MAY 18, 2016 : WENESDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 343

Reading 1JAS 4:13-17

Beloved:
Come now, you who say,
“Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town,
spend a year there doing business, and make a profit”–
you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow.
You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.
Instead you should say,
“If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.”
But now you are boasting in your arrogance.
All such boasting is evil.
So for one who knows the right thing to do
and does not do it, it is a sin.

Responsorial PsalmPS 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11

R. (Matthew 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Hear this, all you peoples;
hearken, all who dwell in the world,
Of lowly birth or high degree,
rich and poor alike.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Why should I fear in evil days
when my wicked ensnarers ring me round?
They trust in their wealth;
the abundance of their riches is their boast.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Yet in no way can a man redeem himself,
or pay his own ransom to God;
Too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough
to remain alive always and not see destruction.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
For he can see that wise men die,
and likewise the senseless and the stupid pass away,
leaving to others their wealth.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

AlleluiaJN 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMK 9:38-40

John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.”

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Meditation: "Any one who does a mighty work in my name"

Do you rejoice in the good that others do? Jesus reprimands his disciples for their jealousy and suspicion. They were upset that someone who was not of their company was performing a good work in the name of Jesus. They even "forbade" the man "because he was not following us". Jesus' reply is filled with wisdom: "No one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me." Are we not like the disciples when we get upset at the good deeds of others who seem to shine more than us? Paul says that "love is not jealous... but rejoices in the right" (1 Corinthians 13:4,6). 

Envy and jealousy, its counterpart, are sinful because they lead us to sorrow over what should make us rejoice - namely, our neighbor's good. The reason we may grieve over our another's good  is that somehow we see that good as lessening our own value or excellence. Envy forms when we believe that the other person's advantage or possession diminishes or brings disgrace on us. Envy is contrary to love. Both the object of love and the object of envy is our neighbor's good, but by contrary movements, since love rejoices in our neighbor's good, while envy grieves over it.

How can we overcome envy? With the love that God has put into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit purifies our heart and frees us from our disordered passions, such as envy, jealously, greed, and bitterness. God's love is a generous and selfless love which is wholly oriented towards our good. The love that God places in our hearts seeks the highest good of our neighbor. God's love purifies and frees us from all envy and jealous-– and it compels us to give generously, especially to those who lack what they need.

Every one in need has a claim on us because they are dear to God who created them in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). God created us in love for love. We are most free and happy when we love as he loves. The love and charitable help we show to our neighbor also expresses the gratitude we have for the abundant mercy and kindness of God towards us. Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to those in need would not lose its reward. Jesus never refused to give to anyone in need who asked for his help. As his disciples we are called to be kind and generous as he is. Are you grateful for God’s mercy and kindness towards you and are you ready to show that same kindness and generosity towards your neighbor?

Gregory of Nyssa, an early church father (330-395 AD), comments on this passage: "God never asks his servants to do what is impossible. The love and goodness of his Godhead is revealed as richly available. It is poured out like water upon all. God furnished to each person according to his will the ability to do something good. None of those seeking to be saved will be lacking in this ability, given by the one who said: 'whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward'" (Mark 9:41). Ask the Lord Jesus to increase your generosity in doing good for others.

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may radiate the joy of the gospel to others. May your light and truth shine through me that others may find new life and freedom from sin and the corruption of evil."

