and to walk humbly with your God.
Greetings on this the Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: NA 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7; DEUTERONOMY 32:35CD-36AB, 39ABCD, 41; MT 16:24-28
Assyria
It is necessary to recall the savage cruelty of Assyria, which had made it the scourge of the ancient Near East for almost three centuries. [There was a] general outburst of joy over the destruction of Nineveh! But Nahum is not a prophet of unrestrained revenge. He asserts God’s moral government of the world. Nineveh’s doom is evidence that God stands against oppression and the abuse of power. (NABRE Commentary on the Book of Nahum. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/nahum/0).
Summary
In our first reading today, Nahum reveals the certain destruction of Assyria about to occur. Three hundred years of wickedly harsh rule over vassal nations and peoples. In our responsorial reading today, the selection is from Deuteronomy — where the Lord laments the misbehavior of the Chosen People in their ingratitude and idolatry. The Lord rescues the vassal States and Israel, the first from the oppressor and the second from themselves. Even Moses and Aaron faced the judgement of the Lord: Then you shall die on the mountain you are about to ascend, and shall be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and there was gathered to his people (Deut 32:50).
All these corrections were for their liberation. Have you not heard a parent say, just before spanking a misbehaving child, “This hurts me more than it hurts you“? While I picked a trivial statement to make the point ever more so the Lord feels the pain of needing to correct nations, peoples, and persons.
From extortion and violence he redeems them, for precious is their blood in his sight (PS 72:14).
Can it not be summed up in the words of Jesus?
What 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?
Reflection
What profit is there?
A farmer knows to till, plant and gather. Each in its own time and in the proper order. The fruitful benefit feeds many. Let not the warning of Ahab who took possession of Naboth’s vineyard help us avoid deadly avarice.
Personal Reflection
Nothing is worth everything because everything is worth nothing.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Nevertheless we urge you, brothers, to progress even more, and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your [own] hands, as we instructed you (1 Thess 4:10-11).
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080924.cfm
First Reading
I will cast filth upon you, disgrace you and put you to shame; Till everyone who sees you runs from you, saying, “Nineveh is destroyed; who can pity her? Where can one find any to console her?”
Responsorial
It is I who deal death and give life.
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Gospel
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Great meditation as always 🙂