June 8, 2016

June 8

June 8, 2016:  Wednesday, 10th week, Ordinary Time

  • 'Golden calf' tie pin:  Elijah pits the Lord against the Baal prophets (1st reading)
  • Orange suspenders:  Fire consumed Elijah's offering (1st reading) 
  • 'Sword' tie pin, 'blood drop' pin:  They slashed themselves with swords till blood gushed (1st reading); I won't pour out blood libations to other gods (psalm)
  • 'Stone' tie pin:  Elijah built an altar with stones (1st reading)
  • 'Cups' tie:  Lord, my portion and cup (psalm)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  With the Lord at my right hand I won't be disturbed (psalm)
  • 'Letter' tie bar:  not the smallest letter or part of a letter will pass from the law (gospel)
Listen to psalm settings

We consider Jesus' first miracle, the changing of water into wine at the Cana wedding feast.  John calls these miracles 'signs,' for by them the Lord reveals the Father’s merciful love.  Jesus’ choice of a wedding feast points to the miracle's deeper meaning.  It's a sign of the new covenant he came to inaugurate, the messianic banquet, where he's the Bridegroom and the Church his bride.  By changing the water into new wine, Jesus signals he fulfills the Law and the prophets.  Mary’s command–“Do whatever he tells you”–can serve as the Church's program of life.  We must constantly renew our love for the Lord and draw new wine, new life, from his saving wounds.  The Cana miracle reminds us we're invited as members of the Lord’s family to draw near to him in faith and so share in the joy of the feast of the new covenant.
Read
Yodh (see below)
(animate)

  • 1 Kgs 18:20-39  Elijah:  “If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.  Let's call on our gods and see who answers with fire.”  They prepared bulls and called to their gods, but no one answered the prophets of Baal.  When Elijah called on the Lord, fire came down and consumed the offering.  All fell prostrate:  “The Lord is God!”
    • Ps 16:1b-2b, 4-5b, 8, 11  "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope."  Those who court other gods multiply their sorrows.  You'll show me the path to life, joy, and delight.
    • Mt 5:17-19  “I came not to abolish the law and prophets but to fulfill them.  Whoever breaks the least commandment will be called least in the Kingdom, but whoever obeys and teaches the commandments will be called great.”
    Reflect
    • Alphabet:  Consider Yodh (Yud), the "smallest letter" of the Hebrew alphabet, with its top spur, "the smallest part of a letter" (Mt 5:18).  God gave Yodh the honor of being the first letter of the Divine Name.  God changed Ya'akov/Jacob's name to Yisrael, keeping only the Yodh.  God chose Israel because they're the smallest.  Not the smallest letter or even its spur will disappear from the Word.  God won't forget the poor.  God uses the small to demonstrate his power; we'll find fulfillment in Jesus.
      • Creighton:  "Raised eyebrows":  Jesus delivered today's message with an excited, lifegiving, motivating tone.  Jesus spun a message towards hope and away from despair....
        Tetragrammaton (YHWH)
        starting with Yodh
        (remember Hebrew is right-to-left)
      • One Bread, One Body:  "Let the fire fall":  The Lord sends fire to burn away our sinfulness, selfishness, idolatry, and spiritual adultery that contradicts the love God has called us to.  The fire burns in us through the proclamation of God's Word; it comes in fiery tongues from the Spirit.  God's fire of love burns in sufferings and persecutions.  Jesus cries out, "I came to light a fire on the earth.  How I wish the blaze were ignited!"  "Our God is a consuming fire."  Stir into flame the gift of the Spirit.  Let the Lord pour out his love into you through the Spirit.
      • Passionist:  Elijah was a lone voice against some 450 prophets of other gods.  Jesus associates himself with the message of the authentic prophets before him.  Our life with God is simple and straightforward, though some try to make religion complicated.  Ponder the Simple gifts lyrics.  Copland’s Appalachian Spring made the tune famous; hear his Shaker Song variations at 18:10.
      • DailyScripture.net:  "Great are those who teach and obey the commandments":  Jesus' loved and meditated on God's law.  For the people of Israel "law" could refer to the ten commandments, the Pentateuch (Torah), or God's whole teaching to his people; Jews in Jesus' time also used it as a description of the scribal law which included more than God intended.  Jesus made it clear God's commandments and way of life must be fulfilled.  God's law of grace, love, and freedom flows from his love, goodness, and holiness.  Jesus taught reverence for God, the Lord's Day, parents, life, property, oneself, and others.  Respect for God's commandments teaches us the way of love of God and neighbor.  God gives us the grace to love, forgive, think, and act like him.  We must love his commandments and hate wrongdoing.  Jesus promised the gift of the Spirit who writes God's law on our heart, teaches God's truth, gives us wisdom and understanding, helps us in our weakness, strengthens us, and transforms us into the likeness of Christ....
        • St. Jacques Berthieu, Jesuit priest, Madagascar missionary, martyr
        • St. William of York, bishop
      Posted by at

      No comments:

      Post a Comment

      Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)