Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 361
Lectionary: 361
Brothers and sisters:
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit
for anything as coming from us;
rather, our qualification comes from God,
who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant,
not of letter but of spirit;
for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious
that the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses
because of its glory that was going to fade,
how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious?
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious,
the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory.
Indeed, what was endowed with glory
has come to have no glory in this respect
because of the glory that surpasses it.
For if what was going to fade was glorious,
how much more will what endures be glorious.
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit
for anything as coming from us;
rather, our qualification comes from God,
who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant,
not of letter but of spirit;
for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious
that the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses
because of its glory that was going to fade,
how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious?
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious,
the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory.
Indeed, what was endowed with glory
has come to have no glory in this respect
because of the glory that surpasses it.
For if what was going to fade was glorious,
how much more will what endures be glorious.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 99:5, 6, 7, 8, 9
R.(see 9c) Holy is
the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he!
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
and Samuel, among those who called upon his name;
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;
they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
O LORD, our God, you answered them;
a forgiving God you were to them,
though requiting their misdeeds.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he!
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
and Samuel, among those who called upon his name;
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;
they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
O LORD, our God, you answered them;
a forgiving God you were to them,
though requiting their misdeeds.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
AlleluiaPS 25:4B, 5A
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Teach me your paths, my God,
and guide me in your truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Teach me your paths, my God,
and guide me in your truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."
Meditation: Great
are those who teach and obey the commandments
Why
do people tend to view the "law of God" negatively rather than
positively? Jesus' attitude towards the law of God can be summed up in the
great prayer of Psalm 119: "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation
all the day."
For
the people of Israel the "law" could refer to the ten commandments or
to the five Books of Moses, called the Pentateuch or Torah, which explain the
commandments and ordinances of God for his people. The "law" also
referred to the whole teaching or way of life which God gave to his people. The
Jews in Jesus' time also used it as a description of the oral or scribal law.
Needless to say, the scribes added many more things to the law than God
intended. That is why Jesus often condemned the scribal law because it placed
burdens on people which God had not intended.
The
essence of God's law
Jesus made it very clear that the essence of God's law - his commandments and way of life, must be fulfilled. God's law is true and righteous because it flows from his love, goodness, and holiness. It is a law of grace, love, and freedom for us. That is why God commands us to love him above all else and to follow in the way of his Son, the Lord Jesus who taught us how to love by laying down our lives for one another.
Jesus made it very clear that the essence of God's law - his commandments and way of life, must be fulfilled. God's law is true and righteous because it flows from his love, goodness, and holiness. It is a law of grace, love, and freedom for us. That is why God commands us to love him above all else and to follow in the way of his Son, the Lord Jesus who taught us how to love by laying down our lives for one another.
Reverence
and respect
Jesus taught reverence for God’s law - reverence for God himself, reverence for the Lord's Day, reverence or respect for parents, respect for life, for property, for another person's good name, respect for oneself and for one's neighbor lest wrong or hurtful desires master and enslave us. Reverence and respect for God's commandments teach us the way of love - love of God and love of neighbor. What is impossible to humans is possible to God who gives generously of his gifts and the Holy Spirit to those who put their faith in him.
Jesus taught reverence for God’s law - reverence for God himself, reverence for the Lord's Day, reverence or respect for parents, respect for life, for property, for another person's good name, respect for oneself and for one's neighbor lest wrong or hurtful desires master and enslave us. Reverence and respect for God's commandments teach us the way of love - love of God and love of neighbor. What is impossible to humans is possible to God who gives generously of his gifts and the Holy Spirit to those who put their faith in him.
God
gives us the grace, help, and strength to love as he loves, to forgive as he
forgives, to think and judge as he judges, and to act as he acts with mercy,
loving-kindness, and goodness. The Lord loves righteousness and hates wickedness.
As his followers we must love his commandments and hate every form of sin and
wrong-doing. Do you seek to understand the intention of his law and to grow in
wisdom of his ways?
The
Holy Spirit transforms our minds and hearts
Jesus promised his disciples that he would give them the gift of the Holy Spirit who writes God's law of love and truth on our hearts. The Spirit teaches us God's truth and gives us wisdom and understanding of God's ways. The Spirit helps us in our weakness, strengthens us in temptation, and transforms us, day by day, into the likeness of Christ himself. There is great blessing and reward for those who obey God's commandments and who help others, especially the younger generations, to love, respect, and obey the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with a burning love and reverence for God's word so that you may grow day by day in the wisdom and knowledge of God's truth and goodness.
Jesus promised his disciples that he would give them the gift of the Holy Spirit who writes God's law of love and truth on our hearts. The Spirit teaches us God's truth and gives us wisdom and understanding of God's ways. The Spirit helps us in our weakness, strengthens us in temptation, and transforms us, day by day, into the likeness of Christ himself. There is great blessing and reward for those who obey God's commandments and who help others, especially the younger generations, to love, respect, and obey the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with a burning love and reverence for God's word so that you may grow day by day in the wisdom and knowledge of God's truth and goodness.
"Lord
Jesus, grant this day, to direct and sanctify, to rule and govern our hearts,
minds, and bodies, so that all our thoughts, words, and deeds may be in accord
with your Father's law and wisdom. And thus may we be saved and protected
through your mighty help."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: What you teach, you should do, by
Chromatius (died 406 AD)
"While
it is sinful to abolish the least of the commandments, all the more so the
great and most important ones. Hence the Holy Spirit affirms through Solomon:
'Whoever despises the little things shall gradually die' (Sirach 19:1b).
Consequently nothing in the divine commandments must be abolished, nothing
altered. Everything must be preserved and taught faithfully and devotedly that
the glory of the heavenly kingdom may not be lost. Indeed, those things
considered least important and small by the unfaithful or by worldly people are
not small before God but necessary. For the Lord taught the commandments and
did them. Even small things point to the great future of the kingdom of heaven.
For this reason, not only words but also deeds are important; and you should
not only teach, but what you teach, you should do." (excerpt from
TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 20.2.1–3)
[Note:
Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was
a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome
described him as a "most learned and most holy man."]
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, MATTHEW 5:17-19
Weekday
(2 Corinthians 3:4-11; Psalm 99)
KEY VERSE: "But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (v. 19b).
TO KNOW: Like Moses, Jesus taught his followers that the law of God had lasting validity and must be obeyed. Jesus emphasized the permanency of God's law by saying that not even the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet (yod; in Greek iota) or the tiniest flourish of the pen would pass from the law until its fulfillment in the final age. Jesus' dispute with the religious leaders was not with the Mosaic Law itself, but with their legalistic interpretation, expanding the law to 613 rules and regulations. Jesus deepened the meaning of the law through his words and works. He said that those who understood the true purpose of the law was justice and charity, and practiced it by loving God and one another, would inherit a place in God's kingdom. Those who willfully disregarded God's law would be excluded from God's reign.
TO LOVE: Do I give good example by my respect for God's law?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be guided by your law in all I do.
Weekday
(2 Corinthians 3:4-11; Psalm 99)
KEY VERSE: "But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (v. 19b).
TO KNOW: Like Moses, Jesus taught his followers that the law of God had lasting validity and must be obeyed. Jesus emphasized the permanency of God's law by saying that not even the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet (yod; in Greek iota) or the tiniest flourish of the pen would pass from the law until its fulfillment in the final age. Jesus' dispute with the religious leaders was not with the Mosaic Law itself, but with their legalistic interpretation, expanding the law to 613 rules and regulations. Jesus deepened the meaning of the law through his words and works. He said that those who understood the true purpose of the law was justice and charity, and practiced it by loving God and one another, would inherit a place in God's kingdom. Those who willfully disregarded God's law would be excluded from God's reign.
TO LOVE: Do I give good example by my respect for God's law?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be guided by your law in all I do.
Wednesday 12 June 2019
2 Corinthians 3:4-11. Psalm 98(99):5-9. Matthew 5:17-19.
Holy is the Lord our God – Psalm 98(99):5-9.
‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.’
Holy is the Lord our God – Psalm 98(99):5-9.
‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.’
How amazing that the Holy Spirit has been given to teach us day
after day after day. Sometimes it is a Scripture verse that stands out as we
read. An impulse rises within, prompting us to encourage a struggling friend or
provide a meal for a sick neighbour. Maybe our conscience twitches at some
point in the day, moving us to a moment of repentance. Most likely these are
times when the Spirit is teaching us. As we open our hearts, the Spirit is with
us, pouring out grace upon grace on our lives.
Jesus is with us, too, to forgive us when we fail. Our
selfishness, anger, greed or petty fault-finding come as no surprise to him. He
will forgive and teach us the path to life. Lord, give me the grace to hear
your voice and follow your teaching today.
Blessed Jolenta (Yolanda) of Poland
Saint of the Day for June 12
(c. 1235 – June 11,1298)
Blessed Jolenta of Poland’s Story
Jolenta was the daughter of Bela IV, King of Hungary. Her
sister, St. Kunigunde, was married to the Duke of Poland. Jolenta was sent to
Poland where her sister was to supervise her education. Eventually married to
Boleslaus, the Duke of Greater Poland, Jolenta was able to use her material
means to assist the poor, the sick, widows, and orphans. Her husband joined her
in building hospitals, convents, and churches so that he was surnamed “the
Pious.”
