SCRUTATIO SCRIPTURAE
THE CROSS AND THE THORNS
A Scrutatio for the 22nd Sunday of the CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARY TIME/TIME OF THE CHURCH
Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer
Isaiah 59:1-19 / Psalm 13 / Hebrews 5:12-6:1 / Mark 10:46-52
Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Jeremiah 21:7-9 / Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 / Hebrews 5:1-6 / Mark 10:46-52
THE TRIDENTINE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING
Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Introit: Revelations/Apocalypse 5:12, 1:6 and Psalm 72:1
Epistle: Colossians 1:12-20
Gradual and Alleluia: Psalm 72:8, 11 and Daniel 7:14
Gospel
John 18:33-37
Offertory:
Psalm 2:8
Communion Antiphon: Psalm 29:10-11
Now that we are in the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary time and the Tridentine FEAST OF JESUS CHRIST OUR SOVEREIGN KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, I would like to share you a story about a family that I've seen in Face to Face on TV5 last June 18, 2012...
A father of three has been an alcoholic for a great number of years now...
Every time that he gets wasted, he would hurl verbal abuse to his wife, his son and his two daughters...
His son was able only to go to school up to the third grade...
His 1st daughter cohabited and eloped with her boyfriend at a very early age...
While his 2nd daughter diligently persevered in her studies...
His wife patiently stood by his side for all these years of his useless and childish ways...
Sadly, in the midst of all these, he would even declare that all of his children are “useless” and it is better for them to just elope with their lovers.
But the prevailing BOND that still keeps them together is FORGIVENESS!
Isn’t this the very theme of the Gospel passage for today’s feast?
Instead of seeing JESUS crowned with a Regal Diadem, we see HIM CROWNED WITH THORNS!
Instead of wearing regal robes, the scepter of authority in his hands and sitting on the throne, we see HIM NAKED, SEVERELY WOUNDED AND NAILED ON THE CROSS!
The CROSS has become HIS THRONE OF DIVINE MERCY, LIGHT AND LOVE!
The CROSS has become HIS ROYAL SCEPTER THAT HAS SMASHED THE POWER OF satan!
The CROWN OF THORNS has become HIS GLORIOUS DIADEM!
This man, this wayward father, this drunkard, Blind Barthemaus though he may be, has seen the LIGHT OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS AND SELFLESS LOVE THROUGH THE FACE OF HIS EVER-FAITHFUL AND EVER-LOVING WIFE, HIS YOUNGEST DAUGHTER WHO ZEALOUSLY STRIVES TO FINISH HER STUDIES, AND HIS OTHER CHILDREN WHO FORGAVE HIM...
HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN THE CROSS AND THE THORNS, THE VERY MEANS OF HIS SALVATION AND NEW LIFE...
SUCH IS THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR GREAT GOD AND KING!
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