Daily Retreat 08/09/08
2008 Aug 9 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM/ Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, v, mt
Hab 1: 12 – 2: 4/ Ps 9: 8-9. 10-11. 12-13/ Mt 17: 14-20
From today’s readings: “For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint.... You forsake not those who seek You, O Lord.... Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move....”
Here’s Habakkuk!
You’ve probably been struck by more than one biblical name (particularly among those from the Old Testament) which sounds strange or even funny to us, and yet when the meaning of the word is learned, the name becomes more appealing - “Obadiah,” for instance, even though sounding a bit contrived, simply means “Servant of the Lord.” But the name “Habakkuk” sounds just as strange and funny (at least to this biblical scholar!) in the original Hebrew, and even the most learned linguists have no clue about its meaning.
Today’s first reading makes up almost a third of the brief but memorable and intriguing book of the prophet Habakkuk. Reading all of the three short chapters will give a fuller picture of this man who asks many questions which we probably find ourselves asking often enough: Why is there injustice on earth? Why doesn’t God stop it now? How can God bring good even from wickedness? When will God’s promises be fulfilled?
The last verse of the reading (2:4) struck St. Paul as particularly profound, since he quoted it more than once: “The just man shall live by his faith!” Note how succinctly this verse combines the practice of faith and justice, two crucial elements of salvation.
Hab 1: 12 – 2: 4/ Ps 9: 8-9. 10-11. 12-13/ Mt 17: 14-20
From today’s readings: “For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint.... You forsake not those who seek You, O Lord.... Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move....”
Here’s Habakkuk!
You’ve probably been struck by more than one biblical name (particularly among those from the Old Testament) which sounds strange or even funny to us, and yet when the meaning of the word is learned, the name becomes more appealing - “Obadiah,” for instance, even though sounding a bit contrived, simply means “Servant of the Lord.” But the name “Habakkuk” sounds just as strange and funny (at least to this biblical scholar!) in the original Hebrew, and even the most learned linguists have no clue about its meaning.
Today’s first reading makes up almost a third of the brief but memorable and intriguing book of the prophet Habakkuk. Reading all of the three short chapters will give a fuller picture of this man who asks many questions which we probably find ourselves asking often enough: Why is there injustice on earth? Why doesn’t God stop it now? How can God bring good even from wickedness? When will God’s promises be fulfilled?
The last verse of the reading (2:4) struck St. Paul as particularly profound, since he quoted it more than once: “The just man shall live by his faith!” Note how succinctly this verse combines the practice of faith and justice, two crucial elements of salvation.
posted by FrPitstick | 8/08/2008
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