Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 347
Lectionary: 347
To the penitent God provides a way back,
he encourages those who are losing hope
and has chosen for them the lot of truth.
Return to him and give up sin,
pray to the LORD and make your offenses few.
Turn again to the Most High and away from your sin,
hate intensely what he loathes,
and know the justice and judgments of God,
Stand firm in the way set before you,
in prayer to the Most High God.
Who in the nether world can glorify the Most High
in place of the living who offer their praise?
Dwell no longer in the error of the ungodly,
but offer your praise before death.
No more can the dead give praise
than those who have never lived;
You who are alive and well
shall praise and glorify God in his mercies.
How great the mercy of the LORD,
his forgiveness of those who return to him!
he encourages those who are losing hope
and has chosen for them the lot of truth.
Return to him and give up sin,
pray to the LORD and make your offenses few.
Turn again to the Most High and away from your sin,
hate intensely what he loathes,
and know the justice and judgments of God,
Stand firm in the way set before you,
in prayer to the Most High God.
Who in the nether world can glorify the Most High
in place of the living who offer their praise?
Dwell no longer in the error of the ungodly,
but offer your praise before death.
No more can the dead give praise
than those who have never lived;
You who are alive and well
shall praise and glorify God in his mercies.
How great the mercy of the LORD,
his forgiveness of those who return to him!
Responsorial
PsalmPS 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R. (11a) Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Alleluia2 COR 8:9
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 10:17-27
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement, his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the Kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
“Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement, his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the Kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
“Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Casimir, please go here.
Meditation:
"Give - and you will have treasure in heaven"
What
gives hope and satisfaction to our desire for happiness and security? A young
man who had the best the world could offer - wealth and security - came to
Jesus because he lacked one thing. He wanted the kind of lasting peace and
happiness which money could not buy him. The answer he got, however, was not
what he was looking for. He protested that he kept all the commandments - but
Jesus spoke to the trouble in his heart. One thing kept him from giving himself
wholeheartedly to God. While he lacked nothing in material goods, he was
nonetheless possessive of what he had. He placed his hope and security in what
he possessed. So when Jesus challenged him to make God his one true possession
and treasure, he became sad.
Misplaced
hope and treasure
Why did he go away from Jesus with great sorrow and sadness rather than with joy? His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Jesus challenged the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to others for fear that he would lose what he had gained. He sought happiness and security in what he possessed rather than in who he could love and serve and give himself in undivided devotion.
Why did he go away from Jesus with great sorrow and sadness rather than with joy? His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Jesus challenged the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to others for fear that he would lose what he had gained. He sought happiness and security in what he possessed rather than in who he could love and serve and give himself in undivided devotion.
The
greatest joy possible
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to "sell all" for the treasure of his kingdom? Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord as our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy. [See Jesus' parable about the treasure hidden in a field in Matthew 13:44.] Selling all that we have could mean many different things - letting go of attachments, friendships, influences, jobs, entertainments, styles of life - really anything that might stand in the way of our loving God first and foremost in our lives and giving him the best we can with our time, resources, gifts, and service.
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to "sell all" for the treasure of his kingdom? Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord as our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy. [See Jesus' parable about the treasure hidden in a field in Matthew 13:44.] Selling all that we have could mean many different things - letting go of attachments, friendships, influences, jobs, entertainments, styles of life - really anything that might stand in the way of our loving God first and foremost in our lives and giving him the best we can with our time, resources, gifts, and service.
The
priceless treasure of God's kingdom
Those who are generous towards God and towards their neighbor find that they cannot outmatch God in his generosity towards us. God blesses us with the priceless treasures of his kingdom - freedom from fear and the griping power of sin, selfishness and pride which block his love and grace in our lives; freedom from loneliness, isolation and rejection which keep his children from living together in love, peace, and unity; and freedom from hopelessness, despair, and disillusionment which blind our vision of God's power to heal every hurt, bind every wound, and remove every blemish which mar the image of God within us. God offers us treasure which money cannot buy. He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longing and desires of our heart. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from seeking true joy with Jesus?
Those who are generous towards God and towards their neighbor find that they cannot outmatch God in his generosity towards us. God blesses us with the priceless treasures of his kingdom - freedom from fear and the griping power of sin, selfishness and pride which block his love and grace in our lives; freedom from loneliness, isolation and rejection which keep his children from living together in love, peace, and unity; and freedom from hopelessness, despair, and disillusionment which blind our vision of God's power to heal every hurt, bind every wound, and remove every blemish which mar the image of God within us. God offers us treasure which money cannot buy. He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longing and desires of our heart. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from seeking true joy with Jesus?
Why
does Jesus issue such a strong warning to the rich (as well as to the rest of
us who desire to be rich)? Was he really against wealth? We know that Jesus was
not opposed to wealth per se, nor was he opposed to the wealthy. He had many
friends who were well-to-do, including some notorious tax collectors! One even
became an apostle! Jesus' warning reiterated the teaching of the Old Testament
wisdom: Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man
who is perverse in his ways (Proverbs 28:6; see also Psalm
37:16). Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist (Proverbs
23:4).
Where
do we find true security?
Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live as citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine. The "eye of the needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls which was used by travelers when the larger public gate was locked after dark. A normal sized man had to "lower" himself to enter that gate. A camel would literally have to knell and crawl through it.
Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live as citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine. The "eye of the needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls which was used by travelers when the larger public gate was locked after dark. A normal sized man had to "lower" himself to enter that gate. A camel would literally have to knell and crawl through it.
Why
is Jesus so cautious about wealth? Wealth can make us falsely
independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about their attitude towards
wealth and a false sense of security: "For you say, I am rich, I have
prospered, and I need nothing" (Revelation 3:17). Wealth can also lead us
into hurtful desires and selfishness (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10). Look at the lesson
Jesus gave about the rich man and his sons who refused to aid the poor man
Lazarus (see Luke 16:19ff). They also neglected to serve God.
We
loose what we keep - we gain what we give away
The Scriptures give us a paradox: we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. Generosity will be amply repaid, both in this life and in eternity (Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38). Jesus offers us an incomparable treasure which no money can buy and no thief can steal. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. Material wealth will shackle us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set our treasure on God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your treasure?
The Scriptures give us a paradox: we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. Generosity will be amply repaid, both in this life and in eternity (Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38). Jesus offers us an incomparable treasure which no money can buy and no thief can steal. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. Material wealth will shackle us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set our treasure on God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your treasure?
"Lord
Jesus, you have captured our hearts and opened to us the treasures of heaven.
May you always be my treasure and delight and may nothing else keep me from
giving you my all."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Seek the life that endures, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The
Lord said to a certain young man, 'If you would enter life, keep the
commandments' (Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:17; Luke 18:18). He did not say 'If
you would have life' but 'If you would enter life,' defining that life as
eternal life. Let us first consider then the love of this life. For this life
is loved, whatever its quality; and however troubled it is, however wretched,
people are afraid to end it. Hence we should see, we should consider, how much
eternal life is to be loved, when this miserable life that must at some time be
ended is so loved. Consider, brothers, how much that life is to be loved when
it is a life you never end. You love this life, where you work so much, run,
are busy, pant. In this busy life the obligations can scarcely be counted:
sowing, plowing, working new land, sailing, grinding, cooking, weaving. And
after all this hard work your life comes to an end. Look at what you suffer in
this wretched life that you so love. And do you think that you will always live
and never die? Temples, rocks, marbles, all reinforced by iron and lead, still
fall. And a person thinks that he will never die? Learn therefore, brothers, to
seek eternal life, when you will not endure these things but will reign with
God forever." (excerpt from SERMON 84.1.9)
MONDAY, MARCH 4, MARK 10:17-27
Weekday
(Sirach 17:20-24; Psalm 32)
Weekday
(Sirach 17:20-24; Psalm 32)
KEY VERSE: "Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven" (v 21).
TO KNOW: A rich man approached Jesus and asked him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him that the answer to his question could be found in the Mosaic Law, which was a reflection of God's righteousness. When the man said that he had kept the Law all of his life, Jesus invited him to take another step on his spiritual journey. By sharing his wealth with the poor, the man would be rewarded with even greater treasures in heaven. But the rich man was unable to part with his possessions, and saddened, he walked away. Jesus warned his disciples that wealth could be an obstacle to the kingdom of God. He used the image of a heavily laden camel trying to squeeze through the city gates to show that his followers should not be so weighed down with material goods that they would be unable to pass through heaven's gate.
TO LOVE: What do I do to help the poor?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous with the gifts you have given to me.
Monday 4 March 2019
Ecclesiasticus 17:24-29. Psalm 31(32):1-2, 5-7. Mark 10:17-27.
Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord. Psalm
31(32):1-2, 5-7.
‘Jesus, looking at him, loved him.’
In this story of the rich young man, certain things are deeply
touching. First, his desire to give more of himself to God. Then, once the
challenge is put before him by Jesus, his inability to accept it and his loss
of a great opportunity of growing into closer relationship with God.
We are also reminded of the times we have been called through
our baptism to leave all things to follow Jesus. How often do we cling to those
obstacles in our life that prevent us from growing into closer relationship
with God? Lord, I desire to leave all things to follow you. Help me to let go
of the things that get in the way.
Saint Casimir
Saint of the Day for March 4
(1458 – 1483)
 |
| Reliquary of Saint Casimir | Vilnius Cathedral | photo by Albertus teolog |
Saint Casimir’s Story
Casimir, born of kings and in line to be a king himself, was
filled with exceptional values and learning by a great teacher, John Dlugosz.
Even his critics could not say that his conscientious objection indicated
softness. As a teenager, Casimir lived a highly disciplined, even severe life,
sleeping on the ground, spending a great part of the night in prayer and
dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy.
When nobles in Hungary became dissatisfied with their king, they
prevailed upon Casimir’s father, the king of Poland, to send his son to take
over the country. Casimir obeyed his father, as many young men over the
centuries have obeyed their governments. The army he was supposed to lead was
clearly outnumbered by the “enemy”; some of his troops were deserting because
they were not paid. At the advice of his officers, Casimir decided to return
home.
His father was irked at the failure of his plans, and confined
his 15-year-old son for three months. The lad made up his mind never again to
become involved in the wars of his day, and no amount of persuasion could
change his mind. He returned to prayer and study, maintaining his decision to
remain celibate even under pressure to marry the emperor’s daughter.
He reigned briefly as king of Poland during his father’s
absence. He died of lung trouble at 25 while visiting Lithuania, of which he
was also Grand Duke. He was buried in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Reflection
For many years, Poland and Lithuania faded into the gray prison
on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Despite repression, the Poles and
Lithuanians remained firm in the faith which has become synonymous with their
name. Their youthful patron reminds us: Peace is not won by war; sometimes a
comfortable peace is not even won by virtue, but Christ’s peace can penetrate
every government repression of religion.
Saint Casimir is the Patron Saint of:
Lithuania
Poland
Russia
Poland
Russia
Lectio Divina: Mark 10:17-27
Lectio Divina
Monday, March 4, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord,
guide the course of world events
and give Your Church the joy and peace
of serving You in freedom.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
guide the course of world events
and give Your Church the joy and peace
of serving You in freedom.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 10:17-27
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down
before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit
eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one
is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall
not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you
shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother." He replied and said
to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." Jesus,
looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in
heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement, his face fell, and he
went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his
disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom
of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to
them in reply, "Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It
is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is
rich to enter the Kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astonished and
said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them
and said, "For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are
possible for God."
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today narrates two events: (a) it tells the story
of a rich man who asks how to obtain eternal life (Mk 10:17-22), and (b) Jesus
warns on the danger of riches (Mk 10:23-27). The rich man does not accept the
proposal of Jesus because he was very rich. A rich person believes he is
protected by the security which is given to him by his riches. He has
difficulty openning his hand and detaching himself from this security. He
seizes the advantage of his goods, lives being concerned about defending his
own interests. A poor person is not accustomed with this concern. But there may
also be some poor people who have the mentality of the rich. Then, the desire
for riches creates in them dependence and also makes them become slaves of
consumerism. They have no time to dedicate themselves to the service of
neighbor. Keeping these problems in mind, problems of persons and of countries,
let us read and meditate on the text of the rich man.
• Mark 10:17-19: The observance of the commandments and
eternal life. A person came up to Jesus and asked: “Good Master, what must
I do to inherit eternal life?” The Gospel of Matthew tells us that it was
the case of ayoung man (Mt 19:20-22). Jesus responds abruptly: “Why do you
call Me good? No one is good but God alone!” Jesus takes away the
attention from Himself to direct it toward God, because what is important is to
do God’s will, to reveal the Father’s plan. Then Jesus affirms: “You know
the commandments: You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall
not steal. You shall not give false witness. You shall not defraud. Honor your
father and mother”. It is important to always observe the response of
Jesus. The young man had asked something concerning eternal life. He wanted to
live together with God. But Jesus does not mention the first three
commandments which define our relationship with God! He mentioned only those
which indicate respect for the life lived together with others. According
to Jesus, we can only be well with God if we know how to be well with our
neighbor. It serves nothing to deceive ourselves. The door to reach God is our
neighbor.
• Mark 10:20: What good is it to observe the
commandments? The young man answered that he observed the commandments
since his earliest days. What is strange is what follows. He wanted to know
which was the way to eternal life. Now, the way of life was, and
continues to be, to do God’s will expressed in thecommandments. It means
that he observed the commandments without knowing for what purpose. Otherwise,
he would not have asked any questions. This is what can happen today to many
Catholics: they do not know what it means to be Catholic. “I was born in a
Catholic country; this is why I am Catholic!” It is mindless!
• Mark 10:21-22: To share the goods with the poor and to follow
Jesus. Hearing the response of the young man, “Jesus looked at him and was full
of love for him and said: You need to do one more thing: go and sell what you
own and give the money to the poor and you will have a treasure in heaven, then
come, follow Me!” The observance of the commandments is only the first step of
a stairway that goes higher. Jesus asks more! The observance of the commandments
prepares the person for the total gift of self on behalf of neighbor. Jesus
asks for much, but he asks it with much love. The rich young man does not
accept the proposal of Jesus and goes away not just because he was a man of
great wealth, but because he valued that wealth above all others.
• Mark 10:23-27: The camel and the eye of the needle. After
the young man left, Jesus commented on His decision: “How hard it is for
those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were
astounded. Jesus repeats the same phrase and adds: “It is easier that a camel
passes through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom
of God!”
The expression “enter the kingdom” not only indicates in the
first place entrance into heaven after death, but also and above all, the
entrance into the community around Jesus. The community is and should be a
model of the Kingdom. The reference to the impossibility for a camel to
pass through the eye of a needle comes from a popular proverb of the time
used by the people to say that a thing was, humanly speaking, impossible and
unfeasible. The disciples were astounded by hearing this and they ask
themselves: “Then who can be saved?”This is a sign that they had not understood
the response of Jesus to the young rich man: “Go, sell all you all you own and
give the money to the poor and then come follow me”. The young man had
observed the commandments since his earliest days, but without understanding
the reason for this observance. Something similar was happening to the
disciples. They had already abandoned all their goods as Jesus had asked the
young rich man, but without understanding the reason, the why of this
abandonment. If they had understood, they would not have been astounded at the
demands of Jesus. When riches, or the desire for riches, occupies the heart and
the gaze, the person cannot perceive the sense of the Gospel. Only God can
help! Jesus looks at the disciples and says: “Impossible for man but not for
God. For God everything is possible.”
4) Personal questions
• Can someone who lives constantly concerned about her wealth,
or who lives always wanting to buy all the things the television advertises,
free herself from everything to follow Jesus and live in peace in a Christian
community? Is it possible? How do you do it and what are the steps?
• Do you know somebody who has succeeded in abandoning everything for the sake of the Kingdom? What does it mean for us today: “Go, sell all you own, and give the money to the poor”? How can we understand and practice this?
• Does this instruct communities as well, or just individuals? How would a community “abandon everything” and still carry on its mission?
• Do you know somebody who has succeeded in abandoning everything for the sake of the Kingdom? What does it mean for us today: “Go, sell all you own, and give the money to the poor”? How can we understand and practice this?
• Does this instruct communities as well, or just individuals? How would a community “abandon everything” and still carry on its mission?
5) Concluding Prayer
I give thanks to Yahweh with all my heart,
in the meeting-place of honest people, in the assembly.
Great are the deeds of Yahweh,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. (Ps 111:1-2)
in the meeting-place of honest people, in the assembly.
Great are the deeds of Yahweh,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. (Ps 111:1-2)
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