Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 488
Lectionary: 488
Brothers and
sisters:
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.
For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord;
so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
For this is why Christ died and came to life,
that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why then do you judge your brother or sister?
Or you, why do you look down on your brother or sister?
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;
for it is written:
As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.
So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.
For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord;
so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
For this is why Christ died and came to life,
that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why then do you judge your brother or sister?
Or you, why do you look down on your brother or sister?
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;
for it is written:
As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.
So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.
Responsorial PsalmPS 27:1BCDE, 4, 13-14
R. ( 13) I believe that I shall see the good things of
the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
GospelLK 15:1-10
The tax collectors
and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So Jesus addressed this parable to them.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.
“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So Jesus addressed this parable to them.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.
“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”
Meditation: "Tax
collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus"
Do you
ever feel resentful or get upset when someone else gets treated better than you
think they deserve? The scribes and Pharisees took great offense at Jesus
because he went out of his way to meet with sinners and he treated them like
they were his friends. The Pharisees had strict regulations about how they were
to keep away from sinners, lest they incur ritual defilement. They were not to
entrust money to them or have any business dealings with them, nor trust them
with a secret, nor entrust orphans to their care, nor accompany them on a
journey, nor give their daughter in marriage to any of their sons, nor invite
them as guests or be their guests. They were shocked with the way in which
Jesus freely received sinners and ate with them. Sinners, nonetheless, were drawn
to Jesus to hear him speak about the mercy of God. Jesus
characteristically answered the Pharisees' charge with a parable or lesson
drawn from everyday life.
What does
Jesus' story about a lost sheep and a lost coin tell us about God and his
kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make
sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social,
an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The
shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and
restores it to the fold. The housewife who lost a coin faced something of an
economic disaster, since the value of the coin would be equivalent to her
husband's daily wage. What would she say to her husband when he returned home
from work? They were poor and would suffer greatly because of the loss. Her
grief and anxiety turn to joy when she finds the coin. Both the shepherd and
the housewife "search until what they have lost is found." Their
persistence pays off. They both instinctively share their joy with the whole
community. The poor are particularly good at sharing in one another's sorrows
and joys. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must
be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of
anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That
is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and
restored to fellowship with God. Seekers of the lost are much needed
today. Do you persistently pray and seek after those you know who have lost
their way to God?
"Lord
Jesus, let your light dispel the darkness that what is lost may be found and
restored. Let your light shine through me that others may see your truth and
love and find hope and peace in you. May I never doubt your love nor take for
granted the mercy you have shown to me. Fill me with your transforming love
that I may be merciful as you are merciful."
 Keeping the Right Company |
|
Thursday of the
Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
|
|
Father Steven
Reilly, LC
Luke 15: 1-10
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were
coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were
grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with
them." So he told them this parable: "Which one of you, having a
hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the
wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has
found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ´Rejoice with
me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.´ Just so, I tell you, there will
be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who need no repentance. "Or what woman having ten
silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the
house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she
calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ´Rejoice with me, for I
have found the coin that I had lost.´ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in
the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Introductory Prayer: Lord God, I believe that you are present
here for this moment of prayer. Even if I have not really longed for this
time together, I know that you have been waiting for me. As an expression of
my gratitude and love, I truly wish to give myself totally to you during this
meditation.
Petition: Lord, grant me greater zeal for the
salvation of souls.
1. You Can Judge a Man by the Company He
Keeps: Our Lord took a
considerable amount of flak from the Pharisees for taking time to get to know
the less respectable crowd. In those days, “sinners” were marginalized and
treated with contempt. Today, attitudes have changed. Folks that were
considered sinners back then would now be mainstream; some of them would
probably even be celebrities. But one thing is still the same: People still
judge others by the company they keep. For better or worse, people are judged
by their associations. That brings up a good question. I am a Catholic. I
receive the Eucharist frequently. Jesus is spending a lot of time with me.
Would people be able to tell that I have been spending time with the Lord?
What would they think of Christ and his influence on me? Are the Lord’s
standards reflected in my life?
