Friday

23rd Week of Ordinary Time

(I) 1st Reading: 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-17

Greeting
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[1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of
Christ Jesus our hope,

[2] To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God
the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul Recalls His Own Conversion
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[12] I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service, [13] though I
formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him; but I received mercy
because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, [14] and the grace of our Lord over-
flowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

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Commentary:

12-13. This clearly autobiographical passage, which shows the Apostle's humi-
lity (cf., e.g., 1 Cor 15:9-10), is evidence of the letter's Pauline authorship: it is
difficult to believe that a later disciple would have dared to call St Paul a "blas-
phemer", "persecutor" or "insulter" or made him describe himself as "the fore-
most of sinners".

St Paul's conversion is an example of a miracle of grace; only by the mercy of
God could he have been changed and become the Apostle of the Gentiles and
such a faithful minister of the Gospel. This change which grace worked in Paul
can also help all who approach the Church to have great confidence in God's
mercy and forgiveness; like a good father, God is always ready to receive the
repentant sinner.

The sacred text shows quite clearly that the initiative lies with God when it
comes to calling people to Church office. The call to the priesthood is a grace
from God; it is God who makes the choice and then he gives the person he has
chosen the strength to fulfill his office worthily. In this connection Bishop Alvaro
del Portillo has written: "Christian priesthood is not, then, in the line of ethical
relationships among men nor on the level of a merely human attempt to ap-
proach God: it is a gift from God and it is irreversibly located on the vertical line
of the search for man by his Creator and Sanctifier and on the sacramental line
of the gratuitous opening up to man of God's intimate life. In other words, Chris-
tian priesthood is essentially (this is the only possible way it can be understood)
an eminently sacred mission, both in its origin (Christ) and in its content (the
divine mystery) and by the very manner in which it is conferred--a sacrament"
("On Priesthood", pp. 59f).

14. "In Christ Jesus": this expression is being used with a special technical
meaning: it refers to the position of the new man who, after the "washing of re-
generation and renewal in the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5) which takes place at Bap-
tism, is now united to Christ, made a Christian. At Baptism the mercy of God
not only justifies the sinner but causes him to share profoundly in God's own life
by means of grace, faith and love. These three gifts are a sign that the Christian
has truly been built into the body of Christ (cf. 2 Tim 1:13).

15. "The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance": or, more literally, "Word
of honor, which you can totally rely on". This form of words is used a number of
times in the Pastoral Epistles to focus attention on some important doctrinal
point (cf. 1 Tim 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3-8).

The point being emphasized here is that "Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners". The Apostle has condensed into very few words God's plan for
the redemption of mankind, which he will go on to say more about later (cf. 1
Tim 2: 3-7; Tit 2:11-14; 3:3-7). "The mercy of God is infinite," says St Francis
of Assisi, "and, according to the Gospel, even if our sins were infinite, his mer-
cy is yet greater than our sins. And the Apostle St Paul has said that Christ
the blessed came into the world to save sinners" ("The Little Flowers of St Fran-
cis", chap. 26).

This is in fact one of the basic truths of faith and appears in the Creed: "For us
men and for our salvation he came down from heaven". He came to save us
from the only evil, that which can separate us from God--sin.

By his victory over sin Christ gave men and women the honor of being sons
and daughters of God; this new character and status equips them to light up the
world around them with the brightness of their Christian lives (cf. Phil 2:15). They
can have this effect on others if they really commit themselves to have the same
mind as "was in Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5), for "it is impossible to live according to
the heart of Jesus Christ and not to know that we are sent, as he was, 'to save
all sinners' (1 Tim 1:15), with the clear realization that we ourselves need to trust
in the mercy of God more and more every day. As a result, we will foster in our-
selves a vehement desire to be co-redeemers with Christ, to save all souls with
him" (St. J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 121).

17. This section (vv. 12-17) closes with a solemn doxology. Similar exclamatory
passages in praise of God appear elsewhere in the Apostle's writings (Rom 2:36;
16:27; Phil 4:20; etc.). This was probably an early formula used in the liturgy of
Ephesus and other Asia Minor churches. The fact that it ends with an "Amen"
seems to confirm this. In contrast to the energetic attempts of the civil authori-
ties at the time to foster emperor-worship, Christians proclaimed that God is
lord of the universe and will reign forever.

It is true, of course, that because God's glory is infinite, it cannot be enhanced
by man extolling God's attributes. However, once one knows the greatness of
God, creator and ruler of the universe, and knows that all things are dependent
on him, one has a duty to show God due honor both internally and externally.
Actions of that kind are expressions of the virtue of religion, whose "actions are
directly and immediately ordered to the honor of God" ("Summa Theologiae" II-II,
q. 81, a. 61). "Of all the duties which man has to fulfill that, without doubt, is the
chiefest and holiest which commands him to worship God with devotion and pie-
ty. This follows of necessity from the truth that we are ever in the power of God,
are ever guided by his will and providence, and, having come forth from him,
must return to him" (Leo XIII, "Libertas Praestantissimum", 25).
　

(II) 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27

St Paul Does Not Exercise This Right
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[16] For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For neces-
sity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! [17] For if I do this
of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a
commission. [18] What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I 
may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gos-
pel.

[19] For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I
might win the more. [22b] I have become all things to all men, that I might by all
means save some. [23] I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in
its blessings.

The Need for Asceticism
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[24] Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives
the prize? So run that you may obtain it. [25] Every athlete exercises self-control
in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
[26] Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air, but I pommel
my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disquali-
fied.

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Commentary:

15-18. As he already said in v. 12, St Paul makes it clear that he has not exer-
cised so far, nor does he envisage doing so, his right to be supported by the
faithful. Conscious that his God-given calling obliges him to preach the Gospel,
he prefers to carry out that mission without receiving anything in exchange. His
attitude shows both his greatness and his humility: he faces every kind of suf-
fering, privation and danger for the sake of the Gospel (cf. 2 Cor 11:23-33), and
yet he considers that he is doing no more than his duty. His policy recalls our
Lord's teaching: "When you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are
unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty"' (Lk 17:10; cf. Mt
10:8).

To keep to this self-imposed policy, St Paul had to add to all his work of evan-
gelization the additional effort to earn his own living. In the Acts of the Apostles,
for example, we learn of his manual work in Corinth (18:3) and Ephesus (20:34);
and he himself tells the Thessalonians that "we worked night and day, that we
would not burden any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God" (1
Thess 2:9; 2 Thess 3:9). Only in the case of the Philippians for whom he had
very particular affection, did he allow any exception to this rule (cf. Phil 4:15-16).
However, at no time did he feel that others were doing wrong in acting differently,
"for the Lord had disposed that those who proclaim the Gospel be supported by
it [...]. But he [Paul] went further and chose not even to take what was his due"
(St Augustine, "Sermon" 46, 4).

16. The Church has often used these words of St Paul to remind the faithful that
our Lord has called them to the apostolate through the sacraments of Baptism
and Confirmation. The Second Vatican Council explains what this apostolate in-
volves: "The witness of life, however, is not the sole element in the apostolate;
the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word,
either to unbelievers to draw them towards the faith, or to the faithful to instruct
them, strengthen them, incite them to a more fervent life; 'for Christ's love urges
us on' (2 Cor 5:14), and in the hearts of all should the Apostle's words find echo:
'Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel' (1 Cor 9:16)" ("Apostolicam Actuosi-
tatem", 6).

St John Chrysostom anticipates the kinds of excuse people might offer to avoid
this duty: "There is nothing colder than a Christian who is not concerned about
the salvation of others [...]. Do not say, I cannot help others: for, if you are truly
a Christian it is impossible not to. Natural objects have properties that cannot be
denied; the same is true of what I have just said, because it is the nature of a
Christian to act in that way. Do not offend God by deception. If you said that the
sun cannot shine, you would be committing an offense against God and making
a liar of him. It is easier for the sinner to shine or give warmth than for a Christian
to cease to give light: it is easier for that to happen than for light to become dark-
ness. Do not say that that is impossible: what is impossible is the contrary [...].
If we behave in the correct way, everything else will follow as a natural conse-
quence. The light of Christians cannot be hidden, a lamp shining so brightly can-
not be hidden" ("Hom. on Acts", 20).

19-23. Because he is one with Christ (cf. Gal 2:20), who "came not to be served
but to serve, and to give us his life as a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28), the Apostle
makes himself "all things to all men", so generous is he and so eager to save as
many souls as possible, at the cost of whatever sacrifice and humiliation might
be involved. "A Christian has to be ready to share his life with everyone at all
times, giving to everyone the chance to come nearer to Christ Jesus. He has to
sacrifice his own desires willingly for the sake of others, without separating peo-
ple into watertight compartments, without pigeonholing them or putting tags on
them as though they were merchandise or insect specimens. A Christian cannot
afford to separate himself from others, because, if he did that, his life would be
miserably selfish. He must become 'all things to all men, in order to save all men'
(1 Cor 9:22)" (St. J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 124).

Obviously this concern for others should not lead to diluting the truths of faith.
Referring to this point, Pope Paul VI wrote: "The apostle's art is a risky one. The
desire to come together as brothers must not lead to a watering down or subtrac-
ting from the truth. Our dialogue must not weaken our attachment to our faith. In
our apostolate we cannot make vague compromises about the principles of faith
and action on which our profession of Christianity is based. An immoderate de-
sire to make peace and sink differences at all costs is, fundamentally, a kind of
skepticism about the power and content of the Word of God which we desire to
preach. Only one who is completely faithful to the teaching of Christ can be an
apostle. And only he who lives his Christian life to the full can remain uncontami-
nated by the errors with which he comes into contact" ("Ecclesiam Suam", 33).

24-27. These similes taken from athletics would have been appropriate for the
Corinthians, for their city hosted the biennial Isthmus games. Often, when spea-
king about the Christian life, the Apostle uses metaphors taken from sport-races
(cf. Gal 5:7; Phil 3:12-14; 2 Tim 4:7), combats (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7) and laurel
crowns (2 Tim 4:8).

A Christian's life on earth must needs involve interior striving; he should approach
this with in a competitive, sportive spirit, facing up to any sacrifices that prove
necessary, and not letting obstacles, failures or personal limitation get him down:
"We should not be surprised to find, in our body and soul, the needle of pride,
sensuality, envy, laziness and the desire to dominate others. This is a fact of life,
proven by our personal experience. It is the point of departure and the normal con-
text for winning in this intimate sport, this race toward our Father's house. St Paul
says: "I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel
my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disquali-
fied' (1 Cor 9:26) [...]. In this adventure of love we should not be depressed by our
falls, not even by serious falls, if we go to God in the sacrament of Penance con-
trite and resolved to improve. A Christian is not a neurotic collector of good be-
havior reports. Jesus Christ our Lord was moved as much by Peter's repentance
after his fall as by John's innocence and faithfulness. Jesus understands our
weakness and draws us to himself on an inclined plane. He wants us to make
an effort to climb a little each day" ("Christ Is Passing By", 75).

27. While we are in this present life, our perseverance can never be taken for
granted: "Let no one feel assured of this gift with an absolute certainty, although
all ought to have most secure hope in the help of God. For unless we are unfaith-
ful to his grace, God will bring the good work to perfection, just as he began it,
working both the will, and the performance (cf. Phil 2:13)" (Council of Trent, "De
Iustificatione", chap. 13). Therefore, the Apostle points out, the ascetical effort
which every person must keep on making in this life includes physical mortifica-
tion and self-control. Helped by God's grace and confident of his mercy, a
Christian who makes this effort will be able to say as St Paul did at the end of
his life, "there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the
righteous judge, will award to me on that day" (2 Tim 4:8).


Gospel Reading: Luke 6:39-42

Integrity
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[39] He (Jesus) told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they
not both fall into a pit? [40] A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when
he is fully taught will be like his teacher. [41] Why do you see the speck that is in
your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your eye? [42] Or how can
you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,'
when you yourself do not see the log that is in your eye? You hypocrite, first take
the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck
that is in your brother's eye."

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Commentary:

[None for Luke 6:39-42. Below is a commentary on a similar theme from Matthew
7:1-5:]

1. Jesus is condemning any rash judgments we make maliciously or carelessly
about our brothers' behavior or feelings or motives. "Think badly and you will not
be far wrong" is completely at odds with Jesus' teaching.

In speaking of Christian charity St. Paul lists its main features: "Love is patient
and kind [...]. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 7). Therefore, "Never think badly of anyone, not
even if the words or conduct of the person in question give you good grounds for
doing so" (St. J. Escriva, "The Way", 442).

"Let us be slow to judge.--Each one sees things from his own point of view, as
his mind, with all its limitations, tells him, and through eyes that are often dimmed
and clouded by passion" ("ibid"., 451).

1-2. As elsewhere, the verbs in the passive voice ("you will be judged", "the mea-
sure you will be given") have God as their subject, even though He is not explicitly
mentioned: "Do not judge others, that you be not judged by God". Clearly the
judgment referred to here is always a condemnatory judgment; therefore, if we do
not want to be condemned by God, we should never condemn our neighbor. "God
measures out according as we measure out and forgives as we forgive, and comes
to our rescue with the same tenderness as He sees us having towards others"
(Fray Luis de Leon, "Exposicion Del Libro De Job", chapter 29).

3-5. A person whose sight is distorted sees things as deformed, even though in
fact they are not deformed. St. Augustine gives this advice: "Try to acquire those
virtues which you think your brothers lack, and you will no longer see their defects,
because you will not have them yourselves" ("Enarrationes In Psalmos", 30, 2, 7).
In this connection, the saying, "A thief thinks that everyone else is a thief" is in
line with this teaching of Jesus.

Besides: "To criticize, to destroy, is not difficult; any unskilled laborer knows how
to drive his pick into the noble and finely-hewn stone of a cathedral. To construct
that is what requires the skill of a master" (St. J. Escriva, "The Way", 456).
　

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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States. We encourage readers to purchase
The Navarre Bible for personal study. See Scepter Publishers for details.

[참고: 이 파일은 저서명 "가톨릭 교회의 말씀 전례에 따른 성경공부 해설서"(엮은이: 소순태, 출판사: 가톨릭출판사)의 각주의 연장으로 마련되었습니다].