Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Lectionary:
352
Reading 1SIR 51:12 CD-20
I thank the LORD and I praise him;
I bless the name of the LORD.
When I was young and innocent,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer
I prayed for her before the temple,
and I will seek her until the end,
and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.
My heart delighted in her,
My feet kept to the level path
because from earliest youth I was familiar with her.
In the short time I paid heed,
I met with great instruction.
Since in this way I have profited,
I will give my teacher grateful praise.
I became resolutely devoted to her—
the good I persistently strove for.
My soul was tormented in seeking her,
My hand opened her gate
and I came to know her secrets.
I directed my soul to her,
and in cleanness I attained to her.
I bless the name of the LORD.
When I was young and innocent,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer
I prayed for her before the temple,
and I will seek her until the end,
and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.
My heart delighted in her,
My feet kept to the level path
because from earliest youth I was familiar with her.
In the short time I paid heed,
I met with great instruction.
Since in this way I have profited,
I will give my teacher grateful praise.
I became resolutely devoted to her—
the good I persistently strove for.
My soul was tormented in seeking her,
My hand opened her gate
and I came to know her secrets.
I directed my soul to her,
and in cleanness I attained to her.
Responsorial PsalmPS 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give
joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
GospelMK 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem
As he was walking in the temple area,
the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders
approached him and said to him,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
Or who gave you this authority to do them?”
Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.
Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”–
they feared the crowd,
for they all thought John really was a prophet.
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
Then Jesus said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
As he was walking in the temple area,
the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders
approached him and said to him,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
Or who gave you this authority to do them?”
Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.
Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”–
they feared the crowd,
for they all thought John really was a prophet.
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
Then Jesus said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Meditation: "Who
gave you this authority?"
Do you accept the
authority of God’s word and submit to it with trust and obedience? Many
religious leaders took offense at Jesus because they could not accept his
authority. After Jesus had dramatically cleansed the temple of the traders and
money-changers the Jewish leaders question Jesus to trap him. If he says his
authority is divine they will charge him with blasphemy. If he has done this on
his own authority they might well arrest him as a mad zealot before he could do
more damage. Jesus, seeing through their trap, poses a question to them and
makes their answer a condition for his answer. Did they accept the work of John
the Baptist as divine or human? If they accepted John’s work as divine, they
would be compelled to accept Jesus as the Messiah. They dodged the question
because they were unwilling to face the truth. They did not accept the Baptist
and they would not accept Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus told his disciples that
“the truth will make you free” (John 8:31). Do you know the joy and freedom of
living according to God's word of truth?“Lord Jesus, your word is life and truth. Instruct my heart that I may grow in the knowledge of your truth and live according to your word”.
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 From Heaven or Earth? |
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Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr
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Father John Doyle, LC Mark 11:27-33 Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Introductory Prayer:Once again, Lord, I come to you to pray. Even though I cannot see you, I trust that you are present and want very much to instruct me in your teachings. In the same way you demonstrate your love for me by spending this time with me, I want to express my love for you by dedicating this time to you with a spirit of faith, confidence and attention. Here I am, Lord, to listen to you and respond with love. Petition:Jesus, grant me true sincerity and uprightness of life. 1. The Day After: It was the day after Jesus had caused an uproar in the 2. Why Did You Not Believe in Him? Jesus did not say these words, but they knew he could have. Their troubled consciences were aware it would have been a fitting accusation. Why had they not believed in the precursor of the Lord? Was it not for the same reasons that they would not believe in the Lord himself? John the Baptist had called them on their insincerity. They went to receive his baptism of repentance, but they did not really mean to amend their lives. Would Jesus have to reproach me for any insincerity? Do I ever go to receive the sacrament of penance without a real desire to change my life? Or do I avoid confession altogether because I really don’t see anything in my behavior that needs to change? 3. We Do Not Know: This is certainly not the first or the last time that ignorance is pleaded to avoid the consequences of the truth, but this kind of ignorance is clearly culpable. The speakers were not uneducated men, but rather the leaders of God’s people, responsible for guiding them along the way of God’s covenant. While it was generally accepted that John the Baptist had been a great prophet who stirred sinners to repentance with his preaching and example of austerity, the Jewish authorities were unwilling to accept that anyone besides themselves could claim any authority in God’s name. Truly they did know, but they were unwilling to accept the truth. Do I ever lean on ignorance in plowing forward with some action that I’m not sure is quite right? Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, at times I know what your will for me is, but it costs me greatly to put it into practice. Sometimes I am too worried about what others think and say, or I am afraid of the consequences. Grant me a spirit of sincerity and strength always to accept and follow your will.
Resolution:I will arrive a
little early to Mass tomorrow in order to spend a few quiet moments with Our
Lord asking for the grace of always being sincere and upright in my actions.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 1
MARK 11:27-33
(Sirach 51:12cd-20; Psalm 19)
KEY VERSE: "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things" (v 33).
REFLECTING: Do I pray for both secular and religious authorities?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to obey your authority in all matters of faith and morals.
Memorial of Justin, martyr
Justin was born around 100 in
On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether
they live in the city or the outlying districts. The recollections of the
apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time.
When the reader has finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he
urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings.
Then we all stand up together and pray. On the conclusion of our prayer, bread
and wine and water are brought forward. The president offers prayers and gives
thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying,
�Amen�. The Eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the
deacons take it to those who are absent. We
hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the
day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the world, and
because on that same day our savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead. (First Apology of St. Justin
Martyr)
www.daily-word-of-life.comThe precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
‘What authority have you for acting like this?’
Jesus did not ask for any authorisation to teach in the Temple
Apparently they only thought of defending what was acceptable to them and, before even listening to Jesus, they held him to be subversive. That is why Jesus asked them about John the Baptist. John’s preaching was the most important happening in the previous two years: the priests should have taken a stand with regard to him and his message.
www.churchresources.infoApparently they only thought of defending what was acceptable to them and, before even listening to Jesus, they held him to be subversive. That is why Jesus asked them about John the Baptist. John’s preaching was the most important happening in the previous two years: the priests should have taken a stand with regard to him and his message.
June 1
St. Justin
(d. 165)
Justin never ended his quest for
religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying
various pagan philosophies.
As a
young man, he was principally attracted to the Upon his conversion he continued to wear the philosopher's mantle, and became the first Christian philosopher. He combined the Christian religion with the best elements in Greek philosophy. In his view, philosophy was a pedagogue of Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christ.
Justin is known as an apologist, one who defends in writing the Christian religion against the attacks and misunderstandings of the pagans. Two of his so-called apologies have come down to us; they are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate.
For his staunch adherence to the Christian religion, Justin was beheaded in
Comment:
As patron of philosophers, Justin may inspire us to use our natural powers (especially our power to know and understand) in the service of Christ and to build up the Christian life within us. Since we are prone to error, especially in reference to the deep questions concerning life and existence, we should also be willing to correct and check our natural thinking in light of religious truth. Thus we will be able to say with the learned saints of the Church: I believe in order to understand, and I understand in order to believe.
As patron of philosophers, Justin may inspire us to use our natural powers (especially our power to know and understand) in the service of Christ and to build up the Christian life within us. Since we are prone to error, especially in reference to the deep questions concerning life and existence, we should also be willing to correct and check our natural thinking in light of religious truth. Thus we will be able to say with the learned saints of the Church: I believe in order to understand, and I understand in order to believe.
Quote:
"Philosophy is the knowledge of that which exists, and a clear understanding of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and understanding" (Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 3).
www.americancatholic.org"Philosophy is the knowledge of that which exists, and a clear understanding of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and understanding" (Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 3).
LECTIO: MARK 11,27-33
Lectio:
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Prayer
Lord, Father of
goodness and mercy, You has sent your Son Jesus from heaven to reveal to us the
authority and the sweetness of your love. Send us your Holy Spirit as He
descended upon Christ on the baptism in the Jordan River, and the heavens open
with your voice of salvation: "You are my Son, my beloved," may our
hearts not discuss, nor close, but in full confidence that they can welcome
your light and embracement of the Father, now and forever. Amen.
Jesus and his
disciples returned once more to Jerusalem
As he was walking in the temple area,
the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders
approached him and said to him,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
Or who gave you this authority to do them?”
Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.
Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”–
they feared the crowd,
for they all thought John really was a prophet.
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
Then Jesus said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
As he was walking in the temple area,
the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders
approached him and said to him,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
Or who gave you this authority to do them?”
Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.
Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”–
they feared the crowd,
for they all thought John really was a prophet.
