7. For Religious #852-856

MASSES FOR VARIOUS NEEDS AND OCCASIONS

I. For the Holy Church

7. For Religious

852 Reading from the Old Testament

First Option

1 Kings 19:4-9a, 11-15a

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.

He 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.

There he came to a cave, where he took shelter.

Then the LORD said to him,

"Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;

the LORD will be passing by."

A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains

and crushing rocks before the LORD--

but the LORD was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake—

but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake there was fire—

but the LORD was not in the fire.

After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.

When he heard this,

Elijah hid his face in his cloak

and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"

He replied, "I have been most zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts.

But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant,

torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword.

I alone am left, and they seek to take my life."

The LORD said to him,

"Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus."

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Commentary on 1 Kgs 19:4-9a, 11-15a

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.

Unsuccessful in bringing the people back to authentic worship of God, Elijah the Prophet flees to the same holy mountain where Moses was given the Law.

“Though various phenomena, such as wind, storms, earthquakes, fire (Exodus 19:18-19), herald the divine presence, they do not constitute the presence itself which, like the tiny whispering sound, is imperceptible and bespeaks the spirituality of God. It was fitting that Elijah, whose mission it was to re-establish the covenant and restore the pure faith, should have returned to Horeb where the covenant was revealed to Moses and through him to the Israelite people (Exodus 3:1-4, 17; 33:18-34:9). Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ at the time of his transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-7; Luke 9:28-36).” [1]

Following God’s revelation, Elijah is sent toward Damascus where he will be instrumental in bringing Israel back to the God by appointing (anointing) new leaders, including his own successor Elisha.

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

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Second Option

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Set me as a seal on your heart,

as a seal on your arm;

For stern as death is love,

relentless as the nether world is devotion;

its flames are a blazing fire.

Deep waters cannot quench love,

nor floods sweep it away.

Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love,

he would be roundly mocked.

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Commentary on Sgs 8:6-7

This short phrase from a love song in Song of Songs begins with the notion of undying fidelity in love. ("Set me as a seal on your heart – Seal: this could be worn bound to the arm, as here, or suspended at the neck, or as a ring (Jeremiah 22:24). It was used for identification and signatures. Stern . . . relentless: in human experience, death and the nether world are inevitable, unrelenting; in the end they always triumph. Love, which is just as certain of its victory, matches its strength against the natural enemies of life; waters cannot extinguish it nor floods carry it away. It is more priceless than all riches.”)[2] In this context the image of chaste love of God reflects the virgin’s virtue.

CCC: Sgs 8:6-7 1611; Sgs 8:6 1040, 1295

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Third Option

Isaiah 61:9-11

Thus says the LORD:

The descendants of my people shall be renowned among the nations,

and their offspring among the peoples;

All who see them shall acknowledge them

as a race the LORD has blessed.

I rejoice heartily in the LORD,

in my God is the joy of my soul;

For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation,

and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,

Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,

like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

As the earth brings forth its plants,

and a garden makes its growth spring up,

So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise

spring up before all the nations.

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Commentary on Is 61:9-11

This selection provides the last verses of “Glad Tidings to the Lowly”; one of the songs of those returning from exile. Jesus quoted from the first part of this song (not included) when he announced the messianic kingdom had come (Luke 4:18-19). In these verses, the prophet sees the New Jerusalem coming forth as a light upon the world, bring salvation to the people and glory to God.

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Fourth Option

Hosea 2:16, 21-22

Thus says the LORD:

I will allure her;

I will lead her into the desert

and speak to her heart.

I will espouse you to me forever;

I will espouse you in right and in justice,

in love and in mercy;

I will espouse you in fidelity,

and you shall know the LORD

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Commentary on Hos 2:16, 21-22

The Prophet Hosea, voicing God’s hope for the people of Israel as husband might speak to a wife whom he adores. He tells them that if they will but be faithful, God’s love and mercy is eternal, that God is always faithful. In Hebrew tradition this would include the gifts for the bride (cf Genesis 24:53)

CCC: Hos 2 218; Hos 2:21-22 2787

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853 Reading from the New Testament

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves

to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,

to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone,

and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

All who believed were together and had all things in common;

they would sell their property and possessions

and divide them among all according to each one’s need.

Every day they devoted themselves

to meeting together in the temple area

and to breaking bread in their homes.

They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.

And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

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Commentary on Acts 2:42-47

This selection is the conclusion of St. Luke’s Pentecostal narrative. The Holy Spirit has descended upon the people, and St. Peter has offered his speech declaring Christ risen and explaining the messianic significance of that event. The people have reacted favorably to his words and we find many have been reached. The description of the early Christian Community in Jerusalem, the first of three summary passages (along with Acts 4:32-37 and Acts 5:12-16), reflects an idyllic communal life style that is focused on the teaching of the twelve Apostles and the Eucharistic liturgy. We note the reference to the continued attendance at the temple indicating that there was no thought of separating the Christian faithful from Judaism.

CCC: Acts 2:42-46 2178; Acts 2:42 3, 857, 949, 1329, 1342, 2624; Acts 2:46 584,1329,1342; Acts 2:47 2640

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1 Corinthians 1:22-31

Brothers and sisters:

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

but we proclaim Christ crucified,

a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

lor the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,

and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.

Not many of you were wise by human standards,

not many were powerful,

not many were of noble birth.

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,

and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,

and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,

those who count for nothing,

to reduce to nothing those who are something,

so that no human being might boast before God.

It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,

who became for us wisdom from God,

as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

so that, as it is written,

Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

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Commentary on 1 Cor 1:22-31

The Gospel St. Paul preaches shocks both the Jews and the Greeks. “The Jews expected and demanded signs, i.e., spectacular miracles that showed divine intervention. They looked for a messiah who would inaugurate their nation's sovereignty over the Gentiles by a display of miraculous power (Mathew 12:38; 16:4; John 4:48; 6:30-31). The Greeks searched for "wisdom," i.e., philosophies that pretended to give a satisfactory explanation of man and the cosmos. To the Jew, the Crucified Christ is a scandal, i.e., a cause of offense and revulsion and an object of vigorous opposition and anger.”[3]

Next St. Paul continues his attack on “worldly wisdom” by pointing to the community that is comprised of all stratus of society. He points out that all are called to the same Lord and that wisdom that is Jesus (“…who became for us wisdom from God”) and are made righteous, sanctified, and redeemed in Him. It is for this reason that the only boast a Christian should make is in God. The evangelist does so paraphrasing Jeremiah 9:23.

CCC: 1 Cor 1:24-25 272; 1 Cor 1:27 489; 1 Cor 1:30 2813

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1 Corinthians 7:25-35

In regard to virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord,

but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.

So this is what I think best because of the present distress:

that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is.

Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation.

Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife.

If you marry, however, you do not sin,

nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries;

but such people will experience affliction in their earthly life,

and I would like to spare you that.

I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out.

From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,

those weeping as not weeping,

those rejoicing as not rejoicing,

those buying as not owning,

those using the world as not using it fully.

For the world in its present form is passing away.

I should like you to be free of anxieties.

An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord,

how he may please the Lord.

But a married man is anxious about the things of the world,

how he may please his wife, and he is divided.

An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord,

so that she may be holy in both body and spirit.

A married woman, on the other hand,

is anxious about the things of the world,

how she may please her husband.

I am telling you this for your own benefit,

not to impose a restraint upon you,

but for the sake of propriety

and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

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Commentary on 1 Cor 7:25-35

St. Paul gives his opinion (“Now in regard to virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord”) as opposed to a definitive requirement. It is his feeling that the Christians are already living in the “end times” and that the Parousia, Christ’s second coming is eminent. The language he uses is quite similar to “the time of distress” mentioned in Zephaniah 1:15 and Luke 21:23. His comments about “virgins” refer to both male and female and scholars question whether St. Paul is aware of what Jesus said in Matthew 19:12 concerning the gift of the marital vocation. The Apostle therefore tells the Corinthians that they should moderate their behavior (not immerse themselves), anticipating the final resurrection.

CCC: 1 Cor 7:26 672; 1 Cor 7:31 1619; 1 Cor 7:32 1579, 1618; 1 Cor 7:34-36 922; 1 Cor 7:34-35 506

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Philippians 2:1-4

If there is any encouragement in Christ,

any solace in love,

any participation in the Spirit,

any compassion and mercy,

complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,

united in heart, thinking one thing.

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;

rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,

each looking out not for his own interests,

but (also) everyone for those of others.

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Commentary on Phil 2:1-4

St. Paul continues his affectionate teaching of the Philippians enjoining them to be in harmony with each other if they wish to make him, their brother and exemplar, happy with them (“…complete my joy by being of the same mind”). He tells them to place the good of their brothers and sisters before their own interests, in this way adopting an attitude also of humility which will be exalted in the Kenotic Hymn in the next verses.

CCC: Phil 2:1 2842; Phil 2:4 2635

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1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,

kept in heaven for you

who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith,

to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while

you may have to suffer through various trials,

so that the genuineness of your faith,

more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,

may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor

at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Although you have not seen him you love him;

even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,

you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,

as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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Commentary on 1 Pt 1:3-9

St. Peter writes to early churches of Asia Minor. This letter is thought to have been composed while St. Peter was in Rome, and published to them between 64 and 67 AD, shortly before his martyrdom at the hands of Nero. He begins this selection with a prayer, thanking God for the grace given in Baptism (“gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”). This passage is the beginning of the first section of his letter, dealing primarily with the gift and call of Christ in Baptism.

Although Baptism is not mentioned specifically, we see the allusion to it, first with: “who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope,” and then later with: “you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.” These gifts of hope and faith, presented in Baptism, give the Christian their indelible character.

CCC: 1 Pt 1:3-9 2627; 1 Pt 1:3 654; 1 Pt 1:7 1031

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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) [10]

St. John addresses the Church of Laodicea [3]. 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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854 Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 19:9, 10, 11

R.(John 6:63b) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

The command of the LORD is clear,

enlightening the eye.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true,

all of them just.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

They are more precious than gold,

than a heap of purest gold;

Sweeter also than syrup

or honey from the comb.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

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Commentary on Ps 19:9, 10, 11

Psalm 19 is a hymn of praise. In this passage we give praise to God’s gift of the Law which guides us in our daily lives. The hymn also extols the virtue of obedience and steadfastness to the Law and its precepts. The passage also reflects the idea that following God’s statutes leads to peace and prosperity.

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Psalm 27:1,2, 3, 5

R. (see 9d) Do not abandon me, O God my Savior.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life's refuge;

of whom should I be afraid?

R. Do not abandon me, O God my Savior.

When evildoers come at me

to devour my flesh,

My foes and my enemies

themselves stumble and fail.

R. Do not abandon me, O God my Savior.

Though an army encamp against me

my heart will not fear;

Though war be waged upon me,

even then will I trust.

R. Do not abandon me, O God my Savior.

For he will hide me in his abode

in the day of trouble;

He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,

he will set me high upon a rock.

R. Do not abandon me, O God my Savior.

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Commentary on Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 5

Psalm 27 is an individual lament with two distinct parts. This passage focuses on the singers hope in the mercy of God and his salvation. Pleading for God’s salvation the psalmist seeks his saving hand.

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Psalm 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

R. (11) Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

or:

R. (Matthew 25:6) The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,

forget your people and your father’s house.

So shall the king desire your beauty;

for he is your lord, and you must worship him.

R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

or:

R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

All glorious is the king’s daughter as she enters;

her raiment is threaded with spun gold.

In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the king;

behind her the virgins of her train are brought to you.

R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

or:

R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

They are borne in with gladness and joy;

they enter the palace of the king.

The place of your fathers your sons shall have;

you shall make them princes through all the land.

R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

or:

R. The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

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Commentary on Ps 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

Psalm 45 is a Royal Psalm originally sung in honor of the King’s marriage to a queen (of foreign extraction). It is likely that it influenced St. Paul’s instructions on virgins and marriage; it emphasizes the beauty of the sacramental relationship (see 1 Corinthians 7:25-35).

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Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (1b) Blessed are they who fear the Lord.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord,

who greatly delights in his commands.

His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;

the upright generation shall be blessed.