Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
August 21, 2021
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Pius X, pope
Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
Lectionary: 424
Reading I
Naomi had a prominent kinsman named Boaz,
of the clan of her husband Elimelech.
Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi,
“Let me go and glean ears of grain in the field
of anyone who will allow me that favor.”
Naomi said to her, “Go, my daughter,” and she went.
The field she entered to glean after the harvesters
happened to be the section belonging to Boaz
of the clan of Elimelech.
Boaz said 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 women servants.
Watch to see which field is to be harvested, and follow them;
I have commanded the young men to do you no harm.
When you are thirsty, you may go and drink from the vessels
the young men have filled.”
Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, Ruth said to him,
“Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your notice?”
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 you did not know previously.”
Boaz took Ruth.
When they came together as man and wife,
the LORD enabled her to conceive and she bore a son.
Then the women said to Naomi,
“Blessed is the LORD who has not failed
to provide you today with an heir!
May he become famous in Israel!
He will be your comfort and 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!”
Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became his nurse.
And the neighbor women gave him his name,
at the news that a grandson had been born to Naomi.
They called him Obed.
He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Responsorial Psalm
- (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
You wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Alleluia
- Alleluia, alleluia.
You have but one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
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.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection: AUTHORITY IS TO UNITE PEOPLE
Jesus refers to the 'Chair of Moses' which was occupied by the Scribes and Pharisees. The chair is a metaphor which implies the authority to teach, preside over ceremonies, and perform sacrifices, etc. as heirs to the leadership of Moses. However, the Scribes and Pharisees forgot the real purpose of their authority. Moses used his authority to bond the people into a nation of God. The Scribes and Pharisees used their authority for selfish purposes. During the time of Jesus, the temple and its worship were clouded by ritualism and legalism. Jesus denounces the Scribes and Pharisees, since they did not do as Moses did. In their misguided zeal for religion, they sought respect and honour for themselves rather than God. While the Scribes and Pharisees still taught the laws and precepts of God, they failed to put them into practice. While preaching and teaching, they drew attention to themselves. Therefore Jesus tells the people to follow whatever they teach but not do what they do. Power and authority are given for service. Jesus showed us the way by himself being a servant, washing his disciples' feet, and even dying on the cross. Hence, Jesus says in the gospel that there is no master, rabbi, father or instructor who has authority on us. It is only God the Father who is the authority over us. All the church leaders and other political leaders are mere servants of the all-powerful Lord and Master.