Good and Bad Consequences

Sep 23: Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

Today is the Feast of St. Padre Pio, who you probably know for his many miraculous healings. He holds a special place in the hearts of my family, because we visited his shrine two summers ago in the hopes of obtaining a miracle for Amelia. While it didn’t happen then, we can continue to pray for Pio’s intercession.

Reading 1

Prv 3:27-34

Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once.

Plot no evil against your neighbor, against one who lives at peace with you. Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm.

Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.

The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, and oftentimes passages can seem quite random. It’s not really a book you sit and read straight through, like some of the narrative books.

But this section clearly goes together. The author (traditionally King Solomon) is contrasting just and unjust actions, and the ultimate consequences of each.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

R. (1) The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

The last section is a little curious. What’s wrong with lending money? When we think of loans today, we think of banks who make their money by lending at interest. That’s basically the whole reason they exist.

But that kind of bank didn’t exist back then; most loans were interpersonal. And more specifically, most loans were taken out by someone who was in desperate need of money for some unforeseen cataclysm. Asking for interest on a personal loan was seen as taking advantage of the poor.

With that context, the whole Psalm makes more sense. We’re supposed to care for each other, especially those in need.

Alleluia

Mt 5:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Doing good is not only good in itself, but it also does compound work by giving an example to others.

Gospel

Lk 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

We spread the Good News by word and action. We’re not meant to keep it to ourselves. And when we give it away, it will come back to us even more, as it changes our family, our community, and the whole world.