Year of the Bible
Luke 18
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Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Luke, Chapter 18:
Jesus follows up the questions of “when” and “where” the Kingdom of God will come (17:20, 22, 37) with a parable of encouragement to endure and remain faithful while praying for the coming of God’s Kingdom (11:2). In this parable, the judge is immoral--not to be emulated (vs. 2, 6). However, the judge does justice for a widow because of the widow’s persistence (vs. 5). Jesus’ point is that since even an unrighteous man would judge justly because of the woman’s petitions, how much more confident should we be that our loving and righteous God will fulfill all justice when God’s Kingdom comes in full. As the next parable demonstrates, God’s justice is not because we earn or deserve it, but because God is good and merciful (vs. 9-14). Similarly, we do not participate in the Kingdom of God due to our human wealth or accomplishments, but through God’s plan of rescue and restoration (vs. 24-30). We can respond to God’s offer of rescue and full restoration as the blind beggar near Jericho, the final city before Jerusalem, does, by responding to Jesus--receiving new sight, choosing to follow as a disciple, and giving glory to God (vs. 39-43).
The Gospel According to St. Luke, Chapter 18:
The Parable of the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge
1 And he told them a par able, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Vindicate me against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
The Parable of the Pharisees and the Tax Collector
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus Blesses the Children
15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, who ever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
The Rich Ruler
18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” 22 And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looking at him said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “Be hold, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no man who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
31 And taking the Twelve, he said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; 33 they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hid den from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar near Jericho
35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
Jesus, do I have needs or concerns that I’ve been reluctant to share with you? There’s no way of knowing how Jesus will answer our prayers, but from these passages we see that He rewards those who persevere in prayer and aren’t too proud or self-reliant to ask for help. Take a moment now to ask God for help in some area of your life.
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan, an adult faith formation apostolate. Catholic Biblical School of Michigan (cbsmich.org/join).
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
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Les proponía una parábola sobre
la necesidad de orar siempre
y no desfallecer, 2 diciendo:
–Había en una ciudad un juez que
no temía a Dios ni respetaba a los
hombres. 3 También había en aquella
ciudad una viuda, que acudía a él diciendo:
«Hazme justicia ante mi adversario
». 4 Y durante mucho tiempo no
quiso. Sin embargo, al final se dijo a
sí mismo: «Aunque no temo a Dios ni
respeto a los hombres, 5 como esta viuda
está molestándome, le haré justicia,
para que no siga viniendo a importunarme
».
6 Concluyó el Señor:
–Prestad atención a lo que dice el
juez injusto. 7 ¿Acaso Dios no hará justicia
a sus elegidos que claman a Él día
y noche, y les hará esperar? 8 Os aseguro
que les hará justicia sin tardanza. Pero
cuando venga el Hijo del Hombre, ¿encontrará
fe sobre la tierra?
9 Dijo también esta parábola a algunos
que confiaban en sí mismos teniéndose
por justos y despreciaban a los demás:
10 –Dos hombres subieron al Templo
a orar: uno era fariseo y el otro publicano.
11 El fariseo, quedándose de pie, oraba
para sus adentros: «Oh Dios, te doy
gracias porque no soy como los demás
hombres, ladrones, injustos, adúlteros,
ni como ese publicano. 12 Ayuno dos veces
por semana, pago el diezmo de todo
lo que poseo». 13 Pero el publicano, quedándose
lejos, ni siquiera se atrevía a levantar
los ojos al cielo, sino que se golpeaba
el pecho diciendo: «Oh Dios, ten
compasión de mí, que soy un pecador».
14 Os digo que éste bajó justificado a su
casa, y aquél no. Porque todo el que se
ensalza será humillado, y todo el que se
humilla será ensalzado.
Le llevaban también niños para
que los tomara en sus brazos. Al verlo
los discípulos les reñían. 16 Pero Jesús llamó
a los niños y dijo:
–Dejad que los niños vengan conmigo
y no se lo impidáis, porque de los que
son como ellos es el Reino de Dios. 17 En
verdad os digo: quien no reciba el Reino
de Dios como un niño no entrará en él.
18 Cierto personaje distinguido le
preguntó:
–Maestro bueno, ¿qué puedo hacer
para heredar la vida eterna?
19 Le respondió Jesús:
–¿Por qué me llamas bueno? Nadie es
bueno sino uno solo: Dios. 20 Ya conoces
los mandamientos: no cometerás adulterio,
no matarás, no robarás, no dirás falso
testimonio, honra a tu padre y a tu madre.
21 –Todo esto lo he guardado desde
la adolescencia –respondió él.
22 Después de oírlo le dijo Jesús:
–Aún te falta una cosa: vende todo
lo que tienes y dáselo a los pobres, y tendrás
un tesoro en los cielos. Luego, ven
y sígueme.
23 Pero al oír estas cosas se puso triste,
porque era muy rico. 24 Viéndole entristecerse,
dijo Jesús:
–¡Qué difícilmente entrarán en el
Reino de Dios los que tienen riquezas!
25 Porque es más fácil a un camello pasar
por el ojo de una aguja que a un rico entrar
en el Reino de Dios.
26 Los que escuchaban dijeron:
–¿Entonces quién puede salvarse?
27 Él respondió:
–Lo que es imposible para los hombres
es posible para Dios.
28 Entonces dijo Pedro:
–Ya ves que nosotros hemos dejado
nuestras cosas y te hemos seguido.
29 Y Jesús les respondió:
–Os aseguro que no hay nadie que
haya dejado casa, o mujer, o hermanos,
o padres, o hijos por causa del Reino
de Dios, 30 que no reciba mucho más
en este mundo y, en el siglo venidero, la
vida eterna.
31 Tomando consigo a los doce, les
dijo:
–Mirad, subimos a Jerusalén, y se
cumplirán todas las cosas que han sido
escritas por medio de los Profetas acerca
del Hijo del Hombre: 32 será entregado a
los gentiles y se burlarán de él, será insultado
y escupido, 33 y, después de azotarlo,
lo matarán, y al tercer día resucitará.
34 Pero ellos no comprendieron nada
de esto: era éste un lenguaje que les resultaba
incomprensible, y no entendían
las cosas que decía.
35 Cuando se acercaban a Jericó, un
ciego estaba sentado al lado del camino
mendigando. 36 Al oír que pasaba
mucha gente, preguntó qué era aquello.
37 Le contestaron:
–Es Jesús Nazareno, que pasa.
38 Y gritó diciendo:
–¡Jesús, Hijo de David, ten piedad
de mí!
39 Y los que iban delante le reprendían
para que se estuviera callado. Pero
él gritaba mucho más:
–¡Hijo de David, ten piedad de mí!
40 Jesús, parándose, mandó que lo
trajeran ante él. Y cuando se acercó, le
preguntó:
41 –¿Qué quieres que te haga?
–Señor, que vea –respondió él.
42 Y Jesús le dijo:
–Recobra la vista, tu fe te ha salvado.
43 Y al instante recobró la vista, y le
seguía glorificando a Dios. Y todo el
pueblo, al presenciarlo, alabó a Dios.
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
Jesús, ¿tengo necesidades o preocupaciones que he estado negándome a compartir contigo? No hay manera de saber cómo va a responder Jesús a nuestras oraciones, pero en estos pasajes vemos que Él premia a aquéllos que perserveran en la oración y no son demasiado orgullosos o confiados en sí mismos, como para pedir ayuda. Toma ahora un momento para pedirle ayuda a Dios en alguna área de tu vida.
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para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).