 |
| “Communion of the Apostles” by Luca Signorelli,1512 |
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Wisdom 2:23–3:9
God formed man to be
imperishable;
the image of his own nature
he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil,
death entered the world,
and they who are in his
possession experience it.
But the souls of the just are
in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch
them.
They seemed, in the view of
the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was
thought an affliction
and their going forth from
us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed,
they be punished,
yet is their hope full of
immortality;
Chastised a little, they
shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of
himself.
As gold in the furnace, he
proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings
he took them to himself.
In the time of their
visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as
sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and
rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their
King forever.
Those who trust in him shall
understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide
with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are
with his holy ones,
and his care is with his
elect.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Wis 2:23–3:9
The passage
begins with the author recalling that God created humankind to be
immortal. The last verses of the second
chapter of Wisdom make reference to original sin, Adam and Eve tricked into sin
by Satan. It was through this act of disobedience that sin and death entered
the world. The death referred to is
spiritual death through sin.
In the third
chapter we see the wonderful description of God’s intent for the “just” or
those who have belief in God’s mercy.
They enjoy the promise of the resurrection and the life of heaven as the
author paints the picture of the souls of the just with God: “…the Lord shall be their King forever.”
CCC: Wis
2:23-24 1008; Wis 2:24 391, 413, 2538
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
R. (2a) I will bless the Lord at all times.
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. I will bless the Lord
at all times.
The LORD has eyes for the
just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the
evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of
them from the earth.
R. I will bless the Lord
at all times.
When the just cry out, the LORD
hears them,
and from all their distress
he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the
brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in
spirit he saves.
R. I will bless the Lord
at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
In these
strophes, Psalm 34 offers a lament. The
psalmist recalls that the Lord gives hope to those who are poor and have no
hope. The Lord hears their cry and
brings them comfort and peace.
CCC: Ps
34:3 716
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles:
“Who among you would say to
your servant
who has just come in from
plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and
take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to
him,
‘Prepare something for me to
eat.
Put on your apron and wait on
me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I
am finished’?
Is he grateful to that
servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you
have been commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable
servants;
we have done what we were
obliged to do.’”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 17:7-10
Jesus continues
to respond to the disciples' request to have their faith increased. In this
selection he uses the story of the servant who could not claim his master’s
gratitude simply because he had finished his other duties. He was only doing
what he was called to do. In the same way the disciples could make no special
claim on God because they did what they were obliged to do because of their
call to serve the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
We can call the Gospel today
an attitude adjustment. If anyone thinks that, because they are really good at
living their faith and doing God’s will, they have somehow earned God’s favor,
they are sadly mistaken. Jesus makes it clear to his disciples, to whom this
passage from St. Luke’s Gospel was addressed, that even if they should do all God
asks of them, they have not “earned” a reward. They have only done what was
expected.
Does this mean that all of
our hard work, all our attention to what God calls us to be is not worthwhile?
That is not what this parable was intended to say. God’s love for us is much
more subtle and goes much deeper. If, for example, a person from their youngest
memory, always listens to their parents’ teachings and shows them the respect
and the love they deserve, should that child be given a special reward? Is it
not the child’s duty to follow the parents’ instructions and express the love
of a child to the parent who shelters them, feeds them, and nurtures them;
keeping them from harm and teaching them to find their way in the world?
Because the child was obedient have they somehow gone above and beyond
expectations?
No, they have not (in this
day and age, the example used might not seem to be quite as effective as in
earlier years when children were expected to be obedient). The point is there,
however, when we do what is expected, we should not expect special recognition
or reward. We should offer that service willingly and joyfully as our gift to
one who has given us, who have fallen so many times, the gift of eternal life
and love from the one who created us.
Today we give thanks to a
loving Father who created us, who gives us his love and mercy. We recognize
that our love must be reflected in how we act toward others, who are our
brothers and sisters, and rejoice in the knowledge that through his love alone
we are brought under Christ’s headship, unified in him.
Pax
[1]
The picture is “Communion of the Apostles” by Luca Signorelli,1512
[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.
No comments:
Post a Comment