JUNE 30, 2020 : TUESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 378

Reading 1AM 3:1-8; 4:11-12

Hear this word, O children of Israel, that the LORD pronounces over you,
over the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:

You alone have I favored,
more than all the families of the earth;
Therefore I will punish you
for all your crimes.

Do two walk together
unless they have agreed?
Does a lion roar in the forest
when it has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from its den
unless it has seized something?
Is a bird brought to earth by a snare
when there is no lure for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground
without catching anything?
If the trumpet sounds in a city,
will the people not be frightened?
If evil befalls a city,
has not the LORD caused it?
Indeed, the Lord GOD does nothing
without revealing his plan
to his servants, the prophets.

The lion roars--
who will not be afraid!
The Lord GOD speaks--
who will not prophesy!

I brought upon you such upheaval
as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah:
you were like a brand plucked from the fire;
Yet you returned not to me,
says the LORD.

So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel!
and since I will deal thus with you,
prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

Responsorial Psalm5:4B-6A, 6B-7, 8

R.    (9a)  Lead me in your justice, Lord.
At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
no evil man remains with you;
the arrogant may not stand in your sight.
R.    Lead me in your justice, Lord.
You hate all evildoers;
you destroy all who speak falsehood;
The bloodthirsty and the deceitful
the LORD abhors.
R.    Lead me in your justice, Lord.
But I, because of your abundant mercy,
will enter your house;
I will worship at your holy temple
in fear of you, O LORD.
R.    Lead me in your justice, Lord.

AlleluiaPS 130:5

R.    Alleluia, alleluia.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
R.    Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,
so that the boat was being swamped by waves;
but he was asleep.
They came and woke him, saying,
“Lord, save us!  We are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,
and there was great calm.
The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this,
whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

For the readings of the Optional Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church, please go here.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/063020.cfm

Meditation: "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?"

How can we fight fear with faith? Jesus' sleeping presence on the storm-tossed sea reveals the sleeping faith of his disciples (Matthew 8:25). They feared for their lives even though their Lord and Master was with them in the boat. They were asleep to Christ while he was present to them in their hour of need.

Why are you afraid?
The Lord is ever present to us. And in our time of testing he asks the same question: Why are you afraid? Have you no faith (Matthew 8:26)? Do you recognize the Lord's presence with you, especially when you meet the storms of adversity, sorrow, and temptation? Whenever we encounter trouble, the Lord Jesus is there with the same reassuring message: "It is I, do not be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).

Faith nourished with the word of God
What are the characteristics of faith and how can we grow in it? Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. Believing is only possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and who opens the eyes of the mind to understand and accept the truth which God has revealed to us. Faith enables us to relate to God rightly and confidently, with trust and reliance, by believing and adhering to his word, because he is utterly reliable and trustworthy. If we want to live, grow, and persevere in faith, then it must be nourished with the word of God.

Let the love of Christ rule your heart and mind
Fear does not need to cripple us from taking right action or rob us of our trust and reliance on God. Courage working with faith enables us to embrace God's word of truth and love with confidence and to act on it with firm hope in God's promises. The love of God strengthens us in our faith and trust in him and enables us to act with justice and kindness towards our neighbor even in the face of opposition or harm. Do you allow the love of Jesus Christ to rule in your heart and mind, and to move your will to choose what is good in accordance with his will?

"Lord Jesus, increase my faith in your redeeming love and power that I may always recognize your abiding presence with me. Give me courage and strength to face every difficulty, trial, and temptation with trust in your saving help and guiding presence."

Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Training in courage and endurance, by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.

"He took the disciples with him, not for nothing and not merely to face an absurd hazard but in order to permit them to witness the miracle that was to take place on the sea. For like a superb trainer, he was gradually coaching and fitting them for endurance. He had two objectives in mind. He wanted to teach them to remain undismayed amid dangers and modest in honors. So, to prevent them from thinking too much of themselves, having sent away the multitude, he kept them near him but permitted them to be tossed with a tempest. By doing so he disciplined them to bear trials patiently. His former miracles were indeed great, but this one contained a unique kind of discipline of exceptional importance. For it was a sign akin to that of old [referring to Moses parting the Red Sea]. To do this, he took his disciples with him by himself. He permitted others to see his other miracles, but when trials and terrors were rising, he took with him none but those he was training to be champions of the gospel. (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 28.1.2)

http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/2020/jun30.htm

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, MATTHEW 8:23-27
Weekday
(Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12; Psalm 5)

KEY VERSE: "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?" (v. 26).
TO KNOW: Jesus warned his disciples of the perilous road that lay ahead for those who chose to follow him (Mt 7:14). In this nature miracle, Jesus showed them who was in control of all the circumstances they would face. As he and his disciples crossed Lake Galilee, Jesus fell asleep in the boat. Suddenly, a fierce storm threatened to capsize their small craft. The frightened disciples cried out in alarm, "Lord, save us!" (v. 25). With an authoritative command, Jesus revealed himself as Lord and Savior. He was master over the winds and waves as well as all the terrors that engulf the human heart. Although the disciples marveled at Jesus' power, they did not yet fully comprehend "what sort of man" (v. 27) he truly was.
TO LOVE: How can I help others understand Jesus' power in times of trial?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to have faith in you during the storms that threaten me. ​

Optional Memorial of the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

On the day following the remembrance of Saints Peter and Paul, who suffered martyrdom in Rome at the command of the Emperor Nero, the Church celebrates other early Christian martyrs. The Emperor Nero held these Christians responsible for the great fire that took place in Rome, and they were put to death in various locations around the city, including the Coliseum and its environs. This celebration also commemorates some of the earliest Popes, successors of Saint Peter, all of whom were martyred. The names of the first three are in the Roman Canon of the Mass: Linus (67-76), Anacletus or Cletus (76-88) and Clement (88-97). Historical details of the lives of these early Bishops of Rome are uncertain.​

http://www.togetherwithgodsword.com/commentaries-on-the-daily-gospel-of-the-mass.html

Tuesday 30 June 2020

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12. Lead me in your justice, Lord – Psalm 5:5-8. Matthew 8:23-27.

The freedom of trust

One of my greatest fears is that of being swamped by huge waves, unprotected in a boat. I know I would have been the first to wake Our Lord. I wake him all the time.

Each wave of fear that is surging towards me, causes me to cry ‘Lord save me! I am perishing!’ When will I learn? With Jesus in my boat I will never perish. Never.

Believing that and trusting in the reality of Jesus’ strong and protective presence in my life is very freeing. Thank you for your patience, my Lord.

For calming the wind and waves in my life, and calming me.

https://www.pray.com.au/gospel_reflection/tuesday-30-june-2020/

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

Saint of the Day for June 30

(d. 64)

 

Christian heroes and martyrs | William A. Foster | The Library of Congress

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome’s Story

There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in 57-58 A.D.

There was a large Jewish population in Rome. Probably as a result of controversy between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in 49-50 A.D. Suetonius the historian says that the expulsion was due to disturbances in the city “caused by the certain Chrestus” [Christ]. Perhaps many came back after Claudius’ death in 54 A.D. Paul’s letter was addressed to a Church with members from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds.

In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death because of their “hatred of the human race.” Peter and Paul were probably among the victims.

Threatened by an army revolt and condemned to death by the senate, Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. at the age of 31.

---

Reflection

Wherever the Good News of Jesus was preached, it met the same opposition as Jesus did, and many of those who began to follow him shared his suffering and death. But no human force could stop the power of the Spirit unleashed upon the world. The blood of martyrs has always been, and will always be, the seed of Christians.

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/firsaint-martyrs-of-the-church-of-rome/

Lectio Divina: Matthew 8:23-27

Lectio Divina

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Ordinary Time

1) Opening prayer

Father,
You call Your children to
walk in the light of Christ.
Free us from darkness
and keep us in the radiance of Your truth.
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 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, "What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?"

3) Reflection

• Matthew writes for the converted Jews of the years 70’s who felt lost like a boat in the middle of a stormy sea, without the hope of being able to get to the desired port.  Jesus seems to be asleep in the boat and it seems to them that no divine power will come to save them from the persecution.  In the face of this desperate and anguished situation, Matthew puts together several episodes of the life of Jesus to help the community discover, in the midst of an apparent absence, the welcoming and powerful presence of Jesus the conqueror who dominates the sea (Mt 8:23-27), who conquers and casts away the power of evil (Mt 9:28-34) and who has the power to forgive sins (Mt 9:1-8).  In other words, Matthew wants to communicate hope and to suggest that the communities have no reason to fear.  This is the reason for the narration of the storm calmed by Jesus in today’s Gospel.  

• Matthew 8:23: The starting point: to enter into the boat.  Matthew follows the Gospel of Mark, but makes it shorter and inserts it in the new outline which he has adopted.  In Mark, the day had been very tiring because of the work that they had done.  Having finished the discourse of the parables (Mk 4:3-34), the disciples take Jesus into the boat and He was so tired that He fell asleep on a cushion (Mk 4:38). Matthew’s text is very brief.  It only says that Jesus went into the boat and that the disciples accompanied Him.  Jesus is the Master. The disciples follow the Master.

• Matthew 8:24-25: The desperate situation: “We are lost!” The Lake of Galilee is close to high mountains.  Sometimes, as the wind is forced upward by the mountains, moisture condenses over the lake causing a sudden storm.  Strong wind, agitated sea, and a boat full of water are the result!  The disciples were experienced fishermen.  If they thought that they were about to sink, it meant that the situation was truly dangerous!   Jesus, however, is not aware and continues to sleep.  They cried out, “Save us, Lord, we are lost!”  In Matthew the profound sleep of Jesus is not only a sign of tiredness.  It is also the expression of the calm trust of Jesus in God.  The contrast between the attitude of Jesus and that of the disciples is enormous!

• Matthew 8:26: The reaction of Jesus: “Why are you so frightened, you who have so little faith!”  Jesus wakes up, not because of the waves, but because of the desperate cry of the disciples.  He turns to them saying, “Why are you so frightened, you who have so little faith!” He then stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea, because there was no danger.  It is like when one arrives at a friend’s house, and the dog, at the side of his master, barks very much. One should not be afraid, because the master is present and controls the situation.  The episode of the storm calmed by Jesus evokes the episode, when people, without fear, passed across the water of the sea (Ex 14:22).  Jesus recreates this episode.  He recalls the prophet Isaiah who said to the people: “If you have to go across the water, I will be with you!” (Isa 43:2).  The episode of the calmed storm recalls and fulfills the prophecy announced in  Psalm 107:
Those who ploughed the waves in the sea on the ships, plying their trade on the great ocean, they have seen the works of the Lord, His wonders in the deep.
By His word He raised a storm-wind lashing up towering waves.
Up to the sky then down to the depths; their stomachs were turned to water.
They staggered and reeled like drunkards, and all their skill went under.
They cried out to Yahweh in their distress. He rescued them from their plight.
He reduced the storm to calm, and all the waters subsided.
He brought them overjoyed at the stillness, to the port where they were bound (Ps 107: 23-30)

• Matthew 8:27: The fear of the disciples: “Who is this man?” Jesus asks, “Why are you so frightened?”  The disciples do not know what to answer.  Astounded, they ask themselves, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” In spite of the long time that they had lived with Jesus, they still do not know who He is. Jesus seems to be a foreigner to them! Who is this man?  

• Who is this man? Who is Jesus for us, for me? This should be the question which urges us to continue to read the Gospel, every day, with the desire always to better know the significance and the importance of the person of Jesus for our life.  From this question comes Christology. It does not come from elevated theological considerations, but from the desire of the first Christians to always find new names and titles to express what Jesus meant for them.  There are tens of names, titles, and attributes, from that of carpenter to Son of God, which Jesus expresses: Messiah, Christ, Lord, Beloved Son, Holy One of God, Nazarene, Son of Man, Spouse, Son of God, Son of the Most High God, Carpenter, Son of Mary, Prophet, Master, Son of David, Rabboni, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Son, Shepherd, Bread of Life, Resurrection, Light of the world, Way, Truth, Life, King of the Jews, King of Israel, etc.  Every name, every image, is an effort to express what Jesus means for them.  A name, no matter how beautiful it is, never succeeds in revealing the mystery of a person, and much less of the person of Jesus.  Jesus does not enter into any of these names, outlines, or titles.  He exceeds everything; He is the greatest! He cannot be put into a frame.  Love takes up all this, not the mind! Starting from this experience of a love which is alive, the names, the titles and the images receive their full significance. Definitively, who is Jesus for me, for us? 

4) Personal questions

• What was the agitated sea at the time of Jesus?  What was the agitated sea at the time when Matthew wrote his Gospel?  Today, what is the agitated sea for us?  Have you ever been on the point of drowning in the agitated waters of the sea of your life?  What saved you?
• Who is Jesus for me?  Which is the name of Jesus which expresses my faith and my love better?
• Do I take time to ask and pray for “the peace of Christ”, to have calm in my personal storms?

5) Concluding Prayer

Each age will praise Your deeds to the next,
proclaiming Your mighty works.
Your renown is the splendor of Your glory,
I will ponder the story of Your wonders. (Ps 145:4-5)

https://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-matthew-823-27