Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 449
Lectionary: 449
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim
when it is in your power to do it for him.
Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once.
Plot no evil against your neighbor,
against one who lives at peace with you.
Quarrel not with a man without cause,
with one who has done you no harm.
Envy not the lawless man
and choose none of his ways:
To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination,
but with the upright is his friendship.
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
but the dwelling of the just he blesses;
When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern,
but to the humble he shows kindness.
when it is in your power to do it for him.
Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once.
Plot no evil against your neighbor,
against one who lives at peace with you.
Quarrel not with a man without cause,
with one who has done you no harm.
Envy not the lawless man
and choose none of his ways:
To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination,
but with the upright is his friendship.
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
but the dwelling of the just he blesses;
When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern,
but to the humble he shows kindness.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 15:2-3A, 3BC-4AB, 5
R. (1) The
just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
AlleluiaMT 5:16
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 8:16-18
Jesus said to the crowd:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away."
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away."
Meditation: "Every secret shall come
to light"
What does the image of light and a lamp tell us about
God's kingdom? Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like
they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid
stumbling. The Jews also understood "light" as an expression of the
inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light (
Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm
119:105).
God's light frees us from the blindness of sin so we
can walk in truth and goodness
God's grace not only illumines the darkness in our lives, it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace. Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom. In fact, our mission is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may see the truth of the Gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ - and be freed from the blindness of sin, ignorance, and deception.
God's grace not only illumines the darkness in our lives, it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace. Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom. In fact, our mission is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may see the truth of the Gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ - and be freed from the blindness of sin, ignorance, and deception.
Live in the light of God's truth, beauty, and goodness
Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret (Luke 8:17). We can try to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways and bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are. And how tempting to hide them from others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all. There is great freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek his truth. Those who listen to God and heed his voice will receive more from him - abundance of wisdom, guidance, peace, and blessing. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light?
Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret (Luke 8:17). We can try to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways and bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are. And how tempting to hide them from others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all. There is great freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek his truth. Those who listen to God and heed his voice will receive more from him - abundance of wisdom, guidance, peace, and blessing. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light?
"Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your
saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from
the blindness of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and
understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth in word
and deed to those around me."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The Word of God is like a lamp to guide us,
by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"Scripture does not say this about a tangible
lamp but about a comprehensible one. One does not 'light' the lamp and conceal
it 'with a vessel' or put it 'under a bed, but on the lamp stand' within
himself. The vessels of the house are the powers of the soul. The bed is the
body. 'Those who go in' are those who hear the teacher... He calls the holy
church a 'lamp stand.' By its proclamation, the Word of God gives light to all
who are in this world and illuminates those in the house with the rays of the
truth, filling the minds of all with divine knowledge. (excerpt from FRAGMENTS ON LUKE 120, 122)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, LUKE 8:16-18
Weekday
(Proverbs 3:27-34; Psalm 15)
Weekday
(Proverbs 3:27-34; Psalm 15)
KEY VERSE: "For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light" (v. 17).
TO KNOW: A lamp was the only source of illumination in the dark windowless houses of Jesus' day. This clay vessel was filled with oil and placed on a stand where it burned night and day. Jesus used this ordinary household object to illustrate the radiance that should occur naturally in the life of every Christian. Through their words and deeds, others should be enlightened by God's truth. If so, even the deep mysteries of Christ's revelation would come to light. Those who proclaimed God's word found that the more Christ was shared, the brighter their own spiritual illumination would become. If they failed to persevere in responding to God's word, they would discover that whatever enlightenment they had obtained would fade and grow dim.
TO LOVE: Do what I say and do help to dispel the darkness in the world?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to share your light with others.
Monday 24
September 2018
Proverbs 3:27-34. Psalm 14(15):2-5. Luke 8:16-18.
Whoever does justice shall live on the Lord’s holy
mountain—Psalm 14(15):2-5.
‘Put the lamp on a lamp-stand, so people may see
the light.’
In life we are drawn to and feel protected by light. Light
reveals the shape, the identity and the colour of that which surrounds us. When
the dawning sun bathes the landscape in light we see emerge what the darkness
of night kept hidden. Light is truth. Light is faith.
In baptism, a small candle is lit from the bigger Pascal candle.
This soft, beautiful light, symbolising Christ’s light, is presented to us.
Although we extinguish the candle at the end of the ceremony, we are asked to
keep burning the light of faith the candle signifies. In baptism we are
enlightened by Christ and we walk as children of the light.
May we always let our light not simply shine but grow brighter
as our faith grows.
And may our light – Christ’s light – show a way for others.
