Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
In our opening reading today, St. Paul addresses the Corinthian community concerning division within the church. He speaks of “superapostles,” intruders who are preaching a message different from the Gospel of God he had proclaimed to them. He reminds them that it was he who “betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor 11:2). Paul recalls to his listeners the selfless way he has ministered among them as a faithful apostle who has asked nothing in return for his service. He concludes his defense with the words “By the truth of Christ in me, this boast of mine shall not be silenced…” (2 Cor 11:10). The responsorial antiphon, “Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth” is fitting. The concluding verse (Ps 111:7-8) speaks of God’s truth: “The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity.” Paul is a messenger of that truth. In the midst of his frustration, the prayer of the entrance antiphon today can well be placed upon his lips: “O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; be my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Savior!” (Psalm 27:7, 9).
In today’s Gospel from St. Matthew, we are called to place our confidence in that same Father who does not abandon or forsake us. Jesus teaches us to dare to address our prayer through the Spirit to our all-powerful God and to call him “Father,” the one who “knows what you need before you ask him.” He demonstrates how we are to ask for our daily sustenance, for forgiveness of our sins and for deliverance from temptation.
Today’s communion antiphon further expands upon that prayer: “Holy Father, keep in your name those you have given me, that they may be one as we are one, says the Lord.” (Jn 17:11). We ask the Father to keep us in that Hallowed Name and to unite us with our brothers and sisters in the same way that Jesus is united with the Father—a unity that begins with our forgiveness of others who trespass against us.
For today: Am I called to extend forgiveness to someone today?
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections