Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 367
Lectionary: 367
When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here;
the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
“As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you,” Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed and
when the two stopped at the Jordan,
they stood facing them at a distance.
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up
and struck the water, which divided,
and both crossed over on dry ground.
When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”
“You have asked something that is not easy,” Elijah replied.
“Still, if you see me taken up from you,
your wish will be granted; otherwise not.”
As they walked on conversing,
a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,
and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha saw it happen he cried out,
“My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!”
But when he could no longer see him,
Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two.
Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle that had fallen from him,
and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah,
Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
“Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.
he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here;
the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
“As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you,” Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed and
when the two stopped at the Jordan,
they stood facing them at a distance.
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up
and struck the water, which divided,
and both crossed over on dry ground.
When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”
“You have asked something that is not easy,” Elijah replied.
“Still, if you see me taken up from you,
your wish will be granted; otherwise not.”
As they walked on conversing,
a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,
and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha saw it happen he cried out,
“My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!”
But when he could no longer see him,
Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two.
Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle that had fallen from him,
and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah,
Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
“Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 31:20, 21, 24
R. (25) Let
your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
AlleluiaJN 14:23
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
Meditation: When you pray, fast, and give alms
Why did Jesus single out prayer, fasting, and
almsgiving for his disciples? The Jews considered these three as the cardinal
works of the religious life. These were seen as the key signs of a pious
person, the three great pillars on which the good life was based. Jesus pointed
to the heart of the matter. Why do you pray, fast, and give alms? To draw
attention to yourself so that others may notice and think highly of you? Or to
give glory to God?
True piety and devotion to God
The Lord warns his disciples of self-seeking glory - the preoccupation with looking good and seeking praise from others. True piety is something more than feeling good or looking holy. True piety is loving devotion to God. It is an attitude of awe, reverence, worship and obedience. It is a gift and working of the Holy Spirit that enables us to devote our lives to God with a holy desire to please him in all things (Isaiah 11:1-2).
The Lord warns his disciples of self-seeking glory - the preoccupation with looking good and seeking praise from others. True piety is something more than feeling good or looking holy. True piety is loving devotion to God. It is an attitude of awe, reverence, worship and obedience. It is a gift and working of the Holy Spirit that enables us to devote our lives to God with a holy desire to please him in all things (Isaiah 11:1-2).
Completely united with God our Father
What is the sure reward which Jesus points out to his disciples? It is union with God our Father. In him alone we find the fullness of life and happiness, truth and beauty, love and joy. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) wrote the following prayer in his Confessions: When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrows or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete.
What is the sure reward which Jesus points out to his disciples? It is union with God our Father. In him alone we find the fullness of life and happiness, truth and beauty, love and joy. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) wrote the following prayer in his Confessions: When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrows or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete.
The Lord rewards those who seek him with humble and
repentant hearts. He renews us each day and he gives us new hearts of love and
compassion that we may serve him and our neighbor with glad and generous
hearts. Do you want to grow in your love for God and for your neighbor? Seek
him expectantly in prayer, with fasting, and in generous giving to those in
need.
“Lord Jesus, give me a lively faith, a firm hope, a
fervent charity, and a great love for you. Take from me all lukewarmness in
meditating on your word, and dullness in prayer. Give me fervor and delight in
thinking of you and your grace. Fill my heart with compassion for others,
especially those in need, that I may respond with generosity.”
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Pray with the angels, by John
Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.
"When you pray, it is as if you were entering
into a palace - not a palace on earth, but far more awesome, a palace in
heaven. When you enter there, you do so with complete attentiveness and fitting
respect. For in the houses of kings all turmoil is set aside, and silence
reigns. Yet here you are being joined by choirs of angels. You are in communion
with archangels and singing with the seraphim, who sing with great awe their
spiritual hymns and sacred songs to God, the Lord of all. So when you are
praying, mingle with these voices, patterning yourself according to their
mystical order. It is not to human beings that you are praying but to God, who
is present everywhere, who hears even before you speak and who knows already
the secrets of the heart. If you pray to this One, you shall receive a great
reward. 'For your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.' He did
not merely say he would give it to you but reward you, as if he himself had
made a pledge to you and so honored you with a great honor. Because God himself
is hidden, your prayer should be hidden." (excerpt
from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.3)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-18
(2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 31)
(2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 31)
KEY VERSE: "Be on guard against performing religious acts for people to see" (v. 1).
TO KNOW: Jesus asked his disciples to examine their motives when performing virtuous deeds. He gave three examples that were characteristic of Jewish piety at the time: almsgiving (v. 1-4), prayer (v. 5-15), and fasting (vv 16-18). While good in themselves, these acts must be carried out in ways to honor God, and not be used to make a public show of holiness. Jesus contrasted the hypocritical behavior of the religious leaders with the sincere conduct he expected of his followers. Prayer should express a right relationship with God. Fasting should convey sorrow for sin. Almsgiving should show solidarity with the poor. These works have no value if only performed to win the praise and approval of others. God, the sole judge of all deeds, will reward each according to the true intentions of the heart. Without a willingness to have one's heart changed, salvation cannot be experienced.
TO LOVE: Do I work for the admiration of people or for eternal reward?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to give glory to God and to serve my neighbor through my good works.
Wednesday 20
June 2018
2 Kings 2:1, 6-14. Psalm 30(31):20, 21, 24. Matthew 6:1-6,
16-18.
Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord—Psalm
30(31):20, 21, 24.
‘The Lord took Elijah up to heaven in the whirlwind.’
How tempting it is to be admired or envied for our virtue. The
desire to be famous or well-liked is seen in the ways people engage with social
media.
This contemporary desire for validation and adulation – to live
in the spotlight – is reflected in Christ’s words of caution.
To make a spectacle of religious practice in order to make
ourselves look good misses the point. God sees what is done in secret, and
that’s what matters.
Lord, look into my heart and grant that I may pray without need
of an audience and give to others inconspicuously, without desire for reward.
Saint Paulinus of Nola
Saint of the Day for June 20
(354 – June 22, 431)
 |
| tained glass window of Saint Paulinus | photo by Tiroler Glasmalerei |
Saint Paulinus of Nola’s Story
Anyone who is praised in the letters of six or seven saints
undoubtedly must be of extraordinary character. Such a person was Paulinus of
Nola, correspondent and friend of Saints Augustine, Jerome, Melania, Martin,
Gregory the Great, and Ambrose.
Born near Bordeaux, he was the son of the Roman prefect of Gaul,
who had extensive property in both Gaul and Italy. Paulinus became a
distinguished lawyer, holding several public offices in the Roman Empire. With
his Spanish wife, Therasia, he retired at an early age to a life of cultured
leisure.
The two were baptized by the saintly bishop of Bordeaux and
moved to Therasia’s estate in Spain. After many childless years, they had a son
who died a week after birth. This occasioned their beginning a life of great
austerity and charity, giving away most of their Spanish property. Possibly as
a result of this great example, Paulinus was rather unexpectedly ordained a
priest at Christmas by the bishop of Barcelona.
He and his wife then moved to Nola, near Naples. He had a great
love for Saint Felix of Nola, and spent much effort in promoting devotion
to this saint. Paulinus gave away most of his remaining property—to the
consternation of his relatives—and continued his work for the poor. Supporting
a host of debtors, the homeless and other needy people, he lived a monastic
life in another part of his home. By popular demand he was made bishop of Nola
and guided that diocese for 21 years.
Paulinus’ last years were saddened by the invasion of the Huns.
Among his few writings is the earliest extant Christian wedding song. His
Liturgical Feast Day is June 22.
Reflection
Many of us are tempted to “retire” early in life, after an
initial burst of energy. Devotion to Christ and his work is waiting to be done
all around us. Paulinus’ life had scarcely begun when he thought it was over,
as he took his ease on that estate in Spain. “Man proposes, but God disposes.”
LECTIO DIVINA: MATTHEW
6:1-6,16-18
Lectio Divina:
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
1) OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God,
our hope and our strength,
without You we falter.
Help us to follow Christ
and to live according to Your will.
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
our hope and our strength,
without You we falter.
Help us to follow Christ
and to live according to Your will.
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) GOSPEL READING - MATTHEW
6:1-6,16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care
not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise,
you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do
not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in
the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received
their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your
right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees
in secret will repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that
others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But
when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father
in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you
fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so
that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have
received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who
is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
3) REFLECTION
• The Gospel of today continues the
meditation on the Sermon on the Mount. In the previous days we have reflected
at length on the message of chapter 5 of Matthew’s Gospel. In today’s Gospel,
and the following days, we meditate on the message of chapter 6 of this Gospel.
The sequence of chapters 5 and 6 can help us to understand it. The following is
the schema:
Matthew 5:13-12: The Beatitudes: solemn
opening of the new Law
Matthew 5:13-16: The new presence in the world: Salt of the earth and light of the world
Matthew 5:17-19: The new practice of justice; relationship with the ancient law
Matthew 5:20-48: The new practice of justice: observing the new Law.
Matthew 6:1-4: The new practice of piety: alms
Matthew 6:5-15: The new practice of the works of piety: prayer
Matthew 6:16-18: The new practice of the works of piety: fasting
Matthew 6:19-21: New relationship to material goods: do not accumulate
Matthew 6:22-23: New relationship to material goods: correct vision
Matthew 6:24: New relationship to material goods: God and money
Matthew 6:25-34: New relationship to material goods: abandonment to Providence.
Matthew 5:13-16: The new presence in the world: Salt of the earth and light of the world
Matthew 5:17-19: The new practice of justice; relationship with the ancient law
Matthew 5:20-48: The new practice of justice: observing the new Law.
Matthew 6:1-4: The new practice of piety: alms
Matthew 6:5-15: The new practice of the works of piety: prayer
Matthew 6:16-18: The new practice of the works of piety: fasting
Matthew 6:19-21: New relationship to material goods: do not accumulate
Matthew 6:22-23: New relationship to material goods: correct vision
Matthew 6:24: New relationship to material goods: God and money
Matthew 6:25-34: New relationship to material goods: abandonment to Providence.
Today’s Gospel treats three themes:
almsgiving (6:1-4), prayer (6:5-6) and fasting (6:16-18). These are three works
of piety of the Jews.
• Matthew 6:1: Be careful not to parade
your uprightness to attract attention. Jesus criticizes those who do good works
to be seen by others (Mt 6:1). Jesus says to build up interior security not in
what we do for God, but in what God does for us. From the advice that He gives
comes a new type of relationship with God: “Your Father who sees all that is
done in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:4). "Your Father knows what you need
before you ask him” (Mt 6:8). "If you forgive others their failings, your
heavenly Father will forgive your failings” (Mt 6:14). It is a new way which
opens itself now to have access to the heart of God our Father. Jesus does not
allow the practice of justice and piety to be used as a means for self
promotion before God and before the community (Mt 6:2,5,16).
• Matthew 6:2-4: How to practice
almsgiving. To give alms is a way of sharing, and highly recommended by the
first Christians (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35). The person who practices almsgiving
and sharing to promote themselves before others merits exclusion from the
community, as it happened to Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5:1-11). Today, in
society as well as in the Church, there are people who make great publicity of
the good that they do for others. Jesus asks the contrary: do good in such a
way that the left hand does not know what the right hand does. It is the total
detachment and the total gift in total gratuity of the love which believes in
God the Father and imitates all that He does.
• Matthew 6:5-6: How to practice prayer.
Prayer places the person in direct relationship with God. Some Pharisees
transformed prayer into an occasion to show themselves before others. At that
time, when the trumpet sounded at the three moments of prayer; morning, noon
and evening, they should stop where they were to pray. There were people who
sought to be in the corners in public places, in such a way that everybody
would see that they were praying. Well, such an attitude perverts our
relationship with God. This is false and has no sense. This is why Jesus says
that it is better to close up ourselves in our rooms to pray in secret,
maintaining the authenticity of the relationship. God sees you even in secret,
and He always listens to you. It is a question of a personal prayer, not of a
community prayer.
• Matthew 6:16-18: How to practice
fasting. At that time the practice of fasting was accompanied by some very
visible external gestures: not to wash one’s face, not to comb one’s hair, to
wear sober dress. These were visible signs of fasting. Jesus criticizes this
form of fasting and orders the contrary, so others cannot be aware that you are
fasting: bathe, use perfume, and comb your hair well. In this way, only your
Father who sees in secret knows that you are fasting and He will reward you.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• When you pray where others can see
you, such as at Mass, do you make a show of your praying, or do you do it
humbly and without grand showy gestures?
• When you give or help someone, either
at the collection, or on the street, or near others, do you talk louder or make
a show of it, or do you become quieter and more private with the other person?
• It is rare these days that anyone
fasts and also goes out in the manner Jesus describes. But, we have other ways
to do that. When giving, or doing some manner of sacrifice for others, do you
complain, or groan to others about it, or give subtle clues that you are doing
this thing?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Yahweh, what quantities of good things
You have in store
for those who fear You,
and bestow on those who make You their refuge,
for all humanity to see. (Ps 31:19)
for those who fear You,
and bestow on those who make You their refuge,
for all humanity to see. (Ps 31:19)
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