Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 360
Lectionary: 360
The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry,
because no rain had fallen in the land.
So the LORD said to Elijah:
“Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.
I have designated a widow there to provide for you.”
He left and went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
“Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.”
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
“Please bring along a bit of bread.”
She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives,
I have nothing baked;
there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die.”
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid.
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
‘The jar of flour shall not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’”
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
because no rain had fallen in the land.
So the LORD said to Elijah:
“Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.
I have designated a widow there to provide for you.”
He left and went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
“Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.”
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
“Please bring along a bit of bread.”
She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives,
I have nothing baked;
there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die.”
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid.
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
‘The jar of flour shall not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’”
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
Responsorial
Psalm PS 4:2-3, 4-5, 7B-8
R. (7a) Lord,
let your face shine on us.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Alleluia MT 5:16
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Let your light shine before others
That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others
That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
For the readings of
the Optional Memorial of Saint Ephrem, please go here.
Meditation: "The salt
of the earth and light of the world"
Jesus
used ordinary images, such as salt and light, to convey extraordinary truths
that transform our minds, hearts, and lives. What does salt and light have to
teach us about God and the transforming power of his kingdom? Salt was a
valuable commodity in the ancient world. People traded with it, like we trade
with valuable goods, such as gold and stock. Salt also served a very useful
purpose, especially in warmer climates before the invention of electricity and
refrigeration. Salt not only gave rich flavor to food, it also preserved food
from going bad and being spoiled.
God's
power at work within us purifies and enriches our lives
Jesus used the image of salt to describe the transforming effect of God's work in our lives - and how the Holy Spirit wants to work in and through us to bring the power and blessing of God's kingdom to others. As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor for our daily food, we, too, as disciples of Jesus, are "salt" for the world of human society. The Lord wants to work in and through us to purify, preserve, and spread the rich flavor of God's kingdom everywhere - his "kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).
Jesus used the image of salt to describe the transforming effect of God's work in our lives - and how the Holy Spirit wants to work in and through us to bring the power and blessing of God's kingdom to others. As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor for our daily food, we, too, as disciples of Jesus, are "salt" for the world of human society. The Lord wants to work in and through us to purify, preserve, and spread the rich flavor of God's kingdom everywhere - his "kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).
Don't
lose your saltiness
What did Jesus mean by the expression "if salt has lost its taste... it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot" (Matthew 5:13)? Salt in the ancient world was often put into ovens to intensify the heat. When the salt was burned off and no longer useful it was thrown out on the ground where it would get stepped on and swept away (Matthew 5:13).
What did Jesus mean by the expression "if salt has lost its taste... it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot" (Matthew 5:13)? Salt in the ancient world was often put into ovens to intensify the heat. When the salt was burned off and no longer useful it was thrown out on the ground where it would get stepped on and swept away (Matthew 5:13).
How
can we lose our "saltiness" - the power of God's rich grace and
strength at work in us? If we allow the world (which is opposed to God's truth
and moral goodness), and sinful habits, and Satan's lies and deception to
corrupt our minds and hearts, then we will lose the rich flavor and strength of
God which preserves us from moral and spiritual corruption. The Lord wants us
to preserve and enrich our "saltiness" - through Godly living and the
rejection of sin - not only for our own sake but also for the sake of others
who will be impacted by our witness and behavior.
Paul
the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be "the aroma of Christ to
God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a
fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life"
(2 Corinthians 2:15-16 ). Do you allow the fragrance of Christ's love, truth,
and holiness to permeate every area of your life, your thoughts, words,
actions, and relationships?
Let
the light of Christ shine brightly in and through you for all to see
Jesus used the image of light and a lamp to further his illustration of God's transforming work in and through us. Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood "light" as symbol or expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God's grace not only dispels the darkness in our lives, it also fills us with the light of Christ's truth, wisdom, joy, and peace.
Jesus used the image of light and a lamp to further his illustration of God's transforming work in and through us. Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood "light" as symbol or expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God's grace not only dispels the darkness in our lives, it also fills us with the light of Christ's truth, wisdom, joy, and peace.
Jesus
used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light
of his truth and love. Just as natural light illuminates the darkness and
enables one to see cleary, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of
believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom
(Ephesians 5:13-14). Our mission is to be light-bearers of
Jesus Christ so that others may see the truth of the Gospel and be freed from
the blindness of sin and deception.
There
is great freedom and joy for those who live in the light of God's truth and
goodness. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light?
"Lord
Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind
with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin and deception
that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I
radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed".
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The Light of Truth, by
Chromatius (died 406 AD)
The
Lord has already called his disciples the "salt of the earth" because
they seasoned with divine wisdom the hearts of the human race which had been
made tasteless by the devil. Now he also calls them the "light of the
world." For, illumined by his very own self who is the true and eternal
light, they too become light within the darkness. For since he himself is
the sun of righteousness, he rightly also calls his disciples
"light of the world." Through them, as if through shining rays, he
poured the light of his knowledge on the entire world. For by showing the light
of truth, the Lord's disciples made the darkness of error flee from people's
hearts. (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 19.1.1-2)
[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."]
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, MATTHEW 5:13-16
Weekday
(1 Kings 17:7-16; Psalm 4)
Weekday
(1 Kings 17:7-16; Psalm 4)
KEY VERSE: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden" (Mt 5:14).
TO KNOW: In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spelled out what it meant to be a living sign of God's reign. In order to influence the world for good, a disciple must be like "salt," which caused others to thirst for God. Jesus' disciples could offer an important ingredient that added zest to peoples’ lives and help to preserve them from evil. Jesus also commanded his followers to do what he did, to give light to the world (Jn 8:12). In Jesus’ time, a lamp was placed on a lampstand so that it would provide illumination for the whole household. Jesus’ disciples should be beacons of light to those who lost their way. Like John the Baptist, we must decrease so that Christ's light will increase (Jn 3:30). When others see this light they will give glory to God.
TO LOVE: In what ways can I be "salt" and "light" to my community?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to live in such a way that others can "taste and see how good the Lord is" (Ps 34:9).
Optional
Memorial of Saint Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church
Ephrem was born sometime around the year 306 in Nibisis, a Syrian town located in modern-day Turkey. At that time, the Church was suffering under the persecution of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Ephrem may have been ordained a deacon at the age of 18. Since one of the chief activities of a deacon is the preaching of the Gospel, Ephrem began to write deeply theological hymns and biblical commentaries. In his lifetime, he may have written as many as three million lines, and 400 of his hymns still survive. His hymnography earned him the title "Harp of the Spirit." Fleeing westward from the Persians, who were ravaging Turkey, Ephrem settled in Edessa, in southern Turkey, in 363. There, he continued to write hymns, especially defending the teaching of the Council of Nicaea against the Arian heretics. He died tending plague victims in 373. He was proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1920.
"Lord, shed upon our darkened souls the brilliant light of your wisdom so that we may be enlightened and serve you with renewed purity. Sunrise marks the hour for men to begin their toil, but in our souls, Lord, prepare a dwelling for the day that will never end." Sermon of Saint Ephrem
NOTE: Arianism taught that Christ was a creation of the Father, a creature, and not part of God. Athanasius formulated the doctrine of homoousianism which said that Christ was "consubstantial with the Father,” as we pray in the Nicene Creed.
Tuesday 9 June 2020
St Ephrem
1 Kings 17:7-16. Lord, let your face shine on us – Psalm 4:2-5,
7-8. Matthew 5:13-16.
‘Your light must shine in the sight of all’
The readings of today share a spirit of encouragement. St Ephrem
the Syrian (306-373CE) was a great Christian teacher and shepherd. His lifetime
saw massive political and religious upheaval, as the world of the Roman Empire
collapsed.
Nevertheless, he steadily proclaimed the Christian faith through
writing hundreds of hymns and prayers, still used in the Eastern churches
today. The psalm assures us that our voice is heard when ‘in the morning Lord,
. . . I lay my requests before you, and wait expectantly.’ Elijah encourages
the widow and her son to have the same calm faith in God’s providence – that
the oil jar will not empty, nor will the flour run out for them as they wait in
faith and hope upon the Lord.
In the Gospel, Jesus warmly encourages us to be light to the
world – to shine like lamps, so that in us, God’s goodness is revealed ‘to
everyone in the house.’
When we offer what we have, no matter how seemingly small, God
does great things through us.
Saint Ephrem
Saint of the Day for June 9
(c. 306 – June 9, 373)
 |
| Detail | Tryiptych of Saints George, John of Damascus, Ephrem the Syrian | Unknown |
Saint Ephrem’s Story
Poet, teacher, orator, and defender of the faith, Ephrem is the
only Syrian recognized as a doctor of the Church. He took upon himself the
special task of opposing the many false doctrines rampant at his time, always
remaining a true and forceful defender of the Catholic Church.
Born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, he was baptized as a young man and
became famous as a teacher in his native city. When the Christian emperor had
to cede Nisibis to the Persians, Ephrem fled as a refugee to Edessa, along with
many other Christians. He is credited with attracting great glory to the
biblical school there. He was ordained a deacon but declined becoming a priest.
Ephrem was said to have avoided presbyteral consecration by feigning madness!
He had a prolific pen, and his writings best illumine his
holiness. Although he was not a man of great scholarship, his works reflect
deep insight and knowledge of the Scriptures. In writing about the mysteries of
humanity’s redemption, Ephrem reveals a realistic and humanly sympathetic
spirit and a great devotion to the humanity of Jesus. It is said that his
poetic account of the Last Judgment inspired Dante.
It is surprising to read that he wrote hymns against the
heretics of his day. He would take the popular songs of the heretical groups
and using their melodies, compose beautiful hymns embodying orthodox doctrine.
Ephrem became one of the first to introduce song into the Church’s public
worship as a means of instruction for the faithful. His many hymns have earned
him the title “Harp of the Holy Spirit.”
Ephrem preferred a simple, austere life, living in a small cave
overlooking the city of Edessa. It was here that he died around 373.
Reflection
Many Catholics still find singing in church a problem, probably
because of the rather individualistic piety that they inherited. Yet singing
has been a tradition of both the Old and the New Testaments. It is an excellent
way of expressing and creating a community spirit of unity as well as of joy.
An ancient historian testifies that Ephrem’s hymns “lent luster to the
Christian assemblies.” We need some modern Ephrems—and cooperating singers—to
do the same for our Christian assemblies today.
LECTIO DIVINA: MATTHEW 5:13-16
Lectio Divina:
Tuesday, June 09, 2020
1) OPENING PRAYER
God of wisdom and love,
source of all good,
send Your Spirit to teach us Your truth
and guide our actions
in Your way of peace.
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.
source of all good,
send Your Spirit to teach us Your truth
and guide our actions
in Your way of peace.
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 - MATTHEW 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if
salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for
anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the
world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and
then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives
light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that
they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."
3) REFLECTION
• Today in the Gospel we receive an important instruction on the
mission of the community. It should be the salt of the earth and the light of
the world (Mt 5:13-16). Salt does not exist for itself, but to give flavor to
the food. Light does not exist for itself, but for the service of people. At
the time when Matthew wrote his Gospel, this mission was very difficult for the
communities of converted Jews. Although they were living in faithful
observance of the Law of Moses, they were expelled from the synagogues, cut
away from their Jewish past. Regarding this, among the converted pagans, some
said, “After the coming of Jesus, the Law of Moses has become obsolete.” All
this caused tension and uncertainty. The openness of some seemed to be
criticism of the observance of others, and vice versa. This conflict brought
about a crisis which led many to become adamant in their own position. Some
wanted to advance, to go ahead, while others wanted to place the light under
the table. Many asked themselves, “In the final analysis, what is our mission?”
Recalling and updating the words of Jesus, Matthew tries to help them.
• Matthew 5:13-16: Salt of the earth. By using images of daily life, with
simple and direct words, Jesus makes known what the mission is and the reason
for being a Christian community: to be salt. At that time, when it was very
hot, people and animals needed to consume much salt. The salt, which was
delivered by merchants in great blocks in the public square, was consumed by
the people. What remained fell to the ground and lost its savor. “It no longer
serves for anything, but it is thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”
Jesus recalls this practice in order to clarify for the disciples the mission
which they have to carry out.
• Matthew 5:14-16: Light of the world. The comparison is obvious. Nobody
lights a candle and places it under the tub. A city built on the hill top
cannot be hidden. The community should be light; it should enlighten. It should
not be afraid to show the good that it does. It does not do it to make itself
seen, but what it does can be seen. The salt does not exist for itself. The
light does not exist for itself. This is how the community should be. It cannot
remain enclosed in itself. “Your light must shine in people’s sight, so that
seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in Heaven.”
• Matthew 5:17-19: Not one dot, not one little stroke will disappear from
the Law. Among the converted Jews there were two tendencies. Some thought that
it was not necessary to observe the laws of the Old Testament because we are
saved by the faith in Jesus and not by the observance of the Law (Rm 3:21-26).
There are Christian groups today that believe only this as well. Others thought
that they should continue to observe the laws of the Old Testament (Acts
15:1-2). In each of the two tendencies there were even more radical groups.
Before this conflict, Matthew tries to find a balance, the equilibrium, over
and above the two extremes. The community should be the space where this
equilibrium can be attained and lived. The response given by Jesus continued to
be very timely: “I have not come to abolish the law, but to complete it!” The
communities cannot be against the Law, nor can they close themselves off in the
observance of the law. Like Jesus, they must move forward and show in a
practical way that the objective which the law wants to attain in life is the
perfect practice of love.
Jesus completes the law by His summation: to love one another. He sums it
up by example, as well as His instruction (Mk 12:31-33). To believe in Jesus is
not just believing some history, it is also believing who Jesus is, and
therefore, the importance of following His instruction. To love, and to work in
imitation of Jesus in love, demands outward action and a sincere concern and
care for every brother and sister in the world, all of God’s children, starting
with our community.
•The different tendencies in the first Christian communities. The plan of
salvation has three stages united among themselves from the earth to life: a)
the Old Testament: the path of the Hebrew people, orientated, guided by the Law
of God. b) The life of Jesus of Nazareth: it renews the Law of Moses starting
from His experience of God, Father and Mother. c) The life of the communities:
through the spirit of Jesus, they tried to live as Jesus lived it. The union of
these three stages generates the certainty of faith that God is in our midst.
The intention to break or weaken the unity of this plan of salvation gave rise
to various groups and tendencies in the communities:
i) The Pharisees did not recognize Jesus as Messiah and accepted only the Old
Testament. In the communities there were some people who sympathized with the
thought of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5).
ii) Some converted Jews accepted Jesus as Messiah, but they did not accept
the liberty of spirit with which the communities lived the presence of the
risen Jesus. (Acts 15:1).
iii) Others, both converted Jews and pagans, thought that, with Jesus, had
come the end of the Old Testament: from now on, Jesus alone and the life in the
Spirit.
iv) There were also Christians who lived so fully the life in the liberty
of the Spirit, that they no longer looked at the life of Jesus of Nazareth, nor
the Old Testament (1Cor 12:3).
v) Now the great concern of the Gospel of Matthew is to show that the Old
Testament, Jesus of Nazareth and the life in the Spirit cannot be separated.
The three form part of the same and only plan of God and give us the central
certainty of faith: The God of Abraham and of Sarah is present in the midst of
the communities by faith in Jesus of Nazareth.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Salt and light are taken for granted today. We have salt in all of our
food and electric lights at any time. What would you choose to use instead of
salt and light for examples today, and why?
• Through modern travel and technology, our community can be seen
(observed) by those next door or by other people or communities across the
globe. Is our community a “city on a hill” for the worldwide community? How can
we be salt and light for someone nearby as well as in another country?
• Those Jesus sent on the mission went out and did not sit at home or in an
office waiting to be visited. How do we “go out” to meet others and other
communities near and far on our mission, as individuals, as an individual local
community, or as a larger community?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Yahweh judiciously guides the humble,
instructing the poor in His way.
Kindness unfailing and constancy mark all His paths,
for those who keep His covenant and His decrees. (Ps 25:9-10)
instructing the poor in His way.
Kindness unfailing and constancy mark all His paths,
for those who keep His covenant and His decrees. (Ps 25:9-10)
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