Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
May 25, 2021
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 348
Reading I
To keep the law is a great oblation,
and he who observes the
commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
In works of charity one offers fine flour,
and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise.
To refrain from evil pleases the LORD,
and to avoid injustice is an atonement.
Appear not before the LORD empty-handed,
for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.
The just one’s offering enriches the altar
and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High.
The just one’s sacrifice is most pleasing,
nor will it ever be forgotten.
In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD,
be not sparing of freewill gifts.
With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,
and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.
Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously, according to your means.
For the LORD is one who always repays,
and he will give back to you sevenfold.
But offer no bribes, these he does not accept!
Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion.
For he is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Peter began to say to Jesus,
‘We have given up everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Reflection: RENUNCIATION FOR THE LORD
One of the principal teachings of Buddhism is certainly the notion and value of renunciation. It is the negation of human desire which Buddha calls as the root cause of all evil in the world. Time and again, the gospels present renunciation as the fundamental characteristic for discipleship. It is interesting to note that Peter gets the most out of the remarks that Jesus makes on his disciples. At this point in the gospel, Peter has not yet understood the task of discipleship in the way Jesus wanted him to grasp. The words of Peter, 'look, we have left everything and followed you, seems like demanding from Jesus the due share that he is eligible to get but has not gotten it. Perhaps, Jesus must have laughed out loud and said, 'really, Peter? What have you given up following me? Your broken boats and torn nets?' The depth of Jesus' demand for discipleship is pivotal to the fact that it calls forth for a total renunciation of the very families and siblings. While Peter's claim seems to be legitimate and consistent with the culture of the day, the reward that Jesus assures them constitutes the method and the message of the gospel. The rewards for renunciation for the sake of the gospel not only give life in this age, but also promise eternal life. On a broader level, the renunciation that Jesus demands would cost one's life for the gospel. In doing so, Jesus is the model and the precursor for Peter and for the community of apostles. While family values are noble and are to be cherished, the gospel values are eternal and promise us the rewards of heaven.