28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
St. Isaac Jogues, St. John de Brebeuf, priest & martyr
& Companions, martyrs / St. Paul of the Cross, priest
Psalter: Week 4 / (Green/Red/White)
Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
1st Reading: Eph 1:11-14
By a decree of him, who disposes all things, according to his own plan and decision, we, the Jews, have been chosen and called, and we were awaiting the Messiah, for the praise of his glory.
You, on hearing the word of truth, the gospel that saves you, have believed in him. And, as promised, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit, the first pledge of what we shall receive, on the way to our deliverance, as a people of God, for the praise of his glory.
Gospel: Lk 12:1-7
Meanwhile, such a numerous crowd had gathered that they crushed one another. Then Jesus spoke to his disciples in this way, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered that will not be uncovered; or hidden, that will not be made known. Whatever you have said in darkness will be heard in daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places, will be proclaimed from housetops.
“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who put to death the body and, after that, can do no more. But I will tell you whom to fear: Fear the one who, after killing you, is able to throw you into hell. This one you must fear. Don’t you buy five sparrows for two pennies? Yet not one of them has been forgotten by God. Even the hairs of your head have been numbered. Don’t be afraid! Are you less worthy in the eyes of God than many sparrows?“
Reflections
Jesus begins by speaking first to his own disciples. “Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.“ On the outside they pretended to be what they were not on the inside. “There is nothing…hidden that will not be made known.“ It can mean that their hypocrisy will ultimately be laid bare. In contrast to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees the followers of Jesus must practice transparency and accountability. And, although much of the teaching that the disciples receive is in private, ultimately all will have to come out into the open. The Church that is faithful to Jesus has to proclaim Reign of God and be a true witness to what she says and does. “What you have whispered in locked rooms will be proclaimed from the rooftops.“ This, of course, will involve dangers. The Gospel will be resisted. It will be seen as a dangerous threat to those who wield power through deceit and manipulation. Christians will die and, in fact, thousands have sacrificed their lives simply because they have disobeyed the orders and the values of the powers that be. They refused to condone the abuses committed against the poor, the defenseless, and the marginalized. Their faith impelled them to act with justice and mercy.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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