Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
take up his cross, and follow me.
Monday February 14, 2011
Memorial of Saint Cyril, monk, and Saint Methodius, bishop
Memorial of Saint Cyril, monk, and Saint Methodius, bishop
Reading 1
The man had relations with his wife Eve,
and she conceived and bore Cain, saying,
“I have produced a man with the help of the LORD.”
Next she bore his brother Abel.
Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil.
In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD
from the fruit of the soil,
while Abel, for his part,
brought one of the best firstlings of his flock.
The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
but on Cain and his offering he did not.
Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen.
So the LORD said to Cain:
“Why are you so resentful and crestfallen.
If you do well, you can hold up your head;
but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door:
his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.”
and she conceived and bore Cain, saying,
“I have produced a man with the help of the LORD.”
Next she bore his brother Abel.
Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil.
In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD
from the fruit of the soil,
while Abel, for his part,
brought one of the best firstlings of his flock.
The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
but on Cain and his offering he did not.
Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen.
So the LORD said to Cain:
“Why are you so resentful and crestfallen.
If you do well, you can hold up your head;
but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door:
his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.”
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.”
When they were in the field,
Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Then the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
He answered, “I do not know.
Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The LORD then said: “What have you done!
Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil!
Therefore you shall be banned from the soil
that opened its mouth to receive
your brother’s blood from your hand.
If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce.
You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.”
Cain said to the LORD: “My punishment is too great to bear.
Since you have now banished me from the soil,
and I must avoid your presence
and become a restless wanderer on the earth,
anyone may kill me at sight.”
“Not so!” the LORD said to him.
“If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.”
So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight.
When they were in the field,
Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Then the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
He answered, “I do not know.
Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The LORD then said: “What have you done!
Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil!
Therefore you shall be banned from the soil
that opened its mouth to receive
your brother’s blood from your hand.
If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce.
You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.”
Cain said to the LORD: “My punishment is too great to bear.
Since you have now banished me from the soil,
and I must avoid your presence
and become a restless wanderer on the earth,
anyone may kill me at sight.”
“Not so!” the LORD said to him.
“If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.”
So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight.
Adam again had relations with his wife,
and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth.
“God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said,
“because Cain slew him.”
and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth.
“God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said,
“because Cain slew him.”
When Adam sinned, he blamed Eve. Eve then blamed the serpent. Now Cain has done wrong - “If you do well, you can hold up your head”. Who wants to admit that they are in the wrong? There can be no healing till we do. Cain will not admit it. Rather he is filled with envy of his brother. This is one of the seven roots of sin. Cain cultivates it and it leads him into sin. Unable to bear his brother’s superior goodness, he kills him. We may not go as far as killing but is this not, so often, our story too? Unmastered envy leads to sin. The shedding of innocent blood is a sin that cries out to God for vengeance and the cries reach the ears of God. Merciful though he is, God will demand retribution. Sins of injustice cannot be forgiven without making restitution. Cain had killed. But can others kill Cain – “If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.” All life is God’s.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (14a) Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.”
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.”
Gospel
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.
Jesus is greatly affected by our response to him. The Pharisees opposed him. They constantly criticised and scrutinized all his words and actions looking for an occasion to blame him. Now they ask for a sign from heaven. Even if he gave it they would not accept him because they had already rejected him in their hearts. Jesus knew that miracles do not produce faith but only openness to God’s grace. Jesus is saddened by their attitude. He would like to save them too but they will have nothing to do with him. Seeing the hardness of their hearts he leaves them. Jesus is sad but what a loss for the Pharisees. What is your true attitude to Jesus? Have you welcomed him and made him your Guru? Even more have you accepted his invitation to personal friendship? When all is gone Jesus will still be with you.
February 15, 2011
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
When the LORD saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth,
and how no desire that his heart conceived
was ever anything but evil,
he regretted that he had made man on the earth,
and his heart was grieved.
and how no desire that his heart conceived
was ever anything but evil,
he regretted that he had made man on the earth,
and his heart was grieved.
So the LORD said:
“I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created,
and not only the men,
but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air,
for I am sorry that I made them.”
But Noah found favor with the LORD.
“I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created,
and not only the men,
but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air,
for I am sorry that I made them.”
But Noah found favor with the LORD.
Then the LORD said to Noah:
“Go into the ark, you and all your household,
for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just.
Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs,
a male and its mate;
and of the unclean animals, one pair,
a male and its mate;
likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs,
a male and a female,
and of all the unclean birds, one pair,
a male and a female.
Thus you will keep their issue alive over all the earth.
Seven days from now I will bring rain down on the earth
for forty days and forty nights,
and so I will wipe out from the surface of the earth
every moving creature that I have made.”
Noah did just as the LORD had commanded him.
“Go into the ark, you and all your household,
for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just.
Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs,
a male and its mate;
and of the unclean animals, one pair,
a male and its mate;
likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs,
a male and a female,
and of all the unclean birds, one pair,
a male and a female.
Thus you will keep their issue alive over all the earth.
Seven days from now I will bring rain down on the earth
for forty days and forty nights,
and so I will wipe out from the surface of the earth
every moving creature that I have made.”
Noah did just as the LORD had commanded him.
As soon as the seven days were over,
the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
We must always remember that the sacred author knew no more about the origins of the human race than does the average person today. He sees the same evil world that we do, where sin abounds and the whole world, including ourselves, is polluted by sin. He is teaching us about God and God’s response to our sin. These are inspired stories to show that God cannot bear sin. It is an abomination in his sight. Even in his children he cannot bear sin. He must purify us. Here we see him purifying the human race and giving it a new start. He drowns our sins in the waters of baptism and like Noah we too become a new creature. Our definitive purification comes with Jesus on the Cross. This is God’s final response to the sins of his children.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
Gospel
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread,
and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out,
guard against the leaven of the Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod.”
They concluded among themselves that
it was because they had no bread.
When he became aware of this he said to them,
“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?
Do you not yet understand or comprehend?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
And do you not remember,
when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,
how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?”
They answered him, “Twelve.”
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,
how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?”
They answered him, “Seven.”
He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out,
guard against the leaven of the Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod.”
They concluded among themselves that
it was because they had no bread.
When he became aware of this he said to them,
“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?
Do you not yet understand or comprehend?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
And do you not remember,
when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,
how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?”
They answered him, “Twelve.”
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,
how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?”
They answered him, “Seven.”
He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
“Do you still not realise” that “your Father in heaven knows you need all these things? Set your heart first on the Kingdom and the justice of God and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt 6:33,34). This was a hard lesson for the disciples and it is a hard lesson for us. We are no better than the disciples with whom Jesus is clearly frustrated. They learn so slowly and we follow in their footsteps. Jesus criticised the Pharisees for externalism in religion. God demands worship in spirit and in truth. Our prayer both personal and liturgical must come from our hearts in total surrender. Our actions must be done in love with justice. Then the Father can give us all we need. Are you single-minded in your search for God and his justice? Or do you rely on yourself for all you need?
February 16, 2011
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
At the end of forty days Noah opened the hatch he had made in the ark,
and he sent out a raven,
to see if the waters had lessened on the earth.
It flew back and forth until the waters dried off from the earth.
Then he sent out a dove,
to see if the waters had lessened on the earth.
But the dove could find no place to alight and perch,
and it returned to him in the ark,
for there was water all over the earth.
Putting out his hand, he caught the dove
and drew it back to him inside the ark.
He waited seven days more and again sent the dove out from the ark.
In the evening the dove came back to him,
and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf!
So Noah knew that the waters had lessened on the earth.
He waited still another seven days
and then released the dove once more;
and this time it did not come back.
and he sent out a raven,
to see if the waters had lessened on the earth.
It flew back and forth until the waters dried off from the earth.
Then he sent out a dove,
to see if the waters had lessened on the earth.
But the dove could find no place to alight and perch,
and it returned to him in the ark,
for there was water all over the earth.
Putting out his hand, he caught the dove
and drew it back to him inside the ark.
He waited seven days more and again sent the dove out from the ark.
In the evening the dove came back to him,
and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf!
So Noah knew that the waters had lessened on the earth.
He waited still another seven days
and then released the dove once more;
and this time it did not come back.
In the six hundred and first year of Noah’s life,
in the first month, on the first day of the month,
the water began to dry up on the earth.
Noah then removed the covering of the ark
and saw that the surface of the ground was drying up.
in the first month, on the first day of the month,
the water began to dry up on the earth.
Noah then removed the covering of the ark
and saw that the surface of the ground was drying up.
Noah built an altar to the LORD,
and choosing from every clean animal and every clean bird,
he offered burnt offerings on the altar.
When the LORD smelled the sweet odor, he said to himself:
“Never again will I doom the earth because of man
since the desires of man’s heart are evil from the start;
nor will I ever again strike down all living beings, as I have done.
As long as the earth lasts,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
Summer and winter,
and day and night
shall not cease.”
and choosing from every clean animal and every clean bird,
he offered burnt offerings on the altar.
When the LORD smelled the sweet odor, he said to himself:
“Never again will I doom the earth because of man
since the desires of man’s heart are evil from the start;
nor will I ever again strike down all living beings, as I have done.
As long as the earth lasts,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
Summer and winter,
and day and night
shall not cease.”
Once more we see a God of compassion. He is touched by the sincere offering of Noah and he promises never to destroy man again because of his sin. He sees that man is a victim of sin and can hardly escape it, “since the desires of man’s heart are evil from the start”. God decides to live with the sinfulness of man until he can destroy it not by punishment but by his Son’s death on the Cross and the gift of the Spirit. The dove will be a symbol of the Holy Spirit who brings us peace and is the guarantee of our future life with God. It is only the Holy Spirit that will give us assurance of eternal life. The raven did not return.
With Noah there is a new start to the human race. The definitive new start will be with Jesus. He will save us through the waters of Baptism and the Ark which is his Church community. He will be the true head of the human race. New life begins with him.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (17a) To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
Gospel
When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida,
people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked,
“Do you see anything?”
Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”
Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly;
his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”
people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked,
“Do you see anything?”
Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”
Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly;
his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”
The disciples are slowly discovering who Jesus is. They have not understood the miracle of the loaves. They are still blind. The blind man in Bethsaida symbolises them and us. The blind man does not recover his sight immediately. It is a process. Likewise we slowly come to recognise Jesus. Jesus takes the blind man all by himself. We need to meet Jesus by ourselves if we want our eyes to be opened. Most are blind. We do not see the wonderful gifts Jesus offers. He invites us to become the beloved children of God whom the Father cares for in this life and with whom he will share everything in the true life to come. We love the things of this world. Good as they are, they are nothing compared to ‘the blessings of the heavenly places’ offered by Jesus. Are you beginning to see?
February 17, 2011
Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them:
“Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth.
Dread fear of you shall come upon all the animals of the earth
and all the birds of the air,
upon all the creatures that move about on the ground
and all the fishes of the sea;
into your power they are delivered.
Every creature that is alive shall be yours to eat;
I give them all to you as I did the green plants.
Only flesh with its lifeblood still in it you shall not eat.
For your own lifeblood, too, I will demand an accounting:
from every animal I will demand it,
and from one man in regard to his fellow man
I will demand an accounting for human life.
“Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth.
Dread fear of you shall come upon all the animals of the earth
and all the birds of the air,
upon all the creatures that move about on the ground
and all the fishes of the sea;
into your power they are delivered.
Every creature that is alive shall be yours to eat;
I give them all to you as I did the green plants.
Only flesh with its lifeblood still in it you shall not eat.
For your own lifeblood, too, I will demand an accounting:
from every animal I will demand it,
and from one man in regard to his fellow man
I will demand an accounting for human life.
If anyone sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
For in the image of God
has man been made.
by man shall his blood be shed;
For in the image of God
has man been made.
Be fertile, then, and multiply;
abound on earth and subdue it.”
abound on earth and subdue it.”
God said to Noah and to his sons with him:
“See, I am now establishing my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
and with every living creature that was with you:
all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals
that were with you and came out of the ark.
I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.”
God added:
“This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come,
of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature with you:
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.”
“See, I am now establishing my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
and with every living creature that was with you:
all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals
that were with you and came out of the ark.
I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.”
God added:
“This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come,
of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature with you:
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.”
We see how God looks with kindness on human beings even in their natural state. They are special because they alone are made in the image and likeness of God. Man needs to make this image more and more perfect by cultivating the natural virtues of kindness, love, generosity, gentleness, purity, honesty, peace, patience, justice, self-control, etc. Once again God gives the earth to mankind for his good. Man is however not to exploit it. He is answerable to God for his behaviour. Mankind will sin but God in his love has promised never to destroy mankind because of its sin. Rather he will offer up his own Son for its salvation. God desires that all peoples become his children. By the bow in the sky he offers a sign of his peace.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (20b) From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
Gospel
Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Jesus was a solitary figure. The scribes and leaders had determined to kill him (3:6). His own relatives thought him out of his mind (3:21).The people of Nazareth had rejected him (6:3). The crowds had failed to comprehend him (4:12) and his disciples who had seen and heard everything still not understand who he was (4:13 etc). Rumour about him was rife. It was now time to go to Jerusalem and confront the chief priests. He knew the consequences of that. They involved his Passion and death. Yet truth and his mission as Messiah demanded that he go. He would face his death for the salvation of the world. Are his disciples able to carry on his mission? He asks them the crucial question. Peter answers on behalf of them all. Jesus asks each one, “Who do you say I am? Who do you say Jesus is?
February 18, 2011
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words.
While the people were migrating in the east,
they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.
They said to one another,
“Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.”
They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city
and a tower with its top in the sky,
and so make a name for ourselves;
otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.”
While the people were migrating in the east,
they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.
They said to one another,
“Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.”
They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city
and a tower with its top in the sky,
and so make a name for ourselves;
otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.”
The LORD came down to see the city and the tower
that they had built.
Then the LORD said: “If now, while they are one people,
all speaking the same language,
they have started to do this,
nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do.
Let us then go down and there confuse their language,
so that one will not understand what another says.”
Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth,
and they stopped building the city.
That is why it was called Babel,
because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world.
It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.
that they had built.
Then the LORD said: “If now, while they are one people,
all speaking the same language,
they have started to do this,
nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do.
Let us then go down and there confuse their language,
so that one will not understand what another says.”
Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth,
and they stopped building the city.
That is why it was called Babel,
because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world.
It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.
With Noah there is a new creation but the sinfulness of man continues as this story illustrates. They decide to build a tower and ‘so make a name for ourselves;
otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth’. Both to the first parents and then after the Flood God had told them to fill the earth. Man wants to work out his destiny regardless of God. He is his own master. Rather than manage his own affairs, man mismanages them when he takes them into his own hands without listening to the wisdom of God. Division is the result of sin. On Pentecost Day when the Holy Spirit descends then men from every race under heaven will hear the Word of God in their own language again. Sin divides but the Holy Spirit unites. God will continue to love mankind and he will make a name for Abraham, the father of all who believe..
otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth’. Both to the first parents and then after the Flood God had told them to fill the earth. Man wants to work out his destiny regardless of God. He is his own master. Rather than manage his own affairs, man mismanages them when he takes them into his own hands without listening to the wisdom of God. Division is the result of sin. On Pentecost Day when the Holy Spirit descends then men from every race under heaven will hear the Word of God in their own language again. Sin divides but the Holy Spirit unites. God will continue to love mankind and he will make a name for Abraham, the father of all who believe..
Responsorial Psalm
R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Gospel
Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the Gospel will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
What could one give in exchange for his life?
Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words
in this faithless and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of
when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the Gospel will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
What could one give in exchange for his life?
Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words
in this faithless and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of
when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
He also said to them,
“Amen, I say to you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death
until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”
“Amen, I say to you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death
until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”
Because of the Fall and the history of sin our human nature is prone to evil from childhood. If we do not deny ourselves then our natural desires will lead us to eternal ruin. That is the battle within. We are also engaged in a global war with Satan. He opposes all who live according to the principles and values of Jesus. Suffering is therefore an inherent part of following Jesus. The disciples did not know this. They wanted the Messiah to be a king and so Peter remonstrates with Jesus. They have grasped that he is the Messiah but don’t know how the Messiah will live. Peter is rebuked and must learn that in this life Jesus will be persecuted and so will all who follow him. Trusting in Jesus the Messiah, the true disciple will witness to him before an unbelieving world. Are you a disciple?
Reading 1
February 19, 2011
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,
so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.
By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s.
Through this, he was attested to be righteous,
God bearing witness to his gifts,
and through this, though dead, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death,
and he was found no more because God had taken him.
Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him,
for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen,
with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household.
Through this, he condemned the world
and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,
so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.
By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s.
Through this, he was attested to be righteous,
God bearing witness to his gifts,
and through this, though dead, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death,
and he was found no more because God had taken him.
Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him,
for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen,
with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household.
Through this, he condemned the world
and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.
Faith is a gift from God. We of ourselves cannot believe. Belief is like sight. Through it we can recognize another world distinct from the one we experience day by day. However the gift of faith once received needs to be cultivated. All God’s gifts are like seeds. They have the potential for greatness but we have to do our part to realize it. The Father is the cultivator (John15:1). Then what must we do? We need to daily surrender to him in prayer, allow him to work in us to make it grow. Everyone has sight but not all to the same degree. Some can see things perfectly, others can hardly see at all. It is the same with faith. If we have cultivated the gift of faith, we will clearly see and recognize the world of God’s presence. The witnesses of history did just that.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see 1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain on their own by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured:
5 Then Peter spoke to Jesus, 'Rabbi,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.'
7 And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and from the cloud there came a voice, 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.'
9 As they were coming down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of man had risen from the dead.
10 They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what 'rising from the dead' could mean.
12 He said to them, 'Elijah is indeed first coming to set everything right again; yet how is it that the scriptures say about the Son of man that he must suffer grievously and be treated with contempt?
13 But I tell you that Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him.'
Luke tells us Jesus went up the mountain to pray and it was while at prayer that his appearance was transformed. Jesus spent much time in prayer, sometimes whole nights and he would rise early before anyone was awake to spend time with his Father. This was his life-line. It was also his source of strength in a world which opposed and rejected him. He knew what awaited him in Jerusalem and he needed the inner strength to continue on this road to the Cross. He received it in prayer. On the mountain his Father reminds him of how precious he is to him: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him”. When the disciples looked around they saw only Jesus. Jesus is the Word of God and we listen to him. Do you take time to listen to Jesus each day and mould your life according to his Word?
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