Monday
of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 455
Lectionary: 455
One
day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?”
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
“From roaming the earth and patrolling it.”
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”
And the LORD said to Satan,
“Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person.”
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
“The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
“The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,
“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!”
In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?”
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
“From roaming the earth and patrolling it.”
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”
And the LORD said to Satan,
“Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person.”
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
“The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
“The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,
“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!”
In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 17:1BCD, 2-3, 6-7
R.
(6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
AlleluiaMK 10:45
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 9:46-50
An
argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest.”
Then John said in reply,
“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company.”
Jesus said to him,
“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest.”
Then John said in reply,
“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company.”
Jesus said to him,
“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
Meditation: "Jesus perceived the
thought of their hearts"
Are
you surprised to see the disciples of Jesus arguing about who is the greatest
among them? Don't we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and greatness
seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be
"somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"?
Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. "You
have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and
honor" (Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a
child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the
kingdom of God.
What
can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient
world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially
at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much
like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of
Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples
by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is
customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the
host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of
heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of
pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or
child.
Jesus,
himself, is our model. He came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew
20:28). Paul the Apostles states that Jesus "emptied himself and took
the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). Jesus lowered
himself (he whose place is at the right hand of God the Father) and took on our
lowly nature that he might raise us up and clothe us in his divine nature.
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James
4:6). If we want to be filled with God's life and power, then we need to empty
ourselves of everything which stands in the way - pride, envy, self-seeking
glory, vanity, and possessiveness. God wants empty vessels so he can fill them
with his own glory, power, and love (2 Corinthians 4:7). Are you ready to
humble yourself and to serve as Jesus did?
"Lord
Jesus, your grace knows no bounds. You give freely to the humble of heart and
you grant us freedom to love and serve others selflessly. May my love for you
express itself in an eagerness to do good for others."
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, LUKE 9:46-50
Weekday
(Job 1:6-22; Psalm 17)
KEY VERSE: "For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest" (v 48).
TO KNOW: Jesus had been teaching his disciples about his role as the suffering servant of God, yet they failed to comprehend his words (vs 43-45). A discussion arose among the disciples about which one of them was the greatest. Appraising their grandiose ambitions, Jesus placed a little child by his side as an example of what discipleship meant. The disciple must be as innocent and trusting as a child, and be willing to serve the poor and lowly of the community. Seemingly without hearing Jesus' words, John became indignant when he heard that an outsider had been casting out demons in Jesus' name. Jesus said that such closed-mindedness was in opposition to the Gospel that he taught them. He told them: "Whoever is not against you is for you" (v 50).
TO LOVE: Are my ambitions to serve the Lord or to serve my own ego?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to recognize you in the poor and suffering that I meet.
Optional Memorial of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian, martyrs
Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers and early Christian physicians. They were born in Arabia, and practiced medicine in Cilicia, Asia Minor, and attained a great reputation. They accepted no pay for their services and were, therefore, called "the silverless." In this way they brought many to the Catholic Faith. When the Diocletian persecution began, Cosmas and Damian were arrested, and ordered to renounce their faith. They remained constant under torture, and, in a miraculous manner suffered no injury. They were finally beheaded with the sword, probably in the year 287. The remains of the martyrs were buried in the city of Cyrus in Syria. Having been cured of a dangerous illness by the intercession of Cosmas and Damian, the Emperor Justinian I (527-565), in gratitude rebuilt and adorned their church at Constantinople, and it became a celebrated place of pilgrimage. Cosmas and Damian are regarded as the patrons of physicians and surgeons and are sometimes represented with medical emblems.
NOTE: The Roman Emperor Diocletian's name is associated with the last and most terrible of all the ten persecutions of the early Church (called the Era of the Martyrs). This persecution was occasioned partly by the increasing number of Christians, and the hatred of Galerius, the adopted son of Diocletian. Encouraged by his mother, a bigoted pagan, he never ceased persuading the emperor to continue the persecution, until he had accomplished his purpose.
Weekday
(Job 1:6-22; Psalm 17)
KEY VERSE: "For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest" (v 48).
TO KNOW: Jesus had been teaching his disciples about his role as the suffering servant of God, yet they failed to comprehend his words (vs 43-45). A discussion arose among the disciples about which one of them was the greatest. Appraising their grandiose ambitions, Jesus placed a little child by his side as an example of what discipleship meant. The disciple must be as innocent and trusting as a child, and be willing to serve the poor and lowly of the community. Seemingly without hearing Jesus' words, John became indignant when he heard that an outsider had been casting out demons in Jesus' name. Jesus said that such closed-mindedness was in opposition to the Gospel that he taught them. He told them: "Whoever is not against you is for you" (v 50).
TO LOVE: Are my ambitions to serve the Lord or to serve my own ego?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to recognize you in the poor and suffering that I meet.
Optional Memorial of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian, martyrs
Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers and early Christian physicians. They were born in Arabia, and practiced medicine in Cilicia, Asia Minor, and attained a great reputation. They accepted no pay for their services and were, therefore, called "the silverless." In this way they brought many to the Catholic Faith. When the Diocletian persecution began, Cosmas and Damian were arrested, and ordered to renounce their faith. They remained constant under torture, and, in a miraculous manner suffered no injury. They were finally beheaded with the sword, probably in the year 287. The remains of the martyrs were buried in the city of Cyrus in Syria. Having been cured of a dangerous illness by the intercession of Cosmas and Damian, the Emperor Justinian I (527-565), in gratitude rebuilt and adorned their church at Constantinople, and it became a celebrated place of pilgrimage. Cosmas and Damian are regarded as the patrons of physicians and surgeons and are sometimes represented with medical emblems.
NOTE: The Roman Emperor Diocletian's name is associated with the last and most terrible of all the ten persecutions of the early Church (called the Era of the Martyrs). This persecution was occasioned partly by the increasing number of Christians, and the hatred of Galerius, the adopted son of Diocletian. Encouraged by his mother, a bigoted pagan, he never ceased persuading the emperor to continue the persecution, until he had accomplished his purpose.
Monday 26 September 2016
Mon 26th. Ss Cosmas and Damian. Job
1:6-22. Lord, bend your ear and hear my prayer—Ps 16(17):1-3, 6-7. Luke
9:46-50.
'Whoever welcomes this child in my name
welcomes me.'
Today's gospel challenges us to reject
self-centred ambition. Jesus asks the disciples to welcome the child. This
requires us like the disciples to be generous towards the child without
expectation of any gain. This acted parable sees the disciples having to
understand servant leadership, that is caring and guiding others without a
focus on power and personal gain but with humility and charity.
The child represents all who are weak and vulnerable and powerless. Those who have looked after young children and babies know how much help they need but, in turn, how much of God's love they contain in this innocence. Caring for others brings us closer to God, in reading the next verse this is evident, 'whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.'
So for the times caring for our families and reaching out to other vulnerable persons seems like a big burden or a chore we need to remember Jesus' broader picture.
The child represents all who are weak and vulnerable and powerless. Those who have looked after young children and babies know how much help they need but, in turn, how much of God's love they contain in this innocence. Caring for others brings us closer to God, in reading the next verse this is evident, 'whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.'
So for the times caring for our families and reaching out to other vulnerable persons seems like a big burden or a chore we need to remember Jesus' broader picture.
STS.
COSMAS AND DAMIAN
Saints
Cosmas and Damian were twins born to Christian parents in Arabia, in the third
century. They lived in the region around the border between modern day Turkey
and Syria. They were physicians who were renowned for their skill as well as
their refusal to charge for their services.
Their
charity and Christian witness won many converts to the faith and earned them a
place of prominence in the Christian communites of Asia Minor. Therefore, when
the Diocletian persecutions began in the latter half of the third century they
were of some of the first to be sought out for execution.
In
287, they were captured and ordered to deny their faith in Christ. They refused
and underwent a series of tortures, including Crucifixion, from which,
miraculously, they remained unscathed. The torturers, weary of what they
realized was the impossible task of forcing apostasy from their mouths, finally
beheaded them both.
They
are invoked in the Canon of the Mass and the Litany of Saints.
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 9,46-50
Lectio
Divina:
Monday,
September 26, 2016
Ordinary
Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
you show your almighty power
in your mercy and forgiveness.
Continue to fill us with your gifts of love.
Help us to hurry towards the eternal life your promise
and come to share in the joys of your kingdom.
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 9,46-50
An
argument started between the disciples about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little
child whom he set by his side and then he said to them, 'Anyone who welcomes
this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes
the one who sent me. The least among you all is the one who is the greatest.'
John spoke up. 'Master,' he said, 'we saw someone driving out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.' But Jesus said to him, 'You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.'
John spoke up. 'Master,' he said, 'we saw someone driving out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.' But Jesus said to him, 'You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.'
3)
Reflection
• The text enlightens us. If previously Luke had presented the convergence of the men around Jesus to recognize him in faith, to attend to listen to him and to be present to his cures, now, a new stage is opened in his public itinerary. The person of Jesus does not monopolize the attention of the crowds any more but he is presented as the one who slowly is being drawn away from his own to go toward the Father. Such an itinerary foresees his journey to Jerusalem. And while he is about to undertake that journey, Jesus reveals to them the destiny that is awaiting him (9, 22). Then he is transfigured before them to indicate the starting point of his “Exodus” toward Jerusalem. But immediately after the light that he experiences in the transfiguration, Jesus once again announces his Passion leaving the disciples uncertain and disturbed. The words of Jesus on the event of his Passion, “The Son of man is going to be delivered into the power of men”, but they did not understand (9, 45) and they were afraid to ask him (9, 45).
• Jesus takes a child. The enigma of Jesus being delivered broke out a great dispute among the disciples to decide to whom the first place would belong. Without being asked his opinion, Jesus, who being God knew how to read hearts, intervenes with a symbolical gesture. To begin he takes a child and places him at his side. Such a gesture is an indication of election, of privilege that is extended at the moment that one becomes a Christian (10, 21-22). So that this gesture will be understood, not uncertain, Jesus gives a word of explanation: the “greatness” of the child is not stressed but his inclination to “acceptance”. The Lord considers “great” anyone who like a child knows how to accept God and his messengers. Salvation presents two aspects: the election on the part of God which is symbolized by the gesture of Jesus who accepts the child: and the acceptance of the one who has sent him, the Father of Jesus (the Son) and of every man. The child embodies Jesus, and both together in their smallness and suffering, realize God’s presence (Bovon). But the two aspects of salvation are indicative also of faith: in the gift of election the passive element emerges; in service, the active one; two pillars of the Christian existence. To accept God or Christ in faith has the consequence of total acceptance of the little ones on the part of the believer or of the community. “To be great” about which the disciples were discussing is not a reality of something beyond, but it refers to the present moment and is expressed in the ‘diaconia’ of service. Lived love and faith carry out two functions: we are accepted by Christ (takes the child); but also we have the particular gift of receiving him (“anyone who accepts the child, accepts him, the Father”, v. 48). A brief dialogue follows between Jesus and John (vv. 49-50). This last disciple is considered among the intimate ones of Jesus. The exorcist who does not belong to those who are intimate with Jesus is entrusted the same role that is given to the disciples. He is an exorcist who, on the one side is external to the group, but on the other, he is inside the group because he has understood the Christological origin of divine force that guides him (“in your name”). The teaching of Jesus is clear: a Christian group should not place obstacles to the missionary activity of other groups. There are no Christians who are “greater” than others, but one is “great” in being and in becoming Christians. And then missionary activity has to be in the service of God and not to increase one’s own fame or renown. That clause on the power of the name of Jesus is of crucial importance: it is a reference to the liberty of the Holy Spirit, whose presence is certainly within the Church, but it can extend beyond the instituted or official ministries.
• The text enlightens us. If previously Luke had presented the convergence of the men around Jesus to recognize him in faith, to attend to listen to him and to be present to his cures, now, a new stage is opened in his public itinerary. The person of Jesus does not monopolize the attention of the crowds any more but he is presented as the one who slowly is being drawn away from his own to go toward the Father. Such an itinerary foresees his journey to Jerusalem. And while he is about to undertake that journey, Jesus reveals to them the destiny that is awaiting him (9, 22). Then he is transfigured before them to indicate the starting point of his “Exodus” toward Jerusalem. But immediately after the light that he experiences in the transfiguration, Jesus once again announces his Passion leaving the disciples uncertain and disturbed. The words of Jesus on the event of his Passion, “The Son of man is going to be delivered into the power of men”, but they did not understand (9, 45) and they were afraid to ask him (9, 45).
• Jesus takes a child. The enigma of Jesus being delivered broke out a great dispute among the disciples to decide to whom the first place would belong. Without being asked his opinion, Jesus, who being God knew how to read hearts, intervenes with a symbolical gesture. To begin he takes a child and places him at his side. Such a gesture is an indication of election, of privilege that is extended at the moment that one becomes a Christian (10, 21-22). So that this gesture will be understood, not uncertain, Jesus gives a word of explanation: the “greatness” of the child is not stressed but his inclination to “acceptance”. The Lord considers “great” anyone who like a child knows how to accept God and his messengers. Salvation presents two aspects: the election on the part of God which is symbolized by the gesture of Jesus who accepts the child: and the acceptance of the one who has sent him, the Father of Jesus (the Son) and of every man. The child embodies Jesus, and both together in their smallness and suffering, realize God’s presence (Bovon). But the two aspects of salvation are indicative also of faith: in the gift of election the passive element emerges; in service, the active one; two pillars of the Christian existence. To accept God or Christ in faith has the consequence of total acceptance of the little ones on the part of the believer or of the community. “To be great” about which the disciples were discussing is not a reality of something beyond, but it refers to the present moment and is expressed in the ‘diaconia’ of service. Lived love and faith carry out two functions: we are accepted by Christ (takes the child); but also we have the particular gift of receiving him (“anyone who accepts the child, accepts him, the Father”, v. 48). A brief dialogue follows between Jesus and John (vv. 49-50). This last disciple is considered among the intimate ones of Jesus. The exorcist who does not belong to those who are intimate with Jesus is entrusted the same role that is given to the disciples. He is an exorcist who, on the one side is external to the group, but on the other, he is inside the group because he has understood the Christological origin of divine force that guides him (“in your name”). The teaching of Jesus is clear: a Christian group should not place obstacles to the missionary activity of other groups. There are no Christians who are “greater” than others, but one is “great” in being and in becoming Christians. And then missionary activity has to be in the service of God and not to increase one’s own fame or renown. That clause on the power of the name of Jesus is of crucial importance: it is a reference to the liberty of the Holy Spirit, whose presence is certainly within the Church, but it can extend beyond the instituted or official ministries.
4)
Personal questions
• You, as a believer, baptized, how do you live success and suffering?
• What type of “greatness” do you live in your service to life, to persons? Are you capable of transforming competition into cooperation?
• You, as a believer, baptized, how do you live success and suffering?
• What type of “greatness” do you live in your service to life, to persons? Are you capable of transforming competition into cooperation?
5)
Concluding Prayer
I praise your name Lord for your faithful love and your constancy;
your promises surpass even your fame.
You heard me on the day when I called,
and you gave new strength to my heart. (Ps 138,2-3)
I praise your name Lord for your faithful love and your constancy;
your promises surpass even your fame.
You heard me on the day when I called,
and you gave new strength to my heart. (Ps 138,2-3)
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