Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 178
Lectionary: 178
On
that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”
Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.
“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”
Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 118:1
AND 8-9, 19-21, 25-27A
R.
(26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
GospelMT 7:21, 24-27
Jesus
said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
Meditation: "Who shall enter the kingdom of
heaven?"
What’s the best security against disaster and destruction? In
the ancient world a strong city, an impregnable fortress, and a secure house
were built on solid rock because they could withstand the forces of nature and
foe alike. Isaiah speaks of God as an “everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:4). He is
the rock of refuge and deliverance (Psalm 18:2) and the rock in whom there is
no wrong (Psalm 92:15). Scripture warns that destruction will surely come to
those who place their security in something other than God and his kingdom.
Jesus’ parables invite us to stake our lives on the coming of his kingdom or
face the consequences of being unprepared when the day of testing and
destruction will surely come.
When Jesus told the story of the builders he likely had the
following proverb in mind: "When the storm has swept by, the wicked are
gone, but the righteous stand firm for ever" (Proverbs 10:25).
What's the significance of the story for us? The kind of foundation we build
our lives upon will determine whether we can survive the storms that are sure
to come. Builders usually lay their foundations when the weather and soil
conditions are at their best. It takes foresight to know how a foundation will
stand up against adverse conditions. Building a house on a flood plain, such as
a dry river-bed, is a sure bet for disaster! Jesus prefaced his story with a
warning: We may fool humans with our speech, but God cannot be deceived. He
sees the heart as it truly is – with its motives, intentions, desires, and choices
(Psalm 139:2).
There is only one way in which a person's sincerity can be
proved, and that is by one's practice. Fine words can never replace good
deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we are
tested. Do you cheat on an exam or on your income taxes, especially when it
will cost you? Do you lie, or cover-up, when disclosing the truth will
cause you injury or embarrassment? A true person is honest and reliable
before God, one's neighbor and oneself. His or her word can be counted
on. If you heed God's word and live according to it then you need not fear when
storms assail you. God will be your rock and your refuge. Is your life built
upon the sure "rock" of Jesus Christ and do you listen to his word as
if your life depended on it?
"Lord Jesus, your are my Rock and my Refuge. Help me to
conform my life according to your word that I may stand firm in times of
trouble and find hope in your promises."
 Flood-Proof |
|
Thursday of the
First Week of Advent
|
|
Father Edward
McIlmail, LC
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone
who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the
one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Everyone who listens to these
words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on
rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the
house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone
who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a
fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the
winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely
ruined.”
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come before you in humility and with
a spirit of hope. You no doubt have something to tell me. I approach you in
prayer, confident of your love and trustful of your grace to enable me to
carry out whatever you ask. I offer this prayer for those in my family who
might be far away from you.
Petition: Lord, help me deepen my life of faith and
charity, to better prepare for the trials ahead.
1. The Façade:It is easy to address Jesus as "Lord,
Lord." After all, we know by faith that he is the Son of God. His
miracles and the endurance of his Church attest to his divine nature. Yet,
our recognition of his divinity isn’t enough. Our admission that "Jesus
is my savior" won’t guarantee us a place in heaven. Faith in Christ
can’t just remain on our lips; it must penetrate our hearts and minds as
well. Faith, then, implies doing the will of God the Father – in thoughts,
words and deeds. How does my faith in Christ translate into acts? Am I
satisfied with saying a few prayers, and little else?
2. Out of Sight:Christ exhorts his disciples to build their
faith on rock, not on sentimentality. To dig a solid foundation of faith
takes hard work. It demands constancy in prayer, charity and generosity. It
also requires humility and purity of intention, since the work of preparing a
foundation is not glamorous. There’s nothing particularly beautiful about a
big hole in the ground at a construction site. So it is in the spiritual
life, too; digging a foundation forces us to go deep, to remove our worst
faults. The process isn’t pretty. It forces us to face our vices honestly and
to rip away the mask we might wear in front of others. Without this step we
risk building our lives on sand. How well am I digging my foundation?
3. Too Late:Foundations seem firm when all is calm. Fair
weather doesn’t test the strength of a building. The real test comes when the
climate turns nasty. The same occurs in the spiritual life. When serenity
reigns around us, peace blossoms effortlessly. But when a crisis befalls us –
a rejection, an illness, a bit of opposition over a moral matter – that’s
when we learn the sturdiness of our faith. Peter, who boasted that he would
stand by Our Lord "though all may have their faith in you shaken"
(Matthew 26:33), learned the hard way that his courage wasn’t what he thought
it was. He abandoned Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, as did all the
apostles. How well do I face ordinary temptations and setbacks? How well
could I face a serious crisis?
Conversation with Christ:Lord, I fear sometimes that I’m not much
better than Peter, who bragged that he would stand by you, but then fled when
the guards arrested you on Holy Thursday night. I want to be a true Christian
witness in the world, but I need your help to overcome my human respect and
laziness.
Resolution: I will do one external act of witness to the
faith.
|
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, MATTHEW 7:21, 24-27
(Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118)
(Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118)
KEY VERSE: "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock" (v 24).
READING: Jesus concluded his Sermon on the Mount by saying that it was not enough to perform works of healing and miracles yet live contrary to his teachings. The true disciple was one who imitated Jesus' dedication to God's will. Jesus illustrated his teaching with the Palestinian practice of building houses on a rock foundation. The house built on the sand of the wadi was in danger of being swept away by the floods that followed the winter rains. Those who ignored Jesus' words were building upon a superficial footing. Their faith would collapse when trials beset them. Christians who obeyed Christ's teachings were building on a stable foundation that would withstand the storms of life.
REFLECTING: How can I shore up the weak places in my spiritual household?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me obey your word in your Church.
Blessed is he who comes in the name
of the Lord
The image of the rock appears in both readings today.It is the Lord who is the everlasting Rock in whom we should place our trust. Jesus reminds us that we should build our lives on the rock of his word. We should pray, but we should also act. There certainly was a unity between prayer and action in the life of the great bishop, Ambrose (see Saturday 7th). His sermons were the outcome of careful study of Scripture and touched the hearts of many, including Augustine. Lord, be the rock of my life. Help me to do your Father’s will in my life. Help me to study your word. May my prayer bear fruit in my life.
December 5
St. Sabas
(b. 439)
St. Sabas
(b. 439)
Born in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), Sabas is one of the most
highly regarded patriarchs among the monks of Palestine and is considered one
of the founders of Eastern monasticism.
After an
unhappy childhood in which he was abused and ran away several times, Sabas
finally sought refuge in a monastery. While family members tried to persuade
him to return home, the young boy felt drawn to monastic life. Although the
youngest monk in the house, he excelled in virtue.
At age 18
he traveled to Jerusalem, seeking to learn more about living in solitude. Soon
he asked to be accepted as a disciple of a well-known local solitary, though
initially he was regarded as too young to live completely as a hermit.
Initially, Sabas lived in a monastery, where he worked during the day and spent
much of the night in prayer. At the age of 30 he was given permission to spend
five days each week in a nearby remote cave, engaging in prayer and manual
labor in the form of weaving baskets. Following the death of his mentor, St.
Euthymius, Sabas moved farther into the desert near Jericho. There he lived for
several years in a cave near the brook Cedron. A rope was his means of access. Wild
herbs among the rocks were his food. Occasionally men brought him other food
and items, while he had to go a distance for his water.
Some of
these men came to him desiring to join him in his solitude. At first he
refused. But not long after relenting, his followers swelled to more than 150,
all of them living in individual huts grouped around a church, called a laura.
The
bishop persuaded a reluctant Sabas, then in his early 50s, to prepare for the
priesthood so that he could better serve his monastic community in leadership.
While functioning as abbot among a large community of monks, he felt ever
called to live the life of a hermit. Throughout each year —consistently in
Lent—he left his monks for long periods of time, often to their distress. A
group of 60 men left the monastery, settling at a nearby ruined facility. When
Sabas learned of the difficulties they were facing, he generously gave them
supplies and assisted in the repair of their church.
Over the
years Sabas traveled throughout Palestine, preaching the true faith and
successfully bringing back many to the Church. At the age of 91, in response to
a plea from the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Sabas undertook a journey to
Constantinople in conjunction with the Samaritan revolt and its violent
repression. He fell ill and, soon after his return, died at the monastery at
Mar Saba. Today the monastery is still inhabited by monks of the Eastern
Orthodox Church, and St. Sabas is regarded as one of the most noteworthy
figures of early monasticism.
Comment:
Few of us share Sabas’s yearning for a cave in the desert, but most of us sometimes resent the demands others place on our time. Sabas understands that. When at last he gained the solitude for which he yearned, a community immediately began to gather around him and he was forced into a leadership role. He stands as a model of patient generosity for anyone whose time and energy are required by others—that is, for all of us.
Few of us share Sabas’s yearning for a cave in the desert, but most of us sometimes resent the demands others place on our time. Sabas understands that. When at last he gained the solitude for which he yearned, a community immediately began to gather around him and he was forced into a leadership role. He stands as a model of patient generosity for anyone whose time and energy are required by others—that is, for all of us.
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 7,21.24-27
Lectio:
Thursday,
December 5, 2013
1st Week of Advent
.png)
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
to those who trust in you
and live the gospel of your Son,
you are a dependable rock.
In the storms and tensions of our times,
may our faith never waver,
but give us the courage
to live as we believe,
consistently, radically,
that with your Son we may do your will
and live in your love now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 7, 21.24-27
'It is not anyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.
'Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock.
But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!'
3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel narrates the end of the Discourse on the Mountain. The discourse on the Mountain is a new reading of the Law of God. It begins with the Beatitudes (Mt 5, 1-12) and ends with the house built on the rock.
• It is a question of acquiring the true wisdom. A source of wisdom is the Word of God expressed in the Law of God. True Wisdom consists in listening to and practicing the Word of God (Lk 11, 28). It is not sufficient to say: “Lord, Lord!” The important thing is not to say beautiful words about God, but rather to do the Will of the Father and, therefore, to be a revelation of his love and his presence in the world.
• The one who listens to and practices the Word, constructs the house on the rock. The solidity of the house does not come from the house in itself, but rather from the land, from the rock. What does the rock signify? It is the experience of God’s love revealed in Jesus (Rm 8, 31-39). There are some persons who practice the Word in order to merit God’s love. But love is not bought, purchased, neither do we merit it. (sg 8, 7). The love of God is received gratuitously. Let us put into practice the Word not to merit love, but to say thank you for the love we have received. This is the good earth, the rock, which gives security to the house. The true security comes from the certainty of God’s love! It is the rock which sustains us in the moments of difficulty and in storms.
• The Evangelist ends the discourse of the Mountain (Mt 7, 27-28) saying that the crowds remained admired by the teaching of Jesus, because “he taught with authority, and not like the Scribes”. The result of the teaching of Jesus is the critical awareness of the people concerning religious authority of the time. Admired and grateful, the people approved the beautiful and diverse teaching of Jesus.
4) Personal questions
• Am I among those who say “Lord, Lord”, or among those who put the Word into practice?
• Do I observe the Law in order to merit love and salvation or in order to thank God for his love and his salvation?
5) Concluding Prayer
O Lord, grant salvation!
O Lord, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (Ps 118)
Lord our God,
to those who trust in you
and live the gospel of your Son,
you are a dependable rock.
In the storms and tensions of our times,
may our faith never waver,
but give us the courage
to live as we believe,
consistently, radically,
that with your Son we may do your will
and live in your love now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 7, 21.24-27
'It is not anyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.
'Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock.
But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!'
3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel narrates the end of the Discourse on the Mountain. The discourse on the Mountain is a new reading of the Law of God. It begins with the Beatitudes (Mt 5, 1-12) and ends with the house built on the rock.
• It is a question of acquiring the true wisdom. A source of wisdom is the Word of God expressed in the Law of God. True Wisdom consists in listening to and practicing the Word of God (Lk 11, 28). It is not sufficient to say: “Lord, Lord!” The important thing is not to say beautiful words about God, but rather to do the Will of the Father and, therefore, to be a revelation of his love and his presence in the world.
• The one who listens to and practices the Word, constructs the house on the rock. The solidity of the house does not come from the house in itself, but rather from the land, from the rock. What does the rock signify? It is the experience of God’s love revealed in Jesus (Rm 8, 31-39). There are some persons who practice the Word in order to merit God’s love. But love is not bought, purchased, neither do we merit it. (sg 8, 7). The love of God is received gratuitously. Let us put into practice the Word not to merit love, but to say thank you for the love we have received. This is the good earth, the rock, which gives security to the house. The true security comes from the certainty of God’s love! It is the rock which sustains us in the moments of difficulty and in storms.
• The Evangelist ends the discourse of the Mountain (Mt 7, 27-28) saying that the crowds remained admired by the teaching of Jesus, because “he taught with authority, and not like the Scribes”. The result of the teaching of Jesus is the critical awareness of the people concerning religious authority of the time. Admired and grateful, the people approved the beautiful and diverse teaching of Jesus.
4) Personal questions
• Am I among those who say “Lord, Lord”, or among those who put the Word into practice?
• Do I observe the Law in order to merit love and salvation or in order to thank God for his love and his salvation?
5) Concluding Prayer
O Lord, grant salvation!
O Lord, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (Ps 118)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét