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15 November/Monday/33rd Week in Ordinary Time,  

1Macc 1,10-15.41-43.54-57.62-63/Psa 119,53.61.134.150.155.158/Luke 18,35-43

By Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD

First Reading 1 Maccabees 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64

The persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes

There grew a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; once a hostage in Rome, he became king in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. It was then that there emerged from Israel a set of renegades who led many people astray. ‘Come,’ they said ‘let us reach an understanding with the pagans surrounding us, for since we separated ourselves from them many misfortunes have overtaken us.’ This proposal proved acceptable, and a number of the people eagerly approached the king, who authorised them to practise the pagan observances. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, such as the pagans have, disguised their circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant, submitting to the heathen rule as willing slaves of impiety.

Then the king issued a proclamation to his whole kingdom that all were to become a single people, each renouncing his particular customs. All the pagans conformed to the king’s decree, and many Israelites chose to accept his religion, sacrificing to idols and profaning the Sabbath. The king erected the abomination of desolation above the altar; and altars were built in the surrounding towns of Judah and incense offered at the doors of houses and in the streets. Any books of the Law that came to light were torn up and burned. Whenever anyone was discovered possessing a copy of the covenant or practising the Law, the king’s decree sentenced him to death.

Yet there were many in Israel who stood firm and found the courage to refuse unclean food. They chose death rather than contamination by such fare or profanation of the holy covenant, and they were executed. It was a dreadful wrath that visited Israel.

Responsorial Psalm     Psalm 118(119):53,61,134,150,155,158

Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your will.

I am seized with indignation at the wicked

    who forsake your law.

Though the nets of the wicked ensnared me

    I remembered your law.

Redeem me from man’s oppression

    and I will keep your precepts.

Those who harm me unjustly draw near;

    they are far from your law.

Salvation is far from the wicked

    who are heedless of your statutes.

I look at the faithless with disgust;

    they ignore your promise.

Gospel Acclamation John 8:12

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia!

Gospel   Luke 18:35-43

'Son of David, have pity on me'

As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’ The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’ And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened.

Reflection

The First Reading is a historical account of part of the Greek rule over Israel. The focus of the reading is part of the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He was the son of King Antiochus who reigned from 223 to 187 B.C.E. The reign of the Hellenistic or Greek kings over Israel started in 334 B.C.E. with the conquests of Alexander the Great. Darius III who was a Persian king was defeated by Alexander the Great, thus bringing the Persian domination of the Ancient Near East to an end in that year. The kingdom of Alexander the Great extended from present day Egypt to modern day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was one of the most ferocious kings of the Seleucid dynasty. He introduced pagan worship into Israel and made himself into a god to be worshipped by the people. He desecrated the Temple of Jerusalem by placing a pagan statue above the altar of sacrifice. He profaned the Sabbath by organising pagan practices on that day.

It is interesting that many Jews embraced the religious abomination introduced by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. They no longer upheld the religion of their fathers and the Temple was now a place of pagan worship. The Jews decided to be like the nations around them, thus losing their unique identity as a nation set apart, a holy and kingly people who had Yahweh as their God. The rather massive turnaround of the people shows that they did not have strong religious roots. They were easily swayed by a false leader who took advantage of their desire to be like the neighbouring nations.

In situations such as this, there is always a small remnant that is faithful to the practices and beliefs of the fathers. They preferred death to contaminating themselves or abandoning the religion of their ancestors. These are the ones that the Books of Maccabees would focus on as the author narrates their courageous acts of resistance to the advance of Hellenistic practices in Israel. In our own times too, we have Christians who face persecution because they are not ready to give up their faith. We can think of regions where fundamentalists of other religions persecute Christians who fail to succumb to pressures to convert or abandon their faith. We can also think of nations in which Christian values are overturned by civil laws. We can think of laws that go against Christian morals and seek to drive God out of human life. The courageous example of the Maccabees that we shall be reflecting on in the coming days should help us in our effort to always remain faithful to the Lord. Like the blind man in the Gospel Reading today, we also need to cry out to Jesus and ask him to heal us of our blindness so that we can see clearly what would make us faithful to him. Let us be assured that at the end time the Lord would look favourably upon our faithfulness and offer us a place in his kingdom.

14 November/Sunday/33rd Sunday of Year B

Dan 12,1-3/Psa 16,5+8.9-10.11/Heb 10,11-14.18/Mark 13,24-32

by Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD

First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3

Some will wake to everlasting life, some to shame and disgrace

‘At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who mounts guard over your people. There is going to be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace. The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.’

Responsorial Psalm :   Psalm 15(16):5,8-11

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

    it is you yourself who are my prize.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

    since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

    even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

    nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,

    the fullness of joy in your presence,

    at your right hand happiness for ever.

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14,18

When all sins have been forgiven, there can be no more sin-offerings

All the priests stand at their duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking sins away. He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place forever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. When all sins have been forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings.

Gospel Acclamation:  Matt 24:42 44

Alleluia, alleluia!

Stay awake and stand ready,

because you do not know the hour

when the Son of Man is coming.

Alleluia!

Gospel:  Mark 13:24-32

The stars will fall from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven.

‘Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that he is near, at the very gates. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

‘But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.’

Reflection

Although the Gospel Reading is a short one, its content is much diversified. A first look offers a division in two parts, namely the information about the coming of the “son of man” in Mark 13,24-27 and the lesson of the fig tree in the second part, namely Mark 13,28-32. The first part is made up of three short units of which some are composed of only one verse. The first words of the reading already indicate that we are within the realm of an eschatological oracle. Jesus is talking about things that are to come prior to the end time. He speaks of cosmic signs that follow a time of distress without saying when the end would come.

The distress or tribulation of which he speaks is in reference to what he said in Mark 13,14-23. He does not describe any further what he meant by the “desolating sacrilege” but many biblical scholars think he was referring to the sacrilegious act of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 B.C.E. This Hellenistic king decided to name the Temple of Jerusalem in honour of Olympian Zeus (2Macc 6,2). This sacrilegious act was to be followed by an eclipse of the sun and the moon. As further indication of the signs prior to the end time, Jesus said the “son of man” would appear in the clouds to be followed by the angels who are sent to gather the elect of God from all parts of the earth. Some people would like to interpret these cosmic signs as a reference to the passion and death of Jesus. While such an interpretation is possible, we have to note that it leaves unanswered many of the details found in Mark 13,5-23. Similarly, those who propose to interpret the signs in reference to the events between the first Christian Pentecost and the Jewish revolt also face similar difficulties.  

No matter the interpretation we give to the passage, we have to say that Jesus was warning his disciples about what was to come. Despite the fearful character of the signs, the disciples were to rest certain that the “son of man” would suddenly appear. No one knows when this would happen so they must be prepared at all times. Failure to be prepared for this day could mean that they would not be among those that the angels of God would gather from all parts of the earth. This teaching about the end time reminds us once again of the need to be vigilant. A true disciple should always be ready for the coming of the Lord.

As we draw toward the end of the liturgical calendar, we shall be constantly reminded of the end time. The First Reading speaks of the vision of Daniel in which he describes the rise and activity of the Archangel Michael. Seen in the general context of the Book of Daniel, this particular vision is meant to reveal two important facts about the end time to Daniel. God assured Daniel that at the end time, his people, the people of Israel would be delivered by the angelic prince Michael who is the defender of Israel. The second fact is the promise that the dead would be raised to life and their fate would be decided at that time. Those who believe in God would be raised to everlasting life and the unbelieving ones to shame and everlasting contempt.

This vision is extended for us into the present dispensation as we move toward the end of the liturgical calendar. We are encouraged to reflect on the end time and prepare ourselves adequately to meet the Lord. As Christians, we all desire to be with the Lord. This calls for a way of life that would let the Lord place us among those chosen for everlasting life. If our life on earth has not been according to the commandments of God, we risk being put to shame and destined to everlasting damnation. We still have the time to repent and make amends so that the Lord may forgive us our wrongdoings and cleanse us of our iniquities. This is the most appropriate way to prepare ourselves for our final encounter with the Lord. We pray for a favourable judgment when the time comes for us to meet our Creator.

13 November/Saturday/32nd Week in Ordinary Time,   

Wis 18,14-16; 19,6-9/Psa 105,2-3.36-37.42-43/Luke 18,1-8

By Most Rev. emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD

First Reading  Wisdom 18:14-16,19:6-9

The Red Sea became an unimpeded way

When peaceful silence lay over all,

and night had run the half of her swift course,

down from the heavens, from the royal throne, leapt your all-powerful Word;

into the heart of a doomed land the stern warrior leapt.

Carrying your unambiguous command like a sharp sword,

he stood, and filled the universe with death;

he touched the sky, yet trod the earth.

For, to keep your children from all harm,

the whole creation, obedient to your commands,

was once more, and newly, fashioned in its nature.

Overshadowing the camp there was the cloud,

where water had been, dry land was seen to rise,

the Red Sea became an unimpeded way,

the tempestuous flood a green plain;

sheltered by your hand, the whole nation passed across,

gazing at these amazing miracles.

They were like horses at pasture,

they skipped like lambs,

singing your praises, Lord, their deliverer.

Responsorial Psalm      Psalm 104(105):2-3,36-37,42-43

Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

O sing to him, sing his praise;

    tell all his wonderful works!

Be proud of his holy name,

    let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.

He struck all the first-born in their land,

    the finest flower of their sons.

He led out Israel with silver and gold.

    In his tribes were none who fell behind.

For he remembered his holy word,

    which he gave to Abraham his servant.

So he brought out his people with joy,

    his chosen ones with shouts of rejoicing.

Gospel Acclamation    James 1:21

Alleluia, alleluia!

Accept and submit to the word

which has been planted in you

and can save your souls.

Alleluia!

Gospel                                                                                                                   Luke 18:1-8

The parable of the unjust judge

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’

And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

Reflection

The First Reading is a reading of the Exodus experience of Israel. The Book of Exodus presented the experience in prose form with a spiritual reflection on every step of the event. In the Book of Wisdom, the same experience is reflected upon but from the perspective of sapiential or poetic literature. The First Reading speaks of a peaceful silence that lay over the whole universe. This could not have been the case if Israel cried out to God and asked for deliverance from their slavery. The peaceful silence could only reflect the false calm of the Egyptians who thought they were going to prevent the Israelites from breaking the bonds of slavery.

False calm is often the situation of those who worship false gods or trust in themselves. They perceive an apparent calm and success in their lives which makes them think that all is well with them. We read about rulers who in their self-confidence believe that they have command over all their subjects and the events of their subjects. The First Reading however indicates the certainty of God’s reign who acts at the appointed time without being hindered by the one who thought he/she was in control of events. The examples of the killing of the firstborn sons of Egypt and the destruction of the army of Pharaoh in the Sea of Reeds show that these human powers do not command human history. The author of the Book of Wisdom is firm in pointing to the power of God in governing the universe and what happens therein.

We are exhorted to learn from the Exodus experience. We should not be like Egypt that learned too late that God was fighting for Israel. We should learn to put all our trust in God and allow him to rule over our lives. Similarly, if we do not learn to fear God, we may find ourselves in the situation of the unjust judge in the Gospel Reading. He thought he was all powerful but the constant request of the widow for justice against her enemies made him grant her what she needed. We are invited to know God and practice true justice without being forced to yield to doing what is right. We pray for the grace to be true and faithful Christians who live what the Lord teaches us always.