Greetings on this the Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
Readings: Ezr 1:1-6; PS 126:1b-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6; Lk 8:16-18
Notes: Maybe I should be a Franciscan? I love their work.
Franciscan Reflection
We marvel at the fact that the Korean Church was strictly a lay Church for a dozen years after its birth. How did the people survive without the Eucharist? It is no belittling of this and other sacraments to realize that there must be a living faith before there can be a truly beneficial celebration of the Eucharist. The sacraments are signs of God’s initiative and response to faith already present. The sacraments increase grace and faith, but only if there is something ready to be increased.
First reading
Therefore, whoever among you belongs to any part of his people,
let him go up, and may his God be with him!
This Return Event of King Cyrus liberating the Babylonian exiles can be tied to Jesus and Moses.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord has done marvels for us.
Alleluia Verse
Let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
Gospel Portion
Jesus describes the life of being a light not to be hidden but to be on a lampstand for all to see.
- The light is not mine but given to me to shine.
- The light illumines my own life (the good and the bad of it).
- The light illumines the way for others to go (the good and the change of it).
Perhaps the Ninth Plague from Exodus can help here.
Ninth Plague: The Darkness. Exodus 10.
21 Then the LORD said to Moses: Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that over the land of Egypt there may be such darkness that one can feel it.
22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was dense darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days.
23 People could not see one another, nor could they get up from where they were, for three days. But all the Israelites had light where they lived.
The Land of Goshen was like a bright light in the midst of this intense darkness.
Wherever the Israelites of Egypt were (as far off as the city of Thebes), they could see the light of Goshen. Whom they knew Moses, the prophet of freedom, was there.
I am sure the last of the Israelites who resisted change up until then had a change of heart.
Light is truth and light has its own gravity of presence. Moses didn’t have to say anything.
They could ‘see’ Moses argument.
In the Lord is Light and Life.
If you have a candle, light it.
If you need light, move toward it.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 