May 22, 2013

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Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time 
Lectionary: 343

Reading 1SIR 4:11-19

Wisdom breathes life into her children

and admonishes those who seek her.

Wisdom is referred to as a woman in these verses and is therefore a foreshadowing of the Church which is the Bride of Christ and the pillar of truth.

He who loves her loves life; 

those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.

He who holds her fast inherits glory;

wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.

Those who embrace the Teachings of the Church are blessed by God where ever they go.  And those who seek Baptism into the Church become children of God.

Those who serve her serve the Holy One;

those who love her the LORD loves.

Those who obey the Church obey the Lord who sent the Church into the world to Teach what He commanded.

He who obeys her judges nations;

As it is written:

1 Corinthians 6:4  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.

And also:

Hebrews 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 

If one trusts her, he will possess her;

his descendants too will inherit her.

She walks with him as a stranger

and at first she puts him to the test;

Fear and dread she brings upon him

and tries him with her discipline

until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.

It is said that the Doctrines of the Church are very hard for people to accept.  Perhaps that is the trial which this refers to.

Then she comes back to bring him happiness

and reveal her secrets to them

and she will heap upon him 

treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.

The Church teaches the Wisdom of God even in the heavens:

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

But if he fails her, she will abandon him

and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.

Those who rebel against the Church, rebel against God who sent her:

Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Responsorial PsalmPS 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175

R. (165a) O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
My lips pour forth your praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
May my tongue sing of your promise,
for all your commands are just.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.

Those who keep the Law of God are at peace because there is nothing bothering their conscience. 

GospelMK 9:38-40

John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.”

This is a great saying and true. I have met many non-Catholics who mind their own business and do their best to keep the Commandments and who never complain about the Teachings of the Catholic Church.  They are certainly for Christ who sent the Church to teach in His name.  They preach in the name of Christ and do good in the name of Christ without bearing ill will towards their neighbor.