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24 June 2013 Extracted from the prophet Zechariah 12:10-11, 13:1: It is the Lord who speaks: ‘Over the House of David and the citizens of Jerusalem I will pour out a spirit of kindness and prayer. They will look on the one whom they have pierced (see After-note below); they will mourn for him as for an only son, and weep for him as people weep for a first-born child. When that day comes, there will be great mourning in Judah, like the mourning of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. When that day comes, a fountain will be opened for the House of David and the citizens of Jerusalem, for sin and impurity.’ After-note: “the one whom they have pierced” referred to “Jesus Christ”, the descendant of king David & the perfect Lamb of God who would be sacrificed on the Cross to save humanity. As these prophesy was announced around 518 B.C.E, i.e. before the birth of Christ. “They will look on the one whom they have pierced; they will mourn for him as for an only son, and weep for him as people weep for a first-born child.” – see what really happened after Jesus was being crucified on the cross according to the Gospel according to Luke 23:47-49 (Encouragements-216): When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, ‘This was a great and good man.’ And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts. All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.
Why the people need to “beat their breasts”? Probably they had finally recognised that Jesus is really the Son of God based on the many incidents that happened just before and immediately after his death; such as the darkness that covered the whole land before His death—12 noon to 3 pm (see Luke’s record in Encouragements-216), and what happened after His death as recorded in Matthew 27:51-53 : “51 And suddenly, the veil of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, the rocks were split, 52 the tombs opened and the bodies of many holy people rose from the dead, 53 and these, after his resurrection, came out of the tombs, entered the holy city and appeared to a number of people.” These people suddenly realized that they had killed God; this was really a terrible offence against their Creator and might not be forgiven …there was no possibility to reverse the situation and to repair any damage done.
Extracted from Psalm 63:2-6,8-9: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy.
For you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast. |
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Extracted from the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians 3:26-29: You are, all of you, sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. All baptized in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ, and there are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Merely by belonging to Christ you are the posterity of Abraham, the heirs he was promised. |
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Extracted from the holy Gospel according to Luke 9:18-24: One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this. ‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’ Then to all he said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it.’
Sharing:
It was the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time on 23 June 2013 (Year C). Here are the Readings that were read in the Eucharistic Celebrations all over the world on the same day (see above):
1st Reading: Zechariah 12:10-11, 13:1, Responsorial: Psalm 63:2-6,8-9 , 2nd Reading: Galatians 3:26-29 & Gospel Reading: Luke 9:18-24 .
We have extracted the Homilies of Blessed Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI & Pope Francis I based on the aforesaid Readings to share with you, so that you could similarly be encouraged:
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY BEATIFICATION OF FR JAKOB KERN, HOMILY OF POPE JOHN PAUL II Sunday, 21 June 1998
1. "Who do the people say I am?" (Luke 9:18).
Jesus asked his disciples this question one day as they were walking together. He also puts this question to Christians on the paths of our time: "Who do the people say I am?". As it was 2,000 years ago in an obscure part of the then known world, so today, human opinions about Jesus are divided. Some attribute to him the gift of prophetic speech. Others consider him an extraordinary personality, an idol that attracts people. Others, again, believe he is even capable of ushering in a new era.
"But who do you say that I am?" (Luke 9:20). The question cannot be given a "neutral" answer. It requires a taking of sides and involves everyone. Today, as well, Christ is asking: you Catholics of Austria, you Christians of this country, you citizens, "who do you say that I am?".
It is a question that comes from Jesus' heart. He who opens his own heart wants the person before him not to answer with his mind alone. The question that comes from Jesus' heart must move ours: Who am I for you? What do I mean to you? Do you really know me? Are you my witnesses? Do you love me?
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