2. The 99 Safe Sheep: Jesus’ description of going out to get the
sinner is truly consoling. Perhaps this brings up a beautiful memory of how
he came to my rescue, when I was one of the wooly ones wandering far from the
flock. But that’s now a changed scenario. I am in the flock. How do I stay
here and keep from wandering off? The Good Shepherd gives us so many tools,
but I need to use them. If I slacken in my prayer life and participate with
routine and lack of fervor in the sacraments, I may find myself wondering
what other pastures may be like. Let’s focus on being faithful within the
beautiful flock of the Church.
3. Fireworks in Heaven: Returning to the thought about people
judging others based on the company they keep, we can easily see why those judgments
occur: People that spend time together often start to become like each other,
since they share many of the same interests. Jesus reveals in the parable
what his driving, passionate interest is: the salvation of the individual
soul. “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over
ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” The Lord is always
looking to set off fireworks in heaven with one more conversion. If I’m
hanging around Jesus enough, I’m probably starting to sound like him. If not,
am I really spending as much time with him as I think? Am I trying to bring
back the lost sheep that I know?
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, you lifted up the sinners around you
— so many of them became saints. Let me soak up the grace of your divine
influence so that I will truly reflect in my actions the reality of your work
in my soul. Grant me a little portion of the burning desire you had to bring
back the lost sheep.
Resolution: I will write a letter or email to a friend
or relative who has drifted away from the Church, hoping that even a little
“hello” may plant a positive seed.
|
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, LUKE 15:1-10
LUKE 15:1-10
(Romans 14:7-12; Psalm 27)
LUKE 15:1-10
(Romans 14:7-12; Psalm 27)
KEY VERSE: "There will be great rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (v 10).
READING: The Pharisees and scribes charged Jesus with welcoming sinners and eating with them (Lk 15:2). The Pharisees refused to be the guests of such persons or to have them as guests, or, as far as possible, to have any business dealings with them. It was to these self-righteous leaders that Jesus directed his parables on the merciful love of God. The compassionate God was compared to a shepherd who hunted for his lost sheep and a woman who searched for her lost coin, and their joy in finding what was lost. These parables have been called "the gospel in the gospel" as they contain the very essence of the good news that Jesus came to preach. The joy of a homemaker or a shepherd who lost their most precious possessions and then found them again, is the joy of God and of all the angels when one sinner returns home,
REFLECTING: Do I avail myself of God's mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
PRAYING: Lord, Jesus thank you for forgiving me my sins and welcoming me back to the community.
I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land
of the living.
I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land
of the living.What does it mean to be accountable to God? In some of the Old Testament writings this concept is based on wrath, fear and judgment. But in the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin Jesus shows us a different side of God—a loving shepherd and a diligent housekeeper who cares deeply about every last one of us. The psalm tells us to wait for God, to have courage, to take heart. We belong to God. Do I search for those who are lost and in need, and find ways to show them that they are both unique and deeply loved? How would my life and my relationships be different if I did?
November 7
St. Didacus
(1400-1463)
St. Didacus
(1400-1463)
Didacus is living proof that God "chose what is foolish in
the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the
strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27).
As a
young man in Spain, Didacus joined the Secular Franciscan Order and lived for
some time as a hermit. After Didacus became a Franciscan brother, he developed
a reputation for great insight into God’s ways. His penances were heroic. He
was so generous with the poor that the friars sometimes grew uneasy about his
charity.
Didacus
volunteered for the missions in the Canary Islands and labored there
energetically and profitably. He was also the superior of a friary there.
In 1450
he was sent to Rome to attend the canonization of St. Bernardine of Siena. When
many friars gathered for that celebration fell sick, Didacus stayed in Rome for
three months to nurse them. After he returned to Spain, he pursued a life of
contemplation full-time. He showed the friars the wisdom of God’s ways.
As he was
dying, Didacus looked at a crucifix and said: "O faithful wood, O precious
nails! You have borne an exceedingly sweet burden, for you have been judged
worthy to bear the Lord and King of heaven" (Marion A. Habig, O.F.M., The
Franciscan Book of Saints, p. 834).
San
Diego, California, is named for this Franciscan, who was canonized in 1588.
Comment:
We cannot be neutral about genuinely holy people. We either admire them or we consider them foolish. Didacus is a saint because he used his life to serve God and God’s people. Can we say the same for ourselves?
We cannot be neutral about genuinely holy people. We either admire them or we consider them foolish. Didacus is a saint because he used his life to serve God and God’s people. Can we say the same for ourselves?
Quote:
"He was born in Spain with no outstanding reputation for learning but was like our first teachers and leaders unlettered as men count wisdom, an unschooled person, a humble lay brother in religious life. [God chose Didacus] to show in him the abundant riches of his grace to lead many on the way of salvation by the holiness of his life and by his example and to prove over and over to a weary old world almost decrepit with age that God's folly is wiser than men, and his weakness is more powerful than men" (Bull of Canonization).
"He was born in Spain with no outstanding reputation for learning but was like our first teachers and leaders unlettered as men count wisdom, an unschooled person, a humble lay brother in religious life. [God chose Didacus] to show in him the abundant riches of his grace to lead many on the way of salvation by the holiness of his life and by his example and to prove over and over to a weary old world almost decrepit with age that God's folly is wiser than men, and his weakness is more powerful than men" (Bull of Canonization).
LECTIO: LUKE
15,1-10
Lectio:
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust your promise of eternal life.
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.
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust your promise of eternal life.
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 - Luke 15,1-10
The tax collectors and sinners, however, were all crowding round
to listen to Jesus, and the Pharisees and scribes complained saying, 'This man
welcomes sinners and eats with them.'
So he told them this parable: 'Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found my sheep that was lost."
In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine upright people who have no need of repentance.
'Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost."
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.'
So he told them this parable: 'Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found my sheep that was lost."
In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine upright people who have no need of repentance.
'Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost."
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents the first one of three parables
united among themselves by one same word. It is a question of three things
which were lost: the lost sheep (Lk 15, 3-7), the lost drachma (Lk 15, 8-10),
and the lost son (Lk 15.11-32). The three parables are addressed to the
Pharisees and to the Doctors of the Law who criticized Jesus (Lk 15, 1-3). That
is, they are addressed to the Pharisee and to the Scribe or doctor of the Law
which is in each one of us.
• Luke 15, 1-3: Those to whom the parables are addressed. The first three verses describe the context in which the three parables were pronounced: “At that time, the tax collectors and sinners were all crowding round to listen to him. The Pharisees and Scribes complained”. On one side there were the tax collectors and the sinners; on the other the Pharisees and the Doctors of the Law. Luke speaks exaggerating somewhat: “The tax collectors and the sinners were all crowding round to listen to Jesus”. There was something in Jesus which attracted them. It is the word of Jesus which attracts them (cf. Is 50, 4). They want to listen to him. This is a sign that they do not feel condemned, but rather they feel accepted by him. The criticism of the Pharisees and the Scribes is the following: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” When sending out the seventy-two disciples (Lk 10, 1-9), Jesus had ordered them to accept the excluded, the sick, the possessed (Mt 10, 8; Lk 10, 9) and to gather them for the banquet (Lk 10, 8).
• Luke 15, 4: The Parable of the lost sheep. The parable of the lost sheep begins with a question: “Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it?” Before giving a response, Jesus must have looked around to see who was listening to him to see how they would have answered. The question is formulated in such a way that the response can only be a positive one: “Yes, he will go after the lost sheep!” And you, how would you answer? Would you leave the ninety-nine in the field to go and look for the only one which got lost? Who would do this? Probably, the majority would have answered: “Jesus, who among us? Nobody would do such an absurd thing. The proverb says: “Better one bird in the hand than one hundred flying around!”
