Memorial of St. John of the Cross, priest and Doctor of the Church

Today's Mass Readings

Today we celebrate the memory of the great Spanish mystic, St. John of the Cross. As a Carmelite friar, he undertook the work of reform of the Church. Misunderstanding of his writings and resistance to change on the part of his contemporaries resulted in his imprisonment and persecution, earning him the title “of the Cross.” And it is for this reason that the liturgy opens with the entrance antiphon: “May I never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Gal 6:14).

In our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah (45;6c-8, 18, 21c-25), the phrase “I am the Lord, there is no other” occurs as a kind acclamation throughout the entire passage, asserting that God alone is the creator and designer of the universe. He alone is the source of justice! The responsorial refrain, paraphrased from verse 8 of the same reading, connects the passage from Isaiah to the gospel by implying that the justice which descends from the heavens is the Just One, the Savior: “Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.” In the gospel extract from St. Luke (7:18b-23) is parallel to the gospel of last Sunday from St. Matthew. The disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus’ response is a paraphrase of the reign of the Messiah found in Isaiah 35:5-6. He alone is Lord, (an echo of our first reading) the one who has sole power over creation and it is thus that he heals the blind, lepers, the lame, and the deaf and raises the dead to new life.

Beyond the crib is the cross. Jesus had to endure suffering and death in order to obtain our redemption and resurrected glory. As we approach communion today, we proclaim that reality which was true in the life of St. John and is necessary in our own lives: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord.” (Cf. Mt 16:24).

Prayer for today: God our Creator, you are the Lord, there is no other. Strengthen us in carrying our cross each day and following in the footsteps of your Son, Jesus, that we may one day attain eternal glory and the fullness of life in your Kingdom. Amen.

Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB