Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 380
Lectionary: 380
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel,
sent word to Jeroboam,
king of Israel:
“Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;
the country cannot endure all his words.
For this is what Amos says:
Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.”
king of Israel:
“Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;
the country cannot endure all his words.
For this is what Amos says:
Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.”
To Amos, Amaziah said:
“Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Now hear the word of the LORD!”
“Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Now hear the word of the LORD!”
You say: prophesy not against
Israel,
preach not against the house of Isaac.
Now thus says the LORD:
Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,
and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;
Your land shall be divided by measuring line,
and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;
Israel shall be exiled far from its land.
preach not against the house of Isaac.
Now thus says the LORD:
Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,
and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;
Your land shall be divided by measuring line,
and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;
Israel shall be exiled far from its land.
Responsorial
Psalm19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. (10cd) The judgments of the
Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
Alleluia2 COR 5:19
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 9:1-8
After entering a boat, Jesus made
the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
Meditation: Take heart -
your sins are forgiven
What
cripples the mind and heart and stifles the healing power of love? Sin and
unforgiveness for certain! Sin cripples us more than any physical ailment can.
Sin is the work of the kingdom of darkness and it holds us in eternal bondage.
There is only one solution and that is the healing, cleansing power of Jesus'
forgiveness.
Power of forgiveness
Jesus' treatment of sinners upset the religious teachers of the day. When a cripple was brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man or woman from their burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well.
Healing body, mind, and soul
The Lord Jesus is ever ready to bring us healing of mind, body, and soul. His grace brings us freedom from the power of sin and from bondage to harmful desires and addictions. Do you allow anything to keep you from Jesus' healing power?
Power of forgiveness
Jesus' treatment of sinners upset the religious teachers of the day. When a cripple was brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man or woman from their burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well.
Healing body, mind, and soul
The Lord Jesus is ever ready to bring us healing of mind, body, and soul. His grace brings us freedom from the power of sin and from bondage to harmful desires and addictions. Do you allow anything to keep you from Jesus' healing power?
"Lord
Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and
restoration to body, mind, and soul. May your healing power and love touch
every area of my life - my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and
memories. Pardon my offences and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit
that I may walk confidently in your truth and goodness."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Healing of soul and body, by
Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)
"Now
in the narrative of the paralytic a number of people are brought forward for
healing. Jesus' words of healing are worthy of reflection. The paralytic is not
told, 'Be healed.' He is not told, 'Rise and walk.' But he is told, 'Take
heart, my son; your sins are forgiven you.' The paralytic is a descendant of
the original man, Adam. In one person, Christ, all the sins of Adam are
forgiven. In this case the person to be healed is brought forward by
ministering angels. In this case, too, he is called a son, because he is God's
first work. The sins of his soul are forgiven him, and pardon of the first
transgression is granted. We do not believe the paralytic committed any sin
[that resulted in his illness], especially since the Lord said elsewhere that
blindness from birth had not been contracted from someone's sin or that of his
parents" [John 9:1-3]. (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW
8.5)
THURSDAY, JULY 2, MATTHEW 9:1-8
Weekday
(Amos 7:10-17, Psalm 19)
Weekday
(Amos 7:10-17, Psalm 19)
KEY VERSE: "Which is it easier, to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise and walk'?" (v. 5).
TO KNOW: When Jesus returned to Capernaum, some people brought a paralytic on a stretcher in hopes that Jesus would heal him. In Jesus' day, sickness or misfortune was seen as the consequence of sin. Jesus looked beyond the man's physical infirmity. He saw his need for spiritual healing and granted him forgiveness. The religious leaders were scandalized by Jesus' claim to have authority over sin. Jesus offered them proof of his power by telling the man to rise and walk. If the man's paralysis was due to sin, according to their theology, and he was now cured, then his sins must have been forgiven. When the paralytic rose from his bed and walked, the people were amazed that God had given such authority to human beings. The Church continues to exercise this power of forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance (also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation). The sacrament has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. By confessing our sins we find God's unconditional forgiveness, and a call to forgive others. During the Mass, there are three opportunities for repentance: with the Confiteor, the Lamb of God, and the prayer before Communion: “Lord I am not worthy . . .
TO LOVE: Have I experienced the healing power of God in reconciliation?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, I thank you for forgiving and healing me of my sins.
Thursday 2 July 2020
Amos 7:10-17. The judgments of the Lord are true and all of them
just – Psalm 18(19):8-11. Matthew 9:1-8.
‘Your sins are forgiven, get up and walk’
Jesus, in the complex scene which unfolds in today’s Gospel,
reveals much about himself and his mission. In knowing the interior states of
those around him, and, much more so, presuming to forgive sin, Jesus reveals himself
as something far more than a prophet, miracle worker or good teacher. These are
activities proper only to God.
The prophets call God’s people back to him and to faithful
living, miracle workers exercise his power and teachers reflect on his law and
its application. Jesus transcends these, calling others to himself, healing and
teaching in his own name.
In light of this we are called to faith in Jesus, and ultimately
to allow him to heal us. Equally we are challenged to extend this hope beyond
ourselves, bringing those around us to him.
Saint Oliver Plunkett
Saint of the Day for July 2
(November 1, 1629 – July 1, 1681)
 |
| Oliver Plunket | Edward Luttrell |
Saint Oliver Plunkett’s Story
The name of today’s saint is especially familiar to the Irish
and the English—and with good reason. The English martyred Oliver Plunkett for
defending the faith in his native Ireland during a period of severe
persecution.
Born in County Meath in 1629, Oliver studied for the priesthood
in Rome and was ordained there in 1654. After some years of teaching and
service to the poor of Rome he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland.
Four years later, in 1673, a new wave of anti-Catholic persecution began,
forcing Archbishop Plunkett to do his pastoral work in secrecy and disguise and
to live in hiding. Meanwhile, many of his priests were sent into exile, schools
were closed, Church services had to be held in secret, and convents and
seminaries were suppressed. As archbishop, Plunkett was viewed as ultimately
responsible for any rebellion or political activity among his parishioners.
Archbishop Plunkett was arrested and imprisoned in Dublin Castle
in 1679, but his trial was moved to London. After deliberating for 15 minutes,
a jury found him guilty of fomenting revolt. He was hanged, drawn, and
quartered in July 1681.
Pope Paul VI canonized Oliver Plunkett in 1975.
Reflection
Stories like that of Oliver Plunkett seem to fit history.
“Things like that don’t happen today” is often our thought. But they do. False
accusations, prejudice, anti-Catholic sentiments, racism, sexism, etc. are
still an active reality in our day. Maybe a prayer to Saint Oliver for peace
and justice may be appropriate.
Lectio Divina: Matthew 9:1-8
Lectio Divina
Thursday, July 2, 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.
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 9:1-8
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into
his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child,
your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This
man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
"Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are
forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of
Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"– he then said to the
paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and
went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God
who had given such authority to men.
3) Reflection
• The extraordinary authority of Jesus. To the reader, Jesus
appears as a person invested with extraordinary authority by means of words and
actions (Mt 9:6-8). The authoritative word of Jesus strikes evil at its root:
in the case of the paralytic man, on sin that affects the man in his liberty and
obstructs his living: “Your sins are forgiven” (v. 5); “Rise, pick up your bed
and go home” (v. 6). Truly all the forms of paralysis of the heart and mind to
which we are subject are canceled by the authority of Jesus (9:6), because
during His life on earth He met all these forms. The authoritative and
effective word of Jesus awakens paralyzed humanity (9:5-7) and gives it the
gift of walking (9:6) in a renewed faith
• The encounter with the paralytic. After the storm and a visit
to the country of the Gadarenes, Jesus returns to Capernaum, His city. And as
He was on His way, He met the paralytic. The healing did not take place in a
house, but along the road. Therefore, along the road that leads to Capernaum
they brought Him a paralytic man. Jesus addresses him, calling him “My son,” a
gesture of attention that soon becomes a gesture of salvation: “your sins are
forgiven you” (v. 2) The forgiveness of sins which Jesus pronounces on the part
of God to the paralytic refers to the bond between sickness, failure and sin.
This is the first time that the evangelist attributes this particular divine
power to Jesus in an explicit way. For the Jews, a person’s illness
was considered a punishment because of sins committed. The physical illness
was always considered a consequence of one’s own or one’s parents’ moral
evil (Jn 9:2). Jesus restores to man the condition of salvation freeing him
from illness as well as from sin.
• For some of those who were present, for the scribes, the words
of Jesus which announced forgiveness of sins was a true and proper blasphemy.
According to them, Jesus was arrogant because God alone can forgive sins. They
did not manifest openly such a judgment of Jesus but expressed it by murmuring
among themselves. Jesus, who penetrates their hearts, sees their considerations
and reproves them because of their unbelief. The expression of Jesus “To prove
to you that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” (v. 6) He
is going to indicate that not only God can forgive sins, but with Jesus, also
man.
• The crowd, in contrast to the scribes, is seized by fear
before the cure of the paralytic and glorifies God. The crowd is struck by the
power to forgive sins manifested in the healing. People exult because God has
granted such power to the Son of Man. Is it possible to attribute this to the
ecclesial community where forgiveness of sins was granted by order of Jesus?
Matthew has presented this episode on forgiveness of sins with the intention of
applying it to fraternal relationships within the ecclesial community. In it
the practice to forgive sins, by delegation of Jesus, was already in force; a
practice which was not shared in the Synagogue. The theme of forgiveness of
sins is repeated also in Mt 18 and, at the end of Matthew’s Gospel it is
affirmed that this is rooted in the death of Jesus on the Cross (26:28). But in
our context the forgiveness of sins is linked with the demand of mercy present
in the episode which follows, the call of Matthew: “…mercy is what pleases Me,
not sacrifice. And indeed, I came to call not the righteous but sinners” (Mt
9:13). Such words of Jesus mean to say that He has made visible the forgiveness
of God, above all, in His relationships with the Publicans or tax collectors,
and sinners, in sitting at table with them.
• This account takes up again the problem of sin and the
forgiveness which should be given. It is a story that should occupy a
privileged place in the preaching of our ecclesial communities.
4) Personal questions
• Are you convinced that Jesus, called the friend of sinners,
does not despise your weaknesses and your resistance, but He understands and
offers you the necessary help to live a life in harmony with God and with the
brothers and sisters?
• When you have the experience of betraying or refusing friendship with God do you have recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation that reconciles you with the Father and with the Church and makes you a new creature by the force of the Holy Spirit?
• When you have the experience of betraying or refusing friendship with God do you have recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation that reconciles you with the Father and with the Church and makes you a new creature by the force of the Holy Spirit?
5) Concluding Prayer
The precepts of Yahweh are honest,
joy for the heart;
the commandment of Yahweh is pure,
light for the eyes. (Ps 19:8)
joy for the heart;
the commandment of Yahweh is pure,
light for the eyes. (Ps 19:8)
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