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Greetings on this the Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Galatians 3:7-14; Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6; Luke 11:15-26

Summary

When Jesus had driven out a demon, the human soul was swept clean and put in order, he warned the person about the potential future risk of harm, the last condition of that man is worse than the first.

The prince of this world will now be cast out,
and when I am lifted up from the earth
I will draw all to myself, says the Lord (John 12:31b-32).

Don’t invite the prince of this world back into your life.

Reflection

The Return of the Unclean Spirit

When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

This warning can apply to nations, families and individuals.

Personal Reflection

Isn’t it weird that when the doctor gives you post-operative instructions in order to preserve the work done in you, it all seems reasonable and easy to do. But then you get home and you’re like, No, I don’t need to do that.

So you don’t do it and then, as sure as sunset follows sunrise, you are in a situation worse than before?

But this time, I actually followed the instructions. Why? Because I didn’t want to undo the healing. The same is true for our souls.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights (Ps 111:1b-2).

Keep your eye on the goals.
Wanna see my scar?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Galatians 3:1-5; Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75; Luke 11:5-13

Summary

Justification by Faith

Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard? 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?”

Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son. (Gal 3:5; Lk 11:13; Acts 16:14b).

Reflection

Lived Out in Persistent Friendship

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him.’ (Lk 11:5-6).

A friend helps a friend be a friend. It’s a team effort. Relationship begins as gift, not achievement. The same gifts St Paul speaks about.

The Answer to Prayer

And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Lk 11:9-10).

Personal Reflection

Ask to receive the Friendship of the Lord and of Man.
Seek to enliven Friendship as to be like the Lord gives.
Knock on your own spiritual door persistently – in opposition to our natural self – that the door of friendship be opened. To our own house. Unto the house of the Lord.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
Readings: Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14; Psalm 117:1bc, 2; Luke 11:1-4

Summary

Father, hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
and do not subject us to the final test.”

Reflection

Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father! (Rom 8:15bc)

The best news of the day is the Our Father. You, yes you, have direct and unambiguous access to God, the Father. Jesus, the Christ, is our hope. That is very good news!

Jesus reveals the Father. The depths of that revelation are often called the Mysteries.

Personal Reflection

Today we celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary. Which is both thanksgiving for the Blessed Mother and her intercessory role in Heaven, and her constant orientation toward the Father revealed by her Son. We encounter the Good News as Mystery. Not because it is unintelligible (it is super-intelligible). But because it is infinitely contemplative, yielding ever warmer and loving insights each time we contemplate them and can never be exhausted.

The Rosary contains 20 mysteries (contemplations, insights, prayerful encounter): Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. The Rosary serves as a “compendium of the Gospel” that keeps that exact same Good News accessible to all of us today.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Mary.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Galatians 1:13-24; Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15; Luke 10:38-42

Summary

Martha and Mary

She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak (Lk 10:39).

Reflection

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus in the position reserved for disciples.
Mary wasn’t dodging her responsibilities. She was immersed in the primacy of discipleship.

O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit (Mary) and when I stand (Martha);
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
(Ps 139:1b-3)

And Jesus wasn’t scolding Martha.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Lk 10:40, 41-42).

• I dare NOT wander into the practical suggestions and options Martha had in that moment.
• Nor shall I wander (and wonder) into the other worries and anxieties Martha had beyond the immediate needs of the situation itself.
• And, finally, for those who can see it, the story of Martha and Mary is similar to the story of the Prodigal Son in respect to the Elder Son jealous of the love given the Younger Son.

But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ (Lk 15:32).

In our first reading, Saint Paul, proposes the same case.

Brothers and sisters: You heard of my former way of life… how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it (Gal 1:13).

In a similar way to the Father addressing the Elder Son and Paul’s confession:

Jesus is asking Martha to fix her gaze on him. Gaze not on competition, comparison, or past mistakes.
When you can sit at the Master’s feet, ex. at Mass or Exposition of the Holy Eucharist, you are like Mary.
When you gaze on the sweetness of the Lord’s love in your heart wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you are what Martha is being invited toward.

Personal Reflection

Today, especially women who feel alienated, sit at the feet of Jesus. In the prime place. We will be with you in spirit as we do the dishes.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100626.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43

Summary

The Parable of the Tenants

Within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. He waited for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry! Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. O LORD, God of hosts, restore us; if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.
(Isa 5:2b; 7c; Mt 21:43; Ps 80:20; Phil 4:8-9).

Reflection

In the allegory of the Parable of the Tenants, we find the recurring theme in the Old Testament repeated in the New Testament.

A Repeating Pattern

1. God provides covenantal love.
2. Man disobeys and suffers from his own missteps.
3. Man cries out.
4. God saves.

Repeat steps 1-4.
Throughout divine history, nations, kingdoms, families, self.

The key to all of this: They will respect my son (or not).

A thief steals what doesn’t belong to them. Positions of authority are stewardships not ownership.
Things go wrong when the Owner is not respected.

Paul nails what respect looks like. Whatever is: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and gracious. And, of course, the opposite in its extreme: murder and injustice. Our piety depends on our acting out being pious.

The parable leads directly into the rejected-stone image of Psalm 118, part of the wider biblical cornerstone tradition also found in Isaiah. The capstone, keystone, the person of Jesus and the responses.

Personal Reflection

Do we respect Jesus?

In our sacred readings today, we take the perspective of respect meaning the Pauline list of piety.
Where are we on the Repeating Reality? Recognizing where we are is crucial to moving forward.
Paul also provides comfort.

In Christ, covenant, prayer, and rescue are no longer merely sequential. They can become the continuing pattern of Christian life.

Joy and Peace.

Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:4-7).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100426.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17; Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130; Luke 10:17-24

Summary

Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Lord, let your face shine on me. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. (Lk 10:20b; Ps 119:135; Matthew 11:25).

Reflection

All things are ordered to the good of Creation.
The highest good is unity with the Creator.

Personal Reflection

It’s Saturday morning. I hope you have a restful day.

Rejoice – you are headed to heaven (hope with doing the will of the Father).
Rejoice – the Lord’s face shines upon you.
Rejoice – you are blessed to know these things.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100326.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry