Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions,
Martyrs
Lectionary: 325
Lectionary: 325
 |
| The martyrdom of St.Paul Miki and companions |
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?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."
www.dailyscripture.net
 Made for God |
|
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions,
martyrs
|
|
Mark 6:1-6
He 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 Joses 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. He
went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching.
Introductory Prayer: O Lord, you said that
blest are they who find no stumbling block in you. I want to be a blest
person, so that you may find in me no obstacle to the holiness you want for
me. I believe in you, but I long for a greater faith to see and respond to
the signs of your hand moving in my world. I love you, Lord, and wish to lead
my brothers and sisters to you through my testimony, through my being truly
convinced that you are the life of men.
Petition: Lord, grant me the gift of total surrender
to your will for me in all things.
1. “Where did this man get all this? What mighty deeds are
wrought by his hands.” How beautiful it is to contemplate the humble
and meek Christ! He now manifests, to the shock and awe of the
worldly-minded, the signs of his true origin and the nature of his true
mission. The power of God, the power of the supernatural, now
intervenes in what is merely natural through the mere “carpenter’s son.” The
“signs of credibility” that Christ enacts through his mighty words and deeds
powerfully point to his divine origins and invite his contemporaries to
faith. It is an invitation to leave behind them the superficial
category of Jesus as just a nice neighbor (which means they can live the same
as before) and receive the gift of Christ as Redeemer (which means change and
conversion). Are there signs in my life that the Lord is looking to change
me, to change my behavior in some way so I might live more by faith and
charity? How much longer will I resist before I will am won over by his
goodness?
2. “And they took offense at him.” It is a sacrifice to give God his place in the ordinary flow of our day. To do so, we need to sacrifice our sense of self-sufficiency, by which we are inclined to be the prime mover of everything in our world. We need to sacrifice our vanity, which desists from efforts to adore God since they bring little or no applause from those around us. We need to sacrifice the comfort of our naturalism, our horizontal view of things. Ultimately this sacrifice is a work of love responding to a divine invitation to share in God’s life––love, because he is asking and wants to see us giving. Let us move our hearts to embrace this sacrifice joyfully, for the sake of love. It helps to see that in this passage there are no neutral states. Those who reject the invitation to love are turned to love’s opposite––hate, specifically the hatred of the supernatural. It is a tragedy at work in our culture in many places, giving rise to the forces of anti-evangelization. Let us pray and be vigilant that it may never become our tragedy.
3. “He was not able to perform any mighty deed there.” Our Lord makes
himself vulnerable to us, to our willingness to believe. He comes only to
make us happy and to elevate our lives to be more beautiful, deeper in
meaning and richer in fruits. He wants to bring into our life his power to
work miracles and to move mountains of fear and burdens that we encounter. He
comes to be ointment for our wounds and consolation for our weary hearts. The
only thing he needs to make us happy, then, is our faith, our unconditional
and active faith. Without it (since he respects our freedom), we cripple his
capacity to act in our life as Savior and Lord. How sad it is to see how
easily we refuse such a selfless and beautiful gift.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, teach me to
receive you with a heart ready to leave my rationalistic way of acting and
choosing. Help me to know how to read your invitations with supernatural
faith and to follow them in true obedience, where true love proves itself.
Resolution: I will be very obedient to the lights I
receive today from the Holy Spirit, acting on them with promptness and
generosity.
|
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
MARK 6:1-6
(Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15; Psalm 103)
KEY VERSE: "He was amazed at their lack of faith" (v 4).
READING: 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 his wisdom and amazing power? Wasn't he a mere carpenter? (Greek, tekton, a "craftsman"). Was Jesus not the son of Mary? (a Jew was identified by his 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. 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 sick people. Jesuswent on to teach in other villages, but there were few "mighty deeds" done in his own hometown.
REFLECTING: Do I fail to listen to certain individuals in my parish community?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be open to hearing your voice in my neighbors and in my family
Memorial of Paul Miki, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Paul Miki was one of the Martyrs of Nagasaki. 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 so they could be a lesson to their countrymen. On the way they sang the Te Deum. Paul Miki's last sermon was delivered from the cross.
Reading: 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.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him
'A prophet is only despised in his own country.’
Last July the federal government appointed an expert panel as their advisors on the issue of asylum seekers. A 13-year-old student wrote a submission to the panel. In addition, she won a public speaking competition on the same controversial topic. The story of the young Jesus speaking in the synagogue and the comments of his listeners reminded me of this young lady’s courage and skill to publicly express her position. I wrote to congratulate her.
Sometimes we fail to respect the statement of a young person who may have more insight or more knowledge or is much more open than some of us ‘senior’ people. The people of Nazareth did not accept Jesus’ words. May we learn to give respect to those persons who are different from us, whether that be in age, culture, faith or background.
www.churchresources.info
St. Amand
(584 - 675)
Feastday: February 6
Patron : Wine makers, Beer brewers, merchants, innkeepers, bartenders, Boy ScoutsThis great missionary was born in lower Poitou about the year 584. At the age of twenty, he retired to a small monastery in the island of Yeu, near that of Re. He had not been there more than a year when his father discovered him and tried to persuade him to return home. When he threatened to disinherit him, the saint cheerfully replied, "Christ is my only inheritance." Amand afterward went to Tours, where he was ordained, and then to Bourges, where he lived fifteen years under the direction of St. Austregisilus, the bishop, in a cell near the cathedral. After a pilgrimage to Rome, he returned to France and was consecrated bishop in 629 without any fixed See, receiving a general commission to teach the Faith to the heathens. He preached the gospel in Flanders and northern France, with a brief excursion to the Slavs in Carinthia and perhaps, to Gascony. He reproved King Dagobert I for his crimes and accordingly, was banished. But Dagobert soon recalled him, and asked him to baptize his newborn son Sigebert, afterwards to become a king and a saint. The people about Ghent were so ferociously hostile that no preacher dared venture among them. This moved Amand to attempt that mission, in the course of which he was sometimes beaten and thrown into the river. He persevered, however, and in the end people came in crowds droves to be baptized.
As well as being a great missionary, St. Amand was a father of monasticism in ancient Belgium, and a score of monasteries claimed him as founder. He found houses at Elnone (Saint-Amand-les-Eaux), near Tournai, which became his headquarters, St. Peters on Mont-Blendin at Ghent, but probably not St. Bavo's there as well; Nivells, for nuns, with Blessed Ida and St. Gertrude, Barisis-au-Bois, and probably three more. It is said, though possibly apocryphal, that in 646 he was chosen bishop of Maestricht, but that three years later, he resigned that See to St. Remaclus and returned to the missions which he had always had most at heart. He continued his labors among the heathens until a great age, when, broken with infirmities, he retired to Elnone. There he governed as Abbot for four years, spending his time in preparing for the death which came to him at last soon after 676. That St. Amand was one of the most imposing figures of the Merovingian epoch, is disputed by no serious historian; he was not unknown in England, and the pre-Reformation chapel of the Eyston family at east Hendred in Birkshire is dedicated in his honor.
www.catholic.org
St. Dorothy
Feastday: February 6
Patron : Florists.
According to her apochryphal tradition, she was a resident of Caesarea, Cappadocia, who when she refused to sacrifice to the gods during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of the Christians, was tortured by the governor and ordered executed. On the way to the place of execution, she met a young lawyer, Theophilus, who mockingly asked her to send him fruits from "the garden" she had joyously announced she would soon be in. When she knelt for her execution, she prayed, and an angel with a basket of three roses and three apples, which she sent to Theophilus, telling him she would meet him in the garden. Theophilus was converted to Christianity and later was martyred. Her feast day is February 6th.
www.catholic.org
February 6
St. Paul Miki and Companions
(d. 1597)
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.
Comment:
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.
Quote:
“Since Jesus, the Son of God, showed his love by laying down his
life for us, no one has greater love than they who lay down their lives for him
and for their sisters and brothers (see 1 John 3:16; John 15:13). Some
Christians have been called from the beginning, and will always be called, to
give this greatest testimony of love to everyone, especially to persecutors.
Martyrdom makes disciples like their master, who willingly accepted death for
the salvation of the world, and through it they are made like him by the
shedding of blood. Therefore, the Church considers it the highest gift and as
the supreme test of love. And while it is given to few, all, however, must be
prepared to confess Christ before humanity and to follow him along the way of
the cross amid the persecutions which the Church never lacks” (Vatican
II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 42, Austin Flannery
translation).
www.americancatholic.org
February 6
St. Peter Baptist and Companions
(d. 1597)
St. Peter Baptist and Companions
(d. 1597)
Nagasaki is famous to us because of the
atomic bomb exploded there in 1945. That city is also known among Franciscans
for the friars and tertiaries martyred there in 1597.
Peter Baptist
Blasquez was born in 1542 to a noble Spanish family; he joined the Franciscans
in his homeland. He worked for several years in the Philippine Islands and in
1592 was delegated by Philip II of Spain to negotiate peace with Hideyoshi, the
ruler of Japan.
Peter Baptist
and several confreres accomplished their mission and stayed in Japan to spread
the gospel. Their success in making converts and establishing churches and
hospitals frightened Hideyoshi. In December 1596 he imprisoned Peter Baptist,
two other priests, two brothers, a cleric, 17Japanese Secular Franciscans and
three Jesuits.
Condemned to
death in early January at Miyako, these prisoners were led on a painful
four-week trip to Nagasaki. On February 5, 1597, they were crucified and run
through with spears. They were canonized in 1862.
Comment:
The "sacrifice" Peter Baptist referred to (see Quote, below) bore fruit. In the 1860’s, Christian missionaries were again allowed into Nagasaki and found there a small but strong Catholic community which had begun in the time of the Franciscan martyrs. Coming together regularly, these Catholics read the Scriptures and prayed the rosary as a way of keeping their faith alive. Missionaries always work with trust that God will complete their beginnings. A good work—in the missions or elsewhere—is never wasted.
The "sacrifice" Peter Baptist referred to (see Quote, below) bore fruit. In the 1860’s, Christian missionaries were again allowed into Nagasaki and found there a small but strong Catholic community which had begun in the time of the Franciscan martyrs. Coming together regularly, these Catholics read the Scriptures and prayed the rosary as a way of keeping their faith alive. Missionaries always work with trust that God will complete their beginnings. A good work—in the missions or elsewhere—is never wasted.
Quote:
Three days before his death, Peter Baptist wrote his confreres outside Japan: "For the love of God let your charity commend us to God that the sacrifice of our lives may be acceptable in his sight. From what I have heard here I think we will be crucified this coming Friday because it was on a Friday that they cut off a part of each one’s ear at Miyako, an event we accept as a gift from God. We all ask you then with great fervor to pray for us for the love of God."
Three days before his death, Peter Baptist wrote his confreres outside Japan: "For the love of God let your charity commend us to God that the sacrifice of our lives may be acceptable in his sight. From what I have heard here I think we will be crucified this coming Friday because it was on a Friday that they cut off a part of each one’s ear at Miyako, an event we accept as a gift from God. We all ask you then with great fervor to pray for us for the love of God."
Patron
Saint of:
Japan
Japan
www.americancatholic.org
LECTIO: MARK 6,1-6
Lectio:
Wednesday,
February 6, 2013
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
help us to love you with all our hearts
and to love all men 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.
Lord our God,
help us to love you with all our hearts
and to love all men 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 went to his home town, and his disciples accompanied him.
With the coming of the Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, 'Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?' And they would not accept him.
And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is despised only in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house'; and he could work no miracle there, except that he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He made a tour round the villages, teaching.
Jesus went to his home town, and his disciples accompanied him.
With the coming of the Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, 'Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?' And they would not accept him.
And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is despised only in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house'; and he could work no miracle there, except that he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He made a tour round the villages, teaching.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today speaks of the visit of Jesus to Nazareth and describes the mental 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 own home town and to find the 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 if he was not he takes the floor and begins to teach. This is a sign that persons 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, 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 persons who should have been the first ones to accept the Good News were precisely those who had the greatest difficulty to accept it. The conflict was not only with foreigners, but also, and especially with his own 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 Joseph 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 Gospel today speaks of the visit of Jesus to Nazareth and describes the mental 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 own home town and to find the 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 if he was not he takes the floor and begins to teach. This is a sign that persons 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, 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 persons who should have been the first ones to accept the Good News were precisely those who had the greatest difficulty to accept it. The conflict was not only with foreigners, but also, and especially with his own 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 Joseph 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 much polemics among Catholics and Protestants. Basing themselves on this text and in 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 Churches. Therefore, it is not convenient 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 and with the sentiments both of Catholics and of Protestants. An argument taken only from reason cannot succeed to change the conviction of the heart! On the other hand, it irritates and draws away! Even when I do not agree with an opinion of another, I should always respect it! And we, both Catholics and Protestants, instead of discussing on texts, we should unite to struggle in defence 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, has sent me” (Jn 17, 21). “Who is not against us, is for us” (Mk 10, 39.40).
• Mark 6, 4-6. Reaction of Jesus before the attitude of the people of Nazareth. Jesus knows very well that “nobody is a prophet in his own country”. And 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 round 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 as to 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, with your relatives?
• Jesus cannot work many miracles in Nazareth because faith is lacking. And today, does he find faith in us, in me?
• 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, with your relatives?
• Jesus cannot work many miracles in Nazareth because faith is lacking. And today, does he find faith in us, in me?
5) Concluding prayer
How blessed are those whose offence is forgiven,
whose sin blotted out.
How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt,
whose spirit harbours no deceit. (Ps 32,1-2)
How blessed are those whose offence is forgiven,
whose sin blotted out.
How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt,
whose spirit harbours no deceit. (Ps 32,1-2)
How blessed are those whose offence is
forgiven,
whose sin blotted out.
How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt,
whose spirit harbours no deceit. (Ps 32,1-2)
whose sin blotted out.
How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt,
whose spirit harbours no deceit. (Ps 32,1-2)
www.ocarm.org
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét