 |
“The Pietà (Mary Lamenting the Dead Christ)”
by Baciccio, 1667 |
Readings for Wednesday of the
Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
Readings from the Jerusalem
Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary: [3]
Reading 1: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
Beloved:I am writing you,although I hope to visit you
soon.But if I should be delayed,you should know how to behave
in the household of God,which is the Church of the
living God,the pillar and foundation of
truth.Undeniably great is the
mystery of devotion,
Who was manifested in the
flesh,vindicated in the spirit,seen by angels,proclaimed to the Gentiles,believed in throughout the
world,taken up in glory.-------------------------------------------Commentary on 1 Tm 3:14-16
St. Paul has
apparently planned a trip to Ephesus to visit Timothy. His intent in
sending this part of his message is to ensure the care Timothy must take over
preserving the mysteries of Christ in the Church. Christ appeared in
human flesh, was vindicated by the Holy Spirit, and revealed to the angels as
God’s Son. “Several features in the Greek text suggest Paul is quoting from an
ancient Christian hymn. It touches on key moments in the incarnate life of
Christ: his coming as a man (manifested), his Resurrection (vindicated), his
adoration in heaven (seen by angels), the spread of his message (preached), its
acceptance in the world (believed in), and his Ascension into glory (taken up)
(CCC 463, 2641).”[4]
CCC: 1 Tm 3:15 171,
756, 2032; 1 Tm 3:16 385,
463, 2641
-------------------------------------------Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
I will give thanks to the
LORD with all my heartin the company and assembly
of the just.Great are the works of the
LORD,exquisite in all their
delights.R. How great are the works
of the Lord!
Majesty and glory are his
work,and his justice endures
forever.He has won renown for his
wondrous deeds;gracious and merciful is the
LORD.R. How great are the works
of the Lord!
He has given food to those
who fear him;he will forever be mindful of
his covenant.He has made known to his
people the power of his works,giving them the inheritance
of the nations.R. How great are the works
of the Lord!
-------------------------------------------Commentary on Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Psalm 111 is a
song of praise and thanksgiving. In this selection we find the singer giving
thanks for God’s guidance, and the Lord's works of creation and salvation.
References to the covenant in these strophes relate directly to the
promises made to Abraham and his descendants. The hymn professes God’s
greatness, revealed in creation, and revered by all that live and have being.
-------------------------------------------Gospel: Luke 7:31-35
Jesus said to the crowds:“To what shall I compare the
people of this generation?What are they like?They are like children who
sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you,
but you did not dance.We sang a dirge, but you did
not weep.’
For John the Baptist came
neither eating food nor drinking wine,and you said, ‘He is
possessed by a demon.’The Son of Man came eating
and drinking and you said,‘Look, he is a glutton and a
drunkard,a friend of tax collectors
and sinners.’But wisdom is vindicated by
all her children.-------------------------------------------Commentary on Lk 7:31-35
St.
Luke gives us a difficult parable (also found at Matthew 11:16-19). Jesus had just been
criticized for eating with tax collectors and “sinners.” His reaction here
indicates that those who reject his behavior are themselves behaving like
children making fun of others. The unbelieving or critical group he tells us
have rejected John the Baptist and are now rejecting the Lord himself, but
history would prove their identities. (“But wisdom is vindicated by all her
children.”)
-------------------------------------------Reflection:
St. Paul writes to Timothy in
the first reading “you should know how to
behave in the household of God,” essentially reminding him how difficult it
is to maintain the wonder-- the mystical faith so necessary to understand God’s
gift of his only Son. We see that same
faith challenged in the Gospel as Jesus’ critics attack him for associating
with those who were considered “out of favor with God” by the Pharisees and scribes. They don’t grasp the reason for the mission,
first of John the Baptist who came as a herald of the Messiah, and second of
Jesus himself.
We can hear the frustration
the Lord must have felt because of the lack of understanding displayed by those
who should have known the Lord’s intent the best. Are we guilty of the same lack of
understanding? Have we missed the point
and forgotten the mystery of God, coming to earth in the form of a man? Did we gloss over the reason the Holy Spirit
was left to us and outgrow the angels who heralded his birth and supported him
at his passion?
The caution we hear directed
toward those of Jesus' day is valid for us as well. We must constantly remind ourselves that we
do not understand all that God has planned, but that He did leave us the Holy
Spirit to help and guide us. We are
reminded today that Jesus, who is the Christ, came to us that we might have an
example of God’s love, personified and mortal, so that we might see his intent
in a real way. And through our acceptance of his model, we might take that same
love to others and so pass on what we have been taught.
Today we are given a lesson
in manners by St. Paul
and a reminder of who it is we follow by St. Luke’s Gospel message, recounting
the actions of our Lord when he encountered disbelief from those who should
have known better. These lessons we take
to heart today as we try once more to proclaim God’s Kingdom through our
actions and display the love of Christ, his Son, by our love for one another.
Pax
[1]
The picture is “The Pietà (Mary Lamenting the Dead Christ)” by Baciccio, 1667.
[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 republication is not authorized by USCCB and is
for private use only.
[4]
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p.390.
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