We Need Help

Jul 7: Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

I could’ve titled today’s episode “Death and Taxes,” but that would’ve been a lazy pun. My pun’s are all very high effort.

Reading 1

Gn 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

The span of Sarah's life was one hundred and twenty-seven years. She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her. Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites: "Although I am a resident alien among you, sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground, that I may bury my dead wife."

After the transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Abraham had now reached a ripe old age, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who had charge of all his possessions: "Put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not procure a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live, but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred to get a wife for my son Isaac."

The servant asked him: "What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?"

"Never take my son back there for any reason," Abraham told him. "The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and the land of my kin, and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'–he will send his messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there. If the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be released from this oath.
But never take my son back there!"

A long time later, Isaac went to live in the region of the Negeb. One day toward evening he went out . . . in the field, and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching. Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him, she alighted from her camel and asked the servant, "Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?"

"That is my master," replied the servant. Then she covered herself with her veil.

The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done. Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent; he married her, and thus she became his wife. In his love for her, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah.

God had promised Abraham land and progeny. Sarah gave him the latter in Isaac; now, she her death will lead to the former. Abraham owned a large herd, but didn’t actually own any land yet. Which is why he insists on purchasing land to bury Sarah, rather than allowing someone to give it to him as a funeral gift.

After her death, the circle of life continues. Isaac needs a wife, who is from where Abraham came from, but they have to start their new life here, in Canaan. This is where their family belongs, in death (Sarah) and in life (Rebekah).

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,
or proclaim all his praises?
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Blessed are they who observe what is right,
who do always what is just.
Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Visit me with your saving help,
That I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
rejoice in the joy of your people,
and glory with your inheritance.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

The psalmist praises they who do what’s right and just. They. Not “I.”

Then he asks God for help, to be one of those people so he can enjoy eternity with God. No one is truly right and just on their own; we all need God’s help. The psalm acknowledged that, while recognizing God’s mercy is how we’re able to keep going.

Alleluia

Mt 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We keep trying and trying to do the right thing. We often, usually fail. Jesus, thankfully, will give us a break.

Gospel

Mt 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

The irony of Jesus’ last line, addressed to the Pharisees, is that we are all sinners. He’s here for everyone, if we only recognize that we are in need of mercy.