Greetings on this the Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Cor 11:18, 21-30; PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Mt 6:19-23
Notes:
In Hebrew the phrase ayin tovah means a good eye which means to judge people in a favorable light. Going further it means to think and evaluate after knowing more than before.
About who people are.
About what people do.
Then the good fills you up.
In Hebrew the phrase ayin ha’ra means evil eye which means to wish evil upon or see only evil in another. Then the evil fills you up.
Paul had to deal with a lot of people who saw him with ayin ha’ra.
His defense is to ask they look with the ayin tovah.
Because he lays out the facts of the matter and his commitment to the salvation of souls in Christ. He then asks ‘Am I not indignant?’ This, for Paul, is sin. He knows it and he owns it. He is acknowledges his need for forgiveness while at the same time recognizing he knows he is serving the Lord well.
He is willing to own the sin of pride (boasting), if his detractors will own the sin of ayin ha’ra – failing to see the good he does.
Brilliant!
First Reading
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
Responsorial
From all their distress God rescues the just.
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Gospel
But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Ayin tovah!
The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
This was sent to my notes from a friend. in 1800 , nuns building church , had run out of money, a strange man showed up and spent weeks building the spiral stairs to the choir loft. When he finished , he left and was never seen or heard from again. The church in Santa fe is named St Joseph, patron Saint of carpenters, some believe he was the stranger!!! I agree! Nuns could find no accounts where materials were purchased and there is no center support for stairs!!
cjsmissionaryministry@gmail.com
Amazing gift!!