Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 420
Lectionary: 420
The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man,
say to the prince of Tyre:
Thus says the Lord GOD:
Because you are haughty of heart,
you say, “A god am I!
I occupy a godly throne
in the heart of the sea!”—
And yet you are a man, and not a god,
however you may think yourself like a god.
Oh yes, you are wiser than Daniel,
there is no secret that is beyond you.
By your wisdom and your intelligence
you have made riches for yourself;
You have put gold and silver
into your treasuries.
By your great wisdom applied to your trading
you have heaped up your riches;
your heart has grown haughty from your riches–
therefore thus says the Lord GOD:
Because you have thought yourself
to have the mind of a god,
Therefore I will bring against you
foreigners, the most barbarous of nations.
They shall draw their swords
against your beauteous wisdom,
they shall run them through your splendid apparel.
They shall thrust you down to the pit, there to die
a bloodied corpse, in the heart of the sea.
Will you then say, “I am a god!”
when you face your murderers?
No, you are man, not a god,
handed over to those who will slay you.
You shall die the death of the uncircumcised
at the hands of foreigners,
for I have spoken, says the Lord GOD.
say to the prince of Tyre:
Thus says the Lord GOD:
Because you are haughty of heart,
you say, “A god am I!
I occupy a godly throne
in the heart of the sea!”—
And yet you are a man, and not a god,
however you may think yourself like a god.
Oh yes, you are wiser than Daniel,
there is no secret that is beyond you.
By your wisdom and your intelligence
you have made riches for yourself;
You have put gold and silver
into your treasuries.
By your great wisdom applied to your trading
you have heaped up your riches;
your heart has grown haughty from your riches–
therefore thus says the Lord GOD:
Because you have thought yourself
to have the mind of a god,
Therefore I will bring against you
foreigners, the most barbarous of nations.
They shall draw their swords
against your beauteous wisdom,
they shall run them through your splendid apparel.
They shall thrust you down to the pit, there to die
a bloodied corpse, in the heart of the sea.
Will you then say, “I am a god!”
when you face your murderers?
No, you are man, not a god,
handed over to those who will slay you.
You shall die the death of the uncircumcised
at the hands of foreigners,
for I have spoken, says the Lord GOD.
Responsorial
PsalmDT 32:26-27AB, 27CD-28,
30, 35CD-36AB
R. (39c) It is I
who deal death and give life.
“I would have said, ‘I will make an end of them
and blot out their name from men’s memories,’
Had I not feared the insolence of their enemies,
feared that these foes would mistakenly boast.”
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“‘Our own hand won the victory;
the LORD had nothing to do with it.’”
For they are a people devoid of reason,
having no understanding.
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“How could one man rout a thousand,
or two men put ten thousand to flight,
Unless it was because their Rock sold them
and the LORD delivered them up?”
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
Close at hand is the day of their disaster,
and their doom is rushing upon them!
Surely, the LORD shall do justice for his people;
on his servants he shall have pity.
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“I would have said, ‘I will make an end of them
and blot out their name from men’s memories,’
Had I not feared the insolence of their enemies,
feared that these foes would mistakenly boast.”
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“‘Our own hand won the victory;
the LORD had nothing to do with it.’”
For they are a people devoid of reason,
having no understanding.
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“How could one man rout a thousand,
or two men put ten thousand to flight,
Unless it was because their Rock sold them
and the LORD delivered them up?”
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
Close at hand is the day of their disaster,
and their doom is rushing upon them!
Surely, the LORD shall do justice for his people;
on his servants he shall have pity.
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
Alleluia2 COR 8:9
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Meditation: Who can enter the kingdom of heaven?
Was Jesus really against
wealth (Matthew 19:23)? And why did he issue such a strong warning to the rich
(as well as to the rest of us who desire to be rich)? We know that Jesus was
not opposed to wealth per se, nor was he opposed to the wealthy. He
had many friends who were well-to-do, including some notorious tax collectors!
One even became an apostle! Jesus' warning reiterated the wisdom of the Old
Testament: "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a
rich man who is perverse in his ways" (Proverbs 28:6; see also Psalm
37:16). "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to
desist" (Proverbs 23:4).
We are all poor beggars
in need of God
Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live as citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine. The "eye of the needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls which was used by travelers when the larger public gate was locked at night. Normal sized people had to "lower" themselves to enter that gate. A camel would literally have to kneel and crawl through it. Until we humbly kneel before the Lord and acknowledge our total need and dependence on him, we will not find true peace, security, and happiness that can sustain us now and forever. Only God alone can satisfy our deepest need and longing.
Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live as citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine. The "eye of the needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls which was used by travelers when the larger public gate was locked at night. Normal sized people had to "lower" themselves to enter that gate. A camel would literally have to kneel and crawl through it. Until we humbly kneel before the Lord and acknowledge our total need and dependence on him, we will not find true peace, security, and happiness that can sustain us now and forever. Only God alone can satisfy our deepest need and longing.
