A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday and Weekday Liturgy

 

BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 10, n.50)

WEEK 31 IN ORDINARY TIME: November 4-10, 2012 ***

 

(N.B. The pastoral tool BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy of Year B from three perspectives. For reflections on the Sunday liturgy based on the Gospel reading, please scroll up to the “ARCHIVES” above and open Series 1. For reflections based on the Old Testament reading, open Series 4. For reflections based on the Second Reading, open Series 7. Please go to Series 10 for the back issues of the Weekday Lectio.

 

Below is a LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY - WEEKDAY LITURGY: November 4-10, 2012. The following reflections are based on the weekday liturgy’s Gospel reading.)

 

***

 

November 4, 2012: 31st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Calls Us to Love God and Neighbor”       

 

BIBLE READINGS

Dt 6:2-6 // Heb 7:23-28 // Mk 12:28b-34

 

 

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

  

           The newspaper report about the alleged dumping of five discharged hospital patients in Skid Row is a cause for concern. According to the October 24, 2006 issue of the Fresno Bee, p. B5:

 

The Los Angeles Police Department has opened its first criminal investigation into the dumping of homeless people after documenting five cases Sunday in which ambulances dropped patients recently discharged from a hospital onto Skid Row. All of the patients told police they did not want to be taken downtown  … Sunday’s investigation began around noon, when an LAPD sergeant noticed a patient being left in front of the Volunteers of America homeless services center. He immediately called an LAPD videographer who recorded four more ambulances arriving at the facility and leaving patients discharged from Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center. Police also recorded interviews with the patient as well as with James Frailey, a 30-year old attendant with ProCare, a private ambulance company. Frailey told police the hospital hires his company “on a regular basis” to move discharged patients from the medical center to Skid Row and that other private ambulance companies also transport patients to the area. He said the hospital appeared to have made “no prior arrangements” for the patient he transported Sunday. One patient the LAPD interviewed on the videotape, Marcus Joe Lincoln, 62, told officers he “never wanted to go” to Skid Row and asked that he be dropped off at his son’s house … John Fenton, president and CEO of Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center, denied that his hospital dumped patients.

 

The dumping of the homeless patients in Skid Row is a symptom of a fragmented society that has failed in its task of loving and caring for one another. Today’s situation of social ills that need healing should be confronted by the Gospel message of this Sunday: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart … Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

Jesus Christ’s assertion of the primordial importance of the twofold love-command can be understood better in light of the Deuteronomy injunction: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Dt 6:5). This text underlines the obligation of the people of Israel to love God with an integral, wholehearted, and undivided love. The love envisioned here is the kind of deep loyalty and affection that the Israelites owe to God who ended their cruel bondage in Egypt. This love of God is virtually synonymous with obedience.

 

To the Deuteronomy injunction that Jesus cites, he adds another: You shall love your neighbor as yourself, from the Book of Leviticus (19:18). What is new is that Jesus goes further. He underlines the intimate bond between love of neighbor and love of God. In the Christian concept of love, people and God are inseparably one. This vision that Jesus introduces is new. Another aspect of newness that Jesus brings is the comprehensive vision of neighbor. In the time of Leviticus it means Hebrews only. By the time of Jesus, it includes resident aliens as well. But for Jesus, the word has the widest meaning possible. It includes every member of the human race. He died for all of us. This is a much greater depth and breadth than ever before imagined. Jesus’ questioner, like many of his fellow scribes, is a good man whom Jesus declares to be not far from the kingdom of God. One unequivocal sign characterizes those who are not far from the kingdom: their service of love to its two inseparable objects, God and neighbor.

  

The true meaning of love of God and neighbor has been crystallized in the very life and person of Jesus, especially in his self-gift and sacrificial love on the cross. Because God, in his Son Jesus, has loved us so much, we too are enabled to love. The commandment to love God and neighbor flows from the energizing, empowering love that the Lord has for us. In accepting God’ love for us, our commitment to love God and neighbor is made possible in a wholehearted way. At times we are afraid of wholehearted loving, fearing that if we offer all, we will lose all.

 

Rabindranath Tagore, the great Bengali poet, in his Gitanjali tells the story of a beggar going from door to door asking for alms. He suddenly sees his celestial king approaching in a chariot, and he dreams of the king showering upon him bountiful gifts. But to his surprise, the king asks him what he has to give. After staring, confused and undecided, he finally peers into his sack of meager possessions, takes out a tiny grain of corn, and gives it to the king. Later he says, “But how great my surprise when at the day’s end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a little grain of gold among the poor heap! I bitterly wept and wished that I had had the heart to give my all.

 

 

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO 

 

What is our response to Jesus’ great command: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart … You shall love your neighbor as yourself”? How do we try to put this twofold command into practice? Are we capable of wholehearted love and service? If not, what do we do to improve our capacity for loving and giving? Do we look to Jesus’ total self-giving upon the cross? Is our life shaped and energized by the Divine Master’s example of total self-giving and sacrificial love? Do we contemplate the Eucharist as the sacrament of love – of the One who has loved us to the end? 

 

 

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

 

 We adore you, O wonderful Sacrament of the presence

of the One who loved his own “to the end”.

We thank you, O Lord,

who edifies, gathers together and gives life to the Church.

O Divine Eucharist,

flame of Christ’s love that burns on the altar of the world,

make the Church, comforted by you,

even more caring in wiping away the tears of suffering

and in sustaining the efforts of all who yearn for justice and peace.

May your love triumph,

now and forever.

Amen.   

 

 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

 

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength … You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mk 12:30-31)

 

 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO   

 

Pray that Jesus’ twofold love-command may truly impact and shape our daily lives. Let the words of Jesus and his Eucharistic sacrifice challenge you to love and embrace the poor and vulnerable in today’s fragmented and wounded world.

 

 

***

 

November 5, 2012: MONDAY – WEEKDAY (31)

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Teaches Us to Be Hospitable to All”

 

BIBLE READINGS

Phil 2:1-4 // Lk 14:12-14

 

 

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

 

I grew up in a Filipino culture of reciprocity. When I was a teenager I baked a delicious “Devil’s Food” cake and shared it with the family next door. Sure enough, they reciprocated. When their daughter baked a fantastic orange chiffon cake, they shared it with us. Indeed, when someone does something good, we have a feeling of indebtedness. The Filipinos call that sense of obligation “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude). With my cultural background of “utang na loob”, it is easy for me to understand the reciprocal relationship in the Jewish world.

 

To seek or give recompense is an honorable way of behaving, especially if it is meant to strengthen friendships, deepen family bonds, increase our potential, etc. But Jesus goes beyond mere human reciprocity. In today’s Gospel, he advises his host Pharisee that when he holds a banquet he should not invite his friends, brothers, relatives or wealthy neighbors lest he will be invited back and be repaid. He urges him instead to invite the poor, the crippled and the blind – those unable to reciprocate. Jesus’ perplexing advice should not be taken literally. The “radical” advice is a hyperbole – a Semitic exaggeration to teach a new way of behaving. He invites us to welcome and be hospitable to the unfortunate – not just to those who can reciprocate our good graces. He wants us to be good in a totally disinterested fashion – to be generous without expecting a reward. We must show concern for the poor and needy. In sharing God’s blessings with them, we mirror his compassion. Jesus teaches us that the kingdom of God is for all. Hence, our hospitality must likewise be all-inclusive – embracing all – especially the poor and vulnerable who are neglected by those who act merely reciprocally and with selfish motives.

 

Our friend Rosel is a member of the Holy Family Institute, founded by Blessed James Alberione. I am deeply touched by her compassion for the poor. When she celebrates her birthday, or that of her daughter, she does it in a very “Christian” way. Instead of hosting a party at their home in San Jose (CA-USA) she will send her hard earned dollars to her hometown in Cebu, Philippines to feed the poor. Hundreds and hundreds of poor, hungry children are able to enjoy a delicious meal on account of her generosity. Rosel follows literally the words of Jesus: “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor …”

 

 

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

 

Does your behavior go beyond the bounds of human reciprocity? Do you imitate the generous stance of Jesus, who empties himself for others without counting the cost?

 

 

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

 

Jesus Master,

you teach us the way of hospitality and generosity.

You give yourself to us without counting the cost.

The heavenly Father exalted you as our Lord.

Help us to open ourselves

to the needs of the poor and the unfortunate.

Fill our table with your blessings

that we may share them with our brothers and sisters

who do not have.

Lead us all to the heavenly feasting

where we will rejoice with you,

forever and ever.

Amen.  

 

 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

 

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

 

“Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind …” (Lk 14:13)

 

 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

 

Eliminate “unnecessary” spending and look into the possibility of donating your resources to help feed the world’s poor and alleviate the sufferings of the needy.

***

 

November 6, 2012: TUESDAY – WEEKDAY (31)

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Invites Us to the Feast of the Kingdom”

 

BIBLE READINGS

Phil 2:5-11 // Lk 14:15-24

 

 

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

 

The biblical scholar Eugene Maly remarks: “One of the most pleasant of human activities is the family or community meal. In its ideal form, it is a time when those who love one another not only share the food they eat, but also share with one another their hopes and fears, their experiences, and future plans. The love that already binds them is made stronger. The Scripture attests to the fact that a meal is expressive of a wide range of human attitudes and emotions … All mankind seems to be aware of the fact that a shared meal creates or strengthens a community of life among the participants. That is why this most human of activities would also be used to symbolize a community of life between human and divine participants.”

 

All are invited to the feast of the Kingdom. The end-time feast is for all peoples, with God himself as the gracious host. He is the Lord of the banquet who satisfies our deepest longings. Today’s Gospel parable underlines the need of a positive response to his invitation. The Church, which has a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, must go to the crossroads in order to invite everyone to the wedding feast. The banquet of salvation, offered to all peoples in the highways and byways, is abundant and gratuitous. But it demands a full response and commitment. 

 

The following personal reflection of a Filipino Religious Brother (he prefers to remain anonymous) gives us an idea of the positive response as well as the negative one that can be given to the Lord’s invitation to the feast of the kingdom.

 

Preparation for a wedding banquet is too tedious. It puts the host into great anxiety. The host will always look forward to the success of the occasion. The celebration is disappointing if the invited guests will not come despite all the preparation and invitations. Moreover, the story of the gospel is impossible today. We seldom see a rich man inviting people of a lower class to his banquet. This is impossible. If this will happen, the occasion is frowned upon by the wealthy and influential.

 

In reading the Gospel, the story reminds me of the experience of our parish priest in the province. He was organizing the Basic Ecclesial Community. He was scouting possible community-leaders to facilitate the barrio people in forming little communities and, at the same time, to train Special Eucharistic Ministers to serve in the parish. The parish priest invited first the town people, “taga-poblacion”. Some attended, but slowly they decreased in number until no one remained. The priest was disappointed.

 

The Basic Ecclesial Community is the trust and mission of the Diocese in response to the promulgation of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines. The Council would like to emphasize the importance of the community-based church wherein lay people can participate with their time, treasure and talents. Because of the priest’s disappointment, he, in turn, called the people from the barrio to attend seminars. The poor from the countryside gladly responded to the call. They started a series of seminars and special education about the basic tenets of faith, the Bible and the Doctrines. The presence of the “taga-barrio” and the “hijos/hijas de entresuelo” (sons and daughters of the nobility by mistresses in the countryside) annoyed the people in the “centro”.

 

The “taga-barrio” started to occupy a space in the parish. They became regular visitors of the parish priest and that made the town people indifferent to them. One morning, during the Novena Mass in preparation for the town fiesta, carts and muddy vehicles started to arrive. They were decorated with artificial flowers, twigs and leaves, giving a festive atmosphere that made the people wonder. This event astonished the people. Envy haunted the townsfolk when some of those from the barrio went in the procession with the priest at the beginning of the Mass. They were commissioned as Lay Leaders and Special Eucharistic Ministers to help the priest in distributing communion.

 

Even now, there are few Special Eucharistic Ministers from the “centro”. Indeed, the wealthy and influential are occupied more by their affairs and they have missed the call to associate with the poor and the little ones. This is still an issue in the parish among the nobles.

 

 

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

 

What is our response to the Lord’s invitation, “Come to the feast”? How do we react to the negative response of those who have been invited to the heavenly feast? 

 

 

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

 

O loving God,

you are the Lord of the banquet.

We thank you

for the “feast of rich food and choice wines”

you have prepared for us on your holy mountain.

The “banquet of salvation” at the end time

celebrates the triumph of your kingdom.

In our daily celebration of the Eucharist,

we have a foretaste of the eternal joy

and the bounty of that heavenly feast.

Grant us the grace to respond positively

to the eternal “banquet of salvation”.

We love you and long for you.

We serve you and glorify you,

now and forever.

Amen.

 

 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

 

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

 

“Come, everything now is ready.” (Lk 14:17)

 

 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

 

Pray that the invitation to the wedding feast of God’s kingdom may find a welcoming response in the hearts of our people. Endeavor to bring the bounty of God’s wedding feast to the poor and hungry of today’s distressed and suffering world. 

 

***

 

November 7, 2012: WEDNESDAY – WEEKDAY (31)

 “JESUS SAVIOR: He Invites us to Embrace the Cost of Discipleship”

 

BIBLE READINGS

Phil 2:12-18 // Lk 14:25-33

 

 

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

 

In 2004 I watched the video, “Maximilian, Saint of Auschwitz” that had been stashed on a shelf in our community room. Produced as a joint venture by Saint Luke Productions and the Ignatius Press, the film depicts the radical discipleship of Maximilian Kolbe, who was arrested by the Gestapo in 1941 for his tireless work against the Nazi forces. The founder of the Militia of Mary Immaculate was sent to the infamous death camp of Auschwitz where he served in slave labor. He was frequently beaten and subjected to humiliations. On August 14, 1941 he was granted the crown of martyrdom when he offered his own life in place of another prisoner. Various scenes in the film powerfully delineate his spirit of renunciation and total dedication to the Lord. Two poignant episodes illustrate the saint’s uncompromising discipleship: when he was offering his ration of bread to a younger famished prisoner and when he was lying in the death bunker, naked and deprived of everything, waiting for the completion of his paschal sacrifice. Indeed, St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe exemplifies a disciple’s heroic response to the challenge posed by Christ: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple … Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple … Anyone who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple”.

 

Today’s Gospel passage situates Jesus’ challenge in the context of his paschal journey to Jerusalem with great crowds accompanying him. Jesus addresses the crowds to enlighten them about the cost of discipleship. He confronts them with the real demands of being with him on his journey. They must renounce everything (be it family, or their own lives, or possessions) in order to be his disciples. Discipleship, which is a deliberate and total commitment to his person, entails renunciation or a spirit of detachment. Jesus reinforces his message by narrating two parables concerning the need for reflection before taking decisive action. No one builds without planning carefully, and no king would wage a war without thoughtfully weighing the costs. Discipleship is an all-consuming vocation that must be accepted with mature deliberation. A Christian disciple cannot act on impulse, but only on a carefully considered program of involvement.

 

According to Robert Karris: “Those who want to follow Jesus on the way must weigh the costs … Jesus’ followers must not recoil before any sacrifice required of them to see their following of him through to the end, even if this means the sacrifice of all their possessions … Disciples must beware of letting their allegiance to Jesus deteriorate and become inactive.” A ruined builder and a conquered king are unpleasant images of a failed and compromised discipleship.

 

 

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

 

Am I ready to renounce anyone and/or anything that stands in the way of a total commitment to Jesus: even closest relations, precious possessions, and my very life? Do I wisely and realistically consider the cost of Christian discipleship? 

 

 

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO 

 

Loving Father,

your Son Jesus invites us

to consider the cost of discipleship.

Help us to love your Son unconditionally.

Give us the strength to be totally self-giving,

even to the point of sacrificing our own life

for the love of Jesus.

Grant that we may be totally open

to the riches of the kingdom.

We give you praise,

now and forever.

Amen.   

 

 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

 

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

 

            “Everyone who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14:32)

 

 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

 

Pray to God for the grace and strength of total dedication. Exercise daily self-renunciation to prepare yourself for the greater challenges that lie ahead. 

 

 

***

 

 November 8, 2012: THURSDAY – WEEKDAY (31)

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Rejoices at Finding the Lost”

 

BIBLE READINGS

Phil 3:3-8a // Lk 15:1-10

 

 

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

 

This happened many years ago. My dad was sick with cancer and emotionally sensitive. My brother Diko Pito, who was undergoing the development throes of teenage life, was also sensitive. My sick father and Diko Pito had an argument. The disagreement escalated to the point that my brother packed some belongings. He ran away from home weeping. My mom was not around when this happened. When she realized that my brother ran away, she immediately went to look for him. All of us were distressed. We could only hope and pray that he may be found. Finally, my mom came back with my “lost” brother. My mom found Diko Pito in the home of his best friend Augusto. My brother was intending to take the evening train to our province in Bicol to take refuge in the home of my Dad’s sister. We greatly rejoiced that Diko Pito was found … that he came back home, safe and sound.

 

With a pastoral parable Jesus underlines the heavenly rejoicing when the “lost” is “found”. A sheep has gone astray. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine secure in the fold and searches diligently for the lost sheep. Because of the value of every single sheep, his is not merely a token search. When he finds the sheep, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy. Upon his arrival, he calls together his friends and neighbors to celebrate. In the same way, there is great rejoicing in heaven over a repentant sinner. Jesus reiterates his message by narrating a domestic parable. A woman loses one of her ten precious coins. A drachma coin is worth a day’s wage for a laborer, and is extremely valuable to the woman. She lights a lamp and sweeps the windowless room, searching diligently until she finds it. She rejoices when the lost coin is found. In just the same way there is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.

 

Today’s parables contain a distilled essence of the Gospel: about a loving God who treasures us infinitely. Because of our extreme value, he patiently seeks us out when we are lost. He wants to bring us back close to his heart. God cares for sinners and rejoices at their conversion. In contrast, the Old Testament reluctant prophet Jonah was upset when the people of Nineveh heeded the warning of doom that God commissioned him to preach. He sulked when the people of Nineveh turned their hearts to God in repentance and averted self-destruction. Instead of rejoicing that the sinners were saved - that the “lost” were “found” – the punitive Jonah was angry at God for his mercy. But God is not Jonah and does not act like Jonah. Our loving and forgiving God rejoices when a sinner repents. When the “lost” is “found”, it is an experience of resurrection … it is new life!

 

 

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

 

What does it mean to be lost and found? Are you willing to experience the joy of a loving God who rejoices when one sinner repents?

 

 

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

 

Loving Father,

you are gracious and forgiving.

Thank you for treasuring us,

for considering us valuable in your sight.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd

who seeks the lost sheep.

His diligence is akin to a woman

who carefully sweeps her house

 

 

 

to find a lost precious coin.

There is great rejoicing in heaven

over one sinner who repents.

This is awesome!

We are grateful that you care for us

and love us,

now and forever.

Amen.  

 

 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

 

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

 

“There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Lk 15:10) 

 

 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

 

Pray for the conversion of those who have gone astray, and by your kind words and deeds, be an instrument to bring them back home to God. Do what you can to help those who are searching for “lost” family members or friends.

 

 

***

 

 

 November 9, 2012: FRIDAY – THE DEDICATION OF THE LATERA BASILICA

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Is the True Temple”

 

BIBLE READINGS

Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12   // I Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17 // Jn 2:13-22

 

 

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

            St. Mary’s Catholic Parish in Fresno (CA-USA) gathered for a retreat on March 7-8, 2004. With an ample representation from the parish population, the group capped their second day of retreat with a visit to the site where the future church edifice would be built. As they stood solemnly at the edge of a vast field surrounded by neatly tended vineyards, their pastor, Msgr. Patrick McCormick, led them in prayer. He prayed that the effort of St. Mary’s Parish “to unite all with Christ and the community” may be blessed. They invoked God to make of them a holy people, “a temple of God built of living stones, where the Father is worshipped in spirit and truth”. They prayed, moreover, that the church building that would be built on that site might truly be an expression of their love as a community built on Christ, the cornerstone. Indeed, the concern of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish to strengthen the community’s sense of Church before embarking on the construction of the church edifice is founded on the principle that Christ is the true temple of God. 

            The basic principle concerning the true notion of a “temple” is strongly enunciated in the Gospel of John. In today’s Gospel reading about the cleansing of the Jerusalem temple by Jesus, the evangelist John presents “the temple of Christ’s body” as the true temple. The episode of the purification of the temple of Jerusalem probably occurred toward the end of Jesus’ life, as the synoptic writers Matthew, Mark and Luke have indicated, serving as a final straw leading to his condemnation. Indeed, the coming of the Messiah to cleanse the temple would fulfill the expectation of the people for a “new temple” coming down from heaven, on the day when God would definitely reside among his people. The cleansing of the temple is a sign that the messianic times have come.

In response to the defiant remark of the Jewish authorities, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus makes a startling statement: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jewish leaders, who misunderstood the enigmatic revelation of Jesus’ statement, presume that he is uttering a violent threat against the magnificent Jerusalem temple that Herod began in ca. 20 B.C and has been in construction for forty-six years. Taken literally, Jesus’ saying is absurd. But the evangelist John clarifies for the readers the symbolic value of Jesus’ saying: the new temple will be Christ’s resurrected body. Jesus is speaking about “the temple of his body”. When he will be raised from the dead, his disciples will remember that he said this. They will come to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus has spoken. Indeed, the major sign that justifies Jesus’ actions and gives authority to his words is his resurrection. It is the ultimate sign that reveals that he is truly the Son of God. The sign of the body of Christ, as the true temple, demands an unmitigated response of trust, faith, and commitment from every Christian who is a part of God’s temple.

Today we celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the “home church” of the bishop of Rome and the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. It is the “mother of all churches”. Saint John Lateran is the oldest Catholic Church in the world, dedicated by Pope Alexander in 324. Today’s feast is meant to keep alive in our hearts the spirit of catholicity and universality. We belong to a universal body spread throughout the whole world. Though we are diverse in terms of culture, language and race, we are reminded that, as a community of faith, we are a living temple, in Christ and in the spirit.

 

 II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

 

What is the importance of “temple” in our life? How do we reverence Christ-temple, and the Church, the living temple of God in Christ and in the Spirit? How do we care for the “living stones” in the Church?

 

 

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

(cf. Collect of the Mass, Dedication of Saint John Lateran) 

 

God our Father,

from living stones, your chosen people,

you built an eternal temple to your glory.

Increase the spiritual gifts you have given to your Church

that your faithful people may continue to grow

into the new and eternal Jerusalem.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever.

            Amen.

 

 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

 

            The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.

 

“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” (Jn 2:19)

 

 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

Read chapter 1 of the NCBB document, “BUILT OF LIVING STONES: Art, Architecture and Worship” and thank the Lord for the living Church, the community of believers and see the importance of the church building in relation to the living Church. Contribute some of your time and resources for the upkeep of your parish church.

 

 

 

***

 

 

November 10, 2012: SATURDAY – LEO THE GREAT, doctor of the Church

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Teaches Us To Use Our Goods Wisely”

 

BIBLE READINGS

Phil 4:10-19 // Lk 16:9-15

 

 

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

 

Jesus teaches us to use our goods wisely. He wants us to convert the earthly goods into heavenly capital by sharing with others. Jesus calls us to give exclusive loyalty to God and not to succumb to the enslavement of earthly goods. One shows loyalty to God by sharing goods and resources with others, especially the poor and the needy. The Pharisees, who love money, sneer at his teaching. They regard wealth as a sign of God’s blessings or righteousness, which is not necessarily the case if their hearts are full of avarice. However, earthly wealth can be put to good use for God’s kingdom. Given as alms to the poor and needy, the benefactors obtain a place in the heavenly kingdom.

 

A few days ago, Sr. Mary Claire shared with us a tidbit at table. A rich British man sold his companies, his mansion and his beautiful car to share with the poor. He is now in Japan ministering to the homeless. The British benefactor remarked that houses and cars are meant to serve human needs, but they are not “important”. He believes what is really “important” is that we have Jesus in our lives … that we have love and respect for others. The newspaper report of the devastation caused by the hurricane Sandy in New York, laden with accounts of miseries, also has a compassionate tone (cf. Fresno Bee, November 1, 2012, p. A1, A7).

 

In Manhattan at night, it was possible to walk downtown along an avenue and move in an instant from the mostly normal New York scene – delis open, people milling outside bars – into a pitch-black cityscape with police flares marking intersections.

 

People who did have power took to social media to offer help to neighbors. “I have power and hot water. If anyone needs a shower or to charge some gadgets or just wants to bask in the beauty of artificial light, hit me up”, Rob Hart of Staten Island posted on Facebook.

 

A respected New York steakhouse in the blackout zone, Old Homestead, realized its meat was going to go bad and decided to grill what was left and sell steaks on the sidewalk for $10. A center-cut sirloin usually goes for $47. “Give back to the people of New York”, said Greg Sherry, the steakhouse’s co-owner. He said it had served nearly 700 people on Wednesday.

 

 

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

 

Are we faithful stewards of the goods God loaned to us? Are we willing to share our earthly goods and personal resources with others, especially with the poor and needy?

 

 

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

 

Loving Father,

you gave us the goods of the earth not to enslave us,

but to use them to minister to the needs of others

and to open for us the way to the heavenly kingdom.

Help us to use the earthly goods wisely

and to yearn for the truly “important” treasure

of your kingdom.

We love you, dear God,

our one and supreme good.

You live and reign,

forever and ever.

Amen.

 

 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

 

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

 

“You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Lk 16:13).

 

 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

 

Make an inventory of your material and spiritual resources. Ask God for the grace to use them wisely and the opportunity to share them with others.

 

***

 

 

Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang  PDDM

 

 

PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI

SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER

60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314

Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323

Website: WWW.PDDM.US

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