1. Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections 21 st Sunday in Ordinary Time C August 21, 2016 In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1 st reading: Isaiah 66,18-21 18Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. 19 I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. 21 Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD. The focus is on gathering the nations..

3. 1 st reading: Isaiah 66,18-21 18Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. 19 I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. 21 Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD. Take note of the nations as object of prepositions.

4. 1 st reading: Isaiah 66,18-21 18Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. 19 I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. 21 Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD. glory The purpose of gathering nations is to see God’s glory.

5. Textual Context of Isaiah 66,18-21 First Isaiah - 1-39 Second Isaiah - 40-55 Third Isaiah - 56-66

6. 1 st reading: Isaiah 66,18-21 18Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. 19 I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud (Lydia), Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. 21 Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD. Commentary The reading is about God gathering the nations ( haggoyim ). The nations nations here are the non-Israelites. God knows their works and thoughts. V.18 God invites them to see his glory. V.19 From them, God sends fugitives to the (fellow nations). –Mosoch, Tubal and Javan = associated sons of Japheth (Gen 10,2) The places (distant coastlands) coastlands) identified here were familiar to the Israelites, but they did not know God. The gathered nations nations will proclaim God’s glory to them. V.20 indicates the means of transportation (dromedaries = camels) to bring the people to Jerusalem, following the ways of the Israelites. V.21 indicates God’s prerogative: to choose priests and Levites from the non- Israelites.

7. Reflections on the 1 st reading The reading proclaims the universality of salvation. Salvation is not limited to the Israelite people. The nations (non-Israelites) are called by God to see his glory. They, too, will have a mission. Beware of those who claim that they are the only ones who are saved. Beware of those who claim that they are the only ones sent. God is the universal God. He is not a God with an exclusivist mentality.

8. Resp. Ps 117, 1.2 R. (Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. 1 Praise the LORD all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

9. Resp. Ps 117, 1.2 R. (Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. 1 Praise the LORD all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. The short responsorial psalm, which is classified as a hymn of praise, calls for all the nations to praise God. V.1 commands all nations (races, peoples) to praise and glorify God. V.2 tells us the reasons why: –H–His kindness is forever –H–His fidelity has no end. The God of Israel is supreme.

10. Reflections on the Psalm It is not enough to praise God as individuals. God wants us to be in communion with other people in praising God. Individualism is not allowed in an organized religion. When nations worship the same God together and always, wars stop. When we praise God, we acknowledge his kindness and fidelity. There is peace.

11. 2 nd reading: Hebrews 12,5-7.11-13 discipline reproved disciplinesscourges disciplinetreats discipline 5 You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; 6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges." 7 Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? discipline trained 11 At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. 12 So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. 13 Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed. discipline The focus is on discipline.

12. Textual Context of Heb 12,5-7.11-13 I. 1:5--2:18 The name superior to the angels (Eschatology) II. 3: 1--5:10 Jesus faithful and compassionate (Ecclesiology) III. 5: 11--10:39 The central exposition (Sacrifice) IV. 11:1--12:13 Faith and endurance (Ecclesiological paraenesis) V. 12:14--13:19 The peaceful fruit of justice (Eschatology).

13. 2 nd reading: Hebrews 12,5-7.11-13 discipline reproved disciplinesscourges (mastigo) disciplinetreats discipline 5 You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; 6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges (mastigo) every son he acknowledges." 7 Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? discipline trained 11 At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. 12 So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. 13 Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjoined but healed. Commentary The reading is full of exhortations. The exhortations are: Do not disdain… v.5 Do not lose heart… v.5 Endure your trials… v.7 Strengthen your droopings v.12 Make straight your paths v.13 discipline (paideia) The main point of the exhortations is to accept discipline (paideia) from the Lord. discipline The reasons for discipline: Because the Lord loves / acknowledges you… v.6 Because God treats you as sons v.7 Because by its nature, discipline brings peace…v.11

14. Reflections on the 2 nd reading Don’t get God wrong when he disciplines disciplines / reproves / scourges / rebukes / chastises / scolds you. You feel you are being punished. God is a good parent. He does not allow any of his children to be mediocre in spirit. He does not want them to become worse. That’s why, he scourges them. If you are willing to be chastised chastised (or to learn from God), you will have a better future. If you are very sensitive to rebuke, rebuke, if you are always reacting to fraternal correction, you have no place in the family of God, in the church. Rejection of correction invites rejection. Actually, before you know it, you have been rejected by those who are assigned to take care of you. What goes around comes around.

15. Gospel reading: Luke 13,22-30 saved 22 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. 25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' 26 And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' 27 Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' 28 And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." salvation The focus is on salvation.

16. Gospel reading: Luke 13,22-30 Setting in a journey to Jerusalem 22 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Question and answer (imperative) saved 23 Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. The Parable 25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' 26 And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' A simple outline

17. The reason for the rejection 27 Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' The Punishment 28 And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. The reward of the righteous 29 And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. The saying 30 For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

18. Luke 13,22-30 Textual Context of Luke 13,22-30 Luke 13,6-9 Parable of the Barren Fig Tree Luke 13,10-19 Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman Luke 13,20-21 Parable of the Yeast Luke 13,22-30 The Narrow Door Luke 13,31-35 Lament Over Jerusalem Luke 14,1-6 Jesus Heals the Man with Dropsy Luke 14,7-14 Humility and Hospitality Luke 14,15-24 Parable of the Great Dinner Luke 14,25 Cost of Discipleship

19. Gospel reading: Luke 13,22-30 Setting in a journey to Jerusalem 22 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Question and answer (imperative) saved 23 Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. The Parable 25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' 26 And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Commentary Our reading belongs to the long journey narrative of Luke. Jesus is going to Jerusalem after his ministry in Galilee. On the way, he meets a lot of people with different concerns. In v.23, someone asks if a few people will be saved. In v.24, Jesus does not directly entertain the question. He is more concerned with the man who questions him. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate… You better be one of the few if it is the case. Be strong.” It is not that easy to be saved. The parable follows up the importance of entering the door that the Lord opens. Jesus does not open the door to evildoers. Evildoers are the ones who eat and drink with Jesus and are seemingly taught by him, but do not learn how to do good.

20. The reason for the rejection 27 Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' The Punishment 28 And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. The reward of the righteous 29 And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. The saying 30 For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." In v.27, Jesus does not entertain evildoers. They are unfit for the kingdom of God. They have not been serious with his teachings. In our catechism and homilies, we seldom hear of punishment being mentioned. Here, the punishment for evildoers is wailing and grinding of teeth. Sometimes it is needed in order to warn people to shape up. The evildoers will feel jealous of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets entering the door, while they, the evildoers are rejected. V.28 The righteous, from all corners of the world, will sit at the banquet table in the kingdom of God. Great is the reward of the doers of good and God’s will. v.29 The saying in v.30 affirms the salvation of those who are serious in listening and doing the will of God, even if they realize quite late. Hopeless are the persons who claim they have been associating with Jesus but, in fact, producing no good fruit. Salvation is not barkadahan.

21. Reflections on the gospel reading The Christian must make sure he enters the narrow gate (=doing good works). When you eat and drink with Christ, it does not mean you are saved. (always going to church and receiving communion, “partying with the Lord”) Associating with Christ must bear good fruits (justice and charity and mercy in this Jubilee of Mercy). You cannot enter the kingdom of God if you do not take seriously the word of God, if you spend more time gossiping, idling time away, grandstanding, self-referring, and indulging in food and drink.

22. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The first reading reading is about the nations seeing God’s glory (=salvation). The psalm psalm exhorts all peoples to praise God. (=sign of being saved) The second reading reading is about discipline (=to be saved). The gospel reading reading talks about how to be saved. saved. (=through good works)

23. How to develop your sharing / homily Begin by talking about the meaning of salvation for you. –Salvation may be work, money, good relationships, security, freedom, etc. Salvation for God is our well-being, liberation, assurance that we will be with him in heaven. How do we attain salvation? –Let us get the meaning of salvation through the readings.

24. In the first reading, we must realize that salvation is for everyone. There is no exclusivism in salvation. We, all peoples, are invited to see the glory of God. All we need to do is to respond and to be with others. We respond to God’s call when we are praising and worshipping God side by side with our brothers and sisters. Salvation is still far from those who are individualistic, not communitarian. Let us have mercy on others. (Year of Mercy)

25. In the second reading, we attain salvation by subjecting ourselves to chastisements. We willingly submit ourselves to God’s discipline. We should not be reacting if we are corrected. God may be using our lola, friend or the priest to point out our mistakes. If we reject corrections and punishments, we are still far from salvation. Let us have mercy on ourselves.

26. The gospel reading asks each Christian to enter the narrow path. The way to salvation is not cheap. The narrow path is doing good deeds. Can you mention the good deeds you are doing? –Helping the poor, visiting the sick and imprisoned, teaching catechism to children, works of mercy, etc. If you cannot think of any good deed, you must be an evildoer. You will be like one of those who knock but will be refused entrance. The Christian must never fail to do good. No one should get tired of doing good and giving good examples. Let us have mercy on the Church.

27. Blessed are our communities and parishes, when our leaders and members spend time thinking, planning and implementing programs for the good of the Church and society. They are instruments of God’s mercy. Are you involved in social and charitable work and teaching the faith? Unhappy is the parish, when its leaders and members spend more time bickering, struggling for power, self-referring or, just sitting down remembering the good ol’ days. This Church needs fresh blood, new stories and initiatives in responding to the present needs of the people, in the New Evangelization.

28. In the eucharist, we acknowledge that Jesus is the source of our salvation. The eucharist is the sacrament of unity. The eucharist is the narrow path to heaven, for not just anyone can receive it, but only the doers of good. No evil doer is allowed to receive the eucharist. It is a contradiction in terms.

29. Our Context of Sin and Grace Exclusivism, parochialism EthnocentricismXenophobic Sexism, gender discrimination Pasaway (hard headed) Sensitive (reactive) to correction No discipline, no character No perseverance in work Seeking for privileges Always eating and drinking even at work MagnanimousAll-embracing Ecumenism, ecumenical services Inter-religious dialogue Dialogical Attends bible studies Spiritual works of mercy Corporal works of mercy Supports charitable institutions Active in this Jubilee of Mercy

30. Suggested Songs Go Tell Everyone Ikaw Ngayon Bukas –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXGRycu6ko http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXGRycu6ko Kahit Isang Kusing –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKPih205uVQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKPih205uVQ