Monday of the Nineteenth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 413
Lectionary: 413
On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year,
that is, of King Jehoiachin's exile,
The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel,
the son of Buzi,
in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.—
There the hand of the LORD came upon me.
As I looked, a stormwind came from the North,
a huge cloud with flashing fire enveloped in brightness,
from the midst of which (the midst of the fire)
something gleamed like electrum.
Within it were figures resembling four living creatures
that looked like this: their form was human.
Then I heard the sound of their wings,
like the roaring of mighty waters,
like the voice of the Almighty.
When they moved, the sound of the tumult was like the din of an army.
And when they stood still, they lowered their wings.
Above the firmament over their heads
something like a throne could be seen,
looking like sapphire.
Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man.
Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum;
downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire;
he was surrounded with splendor.
Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day
was the splendor that surrounded him.
Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
that is, of King Jehoiachin's exile,
The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel,
the son of Buzi,
in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.—
There the hand of the LORD came upon me.
As I looked, a stormwind came from the North,
a huge cloud with flashing fire enveloped in brightness,
from the midst of which (the midst of the fire)
something gleamed like electrum.
Within it were figures resembling four living creatures
that looked like this: their form was human.
Then I heard the sound of their wings,
like the roaring of mighty waters,
like the voice of the Almighty.
When they moved, the sound of the tumult was like the din of an army.
And when they stood still, they lowered their wings.
Above the firmament over their heads
something like a throne could be seen,
looking like sapphire.
Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man.
Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum;
downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire;
he was surrounded with splendor.
Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day
was the splendor that surrounded him.
Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14
R. Heaven
and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys,
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And he has lifted up the horn of his people.
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys,
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And he has lifted up the horn of his people.
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaSEE 2 THES 2:14
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
God has called you through the Gospel
To possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called you through the Gospel
To possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 17:22-27
As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."
And they were overwhelmed with grief.
When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
"Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?"
"Yes," he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?"
When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him,
"Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you."
Jesus said to them,
"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."
And they were overwhelmed with grief.
When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
"Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?"
"Yes," he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?"
When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him,
"Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you."
Meditation: "Not to give offense"
Who likes to pay taxes,
especially when you think they might be unreasonable or unjust? Jesus and his
disciples were confronted by tax collectors on the issue of tax evasion. When
questioned about paying the temple tax, Jesus replied to his disciples: We must
pay so as not to cause bad example. In fact, we must go beyond our duty in
order that we may show others what they ought to do. The scriptural expression
to give no offense doesn't refer to insult or annoyance - rather it means to
put no stumbling block in the way of another that would cause them to trip or
fall. Jesus would not allow himself anything which might possibly be a bad
example to someone else. Do you evade unpleasant responsibilities or
obligations?
Jesus predicts his death and triumph over the grave
On three different occasions in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus predicted he would endure great suffering through betrayal, rejection, and the punishment of a cruel death (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, and 20:17-19). The Jews resorted to stoning for very serious offenses and the Romans to crucifixion - the most painful and humiliating death they could devise for criminals they wanted to eliminate. No wonder the apostles were greatly distressed at such a prediction! If Jesus their Master were put to death, then they would likely receive the same treatment by their enemies. Jesus called himself the "Son of Man" because this was a Jewish title for the Messiah which the prophet Daniel explained in his vision of the One whom God would send to establish his everlasting kingdom of power and righteousness over the earth (Daniel 7:13-14).
On three different occasions in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus predicted he would endure great suffering through betrayal, rejection, and the punishment of a cruel death (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, and 20:17-19). The Jews resorted to stoning for very serious offenses and the Romans to crucifixion - the most painful and humiliating death they could devise for criminals they wanted to eliminate. No wonder the apostles were greatly distressed at such a prediction! If Jesus their Master were put to death, then they would likely receive the same treatment by their enemies. Jesus called himself the "Son of Man" because this was a Jewish title for the Messiah which the prophet Daniel explained in his vision of the One whom God would send to establish his everlasting kingdom of power and righteousness over the earth (Daniel 7:13-14).
The Suffering Servant and Lamb of God
Why must the Messiah be rejected and killed? Did not God promise that his Anointed One (Messiah in Hebrew) would deliver his people from their oppression and establish a kingdom of peace and justice? The prophet Isaiah had foretold that it was God's will that the "Suffering Servant" make atonement for sins through his suffering and death (Isaiah 53). John the Baptist described Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1: 29, Isaiah 53:6-7). When Jesus willing offered up his life for us on the cross he paid the price for our redemption with his blood.
Why must the Messiah be rejected and killed? Did not God promise that his Anointed One (Messiah in Hebrew) would deliver his people from their oppression and establish a kingdom of peace and justice? The prophet Isaiah had foretold that it was God's will that the "Suffering Servant" make atonement for sins through his suffering and death (Isaiah 53). John the Baptist described Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1: 29, Isaiah 53:6-7). When Jesus willing offered up his life for us on the cross he paid the price for our redemption with his blood.
Jesus offers freedom and victory over sin and death
Jesus came to rescue us from sin and its destructive forces and to restore us to fullness of life with our heavenly Father. Sin not only separates us from God - it leads us down the path to corruption and unending death. Slavery to sin is to want the wrong things and to be in bondage to hurtful desires and addictions. The ransom Jesus paid sets us free from the worst tyranny possible - the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death. Jesus' victory did not end with his sacrificial death on the cross - he triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day. Jesus defeated the powers of death and Satan through his cross and resurrection. The Lord Jesus offers us true freedom and peace which no one can take from us. Do you want the greatest freedom possible, the freedom to live as God truly meant us to live as his sons and daughters?
Jesus came to rescue us from sin and its destructive forces and to restore us to fullness of life with our heavenly Father. Sin not only separates us from God - it leads us down the path to corruption and unending death. Slavery to sin is to want the wrong things and to be in bondage to hurtful desires and addictions. The ransom Jesus paid sets us free from the worst tyranny possible - the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death. Jesus' victory did not end with his sacrificial death on the cross - he triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day. Jesus defeated the powers of death and Satan through his cross and resurrection. The Lord Jesus offers us true freedom and peace which no one can take from us. Do you want the greatest freedom possible, the freedom to live as God truly meant us to live as his sons and daughters?
"Lord Jesus, your death brought true life and
freedom. May I always walk in the freedom and power of your love and truth and
reject whatever is contrary to your will for my life."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus speaks of his death and resurrection,
by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"I think we have an obligation to examine this, too: that Jesus was delivered into the hands of men, not by men into the hands of men but by powers to whom the Father delivered his Son on behalf of us all. In the very act of being delivered and coming under the power of those to whom he was delivered, he “destroyed him who had the power of death.” For “through death he destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13.8)
"I think we have an obligation to examine this, too: that Jesus was delivered into the hands of men, not by men into the hands of men but by powers to whom the Father delivered his Son on behalf of us all. In the very act of being delivered and coming under the power of those to whom he was delivered, he “destroyed him who had the power of death.” For “through death he destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13.8)
MONDAY,
AUGUST 13, MATTHEW 17:22-27
Weekday
(Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28c; Psalm 148)
Weekday
(Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28c; Psalm 148)
KEY VERSE: "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men" (v. 22).
TO KNOW: Following Jesus' glorious manifestation on the Mountain of the Transfiguration, he and his disciples arrived in Capernaum where they were met with opposition. The tax collectors came to Peter and asked Jesus why he had not paid the annual tax for the upkeep of the Temple (Ex 30:11-16). Jesus used this incident as an analogy of the spiritual realm. If the kings of the earth demanded tolls from foreigners, then the "sons" of the kingdom should be exempt. Yet to avoid scandal, Jesus told Peter that he would find a coin worth twice the tax in the mouth of the first fish he caught. The Musht fish, popularly known as "St. Peter's fish," keeps the eggs of their young in their mouths until they are hatched. Then it takes in pebbles and possibly a coin to prevent their offspring from entering the mouth again. This may have happened when Peter found a coin in the fish's mouth to pay the tax. A fish is the oldest Christian symbol. The Greek word for fish, Ichthus, is used as an acrostic for the words that translate “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior” [Iesous (Jesus) Christos (Christ) Theou (God) Uiou (Son) Soter (Savior)].
TO LOVE: Do I protest when tax dollars are used for things that conflict with our Christian values?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, thank you for making us sons and daughters of your kingdom.
Optional of Saints Pontian, pope
and martyr, and Hippolytus, priest and martyr
Pontian was ordained bishop of Rome in 231 but was banished from his diocese to the island of Sardinia four years later by Emperor Maximinus. While exiled on Sardinia, he resigned his office so a new pope could be elected. In the year 235, Hippolytus was banished to Sardinia with Pontian. On the island, they were treated harshly working in the mines and died later that year. During his lifetime, Hippolytus was an adamant advocate for orthodoxy. He had vocal disagreements with several popes. The writings of Hippolytus are one of the most important sources for information on liturgy and the structure of the Church in the second and third centuries. After their deaths, the bodies of Pontian and Hippolytus were taken back to Rome and buried along the Via Tiburtina.
Monday 13 August
2018
Ezekiel 1:2–5, 24–28. Psalm 148:1–2, 11–14. Matthew 17:22–27.
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory—Psalm 148:1–2,
11–14.
‘High above on the throne was a form with the appearance of a
human being.’
Imagining ourselves in the disciples’ place, would we not also
be deeply grieved at the approaching death of our friend and Messiah? It would
have been difficult to understand what Jesus meant by ‘on the third day he will
be raised.’ This offered little consolation.
Jesus understood the disciples and the depth of their sadness.
He had drawn them into his life. They had spent every day with him and while
they didn’t always understand his teaching they knew they wanted him to be
always with them. Their love for Jesus was great but this would not save them
from suffering.
Saints Pontian and Hippolytus
Saint of the Day for August 13
(d. 235)
Saints Pontian and Hippolytus’ Story
Two men died for the faith after harsh treatment and exhaustion
in the mines of Sardinia. One had been pope for five years, the other an
antipope for 18. They died reconciled.
Pontian. Pontian was a Roman who served as pope
from 230 to 235. During his reign he held a synod in Alexandria which confirmed
the excommunication of the great theologian Origen. Pontian was banished to
exile by the Roman emperor in 235, and resigned so that a successor could be
elected in Rome. He was sent to the “unhealthy” island of Sardinia, where he
died that same year of harsh treatment. With him was Hippolytus with whom he was
reconciled. The bodies of both were brought back to Rome and buried as martyrs
with solemn rites.
Hippolytus. As a priest in Rome, Hippolytus—the name
means “a horse turned loose”—was at first “holier than the Church.” He censured
the pope for not coming down hard enough on a certain heresy—calling him a tool
in the hands of one Callistus, a deacon—and coming close to advocating the
opposite heresy himself. When Callistus was elected pope, Hippolytus accused
him of being too lenient with penitents, and had himself elected antipope by a
group of followers. He felt that the Church must be composed of pure souls
uncompromisingly separated from the world: Hippolytus evidently thought that
his group fitted the description. He remained in schism through the reigns of
three popes. In 235, he also was banished to the island of Sardinia. Shortly
before or after this event, he was reconciled to the Church, and died in exile
with Pope Pontian.
Hippolytus was a rigorist, a vehement and intransigent man for
whom even orthodox doctrine and practice were not purified enough. He is,
nevertheless, the most important theologian and prolific religious writer
before the age of Constantine. His writings are the fullest source of our
knowledge of the Roman liturgy and the structure of the Church in the second
and third centuries. His works include many Scripture commentaries, polemics
against heresies, and a history of the world. A marble statue dating from the
third century, representing the saint sitting in a chair, was found in 1551. On
one side is inscribed his table for computing the date of Easter; on the other,
a list of how the system works out until the year 224. Pope John XXIII
installed the statue in the Vatican library.
Reflection
Hippolytus was a strong defender of orthodoxy, and admitted his
excesses by his humble reconciliation. He was not a formal heretic, but an
overzealous disciplinarian. What he could not learn in his prime as a reformer
and purist, he learned in the pain and desolation of imprisonment. It was a
fitting symbolic event that Pope Pontian shared his martyrdom.
LECTIO DIVINA: MATTHEW
17,22-27
Lectio Divina:
Monday, August 13, 2018
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and ever-living God,
your Spirit made us your children,
confident to call you Father.
Increase your Spirit within us
and bring us to our promised inheritance.
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 Spirit made us your children,
confident to call you Father.
Increase your Spirit within us
and bring us to our promised inheritance.
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 - Matthew 17,22-27
When they were together in Galilee,
Jesus said to them, 'The Son of man is going to be delivered into the power of
men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised up
again.' And a great sadness came over them.
When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, 'Does your master not pay the half-shekel?' 'Yes,' he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, 'Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do earthly kings take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?' And when he replied, 'From foreigners,' Jesus said, 'Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so that we shall not be the downfall of others, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that rises, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for yourself.'
When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, 'Does your master not pay the half-shekel?' 'Yes,' he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, 'Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do earthly kings take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?' And when he replied, 'From foreigners,' Jesus said, 'Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so that we shall not be the downfall of others, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that rises, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for yourself.'
3) Reflection
• The five verses of today’s Gospel
speak about two very different themes between them. (a) The second announcement
of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus (Mt 17, 22-23); (b) they inform
on the conversation of Jesus with Peter about paying the taxes and the dues to
the temple (Mt 17, 24-27).
• Matthew 17, 22-23: The announcement of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The first announcement (Mt 16, 21) had produced a strong reaction on Peter who did not want to know anything about suffering nor the cross. Jesus had answered just as strongly: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mt 16, 23). Here, in the second announcement, the reaction of the disciples is less strong, less aggressive. The announcement produces sadness. It seems that now they begin to understand that the cross forms part of the journey. The proximity of the death and the suffering weigh heavily on them, giving rise to a great discouragement. Even if Jesus tries to help them, the resistance of centuries against the idea of a crucified Messiah, was much greater.
• Matthew 17 24-25a: The question which the tax collectors ask Peter concerning the taxes. When they reached Capernaum, the tax collector of the taxes of the Temple asks Peter: “Does your Master not pay the half-shekel for the Temple?” Peter answered: “Yes”. From the time of Nehemias (V Century BC), the Jews who had returned from the exile of Babylonia, committed themselves solemnly in the Assembly to pay the diverse taxes and dues in order to allow the Temple to continue to function and to take care of the maintenance both of the priestly service and of the building of the Temple. (Ne 10, 33-40). From what we can see from Peter’s response, Jesus paid the taxes like any other Jew.
• Matthew 17, 25b-26: The question of Jesus to Peter concerning the taxes. The conversation between Jesus and Peter is very strange. When they reach home, Jesus asked: “ Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do earthly kings take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?” Peter responds: “From foreigners”. And Jesus says: “Therefore, the sons are exempt!” Probably, here we can see a discussion between the Christian Jews before the destruction of the Temple, in the year 70. They asked themselves if they had to continue or not to pay the taxes of the Temple, as they did before. By Jesus’ response they discover that they are not obliged to pay this tax: “The sons are exempt!” The sons are the Christians, but even if they are not obliged to pay, the recommendation of Jesus is to pay in order not to cause scandal.
• Matthew 17, 27: The conclusion of the conversation on the paying of the tax. The solution which Jesus gives to this situation is even stranger. He tells Peter: “However, so that we shall not be the downfall of others, go to the lake and cast a hook: take the first fish that rises, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for yourself.” This was a strange miracle, strange like that of the 2000 pigs which threw themselves into the sea (Mk 5, 13). Which ever is the interpretation of this miraculous fact, this way of resolving the problem suggests that it is a question that is not too important for Jesus.
• Matthew 17, 22-23: The announcement of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The first announcement (Mt 16, 21) had produced a strong reaction on Peter who did not want to know anything about suffering nor the cross. Jesus had answered just as strongly: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mt 16, 23). Here, in the second announcement, the reaction of the disciples is less strong, less aggressive. The announcement produces sadness. It seems that now they begin to understand that the cross forms part of the journey. The proximity of the death and the suffering weigh heavily on them, giving rise to a great discouragement. Even if Jesus tries to help them, the resistance of centuries against the idea of a crucified Messiah, was much greater.
• Matthew 17 24-25a: The question which the tax collectors ask Peter concerning the taxes. When they reached Capernaum, the tax collector of the taxes of the Temple asks Peter: “Does your Master not pay the half-shekel for the Temple?” Peter answered: “Yes”. From the time of Nehemias (V Century BC), the Jews who had returned from the exile of Babylonia, committed themselves solemnly in the Assembly to pay the diverse taxes and dues in order to allow the Temple to continue to function and to take care of the maintenance both of the priestly service and of the building of the Temple. (Ne 10, 33-40). From what we can see from Peter’s response, Jesus paid the taxes like any other Jew.
• Matthew 17, 25b-26: The question of Jesus to Peter concerning the taxes. The conversation between Jesus and Peter is very strange. When they reach home, Jesus asked: “ Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do earthly kings take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?” Peter responds: “From foreigners”. And Jesus says: “Therefore, the sons are exempt!” Probably, here we can see a discussion between the Christian Jews before the destruction of the Temple, in the year 70. They asked themselves if they had to continue or not to pay the taxes of the Temple, as they did before. By Jesus’ response they discover that they are not obliged to pay this tax: “The sons are exempt!” The sons are the Christians, but even if they are not obliged to pay, the recommendation of Jesus is to pay in order not to cause scandal.
• Matthew 17, 27: The conclusion of the conversation on the paying of the tax. The solution which Jesus gives to this situation is even stranger. He tells Peter: “However, so that we shall not be the downfall of others, go to the lake and cast a hook: take the first fish that rises, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for yourself.” This was a strange miracle, strange like that of the 2000 pigs which threw themselves into the sea (Mk 5, 13). Which ever is the interpretation of this miraculous fact, this way of resolving the problem suggests that it is a question that is not too important for Jesus.
4) Personal questions
• The suffering of the Cross discourages
and saddens the disciples. Has this already happened in your life?
• How do you interpret the episode of the coin found in the mouth of the fish?
• How do you interpret the episode of the coin found in the mouth of the fish?
5) Concluding Prayer
Praise Yahweh from the heavens,
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host! (Ps 148,1-2)
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host! (Ps 148,1-2)
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