Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Readings: IS 1:10-17; PS 50:8-9, 16BC-17, 21 AND 23; MT 10:34-11:1
Operations
A surgeon wields a scalpel the sharpest of swords not to harm but to heal.
Summary
Isaiah continues to call out the difference between what we do and what the Lord expects. We pray for things that are not in our best interest. I close my eyes to you; Though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! Wash yourselves clean!
Reflection
Jesus is the surgeon in a patient consultation describing the depth of the illness and the work of healing. Healing is a painful process sometimes. People become divided, lose their focus and refuse the path of healing. What I have is good enough! What I want is just fine!
Personal Reflection
I lost a friend, patient, parishioner to alcoholism. No matter the time I spent and the prayers I prayed, he would always calculate the distance between his behavior and his health condition. “I’m not there yet”. He was calculating how far he could go without causing an irreversible and deadly outcome. It didn’t work.
When you go to the doctor listen to her or him. When you go to God and ask for help, listen to him. You cannot out-calculate chemistry, biology, and what is morally right or wrong.
Sacred Scripture
Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071524.cfm
First Reading
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Responsorial
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Gospel
Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry