Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Foreword: During Ordinary Time, the entrance and communion antiphons of the Sunday liturgy are repeated throughout the week. In this way, the themes developed at the Sunday Mass are enriched and expanded as they interact with the different readings found on each day of the following week in much the same way that a kaleidoscope presents a constantly changing view of colors, forms, and designs.
In our opening reading today, St. Paul reminds us of our basic human condition: “I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh…I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want” (Rom 7:18-19). It is in this state of affairs that the words of the entrance antiphon become our plea for help in the midst of our weakness and proneness to sin: “O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me…” (Ps 17(16):6). Paul gives us great hope: “Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:25). The responsorial psalm captures our complete dependence upon divine assistance in overcoming our fallen nature: “Lord, teach me your statutes… Let your compassion come to me that I may live” (Ps 119:68b).
In the gospel, Jesus speaks of the failure of the crowds to recognize the coming of the messianic age: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (Lk 12:56). They cannot see that God is at work in all the miraculous deeds that Jesus has done. The communion antiphon is a vivid reminder of what Christ has done and continues to do for us through his saving acts of redemption: “Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine” (Cf. Ps 32:18-19). He rescues our souls from sinfulness and death and promises us life in his Kingdom.
Prayer for today: Lord, turn your ear to me in my weakness. Rescue me from my tendency toward sin and help me to recognize the signs of your saving power at work in my life.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections