Thursday
30th Week of Ordinary Time
(I) 1st Reading: Romans 8:31b-39
Trust in God
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[31b] If God is for us, who is against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son
but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? [33] Who
shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; [34] who is to
condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who
is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? [35] Who shall sepa-
rate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, "For they sake we
are being killed all day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
[37] No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
[38] For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor
anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Commentary:
31-39. The elect will emerge unscathed and victorious from all attacks, dangers
and sufferings and will do so not through their own efforts but by virtue of the all-
powerful aid of him who has loved them from all eternity and who did not hesitate
to have his own Son die for their salvation. It is true that as long as we are on
this earth we cannot attain salvation, but we are assured that we will attain it pre-
cisely because God will not withhold all the graces we need to obtain this happy
outcome: all that is needed is that we desire to receive this divine help. Nothing
that happens to us can separate us from the Lord -- not fear of death or love of
life, not the bad angels or devils, not the princes or the powers of this world, nor
the sufferings we undergo or which threaten us nor the worst that might befall us.
"Paul himself", St John Chrysostom reminds us, "had to contend with numerous
enemies. The barbarians attacked him; his custodians laid traps for him; even
the faithful, sometimes in great numbers, rose against him; yet Paul always
came out victorious. We should not forget that the Christian who is faithful to the
laws of his God will defeat both men and Satan himself" ("Hom. on Rom.", 15).
This is the attitude which enables us to live as children of God, who fear neither
life nor death: "Our Lord wants us to be in the world and to love the world but
without being worldly. Our Lord wants us to remain in this world--which is now so
mixed up and where the clamor of lust and disobedience and purposeless rebel-
lion can be heard--to teach people to live with joy [...]. Don't be afraid of the paga-
nized world: our Lord has in fact chosen us to be leaven, salt and light in this
world. Don't be worried. The world won't harm you unless you want it to. No ene-
my of our soul can do anything if we don't consent. And we won't consent, with
the grace of God and the protection of our Mother in heaven" (S. Bernal, "Mon-
signor Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer", p. 213).
31. This exclamation of the Apostle vividly reveals the full extent of the love of
God the Father, who not only listens to our prayers but anticipates our needs.
God is with us, he is always by our side. This is a cry expressing confidence
and optimism, despite our personal wretchedness; it is firmly based on our
sense of divine sonship. "Clothed in grace, we can cross mountains (cf. Ps 103:
10), and climb the hill of our Christian duty, without halting on the way. If we use
these resources with a firm purpose and beg our Lord to grant us an ever increa-
sing hope, we shall possess the infectious joy of those who know they are chil-
dren of God: 'If God is for us, who is against us?' (Rom 8:31) Let us be optimists.
Moved by the power of hope, we shall fight to wipe away the trail of filth and slime
left by the sowers of hatred. We shall find a new joyful perspective to the world,
seeing that it has sprung forth beautiful and fair from the hands of God. We shall
give it back to him with that same beauty" (St. J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 219).
38-39. "Angels", "principalities": names of different angelic hierarchies (cf. Eph
1:21; 3:10); also a possible reference to fallen angels, demons (cf. 1 Cor 15:24;
Eph 6:12). "Powers" can mean the same as "angels" and "principalities".
"Height" and "depth" may refer to cosmic forces which, in the culture of that time,
were thought to have some influence over the lives of men.
By listing these powerful superior forces (real or imaginary) St Paul is making the
point that nothing and nobody, no created thing, is stronger than God's love for us.
(II) 1st Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20
Weapons for Spiritual War
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[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principali-
ties, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against
the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and
having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet
with the equipment of the gospel of peace; [16] above all taking the shield of faith,
with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. [17] And take the
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18]
Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep
alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for
me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the
mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may
declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
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Commentary:
10-20. After these counsels to parents and children, servants and masters, the
Apostle says something very important: all need to be prepared to struggle "a-
gainst the principalities" of this world (v. 12). He is referring to those angels who
rebelled against God and whom Christ has already overcome (1 Cor 15:24; Col
1:13-14; 2:15), but against whom we still have to contend. This is a struggle
which must be pursued to the end: Paul uses terminology to do with the armor
and weapons of Roman soldiers to describe the form this combat must take.
First he recommends that they put on the "armor of God" (v. 13), for the "world
rulers" who have to be striven against can be defeated only with spiritual wea-
pons, which God supplies to those who love him-- truth, righteousness, peace,
faith (vv. 14-16), not forgetting the need for constant prayer moved by the Spirit
(v. 18) and a strong sense of brotherhood.
These weapons, since they are supernatural, are a guarantee of victory and there-
fore they enable one to engage in the struggle cheerfully and confidently. "Let us
be filled with confidence", St John Chrysostom exhorts, "and let us discard every-
thing so as to be able to meet this onslaught. Christ has equipped us with wea-
pons more splendid than gold, more resistant than steel, weapons more fiery than
any flame and lighter than the slightest breeze [...]. These are weapons of a totally
new kind, for they have been forged for a previously unheard-of type of combat. I,
who am a mere man, find myself called upon to deal blows to demons; I, who am
clothed in flesh, find myself at war with incorporeal powers. God has designed for
me also an armor made, not of metal, but of justice; he has designed for me a
shield not of bronze but of faith. I hold in my hand a keen sword, the word of the
Spirit [...]. Your victory must be that of a man who rests content" ("Baptismal
Catechesis", 3, 11-12).
St Paul, who is here writing from prison, in chains (v. 20) and in need of the help
of God and of all his brethren in the faith, asks them to pray for him (v. 19), so
that he may freely and effectively preach the Gospel.
16. The devil never ceases to try to find ways to bring about man's eternal damna-
tion. But once overcome by Christ on the cross he has no longer any real power
over us provided we use in our struggle against him the weapons provided by faith
and complete trust in God. St John of Avila argues in this way: "Since this enemy
is stronger than we are, we must avail of the 'shield of faith', which is something
supernatural, whether it be by using a word of God, or receiving the sacraments
or (countering the devil with) a doctrine of the Church. We need to believe firmly
with our mind that all our strength comes from God" ("Audi Filia", 30).
18. Prayer is our outstanding supernatural resource for fighting the wiles of the
enemy, "Prayer is, beyond doubt, the most powerful weapon the Lord gives us
to conquer evil passions and temptations of the devil; but we must really put our-
selves into our prayer: it is not enough just to say the words, it must come from
the heart. And also prayer needs to be continuous, we must pray no matter what
kind of situation we find ourselves in: the warfare we are engaged in is on-going,
so our prayer must be on-going also [...]. The Apostle adds 'for all the saints',
because we should not only pray for ourselves but for the perseverance of all the
faithful in the grace of God" (St Alphonsus, "Thoughts on the Passion", 9, 3).
The Apostle also identifies, as a supernatural resource in this struggle, a solici-
tous care for the holiness of others. It is quite likely that this concern will lead us
to notice defects as well as virtues in our neighbor. This should not cause us to
look down on him or criticize him, but rather to pray for him and help him improve.
"If you notice some defect in your friend," St Ambrose recommends, "correct him
privately; if he fails to listen to you, take him to task openly. For corrections are
helpful and they are much more useful that a mute friendship. If your friend feels
offended, you should still correct him; do not be afraid to insist on the point, even
if the bitter taste of correction does not appeal to him. It is written in the Book of
Proverbs: 'Faithful are the wounds of a friend, profuse the kisses of an enemy'"
("De Officiis Ministrorum", III, chap. XII, 127).
Gospel Reading: Luke 13:31-35
Jesus' Reply to Herod
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[31] At that very hour some Pharisees came, and said to him (Jesus), "Get
away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." [32] And he said to them, "Go and
tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow,
and the third day I finish my course. [33] Nevertheless I must go on my way to-
day and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should
perish away from Jerusalem.'
Jerusalem Admonished
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[34] "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are
sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen
gathers her brook under her wings, and you would not! [35] Behold, your house
is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord.'"
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Commentary:
31-33. This episode apparently took place in the Perea region which, like Galilee,
was under the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas (cf. Lk 3:1), a son of Herod the Great
(cf. note on Mt 2:1). On other occasions St. Luke mentions that Herod was keen
to meet Jesus and see him perform a miracle (cf. Lk 9:9; 23:8). These Pharisees
may be giving Jesus the warning just to get him to go away. Jesus calls Herod--
and indirectly his accomplices--a "fox", once again showing his rejection of dupli-
city and hypocrisy.
Jesus' answer shows them he is completely in command of his life and death:
he is the Son of God and his Father's will is his only governor (cf. Jn 10:18).
34. Jesus here shows the infinite extent of his love. St Augustine explores the
meaning of this touching simile: "You see, brethren, how a hen becomes weak
with her chickens. No other bird, when it is a mother, shows its maternity so
clearly. We see all kinds of sparrows building their nests before our eyes; we
see swallows, storks, doves, every day building their nests; but we do not know
them to be parents, except when we see them on their nests. But the hen is so
enfeebled over her brood that even if the chickens are not following her, even if
you do not see the young ones, you still know her at once to be a mother. With
her wings drooping, her feathers ruffled, her note hoarse, in all her limbs she be-
comes so sunken and abject, that, as I have said, even though you cannot see
her young, you can see she is a mother. That is the way Jesus feels" ("In Ioann.
Evang.", 15, 7).
35. Jesus shows the deep sorrow he feels over Jerusalem's resistance to the
love God had so often shown it. Later St Luke will record Jesus' weeping over
Jerusalem (cf. Lk 19:41). See also the note on Mt 23:37-39.
[The note on Mt 23:37-39 states:
Jesus' moving remarks seem almost to sum up the entire history of salvation and
are a testimony to his divinity. Who if not God was the source of all these acts of
mercy which marks the stages of the history of Israel? The image of being protec-
ted by wings, which occurs often in the Old Testament, refers to God's love and
protection of his people. It is to be found in the prophets, in the canticles of Mo-
ses (cf. Deut 32:11), and in many psalms (cf. 17:8; 36:8; 57:2; 61:5; 63:8). "And
you would not": the Kingdom of God has been preached to them unremittingly for
centuries by the prophets; in these last few years by Jesus himself, the Word of
God made man. But the "Holy City" has resisted all the unique graces offered it.
Jerusalem should serve as a warning to every Christian: the freedom God has
given us by creating us in his image and likeness means that we have this ter-
rible capacity to reject him. A Christian's life is a continuous series of conver-
sions--repeated instances of repentance, of turning to God, who, loving Father
that he is, is every ready to forgive.]
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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].