• Luke 15, 5-7: Jesus interprets the parable of the lost sheep. Now, in the parable the shepherd does that which nobody would do: to leave everything and to go and look for the lost sheep. God alone can assume such an attitude! Jesus wants that we become aware, conscious of the Pharisee or the Scribe which is in each one of us, The Pharisees and the Scribes abandoned the sinners and excluded them. They would have never gone to look for the lost sheep. They would have allowed it to get lost in the desert. They preferred the ninety-nine. But Jesus places himself in the place of the sheep which got lost and, which in that context of the official religion, would fall into despair, without the hope of being accepted. Jesus makes them and us know: “If you feel that you are a lost sinner, remember that for God you are worth more than the other ninety-nine sheep. And in case that you are converted, know that there will be “greater joy in heaven for a sinner who is converted, than for ninety-nine just who do not need conversion”.
• Luke 15, 8-10: Parable of the lost drachma. The second Parable: "Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner’”. God rejoices with us. The angels rejoice with us. The parable serves to communicate hope to those who were threatened with despair because of the official religion. This message recalls what God tells us in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: "Look, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands!” (Is 49, 16). “Since, I regard you as precious, since you are honoured and I love you!” (Is 43, 4).
• Luke 15, 1-3: Those to whom the parables are addressed. The first three verses describe the context in which the three parables were pronounced: “At that time, the tax collectors and sinners were all crowding round to listen to him. The Pharisees and Scribes complained”. On one side there were the tax collectors and the sinners; on the other the Pharisees and the Doctors of the Law. Luke speaks exaggerating somewhat: “The tax collectors and the sinners were all crowding round to listen to Jesus”. There was something in Jesus which attracted them. It is the word of Jesus which attracts them (cf. Is 50, 4). They want to listen to him. This is a sign that they do not feel condemned, but rather they feel accepted by him. The criticism of the Pharisees and the Scribes is the following: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” When sending out the seventy-two disciples (Lk 10, 1-9), Jesus had ordered them to accept the excluded, the sick, the possessed (Mt 10, 8; Lk 10, 9) and to gather them for the banquet (Lk 10, 8).
• Luke 15, 4: The Parable of the lost sheep. The parable of the lost sheep begins with a question: “Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it?” Before giving a response, Jesus must have looked around to see who was listening to him to see how they would have answered. The question is formulated in such a way that the response can only be a positive one: “Yes, he will go after the lost sheep!” And you, how would you answer? Would you leave the ninety-nine in the field to go and look for the only one which got lost? Who would do this? Probably, the majority would have answered: “Jesus, who among us? Nobody would do such an absurd thing. The proverb says: “Better one bird in the hand than one hundred flying around!”
• Luke 15, 5-7: Jesus interprets the parable of the lost sheep. Now, in the parable the shepherd does that which nobody would do: to leave everything and to go and look for the lost sheep. God alone can assume such an attitude! Jesus wants that we become aware, conscious of the Pharisee or the Scribe which is in each one of us, The Pharisees and the Scribes abandoned the sinners and excluded them. They would have never gone to look for the lost sheep. They would have allowed it to get lost in the desert. They preferred the ninety-nine. But Jesus places himself in the place of the sheep which got lost and, which in that context of the official religion, would fall into despair, without the hope of being accepted. Jesus makes them and us know: “If you feel that you are a lost sinner, remember that for God you are worth more than the other ninety-nine sheep. And in case that you are converted, know that there will be “greater joy in heaven for a sinner who is converted, than for ninety-nine just who do not need conversion”.
• Luke 15, 8-10: Parable of the lost drachma. The second Parable: "Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner’”. God rejoices with us. The angels rejoice with us. The parable serves to communicate hope to those who were threatened with despair because of the official religion. This message recalls what God tells us in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: "Look, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands!” (Is 49, 16). “Since, I regard you as precious, since you are honoured and I love you!” (Is 43, 4).
4) Personal questions
• Would you go out to look for the lost sheep?
• Do you think that today the Church is faithful to this parable of Jesus?
• Do you think that today the Church is faithful to this parable of Jesus?
5) Concluding prayer
Seek Yahweh and his strength,
tirelessly seek his presence!
Remember the marvels he has done,
his wonders, the judgements he has spoken. (Ps 105,4-5)
tirelessly seek his presence!
Remember the marvels he has done,
his wonders, the judgements he has spoken. (Ps 105,4-5)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét