The Word today, W24B

September 16 - September 21, 2024

Monday 16 September

St Cornelius, bishop of Rome, and St Cyprian, martyrs

1 Corinthians 11:17-26,33 To understand this reading, it must be remembered that the Lord’s Supper was still part of an ordinary meal. The problem in Corinth was that social habits separating the rich and the poor “kicked in.” Paul is horrified, because such distinctions empty the sacrament of its meaning.

Luke 7:1-10 You may recognize in this appealing story a phrase we have come to use just before Holy Communion.

Tuesday 17 September

St Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor or St Hildegard of Bingen, virgin and doctor

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31 Divisions and factions are “normal” in the Christian community; this does not mean we should accept them as normative! All the gifts are needed, to make the community a living body.

Luke 7:11-17 You will notice the echoes of Elijah raising the widow’s son — all part of Luke’s portrait of Jesus as the prophet par excellence.

Wednesday 18 September

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:1 Our reading today is a Pauline tour-deforce in praise of love. It is often called a hymn to love and it is poetry. At the same time, we know that the core is profoundly true, reflecting what we know in our heart of hearts.

Luke 7:31-35 The tone of irritation may irritate (!) but it is perfectly understandable that Jesus might occasionally be just fed up with unstable expectations. It happens to us all!

Thursday 19 September

St Januarius, bishop and martyr

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Every Christian in Corinth believed Jesus was raised from the dead. Some of them, however, did not believe the dead would rise in Christ. Paul sets about persuading them, by first reminding them of the tradition they received, in which they stand.

Luke 7:36-50 Telling a story within a story can be very powerful. Jesus little “parable” of the debtor is hardly rocket science but in the context is immensely powerful. (It may be useful to repeat that the woman is question is not Mary Magdalen, contrary to popular tradition and writing.)

Friday 20 September

Sts Andrew Kim Taegon, priest, and Paul Chong Hasang, and their companions, martyrs

1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Paul’s argument calls for careful listening. In effect he is saying, if you say there is not resurrection at all, be careful because that will include Jesus! The arguments here are all logical and powerful.

Luke 8:1-3 Today’s very short reading is immensely significant. It is rare to see the women who accompanied Jesus given a profile. Mary Magdalene we know, of course, but the other figures remain a bit of mystery.

Saturday 21 September

St Matthew, apostle and evangelist Very few critical scholars identify Levi, Matthew the apostle and the writer of the Gospel.

Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13 The readings are special for the feast. The first one from Ephesians reminds us of the variety of gifts needed in the community of faith, including the gift of teaching and writing.

Matthew 9:9-13 It is historically unlikely that the Matthew of this story was the author of the Gospel. Nevertheless, the story does go to the heart of the proclamation of Jesus, a proclamation of compassion, just as challenging today as in Jesus’ day.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024f, September 15). Twenty-fourth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091524.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/

SOCL, Sunday24B

Sunday September 15, 2024

But who do you say I am? You are the Messiah.

See

Each generation is addressed by Jesus’ question in today’s Gospel and each generation must speak for itself. So must we as individuals within the community of faith.

Listen

Isaiah 50:5-9; Psalm 116 (114); James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35

Reflect

(Mark 8:27-35)

-“Who do you say that I am?” Imagine Jesus putting this question to you. How would you answer it? How would you answer it, not in words taken from a catechism or textbook, but from your own experience of the significance of Jesus in your life? What does Jesus mean to you? What does his gospel message mean to you?

-Jesus went on to teach his disciples that following him would be hard at times. There would be a price to pay. Perhaps you also have found that imitating the love and compassion of Jesus is not an easy road? Nor does it come easy to have the constant trust in God that Jesus had. Yet, Jesus tells us that this is the way to life. Would you agree?

-There is a natural human tendency to shy away from what is painful or difficult. Yet if that is our standard pattern of behaviour we will not get far in reaching our potential. We will never find who we are capable of being. When have you found it worthwhile to face difficulties, persevere, “carry your cross” for a while in order to achieve some goal that was important to you?

Pray

Make us one, O God, in acknowledging Jesus the Christ. As we proclaim him by our words, let us follow him in our works; give us strength to take up the cross and courage to lose our lives for his sake. Amen.

References

I Will Take the Cup of Salvation

One another, Sunday23B

September 08, 2024

Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146 (145); James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37

“Ephphatha!” -Be opened! With hearts and spirits opened to God’s healing presence, let us pray:

For our Church and parish community, that our work and worship together may reflect the gospel of reconciliation and compassion: let us pray to the Lord.

For the ministers of the Church and the leaders of nations, that they may proclaim the justice and peace of God without fear or compromise: let us pray to the Lord.

For professors, scholars, researchers, and teachers, that they may enable society to recognize the hand of God sustaining life in all of creation: let us pray to the Lord.

For the poor, the homeless, and the abused, that they may find a place of honor and welcome in our homes, parish, and community: let us pray to the lord.

For the sick and the suffering for those whose lives are in crisis, for the lost and the despairing, that the love of Christ the Healer may open their to healing and wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.

For our deceased relatives and friends [especially _________], that they may be heirs of the promised kingdom: let us pray to the Lord.

For the prayers we now offer in the silence of our hearts [Pause...]: let us pray to the Lord.

Open our eyes and ears and hearts to your Spirit, O God that everything we do and every moment you give us may speak of your loving presence in our world. We offer our prayers in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024d, September 8). Twenty-third Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090824.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.