Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 444
Lectionary: 444
Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ's Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ's Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
Responsorial
Psalm PS 100:1B-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (3) We are
his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
AlleluiaLK 7:16
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 7:11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
"Do not weep."
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
"A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"
and "God has visited his people."
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
"Do not weep."
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
"A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"
and "God has visited his people."
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
Meditation: "The Lord had compassion
on her"
How do you respond to the misfortunes of others? In a
number of places the Gospel records that Jesus was "moved to the depths of
his heart" when he met with individuals and with groups of people. Our
modern use of the word "compassion" doesn't fully convey the deeper
meaning of the original Hebrew word which expresses heart-felt
"sympathy" and personal identification with the suffering person's
grief and physical condition. Why was Jesus so moved on this occasion when he
met a widow and a crowded funeral procession on their way to the cemetery?
Jesus not only grieved the untimely death of a young man, but he showed the
depth of his concern for the woman who lost not only her husband, but her only
child as well. The only secure means of welfare in biblical times was one's
family. This woman had lost not only her loved ones, but her future security
and livelihood as well.
Jesus is lord of the living and the dead
The Scriptures make clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (see Ezekiel 33:11) - he desires life, not death. Jesus not only had heart-felt compassion for the widow who lost her only son, he also had extraordinary supernatural power - the ability to restore life and to make a person whole again. Jesus, however, did something which must have shocked the sensibilities of the widow and her friends. Jesus approached the bier to make physical contact with the dead man. The Jews understood that contact with a dead body made oneself ritually unclean or impure. Jesus' physical touch and personal identification with the widow's loss of her only son not only showed the depths of his love and concern for her, but pointed to his desire to free everyone from the power of sin and moral corruption, and even death itself. Jesus' simple word of command - "Young man, arise" - not only restored him to physical life, but brought freedom and wholeness to his soul as well as his body.
The Scriptures make clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (see Ezekiel 33:11) - he desires life, not death. Jesus not only had heart-felt compassion for the widow who lost her only son, he also had extraordinary supernatural power - the ability to restore life and to make a person whole again. Jesus, however, did something which must have shocked the sensibilities of the widow and her friends. Jesus approached the bier to make physical contact with the dead man. The Jews understood that contact with a dead body made oneself ritually unclean or impure. Jesus' physical touch and personal identification with the widow's loss of her only son not only showed the depths of his love and concern for her, but pointed to his desire to free everyone from the power of sin and moral corruption, and even death itself. Jesus' simple word of command - "Young man, arise" - not only restored him to physical life, but brought freedom and wholeness to his soul as well as his body.
The Lord Jesus has power to restore us to wholeness of
life - now and forever
This miracle took place near the spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son back to life again (see 2 Kings 4:18-37). Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of power he restored life for a lad marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the living but of the dead as well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he also triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day, just as he had promised his disciples. Jesus promises everyone who believes in him, that because he lives (and will never die again), we also shall have abundant life with and in him both now and forever (John 14:19). Do you trust in the Lord Jesus to give you abundant life and everlasting hope in the face of life's trials, misfortunes, and moments of despair?
This miracle took place near the spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son back to life again (see 2 Kings 4:18-37). Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of power he restored life for a lad marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the living but of the dead as well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he also triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day, just as he had promised his disciples. Jesus promises everyone who believes in him, that because he lives (and will never die again), we also shall have abundant life with and in him both now and forever (John 14:19). Do you trust in the Lord Jesus to give you abundant life and everlasting hope in the face of life's trials, misfortunes, and moments of despair?
"Lord Jesus, your healing presence brings life
and restores us to wholeness of mind, body, and spirit. Speak your word to me
and give me renewed hope, strength, and courage to follow you in the midst of
life's sorrows and joys."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The dead man who meets the Life and the
Resurrection, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444
AD)
"The dead man was being buried, and many friends
were conducting him to his tomb. Christ, the life and resurrection, meets him
there. He is the Destroyer of death and of corruption. He is the One in whom we
live and move and are (Acts 17:28). He is who has restored the nature of man to
that which it originally was and has set free our death-fraught flesh from the
bonds of death. He had mercy upon the woman, and that her tears might be stopped,
he commanded saying, 'Weep not.' Immediately the cause of her weeping was done
away." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE,
HOMILY 36)
TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 18, LUKE 7:11-17
Weekday
(1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a; Psalm 100)
Weekday
(1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a; Psalm 100)
KEY VERSE: "Young man, I tell you, arise!" (v. 14).
TO KNOW: Soon after healing the centurion's servant, Jesus went to a town called Nain, which was a day's journey from Capernaum. His disciples and a large crowd followed him. Luke compared Jesus' ministry to that of two prophets in the Hebrew Testament: Elijah, who raised to life the only son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:8-24), and Elisha, who resuscitated the only son of a Shunammite woman (2 Kgs 4:8-37). When Jesus entered the village of Nain, he saw a widow accompanying the bier of her dead son. Jesus was moved with compassion, since, with no husband or son to support her, the woman would soon find herself destitute. Risking ritual impurity for touching a corpse (Nm 19:11), Jesus placed his hand on the litter bearing the dead man, and with a word of authority commanded him to rise to life. When Jesus gave the young man back to his grateful mother, the people praised God for sending a new prophet to them.
TO LOVE: In what ways can I offer Christ's compassion to the bereaved?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, thank you for your healing touch, which gives me new life.
YOM KIPPUR BEGINS AT SUNSET
Yom Kippur ("Day of Atonement) is the most important holiday of the Jewish year (Lev 23:26-32). Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of the month of Tishri(September / October). The day is set aside to atone for the sins against God of the past year, to atone for sins against another, and righting the wrongs committed against them, if possible. Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. Jews fast beginning before sunset in the evening and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. Most of the holiday is spent in prayer in the synagogue. At the close of the evening services, the shofar, or ram's horn, is blown with a long blast signaling the end of the feast.
Tuesday 18
September 2018.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31. Psalm 99(100). Luke 7:11-17.
We are his people: the sheep of his flock—Psalm 99(100).
‘When the Lord saw her, he felt sorry for her.’
The gospels occasionally tell us that Jesus responds from the
depths of human compassion. On seeing the widow, Jesus responds not from a
sense of practicality, but from human concern.
Jesus is different from Greek or Roman gods. Mythological
stories of pagan gods show them as capricious, ambitious, villainous and vain.
But the God of Jesus Christ, embodied in the person of Jesus, is an
incarnational God who embraces the pain and joy of our human experience.
Jesus responds compassionately to the childless widow’s grief.
The widow didn’t ask for anything. Jesus took the initiative. His compassion
brings life.
Saint Joseph of Cupertino
Saint of the Day for September 18
(June 17, 1603 – September 18, 1663)
 |
| Saint Joseph of Cupertino. Engraving after F.A. Lorenzini | Wellcome Images |
Saint Joseph of Cupertino’s Story
Joseph of Cupertino is most famous for levitating at
prayer. Already as a child, Joseph showed a fondness for prayer. After a
short career with the Capuchins, he joined the Conventual Franciscans.
Following a brief assignment caring for the friary mule, Joseph began his
studies for the priesthood. Though studies were very difficult for him, Joseph
gained a great deal of knowledge from prayer. He was ordained in 1628.
Joseph’s tendency to levitate during prayer was sometimes a
cross; some people came to see this much as they might have gone to a circus
sideshow. Joseph’s gift led him to be humble, patient, and obedient, even
though at times he was greatly tempted and felt forsaken by God. He fasted and
wore iron chains for much of his life.
The friars transferred Joseph several times for his own good and
for the good of the rest of the community. He was reported to and investigated
by the Inquisition; the examiners exonerated him.
Joseph was canonized in 1767. In the investigation preceding the
canonization, 70 incidents of levitation are recorded.
Reflection
While levitation is an extraordinary sign of holiness, Joseph is
also remembered for the ordinary signs he showed. He prayed even in times of
inner darkness, and he lived out the Sermon on the Mount. He used his “unique
possession”–his free will–to praise God and to serve God’s creation.
Saint Joseph of Cupertino is the Patron Saint of:
Air Travelers
Astronauts
Pilots
Astronauts
Pilots
LECTIO: LUKE 7:11-17
Lectio Divina:
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
1) OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God,
our creator and guide,
may we serve You with all our hearts
and know Your forgiveness in our lives.
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.
our creator and guide,
may we serve You with all our hearts
and know Your forgiveness in our lives.
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
7:11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the
gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his
mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the
Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not
weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers
halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat
up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all,
and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our
midst," and "God has visited his people." This report about him
spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
3) REFLECTION
• Today’s Gospel presents the episode of
the resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain. The literary context of this
episode of the VII chapter of Luke helps one to understand. The Evangelist
wants to show that Jesus opens the road, revealing the novelty of God which is
presented to us in the announcement of the Good News. And in this way the
transformation and openness take place: Jesus accepts the request of a foreigner,
a non Jew (Lk 7:1-10) and resurrects the son of a widow (Lk 7:11-17). The way
in which Jesus reveals the Kingdom surprises the Jewish brothers who were not
accustomed to such great openness. Even John the Baptist is surprised and
orders to go and ask: “Are you the one who is to come or are we to expect
someone else?” (Lk 7:18-30). Jesus denounces the disconnectedness of His
patricians: “They are like children shouting to one another without knowing
what they want!” (Lk 7:31-35). And finally, there is the openness of Jesus
toward women (7:36-50).
• Luke 7:11-12: The meeting of the two
processions. “Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a
great crowd were going with Him. When He was close to the gate of the town,
there was a dead man being carried out to the cemetery, the only son of his
mother and she was a widow.” Luke is like a painter. With few words he succeeds
to paint a very beautiful picture on the encounter of the two processions: the
procession of death which is going out of the city and accompanies the widow
who is taking her only son towards the cemetery; the procession of life which
enters the city and accompanies Jesus. The two meet in the small square at the
side of the gate of the town of Nain.
• Luke 7:13: Compassion begins to act
here. “When the Lord saw her, He felt sorry for her and said to her:
“Do not cry!” It is compassion which moves Jesus to speak and to act.
Compassion signifies literally: “to suffer with”, to assume or make ours the
suffering of the other person, identifying oneself with the person, feeling the
pain, the suffering. It is compassion which puts into action the power of
Jesus, the power of life over death, the creative power.
• Luke 7:14-15: “Young man, I tell you, get up!” Jesus gets near the bier and says: “Young men, I tell you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and began to talk; and Jesus gave him to his mother”. Sometimes, at the moment of a great sorrow caused by the death of a loved person, people say: “In Jesus’ time, when He walked on this earth there was hope not to lose a loved person because Jesus could resurrect her”. These persons consider the episode of the resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain as an event of the past which arouses nostalgia and also certain envy. The intention of the Gospel, instead, is not, that of arousing nostalgia or envy, but rather of helping us to experience better the living presence of Jesus in our midst. It is the same Jesus, who continues alive in our midst, capable of overcoming death and the sorrow of death. He is with us today, and in the face of the problems of sorrow which strike us, He tells us: “I tell you, get up!”
•Luke 7:16-17: The repercussion. “Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God saying: ‘A great prophet has risen up among us; God has visited His people”. The fame of these events spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside”. It is the prophet who was announced by Moses (Dt 18:15). It is God who comes to visit us and the “Father of orphans and protector of the widows” (Ps 68:6: Judith 9:11).
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Compassion moves Jesus to resurrect
the son of the widow. Does the suffering, the sorrow of others, produce in me
the same compassion? What do I do to help the others to overcome the sorrow and
to create a new life?
• God visited His people. Do I perceive the many visits of God in my life and in the life of the people?
• God visited His people. Do I perceive the many visits of God in my life and in the life of the people?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Serve Yahweh with gladness,
come into His presence with songs of joy!
Be sure that Yahweh is God, He made us,
we belong to Him, His people, the flock of His sheepfold. (Ps 100:2-3)
come into His presence with songs of joy!
Be sure that Yahweh is God, He made us,
we belong to Him, His people, the flock of His sheepfold. (Ps 100:2-3)
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