Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 441
Lectionary: 441
Paul, an Apostle of
Christ Jesus by command of God our savior
and of Christ Jesus our hope,
to Timothy, my true child in faith:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
and of Christ Jesus our hope,
to Timothy, my true child in faith:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial PsalmPS 16:1B-2A AND 5, 7-8, 11
R. (see 5) You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
AlleluiaSEE JN 17:17B, 17A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 6:39-42
Jesus told his
disciples a parable:
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
Meditation: "Do you not see the log in your
own eye?"
Are you clear-sighted, especially in your perception of sin and
the need for each of one of us to see ourselves correctly as God sees us - with
our faults,weaknesses, and strengths? Jesus' two parables about poor vision
allude to the proverb: Without vision the people perish! (Proverbs
29:18) What can we learn from the illustration of a blind guide and a bad eye
(the log in the eye)? A bad eye left
untreated and a blind guide can cause a lot of trouble that
will only end in misery and disaster for us! We can only help and teach
others what we have learned and received from wise teachers and guides. And how
can we help others overcome their faults if we are blinded by our own faults
and misperceptions? We are all in need of a physician who can help us overcome
the blind spots and failing of own sins, weaknesses, and ignorance.
Overcoming blind spots in our own lives
The Gospel of Luke was written by a disciple who was trained as a physician. Luke, with keen insight, portrays Jesus as the good physician and shepherd of souls who seeks out those who desire healing, pardon,and restoration of body, mind, and spirit. Jesus came to free us from the worst oppression possible - slavery to sin, fear, and condemnation. Like a gentle and skillful doctor, the Lord Jesus exposes the cancer of sin, evil, and oppression in our lives so we can be set free and restored to wholeness. A key step to healing and restoration requires that we first submit to the physician who can heal us. The Lord Jesus is our great Physician because he heals the whole person - soul and body, mind and heart - and restores us to abundant life both now and in eternity.
The Gospel of Luke was written by a disciple who was trained as a physician. Luke, with keen insight, portrays Jesus as the good physician and shepherd of souls who seeks out those who desire healing, pardon,and restoration of body, mind, and spirit. Jesus came to free us from the worst oppression possible - slavery to sin, fear, and condemnation. Like a gentle and skillful doctor, the Lord Jesus exposes the cancer of sin, evil, and oppression in our lives so we can be set free and restored to wholeness. A key step to healing and restoration requires that we first submit to the physician who can heal us. The Lord Jesus is our great Physician because he heals the whole person - soul and body, mind and heart - and restores us to abundant life both now and in eternity.
Thinking the best of others
The Lord Jesus wants to heal and restore us to wholeness, not only for our own sake alone. He also wants us to be his instruments of healing, pardon, and restoration for others as well. What can hinder us from helping others draw near to Jesus the divine Physican? The Rabbis taught: "He who judges his neighbor favorably will be judged favorably by God." How easy it is to misjudge others and how difficult it is to be impartial in giving good judgment. Our judgment of others is usually "off the mark" because we can't see inside the other person, or we don't have access to all the facts, or we are swayed by instinct and unreasoning reactions to people. It is easier to find fault in others than in oneself. A critical and judgmental spirit crushes rather than heals, oppresses rather than restores, repels rather than attracts. "Thinking the best of other people" is necessary if we wish to grow in love. And kindliness in judgment is nothing less that a sacred duty.
The Lord Jesus wants to heal and restore us to wholeness, not only for our own sake alone. He also wants us to be his instruments of healing, pardon, and restoration for others as well. What can hinder us from helping others draw near to Jesus the divine Physican? The Rabbis taught: "He who judges his neighbor favorably will be judged favorably by God." How easy it is to misjudge others and how difficult it is to be impartial in giving good judgment. Our judgment of others is usually "off the mark" because we can't see inside the other person, or we don't have access to all the facts, or we are swayed by instinct and unreasoning reactions to people. It is easier to find fault in others than in oneself. A critical and judgmental spirit crushes rather than heals, oppresses rather than restores, repels rather than attracts. "Thinking the best of other people" is necessary if we wish to grow in love. And kindliness in judgment is nothing less that a sacred duty.
What you give to others will return to you
Jesus states a heavenly principle we can stake our lives on: what you give to others (and how you treat others) will return to you (Mark 4:24). The Lord knows our faults and he sees all, even the imperfections and sins of the heart which we cannot recognize in ourselves. Like a gentle father and a skillful doctor he patiently draws us to his seat of mercy and removes the cancer of sin which inhabits our hearts. Do you trust in God's mercy and grace? Ask the Lord to flood your heart with his loving-kindness and mercy that you may only have room for charity, forbearance, and kindness towards your neighbor.
Jesus states a heavenly principle we can stake our lives on: what you give to others (and how you treat others) will return to you (Mark 4:24). The Lord knows our faults and he sees all, even the imperfections and sins of the heart which we cannot recognize in ourselves. Like a gentle father and a skillful doctor he patiently draws us to his seat of mercy and removes the cancer of sin which inhabits our hearts. Do you trust in God's mercy and grace? Ask the Lord to flood your heart with his loving-kindness and mercy that you may only have room for charity, forbearance, and kindness towards your neighbor.
"O Father, give us the humility which realizes its
ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts
rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather
than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at
their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for thy name's sake." (Prayer
of William Barclay, 20th century)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, LUKE 6:39-42
(1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14; Psalm 16)
(1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14; Psalm 16)
KEY VERSE: "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?" (v 41).
TO READ: Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies (v 27-36) and to be forgiving, non-judgmental and generous toward others (v 37-38). His disciples must be clear-sighted in their understanding of the gospel. They would be hypocrites if they criticized the mistakes of others and were blind to their own faults. A blind person would be unable to guide another blind person as both might stumble and fall. The disciples could not lead others unless they were able to see their own defects and limitations. Then they would be compassionate when others failed, and could help them overcome their wrongdoings. When these future leaders of the Church were fully trained, they would resemble their teacher, Jesus.
TO REFLECT: Am I quick to point out the mistakes of others that I make myself?
TO RESPOND: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to my own faults so that I will not be judgmental of another's shortcomings.
Friday 11 September 2015
FRI 11TH. 1 Timothy
1:1-2, 12-14. You are my inheritance, O Lord—Ps 15(16):1-2, 5, 7-8, 11. Luke
6:39-42.
Take the plank out of your
own eye.
Criticism of others is
often an oblique form of self-praise. Like the Pharisee who extolled his own
virtues while enumerating the presumed vices of a despised tax collector, we
may have 20-20 vision when it comes to the faults of others and yet have a blind
spot when it comes to our own. There is more than a grain of truth in the old
saying, ‘There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best
of us, that it ill behaves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.’
Following Pope Francis’s teaching and example, let us strive during this Holy
Year of Mercy to make ‘premeditated mercy’ one of our defining characteristics.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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We Are All Sinners
|
Jesus tells us that He came “not…to call the righteous…but
sinners” (Luke 5:32). We do not have to be perfect to come to Christ; we come
to Christ to be perfected.
September
11
St. Cyprian
(d. 258)
St. Cyprian
(d. 258)
Cyprian is important in the development of Christian thought and
practice in the third century, especially in northern Africa.
Highly
educated, a famous orator, he became a Christian as an adult. He
distributed his goods to the poor, and amazed his fellow citizens by making a
vow of chastity before his baptism. Within two years he had been ordained a
priest and was chosen, against his will, as Bishop of Carthage (near modern
Tunis).
Cyprian
complained that the peace the Church had enjoyed had weakened the spirit of
many Christians and had opened the door to converts who did not have the true
spirit of faith. When the Decian persecution began, many Christians easily
abandoned the Church. It was their reinstatement that caused the great
controversies of the third century, and helped the Church progress in its
understanding of the Sacrament of Penance.
Novatus,
a priest who had opposed Cyprian's election, set himself up in Cyprian's absence
(he had fled to a hiding place from which to direct the Church—bringing
criticism on himself) and received back all apostates without imposing any
canonical penance. Ultimately he was condemned. Cyprian held a middle course,
holding that those who had actually sacrificed to idols could receive Communion
only at death, whereas those who had only bought certificates saying they had
sacrificed could be admitted after a more or less lengthy period of penance.
Even this was relaxed during a new persecution.
During a
plague in Carthage, he urged Christians to help everyone, including their
enemies and persecutors.
A friend
of Pope Cornelius, Cyprian opposed the following pope, Stephen. He and the
other African bishops would not recognize the validity of baptism conferred by
heretics and schismatics. This was not the universal view of the Church, but
Cyprian was not intimidated even by Stephen's threat of excommunication.
He was
exiled by the emperor and then recalled for trial. He refused to leave the
city, insisting that his people should have the witness of his martyrdom.
Cyprian
was a mixture of kindness and courage, vigor and steadiness. He was cheerful
and serious, so that people did not know whether to love or respect him more.
He waxed warm during the baptismal controversy; his feelings must have
concerned him, for it was at this time that he wrote his treatise on patience.
St. Augustine remarks that Cyprian atoned for his anger by his glorious
martyrdom.
Comment:
The controversies about Baptism and Penance in the third century remind us that the early Church had no ready-made solutions from the Holy Spirit. The leaders and members of the Church of that day had to move painfully through the best series of judgments they could make in an attempt to follow the entire teaching of Christ and not be diverted by exaggerations to right or left.
The controversies about Baptism and Penance in the third century remind us that the early Church had no ready-made solutions from the Holy Spirit. The leaders and members of the Church of that day had to move painfully through the best series of judgments they could make in an attempt to follow the entire teaching of Christ and not be diverted by exaggerations to right or left.
Quote:
“You cannot have God for your Father if you do not have the Church for your mother.... God is one and Christ is one, and his Church is one; one is the faith, and one is the people cemented together by harmony into the strong unity of a body.... If we are the heirs of Christ, let us abide in the peace of Christ; if we are the sons of God, let us be lovers of peace” (St. Cyprian, The Unity of the Catholic Church).
“You cannot have God for your Father if you do not have the Church for your mother.... God is one and Christ is one, and his Church is one; one is the faith, and one is the people cemented together by harmony into the strong unity of a body.... If we are the heirs of Christ, let us abide in the peace of Christ; if we are the sons of God, let us be lovers of peace” (St. Cyprian, The Unity of the Catholic Church).
Patron Saint of:
North Africa
North Africa
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 6,39-42
Lectio:
Friday, September 11, 2015
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
you redeem us
and make us your children in Christ.
Look upon us,
give us true freedom
and bring us to the inheritance you promised.
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.
you redeem us
and make us your children in Christ.
Look upon us,
give us true freedom
and bring us to the inheritance you promised.
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 6,39-42
Jesus also told them a parable, ‘Can one blind person guide
another? Surely both will fall into a pit? Disciple is not superior to teacher;
but fully trained disciple will be like teacher.
Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the great log in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out that splinter in your eye,” when you cannot see the great log in your own? Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter in your brother’s eye.
Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the great log in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out that splinter in your eye,” when you cannot see the great log in your own? Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter in your brother’s eye.
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel gives us some passages of the discourse which
Jesus pronounced on the plains after having spent the night in prayer (Lk 6,
12) and after he had called the twelve to be his apostles (Lk 6, 13-14). Many
of the phrases in this discourse had already been pronounced on other
occasions, but Luke, imitating Matthew, puts them together in this Discourse of
the Plains.
• Luke 6, 39: The parable of the blind man who guides another blind man. Jesus tells a parable to the disciples: “Can a blind man guide another blind man? Will not both of them fall into a hole?” A parable of one line, quite similar to the warnings which, in Matthew’s Gospel, are addressed to the Pharisees: “Alas for you, blind guides!” (Mt 23, 16.17.19.24.26) Here in the context of the Gospel of Luke, this parable is addressed to the animators of the communities who consider themselves the masters of truth, superior to others. Because of this they are blind guides.
• Luke 6, 40: Disciple – Master. “The disciple is not greater than the teacher, but the well prepared disciple will be like the teacher” Jesus is the Master, not the professor. The professor in class teaches different subjects, but does not live with the pupils. The Master or Lord does not teach lessons, he lives with the pupils. His subject matter is himself, his life witness, his way of living the things that he teaches. Living together with the Master, the Lord has three aspects: (1) the Master is the model or example to be imitated (cf. Jn 13, 13-15). (2) The disciple not only contemplates and imitates, he commits himself to the same destiny of the Master, with his temptations (Lk 22, 28). His persecution (Mt 10, 24-25), his death (Jn 11, 16); (3) He not only imitates the model, he not only assumes the commitment, but arrives at identifying himself with him: “I live, but it is not I who live, but Christ lives in me!” (Ga 2, 20). This third aspect is the mystical dimension of the following of Jesus, fruit of the action of the Spirit.
• Luke 6,41-42: The splinter in the brother’s eye. “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the great log in your own? How can you say to your brother: ‘Brother, let me take out that splinter in your eye, when you cannot see the great log in your own? Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter in your brother’s eye”. In the Sermon on the Mountain, Matthew treats the same theme and explains a bit better the parable of the splinter in the eye. Jesus asks for a creative attitude which will make us capable to go and encounter the others without judging them, without preconceptions and rationalizing, but accepting the brother (Mt 7, 1-5). This total openness toward others considering them as brothers/sisters will arise in us only when we are capable of relating with God with total trust as his children (Mt 7, 7-11).
• Luke 6, 39: The parable of the blind man who guides another blind man. Jesus tells a parable to the disciples: “Can a blind man guide another blind man? Will not both of them fall into a hole?” A parable of one line, quite similar to the warnings which, in Matthew’s Gospel, are addressed to the Pharisees: “Alas for you, blind guides!” (Mt 23, 16.17.19.24.26) Here in the context of the Gospel of Luke, this parable is addressed to the animators of the communities who consider themselves the masters of truth, superior to others. Because of this they are blind guides.
• Luke 6, 40: Disciple – Master. “The disciple is not greater than the teacher, but the well prepared disciple will be like the teacher” Jesus is the Master, not the professor. The professor in class teaches different subjects, but does not live with the pupils. The Master or Lord does not teach lessons, he lives with the pupils. His subject matter is himself, his life witness, his way of living the things that he teaches. Living together with the Master, the Lord has three aspects: (1) the Master is the model or example to be imitated (cf. Jn 13, 13-15). (2) The disciple not only contemplates and imitates, he commits himself to the same destiny of the Master, with his temptations (Lk 22, 28). His persecution (Mt 10, 24-25), his death (Jn 11, 16); (3) He not only imitates the model, he not only assumes the commitment, but arrives at identifying himself with him: “I live, but it is not I who live, but Christ lives in me!” (Ga 2, 20). This third aspect is the mystical dimension of the following of Jesus, fruit of the action of the Spirit.
• Luke 6,41-42: The splinter in the brother’s eye. “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the great log in your own? How can you say to your brother: ‘Brother, let me take out that splinter in your eye, when you cannot see the great log in your own? Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter in your brother’s eye”. In the Sermon on the Mountain, Matthew treats the same theme and explains a bit better the parable of the splinter in the eye. Jesus asks for a creative attitude which will make us capable to go and encounter the others without judging them, without preconceptions and rationalizing, but accepting the brother (Mt 7, 1-5). This total openness toward others considering them as brothers/sisters will arise in us only when we are capable of relating with God with total trust as his children (Mt 7, 7-11).
4) Personal questions
• Splinter and log in the eye. How do I relate with others at
home and in my family, in work and with my colleagues, in community and with
the brothers and sisters?
• Master and disciple. How am I a disciple of Jesus?
• Master and disciple. How am I a disciple of Jesus?
5) Concluding Prayer
Lord, how blessed are those who live in your house;
they shall praise you continually.
Blessed those who find their strength in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Ps 84,4-5)
they shall praise you continually.
Blessed those who find their strength in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Ps 84,4-5)
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