Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Massimo Palombella
In today’s Gospel (Mt 10:37-42), Jesus’ language may appear hard and even, within a certain vision of reality, incomprehensible. In fact, Jesus touches upon some relationships that in our imagination represent untouchable ancestors: the father, the mother, the sons, providing a criterion to discern these relationships, namely the relationship with Him.
In essence, the Lord challenges us with regard to our identity. The relationship with Him, if it is authentic, should lead us “beyond”. Beyond the received educational schemes, beyond those fundamental relationships in our life, simply to become free persons, to understand and live our identity. Only going “beyond” allows us that healthy “separation” that enables us to live true relationships, to understand ourselves, to meet and have a personal relationship with the true God, beyond every inherited educational scheme.
It is not an easy journey and it is never accomplished. It is to be renewed every day in the search for the true God, for our identity and for free and authentic relationships.
The Offertory antiphon of today’s celebration is taken from the Book of Daniel (Dan 3:40) with the following text:
“Sicut in holocaustis arietum, et taurorum, et sicut in millibus agnorum pinguium,
sic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspectu tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi,
quia non est confusio confidentibus in te, Domine.”
(As a holocaust of rams and bullocks, and of thousands of fatted lambs,
so let our sacrifice be in your sight on this day, that it may be pleasing unto you.
For there is no shame for those who put their trust in you, O Lord).
The attached music, in Gregorian Chant, is taken from the Gradual Triplex published in Solesmes in 1979. The music track can be found on YouTube, where there is no indication of interpretation
A blessed Sunday and heartfelt greetings.
