Memorial of
Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Lectionary: 325
Lectionary: 325
Reading
1 Heb 12:4-7, 11-15
Brothers and sisters:
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as his sons.
For what Ason” is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
Strive for peace with everyone,
and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God,
that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble,
through which many may become defiled.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as his sons.
For what Ason” is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
Strive for peace with everyone,
and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God,
that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble,
through which many may become defiled.
Responsorial
Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a
R. (see 17) The
Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children
among those who keep his covenant.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children
among those who keep his covenant.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Gospel Mk 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by
his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
www.usccb.org
Meditation: Jesus marveled
because of their unbelief
Are
you critical towards others, especially those who may be close to you? The most
severe critics are often people very familiar to us, a member of our family, a
relative, or neighbor or co-worker we rub shoulders with on a regular basis.
Jesus faced a severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as
the carpenter's son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It would have been
customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and
when his turn came, to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service. His
hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had
heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do
in his hometown?
Look
upon your neighbor with the eyes of Christ who comes to heal and restore us
Jesus startled his familiar audience with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at Jesus and refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he was a mere workman, a carpenter, and a layman who had no formal training by a scholar or teacher. They also despised him because of his undistinguished family background. How familiarity can breed contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in their midst because they were closed-minded and unbelieving towards him. If people have come together to hate and to refuse to understand, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. How do you treat those who seem disagreeable to you?
Jesus startled his familiar audience with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at Jesus and refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he was a mere workman, a carpenter, and a layman who had no formal training by a scholar or teacher. They also despised him because of his undistinguished family background. How familiarity can breed contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in their midst because they were closed-minded and unbelieving towards him. If people have come together to hate and to refuse to understand, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. How do you treat those who seem disagreeable to you?
The
word "gospel" literally means "good news". Isaiah had
prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring
freedom to the afflicted who suffered from physical, mental, or spiritual
oppression (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus came to set people free - not only from
their physical, mental, and spiritual infirmities - but also from the worst
affliction of all - the tyranny of slavery to sin, Satan, and the fear of losing
one's life. God's power alone can save us from hopelessness, dejection, and
emptiness of life. The Gospel of salvation is "good news" for
everyone who will receive it. Do you know the joy and freedom of the Gospel?
"Lord
Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings
grace, truth, freedom, and abundant life. Set my heart on fire with your love
and truth."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Distinguishing God's power and our
faith, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"And
perhaps, as in the case of metallic substances there exists in some a natural
attraction toward some other thing, as in the magnet for iron, and in naphtha
for fire, so there is an attraction in such faith toward the divine power
according to what Jesus said: 'If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed,
you shall say unto this mountain, 'Move to another place,' and it shall be moved'
(Matthew 17:20). Matthew and Mark wished to present the all-surpassing value of
that divine power as a power that works even in those who do not believe. But
they did not deny that grace works even more powerfully among those who have
faith. So it seems to me that they accurately said not that the Lord did not
do any mighty works because of their unbelief, but that he did
not do many there (Mark 6:5). Mark does not flatly say that he
could do no mighty work there at all, and stop at that point, but added,
'except that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them' (Mark
6:5). Thus the power in him overcame even their unbelief." (excerpt
from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, MARK 6:1-6
(Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15; Psalm 103)
(Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15; Psalm 103)
KEY VERSE: "He was amazed at their lack of faith" (v 4).
TO KNOW: Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth where his teachings were met with astonishment by his neighbors. They asked many questions. Where did Jesus get this wisdom and amazing power? Wasn't he a mere carpenter? (Greek, tekton, a "craftsman"). Was Jesus not the son of Mary? (Jews were identified by the mother since one's paternity could not always be verified). Didn't his brothers and sisters (close relatives) live in their community? Jesus was distressed that his neighbors had taken offense in him. He sadly declared, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house" (v 4, see Dt 18:15). Like the prophets of old, Jesus was not accepted by the very people to whom he had been sent. Because the people showed so little faith, he was only able to cure a few of the sick. Jesus went on to teach in other villages, but there were few "mighty deeds" done in his hometown.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be open to your voice in my neighbors and family.
TO SERVE: When have I failed to listen to someone in my parish community?
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki, priest and martyr, and Companions, martyrs
Paul Miki was one of the Martyrs of Nagasaki, Japan. The son of the military leader Miki Handayu, Paul felt a call to religious life and entered the Jesuits in 1580. A successful evangelist, the political climate became hostile to Christianity, and he was soon arrested. On his way to martyrdom, he and the other imprisoned Christians were marched 600 miles as a lesson to their countrymen. On the way they sang the Te Deum laudamus, (Latin: “God, We Praise You”), usually sung on occasions of rejoicing. Paul Miki's last sermon was delivered from the cross: “The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason that I die. I obey Christ. After Christ's example, I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.”
Wednesday 6 February 2019
St Paul Miki and Companions.
Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15. Psalm 102(103):1-2, 13-14, 17-18. Mark
6:1-6.
The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him – Psalm
102(103):1-2, 13-14, 17-18.
‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their hometown, and
among their own kin.’
Every Christian worthy of the name is in his or her own way a
martyr. The word means ‘a witness’. By our baptism we are called to witness to
the presence of God in ourselves and the world.
Lord, help me each day to witness to your creative presence in
your world, to witness by my appreciation, my thanksgiving, my sharing with
others. Help me to cherish the way that others share with me their goodness.
Open my eyes to the love of a mother for her child and the compassion people
show for those who are in need. They witness to your faithful and creative
love.
Saint Paul Miki and Companions
Saint of the Day for February 6
(d. 1597)
 |
| Martyrdom of Paul Miki S.J., Jacob Kisai S.J., John Goto S.J. and P. Petrus Battista in Japan in 1596 | Engraving after A. van Diepenbeec |
Saint Paul Miki and Companions’ Story
Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city on which
the second atomic bomb was dropped, immediately killing over 37,000 people.
Three and a half centuries before, 26 martyrs of Japan were crucified on a
hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were
priests, brothers, and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits, and members of the Secular
Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans, and
servants, old men and innocent children—all united in a common faith and love
for Jesus and his Church.
Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, has become
the best known among the martyrs of Japan. While hanging upon a cross, Paul
Miki preached to the people gathered for the execution: “The sentence of
judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come
from any other country. I am a true Japanese. The only reason for my being
killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the
doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I
am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say
to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ.
After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God
to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a
fruitful rain.”
When missionaries returned to Japan in the 1860s, at first they
found no trace of Christianity. But after establishing themselves they found
that thousands of Christians lived around Nagasaki and that they had secretly
preserved the faith. Beatified in 1627, the martyrs of Japan were finally
canonized in 1862.
Reflection
Today, a new era has come for the Church in Japan. Although the
number of Catholics is not large, the Church is respected and has total
religious freedom. The spread of Christianity in the Far East is slow and
difficult. Faith such as that of the 26 martyrs is needed today as much as in
1597.
LECTIO DIVINA: MARK 6:1-6
Lectio Divina:
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
help us to love You with all our hearts
and to love all people as You love them.
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.
help us to love You with all our hearts
and to love all people as You love them.
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 - Mark 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place,
accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the
synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this
man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are
wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother
of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without
honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few
sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today speaks of the visit of Jesus to Nazareth and
describes the obstinacy of the people of Nazareth who do not want to
accept Him. (Mk 6:1-6). Tomorrow the Gospel describes the openness of Jesus
toward the people of Galilee, shown through the sending out of His disciples on
mission (Mk 6:7-13).
• Mark 6:1-2a: Jesus returns to Nazareth. At that time Jesus went to His home town, and His disciples accompanied Him. “With the coming of the Sabbath, He began teaching in the synagogue”. It is always good to return to one’s home town and to reunite with friends. After a long absence, Jesus also returns, and as usual, on Saturday, He goes to the synagogue to participate in the meeting of the community. Jesus was not the coordinator of the community, but even though He was not, He takes the floor and begins to teach. This is a sign that people could participate and express their own opinion.
• Mark 6:2b-3: Reaction of the people of Nazareth before Jesus. The people of Capernaum had accepted the teaching of Jesus (Mk 1: 22), but the people of Nazareth did not like the words of Jesus and were scandalized. For what reason? Jesus, the boy whom they had known since He was born, how is it that now He is so different? They do not accept God’s mystery present in Jesus, a human being and common as they are and known by all! They think that to be able to speak of God, He should be different from them! As we can see, not everything went well for Jesus. The people who should have been the first ones to accept the Good News were precisely those who had the greatest difficulty accepting it. The conflict was not only with foreigners, but especially with His relatives and with the people of Nazareth. They refused to believe in Jesus, because they could not understand the mystery of God embracing the person of Jesus. “From where do all these things come to Him? And what wisdom is this which has been given to Him? And these miracles which are worked by Him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and Jude and Simon? His sisters too, are they not here with us?” And they would not accept Him. They do not believe in Jesus!
• The brothers and the sisters of Jesus. The expression “brothers of Jesus” causes polemics among Catholics and Protestants. Based on this text and on others, the Protestants say that Jesus had more brothers and sisters and that Mary had more sons! The Catholics say that Mary had no other sons. What should we think about all this? In the first place, the two positions, that of Catholics and that of the Protestants, both have arguments taken from the Bible and from the tradition of their respective communities. Therefore, it is not proper to discuss this question with arguments drawn only from reason. This is a question of profound convictions, which have something to do with the faith sentiments both of Catholics and Protestants. An argument taken only from reason cannot succeed in changing the conviction of the heart! On the contrary, it irritates and draws others away! Even when I do not agree with the opinion of another, I should always respect it! We, both Catholics and Protestants, instead of discussing texts, should unite to struggle in defense of life, created by God, a life which has been so disfigured by poverty and injustice, by the lack of faith. We should remember other phrases of Jesus: “I have come in order that they may have life and life in abundance” (Jn 10:10). “That all may be one, so that the world may believe that You, Father, have sent Me” (Jn 17:21). “Who is not against us is for us” (Mk 10:39-40).
• Mark 6: 4-6. Jesus’ reaction before the attitude of the people of Nazareth. Jesus knows very well that “nobody is a prophet in his own country”. He says, “A prophet is despised only in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house”. In fact, where there is no acceptance or faith, people can do nothing. The preconception prevents this. Even if Jesus wanted to do something, He cannot, and He is amazed at their lack of faith. For this reason, before the closed door of His community “He began to make a tour around the villages, teaching”. The experience of this rejection led Jesus to change His practice. He goes to the other villages and, as we shall see in tomorrow’s Gospel, He gets the disciples involved in the mission instructing them on how they have to continue the mission.
• Mark 6:1-2a: Jesus returns to Nazareth. At that time Jesus went to His home town, and His disciples accompanied Him. “With the coming of the Sabbath, He began teaching in the synagogue”. It is always good to return to one’s home town and to reunite with friends. After a long absence, Jesus also returns, and as usual, on Saturday, He goes to the synagogue to participate in the meeting of the community. Jesus was not the coordinator of the community, but even though He was not, He takes the floor and begins to teach. This is a sign that people could participate and express their own opinion.
• Mark 6:2b-3: Reaction of the people of Nazareth before Jesus. The people of Capernaum had accepted the teaching of Jesus (Mk 1: 22), but the people of Nazareth did not like the words of Jesus and were scandalized. For what reason? Jesus, the boy whom they had known since He was born, how is it that now He is so different? They do not accept God’s mystery present in Jesus, a human being and common as they are and known by all! They think that to be able to speak of God, He should be different from them! As we can see, not everything went well for Jesus. The people who should have been the first ones to accept the Good News were precisely those who had the greatest difficulty accepting it. The conflict was not only with foreigners, but especially with His relatives and with the people of Nazareth. They refused to believe in Jesus, because they could not understand the mystery of God embracing the person of Jesus. “From where do all these things come to Him? And what wisdom is this which has been given to Him? And these miracles which are worked by Him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and Jude and Simon? His sisters too, are they not here with us?” And they would not accept Him. They do not believe in Jesus!
• The brothers and the sisters of Jesus. The expression “brothers of Jesus” causes polemics among Catholics and Protestants. Based on this text and on others, the Protestants say that Jesus had more brothers and sisters and that Mary had more sons! The Catholics say that Mary had no other sons. What should we think about all this? In the first place, the two positions, that of Catholics and that of the Protestants, both have arguments taken from the Bible and from the tradition of their respective communities. Therefore, it is not proper to discuss this question with arguments drawn only from reason. This is a question of profound convictions, which have something to do with the faith sentiments both of Catholics and Protestants. An argument taken only from reason cannot succeed in changing the conviction of the heart! On the contrary, it irritates and draws others away! Even when I do not agree with the opinion of another, I should always respect it! We, both Catholics and Protestants, instead of discussing texts, should unite to struggle in defense of life, created by God, a life which has been so disfigured by poverty and injustice, by the lack of faith. We should remember other phrases of Jesus: “I have come in order that they may have life and life in abundance” (Jn 10:10). “That all may be one, so that the world may believe that You, Father, have sent Me” (Jn 17:21). “Who is not against us is for us” (Mk 10:39-40).
• Mark 6: 4-6. Jesus’ reaction before the attitude of the people of Nazareth. Jesus knows very well that “nobody is a prophet in his own country”. He says, “A prophet is despised only in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house”. In fact, where there is no acceptance or faith, people can do nothing. The preconception prevents this. Even if Jesus wanted to do something, He cannot, and He is amazed at their lack of faith. For this reason, before the closed door of His community “He began to make a tour around the villages, teaching”. The experience of this rejection led Jesus to change His practice. He goes to the other villages and, as we shall see in tomorrow’s Gospel, He gets the disciples involved in the mission instructing them on how they have to continue the mission.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus had problems with His relatives and with His community.
From the time when you began to live the Gospel better, has something changed
in your relationship with your family and with your relatives?
• Jesus cannot work many miracles in Nazareth because faith is lacking. Today, does He find faith in us, in me?
• Does the debate over Mary and Jesus' brothers and sisters
precipitate a change in our behavior or how we put faith into action? Should
this change how we treat the poor and marginalized?
5) Concluding prayer
How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven,
whose sin blotted out.
How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt,
whose spirit harbors no deceit. (Ps 32:1-2)
whose sin blotted out.
How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt,
whose spirit harbors no deceit. (Ps 32:1-2)
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