Greetings on this the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels Readings: Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5; Psalm 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab; Matthew 18:1-5, 10
Summary
See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father (Mt 18:10).
Anybody here not a child?
Reflection
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (Ps 139:1-3)
Angel of God
Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God’s love commits me here, Ever this night [or day] be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Readings: Job 19:21-27; Psalm 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14; Luke 10:1-12
Summary
This is the 4th time I am reflecting on Luke 10:1-12, The Mission of the Seventy-two. If you omit Return of the Seventy-two, then only the second time. Previously, the Prophet Nehemiah and Isaiah were the first readings. Today, the lament of Job.
So the register is set to the depths of difficulty in contrast to the supreme nature of faith.
Pity me, pity me, you my friends, for the hand of God has struck me! Why do you pursue me like God, and prey insatiably upon me? This will happen when my skin has been stripped off, and from my flesh I will see God: I will see for myself, my own eyes, not another’s, will behold him: my inmost being is consumed with longing (Jb 19:21-22, 26-27).
I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living (Ps 27:13).
Reflection
How do we know we are loved by God?
Appointed Ones Reflection
You. You are appointed to heal me [of abandonment]. You. You are set apart to bring peace.
The Lord appointed seventy[-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ Cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you (Lk 10:1, 5, 9).
The appeal to you…
O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Your grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in “wedding garments.” Amen. (St. Teresa of Ávila).
Those Still WaitingReflection
Before you say the prayer below, take the time to reflect on the person or persons who reminded you of the loving God. Nobody? You sure?
Then the alternate prayer for you is, from your inmost being: May it be so, Lord, that I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. And now I wait for the LORD. Amen.
Prayer for All
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek. Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me not off.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church Readings: Job 9:1-12, 14-16; Psalm 88:10bc-11, 12-13, 14-15; Luke 9:57-62
Summary
Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him (Lk 9:62; Phil 3:8-9).
Reflection
We could unpack so much from this short dialog but I will keep it brief.
Looking back at the natural good is ignoring the spiritual wonder of your life in The Way.
Even this, for Paul, is rubbish – by way of comparison.
Also, looking back on our mistakes with fondness is a tragedy.
Gaudium de ipso malo peracto peccatum est! Memento te mortalem esse!
Jesus warns us not to look back: Remember the wife of Lot (Lk 17:32).
Personal Reflection
Keep your horizon the Kingdom, here, now, forever.
Prayer
Daily I call upon you, O LORD; to you I stretch out my hands. But I, O LORD, cry out to you; with my morning prayer I wait upon you. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
Greetings on this the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels Readings: Revelation 12:7-12ab; Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5; John 1:47-51
Summary
Then he brought him to Jesus (Andrew-to-Simon). Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (Philip-to-Nathanael) (Jn 1:42, 46c).
Revelation to John
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near (Rev 1:1-3).
Work of the Archangel
Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven (Rev 12:7-8).
Reflection
Servants of the divine mission, angels and men. They work together to defend us from wickedness and snares (traps set to have us fall into ruin). Men are to tell the Good News and minister to people. The Angels participate in the divine mission. Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides.
Personal Reflection
The Mass has ended, go forth, let us love and serve the Lord. Pray for the hungry then you feed them. This is how prayer works.
Prayer
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Have you tied cords to the Pleiades, or loosened the bonds of Orion?
Greetings on this the Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time Readings: Job 1:6-22; Psalm 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7; Luke 9:46-50
Summary
In our sacred reading today, we encounter the mystery of God’s love, our responses to love and the deepening of the divine answer to Job by way of Jesus’ ministry.
The Interview Between the Lord and the Satan.
The First Trial (4 calamities).
Job’s Reaction.
The Greatest in the Kingdom – deep and personal mercy.
Another Exorcist – the weightier matters.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,
“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” By hearsay I had heard of you, but now my eye has seen you (Jb 1:21,42:5).
Reflection
Job starts with the reality that all good things come from God. Then comes his second trial (skin boils). And then the third (people’s instincts) – that is – the unhelpful friends.
After having dialoged with the Lord, Job’s encounter with the Lord shifts the question from explanation to vision. But critically the text is ultimately accompanied with: now my eye has seen you. Jesus completes the revelation of seeing.
Every person is received by the Lord (as one loves a child) and we should do likewise.
We humans do not understand every good and every person — nor the divine mechanisms of the good.
The noise of calamity does not have the final word in the sight of this truth.
Personal Reflection
For Job and for all of us, we need my eye to see you. I don’t think the text brought about the seeing. The trust brought about the seeing.
We can see the divine answer to all our difficulties by way of:
Creation.
Jesus’ embrace.
Work of strangers, even.
Prayer
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word. Show your wondrous mercies, O savior of those who flee from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
Greetings on this the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32
Summary
What is your opinion? Is it my way that is unfair? Are not your ways unfair? (Mt 21:28a; Ez 18:25cd).
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others. Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:3-5).
Reflection
Afterwards changed his mind and went (Mt 21:29b).
What do you suppose went through his mind?
Personal Reflection
Sometimes Jesus doesn’t make sense to us. Then he does. Treat this psalm as a prayer.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your love are from of old. The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way. (Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9)
Greetings on this the Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Readings: Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:8; Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17; Luke 9:43b-45
Summary
While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” (Lk 9:43b-44)
Reflection
Astonished and amazed.
The Second Prediction of the Passion is given in the middle of the disciples expressing surprise and amazement. Jesus reminds us the divine effort of salvation is work, sacrifice and love. He invites them to enter the effort.
Personal Reflection
Our reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is fleeting, much of what we purse is fleeting. But the work of salvation is worthy of our time and attention. Teach us to number our days aright (Ps 90:12a).
In solitude and prayer we discover our inner self.
Greetings on this the Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time Readings: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Psalm 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4; Luke 9:18-22
Summary
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Lk 9:18).
NABRE * [3:21] Was praying: Luke regularly presents Jesus at prayer at important points in his ministry: here at his baptism; at the choice of the Twelve (Lk 6:12); before Peter’s confession (Lk 9:18); at the transfiguration (Lk 9:28); when he teaches his disciples to pray (Lk 11:1); at the Last Supper (Lk 22:32); on the Mount of Olives (Lk 22:41); on the cross (Lk 23:46). (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/3?21=#50003021)
The psalmist helps us today. Which of these resonates with you?
Mercy
Fortress
Stronghold
Delivered
Shield
Trusted One
Feeling noticed? Appreciated and seen?
Even if I am but a breath, you account me as eternal (because you, Lord, are eternal)!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock, my mercy and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, My shield, in whom I trust.
LORD, what is man, that you notice him; the son of man, that you take thought of him? Man is like a breath; his days, like a passing shadow. (Psalm 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4)
Reflection
But who do you say that I am? (Lk 9:20a). Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” (Lk 9:20b)
Personal Reflection
In our solitude we discover:
What we think of others.
What we think of ourselves.
What we wonder how others think about us – but only in ways that remain healthy, truthful, and charitable.
Solitude brings clarity and freedom.
Prayer brings clarity and charity in the thinking.
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