Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 98
Lectionary: 98
God did not make
death,
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome,
and there is not a destructive drug among them
nor any domain of the netherworld on earth,
for justice is undying.
For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
and they who belong to his company experience it.
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome,
and there is not a destructive drug among them
nor any domain of the netherworld on earth,
for justice is undying.
For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
and they who belong to his company experience it.
Responsorial PsalmPS 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued
me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Reading 22 COR 8:7, 9, 13-15
Brothers and
sisters:
As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,
knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you,
may you excel in this gracious act also.
For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Not that others should have relief while you are burdened,
but that as a matter of equality
your abundance at the present time should supply their needs,
so that their abundance may also supply your needs,
that there may be equality.
As it is written:
Whoever had much did not have more,
and whoever had little did not have less.
As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,
knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you,
may you excel in this gracious act also.
For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Not that others should have relief while you are burdened,
but that as a matter of equality
your abundance at the present time should supply their needs,
so that their abundance may also supply your needs,
that there may be equality.
As it is written:
Whoever had much did not have more,
and whoever had little did not have less.
AlleluiaCF. 2 TM 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 5:21-43
When Jesus had
crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to Jesus,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to Jesus,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
When Jesus had
crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
Scripture Study, June
28, 2015
June 28, 2015
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
This Sunday we celebrate the Thirteenth Sunday
of Ordinary Time. The term, Ordinary Time, does not mean unimportant. The word
stems from the same root as ordinal (like the ordinal numbers) and refers to
the fact that these are the counted Sundays of the year. They fall into the
broad category of celebrations of the “Day of the Lord” As the readings for the
special liturgical seasons tend to focus on various articles and events of our
faith, the readings for Ordinary time tend to focus on the business of living
the Christian life. They speak of how to go about being a disciple. This week
they look at the gift of life, both physical and spiritual, that God has given
us and cause us to think particularly about what our response ought to be. How
is my gratitude towards God seen in how I use the gifts with which He has
blessed me?
First Reading: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
1:13 Because God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the
destruction of the living. 14 For he fashioned
all things that they might have being; and the creatures of the world are
wholesome, And there is not a destructive drug among them nor any domain of the
nether world on earth, 15 For justice is undying. 2:23 For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his
own nature he made him. 24 But by the envy of the devil, death
entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it.
NOTES on First Reading:
* 1:13-15 The author is not speaking of
physical death here. He is concerned with spiritual death, the eternal
separation from God. The author also seems to be indifferent to the fate of the
body.
* 1:14 The physical world does not have the
capacity to cause spiritual death. The netherworld, Sheol, is equated with the
personification of death.
* 1:15 Justice is seen as undying and
therefore it leads to immortality. This immortality is neither the fame with
one’s posterity which is spoken of in other parts of the Old Testament nor the
philosophical idea of the native immortality of the soul. Rather it is the
freely granted divine gift of unending life with God. This is a very late
development in Jewish thought. The idea of a life after death in more or less the
modern sense was a moderately new idea that became widespread in Judaism only a
couple of hundred years before Christ.
* 2:23 The author connects the idea of “the
image of God” from Gen 1:26 with the immortality to which humans are destined
but which can be lost by sin. Wisdom never says that we are immortal by nature
but rather that we receive immortality as a divine gift. The author seems to
have no interest in the fate of the physical body. He seems to see physical
death as simply a result of our earthly origins (See 7:1) with no eternal
consequences.
* 2:24 Since death, as used here, is only
experienced by the wicked, it clearly refers to spiritual death rather than
physical death which visits the good and wicked equally. This reference to the
devil is the first biblical text to equate the serpent of Eden (Gen 3) with the
devil. See also 10:1; Sir 25:23; John 8:44; Rev 12:9; 20:2. The author
interprets the threat of death in Gen 2:16-17 and 3:3 as spiritual death rather
than as physical death. Envy may have arisen because Adam was made in the image
of God or because he was given control of all creation.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8: 7, 9, 13-15
7 Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,
knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in
this gracious act also. [8 I say this not by way of command, but to
test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others.] 9 For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty
you might become rich. [10 And I am giving counsel in this matter,
for it is appropriate for you who began not only to act but to act willingly
last year: 11 complete it now, so that your eager
willingness may be matched by your completion of it out of what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according
to what one has, not according to what one does not have;] 13 not that others should have relief while you are burdened,
but that as a matter of equality 14 your surplus at
the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also
supply your needs, that there may be equality. 15 As it is written: “Whoever had much did not have more, and
whoever had little did not have less.”
NOTES on Second Reading:
* The portions of the text in brackets above
are not included in the reading because they are parenthetical and off the
point that the reading wishes to make.
* 8:7 Paul presents the charitable service is
promoting briefly and in passing within the perspective of his theology of the
charisms. This verse suggests that the Corinthian Church excelled in many ways.
Such a suggestion would have flattered the Corinthians but it was meant, at
least partly, as a rebuke in the form of faint praise. In other communities
grace is described as being manifested in their faith, hope, and love, or
partnership in the gospel. These are all qualities that were conspicuously
missing among the Corinthians who were suffering from a serious problem of pride
in the possession of the spiritual gifts and lacked the love that should be
evident among members of the Body of Christ. This same technique is used in 1
Cor 1:5.
* 8:8 Paul does not wish to give the
impression of bullying them but wants them to act for the theological reason
given in 9:7.
* 8:9 This same theological principle
concerning the experience of Jesus, was expressed earlier in terms of life and
death (2 Cor 5:15), and sin and righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). It is now rephrased
in terms of poverty and wealth. Many scholars think this is a reference to
Jesus’ preexistence with God (his “wealth”) and to his incarnation and death
(his “poverty”), and they point to the similarity between this verse and Phil
2:6-8. This is not necessarily the case. Others interpret the wealth and
poverty as succeeding phases of Jesus’ earthly existence, e.g., his sense of
intimacy with God and then the desolation and the feeling of abandonment by God
in his death (See Mark 15:34).
* 8:13-14 The Corinthians are not being asked
to impoverish themselves. They are to use their surplus to help those in need
as one day they too may need the help of others.
* 8:15 This is a reference to Exod 16:18 which
deals with the gathering of manna. It brings up the idea that God will provide
from the supply so that the needs of the people will be met.
Gospel Reading: Mark 5: 21-43
21 When Jesus had crossed again (in the boat) to the other
side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came
forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded
earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come
lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and
pressed upon him. 25 There was a woman afflicted with
hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered
greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she
was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard
about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her
body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is
pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?'” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached
in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in
peace and be cured of your affliction.” 35 While he was
still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to
the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except
Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and
weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took
along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the
room where the child was. 41 He took the
child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I
say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose
immediately and walked around. (At that) they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and
said that she should be given something to eat.
NOTES on Gospel:
* 5:22 The term, “rulers of the synagogue” may
mean one of the members of the synagogue committee from which the office of
elders developed, or even the president of the synagogue. To fall at His feet
was a sign of homage. While it may indicate a recognition of the Divine, at
this point of the gospel it is more likely to be simply the ancient middle
eastern form of according human honor.
* 5:25 The “issue of blood” made the woman
unclean according to Lev 15:19.
* 5:28 By touching the hem (fringe) of His
garment the woman was expressing faith in Jesus as the Messiah who was
described in Mal 4:2 (that’s 3:20 in most Catholic editions) as “the sun of
justice with healing in His wings.” This is translated as “with its healing
rays” by the NAB. The same word used for wings means extremities and corners
and edges. Corners of cloaks were called “wings ” of the cloak.
* 5:30 Some older translations use the word,
virtue, for power.
* 5:33 The woman had reason to be afraid. Lev
15:19 declares her to be unclean and so she should : not have been in a crowd
at all, not have approached a rabbi, not have touched a rabbi in public because
she was a woman. not have touched anybody because she was unclean.
* 5:34 In place of well some versions have
whole or saved. In Greek the same word is used for both “whole” and “saved.”
* 5:43 The request for secrecy seems very
strange since all the people who had been put out and who were at the house
mourning would have known what happened when they saw the child again. It is
part of the Messianic secret which is a literary device used by Mark throughout
his gospel. It emphasizes the common misunderstanding of the role of the
Messiah.
Meditation: "Do
not fear - only believe"
Do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith or with
skeptical doubt? People in desperate or helpless circumstances were not
disappointed when they sought Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus? Was it hope
for a miracle or a word of comfort in their affliction? What did the elderly
woman who had suffered miserably for twelve years expect Jesus to do for her?
And what did a grieving father expect Jesus to do for his beloved daughter who
was at the point of death? Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no human
cause for it because his hope was directed to God. He spoke words of hope to
the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to fire up the spark of faith in her (your
faith has made you well!).
Jesus also gave supernatural hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbors and kin. Even the hired mourners laughed scornfully at Jesus. Their grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp of death. Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD), an early church father who was renowned for his preaching at Ravena, comments on this miracle:
Jesus also gave supernatural hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbors and kin. Even the hired mourners laughed scornfully at Jesus. Their grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp of death. Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD), an early church father who was renowned for his preaching at Ravena, comments on this miracle:
"This man was a ruler of the synagogue, and versed in the
law. He had surely read that while God created all other things by his word,
man had been created by the hand of God. He trusted therefore in God that his
daughter would be recreated, and restored to life by that same hand which, he
knew, had created her... He [Jesus] who laid hands on her to form her from
nothing, once more lays hands upon her to reform her from what had
perished."
In both instances we see Jesus' personal concern for the needs
of others and his readiness to heal and restore life. In Jesus we see the
infinite love of God extending to each and every individual as he gives freely
and wholly of himself to each person he meets. Do you approach the Lord
with confident expectation that he will hear your request and act?
"Lord Jesus, you love each of us individually with a unique
and personal love. Touch my life with your saving power, heal and restore me to
fullness of life. Help me to give wholly of myself in loving service to
others."
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, MARK 5:21-43
(Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15)
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, MARK 5:21-43
(Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15)
KEY VERSE: "Fear is useless, what is needed is trust" (v 36).
TO KNOW: In the midst of a busy day of ministry, Jesus received two urgent requests for healing, but in entirely different ways. Jairus, a synagogue official, approached Jesus directly with the plea to heal his young daughter who was critically ill. As Jesus set out to respond to this need, a woman followed him, pushing through the crowds in order to be healed. Because of her flow of blood, the woman should not have been in the crowd, as she was considered "unclean" and would defile the people (Lv 15:25-33). The woman had spent years seeking a cure to no avail, and in faith-filled desperation she touched the hem of Jesus' garment (the hem's 613 fringes reminded Jews of their duty to obey the Law of Moses). A surge of power went out from Jesus and the woman was healed instantly. Although the woman was fearful, Jesus assured her that her faith had made her whole. At that moment, Jesus was informed that Jairus' daughter had died. Jesus told the distraught father not to be afraid but to put his faith in him. Jesus entered the house where the little girl lay, took her by the hand, and raised her to new life. The child was twelve years old, the marriageable age of a girl at that time, and the same number of years that the woman was afflicted by a hemorrhage. Jesus restored both to be bearers of new life.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, help me to reach out to others with your healing touch.
TO SERVE: How can I bring Jesus' healing to someone in pain?
Sunday 28 June 2015
SUN 28TH. 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Wisdom 1:13-15, 1:23-24. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me—Ps 29(30):2, 4-6, 11-13. 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15. Mark 5:21-43 [St Irenaeus].
Wisdom 1:13-15, 1:23-24. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me—Ps 29(30):2, 4-6, 11-13. 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15. Mark 5:21-43 [St Irenaeus].
Today, we have another story of Jesus’ triumph
over evil.
The
meaning of today’s story is not so much in the words but in the experience of
Jesus presented to us as we remain in stillness, as we listen, as we let
ourselves become part of the events being pictured.
We
sense the passion with which Jairus pleads to Jesus to cure his daughter. We
marvel at the faith that lies beneath this passion. We are dismayed to find she
is already dead. We hear Jesus: ‘Do not be afraid: only have faith.’ What can
he mean?
Then he shocks everyone: he
announces that she is not dead, but asleep! As the girl walks, our disbelief
turns first to amazement and then to an overwhelming joy in the secure
knowledge that Jesus is no ordinary man. He is Lord, not only for this girl and
her father, but he is Lord of our lives as well. What sort of humble response
do we then feel we want to make?
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
The Sovereign Author
|
The sovereign authority of God is different from human authority,
however. His authority is never unjust or oppressive. In fact, the sovereignty
of God is one of the most comforting and powerful expressions of his love.
June
28
St. Irenaeus
(130?-220)
St. Irenaeus
(130?-220)
The Church is fortunate that Irenaeus was involved in many of its
controversies in the second century. He was a student, well trained, no doubt,
with great patience in investigating, tremendously protective of apostolic
teaching, but prompted more by a desire to win over his opponents than to prove
them in error.
As bishop
of Lyons he was especially concerned with the Gnostics, who took their name
from the Greek word for “knowledge.” Claiming access to secret knowledge
imparted by Jesus to only a few disciples, their teaching was attracting and
confusing many Christians. After thoroughly investigating the various Gnostic
sects and their “secret,” Irenaeus showed to what logical conclusions their
tenets led. These he contrasted with the teaching of the apostles and the text
of Holy Scripture, giving us, in five books, a system of theology of great
importance to subsequent times. Moreover, his work, widely used and translated
into Latin and Armenian, gradually ended the influence of the Gnostics.
The
circumstances and details about his death, like those of his birth and early
life in Asia Minor, are not at all clear.
Story:
A group of Christians in Asia Minor had been
excommunicated by Pope Victor I because of their refusal to accept the Western
church’s date for celebrating Easter. Irenaeus, the “lover of peace” as his
name indicates, interceded with the pope to lift the ban, indicating that this
was not an essential matter and that these people were merely following an old
tradition, one that men such as Saint Polycarp (February 23) and Pope Anicetus
had not seen as divisive. The pope responded favorably and the rift was healed.
Some one hundred years later, the Western practice was voluntarily adopted.
Comment:
A deep and genuine concern for other people will remind us that the discovery of truth is not to be a victory for some and a defeat for others. Unless all can claim a share in that victory, truth itself will continue to be rejected by the losers, because it will be regarded as inseparable from the yoke of defeat. And so, confrontation, controversy and the like might yield to a genuine united search for God's truth and how it can best be served.
A deep and genuine concern for other people will remind us that the discovery of truth is not to be a victory for some and a defeat for others. Unless all can claim a share in that victory, truth itself will continue to be rejected by the losers, because it will be regarded as inseparable from the yoke of defeat. And so, confrontation, controversy and the like might yield to a genuine united search for God's truth and how it can best be served.
Quote:
A group of Christians in Asia Minor had been excommunicated by Pope Victor I because of their refusal to accept the Western church's date for celebrating Easter. Irenaeus, the "lover of peace" as his name indicates, interceded with the pope to lift the ban. Irenaeus indicated that this was not an essential matter and that these people were merely following an old tradition, one that men such as Saint Polycarp (February 23) and Pope Anicetus had not seen as divisive. The pope responded favorably and the rift was healed. Some 100 years later, the Western practice was voluntarily adopted.
A group of Christians in Asia Minor had been excommunicated by Pope Victor I because of their refusal to accept the Western church's date for celebrating Easter. Irenaeus, the "lover of peace" as his name indicates, interceded with the pope to lift the ban. Irenaeus indicated that this was not an essential matter and that these people were merely following an old tradition, one that men such as Saint Polycarp (February 23) and Pope Anicetus had not seen as divisive. The pope responded favorably and the rift was healed. Some 100 years later, the Western practice was voluntarily adopted.
LECTIO DIVINA:
13TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B)
Lectio:
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Jesus heals two women
To conquer the power of death and
open a new way to God
Mark 5:21-43
To conquer the power of death and
open a new way to God
Mark 5:21-43
1. Opening prayer
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
2. Reading
a) A key to the reading:
In this 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Church
asks us to meditate on two of Jesus’ miracles worked for two women. The first
miracle is worked for a woman considered impure because she suffered from a
haemorrhage for twelve years. The second is worked for a twelve-year-old girl
who has just died. According to the thinking of the times, any person who
touched blood or a dead body was considered impure. Blood and death were
factors that excluded people! Thus these two women were marginalized, excluded
from taking part in the community. Today, too, we have categories of people who
are excluded or who feel excluded from taking part in the Christian community.
What are the factors today that cause people to be excluded, both from the
Church and from society?
Mark describes the two miracles quite vividly. The text is long. As you read, think that you are among the crowd around Jesus on the way to Jairus’ house. As you walk in silence, try to pay attention to the many attitudes of the people involved in the miracles: Jairus, the girl’s father, the crowd, the woman suffering from the haemorrhage, the disciples and the girl. Ask yourself what would be your attitude.
Mark describes the two miracles quite vividly. The text is long. As you read, think that you are among the crowd around Jesus on the way to Jairus’ house. As you walk in silence, try to pay attention to the many attitudes of the people involved in the miracles: Jairus, the girl’s father, the crowd, the woman suffering from the haemorrhage, the disciples and the girl. Ask yourself what would be your attitude.
b) A division of the text as a help to the reading:
Mark 5:21-24: The point of departure: Jairus loses his daughter.
Jesus goes with him and the crowd follows
Mark 5:25-26: The situation of the woman suffering from an irregular haemorrhage
Mark 5:27-28: The woman’s reasoning in the presence of Jesus
Mark 5:29: The woman succeeds in what she wants and is healed
Mark 5:30-32: The reaction of Jesus and of the disciples
Mark 5:33-34: The conversation between Jesus and the woman healed because of her faith
Mark 5: 35-36: The conversation between Jesus and Jairus
Mark 5:37-40: The arrival at Jairus’ house and the reaction of the crowd
Mark 5:41-43: The raising of the girl back to life
Mark 5:25-26: The situation of the woman suffering from an irregular haemorrhage
Mark 5:27-28: The woman’s reasoning in the presence of Jesus
Mark 5:29: The woman succeeds in what she wants and is healed
Mark 5:30-32: The reaction of Jesus and of the disciples
Mark 5:33-34: The conversation between Jesus and the woman healed because of her faith
Mark 5: 35-36: The conversation between Jesus and Jairus
Mark 5:37-40: The arrival at Jairus’ house and the reaction of the crowd
Mark 5:41-43: The raising of the girl back to life
c) The text:
21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a
large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lake. 22 Then the president
of the synagogue came up, named Jairus, and seeing him, fell at his feet 23 and
begged him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come
and lay your hands on her that she may be saved and may live.' 24 Jesus went
with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
25 Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; 26 after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she had spent all she had without being any the better for it; in fact, she was getting worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and she came up through the crowd and touched his cloak from behind, thinking, 28 'If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved.' 29 And at once the source of the bleeding dried up, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint.
30 And at once aware of the power that had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' 31 His disciples said to him, 'You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, "Who touched me?" ' 32 But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. 34 'My daughter,' he said, 'your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint.'
35 While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the president of the synagogue to say, 'Your daughter is dead; why put the Master to any further trouble?' 36 But Jesus overheard what they said and he said to the president of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only have faith.' 37 And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 So they came to the house of the president of the synagogue, and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. 39 He went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.' 40 But they ridiculed him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child's father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. 41 And taking the child by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha kum!' which means, 'Little girl, I tell you to get up.' 42 The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At once they were overcome with astonishment, 43 and he gave them strict orders not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
25 Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; 26 after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she had spent all she had without being any the better for it; in fact, she was getting worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and she came up through the crowd and touched his cloak from behind, thinking, 28 'If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved.' 29 And at once the source of the bleeding dried up, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint.
30 And at once aware of the power that had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' 31 His disciples said to him, 'You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, "Who touched me?" ' 32 But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. 34 'My daughter,' he said, 'your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint.'
35 While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the president of the synagogue to say, 'Your daughter is dead; why put the Master to any further trouble?' 36 But Jesus overheard what they said and he said to the president of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only have faith.' 37 And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 So they came to the house of the president of the synagogue, and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. 39 He went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.' 40 But they ridiculed him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child's father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. 41 And taking the child by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha kum!' which means, 'Little girl, I tell you to get up.' 42 The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At once they were overcome with astonishment, 43 and he gave them strict orders not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
3. A moment of prayerful silence
so that the Word of God may penetrate and enlighten our life.
4. Some questions
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) What pleased you or touched you most in this text? Why?
b) What is the attitude of the woman who touched Jesus? What gives her the strength to touch him?
c) Why were the disciples unable to understand what was going on between Jesus and the crowd?
d) Who was Jairus? What is Jesus’ attitude towards Jairus, his wife and daughter?
e) A woman is healed and integrated into the life of the community. A girl is raised from her deathbed. What do these actions of Jesus teach us today for our life within the family and in community?
b) What is the attitude of the woman who touched Jesus? What gives her the strength to touch him?
c) Why were the disciples unable to understand what was going on between Jesus and the crowd?
d) Who was Jairus? What is Jesus’ attitude towards Jairus, his wife and daughter?
e) A woman is healed and integrated into the life of the community. A girl is raised from her deathbed. What do these actions of Jesus teach us today for our life within the family and in community?
5. For those who wish to go deeper into the theme
a) The context of yesterday and of today:
i) Throughout his Gospel, Mark goes on giving information
concerning the person of Jesus. He shows how the mystery of the Kingdom is
mirrored in the power that Jesus exercises on behalf of his disciples, of the
crowd and, above all, on behalf of those excluded and marginalized. However,
the more this power is manifested, the less the disciples comprehend and it is
clear that they must change their ideas concerning the Messiah. Otherwise,
their incomprehension will keep on getting worse and they run the risk of
growing apart from Jesus.
ii) In the 70’s, the time when Mark was writing his Gospel,
there was a very great tension within the Christian communities between the
converted Jews and the converted pagans. Some Jews, especially those who had
belonged to the group of Pharisees, continued to remain faithful to the
observance of the laws on purity as found in their millennia-old culture and,
thus, found it difficult to live with the converted pagans, because they
thought that the pagans lived in a state of impurity. Thus, the story of the
two miracles worked by Jesus for the two women was of great help in overcoming
old taboos.
b) A commentary on the text:
Mark 5:21-24: The point of departure: Jairus loses his
daughter. Jesus goes with him and the crowd follows.
