2. Viaticum #796-800

RITUAL MASSES

V. FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK AND THE DYING

2. Viaticum

796 Reading from the Old Testament

First Option

1 Kings 19:4-8

Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert,

until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it.

He prayed for death saying:

“This is enough, O LORD!

Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree,

but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat.

Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake

and a jug of water.

After he ate and drank, he lay down again,

but the angel of the LORD came back a second time,

touched him, and ordered,

“Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!”

He got up, ate, and drank;

then strengthened by that food,

he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

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Commentary on 1 Kgs 19:4-8

This episode from the tale of Elijah finds the prophet fleeing from Jezebel who was the ruler of Beer-sheba. Elijah, in order to demonstrate the superiority of God over the false god Baal had defeated and slain the priests of Baal and was under sentence of death (see 1 Kings 19:2). He flees into the desert believing he had failed God and, in frustration, gives up, asking God to take his life.

Exhausted he falls asleep under the broom tree (really more of a desert shrub than a tree but often used by Bedouins for protection from the wind). The Lord sends a messenger to him and commands him to eat the bread he offered and drink the water he provided. The messenger then leads Elijah to “the mountain of God, Horeb.” There is great symbolism in leading Elijah to that place. It is considered to be the same mountain upon which Moses received the Law (referred to by a different name as Mount Sinai). His forty days and forty night journey represents a spiritual journey as well as distance.

CCC: 1 Kg 19:1-14 2583; 1 Kg 19:5 332

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Second Option

Job 19:23-27a

Oh, would that my words were written down!

Would that they were inscribed in a record:

That with an iron chisel and with lead

they were cut in the rock forever!

But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,

and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;

Whom I myself shall see:

my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him;

And from my flesh I shall see God;

my inmost being is consumed with longing.

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Commentary on Jb 19:23-27a

These familiar verses (“I know that my vindicator (redeemer) lives…”) are taken from Job’s fifth response. Job is now utterly deserted. His family, neighbors, and even (apparently) God has deserted him. Yet, in a leap of faith, he expresses hope in the vision of God who will vindicate him and confidence that he will one day meet him, face to face. It is this salvation and consolation that Job desires above all else.

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797 Reading from the New Testament

First Option

1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Brothers and sisters:

The cup of blessing that we bless,

is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?

The bread that we break,

is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

Because the loaf of bread is one,

we, though many, are one body,

for we all partake of the one loaf.

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Commentary on 1 Cor 10:16-17

Although this is part of a comparison being brought between Christ’s sacrifice and idolatry, what is given here expresses the unity forged through the Eucharist, the only true sacrifice. The Blood of Christ and the Body of Christ shared in communion unites us spiritually and physically and we become that living Body of Christ on earth, the Church, through Jesus.

CCC: 1 Cor 10:16-17 1329, 1331, 1396; 1 Cor 10:16 1334; 1 Cor 10:17 1621

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Second Option

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Brothers and sisters:

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,

that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,

took bread, and, after he had given thanks,

broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you.

Do this in remembrance of me."

In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,

"This cup is the new covenant in my blood.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,

you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

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Commentary on 1 Cor 11:23-26

St. Paul gives us the earliest written account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper. This account is used by many Protestant denominations to define their understanding of this event as symbolic rather than efficacious, that is, they believe the Lord’s actions did not transubstantiate the bread and wine, but that the action was simply a “remembrance”. The Church looks at the whole body of scripture, especially St. John’s Gospel and understands the Sacrament as the gift of Christ’s Body and Blood.

CCC: 1 Cor 11:23-26 1339; 1 Cor 11:23 610, 1366; 1 Cor 11:24-25 1356; 1 Cor 11:24 1328, 1329; 1 Cor 11:25 611, 613; 1 Cor 11:26 671, 1076, 1130, 1344, 1393, 2772, 2776

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Third Option

Revelation 3:14b, 20-22

"'The Amen, the faithful and true witness,

the source of God's creation, says this:

""'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

then I will enter his house and dine with him

and he with me.

I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne,

as I myself first won the victory

and sit with my Father on his throne.

""'Whoever has ears ought to hear

what the Spirit says to the churches.""'

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Commentary on Rv 3:14b, 20-22

The image of Christ knocking at the door evokes the image of a loving parent, concerned for their child, bringing with them unconditional love. It is captured well by the Spanish poet Lope de Vega: “How many times the angel spoke to me:/ ‘Look out of our window now,/ you will see how lovingly he calls and calls.’/Yet, sovereign beauty, how often/I replied, ‘we’ll open for you tomorrow’,/to reply the same when the morrow came” (Rimas sacras, Sonnet 18) [4]

St. John addresses the Church of Laodicea .[1] His principle thrust is the lack of zeal for the faith they have shown. In this passage, the vision of St. John conveys the idea of the Holy Spirit reaching out to the Church, asking her to be strong and valorous in faith, inviting them to share God’s ultimate victory.

CCC: Rv 3:14 1065

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Fourth Option

Revelation 22:17, 20-21

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."

Let the hearer say, "Come."

Let the one who thirsts come forward,

and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water.

The one who gives this testimony says,

"Yes, I am coming soon."

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

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Commentary on Rv 22:17, 20-21

St. John concludes his Revelation with a prayer that the Lord come may soon arrive, seeking God’s final gift of salvation. It is the Holy Spirit and the "Bride" (the Church) who extend this invitation. The passage concludes with the a final cry, echoed by all who hope in the Lord, that the Lord will come soon bringing his grace and peace to all. "Come Lord Jesus!: The cry of the saints, who long for Christ's return. It is probably connected with the liturgical acclamation in 1 Corinthians 16:22, preserved in Aramaic as marana tha, "Our Lord, come!" (CCC 451, 671)."[2]

CCC: Rv 22:17 524, 671, 694, 757, 796, 343, 2550, 2853; Rv 22:20 451, 671, 673, 1343, 1403, 2853; Rv 22:21 1061

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798 Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Note: The biblical citation of these verses in the lectionary varies though the text is identical.

R. (4ab) Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

or:

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

Beside restful waters he leads me;

he refreshes my soul.

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

or:

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me in right paths

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk in the dark valley

I fear no evil; for you are at my side

With your rod and your staff

that give me courage.

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

or:

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me

in the sight of my foes;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

or:

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow me

all the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

for years to come.

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

or:

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

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Commentary on Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar songs in the entire psalter. “God's loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Psalm 23:1-4) and a host's generosity toward a guest (Psalm 23:5-6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Isaiah 40:11; 49:10; Jeremiah 31:10).” [3] While the theme of shepherd is mentioned in the first strophe, the psalm really speaks to the peace given to those who follow the Lord and place their trust in Him, even into the “dark valley.”

The reference in the third strophe above: “'You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes' occurs in an exodus context in Psalm 78:19. As my enemies watch: my enemies see that I am God's friend and guest. Oil: a perfumed ointment made from olive oil, used especially at banquets (Psalm 104:15; Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:37, 46; John 12:2).”[3]

CCC: Ps 23:5 1293
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Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 10-11

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Let my soul glory in the LORD;

the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me,

let us together extol his name.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,

and your faces may not blush with shame.

When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,

and from all his distress he saved him.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,

for nought is lacking to those who fear him.

The great grow poor and hungry;

but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

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Commentary on Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 10-11

Psalm 34 is a song of thanksgiving and a favorite for celebrating the heroic virtue of the saints. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Psalm 34:5, 7), can teach the "poor," those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone. This psalm echoes hope for deliverance and freedom. The Lord in his faithful love always hears those who call to him for help and salvation.

CCC: Ps 34:3 716

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Psalm 42:2, 3, 5cdef; 43:3, 4, 5

R. (42:3) My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face

to face?

As the hind longs for the running waters,

so my soul longs for you, O God.