I will do it. Be made clean.

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
Readings: 2 KGS 25:1-12; PS 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6; MT 8:1-4

American Reality – Liar v Needing to lay down

Last night the debate between President Biden and former President Trump concluded after 1.5 hours. As expected, President Biden acted his age and was frail and unable to keep up the rapid pace and challenge of disordered debate. Former President Trump spit out lie after lie and of a sorcerer and soothsayer. Both men fell into personalized attacks and personal animus. It was not a good night for America.

• Smooth Liar, convict and insurrectionist.
• Sleepy Joe, stutterer and slow of speech.

What a choice!

For Biden the walls closed in on him based on his age. For Trump the walls closed in on him based on truth and justice. For us, a most difficult choice.

And then [I] a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make [us] clean. ”He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Maybe that is the right prayer now.

Franciscan Reflection

A deep and genuine concern for other people will remind us that the discovery of truth is not to be a victory for some and a defeat for others. Unless all can claim a share in that victory, truth itself will continue to be rejected by the losers, because it will be regarded as inseparable from the yoke of defeat. And so, confrontation, controversy and the like might yield to a genuine united search for God’s truth and how it can best be served.

Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-irenaeus/

Summary

In our first reading today, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his whole army advanced against Jerusalem, encamped around it, and built siege walls on every side. And then the Chaldean troops tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem.

The world is like that. A good man or a good people surrounded, besieged and eventually overcome (in the ultimate reality of death). Yet the divine mercy is ever present and ever willing.

He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

Reflection

Lord, we really need your help to navigate this crisis in America.

Personal Reflection

I will trust the Lord: I will do it. Be made clean.

Sacred Readings

Full kink: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062824.cfm

First Reading

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his whole army advanced against Jerusalem, encamped around it, and built siege walls on every side.

Responsorial

Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

Gospel Acclamation

Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases. MATTHEW 8:17

Gospel

He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry