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10th Sunday in the Ordinary Time C
June 9, 2013
1st reading: 1 Kings 17,17-24
17 Some time later the son of the mistress of the house fell sick, and his
sickness grew more severe until he stopped breathing. 8 So she said to
Elijah, "Why have you done this to me, O man of God? Have you come to
me to call attention to my guilt and to kill my son?“ 19 "Give me your son,"
Elijah said to her. Taking him from her lap, he carried him to the upper room
where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 He called out to the
LORD: "O LORD, my God, will you afflict even the widow with whom I am
staying by killing her son?“ 21 Then he stretched himself out upon the child
three times and called out to the LORD: "O LORD, my God, let the life breath
return to the body of this child.“ 22 The LORD heard the prayer of Elijah; the
life breath returned to the child's body and he revived. 23 Taking the child,
Elijah brought him down into the house from the upper room and gave him
to his mother. "See!" Elijah said to her, "your son is alive.“ 24 "Now indeed I
know that you you are a man of God," the woman replied to Elijah. "The
word of the LORD comes truly from your mouth."
The focus is on the revival of the child.
1st reading: 1 Kings 17,17-24
A simple outline!
Dead son
17 Some time later the son of the mistress of the house fell sick, and his sickness grew more
severe until he stopped breathing.
Blame on Elijah
8 So she said to Elijah, "Why have you done this to me, O man of God? Have you come to me
to call attention to my guilt and to kill my son?“
Elijah revives the son
19 "Give me your son," Elijah said to her. Taking him from her lap, he carried him to the
upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 He called out to the
LORD: "O LORD, my God, will you afflict even the widow with whom I am staying by
killing her son?“ 21 Then he stretched himself out upon the child three times and called
out to the LORD: "O LORD, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child.“
The son revived
22 The LORD heard the prayer of Elijah; the life breath returned to the child's body and he
revived. 23 Taking the child, Elijah brought him down into the house from the upper
room and gave him to his mother. "See!" Elijah said to her, "your son is alive.“ 24 "Now
indeed I know that you you are a man of God," the woman replied to Elijah. "The word
of the LORD comes truly from your mouth."
Textual Context of 1 Kings 17,17-24
Outline by NAB
1.
The Reign of Solomon (1 Kgs 1,1—11,43)
2.
Judah and Israel to the Time of Ahab (1 Kgs 12,1—16,34)
3.
Stories of the Prophets (1 Kgs 17,1—22,54)
4.
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (2 Kgs 1,1—17,41)
5.
The Kingdom of Judah after 721 BC (2 Kgs 18,1—25,30)
Drought predicted by Elijah (1 Kgs 17,1-6)
Elijah and the Widow (1 Kgs 17,7-24)
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal (1 Kgs 18,1-46)
Elijah
1st reading: 1 Kings 17,17-24
Dead son
17 Some time later the son of the mistress of
the house fell sick, and his sickness grew
more severe until he stopped breathing.
Blame on Elijah
8 So she said to Elijah, "Why have you done this
to me, O man of God? Have you come to me
to call attention to my guilt and to kill my
son?“
Elijah revives the son
19 "Give me your son," Elijah said to her. Taking
him from her lap, he carried him to the
upper room where he was staying, and laid
him on his own bed. 20 He called out to the
LORD: "O LORD, my God, will you afflict even
the widow with whom I am staying by killing
her son?“ 21 Then he stretched himself out
upon the child three times and called out to
the LORD: "O LORD, my God, let the life
breath return to the body of this child.“
Commentary
• V.17 continues the story of Elijah’s
stay in a house. But something
happens. The son gets sick and dies.
• In v.18, the mother puts the blame
on Elijah.
• As a prophet, Elijah is supposed to
protest against sin (but not to kill the
innocent).
• In v.19, Elijah takes actions:
– He takes the child from her lap.
– He carries him up to the upper
room.
– He lays him on his own bed.
– In v. 20, he prays to God.
– In v.21, he makes a little exercise
and prays.
