Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time,
August 1, 2010:
      Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2: 21-23
      Psalm 90: 3-6, 12-14, 17
      Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11

      Luke 12: 13-21 

Greed is an unhealthy desire for possessions or wealth. It hinders our ability to be generous people.
Envy is an unhealthy desire for the possessions, wealth, or fame of others. It hinders our ability to be satisfied with and grateful for the blessings of our own lives.

• How easy or difficult is it for you to distinguish between 'wants' and 'needs'? 
• What factors in your family, workplace, church or community support or challenge you in resisting greed?

Today in Scripture

Matthew 13: 44-46

Jesus said to his disciples:
"The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."

Do you remember that scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when in order to save his father's life, and against all evidence that points to a fatal fall, Indy has to take a 'leap of faith' in order to reach the grail? He takes some time to evaluate, to consider what he knows, but at some point just has to ... take.. that ... step.... and...

.....the path reveals itself.

Most of us have made a leap of faith in one way or another:

• Declaring your love for another
• Committing to marriage
• Choosing a major
• Changing your career
• Choosing Catholicism as the way to live your faith

You take some time, weigh your options, consider your lived experience, and at some point come to the decision that this choice is worth more than any other option. At the same time, that choice for a new path demands that something else be left behind (independence, other options, security, etc.).  Jesus tells his disciples that out of joy at finding the great treasure, a person sells all they have just to have the possibility of attaining it. What have you left behind in order to attain what you now hold dear (whether a relationship, vocation or faith-path)? What still keeps you from 'full ownership'?

Seventeeth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time, July 25, 2010:
Genesis 18: 20-32
Psalm 138: 1-3, 6-8

Colossians 2: 12-14

Luke 11: 1-13 

... We don't have to try to convince God to be generous toward us- that is the very thing God wants to do
....

     The sayings that follow the parable reinforce its meaning, elaborating that God stands ready and eager to open the door to whoever knocks and to give whatever we ask, just as parents desire to give good gifts to their children.
     The Gospel challenges the idea that God sends suffering to test or challenge or strengthen us and insists that God desires only good for us. We do not have to badger God or bargain with God to give us good things.

- Barbara E. Reid, O.P. in "America" magazine July 19-26, 2010.

• Take at least ten minutes soon to spend some time in prayer with God, thanking God for all of the good things in your life and our world.
• How and when do you pray? What helps you stay persistent? What makes it difficult to pray?
  
  The topic for the Catechumenate session this Sunday is prayer.
  The next Inquiry session will be July 27.

St. Mary Magdalene

Today is the feast of the "Apostle to the Apostles", faithful follower of Jesus, and the person blessed by being the first witness to his resurrection (see today's Gospel). And yet somehow over the centuries, she was mistakenly confused with the "sinful woman" of Luke 7:36-50, and for much too long was labeled a repentant prostitute! Most artistic representations of Mary of Magdala show her either washing Jesus' feet with her tears (see previous sentence to determine if that's an accurate depiction), or in a pose of deep repentance.

Regarding her past, Scripture only reports (Luke 8:2) that she was healed by Jesus of 'seven demons', which could have been a severe physical or emotional illness, and one might speculate that profound gratitude at this relief first led her to follow Jesus. So, whether it was flawed Biblical interpretation or an effort to downplay the role of women in the early Christian community (or the more modern misinterpretation of her as Jesus' secret wife!) - can you think of a saint more misunderstood by centuries of Christians?!?!

So today in her honor, let's focus on what Mary Magdalene REALLY represents: gratitude for the healing power of God that expresses itself in devotion and faithfulness, willingness to support the ministry of Jesus (by resources and by standing at the foot of the cross), and courage to profess and proclaim her faith and her faith-story.

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us!

Today in Scripture

The second half of today's first reading (full reading: Micah 6: 1-4, 6-8):
Micah 6: 6-8

With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow before God most high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with myriad streams of oil?
Shall I give my first-born for my crime,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
You have been told, O man, what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do the right and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.

This reminds me a little bit of the dynamic in yesterday's Gospel, when Jesus was visiting with Martha and Mary. Do you think that sometimes we complicate things a bit much, in an attempt to 'win favor' with God? The good news of the Gospel is simple: God loves us. God loves you, and there's not a thing you can do to diminish that love. You do, of course, have the free will to reject God's love, but it seems that it is humanity that complicates how we might respond in love, worship, or thanksgiving.

A slightly different translation of Micah 6:8 makes clear just how simple (and how challenging) is our calling as disciples:

This is what God asks of you: 
only this,
to act justly,
to love tenderly
and to walk humbly with your God.

This might be a good week to reflect on how well the priorities in your life support this three-fold mission.

Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, July 18, 2010:

Genesis 18: 1-10a

Psalm 15: 2-5

Colossians 1:24-28

Luke 10: 38-42

you are anxious and worried about many things
There have been various interpretations of the symbolism of the Martha and Mary story. For right now, let's keep it simple: in your faith, in your home life, in your work - what little details and mundane tasks keep you from being fully present to the people around you, and to God? Are those tasks sometimes used as an excuse for not engaging with God and others?


This Sunday at the 9:30Am Mass we will celebrate a Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming, and our current catechumenate group will double in size!

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Today is the feast of Blessed Kateri Tekawitha, a Native American woman who died while still in her early 20's, but was a strong example of courage in the face of opposition.

Some background maybe be found here about her life, challenges and dedication. When her Christian mother (and her father and brother) died while Kateri was just a child, she was sent to live with her uncle who was suspicious of Christians (who after all, were at times, 'invaders'), and against her conversion. Kateri would certainly understand the pressure we sometimes feel when respecting and honoring those we love might clash with our deepest convictions.

Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!

Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, July 11, 2010:

Deuteronomy 30: 10-14

Psalm 69: 14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36-37
(or Psalm 19: 8-11)

Colossians 1: 15-20

Luke 10: 25-37

 V. Van Gogh

• What keeps us from reaching out to a stranger in need? Prudent caution? Fear?  Busyness? Lack of compassion? Concern about others' opinions? Other commitments?
• When have you been a source of God's mercy and compassion for another person?
  
  The Catechumenate will be dismissed from the 9:30 Mass this Sunday. The topic is "Works of Mercy"
  The Mystagogia session will begin after the 9:30 Mass in Room 214 this Sunday.
  The next Inquiry session will be July 13.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, July 4, 2010:

Isaiah 66: 10-14c

Psalm 66: 1-7, 16, 20

Galations 6: 14-18

Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20

Your peace will rest on that person.
Jesus is sending his disciples out on mission, but notice the attitude he expects of them: dependence on the receptiveness of others, offering the peace and message of God, but not forcing it on anyone. No arm-twisting, no glaring posters on the street-corners, no strategy other than peaceful interaction and the modest confidence that comes from understanding that God's really the one in charge.
A popular quote usually attributed to St. Francis of Assisi is a good guide for how we might go about evangelization: "Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words."

• What have you learned about Jesus from someone in your daily life this week? (TV, radio, internet, twitter doesn't count!)
• What do you think you might have taught someone about Christianity by your demeanor and actions today?
  
  Happy 4th of July! There will be no catechumenate session this weekend.
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