The crowd joins Jesus who has just come across from the other side of the lake. Jairus, head of the synagogue, asks Jesus’ help for his daughter who is dying. Jesus goes with him and the crowd follows, pushing him on every side because they all want to be close to Jesus when he is about to work a miracle. This is the point of departure of the two following episodes: the healing of the woman suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years and the raising of the twelve-year-old girl.
The crowd joins Jesus who has just come across from the other side of the lake. Jairus, head of the synagogue, asks Jesus’ help for his daughter who is dying. Jesus goes with him and the crowd follows, pushing him on every side because they all want to be close to Jesus when he is about to work a miracle. This is the point of departure of the two following episodes: the healing of the woman suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years and the raising of the twelve-year-old girl.
Mark 5:25-26. The situation of the woman suffering from
an irregular haemorrhage
Twelve years of haemorrhaging! For this reason, the woman was excluded since in those times blood made a person impure as well as anyone who touched that person. Mark says that the woman had spent all her money on doctors but instead of getting better had got worse. An insoluble situation!
Twelve years of haemorrhaging! For this reason, the woman was excluded since in those times blood made a person impure as well as anyone who touched that person. Mark says that the woman had spent all her money on doctors but instead of getting better had got worse. An insoluble situation!
Mark 5:27-28. The woman’s reasoning in the presence of
Jesus
She had heard about Jesus. A new hope grew in her heart. She said to herself: “If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved”. The catechism of those days said: “If I just touch his clothes, I shall become impure”. The woman thinks the exact opposite! This is a sign of great courage. It is also a sign of the fact that woman did not quite agree with what the authorities taught. The woman goes into the middle of the crowd that was pushing Jesus on all sides and, almost secretly, succeeds in touching Jesus.
She had heard about Jesus. A new hope grew in her heart. She said to herself: “If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved”. The catechism of those days said: “If I just touch his clothes, I shall become impure”. The woman thinks the exact opposite! This is a sign of great courage. It is also a sign of the fact that woman did not quite agree with what the authorities taught. The woman goes into the middle of the crowd that was pushing Jesus on all sides and, almost secretly, succeeds in touching Jesus.
Mark 5:29: The woman succeeds in getting what she wants
and is healed
At that very moment she feels healed in her body. To this day, in Palestine, on a bend in the road near the lake of Galilee and close to Capharnaum, we can read this inscription on a stone: “Here, in this place, the woman thought to be impure but full of faith, touched Jesus and was healed!”
At that very moment she feels healed in her body. To this day, in Palestine, on a bend in the road near the lake of Galilee and close to Capharnaum, we can read this inscription on a stone: “Here, in this place, the woman thought to be impure but full of faith, touched Jesus and was healed!”
Mark 5:30-32. The reaction of Jesus and of his disciples
Jesus, too, felt power coming out of him “Who has touched me?” The disciples react: “You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, ‘Who touched me?” Here again we have a little disagreement between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus had a sensitivity not seen by the disciples. They react like everyone else and do not understand Jesus’ different reaction: But Jesus does not give up and goes on asking.
Jesus, too, felt power coming out of him “Who has touched me?” The disciples react: “You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, ‘Who touched me?” Here again we have a little disagreement between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus had a sensitivity not seen by the disciples. They react like everyone else and do not understand Jesus’ different reaction: But Jesus does not give up and goes on asking.
Mark 5:33-34. The conversation between Jesus and the
woman healed because of her faith
The woman realises that she has been found out. This is a difficult and dangerous moment for her. According to the belief of those days, someone impure who, like this woman, went among the crowd, would contaminate all just by touching her. Such a person made everyone impure before God (Lv 15:19-30). The punishment for this was that she would be taken aside and stoned. In spite of this, the woman has the courage to do what she did. But the woman, fearful and trembling, falls at his feet and tells him the truth. Jesus then pronounces his final judgement: “My daughter…your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint!” Beautiful and very human words! By saying “My daughter”, Jesus welcomes the woman into the new family, into the community growing around him. What she thought came to pass.Jesus recognises that without the faith of that woman he could not have worked the miracle.
The woman realises that she has been found out. This is a difficult and dangerous moment for her. According to the belief of those days, someone impure who, like this woman, went among the crowd, would contaminate all just by touching her. Such a person made everyone impure before God (Lv 15:19-30). The punishment for this was that she would be taken aside and stoned. In spite of this, the woman has the courage to do what she did. But the woman, fearful and trembling, falls at his feet and tells him the truth. Jesus then pronounces his final judgement: “My daughter…your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint!” Beautiful and very human words! By saying “My daughter”, Jesus welcomes the woman into the new family, into the community growing around him. What she thought came to pass.Jesus recognises that without the faith of that woman he could not have worked the miracle.
Mark 5:35-36. The conversation between Jesus and Jairus
Just at that moment emissaries from Jairus’ house arrive to tell him that his daughter was dead. There was no need to trouble Jesus further. For them death was the great frontier and Jesus could not cross it! Jesus listens, looks at Jairus and encourages him to be like the woman, namely to believe that faith can achieve whatever a person believes. Jesus says to him: “Do not be afraid; only have faith!”
Just at that moment emissaries from Jairus’ house arrive to tell him that his daughter was dead. There was no need to trouble Jesus further. For them death was the great frontier and Jesus could not cross it! Jesus listens, looks at Jairus and encourages him to be like the woman, namely to believe that faith can achieve whatever a person believes. Jesus says to him: “Do not be afraid; only have faith!”
Mark 5:37-40. Jesus goes to Jairus’ house and the
reaction of the crowd
Jesus goes apart from the crowd and allows only some of his disciples to go with him. When they arrive at Jairus’ house, he sees people weeping over the death of the girl. He says: “The child is not dead but asleep”. The people in the house laugh. They know when someone is asleep and when someone is dead. It is the laughter of Abraham and Sara, that is, the laughter of those who cannot believe that nothing is impossible for God!” (Jn 17:17; 18:12-14; Lk 1:37). For them also, death is an obstacle that cannot be overcome. Jesus’ words carry a much deeper meaning. In Mark’s time, the situation of the community seemed to be one of death. They had to hear the words: “You are not dead! You are asleep! Wake up!” Jesus takes no notice of the laughter and enters the room where we find the child, himself, the three disciples and the father of the child.
Jesus goes apart from the crowd and allows only some of his disciples to go with him. When they arrive at Jairus’ house, he sees people weeping over the death of the girl. He says: “The child is not dead but asleep”. The people in the house laugh. They know when someone is asleep and when someone is dead. It is the laughter of Abraham and Sara, that is, the laughter of those who cannot believe that nothing is impossible for God!” (Jn 17:17; 18:12-14; Lk 1:37). For them also, death is an obstacle that cannot be overcome. Jesus’ words carry a much deeper meaning. In Mark’s time, the situation of the community seemed to be one of death. They had to hear the words: “You are not dead! You are asleep! Wake up!” Jesus takes no notice of the laughter and enters the room where we find the child, himself, the three disciples and the father of the child.
Mark 5:41-43. The raising of the child
Jesus takes the child by her hand and says: “Talitha kum!” And the child gets up. Much shouting! Jesus stays calm and asks that food be brought to the child. The healing of two women! One twelve-year old and one who suffered from haemorrhage and was excluded for twelve years! The exclusion of the girl begins at the age of twelve because that is when she begins menstruating. She begins to die! Jesus has greater power and raises her: “Get up!”
Jesus takes the child by her hand and says: “Talitha kum!” And the child gets up. Much shouting! Jesus stays calm and asks that food be brought to the child. The healing of two women! One twelve-year old and one who suffered from haemorrhage and was excluded for twelve years! The exclusion of the girl begins at the age of twelve because that is when she begins menstruating. She begins to die! Jesus has greater power and raises her: “Get up!”
c) Further information: Women in the Gospels
In New Testament times, women were marginalized for the simple
fact that they were women (cf. Lv 15:19-27; 12: 1-5). Women did not take part
in the public life of the synagogue and they could not be witnesses. That is
why many women put up resistance to such exclusion. Even in Esdra’s time, when
the marginalization of women was greater, (cf Esd 9:1-2;10:2-3), resistance
grew, as in the cases of Judith, Esther, Ruth, Noemi, Susannah, the Sulamite
woman and others. This resistance is echoed in and welcomed by Jesus. Here are
some examples of non-conformity and of resistance of women in daily life and
Jesus’ acceptance of them:
The prostitute has the courage to challenge the
laws of society and religion. She enters the house of a Pharisee to meet Jesus.
When she meets him, she meets love and forgiveness and is defended against the
Pharisees. The woman bent double does not even hear the shouts
of the chief of the synagogue. She wants to be healed, even though it is the
Sabbath. Jesus welcomes her as a daughter and defends her against the chief of
the synagogue (Lk 13: 10-17). The woman considered impure because
she was losing blood, has the courage to go in the middle of the crowd and to
think just the opposite of what the official doctrine taught. The official
doctrine said: “Anyone who touches her will be impure!” But she said: “If I can
just touch his clothes, I shall be saved!” (Mk 5:28). She is not censured and
is healed. Jesus says that her healing is the fruit of faith (Mk 5:25-34). The
Samaritan woman, who is despised and considered heretical, has the
courage to approach Jesus and to change the direction of the conversation
started by him (cf. Jn 4:19.25). In John’s Gospel, she is the first person to
hear the secret that Jesus is the Messiah (Jn 4:26). The gentile woman
from the region of Tyre and Sidon does not accept her exclusion and speaks in
such a manner as to make Jesus listen to her (Mk 7: 24-30). The mothers
with little children challenge the disciples and are welcomed and
blessed by Jesus (Mt 19:13-15; Mk 10:13-16). The women who challenged the
authorities and stayed at the foot of the cross of Jesus (Mk 15:40; Mt
27:55-56.61), were also the first to experience the presence of Jesus after the
resurrection (Mk 16:5-8; Mt 28:9-10). Among them was Mary Magdalene who was
considered to have been possessed by evil spirits and was
healed by Jesus (Lk, 8:2). She was given the order to pass on
the Good News of the resurrection to the apostles (Jn 20:16-18). Mark says that
"they used to follow him and look after him
when he was in Galilee. And many other women were there who had come
up to Jerusalem with him" (Mk 15:41). Mark uses three
important words to define the life of these women: follow, look
after, come up to Jerusalem. These three words describe the
ideal disciple. They represent the model for the other disciples who
had fled!
6. Praying with Psalm 103 (102)
Thanking God for all that he does for us!
Bless Yahweh, my soul,
from the depths of my being, his holy name;
bless Yahweh, my soul,
never forget all his acts of kindness.
from the depths of my being, his holy name;
bless Yahweh, my soul,
never forget all his acts of kindness.
He forgives all your offences,
cures all your diseases,
he redeems your life from the abyss,
crowns you with faithful love and tenderness;
he contents you with good things all your life,
renews your youth like an eagle's.
cures all your diseases,
he redeems your life from the abyss,
crowns you with faithful love and tenderness;
he contents you with good things all your life,
renews your youth like an eagle's.
Yahweh acts with uprightness,
with justice to all who are oppressed;
he revealed to Moses his ways,
his great deeds to the children of Israel.
with justice to all who are oppressed;
he revealed to Moses his ways,
his great deeds to the children of Israel.
Yahweh is tenderness and pity,
slow to anger and rich in faithful love;
his indignation does not last for ever,
nor his resentment remain for all time;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve,
nor repay us as befits our offences.
slow to anger and rich in faithful love;
his indignation does not last for ever,
nor his resentment remain for all time;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve,
nor repay us as befits our offences.
As the height of heaven above earth,
so strong is his faithful love for those who fear him.
As the distance of east from west,
so far from us does he put our faults.
so strong is his faithful love for those who fear him.
As the distance of east from west,
so far from us does he put our faults.
As tenderly as a father treats his children,
so Yahweh treats those who fear him;
he knows of what we are made,
he remembers that we are dust.
As for a human person -- his days are like grass,
he blooms like the wild flowers;
as soon as the wind blows he is gone,
never to be seen there again.
so Yahweh treats those who fear him;
he knows of what we are made,
he remembers that we are dust.
As for a human person -- his days are like grass,
he blooms like the wild flowers;
as soon as the wind blows he is gone,
never to be seen there again.
But Yahweh's faithful love for those who fear him
is from eternity and for ever;
and his saving justice to their children's children;
as long as they keep his covenant,
and carefully obey his precepts.
Yahweh has fixed his throne in heaven,
his sovereign power rules over all.
is from eternity and for ever;
and his saving justice to their children's children;
as long as they keep his covenant,
and carefully obey his precepts.
Yahweh has fixed his throne in heaven,
his sovereign power rules over all.
Bless Yahweh, all his angels,
mighty warriors who fulfil his commands,
attentive to the sound of his words.
Bless Yahweh, all his armies,
servants who fulfil his wishes.
Bless Yahweh, all his works,
in every place where he rules.
Bless Yahweh, my soul.
mighty warriors who fulfil his commands,
attentive to the sound of his words.
Bless Yahweh, all his armies,
servants who fulfil his wishes.
Bless Yahweh, all his works,
in every place where he rules.
Bless Yahweh, my soul.
7. Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that has enabled us to
understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit enlighten our actions
and grant us the strength to practice that which your Word has revealed to us.
May we, like Mary, your mother, not only listen to but also practice the Word.
You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever
and ever. Amen.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét