Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 436
Lectionary: 436
Brothers and sisters:
You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds;
God has now reconciled you
in the fleshly Body of Christ through his death,
to present you holy, without blemish,
and irreproachable before him,
provided that you persevere in the faith,
firmly grounded, stable,
and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard,
which has been preached to every creature under heaven,
of which I, Paul, am a minister.
You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds;
God has now reconciled you
in the fleshly Body of Christ through his death,
to present you holy, without blemish,
and irreproachable before him,
provided that you persevere in the faith,
firmly grounded, stable,
and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard,
which has been preached to every creature under heaven,
of which I, Paul, am a minister.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 54:3-4, 6 AND 8
R.(6) God
himself is my help.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. God himself is my help.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. God himself is my help.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. God himself is my help.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. God himself is my help.
AlleluiaJN 14:6
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 6:1-5
While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath,
his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
Some Pharisees said,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?”
Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
Some Pharisees said,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?”
Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
Meditation:
"The Son of man is lord of the Sabbath"
What
does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better
yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders
confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a
time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work,
both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God,
his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to
bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment.
The
Lord of the Sabbath feeds and nourishes us
Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the Scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom. In their hunger, David and his men ate of the holy bread offered in the Temple (1 Samuel 21:2-7). On every Sabbath morning twelves loaves were laid before God on a golden table in the Holy Place. Each loaf represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel. No one was allowed to eat this bread except the priests because it represented the very presence of God. David understood that human need took precedence over rules and ritual regulations.
Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the Scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom. In their hunger, David and his men ate of the holy bread offered in the Temple (1 Samuel 21:2-7). On every Sabbath morning twelves loaves were laid before God on a golden table in the Holy Place. Each loaf represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel. No one was allowed to eat this bread except the priests because it represented the very presence of God. David understood that human need took precedence over rules and ritual regulations.
Seek
the Lord's rest and refreshment
Why didn't the Pharisees recognize the claims of mercy over rules and regulations? Their zeal for ritual observance blinded them from the demands of charity. Jesus' reference to the bread of the Presence alludes to the true bread from heaven which he offers to all who believe in him. Jesus, the Son of David, and the Son of Man, a title for the Messiah, declares that he is "Lord of the Sabbath." Jesus healed on the Sabbath and he showed mercy to those in need. All who are burdened can find true rest and refreshment in him. Do you seek rest and refreshment in the Lord and in the celebration of the Lord's Day?
Why didn't the Pharisees recognize the claims of mercy over rules and regulations? Their zeal for ritual observance blinded them from the demands of charity. Jesus' reference to the bread of the Presence alludes to the true bread from heaven which he offers to all who believe in him. Jesus, the Son of David, and the Son of Man, a title for the Messiah, declares that he is "Lord of the Sabbath." Jesus healed on the Sabbath and he showed mercy to those in need. All who are burdened can find true rest and refreshment in him. Do you seek rest and refreshment in the Lord and in the celebration of the Lord's Day?
"Lord
Jesus, you refresh us with your presence and you sustain us with your
life-giving word. Show me how to lift the burden of others, especially those
who lack the basic necessities of life, and to refresh them with humble care
and service."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Withered hands - withered minds,
by Athanasius of Alexandria (295-373 AD)
"In the synagogue of the Jews was a man who had a withered hand. If he was
withered in his hand, the ones who stood by were withered in their minds. And
they were not looking at the crippled man nor were they expecting the
miraculous deed of the one who was about to work. But before doing the work,
the Savior ploughed up their minds with words. For knowing the evil of the mind
and its bitter depth, he first softened them up in advance with words so as to
tame the wildness of their understanding, asking: 'Is it permitted to do good
on the sabbath or to do evil; to save a life or to destroy one?' For if he had
said to them, 'Is it permitted to work?' immediately they would have said, 'You
are speaking contrary to the law.'
"Then he told them what was intended by the law, for he spoke as the One who established the laws concerning the sabbath, adding, 'except this: that which will be done for the sake of a life.' Again if a person falls into a hole on a sabbath, Jews are permitted to pull the person out (Matthew 12:11). This not only applies to a person, but also an ox or a donkey. In this way the law agrees that things relating to preservation may be done, hence Jews prepare meals on the sabbath. Then he asked them about a point on which they could hardly disagree: 'Is it permitted to do good? (Matthew 3:4, Luke 6:9) But they did not even so much as say, 'Yes,' because by then they were not in a good temper." (excerpt from HOMILIES 28)
"Then he told them what was intended by the law, for he spoke as the One who established the laws concerning the sabbath, adding, 'except this: that which will be done for the sake of a life.' Again if a person falls into a hole on a sabbath, Jews are permitted to pull the person out (Matthew 12:11). This not only applies to a person, but also an ox or a donkey. In this way the law agrees that things relating to preservation may be done, hence Jews prepare meals on the sabbath. Then he asked them about a point on which they could hardly disagree: 'Is it permitted to do good? (Matthew 3:4, Luke 6:9) But they did not even so much as say, 'Yes,' because by then they were not in a good temper." (excerpt from HOMILIES 28)
SATURDAY,
SEPTEMBER 7, LUKE 6:1-5
Weekday
(Colossians 1:21-23; Psalm 54)
Weekday
(Colossians 1:21-23; Psalm 54)
KEY VERSE: "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath" (v. 5).
TO KNOW: The first story told in Luke's gospel of Jesus’ conflict with the Pharisees regarded the violation of picking grain on the Sabbath. Luke showed how this controversy led to a final break with the religious leaders, and ultimately to Jesus' death. When Jesus' disciples picked and ate grain on the Sabbath, the Pharisees accused them of violating the Sabbath law, which prohibited harvesting (Ex 34:21). Jesus defended his disciples by reminding them of a precedence in scripture. The great King David fed his hungry men with the bread of offering, which was reserved for priests (1 Sm 21:1-7). Jesus said that charity must prevail over religious laws. Jesus, the "Son of Man," showed solidarity with the needs of his people and displayed his supreme authority over the law.
TO LOVE: Am I unduly bound by scrupulosity?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to avoid legalism and act with compassion and justice.
OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Chapter V of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Holy See in December 2001, describes the Church's traditional dedication of Saturday to the Virgin Mary. "Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (218). The chapter also describes the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in Catholic devotional life, in the Liturgy, and reflections on popular devotions to Mary, her feast days, and the Rosary.
Chapter V of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Holy See in December 2001, describes the Church's traditional dedication of Saturday to the Virgin Mary. "Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (218). The chapter also describes the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in Catholic devotional life, in the Liturgy, and reflections on popular devotions to Mary, her feast days, and the Rosary.
Saturday 7 September 2019
Colossians 1:21-23. Psalm 53(54):3-4, 6, 8. Luke 6:1-5.
God himself is my help – Psalm 53(54):3-4, 6, 8
‘The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath’
God himself is my help – Psalm 53(54):3-4, 6, 8
‘The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath’
The first reading tells us not to shift in hope. This is not
easy in a world that seems to have more stories of sadness and suffering than
ever. The psalm celebrates the offering of oneself. Actions that arise from
genuine love are more pleasing to God than those done out of obligation and
duty.
In the Gospel, the Pharisees are upset that Jesus does not seem
to be concerned with the letter of the law. For if a given rule does not
nurture us towards growth and life, is it worth abiding? Consider: do I stand in
self-righteous judgment when others make trivial transgressions? Do I
acknowledge that everyone has basic needs that they are entitled to meet?
Whose interests does a given rule protect? Does it lead to justice and
peace?
May we attend to the movement of the Spirit, the inner law of
love in our hearts.
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam
Saint of the Day for September 7
(April 23, 1813 – September 8, 1853)
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam’s Story
A man convinced of the inestimable worth of each human being,
Frédéric served the poor of Paris well, and drew others into serving the poor
of the world. Through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which he founded, his
work continues to the present day.
Frédéric was the fifth of Jean and Marie Ozanam’s 14 children,
one of only three to reach adulthood. As a teenager he began having doubts
about his religion. Reading and prayer did not seem to help, but long walking
discussions with Father Noirot of the Lyons College clarified matters a great
deal.
Frédéric wanted to study literature, although his father, a
doctor, wanted him to become a lawyer. Frédéric yielded to his father’s wishes
and in 1831, arrived in Paris to study law at the University of the Sorbonne.
When certain professors there mocked Catholic teachings in their lectures,
Frédéric defended the Church.
A discussion club which Frédéric organized sparked the turning
point in his life. In this club, Catholics, atheists, and agnostics debated the
issues of the day. Once, after Frédéric spoke about Christianity’s role in
civilization, a club member said: “Let us be frank, Mr. Ozanam; let us also be
very particular. What do you do besides talk to prove the faith you claim is in
you?”
Frédéric was stung by the question. He soon decided that his
words needed a grounding in action. He and a friend began visiting Paris
tenements and offering assistance as best they could. Soon a group dedicated to
helping individuals in need under the patronage of Saint
Vincent de Paul formed around Frédéric.
Feeling that the Catholic faith needed an excellent speaker to
explain its teachings, Frédéric convinced the Archbishop of Paris to appoint
Dominican Father Jean-Baptiste Lacordaire, the greatest preacher then in
France, to preach a Lenten series in Notre Dame Cathedral. It was well-attended
and became an annual tradition in Paris.
After Frédéric earned his law degree at the Sorbonne, he taught
law at the University of Lyons. He also earned a doctorate in literature. Soon
after marrying Amelie Soulacroix on June 23, 1841, he returned to the Sorbonne
to teach literature. A well-respected lecturer, Frédéric worked to bring out
the best in each student. Meanwhile, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society was
growing throughout Europe. Paris alone counted 25 conferences.
In 1846, Frédéric, Amelie, and their daughter Marie went to
Italy; there he hoped to restore his poor health. They returned the next year.
The revolution of 1848 left many Parisians in need of the services of the Saint
Vincent de Paul conferences. The unemployed numbered 275,000. The government
asked Frédéric and his coworkers to supervise the government aid to the poor.
Vincentians throughout Europe came to the aid of Paris.
Frédéric then started a newspaper, The New Era,
dedicated to securing justice for the poor and the working classes. Fellow
Catholics were often unhappy with what Frédéric wrote. Referring to the poor
man as “the nation’s priest,” Frédéric said that the hunger and sweat of the
poor formed a sacrifice that could redeem the people’s humanity.
In 1852, poor health again forced Frédéric to return to Italy
with his wife and daughter. He died on September 8, 1853. In his sermon at
Frédéric’s funeral, Fr. Lacordaire described his friend as “one of those
privileged creatures who came direct from the hand of God in whom God joins
tenderness to genius in order to enkindle the world.”
Frédéric was beatified in 1997. Since Frédéric wrote an
excellent book entitled Franciscan Poets of the Thirteenth Century, and
since his sense of the dignity of each poor person was so close to the thinking
of Saint Francis, it seemed appropriate to include him among Franciscan
“greats.” His Liturgical Feast Day is September 9.
Reflection
Frédéric Ozanam always respected the poor while offering
whatever service he could. Each man, woman, and child was too precious to live
in poverty. Serving the poor taught Frédéric something about God that he could
not have learned elsewhere.
Lectio Divina: Luke 6:1-5
Lectio Divina
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
every good thing comes from You.
Fill our hearts with love for You,
increase our faith,
and by Your constant care
protect the good You have given 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.
every good thing comes from You.
Fill our hearts with love for You,
increase our faith,
and by Your constant care
protect the good You have given 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 6:1-5
While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his
disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and
eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the
sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when
he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God,
took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of
it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man
is lord of the sabbath.”
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today speaks about the conflict concerning the
observance of the Sabbath – Saturday. The observance of the Sabbath was a
central law, one of the Ten Commandments. This was a very ancient Law, the
value of which was stressed after the Exile. During the Exile, the people had
to work seven days a week from morning until evening, without any provisions to
meet and meditate on the Word of God, to pray together and to share faith,
their problems and their hopes. Therefore, there was an urgent need to stop at
least one day a week to get together and encourage one another during the very
difficult time of the exile. Otherwise they would have lost their faith. It was
then that faith was reborn and the observance of Saturday was re-established.
• Luke 6:1-2: The cause of the conflict. On Saturday the disciples were walking across the cornfields and they were picking ears of corn. Matthew 12:1 says that they were hungry (Mt 12:1). The Pharisees invoke the bible to say it was a transgression of the law of the Sabbath: Why do you do what is not permitted on the Sabbath?” (cf. Ex 20:8-11).
• Luke 6:3-4: Jesus’ response. Immediately Jesus responds recalling that David himself also did things which were prohibited, because he took the sacred bread from the temple and gave it to the soldiers to eat because they were hungry (I Sam 21:2-7). Jesus knew the bible and referred to it to show that the arguments of others had no foundation. In Matthew, Jesus’ response is more complete. He not only recalls the story of David, but also quotes the legislation which permits the priests to work on Saturday, and He quotes the prophet Hosea: “Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice”. He quotes a biblical text or a historical text, a legislative text, and a prophetic text (cf. Mt 12:1-18). At that time there was no printed bible as we have today. In each community there was only one bible, hand written, which remained in the synagogue. If Jesus knew the bible so well, it means that in the 30 years of his life in Nazareth He participated intensely in the life of the community, where every Saturday the scriptures were read. We still lack the same familiarity with the bible and the same participation in community that other had then.
• Luke 6:5: The conclusion for all of us. Jesus ends with the following statement: The Son of Man is master of the Sabbath! The Lord of Saturday! Jesus, Son of Man, who lives in intimacy with God, discovers the meaning of the bible not from outside, but from inside. He discovers the meaning starting at the roots, beginning with His intimacy with the author of the bible, who is God Himself. Because of this, He calls Himself Master of the Sabbath . In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus revitalizes the law of Saturday, saying, “Saturday was instituted for man and not man for Saturday”.
• Luke 6:1-2: The cause of the conflict. On Saturday the disciples were walking across the cornfields and they were picking ears of corn. Matthew 12:1 says that they were hungry (Mt 12:1). The Pharisees invoke the bible to say it was a transgression of the law of the Sabbath: Why do you do what is not permitted on the Sabbath?” (cf. Ex 20:8-11).
• Luke 6:3-4: Jesus’ response. Immediately Jesus responds recalling that David himself also did things which were prohibited, because he took the sacred bread from the temple and gave it to the soldiers to eat because they were hungry (I Sam 21:2-7). Jesus knew the bible and referred to it to show that the arguments of others had no foundation. In Matthew, Jesus’ response is more complete. He not only recalls the story of David, but also quotes the legislation which permits the priests to work on Saturday, and He quotes the prophet Hosea: “Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice”. He quotes a biblical text or a historical text, a legislative text, and a prophetic text (cf. Mt 12:1-18). At that time there was no printed bible as we have today. In each community there was only one bible, hand written, which remained in the synagogue. If Jesus knew the bible so well, it means that in the 30 years of his life in Nazareth He participated intensely in the life of the community, where every Saturday the scriptures were read. We still lack the same familiarity with the bible and the same participation in community that other had then.
• Luke 6:5: The conclusion for all of us. Jesus ends with the following statement: The Son of Man is master of the Sabbath! The Lord of Saturday! Jesus, Son of Man, who lives in intimacy with God, discovers the meaning of the bible not from outside, but from inside. He discovers the meaning starting at the roots, beginning with His intimacy with the author of the bible, who is God Himself. Because of this, He calls Himself Master of the Sabbath . In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus revitalizes the law of Saturday, saying, “Saturday was instituted for man and not man for Saturday”.
4) Personal questions
• How do you spend Sunday, which is our “Sabbath”? Do you go to
Mass because it is an obligation in order to avoid sin, or to be with God?
• Jesus knew the bible almost by heart. What does the bible represent for me?
• Jesus knew the bible almost by heart. What does the bible represent for me?
5) Concluding Prayer
My mouth shall always praise Yahweh,
let every creature bless His holy name
for ever and ever. (Ps 145:21)
let every creature bless His holy name
for ever and ever. (Ps 145:21)
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