1st reading: 1 Kings 17,17-24
The revived son
22 The LORD heard the prayer of Elijah;
the life breath returned to the child's
body and he revived. 23 Taking the
child, Elijah brought him down into
the house from the upper room and
gave him to his mother. "See!" Elijah
said to her, "your son is alive.“ 24
"Now indeed I know that you you are
a man of God," the woman replied to
Elijah. "The word of the LORD comes
truly from your mouth."
• In v.22, the Lord hears Elijah’s
prayer. The child starts
breathing and is revived.
• In v.23, Elijah brings the child
back to his mother.
• In v.24, the woman recognizes
that Elijah is a man of God (a
prophet).
• As a prophet, he speaks the
life giving Word of God.
Reflections on the 1st reading
• Sometimes, we are blamed for the misfortunes of others.
• Like Elijah, we should take this opportunity to reverse the
impression.
• We take action and we pray hard.
• We demonstrate that we come from God and we have the power of
his Word.
• We can revive dead relationships.
• In this Year of Faith, in the New Evangelization, we again rekindle our
flickering faith, our relationship with God and with others.
Responsorial Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
•
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
•
2 I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
4 O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
•
4 Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
6 At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
•
11 Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
12 You changed my mourning into dancing;
13 O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
Responsorial Ps 30:2,4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
•
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have
rescued me.
•
2 I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me
clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over
me.
4 O LORD, you brought me up from the nether
world;
you preserved me from among those going
down into the pit.
•
4 Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
6 At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
•
11 Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O
LORD, be my helper.
12 You changed my mourning into dancing;
13 O LORD, my God, forever will I give you
thanks.
Commentary
• The psalm seems to be the prayer of
the woman in 1 Kgs.
• In v.2, the psalmist is thankful for
saving him from his enemies.
• In v.2, the psalmist mentions how God
saved him from death.
• In v.4, the psalmist invites others to
praise and thank God.
• In v.5, the psalmist recognizes the
shortness of God’s anger and enduring
good will.
• In v.6, he mentions his own cycle of
weeping and rejoicing.
• V.11 is a prayer for mercy.
• V.12 is similar to v.6.
• In v.13, the psalmist promises to give
God thanks for ever.
Reflections on the Psalm
• We may have a belief that we suffer from persecutions
to the point of near death because we might have
earned the ire of God, because we committed grave
sins.
• When we have this feeling, we must approach God for
mercy, like the psalmist.
• We must believe that God’s anger does not last long.
• We bank on his mercy and love (good will) which is
forever.
2nd reading: Galatians 1,11-19
•
11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not
of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I
taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you heard of
my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond
measure and tried to destroy it, 14 and progressed in Judaism beyond many
of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my
ancestral traditions. 15 But when (God), who from my mother's womb had set
me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to
me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult
flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles
before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. 18 Then
after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Kephas and remained
with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles, only
James the brother of the Lord.
The focus is on the journey of Paul in faith.
2nd reading: Galatians 1,11-19
A simple outline!
The Gospel preached
• 11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not
of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I
taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s former way of life
• 13 For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the
church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, 14 and progressed
in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was
even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.
Paul’s new way of life
• 15 But when (God), who from my mother's womb had set me apart and
called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so
that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh
and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles
before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. 18
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Kephas and
remained with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the
apostles, only James the brother of the Lord.
Textual Context of Gal 1,11-19
Outline of Galatians by NAB
I. Address (1,1-5)
II. Loyalty to the Gospel (1,6-10)
III. Paul’s Defense of His Gospel and His Authority
(1,11—2,21)
IV. Faith and Liberty (3,1—4,31)
V. Exhortation to Christian Living (5,1—6,10)
VI. Conclusion (6,11-18)
2nd reading: Galatians 1,11-19
The Gospel preached
•
11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel
preached by me is not of human origin. 12 For I did not
receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it
came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s former way of life
•
13 For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism,
how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure
and tried to destroy it, 14 and progressed in Judaism
beyond many of my contemporaries among my race,
since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral
traditions.
Paul’s new way of life
•
15 But when (God), who from my mother's womb had
set me apart and called me through his grace, was
pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might
proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately
consult flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went
into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. 18 Then
after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with
Kephas and remained with him for fifteen days. 19 But
I did not see any other of the apostles, only James the
brother of the Lord.
Commentary
• In vv.11-12, Paul reiterates that the gospel
he had preached does not come from
humans, but from Jesus Christ (revelation
from him).
• In vv.13-14, Paul recounts how he
persecuted the church and how he
progressed in his former religion.
• In vv.15-16, Paul believes he had been called
by God even in his mother’s womb and to
reveal his Son to him.
• The purpose is: that he may proclaim Christ
to the Gentiles.
• In vv.16b-17, Paul claims he did not consult
anyone (either Christian converts or the
apostles in Jerusalem).
• In v.18, Paul did it only after 3 years. He
talked to Kephas (Peter) for 15 days.
• In v.19, among the apostles, beside Peter,
he saw James only.
Reflections on the 2nd reading
• In our mission as Christians, our credentials can be questioned.
• People will ask about our past experience and maybe where we got
our knowledge.
• We may not be able to answer like Paul who said firmly that the
gospel he brought was revealed to him by God and that later he
consulted some of the apostles.
• We may humbly say to the curious: I attend ongoing formation in the
church. I listen to my pastor and the bishop. I always participate in
the Bible Studies. I attended catechism when I was young. I still study
my faith. I read spiritual books. I have internalized what I learned
from them and now I am echoing the learnings to you.
• In this Year of Faith, we are asked to transmit the gift of Christian
faith to others, through our faith story.
Gospel Reading: Luke 7,11-17
11 Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied
him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, a
man who had died was being carried out, the only
son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large
crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord
saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to
her, "Do not weep.“ 14 He stepped forward and
touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he
said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!“ 15 The dead
man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave
him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they
glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has
arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his
people.“ 17 This report about him spread through
the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
The focus is on the raising of the son of a widow.
Gospel Reading: Luke 7,11-17
A simple outline!
Setting
11 Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain, and his
disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12 As he
drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was
being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was
a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.
Jesus raises a dead man
13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her
and said to her, "Do not weep.“ 14 He stepped forward
and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he
said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!“ 15 The dead man sat
up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Reaction of the people
16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
"A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has
visited his people.“ 17 This report about him spread through
the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
Textual Context of Luke 7, 11-17
3,1—9,50 PART ONE GALILEAN MINISTRY (Giblin)
3,1-38
Preaching of John (3,1-20)
And public manifestation of Jesus (3,21-38)
4,1-44
Jesus’ initial movement in the power of the Spirit
Messianic temptations met (4,1-13)
Initial prophetic ministry (4,14-44)
Galilee (Nazareth: Capernaum); Judea.
5,1-7—7,50 Call of disciples in the context of a prophetic ministry of preaching, healing and
forgiveness:
5,1-11
-- Missionary call of Simon Peter
5,12-16
Curing of a leper (as testimony to priests)
5,17-26
Healing and forgiving a paralytic (as testimony to Pharisees)
5,27-39
-- Call of Levi and dinner in his house
6,1-5
Sabbath defense of disciples
6,6-11
Sabbath cure of man with withered hand
6,12-49
-- Choice of Twelve
Sermon of the plain (to disciples in the hearing of the crowd)
7,1-10
Cure of centurion’s slave
7,11-17
Raising of widow’s son
7,18-35
Words to John’s disciples and then to crowds on prophetic ministry
7,36-50
Forgiveness of the woman at the dinner in the house of Simon the Pharisee
Gospel Reading: Luke 7,11-17
Setting
11 Soon afterward he journeyed to
a city called Nain, and his
disciples and a large crowd
accompanied him. 12 As he
drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being
carried out, the only son of his
mother, and she was a widow. A
large crowd from the city was
with her.
Jesus raises a dead man
13 When the Lord saw her, he was
moved with pity for her and said
to her, "Do not weep.“ 14 He
stepped forward and touched
the coffin; at this the bearers
halted, and he said, "Young
man, I tell you, arise!“ 15 The
dead man sat up and began to
speak, and Jesus gave him to
his mother.
Commentary
• After curing a centurion’s slave, Jesus raises
a widow’s son.
• In v.11, Jesus goes to Nain with his
disciples. A large crowd follows him.
• In v.12, at the city gate, people carry a dead
man, only son of a widow. A large crowd
also follows her. Imagine the two crowds
merging.
• In v.13, at the sight of her, Jesus is moved
to compassion and volunteered to do
something. He notices her in the midst of
the 2 large crowds.
• In v.14, after stepping forward and
touching the casket, he commands the
dead man to rise.
• In v.15, the dead man rises, sits up and
speaks. Jesus gives him to his mother.
(Remember the 1st reading.)
Gospel Reading: Luke 7,11-17
Reaction of the people
16 Fear seized them all,
and they glorified God,
exclaiming, "A great
prophet has arisen in
our midst," and "God
has visited his people.“
17 This report about
him spread through the
whole of Judea and in
all the surrounding
region.
• V.16 describes the
immediate reaction of the
people.
– Fear seized them all
– They glorified God.
– They saw him as a
great prophet.
– They saw God visiting
his people.
• Rightly, the people
interpret the whole event.
• V.17 adds that the story
spreads in Judea and its
surrounding region.
• Remember the miracle
happens in Galilee.
Reflections on the Gospel reading
• Jesus is compassionate. He looks after the needs of the
sorrowing poor widow.
• His compassion is translated into action. He restores the
dead back to life, giving hope for a better life.
• We may not be able to duplicate what Jesus did, but we
can develop a compassion that is coupled with action.
• We too can make people glorify God when they see us
making people or things work again and become useful
again.
• In this Year of Faith, let us show the power of our faith. So
many people and crowds are observing us.
Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• The first reading is about the rising of the
dead child of a widow.
• The psalm is acknowledging God for saving
the psalmist from death.
• The second reading is about the journey of
faith of Paul, how he rises from the old faith
(in Moses) to new faith (in Christ).
• The gospel reading is about the rising of the
only son of a widow.
How to develop your sharing
• It is certainly impossible to imitate
Christ in terms of making the dead rise.
• What we should develop is the theme
of compassion.
• We should develop compassion for
people who are really in need.
• The widows in those times were
considered poor. Women were not
allowed to make a living. They had to
take of their children.
• In the gospel, it was painful for the
widow in Nain for his only son to die. It
was a big blow to her. It was so
devastating.
• It could be interpreted as a failure of
her own motherhood or simply a
misfortune.
• At this point, Jesus came to the rescue.
• He was sensitive to her needs.
• Jesus had to do what he had never done
before.
• The raising of the young man had a big
impact on the people.
• In the first reading, Elijah showed
compassion to the widow, as she
showed compassion to him when she
fed him, even in time of famine. This
was the old widow who said, “This is the
last supply we have. I’ll just cook this,
for you and my son and then we will
die.”
• Elijah revived her son, even if she was
blaming him for his death.
• He exercised compassion even if the
widow was so negative to him.
• Elijah proved to be truly a man of God.
• In the second reading, Paul acknowledges God’s
compassion for him.
• Though he was so violent against the spread of
Christians, Paul felt God had plans for him.
• God revealed his gospel to him and learned more
about Christ from Peter and James.
• Now, he became a staunch promoter of the faith in
Christ.
• The experience of God’s compassion for him
propelled him to work for the spread of Christianity.
• Did you ever experience God’s compassion or
before this, have you ever realized how stupid you
have been in the face of Christ?
• In our communities or churches, do we
find compassion?
• We should develop compassion for the
less fortunate, the unemployed, the
underemployed, the sick, those who
cannot help themselves and the victims
of injustices.
• We should develop compassion for the
abandoned children, sexually abused,
and victims of trafficking and
pedophiles.
• Can you identify in your group
who are compassionate?
• Do they identify you as
compassionate?
• Let us think again what we are
doing with our faith.
• The Eucharist is a sacrament of God’s
compassion.
• In the Eucharist, Jesus comes to feed
us with his body and blood to satiate
our deep hunger and thirst for God.
• In the Eucharist, Jesus calls us to be
compassionate to others.
Our Context of Sin and Grace
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Uncompassionate
Ineffectual
Complacent
Indifferent
Insensitive
Stony heart
No soul
No mercy
Inhuman
No sense of solidarity
• Compassionate
• Responds to the needs of
others
• Helps build up the morale
or self-confidence
• Sensitive to the needs of
others
• Considerate
• Can live in a community
• Charitable