Book of Malachi 1,14b.2,1-2b.8-10. Cursed is the deceiver, who has in his flock a male, but under his vow sacrifices to the LORD a gelding; For a great King am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, And if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. Yes, I have already cursed it, because you do not lay it to heart. But you have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; You have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts. I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, Since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions. Have we not all the one Father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with each other, violating the covenant of our fathers?
Psalms 131(130) 1.2.3. O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.
First Letter to the Thessalonians 2,7b-9.13. although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us. You recall, brothers, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that,in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not as a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23,1-12. Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
ANGELUS 5 November 2017 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today’s Gospel passage ( Mt 23:1-12) is set in the final days of Jesus’ life, in Jerusalem; days filled with expectations and also tension. On the one hand, Jesus directs harsh criticism at the scribes and Pharisees, and on the other, he entrusts important mandates to Christians of all times, thus also to us.
He says to the crowd: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you”. Meaning that they have the authority to teach what is in conformity with the Law of God. However, immediately after, Jesus adds: “but do not do ‘what they do; for they preach, but do not practice’” (vv. 2-3). Brothers and sisters, a frequent flaw of those in authority, whether civil or ecclesiastic authority, is that of demanding of others things — even righteous things — that they do not, however, put into practise in the first person. They live a double life. Jesus says: “They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger (v. 4). This attitude sets a bad example of authority, which should instead derive its primary strength precisely from setting a good example. Authority arises from a good example, so as to help others to practise what is right and proper, sustaining them in the trials that they meet on the right path. Authority is a help, but if it is wrongly exercised, it becomes oppressive; it does not allow people to grow, and creates a climate of distrust and hostility, and also leads to corruption.
Jesus openly denounces some of the negative conduct of the scribes and of some Pharisees: “they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places” (vv. 6-7). This is a temptation that corresponds to human pride and that is not always easy to overcome. It is the attitude of living only for appearances.
Then Jesus entrusts the mandates to his disciples: “you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. [...] Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (vv. 8-11).
We disciples of Jesus must not seek titles of honour, of authority or supremacy. I tell you, it pains me personally to see people who, psychologically, live in pursuit of vain accolades. We disciples of Jesus must not do this, because among ourselves there must be a simple and fraternal attitude. We are all brothers and sisters and in no way must we abuse others or look down on them. No. We are all brothers and sisters. If we have received talents from the heavenly Father, we must place them at the service of our brothers and sisters, and not exploit them for our own satisfaction and personal interests. We must not consider ourselves superior to others; modesty is essential for an existence that seeks to conform to the teaching of Jesus, who is meek and humble of heart and came not to be served but to serve.
May the Virgin Mary, “humble and exalted more than any creature” (Dante, Paradiso, xxxiii:2), help us, with her motherly intercession, to spurn pride and vanity, and to be meek and docile to the love that comes from God, for the service of our brothers and sisters and for their joy, which will also be our own.
S. FAUSTI - "The greatest among you shall be your servant" With these words of Jesus concludes the first part of chapter 23, addressed to the crowds and disciples - to the crowds of disciples of all times - to warn them from the Scribes and Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees, of whom the whole discourse speaks, are us, called to recognize ourselves in them. They have usurped the place of Moses, who delivered the people from slavery and transmitted to them the ten words of life. They will also take the place of Jesus, the meek and humble-hearted Son of God, who had a mild and light yoke, to impose unbearable burdens on the community of the believers. Jesus changed water into wine . To the outward purifications of the law He replaced the gift of the Spirit, which gives us a new heart, that of the Son who loves as He is loved. But we, inadvertently, are like the dog that returns to its vomit, like the washed sow that recoils in the mud (Pet. 2:22) : we change wine into water, replacing the Gospel with the law or imposing it as law! This is and remains the first temptation of the Church, as the letter to the Galatians in particular testifies. It is a turning back from the life-giving Spirit to the letter that kills, perverting the gospel itself (Gal1:7) It is easy to exchange, or at least, tarnish, the gospel with the law! Peter also did this in Antioch, as Paul openly rebukes him (Gal2:11). Certainly not through malice or stupidity, but, as Paul says, through "hypocrisy," obviously disguised as goodness and pastoral concern. This perversion of the gospel into law is a return from the Spirit to the flesh, which cuts off from the grace of Christ (Gal5:4). Laws are certainly necessary. Man without them does not live, let alone coexist with others. They are good if they arise from the Spirit of freedom, if they come from love and lead to love, the full fulfillment of the law. Otherwise they suppress filial life, suppressing diversity and otherness. Every institution, spontaneously, tends to self-preservation , centering on itself. But he who wants to save his life loses it : only he who loses his life for the Lord's sake saves it! Jesus warns against the danger that the gospel always runs in history , showing that what happened to Israel is constant prophecy of what happens to us. You cannot combine gospel and law, life-giving Spirit and letter that kills. The "new" law is the new heart . Love is law unto itself, and fully accomplishes God's will. The pure in heart see God and know how to understand what here and now helps to concretely live the Father's love toward the brethren. "The first place in the banquets" The "protagonism" makes occupy the first place : But Jesus is last and servant of all. That is why the first will be the last and the last the first. God's greatness is love, and to love is to serve, with facts and in truth (1Jn3:18). For Jesus is in our midst as the One who serves (Lk22:27).
Book of
RispondiEliminaMalachi 1,14b.2,1-2b.8-10.
Cursed is the deceiver, who has in his flock a male, but under his vow sacrifices to the LORD a gelding; For a great King am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.
And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen,
And if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. Yes, I have already cursed it, because you do not lay it to heart.
But you have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; You have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts.
I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, Since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions.
Have we not all the one Father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with each other, violating the covenant of our fathers?
Psalms 131(130)
1.2.3.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
First Letter
to the Thessalonians 2,7b-9.13.
although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.
With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.
You recall, brothers, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that,in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not as a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint Matthew 23,1-12.
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,
saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
POPE FRANCIS
EliminaANGELUS 5 November 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today’s Gospel passage ( Mt 23:1-12) is set in the final days of Jesus’ life, in Jerusalem; days filled with expectations and also tension. On the one hand, Jesus directs harsh criticism at the scribes and Pharisees, and on the other, he entrusts important mandates to Christians of all times, thus also to us.
He says to the crowd: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you”. Meaning that they have the authority to teach what is in conformity with the Law of God. However, immediately after, Jesus adds: “but do not do ‘what they do; for they preach, but do not practice’” (vv. 2-3). Brothers and sisters, a frequent flaw of those in authority, whether civil or ecclesiastic authority, is that of demanding of others things — even righteous things — that they do not, however, put into practise in the first person. They live a double life. Jesus says: “They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger (v. 4). This attitude sets a bad example of authority, which should instead derive its primary strength precisely from setting a good example. Authority arises from a good example, so as to help others to practise what is right and proper, sustaining them in the trials that they meet on the right path. Authority is a help, but if it is wrongly exercised, it becomes oppressive; it does not allow people to grow, and creates a climate of distrust and hostility, and also leads to corruption.
Jesus openly denounces some of the negative conduct of the scribes and of some Pharisees: “they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places” (vv. 6-7). This is a temptation that corresponds to human pride and that is not always easy to overcome. It is the attitude of living only for appearances.
Then Jesus entrusts the mandates to his disciples: “you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. [...] Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (vv. 8-11).
We disciples of Jesus must not seek titles of honour, of authority or supremacy. I tell you, it pains me personally to see people who, psychologically, live in pursuit of vain accolades. We disciples of Jesus must not do this, because among ourselves there must be a simple and fraternal attitude. We are all brothers and sisters and in no way must we abuse others or look down on them. No. We are all brothers and sisters. If we have received talents from the heavenly Father, we must place them at the service of our brothers and sisters, and not exploit them for our own satisfaction and personal interests. We must not consider ourselves superior to others; modesty is essential for an existence that seeks to conform to the teaching of Jesus, who is meek and humble of heart and came not to be served but to serve.
May the Virgin Mary, “humble and exalted more than any creature” (Dante, Paradiso, xxxiii:2), help us, with her motherly intercession, to spurn pride and vanity, and to be meek and docile to the love that comes from God, for the service of our brothers and sisters and for their joy, which will also be our own.
S. FAUSTI - "The greatest among you shall be your servant" With these words of Jesus concludes the first part of chapter 23, addressed to the crowds and disciples - to the crowds of disciples of all times - to warn them from the Scribes and Pharisees.
RispondiEliminaThe scribes and Pharisees, of whom the whole discourse speaks, are us, called to recognize ourselves in them.
They have usurped the place of Moses, who delivered the people from slavery and transmitted to them the ten words of life.
They will also take the place of Jesus, the meek and humble-hearted Son of God, who had a mild and light yoke, to impose unbearable burdens on the community of the believers.
Jesus changed water into wine . To the outward purifications of the law He replaced the gift of the Spirit, which gives us a new heart, that of the Son who loves as He is loved.
But we, inadvertently, are like the dog that returns to its vomit, like the washed sow that recoils in the mud (Pet. 2:22) : we change wine into water, replacing the Gospel with the law or imposing it as law!
This is and remains the first temptation of the Church, as the letter to the Galatians in particular testifies.
It is a turning back from the life-giving Spirit to the letter that kills, perverting the gospel itself (Gal1:7)
It is easy to exchange, or at least, tarnish, the gospel with the law! Peter also did this in Antioch, as Paul openly rebukes him (Gal2:11). Certainly not through malice or stupidity, but, as Paul says, through "hypocrisy," obviously disguised as goodness and pastoral concern.
This perversion of the gospel into law is a return from the Spirit to the flesh, which cuts off from the grace of Christ (Gal5:4).
Laws are certainly necessary. Man without them does not live, let alone coexist with others. They are good if they arise from the Spirit of freedom, if they come from love and lead to love, the full fulfillment of the law.
Otherwise they suppress filial life, suppressing diversity and otherness.
Every institution, spontaneously, tends to self-preservation , centering on itself.
But he who wants to save his life loses it : only he who loses his life for the Lord's sake saves it!
Jesus warns against the danger that the gospel always runs in history , showing that what happened to Israel is constant prophecy of what happens to us.
You cannot combine gospel and law, life-giving Spirit and letter that kills. The "new" law is the new heart .
Love is law unto itself, and fully accomplishes God's will.
The pure in heart see God and know how to understand what here and now helps to concretely live the Father's love toward the brethren.
"The first place in the banquets" The "protagonism" makes occupy the first place : But Jesus is last and servant of all.
That is why the first will be the last and the last the first.
God's greatness is love, and to love is to serve, with facts and in truth (1Jn3:18).
For Jesus is in our midst as the One who serves (Lk22:27).