Salmo - DOMINGO XVI DO TEMPO COMUM do Ano A do P. Manuel Luís

Psalm - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, by Fr. Manuel Luís Liturgical and musical analysis. The first reading is taken from the Book of Wisdom: Context of the first reading: "The “Book of Wisdom” is the most recent of all the books of the Old Testament (appearing during the first half of the 1st century BC). Its author – a Greek-speaking Jew, probably born and educated in the Diaspora (Alexandria?) – expressing himself in terms and conceptions of the Hellenic world, praises Israelite “wisdom,” outlines the fate that awaits the righteous and the wicked in the afterlife, and describes (with examples taken from the story of the Exodus) the different fates that awaited the pagans (idolaters) and the Hebrews (faithful to Yahweh). His objective is twofold: addressing his Jewish compatriots (immersed in paganism, idolatry, and immorality), he invites them to rediscover the faith of their fathers and Jewish values; For some and for others." Others believe that only Yahweh guarantees true “wisdom” and true happiness. ...The Canaanites were, from the Israelites' perspective, a cursed and wicked race, who committed especially heinous crimes: “they practiced detestable deeds, impious rites, and were cruel murderers of their children” (Wis 12:4-5). God could have eliminated them quickly (cf. Wis 12:9); however, he delayed the punishment as much as possible (cf. Wis 12:8), giving them several opportunities to repent and change their lives (cf. Wis 12:10)." cf. dehonianos.org Liturgical Reflection: "In these circumstances, Yahweh gave proof of extreme moderation and manifested his goodness, his mercy, his justice. God did not have to prove anything to anyone, for no one could hold him accountable; if he acted in this balanced and moderate way, it is because he is a just God. In the Old Testament, "justice" is not the strict application of the law; but it is, above all, fidelity to one's own essence. Now, the essence of God is love, goodness, and mercy; therefore, to be just is equivalent, for God, to revealing love, benevolence, and goodness in his attitude towards men. ....... Secondly, it teaches that "the righteous must be a friend of men" (Wis 12:19): if God's logic is a logic of forgiveness and mercy, the People of God must adopt the same logic and assume attitudes of goodness, love, mercy, and tolerance in their community relations. Moreover, goodness and understanding should not be reserved for those who are good, but also for those who persistently do evil." cf. dehonianos.org The second reading is taken from the Epistle of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Romans: Context of the second reading: "For some Sundays now, Paul has been proposing a catechesis on the path to follow in order to receive the salvation that God offers. Salvation is a gift from God, a free gift that is the fruit of God's goodness and love (cf. Rom 3:21-5:11). This salvation comes to us through Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 5:12-8:39); and it acts in us through the Spirit that Jesus pours out on those who adhere to his project and enter his community (cf. Rom 5:12-8:39); 8:1-39) – the community of the Kingdom. Last Sunday, Paul was inviting believers to decide for a life "according to the Spirit." He told us that this option will have a cosmic dimension and that it will help to overcome the imbalances and disharmonies that destroy God's creation. It is, in fact, about However, according to Paul, it is a difficult path that demands suffering, renunciation, purification, and renewal of life. How can a Christian make this choice? How does he clearly perceive what the path is? Where does he receive the strength to live “according to the Spirit”? cf. dehonianos.org Liturgical reflection: "It is God who gives us the strength to live “according to the Spirit.” However, we must continually ask God, our Father, for this grace. ....... ....... In both cases, the Spirit acts as an effective mediator in our dialogue with God. He is our “interpreter” and intercessor, raising us to the God who knows the heart. And this prayer (which the Spirit directs in our place, or which the Spirit “supports”) is always welcomed by God, for it is in accordance with God's plans and projects (verse 27)." cf. dehonianos.org The psalm says the following: Lord, you are a merciful God. You are a compassionate and gracious God. You, Lord, are good and forgiving, full of mercy toward all who call upon You. Hear, Lord, my prayer, attend to the voice of my supplication. All the peoples you have created will come to worship you, Lord, and glorify your name, for you are great and do wondrous things, You are the only God. Lord, you are a kind and compassionate God, patient and full of mercy and faithfulness. Turn your eyes to me and have mercy on me.   / 497384921146112