June 14, 2007 Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

  2007년 6월 14일 연중 제10주간 목요일

 

 제1독서

코린토 2서 3,15─4,1.3-6
형제 여러분, 15 오늘날까지도 모세의 율법을 읽을 때마다 이스라엘 자손들의 마음에는 너울이 덮여 있습니다. 16 그러나 주님께 돌아서기만 하면 그 너울은 치워집니다. 17 주님은 영이십니다. 그리고 주님의 영이 계신 곳에는 자유가 있습니다.
18 우리는 모두 너울을 벗은 얼굴로 주님의 영광을 거울로 보듯 어렴풋이 바라보면서, 더욱더 영광스럽게 그분과 같은 모습으로 바뀌어 갑니다. 이는 영이신 주님께서 이루시는 일입니다.
4,1 이렇게 우리는 하느님의 자비를 입어 이 직분을 맡고 있으므로 낙심하지 않습니다. 3 우리의 복음이 가려져 있다 하여도 멸망할 자들에게만 가려져 있을 뿐입니다. 4 그들의 경우, 이 세상의 신이 불신자들의 마음을 어둡게 하여, 하느님의 모상이신 그리스도의 영광을 선포하는 복음의 빛을 보지 못하게 한 것입니다.
5 우리가 선포하는 것은 우리 자신이 아닙니다. 우리는 예수 그리스도를 주님으로 선포하고, 우리 자신은 예수님을 위한 여러분의 종으로 선포합니다. 6 “어둠 속에서 빛이 비추어라.” 하고 이르신 하느님께서 우리 마음을 비추시어, 예수 그리스도의 얼굴에 나타난 하느님의 영광을 알아보는 빛을 주셨습니다

 

 복음

 마태오 5,20ㄴ-26
그때에 예수님께서 제자들에게 말씀하셨다.
20 “너희의 의로움이 율법 학자들과 바리사이들의 의로움을 능가하지 않으면, 결코 하늘 나라에 들어가지 못할 것이다.”
21 ‘살인해서는 안 된다. 살인한 자는 재판에 넘겨진다.’고 옛사람들에게 이르신 말씀을 너희는 들었다. 22 그러나 나는 너희에게 말한다. 자기 형제에게 성을 내는 자는 누구나 재판에 넘겨질 것이다. 그리고 자기 형제에게 ‘바보!’라고 하는 자는 최고 의회에 넘겨지고, ‘멍청이!’라고 하는 자는 불붙는 지옥에 넘겨질 것이다.
23 그러므로 네가 제단에 예물을 바치려고 하다가, 거기에서 형제가 너에게 원망을 품고 있는 것이 생각나거든, 24 예물을 거기 제단 앞에 놓아두고 물러가 먼저 그 형제와 화해하여라. 그런 다음에 돌아와서 예물을 바쳐라.
25 너를 고소한 자와 함께 법정으로 가는 도중에 얼른 타협하여라. 그러지 않으면 고소한 자가 너를 재판관에게 넘기고 재판관은 너를 형리에게 넘겨, 네가 감옥에 갇힐 것이다. 26 내가 진실로 너에게 말한다. 네가 마지막 한 닢까지 갚기 전에는 결코 거기에서 나오지 못할 것이다.”

 

 

 

 June 14, 2007

 Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

 Reading 1
2 Cor 3:15?4:1, 3-6

Brothers and sisters:
To this day, whenever Moses is read,
a veil lies over the hearts of the children of Israel,
but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed.
Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom.
All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
as from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us,
we are not discouraged.
And even though our Gospel is veiled,
it is veiled for those who are perishing,
in whose case the god of this age
has blinded the minds of the unbelievers,
so that they may not see the light of the Gospel
of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,
and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.
For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness,
has shone in our hearts to bring to light
the knowledge of the glory of God
on the face of Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (see 10b) The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD?for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;

our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

Gospel
Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother,
Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

 

 

 Commentary

 

A veil covered Moses' face because the people could not bear such light, and a veil covers the understanding of the revelation of God and the law. But now in Jesus' Spirit, there is freedom, light, and the fullness of life and we are to be transformed into the very image and glory of God. Does the splendor of the gospel showing forth the glory of Christ show in our words, our works, our relationships and way of making holy the world? Or are we blinded by other realities and values? Do we preach ourselves or are we really servants of the glory of God shining on the face of Jesus?

Are we holy? Do we even obey the bare essentials of the law-do not murder? Have we grown into any level of obedience to that command-purifying ourselves of anger, hate, greed, contempt? Do we forgive or worship without even thinking to ask forgiveness individually and as a church/nation? Be reconciled or be judged by God! 

 

 

 “If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, then come and offer your gift.”

Years ago, weekly confession preceded by an examination of conscience, was mandatory at my Catholic grade school. Fighting with my brothers and sisters made the list automatically. Happily all five of those sibling-combatants are now among my dearest friends.

But this passage speaks to reconciling the major conflicts of adult life that can’t be settled by a time out ? conflicts that make it difficult to forgive, even harder to forget. Perhaps we have been responsible for rupturing relationships that we now wish to mend.

Today’s Gospel is an invitation to heal but we instinctively resist responding to it. Sad to say, I have my own list of at least three people with whom I have had major differences that are unlikely to be resolved unless everyone agrees to compromise ? something that seems unlikely. Does this sound familiar?

Not being big on confrontations, and being unlikely to win a face-to-face nastiness contest, I tend to simply avoid such people when we have to attend the same meeting or social gathering. Not exactly what Jesus commanded.

What’s the alternative? I believe that Jesus would prefer even feeble attempts at reconciliation to none at all so I will try to:

?Understand their perspectives and perceive their redeeming qualities. Maybe compromise isn’t as impossible as it seems.
?Speak cordially when I see one of them. Just shutting down amounts to passive aggression.

Maybe I’ll drop a conciliatory note or email just to see what happens. I know that even major breaches can be healed if we let God’s grace take over. When this happens, it feels like a miracle but we have to accept the invitation to healing first.

May we all take our first steps to such miracles!

 

 by
Eileen Wirth
Journalism Department

 

 

 “ Every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment”

 Are you driven by anger or rage?  The first person to hate his brother was Cain.  God warned Cain: ‘Why are you angry? ..Sin in couching at the door; it’s desire is for you, but you must master it (Genesis 4:6-7). Sin doesn’t just happen; it first grows as a seed in one’s heart.  Unless it is mastered, by God’s grace, it grows like a weed and chokes the fruitful vine.  Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples.  The scribes and Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the demands of the law.  Jesus showed them how short they had come.  Jesus points to the heart as the seat of desire and choice.  Unless forbidden and evil desires are eradicated, the heart will be corrupted.  Jesus points to forbidden anger with one's brother.  This is a selfish anger that broods and is long-lived, that nurses a grudge and keeps wrath warm, and that refuses to die.  Anger in the heart as well as anger in speech or action are equally forbidden.  What is the antidote to anger and rage?  Mercy, kindness, and forbearance spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness.  God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us harm and grief.  In the cross of Jesus
we see the supreme example of love and the power for overcoming evil.  only God’s love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge.  Do you harbor any anger towards another person? And are you quick to be reconciled when a rupture has been caused in your relationships?  Ask God to set you free and to fill your heart and mind with his love and truth.

“May I be no man’s enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides.  May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly.  May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good.  May I wish for all men’s happiness and envy none.  May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I make amends.  May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent.  May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another.  May I never fail a friend who is in danger.  When visiting those in grief may I be able by gentle and healing words to soften their pain.  May I respect myself.  May I always keep tame that which rages within me.  May I accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of circumstances.  May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but know good men and follow in their footsteps.”  (Prayer of Eusebius, 3rd century)

Psalm 65:10-13

10 For thou, O God, hast tested us; thou hast tried us as silver is tried.
11 Thou didst bring us into the net; thou didst lay affliction on our loins;
12 thou didst let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water;  yet thou hast brought us forth to a spacious place.
13 I will come into thy house with burnt offerings; I will pay thee my vows

 

 HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT (Mt 11:30)

'All of us, gazing on the Lord's glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit.' 2 Corinthians 3:18

The biblical word 'glory' can be translated as 'weight,' for example, a covering heavy enough to be felt. The Israelites sang of the Lord: 'He has covered Himself in glory' (Ex 15:1, JB).

As we bask in the Lord's glory and worship Him 'with unveiled faces,' for example, in eucharistic adoration, we are clothed in God's light (2 Cor 3:18; 4:6). We are covered with the weight of God's glory, as was Moses (Ex 33:11; 34:29ff). In this sense, we can say that His burden is light; that is, the weight of His glory which covers us is the light reflecting from the face of God.

Jesus says, 'You are the light of the world' (Mt 5:14). He shines in your heart so you will 'make known the glory of God shining on the face of Christ' (2 Cor 4:6). Recall when you were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), and it was easy to radiate God's love to all. People were attracted to the light of Christ shining from your face (see Is 60:3). You were a 'lamp, set aflame and burning bright' for Jesus (Jn 5:35). Eventually the weight, or burden, of glory simply became the weight of always having to be 'on' for Jesus. You grew weary under this burden, and looked for relief outside of Jesus. You fell from your early love (Rv 2:4). You avoided those who had flocked to you for a glimpse of the light of Christ shining through you.

Does this describe you? Have you put your light under a bushel basket? (Mt 5:15) Come to Jesus (Mt 11:28). He loves you! He will refresh you, for His burden is light, that is, the light of glory shining from His face, a light burden to bear (Mt 11:29-30).

Praise: Marilyn repented of fornication and returned to Jesus, her First Love (see Rv 2:4).
Prayer: Jesus, be the Lord of my face. Set my life on fire.
Promise: 'The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.' 2 Cor 3:17

 

 

 ?If you are not righteous in a much broader way (...), you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven?

Today, Jesus invites us to go beyond what any reliable law-abiding person can go. Even, without falling into any evil deeds, routine quite often hardens the desire of seeking sanctity, by comfortably adapting ourselves to the habit of just a good behavior, and nothing else. St. John Bosco used to say: ?The good is the enemy of the best?. It is there, where the Master's Word reaches us, inviting us to be righteous in a “much broader” way (cf. Mt 5:20) that starts from a different attitude. Bigger things that, paradoxically, look lesser and smaller. To get angry, to scorn and disown your brother are not the right things for the disciple of the Kingdom who is supposed to be ?nothing less but? the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:13-16), as of the applicability of the Beatitudes (cf. Mt 5:3-12).

With authority, Jesus changes the interpretation of the negative precept “Do not kill” (cf. Ex 20:13), by the positive meaning of the deep and radical demand of reconciliation, which, for additional emphasis, is put in relationship to the cult. Thus, no offering is valid when ?you remember that your brother has something against you? (Mt 5:23). This is why it is so important to settle any dispute as, otherwise, the invalidity of your offering will be turned against you (cf. Mt 5,26).

All this can only be attained through a great love. ?Indeed ?St. Paul will say?: the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet’, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’. Love does no wrong to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law? (Rm 13:9-10). Help us beg to be renewed in the gift of charity ?to the minimum detail? towards our neighbor, and our life will be the best and most authentic of all our offers to God.

 

 

St. Paul indulges in a bit of mixing of metaphors and of rambling in today’s first reading.   Very likely he has in mind the veil which Moses put over his head when coming from the tabernacle of God’s glory in the desert.   The veil was so that the Hebrews would not be blinded by the glory of God reflected in his face.   Paul speaks of the hearts of the Hebrews today being veiled so that they do not see the glory in Jesus the Christ.   But for us who are in the faith, we see the Lord face to face in all his glory.   But Paul rambles a bit more.   He says that the gospel is truly veiled for those who do not believe.; nevertheless, God brings all to light, for his light shines in the darkness.   We might imagine Paul dictating this letter to a secretary, and, as he walked back and forth, mixing his metaphors.   The lesson is clear:   We have the full light by faith; for others, their hearts are still veiled from seeing the fullness of God’s word.
The gospel is from the Sermon on the Mount.   Jesus speaks of the real meaning and spirit of the Torah.   The Torah stated that we should not murder; but the spirit is that we must not be angry.  Jesus tells us that it is not worth of  the gift placed on the altar, but the spirit with which the gift is offered.   Therefore, we must be at peace with all before we presume to offer God anything.
 

 

 The buzz word these days is “spirituality.”  But you do not find that word readily in the Gospels.  There, on the mouth of Jesus, the operative word is righteousness or holiness.  My holiness must exceed all the theories and techniques of spirituality.  Prayer must begin with the hunger for holiness.  Holiness is sharing in God's life.  Blessed are those who hunger for holiness, righteousness, justice, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.  My prayer will always be this consent to the work of God who brings me into the holiness of Christ.  My holiness is never farther than the depths of my heart in its intentions of love.  My holiness is never farther than the presence of another?man, woman, child?who comes into the sound of my voice, the glance of my face, the action of my hands.  Not only am I commanded not to murder or dismember these neighbors, but never to afflict them with my anger or meanness.  God's wrath is set against our anger.  God's mercy demands imitation in our behavior.  The depth of my prayer, of my holiness is measured in my reaction to people.  According to the Gospel of Christ it's as simple as that.