Author: Gerry Palermo

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ezekiel 12:1-12; Psalm 78:56-57, 58-59, 61-62; Matthew 18:21–19:1

Summary

Forgiveness can only be understood in the context of the promise. The promise of divine forgiveness experienced in this life and fulfilled in eternal life.

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?’ (Mt 18:32-33).

If God doesn’t deliver, why should I?

That is the problem Ezekiel is addressing, our inability to see the Lord in action.

So many focus instead as does this proverb: “The days drag on, and every vision fails” (Ez 12:22). Say to them therefore: Thus says the Lord GOD: I will put an end to that proverb; they shall never use it again in Israel. Say to them instead: “The days are at hand and every vision fulfilled.” (Ez 12:23).

Reflection

Jesus calls out the false notion that life is a drudgery and the word of the Lord is without efficacy.

He points out that divine forgiveness given us in measure we cannot fathom is the yardstick we are to measure our own forgiving practices. The psalmist helps us recall the many rescues the Lord has performed for us.

Personal Reflection

May our forgiveness be as Jesus describes be with the same abundance as in our blessings!

Psalm 78 is an historical psalm which recounts all the wonders the Lord has performed for the people. The portion selected for today is fraction of the recurring theme: they accept my blessings but not my law and the cycle of obedience and disobedience results in experience of favor and consequence. Or said more directly: the consequences of disobedience -and unforgiveness- are not sidestepped, but experienced in its own woes.

The Lord answers. In a similar way to the question: “Must I forgive my brother 7 times” and Jesus responded seventy-seven times! So too blessing. Not 7 times… seventy-seven times a blessing!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081326.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22; Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Matthew 18:15-20

Summary

Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them." (Mt 18:19-20)

This verse is better understood by the writing of a second century Rabbi: “When two sit and there are between them the words of the Torah, the divine presence (Shekinah) rests upon them” (Pirqê ’Abôt 3, 3).

Reflection

It is a jolting awakening to realize how many who profess Christ are unable to agree as to what to pray for. The conclusion might be that the Torah (the Word of God) is not the centering reality of their prayer. Thoughts not centered on the meaning and intent of the Word of God are easily drawn into conflict and division. In the rabbinic saying, the Shekinah—the divine presence—rests among those gathered around Torah; in Matthew, Jesus places himself in the midst of those gathered in his name.

What, then, is undivided in the Word? Reconciliation—with the Father, in Christ, and with one another. The agreement Jesus speaks of is not merely consensus; it is communion ordered toward reconciliation.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Personal Reflection

Let us agree: may our prayers – the center of our prayers – be for the reconciliation of people.

Note – this link will change to its proper name with the Date as the cycle of readings change every year.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/wednesday-nineteenth-week-ordinary-time

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin
Readings: Ezekiel 2:8-3:4; Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131; Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Summary

He said to me: Son of man, eat what you find here: eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, “Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.” (Ez 3:1-2,3b, X-Ref Rev 10:9).

How sweet to my taste is your promise! (Ps 119:103a)

Reflection

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. (Mt 11:29, 18:4-5).

Sacred scripture is sweet to read and sour to execute!

Just being honest here! I mean, really now, do you receive everyone as a child of God? Or in moments of temptation do you want to take the scroll and bash them over the head?

So then we must adjust our thinking. If divine mercy is sweet when given to us, it cannot become sour merely because it is given to someone else.

What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost (Mt 18:12-14).

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).

Personal Reflection

So our contradiction is sweet for me and sour for you?
or
The Lord will come to find me and not you?

No, this is not the way. In a sense the sour part is the need for a change of heart. Each human person is loved by God and, by his will, is meant to receive the sweetness of divine love.

Just saying.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Readings: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9; John 12:24-26

Summary

Today is a big day for me.

• As an outdoorsman.
• As a deacon.

Evening Mass

#1. The fall I took on the Appalachian Trail has turned out to be extensive structural damage. It is likely to be months of surgery and rehab.

Update: 14 Day intravenous antibiotics starting soonest.

• Broken elbow
• 2 tendons severely torn – One going up to elbow, one going to wrist.
• Ruptured bursa
• Two infected fluid collections.
• Bone infection.

#2 Feast of Saint Lawrence at the cathedral. I’ll post pictures.

Reflection

A holy priest friend sent me a video (non-public). From the news report back then: On Thursday, May 16, 2019, the funeral of Jean Vanier, who died during the night of May 6-7, will be held in Trosly-Breuil (Oise). He founded the first L’Arche community in this village.

2:27 p.m.: Reading of the Gospel, first in French by André Haurine, a visually impaired deacon: the text of the washing of the feet. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

The point of the video is the deacon proclaiming John’s Gospel and the theology of service, not Vanier himself. I watched him then as an able-bodied deacon admiring another man’s perseverance. I watch him differently now.

I quoted this to my pastor. I told him I saw the video given me by a priest. At the time I was healthy, thought it an odd gift. Not so distant now.

Personal Reflection

In the end, one must remember: The Father will honor whoever serves me (Jn 12:26b).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

Summary

Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” (Mt 14:33).
Later in Matthew, Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:16).

Reflection

• The Walking on the Water has been our gospel reading this past Monday and Tuesday and again today.
• On Monday we considered doubt: Why did you doubt?
• On Tuesday we considered the response: Put Your hand in The Hand

Today we arrive at recognition: “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

We can glean the context with the first reading from First Kings: At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. The Lord revealed himself in an amazingly gentle and simple way.

Not in the strong winds.
Not in the earthquake.
Not in the raging fire.

But in a tiny whispering sound. The “silent sound,” is mysterious and ultimately ungraspable.

In that silent whisper, volumes of presence.

The story of the Walking on the Water brings the full meaning forward, the Lord doesn’t overpower but helps us overcome our doubts and enlivens our Ask. Jesus, like in the story of Elijah, is the gentle whisper. He is the Son of the God of Whispers with the full weight of the power, victory and majesty.

Our psalmist brings in verse the poetic meaning of his divine presence.

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.

Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
(Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14)

Personal Reflection

Lord, the Walking on Water brings us clarity on who you are, how you are, and what you desire for us.
Truly, you are the Son of God.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest
Readings: Habakkuk 1:12—2:4; Psalm 9:8-9, 10-11, 12-13; Matthew 17:14-20

Summary

How long will I be with you? (Mt 17:17b).
How long will I endure you? (Mt 17:17c).

A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” (Mt 17:14-16).

Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence while the wicked devour those more just than themselves? Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision. For the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. (Hab 1:13, 2:2a, 2:3bcde).

Jesus makes clear the Lord is not late, we are not responding as we should.

Reflection

Here we have the collision between faltering trust and the active presence of the Lord. The Transfiguration has occurred, followed by Jesus’ identification of John the Baptist with Elijah’s prophetic role. Earlier in time (in the Matthew sequence Chapter 10) the disciples received the power and authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

How long will I be with you? That is, when will you start taking your responsibilities seriously?
How long will I endure you? That is, why do you resist the divine aid within you and for you?

Then Jesus provides the answer most directly.

Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed… (Mt 17:19-20a). They had little faith (faltering trust) but even mustard-seed faith, rooted in humility and obedience, would have been enough.

The contradiction is the answer.

This is evident in the sacred gospel portion that follows in Matthew – Payment of the Temple Tax and the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew continues exposing the disciples’ still-developing faith: questions of privilege, responsibility, status, and greatness follow immediately.

Personal Reflection

How long?

Lord, may the time be shortened where I am prideful and disobedient! May instead the wonderful works of your hand be fruitful even in the most difficult of circumstances.

• Take responsibility.
• Obey without sinful pride.

In your name, may I say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/memorial-saint-dominic-priest

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7; Deuteronomy 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41; Matthew 16:24-28

Summary

Because ravagers have ravaged them and ruined their branches (NABRE Na 2:3b).
Because ravagers have ravaged them and ruined their tendrils (RSV Na 2:3b).

Ruined branches and tendrils have an important meaning to us today.

• Branches represent the main structure of a thing – its architecture.
• Tendrils represent the supporting and relational aspects – reach and relationship.

The reference in Nahum is specific to the Assyrians and the coming attack on the capital city Nineveh by a coalition of nations thus near ending the Assyrian Empire.
The Assyrians had gained ‘the whole world‘ through plunder but eventually forfeited their lives and the lives of their children.

Or what can one give in exchange for his life? (Mt 16:26b)

The Assyrian branches were the military conquest and desire to accumulate wealth.
The Assyrian tendrils were the oppression and robbery of every people and nation they occupied.

For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct (Mt 16:27).

Reflection

What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? (Mt 16:26)

Jesus takes the direct application of this question to the discipleship of a Christian.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 16:24-25).

• The Jesus branches are discipleship that is not built on worldly status or accumulated wealth but on him, the root.
• The Jesus tendrils are the Cross of sacrifice – reaching outward through sacrifice, service, and concern for the Other.

Personal Reflection

What are my branches?
What are my tendrils?
That is, what is my life built on, and what does it reach toward?

As to my own soul and my own life, I reject within me what is counter to the call of Jesus.

If Nineveh is my capital city—if I use the text to name the place within me that is built on domination, greed, or self-protection—then may that city fall.

Nineveh is destroyed;
who can pity her?
Where can I find
any to console you? (Na 3:7b)

My consolation shall be in the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9

Summary

As the visions during the night continued, I saw. Lord, it is good that we are here (Dn 7:13; Mt 17:4).

The more we want to see, we see.
The more we want to hear, we hear.
The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth (Ps 92:1a).
Jesus changed everything, how we see him, how we see others, how we see creation.
His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him (about his Exodus, his mission) (Mt 17:2b-3).

The Church exists to lead us into this dynamic of listening and decision-making, in which we come to understand for whom we are to live and how we are to live. The Church is the community in which we learn to discern the voice of God, which never simply coincides with our own opinions, and to dare to obey the Holy Spirit, who makes bold and creative all those who choose to follow Jesus. While we are “disfigured” by separating ourselves from him and from others, we are transfigured through the bonds that nourish and call us to life. Franciscan spirituality, in which you have been formed, is among the most attentive to restoring fundamental relationships with God and with all his creatures. Today, more than ever, this is a harmony that needs to be safeguarded and cultivated.

See: https://aleteia.org/2026/08/06/pope-leos-transfiguration-homily-in-assisi/

Reflection

Today the Lord Jesus Christ shone with splender on the mountain.

Personal Reflection

(Join in) the descent of Peter, James and John from the high mountain of the Transfiguration. May your return be reflective, open to the future and committed to Jesus Christ. He trusts you, counts on you and remains always with you. - Pope Leo XIV, today on the Transfiguration at Assisi.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080626.cfm

Footnote: Here is a reflection on Transfiguration from 2020. My Mom had just recently died (Feb-2020) and COVID-19 has appeared on the scene – six years ago now. I buried her in Calvary Cemetery, Queens, NYC, just before the shutdown of the city. https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2020/03/12/transfiguration/

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 31:1-7; Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12ab, 13; Matthew 15:21-28

Summary

The quote from Jesus regarding children and dogs is rather difficult to read, yes?
There are many animal-to-human analogies in sacred scripture.

1. Sheep
2. Swine
3. Dogs

… to name a few. It takes careful reading to make good use of this: It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.

You may infer that Jesus knew what she needed and he planned to help her at the conclusion of the dailog but the dialog is intended to reveal – (x-ref) And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me (Jn 11:41b-42).

Yet sometimes going to the end of the story and work backwards helps to understand the beginning of the story.

1. And her daughter was healed from that hour.
2. Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
3. But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
4. A Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

(to the disciples) He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (to the disciples) ”Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (to the Canaanite woman) He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” (Mt 15:24; Mt 10:6, Mt 15:26-27).

Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Reflection

The Greek word is a diminutive form of “dogs,” sometimes rendered “little dogs” or “household dogs.” This may shift the image from scavenging dogs outside to animals beneath the family table, but it does not remove the difficulty of Jesus’ words.

We struggle with basic truths. You’ve heard the questions in different forms:

1. Why does God allow sin, and calamity?
2. Why doesn’t he fix things right now?
3. Why does he love the Jews more than everyone else?

Even as we know the rational answers to these questions … the questions remain, at least at some level.

The basic answer is:

1. God does things with love in a fashion: timely, orderly, progressively, and purposefully.
2. At the same time He preserves our dignity and freedom and made us capable to order things aright as well.
3. This is a story of proper perspective for everyone – relations toward others and relation with God.

Jesus’ mission begins within Israel, in fidelity to God’s covenant, and from Israel extends to all nations. This is an order of revelation and mission, not an order of human worth.

Be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45).

The Canaanite woman reveals movements common to faith in every age. The woman does not convince Jesus to be merciful. Through the dialogue, Jesus reveals the faith by which she already receives mercy.

1. Recognition: Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
2. Homage and Persistance: She did him homage… Lord, help me.
3. Trust in abundance: Let me … eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters. Translation: this is a small matter for you, but a big matter for me.
4. O woman, great is your faith!
5. Let it be done for you as you wish. And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Personal Reflection

The story deserves its difficult reputation, but difficulty is not its final meaning. It reveals love and devotion and divine presence not based on chaos and capriciousness. It also reveals our deportment toward the divine.

The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” (Mt 8:8).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080526.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest
Readings: Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23; Matthew 14:22-36

Summary

You shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Yesterday the gospel portion was paired with the story of The Two Yokes. Today the same gospel portion was paired with the Promise of Restoration. The reflections bear the same distinction.

• Yesterday: Why do you doubt? The rush to conclusion by the Prophet Hananiah (breaking the wooden yoke off of Jeremiah) brought more difficulty much like our doubts.
• Today: The Ask(s). The divine action of Restoration in a most spectacular way – immediate and promised. Immediate and in a surprising way where the Medo-Persian Empire displacing the Babylonians. And a promise of the eventual restoration of the Davidic kingdom – which the Church interprets as the coming of the Christ.

Reflection

The Ask(s)

• They cried out in fear – At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
• Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” – He said, “Come.”
• (Sinking) He cried out, “Lord, save me!” – Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him.

My People, My God

• Restoration to courage in faith.
• Restoration to constructive life – a meaningful life.
• Restoration to safety in the Lord’s hands.

We do not need promises manufactured to calm us. We need Jesus.

Ask for courage of faith, a meaningful life and the safe touch of the Lord’s hand holding your hand.

An old song carries the invitation well:

Personal Reflection

Do you remember holding your dad’s or mom’s hand when you were little? May the Lord bless you with the memory of holding hands.

Heeding the plea of the lowly, not scorning their prayer.

Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.” (Ps 102:18, 19-21)

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080426.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry