Category: Catholic

Sword-Reward

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
A shiny gold trophy with decorative ribbons atop, standing on a black base, against a red background.
On the Appalachian trail there is a saying… No Pain, No Rain…. No Maine!

Greetings on this the Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 1:10-17; Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Matthew 10:34-11:1

Summary

The sword pierces and reveals.
The reward is participation in divine relationship.

What does Jesus want to pierce?

Just before our reading from Isaiah, an apt description of our condition.

Our condition

From the sole of the foot to the head
there is no sound spot in it;
Just bruise and welt and oozing wound,
not drained, or bandaged,
or eased with salve.

and accusation regarding actions/worship

I find no pleasure. When you come in to visit me, who asks these things of you? Bring no more worthless offerings; your incense is loathsome to me. Your hands are full of blood!

then an Appeal

Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Reflection

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…. and reward.

Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple– amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

What does Jesus want to reward?

He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.

Personal Reflection

As a deacon my homiletic approach is often different than that of a priest. In my charism, I focus on the things we can do and the things we must own.
We have been given:

  1. Dignity
  2. Autonomy
  3. Openness
  4. Gratitude
  5. Worship

These gifts are our tools of forming a response to the Divine Imperative of relationship.
Jesus wishes to share – reward – his divine life with us.

The sword reveals that which is unhealthy.
The reward is the healing balm of love.

  • A prophet’s reward is to experience and share the divine love and divine mission.
  • A righteous man’s reward is a peaceful life – extendable to peace in our homes, community and among nations.
  • The reward of kindness is kindness.

What is your sword – reward today?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071326.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Who Are You Today?

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
A red agricultural combine harvester working in a field with rows of crops under a dramatic sky with rays of sunlight.
The Lord broadcasts the seeds of love copiously, freely and often. How do I receive his gift?

Greetings on this the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23

Summary

“Hear then the parable of the sower.

The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.

The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.

The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word, and it bears no fruit.

But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Reflection

In our Gospel portion today, we are given a distinct set of outcomes and the causes of those outcomes.

While the story is told as a series of distinct and separate cases, it may be more profitable to understand them as the possible conditions of any person on any given day.

Who am I today?

Hearing without understanding.
Receiving with joy, but without allowing the word to take root.
Rooted only until trouble or persecution comes.
Surrounded by the thorns of worry and the lure of riches.
Receiving with a shrewd mind and simple faith—and bearing fruit thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.

Personal Reflection

Every day—in prayer, at work, in the home, or on the road—we must decide to seek understanding, allow Jesus’ words to touch the heart, refuse to let danger become the controlling fact, and prevent anxiety or riches from becoming our North Star.

We are called to go beyond these things.

Just today.

Today.

Let tomorrow take care of itself.

Who am I today?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Calling All Humans

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
A medieval manuscript page featuring musical notations, text in Latin, and decorative initials with an illuminated illustration of a prophet.
Initial P: Isaiah by J. Paul Getty Museum is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Glory to God in the Highest!

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot
Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5; Matthew 10:24-33

Summary

The Preparation – At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips,
living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it and said, “See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.

The Sending – Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!”

The vision of the Lord enthroned in glory stamps an indelible character on Isaiah’s ministry and provides a key to the understanding of his message. The majesty, holiness and glory of the Lord took possession of his spirit and, at the same time, he gained a new awareness of human pettiness and sinfulness. The enormous abyss between God’s sovereign holiness and human sinfulness overwhelmed the prophet. Only the purifying coal of the seraphim could cleanse his lips and prepare him for acceptance of the call: “Here I am, send me!” See commentary: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/0

Reflection

What I say to you in the darkness (the recesses of the heart), speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

Personal Reflection

What a marvelous thing to witness to the conversion of a man who accepted the Sending. A sending that makes the enormous movement from judgement to participating in the salvific mission of the Lord. God doesn’t need more judges. He needs our humanity.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Shrewd and Simple

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
A flock of sheep gathered in a pasture during sunset, with mountains in the background and a person tending to them.
Innocent (as a decision) and being Self Aware (as confession) make you sendable.

Greetings on this the Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14, 17; Matthew 10:16-23

Summary

Sincere Conversion and New Life is the topic of our first reading today from the Prophet Hosea. Then selected for us, between the Old Testament reading and the gospel portion, sits King David’s lament/prayer for deliverance from Sin – not an abstraction of other’s mistakes or from the actions of oppressors — no, from our own errors – that where we own the act or attitude.

Before the gospel reading comes the Alleluia verse which pivots us to remember the words and actions of Jesus: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth and remind you of all I told you. Which the gospel portion expands to: Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.

Reflection

Shrewd and Simple – means a spiritually mature mind and at the same time nurturing within a pure, innocent heart.

A spiritually mature mind is acutely aware of our own weaknesses and propensity to sin bringing about a certain sympathetic and supportive balm for those who suffer.

Personal Reflection

Continuing from yesterday’s theme, we are known to reject holiness from the ordinary and flawed people – even when the aid is extraordinary! Related and equally true we are in need of sincere conversion and a new way of life. Maturity in spiritual awareness and the determined effort to be pure and innocent of our own hands which makes us the ‘Sendable’.

Be sendable.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Day of Visitation

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
A weathered red double door set in a brick wall, adorned with an archway and the inscription 'ORA PRO NOBIS' above it.
what is behind every door?

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hosea 11:1-4, 8e-9; Psalm 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16; Matthew 10:7-15

Summary

I drew them with human cords, with bands of love.

Reflection

In our readings today we are given the contrast of the divine gentle care (human cords, bands of love) and the regrettable rejection of this care and finally the appropriate response to the rejection of God’s loving care.

Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words– go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.

Judgement comes not from us.

Personal Reflection

How do we respond to the gentle care of the Lord given through others who may not meet our definition of good or holy? Would you recognize the day of visitation?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

At Hand

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Justice
An open book laying on grass, with the pages showing text and a leaf placed on top, displaying the title 'CHAPTER SIX'.
Watch or read

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12; Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Matthew 10:1-7

Summary

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Making a comment on modern culture is always risky. But here goes.

Two fairly recent movies that illustrate that moral sense is far from dead but rather rises up from the ashes of our social nightmare. Writers and artists can bring the illumination we all seek even we are distracted by ordinary burdens.

Project Hail Mary – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Hail_Mary_(film)
Passengers – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passengers_(2016_film)

One combined summary is the triumph by living beings over mistakes, differences, challenges and the common good. Ordinary people/beings each with unique gifts subordinate to the needs of the Others even unto self sacrifice. I wonder if so many can see this why do religious people struggle with the ame question?

Reflection

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

It’s time to take the message of Jesus from words to action, its proper end.

It is at hand,

Personal Reflection

Enjoy your summer. Dream big dreams,

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Olga Says Goodbye – We are Sinful.

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Justice
A distribution area featuring a white bus labeled 'The Guatemalan Maya Center, Inc.' parked next to several individuals loading boxes. There are orange cones in the area and a building with stairs in the background.
GMC – Olga assisted immigrants from every nation. She was an asset to the Palm Beach Sheriff Office for translations of victim testimony (multiple lnguages0. She helped many young women find themselves and their destiny.
Fwd_ Olga Says Goodbye to Her Children and HomeDownload

CCC 1869 Thus sin makes men accomplices of one another and causes concupiscence, violence, and injustice to reign among them. Sins give rise to social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness. “Structures of sin” are the expression and effect of personal sins. They lead their victims to do evil in their turn. In an analogous sense, they constitute a “social sin.”144

See: https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_one/chapter_one/article_8/v_the_proliferation_of_sin.html

Peace be with you,

Deacon Gerry

Celebrating All Homelands

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Interreligious, Justice
We do not possess God.
We invite Him to possess us.

THIS IS MY SONG


This is my song,
O God of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands afar
and mine.
This is my home, the country
where my heart is;
Here are my hopes, my dreams,
my holy shrine;
But other hearts in other lands
are beating
With hopes and dreams as true
and high as mine.


My country’s skies are bluer than
the ocean,
And sunlight beams on clover-
leaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too
and clover,
And skies are everywhere as
blue as mine.


Oh, hear my song, O God of all
the nations,
A song of peace for their land
and for mine.


*To the melody of Finlandia
*Lyrics by Lloyd Stone

Peace Pope Leo XIV

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Justice, War
Pope Leo XIV renews call to peace.

Greetings on this the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30

Summary

In our first reading today our sacred scripture describes the ways of peace.

True Kingship is not of self-engrandizement.

Rather, See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass…and he shall proclaim peace to the nations.

True Stewardship is not the amassing of wealth, power and land.

Rather, peaceful pursuits.  He shall banish the chariot… instruments of economic domanance…. [banish] the horse… symbol of power, and [banish] the warrior’s bow… instruments of war to acquire lands.

In our second reading,  the most forgotten strategy! Brothers and sisters: You are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit.

Our problems internally and internationally are not solvable by programs and projects. Nor are they solved by projections of power, but by the Spirit comes the divine illumination of pathway forward.

It is in the Spirit of God that we discover pathways and solutions not even imagined by even our best trained politicians, diplomats, military, and alliances.

Reflection

Can not we then understand Jesus’ promise now?

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.

In the life of our families, community, nations… put down the burdens – take off the yoke –  the chariots, horse, and warrior’s bow.

We spend enormous effort polishing our chariots, strengthening our horses, and crafting better bows. Christ asks us first to lay them down.

Instead, put on the yoke of friendship,  humility and share what you have.

This way of life, this yoke is easy, and my burden becomes light.

Keeping in mind not our solutions but those of the Spirit.

Personal Reflection

Life in the Spirit opens us to paths of reconciliation and wisdom that we could not discover by ourselves. Today, celebrating 250 years, requires new thinking. The Way of Christ.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry