Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 483
Lectionary: 483
Brothers and sisters:
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh.
They are children of Israel;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh.
They are children of Israel;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R. Praise
the Lord, Jerusalem.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
AlleluiaJN 10:27
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 14:1-6
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.
Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking,
"Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?"
But they kept silent; so he took the man and,
after he had healed him, dismissed him.
Then he said to them
"Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,
would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?"
But they were unable to answer his question.
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.
Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking,
"Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?"
But they kept silent; so he took the man and,
after he had healed him, dismissed him.
Then he said to them
"Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,
would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?"
But they were unable to answer his question.
Meditation: "They were watching Jesus"
How do you approach the commandment to observe the
sabbath as a day of rest to honor the Lord? The Pharisees were convinced that
Jesus was a reckless Sabbath-breaker. The Gospels record seven incidents in
which Jesus healed people on the Sabbath - the seventh day of the week set
apart for rest and the worship of God. You would think Jesus' miracles on the
Sabbath day of rest would draw admiration and gratitude from all.
Unfortunately, each incident seemed to incite increasing hostility from the
religious leaders who held an interpretation that went beyond God's intention
for the Sabbath day of rest. They were certain that Jesus was a dangerous and
irreligious man, a Sabbath-breaker, who must be stopped at all costs!
Is it ever lawful to refuse your neighbor in need?
Why did the Pharisees invite Jesus to dinner on the Sabbath, after he had already repeatedly broken their Sabbath regulations? Luke, a physician and keen observer of the human condition, notes the disposition of the Pharisees as they bring Jesus into their table fellowship. Body language often communicates more truthfully than words. Luke says the scribes and Pharisees were watching Jesus, no doubt with great suspicion. They wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law and find some way to discredit him. Jesus' attention and affection quickly turned to a person who had a physical ailment called dropsy. How did such a pitiable person get into this dinner party? In the hot arid climate of Palestine, homes were open and people freely dropped in without much fuss or attention. For the religious minded it was considered uncharitable to exclude beggars. And if a rabbi came to dinner, it would be expected for him to speak a few words. So, famous rabbis obviously drew crowds of bystanders wherever they went.
Why did the Pharisees invite Jesus to dinner on the Sabbath, after he had already repeatedly broken their Sabbath regulations? Luke, a physician and keen observer of the human condition, notes the disposition of the Pharisees as they bring Jesus into their table fellowship. Body language often communicates more truthfully than words. Luke says the scribes and Pharisees were watching Jesus, no doubt with great suspicion. They wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law and find some way to discredit him. Jesus' attention and affection quickly turned to a person who had a physical ailment called dropsy. How did such a pitiable person get into this dinner party? In the hot arid climate of Palestine, homes were open and people freely dropped in without much fuss or attention. For the religious minded it was considered uncharitable to exclude beggars. And if a rabbi came to dinner, it would be expected for him to speak a few words. So, famous rabbis obviously drew crowds of bystanders wherever they went.
God's work of love and mercy never rests
Jesus already knew that his hosts wanted to catch him in the act of breaking their Sabbath rituals. So when Jesus gave his defense for healing on the Sabbath, they treated him with cold silence. They were ensnared in their own legalism and could not understand or see the purpose of God in allowing a work of healing to take precedence over rest. Why did God give the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath and enjoined his people to refrain from work on that day? The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his works, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. It was not, however, intended to put a stop to love of God and love of neighbor. The law of love supersedes the law of rest! Jesus shows the fallacy of the Pharisees' legalism by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to heal.
Jesus already knew that his hosts wanted to catch him in the act of breaking their Sabbath rituals. So when Jesus gave his defense for healing on the Sabbath, they treated him with cold silence. They were ensnared in their own legalism and could not understand or see the purpose of God in allowing a work of healing to take precedence over rest. Why did God give the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath and enjoined his people to refrain from work on that day? The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his works, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. It was not, however, intended to put a stop to love of God and love of neighbor. The law of love supersedes the law of rest! Jesus shows the fallacy of the Pharisees' legalism by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to heal.
God's word has power to heal and to set us free from
ignorance, error, intolerance, and prejudice. Do you honor the Lord's
Day with appropriate rest and worship of God, and do you treat your
neighbor with love and mercy in all situations?
"Lord Jesus, may I always honor you, both
in my work and in my rest, and in the way I treat my neighbor. Fill me with
your love and keep me free from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may
always seek to please you and to bring good to my neighbor as well."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The law does not forbid mercy on the Sabbath,
by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"As they were silent from ill will, Christ
refutes their unrelenting shamelessness by the convincing arguments that he
uses. 'Whose son of you,' he says, 'or whose ox shall fall into a pit, and he
will not immediately draw him out on the sabbath day?' If the law forbids
showing mercy on the sabbath, why do you take compassion on that which has
fallen into the pit?... The God of all does not cease to be kind. He is good
and loving to people." (excerpt
from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101)
FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 3, LUKE 14:1-6
Weekday
(Romans 9:1-5; Psalm 147)
Weekday
(Romans 9:1-5; Psalm 147)
KEY VERSE: "Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?" (v 3)
TO KNOW: Jesus was amazed at the scribes and Pharisees lack of proportion. They went to endless trouble in obeying their petty rules and regulations while ignoring the true purpose of the law: mercy and justice. While Jesus was dining in the home of a leading Pharisee, he observed a man suffering from dropsy (an accumulation of fluid in the body), and without hesitation he healed the man. The religious leaders regarded Jesus as a law-breaker since he healed on the Sabbath. They considered healing to be work, a violation of the Sabbath law. Jesus knew perfectly well what the legal experts were thinking, and he quoted their own law and practice to them. If an ox were to fall into a well on a Sabbath, would they not immediately pull it out? But the religious leaders refused to have compassion for this man who was suffered from this disease. These scholars remained silent as they were so bound by the letter of the law that they could not recognize its spirit.
TO LOVE: Do I try to respond to people's needs whenever I am aware of them?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to understand the true meaning of the Lord's Day?
Optional Memorial of Saint Martin
de Porres, religious
Martin de Porres is the first black American saint. He was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a young freed black slave. He grew up in poverty, and spent part of his youth with a surgeon-barber from whom he learned some medicine and care of the sick. At age 11 he became a servant in the Dominican priory. He begged more than $2,000 a week from the rich to support the poor and sick of Lima, Peru. Placed in charge of the Dominican's infirmary, Martin was known for his tender care of the sick and for his spectacular cures. His superiors abandoned the stipulation that "no black person may be received to the holy habit or profession of our order" and Martin took vows as a Dominican brother. Martin established an orphanage and children's hospital for the poor children of the slums. He was venerated from the day of his death. Many miraculous cures, including raising the dead were attributed to Brother Martin. He was canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII.
Friday 3
November 2017
St Martin De Porres. Day of
Penance.
Romans
9:1-5. Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20. Luke 14:1-6.
Praise the
Lord, Jerusalem — Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20.
‘Is it
against the Law to cure on the Sabbath?’
Jesus, once again you are at
loggerheads with legalism. This is one of seven incidents in the gospels when
you healed a person on the Sabbath.
It is possible that the man with
dropsy was planted there in order to trap you. You knew you were under
scrutiny. They were spying on you.
Most of us lose our nerve or our
temper in such circumstances, but you remained serene. You never gave anybody
up as hopeless; you did not refuse even an enemy’s invitation to a meal.
Jesus, help me to realise that
normally an enemy cannot be made into a friend if I completely refuse to meet
and talk with that person. That only produces an ever-widening gap between us.
Let my concerns reach out to
others and their needs as yours did with his sick man.
ST. MARTIN DE PORRES
St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru in
1579 as the son of Spaniard Juan de Porres, and a freed colored-woman
from Panama, Ana Velasquez. Being of mixed race, Martin was of a lower social
caste, though his father looked out for him and made sure the boy was
apprenticed in a good trade.
Martin studied to be a barber, which, at that time, meant that he also learned medicine. He became very well known for his compassion and skill as a barber, and cared for many people as well as animals. Eventually he became a third order Dominican, which meant he was a lay man associated with the order, living at the monastery. Though he longed to be a missionary, he was never afforded the opportunity.
Martin's prayer life was intense, and he practiced many mortifications. He was known to levitate in ecstasy in front of the altar, but he also subjected himself to many severe penances. He was considered to be very wise, and many sought out his advice and intercession.
He died in 1639, and though the investigation of his life proceeded rapidly after his death, his candidacy for canonization was delayed over 300 years due to a series of delays, natural disasters, and shipwrecks. He was finally canonized in 1962.
Martin studied to be a barber, which, at that time, meant that he also learned medicine. He became very well known for his compassion and skill as a barber, and cared for many people as well as animals. Eventually he became a third order Dominican, which meant he was a lay man associated with the order, living at the monastery. Though he longed to be a missionary, he was never afforded the opportunity.
Martin's prayer life was intense, and he practiced many mortifications. He was known to levitate in ecstasy in front of the altar, but he also subjected himself to many severe penances. He was considered to be very wise, and many sought out his advice and intercession.
He died in 1639, and though the investigation of his life proceeded rapidly after his death, his candidacy for canonization was delayed over 300 years due to a series of delays, natural disasters, and shipwrecks. He was finally canonized in 1962.
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 14,1-6
Lectio Divina:
Friday, November 3, 2017
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and ever-living God,
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what you ask of us
and come to share the life you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what you ask of us
and come to share the life you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 14:1-6
It happened that on a Sabbath day Jesus
had gone to share a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees and they
watched Him closely. Now there in front of Him was a man with dropsy. Jesus
addressed the lawyers and Pharisees with the words "Is it against the law
to cure someone on the Sabbath or notut they remained silent, so He took the
man and cured him and sent him away.
Then He said to them, "Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a Sabbath day without any hesitation?" And to this they could find no answer.
Then He said to them, "Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a Sabbath day without any hesitation?" And to this they could find no answer.
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel narrates an episode of
the discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees which took place along His
journey from Galilee up to Jerusalem. It is very difficult to situate this fact
in the context of the life of Jesus. There are similarities with a fact
narrated in the Gospel of Mark (Mk 3, 1-6). It is probably a question of the
many stories transmitted orally and, in the oral transmission, they were
adapted in accordance to the situation, the needs and hopes, of the
people of the communities.
• Luke 14, 1: The invitation on a Saturday. “On a Sabbath day Jesus went to share a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees and they watched Him closely”. This initial information on the reception in the house of a Pharisee gives Luke the possibility to present several episodes which speak about welcoming and accepting the invitation to have a meal: the cure of the sick man (Lk 14, 2-6), choice of places where to eat (Lk 14, 7-11), choice of the guests invited (Lk 14, 12-14), and those invited who do not accept the invitation (Lk 14,15-24). Many times Jesus is invited by the Pharisees to share a meal. Perhaps the reason for inviting Him was out of curiosity as well as malice, wishing to observe Jesus to see how He observes the prescriptions of the law.
• Luke 14, 2: The situation which brings about the action of Jesus. “There was a man with dropsy”. It is not said how a man with dropsy could enter the house of the head of the Pharisees. But if he is in front of Jesus, it is because he wants to be cured. The Pharisees observe Jesus. It was a Saturday, and it is forbidden to cure on a Saturday. What to do? Can it be done or not?
• Luke 14, 3: The question of Jesus to the scribes and the Pharisees. “Jesus addressing the lawyers and the Pharisees asked, Is it against the law to cure someone on the Sabbath or not? With His question Jesus explains the problem which they had before them: “Can one cure or not on Saturday? Does the law permit this, yes or no? In Mark’s Gospel the question is even more provocative: “Is it permitted on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (Mk 3, 4).
• Luke 14, 4-6: The cure. The Pharisees do not respond and remain in silence. Before the silence of the one who neither approves nor disapproves, Jesus takes the man by the hand, cures him, and sends him away. Afterward, in response to a possible criticism, He explains the reason that has moved Him to cure: “Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a Sabbath day without any hesitation?” With this question Jesus shows the incoherence of the lawyers and of the Pharisees. If one of them has no problem, on Saturday, to help his son or even an animal, then Jesus also has the right to help the man with dropsy. Jesus’ question recalls the Psalm which says that God Himself helps men and animals (Ps 36, 8). The Pharisees “Could not respond anything to these words”; because before the evidence, there are no arguments which can deny it.
• Luke 14, 1: The invitation on a Saturday. “On a Sabbath day Jesus went to share a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees and they watched Him closely”. This initial information on the reception in the house of a Pharisee gives Luke the possibility to present several episodes which speak about welcoming and accepting the invitation to have a meal: the cure of the sick man (Lk 14, 2-6), choice of places where to eat (Lk 14, 7-11), choice of the guests invited (Lk 14, 12-14), and those invited who do not accept the invitation (Lk 14,15-24). Many times Jesus is invited by the Pharisees to share a meal. Perhaps the reason for inviting Him was out of curiosity as well as malice, wishing to observe Jesus to see how He observes the prescriptions of the law.
• Luke 14, 2: The situation which brings about the action of Jesus. “There was a man with dropsy”. It is not said how a man with dropsy could enter the house of the head of the Pharisees. But if he is in front of Jesus, it is because he wants to be cured. The Pharisees observe Jesus. It was a Saturday, and it is forbidden to cure on a Saturday. What to do? Can it be done or not?
• Luke 14, 3: The question of Jesus to the scribes and the Pharisees. “Jesus addressing the lawyers and the Pharisees asked, Is it against the law to cure someone on the Sabbath or not? With His question Jesus explains the problem which they had before them: “Can one cure or not on Saturday? Does the law permit this, yes or no? In Mark’s Gospel the question is even more provocative: “Is it permitted on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (Mk 3, 4).
• Luke 14, 4-6: The cure. The Pharisees do not respond and remain in silence. Before the silence of the one who neither approves nor disapproves, Jesus takes the man by the hand, cures him, and sends him away. Afterward, in response to a possible criticism, He explains the reason that has moved Him to cure: “Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a Sabbath day without any hesitation?” With this question Jesus shows the incoherence of the lawyers and of the Pharisees. If one of them has no problem, on Saturday, to help his son or even an animal, then Jesus also has the right to help the man with dropsy. Jesus’ question recalls the Psalm which says that God Himself helps men and animals (Ps 36, 8). The Pharisees “Could not respond anything to these words”; because before the evidence, there are no arguments which can deny it.
4) Personal questions
• The liberty of Jesus before a
situation. Even though He is being observed by those who do not approve of him,
He does not lose His liberty. What liberty do I have?
• There are difficult moments in life in which we are obliged to choose between the immediate need of our neighbor and the letter of the law. How should we act?
• There are difficult moments in life in which we are obliged to choose between the immediate need of our neighbor and the letter of the law. How should we act?
5) Concluding prayer
I give thanks to Yahweh with all my
heart,
in the meeting place of honest people, in the assembly.
Great are the deeds of Yahweh,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. (Ps 111,1-2)
in the meeting place of honest people, in the assembly.
Great are the deeds of Yahweh,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. (Ps 111,1-2)
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