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THE WORD

1 Tim 6: 13–16 / Lk 8: 4–15

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to him, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed feel on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and then it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that ‘they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.’

“This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have not root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.””

IN OTHER WORDS

Januarius was arrested during the Diocletian persecution in 305 AD. With his companions he was thrown into a den of lions, but the beasts would not touch them. Eventually, the soldiers decided to kill them by chopping off their heads. Legend says that after their death someone collected some of Januarius’ blood. Today the martyr’s blood is contained in an ampoule and is kept in a bank vault in Naples, Italy. A few times a year, especially on this day, the dried blood miraculously liquefies reminding the faithful of St. Januarius’ perseverance in persecution.

Today’s 1st Reading reminds us of the need for perseverance. Paul encourages Timothy to persevere in the “Ephesian situation” (heresy, unhealthy speculation, controversies, corruption, greed, abandonment of the Christian faith). Timothy should persevere because 1) he has been called to eternal life, 2) at his baptism Timothy committed himself to Christ and to his service, 3) he is to remain true to his good confession, and 4) the God whom Timothy serves, who witnesses his work, is in absolute control of life’s situation.

For some of us, life situations oftentimes offer occasions of despair rather than consolation. There is so much corruption and greed. Our social and spiritual lives are challenged by controversies. Amidst these realities, however, we are encouraged today to persevere. Like Timothy we are encouraged to persevere because our calling is to be with God and our baptism is our commitment to service. Likewise, we need to persevere because God is true to us and He is in control of life’s situations. We must live in the here and now and believe that those of us who persevere will receive the reward of eternal life.

Fear may overtake us, but to stand for the faith and for Christ is a victory far more desirable than the other victories in life.

  • Mario Rasonabe, SVD (Rome, Italy)

 

The Word in other words 2015

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

THE WORD

1 Tim 6: 2–12 / Lk 8: 1–3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were 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 who provided for them out of their resources.

 

IN OTHER WORDS

The gospel for today is short but full of information. It shows the itinerary of Jesus’ preaching – that he went around and did not just settle in one place. In his journey, he travelled not only to small villages but also to big towns. The gospel also tells us the content of Jesus’ message – the good news of the kingdom of God. It also tells us that Jesus did not travel alone; he had companions. His companions were not limited only to men or only to the twelve, but there were also women who journeyed with him. The women who travelled with him have names (Mary, Joanna, Chuza, Susana) and they were healed from evil spirits and sicknesses. The gospel further tells us about the generosity of these women – they gave from their own resources. Yes, today’s gospel is quite short but so rich in meaning. The last part tells us, that if you want to follow Jesus then you should be willing to share.

  • Francisco Estepa, SVD (HNU, Bohol)

 

The Word in other words 2015

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

THE WORD

1 Tim 4: 12–16 / Lk 7: 36–50

A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

Why are primetime television slots given to telenovelas? The answer is obvious. The majority of viewers enjoy drama. Our gospel today is like a drama. If I were to present it on stage, I would call it Tatlong Puso: Alin ang Sa Iyo?(Three Hearts: Which One Is Yours?) The story vividly shows us three hearts: the cold, calculating heart of Simon; the grateful, lavish heart of the sinful woman; and the compassionate, unconditional heart of Jesus.

While Simon, the Pharisee, had enough interest (self-interest or otherwise) to invite Jesus to his banquet, his welcome for him was half-hearted, lacking warmth. He did not offer him the customary courtesies afforded to a guest. He even suspected him of being a fake prophet.

The woman, on the other hand, was wholehearted, even lavish, in showing her gratitude and love for Jesus. Let us remember that at that time people normally travelled on foot. They wore sandals. The roads were dusty. The feet were considered the dirtiest part of the body. Yet the woman cleaned and cooled Jesus’ feet (a task of slaves), kissed them continuously and dried them with her unbound hair. Moreover, she broke an expensive alabaster flask of perfume to anoint them. How lavish she was in expressing her gratitude and love! She gave the best response she knew, even if those ways were taboo. After all, Jesus just gave her back her dignity and freedom. She lived in a society where honor and belonging to a group were core values. And there she was, ostracized for her sinful way of life. Surely, she lived in shame and agony —until she met Jesus who accepted her without condemnation. And he even forgave her great sin! No wonder she did not care what other people would think and say. All she was concerned about was that she could let Jesus know how grateful she was for her new life, and how much she loved him in response to his unconditional love for her.

The woman surely made a scandalous scene. She not only touched Jesus in public; she also let loose her hair, a very immodest act, in order to dry Jesus’ feet! Yet Jesus was unfazed! He understood her; he accepted her without judgment, without condition.

Indeed, Jesus welcomes with open arms sinners and the marginalized, like the woman. However, he likewise welcomes those preoccupied with judging others, like Simon and the other guests, and even the self-righteous ones like the Pharisees including Simon, who do not see themselves as sinners because they fulfill the Law. Such is his unconditional heart.

Tatlong puso: alin ang sa iyo? At ako naman, alin ang pipiliin ko sa araw na ito? (Which heart will I choose to have today?)

  • Vilma Puzon, SSpS (Tayum, Abra)

 

The Word in other words 2015

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

THE WORD

1 Tim 3: 14–16 / Lk 7: 31–35

Jesus said to the crowds: “Then to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

“To make believe” is “to pretend”, “to make things up” in the sense of “imagining and believing” that things set up or created are real even if they are not. It is usually just a game, not originally meant to be malicious, or to deceive others. It is fun when it lasts, when everyone involved knows it is a game.  Sometimes we play kings and queens, princes and princesses, or we pretend we are paupers; we imagine we live in castles and we don costumes and play our parts. If we pretend we are at a party and have music and dancing, then those in the game are expected to dance. If we imagine we are at a funeral, then we play at crying and wailing. But everything is just pretense, only “make-believe.” The game is spoiled, however, when people no longer play as they should or as expected.

In Your youth, dear Jesus, You must have played games like these. How else could You have come up with what You said today, when You noted that the people listening to You did not seem to know what they really wanted. They complained about John the Baptist and his ways, on the one hand, and they criticized You, on the other hand. Either way, they were not attending to what they were supposed to do in life.

Sometimes, dear Lord, I am like those people in Your time. I do not know what I really want. Or, I know but I want everything without having to give up something. And so I do not move, I do not make a choice. How do the business pundits have it? Paralysis by Analysis. I weigh so many things, consider so many angles to a situation, but then I do not want to take any risk. So I am reduced to inaction. I paralyze myself by analyzing ad infinitum. This, I know, cannot really be, should not really be. Life is about making choices. It is about taking this road rather than another, and accepting whatever comes along that road, rather than forever longing and imagining what might have been or what could have been in the road that had not been taken.

There’s a lovely poem by Robert Frost about precisely this, titled The Road Not Taken. I’ll look it up later. In the meantime, Lord Jesus, please help me decide on important matters today, to be bold and take risks, especially to take You as my Lord and Master. Today and Forever.

  • Roderick C. Salazar, SVD (CKMS, QC)

 

The Word in other words 2015

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

More Articles ...

  1. September 15, 2015 Tuesday
  2. September 14, 2015 Monday
  3. September 13, 2015 Sunday
  4. September 12, 2015 Saturday
  5. September 11, 2015 Friday
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