13th Sunday - C (June 27, 2010)
Luke 9:51-62
Jesus' resolution
Most Scripture scholars consider Luke 9:51 the turning point in the Gospel according to Luke. Jesus has finished his ministry of proclaiming the Kingdom of God in Galilee through his words and deeds. That was the first part of his mission.
It's now time for him "being taken up" in order to fulfill the second part of his mission, which is to die on the cross and to return to the Father. And so "he resolutely determines to journey to Jerusalem." He knows what awaits him in Jerusalem, yet he "resolutely determines" to go there.
Jesus has come into the world out of obedience to the Father's will and of his love for humanity. He does that freely. And he now resolutely determines to complete that mission.
That context clarifies the other stories in the passage of Luke 9:51-62.
First, the Samaritan villages reject him "because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem." James and John want to destroy these people but Jesus rebukes them. Jesus does not force anyone to follow him. [1]
Then, there are people who who want to follow Jesus, while another called by him. None of them could, however, because of various reasons holding them back. "Jesus leads the way to Jerusalem and back to the Father." [2] Jesus' disciples must also resolutely determine to follow him to the Father, knowing that there is a cross waiting for them. But that is the only way. There is no resurrection without the cross.
There are many good things in life, but nothing, and nobody, should get in the way of us following Jesus to the God who loves us.
-------------
[1] Francis J. Moloney, SDB. The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections on the Gospel Readings, Year C. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1991; p. 140.
[2] Ibid., p. 141.
June 26, 2010
June 19, 2010
Commentary
12th Sunday - C (June 20, 2010)
Luke 9:18-24
Does the Messiah Still Matter?
In response to Jesus' question "Who do the crowds say that I am?" the disciples have an answer. Earlier, Jesus sent them out to preach and to heal (9:2). Moreover, they have been following Jesus, and heard the people's reaction about this powerful prophet.
The people of Israel have been waiting for the Messiah for generations now. Their history of slavery and exile, and their current status of being an occupied nation give them a hunger for God to free them (even if it is just on a worldly and political level). They have been told that a prophet will come to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:18 and Malachi 3:1).
More significantly, their longing for the Messiah expresses their faith in God, in God's promise to their ancestors, and the importance of God in their lives.
And so, though they have not yet fully understood who Jesus is, he might be for them at least the promised messenger who prepares the way. And that means their freedom is near.
The disciples share with their fellow Israelites the longing for the Messiah. They, however, are ahead of the people in their recognition of Jesus "not just any Christ" but "the Christ of God."[1]
Jesus still has much to teach them of what it means for him to be the Christ of God, and for them to "come after" him. [2] Nevertheless, they are on the right track.
The prerequisite of discipleship is faith. The prerequisite of faith is a longing for God. And the prerequisite of this longing is an real awareness of our situation and of God's power.
Where am I on this journey?
------------------------
[1] Francis J. Moloney, SDB. The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections on the Gospel Readings, Year C. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1991; p. 138.
[2] Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina Series, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991, p. 154.
Luke 9:18-24
Does the Messiah Still Matter?
In response to Jesus' question "Who do the crowds say that I am?" the disciples have an answer. Earlier, Jesus sent them out to preach and to heal (9:2). Moreover, they have been following Jesus, and heard the people's reaction about this powerful prophet.
The people of Israel have been waiting for the Messiah for generations now. Their history of slavery and exile, and their current status of being an occupied nation give them a hunger for God to free them (even if it is just on a worldly and political level). They have been told that a prophet will come to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:18 and Malachi 3:1).
More significantly, their longing for the Messiah expresses their faith in God, in God's promise to their ancestors, and the importance of God in their lives.
And so, though they have not yet fully understood who Jesus is, he might be for them at least the promised messenger who prepares the way. And that means their freedom is near.
The disciples share with their fellow Israelites the longing for the Messiah. They, however, are ahead of the people in their recognition of Jesus "not just any Christ" but "the Christ of God."[1]
Jesus still has much to teach them of what it means for him to be the Christ of God, and for them to "come after" him. [2] Nevertheless, they are on the right track.
The prerequisite of discipleship is faith. The prerequisite of faith is a longing for God. And the prerequisite of this longing is an real awareness of our situation and of God's power.
Where am I on this journey?
------------------------
[1] Francis J. Moloney, SDB. The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections on the Gospel Readings, Year C. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1991; p. 138.
[2] Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina Series, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991, p. 154.
June 11, 2010
Commentary
11th Sunday - C
Luke 7:36 - 8:3
Who Can Follow Jesus?
The list of people who "accompanied" Jesus in Luke 8: 1-3 includes "the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others."
The personal history of the Twelve is better known to modern readers. Each of them had a unique a past - like any other group of people. Some were common people. Some were more educated than others. At least one was a public enemy (Matthew). Some carried Jewish/Hebrew names, while others had Greek names. These twelve men were by no means identical or perfect.
So were the personal stories of the women. Luke made it a point to mention that they "had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities." There is the detail about Mary's struggles but nothing is mentioned about the other women. Joanna, considering her husband's position, must have been "a person of position and means." [1]
These men and women, each with a unique past, all have been called by Jesus. Their well-being and their calling are signs of "the power of God's kingdom in Jesus." [2] And they are now his followers. They will witness Jesus' life, his teaching and action as they journey with him "from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God." (8:1)
These women will later witness Jesus' sacrifice of love at the cross (23:49). Mary and Joanna, in particular, with "the other women," will be the first messengers of Christ's resurrection. (24:10) [3]
Such is the life story of the first generation of Jesus' followers. What is my story as a follower?
-----------------------------
[1] New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prencite Hall, 1990, p. 697
[2] Ibid.
[3] Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina Series, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991, p. 131.
Luke 7:36 - 8:3
Who Can Follow Jesus?
The list of people who "accompanied" Jesus in Luke 8: 1-3 includes "the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others."
The personal history of the Twelve is better known to modern readers. Each of them had a unique a past - like any other group of people. Some were common people. Some were more educated than others. At least one was a public enemy (Matthew). Some carried Jewish/Hebrew names, while others had Greek names. These twelve men were by no means identical or perfect.
So were the personal stories of the women. Luke made it a point to mention that they "had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities." There is the detail about Mary's struggles but nothing is mentioned about the other women. Joanna, considering her husband's position, must have been "a person of position and means." [1]
These men and women, each with a unique past, all have been called by Jesus. Their well-being and their calling are signs of "the power of God's kingdom in Jesus." [2] And they are now his followers. They will witness Jesus' life, his teaching and action as they journey with him "from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God." (8:1)
These women will later witness Jesus' sacrifice of love at the cross (23:49). Mary and Joanna, in particular, with "the other women," will be the first messengers of Christ's resurrection. (24:10) [3]
Such is the life story of the first generation of Jesus' followers. What is my story as a follower?
-----------------------------
[1] New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prencite Hall, 1990, p. 697
[2] Ibid.
[3] Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina Series, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991, p. 131.
June 5, 2010
Commentary
Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Luke 9:11b-17
"Give them some food yourselves."
This passage from chapter 9 of Luke's gospel follows the sending out of the Twelve with "power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and ... to proclaim the kingdom of God" (9:1-2).
Luke reports that "When the apostles returned, they explained to him what they had done. " (v. 10)
After such a success, the apostles think it was them who had done the work, so they "explained to [Jesus] what they had done."
How misled they are thinking that they have done it all?
And so, facing the hunger of the crowds of thousands of people, with only five loaves and two fish, the only thing they could think of is to send the people away.
The miracle teaches the Twelve a lesson on the reality of Christian mission. It is the Lord Jesus who indeed has done it all.
For us, disciples of today, this passage, appropriately selected for this celebration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, draws us to the greatness of the Eucharist and the reality of what we, as followers of Christ, have to offer.
The five loaves and two fish that we have is all Jesus needs. And he is commissioning us to give the hungry people some food ourselves. We have little to offer the hungry crowds. But it is we who Jesus is sending. It's not what we do. It is the Lord who uses us to feed the multitude.
Luke 9:11b-17
"Give them some food yourselves."
This passage from chapter 9 of Luke's gospel follows the sending out of the Twelve with "power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and ... to proclaim the kingdom of God" (9:1-2).
Luke reports that "When the apostles returned, they explained to him what they had done. " (v. 10)
After such a success, the apostles think it was them who had done the work, so they "explained to [Jesus] what they had done."
How misled they are thinking that they have done it all?
And so, facing the hunger of the crowds of thousands of people, with only five loaves and two fish, the only thing they could think of is to send the people away.
The miracle teaches the Twelve a lesson on the reality of Christian mission. It is the Lord Jesus who indeed has done it all.
For us, disciples of today, this passage, appropriately selected for this celebration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, draws us to the greatness of the Eucharist and the reality of what we, as followers of Christ, have to offer.
The five loaves and two fish that we have is all Jesus needs. And he is commissioning us to give the hungry people some food ourselves. We have little to offer the hungry crowds. But it is we who Jesus is sending. It's not what we do. It is the Lord who uses us to feed the multitude.
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