16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The one who wishes to be admitted into the Lord’s abode must have virtues that respect one’s neighbor, especially the poor.
Daily TribuneThe one who wishes to be admitted into the Lord’s abode must have virtues that respect one’s neighbor, especially the poor.
Liturgy of the Word:
Gn. 18:1-10;
Ps. 15:2-3, 3-4, 5;
Col. 1:24-28;
Lk. 10:24-28.
1. 1st Reading, Gn. 18:1-10 — In the previous chapter, God promised Abram (99 yrs old), renamed Abraham, that Sarai (90 yrs old), renamed Sarah, will bear a son in her old age, and Abraham will be “the father of a multitude of nations.” This is the covenant between God and Abraham. Circumcision will be the sacred sign of the covenant.
2. In this Sunday’s 1st Reading, Abraham is visited by “three men,” for whom Sarah prepares food (vv. 1-9). One of the men says to Abraham, “I will return to you about this time of the year, and Sarah will then have a son” (v. 10). The Lord would fulfill this promise in Genesis 21, when Sarah gives birth to Isaac.
3. Resp. Ps. 15:2-3, 3-4, 5 — The psalmist asks, “Lord, who may dwell in your tent? On your holy mountain?” The Lord answers: “Whoever walks without blame, doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart: Who does not slander... does no harm to a friend, never defames a neighbor;
Who disdains the wicked, but honors those who fear the Lord; Who keeps an oath despite the cost (vv. 2-4), lends no money at interest, accepts no bribe against the innocent” (v. 5). The one who wishes to be admitted into the Lord’s abode must have virtues that respect one’s neighbor, especially the poor.
4. 2nd Reading, Col. 1:24-28 — Paul teaches the Christian community at Colossae (a city of Phrygia, part of modern Turkey) that they have experienced the reconciling effects of Christ’s death. He sees the effects of the Cross in the redemption of human beings, but the Colossians have to persevere in the faith (vv. 21-23).
5. “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the Church (v. 24), of which I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God (v. 25), the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones (v. 27) to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory (v. 27). It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (v. 28).
6. Paul here tells the Colossians that he rejoices in the sufferings that he experiences in his apostolic ministry. His sufferings reflect the sufferings that Christ experienced on behalf of his Church (v. 24). The preaching of the word of God carries out the divine plan (“the mystery hidden from ages”) to make Christ known to the Gentiles (“Christ in you, the hope for glory,” vv. 25-27). The word of God teaches the God-given wisdom about Christ, that “everyone may be perfect in Christ” (v. 28).
7. Gospel, Lk. 10: 38-42. The Story of Martha and Mary. Jesus enters the village where Martha and her sister, Mary, live. Martha welcomes him and prepares to serve him, while Mary sits “beside the Lord at his feet listening to him” (vv. 38-39). Martha complains that Mary has left her by herself to do the serving (v. 40). But Jesus tells her that she is “anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her” (vv. 41-42).
8. This Lukan episode reveals a characteristic attitude of Jesus toward women. It is remarkable for 1st century Judaism that a woman would assume the posture of a disciple at the Master’s feet, as Mary did. In Lk. 8:2, some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities accompanied Jesus and the Twelve. The episode also illustrates the importance of hearing the words of Jesus, the Teacher.
9. In a synthetic way, today’s Liturgy of the Word highlights the profound significance of God’s word for our lives. For Abraham, God’s word was revelatory, expressing God’s covenant with him and his descendants. God’s word was also a promise of future blessings. For Paul, God’s word was likewise revelatory of the riches that the mystery of Jesus held, of Jesus’s mission to redeem humanity and creation through his sufferings on the Cross. The word of God that we proclaim is a living and eternal divine person, the Word of God, who was God from the beginning, our hope of glory.
Finally, for Martha and Mary, Jesus, the Word of God, is someone they welcome with love and must listen to with faith, hope, and love.
10. Prayer — Show favor, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands, through Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.
Prayers, best wishes, God bless!
