Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 344
Lectionary: 344
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
Responsorial Psalm PS 49:14-15AB, 15CD-16, 17-18,
19-20
R. (Matthew 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the
Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
This is the way of those whose trust is folly,
the end of those contented with their lot:
Like sheep they are herded into the nether world;
death is their shepherd and the upright rule over them.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Quickly their form is consumed;
the nether world is their palace.
But God will redeem me
from the power of the nether world by receiving me.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
“They will praise you for doing well for yourself,”
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
This is the way of those whose trust is folly,
the end of those contented with their lot:
Like sheep they are herded into the nether world;
death is their shepherd and the upright rule over them.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Quickly their form is consumed;
the nether world is their palace.
But God will redeem me
from the power of the nether world by receiving me.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
“They will praise you for doing well for yourself,”
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Gospel MK 9:41-50
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
“Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor?
Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”
“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
“Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor?
Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”
Meditation: "If your hand or eye causes you
to sin"
Who in their right mind would want to lose their reward and then
be deprived of joy in the end? We have been given the greatest of rewards – God
himself who is perfect love and source of abundant life and unending happiness.
Paul the Apostle tells us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). God's love purifies our hearts and
compels us to express kindness and charity towards our neighbor who is created
in the image and likeness of God. We were created in love for love. The charity
we show to our neighbors in their need expresses the gratitude we have for the
abundant goodness and kindness of God towards us. Jesus declared that any
kindness shown and any help given to the people of Christ will not lose its
reward. Jesus never refused to give to anyone in need who asked for his help.
As his disciples we are called to be kind and generous as he is.
Gregory of Nyssa (330-395 AD), an early church father wrote:
“God never asks his servants to do what is impossible. The love and goodness of
his Godhead is revealed as richly available. It is poured out like water upon
all. God furnishes to each person according to his will the ability to do
something good. None of those seeking to be saved will be lacking in this
ability, given by the one who said: ‘whoever gives you a cup of water to drink
because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward.’” Do you
allow the love of Christ to transform your heart that you may treat your
neighbor with kindness and mercy?
Avoiding evil and the near occasion of sin
Was Jesus’ exaggerating when he urged his followers to use drastic measures to avoid evil and its harmful consequences (Mark 9:42-47? Jesus set before his disciples the one supreme goal in life that is worth any sacrifice, and that goal is God himself and his will for our lives which leads to everlasting peace and happiness. Just as a doctor might remove a limb or some part of the body in order to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with anything that causes us to sin and which leads to spiritual death. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is exactly the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he or she in turn may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the bad example of those who should be passing on the faith. Do you set a good example for others to follow, especially the young?
Was Jesus’ exaggerating when he urged his followers to use drastic measures to avoid evil and its harmful consequences (Mark 9:42-47? Jesus set before his disciples the one supreme goal in life that is worth any sacrifice, and that goal is God himself and his will for our lives which leads to everlasting peace and happiness. Just as a doctor might remove a limb or some part of the body in order to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with anything that causes us to sin and which leads to spiritual death. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is exactly the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he or she in turn may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the bad example of those who should be passing on the faith. Do you set a good example for others to follow, especially the young?
Salt and fire
What does Jesus mean when he says "have salt in yourselves" (Mark 9:50)? Salt served a very useful purpose in hot climates before the invention of electricity and refrigeration. Salt not only gave food flavor, it also preserved meat from spoiling. Salt was used as a symbol of fellowship and the sharing of a common meal with one's friends. The near-Eastern expression to betray the salt meant to betray one's Lord or Master or one's friends. Leonardo da Vinci in his painting of the Last Supper depicts Judas in the act of tipping over the salt shaker, thus symbolically indentifying himself as the betrayer of his Master the Lord Jesus.
What does Jesus mean when he says "have salt in yourselves" (Mark 9:50)? Salt served a very useful purpose in hot climates before the invention of electricity and refrigeration. Salt not only gave food flavor, it also preserved meat from spoiling. Salt was used as a symbol of fellowship and the sharing of a common meal with one's friends. The near-Eastern expression to betray the salt meant to betray one's Lord or Master or one's friends. Leonardo da Vinci in his painting of the Last Supper depicts Judas in the act of tipping over the salt shaker, thus symbolically indentifying himself as the betrayer of his Master the Lord Jesus.
Jesus used the image of salt to describe how his disciples are
to live in the world. As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor for
food, so the disciple of Christ must be salt in the world of human society to
purify, preserve, and bring the flavor of God's kingdom of righteousness,
peace, joy, and mercy. What did Jesus mean by the expression "salted with
fire" and "salt becoming saltless"? Salt in the ancient world
was often put in ovens to intensify the heat. When the salt was burned off and
no longer useful it was thrown out on the foot path where it would easily get trodden
upon (Matthew 5:13). Perhaps Jesus wanted to contrast useful salt
and salt which lost its ability to prevent corruption to encourage his
disciples to bring the rich flavor of Christ's love, holiness, and
righteousness to a world dominated by greed, selfish ambition, and neglect for
the weak, poor, and defenseless.
Paul the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be "the
aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are
perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance
from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 ). The Lord Jesus wants the
fragrance of his love and righteousness to permeate our lives, thoughts,
speach, and actions. Do you allow the fragrance of Christ's love and truth to
permeate your relationships and circle of influence, especially among your
family, friends, and neighbors?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with the fragrance of your love and
truth that I may radiate the joy and peace of the gospel wherever I go and with
whomever I meet."
 Price of the Kingdom |
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Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary
Time
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Father Edward Hopkins, LC
Mark 9:41-50
Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water
to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose their
reward. If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones
who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung
around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to
stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have
two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot
causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame
than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you
to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God
with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their
worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. For everyone will be salted
with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you
season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Introductory Prayer:Lord
Jesus, I believe in your presence in my life. I believe that you consider
those around me your children and that you ardently desire to possess them
with love for all eternity. I trust that you will help me treat others as
your brothers and sisters. I love you now with my prayer. May this prayer
increase my desire to honor and serve you with my life.
Petition: Jesus,
help me to set a good example for others out of love.
1. You Are Priceless: Jesus
leaves us with no doubt: We are valuable. We all carry within us a God-given
dignity. And this dignity is identified and enhanced when we bear his name.
Every human being has an intrinsic dignity because every human being is
created in God’s image. But this image of God is perfectly incarnated in
Christ, God made man. So a baptized Christian—a Christ bearer—carries a more
perfect image: Christ, in whom we are made children of God. It is little
wonder, then, that Jesus assures a reward to anyone who serves us for his
sake!
2. Every Little One Is Priceless: To carry
his image is also a responsibility. We must live up to this dignity and show
to others a life worthy of the image we carry within. Others may be “little”
due to their age, the newness and immaturity of their Christian life, or even
their weakness and struggle. We put a stumbling block in their way, we
scandalize them, when our behavior causes them to doubt or become discouraged
about living the ideals of faith. A “millstone” suggests that anything would
be better for us than this. How damaging then are my bad examples given to
“little ones”! Damaging for them and for me! What can I do to avoid such
scandal? On the other hand, what a great reward awaits those who do the
contrary, giving these little ones good example! If I loved “these little
ones” just half as much as Jesus does, would it not be much easier to avoid
giving bad example?
3. Better to Lose Anything Else: In
today’s world, the value of something is measured in comparison to other
items of the same kind: stocks, food, clothes, even music and films are
judged against each other. Yet, there are some things that have absolute
value: the value of a soul. Nothing compares! Jesus paints this total
non-comparison in terms of cutting off whatever becomes an obstacle. You are
so valuable that you must be ready to deny, subdue, silence and even
sacrifice your own body, or any of its members, rather than risk losing your
soul. Do I value my immortal soul, my vocation to eternal life? If so, do I
show this by the self-denial I exert in controlling what makes me (and
eventually others through me) stumble? How often do I prefer my “things” to
the loved ones who depend on my example of Christ? How radical is my faith?
Conversation with Christ: Lord
Jesus, open my eyes to understand a little more just how valuable I am to
you, how priceless my eternal life is. Make me sensitive to value each and
every person in my life. I know you want me to help save them. Never allow me
to become a stumbling block for anyone. If I have, may my love and efforts of
faith be used by you now to restore what was lost.
Resolution: I will
repair a past act of “scandal” (outburst of anger, foul language, gossip or
slander, dishonesty, etc.) with a period of quality time given to the “little
ones” so as to rebuild the trust and Christ-like behavior they expect from
me.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27,
MARK 9:41-50
(James 5:1-6; Psalm 49)
(James 5:1-6; Psalm 49)
KEY VERSE: "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire" (v 43).
READING: Jesus warned his disciples not to cause a weaker member of the community to stumble is to win eternal punishment. The metaphor of being cast into the sea with a millstone around one's neck was to have no hope of the future. Using hyperbole (exaggerated speech), Jesus told his followers to be ruthless in their renunciation of evil. It would be better to cut off an arm or leg and enter heaven maimed than to give scandal to others and be thrown into the fires of Gehenna (originally a site of child sacrifice to Baal Moloch, 2 Kgs.23:10; later a garbage dump with smoldering fires suggesting the punishment due for the wicked.) Just as salt was used to preserve food, Jesus' disciples should have a purifying effect on the community. He told them that that suffering and persecution would refine them like "fire" (v 49).
REFLECTING: Am I careful that my words and actions do not give scandal?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be a good example to everyone in my community.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Divine Love
I love myself solely for the sake of God. Now I just appreciate my
origin and destiny in God. I am humbled by the incredible gift of divine love
and feel my whole life has importance because of God.
Happy the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs
‘And if your eye is an occasion of sin to you, pluck it out!’St Augustine says in his Confessions: ‘Our hearts were made for you, O God, and they will never rest content until they rest in you.’ Now, in the wonderful design of the Holy Trinity, our eternity is to be spent in the very life of God. ‘There we hope to share in your glory … We shall see you, Our God, as you are. We shall become like you and praise you forever’ (Eucharistic Prayer II). Again, in a word, we shall enter into the very life of the Holy Trinity. What a gift! What a destiny!
February
27
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
(1838-1862 )
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
(1838-1862 )
Born in Italy into a large family and baptized Francis, he lost
his mother when he was only four years old. He was educated by the Jesuits and,
having been cured twice of serious illnesses, came to believe that God was
calling him to the religious life. Young Francis wished to join the Jesuits but
was turned down, probably because of his age, not yet 17. Following the death
of a sister to cholera, his resolve to enter religious life became even
stronger and he was accepted by the Passionists. Upon entering the novitiate he
was given the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Ever
popular and cheerful, Gabriel quickly was successful in his effort to be
faithful in little things. His spirit of prayer, love for the poor,
consideration of the feelings of others, exact observance of the Passionist
Rule as well as his bodily penances—always subject to the will of his wise
superiors— made a deep impression on everyone.
His
superiors had great expectations of Gabriel as he prepared for the priesthood,
but after only four years of religious life symptoms of tuberculosis appeared.
Ever obedient, he patiently bore the painful effects of the disease and the
restrictions it required, seeking no special notice. He died peacefully on
February 27, 1862, at age 24, having been an example to both young and old.
Gabriel
of Our Lady of Sorrows was canonized in 1920.
Comment:
When we think of achieving great holiness by doing little things with love and grace, Therese of Lisieux comes first to mind. Like her, Gabriel died painfully from tuberculosis. Together they urge us to tend to the small details of daily life, to be considerate of others’ feelings every day. Our path to sanctity, like theirs, probably lies not in heroic doings but in performing small acts of kindness every day.
When we think of achieving great holiness by doing little things with love and grace, Therese of Lisieux comes first to mind. Like her, Gabriel died painfully from tuberculosis. Together they urge us to tend to the small details of daily life, to be considerate of others’ feelings every day. Our path to sanctity, like theirs, probably lies not in heroic doings but in performing small acts of kindness every day.
Patron Saint of:
Clergy
Clergy
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 9,41-50
Lectio:
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
keep before us the wisdom and love
you have revealed in your Son.
Help us to be like him
in word and deed,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
keep before us the wisdom and love
you have revealed in your Son.
Help us to be like him
in word and deed,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 9,41-50
Jesus said to his disciples: 'If anyone gives you a cup of water
to drink because you belong to Christ, then in truth I tell you, he will most
certainly not lose his reward.
'But anyone who is the downfall of one of these little ones who
have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone hung
round his neck.
And if your hand should be your downfall, cut it off; it is better
for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell,
into the fire that never be put out.
And if your foot should be your downfall, cut it off; it is
better for you enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into
hell.
And if your eye should be your downfall, tear it out; it is
better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two
eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm will never die nor their fire be
put out. For everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can
you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one
another.'
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel narrates some advice from Jesus on the
relationship of adults with the little ones and the excluded. At that time,
many persons were excluded and marginalized. They could not participate. Many
of them would lose their faith. The text on which we are going to meditate now
contains strange affirmations which, if taken literally, cause perplexity in
people.
• Mark 9, 41: A glass of water will be rewarded. A
phrase from Jesus is inserted here: If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly
not lose his reward. Two thoughts: 1) “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to
drink”. Jesus is going to Jerusalem to give his life. A gesture of great
donation! But he does not forget the small gesture of donation of life of each
day: a cup of water, an act of acceptance, to give alms, so many gestures.
Anyone who rejects and despises the brick will never be able to construct a
house! 2) “…because you belong to Christ”: Jesus identifies himself with us who
want to belong to him; this means that for him we have great value.
• Mark 9, 42: Who is a cause of scandal for these little
ones. Scandal, literally, it is a stone along the road, a stone in the
shoe; it is that which leads a person away from the right path. To
scandalize the little ones is to be the cause why the little ones go
away from the right path and lose their faith in God. Any one who does this
receives the following sentence: “It would have been better to be thrown
into the sea with a great millstone hung round his neck!” Because
Jesus identifies himself with the little ones (Mt 23, 40-45). Today, in the
whole world, many little ones, many poor people are leaving the traditional
churches. Every year, in Latin America, approximately three million persons are
going to other churches. They cannot believe what we profess in our church! Why
does this happen? Up to what point are we to be blamed for this? Do we also
merit having a millstone round our neck?
• Mark 9, 43-48: To cut off your hand and your foot and
to tear out your eye.Jesus orders the person to cut off the hand, the foot,
to tear out the eye, in the case in which they are cause of scandal. And he
says: “It is better to enter into life or into the Kingdom with one foot
(hand, eye) than to be thrown into hell with two feet, (hands, eyes)”. These
phrases are not to be taken literally. They mean that the person has to be
rooted in his/her choice of God and of the Gospel.
The expression “hell” where their worm will never die
nor their fire be put out”, is an image to indicate the situation of a person
who remains without God. “geenna”was the name of a valley near Jerusalem,
where the trash of the city was thrown and where a fire was always burning to
burn the trash. This place full of stench was used by the people to symbolize
the situation of the person who did not participate in the Kingdom of God.
• Mark 9, 49-50: Salt and Peace. These two
verses help us to understand the severe words on scandal. Jesus says: “Have
salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another!” The community, in which
the members live in peace with one another, is like a bit of
salt which gives flavour to all the meal. To live in peace and fraternally in
the community is the salt that gives flavour to the life of the people of the
neighbourhood. It is a sign of the Kingdom, a revelation of
the Good News of God. Are we salt? The salt which does not give flavour is good
for nothing!
• Jesus accepts and defends the life of the little ones. Several
times, Jesus insists that little ones should be accepted. “Anyone
who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me” (Mk 9, 37). Anyone who
gives a cup of water to one of these little ones will not lose his reward (Mt
10, 42). He asks not to despise little ones (Mt 18, 10). And at the final
judgment the just will be received because they would have given something to
eat “to one of these little ones” (Mt 25, 40). If Jesus insists so much on
acceptance of the little ones, it is because there are many simple people
considered less, who are not accepted! In fact, women and children were not
taken into account, did not count (Mt 14 21; 15, 38), they were despised (Mt
18, 10) and reduced to silence (Mt 21, 15-16). Even the Apostles prevented the
children from getting close to Jesus (Mt 19, 13-14). In the name of the Law of
God, misinterpreted by the religious authority of the time, many good people
were excluded. Instead of welcoming the excluded, the law was used to
legitimize the exclusion. In the Gospels, the expression “little ones” (in
Greek it is said elachisto, mikroi or nepioi), sometimes it
indicates “the children”, other times it indicates the sections excluded by
society. It is not easy to discern. Sometimes the “little ones” in the Gospel
means “the children”. This because the children belonged to
the category of the “little ones”, of the excluded. Besides, it is not always
easy to discern between what comes from the time of Jesus and that which comes
from the time of the communities for which the Gospels were written. And even
if things were like this, what is clear is the context of exclusion which
reigned at the time and which the first communities kept from Jesus: he places
himself on the side of the little ones, of the excluded, and takes up their
defence.
4) Personal questions
• In our society and in our community, today who are the little
one and the excluded? How are they accepted on our part?
• “A millstone round the neck”. Does my behaviour deserve a
millstone or a cord round the neck? And the behaviour of our community, what
does it deserve?
5) Concluding Prayer
The Lord forgives all your offences,
cures all your diseases,
he redeems your life from the abyss,
crowns you with faithful love and tenderness. (Ps 103,3-4)
cures all your diseases,
he redeems your life from the abyss,
crowns you with faithful love and tenderness. (Ps 103,3-4)
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