Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings 10-February-2024

For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

KEYWORDS: catholic; lk10; mk8; ordinarytime; prayer

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Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 8
1.	IN those days again, when there was a great multitude, and had nothing to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them:	In diebus illis iterum cum turba multa esset, nec haberent quod manducarent, convocatis discipulis, ait illis :	εν εκειναις ταις ημεραις παμπολλου οχλου οντος και μη εχοντων τι φαγωσιν προσκαλεσαμενος ο ιησους τους μαθητας αυτου λεγει αυτοις
2.	I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat.	Misereor super turbam : quia ecce jam triduo sustinent me, nec habent quod manducent :	σπλαγχνιζομαι επι τον οχλον οτι ηδη ημεραι τρεις προσμενουσιν μοι και ουκ εχουσιν τι φαγωσιν
3.	And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way; for some of them came from afar off.	et si dimisero eos jejunos in domum suam, deficient in via : quidam enim ex eis de longe venerunt.	και εαν απολυσω αυτους νηστεις εις οικον αυτων εκλυθησονται εν τη οδω τινες γαρ αυτων μακροθεν ηκουσιν
4.	And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness?	Et responderunt ei discipuli sui : Unde illos quis poterit saturare panibus in solitudine ?	και απεκριθησαν αυτω οι μαθηται αυτου ποθεν τουτους δυνησεται τις ωδε χορτασαι αρτων επ ερημιας
5.	And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven.	Et interrogavit eos : Quot panes habetis ? Qui dixerunt : Septem.	και επηρωτα αυτους ποσους εχετε αρτους οι δε ειπον επτα
6.	And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke, and gave to his disciples for to set before them; and they set them before the people.	Et præcepit turbæ discumbere super terram. Et accipiens septem panes, gratias agens fregit, et dabat discipulis suis ut apponerent, et apposuerunt turbæ.	και παρηγγειλεν τω οχλω αναπεσειν επι της γης και λαβων τους επτα αρτους ευχαριστησας εκλασεν και εδιδου τοις μαθηταις αυτου ινα παραθωσιν και παρεθηκαν τω οχλω
7.	And they had a few little fishes; and he blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them.	Et habebant pisciculos paucos : et ipsos benedixit, et jussit apponi.	και ειχον ιχθυδια ολιγα και ευλογησας ειπεν παραθειναι και αυτα
8.	And they did eat and were filled; and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets.	Et manducaverunt, et saturati sunt, et sustulerunt quod superaverat de fragmentis, septem sportas.	εφαγον δε και εχορτασθησαν και ηραν περισσευματα κλασματων επτα σπυριδας
9.	And they that had eaten were about four thousand; and he sent them away.	Erant autem qui manducaverunt, quasi quatuor millia : et dimisit eos.	ησαν δε οι φαγοντες ως τετρακισχιλιοι και απελυσεν αυτους
10.	And immediately going up into a ship with his disciples, he came into the parts of Dalmanutha.	Et statim ascendens navim cum discipulis suis, venit in partes Dalmanutha.	και ευθεως εμβας εις το πλοιον μετα των μαθητων αυτου ηλθεν εις τα μερη δαλμανουθα

Catena Aurea by St. Thomas Aguinas

CHAP. 8

8:1–9

1. In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

2. I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

3. And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

4. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness.

5. And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

6. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

7. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

8. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

9. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

THEOPHYLACT. After the Lord had performed the former miracle concerning the multiplication of the loaves, now again, a fitting occasion presents itself, and He takes the opportunity of working a similar miracle; wherefore it is said, In those days, the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and, saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat. For He did not always work miracles concerning the feeding of the multitude, lest they should follow Him for the sake of food; now therefore He would not have performed this miracle, if He had not seen that the multitude was in danger. Wherefore it goes on: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

BEDE. (in Marc. 2, 32) Why they who came from afar hold out for three days, Matthew says more fully: And he went up into a mountain, and sat down there, and great multitudes came unto him, having with them many sick persons, and cast them down at Jesus feet, and he healed them. (v. Matt. 15:29)

THEOPHYLACT. The disciples did not yet understand, nor did they believe in His virtue, notwithstanding former miracles; wherefore it continues, And his disciples said unto him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? But the Lord Himself does not blame them, teaching us that we should not be grievously angry with ignorant men and those who do not understand, but bear with their ignorance. After this it continues, And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? and they answered, Seven.

REMIGIUS. Ignorance was not His reason for asking them, but that from their answering seven, the miracle might be noised abroad, and become more known in proportion to the smallness of the number. It goes on: And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. In the former feeding they lay down on grass, in this one on the ground. It continues, And he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake. In giving thanks, He has left us an example, that for all gifts conferred on us from heaven we should return thanks to Him. And it is to be remarked, that our Lord did not give the bread to the people, but to His disciples, and the disciples to the people; for it goes on, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And not only the bread, but the fish also He blessed, and ordered to be set before them. For there comes after, And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

BEDE. (ubi sup.) In this passage then we should notice, in one and the same, our Redeemer, a distinct operation of Divinity and of Manhood; thus the error of Eutyches1, who presumes to lay down the doctrine of one only operation in Christ, is to be cast out far from the Christian pale. For who does not here see that the pity of our Lord for the multitude is the feeling and sympathy of humanity; and that at the same time His satisfying four thousand men with seven loaves and a few fishes, is a work of Divine virtue? It goes on, And they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

THEOPHYLACT. The multitudes who ate and were filled did not take with them the remains of the loaves, but the disciples took them up, as they did before the baskets. In which we learn according to the narration, that we should be content with what is sufficient, and not look for any thing beyond. The number of those who ate is put down, when it is said, And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away; where we may see that Christ sends no one away fasting, for He wishes all to be nourished by His grace.

BEDE. (ubi sup.) The typical difference between this feeding and the other of the five loaves and two fishes, is, that there the letter of the Old Testament, full of spiritual grace, is signified, but here the truth and grace of the New Testament, which is to be ministered to all the faithful, is pointed out. Now the multitude remains three days, waiting for the Lord to heal their sick, as Matthew relates, when the elect, in the faith of the Holy Trinity, supplicate for sins, with persevering earnestness; or because they turn themselves to the Lord in deed, in word, and in thought.

THEOPHYLACT. Or by those who wait for three days, He means the baptized; for baptism is called illumination, and is performed by trine immersion.

GREGORY. (Mor. 1, 19) He does not however wish to dismiss them fasting, lest they should faint by the way; for it is necessary that men should find in what is preached the word of consolation, lest hungering through want of the food of truth, they sink under the toil of this life.

AMBROSE. (in Luc. 6:73) The good Lord indeed whilst He requires diligence, gives strength; nor will He dismiss them fasting, lest they faint by the way, that is, either in the course of this life, or before they have reached the fountainhead head of life, that is, the Father, and have learnt that Christ is of the Father, lest haply, after receiving that He is born of a virgin, they begin to esteem His virtue not that of God, but of a man. Therefore the Lord Jesus divides the food, and His will indeed is to give to all, to deny none; He is the Dispenser of all things, but if thou refusest to stretch forth thy hand to receive the food, thou wilt faint by the way, nor canst thou find fault with Him, who pities and divides.

BEDE. (ubi sup.) But they who return to repentance after the crimes of the flesh, after thefts, violence, and murders, come to the Lord from afar; for in proportion as a man has wandered farther in evil working, so he has wandered farther from Almighty God. The believers amongst the Gentiles came from afar to Christ, but the Jews from near, for they had been taught concerning Him by the letter of the law and the prophets. In the former case, however, of the feeding with five loaves, the multitude lay upon the green grass; here, however, upon the ground, because by the writing of the law, we are ordered to keep under the desires of the flesh, but in the New Testament we are ordered to leave even the earth itself and our temporal goods.

THEOPHYLACT. Further, the seven loaves are spiritual discourses, for seven is the number, which points out the Holy Ghost, who perfects all things; for our life is perfected in the number of seven days’d.

PSEUDO-JEROME. Or else, the seven loaves are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the fragments of the loaves are the mystical understanding of the1 first week.

BEDE. (ubi sup.) For our Lord’s breaking the bread means the opening of mysteries; His giving of thanks shews how great a joy He feels in the salvation of the human race; His giving the loaves to His disciples that they might set them before the people, signifies that He assigns the spiritual gifts of knowledge to the Apostles, and that it was His will that by their ministry the food of life should be distributed to the Church.

PSEUDO-JEROME. The small fishes blessed are the books of the New Testament, for our Lord when risen asks for a piece of broiled fish;1 or else in these little fishes, we receive the saints, seeing that in the Scriptures of the New Testament are contained the faith, life, and sufferings of them who, snatched away from the troubled waves of this world, have given us by their example spiritual refreshment.

BEDE. (ubi sup.) Again, what was over and above, after the multitude was refreshed, the Apostles take up, because the higher precepts of perfection, to which the multitude cannot attain, belong to those whose life transcends that of the generality of the people of God; nevertheless, the multitude is said to have been satisfied, because though they cannot leave all that they possess, nor come up to that which is spoken of virgins, yet by listening to the commands of the law of God, they attain to everlasting life.

PSEUDO-JEROME. Again, the seven baskets are the seven Churches. By the four thousand is meant the year of the new dispensation, with its four seasons. Fitly also are there four thousand, that in the number itself it might be taught us that they were filled with the food of the Gospel.

THEOPHYLACT. Or there are four thousand, that is, men perfect in the four virtues; and for this reason, as being more advanced, they ate more, and left fewer fragments. For in this miracle, seven baskets full remain, but in the miracle of the five loaves, twelve, for there were five thousand men, which means men enslaved to the five senses, and for this reason they could not eat, but were satisfied with little, and many remains of the fragments were over and above.

Catena Aurea Mark 8

The Feeding of the Multitude

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry
ca. 800
1411-1416

Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 10
38.	Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.	Factum est autem, dum irent, et ipse intravit in quoddam castellum : et mulier quædam, Martha nomine, excepit illum in domum suam,	εγενετο δε εν τω πορευεσθαι αυτους και αυτος εισηλθεν εις κωμην τινα γυνη δε τις ονοματι μαρθα υπεδεξατο αυτον εις τον οικον αυτης
39.	And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard his word.	et huic erat soror nomine Maria, quæ etiam sedens secus pedes Domini, audiebat verbum illius.	και τηδε ην αδελφη καλουμενη μαρια η και παρακαθισασα παρα τους ποδας του ιησου ηκουεν τον λογον αυτου
40.	But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me.	Martha autem satagebat circa frequens ministerium : quæ stetit, et ait : Domine, non est tibi curæ quod soror mea reliquit me solam ministrare ? dic ergo illi ut me adjuvet.	η δε μαρθα περιεσπατο περι πολλην διακονιαν επιστασα δε ειπεν κυριε ου μελει σοι οτι η αδελφη μου μονην με κατελειπεν διακονειν ειπε ουν αυτη ινα μοι συναντιλαβηται
41.	And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things:	Et respondens dixit illis Dominus : Martha, Martha, sollicita es, et turbaris erga plurima,	αποκριθεις δε ειπεν αυτη ο ιησους μαρθα μαρθα μεριμνας και τυρβαζη περι πολλα
42.	But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.	porro unum est necessarium. Maria optimam partem elegit, quæ non auferetur ab ea.	ενος δε εστιν χρεια μαρια δε την αγαθην μεριδα εξελεξατο ητις ουκ αφαιρεθησεται απ αυτης

Catena Aurea by St. Thomas Aguinas

10:38–42

38. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

BEDE. The love of God and our neighbour, which was contained above in words and parables, is here set forth in very deed and reality; for it is said, Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village.

ORIGEN. The name of which village Luke indeed here omits, but John mentions, calling it Bethany. (John 11.)

AUGUSTINE. (Ser. 103.) But the Lord, who came to his own, and his own received him not, (John 1:12.) was received as a guest, for it follows, And a certain woman named Martha received him into her house, &c. as strangers are accustomed to be received. But still a servant received her Lord, the sick her Saviour, the creature her Creator. But if any should say, “O blessed are they who have been thought worthy to receive Christ into their houses,” grieve not thou, for He says, For inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matt. 25:40.) But taking the form of a servant, He wished therein to be fed by servants, by reason of His condescension, not His condition. He had a body in which He was hungry and thirsty, but when He was hungry in the desert, Angels ministered to Him. (Matt. 4:11.) In wishing therefore to be fed, He came Himself to the feeder. Martha then, setting about and preparing to feed our Lord, was occupied in serving; but Mary her sister chose rather to be fed by the Lord, for it follows, And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

CHRYSOSTOM. It is not said of Mary simply that she sat near Jesus, but at His feet, to shew her diligence, stedfastness, and zeal, in hearing, and the great reverence which she had for our Lord.

AUGUSTINE. (ubi sup.) Now as was her humility in sitting at His feet, so much the more did she receive from Him. For the waters pour down to the lowest part of the valley, but flow away from the rising of the hill.

BASIL. (Const. Mon. c. 1.) Now every work and word of our Saviour is a rule of piety and virtue. For to this end did He put on our body, that as much as we can we might imitate His conversation.

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA. By His own example then He teaches His disciples how they ought to behave in the houses of those who receive them, namely, when they come to a house, they should not remain idle, but rather fill the minds of those who receive them with sacred and divine teaching. But let those who make ready the house, go to meet their guests gladly and earnestly, for two reasons. First, indeed, they will be edified by the teaching of those whom they receive; next also they will receive the reward of charity. And hence it follows here, But Martha was cumbered about much serving, &c.

AUGUSTINE. (ubi sup.) Martha was well engaged in ministering to the bodily wants or wishes of our Lord, as of one who was mortal, but He who was clothed in mortal flesh; in the beginning was the Word. Behold then what Mary heard, The Word was made flesh. Behold then Him to whom Martha ministered. The one was labouring, the other at rest. But yet Martha, when much troubled in her occupation and business of serving, interrupted our Lord, and complained of her sister. For it follows, And said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? For Mary was absorbed in the sweetness of our Lord’s words; Martha was preparing a feast for our Lord, in whose feast Mary was now rejoicing. While then she was listening with delight to those sweet words, and was feeding on them with the deepest affection, our Lord was interrupted by her sister. What must we suppose was her alarm, lest the Lord should say to her, “Rise, and help thy sister?” Our Lord therefore, who was not at a loss, for He had shewn He was the Lord, answered as follows, And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha. The repetition of the name is a mark of love, or perhaps of drawing the attention, that she should listen more earnestly. When twice called, she hears, Thou art troubled about many things, that is, thou art busied about many things. For man wishes to meet with something when he is serving, and can not; and thus between seeking what is wanting and preparing what is at hand, the mind is distracted. For if Martha had been sufficient of herself, she would not have required the aid of her sister. There are many, there are diverse things, which are carnal, temporal, but one is preferred to many. For one is not from many, but many from one. Hence it follows, But one thing is needful. Mary wished to be occupied about one, according to that, It is good for me to cling close unto the Lord. (Ps. 73:28.) The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, are one. To this one he does not bring us, unless we being many have one heart. (Acts 4:32.)

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA. Or else, when certain brethren have received God, they will not be anxious about much service, nor ask for those things which are not in their hands, and are beyond their needs. For every where and in every thing that which is superfluous is burdensome. For it begets weariness in those who are wishing to bestow it, while the guests feel that they are the cause of trouble.

BASIL. (in reg. fus. int. 19.) It is foolish also to take food for the support of the body, and thereby in return to hurt the body, and to hinder it in the performance of the divine command. If then a poor man come, let him receive a model and example of moderation in food, and let us not prepare our own tables for their sakes, who wish to live luxuriously. For the life of the Christian is uniform, ever tending to one object, namely, the glory of God. But the life of those who are without is manifold and vacillating, changed about at will. And how in truth canst thou, when thou settest thy table before thy brother with profusion of meats, and for the pleasure of feasting sake, accuse him of luxury, and revile him as a glutton, censuring his indulgence in that which thou thyself affordest him? Our Lord did not commend Martha when busied about much serving.

AUGUSTINE. (Serm. 104.) What then? Must we think that blame was cast upon the service of Martha, who was engaged in the cares of hospitality, and rejoiced in having so great a guest? If this be true, let men give up ministering to the needy; in a word, let them be at leisure, intent only upon getting wholesome knowledge, taking no care what stranger is in the village in want of bread; let works of mercy be unheeded, knowledge only be cultivated.

THEOPHYLACT. Our Lord does not then forbid hospitality, but the troubling about many things, that is to say, hurry and anxiety. And mark the wisdom of our Lord, in that at first He said nothing to Martha, but when she sought to tear away her sister from hearing, then the Lord took occasion to reprove her. For hospitality is ever honoured as long as it keeps us to necessary things. But when it begins to hinder us from attending to what is of more importance, then it is plain that the hearing of the divine word is the more honourable.

AUGUSTINE. (Serm. 104.) Our Lord then does not blame the actions, but distinguishes between the duties. For it follows, Mary hath chosen that good part, &c. Not thine a bad one, but hers a better. Why a better? because it shall not be taken away from her. From thee the necessary burden of business shall one time be taken away. For when thou comest into that country, thou wilt find no stranger to receive with hospitality. But for thy good it shall be taken away, that what is better may be given thee. Trouble shall be taken away, that rest may be given. Thou art yet at sea; she is in port. For the sweetness of truth is eternal, yet in this life it is increased, and in the next it will be made perfect, never to be taken away.

AMBROSE. May you then like Mary be influenced by the desire of wisdom. For this is the greater, this the more perfect work. Nor let the care of ministering to others turn thy mind from the knowledge of the heavenly word, nor reprove or think indolent those whom thou seest seeking after wisdom.

AUGUSTINE. (de Qu. Evang. l. ii. q. 30.) Now mystically, by Martha’s receiving our Lord into her house is represented the Church which now receives the Lord into her heart. Mary her sister, who sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word, signifies the same Church, but in a future life, where ceasing from labour, and the ministering to her wants, she shall delight in Wisdom alone. But by her complaining that her sister did not help her, occasion is given for that sentence of our Lord, in which he shews that Church to be anxious and troubled about much service, when there is but one thing needful, which is yet attained through the merits of her service; but He says that Mary hath chosen the good part, for through the one the other is reached, which shall not be taken away.

GREGORY. (6. Mor. c. 18.) Or by Mary who sat and heard our Lord’s words, is signified the contemplative life; by Martha engaged in more outward services, the active life. Now Martha’s care is not blamed, but Mary is praised, for great are the rewards of an active life, but those of a contemplative are far better. Hence Mary’s part it is said will never be taken away from her, for the works of an active life pass away with the body, but the joys of the contemplative life the rather begin to increase from the end.

Catena Aurea Luke 10

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary

Hans Vredeman de Vries

1566
The Royal Collection of the British Royal family

The patron saint of our school is St. Scholastica. Who is St. Scholastica? When did she live? What did she do? For what is she known?

Most people are more familiar with St. Benedict because the Benedictine order and monasteries bear his name. St. Scholastica was St. Benedict’s twin sister. They lived in the 5th century. At an early age, Scholastica entered a convent joining a Benedictine order for women.

The Benedictine motto ora et labora (pray and work) became a real joy for the young abbess, for she had practiced it since childhood. She found it the best way to keep her mind occupied with God even though her duties as abbess kept her busy most of the day. Pope Gregory explained that, although Benedict had set out a rule of life for these holy women, it was Scholastica’s duty to see that they kept it faithfully, cheerfully and regarded it as the best means for their sanctification.

Each year, Benedict and Scholastica met to discuss their way of life and the various spiritual challenges in the two religious houses. Since women were not allowed to enter his monastery, Benedict and a few companions met her in the guest house at Monte Casino. One day when Scholastica was very ill, her brother came to visit her at the convent. They spent the day singing psalms and speaking about the spiritual life, its compensations and challenges. When evening came, they sat down to supper and continued the conversation until quite late. Strict orders of the monastery only allowed one day for a monk to visit his family and never allowed him to stay away overnight.

After a delightful day of visiting, Scholastica asked her brother to stay the night since she was afraid that she would not live until his next visit. Benedict, an obedient monk, would not hear of such a thing. Legend has it that Scholastica folded her hands in prayer. When she looked up a minute later, lightning flashed in the sky, thunder roared ominously, and such a downpour of rain began that Benedict and his monks could not safely leave the house. Realizing what had happened, Benedict reproached her: "What have you done, my sister?” Scholastica answered simply, "I asked a favor of you, and you refused to listen to me. So I asked my God, and He, more generous than you, granted my request.” Once again Scholastica’s pleas won the favor she was seeking.

In the days that ensued, Scholastica became weaker and finally succumbed to the illness. While praying in his room, as Benedict looked toward the convent, he saw a white dove circling the building, finally disappearing into the blue. He interpreted this event to mean that his sister had died and her soul had gone to heaven. The white dove is a symbol of her purity.

St. Scholastica was outstanding for her simplicity and faith. She spoke to God directly, in reverent familiarity, without complex or elaborate ritual. As an abbess, St. Scholastica instilled in her sisters the necessity of living in accordance with the great Benedictine aim: "That in all things God may be glorified.” The Benedictine sisterhoods flourished under Scholastica and through the years to the present day. She demonstrated great faith and felt that it was more important to tend the needs of others than to follow a rule rigidly. St. Gregory the Great said of St. Scholastica, "She could do more because she loved more.”

The Benedictine values of prayer, work, study, community, reverence and respect are hallmarks of the life of St. Scholastica. She is indeed a role model to all of us who are part of the SSA family.

ssacad.org

Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica

Joseph Ignaz Mildorfer

NAVARRE BIBLE COMMENTARY (RSV)

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (To the Greater Glory of God)

First Reading:

From: 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34

Jeroboam’s Sin (Continuation)
-----------------------------
[26] And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David; [27] if this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” [28] So the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” [29] And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. [30] And this thing became a sin, for the people went to the one at Bethel and to the other as far as Dan. [31] He also made houses on high places, and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. [32] And Jeroboam appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices upon the altar; so he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made.

Unlawful Priests
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[33] After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but made priests for the high places again from among all the people; any who would, he consecrated to be priests of the high places. [34] And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth.

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Commentary:

12:20-33. The tribes of the North, severing their links with the house of David, proclaim Jeroboam king in a manner similar to the way Saul was elected (cf. 1 Sam 11:15). Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and successor, eventually bows to the inevitable because he sees it must be the Lord’s will (v. 24).

But more serious than the political split is the religious split, as described here. It looks like a return to the idolatry of the golden calf (Ex 32:1-5).

By pointing out that the priests at these shrines or sanctuaries were not Levites, the sacred writer is at pains to stress that the worship carried out there was unlawful. And he is making the same point when he says that Jeroboam established a feast (v. 32) of his own making instead of keeping the feast of Tabernacles that was celebrated in Jerusalem.

In the story of Jeroboam the great Christian writer Origen sees an example of those who, by imprudently delving into human philosophies, risk abandoning Christian truth. The Israelites (of old), Origen explains, went down into Egypt and, taking the things sacred to the Egyptians and inspired by divine wisdom, they used them to honor God. But Holy Scripture “wanted to show symbolically how living together with the Egyptians became an occasion of sin for some; that is, to show how the knowledge of this world became a temptation to evil for some of those who had been formed in the law of God and the worship that the Israelites were to give him. For as long as Jeroboam lived in the land of Israel and found the bread of the Egyptians distasteful, he did not build idols. But when he went down to Egypt, in flight from wise Solomon--as if in flight from the wisdom of God himself--and became a kinsman of the pharaoh [...], although he later returned to the land of Israel, he came only to bring disunity to the people of God and to force them to say, ' Here are your gods...'" (Origen, "Ad Gregorium", 2).

13:33-34. Despite seeing the fulfillment of the oracle of the man of Judah (cf. 13:5-7), and even though a prophet of Bethel ratified what that man said (cf. 13:32), King Jeroboam persisted in his line of conduct. The terrible outcome (v. 34) makes one ponder the grave consequences of persisting in sin, because, as Scripture often reminds us and St John Chrysostom explains, “what angers and offends God, more than sin itself, is that sinners show no sorrow for their sins” ("Homiliae in Matthaeum", 14, 4).

Gospel Reading:

From: Mark 8:1-10

Second Miracle of the Loaves
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[1] In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, He (Jesus) called His disciples to Him, and said to them, [2] "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat; [3] and if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come a long way." [4] And His disciples answered Him, "How can one feed these men with bread here in the desert?" [5] And He asked them, "How many loaves have you?" They said, "Seven." [6] And He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground; and He took the seven loaves, and having given thanks He broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. [7] And they had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He commanded that these also should be set before them. [8] And they ate, and were satisfied; and took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. [9] And there were about four thousand people. [10] And He sent them away; and immediately He got into the boat with His disciples, and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

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Commentary:

1-9. Jesus repeats the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish: the first time (Mark 6:33-44) He acted because He saw a huge crowd like "sheep without a shepherd"; now He takes pity on them because they have been with Him for three days and have nothing to eat.

This miracle shows how Christ rewards people who persevere in following Him: the crowd had been hanging on His words, forgetful of everything else. We should be like them, attentive and ready to do what He commands, without any vain concern about the future, for that would amount to distrusting Divine Providence.

10. "Dalmanutha": this must have been somewhere near the Lake of Gennesaret, but it is difficult to localize it more exactly. This is the only time it is mentioned in Sacred Scripture. In the parallel passage in St. Matthew (15:39) Magadan (sometime Magdala) is mentioned.

Click here to go to the My Catholic Life! Devotional thread for today’s Gospel Reading

February is the month of devotion to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph:

Readings at Mass

The prophecy of the separation of Israel

The feeding of the four thousand

The flash of love is a flame of the Lord himself

Martha works; Mary listens

Christian Art

Catena Aurea by St. Thomas Aguinas

CHAP. 8

Catena Aurea by St. Thomas Aguinas

The patron saint of our school is St. Scholastica. Who is St. Scholastica? When did she live? What did she do? For what is she known?