Tuesday, February 28, 2006
The Last will be First
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
http://www.usccb.org/nab/022806.shtml
Reflection:
Looking at the Gospel today, if we took it as it stands, out of context, it may sound as if Peter complaining about having given up so much. But this Gospel passage follows, immediately, the story heard yesterday about the young man who was sad because he was asked to give up his numerous possessions to follow Christ.
Now we hear Peter; "We have given up everything and followed you." He certainly sounds boastful to me. To which Jesus says in paraphrase Yes, Peter, I know what you have given up, and you will get it back 10 fold. (In other words, you will get the reward I promised you.) But then the kicker; "But many that are first will be last, and (the) last will be first."
We don't earn a place in the kingdom of God through our own merits. It's not like some competition; If your really good you get to go to the front of the line when you get to the pearly gates. We are especially reminded of parable of the talents. What the Lord inferred from that little story was that; those to whom much is given even more is expected. In Peter's case (I think we even hear him warning of that in his epistle) he was given a place of prominence because of his faith. As a result, he was, of necessity the least and the proud bearer of the title "Servant of the Servants of God" .
Once more the Christian paradox, Struggle to serve, not to be served, strive for humility to emulate our humble Savior, rejoice in your service for it is the road to the Kingdom of God. Pax
If you wish to comment and are not registered on Myspace, you can email me at miles_jj@excite.com and I will post your response as a comment. Thanks.
Scripture from 1 Pt 1:10-16
Jerome Biblical Commentary
10
5 Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it,
5 [10-12] The Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11) is here shown to have been present in the prophets, moving them to search, investigate, and prophesy about the grace of salvation that was to come (1 Peter 1:10), and in the apostles impelling them to preach the fulfillment of salvation in the message of Christ's sufferings and glory (1 Peter 1:12).
(b) IT WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE'PROPHETS OF
OLD (1:10--12), ,10. prophets: The OT prophets are depicted,. as searching for the meaning of the salvation that God was announcing through them. But Peter discloses its meaning (cf, the role of the Righteous Teacher in , 1QpHab 7:1-5).
11
investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them.
11. the Spirit of Christ: The late Jewish teaching that the prophets spoke under the inspiration of God's Spirit (cf. Is 61 :1) was adopted by the early Church. In applying this to OT writers, Peter links the phases of salvation history. Sufferings.. .glories: The two phases of the Christian mystery give meaning to the experience of those to whom Peter writes.
12
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you (through) the holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look.
12. ,not themselves. . . but you: The relevance of the
former prophecies is now made clear, to those who believe in Jesus as the Christ (Messiah). ,S() great is God's salvation that the prophets of old and even the angels earnestly long to know it. (See J. Coutts, NTS 3 [1956-57]
II5-27.)
13
6 Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, 7 live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
6 [13-25] These verses are concerned with the call of God's people to holiness and to mutual love by reason of their redemption through the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-21).
7 [13] Gird up the loins of your mind: a figure reminiscent of the rite of Passover when the Israelites were in flight from their oppressors (Exodus 12:11), and also suggesting the vigilance of the Christian people in expectation of the parousia of Christ (Luke 12:35).
(B) Exhortation to Live in Holiness as Befits the Chosen Race and the Royal Priesthood (1:13-2:IO).
(a) You MUST BE HOLY BECAUSE You ARE RANSOMED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AND CALLED TO BROTHERLY LOVE (1 :13-25). 13. gird up your minds: A figure expressing vigilance for the parousia (cf Lk 12:35; Eph 6:14).
14
Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance 8
8 [14-16] The ignorance here referred to (1 Peter 1:14) was their former lack of knowledge of God, leading inevitably to godless conduct. Holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16), on the contrary, is the result of their call to the knowledge and love of God.
14. former ignorance: Of God.. As a result, they were subject to passions and purposeless existence (1 :18; cf. Acts 17:30; Eph 4:17-18).
15
but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
16
for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy."
15. be holy: That is, be dedicated to the service of God. The covenant relationship, not some taboo, was the foundation of the holiness expected of Israel as a dedicated people, set apart for the service of Yahweh (cf.Ex 19:3-6; 22:31). 16. See Lv II:44-45; 19:2; 20:7. Israel's Exodus experience is now renewed as a new people of God is fashioned.
Scripture from Mk 10:28-31
Jerome Biblical Commentary
28
Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you."
28. Peter began to say: Verses 28-31 are an appendix stressing the rewards of those who have sacrificed all for Jesus.
29
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
29. for my sake and for the Gospel: See comments on 8:35; 1:1.
30
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
30. a hundredfold: Three difficulties complicate these verses: (1) the promise of a recompense "in this time" is unusual; elsewhere all consolations are relegated to the future; (2) the promise of prosperity is contradicted by the phrase "with persecutions"; (3) the distinction between the present age and eternal life seems to reflect the thought of the early Church rather than that of Jesus. It is possible, therefore, that everything after "hundredfold" was added to Jesus' saying.
31
But many that are first will be last, and (the) last will be first."
31. many who are first will be last: An isolated saying (cf. Mt,'20:16; Lk 13:30) akin to Mt 23:12; Lk 14:u; 18:14. In its Marcan context it confirms the promise of the preceding verse: the disciples, now among the last, will become the first.
Gogue!, M., "'Avec des persecutions,''' RHPR 8 [1928] 264-77. Walter, N., "Zur Analyse van Me 10:17-31," ZNW 53 [1962] 206-18.)
The Last will be First
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
http://www.usccb.org/nab/022806.shtml
Reflection:
Looking at the Gospel today, if we took it as it stands, out of context, it may sound as if Peter complaining about having given up so much. But this Gospel passage follows, immediately, the story heard yesterday about the young man who was sad because he was asked to give up his numerous possessions to follow Christ.
Now we hear Peter; "We have given up everything and followed you." He certainly sounds boastful to me. To which Jesus says in paraphrase Yes, Peter, I know what you have given up, and you will get it back 10 fold. (In other words, you will get the reward I promised you.) But then the kicker; "But many that are first will be last, and (the) last will be first."
We don't earn a place in the kingdom of God through our own merits. It's not like some competition; If your really good you get to go to the front of the line when you get to the pearly gates. We are especially reminded of parable of the talents. What the Lord inferred from that little story was that; those to whom much is given even more is expected. In Peter's case (I think we even hear him warning of that in his epistle) he was given a place of prominence because of his faith. As a result, he was, of necessity the least and the proud bearer of the title "Servant of the Servants of God" .
Once more the Christian paradox, Struggle to serve, not to be served, strive for humility to emulate our humble Savior, rejoice in your service for it is the road to the Kingdom of God. Pax
If you wish to comment and are not registered on Myspace, you can email me at miles_jj@excite.com and I will post your response as a comment. Thanks.
Scripture from 1 Pt 1:10-16
Jerome Biblical Commentary
10
5 Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it,
5 [10-12] The Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11) is here shown to have been present in the prophets, moving them to search, investigate, and prophesy about the grace of salvation that was to come (1 Peter 1:10), and in the apostles impelling them to preach the fulfillment of salvation in the message of Christ's sufferings and glory (1 Peter 1:12).
(b) IT WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE'PROPHETS OF
OLD (1:10--12), ,10. prophets: The OT prophets are depicted,. as searching for the meaning of the salvation that God was announcing through them. But Peter discloses its meaning (cf, the role of the Righteous Teacher in , 1QpHab 7:1-5).
11
investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them.
11. the Spirit of Christ: The late Jewish teaching that the prophets spoke under the inspiration of God's Spirit (cf. Is 61 :1) was adopted by the early Church. In applying this to OT writers, Peter links the phases of salvation history. Sufferings.. .glories: The two phases of the Christian mystery give meaning to the experience of those to whom Peter writes.
12
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you (through) the holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look.
12. ,not themselves. . . but you: The relevance of the
former prophecies is now made clear, to those who believe in Jesus as the Christ (Messiah). ,S() great is God's salvation that the prophets of old and even the angels earnestly long to know it. (See J. Coutts, NTS 3 [1956-57]
II5-27.)
13
6 Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, 7 live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
6 [13-25] These verses are concerned with the call of God's people to holiness and to mutual love by reason of their redemption through the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-21).
7 [13] Gird up the loins of your mind: a figure reminiscent of the rite of Passover when the Israelites were in flight from their oppressors (Exodus 12:11), and also suggesting the vigilance of the Christian people in expectation of the parousia of Christ (Luke 12:35).
(B) Exhortation to Live in Holiness as Befits the Chosen Race and the Royal Priesthood (1:13-2:IO).
(a) You MUST BE HOLY BECAUSE You ARE RANSOMED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AND CALLED TO BROTHERLY LOVE (1 :13-25). 13. gird up your minds: A figure expressing vigilance for the parousia (cf Lk 12:35; Eph 6:14).
14
Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance 8
8 [14-16] The ignorance here referred to (1 Peter 1:14) was their former lack of knowledge of God, leading inevitably to godless conduct. Holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16), on the contrary, is the result of their call to the knowledge and love of God.
14. former ignorance: Of God.. As a result, they were subject to passions and purposeless existence (1 :18; cf. Acts 17:30; Eph 4:17-18).
15
but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
16
for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy."
15. be holy: That is, be dedicated to the service of God. The covenant relationship, not some taboo, was the foundation of the holiness expected of Israel as a dedicated people, set apart for the service of Yahweh (cf.Ex 19:3-6; 22:31). 16. See Lv II:44-45; 19:2; 20:7. Israel's Exodus experience is now renewed as a new people of God is fashioned.
Scripture from Mk 10:28-31
Jerome Biblical Commentary
28
Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you."
28. Peter began to say: Verses 28-31 are an appendix stressing the rewards of those who have sacrificed all for Jesus.
29
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
29. for my sake and for the Gospel: See comments on 8:35; 1:1.
30
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
30. a hundredfold: Three difficulties complicate these verses: (1) the promise of a recompense "in this time" is unusual; elsewhere all consolations are relegated to the future; (2) the promise of prosperity is contradicted by the phrase "with persecutions"; (3) the distinction between the present age and eternal life seems to reflect the thought of the early Church rather than that of Jesus. It is possible, therefore, that everything after "hundredfold" was added to Jesus' saying.
31
But many that are first will be last, and (the) last will be first."
31. many who are first will be last: An isolated saying (cf. Mt,'20:16; Lk 13:30) akin to Mt 23:12; Lk 14:u; 18:14. In its Marcan context it confirms the promise of the preceding verse: the disciples, now among the last, will become the first.
Gogue!, M., "'Avec des persecutions,''' RHPR 8 [1928] 264-77. Walter, N., "Zur Analyse van Me 10:17-31," ZNW 53 [1962] 206-18.)
posted by Deacon Jim | 3:42 AM
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