Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 367
Lectionary: 367
When the LORD was about to take
Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here;
the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
“As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you,” Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed and
when the two stopped at the Jordan,
they stood facing them at a distance.
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up
and struck the water, which divided,
and both crossed over on dry ground.
he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here;
the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
“As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you,” Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed and
when the two stopped at the Jordan,
they stood facing them at a distance.
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up
and struck the water, which divided,
and both crossed over on dry ground.
When they had crossed over, Elijah
said to Elisha,
“Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”
“You have asked something that is not easy,” Elijah replied.
“Still, if you see me taken up from you,
your wish will be granted; otherwise not.”
As they walked on conversing,
a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,
and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha saw it happen he cried out,
“My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!”
But when he could no longer see him,
Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two.
“Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”
“You have asked something that is not easy,” Elijah replied.
“Still, if you see me taken up from you,
your wish will be granted; otherwise not.”
As they walked on conversing,
a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,
and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha saw it happen he cried out,
“My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!”
But when he could no longer see him,
Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two.
Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle
that had fallen from him,
and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah,
Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
“Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.
and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah,
Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
“Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.
Responsorial
Psalm31:20, 21, 24
R. (25) Let your hearts take
comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
AlleluiaJN 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the
hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy
like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Meditation: When
you pray, fast, and give alms
Why
did Jesus single out prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for his disciples? The
Jews considered these three as the cardinal works of the religious life. These
were seen as the key signs of a pious person, the three great pillars on which
the good life was based. Jesus pointed to the heart of the matter. Why do you
pray, fast, and give alms? To draw attention to yourself so that others may
notice and think highly of you? Or to give glory to God?
True
piety and devotion to God
The Lord warns his disciples of self-seeking glory - the preoccupation with looking good and seeking praise from others. True piety is something more than feeling good or looking holy. True piety is loving devotion to God. It is an attitude of awe, reverence, worship and obedience. It is a gift and working of the Holy Spirit that enables us to devote our lives to God with a holy desire to please him in all things (Isaiah 11:1-2).
The Lord warns his disciples of self-seeking glory - the preoccupation with looking good and seeking praise from others. True piety is something more than feeling good or looking holy. True piety is loving devotion to God. It is an attitude of awe, reverence, worship and obedience. It is a gift and working of the Holy Spirit that enables us to devote our lives to God with a holy desire to please him in all things (Isaiah 11:1-2).
Completely
united with God our Father
What is the sure reward which Jesus points out to his disciples? It is union with God our Father. In him alone we find the fullness of life and happiness, truth and beauty, love and joy. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) wrote the following prayer in his Confessions: When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrows or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete.
What is the sure reward which Jesus points out to his disciples? It is union with God our Father. In him alone we find the fullness of life and happiness, truth and beauty, love and joy. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) wrote the following prayer in his Confessions: When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrows or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete.
The
Lord rewards those who seek him with humble and repentant hearts. He renews us
each day and he gives us new hearts of love and compassion that we may serve
him and our neighbor with glad and generous hearts. Do you want to grow in your
love for God and for your neighbor? Seek him expectantly in prayer, with
fasting, and in generous giving to those in need.
“Lord
Jesus, give me a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, and a great love
for you. Take from me all lukewarmness in meditating on your word, and dullness
in prayer. Give me fervor and delight in thinking of you and your grace. Fill
my heart with compassion for others, especially those in need, that I may
respond with generosity.”
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Pray with the angels, by John
Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.
"When
you pray, it is as if you were entering into a palace - not a palace on earth,
but far more awesome, a palace in heaven. When you enter there, you do so with
complete attentiveness and fitting respect. For in the houses of kings all
turmoil is set aside, and silence reigns. Yet here you are being joined by
choirs of angels. You are in communion with archangels and singing with the
seraphim, who sing with great awe their spiritual hymns and sacred songs to
God, the Lord of all. So when you are praying, mingle with these voices,
patterning yourself according to their mystical order. It is not to human
beings that you are praying but to God, who is present everywhere, who hears
even before you speak and who knows already the secrets of the heart. If you
pray to this One, you shall receive a great reward. 'For your Father who sees
in secret shall reward you openly.' He did not merely say he would give it to
you but reward you, as if he himself had made a pledge to you and so honored
you with a great honor. Because God himself is hidden, your prayer should be
hidden." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.3)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-18
Weekday
(2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 31)
Weekday
(2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 31)
KEY VERSE: "Be on guard against performing religious acts for people to see" (v. 1).
TO KNOW: Jesus asked his disciples to examine their motives when performing virtuous deeds. He gave three examples that were characteristic of Jewish piety at the time: alms-giving (Mt 6:1-4), prayer (v. 5-15), and fasting (vs. 16-18). While good in themselves, these acts must be carried out in ways to honor God, and not be used to make a public show of holiness. Jesus contrasted the hypocritical behavior of the religious leaders with the sincere conduct he expected of his followers. Prayer should express a right relationship with God. Fasting should convey sorrow for sin. Alms-giving should show solidarity with the poor. These works have no value if only performed to win the praise and approval of others. God, the sole judge of all deeds, will reward each according to the true intentions of the heart. Without a willingness to have one's heart changed, salvation cannot be experienced.
TO LOVE: Do I work for the admiration of people or for eternal reward?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to give glory to God by serving my neighbor through my good works.
Wednesday 17 June 2020
2 Kings 2:1, 6-14. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in
the Lord – Psalm 30(31):20, 21, 24. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18.
‘Your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward
you’
Lord, these are challenging words. Who is really the centre of
my life – my Father or myself?
The trouble is that I often seek people’s notice and attention.
Take hold of my life and centre it in you. May I work with my whole heart for
your kingdom. May my love for my neighbour be sincere. May I ring true.
Your abiding presence strengthens me. Though I am ashamed of
many secrets you’ve witnessed in my life, I know your forgiving love. Make me
realise your nearness in my life today. Make me open to your Spirit. To be
loved is to have someone who shares your secrets. Share mine, Lord.
Saint Joseph Cafasso
Saint of the Day for June 17
(January 15, 1811 – June 23, 1860)
 |
| Statue de San Giuseppe Cafasso | José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro |
Saint Joseph Cafasso’s story
Even as a young man, Joseph loved to attend Mass and was known
for his humility and fervor in prayer. After his ordination, he was assigned to
a seminary in Turin. There he worked especially against the spirit of
Jansenism—an excessive preoccupation with sin and damnation. He used the works
of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Alphonsus Liguori to moderate the rigorism
popular at the seminary.
Joseph recommended membership in the Secular Franciscan Order to
priests. He urged devotion to the Blessed
Sacrament and encouraged daily Communion. In addition to his teaching
duties, Joseph was an excellent preacher, confessor, and retreat master. Noted
for his work with condemned prisoners, he helped many of them die at peace with
God.
Joseph urged one of his former pupils—Saint
John Bosco—to establish the Salesians congregation to work with the youth
of Turin. Joseph Cafasso died in 1860, and was canonized in 1947. His
Liturgical Feast Day is June 23.
Reflection
Devotion to the Eucharist gave energy to all Joseph’s other
activities. Long prayer before the Blessed Sacrament has been characteristic of
many Catholics who have lived out the Gospel well: Saint Francis, Bishop Fulton
Sheen, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta among them.
Saint Joseph Cafasso is the Patron Saint of:
Prisoners
Prussia
Prussia
Lectio Divina: Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Lectio Divina
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
our hope and our strength,
without You we falter.
Help us to follow Christ
and to live according to Your will.
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform
righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no
recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet
before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win
the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But
when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so
that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will
repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to
stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see
them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray,
go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And
your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you fast, do not look
gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may
appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their
reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may
not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And
your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
3) Reflection
• The Gospel of today continues the meditation on the Sermon on
the Mount. In the previous days we have reflected at length on the message of
chapter 5 of Matthew’s Gospel. In today’s Gospel, and the following days, we
meditate on the message of chapter 6 of this Gospel. The sequence of chapters 5
and 6 can help us to understand it. The following is the schema:
Matthew 5:13-12: The Beatitudes: solemn opening of the new Law
Matthew 5:13-16: The new presence in the world: Salt of the earth and light of the world
Matthew 5:17-19: The new practice of justice; relationship with the ancient law
Matthew 5:20-48: The new practice of justice: observing the new Law.
Matthew 6:1-4: The new practice of piety: alms
Matthew 6:5-15: The new practice of the works of piety: prayer
Matthew 6:16-18: The new practice of the works of piety: fasting
Matthew 6:19-21: New relationship to material goods: do not accumulate
Matthew 6:22-23: New relationship to material goods: correct vision
Matthew 6:24: New relationship to material goods: God and money
Matthew 6:25-34: New relationship to material goods: abandonment to Providence.
Matthew 5:13-16: The new presence in the world: Salt of the earth and light of the world
Matthew 5:17-19: The new practice of justice; relationship with the ancient law
Matthew 5:20-48: The new practice of justice: observing the new Law.
Matthew 6:1-4: The new practice of piety: alms
Matthew 6:5-15: The new practice of the works of piety: prayer
Matthew 6:16-18: The new practice of the works of piety: fasting
Matthew 6:19-21: New relationship to material goods: do not accumulate
Matthew 6:22-23: New relationship to material goods: correct vision
Matthew 6:24: New relationship to material goods: God and money
Matthew 6:25-34: New relationship to material goods: abandonment to Providence.
Today’s Gospel treats three themes: almsgiving (6:1-4), prayer
(6:5-6) and fasting (6:16-18). These are three works of piety of the Jews.
• Matthew 6:1: Be careful not to parade your uprightness to
attract attention. Jesus criticizes those who do good works to be seen by
others (Mt 6:1). Jesus says to build up interior security not in what we do for
God, but in what God does for us. From the advice that He gives comes a new
type of relationship with God: “Your Father who sees all that is done in secret
will reward you” (Mt 6:4). "Your Father knows what you need before you ask
him” (Mt 6:8). "If you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father
will forgive your failings” (Mt 6:14). It is a new way which opens itself now
to have access to the heart of God our Father. Jesus does not allow the
practice of justice and piety to be used as a means for self promotion before
God and before the community (Mt 6:2,5,16).
• Matthew 6:2-4: How to practice almsgiving. To give alms is a
way of sharing, and highly recommended by the first Christians (Acts 2:44-45;
4:32-35). The person who practices almsgiving and sharing to promote themselves
before others merits exclusion from the community, as it happened to Ananias
and Saphira (Acts 5:1-11). Today, in society as well as in the Church, there
are people who make great publicity of the good that they do for others. Jesus
asks the contrary: do good in such a way that the left hand does not know what
the right hand does. It is the total detachment and the total gift in total
gratuity of the love which believes in God the Father and imitates all that He
does.
• Matthew 6:5-6: How to practice prayer. Prayer places the
person in direct relationship with God. Some Pharisees transformed prayer into
an occasion to show themselves before others. At that time, when the trumpet
sounded at the three moments of prayer; morning, noon and evening, they should
stop where they were to pray. There were people who sought to be in the corners
in public places, in such a way that everybody would see that they were
praying. Well, such an attitude perverts our relationship with God. This is
false and has no sense. This is why Jesus says that it is better to close up
ourselves in our rooms to pray in secret, maintaining the authenticity of the
relationship. God sees you even in secret, and He always listens to you. It is
a question of a personal prayer, not of a community prayer.
• Matthew 6:16-18: How to practice fasting. At that time the
practice of fasting was accompanied by some very visible external gestures: not
to wash one’s face, not to comb one’s hair, to wear sober dress. These were
visible signs of fasting. Jesus criticizes this form of fasting and orders the
contrary, so others cannot be aware that you are fasting: bathe, use perfume,
and comb your hair well. In this way, only your Father who sees in secret knows
that you are fasting and He will reward you.
4) Personal questions
• When you pray where others can see you, such as at Mass, do
you make a show of your praying, or do you do it humbly and without grand showy
gestures?
• When you give or help someone, either at the collection, or on the street, or near others, do you talk louder or make a show of it, or do you become quieter and more private with the other person?
• It is rare these days that anyone fasts and also goes out in the manner Jesus describes. But, we have other ways to do that. When giving, or doing some manner of sacrifice for others, do you complain, or groan to others about it, or give subtle clues that you are doing this thing?
• When you give or help someone, either at the collection, or on the street, or near others, do you talk louder or make a show of it, or do you become quieter and more private with the other person?
• It is rare these days that anyone fasts and also goes out in the manner Jesus describes. But, we have other ways to do that. When giving, or doing some manner of sacrifice for others, do you complain, or groan to others about it, or give subtle clues that you are doing this thing?
5) Concluding Prayer
Yahweh, what quantities of good things You have in store
for those who fear You,
and bestow on those who make You their refuge,
for all humanity to see. (Ps 31:19)
for those who fear You,
and bestow on those who make You their refuge,
for all humanity to see. (Ps 31:19)
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