Come Holy Spirit, that we may show your fruit in our lives, charity, joy, peace, equanimity, kindness, generosity, long-suffering, patience, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.
Father, all powerful, you have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts, so that we cry: Abba, Father!
Christ Jesus, you sent the Paraclete, who proceeds from the Father to bear witness to you.
Reflection
Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, one God in three Persons, by proclaiming and living our faith in you. Grant this Lord we pray. Amen.
Personal Reflection
Trinity Sunday comes after Pentecost Sunday as the Pentecost event brings into a fuller view the dynamic love that is God. The Lord holds nothing back from us, the entirety of Himself in a way we can experience fully given our sensory nature. Our second reading says it well: The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
Descended like a Dove – Come Holy Spirit!
I know in my own life, I always did better and felt better with the approval of my Dad. In whatever the situation, if Dad was for me, what else mattered?
First Reading
This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other.
Responsorial
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
Second Reading
You received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
Gospel Acclamation
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
Gospel
Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Man and Woman at a counseling session. Rough start!
Greetings on this the Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Readings: Jas 5:9-12; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 11-12; Mk 10:1-12
Summary
The Lord is kind and merciful.
Divine Mercy Portrait
In our readings today a certain type of meta-crescendo ‘ABC’ style used across the readings. Perhaps after you read this reflection you will disagree. Maybe you would say it’s more like a Pauline ‘ABA’ style. Or maybe you just shake your head and say, ‘There he goes again!’ I am happy to read your comments. Allow me to lay the approach out for you.
A–A– In the first reading, the letter of James that we are not to judge our brothers and sisters (that is, anyone).
B–B– In the responsorial, Psalm 103, a favorite pslam of mercy (in particular for a Friday, the day of the crucifixion). I put in the full responsorial today. Kindness and Mercy.
C–A–(which do you think) In the gospel reading, Jesus defines marriage in mystical terms, blessed terms and inviolate terms.
In the sandwich approach (ABA), the readings present the two major examples of sin: Judging and Divorce – the ultimate form of personalized judging. The solution (the B), is the kind and merciful Lord. That is how the LORD views our mistakes and sins and short of this marvelous grace we would fall into an abyss of self-loathing and haterd for all.
Mercy Triumphs Judgement
In the meta-crescendo (ABC) approach an eye-popping theological perspective. The first reading defines the problem, period. The problem is judging others which includes your spouse (doh!). The foundational solution is the kind and merciful Lord. The height of that mercy in this life is the giving of man to woman and woman to man, that they might become one flesh.For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. (x-ref Gen 2:18-25).
Bands of Marriage
The LORD God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. Said differently, man and woman are the fullest completion of the creation of humanity oen in the other.
You may draw one or two conclusions and they are both right.
Reflection
Relationships are bruised and can fail to the onslaught of judgement especially from those closest to us. We can reflect on the mercy of God for our own shortcomings as the only saving solution of our particular mistakes. But why not for the mistakes of others? Even the spouse? (the answer is Yes, in case you were wondering)?
Perhaps we can go deeper. The Lord has imbedded in us the solution. In our discovering ourselves in the Other of Ourselves, we have within a heart capable to express most wonderfully the kindness and mercy of the Lord. His answer is the matrimonial model. Of course you marry only one at a time and ideally only ever once. But we suffer from the hardness of [y]our hearts against MANY people besides a spouse. The matrimonial perspective allows for the reality of your completion in all persons.
Married or single does not matter in this context then.
If Adam can say ‘Alas!” and Eve can ‘urge for peace’, so too you can do. At home. At work Everywhere.
Everyone.
Personal Reflection
How did I come to this reflection? Yesterday I was the presiding minister at a funeral and graveside service. In preparation for the service I call the next-of-kin (NOK) representative and offer condolences, ask questions and give them the chance to tell the story of the deceased in a way that brings them comfort (and for the widowed spouse who could not speak). A marvelous conversation and a clear sign of healthy grief and remembrances. I did ask the question, due to the age differences, where did they meet? Part of the answer was the place but the other part of the answer was to reminisce that they (husband and wife) were ‘one person‘. It caused me to tear up. I told the NOK representative that I would love to use the gospel account of Jesus, which pure coincidence is the reading today, where he describes: But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.
The NOK representative cried. I cried (a little as to not interfere).
You can cry too, with joy.
Bride and Groom
First Reading
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have seen the purpose of the Lord, because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Responsorial
The Lord is kind and merciful.
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Gospel Acclamation
Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.
Gospel
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
Greetings on this the Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter Readings: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Jn 17:20-26
Notes
Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” Jesus made a prayer to last through the Ages. I’m not sure if we fully appreciate what he is saying and how deep and expansive his prayer is intended to include! We may be tempted to take his word to include only his air breathing life span. But Jesus Ascended alive in full view with this very prayer in his heart. So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
Summary
Every time a bishop is ordained and consecrated – Jesus pray[s] saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”
Every time a baby is baptized – Jesus pray[s] saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”
Every time.
Clerics Pray!Children pray!
Look again
Look what Jesus gave Paul to do – “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
Look what the psalmist says about the faithfulness of Jesus sharing the delights at your right hand forever:
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.
Reflection
“Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to Love.” – Roman poet Virgil, 19 BC (d).
In some way every baptized brings witness to the Lord Jesus. The baptism itself is a witness of the child, the parents and the godparents. And throughout the life Jesus prays that this Child of God will have a good life and godly life thus spreading the Good News.
Personal Reflection
I rely on Jesus’ prayer. For this life. For the life to come. For all our lives to be ingathered by love unto the Father.
We all pray!
First Reading
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
Responsorial
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Gospel Acclamation
May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord.
Gospel
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us.
Perception can be interior. It can also be universal. This image is t first chaotic but it reveals things it has no actual association with, directly, but related by inferrance.
Greetings on this the Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter Readings: Acts 18:23-28; PS 47:2-3, 8-9, 10; Jn 16:23b-28
Notes
Chaos theory is a method of qualitative and quantitative analysis to investigate the behavior of dynamic systems that cannot be explained and predicted by single data relationships, but must be explained and predicted by whole, continuous data relationships. Chaos theory concerns deterministic systems whose behavior can, in principle, be predicted. Chaotic systems are predictable for a while and then ‘appear’ to become random. (Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory).
Summary
In our first reading today, we learn that Paul has stabilized in his understanding of his mission and purpose. Highest order was to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ and his personal encounter with Jesus (Theophany by action and words). Then he allowed himself to enter into an orderly sequence of visitations, instructions, correspondence and leadership. All the while being nudged by the Lord to return to Jerusalem as the 3rd and final missionary journey waypoint to Rome. He knew he was headed to Rome well in advance of his actual travel.
An orderly sequence.
Reflection
Jesus used an orderly sequence: parables, figures of speech, then direct and clearly about the Father. As chaotic as the world seems to be:
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28).
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world (Jn 16:33).
Personal Reflection
As I go about living in a chaotic world, I do try and remember that there is intelligibility that I cannot sense. An orderly sequence that at times seems impossible and other times, like when the fog lifts for a moment, a clearly articulated path. So I take heart in the words of Jesus:
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God (Jn 16:27).
First Reading
After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples.
Responsorial
God is king of all the earth.
All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth.
Gospel Acclamation
I came from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.
Peace be with you, Deacon Gerry
P.S.
Added an AI generated image. Not sure I like it but it is what it is. The image relates the cosmos to the natural Earthly elements and living things and perhaps one part of the image invokes an identity for extra-Earthly beings.
