Comments on: Saturday, 2/25/17 – I’m an animal

By: Mark Misencik

Mark Misencik — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 17:56:01 +0000

Hey Caitlyn,

Your first question, think in terms of a relationship. Replace “fear” with “respect” and reread the passage.
As for today’s Gospel reading, you have to place yourself 2000 years ago in the Middle East. Children were not valued as they are today (either were women). Do a little research and see what you come up with.

My two cents.

Mark

By: Caitlyn

Caitlyn — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 15:15:02 +0000

Hello everyone. I have been experiencing a calling to the Catholic Church over the past few weeks. I have not been involved with the Church for 20+ years (basically since my First Holy Communion). I follow the daily readings on USCCB and their interpretations on this website. I understand the basic theme of today’s reading, however, the word “fear” stands out to me most. Take the following excerpts for SIR, “He puts the fear of him in all flesh…He put the fear of himself upon their hearts,” and the responsorials, “The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him…so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” I assume the word fear is not to be taken literally. Can someone explain its meaning in these passages? Furthermore, in today’s final reading, Mark, why would God’s disciples rebuke parents and their children from visiting with Jesus? Thanks all!

By: Mark Misencik

Mark Misencik — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 14:32:28 +0000

Hey Julie,

Ben Sira. He was a Hellenistic Jew. If you look at history, the Greeks had a great influence on the Jewish nation, for better or worse depending on how you look at it. Parmenides, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle had already laid the foundation of Western Philosophy before Ben Sira was born. How much of this affected Ben Sira and his thoughts? We don’t know.

Which leads me to your remark about human beings. It is actually quite thought provoking, specifically the part about natural order of things. We could debate about each one of our gifts (power over all things on Earth? A very simple bacteria or virus can overpower us given the right opportunity). What is extraordinary is the state of “being”.

Thanks for the great reflection.

Mark

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 12:45:08 +0000

Thank you Julie. Your reflection beautifully encompasses the intrinsic value in each one of us that sets us far apart from the animals He created. He has literally breathed His Spirit into each one of us to animate us, and He still does today. I love the poetry of the Bible too, and it is wonderful to pause and think about what a gift it is to each one of us. I believe God used these men as instruments to reveal His wisdom to us. Enough to enable our passage into Heaven. Have a blessed day!

By: O

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 11:27:44 +0000

Thank you for the insightful reflection.

God bless