Wednesday of the Seventh Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 343
Lectionary: 343
Wisdom breathes life into her children
and admonishes those who seek her.
He who loves her loves life;
those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.
He who holds her fast inherits glory;
wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
Those who serve her serve the Holy One;
those who love her the LORD loves.
He who obeys her judges nations;
he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
If one trusts her, he will possess her;
his descendants too will inherit her.
She walks with him as a stranger
and at first she puts him to the test;
Fear and dread she brings upon him
and tries him with her discipline
until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.
Then she comes back to bring him happiness
and reveal her secrets to them
and she will heap upon him
treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.
But if he fails her, she will abandon him
and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
and admonishes those who seek her.
He who loves her loves life;
those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.
He who holds her fast inherits glory;
wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
Those who serve her serve the Holy One;
those who love her the LORD loves.
He who obeys her judges nations;
he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
If one trusts her, he will possess her;
his descendants too will inherit her.
She walks with him as a stranger
and at first she puts him to the test;
Fear and dread she brings upon him
and tries him with her discipline
until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.
Then she comes back to bring him happiness
and reveal her secrets to them
and she will heap upon him
treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.
But if he fails her, she will abandon him
and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 119:165, 168, 171,
172, 174, 175
R. (165a) O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
My lips pour forth your praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
May my tongue sing of your promise,
for all your commands are just.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
My lips pour forth your praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
May my tongue sing of your promise,
for all your commands are just.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
AlleluiaJN 14:6
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 9:38-40
John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us."
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us."
Meditation:
"Any one who does a mighty work in my name"
Do
you rejoice in the good that others do? Jesus reprimands his disciples for
their jealousy and suspicion. They were upset that someone who was not of their
company was performing a good work in the name of Jesus. They even
"forbade" the man "because he was not following us". Jesus'
reply is filled with wisdom: "No one who does a mighty work in my name
will be able soon after to speak evil of me." Are we not like the disciples
when we get upset at the good deeds of others who seem to shine more than us?
Paul says that "love is not jealous... but rejoices in the right" (1
Corinthians 13:4,6).
Love
does not envy others
Envy and jealousy, its counterpart, are sinful because they lead us to sorrow over what should make us rejoice - namely, our neighbor's good. The reason we may grieve over our another's good is that somehow we see that good as lessening our own value or excellence. Envy forms when we believe that the other person's advantage or possession diminishes or brings disgrace on us. Envy is contrary to love. Both the object of love and the object of envy is our neighbor's good, but by contrary movements, since love rejoices in our neighbor's good, while envy grieves over it.
Envy and jealousy, its counterpart, are sinful because they lead us to sorrow over what should make us rejoice - namely, our neighbor's good. The reason we may grieve over our another's good is that somehow we see that good as lessening our own value or excellence. Envy forms when we believe that the other person's advantage or possession diminishes or brings disgrace on us. Envy is contrary to love. Both the object of love and the object of envy is our neighbor's good, but by contrary movements, since love rejoices in our neighbor's good, while envy grieves over it.
The
love of God frees us from envy and jealousy
How can we overcome envy? With the love that God has put into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit purifies our heart and frees us from our disordered passions, such as envy, jealously, greed, and bitterness. God's love is a generous and selfless love which is wholly oriented towards our good. The love that God places in our hearts seeks the highest good of our neighbor. God's love purifies and frees us from all envy and jealousy - and it compels us to give generously, especially to those who lack what they need.
How can we overcome envy? With the love that God has put into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit purifies our heart and frees us from our disordered passions, such as envy, jealously, greed, and bitterness. God's love is a generous and selfless love which is wholly oriented towards our good. The love that God places in our hearts seeks the highest good of our neighbor. God's love purifies and frees us from all envy and jealousy - and it compels us to give generously, especially to those who lack what they need.
Love
gives freely and generously in kind deeds
Every one in need has a claim on us because they are dear to God who created them in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). God created us in love for love. We are most free and happy when we love as he loves. The love and charitable help we show to our neighbor also expresses the gratitude we have for the abundant mercy and kindness of God towards us. Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to those in need would 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. Are you grateful for God's mercy and kindness towards you and are you ready to show that same kindness and generosity towards your neighbor?
Every one in need has a claim on us because they are dear to God who created them in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). God created us in love for love. We are most free and happy when we love as he loves. The love and charitable help we show to our neighbor also expresses the gratitude we have for the abundant mercy and kindness of God towards us. Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to those in need would 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. Are you grateful for God's mercy and kindness towards you and are you ready to show that same kindness and generosity towards your neighbor?
Gregory
of Nyssa, an early church father (330-395 AD), comments on this passage:
"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 furnished 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'"
(Mark 9:41). Ask the Lord Jesus to increase your generosity in doing good for
others.
"Lord
Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may radiate the joy of the Gospel
to others. May your light and truth shine through me that others may find new
life and joy in you, and freedom from sin and oppression."
A
Daily Quote for the early church fathers: Encouraging good works done in Christ,
by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"We
ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to
this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform
some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of
Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ
ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of
his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to
him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4),
even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt
from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, MARK 9:38-40
Weekday
(Sirach 4:11-19; Psalm 119)
Weekday
(Sirach 4:11-19; Psalm 119)
KEY VERSE: "There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me" (v 39).
TO KNOW: Jesus warned his disciples about problems they would face as they led the Church after his death and resurrection. He admonished them about worldly ambition (v 33-37) and petty intolerance. Seeming not to hear him, his disciples arrogantly suggested that some exorcists, who did not belong to their company, should be prevented from expelling demons in Jesus' name. Jesus challenged their closed-mindedness. No one could do the mighty deeds of God and at the same time speak ill of Jesus. All who did good deeds by the power of Jesus' name were contributing to building up the kingdom. Even the simplest acts of charity would be rewarded.
TO LOVE: Am I judgmental toward those who are not of my faith?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be open-minded toward all who do your work.
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Ecclesiasticus 4:11-19. Psalm 118(119):165, 168, 171-2, 174-5.
Mark 9:38-40.
O Lord, great peace have they who love your law – Psalm
118(119):165, 168, 171-2, 174-5.
‘Wisdom breathes life into her children.’
To pass over and exclude are not the way of the kingdom. ‘We
stopped him; he’s not of our group!’ protests John. ‘You must not stop him’,
answers Jesus. Competitiveness operates when resources are finite and places
limited. Such restrictions do not apply with God. God’s resources are infinite
and he offers employment to everyone. The distinctive feature of kingdom
behaviour is offering welcome, operating across all human barriers: such
obstacles have no substance before God.
Lord, we grew up needy and learnt selfish ways in our earthly
city. With you we have entered God’s kingdom of plenty, but have not shaken off
selfish ways. Teach us to reach out to others that we may indeed become
citizens of your kingdom.
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Saint of the Day for February 27
(March 1, 1838 – February 27, 1862)
 |
| Stained glass of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows in church of Brioux-sur-Boutonne | photo by Havang(nl) |
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows’ Story
Born in Italy into a large family and baptized Francis, Saint
Gabriel 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.
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was canonized in 1920.
Reflection
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.
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is the Patron Saint
of:
Clergy
Students
Young People
Students
Young People
Lectio Divina: Mark 9:38-40
Lectio Divina
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
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 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out
demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow
us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs
a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever
is not against us is for us."
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel narrates quite a beautiful and actual example
of the pedagogy of Jesus. It shows us how He helped His disciples to perceive
and to overcome the “yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod”.
• Mk 9:38-40: A closed mentality: He was not one of ours” Someone
who did not belong to the community used the name of Jesus to drive out devils.
John, the disciple, sees this and forbids it: We have stopped him because
he was not one of us. In the name of the community he forbids that the
other one can do a good deed! He thinks that being a disciple, he can have a
monopoly on Jesus, and because of this, he wants to forbid that others use the
name of Jesus to do good. This was the closed mentality of the “chosen People,
a separated People!” Jesus responds: “You must not stop him; no one who works a
miracle in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me. Anyone who is not
against us is for us.” (Mk 9:40). It would be very difficult to find a
more ecumenical affirmation than this affirmation of Jesus. For Jesus, what is
important is not if the person forms part of the community or not, but rather
if the person does the good which the community should do.
