A CITY SET ON A HILL…

Wisdom of Solomon 8:2-7,16-18
2 I loved her and sought her from my youth, and I desired to take her for my bride, and I became enamored of her beauty.3 She glorifies her noble birth by living with God, and the Lord of all loves her.4 For she is an initiate in the knowledge of God, and an associate in his works.
5 If riches are a desirable possession in life, what is richer than wisdom who effects all things?6 And if understanding is effective, who more than she is fashioner of what exists?7 And if any one loves righteousness, her labors are virtues; for she teaches self-control and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more profitable for men than these.

16 When I enter my house, I shall find rest with her, for companionship with her has no bitterness, and life with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.17 When I considered these things inwardly, and thought upon them in my mind, that in kinship with wisdom there is immortality,
18 and in friendship with her, pure delight, and in the labors of her hands, unfailing wealth, and in the experience of her company, understanding, and renown in sharing her words, I went about seeking how to get her for myself.

Matthew 5:13-19 

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

17 “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.19 Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING:The author poeticaly describe the ‘Qahal’ or ‘ekklesia’ refering to the Church the bride of Christ, a city on the hill that is purposed to give birth and initiate her subjects with knowledge, wisdom, beauty and understanding.

The restless who desire peace and righteousness shall courageously come and present themselves to her and begin to exercise self control, prudential judgement—virtues that are profitable for man. Bitterness and pain will be replaced with: gladness, joy, wisdom friendship and immortality of the soul, gifts that all men desire.

THE GOSPEL READING: Our Lord adress the twelve on the mount, preparing them to be a virtuous people who shall be salt and light of the world. Herein we notice that although the Hebrew people were God’s beloved children, from henceforth God is no longer the exclusive object of their worship. God’s commandments, the ‘Mitzvot’ now the ‘euangélion‘ or Good News to be preached throughout the world to all nations! 

Saint Ignatious an apostolic church Father of Antioch (110 AD) was the first bishop to acknowledge and refer to the Church as being ‘katholikos’ Catholic, which means a God ordained universal religion who invite and receive all cultures and nationalities into her bosom. 

The Church is our maternal mother who gives birth to new borns in and through the sacraments. St Paul refer to “a divine jealousy” that he has, being a proud spiritual Father, a matchmaker who ‘in persona christi’ betroth us his children making us members of the body of Christ. 2Cor 11:2 Herein we recognize that the Church—a city set on the hill— is the beacon, bride of Christ whereby exclusively male priests officiate ‘in persona christi,’ propogating children the ‘ekklesia‘ instructing them to live and apply the commandments. 

LET US PRAY: Psalms 16:5-9,16:11

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot.6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure.
11 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days