Saint Pius X, Pope
The main theme of this passage is the contrast between seeking the perks of authority and living out teaching by humble service.
Title
Outline
What a strange combination of readings today
In the first, both of the faithful, just, and right thing, although the actions can seem strange to us
In the second we have what is too often the story of the church, for it is the church of the first covenant
The leaders sit “in the chair of Moses” - they have the authority of office - and we struggle with such authority today preferring authority of skill to positional authority
The disciples are not to “do what they do” - not to follow their observation of their actions as they wriggle around texts in practice - “we are the exception”
Jesus’ charges are:
Instead of this, Jesus’ disciples are to
Sisters, we see the dangers and the deep truths here
Readings
FIRST READING
Ruth 2:1–3, 8–11, 4:13–17
1 Naomi had a powerful relative named Boaz, through the clan of her husband Elimelech. 2 Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “I would like to go and glean grain in the field of anyone who will allow me.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went. The field she entered to glean after the harvesters happened to be the section belonging to Boaz, of the clan of Elimelech.
8 Boaz then spoke to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Do not go to glean in anyone else’s field; you are not to leave here. Stay here with my young women. 9 Watch to see which field is to be harvested, and follow them. Have I not commanded the young men to do you no harm? When you are thirsty, go and drink from the vessels the young people have filled.” 10 Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, she said to him, “Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your attention?” 11 Boaz answered her: “I have had a complete account of what you have done for your mother-in-law after your husband’s death; you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom previously you did not know.
13 Boaz took Ruth. When they came together as husband and wife, the LORD enabled her to conceive and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the LORD who has not failed to provide you today with a redeemer. May he become famous in Israel! 15 He will restore your life and be the support of your old age, for his mother is the daughter-in-law who loves you. She is worth more to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the boy, cradled him against her breast, and cared for him. 17 The neighbor women joined the celebration: “A son has been born to Naomi!” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
RESPONSE
Psalm 128:4
4 Just so will the man be blessed
who fears the LORD.
PSALM
Psalm 128:1b–5
1 A song of ascents.
Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
and who walk in his ways.
2 What your hands provide you will enjoy;
you will be blessed and prosper:
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your home,
Your children like young olive plants
around your table.
4 Just so will the man be blessed
who fears the LORD.
5 May the LORD bless you from Zion;
may you see Jerusalem’s prosperity
all the days of your life,
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Matthew 23:9b, 10b
9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.
10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah.
GOSPEL
Matthew 23:1–12
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Notes
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | MEMORIAL
SAINT PIUS X, POPE
YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
From Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading Ruth 2:1–3, 8–11, 4:13–17
Response Psalm 128:4
Psalm Psalm 128:1b–5
Gospel Acclamation Matthew 23:9b, 10b
Gospel Matthew 23:1–12