SUNDAY
September 28, 2008
vol 19, no. 272

"Unless you see signs and wonders"

    Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Comprehensive Catholic Commentary
by
Fr. George Leo Haydock
provided by
John Gregory

      Editor's Note: We continue this special feature provided by John Gregory with the Haydock Commentary found at the bottom of each page of the Douay-Rheims Bible. With the type so small in most bibles, we publish it here in larger type in conjunction with the Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday Mass, with the cogent comprehensive Catholic Commentary penned by Father George Leo Haydock. For the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost the cupboard is pretty bare as far as any commentary accept for affirming that the man's son was healed the instant our Lord said "Thy son liveth." An interesting aside to this week's liturgy is Christ's words that "Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not." This is the exact scenario we have today where so many do not believe unless they can see for themselves. This skepticism has grown where they have not understood St. Paul's words to the Ephesians to avoid luxuries and things that will cloud your submission to the will of God. Alas, too few have followed this advice and proved true Paul's words "redeeming the time, because the days are evil."


Epistle: Ephesians 5: 15-21

15 See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise,

16 But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the holy Spirit,

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father:

21 Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.


Gospel: St. John 4: 46-53

46 He came again therefore into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine. And there was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capharnaum.

47 He having heard that Jesus was come from Judea into Galilee, went to Him, and prayed Him to come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.

48 Jesus therefore said to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not.

49 The ruler saith to him: Lord, come down before that my son die.

50 Jesus saith to him: Go thy way; thy son liveth. The man believed the word which Jesus said to him, and went his way.

51 And as he was going down, his servants met him; and they brought word, saying, that his son lived.

52 He asked therefore of them the hour wherein he grew better. And they said to him: Yesterday, at the seventh hour, the fever left him.

53 The father therefore knew, that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him, Thy son liveth; and himself believed, and his whole house.

    Commentary on Verse 53 Thy son liveth; i.e. thy son is recovered, at this very moment. (Wi.)


    Sunday
    September 28, 2008
    vol 19, no. 272
    Haydock Commentary for Sunday's Proper