Author: Gerry Palermo

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Readings: Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146:7, 8-9a, 9bc-10; Luke 17:20-25

Summary

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Asked … when the kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, “The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.” I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become … I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you… no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord (Lk 17:20-21; Phil 10, 12, 16).

Reflection

Did you see that?

That! Aw, you missed it.

In our gospel portion today, people miss the presence of God. He’s there and active and working between, among and for each of us.
But we fail to see it.

In Paul’s letter, he had to remind them Onesimus is beloved of God and of Paul himself. They didn’t see his worth, as a man, as a brother. Yet he is. Redeemed, just like the rest of us. When we fail to see the kingdom already here, we miss the coolest things:

The LORD secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.

The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
(Psalm 146:7, 8-9a, 9bc-10)

Personal Reflection

Keep your eyes open today.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Strage Inutile (“useless slaughter”)

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 37:3-4, 18 and 23, 27 and 29; Luke 17:7-10

Summary

As for yourself, you must say what is consistent with sound doctrine. Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’ (Ti 2:1; Ps 37:3-4; Lk 17:10b).

Franciscan Reflection (Leo the Great)

At a time when there is widespread criticism of Church structures, we also hear criticism that bishops and priests—indeed, all of us—are too preoccupied with administration of temporal matters. Pope Leo is an example of a great administrator who used his talents in areas where spirit and structure are inseparably combined: doctrine, peace, and pastoral care. He avoided an “angelism” that tries to live without the body, as well as the “practicality” that deals only in externals.

Saint Leo the Great

Reflection

As we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good (Ti 2:13-14).

Personal Reflection

A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.

In all we do or say, it must be grounded in sound doctrine and with the Common Good in mind and modeled after the “Signs” of Jesus.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Readings: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22

Cleansing of the Temple

[He said] to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” [After being challenged] Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken (Jn 2:16, 19, 22).

The Wonderful Stream

Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and there! I saw water flowing out from under the threshold of the temple… For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building (Ez 47:1a; 1 Cor 3:9).

Personal Reflection

We celebrate the Lateran Basilica in Rome today. Our spiritual home.

As one family in Christ we can recall his love for us with one voice.
It is the Father’s house. A temple.
You are the bricks that make up the structure.
From it flows the Waters of Life.

So it is your home, it is you, it is your gift to the world.
Let’s not make it anything else.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Wisdom 6:12-16; Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

Summary

Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and Sisters … For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Stay awake and be ready! For you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ (Wis 6:12; 1 Thes 4:13a-14; Mt 24:42a, 25:11-12).

It is a joy to see the Church follow Jewish teaching tradition by juxtaposing two themes so as to, in so very few words, allow us to understand the parallelism of a secular and faith filled life and, succinctly, the remedy therein.

Reflection

Falling Asleep

There are two types of falling asleep in our sacred readings today. Falling asleep in the way of death and of inattentiveness leading unto separation from the divine. Falling asleep (death) does not separate you from God. The other, maybe!

Lord, Lord

A double plea – Lord, Lord – signifies the urgency of the statement. For example, when Jesus says, “Amen, Amen, I say to you” there is an urgency built into the written words that should come through that is more easily expressed in person verbally. And in a related way, the divine calling out to Abraham, Moses and Samuel all are recorded as a double name calling, to wit, Moses, Moses! This ancient rhetorical device is known as epizeuxis – intense urgency, deep intimacy, or passionate emphasis (wiki). In the Old Testament the phrase is, in some cases, interpreted as Lord God.

Wisdom

Wisdom helps us know the difference.
Wisdom reveals, by her gifts, that through of the death and resurrection of Jesus we are united with God.

So in this life being awake to the saving act of God is to have oil for your lamp. Living a life — not stumbling in the dark — but alit with love.

And, in the lasting gift of contemplation, we are left with the questions:

Questions

• Do the foolish virgins get to heaven or not?
• Are they left outside forever looking in and regretting their inattentiveness?

Answers:

• At one level the parable is surrounded by other parables which express the finality of death and the consequence of a life poorly lived. This is the immediate understanding.
• At another level we are given the hope of being found and known, somehow, through the mercy of God.

A single leading Amen, means that God has the authority and power to enforce this outcome. The fictional figures are not a census of the damned. They are the symbol of the importance.

Personal Reflection

This is our mirror moment. When I look at myself, do I see someone who is truly awake? Do I see someone professing Christ both interiorly and exteriorly? If we are unsure, then our shared prayer must be: Wisdom, lead me the way!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Philippians 4:10-19; Psalm 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a, 9; Luke 16:9-15

Summary

Who will trust you with true wealth? (Lk 16:11b).

Reflection

Make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings (Lk 16:9). To be a friend means to be in right relation with someone or something.

Recapitulating Jesus’ directions: Establish a right relation with wealth, know its limitations and its temptations. When you do this, you will rightly know to be in right relation with God and find yourself being welcomed to heavenly places.

What is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God (Lk 16:15b).

Jesus provides the contrast: Self-justification. This self-centered rationality places us in inferior relation with wealth and God. Jesus further develops the negative contrast in The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9ff.

1. I TAKE MY POSITION BEFORE GOD.
2. I am not like everyone else (really now?).
3. I am not greedy.
4. I am not dishonest.
5. I am not an adulterer.
6. I am not a tax collector.
7. I fast twice a week
8. I pay tithes on my whole income.

Oops!

This is true wealth: But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 18:13-14).

Personal Reflection

Think of this question in a new way: Who will trust you?

The question is from the divine heart… Can I trust you?

Oh!

Don’t spin out of control with the impossibility. Chill.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:13, 19).
Enter into right relation with ordinary wealth and the eternal wealth of love.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Philippians 3:3-8a; Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Luke 15:1-10

Summary

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him. I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:1, 10b).

Reflection

Go after the lost one until he finds it? (Lk 15:4b).
Light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? (Lk 15:8)

Jesus is noting, man or woman put in the effort to bring peace and harmony for themselves and for the ones they love.

Rejoice with me because…
Rejoice with me because…

In just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance (Lk 15:7).
There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Lk 15: 10).

The Saints and Angels rejoice over any and all who reconcile to the Father.

Personal Reflection

It all starts with drawing near and listening to Jesus, meek and humble of heart. Draw near to him as he draws near to you.

Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord (Ps 105:3b).
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered (Ps 105:5).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110526.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Readings: Philippians 2:12-18; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Luke 14:25-33

Summary

Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? (Lk 14:28).
Otherwise…
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? (Lk 14:31).
Otherwise…

In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:33).

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world (Phil 2:12b-15).

Reflection

It can be argued that we live constantly in the place of decision-making. Every day, every moment.
Paul’s advice is to treat these moments with the gravity they deserve.
In the same way, Jesus is asking if we have divided loyalty?

Not that we don’t have ordinary and profane concerns. This is real life, after all.
Instead, Jesus is asking, do we understand the gift given (eternal life) and the corresponding efforts to work out our salvation.

Do I understand the gift given (As Jesus reminds us elsewhere, If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him? (Lk 11:13))?
Do I understand the impact of the potential loss of the gift by making bad decisions?

In the interest of interdenominational harmony, whether the loss is temporal or eternal, or both, the question remains strong and urgent.
Otherwise…

Personal Reflection

In your moments of decisions, decisions that have serious moral dimensions, do you weigh the ‘otherwise’ before acting?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110426.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry