22nd Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s Content:
- Dan’s Deliberations, Discoveries, & Declarations
- Today in Catholic History
- Quote of the Day
- Today’s Gospel Reading
- Gospel Reflection
- Reflection Psalm
- New Translation of the Mass
- A Franciscan’s Saint of the Day
- Franciscan Formation Reflection
- Reflection on part of the SFO Rule
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Dan’s Deliberations, Discoveries, & Declarations:
Last weekend, I was at my Regions (St. Clare) Secular Franciscan Retreat. Father John Paul Cafiero, OFM was the Retreat Master, and about 70-80 Secular Franciscans, along with a few Franciscan Friars and Poor Clare Nuns attended the retreat. Friar John Paul discussed and reflected on St. Francis’ “Peace Prayer”. It was a very spiritual, education, and uplifting weekend.
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Today is the feast day of Saint Augustine of Hippo. I have a special affinity to this particular saint for an atypical reason. In reading about his life, I discovered this “pious” man was a real “Yay-Hoo” as a young man; a womanizer, gambler, and a despicable person. He even left his mother on a boat dock (missing the boat home) in another country once. Then, he discovered Jesus Christ, becoming a devout Catholic, a Saint, and a Great Church Father. (He gives me hope.)
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Today in Catholic History:
† 430 – Death of Augustine of Hippo, North African saint and theologian (b. 354)
† 1189 – The Crusaders begin the Siege of Acre under Guy of Lusignan
† 1544 – Death of Alardus Aemstelredamus, priest/humanist, dies at about age 53
† 1774 – Birth of Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, 1st American Catholic saint (1975)
† 1824 – Birth of Carel JCH van Nispen of Sevenaer, Dutch Catholic politician
† Feasts/Memorials: feast day of Saint Augustine of Hippo. In Eastern Orthodox Churches using the “Julian calendar”: Feast day of the Assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus(From the “On This Day” Blog Site
otday.wordpress.com &/OR
“Today in Catholic History”
http://www.historyorb.com)
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Quote of the Day:
“I have come to see that either we meet Mary at the foot of the Cross, in our own moments of suffering and pain, or, we meet her elsewhere and she brings us there…to the Cross of Jesus, to contemplate and to receive the water of the Spirit flowing from His wounded side. This is our place of safety as we seek to live more deeply in the Holy Spirit.” ~ Patti Gallagher Mansfield, Magnificat
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Today’s reflection is about Jesus speaking of His Passion and rebukes Peter for his objection.
(NAB Matthew 16:21-27) 21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” 23 He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
The Conditions of Discipleship. 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.
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Gospel Reflection:
What is the most important endeavor you can take in your life? Challenging our human assumptions about what is most profitable and worthwhile in
our lives; Jesus poses some deeply probing questions. In every decision of life we are forming ourselves into a certain kind of person, our character. To a large extent, the kind of person we are – – our character – – determines the kind of future we will face and live.
It is possible some will gain and/or accomplish all the things they set their heart on, only to realize later on they missed the most important things in their lives. Of what value are earthly, material things, if they don’t help you gain what truly lasts – – in everlasting eternity? Neither money, nor possessions, can purchase a ticket to heaven, mend a broken heart, or truly cheer up a lonely person.
Today’s Gospel continues the story begun in last Sunday’s Gospel. Simon Peter was called the “rock” upon which Jesus would build His Catholic (Universal) Church. Yet, Simon Peter continued to show the limitations of his understanding of Jesus’ “true” identity as savior and Messiah. After the Apostles acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, He confides to them the outcome of His earthly ministry: He must suffer and die in Jerusalem to be raised “on the third day”. 
Peter rejects Jesus’ foretelling, and sharply rebukes Simon Peter, calling him “Satan.” Simon Peter shows that he is no longer speaking – – rooted in the divine revelation from God, but – – as a human being. After this rebuke, Jesus teaches all of His disciples about the difficult path of “true” discipleship: to be Jesus Christ’s disciple is to follow in HIS way of the cross.
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Today is Jesus’ first foretelling of His Passion, and predominately follows Mark 8:31–33:
“He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be
killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.’” (Mark 8:31-33).
Today’s Gospel serves as an adjustment to an established messianic understanding by the first century Jews. Jesus’ “Messiah-ship” was to be exclusively one of “glory and triumph”, a military victory over the Jewish peoples oppressors. By Jesus’ addition of “from that time on” (verse 21), Matthew emphasized Jesus’ revelation of His impending suffering and death marks a new chapter in His Gospel. As read, neither this particular reading, nor Matthew’s two later passion predictions, should be taken as sayings initiated by Jesus Himself:
“As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.’ And they were overwhelmed with grief.” (Matthew 17:22–23);
And,
“As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve [disciples] aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.’” (Matthew 20:17–19).
However, is it possible He foresaw His mission entailing suffering and death, but was confident He would ultimately be justified and saved by God?:
“I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. … “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me …” (Matthew 26:29).
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This first verse in today’s reading has a “mega-amount” of theological messages and connections within it. I feel it necessary to break down this one sentence into several parts, and then discuss the meaning of each of the individual elements.
First, “He”, from verse 21 of today’s reading, is “the Son of Man” in Mark’s parallel verse:
“He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” (Mark 8:31).
Since Matthew had already designated Jesus by this title:
“When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’” (Matthew 16:13),
this designations omission in today’s reading is not significant. Matthew’s prediction is equally about the sufferings of the “Son of Man” without stating this title.
The “Son of Man” is an enigmatic (mysterious) title. It is used in Daniel’s book:
“As the visions during the night continued, I saw coming with the clouds of heaven One like a son of man. When he reached the Ancient of Days and was presented before him, He received dominion, splendor, and kingship; all nations, peoples and tongues will serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, his kingship, one that shall not be destroyed. … the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever.” (Daniel 7:13–14, 18),
Daniel’s symbol of “the holy ones (saints) of the Most High,” was believed to be the “faithful Israelites”, who would receive the everlasting kingdom from the Ancient One (God) as a group. This group is represented by a human figure contrasting with the various beasts (“the four kings”) who themselves represent the previous kingdoms of the earth. On the other hand, in the Jewish apocryphal books of “1 Enoch” and “4 Ezra”, the “Son of Man” is not a group as in Daniel:
“With the righteous He will make peace, and will protect the elect, and mercy shall be upon them. And they shall all belong to God, and they shall be prospered, and they shall all be blessed. And He will help them all, and light shall appear unto them, and He will make peace with them.” (1 Enoch 1:8);
And,
“I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude, which I could not number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs. In their midst was a young man of great stature, taller than any of the others, and on the head of each of them he placed a crown, but he was more exalted than they. And I was held spellbound. Then I asked an angel, ‘Who are these, my lord?’ He answered and said to me, ‘These are they who have put off mortal clothing and have put on the immortal, and they have confessed the name of God; now they are being crowned, and receive palms.’ Then I said to the angel, ‘Who is that young man who places crowns on them and puts palms in their hands?’ He answered and said to me, ‘He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world.’ So I began to praise those who had stood valiantly for the name of the Lord.” (4 Ezra 2:42-47).
In these two apocryphal books, a unique person of extraordinary spiritual gifts, who will be revealed as the “one” through whom the everlasting kingdom pronounced by God the Father will be established. Could it be possible [though I believe to be doubtful] that this individualization of the “Son of Man” had been made in Jesus’ time, thus making His use of the title in the above apocryphal sense is possible?
In itself, the expression, “Son of Man”, simply means a human being as there is evidence of this “singular” use in “pre-Christian” times. The use of this enigmatic title in the New Testament is probably due to Jesus’ speaking of Himself in this specific way: “a human being”. At a later time, the first-century Catholic Church takes this mysterious title, in the “true” sense, and applies it to Jesus Christ with its apocryphal meaning.
Second, the word “must” (also from verse 21) is a word my dear friend and spiritual director despises (“Adults should not have to be told what to do, but should just do it!). However, this word is a necessary part of “tradition”, and is found in all the Synoptic Gospels:
“He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” (Mark 8:31);
And also,
“He said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.’” (Luke 9:22).
Third, as stated earlier, “The elders, the chief priests, and the scribes” (still from verse 21) is also found in Mark’s Gospel:
“He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” (Mark 8:31).
These “pious” men made up the Jewish faith’s supreme council called “the Sanhedrin”. The Sanhedrin, itself, was made up of seventy-one members from these three groups, and presided over by a elected “high priest”. It exercised authority over the Jewish peoples in ALL religious matters.
Finally, the fourth element from this “first verse” of today’s Gospel is, “On the third day”. Matthew uses the same formula as Luke:
“He said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.’” (Luke 9:22).
Mark, howe
ver, uses the formula, “after three days”:
“He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” (Mark 8:31).
Matthew’s formulation, in the original Greek, is almost identical with what is found in 1 Corinthians:
“I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures …” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
And, is also found in prophesy as written in the Old Testament book, Hosea:
“He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence.” (Hosea 6:2)
I believe this to be the Old Testament background to the proclamation that Jesus would be raised “on the third day”. Josephus, a first century Jewish historical writer, used “after three days” and “on the third day” interchangeably many times. There is, in my opinion, no difference in meaning between these two phrases, in context to Jesus Christ.
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Now, to leave the first sentence and go on, Peter’s refusal to accept Jesus’ predicted suffering and death is seen as a “satanic” at
tempt to avert Jesus from His God the Father’s – – planned and appointed – – course of action (salvation history), and this “Rock” of a Apostle is rebuked in terms which is similarly recalled Jesus’ dismissal of the devil in His “temptation account”:
“Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10).
Peter’s “satanic” purpose is emphasized by Matthew adding:
“You are an obstacle to me” (Matthew 16:23).
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Jesus’ path is a narrow one, and full of obstacles, as demonstrated by Peter in today’s reading. Jesus declares a condition for “true” discipleship is a readiness to follow Him, even if it means giving up one’s life for Him. This surrender of “self” will be repaid by Him at the “final judgment” (The Parousia).
What does Jesus Christ mean by stating, we “must deny oneself”:
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’” (Matthew 16:24).
To deny someone is to disown him. Denying Jesus Christ is rejecting Him:
“Whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father” (Matthew 10:33);
And,
“Jesus said to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.’ And all the disciples spoke likewise.” (Matthew 26:34–35).
And, to deny oneself – – is to disown oneself – – as the center of one’s existence. Denying Jesus is disavowing Him as the center of one’s existence. Anyone who denies Jesus – – in order to save or improve their earthly life – – will be condemned to everlasting devastation in hell. One who Does NOT deny Jesus will suffer a loss of earthly life – – for Jesus’ sake – – will be rewarded by everlasting life in His kingdom, His (and our paradise).
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To paraphrase today’s Gospel, Jesus asked the following question: “What will a person give in exchange for his life?” Everything we have is a gift, a grace, from God. We owe Him everything, including our very lives, if (and when) He wishes. It may be possible to give God our money, but not ourselves; or to give Him lip-service, but not our hearts. I see examples of this every day in church, in politics, and in society. 
True disciples of Jesus Christ gladly give up ALL they are and have, in exchange for an unending life of joy and happiness in paradise with God, who gives without measure. He offers a joy which no sadness or loss can ever diminish. The 
cross of Jesus Christ leads to victory, release, and freedom from sin and death.
What is the cross which Jesus Christ commands me to take up each day? When my “free-will” crosses with His “planned-will”, then His will must be done. Are you ready to lose ALL for Jesus Christ in order to gain all with Jesus Christ?
Jesus’ words are made absolutely crystal clear: EVERY person has to bear in mind the coming “last judgment”, the “Parousia”. In other words, Salvation is something radically personal – – a DAILY Conversion:
“For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.” (Matthew 16:27)
The “Parousia” and “final judgment” are described later in Matthew’s Gospel, in terms similar with what is presented in today’s final verse (27):
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-32).
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In conclusion, Peter did not, and could not yet understand what it meant to call Jesus “the Messiah”. It is unlikely the other disciples understood this
concept any better than the “Rock” (Simon Peter) himself.
Messianic expectations were a common aspect of first-century Judaism, and well-known by the Apostles. Under the Roman’s occupation, many in Israel hoped and prayed God would send a “Messiah” to free the Jews from the Roman Government’s (and Military’s) oppression. The common Jewish view was that the “Messiah” would be a political-military figure, a king who would free Israel from Roman rule. I am confident this is what Simon Peter envisioned when he came to recognize Jesus as “the Messiah”. However, in today’s reading, Jesus is introducing to His disciples that he would be “the Messiah” in a much different and atypical way.
Jesus would be more like the “suffering servant”, described by the prophet Isaiah, than like the political liberator who most Jews believed would come to free them. Tho
se who wish to be Jesus’ disciples would be called to a similar life of service – – the suffering servant – – with, of, and for Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is what Simon Peter feared most in Jesus’ foretelling of His Passion. He whom Jesus had called “Rock” (along with ALL disciples) would also be called upon to offer their “self” in sacrifice and service to others. We are all still called to sacrifice, and serve others to this day, and into the forever future, as Jesus did.
Jesus Christ was (and still is) the true “Messiah”. His life and death would show a different understanding of what it
means to be the rescuing and saving Messiah. We too have expectations of the Trinitarian God, and notions about what we think the Holy Trinity should be doing in our world and in our lives. Like Simon Peter, we may risk limiting our image of God by thinking only in human terms and ways. God’s plan is always more than we can ever imagine!!
What do you expect God to be doing in our world, and in your life? Why do you think Simon Peter was so upset and disturbed by what Jesus was saying to him?
Did you notice how Jesus reprimanded Simon Peter? Do we sometimes forget to let God – – be God – – for us? Do we sometimes get discouraged because God doesn’t act in the ways we expect Him to act? Remember, the Trinitarian God is always working for yours, mine, and the world’s salvation in ways which are infinitely far beyond our simple human imagination. Simply love the Lord, trust in His divine plan, and hope for an everlasting life in paradise with Him.
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Reflection Psalm:
“Psalm 63”
Our souls yearn for God.
“O God, you are my God — it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, in a land parched, lifeless, and without water. I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. For your love is better than life; my lips shall ever praise you! I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall be sated as with choice food, with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you! You indeed are my savior, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. Amen. (Psalm 63:2-6,8-9)
Pax et Bonum
Dan Halley, SFO
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New Translation of the Mass
In November of 2011, with the start of the new Liturgical year and Advent, there will be a few noticeable changes in the Mass. It will still be the same ritual for celebrating the Eucharist. The Mass will still have the same parts, the same patterns, and the same flow as it has had for the past several decades. It is only the translation of the Latin that is changing.
The new translation seeks to correspond much more closely to the exact words and sentence structure of the Latin text. At times, this results in a good and faithful rendering of the original meaning. At other times it produces a rather awkward text in English which is difficult to proclaim and difficult to understand. Most of those problems affect the texts which priests will proclaim rather than the texts that belong to the congregation as a whole. It is to the congregation’s texts that I will address with each blog, in a repetitive basis until the start of Advent.
In the words of Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium, #11, the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of Christian life. Anything we can do to understand our liturgy more deeply will draw us closer to God.
Currently, the priest says, “The Lord be with you” five times: at the Entrance Rite, before the Gospel, when the Eucharistic Prayer starts, at “the sign of peace”, and finally at the dismissal. The new response from the congregation will be:
“And with your spirit”
instead of “And also with you”.
This is a more direct translation of the Latin and matches what many other language groups have been using for years. It will obviously take some adjustment, since we have been used to saying, “And also with you,” for so long.
Material from “Changing How We Pray”, by Rev. Lawrence E. Mick
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A Franciscan’s Saint of the Day: St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
A Christian at 33, a priest at 36, a bishop at 41: many people are familiar with the biographical sketch of Augustine of Hippo, sinner turned saint. But really to get to know the man is a rewarding experience.
There quickly surfaces the intensity with which he lived his life, whether his path led away from or toward God. The tears of his mother, the instructions of Ambrose and, most of all, God himself speaking to him in the Scriptures redirected Augustine’s love of life to a life of love.
Having been so deeply immersed in creature-pride of life in his early days and having drunk deeply of its bitter dregs, it is not surprising that Augustine should have turned, with a holy fierceness, against the many demon-thrusts rampant in his day. His times were truly decadent—politically, socially, morally. He was both feared and loved, like the Master. The perennial criticism leveled against him: a fundamental rigorism.
In his day, he providentially fulfilled the office of prophet. Like Jeremiah and other greats, he was hard-pressed but could not keep quiet. “I say to myself, I will not mention him,/I will speak in his name no more./But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,/imprisoned in my bones;/I grow weary holding it in,/I cannot endure it” (Jeremiah 20:9).
Comment:
Augustine is still acclaimed and condemned in our day. He is a prophet for today, trumpeting the need to scrap escapisms and stand face-to-face with personal responsibility and dignity.
Quote:
“Too late have I loved you, O Beauty of ancient days, yet ever new! Too late I loved you! And behold, you were within, and I abroad, and there I searched for you; I was deformed, plunging amid those fair forms, which you had made. You were with me, but I was not with you. Things held me far from you—things which, if they were not in you, were not at all. You called, and shouted, and burst my deafness. You flashed and shone, and scattered my blindness. You breathed odors and I drew in breath—and I pant for you. I tasted, and I hunger and thirst. You touched me, and I burned for your peace” (St. Augustine, Confessions).
Patron Saint of: Printers
Saint of the Day: Lives, Lessons and Feast
By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.;
revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.
(From http://www.americancatholic.org website)
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Franciscan Formation Reflection:
“SFO Origins”
What were the expressed reasons people formed a “third order” around St. Francis?
What is considered the starting date for the SFO?
Who are often named among the first SFO members?
How did the Catholic Church fit into the picture of the SFO then, and now?
What are YOUR reasons for being a member of the SFO fraternity?
What might you do to improve the purpose and effect of the SFO in my life?
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Prologue to the Secular Franciscan Order
(SFO) Rule:
Exhortation of Saint Francis to the Brothers & Sisters in Penance
In the name of the Lord!
Chapter 1
Concerning Those Who Do Penance
All who love the Lord with their whole heart, with their whole soul and mind, with all their strength (cf. Mk 12:30), and love their neighbors as themselves (cf. Mt 22:39) and hate their bodies with their vices and sins, and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and produce worthy fruits of penance.
Oh, how happy and blessed are these men and women when they do these things and persevere in doing them, because “the spirit of the Lord will rest upon them” (cf. Is 11:2) and he will make “his home and dwelling among them” (cf Jn 14:23), and they are the sons of the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:45), whose works they do, and they are the spouses, brothers, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mt 12:50).
We are spouses, when by the Holy Spirit the faithful soul is united with our Lord Jesus Christ; we are brothers to him when we fulfill “the will of the Father who is in heaven” (Mt 12:50).
We are mothers, when we carry him in our heart and body (cf. 1 Cor 6:20) through divine love and a pure and sincere conscience; we give birth to him through a holy life which must give life to others by example (cf. Mt 5:16).
Oh, how glorious it is to have a great and holy Father in heaven! Oh, how glorious it is to have such a beautiful and admirable Spouse, the Holy Paraclete.
Oh, how glorious it is to have such a Brother and such a Son, loved, beloved, humble, peaceful, sweet, lovable, and desirable above all: Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave up his life for his sheep (cf. Jn 10:15) and prayed to the Father saying:
“Oh, holy Father, protect them with your name (cf. Jn 17:11) whom you gave me out of the world. I entrusted to them the message you entrusted to me and they received it. They have known that in truth I came from you; they have believed that it was you who sent me. For these I pray, not for the world (cf. Jn 17:9). Bless and consecrate them, and I consecrate myself for their sakes. I do not pray for them alone; I pray also for those who will believe in me through their word (cf. Jn 17:20) that they may be holy by being one, as we are (cf. Jn 17:11). And I desire, Father, to have them in my company where I am to see this glory of mine in your kingdom” (cf. Jn 17:6-24).
"Dan's Blunders & Wonders of Thought!" 