Lectionary 466: A Layman’s Take

Key:

What these passages tell us about God

What these passages tell us to do

What these passages tell us not to do

Commentary/observations

Reading 1 JL 4:12-21

Thus says the LORD: Let the nations bestir themselves and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there will I sit in judgment upon all the neighboring nations.

Apply the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; Come and tread, for the wine press is full;
The vats overflow, for great is their malice. Crowd upon crowd in the valley of decision; For near is the day of the LORD in the valley of decision. Sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withhold their brightness.

The LORD roars from Zion, and from Jerusalem raises his voice; The heavens and the earth quake, but the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the children of Israel.

Then shall you know that I, the LORD, am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain; Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall pass through her no more.
And then, on that day, the mountains shall drip new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk; And the channels of Judah shall flow with water: A fountain shall issue from the house of the LORD, to water the Valley of Shittim.

Egypt shall be a waste, and Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, because they shed innocent blood in their land.

But Judah shall abide forever, and Jerusalem for all generations. I will avenge their blood, and not leave it unpunished.

The LORD dwells in Zion.

Responsorial Psalm PS 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

R. (12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Alleluia LK 11:28                                                                                             

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 11:27-28

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,
"Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed."
He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

I sit in judgment

The LORD roars from Zion,

The heavens and the earth quake, but the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the children of Israel.

the mountains shall drip new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk;

the channels of Judah shall flow with water:

I will avenge their blood, and not leave it unpunished.

The LORD is king;

justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

his justice, his glory.

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad.

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.

hear the word of God and observe it.

hear the word of God and observe it.

1.    God is all powerful, over all people and over all other aspects of creation (first reading & psalm).

2.   God is good; He is just, glorious, and bestows great blessings on His people (first reading, psalm & gospel).

3.   We are to rejoice about, revel in, count on, God’s goodness (first reading, psalm & gospel).

4.   It makes sense that we are blessed if we observe God’s word. He is good, as just discussed, so whatever He tells us to do will be good for us (psalm & gospel).

It likewise makes sense that we can expect trouble if we rebel against God and his all wise, all loving, instructions. That rebellion is like ignoring the law of gravity: you will fall if you are not properly balanced (first reading).