A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 9, n. 49)
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – October 30, 2011 *
“Give the Gospel and Your Very Self”
BIBLE READINGS
Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 // I Thes 2:7b-9, 13 // Mt 23:1-12
(N.B. Series 9 of BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy of Year A from the perspective of the Second Reading. For reflections on the Sunday liturgy of Year A based on the Gospel reading, please scroll up to the “ARCHIVES” above and open Series 3. For reflections based on the Old Testament reading, open Series 6.)
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO
This Sunday’s Old Testament reading (Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10) is an indictment against the abuse of religious authority for self-gain. The priests were offering “polluted” sacrifices of sick and worthless animals and have failed to honor the integrity of the Lord’s name. They were also currying favor with the rich and powerful and by their irresponsible decisions, they have made a travesty of justice. But the core offense was that they have turned away from the right path and by their teaching have led many to do wrong. Indeed, they have broken the covenant with God by their wicked ways.
This accusation of self-serving power parallels the one Jesus made in the Gospel reading (Mt 23:1-12) against the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus did not condemn religious authority per se, but its abuse in view of self-promotion. Moreover, titles were to be rejected when used for mere ostentation, arrogance, or pomposity. Furthermore, Jesus condemned the hypocritical use of phylacteries and tassels to “show off” a non-existent holiness.
Harold Buetow remarks: “Every Christian, despite the temptations to Phariseeism in all of us, is to seek to render selfless service rather than to obtain titles, recognition or power. The best soil for the growth of Christian virtue is humble service and detachment: detachment from not only things, but from praise and prestige. In the humble Christ – poor, shunned and oppressed – is where the growth of virtue always finds a home.”
The generous and selfless service of Saint Paul and his companions that we could glean in the Second Reading (I Thes 2:7b-9, 13) is diametrically opposed to the selfish attitude of the priests that the prophet Malachi inveighed against. The apostles shared the Good News and their very selves. They evangelized by word and deed – by their life and teaching. The apostles were upright and without deception. They were men of integrity and sterling qualities. Hence, they are marvelous models for all who must transmit the Gospel through ages to come.
The authors of the Days of the Lord, vol. 4, explain: “Fearless, Paul acted in Thessalonica as a nursing mother cares for her children. There has never been on his part either a word of demagoguery or an ulterior motive, greed or any pursuit of his own glory. Everywhere he preaches the Gospel God entrusted to him, careful to please not human beings but God, who tests our hearts. He does not boast of his title of Apostle of Christ to impress others with his importance. He renounces even the just salary to which he has a right (I Thes 2:3-7a). To avoid burdening any of the members of the community, he provides for his own needs by working day and night. Really he does not spare his pains; he gives himself without reservation. But he does not attribute to himself the success of his preaching. He gives thanks to God, who has prepared the Thessalonians’ hearts to receive God’s word … To give oneself, along with the message, without second thoughts of place of honor or self-glorification on account of the success of one’s ministry – here is what makes Paul the model apostle.”
The response of the Thessalonians to the Gospel and to the personal witnessing of Saint Paul and his companions was equally marvelous. They rightly discerned that what they had heard was the word of God and not merely human word. The apostles thanked the Lord for the faith response of the Thessalonians and were certain that indeed God works in those who believe.
The following story gives insight into the loving attitude and gentle spirit of missionaries, then and now, as well as the heartwarming response of the Gospel recipients (cf. Michael Massano, “Missioner Tales” in MARYKNOLL, September-October 2011, p.11). Indeed, true apostles give the Good News and their very self.
About 10 years ago Samueli came to our House of Compassion, where the poorest of the poor are welcomed here in Musoma, Tanzania. He had been a pushcart worker loading sugar, rice and wood to be carried to local stores. When he began drinking heavily, his family abandoned him.
One of our volunteers discovered Samueli in a hospital, where he had been brought after he was found unconscious in the street. Father Godfried Biseko, founder of our home, asked the hospital to release Samueli to come and live with us.
Recently he became too weak to walk and is now confined to a wheelchair. But he loves to go outside to greet the sun. At the end of the day, as I get him ready and promise to see him tomorrow, he smiles. I smile too, having watched Samueli grow more content and self-confident as he has felt welcome.
The breastplate prayer of St. Patrick says, “Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ around me, Christ within me”. I cannot help but rejoice in the presence of Jesus shining through a man called Samueli.
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO
Like the unscrupulous priests indicted by the Lord God through prophet Malachi, are we also guilty of turning away from the right way and of inciting the people around us to falter and sin?
Are we guilty of self-seeking and vain glory or do we humbly turn to Jesus, the Divine Master, to be instructed in his ways?
Are we determined to share the Good News with the people of today by word and deed? Do we endeavor to give the saving Word to the world as well as our very self?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO
Leader: O loving God,
deliver us from falsehood and deception.
Free us from the vice of self-seeking and egoism.
Give us the grace to imitate Jesus the Divine Master.
Teach us to follow his humble ways.
May his mind enlighten us,
his will strengthen us,
and his heart enflame us.
Like Saint Paul the Apostle,
who was totally configured to Jesus Christ,
help us to offer today’s fragmented world
the gift of the Gospel and our very self.
Grant that in proclaiming the Word to the world,
it may be received not as a human word,
but your very own purifying and life-giving Word.
Let the faithful spread of the Gospel
to all peoples and cultures and to all creation
with the same love with which the Divine Master preached it.
We thank and praise you;
we glorify and adore you;
we love and serve you,
now and forever.
Assembly: 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.
“We were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves.” (cf. I Thes 2:8)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO
ACTION PLAN: Pray that Christian disciples may be totally imbued by the saving love of Jesus, the Divine Master, and thus share the Word to the world with transparency and integrity. By your acts of justice and charity and by your compassionate care for the poor and the weak enable today’s fragmented world to experience the joy of the Gospel and the beauty of your self-giving.
ACTION PLAN: That we may be efficacious in giving the Gospel and our very self to the people around us, make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM website (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR: A Weekly Pastoral Tool (Year A, vol. 7, # 49).
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