July 4, 2007 Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

  2007년 7월 4일 연중 제13주간 수요일

 

 제1독서

창세기. 21,5.8-20
5 아브라함에게서 아들 이사악이 태어났을 때, 그의 나이는 백 살이었다. 8 아기가 자라서 젖을 떼게 되었다. 이사악이 젖을 떼던 날 아브라함은 큰 잔치를 베풀었다.
9 그런데 사라는 이집트 여자 하가르가 아브라함에게 낳아 준 아들이 자기 아들 이사악과 함께 노는 것을 보고, 10 아브라함에게 말하였다. “저 여종과 그 아들을 내쫓으세요. 저 여종의 아들이 내 아들 이사악과 함께 상속을 받을 수는 없어요.” 11 그 아들도 자기 아들이므로 아브라함에게는 이 일이 무척이나 언짢았다.
12 그러나 하느님께서는 아브라함에게 말씀하셨다. “그 아이와 네 여종 때문에 언짢아하지 마라. 사라가 너에게 말하는 대로 다 들어주어라. 이사악을 통하여 후손들이 너의 이름을 물려받을 것이다. 13 그러나 그 여종의 아들도 네 자식이니, 내가 그도 한 민족이 되게 하겠다.”
14 아브라함은 아침 일찍 일어나 빵과 물 한 가죽 부대를 가져다 하가르에게 주어 어깨에 메게 하고는, 그를 아기와 함께 내보냈다. 길을 나선 하가르는 브에르 세바 광야에서 헤매게 되었다. 15 가죽 부대의 물이 떨어지자 그 여자는 아기를 덤불 밑으로 내던져 버리고는, 16 활 한 바탕 거리만큼 걸어가서 아기를 마주하고 주저앉았다. ‘아기가 죽어 가는 꼴을 어찌 보랴 !’ 하고 생각하였던 것이다. 이렇게 그는 아기를 마주하고 주저앉아 목 놓아 울었다.
17 하느님께서 아이의 목소리를 들으셨다. 그래서 하느님의 천사가 하늘에서 하가르를 부르며 말하였다. “하가르야, 어찌 된 일이냐? 두려워하지 마라. 하느님께서 저기에 있는 아이의 목소리를 들으셨다. 18 일어나 가서 아이를 들어 올려 네 손으로 꼭 붙들어라. 내가 그를 큰 민족으로 만들어 주겠다.”
19 그런 다음 하느님께서 하가르의 눈을 열어 주시니, 그가 우물을 보게 되었다. 그는 가서 가죽 부대에 물을 채우고 아이에게 물을 먹였다. 20 하느님께서는 그 아이와 함께 계셨다. 그는 자라서 광야에 살며 활잡이가 되었다.

 

 복음

마태오. 8,28-34
28 예수님께서 호수 건너편 가다라인들의 지방에 이르셨을 때, 마귀 들린 사람 둘이 무덤에서 나와 그분께 마주 왔다. 그들은 너무나 사나워 아무도 그 길로 다닐 수가 없었다. 29 그런데 그들이 “하느님의 아드님, 당신께서 저희와 무슨 상관이 있습니까? 때가 되기도 전에 저희를 괴롭히시려고 여기에 오셨습니까?” 하고 외쳤다.
30 마침 그들에게서 멀리 떨어진 곳에 놓아 기르는 많은 돼지 떼가 있었다. 31 마귀들이 예수님께, “저희를 쫓아내시려거든 저 돼지 떼 속으로나 들여보내 주십시오.” 하고 청하였다. 32 예수님께서 “가라.” 하고 말씀하시자, 마귀들이 나와서 돼지들 속으로 들어갔다. 그러자 돼지 떼가 모두 호수를 향해 비탈을 내리 달려 물속에 빠져 죽고 말았다.
33 돼지를 치던 이들이 달아나 그 고을로 가서는, 이 모든 일과 마귀 들렸던 이들의 일을 알렸다. 34 그러자 온 고을 주민들이 예수님을 만나러 나왔다. 그들은 그분을 보고 저희 고장에서 떠나가 주십사고 청하였다.

 

 

 

 July 4, 2007

 Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

  

 Reading 1
Gn 21:5, 8-20a

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
Isaac grew, and on the day of the child’s weaning
Abraham held a great feast.

Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian
had borne to Abraham
playing with her son Isaac;
so she demanded of Abraham:
“Drive out that slave and her son!
No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance
with my son Isaac!”
Abraham was greatly distressed,
especially on account of his son Ishmael.
But God said to Abraham: “Do not be distressed about the boy
or about your slave woman.
Heed the demands of Sarah, no matter what she is asking of you;
for it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name.
As for the son of the slave woman,
I will make a great nation of him also,
since he too is your offspring.”

Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of water
and gave them to Hagar.
Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away.
As she roamed aimlessly in the wilderness of Beer-sheba,
the water in the skin was used up.
So she put the child down under a shrub,
and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away;
for she said to herself, “Let me not watch to see the child die.”
As she sat opposite Ishmael, he began to cry.
God heard the boy’s cry,
and God’s messenger called to Hagar from heaven:
“What is the matter, Hagar?
Don’t be afraid; God has heard the boy’s cry in this plight of his.
Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand;
for I will make of him a great nation.”
Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.
She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink.

God was with the boy as he grew up.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for nought is lacking to those who fear him.
The great grow poor and hungry;
but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Come, children, hear me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Which of you desires life,
and takes delight in prosperous days?
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Gospel
Mt 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes,
two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.
They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.
They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God?
Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”
Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.
The demons pleaded with him,
“If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.”
And he said to them, “Go then!”
They came out and entered the swine,
and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea
where they drowned.
The swineherds ran away,
and when they came to the town they reported everything,
including what had happened to the demoniacs.
Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus,
and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

 

 

 Commentary

 

 When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two
demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They
were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They
cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have
you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some
distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons
pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of
swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and
entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep
bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran
away, and when they came to the town they reported everything,
including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon
the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw
him they begged him to leave their district.

 

 

 Today in America we celebrate our anniversary as an independent country. This country was founded on the ideals of justice, personal liberties, and freedom from tyranny. These ideals were near and dear to the Hebrews and the early Christians, to our founding fathers, and are still important issues today. Our readings today talk about justice especially. The first reading tells us that justice will bring about peace. Justice was one of the major ideas for our country. The plan was for everyone to be treated justly: That our justice system would be fair – people would be guaranteed a fair trial, protection from improper incarceration, or torture even if found guilty. And those were extreme ideas for the time.

The Psalm and the second reading today talk again about justice and about governance. As God is just and rightly governs His people, the governments on earth should follow the example and govern fairly and justly. They should put the needs of their people above their own personal desires. Our leaders should pray to God for the wisdom and clarity to be good and just rulers to support these ideals of justice and liberty for the people.

The readings leading up to the Gospel are so idealistic – that justice will bring peace and the leaders will have wisdom from God to lead well and support the people. And the Gospel is optimistic too, but puts it in a time perspective. Everything will be accomplished, and the people who have struggled and suffered will find recompense, but perhaps not on the earth. In over two hundred years, we are still struggling to form a more perfect union. The ideals of justice and liberty are still wonderful ideals, and we are still struggling to express them perfectly. There are still people thirsting for righteousness – who are still persecuted for the sake of righteousness, still people trying to make peace. They will be rewarded, either here or in heaven (hopefully both!). I’m not necessarily a flag-waving patriot, but I firmly believe in the ideals of liberty and justice on which this country was founded. As long as we continue to value and encourage liberty and justice, and as long as there are those who are thirsting for righteousness and those who are trying to make peace, we are still on the right track.

 

 by
Tamora Whitney
English Department

 

 

 "All came out to meet Jesus"

Do you ever feel driven by forces beyond your strength?  Two men driven mad by the force of many evil spirits found refuge in the one person who could set them free.  Mark’s and Luke’s gospel accounts describe this force as a legion (Mark 5:9 and Luke 8:30). A legion is no small force—but an army 6,000 strong! For the people of Palestine, hemmed in by occupied forces, a legion, whether spiritual or human, struck terror! Legions at their wildest committed unmentionable atrocities. Our age has also witnessed untold crimes and mass destruction at the hands of possessed rulers and their armies. What is more remarkable—the destructive force of these driven and possessed men, or the bended knee at Jesus' feet imploring mercy and release? God's word  reminds us that no destructive force can keep anyone from the peace and safety which God offers to those who seek his help. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. ..Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation (Psalm 91:7,9).

Jesus took pity on these men who were overtaken by a legion of evil spirits. The destructive force of these demons is evident for all who can see as they flee and destroy a herd of swine. After Jesus freed the demoniacs the whole city came out to meet him. No one had demonstrated such power and authority against the forces of Satan as Jesus did. They feared Jesus as a result and begged him to leave them. Why would they not want Jesus to stay?  Perhaps the price for such liberation from the power of evil and sin was more than they wanted to pay.  Jesus is ready and willing to free us from anything that binds us and that keeps us from the love of God.  Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from his love and saving grace?

"Lord, unbind me that I may love you wholly and walk in the freedom of your way of love and holiness.  May there be nothing which keeps me from the joy of living in your presence."

Psalm 50:7-13,16-17

7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against you.  I am God, your God.
8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will accept no bull from your house, nor he-goat from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.
12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world and all that is in it is mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips?
17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.

 

 

 It would be well to use either the Mass for our nation (Lectionary #s 882-886) or the Mass for Peace and Justice (#s 887-889) for today.     The theme of these Scripture is our gratitude for the abundant blessings given to this country.   Because of gratitude, we must seek to extend God’s blessings to others.    By accident of natural resources coupled with the contributions of many and diverse peoples who came to these shores, we have become a great nation.  Our greatness, though, must be shown in our care for the most vulnerable of peoples.   Without encouraging indolence, we must seek to include everyone in the blessings of prosperity.
Our nation proclaims it dedication to liberty, to justice, to equal rights and opportunities.  To those to whom much is given, much is expected in return.    If we are blessed, we cannot turn within ourselves and ignore the needs of others.   Neither can we seek to impose our will on others by our military might, as if justice comes about by force.    Freedom and liberty must be correlative with responsibility: Responsibility first of all the natural law and to the will of God.   If we desire to spread our ideals to the world, we do this more by sharing our blessings than by imposing our views by force.   We must remember always the words of the Lord: Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.    May the Lord deliver us from hubris.    May he help us to be servants of truth and righteousness.    Rather than a preemption for destruction, one wonders what would happen if we spent but a fraction of our military budget in feeding the hungry of the world and providing medicine and health for the world.    Injustice is not destroyed by containment or preemption.   It is destroyed by doing the will of the Lord: Loving enemies, doing good to those who may hate, giving aid to those who might otherwise deprive us of our needs.    If this were followed, perhaps all the children of Abraham — those from Isaac, those from Ishmael, and those of faith — could truly be united.

Also St. Elizabeth of Portugal (1271-1336).      She was named after a distant relative, St. Elizabeth of Hungary.   At age twelve, she was married to Denis, future king of Portugal.   He was a strong king, but a terrible husband!   Throughout her life, she desperately tried to overlook his faults.  In return for his insults and bad temper, she tried to get her two children to respect him.   Denis died in her arms after she had cared for him for a long time.    Her attitude and procedure might not work in every domestic situation; the Church does not condone any kind of violence.    But it might well be worth a try.  It made her a saint.    

 

 

 «They begged him to leave their area»

Today, we are given to contemplate a sad contrast. “Contrast” because we admire the power and divine majesty of Jesus Christ, whom the demons submit voluntarily to (a signal that the Kingdom of the Heavens has reached us). But, at the same time, however, we deplore the narrowness and stinginess which the human heart is capable of, when refusing the bearer of Good News: «The whole town went out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their area» (Mt 8:34). And “sad” because «He himself, who is the true light (...) came to his own, and his own did not receive him» (Jn 1:9-11).

More contrast and more confusion when we pay attention to the fact that man is free and this freedom has the “power to halt” God's infinite power. Or we can put it another way: the infinite divine powers reach as far as our “powerful” freedom allows it to. And this is so because God mainly loves us with a Father's love. As a Father, we should not be surprised that He is so respectful of our freedom: He does not impose his love upon us, He just proposes it to us.

God, with infinite wisdom and goodness, providentially rules the Universe while respecting our freedom; even when this freedom turns its back on him and does not want to accept his will. Contrary to what it may seem, however, He does not let the world out of his hands: God always brings everything to a good conclusion, despite all hindrances we can raise against him. In fact, these hindrances are, first of all, turning against us.

However, we can affirm, «in the face of human freedom God has wanted to become “impotent”. And it can be said God pays for the great gift [our freedom] given to a being created in his image and likeness [man]» (John Paul II). God pays!: if we throw him out, He obeys and goes away. He pays, but we lose. on the other hand, however, we do well when we respond with the Virgin Mary: «I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said» (Lk 1:38).

 

 

The demoniacs who came out to meet Jesus were so fierce that no one could pass by them.  How far from that picture is the peace and repose of a believer in silent prayer enfolded in the divine Presence.  People should feel safe passing by such a person in prayer with the fruits of that prayer wafting out into the spiritual environment.  Each time I pray I share in the exorcism of the world, starting with myself.  The demons cry out that they were being "tormented before the time."  "The time" that demons refer to, is the time of Christ, the full reign of God among all people and all creation through the manifested glory of Christ.  Before that time is the gradual expulsion of the demons that dominate aspects of creation.  The demons come out of the possessed and rush into the swine, into the sea.  The sea’s depths represent the darkness of the outer kingdom.  Jesus, my prayer is not separated from your work to establish the Kingdom of the Father.