Tag: Catholic

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ephesians 4:7-16; Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5; Luke 13:1-9

Summary

Twice Jesus Asked – Do you think?

• Do you think that because these (insert national origin) suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other? (Lk 13:2)
• Do you think they were more guilty than everyone else in (insert any city)? (Lk 13:4)

Twice Jesus Answered – A Call to Repentance

• By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! (Lk 13:3)
• By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! (Lk 13:5)

Reflection – The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none (LK 13:6bc). Rather than cut it down, they took care of it, “cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it” (Lk 13:8bc).

What needs cultivating in our lives? (cultivate means to improve the surroundings)
In our gospel portion today, unrighteous judgement seems to be the core issue. That weed grow too close to the base of our roots and prevents good fruit from growing.

That is to say: Judging those who suffer misfortune as unlucky, unworthy and greater sinners. We need, by the grace of God, to cultivate a new beginning. Do not interpret another person’s suffering as evidence of superior sinfulness; instead, let their mortality awaken your own repentance. Get rid of the weeds.

What fertilizing do we need in our lives? (fertilize means to add essential elements to promote health and growth). That is to say: allowing the divine to enter our lives more fully. Come closer to the Church in Christ.

Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love (Eph 4:15-16)

Personal Reflection

A homeowner asked an Arborist, “When is a good time to plant a tree?”
The arborist replied, “Ten years ago…. or today.”

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2d).

Tomorrow, the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we preapre to meet the test of the greatest commandment.
For Catholics, go to Reconciliation today. So that we can say with approaching confidence:

You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102426.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ephesians 3:14-21; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19; Luke 12:49-53

Summary

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! (Lk 12:49-50)

Reflection

Saint Paul PRAYED it well for you.

Sit at his feet as you hear him invoke this blessing upon you:

Brothers and sisters:
I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine,
by the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(Ephesians 3:14-21)

Personal Reflection

So draw them with thee to God, because it is by His Spirit that thou speakest thus unto them, if thou speakest burning with the fire of love (Saint Augustine of Hippo, Confessions). And in some analogous way—and only you know how—we are each given our own costly passage through which Christ’s love may blaze more brightly in the world.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ephesians 3:2-12; Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6; Luke 12:39-48

Summary

You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation (See Isa 12:3).

God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
(Isa 12:2-3)

Reflection

And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute [the] food allowance at the proper time? (Lk 12:42).
Yesterday, Jesus remarked how blessed are those who are found working in the 2nd or 3rd watch – the most inconvenient times of night. So, yesterday, I used it literally and suggested things to do if you are in fact alert in the middle of the night.

The continuation of Jesus’ reply suggests things that are done during the normal working hours. These are the times of routine and habit to distribute [the] food allowance at the proper time.

Personal Reflection

Have confidence in God’s grace and in yourself that you will, day and night, answer the call. In small ways and in structured organized ways. Our strength and courage comes from the Lord. Whether you evangelize by word, by service and/or by prayer (hopefully all three), you proclaim the salvation that is the Lord. God indeed is our savior.

This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him (Eph 3:11-12).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ephesians 2:12-22; Psalm 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14; Luke 12:35-38

Summary – Synchronize Our Watches

And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants (Lk 12:38).

Reflection

• Second Watch is from (Midnight watch) 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM (midnight)
• Third Watch is from (Cockcrowing watch): 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM

Why watch?

Look at what is being built:

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph 2:19-22).

Look how the psalmist expresses it:

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 salvation, along the way of his steps.
(Psalm 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14)

Why wouldn’t I want to be a part of such a Kingdom.

Personal Reflection

My first introduction to the second and third watch was in the US Air Force. I worked in the computer room and was responsible for printing, sorting, decollating, etc, the computer outputs that came out all night long. The officers needed their reports by 7:00 AM every day. Period. End.

So learning to be alert through the night watches was an effort. Ugh! I mean, UGH X 2!

Some nighttime watches could be:

1. Doing an examination of conscience when you go to bed.
2. If you wake up at night, say a short prayer.
3. If you must be out during the night, say a prayer for all those in need.

But, if Lord needs us in the 2nd or 3rd watch, let’s do it.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
[In the Dioceses of the United States]
Readings: Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4ab, 4c-5; Luke 12:13-21

Franciscan Summary (Quote)

Faith and heroism planted belief in Christ’s cross deep in our land. The Church in North America sprang from the blood of martyrs, as has been true in so many places. The ministry and sacrifices of these saints challenges each of us, causing us to ask just how deep is our faith and how strong our desire to serve even in the face of death.

Reference: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-isaac-jogues-jean-de-brebeuf-and-companions/

The short story of their sacrifice is a worthy read if you have the time to follow that link.

Reflection

Many years ago, a friend of mine (Registered Dietitian) was on the planning committee for the annual conference of Dietitians. Since they were struggling to come up with a title for the conference, she asked me my input. I said, yes. The perfect title is:

Eat, drink, and be merry!
For tomorrow we Dietary.

I am told it was received with great laughter but, alas, rejected as a good conference title.
Go figure! It should not have surprised me as they dedicate their profession to healthy patient living day by day, every single day.

• All good comes from the depths of sacrificial giving.
• Sometimes through consistent practices of prayer, penance and service.
• Sometimes through heroic gifts of one’s own life as witnessed by our martyred Saints today.
• And always through the inspiration and strength of the One who gave all for all and for all time.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-7).

Personal Reflection

Know that the LORD is God,
he made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the flock he shepherds (Ps 100:3).

We are a people.
We are a flock, together.
We are the riches of the Lord, a choice possession.

Let us be rich in what matters to God (Lk 12:21b).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21

Summary

For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction (1 Thes 1:5ab).

Reflection

In our first reading today we see King Cyrus of Persia, whose conquering actions are to be understood within the context of the power of God. Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, Subduing nations before him, stripping kings of their strength, Opening doors before him, leaving the gates unbarred (Isa 45:1).

King Cyrus liberated the Jewish people from Babylonian domination. Israel remained a vassal state but with religious freedoms and reasonable governance (certainly in contrast to previous nations). Previous to the Persian conquest (Assyrian, Babylon), the relationships were described as Suzerain-Vassal Covenants. Persia, introduced a radical innovation of governance by imperial Edict rather than subjective treaty, that is, institutionalized tolerance, cultural pluralism, and local autonomy. Later Greek and Roman conquerors frequently reverted to more heavy-handed methods of regional control.

So Cyrus stands out as unique and therefore he is accredited with the divine aid in his approach. Whether Cyrus knew or not does not change the fact his perspective was guided by the Lord. The Lord works through the godly and ungodly, the informed and uninformed. Nevertheless, be subject to the new overlords BUT Go out from Babylon (Isa 48:20). Meaning your first love is the Lord and His City, Jerusalem.

In our gospel portion today, Jesus is confronted with the situation about the Roman overlords.

Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Mt 22:17-21).

In a similar way, Jesus recognizes the Roman overlord status, allowing for some civil influence but in the end obey the Lord not man. Earthly rulers may claim their tax, but only God claims ownership over the human soul. In the end, we give civil due to the State, but we obey and worship the Lord alone.

Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth (Gen 1:26).

Image and Likeness

In a condensed form, one ancient theological tradition distinguishes them this way:

• Image is the static nature, what we are in essence, and what we possess in characteristic (intellect, reason and spirit).
• Likeness is the way we act and grow dynamically with virtue and holiness.

So we are constituted to think and be true to our essence in the Lord and we are called to be Like him in an every changing and deepening ways. It’s not about the image ON the coin rather the image IN the person.

Personal Reflection

With the eight lights of the Menorah glowing brightly in her window, Rabbi Posner’s wife, Rachel, snapped a photo of the Menorah and captured the Nazi building and flag in the background. She wrote a few lines in German on the back of the photo. “Chanukah 5692, (1932), “Death to Judah”, So the flag says, “Judah will live forever”, So the light answers.

Be light. Know the difference.

Reference: https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/menorah-defies-nazi-flag/

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Readings: Ephesians 1:15-23; Psalm 8:2-3ab, 4-5, 6-7; Luke 12:8-12

The Eye, the Heart, engirded, alive.
The Faith, the Hope, tis Charity, escapes.
The Freedom, The Knowing, is Spirit, abide.

In memory of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr (Eph 1:18ab; Lk 12:12).

In honor of my sister Margaret who encouraged me to write prose from time to time. But if she reads this her lettered mastery of language would recoil in pain. Ssssh! Don’t tell her.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ephesians 1:11-14; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13; Luke 12:1-7

Summary

So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. May your kindness, LORD, be upon us; who have put our hope in you. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit (Lk 12:1a; Ps 33:22; Eph 1:13).

Reflection

People are starved for truth and relief.
So much so as to trample one another underfoot to get to the person that represents the truth and hope.

But Jesus offers a warning.

Wanting the truth and recognizing the truth are two distinct steps.

He began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven—that is, the hypocrisy (Lk 12:1b).

Rather, what you whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops (Lk 12:3).

You can tell the difference of spoiled food from fresh food, yes? Not everything that feeds a hungry crowd is good bread.

Rather, proclaim the Gospel, the salvation message is not to be hidden!

There are risks.

But I’d rather be trampled by those who seek the truth than by those who would put their foot on my neck in subjection.

Personal Reflection

Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows (Lk 12:6-7). When the sound of birds fill the air and their wings-at-flight fill the sky, remember Jesus’ promise: You are worth more than the sum of them. Do not be afraid.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101626.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry