A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy

 

 

BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 7, n. 41)

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – September 6, 2009 *

 

“Wondrous Miracles!”

 

BIBLE READINGS

Is 35:4-7a // Jas 2:1-5 // Mk 7:31-37

 

 

 

(N.B. Series 7 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 B from the perspective of the Second Reading. For other reflections on the Sunday liturgy of Year B, please go to the PDDM Web Archives: WWW.PDDM.US and open Series 1 & 4.)

 

 

 

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS

 

One of the loveliest passages in the Bible is proclaimed in this Sunday’s Old Testament reading (Is 35:4-7a). With unsurpassable poetic images, the prophet Isaiah depicts the saving intervention of God on behalf of his exiled and brokenhearted people. It presents a vision of the world to come – the coming of the saving God in a new and wonderful way. The advent of the messianic age is portrayed in terms of healing: “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened; the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag; then the tongue of the mute will sing” (v. 5-6a). It also depicts the wonders of the new age as stupendous nature transformation: “Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pool, and the thirsty ground, springs of water” (v.6b-7a).

 

The prophet Isaiah’s inspiring vision of wholeness and freshness is fulfilled in the messianic ministry of Jesus, of which today’s Gospel passage is a powerful illustration (Mk 7:31-37). The liturgical scholar Aelred Rosser remarks: “The predictions Isaiah sings about here becomes real in the gospel narrative today. Jesus makes the prophecy come true: The tongue of the mute will sing … It is extolling the wonders of Israel’s historical deliverance from exile, of course, and proclaims his message of hope to a people oppressed and discouraged … a proclamation of hope in the midst of suffering.”

 

The crowd was filled with delight in seeing the miraculous intervention of Jesus on behalf of the disadvantaged and unfortunate deaf-mute. Jesus is the fulfillment of the messianic hopes and the crowd’s joyful exclamation hinted at their recognition of the fulfillment. The true identity, however, of this enigmatic miracle-worker will become clear only at the completion of the paschal mystery of his passion, death and glorification.

 

Indeed, in Jesus Christ, the miracle of healing and transformation continues to unfold in each believer and in the Christian community as a whole. What impedes the movement of grace and what nips the beautiful bud of wholeness is our sinful attitude of partiality and favoritism. In this Sunday’s Second Reading (Jas 2:1-5) confronts this problem, reminding us of God’s impartiality to us and our equal status in the Church. God’s election is to the poor as well to make them rich and equal in faith.

 

The biblical scholar Cain Hope Felder explains: “James expounds on how the standard of righteous doing applies to specific socio-economic difficulties and class conflicts within Christian communities and assemblies. The leading issue in this periscope is the blatant inconsistency of claiming to be a Christian and yet discriminating against the poor and otherwise oppressing the needy or fellow Christians of lower social class. James (2:3-4) depicts a flagrant example of class discrimination within a congregation … James’ illustration in vv. 2-4 probably was searing at that time, but it remains searing today … James 2:5 has for its essential intent a word of caution to members of the assembly who discriminate against the faithful poor in their midst. The text reminds the nominal Christians exhibiting class prejudice that they are oppressing a rich part of God’s elect … Unfortunately, the problem is worse among James’ communities.”

 

The letter of Saint James addressed to us today is a rebuke to the false standard of today’s world, which is senseless and cruel for it is based on the values extraneous to the inner worth of the person, such as power, wealth, physical beauty, etc. In spite of our distorted values and human frailty, however, the wondrous miracle of healing, wholeness and grace continues to challenge and unfold. The following article of “Papa Mike” McGarvin illustrates the triumph of true beauty and the power of grace (cf. POVERELLO NEWS, July 2009, p. 2-3).

 

By now, Susan Boyle, a once obscure Scottish spinster, is a household name. It seems as though every pundit in America has written about her amazing performance on the show “Britain Got’s Talent”, so I am chiming in kind of late in the game.

 

If you haven’t seen Ms. Boyle’s performance on TV or You Tube, here’s what happened. Forty-seven years old, never married, and with a very plain appearance. Ms Boyle had grown up in an impoverished village. She is a faithful Christian who took care of her elderly parents until they passed away. Children and teenagers tormented her because of her looks, both when she was a child and as an adult. However, she has a glorious singing voice, and using her immense talent, she for many years performed in neighborhood churches and at karaoke sessions in local pubs.

 

He opportunity to go on this show, a spin-off of American Idol, seemed particularly ill –fated. Described by many as “frumpy”, this unlikely candidate strode onto the stage to the cruel laughter of both the judges and audience. She seemed confident, but embarrassingly awkward, and the judges smirked as she described her goal of one day becoming a professional singer. To say that they didn’t take her seriously is a huge understatement.

 

And then, she opened her mouth and sang. A stunned panel of judges gazed, shocked and unbelieving, as the voice of an angel took command of the stage. The audience’s mockery turned to wild adulation. Susan Boyle’s magnificent contralto voice did not match their preconceived ideas of her. Her choice of songs, “I Dreamed a Dream” from the Broadway musical, Les Miserables, emotionally complimented her exquisite artistry. To a society that grossly overvalues physical attractiveness and wrongly equates it with goodness, talent, and prestige, Ms, Boyle stood as a refreshing rebuke. Jesus said that the last shall be first, and the meek shall inherit the earth. Susan Boyle pretty much inherited the civilized, wired world that night as her performance spread like wildfire on the Internet. (…)

 

We don’t see a lot of physical attractiveness on the streets here at the Pov; but if there’s a lesson in Susan Boyle’s astonishing performance and the show’s dazzled judges, it’s that we cannot afford to dismiss people as unworthy or useless. God sees the whole person, and He sees beauty where, in our frailty and prejudice, we see none. I’ve always believed that He wants us to start viewing people with His vision of them. Our fallen human tendency is to label those who don’t meet our culture’s exacting standards as worthless; however, seeing someone through God’s eyes allows us to be open to many surprises, as well as many blessings that we otherwise would have missed.

 

 

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART

 

1.      Are we receptive to the wondrous miracles God works in the life of his chosen people Israel, the Church, and in our personal life? What are some of our experiences of healing, wholeness, freshness and transformation?

 

2.      What is the significance for me of the healing of the deaf-mute in this Sunday’s Gospel story? As recipient of Jesus’ loving care and messianic ministry, do I respond to his personal initiative and saving work? How?

 

3.      Are we guilty of showing partiality to the rich and privileged and of socio-economic-racial discrimination against the poor and lowly? How do we overcome this false distinction? Do we strive to see the real worth and beauty of a person? Do we care for the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our society today? How are we “doers of the word” on behalf of the entire Church?

 

 

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD

 

Leader: Loving Father,

in your Son Jesus Christ,

we have experienced the wondrous miracle of healing and transformation.

As Christian disciples,

teach us to participate in the unfolding of truth and the triumph of grace.

Fill our hearts with beauty and the power of the spirit.

At times, we are deaf to your words

and timid to proclaim your glorious reign.

Heal our fearful stance and strengthen us in our weakness.

Open our ears to the sound of your voice.

Touch and purify our lips that we may declare your praise.

Lord, guide us to walk in your ways.

Inflame our hearts with love for you.

Filled with your blessings, help us to serve you without distinction.

Help us to show no partiality

as we adhere to our faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ name, we sing your kindness and glory,

now and forever.

 

Assembly: Amen.

 

 

 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD

 

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

 

“Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jas 2:1)

 

 

 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION

 

A.     ACTION PLAN: Pray that we may continually experience the miracles of healing and transformation in our daily lives. By your charity and personal dedication, enable the poor and the underprivileged to experience God’s all-inclusive love and impartial stance.

 

B.     ACTION PLAN: To enable us to proclaim God’s wondrous miracles of beauty and grace, make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM WEB site (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR: A Weekly Pastoral Tool (Year B, vol. 5, n. 41).

 

 

 

 

Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang  PDDM

 

 

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