Reflections on the Daily Readings

August 29 - September 4, 2010.

Twenty-second Week of Ordinary Time. Psalter Week II.

Sunday Cycle C; Weekday Cycle II.

Sunday 29:            The Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ecclesiasticus 3:17-20, 28-29; Psalm 67; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14

Our Old Testament reading today warns us to be a humble people. Humility is far better than pride and the humble are loved more than a generous giver because many people will take what they want from a philanthropist without thinking too much about him, so long as they can get what they can. The Psalm reminds us that the Lord is the one who protects the widow and orphan and those who are powerless. The theme of humility is taken up in the gospel passage from St Luke where Jesus is the guest of a Pharisee. He also tells the people that those who give parties to the poor and the destitute are the truly generous ones for they are giving to people who cannot give to them in return. By giving to those who can give to us we do nothing but fool ourselves into false humility. The Lord knows the inmost heart and he knows whether we are really humble or not. In the excerpt from the letter to the Hebrews which we have for today, the author reminds the Hebrews that they have come to the true God and with him everyone is regarded as a first-born son and therefore a citizen of heaven. As citizens of heaven, therefore, we should act like we truly believe and so show the way for others that they too may become citizens. We can show the way by the example of how we live our lives – in humility and in faith.

Monday 30:     Of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

1Corinthians 2:1-5; Psalm 118; Luke 4:16-30

St Paul tells the Christians at Corinth today that he did not use big arguments and philosophy to prove that God exists. Instead he preached a crucified saviour and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in him. For the remainder of this liturgical year we read from St Luke’s Gospel and today we see Jesus preaching in his home synagogue in Nazareth (Nazara). Here he is rejected by the people because they think they know who he is and because they do not like his message. No matter who preaches or how they preach, the message of God is true and unchanging, but only with faith can the message have any impact in our lives.

Tuesday 31:     Of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

1Corinthians 2:10-16; Psalm 144; Luke 4:31-37

St Paul tells us that the message of Christ is for all people but unless we have faith and are disposed towards the Holy Spirit then the message will have no impact on us. The Holy Spirit will work in the Christian to reveal the mysteries of God and to bring understanding and acceptance of the message of the Good News. An important point in today’s Gospel passage concerns the authority of Christ. He has authority over all things including unclean spirits and the servants of Satan. Unlike many of those around him, the unclean spirits recognise his power and authority as the Son of God and so obey him. We too will be subject to his judgement on the last day and so we must make every effort to be found worthy through faith and right living.

Wednesday 1: Of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

1Corinthians 3:1-9; Psalm 32; Luke 4:38-44

We read in the first reading from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians that no matter who first brings the faith to us or who later nourishes that faith within us that it is God who does the work. Those who bring the word to others and help them in their faith are fellow workers with God and we are all called to do this work. So there should be no factions aligning themselves with different preachers. In the Gospel text, Jesus cures many people before going on to other towns which displeases the people for they wanted to keep him for themselves. However he tells them that his message is for all people. As Christians we have a duty to spread Christ’s message to those whom we meet by what we do and say and not simply keep it to ourselves – this is one precious treasure which only grows through sharing.

Thursday 2:     Of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

1Corinthians 3:18-23; Psalm 23; Luke 5:1-11

St Paul tells us today that when it comes to Christ’s message it is foolish to pretend to be wise or to understand it all. If we apply too much learning to the message or if we scrutinise it too much we will miss the message completely. We need to approach it with an open mind and complete trust and confidence in God. In our Gospel we read of the call of Simon Peter along with James and John. Simon, because he acknowledged himself to be a sinner, did not want the Lord with him. But Christ still called him because he knew Simon’s potential just as he knows the potential of each one of us. Only when we truly acknowledge our weaknesses can we be true disciples for Christ.

Friday 3:          Of Memorial of St Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church*

1Corinthians 4:1-5; Psalm 36; Luke 5:33-39

In today’s first reading St Paul is addressing a group in Corinth who had been judging his work of spreading the Good News. Paul tells them that it is not for them to be his judge – that is God’s role alone. He is happy that he has been God’s faithful servant and is happy to be judged by God. In the Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees rebuke Christ because his disciples did not fast. We fast in order to purify ourselves and bring ourselves closer to God. The disciples did not fast because they were in the presence of God.

Saturday 4:      Of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

1Corinthians 4:6-15; Psalm 144; Luke 6:1-5

St Paul tells the community in Corinth in the first reading that status in life and material possessions are of no importance when compared with Christ’s message. He contrasts the selfish lives of some Christians in Corinth with the humiliating treatment of other Christians in Rome because of their belief in Christ. Paul’s treatment as “the scum of the earth” is something of joy for him because it comes from his steadfast faith in Christ. In the Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees are again questioning Jesus because his followers do not strictly observe the Sabbath and so he tells them that he is Master of the Sabbath. He is reminding us not to be so caught up with the minute details of the law that we miss the true reason for the Sabbath and so miss out on a lasting relationship with the Lord.

Memorials this Week:

September 3:         Memorial of St Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

Gregory was born about the year 540 to St Sylvia and her patrician husband. He first became a monk and was later appointed papal legate to Constantinople. He was elected pope in 590. He was tireless in his defence of the primacy of Rome and in his encouragement of monasticism and the spread of Christianity. He died in 604.

© P. Breen, O.Carm. 2002-2010

The Holy Father’s Intentions for this month

General Liturgical Calendar for Ireland (in PDF)

Carmelite Liturgical Calendar

The Seasons of the Church’s Year