Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 353
Lectionary: 353
Beloved:
May grace and peace be yours in abundance
through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has bestowed on us
everything that makes for life and devotion,
through the knowledge of him
who called us by his own glory and power.
Through these, he has bestowed on us
the precious and very great promises,
so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature,
after escaping from the corruption that is in the world
because of evil desire.
For this very reason,
make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control,
self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.
May grace and peace be yours in abundance
through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has bestowed on us
everything that makes for life and devotion,
through the knowledge of him
who called us by his own glory and power.
Through these, he has bestowed on us
the precious and very great promises,
so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature,
after escaping from the corruption that is in the world
because of evil desire.
For this very reason,
make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control,
self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 91:1-2, 14-15B, 15C-16
R. (see 2b) In you,
my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress.
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
I will deliver him and glorify him;
with length of days I will gratify him
and will show him my salvation.
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress.
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
I will deliver him and glorify him;
with length of days I will gratify him
and will show him my salvation.
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
AlleluiaSEE RV 1:5AB
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead;
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead;
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 12:1-12
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes,
and the elders in parables.
"A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey.
At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants
to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.
But they seized him, beat him,
and sent him away empty-handed.
Again he sent them another servant.
And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully.
He sent yet another whom they killed.
So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed.
He had one other to send, a beloved son.
He sent him to them last of all, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'
But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
So they seized him and killed him,
and threw him out of the vineyard.
What then will the owner of the vineyard do?
He will come, put the tenants to death,
and give the vineyard to others.
Have you not read this Scripture passage:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?"
They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd,
for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them.
So they left him and went away.
and the elders in parables.
"A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey.
At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants
to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.
But they seized him, beat him,
and sent him away empty-handed.
Again he sent them another servant.
And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully.
He sent yet another whom they killed.
So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed.
He had one other to send, a beloved son.
He sent him to them last of all, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'
But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
So they seized him and killed him,
and threw him out of the vineyard.
What then will the owner of the vineyard do?
He will come, put the tenants to death,
and give the vineyard to others.
Have you not read this Scripture passage:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?"
They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd,
for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them.
So they left him and went away.
Meditation: "They will respect my beloved Son"
What does Jesus' parable about an absentee landlord
and his tenants say to us? The hills of Galilee were lined with numerous
vineyards, and it was quite normal for the owners to let out their estates to
tenants. Many did it for the sole purpose of collecting rent. Why did Jesus'
story about wicked tenants cause offense to the scribes and Pharisees? It
contained both a prophetic message and a warning. Isaiah had spoken of the
house of Israel as "the vineyard of the Lord" (Isaiah 5:7). Jesus'
listeners would likely understand this parable as referring to God's dealing
with a stubborn and rebellious people.
Jesus faithfully does his Father's will even in the
face of severe opposition
This parable speaks to us today as well. It richly conveys some important truths about God and the way he deals with his people. First, it tells us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well equipped with everything the tenants need. The owner went away and left the vineyard in the hands of the tenants. God, likewise trusts us enough to give us freedom to run life as we choose. This parable also tells us of God's patience and justice. Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But while the tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his judgment and justice prevail in the end. Jesus foretold both his death and his ultimate triumph. He knew he would be rejected and be killed, but he also knew that would not be the end. After rejection would come glory - the glory of resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father.
This parable speaks to us today as well. It richly conveys some important truths about God and the way he deals with his people. First, it tells us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well equipped with everything the tenants need. The owner went away and left the vineyard in the hands of the tenants. God, likewise trusts us enough to give us freedom to run life as we choose. This parable also tells us of God's patience and justice. Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But while the tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his judgment and justice prevail in the end. Jesus foretold both his death and his ultimate triumph. He knew he would be rejected and be killed, but he also knew that would not be the end. After rejection would come glory - the glory of resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father.
If we trust in the Lord our labor is not in vain
How do we share in this glory? By submitting to Jesus' kingly rule in our lives. Jesus promises that we will bear much fruit (certainly the fruit of peace, righteousness, and joy, and much more besides) if we abide in him (see John 15:1-11). The Lord also entrusts his gifts to each of us and he gives us work to do in his vineyard - the body of Christ. He promises that our labor will not be in vain if we persevere with faith to the end (see 1 Corinthians 15:58). We can expect trials and even persecution. But in the end we will see triumph. Do you labor for the Lord with joyful hope and with confidence in his triumph?
How do we share in this glory? By submitting to Jesus' kingly rule in our lives. Jesus promises that we will bear much fruit (certainly the fruit of peace, righteousness, and joy, and much more besides) if we abide in him (see John 15:1-11). The Lord also entrusts his gifts to each of us and he gives us work to do in his vineyard - the body of Christ. He promises that our labor will not be in vain if we persevere with faith to the end (see 1 Corinthians 15:58). We can expect trials and even persecution. But in the end we will see triumph. Do you labor for the Lord with joyful hope and with confidence in his triumph?
"Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the
benefits which you have given us; for all the pains and insults which you have
borne for us. O most merciful redeemer, friend, and brother, may we know you
more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, for your own
sake!" (Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester, 13th century)
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Christ's wounds bring healing and life, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"The vineyard prefigures us, because the people of God, founded on the root of the eternal Vine, appear above the earth, bordering the lowly ground. They now grow ripe with budding flowers. They now are clothed with dense greenery and take on a gentle yoke [see Matthew 11:30] when they worship with mature branches as if with the twigs of the vine. The Father Almighty truly is the Vinedresser, and Christ is the Vine. We, not vine sprouts, are pruned by the sickle of the eternal cultivator if we do not bear fruit in Christ. [see John 15:1-2] The people of Christ then is correctly named a vineyard, either because the sign of the cross is woven on its forehead [see Ezekiel 9:4,6] or its fruit is gathered in the last season of the year. It may also be called a vineyard because there is equal measurement in the church of God for rich and poor, humble and powerful, servants and masters. There is no difference in the church, as in all the rows of the vineyard.[see Colossians 3:25] As the vine clings to trees, so the body is joined to the soul and the soul to the body. When the vine clings, it is raised up. When it is pruned, it is not diminished, but it increases. The people of God is stripped when it is bound, uplifted when it is humbled, crowned when it is cut back. The tender shoot cut from an old tree is grafted onto the progeny of another root. When the scars of the old shoot are cut away, the people of God likewise grow into the wood of the cross. It is as if they are cherished in the arms of a pious parent. The Holy Spirit comes as if cast down into the deep ditches of the earth and poured into this prison of the body. With the flow of saving water, the Holy Spirit washes away whatever is filthy and raises the posture of our members to heavenly discipline. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 9.30.21)
"The vineyard prefigures us, because the people of God, founded on the root of the eternal Vine, appear above the earth, bordering the lowly ground. They now grow ripe with budding flowers. They now are clothed with dense greenery and take on a gentle yoke [see Matthew 11:30] when they worship with mature branches as if with the twigs of the vine. The Father Almighty truly is the Vinedresser, and Christ is the Vine. We, not vine sprouts, are pruned by the sickle of the eternal cultivator if we do not bear fruit in Christ. [see John 15:1-2] The people of Christ then is correctly named a vineyard, either because the sign of the cross is woven on its forehead [see Ezekiel 9:4,6] or its fruit is gathered in the last season of the year. It may also be called a vineyard because there is equal measurement in the church of God for rich and poor, humble and powerful, servants and masters. There is no difference in the church, as in all the rows of the vineyard.[see Colossians 3:25] As the vine clings to trees, so the body is joined to the soul and the soul to the body. When the vine clings, it is raised up. When it is pruned, it is not diminished, but it increases. The people of God is stripped when it is bound, uplifted when it is humbled, crowned when it is cut back. The tender shoot cut from an old tree is grafted onto the progeny of another root. When the scars of the old shoot are cut away, the people of God likewise grow into the wood of the cross. It is as if they are cherished in the arms of a pious parent. The Holy Spirit comes as if cast down into the deep ditches of the earth and poured into this prison of the body. With the flow of saving water, the Holy Spirit washes away whatever is filthy and raises the posture of our members to heavenly discipline. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 9.30.21)
MONDAY, JUNE 4, MARK 12:1-112
Weekday (Ninth Week in Ordinary Time)
(2 Peter 1:2-7; Psalm 91)
Weekday (Ninth Week in Ordinary Time)
(2 Peter 1:2-7; Psalm 91)
KEY VERSE: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (v 10).
TO KNOW: Generally, parables should not be treated as allegories, and their meaning should not be sought in every detail. The parable of the Tenants is an exception. In this parable, Jesus allegorized Israel's failed religious leadership. These leaders would have recognized the connection with Isaiah's Vineyard Song (Is 5:1-7). In Jesus' parable, the owner (God) of the vineyard (Israel) sent his servants (the prophets) to the tenants (the religious leaders). But the tenants rejected the servants' messages and murdered them. Then the vineyard owner sent his "beloved son" (v 6) to them thinking they would respect him as the rightful heir, but they murdered him, too. Jesus said that since God's Son was spurned, the rights and privileges due to Israel would be transferred to the new people of God who would hear and accept the Son. The parable closes with a quotation about the stone that was rejected and became the cornerstone (Ps 118). The rejected stone was Jesus, who was regarded as having little importance, but by his death and resurrection, the Church was established through Peter (the Rock) and his successors.
TO LOVE: Do I fail to listen to God's messengers?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, raise up righteous leaders in your Church today.
Monday 4 June
2018
2 Peter 1:2-7. Psalm 90(91): 1-2, 14-16. Mark 12:1-12.
In you, my God, I place my trust—Psalm 90(91): 1-2, 14-16.
‘He has lavished on us all the things we need for life.’
In this Gospel, Jesus is talking with members of the church. God
is the owner of the vineyard and the priests are the tenants who reject God’s
messengers and refuse to show obedience to his word.
God patiently sends multiple messengers to us in the form of
prophets who each suffer abuse or death.
Finally, he sends his only Son who also meets his death.
Lord, help me to discern your will and listen to the messengers
you send to teach me, whoever they may be. Save me from the distractions and
misdirection of my world.
Help me to be obedient to your will.
Blessed Angeline of Marsciano
Saint of the Day for June 4
(1377 – July 14, 1435)
 |
| Blessed Angelina of Marsciano (also, of Montegiove, or of Corbara) | author uncertain |
Blessed Angeline of Marsciano’s Story
Blessed Angeline founded the first community of Franciscan women
other than Poor Clares to receive papal approval.
Angeline was born to the Duke of Marsciano near Orvieto. She was
12 when her mother died. Three years later, the young woman made a vow of
perpetual chastity. That same year, however, she yielded to her father’s
decision that she marry the Duke of Civitella. Her husband agreed to respect
her previous vow.
When he died two years later, Angeline joined the Secular
Franciscans and with several other women dedicated herself to caring for the
sick, the poor, widows and orphans. When many other young women were attracted
to Angeline’s community, some people accused her of condemning the married
vocation. Legend has it that when she came before the King of Naples to answer
these charges, she had burning coals hidden in the folds of her cloak. When she
proclaimed her innocence and showed the king that these coals had not harmed
her, he dropped the case.
Angeline and her companions later went to Foligno, where her
community of Third Order sisters received papal approval in 1397. She soon
established 15 similar communities of women in other Italian cities.
Angeline died on July 14, 1435, and was beatified in 1825.
Her Liturgical Feast Day is July 13.
Reflection
Priests, sisters and brothers cannot be signs of God’s love for
the human family if they belittle the vocation of marriage. Angeline respected
marriage, but felt called to another way of living out the gospel. Her choice
was life-giving in its own way.
LECTIO: MARK 12:1-12
Lectio Divina:
Monday, June 4, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
Father,
Your love never fails.
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide for all our needs.
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.
Your love never fails.
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide for all our needs.
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 - MARK
12:1-12
Jesus began to speak to the chief
priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. "A man planted a
vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he
leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a
servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.
But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent
them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated
shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some
they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent
him to them last of all, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But those
tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the
inheritance will be ours.' So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out
of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put
the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture
passage: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by
the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?" They were
seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had
addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.
3) REFLECTION
• Jesus is in Jerusalem. It is the last
week of His life. He has returned to the portico of the Temple (Mk 11:27) where
He now begins the direct confrontation with the authorities. Chapters 11 and 12
describe the diverse aspects of this confrontation: (a) with the men buying and
selling in the Temple (Mk 12:11-26), (b) with the priests, elders and the
scribes (Mk 11:27 and 12:12), (c) with the Pharisees and the Herodians (Mk
12:13-17), (d) with the Sadducees (Mk 12:18-27), and (e) once again with the
scribes (Mk 12:28-40). Finally at the end the confrontation with all of them,
Jesus comments on the widow’s mite (Mk 12:41-44). Today’s Gospel describes part
of the conflict with the priests, elders and the scribes (Mk 12:1-12). All of
these confrontations make the disciples, and us, understand more clearly what
is Jesus’ plan and what is the intention of those who have power.
• Mark 12:1-9: The parable of the vineyard: the direct response of Jesus to men of power. The parable of the vineyard is a summary of the history of Israel. A beautiful summary taken from the prophet Isaiah (Is 5:1-7). Through this story, Jesus gives an indirect response to the priests, scribes and elders who had asked Him, “What authority have You for acting like this? Who gave You authority to act like this?" (Mk 11:28). In this parable Jesus (a) reveals the origin of His authority: He is the Son, the heir (Mk 12:6); (b) He denounces the abuse of the authority of the tenants, that is, of the priests and of the elders who were not concerned about the people of God (Mk 12:3-8); (c) He defends the authority of the prophets, sent by God, but massacred by the tenants of the vineyard! (Mk 12:2-5); (d) He unmasks the authority which manipulates religion and kills the son because they do not want to lose the source of income which they have succeeded in accumulating for themselves throughout the centuries (Mk 12:7).
• Mark 12:10-12: The decision of men of power confirms the denunciation made by God. The priests, the scribes and the elders understood very well the meaning of the parable, but they were not converted. Rather, they maintained their own plan to arrest Jesus (Mk 12:12). They rejected “the cornerstone” (Mk 12:10), but they do not have the courage to do it openly, because they fear the people. Thus, the disciples know what awaits them if they follow Jesus!
• The men of power at the time of Jesus: In chapters 11 and 12 of the Gospel of Mark we see those in power: priests, elders and scribes (Mk 11:27); Pharisees and Herodians (Mk 12:13); and Sadducees (Mk 12:18).
-Priests: They were the ones in charge of the worship in the Temple, where one tenth of the income was collected. The High priest occupied a central place in the life of the people, especially after the exile. He was chosen among the families who had more power and who were richer.
-Elders or Chiefs of the people: They were the local chiefs, in the villages and in the cities. Their origin was the heads of the ancient tribes.
-scribes or Doctors of the Law: they were those in charge of teaching. They dedicated their life to the study of the Law of God and taught the people how to observe the Law of God in all things. Not all the scribes followed the same line. Some of them were with the Pharisees, others with the Sadducees.
- Pharisees: Pharisee means “separated.” They fought in order that by means of the perfect observance of the Law of purity, people would succeed in becoming pure, separated, and holy as the Law and Tradition demanded! By means of the exemplary witness of their life within the norms of the time, they governed in almost all the villages of Galilee.
-Herodians: this was a group bound to Herod Antipas of Galilee who governed from 4 BC until 39 AD. The Herodians formed part of an elite class who did not expect the Kingdom of God in the future, but who considered it already present in Herod’s kingdom.
