Thursday of week 10 in Ordinary Time
Saint Antony of Padua, Priest, Doctor
Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
Readings for the memorial
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First reading
Isaiah 61:1-3d
The Lord GOD anointed me and sent me to bring good news to the poor.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,
to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God,
to comfort all who mourn;
To place on those who mourn in Zion
a diadem instead of ashes,
To give them oil of gladness in place of mourning,
a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit.
Commentary:
Isaiah 61:1-3 describes the mission of the servant of the Lord, emphasizing his anointing by God to bring good news, comfort, and restoration to the afflicted.
Divine Commission: The passage opens with the declaration of the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord being upon the servant, indicating a divine commissioning for his mission. This underscores the authority and purpose behind his actions.
Proclamation of Good News: The servant is anointed to proclaim good news to the poor, symbolizing hope and deliverance for those in need. This emphasizes the inclusive nature of God's salvation, reaching out to the marginalized and downtrodden.
Healing and Restoration: The servant's mission extends beyond mere proclamation to practical acts of healing and restoration. He is tasked with binding up the broken hearted, freeing captives, and comforting the mourning, reflecting God's compassion and desire for wholeness.
Transformation and Renewal: The imagery of replacing ashes with a crown of beauty, mourning with the oil of joy, and despair with a garment of praise illustrates the transformative power of God's intervention. It signifies a reversal of fortunes and a renewal of spirit for those who trust in God.
Identity and Purpose: Those touched by the servant's ministry are described as "oaks of righteousness," symbolizing their strength, stability, and righteous standing before God. Their transformation is not just personal but also serves as a testimony to God's glory and splendour.
Isaiah 61:1-3 paints a vivid picture of the servant's mission, highlighting God's compassion, power, and redemptive plan for humanity. It inspires hope in the midst of despair, pointing to a future where brokenness is healed, captives are set free, and mourning is turned to joy. Ultimately, it reveals God's unwavering commitment to bring restoration and renewal to all who turn to Him in faith.
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 21-22, 25 and 27
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’”
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
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Gospel Acclamation
Luke 4:18
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
Alleluia, alleluia.
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Gospel
Luke 10:1-9
The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”
Commentary
In Luke 10:1-9, we witness Jesus commissioning seventy-two disciples for a specific mission, offering insights into the nature of discipleship and the spreading of the Gospel. Let's delve deeper into this passage:
Commissioning of the Seventy-Two: Jesus selects seventy-two disciples, sending them out ahead of him in pairs to prepare the way for his ministry in various towns and places.
Abundant Harvest, Few Laborers: Jesus acknowledges the abundant spiritual harvest awaiting, contrasting it with the scarcity of workers. He urges them to pray for more laborers, highlighting the urgency of the mission.
Instructions for the Journey: The disciples receive detailed instructions for their mission, including traveling lightly and refraining from unnecessary greetings on the road, emphasizing focus and efficiency.
Proclaiming Peace: Upon entering a house, they are to offer peace. If received by a person of peace, their message will find a home; if not, they are to move on, discerning where their message will be welcomed.
Healing and Kingdom Proclamation: In their stay, they are to minister to the sick, demonstrating the arrival of the kingdom of God through acts of healing and proclamation.
Luke 10:1-9 provides a blueprint for effective ministry, emphasizing reliance on God's provision, discernment in engagement, and the active demonstration of God's kingdom through both word and deed. It's a call to all disciples to participate in the abundant harvest, trusting in God's guidance and power as they spread the message of peace and healing.
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Readings at Mass
Readings for the feria (Thursday)
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First reading
1 Kings 18:41-46
Elijah prayed and the sky gave rain (James 5:18).
Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink, while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, crouched down to the earth, and put his head between his knees. “Climb up and look out to sea,” he directed his servant, who went up and looked, but reported, “There is nothing.” Seven times he said, “Go, look again!” And the seventh time the youth reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Elijah said, “Go and say to Ahab, ‘Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.’” In a trice the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain fell. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel. But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, who girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab as far as the approaches to Jezreel.
Commentary
In 1 Kings 18:41-46, Elijah's prayer for rain marks a decisive moment of faith amidst a drought.
1. Confident Prayer: Elijah prays for rain with unwavering confidence, trusting in God's power despite the drought.
2. Persistent Faith: He persists in seeking a sign of rain, teaching the importance of unwavering faith and persistence in prayer.
3. Divine Intervention: A small cloud appears, a sign of God's faithfulness and provision in response to Elijah's prayer.
4. Prophecy Fulfilled: The rain fulfills Elijah's earlier prophecy, emphasizing the importance of heeding God's word.
5. Divine Empowerment: Elijah's ability to outrun Ahab's chariot showcases God's empowerment of His faithful servant.
This passage demonstrates Elijah's unwavering faith in God's power and his role as a prophet who speaks and acts with authority. It also highlights God's faithfulness in answering Elijah's prayer for rain and empowering him to accomplish miraculous feats for His glory.
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13
It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
Thus have you prepared the land:
drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
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Gospel Acclamation
John 13:34
Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
Alleluia, alleluia.
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Gospel
Matthew 5:20-26
Whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. +
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Commentary
In Matthew 5:20-26, Jesus teaches about the deeper righteousness required for His followers, focusing on the importance of inner purity and reconciliation.
Surpassing Righteousness: Jesus emphasizes that righteousness must go beyond mere external compliance, surpassing that of the scribes and Pharisees.
Anger Equals Murder: He equates anger with murder, highlighting the spiritual seriousness of harbouring anger towards others.
Urgency of Reconciliation: Jesus instructs believers to reconcile with others before offering gifts to God, prioritizing mended relationships over religious rituals.
Avoiding Legal Disputes: He advises settling disputes quickly to prevent harsh judgments and maintain peaceful relationships.
Heart-Based Righteousness: Jesus calls for a heart-based righteousness, urging followers to cultivate genuine love and harmony.
Matthew 5:20-26 underscores the need for deep, heart-cantered righteousness that prioritizes reconciliation and inner purity, aligning with the true spirit of God's law.
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