JUNE 30 THE FIRST HOLY MARTYRS OF ROME

” Crucifixion and Apotheosis
of the Ten Thousand Martyrs”
by Vittore Carpaccio 1515

JUNE 30

THE FIRST HOLY MARTYRS
OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH

Additional Information about the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church [1]

Readings for the Memorial of the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

Readings and Commentary: [2]

FIRST READING

Romans 8:31b-39

Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us.
Who will condemn?
It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised,
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.
What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written:
For your sake we are being slain all the day,
we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
hrough him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor present things, nor future things,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Rom 8:31b-39

St. Paul bursts into a hymn proclaiming the victory over death and suffering experienced by the faithful, lifted up by God in Christ. The premise that the love of God assures salvation to the faithful is strengthened as the evangelist asks the rhetorical question “What will separate us from the love of Christ?” Over all obstacles (human, physical, and metaphysical; “height" and "depth” probably referred to ancient astrological terms indicating the closest proximity and the most distant star from the zenith.) were the love of God expressed in Christ as the unshakable foundation Christian life and hope.

The apostle quotes Psalm 44:23 as his song denies that even death is a barrier between the faithful and God’s love. No earthly or spiritual force can stand against such love as that shown in Christ Jesus.

CCC: Rom 8:31 2852; Rom 8:32 603, 706, 2572; Rom 8:34 1373, 2634
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8

R. (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.

Had not the LORD been with us
when men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.

Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept
the raging waters.
R.. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.

Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8

The psalm is one of thanksgiving to the Lord for his gift of salvation: salvation from physical enemies and salvation from nature’s fury. The song thanks God who rescues us if we but reach out to him. The final verse, v.8, combined with "Blessed be the name of the LORD - both now and forever." (Psalm 113:2), is a traditional final blessing when Mass is celebrated by a bishop and is called an episcopal or pontifical blessing.

CCC: Ps 124:8 287
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOSPEL
Matthew 24:4-13

Jesus said to his disciples:
"See that no one deceives you.
For many will come in my name, saying,
`I am the Christ,' and they will deceive many.
You will hear of wars and reports of wars;
see that you are not alarmed,
for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place.
All these are the beginning of the labor pains.
Then they will hand you over to persecution,
and they will kill you.
You will be hated by all nations because of my name.
And then many will be led into sin;
they will betray and hate one another.
Many false prophets will arise and deceive many;
and because of the increase of evildoing,
the love of many will grow cold.
But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 24:4-13

This selection is part of St. Matthew’s Eschatological Sermon in which the Lord reflects upon the end times. Here he begins by cautioning the disciples not to interpret the trials to come as the end of the world (“…for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end. “). He also cautions them about false teachers who will take advantage of those trials for their own profit. Many will be deceived, he predicts. He concludes by encouraging them to persevere in their faith and salvation will be theirs.

CCC: Mt 24:12 675; Mt 24:13 161
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:

We thank God for the gift of the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church today. We sit in our pews and listen to God’s word and see his great sacrifice. Sharing that banquet with our brothers and sisters in faith, it is difficult for us to imagine that anyone could dislike what takes place, let alone hate us. But even in our post-Christian society, we find signs that there are attempts being made to undermine and destroy the religious and moral fabric of our communities. The Lord warns us in St. Matthew’s Gospel “You will be hated by all nations because of my name. And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another.” When we look around us, doesn’t this prediction ring true? Not only the radical Muslims of the world have displayed enmity toward us, but even in our own country we find a constant attack with court challenges to everything from our religious symbols on public display, our moral stances on the dignity of human life and the sanctity of marriage, even to the recent editing of our pledge of allegiance by a major television network to remove the words “under God”

It is not a huge leap to envision a time in our world where we once more are faced with the same decision of these Roman martyrs – do we sacrifice our lives for our faith? We pray this day may never come and that the Lord will dominate the hearts and minds of all nations and there may be peace, but history has proven the Lord’s truth about the fallen nature of our race.

These martyrs were sustained in their time of trial by the gift of the Holy Spirit (so recently celebrated at the great feast of Pentecost). Today we pray that, should we be tested, whether it is a small test like standing up for our moral principles or the ultimate test of offering up our lives, we might find that same strength flowing in us and add our own sacrifice to that of all the great saints who have gone before us in faith.

Pax

[1] The picture is ” Crucifixion and Apotheosis of the Ten Thousand Martyrs” by Vittore Carpaccio 1515
[2] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles Vigil

“Apostles Peter and Paul”
by El Greco, c. 1592

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Vigil

Catechism Links
CCC 153, 424, 440, 442, 552, 765, 880-881: Saint Peter
CCC 442, 601, 639, 642, 1508, 2632-2633, 2636, 2638: Saint Paul

Readings for the Vigil of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul [1][2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary: [3]

Reading 1: Acts 3:1-10

Peter and John were going up to the temple area
for the three o'clock hour of prayer.
And a man crippled from birth was carried
and placed at the gate of the temple called "the Beautiful Gate"
every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple.
When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked for alms.
But Peter looked intently at him, as did John,
and said, "Look at us."
He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.
Peter said, "I have neither silver nor gold,
but what I do have I give you:
in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk."
Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up,
and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong.
He leaped up, stood, and walked around,
and went into the temple with them,
walking and jumping and praising God.
When all the people saw the man walking and praising God,
they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging
at the Beautiful Gate of the temple,
and they were filled with amazement and astonishment
at what had happened to him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 3:1-10

This dramatic cure of the lame beggar is the first miracle worked by the apostles and begins a series of events that place the disciples in the footsteps of Jesus. "'This cure,' says St John Chrysostom, 'testifies to the resurrection of Christ, of which it is an image. [...] Observe that they do not go up to the temple with the intention of performing a miracle, so clear were they of ambition, so closely did they imitate their Master' (Hom. on Acts, 8)."[4]

In this first action, the beggar is cured in the name of Jesus and immediately he is led into the temple area. The symbolism here is that Jesus heals us and leads us to faith. The miraculous cure also serves a secondary purpose. In addition to demonstrating the power of God’s intense love invoked through the name of Jesus, it also serves to draw a large crowd to hear the kerygmatic discourse of St. Peter which follows.

CCC: Acts 3:1 584; Acts 3:9 2640
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day;
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 19:2-3, 4-5

Psalm 19 is a hymn of praise. In these opening strophes, the psalmist rejoices in God’s visible hand, revealed in all creation. It is the first of two themes expressed in the psalm (the other is in praise of the Law). While no word of God announces his presence, his glory is revealed in the creation of all things.

CCC: Ps 19:2-5 299; Ps 19:2 326
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: Galatians 1:11-20

I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it,
but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism,
how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure
and tried to destroy it, and progressed in Judaism
beyond many of my contemporaries among my race,
since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.
But when God, who from my mother's womb had set me apart
and called me through his grace,
was pleased to reveal his Son to me,
so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles,
I did not immediately consult flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were Apostles before me;
rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem
to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days.
But I did not see any other of the Apostles,
only James the brother of the Lord.
--As to what I am writing to you, behold,
before God, I am not lying.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Gal 1:11-20

St. Paul continues the defense of his authority, challenged by other evangelists who came after him to the churches of Galatia. The apostle begins this passage with a short history about his own formation in Judaism. He goes further relating how he was once the inquisitor assigned to persecute the Christians on behalf of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (recall it was young Saul who authorized the stoning of St. Stephen, see Acts 7:58 – 8:3).

St. Paul importantly mentions: “when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace,” a clear reference to his parents presenting him at the temple, and dedicating him according to prophetic tradition. He links God’s action in setting him apart directly to Jesus, the Son of God.

St. Paul goes on to describe his early ministry, where he was directed by Jesus in his call without consultation to the Apostles in Jerusalem, whom he only met briefly after three years. The time frame mentioned here is likely imprecise, but underscores St. Paul’s “gospel” as being authorized and approved by St. Peter.

CCC: Gal 1:13 752; Gal 1:15-16 442; Gal 1:15 153; Gal 1:16 659; Gal 1:19 500; Gal 1:20 2154
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 21:15-19

Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples
and, when they had finished breakfast, said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
He said to him, "Tend my sheep."
He said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
"Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go."
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 21:15-19

This selection describes events following the passion and resurrection. Jesus has already revealed himself to the disciples in the “locked room.” He now addresses himself to St. Peter. St. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times during the night of the Lord’s arrest. He now recants that betrayal with a threefold response to Jesus' questions.

The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus, after his resurrection, gave St. Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock. It is interesting to note that this section of St. John’s Gospel is referred to by scripture scholars as “Peter’s rehabilitation.”

CCC: Jn 21:13-15 645; Jn 21:15-17 553, 881, 1429, 1551; Jn 20:19 575, 643, 645, 659
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:

Today we celebrate two apostles, one who traveled with Jesus and was the leader of the disciples during the life of Jesus on earth, the other a persecutor of the disciples until he himself was chosen by the Lord as an instrument. Two very different backgrounds but called together for a common purpose, building the kingdom of God on earth.

How different were their calls to that single purpose. Peter, Simon the fisherman who left his profession to follow Jesus, was called almost, it seemed, by accident, as his brother, who was a disciple of John the Baptist, told him one day: “We have found the Messiah.” From that day until the terrible night in the courtyard outside the house of Caiaphas, when he denied the Lord, he was a frequently reluctant student. We hear the Lord, in today’s Gospel, take that flawed student, now renamed and recreated through the Holy Spirit, give him the keys to the Kingdom, and establish him as our first Vicar of Christ.

Paul (Saul), on the other hand, was a traditional Jew, brought up and educated to become a member of the Sanhedrin. We first encounter him as he approves of the stoning of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. Was he unwittingly promoting the faith even then? His zeal for Hebrew orthodoxy made him the perfect instrument of the temple in Jerusalem. He was sent to eliminate these “Christians,” who flaunted their authority by saying the Messiah had already come.

They sent Paul to Damascus, but a funny thing happened on that road. The Lord, from his home at the right hand of the Father, reached down and snatched Saul, later Paul from the hands of the Temple leadership, and created his own tool to take God’s word to the world. Paul’s oratory training would be put to good use as he first challenged the Jews in Antioch, and then all around the region, debating the pagan Greeks and Romans, and establishing churches throughout that part of the world. Christ took this flawed and sinful man, filled with hate for God’s children, and turned him into a force that lovingly invited the world to come to Christ.

Our celebration today is of St. Peter, first pontiff of the Church and St. Paul, the great evangelist. Even more, today we celebrate the Church, looking in and reaching out. We thank God for taking unlikely instruments and making them forces that shook the world. In our awe, we ask him to take our humble efforts and continue their noble work.

Pax

[1] S.S. Commemoratio
[2] The picture is “Apostles Peter and Paul” by El Greco, c. 1592
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

[4] The Navarre Bible, Gospels and Acts, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p. 737.

JUNE 28 SAINT IRENAEUS

“St. Irenaeus” the artist and date
of the engraving are UNKNOWN

JUNE 28

SAINT IRENAEUS,
BISHOP AND MARTYR
MEMORIAL

Biographical Information about St. Irenaeus [1]

Readings for the Memorial of St. Irenaeus

Readings and Commentary: [2]

FIRST READING
2 Timothy 2:22b-26

Beloved:
Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart.
Avoid foolish and ignorant debates,
for you know that they breed quarrels.
A slave of the Lord should not quarrel,
but should be gentle with everyone,
able to teach, tolerant, correcting opponents with kindness.
It may be that God will grant them repentance
that leads to knowledge of the truth,
and that they may return to their senses out of the Devil's snare,
where they are entrapped by him, for his will.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 2 Tm 2:22b-26

St. Paul instructs St. Timothy to be righteous as he rails against false teachers. The apostle stresses the need for Timothy to rise above the argumentative attitudes of those who challenge orthodox teaching. In this way his attitude will demonstrate the truth about Jesus. This approach, says St. Paul, will lead the false ones, trapped by the devil, to the Lord.

CCC: 2 Tm 2:22 2518; 2 Tm 2:23-26 2518
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 30-31

R. (30a) The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Trust in the LORD and do good
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

The mouth of the just tells of wisdom
and his tongue utters what is right.
The law of his God is in his heart,
and his steps do not falter.
R The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 30-31

Psalm 37 is a lament containing the plea to be faithful to God and remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist sings that the faith of the people will bring them salvation and that the Lord is faithful and intercedes for them against the wicked. Salvation comes from the Lord alone is the common message.

This selection of Psalm 37 (the main thrust of which is evil is passing but God and his law are eternal) exhorts the listener to trust in God and the “light” of truth will show the way of righteousness. The psalm appropriately extols the true teaching of God.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOSPEL
John 17:20-26

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
"Holy Father, I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 17:20-26

Here is the final part of the “High Priestly Prayer” from the Lord’s final discourse. In this selection we are joined with the disciples as Jesus prays “also for those who will believe in me through their word.” Again the theme of unity between the Father, the Son, and his followers is emphasized and brought to a conclusion with: “that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

CCC: Jn 17 2604, 2746, 2758; Jn 17:21-23 260, 877; Jn 17:21 820; Jn 17:22 690; Jn 17:23-26 2750; Jn 17:24 2749, 2750; Jn 17:25 2751; Jn 17:26 589, 729, 2750
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:

Without St Irenaeus (130 - 202) and his contemporaries, belief in Christ may never have continued past his era. The Gospel says Jesus began his High Priestly Prayer with "Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”  Yet we might have never understood what the apostles truly taught about Jesus but for the efforts of St. Irenaeus. It was he who led the systematic evaluation of all of the writings about Jesus that flourished in the years following his passion and resurrection.

Many teachers brought forward manuscripts of accounts of Jesus' life and teachings. Some related improbable passages about his youth (see the Gospel of St. Thomas) and others spoke of Jesus as a great magician. These accounts had to be evaluated and when discovered to be uninspired by God, refuted. We can only imagine how unpopular St. Irenaeus must have been. While it is not proven that he was martyred, it is entirely possible; many early bishops were murdered for their defense against heresies.

What is certain is that it required a special gift of the Holy Spirit to take up this great work of faith in the face of such intense opposition and lacking any prior guidance – remember no one had previously codified the New Testament of the Bible. In doing this great work he shaped all of Christianity as God’s Church has sacred scripture as its foundation.

On the Memorial of St. Irenaeus, we ask for his prayers. May we be fortified with a genuine faith in Christ and be strengthened by the great saint’s work,

Pax

[1] The picture is “St. Irenaeus” the artist and date of the engraving are UNKNOWN
[2] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

JUNE 27 SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA

“St. Cyril of Alexandria”
artist and date are UNKNOWN

JUNE 27

SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

Biographical Information about St. Cyril of Alexandria [1]

Readings for the Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria [2]

Readings and Commentary:

FIRST READING
2 Timothy 4:1-5

Beloved:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine
but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity,
will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth
and will be diverted to myths.
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances;
put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist;
fulfill your ministry.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 2 Tm 4:1-5

The Apostle begins this chapter with a solemn injunction to St. Timothy: “…perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry. “ He emphasizes the need to “proclaim the word” persistently and in spite of the barriers he will encounter. St. Paul warns that the task will be difficult and that false teachers will arise with competing doctrines and “myths.”

CCC: 2 Tm 4 2015; 2 Tm 4:1 679
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 21-22, 25 and 27

R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior."'
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 21-22, 25 and 27

Psalm 89, taken as a whole, is a communal lament. This selection rejoices in God’s establishment of the Davidic Dynasty and the promise of heavenly support for his kingdom.

CCC: Ps 89 709
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOSPEL
Matthew 5:13-19

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 5:13-19

In this selection from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses allegory to push the Word of God into the world. He tells his disciples they are an integral part of the faith of the people in God. As seasoning is to food, so is the Word of God to the faith. They must remain steadfast so they do not lose the zeal for God that is the taste of that seasoning. It is the taste which sets it apart.

He uses a second allegory, light, to provide still more direction. The light of faith will be seen by all because it is reflected in the actions of those who believe. The light of faith serves to guide others to God, where they may otherwise become lost in darkness and wander into paths of desolation. The light that pours from the disciples will be seen as a gift, not from them, but from the Father, and the Father will be glorified because of the light.

Those who believed that Jesus came to destroy the Jewish faith and laws are refuted in the next part of the passage. The Lord tells them that he did not come to destroy the Law of Moses, even though he disagreed with the way some of those laws were being implemented. Rather he came to fulfill it; essentially he gave the law a reinterpretation through his own revelation.
CCC: Mt 5:13-16 782, 2821; Mt 5:14 1243; Mt 5:16 326; Mt 5:17-19 577, 592, 1967; Mt 5:17 2053
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:

On this memorial of one of the great Eastern Fathers of the Church we hear sacred scripture unify mankind as Christ calls upon all to proclaim the truth to the world. Echoed in St. Paul’s instructions to St. Timothy in the first reading, we are called to be heralds of the faith to all we meet. Beyond this clear instruction, Holy Mother Church holds up St. Cyril as a heroic example of tireless defense of the faith. He was the Bishop of Alexandria (called Pope in the Eastern Church). Here is a short excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI’s teaching about St. Cyril delivered on October 3rd of 2007 at his General Audience:

“The Christian faith is above all a meeting with Jesus, “a person who gives life a new horizon” (encyclical “Deus Caritas Est,” No. 1). St. Cyril of Alexandria was an untiring and firm witness of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, emphasizing his unity above all, as he repeats in his first letter in 433 to Bishop Succens: “One alone is the Son, one alone is the Lord Jesus Christ, before the incarnation and after the incarnation. In fact, it is not a question of a Son, the Logos, born of God the Father, and another, born of the holy Virgin; but we believe that he who is before all time was born according to the flesh of a woman.”

This affirmation, beyond its doctrinal significance, shows that faith in Jesus, the “Logos,” born of the Father, is also deeply rooted in history because, as St. Cyril says, this same Jesus came in time by being born of Mary, the “Theotòkos,” and will be, according to his promise, with us always. And this is important: God is eternal, he was born of a woman and remains with us every day. We live in this trust, in this trust we find the path of our life.”

In is life St. Cyril defended the faith with his words and actions. On this, his memorial, may we pledge to follow his example, loving Christ and proclaiming his truth to the world.

Pax

[1] The icon is “St. Cyril of Alexandria” artist and date are UNKNOWN
[2] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.null

JUNE 24 (23) Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - Vigil

“Holy Family with St Elizabeth,
the Young St John the Baptist
and an Angel”,
by Orazio Borgianni,1609

Mass during the day

Readings for the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist [1][2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary: [3]

Reading 1: Jeremiah 1:4-10

In the days of King Josiah, the word of the LORD came to me, saying:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

"Ah, Lord GOD!" I said,
"I know not how to speak; I am too young."
But the LORD answered me,
Say not, "I am too young."
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,

See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I set you
over nations and over kingdoms,
to root up and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jer 1:4-10

This is the beginning of the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah. It is clear that the author sees the call of the prophet from before his birth (see Isaiah 49:1, 5; Luke 1:15; Galatians 1:15, 16. I knew you: I loved you and chose you. I dedicated you: I set you apart to be a prophet.)

In spite of protesting that he was not yet of age (he was less than thirty years old), God tells him that he (the Lord) will overcome all obstacles (“To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you”). The passage culminates with a formal statement of his prophetic mission to tear down (those who follow false paths) and to build and plant (uphold the Kingdom of God).

CCC: Jer 1:5 2270; Jer 1:6 2584

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17

R. (6) Since my mother's womb, you have been my strength.

In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. Since my mother's womb, you have been my strength.

Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. Since my mother's womb, you have been my strength.

For you are my hope, O Lord;
my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.
R. Since my mother's womb, you have been my strength.

My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. Since my mother's womb, you have been my strength.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17

Psalm 71 is an individual lament. In this section we hear a profession of faith in the saving power of God.  In the third strophe we also find a reference to the “Servant of the Lord” in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19) and Isaiah (Isaiah 49:1). In both cases the servant is known by God and prepared for his service from the womb.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: 1 Peter 1:8-12

Beloved:
Although you have not seen Jesus Christ you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation,
prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it,
investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when he testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you
with regard to the things that have now been announced to you
by those who preached the Good News to you
through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,
things into which angels longed to look.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 1 Pt 1:8-12

St. Peter writes to early churches (this letter is thought to have been composed while St. Peter was in Rome and published to them between 64 and 67 AD shortly before his martyrdom at the hands of Nero). This passage is the beginning of the first section of his letter dealing primarily with the gift and call of Christ in Baptism.

In this selection the idea is presented that the salvation of Christ was predicted by the prophets who came as forerunners to the Savior announcing that gift. This announcement was made for the benefit of the people they came to serve, not the prophets themselves.

CCC: 1 Pt 1:3-9 2627;1 Pt 1:10-12 719

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 1:5-17

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah
of the priestly division of Abijah;
his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in the eyes of God,
observing all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.
Once when he was serving
as priest in his division's turn before God,
according to the practice of the priestly service,
he was chosen by lot
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
because your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
John will drink neither wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,
and he will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah
to turn their hearts toward their children
and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Lk 1:5-17

The Gospel from St. Luke today gives us the story of Zechariah receiving the news that he is to have a son with his wife Elizabeth. It is clear that this story bears much in common with the story we heard in Judges about the conception of Sampson. Elizabeth was also barren; both conceptions were announced by angels, although in the case of Zechariah, the angel was one of the three named archangels, Gabriel. Both children were dedicated to God from the womb but St. John the Baptist, whose tale this is, was given a specific task and labeled from the womb as a great prophet; “He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah.”

CCC: Lk 1:11 332; Lk 1:15-19 724; Lk 1:15 717; Lk 1:17 523, 696, 716, 718, 2684

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:

We wonder, out loud, as we prepare for his nativity, if John the Baptist understood his role in our salvation. He was, after all the pathfinder, the one who paved the way for the Lord. He was to be like Elijah, whose return was to announce the Messiah. His life so closely paralleled that of Jesus that it is remarkable more people did not mistake him for the Messiah.

From before his birth he knew Jesus. Although no Scripture records it, we can easily speculate that these cousins knew each other growing up. I mean if Elizabeth and Mary were as close as Scripture implies, they must have spent time together, and their sons must have been together from time to time as they grew. Although, given that Joseph took Jesus to Egypt right after he was born for a period of time, they were probably not best friends early on.

But did John know? Did he suspect that his cousin, Jesus, was the one before they met at the Jordan that day Jesus went into the water? We will never know for sure. We do know that, after Jesus began his public ministry, John sent his own disciples after Jesus. And that Jesus and John had parallel ministries, although John was focused on repentance, while Jesus went much further with forgiveness.

But John was the voice. He was the one who cried out in the wilderness, that the Kingdom of God was at hand. It was he who publicly announced the messiah. It was he who prefigured Christ, even in death. It is truly good that we celebrate his birth on this day.

And were does that birth take us? We recall the events leading up to John's birth, how his father, Zechariah, a priest, was caused to be mute by the angel Gabriel for not believing, until the day of St. John’s birth and naming. We hear the words of his profession each morning, as those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours unite with him in praising God. While his prayer is omitted in today’s Gospel, we feel Zechariah's faith as he names his son John. We remember the life his son was to follow, one of obedience that led to his outspoken proclamation of Christ’s coming.

His example shines for us. Perhaps we are not able to be so bold as he was. Perhaps we cannot go out and call to those who have turned their backs to “Repent” and return to the Lord. But we are given his example to guide us as well as that of Jesus to whom we aspire. Let us be strengthened by the same Holy Spirit that filled him and, by our words and actions, be another voice, today, crying out in the wilderness.

Pax

[1] S.S. Commemoratio
[2] The picture is “Holy Family with St Elizabeth, the Young St John the Baptist and an Angel”, by Orazio Borgianni,1609
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL).  This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.