Thursday, October 31, 2013

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 3, 2013:

Wisdom 11: 22 - 12: 2
Psalm 145:  1-2, 8-11, 13-14
2 Thessalonians 1: 11 - 2: 2
Luke 19: 1-10

Many of us are fairly familiar with the Gospel story of Zaccheus: the man who was so eager to glimpse Jesus that he climbed a tree - and unexpectedly found himself hosting Jesus that night for dinner... and changing his ways from that encounter.


But let's focus on these beautiful words from the Book of Wisdom:
For you love all things that are
and loathe nothing that you have made;
for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.
And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;
or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?
But you spare all things, because they are yours,
O LORD and lover of souls,
for your imperishable spirit is in all things!

Motivations abound.  We might obey, or agree, or go along simply out of fear. Maybe out of indifference. Possibly to be thought well of. While those motivations might affect our actions, our deepest beliefs and inclinations could remain untouched.

But if we can believe, truly believe that God loves us to our very souls, that God's spirit is WITH us and wills for us to succeed in being utterly and simply ourselves (fully human, one made in the image and likeness of God)- oh, what a difference that would make! Armed with that courage, with the certitude of being loved and accepted, it becomes easier to admit our failings, to take that first step (either up, or out of, the tree) to letting God's spirit transform our lives.

  • Spend some time this week contemplating the gift of YOUR life. 
  • How well can you accept that God is in love with you?
  • In what ways do you need God's spirit to strengthen your will to be fully human?


Thursday, October 24, 2013

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 27, 2013:

Sirach 35: 12-14, 16-18
Psalm 34:  2-3, 17-19, 23
2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18
Luke 18: 9-14

It may well be from a bumper sticker, or simply the sort of sentiment that would wind up on one, but the Gospel for this week leads me to this one thought:
Those who are full of themselves 
leave little room for God.

  • When you are most honest with yourself, in what ways do you need God?
  • Have you prayed about these needs?
  • In what ways have you felt the love of God guiding, comforting, strengthening you?
  • Have you prayed about these blessings?

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 20, 2013:

Exodus 17: 8-13
Psalm 121: 1-8
2 Timothy 3: 14- 4:2
Luke 18: 1-8

Still existing in a few cultures today, at the time of Jesus  women had no right to speak in public, and very few legal rights at all. So the parable that appears in Luke's Gospel is yet another example of characters behaving in unconventional ways.  What may not be clear to us in this story is that it does not involve JUST the judge and the widow, but there would have been a crowd of onlookers. And this crowd was well aware of the Hebrew commands to look out for the 'widow and orphan', the most vulnerable in society.  So, while the judge may have said he didn't care what others thought, eventually he realized that the onlookers would talk about his lack of attentiveness to her problem and their tradition. The woman on her own may have been unconvincing, but the airing of an injustice within a community might sometimes advance a cause.

In other words, I don't think the point that Jesus is making is to nag God if you want something. In fact, Jesus is comparing God favorably against the shameless judge... assuring us that God hears us and is on the side of justice.

The first reading as well demonstrates the benefits of being part of a community. When Moses got tired, Aaron and Hur helped him. 

Temptations exist to go it alone in our faith- whether it is tuning out our neighbor in the pew at Mass, or making up our own spirituality to fit today's mood. But we have been baptized into the BODY of Christ, anointed for the mission of serving and loving one another, and requiring the guidance and support of Scripture and the entire Body of Christ (the Church) in order to have any semblance of success.

  • A suggestion for this weekend: if you are sitting near someone you don't know at Mass, before Mass begins, introduce yourself. Learn their name. Remember them by name as you pray during Mass, and look them in the eye at the Sign of Peace. Since we believe that Christ is truly present in the people assembled for liturgy, this might be one way to recognize that dignity, that presence of Christ in the person next to you in the pew.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

John XXIII from "Who Cares About The Saints?" with Fr. James Martin, S.J.



Here is a video to give you a little more background on Blessed John 23rd!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Blessed John XXIII

Today is the feast day of Blessed John the 23rd, who was the Pope who called for the Second Vatican Council, one of the most important events in the Catholic Church in many centuries.

The first session of the Second Vatican Council began on October 11, 1962.  While this linked article -which will give you more information about Good Pope John -lists his feast day as June 3 (the date of his death), October 11 is obviously also linked to him for the obvious association with Vatican 2.

(Once he's canonized in April, 2104, we'll see what the official, official date is!)

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 13, 2013:

2 Kings 5: 14-17
Psalm 98: 1-4
2 Timothy 2: 8-13
Luke 17: 11-19

"Good fences make good neighbors" goes the famous line from Robert Frost's "Mending Wall" , and even more so, boundaries were important in the time of Jesus.

By their skin condition (most probably not Hansen's disease as we know it today), they had been cast out of the community, for fear that their impurity would make others likewise impure. In healing them, Jesus was not only restoring their physical health, but allowing them to regain participation in their religious tradition. So the nine who left were simply following the law, being readmitted by the priests to the community through the proper channels. It's worth noting that the one who did return to thank Jesus was a Samaritan- an outsider among outsiders, and for whom going to the temple was not an option. So, he returns to the one who enabled his renewal of health. 

Jesus repeatedly 'breaks the rules' by transcending established boundaries in order to heal and restore. And while rules are certainly essential for good order in society and church, letting rules become an idol can keep us from recognizing the presence of Christ in our midst.
  • How have you been blessed?
  • Have you thanked God?
 Mystagogy meets this Sunday 10:45-11:30am in CARE Room 212.
We will welcome Ilfra into the full communion of the Catholic Church with confirmation and first communion this Sunday at the 11:30am Mass.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Sorry!

It's been a busy couple of weeks around here, and this blog has been neglected!  My apologies- we'll be back on track this week!