Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions,
martyrs
Lectionary: 326
Lectionary: 326
When the time of David’s death
drew near,
he gave these instructions to his son Solomon:
“I am going the way of all flesh.
Take courage and be a man.
Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways
and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees
as they are written in the law of Moses,
that you may succeed in whatever you do,
wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill
the promise he made on my behalf when he said,
‘If your sons so conduct themselves
that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart
and with their whole soul,
you shall always have someone of your line
on the throne of Israel.’”
he gave these instructions to his son Solomon:
“I am going the way of all flesh.
Take courage and be a man.
Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways
and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees
as they are written in the law of Moses,
that you may succeed in whatever you do,
wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill
the promise he made on my behalf when he said,
‘If your sons so conduct themselves
that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart
and with their whole soul,
you shall always have someone of your line
on the throne of Israel.’”
David rested with his ancestors
and was buried in the City of David.
The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years:
he reigned seven years in Hebron
and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years:
he reigned seven years in Hebron
and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
Solomon was seated on the throne
of his father David,
with his sovereignty firmly established.
with his sovereignty firmly established.
Responsorial1 CHRONICLES 29:10, 11AB, 11D-12A, 12BCD
R. (12b) Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“LORD, you are exalted over all.
Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“LORD, you are exalted over all.
Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
AlleluiaMK 1:15
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
For the
readings of the Memorial of Saints Paul Miki and Companions, please go here.
Meditation: Jesus gave them authority over sickness and
unclean spirits
What
kind of authority and power does the Lord want you to exercise on his behalf?
Jesus gave his apostles both the power and the authority to speak and to act in
his name. He commanded them to do the works which he did - to heal the sick, to
cast out evil spirits, and to speak the word of God - the good news of the
Gospel which they received from Jesus. When Jesus spoke of power and authority
he did something unheard of. He wedded power and authority with
self-sacrificing love and humility. The "world" and the
"flesh" (our own sinful inclination) seek power for selfish gain.
Jesus teaches us to use it for the good of our neighbor.
The
Lord Jesus wants to work in and through each of us for his glory
Why does Jesus tell the apostles to "travel light" with little or no provision? "Poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and preoccupation with our possessions and makes ample room for God's provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves. He wills to work in and through each of us for his glory. Are you ready to use the spiritual authority and power which God wishes you to exercise on his behalf? The Lord entrusts us with his gifts and talents. Are you eager to place yourself at his service, to do whatever he bids you, and to witness his truth and saving power to whomever he sends you?
Why does Jesus tell the apostles to "travel light" with little or no provision? "Poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and preoccupation with our possessions and makes ample room for God's provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves. He wills to work in and through each of us for his glory. Are you ready to use the spiritual authority and power which God wishes you to exercise on his behalf? The Lord entrusts us with his gifts and talents. Are you eager to place yourself at his service, to do whatever he bids you, and to witness his truth and saving power to whomever he sends you?
"Lord
Jesus, make me a channel of your healing power and merciful love that others
may find abundant life and freedom in you. Free me from all other attachments
that I may joyfully pursue the treasure of your heavenly kingdom. May I witness
the joy of the Gospel both in word and deed."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus gives them power to heal and
cast out evil spirits, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"The grace bestowed upon the holy apostles is worthy of all admiration.
But the bountifulness of the Giver surpasses all praise and admiration. He
gives them, as I said, his own glory. They receive authority over the evil
spirits. They reduce to nothing the pride of the devil that was so highly
exalted and arrogant. They render ineffectual the demon’s wickedness. By the
might and efficacy of the Holy Spirit, burning them as if they were on fire,
they make the devil come forth with groans and weeping from those whom he had
possessed...
"He glorified his disciples, therefore, by giving them authority and power over the evil spirits and over sicknesses. Did he honor them without reason and make them famous without any logical cause? How can this be true? It was necessary, most necessary, that they should be able to work miracles, having been publicly appointed ministers of sacred proclamations. By means of their works, they then could convince men that they were the ministers of God and mediators of all beneath the heaven. The apostles then could invite them all to reconciliation and justification by faith and point out the way of salvation and of life that is this justification." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 47)
"He glorified his disciples, therefore, by giving them authority and power over the evil spirits and over sicknesses. Did he honor them without reason and make them famous without any logical cause? How can this be true? It was necessary, most necessary, that they should be able to work miracles, having been publicly appointed ministers of sacred proclamations. By means of their works, they then could convince men that they were the ministers of God and mediators of all beneath the heaven. The apostles then could invite them all to reconciliation and justification by faith and point out the way of salvation and of life that is this justification." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 47)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, MARK 6:7-13
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and companions, martyrs
(1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; Psalm: 1 Chronicles 29 )
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and companions, martyrs
(1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; Psalm: 1 Chronicles 29 )
KEY VERSE: "Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them" (v 11).
TO KNOW: Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs to preach repentance and heal by the power and authority of his name. These men had followed Jesus, and now they were sent out ahead of him. Jesus instructed them not to take along excess baggage. They were to trust in God's providence and the hospitality of others. If their message was not received, they were to leave that place, emptying the dust from their shoes as a testimony against those unbelievers (a Jewish custom when returning from a pagan land). Empowered by Jesus, the new missionaries set out to announce God's reign. As Jesus' reputation spread, King Herod wondered who this mighty one was that performed such works.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to hear and act on your words.
TO SERVE: Does my life-style bear witness to the Gospel?
Saint Paul Miki, priest and martyr, and Companions, martyrs
Paul Miki was one of the Martyrs of Nagasaki, Japan. The son of the military leader Miki Handayu, Paul felt a call to religious life and entered the Jesuits in 1580. A successful evangelist, the political climate became hostile to Christianity, and he was soon arrested. On his way to martyrdom, he and the other imprisoned Christians were marched 600 miles as a lesson to their countrymen. On the way they sang the Te Deum laudamus, (Latin: “God, We Praise You”), usually sung on occasions of rejoicing. Paul Miki's last sermon was delivered from the cross: “The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason that I die. I obey Christ. After Christ's example, I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.”
Thursday 6 February 2020
Sts Paul Miki and his Companions
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12. 1 Chronicles 29:10-12. Mark 6:7-13.
Lord, you are exalted over all – 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12. 1 Chronicles 29:10-12. Mark 6:7-13.
Lord, you are exalted over all – 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
A dying King David instructs his son Solomon to be faithful to
the Lord. Such obedience requires courage and strength, yet the reward is a
long, prosperous reign and future heirs for the kingdom of Israel.
In Mark, Jesus tasks his apostles with going out two-by-two to
the villages. The apostles travel with only their walking staffs and sandals,
relying entirely on strangers for hospitality. This dependent state is a risk
for the apostles who face rejection and hostility. It is a challenging, urgent
assignment, but rather than highlight prosperity as reward for faithfulness,
the importance is on the repentance, conversion and healing of the broken,
outcast and sinners. How do we receive the invitation to repentance today? Can
we overcome our cynicism and self-interest to ‘open the door’ like the
villagers who welcomed the apostles? Or do we dare to ‘travel light’ like the
apostles, gambling on the hospitality and generosity of others so as to share
the Good News?
Saint Paul Miki and Companions
Saint of the Day for February 6
(d. 1597)
 |
| Martyrdom of Paul Miki S.J., Jacob Kisai S.J., John Goto S.J. and P. Petrus Battista in Japan in 1596 | Engraving after A. van Diepenbeec |
Saint Paul Miki and Companions’ Story
Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city on which
the second atomic bomb was dropped, immediately killing over 37,000 people.
Three and a half centuries before, 26 martyrs of Japan were crucified on a
hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were
priests, brothers, and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits, and members of the Secular
Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans, and
servants, old men and innocent children—all united in a common faith and love
for Jesus and his Church.
Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, has become
the best known among the martyrs of Japan. While hanging upon a cross, Paul
Miki preached to the people gathered for the execution: “The sentence of
judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come
from any other country. I am a true Japanese. The only reason for my being
killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the
doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I
am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say
to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ.
After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God
to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a
fruitful rain.”
When missionaries returned to Japan in the 1860s, at first they
found no trace of Christianity. But after establishing themselves they found
that thousands of Christians lived around Nagasaki and that they had secretly
preserved the faith. Beatified in 1627, the martyrs of Japan were finally
canonized in 1862.
Reflection
Today, a new era has come for the Church in Japan. Although the
number of Catholics is not large, the Church is respected and has total
religious freedom. The spread of Christianity in the Far East is slow and
difficult. Faith such as that of the 26 martyrs is needed today as much as in
1597.
Lectio Divina: Mark 6:7-13
Lectio Divina
Thursday, February 6, 2020
1)Opening prayer:
Lord our God,
help us to love You with all our hearts
and to love all people as You love them.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
help us to love You with all our hearts
and to love all people as You love them.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Mark 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take
nothing for the journey but a walking stick - no food, no sack, no money in
their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He
said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from
there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and
shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." So they went off
and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed
with oil many who were sick and cured them.
3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel continues what we have already seen in the Gospel
yesterday. The passage through Nazareth was painful for Jesus. He was rejected
by His own people (Mk 6: 1-5). The community, which had been His community, is
no longer such. Something has changed. Beginning at that moment, as today’s
Gospel says, Jesus began to go around to the villages of Galilee to announce
the Good News (Mk 6: 6) and to send the Twelve on a mission. In the 70’s, the
time when Mark wrote his Gospel, the Christian communities lived in a difficult
situation, without any horizon. Humanly speaking, there was no future for them.
In the year 64, Nero began to persecute the Christians. In the year 65, the
revolt or uprising of the Jews in Palestine against Rome broke out. In the year
70, Jerusalem was completely destroyed by the Romans. This is why the
description of the sending out of the disciples, after the conflict in
Nazareth, was a source of light and of courage for the Christians.
Mark 6:7. The objective of the Mission. The conflict grew and
closely affected Jesus. How does He react? In two ways: 1) In the face of the
mental stubbornness of the people of His community, Jesus leaves Nazareth and
begins to go to the neighboring villages (Mk 6: 6). 2) He extends the mission
and intensifies the announcement of the Good News, calling other people to
involve them in the mission. He summons the Twelve, and begins to send them out
in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits . The objective of the
mission is simple and profound. The disciples participate in the mission of
Jesus. They cannot go alone; they have to go in pairs, two by two, because two
persons represent the community better than one alone and they can mutually
help one another. They receive authority over unclean spirits, i.e., they are
to be a help for others in suffering and, through purification, they are to
open the door for direct access to God.
Mark 6: 8-11. The attitudes which they should have in the
Mission. The recommendations are simple: He instructed them to take nothing for
the journey except a staff: no bread, no bag, no money for their purses; they
were to wear sandals and not to take a spare tunic. And He told them, “If you
enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any
place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk
away, shake off the dust under your feet, as evidence to them.” So they set
off. It is the beginning of a new stage. Now not only Jesus but the whole group
will announce the Good News of God to the people. If the preaching of Jesus
caused conflict, much more now, there will be conflict with the preaching of
the whole group. If the mystery was already great, now it will be greater since
the mission has been intensified.
Mark 6: 12-13. The result of the mission. So they set off to
proclaim repentance, and they cast out many devils and anointed many sick
people with oil and cured them. The proclamation of the Good News produces
conversion or a change in people; it alleviates suffering in people; it cures
illnesses and casts out devils.
The sending out of the disciples on Mission. At the time of
Jesus there were several other movements of renewal, for example, the Essenes
and the Pharisees. They also sought a new way of living in community and they
had their own missionaries (cf. Mt 23:15). But these, when they went on
mission, had prejudices. They took with them a bag and money to take care of
their own meals, because they did not trust the food that people would give them,
which was not always ritually pure. As opposed to other missionaries, the
disciples of Jesus received various recommendations which helped them to
understand the fundamental points of the mission which they received from Jesus
and which is also our mission:
a) They should go without taking anything. They should take
nothing, no bag, no money, no staff, no bread, no sandals, no spare tunic. That
meant that Jesus obliged them to trust in hospitality, because one who goes
without taking anything goes because he trusts people and thinks that he will
be well received. With this attitude they criticized the laws of exclusion,
taught by the official religion, and showed, by means of the new practice, that
they in the community had other criteria.
b) They should eat what people ate or what the people gave them.
They could not live separately, providing their own food, but they were to
accept to sit at the same table (Lk 10: 8). This means that in contact with the
people, they should not be afraid of losing purity as it was taught at that
time. With this attitude they criticized the laws of purity which were in force
and showed, by means of the new practice, that they had another type of access
to purity, that is, intimacy with God.
c) They should remain in the first house that welcomed them.
They should live together in a stable way and not go from house to house. They
should work like everybody else and live off what they received in exchange,
because the laborer deserves his wages (Lk 10: 7). In other words, they should
participate in the life and in the work of the people, and the people would
have accepted them in the community and would have shared the food with them.
This means that they had to have trust in sharing.
d) They should take care of the sick, cure lepers and cast out
devils (Lk 10: 9; Mk 6: 7-13; Mt 10: 8). They had to carry out the function of
Defender (“go’el”) and accept within the community those who were excluded.
With this attitude they criticized the situation of disintegration of the
community life of the clan and they aimed at concrete ways of correcting this.
These were the four fundamental points which had to give impetus to the
attitude of the missionaries who announced the Good News in the name of Jesus:
hospitality, communion, sharing and acceptance of the excluded (defender,
“go'el”). If these four requirements were respected, they could and should cry
out to the four ends of the earth: The Kingdom of God has come! (cf. Lk 10:
1-12; 9: 1-6; Mk 6: 7-13; Mt 10: 6-16). The Kingdom of God revealed by Jesus is
not a doctrine, nor a catechism, nor a law. The Kingdom of God comes and
becomes present when people, motivated by their faith in Jesus, decide to live
in community to give witness and to manifest to all that God is Father and
Mother and that, therefore, we human beings are brothers and sisters to one
another. Jesus wanted the local community to be an expression of the Covenant,
of the Kingdom, of the love of God the Father, who makes all of us brothers and
sisters.
4) Personal questions:
Do you participate in the mission as a disciple of Jesus?
Which point of the mission of the apostles is more important for us today? Why?
Which point of the mission of the apostles is more important for us today? Why?
5) Concluding prayer
Great is Yahweh and most worthy of praise in the city of our
God,
the holy mountain,
towering in beauty,
the joy of the whole world. (Ps 48:1-2)
the holy mountain,
towering in beauty,
the joy of the whole world. (Ps 48:1-2)
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