Friday of
the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 441
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach, I offer the Gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel.
Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the Gospel,
so that I too may have a share in it.
Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the
race,
but only one wins the prize?
Run so as to win.
Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.
They do it to win a perishable crown,
but we an imperishable one.
Thus I do not run aimlessly;
I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.
No, I drive my body and train it,
for fear that, after having preached to others,
I myself should be disqualified.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (2) How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty
God!
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young—
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
For a sun and a shield is the LORD God;
grace and glory he bestows;
The LORD withholds no good thing
from those who walk in sincerity.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus told his disciples a parable:
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091120.cfm
Meditation: Do
You Not See the Log in Your Own Eye?
Are you clear-sighted, especially in your perception of sin and
the need for each of one of us to see ourselves correctly as God sees us - with
our faults,weaknesses, and strengths? Jesus' two parables about poor vision
allude to the proverb: Without vision the people perish! (Proverbs
29:18) What can we learn from the illustration of a blind guide and a bad eye
(the log in the eye)? A bad eye left
untreated and a blind guide can cause a lot of trouble that
will only end in misery and disaster for us! We can only help and teach others
what we have learned and received from wise teachers and guides. And how can we
help others overcome their faults if we are blinded by our own faults and
misperceptions? We are all in need of a physician who can help us overcome the
blind spots and failing of own sins, weaknesses, and ignorance.
Overcoming blind spots in our own lives
The Gospel of Luke was written by a disciple who was trained as a physician.
Luke, with keen insight, portrays Jesus as the good physician and shepherd of
souls who seeks out those who desire healing, pardon, and restoration of body,
mind, and spirit. Jesus came to free us from the worst oppression possible -
slavery to sin, fear, and condemnation. Like a gentle and skillful doctor, the
Lord Jesus exposes the cancer of sin, evil, and oppression in our lives so we
can be set free and restored to wholeness. A key step to healing and restoration
requires that we first submit to the physician who can heal us. The Lord Jesus
is our great Physician because he heals the whole person - soul and body, mind
and heart - and restores us to abundant life both now and for the age to come
in his everlasting kingdom.
Thinking the best of others
The Lord Jesus wants to heal and restore us to wholeness, not only for our own
sake alone. He also wants us to be his instruments of healing, pardon, and
restoration for others as well. What can hinder us from helping others draw
near to Jesus the divine Physician? The Rabbis taught: "He who judges his
neighbor favorably will be judged favorably by God." How easy it is to
misjudge others and how difficult it is to be impartial in giving good
judgment. Our judgment of others is usually "off the mark" because we
can't see inside the other person, or we don't have access to all the facts, or
we are swayed by instinct and unreasoning reactions to people. It is easier to
find fault in others than in oneself. A critical and judgmental spirit crushes
rather than heals, oppresses rather than restores, repels rather than attracts.
"Thinking the best of other people" is necessary if we wish to grow
in love. And kindliness in judgment is nothing less that a sacred duty.
What you give to others will return to you
Jesus states a heavenly principle we can stake our lives on: what you
give to others (and how you treat others) will return to you (Mark
4:24). The Lord knows our faults and he sees all, even the imperfections and
sins of the heart which we cannot recognize in ourselves. Like a gentle father
and a skillful doctor he patiently draws us to his seat of mercy and
removes the cancer of sin which inhabits our hearts. Do you trust in God's
mercy and grace? Ask the Lord to flood your heart with his loving-kindness and
mercy that you may only have room for charity, forbearance, and kindness
towards your neighbor.
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance,
admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help
us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to
discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their
best rather than at their worst. This we ask for thy name's sake. (Prayer of
William Barclay, 20th century)
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Seeing
the speck in anothers eye, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The word hypocrite is aptly employed here (Luke 6:42,
Matthew 7:5), since the denouncing of evils is best viewed as a matter only for
upright persons of goodwill. When the wicked engage in it, they are like
impersonators, masqueraders, hiding their real selves behind a mask, while they
portray anothers character through the mask. The word hypocrites in fact
signifies pretenders. Hence we ought especially to avoid that meddlesome class
of pretenders who under the pretense of seeking advice undertake the censure of
all kinds of vices. They are often moved by hatred and malice. Rather, whenever
necessity compels one to reprove or rebuke another, we ought to proceed with godly
discernment and caution. First of all, let us consider whether the other fault
is such as we ourselves have never had or whether it is one that we have
overcome. Then, if we have never had such a fault, let us remember that we are
human and could have had it. But if we have had it and are rid of it now, let
us remember our common frailty, in order that mercy, not hatred, may lead us to
the giving of correction and admonition. In this way, whether the admonition
occasions the amendment or the worsening of the one for whose sake we are
offering it (for the result cannot be foreseen), we ourselves shall be made
safe through singleness of eye. But if on reflection we find that we ourselves
have the same fault as the one we are about to reprove, let us neither correct
nor rebuke that one. Rather, let us bemoan the fault ourselves and induce that
person to a similar concern, without asking him to submit to our
correction."(excerpt from Sermon on the Mount 2.19.64)
https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=sep11
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, LUKE 6:39-42
Weekday
(1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27; Psalm 84)
KEY VERSE: "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?" (v. 41).
TO KNOW: Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies (v. 27-36) and to be forgiving, non-judgmental and generous toward others (v. 37-38). His disciples must be clear-sighted in their understanding of the gospel. They would be hypocrites if they criticized the mistakes of others and were blind to their own faults. A blind person would be unable to guide another blind person along the path as both might stumble and fall. The disciples could not lead others unless they were able to see their own defects and limitations. Then they would be compassionate and, when others failed, could help them overcome their wrongdoings. When these future leaders of the Church were fully trained, they would resemble their teacher, Jesus.
TO LOVE: Am I quick to point out the mistakes of others that I make myself?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to my own faults so that I will not be judgmental of another's shortcomings.
PATRIOT DAY
On December 18, 2001, President George W. Bush signed an amendment of the U.S. Code designating September 11th as "Patriot Day". On the anniversary of the tragedy of 9-11, let us join together to show that we will not forget those innocent people that lost their lives that morning ̶ the passengers, the pilots, and those who were working at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Let us join together to show our appreciation for the brave firefighters, police officers and EMT personnel, many who lost their lives trying to help others. To show our remembrance, our strength, our resolve and our love of our country, let's join together again to show we have not forgotten.
http://www.togetherwithgodsword.com/commentaries-on-the-daily-gospel-of-the-mass.html
Friday 11 September 2020
Day of penance
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27. How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord, mighty God! – Psalm 83(84):3-6, 12. Luke 6:39-42.
Can one blind man guide another?
I have often wondered about Jesus’ saying about the blind
leading the blind. Once at a funeral of a vision-impaired man, I saw a group of
his friends moving from the chapel to the refreshment room. And it really was
the blind leading the blind, as they guided each other on their way. Yet
because they understood each others’ challenges, they were the best guides and
made it to the next room safely.
Perhaps these friends showed me that they were guided by more
than each other, but also by compassion, generosity and, ultimately, God. And
that made them patient and non-judgmental, the opposite of the hypocrites Jesus
refers to.
We might consider today our own weaknesses that lead us to lean
more on God and other people, and less on our own righteousness.
http://www.pray.com.au/gospel_reflection/friday-11-september-2020/
Saint Cyprian
Saint of the Day for September 11
(d. 258)
Head Reliquary of Saint Cyprian in the St. Kornelius chapel of the abbey church of Kornelimünster Abbey in Kornelimünster | photo by ACBahn
Saint Cyprian’s Story
Cyprian is important in the development of Christian thought and
practice in the third century, especially in northern Africa.
Highly educated, a famous orator, he became a Christian as an
adult. He distributed his goods to the poor, and amazed his fellow citizens by
making a vow of chastity before his baptism. Within two years he had been ordained
a priest and was chosen, against his will, as Bishop of Carthage.
Cyprian complained that the peace the Church had enjoyed had
weakened the spirit of many Christians and had opened the door to converts who
did not have the true spirit of faith. When the Decian persecution began, many
Christians easily abandoned the Church. It was their reinstatement that caused
the great controversies of the third century, and helped the Church progress in
its understanding of the Sacrament of Penance.
Novatus, a priest who had opposed Cyprian’s election, set
himself up in Cyprian’s absence (he had fled to a hiding place from which to
direct the Church—bringing criticism on himself) and received back all
apostates without imposing any canonical penance. Ultimately he was condemned.
Cyprian held a middle course, holding that those who had actually sacrificed to
idols could receive Communion only at death, whereas those who had only bought
certificates saying they had sacrificed could be admitted after a more or less
lengthy period of penance. Even this was relaxed during a new persecution.
During a plague in Carthage, Cyprian urged Christians to help
everyone, including their enemies and persecutors.
A friend of Pope Cornelius, Cyprian opposed the following pope,
Stephen. He and the other African bishops would not recognize the validity of
baptism conferred by heretics and schismatics. This was not the universal view
of the Church, but Cyprian was not intimidated even by Stephen’s threat of
excommunication.
He was exiled by the emperor and then recalled for trial. He
refused to leave the city, insisting that his people should have the witness of
his martyrdom.
Cyprian was a mixture of kindness and courage, vigor and
steadiness. He was cheerful and serious, so that people did not know whether to
love or respect him more. He waxed warm during the baptismal controversy; his
feelings must have concerned him, for it was at this time that he wrote his
treatise on patience. Saint Augustine remarks that Cyprian atoned for his
anger by his glorious martyrdom. His Liturgical Feast Day is September 16.
Reflection
The controversies about Baptism and Penance in the third century
remind us that the early Church had no ready-made solutions from the Holy
Spirit. The leaders and members of the Church of that day had to move painfully
through the best series of judgments they could make in an attempt to follow
the entire teaching of Christ and not be diverted by exaggerations to right or
left.
Saint Cyprian is the Patron Saint of:
North Africa
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-cyprian/
Lectio Divina: Luke 6:39-42
Lectio Divina
Friday, September 11, 2020
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
You redeem us
and make us Your children in Christ.
Look upon us,
give us true freedom
and bring us to the inheritance You promised.
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 6:39-42
Jesus told his disciples a parable: "Can a blind person
guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to
the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden
beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that
splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own
eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will
see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye."
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel gives us some of the passages of the discourse
which Jesus pronounced on the plain after having spent the night in prayer (Lk
6:12) and after He had called the twelve to be His apostles (Lk 6:13-14). Many
of the sayings in this discourse had already been pronounced on other
occasions, but Luke, imitating Matthew, puts them together in this Sermon on
the Plain.
• Luke 6:39: The parable of the blind man who guides another blind man. Jesus
tells a parable to the disciples: “Can a blind man guide another blind man?
Will not both of them fall into a hole?” A parable of one line, quite similar
to the warnings which, in Matthew’s Gospel, are addressed to the Pharisees:
“Alas for you, blind guides!” (Mt 23:16-17,19,24,26) Here in the context of the
Gospel of Luke, this parable is addressed to the animators of the communities
who consider themselves the masters of truth, superior to others and because of
this, they are blind guides.
• Luke 6:40: Disciple – Master. “The disciple is not greater than the teacher,
but the well prepared disciple will be like the teacher” Jesus is the Master,
not the professor. The professor in class teaches different subjects, but does
not live with the pupils. The Master or Lord does not teach lessons; he lives
with the pupils. His subject matter is himself, his life witness, his way of
living the things that he teaches. Living together with the Master, the Lord
has three aspects: (1) the Master is the model or example to be imitated (cf.
Jn 13:13-15). (2) The disciple not only contemplates and imitates, he commits
himself to the same destiny of the Master, with his temptations (Lk 22:28), his
persecution (Mt 10:24-25), his death (Jn 11:16); (3) He not only imitates the
model, he not only assumes the commitment, but arrives at identifying himself
with Him: “I live, but it is not I who live, but Christ lives in me!” (Gal
2:20). This third aspect is the mystical dimension of the following of Jesus,
fruit of the action of the Spirit.
• Luke 6:41-42: The splinter in the brother’s eye. “Why do you observe the
splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the great log in your own? How
can you say to your brother: ‘Brother, let me take out that splinter in your
eye, when you cannot see the great log in your own? Hypocrite! Take the log out
of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the
splinter in your brother’s eye”. In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew treats the
same theme and explains a bit better the parable of the splinter in the eye.
Jesus asks for a creative attitude which will make us capable of going and
encountering others without judging them, without preconceptions and
rationalizing, but accepting the brother (Mt 7:1-5). This total openness toward
others considering them as brothers/sisters will arise in us only when we are
capable of relating to God with total trust as His children (Mt 7:7-11).
4) Personal questions
• Splinter and log in the eye. How do I relate with others at
home and in my family, in work and with my colleagues, in community and with
the brothers and sisters?
• Master and disciple. How am I a disciple of Jesus?
5) Concluding Prayer
Lord, how blessed are those who live in Your house;
they shall praise You continually.
Blessed those who find their strength in You,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Ps 84:4-5)
https://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-luke-639-42
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