Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor
Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
Readings for the memorial
There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise.
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First reading
1 John 1:5-2:2
The blood of Jesus Christ purifies us all from sin
This is what we have heard from Jesus Christ,
and the message that we are announcing to you:
God is light; there is no darkness in him at all.
If we say that we are in union with God
while we are living in darkness,
we are lying because we are not living the truth.
But if we live our lives in the light,
as he is in the light,
we are in union with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, his Son,
purifies us from all sin.
If we say we have no sin in us,
we are deceiving ourselves
and refusing to admit the truth;
but if we acknowledge our sins,
then God who is faithful and just
will forgive our sins and purify us
from everything that is wrong.
To say that we have never sinned
is to call God a liar
and to show that his word is not in us.
I am writing this, my children,
to stop you sinning;
but if anyone should sin,
we have our advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ, who is just;
he is the sacrifice that takes our sins away,
and not only ours,
but the whole world’s.
Commentary
The letter strongly emphasizes the symbolism of light and darkness, just like in the Gospel of John. In the Gospel, Jesus is referred to as the light of the world, while Judas betrays him during the night. This theme of light is also prevalent in the Old Testament, particularly in passages that describe God and the Messiah. Isaiah, for example, mentions the light that will come into the world.
Moreover, this letter is one of the rare instances where Christ's sacrifice is discussed in terms of expiation. However, it's important to note that expiation in this context doesn't mean that Christ pays a penalty to a vengeful god for our sins, as it would in pagan beliefs. In Hebrew thought, it is always God who reconciles us, rather than us reconciling God. In the book of Romans, Paul uses sacrificial language to explain that God presented Jesus as a means of reconciliation and expiation through his blood. Later on, Paul further explains that Jesus' act of loving obedience to his Father nullified the disobedience of Adam. It was through this act of loving obedience that we were reconciled, rather than through the shedding of blood or the suffering endured.
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 102(103):1-4,8-9,13-14,17-18
My soul, give thanks to the Lord.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord
all my being, bless his holy name.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord
and never forget all his blessings.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord.
It is he who forgives all your guilt,
who heals every one of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave,
who crowns you with love and compassion.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord.
The Lord is compassion and love,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.
His wrath will come to an end;
he will not be angry for ever.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord.
As a father has compassion on his sons,
the Lord has pity on those who fear him;
for he knows of what we are made,
he remembers that we are dust.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord.
But the love of the Lord is everlasting
upon those who hold him in fear;
his justice reaches out to children’s children
when they keep his covenant in truth,
when they keep his will in their mind.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord.
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Gospel Acclamation
Mt11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom
to mere children.
Alleluia!
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Gospel
Matthew 11:25-30
You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children
Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
Commentary
This beloved and uplifting passage describes the close relationship between Father and Son in a unique way that is not found in any other part of the synoptic gospels. It reminds us of the passages in John 5 that reveal the equality between Father and Son: the Son only does what he sees the Father doing, the Father loves the Son and entrusts everything to him, and the Son gives life just as the Father does. After this, the Son kindly invites all those who are burdened to come to him. The 'yoke' often represents the Law of Moses, which may seem overwhelming with its many commandments, but is also cherished as God's loving revelation to his people. Christ is not a harsh ruler, but a compassionate, gentle, and humble leader who shares his life with his followers. The 'yoke' or law of Christ, as we learned from the second reading, is the inner guidance of the Spirit. It is not a burden, but a source of joy and a way to live in harmony with Christ and his Spirit. Even the joy experienced by martyrs, despite enduring physical pain, is a consistent theme in accounts of martyrdom.
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