A Daily Quote for the early church fathers: Encouraging good works done in Christ, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from  LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)

www.dailyscripture.net

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, MARK 9:38-40
Weekday
(James 4:13-17; Psalm 49)

KEY VERSE: "There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me" (v 39).
TO KNOW: Jesus warned his disciples about problems they would face as they led the Church after his death and resurrection. He admonished them about worldly ambition (v 33-37) and petty intolerance. Seeming not to hear him, his disciples arrogantly suggested that some exorcists, who did not belong to their company, should be prevented from expelling demons in Jesus' name. Jesus challenged their closed-mindedness. No one could do the mighty deeds of God and at the same time speak ill of Jesus. All who did good deeds by the power of Jesus' name were contributing to building up the kingdom. Even the simplest acts of charity would be rewarded.
TO LOVE: Am I judgmental toward those who are not of my faith?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be open-minded toward all who do your work.​

Optional Memorial of Saint John I, pope and martyr

John was a native of Tuscany in Italy. Upon the death of Pope Hormisdas in 523, John was elected Pope while he was still an archdeacon. At that time, the ruler of Italy was Theodoric the Goth who subscribed to the Arian heretical brand of Christianity. For a while, Theodoric let Catholics live in peace, but in later life he became suspicious of everyone, imagining conspiracies and attempts to seize his throne. He tried to involve Pope John in his political machinations. John, the first pope to travel to Constantinople, led a delegation to negotiate with Emperor Justin I who was the first Catholic on the Byzantine throne in fifty years. John's mission was successful, but Theodoric thought John and the Emperor had plotted against him. While returning to Rome, John was kidnapped by Theodoric's soldiers. Pope John died of thirst and starvation in prison in Ravenna, Italy.
NOTE: The Heresy of Arianism taught that Christ was a creation of the Father, a creature, and not part of God. Athanasius formulated the doctrine of homoousianism which said that Christ was "consubstantial with the Father,” as we pray in the Nicene Creed. 

www.togetherwithgodsword.com

Wednesday 18 May 2016

Wed 18th. (St John I).
James 4:13-17. Happy the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs—Ps 48(49):2-3, 6-11. Mark 9:38-40. 

Readings

The gift of life.

When we lose a loved one or hear about an unexpected tragedy, we can be reminded that life is fleeting, and we must make the most of each day.

James reminds us that if we know the right thing and fail to do it, we fail God. The Psalmist notes that ‘both high and low, rich and poor’ live life together, and that each life is priceless in its own way. It’s not always obvious who brings more wealth to the world. The Psalmist reminds us that our hearts’ meditation brings understanding.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus brings a generous interpretation to making the most of life. He says not to stop anyone doing things in his name, as ‘whoever is not against us is for us’.

God, help me always to live a life of love every day.

www.pray.com.au

MINUTE MEDITATIONS 

Growth in Holiness

The beginning of holiness is found in faithfulness to prayer. May each of us grow in holiness through prayer. If we pray—we will believe. If we believe—we will love. If we love—we will serve. Only then will we put our love for God into action, through service to Christ in the distressing disguise of the poor.

— from Thirsting for God

May 18
St. John I
(d. 526)

Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected pope.

When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of Catholics in the West.

When John returned to Rome, he found that the emperor had begun to suspect his friendship with his eastern rival.

On his way home, John was imprisoned when he reached Ravenna because the emperor suspected a conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died, apparently from the treatment he had received.

Comment:

We cannot choose the issues for which we have to suffer and perhaps die. John I suffered because of a power-conscious emperor. Jesus suffered because of the suspicions of those who were threatened by his freedom, openness and powerlessness. “If you find that the world hates you, know it has hated me before you” (John 15:18).

Quote:

“Martyrdom makes disciples like their Master, who willingly accepted death for the salvation of the world, and through it they are made like him by the shedding of blood. Therefore, the Church considers it the highest gift and supreme test of love. And while it is given to few, all however must be prepared to confess Christ before humanity and to follow him along the way of the cross amid the persecutions which the Church never lacks” (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 42, Austin Flannery translation).

www.americancatholic.org

LECTIO DIVINA: MARK 9,38-40

Lectio Divina: 

 Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Ordinary Time

1) Opening prayer

Father,
keep before us the wisdom and love
you have revealed in your Son.
Help us to be like him
in word and deed,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

2) Gospel Reading - Mark 9,38-40

John said to Jesus, 'Master, we saw someone who is not one of us driving out devils in your name, and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.' But Jesus said, 'You must not stop him; no one who works a miracle in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.

3) Reflection

• Today’s Gospel narrates quite a beautiful and actual example of the pedagogy of Jesus. It shows us how he helped his disciples to perceive and to overcome the “yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod”.

• Mark 9, 38-40: A closed mentality: He was not one of ours”Someone who did not belong to the community used the name of Jesus to drive out the devils. John, the disciple, sees this and forbids it: We have stopped him because he was not one of us. In the name of the community he forbids that the other one can do a good deed! He thinks that being a disciple, he can have the monopoly on Jesus and, because of this, he wants to forbid that others to use the name of Jesus to do good. This was the closed and ancient mentality of the “chosen People, a separated People!” Jesus responds: “You must not stop him; no one who works a miracle in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.” (Mk 9, 40). It would be very difficult to find a more ecumenical affirmation than this affirmation of Jesus. For Jesus, what is important is not if the person forms part of the community or not, but rather if the person does or not the good which the community should do.

• A picture of Jesus, formator of his disciples. Jesus, the Master, is the axis, the centre and the model of formation given to the disciples. By his attitudes he is an example of the Kingdom; he embodies the love of God and reveals it (Mk 6, 31; Mt 10, 30; Lk 15, 11-32). Many small gestures show this witness of life with which Jesus marked his presence in the life of the disciples, preparing them for life and for the mission. This was his way of giving a human form to the experience which he himself had of God, the Father. The following is a picture of Jesus, the Formator of his disciples:

- he involves them in the mission (Mk 6, 7; Lk 9,1-2; 10, 1),
- when they return he reviews with them all that they have lived (Lk 10, 17-20)
- he corrects them when they fail and want to be the first ones (Mk 9, 33-35; 10, 14-15
- he waits for the opportune moment to correct them (Lk 9, 46-48; Mk 10, 14-15)
- he helps them to discern (Mk 9, 18-19)
- he challenges them when they are slow (Mk 4, 13; 8, 14-21)
- he prepares them to face the conflict (Jn 16, 33; Mt 10, 17-25)
- he orders them to observe reality (Mk 8, 27-29; Jn 4, 35; Mt 16, 1-3)
- he reflects with them on questions of the moment (Lk 13, 1-5)
- he confronts them with the needs of the people (Jn 6, 5)
- he teaches them that the needs of the people are above the ritual prescriptions (Mt12, 7-12)
- he meets alone with them so as to be able to instruct them (Mk 4, 34; 7, 17; 9, 30-31; 10, 10; 13, 3)
- he knows how to listen even if the dialogue is difficult (Jn 4, 7-42)
- he helps them to accept themselves (Lk 22, 32)
- he is demanding and asks them to leave everything out of love for him (Mk 10, 17-31)
- he is severe concerning hypocrisy (Lk 11, 37-53
- he asks more questions than gives responses (Mk 8, 17-21
- he is firm and does not allow himself to be deviated from the right path (Mk 8, 33; Lk 9, 54)
- he prepares them for conflict and persecution (Mt 10, 16-25).

• Formation was not, in the first place, the transmission of truths to be remembered, but the communication of the new experience of God and of the life which radiates from Jesus for the disciples. The community itself which was forming around Jesus was the expression of this new experience. Formation led persons to have a different way of looking, to have different attitudes. It gave them a new conscience concerning the mission and concerning themselves. It helped them to place themselves at the side of the excluded. And soon afterwards, it produced “conversion” as a consequence of the acceptance of the Good News (Mk 1, 15).

4) Personal questions

• What does it mean for me, today, in the XXI century, the affirmation of Jesus who says: “Anyone who is not against us is for us?”
• How does the formation of Jesus take place in my life?

5) Concluding Prayer

Bless Yahweh, my soul,
from the depths of my being, his holy name;
bless Yahweh, my soul,
never forget all his acts of kindness. (Ps 103,1-2)

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