- Sadducees: They were an elite class, willing to incorporate Hellenism into their lives. They did not believe in oral law, only a literal interpretation of the written law, and thus, they did not accept the changes defended by the Pharisees, for example, faith in a resurrection and the existence of angels.
- Sanhedrin: This was the Supreme Tribunal of the Jews with 71 members among high priests, elders, Pharisees and scribes. It had the role of great power before the people and represented the nation before the Roman authority.
• Mark 12:1-9: The parable of the vineyard: the direct response of Jesus to men of power. The parable of the vineyard is a summary of the history of Israel. A beautiful summary taken from the prophet Isaiah (Is 5:1-7). Through this story, Jesus gives an indirect response to the priests, scribes and elders who had asked Him, “What authority have You for acting like this? Who gave You authority to act like this?" (Mk 11:28). In this parable Jesus (a) reveals the origin of His authority: He is the Son, the heir (Mk 12:6); (b) He denounces the abuse of the authority of the tenants, that is, of the priests and of the elders who were not concerned about the people of God (Mk 12:3-8); (c) He defends the authority of the prophets, sent by God, but massacred by the tenants of the vineyard! (Mk 12:2-5); (d) He unmasks the authority which manipulates religion and kills the son because they do not want to lose the source of income which they have succeeded in accumulating for themselves throughout the centuries (Mk 12:7).
• Mark 12:10-12: The decision of men of power confirms the denunciation made by God. The priests, the scribes and the elders understood very well the meaning of the parable, but they were not converted. Rather, they maintained their own plan to arrest Jesus (Mk 12:12). They rejected “the cornerstone” (Mk 12:10), but they do not have the courage to do it openly, because they fear the people. Thus, the disciples know what awaits them if they follow Jesus!
• The men of power at the time of Jesus: In chapters 11 and 12 of the Gospel of Mark we see those in power: priests, elders and scribes (Mk 11:27); Pharisees and Herodians (Mk 12:13); and Sadducees (Mk 12:18).
-Priests: They were the ones in charge of the worship in the Temple, where one tenth of the income was collected. The High priest occupied a central place in the life of the people, especially after the exile. He was chosen among the families who had more power and who were richer.
-Elders or Chiefs of the people: They were the local chiefs, in the villages and in the cities. Their origin was the heads of the ancient tribes.
-scribes or Doctors of the Law: they were those in charge of teaching. They dedicated their life to the study of the Law of God and taught the people how to observe the Law of God in all things. Not all the scribes followed the same line. Some of them were with the Pharisees, others with the Sadducees.
- Pharisees: Pharisee means “separated.” They fought in order that by means of the perfect observance of the Law of purity, people would succeed in becoming pure, separated, and holy as the Law and Tradition demanded! By means of the exemplary witness of their life within the norms of the time, they governed in almost all the villages of Galilee.
-Herodians: this was a group bound to Herod Antipas of Galilee who governed from 4 BC until 39 AD. The Herodians formed part of an elite class who did not expect the Kingdom of God in the future, but who considered it already present in Herod’s kingdom.
- Sadducees: They were an elite class, willing to incorporate Hellenism into their lives. They did not believe in oral law, only a literal interpretation of the written law, and thus, they did not accept the changes defended by the Pharisees, for example, faith in a resurrection and the existence of angels.
- Sanhedrin: This was the Supreme Tribunal of the Jews with 71 members among high priests, elders, Pharisees and scribes. It had the role of great power before the people and represented the nation before the Roman authority.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• What is your reaction to Church
authority? What is the difference between “just authority” and “unjust
authority”?
• How do you exercise authority within your community, your family, and among peers?
• How do you exercise authority within your community, your family, and among peers?
• A position of authority is often at
odds with humility. How do you, or would you, balance authority and humility in
action?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Integrity and generosity are marks of
Yahweh
for He brings sinners back to the path.
Judiciously He guides the humble,
instructing the poor in His way. (Ps 25:8-9)
for He brings sinners back to the path.
Judiciously He guides the humble,
instructing the poor in His way. (Ps 25:8-9)
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