Augustine of Hippo
reminds us that we are all poor beggars of God.
"Even
though you possess plenty, you are still poor. You abound in temporal
possessions, but you need things eternal. You listen to the needs of a human
beggar, yet you yourself are a beggar of God. What you do with those who beg
from you is what God will do with his beggar. You are filled and you are empty.
Fill your empty neighbor from your fullness, so that your emptiness may be
filled with God's fullness." (Sermon 56,9)
Possessions can create
false security and independence
Why is Jesus so cautious about wealth? Wealth can make us falsely independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about their attitude towards wealth and a false sense of security: "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" (Revelations 3:17). Wealth can also lead us into hurtful desires and selfishness (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10). Look at the lesson Jesus gave about the rich man and his sons who refused to aid the poor man Lazarus (see Luke 16:19ff). They neglected to serve God. Only those who put their trust in God and who depend on him, and who share what they have with those in need, will find true peace, security, and happiness which lead to everlasting life and joy in God's kingdom.
Why is Jesus so cautious about wealth? Wealth can make us falsely independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about their attitude towards wealth and a false sense of security: "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" (Revelations 3:17). Wealth can also lead us into hurtful desires and selfishness (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10). Look at the lesson Jesus gave about the rich man and his sons who refused to aid the poor man Lazarus (see Luke 16:19ff). They neglected to serve God. Only those who put their trust in God and who depend on him, and who share what they have with those in need, will find true peace, security, and happiness which lead to everlasting life and joy in God's kingdom.
Where is your treasure?
The Scriptures give us a paradox - we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. Generosity will be amply repaid, both in this life and in the age to come (Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38). Jesus offers us an incomparable treasure which no money can buy and no thief can steal. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. Material wealth will shackle us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set our treasure in God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your treasure?
The Scriptures give us a paradox - we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. Generosity will be amply repaid, both in this life and in the age to come (Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38). Jesus offers us an incomparable treasure which no money can buy and no thief can steal. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. Material wealth will shackle us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set our treasure in God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your treasure?
"Lord Jesus, you
have captured our hearts and opened to us the treasures of heaven. May you
always be my treasure and delight and may nothing else keep me from giving you
my all."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Who can enter the
kingdom of heaven? by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.
"What then did
Christ say? 'How difficult it will be for the rich to enter the kingdom of
heaven.' He was not criticizing money itself but the wills of those who are
taken captive by it. If it will be difficult for the rich, how much more so for
the avaricious! For if stinginess with one’s own wealth is an impediment to
gaining the kingdom, think how much fire is amassed for taking someone else's.
But why does he say that it is hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom, to
the disciples, who were poor and had nothing? He teaches them not to be ashamed
of their poverty and, as it were, gives the reason why he did not allow them to
possess anything. After saying it is hard, he also shows them that it is
impossible, and not simply impossible but even in an exaggerated way
impossible. He shows this from the comparison of the camel and the needle: 'It
is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of heaven.' Hence Christ demonstrates that there is a
significant reward for the wealthy who can practice self-denial. He also said
that this had to be the work of God, that he might show that great grace is
needed for anyone who is going to achieve it." (excerpt from THE
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 63.2)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16:
MATTHEW 19:23-30
Weekday
(Ezekiel 28:1-10; Psalm:Deuteronomy 32)
Weekday
(Ezekiel 28:1-10; Psalm:Deuteronomy 32)
KEY VERSE: "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven" (v 23).
TO KNOW: Jesus told a wealthy man that to follow the path to perfection, it was necessary to surrender his material possessions and give to the poor. When the young man was unable to do this, it provided Jesus with an opportunity to teach his disciples about wealth. He said that riches could be an obstacle to entering the reign of God. He used the humorous metaphor of a camel trying to pass through the narrow eye of a needle to illustrate the difficulty of this task. The disciples were overwhelmed by what seemed an impossibility and cried out, "Who then can be saved?" (v 25b). Jesus answered that nothing was impossible with God. Peter boasted that he and the disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus, and asked how they would be rewarded. Jesus explained that the reign of God was freely given; it was a gift that could not be earned. But he promised them that in the age to come they would share his authority and sit with him in judgment of God's people.
TO LOVE: Is there anything I am unwilling to relinquish for the sake of God's reign?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, you are more precious than any earthly possession I have.
Optional Memorial of Saint
Stephen of Hungary
Stephen, the first Christian King of Hungary, was born in 975 AD and died in 1038. He was a son of the Hungarian chief Géza and was baptized, together with his father, by Archbishop St. Adalbert of Prague in 985. On this occasion, he changed his pagan name Vajk to Stephen. In 995, Stephen married Gisela, a sister of Duke Henry of Bavaria, the future Emperor St. Henry II, and in 997 succeeded to the throne of Hungary. In order to make Hungary a Christian nation and to establish himself more firmly as ruler, he sent Abbot Astricus to Rome to petition Pope Sylvester II for the royal dignity and the power to establish episcopal sees. The pope acceded to his wishes and, in addition, crowned him as king on August 17, 1001. In 1031, his only son, Emeric, lost his life on a boar hunt. Thus, Stephen's cherished hope of transferring the reins of government into the hands of a pious Christian prince were shattered. At Stephen’s death, he was buried beside his son and both were canonized together in 1083. The Holy Crown of St. Stephen and other Coronation Jewels are considered national relics, currently on display in the Parliament of Hungary, in Budapest.
Tuesday 16 August 2016
Tue
16th. St Stephen of Hungary.
Ezekiel
28:1-10. It is I who deal death and give life—Deuteronomy 32:26-28, 30, 35-36. Matthew
19:23-30.
On
God's Power.
Jesus
says: 'For those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing,
even what they have will be taken away.' We seek to accumulate, by our own
power, what we consider makes us good and happy. Too tightly grasping after
good or evil, our judgement reigns supreme; this can cause trouble in the
spiritual life. Sometimes our judgement of what it means to be spiritual can
causes us to miss our saviour's voice. Even virtue can become 'property'. Jesus
says going through the narrow gate requires carrying little or even nothing. We
must be light to step through to greet him like a friend. God, the holder of
life and death, creates all things. In the light of faith we can utterly cast
off the burden of our judgements and make our new way toward the Lord trusting
in his resurrection.
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
|
Finding Each Other
|
In the first place, it should be known that if a person is seeking
God, His beloved is seeking him much more.
–St. John of the Cross
–St. John of the Cross
August
16
St. Stephen of Hungary
(975-1038)
St. Stephen of Hungary
(975-1038)
The Church is universal, but its
expression is always affected—for good or ill—by local culture. There are no
“generic” Christians; there are Mexican Christians, Polish Christians, Filipino
Christians. This fact is evident in the life of Stephen, national hero and
spiritual patron of Hungary.
Born a pagan, he was baptized around the age of
10, together with his father, chief of the Magyars, a group who migrated to the
Danube area in the ninth century. At 20 he married Gisela, sister to the future
emperor, St. Henry. When he succeeded his father, Stephen adopted a policy of
Christianization of the country for both political and religious reasons. He
suppressed a series of revolts by pagan nobles and welded the Magyars into a
strong national group. He asked the pope to provide for the
Church's organization in Hungary—and also requested that the
pope confer the title of king upon him. He was crowned on Christmas day in
1001.
Stephen established a system of tithes to support
churches and pastors and to relieve the poor. Out of every 10 towns one had to
build a church and support a priest. He abolished pagan customs with a certain
amount of violence, and commanded all to marry, except clergy and religious. He
was easily accessible to all, especially the poor.
In 1031 his son Emeric died, and the rest of Stephen's
days were embittered by controversy over his successor. His nephews attempted
to kill him. He died in 1038 and was canonized, along with his son, in 1083.
Comment:
God’s gift of holiness is a Christlike love of God and humanity. Love must sometimes bear a stern countenance for the sake of ultimate good. Christ attacked hypocrites among the Pharisees, but died forgiving them. Paul excommunicated the incestuous man at Corinth “that his spirit may be saved.” Some Christians fought the Crusades with noble zeal, in spite of the unworthy motives of others. Today, after senseless wars, and with a deeper understanding of the complex nature of human motives, we shrink from any use of violence, physical or “silent.” This wholesome development continues as people debate whether it is possible for a Christian to be an absolute pacifist or whether evil must sometimes be repelled by force.
God’s gift of holiness is a Christlike love of God and humanity. Love must sometimes bear a stern countenance for the sake of ultimate good. Christ attacked hypocrites among the Pharisees, but died forgiving them. Paul excommunicated the incestuous man at Corinth “that his spirit may be saved.” Some Christians fought the Crusades with noble zeal, in spite of the unworthy motives of others. Today, after senseless wars, and with a deeper understanding of the complex nature of human motives, we shrink from any use of violence, physical or “silent.” This wholesome development continues as people debate whether it is possible for a Christian to be an absolute pacifist or whether evil must sometimes be repelled by force.
Quote:
“Although the Church has contributed much to the development of culture, experience shows that, because of circumstances, it is sometimes difficult to harmonize culture with Christian teaching.
“Although the Church has contributed much to the development of culture, experience shows that, because of circumstances, it is sometimes difficult to harmonize culture with Christian teaching.
“These difficulties do not necessarily harm the life of faith. Indeed they
can stimulate the mind to a more accurate and penetrating grasp of the faith.
For recent studies and findings of science, history and philosophy raise new
questions which influence life and demand new theological investigations”
(Vatican II,Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World,
62).
LECTIO DIVINA: MATTHEW 19,23-30
Lectio Divina:
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
may we love you in all things and above
all things
and reach the joy you have prepared for
us
beyond all our imagining.
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 - Matthew 19,23-30
Jesus said to his disciples, 'In truth I
tell you, it is hard for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, I
tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven.'
When the disciples heard this they were
astonished. 'Who can be saved, then?' they said. Jesus gazed at them. 'By human
resources', he told them, 'this is impossible; for God everything is possible.'
Then Peter answered and said, 'Look, we
have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?'
Jesus said to them, 'In truth I tell
you, when everything is made new again and the Son of man is seated on his
throne of glory, you yourselves will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve
tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father,
mother, children or land for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times
as much, and also inherit eternal life.
'Many who are first will be last, and
the last, first.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today is the immediate
continuation of yesterday’s Gospel. It gives the commentary of Jesus regarding
the negative reaction of the young rich man.
• Matthew 19, 23-24: The camel and the
eye of the needle. After the young man left, Jesus comments his decision and
says: “In truth I tell you, it is hard for someone rich to enter the kingdom of
Heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye
of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven”. Two
observations concerning this affirmation of Jesus: a) the proverb of the camel
and of the eye of the needle was used to say that something was impossible and
unthinkable, humanly speaking. b) The expression “that someone rich enters the
kingdom of Heaven”, is a question, in the first place, not of entrance into
Heaven after death, but of entering into the community around Jesus. And even
now this is true. It is very difficult for the rich to enter and to feel at
home in the communities which try to live the Gospel according to the demands
of Jesus and which try to be open to the poor, the migrants and to those
excluded by society.
• Matthew 19, 25-26: The fear of the
disciples. The young man had observed the commandments, but without understanding
the reason for the observance. Something similar was happening with the
disciples. When Jesus called them, they did exactly the same thing which Jesus
had asked the young man: they left everything and followed Jesus (Mt 4, 20.22).
But they were astonished at this affirmation of Jesus concerning the
impossibility for someone rich to enter the Kingdom of God. This was a sign
that they had not understood well the response which Jesus had given to the
young rich man: “Go, sell all you possess, give it to the poor and then come
and follow me!” Because if they had understood, they would not have remained so
surprised by the requests of Jesus. When wealth or the desire for riches
occupies the heart and the look, the person does not succeed to understand the
sense of life and of the Gospel. God alone can help! “This is impossible for
man, but for God all is possible!” "
• Matthew 19, 27: The question of Peter.
The background of the misunderstanding of the disciples appears in the question
asked by Peter: “Look, we have left everything and have followed you. What are
we to have then?” In spite of the beautiful generosity of abandoning
everything, they still have the old mentality. They have abandoned everything
in order to get something in exchange. They still had not understood well the
sense of service and of gratuity.
• Matthew 19, 28-30: The response of
Jesus. "In truth I tell you, when everything is made new again and the Son
of Man is seated on his throne of glory you yourselves will sit on twelve thrones
to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses,
brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name
will receive a hundred times as much and also inherit eternal life. Many, who
are first, will be last, and the last, first”. In this response, Jesus
describes the new world, the foundation of which had been placed by his work
and that of the disciples. Jesus stresses three important points: (a) The
disciples will sit on twelve thrones next to Jesus to judge the twelve tribes
of Israel (cfr. Rev 4, 4). (b) In exchange they will receive many things which
they had abandoned: houses, brothers, sisters, mother, children land and will
inherit eternal life. (c) The future world will be the reverse of the present world.
There, the last ones will be the first ones and the first ones will be the last
ones. The community around Jesus is the seed and the manifestation of this new
world. Up until now the small community of the poor continues to be the seed
and manifestation of the Kingdom.
• Every time that in the history of the
people of the Bible a new movement arises to renew the Covenant, it begins by
re-establishing the rights of the poor, of the excluded. Without that, the
Covenant will not be reconstructed. This is the sense and the reason for the
insertion and the mission of the community of Jesus, in the midst of the poor.
It draws from the roots and it inaugurates the New Covenant.
4) Personal questions
• To abandon houses, brothers, sisters,
father, mother, children fields, for the sake of Jesus: how does this take
place in your life? What have you already received in exchange?
• Today, the majority of poor countries
is not of a Christian religion, while the majority of the rich countries are.
How can the saying be applied today that it is easier for a camel to pass
through the eye of a needle?
5) Concluding Prayer
Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark
as death
I should fear no danger,
for you Lord, are at my side.
Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me. (Ps 23,4)
I should fear no danger,
for you Lord, are at my side.
Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me. (Ps 23,4)
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