September 9, 2013

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Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest 
Lectionary: 437

Reading 1COL 1:24–2:3

Brothers and sisters:
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,

The Church teaches us that we, as imitators of Christ, can suffer for the good of our fellow men, especially those we love and those who are members of the Church.

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,

I believe this completion is the administration of the Sacraments, by which we receive the grace of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.

This mystery is the Blessed Trinity, the existence of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity through whom and for whom all was created.

But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
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.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Now is revealed the knowledge that in order to be saved we must be united to God in His Body and by His Body in the Holy Eucharist.  

For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.

Like St. Paul, we must cooperate with His grace working through us.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,
to have all the richness of assured understanding,
for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

And St. Paul mentions that he is even suffering for those whom he has not seen but wishes to bring to them the good news of Jesus Christ.

Responsorial PsalmPS 62:6-7, 9

R. (8) In God is my safety and my glory.

Only in God be at rest, my soul,

for from him comes my hope.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.

R. In God is my safety and my glory.

Trust in him at all times, O my people!

Pour out your hearts before him;

God is our refuge!

R. In God is my safety and my glory.

My safety and my glory reside in heaven.  God hold His elect in the palm of His hand.  But in this life there will be trouble.  That trouble is a test of our faith which must be refined as by fire.  It is in heaven that our tears will be wiped away.  It is in heaven that our safety and our glory resides.  Therefore, turn to God and do righteously.  And God will save you.

GospelLK 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught,
and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely
to see if he would cure on the sabbath
so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.

The Pharisees wanted to see if Jesus would cure a man on the Sabbath in order to accuse Him of transgressing the Law of God.

But he realized their intentions
and said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up and stand before us.”
And he rose and stood there.

Jesus knew this but did not hesitate to cure the man.  However, He did provide the Jews a lesson.

Then Jesus said to them,
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?”

So, Jesus asked them, "Is there ever a time when one is forbidden to do good?  Even on the Sabbath.

Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
“Stretch out your hand.”
He did so and his hand was restored.

And then, He cured the man.

But they became enraged
and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

But that enraged the Pharisees and they began to plot to murder Jesus.