah’s case this mission is to bear a son, Isaac, an heir to Abraham. Isaac is to be the living sign of God’s covenant, blessed by him.

CCC: Gn 17:1-2 2571

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,

who walk in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

in the recesses of your home;

Your children like olive plants

around your table.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion:

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life.

R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

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Commentary on Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Psalm 128 is a song of thanksgiving. It begins here with the typical blessings given to those following and having faith in the Lord. This selection uses the analogy of the family and the blessing it brings to the faithful, using the symbolism of vines and olives, imagery commonly used in sacred scripture.

It also supports the creation of woman and the marriage theme in Genesis 2:18-25. It is the logical extension of the two becoming one flesh and the children flowing from that union.

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Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.

And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said,

"Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean."

He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,

"I will do it.  Be made clean."

His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

Then Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one,

but go show yourself to the priest,

and offer the gift that Moses prescribed;

that will be proof for them."

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Commentary on Mt 8:1-4

Following the first great discourse from St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus has attracted a large crowd. In the following chapters, we see nine miracles. The cure of the leper is the first of these. This action on the part of Jesus is proof of his identity as the Messiah; hence the usual formula “Your faith has cured you” is missing.

The final instruction by Jesus to the cured leper is in accordance with Mosaic Law (see Leviticus 14:2-9) His instruction to tell no one about this was probably to insure that the priest who had to examine him would not reject the cure and the man.

CCC: Mt 8:2 448; Mt 8:4 586

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Reflection:

We contemplate our relationship with God in the establishment of his covenant with Abraham.  Before the Savior came to give us the living example of the Father’s love, God selected individuals to demonstrate the Father’s hope and concern for his people.  In Genesis he selects Abram, renaming him to Abraham, and his wife Sarai, renamed to Sarah, as his special instruments.  He offers a perpetual relationship to them and, in this case, he seals this covenant with a son to be born of Sarah.  This was to happen even though she had been barren for her entire life, and had been forced to use her servant, Hagar, as a surrogate. 

God promises this special relationship with Abraham and his descendants, and uses the gift of Isaac as a seal set upon the covenant.  What he asks of Abraham in this covenant is circumcision, an outward sign of faith and loyalty to God.  This sign will later be hotly debated by St. Paul as unnecessary because Christ came and established a new covenant, and this Jewish mark of faith was no longer necessary in light of the Cross.

We note with curiosity a second request made in this exchange between God and Abraham.  Even as he blesses Abraham and Sarah with Isaac, he sets aside Abram's son Ishmael whom God also protects.  Ishmael of course prospers and is the root of Islam.  It appears from the previous chapter that this split between half-brothers, Isaac and Ishmael, is doomed to be one of enmity, and indeed we see this truth in the world today.  Without Jesus Christ to bring peace, we see how this constant struggle continues between Muslims and Jews, Christians, and all other faiths.  Hebrew Scriptures are apparently insufficient to bring reconciliation. It is the coming of the Messiah that may bring peace to that rift.  We pray for that peace daily.

And what of us?  How do we see our covenant with the Lord?  We too were the children of Abraham.  Our roots reach back to that union, blessed by God.  But we were also given the great gift of Jesus, the Messiah and healer of wounds.  It is his promise that all who come to him might be healed and have peace.  Our prayer today is that all who feel the fear of strife between races and religions might understand that we are all called, through Christ, to be God’s adopted children.  We pray for peace in the world and peace in our own hearts.

Pax

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[1] The picture used is “Abraham, Sarah, and the Angel” by Jan Provost, 1520s

[2] S.S. Commemoratio

[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.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Mass During the Day[1]

Mass at the Vigil

Catechism Links[2]

CCC 153, 424, 440, 442, 552, 765, 880-881: Saint Peter

CCC 442, 601, 639, 642, 1508, 2632-2633, 2636, 2638: Saint Paul

“Saints Peter and Paul” by Guido Reni, c. 1600

Readings for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible[3]

Readings and Commentary:[4][5]

Reading 1: Acts 12:1-11

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.
He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,
and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
-It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.-
He had him taken into custody and put in prison
under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.
He intended to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter thus was being kept in prison,
but prayer by the Church was fervently being made
to God on his behalf.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial,
Peter, secured by double chains,
was sleeping between two soldiers,
while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.
Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell.
He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,
"Get up quickly."
The chains fell from his wrists.
The angel said to him, "Put on your belt and your sandals."
He did so.
Then he said to him, "Put on your cloak and follow me."
So he followed him out,
not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real;
he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first guard, then the second,
and came to the iron gate leading out to the city,
which opened for them by itself.
They emerged and made their way down an alley,
and suddenly the angel left him.
Then Peter recovered his senses and said,
"Now I know for certain
that the Lord sent his angel
and rescued me from the hand of Herod
and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting."
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Commentary on Acts 12:1-11

The Christian Jews in Jerusalem have fallen from favor, probably due to St. Stephen’s teaching and the subsequent backlash. The execution of St. James marks the beginning of the third persecution of the early Church in Jerusalem, this one from a more formal source.

The liberation of Peter from prison echoes many events of Jewish history (the deliverance of Joseph, Genesis 39:21-41:57; the three young men, Daniel 3; and Daniel [himself], Daniel 6) that consciously reflect the paschal liberation (Exodus 12:42). Peter now undergoes the same trial and deliverance as his Master and in his own person becomes a sign of God’s deliverance of his people.

CCC: Acts 12:5 2636; Acts 12:6-11 334
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (5) The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
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Commentary on Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Psalm 34 is a song of thanksgiving and a favorite for celebrating the heroic virtue of the saints. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Psalm 34:5, 7), can teach the "poor," those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone. This psalm, in the words of one being unjustly persecuted, echoes hope for deliverance and freedom. The Lord in his faithful love always hears those who call to him for help and salvation.

CCC: Ps 34:3 716; Ps 34:8 336
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Reading II: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.

The Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
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Commentary on 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18

Paul is writing from prison at the end of his life. The only deliverance he can expect is death, and he confidently proclaims that it is the greatest deliverance of all. The death of the Christian who has lived and worked in union with the death of Christ, through baptism, is truly released to freedom and glory. The Apostle views this deliverance as an act of worship. At the close of his life Paul could testify to the accomplishment of what Christ himself foretold concerning him at the time of his conversion: "I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name" (Acts 9:16).

CCC: 2 Tm 4 2015
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Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
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Commentary on Mt 16:13-19

St. Matthew’s story of how Jesus asked about what people were saying about him has a profound impact on the Church. Here, when challenged by Jesus with the question, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon answers, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” The second title is not present in St. Mark’s version of this encounter. The title adds an understanding that Jesus is not just the Messiah, but also the Son of God. Given this response, Jesus confers upon Simon a new name “Kephas” which comes from the root Aramaic word Kepa or “Rock.” When translated into Greek it is Petros, and from there to Peter. The name, however, becomes the foundation for the Church. As a consequence of this exchange, Peter is given Christ’s authority, an authority that is passed down through Papal Succession to the Pope who sits on the Chair of Peter today.

CCC: Mt 16-18 1969; Mt 16:16-23 440; Mt 16:16 424, 442; Mt 16:17 153, 442; Mt 16:18-19 881; Mt 16:18 424, 442, 552, 586, 869; Mt 16:19 553, 1444
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Reflection:

Where would we be without St. Peter and St. Paul? Peter was given the keys to the kingdom to pass down to us while Paul was sent to proclaim that kingdom to non-Jewish people. Without Peter, there would be no first Pontiff; without Paul Christianity might have been nothing more than an insignificant scandalous off-shoot of Judaism.

While they were both critical to God’s plan, how differently they are painted by scripture. Peter was so very human. He could suddenly be open to the Holy Spirit and then just as suddenly fall prey to doubt. We saw it many times in the Gospel.

Remember the time in the boat on the Sea of Galilee, he saw Jesus and got out of the boat and actually began walking on the water? (Matthew 14:22-36) We are reminded of a child learning to ride a bike. The parent patiently takes the child out onto the sidewalk, tells the child to begin pedaling as the parent walks next to them holding on to the back. At some point the parent lets go and the child rides on. Until, that is, they realize the parent is not there and then they generally lose faith (and concentration) and crash. Peter was like that, he started walking on water and as soon as he realized that it was impossible, he started to sink. The Lord rescued him, of course, like he always does for all of us. And he chastised Peter for his lack of faith.

Remember that awful night in the garden when Jesus was taken? How earlier in the evening when they were reclining at table Peter told Jesus how he would follow Jesus down any road? Remember how the Lord told him that before that night was out he would deny the Him 3 times? Again Peter was caught up in the spirit and said the noble thing only to fall prey to his own human weakness later. (Matthew 26:14—27:66) I love him for that weakness; it gives me hope for myself.

Then we have Paul who was a melodramatic firebrand. Paul, it seemed to me, threw himself into situations he knew would be spectacular. It was his style. Once there, with the predictable outcome (usually that meant he was either in jail or on the verge of being executed), he would lament his troubles (like today: I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation). He wanted us to see graphically that being Christian and following Christ in our lives would be difficult, should be difficult. He had a keen intellect and enjoyed matching wits with the best philosophical minds in Rome. Like so many of us in the Church today, Paul, as a convert, was the most fervent in his faith.

Two very different tools in the Lord’s tool box are celebrated today. We, his modern-day followers will do well if we can emulate either of them in their love of God and their dedication to the faith. We celebrate the fact that both followed Christ in life and death and sit now in the heavenly kingdom with all the angels and saints and we ask for their intercession on our behalf.

Pax

In other Years: Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

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[1] The picture used is “Saints Peter and Paul” by Guido Reni, c. 1600

[2] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014

[3] S.S. Commemoratio

[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.

[5] In part, from the commentary from Fr. Tom Welbers at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Berkley, California.

Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

“St. Irenaeus"
iconifer and date are UNKNOWN

Proper for the Memorial of St. Irenaeus[1]

Readings for Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading from the Jerusalem Bible[2]

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Reading 1: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Fear not, Abram!

I am your shield;

I will make your reward very great.”

But Abram said,

“O Lord God, what good will your gifts be,

if I keep on being childless

and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?”

Abram continued,

“See, you have given me no offspring,

and so one of my servants will be my heir.”

Then the word of the Lord came to him:

“No, that one shall not be your heir;

your own issue shall be your heir.”

He took him outside and said:

“Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.

Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.”

Abram put his faith in the Lord,

who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

He then said to him,

“I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans

to give you this land as a possession.”

“O Lord God,” he asked,

“how am I to know that I shall possess it?”

He answered him,

“Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat,

a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”

Abram brought him all these, split them in two,

and placed each half opposite the other;

but the birds he did not cut up.

Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses,

but Abram stayed with them.

As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram,

and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.

When the sun had set and it was dark,

there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch,

which passed between those pieces.

It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abram,

saying: “To your descendants I give this land,

from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River the Euphrates.

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Commentary on Gn 15:1-12, 17-18

Abram, as we have heard earlier, was promised the land he occupied at this point as a possession. In this reading Abram is complaining that he has no heir, and therefore all he has will pass to his servant. In response God tells him that he will be given offspring, and then has Abram offer a sacrifice using the covenant formula. The promise made by God is sealed by fire passed between the halves of the sacrifice.

CCC: Gn 15:2-3 2570; Gn 15:2 2374; Gn 15:5-6 762; Gn 15:5 146, 288; Gn 15:6 146, 2571

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name;

make known among the nations his deeds.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Glory in his holy name;

rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!

Look to the Lord in his strength;

seek to serve him constantly.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He, the Lord, is our God;

throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

He remembers forever his covenant

which he made binding for a thousand generations--

Which he entered into with Abraham

and by his oath to Isaac.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

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Commentary on Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

The song of praise exhorts us to praise the Lord constantly and to remember his covenant with Abraham and Isaac. We praise him also for the new covenant in Jesus, for which the Son of God became the sealing sacrifice. It emphasizes the saving power of the name of the Lord.  In using the name of God, the speaker implicitly gives glory to God for the blessings that follow.

CCC: Ps 105:3 30

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Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but underneath are ravenous wolves.

By their fruits you will know them.

Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Just so, every good tree bears good fruit,

and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,

nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down

and thrown into the fire.

So by their fruits you will know them.”

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Commentary on Mt 7:15-20

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against people claiming to be God’s messengers, but whose message goes against God’s commands. Jesus uses an analogy of the fruit produced by various plants as a way to test the authenticity of those who claim to come in God’s name. He tells them that the product, or result, of the words offered by a self-proclaimed messenger will identify them. In his time, this was probably another warning about the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees, who placed self-serving demands upon the people.

CCC: Mt 7:15 2285; Mt 7:20 2005

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Reflection:

In 1993, a great tragedy occurred in Waco Texas at the compound of a religious group called the Branch Davidians.  A charismatic leader named David Koresh was able to convince a large group of people that he was from God and was leading them to God.  The fruits of his teaching tell us what he truly was.  On November 18, 1978 in a place commonly known as Jonestown in Guyana, a charismatic religious leader named Jimmy Jones lead 913 men women and children to mass suicide claiming that he was leading them to God.  The fruits of his teaching identified him clearly.

If we believe the warning from the Lord can be lightly taken because we have two thousand years of history and understanding to fortify us against teachers who might lead us down the wrong path, all we need to do is look at recent history.  If we believe that, because we have Saints like St. Irenaeus who fought the battles against Gnosticism, we are free from those who would twist the word of God to their own purposes, then look at the present day.  Look at the recent saga of Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda.  He is building a financial empire based in Miami predicated upon the idea that he himself is the incarnation of God, and people believe him!

The words of Jesus come rushing upon us today.  We are reminded that we base our hope and trust on those whose fruits are clearly seen.  The Church, for all her faults, is an on-going force for good in the world.  Her message of the Risen Lord, justice for the poor and love for all mankind, is what we look at and see the fingerprints of God.  Let us take the time to inform ourselves and inform those we love about the truth so they too may avoid the many false prophets who come seeming good but whose fruits proclaim them as messengers of darkness.

Pax

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[1] The picture is “St. Irenaeus" iconifer and date are UNKNOWN

[2] S.S. Commemoratio

[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.