Commentary
Matthew 23: 1-12
After listening for some weeks on the debates and controversies between Jesus and those who opposed him, today, we have a passage in which Jesus speaks to us, his disciples [1].
Jesus warns his followers not to do things, religious or otherwise, for show. That is the wrong motivation. When we do that, pride, recognition, and prestige become our master.
Today, religious practices are not necessary the things people do for recognition. In fact, in our contemporary society, having a religious faith or believing in God may not be the "cool" thing.
It may be even more now than the time of Jesus that we must ask ourselves, "What is my motivation? Who is my master? and what is my reason to believe in God and to live my faith?"
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[1]. Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B., The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections of the Gospel Readings - Year A. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1992; p. 188.
October 29, 2011
October 23, 2011
30th Sunday - A (October 23, 2011)
Commentary
Matthew 22: 34-40With or Without Love
The Jewish religious people observed 613 commandments as found in the Torah, "248 positive ('you shall') and 365 negative ('you shall not.') [1]
That is a lot of commandments.
What would it be like to observe them all without a purpose and understanding? One would surely become legalistic.
Jesus does not invent the two greatest commandments (they are both familiar to all devout Jews from the law given by God to Moses). Jesus, however, teaches the reason and purpose of all the commandments.
Moreover, Jesus makes it just ONE commandment. The commandment of love.
With love, it all makes sense. Without love, all we have is the burden of restriction.
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[1] Daniel J. Harrington, SJ. The Gospel of Matthew. Sacra Pagina series. Collegeville, MN.: Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 316.
October 15, 2011
29th Sunday - A (October 16, 2011)
Commentary
Matthew 22: 15 - 21
Words and Actions
It is quite obvious that Jesus' opponents words and actions contradicted each other.
In order to trap Jesus, they betrayed their own principles. The Pharisees, who claimed absolute loyalty to the traditions of the ancestors, joined forces of the Herodians, who betrayed their own nation, and worked with the Romans to be in power.
The Pharisees knew that the alliance was not good for their reputation. This might have been the reason why they themselves did not go to Jesus themselves with their trick question. Rather, they sent their disciples [1].
Jesus, on the contrary, is always consistent in his words and actions. In fact, his whole life is the revelation of the eternal truth - God. His words and actions bring to humanity God's love and salvation.
How do I live my life as a child of God in my words and actions?
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[1] Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B., The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections of the Gospel Readings - Year A. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1992; p. 186.
29th Sunday - A (October 16, 2011)
Image: John Singleton Copley, The Tribute Money, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1782http://cccchoirnotes.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.htm
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October 7, 2011
28th Sunday - A (October 9, 2011)
Commentary
God Wants Us There
In this parable, the king spares no efforts to bring his guests to the banquet.
It is no ordinary banquet. It is "not just any wedding." It is "a wedding given by the king for his son" [1].
And the king wants his guests there. He does all in his power to bring them in. He keeps on trying.
In Scripture, the image of the wedding feast is used to indicate the moment of God's reign reaching its fullness in Jesus Christ [2].
For us, the Eucharistic banquet is this wedding feast, the reality of God's greatest love for us in the death and resurrection of God's only Son.
It is up to me to respond to the invitation.
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[1] Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B., The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections of the Gospel Readings - Year A. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1992; p. 184.
[2] Ibid.
In this parable, the king spares no efforts to bring his guests to the banquet.
It is no ordinary banquet. It is "not just any wedding." It is "a wedding given by the king for his son" [1].
And the king wants his guests there. He does all in his power to bring them in. He keeps on trying.
In Scripture, the image of the wedding feast is used to indicate the moment of God's reign reaching its fullness in Jesus Christ [2].
For us, the Eucharistic banquet is this wedding feast, the reality of God's greatest love for us in the death and resurrection of God's only Son.
It is up to me to respond to the invitation.
----------------------
[1] Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B., The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections of the Gospel Readings - Year A. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1992; p. 184.
[2] Ibid.
October 1, 2011
27th Sunday - A (October 2, 2011)
Commentary
Matthew 21: 33 - 43
It's a Great Vineyard
The vineyard is a familiar image used in Scripture to symbolize God's chosen people (Isaiah 5: 7) [1].
In Jesus' parable, the owner makes sure it is a good vineyard. He also sets it up ready to produce. So, he "put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower."
The tower can also be understood as a symbol of how he cares for those to whom he entrusts the vineyard. It serves both as "a watchpost and [their] shelter" [2]. Through the words of the Prophet Isaiah, God shows how much God cares for his vineyard, "What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done?" (5: 4) [3].
What is the portion of God's great vineyard entrusted to us? See how much cares God gives to it!
How do I care for it?
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[1]. This Sunday's First Reading.
[2]. Daniel J. Harrington, SJ. The Gospel of Matthew. Sacra Pagina series. Collegeville, MN.: Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 302.
[3]. This Sunday's First Reading.
Matthew 21: 33 - 43
It's a Great Vineyard
The vineyard is a familiar image used in Scripture to symbolize God's chosen people (Isaiah 5: 7) [1].
In Jesus' parable, the owner makes sure it is a good vineyard. He also sets it up ready to produce. So, he "put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower."
The tower can also be understood as a symbol of how he cares for those to whom he entrusts the vineyard. It serves both as "a watchpost and [their] shelter" [2]. Through the words of the Prophet Isaiah, God shows how much God cares for his vineyard, "What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done?" (5: 4) [3].
What is the portion of God's great vineyard entrusted to us? See how much cares God gives to it!
How do I care for it?
-----------------
[1]. This Sunday's First Reading.
[2]. Daniel J. Harrington, SJ. The Gospel of Matthew. Sacra Pagina series. Collegeville, MN.: Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 302.
[3]. This Sunday's First Reading.
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