Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 482
Lectionary: 482
Brothers and sisters:
Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.
Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm
against the tactics of the Devil.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood
but with the principalities, with the powers,
with the world rulers of this present darkness,
with the evil spirits in the heavens.
Therefore, put on the armor of God,
that you may be able to resist on the evil day
and, having done everything, to hold your ground.
So stand fast with your loins girded in truth,
clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,
and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace.
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield,
to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
With all prayer and supplication,
pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.
To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication
for all the holy ones and also for me,
that speech may be given me to open my mouth,
to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel
for which I am an ambassador in chains,
so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.
Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.
Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm
against the tactics of the Devil.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood
but with the principalities, with the powers,
with the world rulers of this present darkness,
with the evil spirits in the heavens.
Therefore, put on the armor of God,
that you may be able to resist on the evil day
and, having done everything, to hold your ground.
So stand fast with your loins girded in truth,
clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,
and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace.
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield,
to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
With all prayer and supplication,
pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.
To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication
for all the holy ones and also for me,
that speech may be given me to open my mouth,
to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel
for which I am an ambassador in chains,
so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.
Responsorial PsalmPS 144:1B, 2, 9-10
R. (1b) Blessed
be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
AlleluiaSEE LK 19:38; 2:14
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Meditation: "Blessed
is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
When your security is
threatened and danger strikes do you flee or stand your ground? When King
Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard that thousands of people were coming to
Jesus, he decided it was time to eliminate this threat to his influence and
power. That is why some of the Pharisees warned Jesus to flee from the wrath of
Herod. Jesus, in turn, warned them that they were in greater spiritual danger
of losing both soul and body if they refused to listen to God and to his
messengers the prophets. Like John the Baptist and all the prophets who
preceded him, Jesus posed a threat to the ruling authorities of his day.
Do not fear those who
oppose God
Jesus went so far as to call Herod a fox. What did he mean by such an expression? The fox was regarded as the slyest of all animals and one of the most destructive as well. Any farmer will tell you how difficult it is to get rid of foxes who under the cover of night steal and destroy. The fox became a symbol of what was worthless, insignificant, and destructive. It takes great courage to stand up and openly oppose a tyrant. Jesus knew that he would suffer the same fate as the prophets who came before him. He not only willingly exposed himself to such danger, but he prayed for his persecutors and for those who rejected the prophets who spoke in God's name. Do you pray for your enemies and for those who oppose the gospel today?
Jesus went so far as to call Herod a fox. What did he mean by such an expression? The fox was regarded as the slyest of all animals and one of the most destructive as well. Any farmer will tell you how difficult it is to get rid of foxes who under the cover of night steal and destroy. The fox became a symbol of what was worthless, insignificant, and destructive. It takes great courage to stand up and openly oppose a tyrant. Jesus knew that he would suffer the same fate as the prophets who came before him. He not only willingly exposed himself to such danger, but he prayed for his persecutors and for those who rejected the prophets who spoke in God's name. Do you pray for your enemies and for those who oppose the gospel today?
Jesus came to set people
free from sin and to give them new life
Jesus contrasts his desire for Jerusalem - the holy city and temple of God - with Jerusalem's lack of desire for him as their long-expected Messiah. Jesus compares his longing for Jerusalem with a mother hen gathering her chicks under her protective wings. Psalm 91 speaks of God's protection in such terms: He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge (Psalm 91:4). Jesus willingly set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing that he would meet certain betrayal, rejection, and death on a cross. His death on the cross, however, brought about victory and salvation, not only for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but for all - both Jew and Gentile - who would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Jesus contrasts his desire for Jerusalem - the holy city and temple of God - with Jerusalem's lack of desire for him as their long-expected Messiah. Jesus compares his longing for Jerusalem with a mother hen gathering her chicks under her protective wings. Psalm 91 speaks of God's protection in such terms: He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge (Psalm 91:4). Jesus willingly set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing that he would meet certain betrayal, rejection, and death on a cross. His death on the cross, however, brought about victory and salvation, not only for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but for all - both Jew and Gentile - who would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Open the door of your
heart to the Lord Jesus
Jesus' prophecy is a two-edged sword, pointing to his victory over sin and death and foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem and the dire consequences for all who would reject him and his saving message. While the destruction of Jerusalem's temple was determined - it was razed by the Romans in 70 A.D. - there remained for its inhabitants a narrow open door leading to deliverance. Jesus says: I am the door; whoever enters by me will be saved (John 10:9).
Jesus' prophecy is a two-edged sword, pointing to his victory over sin and death and foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem and the dire consequences for all who would reject him and his saving message. While the destruction of Jerusalem's temple was determined - it was razed by the Romans in 70 A.D. - there remained for its inhabitants a narrow open door leading to deliverance. Jesus says: I am the door; whoever enters by me will be saved (John 10:9).
The Lord Jesus opens the
way for each of us to have direct access to God who adopts us as his children
and who makes his home with us. Do you make room for the Lord in your life? The
Lord is knocking at the door of your heart (Revelations 3:20) and he wishes to
enter into a close personal relationship with you. Receive him who is the giver
of expectant faith, unwavering hope, and undying love. And long for the true
home which God has prepared for you in his heavenly city, Jerusalem
(Revelations 21:2-4).
"Lord Jesus, I
place all my trust and hope in you. Come make your home with me and take
possession of my heart and will that I may wholly desire what is pleasing to
you. Fill my heart with love and mercy for others that I may boldly witness to
the truth and joy of the gospel through word and example, both to those who
accept it and to those who oppose it."
Daily Quote from the
early church fathers: Jesus foreshadows his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, by
Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"'And I tell you,'
he says, 'you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he that comes in the
name of the Lord.' What does this mean? The Lord withdrew from Jerusalem and
left as unworthy of his presence those who said, 'Get away from here.' And
after he had walked about Judea and saved many and performed miracles which no
words can adequately describe, he returned again to Jerusalem. It was then that
he sat upon a colt of a donkey, while vast multitudes and young children,
holding up branches of palm trees, went before him, praising him and saying,
'Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'
(Matthew 21:9). Having left them, therefore, as being unworthy, he says that
when the time of his passion has arrived, he will then barely be seen by them.
Then again he went up to Jerusalem and entered amidst praises, and at that very
time endured his saving passion in our behalf, that by suffering he might save
and renew to incorruption the inhabitants of the earth. God the Father has
saved us by Christ." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 100)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, LUKE 13:31-35
Weekday
(Ephesians 6:10-20; Psalm 144)
Weekday
(Ephesians 6:10-20; Psalm 144)
KEY VERSE: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!" (v 34).
TO KNOW: As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, some Pharisees warned him that Herod Antipas was trying to hill him. Jesus dismissed Herod as nothing but a "fox," a sneaky, crafty beast and not a man to be feared. Jesus' destiny awaited him in Jerusalem and he would not be thwarted by Herod. Jesus mourned the great city where so many of God's messengers had lost their lives. He used a tender feminine image of God as a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings (Ps 17:8). Jesus longed to shelter Israel from its impending destruction (70 CE, by the Romans). The great festival song of Jerusalem that blessed the one who comes in God's name (Ps 118:26) would not be sung again until Jesus' work was fully accomplished.
TO LOVE: Do I pray for all who suffer for the faith?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to faithfully witness the Gospel as your saints have done throughout the ages.
Thursday 27 October 2016
Thu 27th. Ephesians 6:10-20. Blessed be
the Lord, my Rock!—Ps 143(144):1-2, 9-10. Luke 13:31-35.
'Therefore, put on the armour of God'
We're very good at self-defence. Whenever
anything confronts or challenges us (such as disagreements, relationships,
poverty or human misery), our instinct is to build a wall around us for
protection. Before hardship, we save. When confronted by disagreement, we build
up an attack. When a relationship becomes uncomfortable, we withdraw. When
hurt, we feign indifference.
When oppressed by our own conscience, we drown it. There is nothing necessarily wrong about this instinct, no-one wants to suffer, and no-one can be blamed for avoiding it at all costs. God only asks us that we may keep him present in our self-defence as well. That we may remember he is our first supporter, our fountain of wealth and goodness, our advocate, our solace and our pardon. There is no better cornerstone upon which to build our fortress.
When oppressed by our own conscience, we drown it. There is nothing necessarily wrong about this instinct, no-one wants to suffer, and no-one can be blamed for avoiding it at all costs. God only asks us that we may keep him present in our self-defence as well. That we may remember he is our first supporter, our fountain of wealth and goodness, our advocate, our solace and our pardon. There is no better cornerstone upon which to build our fortress.
ST.
FRUMENTIUS OF ETHIOPIA
St. Frumentius
helped in a great capacity to bring Christianity to Ethiopia. He was born
in Lebanon, and was shipwrecked in East Africa while voyaging on the Red Sea.
Only he and his brother, Aedeius, survived.
They were taken
to the king at Axum, Ethiopia, and became members of the court. When the king
died, the two brothers stayed on as part of the queen's court. She permitted
them to introduce Christianity to the country, as well as opening up trade
between Ethiopia and the west.
Frumentius
convinced St. Athanasius to send missionaries from Alexandria, and he was
later consecrated as the bishop of Ethiopia. He converted many people to
Christianity before his death in 380. He is the patron of Ethiopia. His
brother, Aedeius, was also canonized.
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 13,31-35
Lectio Divina:
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and ever-living God,
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what you ask of us
and come to share the life you promise.
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.
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what you ask of us
and come to share the life you promise.
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 13,31-35
Some Pharisees came up to Jesus and, 'Go away,' they said. 'Leave this
place, because Herod means to kill you.' He replied, 'You may go and give that fox
this message: Look! Today and tomorrow I drive out devils and heal, and on the
third day I attain my end. But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must
go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.
'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! Look! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you are saying: Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord!'
3) Reflection
● The Gospel today makes us feel the threatening and dangerous context in
which Jesus lived and worked. Herod, as he had killed John the Baptist, wanted
to kill Jesus.
● Luke 13, 31: The warning of the Pharisees to Jesus. “Just at that
time some Pharisees came up. Go away, they said, Leave this place because Herod
means to kill you” It is important to notice that Jesus receives the
warning of the Pharisees. Sometimes, the Pharisees are together with the group
of Herod wanting to kill Jesus (Mk 3, 6; 12, 13). But here they are in
solidarity with Jesus and want to avoid his death. At that time the power of
the king was absolute. He did not render an account to anyone of his way of
governing. Herod had already killed John the Baptist and now he wanted to finish
also with Jesus.
● Luke 13, 32-33: the response of Jesus. “He replied: You may go
and give that fox this message, ‘Look! Today and tomorrow I drive out evils and
heal, and on the third day I attain my end”. Jesus’ response is very
clear and courageous. He calls Herod: fox. To announce the Kingdom Jesus does
not depend on the permission of the political authority. He sends a message
informing that he continues his work today and tomorrow and
that he will have finished only day after tomorrow, that is on the third day.
In this response is discovered all the liberty to the power which wanted to
prevent him from carrying out the mission received from the Father. Therefore,
the one who determines the time and the hour is God and not Herod. At the same
time, in the response there arises also a certain symbolism connected to the
death and resurrection on the third day in Jerusalem. This is to indicate that
he will not die in Galilee, but in Jerusalem, capital of his people, and that
he will resurrect on the third day.
● Luke 13, 34-35: Admonishment of Jesus to Jerusalem. “Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How
often have I longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood
under her wings, and you refused!” This admonishment of Jesus on the
capital of his people recalls the long and sad story of the resistance of the
authority to God’s calls which reached through so many prophets and wise men.
At another moment Jesus speaks of the prophets persecuted and killed from Abel
to Zechariah (Lk 11, 51). Reaching Jerusalem a short time before his death,
looking toward the city from the top of the Mountain of Olives, Jesus weeps on
it, because it does not recognize the time in which God comes to visit it” (Lk
19, 44).
4) Personal questions
● Jesus qualifies the public power with the name of fox. Can your political
power deserve to be qualified like this?
● Jesus tried many times to convert the people of Jerusalem, but the religious authority resisted. And you, how many times do you resist?
● Jesus tried many times to convert the people of Jerusalem, but the religious authority resisted. And you, how many times do you resist?
5) Concluding prayer
Yahweh and his strength,
tirelessly seek his presence!
Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders,
the judgements he has spoken. (Ps 105,4-5)
tirelessly seek his presence!
Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders,
the judgements he has spoken. (Ps 105,4-5)
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