Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 494
Lectionary: 494
In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.
Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.
Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175
R. (89a) Your
word is for ever, O Lord.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Through all generations your truth endures;
you have established the earth, and it stands firm.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Through all generations your truth endures;
you have established the earth, and it stands firm.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
AlleluiaJN 15:5
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord:
whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord:
whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 17:20-25
Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."
Then he said to his disciples,
"The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,
'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."
Jesus said in reply,
"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."
Then he said to his disciples,
"The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,
'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."
Meditation: The coming of Christ's kingdom
What can lightning tell us about the coming of the
Lord and his kingdom? The Jews is Jesus' time were watching in great
anticipation for some sign which would indicate when the Messiah would appear
to establish the kingdom of God. The Pharisees' question on this matter was
intended to test Jesus since they did not accept him as the Messiah. Jesus
surprised them with the answer that the kingdom or reign of God was already
here! Jesus spoke of the coming of God's kingdom as both a present event and an
event which would be manifested at the end of time.
The Day of Judgment and God's final verdict
The "Day of the Lord" was understood in the Old Testament as the time when God would manifest his glory and power and overthrow the enemies of his people, Israel. The prophet Amos declared that the "Day" also meant judgment for Israel as well as the nations (Amos 5:18-20). The prophet Joel proclaimed that at this "Day" those who truly repented would be saved, while those who remained enemies of the Lord, whether Jew or Gentile, would be punished (see Joel 2).
The "Day of the Lord" was understood in the Old Testament as the time when God would manifest his glory and power and overthrow the enemies of his people, Israel. The prophet Amos declared that the "Day" also meant judgment for Israel as well as the nations (Amos 5:18-20). The prophet Joel proclaimed that at this "Day" those who truly repented would be saved, while those who remained enemies of the Lord, whether Jew or Gentile, would be punished (see Joel 2).
Image of lightning and the sudden appearance of Christ
on Judgment Day
Why did Jesus associate lightning with the "Day of the Lord"? In the arid climate of Palestine, storms were infrequent and seasonal. They often appeared suddenly or unexpectedly, seemingly out of nowhere, covering everything in thick darkness. With little or no warning lightning filled the sky with its piercing flashes of flaming light. Its power struck terror and awe in those who tried to flee from its presence. Jesus warned the Pharisees that the "Son of man" (a title for the Messiah given in the Book of Daniel 7:13-15) would come in like manner, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, on the clouds of heaven to bring God's judgment on the "Day of the Lord". No special sign will be needed to announce his appearance. Nor will his presence and power be veiled or hidden, but all will recognize him as clearly as the lightning in the sky.
Why did Jesus associate lightning with the "Day of the Lord"? In the arid climate of Palestine, storms were infrequent and seasonal. They often appeared suddenly or unexpectedly, seemingly out of nowhere, covering everything in thick darkness. With little or no warning lightning filled the sky with its piercing flashes of flaming light. Its power struck terror and awe in those who tried to flee from its presence. Jesus warned the Pharisees that the "Son of man" (a title for the Messiah given in the Book of Daniel 7:13-15) would come in like manner, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, on the clouds of heaven to bring God's judgment on the "Day of the Lord". No special sign will be needed to announce his appearance. Nor will his presence and power be veiled or hidden, but all will recognize him as clearly as the lightning in the sky.
Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead
Jesus identified himself with the "Day of the Lord." "Son of man" was understood as a Messianic title for the one who would come not only to establish God's kingdom but who would come as Judge of the living as well as the dead. Jesus points to his second coming when he will return to complete the work of restoration and final judgment. While we do not know the time of his return, we will not mistake it when it happens. It will be apparent to all, both believers and non-believers as well.
Jesus identified himself with the "Day of the Lord." "Son of man" was understood as a Messianic title for the one who would come not only to establish God's kingdom but who would come as Judge of the living as well as the dead. Jesus points to his second coming when he will return to complete the work of restoration and final judgment. While we do not know the time of his return, we will not mistake it when it happens. It will be apparent to all, both believers and non-believers as well.
When the Pharisees asked Jesus what sign would
indicate the "Day of the Lord", Jesus replied that only one sign
would point to that day and that sign was Jesus himself. Jesus surprised the
Jews of his time by announcing that God's kingdom was already present among
them in his very person - the Son of God sent from the Father to redeem the
world from sin and corruption.
Our hope is anchored in God's kingdom - not the
passing kingdoms of this present world
In the Lord Jesus we see both the power and the glory of God's kingdom. His divine power overthrew the powers of darkness (the kingdom of Satan and all who opposed God's rule) and sin (which corrupts and enslaves the human mind, heart, and will to the forces of evil and wrongdoing). Jesus knew that the only way to victory was through the cross. On that cross he defeated death and canceled the debt of our sins. The victory of his cross opens the way for us to live as sons and daughters of God and citizens of his heavenly kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (moral goodness). Is your hope and future securely anchored to God's heavenly kingdom?
In the Lord Jesus we see both the power and the glory of God's kingdom. His divine power overthrew the powers of darkness (the kingdom of Satan and all who opposed God's rule) and sin (which corrupts and enslaves the human mind, heart, and will to the forces of evil and wrongdoing). Jesus knew that the only way to victory was through the cross. On that cross he defeated death and canceled the debt of our sins. The victory of his cross opens the way for us to live as sons and daughters of God and citizens of his heavenly kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (moral goodness). Is your hope and future securely anchored to God's heavenly kingdom?
"Lord Jesus Christ, may your kingdom come and my
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Be the Ruler of my heart and the
Master of my life that I may always live in the freedom of your love and
truth."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Don't pursue human glory, by John
Cassian (360-435 AD)
"If the devil has been driven out and sin no longer reigns, then the kingdom of God is established in us. As it is written in the Gospel, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation, nor will they say, 'Lo here,' or 'Lo, there.' Truly I say to you that the kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:20-21). The only thing that can be 'within us' is knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the affection for righteousness or sin by which we prepare our hearts to be a kingdom of Christ or the devil. St. Paul described the nature of this kingdom in this way: 'For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). If the kingdom of God is within us and is righteousness, peace and joy, then someone that remains in these is surely within the kingdom of God. Someone that remains in unrighteousness, conflict and the melancholy that kills the life of the spirit is already a citizen of the devil's kingdom, of hell and of death. These are the signs whether it is God's kingdom or the devil's." (excerpt from CONFERENCE 1.13.5)
"If the devil has been driven out and sin no longer reigns, then the kingdom of God is established in us. As it is written in the Gospel, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation, nor will they say, 'Lo here,' or 'Lo, there.' Truly I say to you that the kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:20-21). The only thing that can be 'within us' is knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the affection for righteousness or sin by which we prepare our hearts to be a kingdom of Christ or the devil. St. Paul described the nature of this kingdom in this way: 'For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). If the kingdom of God is within us and is righteousness, peace and joy, then someone that remains in these is surely within the kingdom of God. Someone that remains in unrighteousness, conflict and the melancholy that kills the life of the spirit is already a citizen of the devil's kingdom, of hell and of death. These are the signs whether it is God's kingdom or the devil's." (excerpt from CONFERENCE 1.13.5)
[John Cassian was an
early 5th century church father who lived for several years with the monks in
Bethlehem and Egypt before founding a monastery in southern Gaul.]
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, LUKE 17:20-25
Weekday
(Wisdom 7:22b―8:1; Psalm 119)
Weekday
(Wisdom 7:22b―8:1; Psalm 119)
KEY VERSE: "For behold, the kingdom of God is among you" (v 21).
TO KNOW: After centuries of domination by foreign powers, Israel realized that only divine intervention could release them from oppression. Israel longed for this great "Day of the Lord" (Joel 2:11), and looked forward to the Messiah who would announce the arrival of God's kingdom. Jesus explained that the kingdom was not a geographical or political realm, nor could it be pinpointed in time. The kingdom was already in their midst and, at the same time, yet to come, a mystery for which Christians pray daily in the Lord's Prayer ̶ "Thy Kingdom come." Jesus established God's reign through his words and works, his death and resurrection. The kingdom will be fully revealed at Jesus’ final coming, a day which will arrive when least expected.
TO LOVE: What am I doing to bring God's reign to fulfillment?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to live each day for the kingdom.
Optional Memorial of Saint Margaret
of Scotland
Margaret, Queen of Scotland, was the granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside of England, and the great-niece of St Stephen of Hungary. She was born in Hungary while her family was in exile due to the Danish invasion of England. While fleeing the invading army of William the Conqueror in 1066, her ship was wrecked on the Scottish coast. She was assisted by King Malcolm III Canmore of Scotland whom Margaret married in 1070. They had eight children; one was St Maud, wife of Henry I. Margaret founded abbeys and used her position to work for justice and to improve the conditions of the poor.
Optional Memorial of Saint Gertrude
the Great, virgin
Gertrude was raised in the Cistercian abbey of Helfta, Eisleben, Saxony from age 5. She was an extremely bright student, and gentle person. When she became too enamored of philosophy, she received a vision of Christ who reproached her. From then on she studied the Bible and the works of the Church Fathers. She received many visions and mystical instruction, which formed the basis of her writings. She helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. Her writings have been greatly praised by St Teresa and St Francis de Sales, and continue in print today.
Thursday 16
November 2017
St Margaret of Scotland; St
Gertrude.
Wisdom
7:22 – 8:1. Psalm 118(119):89-91, 130, 135, 175. Luke 17:20-25.
Your word
is forever, O Lord — Psalm 118(119):89-91, 130, 135, 175. Luke 17:20-25.
The coming
of the kingdom.
‘In fact, the kingdom of God is
among you.’ So Jesus said to the Pharisees when they asked him when the kingdom
of God was coming. Like children who ask their parents incessantly for an
ice-cream or to be taken to the zoo, we as adults often ask in more subtle ways
for things, or for situations to change.
We wish things were different. We
want to know more than we do and predict the future. We want to get off the
roller-coaster of life. We want it all and we want it now. Maybe God is telling
us that the things we are seeking are right before our very eyes, if only we
slowed down and took the time to see them. Could we just slow down to share our
desires and frustrations with God?
ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND
On November 16, the Church celebrates the feast day of St.
Margaret, Queen of Scotland. Her feast day was originally June 10, but was
moved to November 16, the day of her death, upon the renewal of the Church's
Lirutgical calendar. Some continue to celebrate her feast on June 10, but many,
including all of Scotland, celebrate her feast today.
Margaret
was born into royalty in Hungary around 1045. Her father was Edward Atheling,
heir to the English throne, and her mother was Princess Agatha of Hungary. Her
family returned to England when she was 10 years old, but the Norman Conquest
forced them into exile. By this time, her father had died, and her mother fled
with the children. They boarded a ship which crashed onto the coast of
Scotland, where they remained.
In
1070, at the age of 25, Margaret married the king of Scotland, Malcolm Canmore.
As queen, Margaret's faith had a strong influence on her husband’s reign. She
softened his temper and led him to practice virtue. She dignified the court,
providing an example of purity and reverence that led others to follow in her
path. She and the king prayed together and fed the hungry, offering a powerful
witness of faith to the people they served.
In
addition to being a model wife and mother, Margaret worked tirelessly to bring
justice and relief to the poor of Scotland. She also built churches and
encouraged practices of religious devotion. In her private life, she exhibited
great prayerfulness and piety. Her influence was seen not only in her husband's
life, but throughout all of Scotland.
Margaret
died in 1093, just four days after her husband and one of her sons were killed
in battle. She was canonized in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV and named patron of
Scotland in 1673.
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 17,20-25
Lectio Divina:
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Ordinary
Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
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 17:20-25
When asked by the Pharisees when the
kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer: "The coming of
the kingdom of God comes not with observation and there will be no one to say,
"Look, it is here! Look, it is there!" For look, the kingdom of God
is within you."
He said to the disciples, "A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of man and will not see it.
He said to the disciples, "A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of man and will not see it.
They will say to you, ’Look, it is
there!’ or, ‘Look, it is here!’ Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as
the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be
the Son of man when His Day comes. But first He is destined to suffer many
things and be rejected by this generation.”
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel gives us the discussion
between Jesus and the Pharisees on the coming of the Kingdom. The Gospel today
and that of the following days deal with the coming of the end of time.
• Luke 17, 20-21: The Kingdom is among you. “Asked when the Kingdom of God was to come?” Jesus answered “tThe coming of the Kingdom of God does not come with (through) observation and there will be no one to say, ‘Look, it is here! Look, it is there! For look, the Kingdom of God is within you!” The Pharisees thought that the Kingdom could come only after people would have reached the perfect observance of the Law of God. For them, the coming of the Kingdom would be the reward from God for the good behavior of the people, and the Messiah would have come in a very solemn way as a king, to be received by his people. Jesus says the contrary. The coming of the Kingdom cannot be observed as the coming of an earthly king is observed. For Jesus, the Kingdom of God has already come! It is already among us, independently of our effort or merit. Jesus sees things in a different way. He has another way of reading life. He prefers the Samaritan who lives with gratitude to the nine who think that they merit the good that they receive from God (Lk 17, 17-19).
• Luke 17, 22-24: The signs to recognize the coming of the Son of Man. “A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and will not see it. They will say to you, ‘Look it is there!’ or ‘Look, it is here!’ Make no move, and do not set off in pursuit. For as the lightening flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when His Day comes”. In this affirmation, from there are elements taken from apocalyptic visions of history quite common in the first centuries after Jesus. An apocalyptic vision of history has certain distinguishing characteristics.. Certainly, in time of great persecution and oppression the poor have the impression that God loses control of history. They feel lost, without a horizon and without any hope of liberation. In those moments of apparent absence of God, prophecy assumes the form of apocalypse. The apocalyptic vision seeks to enlighten the desperate situation with the light of faith in orderto help people not lose hope and continue to have courage . To show that God does not lose control of history, they describe the different stages of the realization of the project of God throughout history. Begun in a particular significant moment in the past, this project of God advances, stage after stage, through the situations lived by the poor, until the final victory is obtained at the end of history. In this way, the apocalyptic places the present moment like a stage which has already been foreseen in the overall project of God. Generally, the last stage, before the coming of the end, is represented as a moment of suffering and crisis, which many try to profit from by deceiving people. “They will tell you: Look it is here, or look it is there, but do not move, do not follow them. Because like lightening flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of man when His Day comes”. Having the eyes of faith which Jesus communicates, the poor can perceive that the Kingdom is already among them (Lk 17, 21), like lightening, without any doubt. The coming of the Kingdom brings with it its own evidence and does not depend on the forecast or prediction of others.
• Luke 17, 20-21: The Kingdom is among you. “Asked when the Kingdom of God was to come?” Jesus answered “tThe coming of the Kingdom of God does not come with (through) observation and there will be no one to say, ‘Look, it is here! Look, it is there! For look, the Kingdom of God is within you!” The Pharisees thought that the Kingdom could come only after people would have reached the perfect observance of the Law of God. For them, the coming of the Kingdom would be the reward from God for the good behavior of the people, and the Messiah would have come in a very solemn way as a king, to be received by his people. Jesus says the contrary. The coming of the Kingdom cannot be observed as the coming of an earthly king is observed. For Jesus, the Kingdom of God has already come! It is already among us, independently of our effort or merit. Jesus sees things in a different way. He has another way of reading life. He prefers the Samaritan who lives with gratitude to the nine who think that they merit the good that they receive from God (Lk 17, 17-19).
• Luke 17, 22-24: The signs to recognize the coming of the Son of Man. “A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and will not see it. They will say to you, ‘Look it is there!’ or ‘Look, it is here!’ Make no move, and do not set off in pursuit. For as the lightening flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when His Day comes”. In this affirmation, from there are elements taken from apocalyptic visions of history quite common in the first centuries after Jesus. An apocalyptic vision of history has certain distinguishing characteristics.. Certainly, in time of great persecution and oppression the poor have the impression that God loses control of history. They feel lost, without a horizon and without any hope of liberation. In those moments of apparent absence of God, prophecy assumes the form of apocalypse. The apocalyptic vision seeks to enlighten the desperate situation with the light of faith in orderto help people not lose hope and continue to have courage . To show that God does not lose control of history, they describe the different stages of the realization of the project of God throughout history. Begun in a particular significant moment in the past, this project of God advances, stage after stage, through the situations lived by the poor, until the final victory is obtained at the end of history. In this way, the apocalyptic places the present moment like a stage which has already been foreseen in the overall project of God. Generally, the last stage, before the coming of the end, is represented as a moment of suffering and crisis, which many try to profit from by deceiving people. “They will tell you: Look it is here, or look it is there, but do not move, do not follow them. Because like lightening flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of man when His Day comes”. Having the eyes of faith which Jesus communicates, the poor can perceive that the Kingdom is already among them (Lk 17, 21), like lightening, without any doubt. The coming of the Kingdom brings with it its own evidence and does not depend on the forecast or prediction of others.
• Luke 17, 25: By the Cross up to the
Glory. “But first He is destined to suffer many things and be rejected by this
generation”. Always the same warning: the Cross, scandal for the Jews and
foolishness for the Greek, but for us the expression of the wisdom and the
power of God (1Co 1, 18.23). The path toward the glory passes through the
Cross. The life of Jesus is our Canon. iIt is the canonical norm for all of us.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus said “The Kingdom is in your
midst!” Have you already found some sign of the Kingdom in your life, in the
life of your nation or in the life of your community?
• The cross in our life: How do
you consider or see suffering? What do you do about it?
5) Concluding prayer
He keeps faith for ever,
gives justice to the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry;
Yahweh sets prisoners free. (Ps 146,6-7)
gives justice to the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry;
Yahweh sets prisoners free. (Ps 146,6-7)
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