Memorial of Saint John of the Cross,
Priest and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 186
Lectionary: 186
In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 80:2AC AND 3B, 15-16,
18-19
R.(4) Lord,
make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
AlleluiaLK 3:4, 6
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 17:9A, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, please
go here.
Meditation: "Elijah must
first come"
God
gives signs to show what he is about to do. John the Baptist is one such sign
who pointed to Jesus and prepared the way for his coming. John fulfilled the
essential task of all the prophets: to be fingers pointing to Jesus Christ.
John is the last and greatest prophet of the old kingdom, the old covenant. The
Jews expected that when the Messiah would come, Elijah would appear to announce
his presence. John fills the role of Elijah and prepares the way for the coming
of Jesus Christ by preaching a baptism of repentance and renewal.
As
watchful servants, we, too must prepare for the Lord's coming again by turning
away from sin and from everything that would keep us from pursuing his will.
Are you eager to do God's will and are you prepared to meet the Lord Jesus when
he returns in glory?
"Lord
Jesus, stir my zeal for your righteousness and for your kingdom. Free me from
complacency and from compromising with the ways of sin and worldliness that I
may be wholeheartedly devoted to you and to your kingdom."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: John fulfills Elijah's prophetic
ministry, by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.
"They did not know this from the Scriptures, but the scribes used to tell
them, and this saying was reported among the ignorant crowd, as also about
Christ. Therefore the Samaritan woman also said, 'The Messiah is coming; when
he comes, he will show us all things' (John 4:25). And they themselves asked
John, 'Are you Elijah or the prophet?' (John 1:21). For this opinion was
strong, as I said, both the one about Christ and the one about Elijah, but they
did not interpret it as it should have been. For the Scriptures speak of two
comings of Christ, both this one that has taken place and the future one. Paul
spoke of these when he said, 'For the grace of God has appeared for the
salvation of men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and
to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world' (Titus 2:11-12).
"Behold the first advent, and listen to how he declares the coming advent: 'Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' (Titus 2:13). The prophets also mention both advents; of the one that is second they say that Elijah will be the forerunner; John was forerunner of the first, John whom Christ also called by the name Elijah, not because he was Elijah but because he was fulfilling Elijah's ministry. For just as Elijah will be the forerunner of the second advent, so John was of the first. But the scribes, confusing these things and perverting the people, mentioned that coming alone, the second one, to the people, and said, 'If this is the Christ, Elijah ought to have come first.' That is why the disciples also say, 'Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?'" (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 57.1)
"Behold the first advent, and listen to how he declares the coming advent: 'Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' (Titus 2:13). The prophets also mention both advents; of the one that is second they say that Elijah will be the forerunner; John was forerunner of the first, John whom Christ also called by the name Elijah, not because he was Elijah but because he was fulfilling Elijah's ministry. For just as Elijah will be the forerunner of the second advent, so John was of the first. But the scribes, confusing these things and perverting the people, mentioned that coming alone, the second one, to the people, and said, 'If this is the Christ, Elijah ought to have come first.' That is why the disciples also say, 'Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?'" (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 57.1)
Saturday 14 December 2019
St John of the Cross
Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4, 9-12. Psalm 79(80):2-3, 15-16, 18-19. Matthew 17:10-13.
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved – Psalm 79(80):2-3, 15-16, 18-19
‘And they did not recognise him.’
Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4, 9-12. Psalm 79(80):2-3, 15-16, 18-19. Matthew 17:10-13.
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved – Psalm 79(80):2-3, 15-16, 18-19
‘And they did not recognise him.’
In what ways do we not recognise the prophets in our midst
today? Particularly those prophets whose messages deeply challenge us or who
persistently invite us to see things from a perspective we find uncomfortable
or difficult. Do we bring this before God and ask for wisdom and conversion of
heart where necessary? Or do we simply dismiss those voices as ‘unorthodox’ or
‘heretical’ without first listening with an open heart to what they have to
say? How is Jesus speaking to each one of us today, and what is his particular
invitation to us personally?
Are we being invited to give of ourselves more generously, or to
be more welcoming of those who are different to us, or to make amends to a
brother or sister we have hurt, or to spend more time with Jesus in prayer? May
we consciously create space in our lives for the voices of today’s prophets to
reach our hearts and convert us anew to the love of God and of our neighbour.
Saint John of the Cross
Saint of the Day for December 14
(June 24, 1542 – December 14, 1591)
 |
| Saint John of the Cross | Diego de Sanabria | photo by igH09d8z-bGi8g at Google Cultural Institute |
Saint John of the Cross’ Story
John is a saint because his life was a heroic effort to live up
to his name: “of the Cross.” The folly of the cross came to full realization in
time. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross,
and follow me” (Mark 8:34b) is the story of John’s life. The Paschal
Mystery—through death to life—strongly marks John as reformer, mystic-poet, and
theologian-priest.
Ordained a Carmelite priest in 1567 at age 25, John met Teresa
of Avila and like her, vowed himself to the primitive Rule of the Carmelites.
As partner with Teresa and in his own right, John engaged in the work of
reform, and came to experience the price of reform: increasing opposition,
misunderstanding, persecution, imprisonment. He came to know the cross
acutely—to experience the dying of Jesus—as he sat month after month in his
dark, damp, narrow cell with only his God.
Yet, the paradox! In this dying of imprisonment John came to
life, uttering poetry. In the darkness of the dungeon, John’s spirit came into
the Light. There are many mystics, many poets; John is unique as mystic-poet,
expressing in his prison-cross the ecstasy of mystical union with God in
the Spiritual Canticle.
But as agony leads to ecstasy, so John had his Ascent to
Mt. Carmel, as he named it in his prose masterpiece. As
man-Christian-Carmelite, he experienced in himself this purifying ascent; as
spiritual director, he sensed it in others; as psychologist-theologian, he
described and analyzed it in his prose writings. His prose works are
outstanding in underscoring the cost of discipleship, the path of union with
God: rigorous discipline, abandonment, purification. Uniquely and strongly John
underlines the gospel paradox: The cross leads to resurrection, agony to
ecstasy, darkness to light, abandonment to possession, denial to self to union
with God. If you want to save your life, you must lose it. John is truly “of
the Cross.” He died at 49—a life short, but full.
Reflection
In his life and writings, John of the Cross has a crucial word
for us today. We tend to be rich, soft, comfortable. We shrink even from words
like self-denial, mortification, purification, asceticism, discipline.
We run from the cross. John’s message—like the gospel—is loud and clear:
Don’t—if you really want to live!
Saint John of the Cross is the Patron Saint of:
Mystics
Lectio Divina: Matthew 17:10-13
Lectio Divina
Saturday, December 14, 2019
2nd Week of Advent
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
let us never become indifferent
to the ardent message
which your Son speaks to us in the gospel.
When we have become inattentive and uninvolved,
send us again prophets to wake us up
and make us attentive again,
so that Your kingdom of love
and justice becomes a reality.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
let us never become indifferent
to the ardent message
which your Son speaks to us in the gospel.
When we have become inattentive and uninvolved,
send us again prophets to wake us up
and make us attentive again,
so that Your kingdom of love
and justice becomes a reality.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 17:10-13
The disciples put this question to him; ”Why then do the scribes
say that Elijah must come first?”
He replied “Elijah is indeed coming, and he will set everything right again; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they did not recognize him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of man will suffer similarly at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that He was speaking of John the Baptist.
He replied “Elijah is indeed coming, and he will set everything right again; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they did not recognize him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of man will suffer similarly at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that He was speaking of John the Baptist.
3) Reflection
• The disciples have just seen Moses and Elijah with Jesus
during His Transfiguration (Mt 17:3). In general, people believed
Elijah had to return in order to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom. The
prophet Malachi said “Look, I shall send you the prophet Elijah before the
great and awesome Day of the Lord. He will reconcile parents to their children
and children to their parents, to forestall my putting the country under the
curse of destruction!” (Mal 3:23-24, cf. Eccl. 48:10). The disciples want to
know what do the doctors of the Law mean when they say that Elijah has to come
before. Because Jesus, the Messiah, had already arrived seemingly before
the expected return of Elijah.
• Jesus answers “Elijah has already come and they have not recognized him; rather, they have treated him as they have wanted. In the same way, they will also make the Son of Man suffer”. Then the Disciples understood that Jesus was speaking of John the Baptist.
• Under Roman domination family and clan life disintegrated. People expected that Elijah would return and reconstruct the community reconciling parents to children and children to parents. This was the great hope of the people. Today, the communism is a system that disintegrates families and destroys life.
• To reconstruct and remake the social fabric can often be dangerous when it undermines an oppressive political system. This is why John the Baptist was killed. He had a mission to reform the way humans lived together (cf. Lk 3:7-14). He carried out the mission of Elijah (Lk 1:17). As a result, he was killed.
• Jesus continues the mission of John to reconstruct life in community. Because God is Father, we are all brothers and sisters. Jesus joins together two loves: love toward God and love toward neighbor, making both visible in the way people live together. This is why, like John, He was put to death.
• Jesus answers “Elijah has already come and they have not recognized him; rather, they have treated him as they have wanted. In the same way, they will also make the Son of Man suffer”. Then the Disciples understood that Jesus was speaking of John the Baptist.
• Under Roman domination family and clan life disintegrated. People expected that Elijah would return and reconstruct the community reconciling parents to children and children to parents. This was the great hope of the people. Today, the communism is a system that disintegrates families and destroys life.
• To reconstruct and remake the social fabric can often be dangerous when it undermines an oppressive political system. This is why John the Baptist was killed. He had a mission to reform the way humans lived together (cf. Lk 3:7-14). He carried out the mission of Elijah (Lk 1:17). As a result, he was killed.
• Jesus continues the mission of John to reconstruct life in community. Because God is Father, we are all brothers and sisters. Jesus joins together two loves: love toward God and love toward neighbor, making both visible in the way people live together. This is why, like John, He was put to death.
4) Personal questions
• Placing myself in the position of the disciples: does
consumerism have power over me?
• Placing myself in the position of Jesus: Do I have the desire and determination to create a new human way of living together?
• Placing myself in the position of Jesus: Do I have the desire and determination to create a new human way of living together?
5) Concluding Prayer
May Your help be with the man of Your right hand,
with the Son of Man whom You Yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from You;
give us new life, and we will call upon Your name. (Ps 80)
with the Son of Man whom You Yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from You;
give us new life, and we will call upon Your name. (Ps 80)
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