Blessed John Henry Newman
Saint of the Day for September 24
(February 21, 1801 – August 11, 1890)
 |
| John Henry Newman | Sir John Everett Millais |
Blessed John Henry Newman’s Story
John Henry Newman, the 19th-century’s most important
English-speaking Roman Catholic theologian, spent the first half of his life as
an Anglican and the second half as a Roman Catholic. He was a priest, popular
preacher, writer, and eminent theologian in both Churches.
Born in London, England, he studied at Oxford’s Trinity College,
was a tutor at Oriel College, and for 17 years was vicar of the university
church, St. Mary the Virgin. He eventually published eight volumes of Parochial
and Plain Sermons as well as two novels. His poem, “Dream of
Gerontius,” was set to music by Sir Edward Elgar.
After 1833, Newman was a prominent member of the Oxford
Movement, which emphasized the Church’s debt to the Church Fathers and
challenged any tendency to consider truth as completely subjective.
Historical research made Newman suspect that the Roman Catholic
Church was in closest continuity with the Church that Jesus established. In
1845, he was received into full communion as a Catholic. Two years later he was
ordained a Catholic priest in Rome and joined the Congregation of the Oratory,
founded three centuries earlier by Saint Philip Neri. Returning to
England, Newman founded Oratory houses in Birmingham and London and for seven
years served as rector of the Catholic University of Ireland.
Before Newman, Catholic theology tended to ignore history,
preferring instead to draw deductions from first principles—much as plane
geometry does. After Newman, the lived experience of believers was recognized
as a key part of theological reflection.
Newman eventually wrote 40 books and 21,000 letters that
survive. Most famous are his book-length Essay on the Development of
Christian Doctrine, On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of
Doctrine, Apologia Pro Vita Sua—his spiritual autobiography up
to 1864—and Essay on the Grammar of Assent. He accepted Vatican I’s
teaching on papal infallibility while noting its limits, which many people who
favored that definition were reluctant to do.
When Newman was named a cardinal in 1879, he took as his
motto “Cor ad cor loquitur”—“Heart speaks to heart.” He was buried
in Rednal 11 years later. After his grave was exhumed in 2008, a new tomb was
prepared at the Oratory church in Birmingham.
Three years after Newman died, a Newman Club for Catholic
students began at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. In time, his
name was linked to ministry centers at many public and private colleges and
universities in the United States.
Pope Benedict XVI beatified Newman on September 19, 2010, at
Crofton Park. Benedict noted Newman’s emphasis on the vital place of
revealed religion in civilized society, but also praised his pastoral zeal for
the sick, the poor, the bereaved, and those in prison. The Liturgical
Feast of Blessed John Henry Newman is October 9.
Reflection
John Henry Newman has been called the “absent Father of Vatican
II” because his writings on conscience, religious liberty, Scripture, the
vocation of lay people, the relation of Church and State, and other topics were
extremely influential in the shaping of the Council’s documents. Although
Newman was not always understood or appreciated, he steadfastly preached the
Good News by word and example.
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 8:16-18
Lectio Divina:
Monday, September 24, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
Father,
guide us, as You guide creation
according to Your law of love.
May we love one another
and come to perfection
in the eternal life prepared for us.
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.
guide us, as You guide creation
according to Your law of love.
May we love one another
and come to perfection
in the eternal life prepared for us.
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
8:16-18
Jesus said to the crowd: "No one
who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he
places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there
is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will
not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who
has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to
have will be taken away."
3) REFLECTION
• Today’s Gospel presents three brief
phrases pronounced by Jesus. They are phrases scattered in different places
which Luke collected here after the parable of the seed (Lk 8:4-8) and of His
explanation to the disciples (Lk 8:9-15). This literary context, in which Luke
places the three phrases, helps us to understand how he wants people to
understand these phrases of Jesus.
• Luke 8:16: The lamp which gives light. “No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed; no, it is put on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in. This phrase of Jesus is a brief parable. Jesus does not explain, because all know what He is speaking about. This belonged to everyday life. At that time, there was no electric light. Just imagine this! The family meets at home. The sun begins to set. A person gets up, lights the lamp, covers it with a vase or places it under the bed. What will the others say? All will scream out: “Are you crazy... place the lamp on the table!” In a biblical meeting somebody made the following comment: The Word of God is a lamp which is necessary to light in the darkness of the night. If it remains closed up in the book of the bible, it will be like the lamp under a vase. But when it is placed on the table it gives light to the whole house, when it is read in community and is connected to life.
• In the context in which Luke places this phrase, he is referring to the explanation which Jesus gave about the parable of the seeds (Lk 8:9-15). It is as if he would say: the things which you have just heard you should not keep them only for yourselves, but you should share them with others. A Christian should not be afraid to give witness and spread the Good News. Humility is important, but the humility which hides the gifts of God given to edify the community is false (1Cor 12:4-26; Rom 12: 3-8).
• Luke 8:17: That which is hidden will be manifested. “There is nothing hidden which will not be manifested, nothing secret which will not be known and brought to light”. In the context in which Luke places this second phrase of Jesus, it also refers to the teachings given by Jesus particularly to the disciples (Lk 8:9-10). The disciples cannot keep these only for themselves, but they should share them, because they form part of the Good News which Jesus has brought.
• Luke 8:18: Attention to preconceptions. “So take care how you listen, anyone who has will be given more, anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he thinks he has”. At that time, there were many preconceptions on the Messiah which prevented people from understanding, in a correct way, the Good News of the Kingdom which Jesus announced. “For this reason, this warning of Jesus concerning preconceptions is quite actual. Jesus asks the disciples to be aware of the preconceptions with which they listen to the teaching that He presents. With this phrase of Jesus, Luke is saying to the communities and to all of us: “Be attentive to the ideas with which you look at Jesus!” Because if the color of the eyes is green, everything will seem to be green. If it were blue, everything would be blue! If the idea that I have when I look at Jesus is mistaken, erroneous, everything which I receive and teach about Jesus will be threatened by error! If I think that the Messiah has to be a glorious King, I will not want to hear anything which Jesus teaches about the Cross, about suffering, persecution and about commitment, and to lose even what I thought I possessed. Joining this third phrase to the first one, I can conclude what follows: anyone who keeps for himself what he receives and does not distribute it to others, loses what he has, because it becomes corrupt.
• Luke 8:16: The lamp which gives light. “No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed; no, it is put on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in. This phrase of Jesus is a brief parable. Jesus does not explain, because all know what He is speaking about. This belonged to everyday life. At that time, there was no electric light. Just imagine this! The family meets at home. The sun begins to set. A person gets up, lights the lamp, covers it with a vase or places it under the bed. What will the others say? All will scream out: “Are you crazy... place the lamp on the table!” In a biblical meeting somebody made the following comment: The Word of God is a lamp which is necessary to light in the darkness of the night. If it remains closed up in the book of the bible, it will be like the lamp under a vase. But when it is placed on the table it gives light to the whole house, when it is read in community and is connected to life.
• In the context in which Luke places this phrase, he is referring to the explanation which Jesus gave about the parable of the seeds (Lk 8:9-15). It is as if he would say: the things which you have just heard you should not keep them only for yourselves, but you should share them with others. A Christian should not be afraid to give witness and spread the Good News. Humility is important, but the humility which hides the gifts of God given to edify the community is false (1Cor 12:4-26; Rom 12: 3-8).
• Luke 8:17: That which is hidden will be manifested. “There is nothing hidden which will not be manifested, nothing secret which will not be known and brought to light”. In the context in which Luke places this second phrase of Jesus, it also refers to the teachings given by Jesus particularly to the disciples (Lk 8:9-10). The disciples cannot keep these only for themselves, but they should share them, because they form part of the Good News which Jesus has brought.
• Luke 8:18: Attention to preconceptions. “So take care how you listen, anyone who has will be given more, anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he thinks he has”. At that time, there were many preconceptions on the Messiah which prevented people from understanding, in a correct way, the Good News of the Kingdom which Jesus announced. “For this reason, this warning of Jesus concerning preconceptions is quite actual. Jesus asks the disciples to be aware of the preconceptions with which they listen to the teaching that He presents. With this phrase of Jesus, Luke is saying to the communities and to all of us: “Be attentive to the ideas with which you look at Jesus!” Because if the color of the eyes is green, everything will seem to be green. If it were blue, everything would be blue! If the idea that I have when I look at Jesus is mistaken, erroneous, everything which I receive and teach about Jesus will be threatened by error! If I think that the Messiah has to be a glorious King, I will not want to hear anything which Jesus teaches about the Cross, about suffering, persecution and about commitment, and to lose even what I thought I possessed. Joining this third phrase to the first one, I can conclude what follows: anyone who keeps for himself what he receives and does not distribute it to others, loses what he has, because it becomes corrupt.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Have you had any experience of
preconceptions which have prevented you from perceiving and appreciating in
their just value, the good things that persons have?
• Have you perceived the preconceptions which are behind certain stories, accounts and parables which certain persons tell us?
• Have you perceived the preconceptions which are behind certain stories, accounts and parables which certain persons tell us?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
How blessed are those whose way is
blameless,
who walk in the Law of Yahweh!
Blessed are those who observe His instructions,
who seek Him with all their hearts. (Ps 119:1-2)
who walk in the Law of Yahweh!
Blessed are those who observe His instructions,
who seek Him with all their hearts. (Ps 119:1-2)
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