Saturday, August 31, 2019

31. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Fountain of Salvation, I, II



I

FIRST READING

I saw water flowing from the temple, and all who were touched by it were saved.


The angel brought me [Ezekiel]
back to the entrance of the temple,
and I saw water flowing out
from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east,
for the façade of the temple was toward the east;
the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple,
south of the altar.
He led me outside by the north gate,
and around to the outer gate facing the east,
where I saw water trickling from the southern side.
He said to me,
“This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah,
and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.
Wherever the river flows,
every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live,
and there shall be abundant fish,
for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.
Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow;
their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.
Every month they shall bear fresh fruit,
for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.
Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.”
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Commentary on Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

The scriptural offerings begin with a first reading taken from a (truncated) excerpt from Ezekiel’s vision of the renewed temple in Jerusalem (47:1-2, 8-9, 12). Because the presence of the Lord has returned to the temple (following the return of Israel itself from exile), the waters flowing from the temple have become life-giving in the spectacular way described – even the Dead Sea is seen as being made to teem with fish when the waters enter it. The vision has entered Christian imagination as a powerful symbol of the life (grace) that flows to human beings through God’s presence in the temple of the Church.[1]

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM


R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
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Commentary on Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

This hymn of praise is a profession of faith: “My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.” It is also interesting in that it challenges those who profess their faith in the Lord to proclaim it in the world: “among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.

This canticle emphasizes the peace and confidence found in his servant, enjoying the salvation of God. He sings his praise to God and exhorts all of Israel to praise him as they see his constant presence among them in the blessings they receive.

CCC: Is 12:3 2561
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GOSPEL

One of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance,
and immediately there came out blood and water.


Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved,
he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple,
"Behold, your mother."
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this, aware that everything was now finished,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
Jesus said, "I thirst."
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
"It is finished."
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately Blood and water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true;
he knows that he is speaking the truth,
so that you also may come to believe.
For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:
Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says:
They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

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Commentary on Jn 19:25-37

Here is Jesus’ last address to his mother. Although the address sounds unnecessarily formal ("Woman, behold, your son.") this would have been considered a polite address in biblical times. The reference, “Woman,” is possibly to Genesis 3:15 which describes the mother of the Messiah as the “woman” whose offspring conquers the devil (CCC 7262618). [2] The Lord, nearing the end of his life, commends the care of his mother to the disciple whom he loved. It is presumed this is done because Jesus has no brothers or sisters, and his adoptive father, Joseph, has already died.

 In this instance, assuming that the disciple referred to is St. John, the author of the Gospel, the tender consignment of the care of the Lord’s mother is seen as iconic. That is, she is given into the care of all of the disciples, whom Jesus loves. Seeing her Son dying upon the cross is one of the seven sorrows the Blessed Mother endured in faith.

The narrative continues describing the Lord's last moments of life on the cross.  The prophecy to which John refers when saying "in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled" was Psalm 69:22.  While Matthew and Mark speak about this event, only John relates it specifically to the prophetic literature.  After this final act, the Lord "handed over his spirit."

What happens after Jesus' death demonstrates to the Jews the nature of his sacrifice. "Jesus dies on the Preparation day of the Passover - Parasceve- that is, the eve, when the paschal lambs were officially sacrificed in the temple.  By stressing this, the Evangelist implies that Christ's sacrifice took the place of the sacrifices of the Old Law and inaugurated the New Alliance in his blood (cf. Hebrews 9:12)."[3]  Typically, when the executioners wished to speed up the death of one crucified, the legs would be broken. This would force the victim to suffocate quickly.  In the case of Jesus, this was not done (see Psalm 34:20-21).  Instead we are told the guards pierced his side with a lance and "immediately Blood and water flowed out."

While the outflow of water and blood have a natural explanation, there has been great theological importance placed upon it in numerous sources (St. Ambrose, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Augustine).  Water and blood have already been established as signs of salvation (John 3:5 and John 6:53ff).  "With Christ's death and the giving of the Spirit already signified in v. 30, the life-giving work of the Church begins, and hence the Church can be said in a sense to have been born from the wounded side of Christ."[4]

St. John next adds a theological reflection of his own in the form of testimony from an eyewitness.  Using references to prophetic literature, the witness points out that Jesus' body ritually followed Jewish law governing the Passover sacrifice,  which designated that the bones of the sacrificial animal should not be broken (Exodus 12:46Numbers 9:12). Christ becomes the Christian's Passover Sacrifice and meal. And in the second proof "They will look upon him whom they have pierced," he makes reference to Zechariah 12:10.

CCC: Jn 19:25-27 726, 2618; Jn 19:25 495; Jn 19:26-27 501, 964, 2605; Jn 19:27 2677, 2679; Jn 19:28 544, 607, 2561, 2605; Jn 19:30 607, 624, 730, 2605; Jn 19:30b 2605; Jn 19:31 641; Jn 19:34 478, 694, 1225; Jn 19:36 608; Jn 19:37 1432
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II

FIRST READING

Fountain of the garden, well of living water.


Until the day breathes cool and the shadows lengthen,
I will go to the mountain of myrrh,
to the hill of incense.
You are all-beautiful, my beloved,
and there is no blemish in you.

You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have ravished my heart with one glance of your eyes,
with one bead of your necklace.
You are an enclosed garden, my sister, my bride,
an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed.
You are a park that puts forth pomegranates,
with all choice fruits;
nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,
with all kinds of incense;
myrrh and aloes,
with all the finest spices.
You are a garden fountain, a well of water
flowing fresh from Lebanon.
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Commentary on Sgs 4:6-7,9,12-15

In the allegorical reading, the various qualities of the beloved are applied to the Church, because "As a lover often sings the praises of the one he loves, and especially delights in her shapeliness and in the beauty of her face. God speaks of the elegant figure of the Church, the beauty of her members and the features of her face" (Fray Luis de Leon, In Canticiim Canticorum triplex explanatio. 4, 3). But it is the Virgin Mary who possesses the qualities of the bride to the highest degree, so it is not surprising that the Tradition of the Church should have read vv. 7 and 12-15 as announcing her preservation from sin (she is the Immaculate) and her perpetual virginity.

"In the Song of Songs, you are called the 'enclosed garden' and 'sealed fountain' by the spouse who came from you. An enclosed garden, because the sickle of corruption has not touched you, nor have you yet arrived at vintage; in all your innocence, you grew as the flower of the root of Jesse for all mankind, tended by the one, pure Holy Spirit. A sealed fountain, because the river of life, which sprang forth from you, flooded the whole earth, but no trace of a spouse was to be seen in the spring-water" (Hesychius, De Sancta Maria Deipard). [5]

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM


R. (15:9d) You are the highest honor of our race.

Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God,
above all the women on earth;
and blessed be the LORD God,
the creator of heaven and earth.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.

Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.
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Commentary on Judith 13:18bcde, 19

This short hymn in praise of Judith (who at the time of its writing represented the faithful people) is predictive of the blessed role Mary will play in human salvation. In the story immediately preceding these verses Judith offers to sacrifice herself for salvation of the people and is here found praiseworthy for her willingness to do so.

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 GOSPEL

Streams of living water shall flow from his heart.


On the last and greatest day of the feast,
Jesus stood up and exclaimed,
"Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says:

Rivers of living water will flow from within him."

He said this in reference to the Spirit
that those who came to believe in him were to receive.
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Commentary on Jn 7:37-39a

“On each of the eight days of the feast of Tabernacles the high priest went to the pool of Siloam and used a golden cup to bring water to the temple and sprinkle it on the altar, in remembrance of the water which sprang up miraculously in the desert, asking God to send rain in plenty (cf. Exodus 17:1-7). Meanwhile, a passage from the prophet Isaiah was chanted (cf. Isaiah 12:3) which told of the coming of the Savior and of the outpouring of heavenly gifts that would accompany him; Ezekiel 47 was also read, in which it spoke of the torrents of water which would pour out of the temple. Jesus, who would have been at this ceremony, now proclaims - in the presence of a huge crowd, undoubtedly, because it was the most solemn day of the festival- that that time has come: "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink …” This invitation recalls the words of divine wisdom: "Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fill" (Sirach 24:19; cf. Proverbs 9:4-5). Our Lord presents himself as him who can fill man's heart and bring him peace (cf. also Matthew 11:28). In this connection St Augustine exclaims: "You made us for yourself. Lord, and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you" (Confessions, 1, 1, 1).”[6]

Although the referenced scripture is not a direct quote, Jesus' scriptural reference is probably to Ezekiel 36:25ff providing a strong the theological link between the initial gift of the Holy Spirit (“I will put my spirit within you “) and baptism (“I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities"). This symbolic action of washing, a Hebrew ritual, becomes an efficacious sign of grace when coupled with God’s presence in the Holy Spirit.

CCC: Jn 7:37-39 728, 1287, 2561; Jn 7:38-39 1999; Jn 7:38 694; Jn 7:39 244, 690
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Reflection:

The Blessed Mother carries over fifty different titles and even so, there are more words that describe her blessed role in our ongoing faith.  She is named here as “Fountain of Salvation.”  It was through her that our Lord, Jesus Christ, came into the world and as he says to us in St. John’s Gospel: "Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him." The Lord is the river of living water, flowing from the fountain of life, the womb of the Blessed Mother, Mary, the Theotokos.

The gift of the water flowing from Jesus is this life-giving water that transformed us in baptism, creating us as children of God, his adopted sons and daughters.  In the water flowing from the font that is Mary’s love, running through her son, is a gift that allows us to draw on our advocate and guide that we might have life in the spirit.

For us, the Lord’s modern-day disciples, Mary, the Fountain of Salvation, is so necessary.  We know that without water, the body dies quickly.  In the same way, with spiritual water, the spirit dies.  It needs to be constantly refreshed or it withers.  We see this frequently in those who fall way.  They do not drink from the springs of salvation.  They do not think that it is necessary to be refreshed in this way.  And consequently they do not feel the death of the spirit within them.  It is a fading, even while they may yearn for the spiritual water that is peace-giving, they turn from it, and like a plant that is afflicted by drought, the spirit wilts.

Of course the analogy of a plant withering for lack of water has its limitations.  The spirit, once given in baptism, will never die.  It may be suppressed and its voice may shrink to a whisper, but it will not die.  Salvation is there for the asking.  So it is up to us to bring water from Our Lady’s font to bring it back to vitality.  Drink deeply today.  The spiritual spring welling up within us, fed by the Fountain of Salvation, may be called upon to give drink to one who needs it desperately.

Pax

[1] Commentary written by Fr. Brenden Byrne, SJ.
[2] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p. 198.
[3] The Navarre Bible, “Gospels and Acts,” Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p. 695.
[4] Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice Hall, Inc., © 1968, 63:172, p. 462.
[5] The Navarre Bible: “Psalms and the Song of Songs”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, p. 504
[6] The Navarre Bible, "Gospels and Acts," Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p. 699.


Tuesday, August 13, 2019

SEPTEMBER 9 SAINT PETER CLAVER, PRIEST AND RELIGIOUS MEMORIAL


SEPTEMBER 9 SAINT PETER CLAVER, PRIEST AND RELIGIOUS, MEMORIAL



USCCB has started publishing suggestions for saints newly added to the calendar in the U.S. but which have not had formal "Proper" readings approved.

The readings below are suggested by USCCB.  Others may also be taken from the Common of Pastors (#719-724), or the Common of Holy Men and Women: For Those Who Work for the Underprivileged (#737-742).

Readings and Commentary:[3]

FIRST READING

Thus says the LORD:
This is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation and malicious speech;
If you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday;
Then the LORD will guide you always
and give you plenty even on the parched land.
He will renew your strength,
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring whose water never fails.
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Commentary on Is 58:6-11

This passage is from what is known as Deutero-Isaiah. It was written in the latter part of the Babylonian exile (700 B.C.). Isaiah laments and chastises the people for missing the point of their fasts of atonement. They perform the rituals and follow the law but then violate the spirit of God’s Law by being uncaring and cruel to each other.

The prophet explains what that spirit is and how it is to impact their actions and closes with the reward for following the spirit of God’s Law – “Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. Cry, and the Lord will answer; call, and he will say, ‘I am here.’” [4] He goes on to describe the salvific effect of these actions of charity and compassion as being as a light in darkness, as rain in parched land. He concludes with what can be seen as a baptismal reference (well-spring of holiness) that brings eternal life.

CCC: Is 58:6-7 2447
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
or: R. (2a) Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.
or: R. (92:13-14) The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
or: R. Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.
or: R. The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
or: R. Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.
or: R. The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Psalm 1 serves as a preface to the whole book of psalms. The psalmist here exalts those who follow the Lord’s commands, and reflects upon the blessings they will receive. As in Romans 6:19ff, this selection emphasizes the contrast between the salvation of the just and the punishment of the wicked.

This wisdom psalm begins by extolling the virtue of those who follow the law. The focus is to look to God for guidance, and not to trust only in the counsel of men. Those who reject the law will be blown away like “chaff,” an image used in the Gospel as well (Matthew 3:12).

This portion of the psalm is later echoed in Isaiah 48:17-19, like an overlapped formula of covenant.  Blessed is the man who “delights in the law day and night,” but “the way of the wicked vanishes.” It also takes up the theme of following right paths and staying true to the teachings of God: “Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night.

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GOSPEL

Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
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Commentary on Mt 25:31-40

Jesus, in this reading, is telling his disciples what he will judge at the end times, the eschaton. The reading provides a vision of what will be asked of those seeking admittance to the kingdom of God and how judgment will be passed. This image is used as a teaching tool, to focus those who wish to follow Jesus on loving those who are in need of help: the hungry, the stranger, the naked, the ill, the imprisoned.

CCC: Mt 25:31-46 544, 1033, 1373, 2447, 2831; Mt 25:31-36 2443; Mt 25:31 331, 671, 679, 1038; Mt 25:32 1038; Mt 25:36 1503; Mt 25:40 678, 1397, 1825, 1932, 2449
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Reflection:

'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.' Matthew 25:34b-36

These words were surely heard by St. Peter Claver as he entered the heavenly kingdom.  Indeed, his years of service to the Negro slave population brought into Cartagena (he is said to have converted and baptized around 300,000 in his years as apostle to the slaves there) earned him that scripture passage as his defining spirituality.  In today’s terms, he would be equivalent to Martin Luther King Jr. in his influence on the slave population that poured into the New World through that infamous port during the 1500’s and 1600’s.  What strength his faith gave him!  He was not, by nature, a bold or extroverted person.  However, his call to extreme charity to those poor souls, sold into slavery by their own leaders in Africa and then again by amoral traders in the Caribbean was to earn him also the enmity of the general society in which he served as missionary.

The Lord said that it was the duty of all of his followers to express charity in this way, looking after those imprisoned by their conditions in society as well as those incarcerated by law.  All we need do is look at the seven corporal works of mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, give shelter to travelers, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. These things were written on the heart of St. Peter Claver and those missionaries like him who sacrificed lives of comfort to serve those without comfort.

The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed it to the Hebrews, and Jesus confirmed his words as being correctly iterated by God the Father.  We are called to charity.  Today, on St. Peter Claver’s feast day, we ask for his intercession.  May God our Father, through his only begotten son, Jesus, Christ, give us the strength and will to serve the needy as his Son did, and as St. Peter Claver did.

Pax


[1] The picture is “St. Peter Claver”; artist and date are unknown.
[2] The readings below are suggested by USCCB, others may be taken from Common of Pastors: For Missionaries  (#719-724), or the Common of Holy Men and Women: For Those Who Work for the Underprivileged (#737-742).
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] Translation from the Jerusalem Bible

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and Martyr


USCCB as started publishing their suggestions for saints newly added to the calendar in the US but which have not had formal "Proper" readings approved.

The readings below are suggested by USCCB, others may be taken from the Common of Virgins or the Common of Martyrs

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross,
photographer unknown, c. 1938-1939


Thus says the LORD:
I will lead her into the desert
and speak to her heart.
She shall respond there as in the days of her youth,
when she came up from the land of Egypt.
I will espouse you to me forever;
I will espouse you in right and in justice,
in love and in mercy;
I will espouse you in fidelity,
and you shall know the LORD
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Commentary on Hos 2:16bc, 17cd, 21-22

The Prophet Hosea, voicing God’s hope for the people of Israel, speaks as a husband might address a wife. (In later parts of the book Israel is like the wife who was unfaithful.) In this selection, speaking with the voice of God to the Hebrew people, he sounds as if he is wooing his future bride.  He tells them that if they will be faithful, because God’s love and mercy is eternal, that God is always faithful. In Hebrew tradition this courtship would include the gifts for the bride (cf. Genesis 24:53).

CCC: Hos 2 218; Hos 2:21-22 2787
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord, and you must worship him.
R. (11) Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
or: R. (Matthew 25:6) The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

All glorious is the king’s daughter as she enters;
her raiment is threaded with spun gold.
In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the king;
behind her the virgins of her train are brought to you.
R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
or: R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
The place of your fathers your sons shall have;
you shall make them princes through all the land.
R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
or: R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.
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Psalm 45 is a royal psalm originally sung in honor of the king’s marriage to a queen (of foreign extraction). It is likely that it influenced St. Paul’s instructions on virgins and marriage. It emphasizes the beauty of the sacramental relationship (see 1 Corinthians 7:25-35).

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Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
'Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise ones replied,
'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'
But he said in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour."
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Commentary on Mt 25:1-13

St. Matthew’s Gospel gives us the parable of the Ten Virgins, continuing the Gospel theme of preparedness and vigilance (although strictly speaking this parable is about foresight). In this story the idea of vigilance is expanded to include being prepared. The Jewish wedding customs of the time would have dictated a procession [at night] from the house of the bride to the house of the groom. The whole act is symbolic of the coming of the messianic era also portrayed as a wedding in Matthew 9:15Matthew 22:1-14 and John 3:29. The wise virgins brought oil for their lamps while the foolish ones did not. The oil is interpreted by some scholars as referring to good works.

The overarching symbolism is the lamp of faith (light of the indwelling Holy Spirit) being kept burning with oil (good works). Hence, without good works (oil), the lamp will not continue to burn (James 2:17) and the virgins, so deprived of light, are excluded from the heavenly kingdom.

CCC: Mt 25:1-13 672796; Mt 25:1 672; Mt 25:6 1618; Mt 25:13 672
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Reflection:

St. Teresa Benedicta (Judith Stein) is one of what we could call modern day martyrs.  She was a victim of the Holocaust, killed by Nazis in 1942. She should stand as an example of what we are all called to be as lovers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Truly, Sacred Scripture is predictive – as these words from Hosea demonstrate:

I will espouse you to me forever;
I will espouse you in right and in justice,
in love and in mercy;
I will espouse you in fidelity,
and you shall know the LORD.

The Lord found her, wooed her, and through the auspices of the Carmelite Order, he took her as his bride.  Her devotion to him should stand as a beacon to all intellectuals who struggle with the faith.  Her brilliant mind and intense study brought her to the feet of our Lord.  Those who seek truth will always find him.  Indeed Jesus is the bridegroom for any who seek truth.

St. Teresa followed her betrothed and was true to him to the end, she was a light in the intense darkness of the Auschwitz horror during one of the most atrocious periods in human memory.  Her unwavering faith in the face of the evil that took so many lives was an inspiration to her fellow 987 prisoners who on August 7th, 1942 were taken from Echt in the Netherlands where she and her sister were sent to avoid the Nazi threat and summarily killed, probably on her feast day, August 9th. A light in the world of faith, extinguished for only a moment.  Faith such as hers remains the hope of many Christians who are persecuted for their faith.

Today we ask for St. Teresa’s intercession with her bridegroom, Our Lord, Jesus.  May he grant us strength and the bravery of St. Teresa when we face our own trials.

Pax


[1] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[2] The picture used is a passport photo: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, photographer unknown, c. 1938-1939.