Tuesday of
the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 450
Reading 1
Like a stream is the king’s heart in the hand of the LORD;
wherever it pleases him, he directs it.
All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes,
but it is the LORD who proves hearts.
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart–
the tillage of the wicked is sin.
The plans of the diligent are sure of profit,
but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.
Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue
is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
The soul of the wicked man desires evil;
his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.
When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser;
when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
The just man appraises the house of the wicked:
there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.
He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself also call and not be heard.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (35) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
And I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092220.cfm
Meditation: Hear
the Word of God and Do It
Who
do you love and cherish the most? God did not intend for us to be alone, but to
be with others. He gives us many opportunities for developing relationships
with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Why does Jesus seem to ignore
his own relatives when they pressed to see him? His love and respect for his
mother and his relatives is unquestionable. Jesus never lost an opportunity to
teach his disciples a spiritual lesson and truth about the kingdom of God. On
this occasion when many gathered to hear Jesus he pointed to another higher reality
of relationships, namely our relationship with God and with those who belong to
God.
What is the essence of being a Christian? It is certainly more than doctrine,
precepts, and commandments. It is first and foremost a relationship - a
relationship of trust, affection, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, kindness,
thoughtfulness, compassion, mercy, helpfulness, encouragement, support,
strength, protection, and so many other qualities that bind people together in
mutual love and unity.
God seeks a personal intimate relationship with each one of us
God offers us the greatest of relationships - union of heart, mind, and spirit
with himself, the very author and source of love (1 John 4:8,16). God's love
never fails, never forgets, never compromises, never lies, never lets us down
nor disappoints us. His love is consistent, unwavering, unconditional,
unrelenting and unstoppable. There is no end to his love. Nothing in this world
can make him leave us, ignore us, or withhold from us his merciful love and
care (Romans 8:31-39). He will love us no matter what. It is his nature to
love. That is why he created us - to be united with him and to share in his
love (1 John 3:1).
God is a trinity of divine persons - one in being with the eternal Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit - and a community of undivided love. God made us in his image
and likeness (Genesis 1:26,27) to be a people who are free to choose what is
good, loving, and just and to reject whatever is false and contrary to his love
and righteousness (moral goodness). That is why Jesus challenged his followers,
and even his own earthly relatives, to recognize that God is the true source of
all relationships. God wants all of our relationships to be rooted in his love
and goodness.
The heavenly Father's offer of friendship and adoption
Jesus Christ is God's love incarnate - God's love made visible in human flesh
(1 John 4:9-10). That is why Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who
lays down his life for his sheep and the shepherd who seeks out the sheep who
have strayed and lost their way. God is like the father who yearns for his
prodigal son to return home and then throws a great party for his son when he
has a change of heart and comes back (Luke 15:11-32).
Jesus offered up his life on the cross for our sake, so that we could be
forgiven and restored to unity and friendship with God. It is through Jesus
that we become the adopted children of God - his own sons and daughters. That
is why Jesus told his disciples that they would have many new friends and family
relationships in his kingdom. Whoever does the will of God is a friend of God
and a member of his family - his sons and daughters who have been ransomed by
the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus Christ we become brothers and sisters - members of God's
family
Lucian of Antioch (240-312 AD), an early Christian martyr once said that
"a Christian's only relatives are the saints"- namely those who have
been redeemed by the blood of Christ and adopted as sons and daughters of God.
Those who have been baptized into Jesus Christ and who live as his disciples
enter into a new family, a family of "saints" here on earth and in
heaven. Jesus changes the order of relationships and shows that true kinship is
not just a matter of flesh and blood.
Our adoption as sons and daughters of God transforms all of our relationships
and requires a new order of loyalty to God first and to his kingdom of
righteousness and peace. Do you want to grow in love and friendship? Allow the
Holy Spirit to transform your heart, mind, and will to enable you to love
freely and generously as God has loved you.
Heavenly
Father, you are the source of all true friendship and love. In all my
relationships, may your love be my constant guide for choosing what is good and
for rejecting what is contrary to your will.
Daily
Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Those who listen and obey God's word
become true children of God, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"The
present lesson teaches us that obedience and listening to God are the causes of
every blessing. Some entered and spoke respectfully about Christ's holy mother
and his brothers. He answered in these words, 'My mother and my brothers are
they who hear the word of God and do it.' Now do not let any one imagine that
Christ scorned the honor due to his mother or contemptuously disregarded the
love owed to his brothers. He spoke the law by Moses and clearly said, 'Honor
your father and your mother, that it may be well with you' (Deuteronomy 5:16).
How, I ask, could he have rejected the love due to brothers, who even commanded
us to love not merely our brothers but also those who are enemies to us? He
says, 'Love your enemies' (Matthew 5:44).
"What does Christ want to teach? His object is to exalt highly his love
toward those who are willing to bow the neck to his commands. I will explain
the way he does this. The greatest honors and the most complete affection are
what we all owe to our mothers and brothers. If he says that they who hear his
word and do it are his mother and brothers, is it not plain to every one that
he bestows on those who follow him a love thorough and worthy of their
acceptance? He would make them readily embrace the desire of yielding
themselves to his words and of submitting their mind to his yoke, by means of a
complete obedience." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY
42)
https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=sep22
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, LUKE 8:19-21
Weekday
(Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13; Psalm 119)
KEY VERSE: "My Mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it" (v. 21).
TO KNOW: Jesus' mother and his relatives were concerned about his itinerant lifestyle. They wanted to restrain him because they thought he had gone out of his mind (3:21). They went to the house where he was teaching, but because of the large crowd they were unable to get through. When Jesus was informed that his family wanted to see him, he took the opportunity to teach his followers about the spiritual relationship that should exist between Christians. Blood ties do not constitute membership in the family of God. The tie that binds Christians together is their response to the word of God. The Hebrew word 'shema' means 'to hear’ (Deut. 6:4 - "Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one"). But it also has the connotation of obeying (Deut. 11:13 - "Listen obediently to my commandments"). Jesus' mother Mary was blessed because she heard the word of God and obeyed it (Lk 11:28). All who hear God's word and are obedient to it are brothers and sisters of Christ.
TO LOVE: In what ways can I imitate Mary's submission to God's word?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to hear your word and act upon it.
THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN
Autumn (also known as Fall in North American English) is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn is the period between summer and winter, usually in September (northern hemisphere) or March (southern hemisphere). In the temperate zones, autumn is the season during which most crops are harvested, and deciduous trees lose their leaves. It is also the season in which the days rapidly get shorter and cooler (especially in the northern latitudes), and of gradually increasing precipitation in some parts of the world.
http://www.togetherwithgodsword.com/commentaries-on-the-daily-gospel-of-the-mass.html
Tuesday 22 September 2020
Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your
commands – Psalm 118(119):1, 27, 30, 34-35, 44. Luke 8:19-21.
Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands
It is human nature to want to belong, to be part of the ‘in
crowd’. In today’s Gospel there is a simple formula for becoming part of the
‘innest’ crowd of them all – to become brothers and sisters to Jesus all we
need to do is to hear the Word of God and put it into practice.
Today’s readings are all concerned with wickedness and virtue.
If we follow the Lord’s command and keep God’s law we will find delight, but
those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor shall themselves plead and not
be heard.
http://www.pray.com.au/gospel_reflection/tuesday-22-september-2020/
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions
Saint of the Day for September 22
(1600 – September 29 or 30, 1637)
San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Church | photo by Judgefloro
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions’ Story
Lorenzo was born in Manila of a Chinese father and a Filipino
mother, both Christians. Thus he learned Chinese and Tagalog from them, and
Spanish from the Dominicans whom he served as altar boy and sacristan. He
became a professional calligrapher, transcribing documents in beautiful
penmanship. He was a full member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary under
Dominican auspices. He married and had two sons and a daughter.
Lorenzo’s life took an abrupt turn when he was accused of
murder. Nothing further is known except the statement of two Dominicans that
“he was sought by the authorities on account of a homicide to which he was
present or which was attributed to him.”
At that time, three Dominican priests, Antonio Gonzalez,
Guillermo Courtet, and Miguel de Aozaraza, were about to sail to Japan in spite
of a violent persecution there. With them was a Japanese priest, Vicente
Shiwozuka de la Cruz, and a layman named Lazaro, a leper. Lorenzo, having taken
asylum with them, was allowed to accompany them. But only when they were at sea
did he learn that they were going to Japan.
They landed at Okinawa. Lorenzo could have gone on to Formosa,
but, he reported, “I decided to stay with the Fathers, because the Spaniards
would hang me there.” In Japan they were soon found out, arrested, and taken to
Nagasaki. The site of wholesale bloodshed when the atomic bomb was dropped had
known tragedy before. The 50,000 Catholics who once lived there were dispersed
or killed by persecution.
They were subjected to an unspeakable kind of torture: After
huge quantities of water were forced down their throats, they were made to lie
down. Long boards were placed on their stomachs and guards then stepped on the
ends of the boards, forcing the water to spurt violently from mouth, nose and
ears.
The superior, Fr. Gonzalez, died after some days. Both Fr.
Shiwozuka and Lazaro broke under torture, which included the insertion of
bamboo needles under their fingernails. But both were brought back to courage
by their companions.
In Lorenzo’s moment of crisis, he asked the interpreter, “I
would like to know if, by apostatizing, they will spare my life.” The
interpreter was noncommittal, but in the ensuing hours Lorenzo felt his faith
grow strong. He became bold, even audacious, with his interrogators.
The five were put to death by being hanged upside down in pits.
Boards fitted with semi-circular holes were fitted around their waists and
stones put on top to increase the pressure. They were tightly bound, to slow
circulation and prevent a speedy death. They were allowed to hang for three
days. By that time Lorenzo and Lazaro were dead. Still alive, the three priests
were then beheaded.
In 1987, Pope John Paul II canonized these six and 10
others: Asians and Europeans, men and women, who spread the faith in the
Philippines, Formosa, and Japan. Lorenzo Ruiz is the first canonized Filipino
martyr. The Liturgical Feast of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions is
September 28.
Reflection
We ordinary Christians of today—how would we stand up in the
circumstances these martyrs faced? We sympathize with the two who temporarily
denied the faith. We understand Lorenzo’s terrible moment of temptation. But we
see also the courage—inexplainable in human terms—which surged from their store
of faith. Martyrdom, like ordinary life, is a miracle of grace.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-lorenzo-ruiz-and-companions/
Lectio Divina: Luke 8:19-21
Lectio Divina
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
1) Opening prayer
Father,
guide us, as You guide creation
according to Your law of love.
May we love one another
and come to perfection
in the eternal life prepared for us.
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 - Luke 8:19-21
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable
to join him because of the crowd. He was told, "Your mother and your
brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you." He said to them
in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God
and act on it."
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents the episode in which the relatives
of Jesus and His mother want to speak with Him, but Jesus does not pay
attention to them. Jesus had problems with His family. Sometimes the family
helps one to live the Gospel and to participate in the community. Other times,
the family prevents this. This is what happened to Jesus and this is what
happens to us.
• Luke 8:19-20: The family looks for Jesus. The relatives reach
the house where Jesus was staying.They had probably come from Nazareth. From
there to Capernaum the distance is about 40 kilometers. His mother was with
them. They probably did not enter because there were many people, but they sent
somebody to tell Him: “Your mother and Your brothers are outside and want to
see You”. According to the Gospel of Mark, the relatives do not want to see
Jesus, they want to take Him back home (Mk 3:32). They thought that Jesus had
lost His head (Mk 3:21). They were afraid, because according to what history
says, the Romans watched very closely all that He did, in one way or other,
with the people (cf. Ac 5:36-39). In Nazareth, up on the mountains He would
have been safer than in Capernaum.
• Luke 8:21: The response of Jesus. The reaction of Jesus is
clear: “My mother and My brothers are those who listen to the Word of God and
put it into practice”. In Mark the reaction of Jesus is more concrete. Mark
says: Looking around at those who were sitting there He said: “Look, My mother
and My brothers! Anyone who does the will of God, he is My brother, sister and
mother (Mk 3:34-35). Jesus extends His family! He does not permit the family to
draw Him away from the mission: neither the family (Jn 7:3-6), nor Peter (Mk
8:33), nor the disciples (Mk 1:36-38), nor Herod (Lk 13:32), nor anybody else
(Jn 10:18).
• It is the Word of God which creates a new family around Jesus:
“My mother and My brothers are those who listen to the Word of God, and put it
into practice.” A good commentary on this episode is what the Gospel of John
says in the Prologue: “He was in the world that had come into being through Him
and the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own and His own people did
not accept Him”. But to those who did accept Him He gave them power to become
children of God: to those who believed in His name, who were born not from
human stock or human desire, or human will, but from God Himself. And the Word
became flesh, He lived among us; and we saw His glory, the glory that He has
from the Father as only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn
1:10-14). The family, the relatives, do not understand Jesus (Jn 7:3-5; Mk
3:21), they do not form part of the new family. Only those who receive the
Word, that is, who believe in Jesus, form part of the new family. These are
born of God and form part of God’s Family.
• The situation of the family at the time of Jesus. In the time
of Jesus, the political social and economic moment or the religious ideology,
everything conspired in favor of weakening the central values of the clan, of
the community. The concern for the problems of the family prevented persons
from being united in the community. Rather, in order that the Kingdom of God
could manifest itself anew, in the community life of the people, persons had to
go beyond, to pass the narrow limits of the small family and open themselves to
the large family, toward the community. Jesus gives the example. When His own
family tried to take hold of Him, Jesus reacted and extended the family (Mk
3:33-35). He created the community.
• The brothers and the sisters of Jesus. The expression
“brothers and sisters of Jesus” causes much polemics among Catholics and
Protestants. Basing themselves on this and on other texts, the Protestants say
that Jesus had more brothers and sisters and that Mary had more sons! The
Catholics say that Mary did not have other sons. What should we think about
this? In the first place, both positions: that of the Catholics as well as that
of the Protestants, start from the arguments drawn from the bible and from the
traditions of their respective Churches. Because of this, it is not convenient
to discuss on this question with only intellectual arguments. Because here it
is a question of the convictions that they have and which have to do with faith
and sentiments. The intellectual argument alone does not succeed in changing a
conviction of the heart! Rather, it irritates and draws away! And even if I do
not agree with the opinion of the other person, I must respect it. In the
second place, instead of discussing texts, both we Catholics, and the
Protestants, should unite together to fight in defense of life, created by God,
a life totally disfigured by poverty, injustice, by the lack of faith. We
should recall some phrase of Jesus: “I have come so that they may have life and
life in abundance” (Jn 10:10). “So that all may be one so that the world will
believe that it was You who sent Me” (Jn 17:21). “Do not prevent them! Anyone
who is not against us is for us” (Mk 9:39.40).
4) Personal questions
• Does your family help or make it difficult for you to
participate in the Christian community?
• How do you assume your commitment in the Christian community without
prejudice for the family or for the community?
5) Concluding Prayer
Teach me, Yahweh, the way of Your will,
and I will observe it.
Give me understanding and I will observe Your Law,
and keep it wholeheartedly. (Ps 119:33-34)
https://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-luke-819-21