Upon the death of her husband and the marriage of two of her
daughters, Jolenta and her third daughter entered the convent of the Poor
Clares. War forced Jolenta to move to another convent where despite her
reluctance, she was made abbess.
So well did Jolenta serve her Franciscan sisters by word and
example, that her fame and good works continued to spread beyond the walls of
the cloister. Her favorite devotion was the Passion of Christ. Indeed, Jesus
appeared to her, telling her of her coming death. Many miracles, down to our
own day, are said to have occurred at her grave.
Reflection
Jolenta’s story begins like a fairy tale. But fairy tales seldom
include the death of the prince and never end with the
princess living out her days in a convent. Nonetheless, Jolenta’s story has a
happy ending. Her life of charity toward the poor and devotion to her
Franciscan sisters indeed brought her to a “happily ever after.” Our lives may
be short on fairy tale elements, but our generosity and our willingness to
serve well the people we live with lead us toward an ending happier than we can
imagine.
Lectio Divina: Matthew 5:17-19
Lectio Divina
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
Your prophets remind us
in season and out of season
of our responsibilities toward You
and toward the world of people.
When they disturb and upset us,
let it be a holy disturbance
that makes us restless, eager to do Your will
and to bring justice and love around us.
We ask You this through Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to
abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter
or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have
taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But
whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the
Kingdom of heaven.”
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel (Mt 5:17-19) teaches how to observe the law of
God in its complete fulfillment (Mt 5:17-19). Matthew writes in order to help
the communities of converted Jews overcome the criticism of the brothers of
their own race who accused them, saying, “You are unfaithful to the Law of
Moses.” Jesus Himself had been accused of infidelity to the Law of God. Matthew
has Jesus’ clarifying response to His accusers. Thus, Matthew sheds some light
to help the communities solve their problems.
• Using images of daily life, with simple and direct words,
Jesus had said that the mission of the community, its reason for being, is that
of being salt and light! He had given some advice regarding each one of the two
images. Then follow the brief verses of today’s Gospel.
• Matthew 5:17-18: Not one dot, nor one stroke is to disappear
from the Law. There were several different tendencies in the first Christian
communities. Some thought that it was not necessary to observe the laws of the
Old Testament, because we are saved by faith in Jesus and not by the observance
of the Law (Rm 3:21-26). Others accepted Jesus, the Messiah, but they did not
accept the liberty of spirit with which some of the communities lived the
message of Jesus. They thought that, being Jews, they had to continue to observe
the laws of the Old Testament (Acts 15:1,5). But there were Christians who
lived so fully in the freedom of the Spirit, who no longer looked at the life
of Jesus of Nazareth, nor to the Old Testament that they even went so far as to
say, “Anathema Jesus!” (1 Cor 12:3). Observing these tensions, Matthew tries to
find some balance between both extremes. The community should be a place where
the balance can be attained and lived. Jesus’ answer to those who criticized
Him continued to be relevant for the communities: “I have not come to abolish
the law, but to complete it!” The communities could not be against the Law, nor
could they close themselves off in the observance of the Law. Like Jesus,
they should advance and show in practice, the objective thst the Law wanted to
attain in people’s lives, that is, in the perfect practice of love.
• Matthew 5:17-18: Not one dot or stroke will disappear from the
Law. It is for those who wanted to get rid of the law altogether that Matthew
recalls the other parable of Jesus: “Anyone who breaks even one of the least of
these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the
least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but the person who keeps them and teaches them
will be considered great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” The great concern in
Matthew’s Gospel is to show that the Old Testament, Jesus of Nazareth, and the
life in the Spirit cannot be separated. The three of them form part of the same
and unique plan of God and communicate to us the certainty of faith: The God of
Abraham and of Sarah is present in the midst of the community by faith in Jesus
of Nazareth who sends us His Spirit.
4) Personal questions
• How do I see and live God’s law: as a freedom to do anything I
please, as an imposition which restricts me, or as a guide to grow in love?
• What can we do today for our brothers and sisters who consider all of this type of discussion as obsolete and not relevant?
• How does this view of the Law and the Commandments affect me? As a line which defines sin, as rules to avoid vice, or as a guide in attaining virtue?
• What can we do today for our brothers and sisters who consider all of this type of discussion as obsolete and not relevant?
• How does this view of the Law and the Commandments affect me? As a line which defines sin, as rules to avoid vice, or as a guide in attaining virtue?
5) Concluding Prayer
Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem,
Zion, praise your God.
For He gives strength to the bars of your gates,
He blesses your children within you. (Ps 145:12-13)
Zion, praise your God.
For He gives strength to the bars of your gates,
He blesses your children within you. (Ps 145:12-13)
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