Greetings on this the Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Col 1:24–2:3; PS 62:6-7, 9; Lk 6:6-11
Notes: This week we step through the 6th chapter of the gospel of Luke.
There is a pause in the sequence for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Birth of Mary).
The sequence of first readings is supportive of the sequence of the gospel readings.
Colossians and Timothy letters.
- Monday – Rejoice in my suffering for your sake.
- Tuesday – We are being reconfigured into a participation of the body of Christ.
- Wednesday – (Rm) Birth of Mary. All things work for good for those who love God.
- Thursday – We are to reflect that change in the put on love, the bond of perfection.
- Friday – Warning about false doctrines and unholy activities.
- Saturday – All this because God is merciful to me.
- Gospel
- Monday -Healed on the Sabbath the man with a withered hand.
- Tuesday – Mission of the Twelve and the ministering to the multitude.
- Wednesday – (Mt – Birth of Mary) Genealogy of Jesus.
- Thursday – Love of Enemies.
- Friday – Judging others.
- Saturday – (choose between) The Two Foundations – Rock or Sand.
First reading
Paul reflects to his readers,
In my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his Body, which is the Church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God.
Dorothy Day, a radical catholic, said it in another way:
I cannot worry much about your sins and miseries when I have so many of my own. I can only love you all, poor fellow travelers, fellow sufferers. I do not want to add one least straw to the burden you already carry. My prayer from day to day is that God will so enlarge my heart that I will see you all, and live with you all, in His love.
Dorothy Day
Responsorial Psalm
In God is my safety and my glory.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
Alleluia Verse
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
Gospel Portion
Some worry the Catholic Church is overly focused on social justice at the expense of worship. At different levels this is a valid concern. Social justice cannot be the only focus. Jesus is our source and summit of faith and works.
The discernment of focus must pass through this filter and all it implies:
I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 