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
Then Jesus said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Meditation
* "By what
authority?". The word "authority" is central to this short
passage and contains the secret of the faith journey and spiritual growth that
we can fulfill, if we let ourselves be guided by the Word, in meditation of
this Gospel. The provocative question addressed to Jesus by the scribes and
chief priests makes us understand that how distance there is between him and
them and that is why there can be no answer. For the priests and scribes
"Authority" is "power," "strength",
"dominion", "capable of enforcing laws and judge." But
Jesus 'authority' is another thing; in Hebrew this word authority is from a
root of the word that also means "similar to." In fact, Jesus makes
it clear in the place that he was walking (v. 27) and that would lead us to
understand that “authority” is similarity with the Father, the relationship of
love with him, as between Father and son. It is no coincidence that he
immediately appoints the baptism of John.
* "The baptism of
John ...." Jesus leads us now clearly at the starting point, the source,
where we really find ourselves in the encounter with God in the banks of the
River Jordan, where he was baptized, is also prepared our place, because, like
him, go down into the water, the fire of love and allow ourselves to mark with
the seal of the Holy Spirit, let us reach out, gather and visit with these
words: "You are my Son, the beloved" (Mk 11). Jesus tells us that
there is no other authority, or other greatness or riches than this.
* "From heaven or
from human origin?". We want to be with God or with men, or we want follow
God or men, or we want to enter into the light of the Open Skies (Mark 1, 10)
or remain in the darkness of our loneliness?
* "Answer
me." It 's beautiful word of Jesus, repeated forcefully twice (vv. 29 and
30). He calls for a clear choice, a clear decision, sincere, authentic and
profound. The verb "answer", in Greek means to express the attitude,
the ability to distinguish, to separate things well. The Lord wants to invite
us to enter into the deepest part of ourselves to let go through his words and
so, in this strong relationship with Him, learning more and more to pull
ourselves out of important decisions of our lives or even in our days.
But there is something
more to this word so simple and so beautiful. The Hebrew root expresses at the
same time, the response, but also the misery, poverty, grief, humility. That
is, there can be no real answer, if not humility, if not listening. Jesus is
asking the priests and scribes, but to us, to enter into this dimension of
life, this attitude of the soul: to humble before Him, recognizing our poverty,
our need for him, because only this may be the real answer to his questions.
* They argued among
themselves. "Another important verb that helps us to understand a little
bit more about our inner world. This discussion is in fact a "talk
through" as we sense from a literal translation of the Greek word used by
Mark. These people in this passage are broken inside, are crossed by an injury,
are not all in one piece in front of Jesus talking to each other, bringing
together a number of reasons and considerations, instead of entering into that
relationship and in that dialogue with the Father which was inaugurated with
the baptism of Jesus, they remain outside, at a distance, as the son of the
parable, who refuses to join in the feast of love (cf. Lk 15, 28). They also do
not believe in the Word of God, once again repeated: "You are my Son, my
beloved, in you I am well pleased" (Mk 1, 11) and continue to seek and
desire the virtue of ' authority and power rather than the weakness of love.
Questions for
Reflection
* The Lord teaches me
his authority, even in my life, not domination, oppression or force but is
love, and the ability to be alike, to be near. I would like to accept this
authority of Jesus in my life, I would truly enter into this relationship of
resemblance with him, am I ready to take the steps of this choice? Am I
determined to follow this through?
* Maybe, approaching
this Gospel, I did not expect to come back to the episode of Baptism and the
experience so fundamental and source of the relationship with God the Father.
Instead, once again, the Lord wanted to reveal his love so immense, that does
not shrink in any effort, any obstacles just to reach me. Is my heart, right
now, before him? Can I hear the voice of the Father speaks to me and calls me
"son", saying my name? Can I accept this statement of love? Do I
trust him, believe him, and I give myself to Him? Do I choose heaven or still
the earth?
* I cannot think out
of this meditation without having given my answer. Jesus asks me specifically,
that "Answer me" is also addressed to me today. I learned that there
can be no one to answer without a real hearing and listening that can only come
from true humility ... Do I want to take these steps? Or just want to continue
to respond with my own convictions, my old ways of thinking and feeling, from
my conceit and self-sufficiency?
* One last thing.
Looking inside of my heart, do I feel being 'too divided, as enemies of Jesus?
Is there any wound in me that not allow me to be whole Christian, or a friend
of Christ, or his disciple? What's in my life that I am broken, which separates
me from him?
Final Prayer
The law of the LORD is
perfect, refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD
is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the
LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.
The command of the
LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
The fear of the LORD
is pure, enduring forever.
The statutes of the
LORD are true, all of them just;
More desirable than
gold, than a hoard of purest gold,
Sweeter also than
honey or drippings from the comb.
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