Saint Pius X, Pope

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The main theme of this passage is the contrast between seeking the perks of authority and living out teaching by humble service.

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Title

Do What They Tell You

Outline

What a strange combination of readings today

In the first, both of the faithful, just, and right thing, although the actions can seem strange to us

We can say that it is not a love story in our sense but a faithfulness story, faithfulness to the deceased and to Naomi - that is why it is difficult in our age

In the second we have what is too often the story of the church, for it is the church of the first covenant

The leaders sit “in the chair of Moses” - they have the authority of office - and we struggle with such authority today preferring authority of skill to positional authority

The disciples are to “do what they tell you” - to follow their rulings on the basis of the texts, their binding and loosing

The disciples are not to “do what they do” - not to follow their observation of their actions as they wriggle around texts in practice - “we are the exception”

Jesus’ charges are:

They make strict rulings, but do not live the compassion that assists others in following the rulings
They want public honor, so they act in ways to accumulate such honor
Ceremonial display as in widened phylacteries, long tassels, places of honor, honorable greetings

Instead of this, Jesus’ disciples are to

Seek the honor of God/Jesus alone as teacher, master, father (hyperbolic speech that does not deny the functional use of such language)
Serve others, especially if they are “great” - “Servant of the servants of God” - with the danger that we might do that to secretly be thought great
Follow the upside down logic of life that Jesus followed: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Sisters, we see the dangers and the deep truths here

1. The greater the formal position that we receive, the more danger we have - scary, especially since someone needs to run the kitchen, teach the class, etc up the line (if that is up) to the Pope (No wonder Pope Francis’ first words as Pope were “pray for me”) - we forget this at our own risk
2. Humble service in imitation of Jesus will never be forgotten by God
Makes these our yardstick for our examen and we will surely both understand and reach the goal that Jesus has for us

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 8-21-2021: Saint Pius X, Pope

FIRST READING

Ruth 2:1–3, 8–11, 4:13–17

1 Naomi had a powerful relative named Boaz, through the clan of her husband Elimelech. 2 Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “I would like to go and glean grain in the field of anyone who will allow me.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went. The field she entered to glean after the harvesters happened to be the section belonging to Boaz, of the clan of Elimelech.

8 Boaz then spoke to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Do not go to glean in anyone else’s field; you are not to leave here. Stay here with my young women. 9 Watch to see which field is to be harvested, and follow them. Have I not commanded the young men to do you no harm? When you are thirsty, go and drink from the vessels the young people have filled.” 10 Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, she said to him, “Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your attention?” 11 Boaz answered her: “I have had a complete account of what you have done for your mother-in-law after your husband’s death; you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom previously you did not know.

13 Boaz took Ruth. When they came together as husband and wife, the LORD enabled her to conceive and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the LORD who has not failed to provide you today with a redeemer. May he become famous in Israel! 15 He will restore your life and be the support of your old age, for his mother is the daughter-in-law who loves you. She is worth more to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the boy, cradled him against her breast, and cared for him. 17 The neighbor women joined the celebration: “A son has been born to Naomi!” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-21-2021: Saint Pius X, Pope

RESPONSE

Psalm 128:4

4 Just so will the man be blessed

who fears the LORD.

PSALM

Psalm 128:1b–5

1 A song of ascents.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD,

and who walk in his ways.

2 What your hands provide you will enjoy;

you will be blessed and prosper:

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your home,

Your children like young olive plants

around your table.

4 Just so will the man be blessed

who fears the LORD.

5 May the LORD bless you from Zion;

may you see Jerusalem’s prosperity

all the days of your life,

Catholic Daily Readings 8-21-2021: Saint Pius X, Pope

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 23:9b, 10b

9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.

10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah.

GOSPEL

Matthew 23:1–12

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5  All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6  They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 8-21-2021: Saint Pius X, Pope

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | MEMORIAL

SAINT PIUS X, POPE

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

From Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading Ruth 2:1–3, 8–11, 4:13–17

Response Psalm 128:4

Psalm Psalm 128:1b–5

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 23:9b, 10b

Gospel Matthew 23:1–12

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