Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary:
146
The LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.
to crush him in infirmity.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us,
as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Reading
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Gospel Mk 10:35-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to
him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Or Mk 10:42-45
Jesus summoned the Twelve and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Scripture Study
October 21, 2012
Twenty-Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time
This week, as we celebrate the Twenty-Ninth Sunday of
Ordinary Time, we are reminded by the Gospel reading that in Christianity,
greatness is about serving others not about being served. The request of James
and John prompts me to ask whether I understand this principle and how well I
live it out in my life? The first reading focuses our attention on the
sufferings of Jesus while the second reading focuses on the glory which Jesus
has now. The two go together. There can be no resurrection without death first.
NOTES on First Reading
* 53:10-11 This is part of the last of
the four "Servant-of-the Lord" oracles. The poem runs from 52:13 to
53:12 and is about one whose voluntary suffering atones for the sins of his
people and saves them from just punishment at God's hands. Here we are told
that because he underwent the suffering according to the Divine will he is
rewarded with long life and happiness. From earliest days the church has seen
Jesus in the role of God's servant who fulfilled the Lord's will perfectly.
NOTES on Second Reading
* 4:14 This is the only place in the
Epistle where Jesus is designated as "the great High Priest". The
author may be trying to emphasize the superiority of Jesus over the Jewish high
priest with whom He is frequently compared in Hebrews.
* 4:15 The only difference between the
temptations we have and the ones that Jesus had is that He never gave in to
them.
* 4:16 Jesus' throne has a prominent place
in Hebrews as shown by the frequent use of Psalm 110:1 and it is directly
mentioned in 1:8 The throne that the author has in mind here is the throne of
God not Jesus' throne as can be seen by similarity with 10:19-20 It is the
access to God that has been won by Jesus for His followers that the author has
in mind.
NOTES on Gospel:
* 10:35 Jesus has just told them about
his upcoming suffering and death for the third time and James and John seem to
be eager to change the subject to the much more pleasant subject of their
reward.
* 10:37 The reference is to seats of
honor on either side of Jesus at the Messianic Banquet. They are thinking
"glory" but Jesus is pointing to suffering. The cup is a common
figure of destiny or of what God has in store (Ps 11:6; 16:5; 75:9; Rev 14:10).
It also carries an element of judgement with it. Jesus and His followers will
have a share in the judgement to come. The willingness to go where Jesus goes
and to undergo what He experiences is essential to being a follower of Jesus.
In Mark's gospel this means willingness to undergo pain and suffering without
thought of vindication. Jesus agrees that they will share in His suffering
* 10:42 This is Jesus' response to
their apparent failure to understand His concept of leadership. The teaching on
true greatness is the central point of this section. Those who want greatness
must be willing to serve, not only God, but fellow disciples as well.
* 10:44 That they did "get
it" eventually is shown by 1 Peter 5:1-4.
Meditation: "The Son of man came not to be served
but to serve"
Would you rather be the leader or
a follower, take first place or the last? Two
of Jesus' disciples boldly asked Jesus to promote them to first place in his
kingdom. The desire for greatness seems to be inbred in all of us. Who wants to
be last or least? Jesus did the unthinkable – he reversed the order to true
greatness and glory. If we want to be first and great, then we must place
ourselves at the disposal of others by putting their interests first and by
taking on their cares and concerns as if they were our own. Jesus wedded
authority with unconditional love and service with total sacrifice – the
willing sacrifice of one's life for the sake of another. Authority without
sacrificial love is brutish and self-serving. Jesus also used stark language to
explain what kind of sacrifice he had in mind. His disciples must drink his cup
if they expect to reign with him in his kingdom. The cup he had in mind was a
bitter one involving crucifixion – laying down one's life even to the point of
shedding one's blood for the sake of Christ.What kind of cup does the Lord have in mind for each one of us? For some disciples such a cup entails physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom – the shedding of one's blood for the sake of Christ's name. But for many of us, it entails the long routine of the Christian life, with all its daily sacrifices, disappointments, set-backs, struggles, and temptations. The Lord has offered his life for our sake and he calls us to freely offer our lives in a daily sacrifice of love and service for others. What makes such sacrifice a joy rather than a burden is love – the kind of love which has power to transform and change our lives and the lives of those around us. Paul the Apostle tells us that this "love" is a pure gift "which God has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). If we allow God's love to transform our lives, then no sacrifice will be too great or hard to make.
An early church father summed up Jesus' teaching with the expression: "to serve is to reign with Christ." We share in God's power, authority, and kingdom by loving others as he has loved us and by laying down our lives in humble caring service for the sake of our neighbor's welfare. Are you ready to lay down your life and to serve others as Jesus did?
"Lord Jesus, set me free from fear and pride that I may be a servant of love and compassion for others. May the fire of your love inflame my heart that I may give generously and serve joyfully for your sake."
www.dailyscripture.net
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To Serve Is
to Reign
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Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Father Steven Reilly, LC Listen to podcast version here. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, your apostles longed to follow you. You want to show me the difference between earthly and heavenly glory. For you, what matters is not being at Christ’s right or left but sharing in his redemptive work. As I kneel before you today, I want to offer myself and all of today’s struggles and efforts as a sign of my friendship and love. Petition: Lord Jesus, help me to learn how to be a Christian leader. 1. Gentile Rulers, AKA, the Bossy Soul: People who “make their authority felt” have a variety of ways to do so. Sometimes they thank you for your good idea and then proceed to tell you why it would never work. Their approach is sometimes subtle — a quiet reminder of potential negative consequences. Other times it can be a shout to help focus attention. We all know people like this, people who boss others around. Maybe we’re even one of them…. Jesus has only one answer for this outlook — his own example: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.…” Jesus is Lord, but he wasn’t bossy! 2. If Not a Gulp, at Least a Sip: For James and John to follow Christ, they will have to “drink the cup” that the Lord will drink. What is this cup? Fast forward to 3. Servant Leadership: Jesus’ life was a “ransom for many.” He was the servant of Yahweh and, as such, he constantly served others in their most profound needs. Jesus met people where they were the weakest: he helped the blind regain their sight, the lame to walk, lepers to be cleansed, the deaf to hear, the dead to rise, and to the poor he preached the good news (Cf. Matthew 11:5). A leader has vision, but unless he is a servant leader, he may see only his vision. We cannot allow ourselves to be out of touch with the needs of those around us. Let us strive to serve others by meeting them on their level. Conversation with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for this time of prayer. I have seen how you formed James and John. Through humble service of my neighbor, help me to go to the next level. Resolution: I will perform a hidden act of charity for someone whom I find bothersome. |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
MARK 10:35-45
(Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33; Hebrews 4:14-16)
KEY VERSE: "For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (v 45).
READING: As Jesus journeyed toJerusalem Jerusalem
REFLECTING: Do I serve others for prestige and power or do I serve like Jesus with meekness and humility?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to grow in your likeness as I serve your people.
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
MARK 10:35-45
(Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33; Hebrews 4:14-16)
KEY VERSE: "For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (v 45).
READING: As Jesus journeyed to
REFLECTING: Do I serve others for prestige and power or do I serve like Jesus with meekness and humility?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to grow in your likeness as I serve your people.
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
World Mission Sunday, instituted in 1926 by Pope Pius XI at the request of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, calls us each year in the spirit of the Church's unity and universality, to a renewed commitment to everyone's responsibility for the spread of the Gospel message.
World Mission Sunday, instituted in 1926 by Pope Pius XI at the request of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, calls us each year in the spirit of the Church's unity and universality, to a renewed commitment to everyone's responsibility for the spread of the Gospel message.
Since the
Church is by her very nature missionary, evangelization constitutes a duty and
a right for every one of her members (cf. Vatican II Documents: Lumen gentium, n. 17; Ad gentes, nn. 28, 35-38). The
Lord calls us to go beyond ourselves and to share with others the blessings we
have received, beginning with the gift of faith, which cannot be considered as
a private privilege but must be seen as a gift to be shared with those who have
not yet received it. Such activity will benefit faith itself since faith is
strengthened when it is shared. (Pope
John Paul II, 1992).
Pray the
Mission Rosary created by the late Bishop Fulton Sheen in the 1950's.
‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink?’
How wonderful is the trust that a child has in the love of its
parents. That is how God would like us to be—as a child trusting completely in
God’s constant care and concern. James and John did not have this unquestioning
trust in Jesus, but he assured them that if they wanted to be great they must
be servants. Through baptism they would be given the grace to persevere in time
of need.
So it is with us. We are called to trust that God is our protector who will deliver us from our fears and trials, and save us from all our troubles. In return he wants our closeness and our constant trust in his mercy in all seasons of our lives. Let us ‘look to him and be radiant’.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS So it is with us. We are called to trust that God is our protector who will deliver us from our fears and trials, and save us from all our troubles. In return he wants our closeness and our constant trust in his mercy in all seasons of our lives. Let us ‘look to him and be radiant’.
Living In the Moment
Always have a firm and determined intention of wanting to serve God with all your heart for your whole life. Do not be concerned about tomorrow, and think only about doing good today. When tomorrow comes and is called “today,” then you can think about it.
— from Padre Pio’s Spiritual Direction for Every Day
www.americancatholic.org
October 23
St. Hilarion
(c. 291-371)
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| The Temptation of Saint Hilarion, by Octave Tassaert, c.1857 (Montreal Museum of Fine Arts) |
Despite his best efforts to live in prayer and solitude, today’s
saint found it difficult to achieve his deepest desire. People were naturally
drawn to Hilarion as a source of spiritual wisdom and peace. He had reached
such fame by the time of his death that his body had to be secretly removed so
that a shrine would not be built in his honor. Instead, he was buried in his
home village.
St.
Hilarion the Great, as he is sometimes called, was born in As his fame grew, a small group of disciples wanted to follow Hilarion. He began a series of journeys to find a place where he could live away from the world. He finally settled on
Hilarion is celebrated as the founder of monasticism in
www.americancatholic.org
LECTIO: 29TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
(B)
Lectio:
Sunday, October 21,
2012
Leaders must serve
Mark 10:35-45
Mark 10:35-45
1.
Opening prayer
God of peace and forgiveness, you have given us Christ as an example of total service, even to giving us his very life; grant us to find favour in your sight that we may share the cup of your will to its dregs and live in the generous and fruitful service of each other.
God of peace and forgiveness, you have given us Christ as an example of total service, even to giving us his very life; grant us to find favour in your sight that we may share the cup of your will to its dregs and live in the generous and fruitful service of each other.
2. Reading
a) The context:
This episode comes straight after the third prediction of the Passion (Mk 10: 32-34). As on the occasions of the other predictions, the reaction of the disciples is not positive: two of them are worried about who is going to be first in the Kingdom and the others become indignant. This tells us that the disciples had difficulty in accepting the painful destiny of their Master and in understanding the mystery of the Kingdom. The two who come with a request – James and John – are brothers and are part of the group of friends of Jesus (Mk 1: 19-20). Their nickname is boanerges (“sons of thunder” Mk 3:17). They were, then, a little impetuous.
This episode comes straight after the third prediction of the Passion (Mk 10: 32-34). As on the occasions of the other predictions, the reaction of the disciples is not positive: two of them are worried about who is going to be first in the Kingdom and the others become indignant. This tells us that the disciples had difficulty in accepting the painful destiny of their Master and in understanding the mystery of the Kingdom. The two who come with a request – James and John – are brothers and are part of the group of friends of Jesus (Mk 1: 19-20). Their nickname is boanerges (“sons of thunder” Mk 3:17). They were, then, a little impetuous.
b) The text:
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36 And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39 And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36 And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39 And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. A moment of silent
prayer
to re-read the text
with our heart and to recognise in the words and structure, the presence of the
mystery of the living God.
4. Some questions
to see the important
points in the text and begin to assimilate them.
a) Why were the
disciples so anxious to take the first places?
b) Does Jesus’ reply make sense?
c) What does Jesus mean by the cup to drink and the baptism to be baptised?
d) On what does Jesus base service in the community?
b) Does Jesus’ reply make sense?
c) What does Jesus mean by the cup to drink and the baptism to be baptised?
d) On what does Jesus base service in the community?
5.
Some deepening of the reading
”Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory”
Even though they were careful in the way they phrased their question, it is clear that they were quite ambitious. According to tradition, they may have been cousins of Jesus, and therefore – according to eastern law – they had a special right, as members of the family. In any case, it is clear that they have understood nothing about that which Jesus was about to do. He was on the way to the ignominy of the cross, and they still had not understood him. Jesus’ true power did not consist in distributing places of honour, but in asking them to share his tragic destiny: “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”
”Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory”
Even though they were careful in the way they phrased their question, it is clear that they were quite ambitious. According to tradition, they may have been cousins of Jesus, and therefore – according to eastern law – they had a special right, as members of the family. In any case, it is clear that they have understood nothing about that which Jesus was about to do. He was on the way to the ignominy of the cross, and they still had not understood him. Jesus’ true power did not consist in distributing places of honour, but in asking them to share his tragic destiny: “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”
“The cup that I drink
you will drink”
The dialogue concerning the cup and the baptism (vv. 38-39) is obviously parallel. But it is not easy to understand how the two disciples can drink the cup and be baptised, unless one thinks of the martyrdom both of them suffered later. By these two images, Jesus seems to evoke his violent death, which he foretells as an absolute obligation of fidelity to the Father. The reply to their request to sit next to him is very evasive: but we can understand that it wants to say that their way is not the right way to obtain the request.
The dialogue concerning the cup and the baptism (vv. 38-39) is obviously parallel. But it is not easy to understand how the two disciples can drink the cup and be baptised, unless one thinks of the martyrdom both of them suffered later. By these two images, Jesus seems to evoke his violent death, which he foretells as an absolute obligation of fidelity to the Father. The reply to their request to sit next to him is very evasive: but we can understand that it wants to say that their way is not the right way to obtain the request.
“The ten…began to be
indignant”
Clearly they too share the same ambition. However, this verse seems to be an editorial addition to connect two episodes, which originally were not placed together. This changes the subject completely. But the fact that their indignation is recorded, is probably based on some other episode where the disciples do not appear in a good light and is therefore authentic.
Clearly they too share the same ambition. However, this verse seems to be an editorial addition to connect two episodes, which originally were not placed together. This changes the subject completely. But the fact that their indignation is recorded, is probably based on some other episode where the disciples do not appear in a good light and is therefore authentic.
“Those who are
supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them… But it shall not be so
among you”
Jesus is referring to political leaders of his time: and really this is also the style of political leadership in all times. On the other hand, the community of disciples must be ruled by service: two terms express this service in a gradual manner. Jesus first speaks of “servant” (diakonos) and then of “slave” (doulos). One cannot choose whom one will serve: one must be a slave of all, thus overturning the worldly order.
Jesus is referring to political leaders of his time: and really this is also the style of political leadership in all times. On the other hand, the community of disciples must be ruled by service: two terms express this service in a gradual manner. Jesus first speaks of “servant” (diakonos) and then of “slave” (doulos). One cannot choose whom one will serve: one must be a slave of all, thus overturning the worldly order.
“For the Son of man
also…”
Here we find the basis of the constitutional law of the community: to follow the Master’s style, by giving, like him, one’s life in the spirit of service; thus becoming truly “lords” through the gift of one’s life, not by just pretending. It is difficult to interpret “ransom” or redemption, as Fr. X. Léon Dufour says: we can understand this well when we reflect on the words that Jesus speaks at the Last Supper. Then, Jesus’ whole life appears in the light of “ransom”, of fidelity to the very end for the freedom of humankind. He deprives himself of freedom so that he can give freedom, to ransom those who have no freedom.
Thus the statutes of the community of disciples is characterised by service, by no ambition, by a life given and bound for the ransom of others.
Here we find the basis of the constitutional law of the community: to follow the Master’s style, by giving, like him, one’s life in the spirit of service; thus becoming truly “lords” through the gift of one’s life, not by just pretending. It is difficult to interpret “ransom” or redemption, as Fr. X. Léon Dufour says: we can understand this well when we reflect on the words that Jesus speaks at the Last Supper. Then, Jesus’ whole life appears in the light of “ransom”, of fidelity to the very end for the freedom of humankind. He deprives himself of freedom so that he can give freedom, to ransom those who have no freedom.
Thus the statutes of the community of disciples is characterised by service, by no ambition, by a life given and bound for the ransom of others.
6. Psalm 33 (32)
A prayer for justice
and peace
Sing to him a new
song,
play skilfully on the strings,
with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright;
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
he put the deeps in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord,
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands for ever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
The Lord looks down from heaven,
he sees all the sons of men;
from where he sits enthroned
he looks forth on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all,
and observes all their deeds.
play skilfully on the strings,
with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright;
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
he put the deeps in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord,
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands for ever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
The Lord looks down from heaven,
he sees all the sons of men;
from where he sits enthroned
he looks forth on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all,
and observes all their deeds.
7. Closing prayer
Lord our God, keep
your Son’s disciples from the easy ways of popularity, of cheap glory, and lead
them to the ways of the poor and scourged of the earth, so that they may
recognise in their faces the face of the Master and Redeemer. Give them eyes to
see possible ways of peace and solidarity; ears to hear the requests of sense
and salvation of so many people who seek as by feeling; enrich their hearts
with generous fidelity and a sensitiveness and understanding so that they may
walk along the way and be true and sincere witnesses to the glory that shines
in the crucified resurrected and victorious one. Who lives and reigns
gloriously with you, Father, forever and ever. Amen.
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