• A picture of Jesus, formator of His disciples. Jesus,
the Master, is the axis, the center, and the model of formation given to the
disciples. By His attitudes He is an example of the Kingdom. He embodies the
love of God and reveals it (Mk 6:31; Mt 10:30; Lk 15:11-32). Many small
gestures show this witness of life with which Jesus marked His presence in the
life of the disciples, preparing them for life and for their mission. This was
His way of giving a human form to the experience which He had of God, the
Father. The following is a picture of Jesus, the formator of His disciples:
- He involves them in the mission (Mk 6:7; Lk 9:1-2; 10:1),
- when they return He reviews with them all that they have lived (Lk 10:17-20)
- He corrects them when they fail and want to be the first ones (Mk 9:33-35; 10:14-15
- He waits for the opportune moment to correct them (Lk 9:46-48; Mk 10:14-15)
- He helps them to discern (Mk 9:18-19)
- He challenges them when they are slow (Mk 4:13; 8:14-21)
- He prepares them to face the conflict (Jn 16:33; Mt 10:17-25)
- He orders them to observe reality (Mk 8:27-29; Jn 4:35; Mt 16:1-3)
- He reflects with them on questions of the moment (Lk 13:1-5)
- He confronts them with the needs of the people (Jn 6:5)
- He teaches them that the needs of the people are above the ritual prescriptions (Mt12:7-12)
- He meets alone with them so as to be able to instruct them (Mk 4:34; 7:17; 9:30-31; 10:10; 13:3)
- He knows how to listen even if the dialogue is difficult (Jn 4:7-42)
- He helps them to accept themselves (Lk 22:32)
- He is demanding and asks them to leave everything out of love for Him (Mk 10:17-31)
- He is severe concerning hypocrisy (Lk 11:37-53)
- He asks more questions than gives responses (Mk 8:17-21)
- He is firm and does not allow himself to deviate from the right path (Mk 8:33; Lk 9:54)
- He prepares them for conflict and persecution (Mt 10:16-25).
- when they return He reviews with them all that they have lived (Lk 10:17-20)
- He corrects them when they fail and want to be the first ones (Mk 9:33-35; 10:14-15
- He waits for the opportune moment to correct them (Lk 9:46-48; Mk 10:14-15)
- He helps them to discern (Mk 9:18-19)
- He challenges them when they are slow (Mk 4:13; 8:14-21)
- He prepares them to face the conflict (Jn 16:33; Mt 10:17-25)
- He orders them to observe reality (Mk 8:27-29; Jn 4:35; Mt 16:1-3)
- He reflects with them on questions of the moment (Lk 13:1-5)
- He confronts them with the needs of the people (Jn 6:5)
- He teaches them that the needs of the people are above the ritual prescriptions (Mt12:7-12)
- He meets alone with them so as to be able to instruct them (Mk 4:34; 7:17; 9:30-31; 10:10; 13:3)
- He knows how to listen even if the dialogue is difficult (Jn 4:7-42)
- He helps them to accept themselves (Lk 22:32)
- He is demanding and asks them to leave everything out of love for Him (Mk 10:17-31)
- He is severe concerning hypocrisy (Lk 11:37-53)
- He asks more questions than gives responses (Mk 8:17-21)
- He is firm and does not allow himself to deviate from the right path (Mk 8:33; Lk 9:54)
- He prepares them for conflict and persecution (Mt 10:16-25).
• Formation was not, in the first place, the transmission of
truths to be remembered, but the communication of the new experience of God and
the life which radiates from Jesus for the disciples. The community which was
forming around Jesus was the expression of this new experience. Formation led
people to have a different way of looking, to have different attitudes. It gave
them a new conscience concerning the mission and concerning themselves. It
helped them to place themselves at the side of the excluded. And soon
afterwards, it produced “conversion” as a consequence of the acceptance of the
Good News (Mk 1:15).
4) Personal questions
• “Anyone who is not against us is for us.” How
do we define “for us” and “against us” today with so many variations in
Christian beliefs?
• If someone selectively and creatively creates their own “doctrine” and interpretations of Jesus’ teachings, are they “for us” or “against us”?
• How does my formation in Jesus take place in my life? Is it a serious, ongoing process, or whatever comes along?
• Go back to the list of how Jesus does formation. Read each, adding the question “how does He do this for me personally?” at the end of each line. Then answer each for your own formation.
• If someone selectively and creatively creates their own “doctrine” and interpretations of Jesus’ teachings, are they “for us” or “against us”?
• How does my formation in Jesus take place in my life? Is it a serious, ongoing process, or whatever comes along?
• Go back to the list of how Jesus does formation. Read each, adding the question “how does He do this for me personally?” at the end of each line. Then answer each for your own formation.
5) Concluding Prayer
Bless Yahweh, my soul,
from the depths of my being, His holy name;
bless Yahweh, my soul,
never forget all His acts of kindness. (Ps 103:1-2)
from the depths of my being, His holy name;
bless Yahweh, my soul,
never forget all His acts of kindness. (Ps 103:1-2)
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