2019년 9월 11일 연중 제23주간 수요일
오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp
제1독서
콜로새서. 3,1-11
형제 여러분, 1 여러분은 그리스도와 함께 다시 살아났으니, 저 위에 있는 것을 추구하십시오. 거기에는 그리스도께서 하느님의 오른쪽에 앉아 계십니다. 2 위에 있는 것을 생각하고, 땅에 있는 것은 생각하지 마십시오. 3 여러분은 이미 죽었고, 여러분의 생명은 그리스도와 함께 하느님 안에 숨겨져 있기 때문입니다.
4 여러분의 생명이신 그리스도께서 나타나실 때, 여러분도 그분과 함께 영광 속에 나타날 것입니다.
5 그러므로 여러분 안에 있는 현세적인 것들, 곧 불륜, 더러움, 욕정, 나쁜 욕망, 탐욕을 죽이십시오. 탐욕은 우상 숭배입니다. 6 이것들 때문에 하느님의 진노가 순종하지 않는 자들에게 내립니다. 7 여러분도 전에 이러한 것들에 빠져 지낼 때에는 그렇게 살아갔습니다.
8 그러나 이제는 분노, 격분, 악의, 중상, 또 여러분의 입에서 나오는 수치스러운 말 따위는 모두 버리십시오. 9 서로 거짓말을 하지 마십시오.
여러분은 옛 인간을 그 행실과 함께 벗어 버리고, 10 새 인간을 입은 사람입니다. 새 인간은 자기를 창조하신 분의 모상에 따라 끊임없이 새로워지면서 참지식에 이르게 됩니다. 11 여기에는 그리스인도 유다인도, 할례 받은 이도 할례 받지 않은 이도, 야만인도, 스키티아인도, 종도, 자유인도 없습니다. 그리스도만이 모든 것이며, 모든 것 안에 계십니다.
복음
루카. 6,20-26
그때에 20 예수님께서 눈을 들어 제자들을 보시며 말씀하셨다.
“행복하여라, 가난한 사람들! 하느님의 나라가 너희 것이다.
21 행복하여라, 지금 굶주리는 사람들! 너희는 배부르게 될 것이다.
행복하여라, 지금 우는 사람들! 너희는 웃게 될 것이다.
22 사람들이 너희를 미워하면, 그리고 사람의 아들 때문에 너희를 쫓아내고 모욕하고 중상하면, 너희는 행복하다! 23 그날에 기뻐하고 뛰놀아라. 보라, 너희가 하늘에서 받을 상이 크다. 사실 그들의 조상들도 예언자들을 그렇게 대하였다.
24 그러나 불행하여라, 너희 부유한 사람들! 너희는 이미 위로를 받았다.
25 불행하여라, 너희 지금 배부른 사람들! 너희는 굶주리게 될 것이다.
불행하여라, 지금 웃는 사람들! 너희는 슬퍼하며 울게 될 것이다.
26 모든 사람이 너희를 좋게 말하면, 너희는 불행하다! 사실 그들의 조상들도 거짓 예언자들을 그렇게 대하였다.”
September 11, 2019
Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass
Reading 1
Col 3:1-11
Brothers and sisters:
If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and the greed that is idolatry.
Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.
By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way.
But now you must put them all away:
anger, fury, malice, slander,
and obscene language out of your mouths.
Stop lying to one another,
since you have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed, for knowledge,
in the image of its creator.
Here there is not Greek and Jew,
circumcision and uncircumcision,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all and in all.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 145:2-3, 10-11, 12-13ab
R. (9) The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Gospel
Lk 6:20-26
Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
http://evangeli.net/gospel/tomorrow
«Fortunate are you who are poor. Alas for you who have wealth»
Fr. Joaquim MESEGUER García
(Rubí, Barcelona, Spain)
Today, Jesus points out where the true happiness lies in our lives. In Luke's version, beatitudes are accompanied by painful wails for those who do not accept the message of salvation, but prefer to stick to a self-sufficient and selfish life. With the beatitudes and wails, Jesus applies the doctrine of the two paths: the path of life and the fact of death. There is not a third and neutral possibility: he who does not follow the path of life is heading for the path of death; who does not follow the light, lives in darkness.
«Fortunate are you who are poor, the Kingdom of God is yours!» (Lk 6:29). This beatitude is the basis of all the others, because who is poor will be able to get the Kingdom of God as a gift. He who is poor will realize he must be hungry and thirsty: not of material things, but of the Word of God; not of power, but of love and justice. Who is poor will be able to cry over the world's sufferings. Who is poor, will know that God is all his wealth and, because of that, the world will not understand him and will harass him.
«But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now!» (Lk 6:24). This wail is also the basis for all the others: because who is rich and self-sufficient, who does not know how to place his wealth at the service of others, he just confines himself to his own selfishness and works out his own misfortune. May God deliver us from the thirst of riches, from going after this world's promises and from placing our heart in material things; may God deliver us from taking any pleasure in human praise and adulation, for that would mean we have placed our heart in the world's glory rather than in the Glory of Jesus Christ. It will be profitable for us to remember what St. Basil said: «Whomever loves his neighbor as he loves himself should not have more than his neighbor does (…) then everyone will share their goods and spend them on themselves».
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
What a beautiful and challenging set of directions we have here in the readings for September 11.
St Paul invites the Colossians (and us) to seek and focus on “what is above, not of what is on earth.” He elaborates by inviting us to let go of “immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and the greed that is idolatry” and to embrace our “new self” which is “in the image of the creator.”
As I reflected on this first reading and let these words focus on my own life and actions, several questions came up for me that perhaps might be helpful for you, too:
- Where do I get caught up in the earthly things, and when do I find myself focusing on the wrong things?
- Maybe I am getting caught up in the day-to-day minutia of my responsibilities and that is leading to resentment or an all-consuming focus.
- Maybe my judgement of others or my long-held resistance to forgiveness is getting in the way of seeing what Christ might be inviting me to see
- Maybe I am focused on ‘how things should be’ or ‘how things used to be’
- Does my attention bring me to focus on how others are breaking rules or how situations are ‘unfair’ to me?
St. Paul reminds us that this habit of getting caught up with these earthly things is detrimental because it brings our focus away from the big picture…the vision and hope of God for us. St. Paul also invites us to rise above these differences in tradition and belief, remembering that “Christ is all and in all” (How to treat slaves and circumcision were divisive issues back then…perhaps the divisive issues of how to treat refugees and immigrants, how to tackle climate change, how to work against ‘-isms’ in our reality, and finding ways to make health care accessible ….these topics are more relevant to us today.)
Jesus continues the instructive and prophetic directives, challenging the status quo of that time (and our times!), in the Gospel today. The Beatitudes in Luke invite us to remember that the goals of our lives are not to live for wealth, satisfaction, contentment, happiness and having a good reputation. Yet, isn’t that what many of us are conditioned to work towards in our lives? Those goals are society’s values; a Western corporate culture that so starkly contradicts Jesus’ message and invitation.
It seems to me that Jesus is inviting us to reconsider who might be the people who are most loved or in tune with their reliance on God….not the successful, the satisfied, the happy, the popular, the protected. Those who are grieving, weeping, excluded and victimized are the ones who are close to God’s care. Are they the ones that I could be spending more of my time and effort with? How might I learn from them?
These readings are not just inviting us to question where are hearts are, where are focus should be. These words of Jesus also give hope that there is a more wonderful place and time coming, and that the destruction, greed, division and tragedy of this world will not have the final say.
Perhaps, today, there is an invitation in these readings to know more closely and intimately what God’s desire is for us. Let us take a little extra time today in asking Jesus to help show us God’s desire for us…through our daily actions, experiences, conversations and all that is around us. And, on this solemn day of memorial in the United States, remembering the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001 and the many that perished that day, may we all pray and work for unity, understanding, love and peace.
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP | ||
| "Since you have been raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms, where Christ is seated at God's right hand." �Colossians 3:1 | ||
In our secular humanistic society, many people, even Christians, are preoccupied with this world. They don't think very often of God, heaven, or the afterlife. They live as if our short time on earth is all we have. This attitude is out of touch with the major aspects of reality. Therefore, secular humanists tend to feel empty, depressed, stressed, or fearful. If they find Jesus and give themselves totally to Him, they are saved and elated, for Jesus is the only Way to the Father in heaven (Jn 14:6). He alone is the Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25). Those converted to Jesus are no longer doomed to be earthbound prisoners of the world. They are "raised up in company with Christ" (Col 3:1; see also Eph 2:6). They can seek what is above and "be intent on things above rather than on things of earth" (Col 3:2). In being transformed by Jesus, they can "put to death whatever in [their] nature is rooted in earth" (Col 3:5). The world of itself is a prison. If you are living for Jesus, you have the key to free billions of prisoners from captivity. Share your faith and give the key to those worldlings who are becoming more and more sick and bored with this world. After all, "we have our citizenship in heaven; it is from there that we eagerly await the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil 3:20). | ||
| Prayer: Father, free my mind from being "set upon the things of this world" (Phil 3:19), thus making me an enemy of Christ's cross (Phil 3:18). | ||
| Promise: "Blest are you poor; the reign of God is yours." —Lk 6:20 | ||
| Praise: After losing his job, George began to attend daily Mass and has found consolation. |
http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
"Blessed are you poor - yours is the kingdom of God"
When you encounter misfortune, grief, or tragic loss, how do you respond? With fear or faith? With passive resignation or with patient hope and trust in God? We know from experience that no one can escape all of the inevitable trials of life - pain, suffering, sickness, and death. When Jesus began to teach his disciples he gave them a "way of happiness" that transcends every difficulty and trouble that can weigh us down with grief and despair. Jesus began his sermon on the mount by addressing the issue of where true happiness can be found. The word beatitude literally means happiness or blessedness. Jesus' way of happiness, however, demands a transformation from within - a conversion of heart and mind which can only come about through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit.
True happiness can only be fulfilled in God
How can one possibly find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? If we want to be filled with the joy and happiness of heaven, then we must empty ourselves of all that would shut God out of our hearts. Poverty of spirit finds ample room and joy in possessing God alone as the greatest treasure possible. Hunger of the spirit seeks nourishment and strength in God's word and Spirit. Sorrow and mourning over wasted life and sin leads to joyful freedom from the burden of guilt and oppression.
The beatitudes strengthen us in virtue and excellence
Ambrose (339-397 A.D), an early church father and bishop of Milan, links the beatitudes with the four cardinal virtues which strengthen us in living a life of moral excellence. He writes: "Let us see how St. Luke encompassed the eight blessings in the four. We know that there are four cardinal virtues: temperance, justice, prudence and fortitude. one who is poor in spirit is not greedy. one who weeps is not proud but is submissive and tranquil. one who mourns is humble. one who is just does not deny what he knows is given jointly to all for us. one who is merciful gives away his own goods. one who bestows his own goods does not seek another's, nor does he contrive a trap for his neighbor. These virtues are interwoven and interlinked, so that one who has one may be seen to have several, and a single virtue befits the saints. Where virtue abounds, the reward too abounds... Thus temperance has purity of heart and spirit, justice has compassion, patience has peace, and endurance has gentleness." (EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.62–63, 68).
No one can live without joy
God reveals to the humble of heart the true source of abundant life and happiness. Jesus promises his disciples that the joys of heaven will more than compensate for the troubles and hardships they can expect in this world. Thomas Aquinas said: "No person can live without joy. That is why someone deprived of spiritual joy goes after carnal pleasures." Do you know the joy and happiness of hungering and thirsting for God alone?
"Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for you and show me the way that leads to everlasting happiness and peace. May I desire you above all else and find perfect joy in doing your will."
Psalm 145:2-3,10-13a
2 Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the sons of men your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus, though rich, became poor for us, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"'Blessed,' it says, 'are the poor.' Not all the poor are blessed, for poverty is neutral. The poor can be either good or evil, unless, perhaps, the blessed pauper is to be understood as he whom the prophet described, saying, 'A righteous poor man is better than a rich liar' (Proverbs 19:22). Blessed is the poor man who cried and whom the Lord heard (Psalm 34:6). Blessed is the man poor in offense. Blessed is the man poor in vices. Blessed is the poor man in whom the prince of this world (John 14:30) finds nothing. Blessed is the poor man who is like that poor Man who, although he was rich, became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9). Matthew fully revealed this when he said, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3). one poor in spirit is not puffed up, is not exalted in the mind of his own flesh. This beatitude is first, when I have laid aside every sin, and I have taken off all malice, and I am content with simplicity, destitute of evils. All that remains is that I regulate my conduct. For what good does it do me to lack worldly goods, unless I am meek and gentle?" (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.53-54)
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