Today’s readings speak about the power of the commandment and the power of God’s word for our victory in our life and our daily struggle
The readings begin with the book of Proverbs, which proclaims the power of the commandment and its preservation to man.
“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,
When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things,” (Proverbs 2)
In the book of Isaiah, God declares His power over all nations and peoples, so His children rely on Him for their confidence in His divine power.
“Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.”
Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, Will send leanness among his fat ones; And under his glory He will kindle a burning Like the burning of a fire.
And it shall come to pass in that day That the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, To the Mighty God.” (Isaiah 10)
And the last verse of the book of Isaiah is to rely on God.
The Matins psalm is complemented by the result and fruit of dependence on Him.
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.” (Psalms 32)
The Matins gospel warns us not to abide by the right of the commandment, and it turns into an opponent against us, handing us over to the ruler;the just judge who hands us over to the policeman, i.e. angels.
“Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?
When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.” (Luke 12)
Pauline Epistle cites the testimony of Genesis about the faith of our father Abraham and the psalm prophecy about the richness of the salvation and forgiveness of the son of God.
“For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;” (Romans 4)
Catholic Epistle declares the power of the word in its preservation of love and its perfection in man, who keeps the commandment and always lives in the light.
“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him.Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.” (1 John 2)
Praxis reveals that the world sometimes rejects the words and advice of its preachers and servants for the salvation and safety of others.
“Paul advised them, saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”
Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.” (Acts 27)
The psalm of the liturgy draws attention to the source of strength and forgiveness-the Lamb without blemish and the holy and undefiled.
“Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalms 32)
The Gospel of the liturgy concludes with the effects of the word of God and steadfastness in it, making us disciples, then free, then children.
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8)
The word steadfastness was mentioned four times, twice to the son and his steadfastness in the word, so he enjoys freedom and discipleship, and twice to the servant and his lack of steadfastness, so he does not remain in the father’s house.
The summary of the readings
The commandment preserves man and secures for him the way of life. Proverbs
The authority of God over peoples and nations. The book of Isaiah
Mercy surrounds those who rely on Him. The Matins psalm
If we do not comply with the commandment,it turns into an opponent. The Matins gospel
The word of God in the Old Testament testifies to God’s righteousness and forgiveness. Pauline Epistle
The perfection of keeping the word and the commandment leads to the perfection of love and the revelation of the divine light.Catholic Epistle
The commandment of ministers and preachers aims at the salvation of people. Praxis
The lamb without blemish is the source of strength and forgiveness. The psalm of the liturgy
The effectiveness of the word of God in our life guarantees our filiation to the Father, our discipleship to the son of God and our freedom in Him. The Gospel of the liturgy