Jesus gathers His children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings

October 29, 2015

Thursday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time

Saint of the day : Saint Narcissus, Bishop (2nd Century) 

Readings

Letter to the Romans 8:31b-39

31bWhat then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

32He who did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for us all, how will He not also give us everything else along with Him?

33Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us.

34Who will condemn? It is Christ (Jesus) who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

35What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?

36As it is written: "For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered."

37No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us.

38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalms 109:21-22; 26-27; 30-31

21But you, LORD, are my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name’s sake; in your great mercy rescue me. 22For I am poor and needy; my heart is pierced within me.

26Help me, LORD, my God; save me in your mercy. 27Make them know this is your hand, that you, LORD, have done this.

30I will give fervent thanks to the LORD; before a crowd I will praise him. 31For He stands at the right hand of the poor to save Him from those who pass judgment on Him. 

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 13:31-35

31At that time some Pharisees came to Him and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you."

32He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. 33Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.'

34"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!

35Behold, your house will be abandoned. (But) I tell you, you will not see me until (the time comes when) you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Notes on Readings: 

1. Romans 8:31-39 - The all-conquering power of God's love has overcome every obstacle to Christians' salvation and every threat to separate them from God. That power manifested itself fully when God's own Son was delivered up to death for their salvation. Through him Christians can overcome all their afflictions and trials. 

2. Romans 8:38 - Present things and future things may refer to astrological data. Paul appears to be saying that the gospel liberates believers from dependence on astrologers. 

3. Romans 8:39 - Height, depth may refer to positions in the zodiac, positions of heavenly bodies relative to the horizon. In astrological documents the term for "height" means "exaltation" or the position of greatest influence exerted by a planet. Since hostile spirits were associated with the planets and stars, Paul includes powers (Romans 8:38)  in his list of malevolent forces. 

4. Luke 13:32 - Nothing, not even Herod's desire to kill Jesus, stands in the way of Jesus' role in fulfilling God's will and in establishing the kingdom through his exorcisms and healings. 

5. Luke 13:33 - It is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem: Jerusalem is the city of destiny and the goal of the journey of the prophet Jesus. Only when he reaches the holy city will his work be accomplished