Tag: god

O Antiphons 2025

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

O Antiphones

Evening prayer for the 7 days leading up to Christmas Eve contains a special focus. The Antiphon for the evening Canticle of Mary starts with the mystery of Salvation History. It starts with creation and completes with Emmanuel – God is with us! 2025 Refresh.

The Canticle of Mary is given especially heightened emphasis as her great “Yes” to the Lord comes to fruition in the birth of the Son of God, Son of Man. This Magnificat prayer is directly from scripture Gospel of Luke (1:46-55). Stylized version below:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly farmer’s foot.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Below each O Antiphon and a mini reflection on each. Perhaps this can be your evening prayer leading up to Christmas Eve?

December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

Reflection: From the dawn of creation the Lord God had but one purpose, to share his infinite love. When we contemplate creation and even contemplate love itself, it is the Wisdom of God that informs us and makes intelligible his plan.

We desire to know. We desire to know him. Know him as like a Mother holds a baby. Mary held Emmanuel in her loving arms. Simeon did as well. So shall you, my friends.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

Reflection: The Lord God rescues us from our folly. We have this tendency to enslave others. The entire nation of Israel needed to be freed. Through His mighty power He freed them and gave Moses the Law on Mount Sinai.

The Law serves two purposes: to alert us to our negative tendencies (shall not) and to bring us to our highest perfection, to wit, Keep Holy this Day of the Lord. Mary’s keep (her womb and gift) and the fruit is her Son.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 19
O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
Reflection: The Lord God has never forgotten. Wait on the Lord, He shall not delay. The Root of Jesse, long thought dead (400 years of no prophets speaking!). Yet now, through the earth or root of Mary comes Emmanuel.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 20
O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

Reflection: The darkness of man is over. We are prisoners no longer to ignorance. Knowing God incarnate shall make us like Moses. We shall walk with God as one walks with a friend (Ex 33:11). Mary is the first to speak to Jesus. What did she say?

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 21
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Reflection: We live under the shadow of death. Each of us facing that final justice. May this Perpetual Light shine on us in this life and the life to come! May justice, the Justice Mary proclaims in her song, be ours in this Emmanuel!

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 22
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Reflection: We are dust and to dust we shall return. But not just dust. Breath. Rûaħ. You, O God, have made this dust alive with your own breath. Save your breath so closely knitted and integrated within us as Emmanuel is knitted within Mary.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

Reflection: Divine Love. Save us as only love can save. May the Law of Love guide us in all things. Let us learn to love as the way Mary beheld her son.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

Peace be with you!

Deacon Gerry

Understanding Our Divine Right to Judge Wisely

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
You are gods (you have been given the power to judge)

Greetings on this the Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7; John 10:31-42

Introduction

In our sacred readings today we deal with the problem of unbelief. For the Prophet it can be very painful. For the one who rejects, it reveals two important observations:

  1. We reject what challenges our desires.
  2. We are called to account as gods – the authority to judge wisely.

Jeremiah’s Interior Crisis

In our first reading today, Jeremiah is crushed. He has been selected by the Lord to proclaim the good, admonish for the wrong and to bring unity to the people under the circumstance of great distress. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you (Jer 1:5).

It didn’t feel too exclusive and inclusive. “Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail and take our revenge on him (Jer 20:10). [Jeremiah laments] Cursed be the day on which I was born! May the day my mother gave me birth never be blessed! Cursed be the one who brought the news to my father, “A child, a son, has been born to you!” filling him with great joy (Jer 20:14-15).

Jeremiah’s Influence after Death

In actual fact, Jeremiah was more appreciated after his death than while alive. Arrest, imprisonment, and public disgrace were his lot. [Later] the exiled community read and meditated on the lessons of the prophet; his influence is evident in Ezekiel, some of the psalms, Is 40–66, and Daniel (NABRE Commentary https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/0).

In a similar way, our gospel account

The [leadership] picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The [leadership] answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God. (Jn 10:31-33)”

The leadership struggled to see Jesus for who he is and what he does as evidence of who he is. Those who did see had a different conclusion.

[Jesus] went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him (Jn 10:40-42).

Reflection

Jeremiah praised the Lord for his love of the people and was at the same time completely aware of the opposition and the lengths people will go to self-justify their actions. Jesus for his part makes similar observations and with a solution.

If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father (Jn 10:37-38).

Personal Reflection

Evidence based reasoning is well established before the modern age. You have the right and the obligation to test all spirits, if you will. But it is certain that the leadership could not even find their way with a series of steps.

  1. We claim God as Father.
  2. We claim Abraham as Father of Nations.
  3. We claim Moses as Father of Socho (“Father of Prophets”) x-ref https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/18

If Father, then Son. They correctly surmised that Jesus is alluding to his divine sonship. But since Jesus is a prophet that follows after Moses, his testimony is true.

Jesus fulfills the Moses authenticity test.

So the objection is not really who and what Jesus is and does. The objections is that Jesus is in contradiction to what we are and what we do. Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? (Jn 10:34). This means we are given the divine right to judge but judge wisely.

Jeremiah had an interior crisis because of the difficulty in dealing with people who judge poorly and attack what they do not like. Jeremiah was right, Jesus was right.

If another moves you to slanderous and murderous thoughts (or milder versions of anger), judge carefully. Do you reject what is holy in them too? If like Jeremiah you are simply overwhelmed by the vindictiveness of people in the face of truth, well, have confidence that even after your death the good you do and say will be remembered somehow.

Suck it Up

As an old priest friend used to say when we have Jeremiah moments: “Suck it up, Buttercup”. Have comfort in knowing the Lord will make his will through you fruitful, even if it is after your death. Same-same, Jesus.

Judge

  • How do you judge those around you?
  • Do you reject the good in them because of their errors?

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

The Hidden Nature of Sin in the Children of Abraham

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
How is murder a feature of being a Child of Abraham?

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56; John 8:31-42

Summary

Slavery to sin hides its identity in the cloak of false righteousness. Even historically slavery was a constant problem including the vassal state status of Jerusalem at the time. Before Jesus (ancient Babylon), during the life of Jesus (Romans) and even today, we cloak our evils in the mantel of entitlement.

They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free (Jn 8:33-36).

Reflection

In our first reading today, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are under the brutal power of King Nebuchadnezzar even to the point of being put in a fiery furnace to be burned to death. Yet even in these dire circumstances the Lord rescues them and even brings a momentary enlightenment to the King wherein he is quoted as saying:

Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. (Dn 3:91-92, 95)”

Then Nebuchadnezzar came to the opening of the white-hot furnace and called: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out.” Thereupon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire (Dn 3:93).

Personal Reflection

Some know they are enslaved. Some deny they are enslaved. And a few, knowing the Lord is the Master of Salvation, knowing they are safe in the arms of the Divine. How can we know if we are enslaved?

The classic example, by far not the only example, is the words of Jesus spoken twice to those who are challenging him.

But you are trying to kill me (Jn 8:37, 40).

The first sin after the fall from grace was the murder of Abel by Cain – brothers. It seems murder, and variants of that impulse, seem to be a pretty sticky part of the human experience. Claiming rights by way of heredity (descendants of Abraham) and (Our father is Abraham) and dogma is counter to the reality. You are trying to kill me.

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here (Jn 8:42).

As Holy Week approaches we must examine our motives and our entitlements. We are entitled by grace to love not death. We are entitled to free not imprison. We are entitled to seek the Face of God not blur his image with ulterior agendas.

Who are you trying to kill? Whatever religious tradition you are from, if killing is your ‘go-to’ option you are far from being a child of Abraham.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040925.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Embracing Gratitude: The Teachings of Moses and Jesus

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Matthew 5:17-19

Summary

However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children. (Duet 4:9).

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (Matt 5:17).

Attitude of Gratitude

People in recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or in psychotherapy for depression or anxiety disorders are often of the practice of doing gratitude lists. That is to keep careful record of the good things that are occurring or the good ways people help them. Simple things and universal (rain, sun, night, day) and profoundly personal things (sobriety yesterday, reconciliation with family).

It should not be far from us to then apply the same line of reasoning to the Lord. Moses warned the people, having just received the law, to adapt an attitude of gratitude.

  1. Take Care.
  2. Be earnest.
  3. Be on guard.
  4. Do not forget.
  5. Remember what you saw (Exodus event, freedom from Egypt).
  6. Work at remembering them.
  7. Work at teaching them from generation to generation.

Jesus Remembers at the Core

In the gospel portion today, Jesus reminds the people to remember with gratitude as well. He describes it differently. Jesus says I have not come to abolish but to remember.

What follows in the gospel of Matthew is a series of six extensions of the law. Three are acceptance the Mosaic law but extend or deepen it and three reject it as a standard of conduct for the disciples (NABRE Commentary). It is helpful to remember the structure of the 5th chapter of the gospel of Matthew.

  1. Beatitudes – how you are to be.
  2. The Similes of Salt and Light – who you are.
  3. The Law affirmed – right relation.
  4. Modifiers to the Law (extend, deepen and set aside). Anger, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation and Love Enemies.

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect (MT 5:48).

If the LAW is the fulcrum point then on one side we have the Beatitudes and Similies and on the other deeper expressions of the law and application.

Therefore, law is a central point but not valuable in and of itself (hang in there don’t declare a heresy yet). Law without Beatitudes and Deeper expressions is a point that has no contours. It is but nothing.

  • Perhaps you prefer the analogy of the Vanishing Point. Where two parallel lines going into the distance appear to merge into one point ahead? Both are present but become one.
  • Or perhaps from geometry? In geometry, a point is a fundamental, theoretical concept, an abstraction, rather than a physical reality, as it’s defined as having no dimensions or parts, which doesn’t exist in the real world (AI handy sentence).

The law then points to the Beatitudes and the pastoral refinements in expression of the law.

Personal Reflection

It s well to have an attitude of gratitude. It opens us up to the deeper truth and our reality as beloved of God. I pray for those who were my godparents (long since dead). They stood up for me in love and in the blessed hope of eternal life as I was baptized into the Lord some, ahem, years ago. Thank you, Joseph and Elizabeth (Peggy). May you rest in peace. The baptism was the deeper thing.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032625.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Lessons from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent

AI Generated image. Looks weird to me!

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Luke 16:19-31

Summary

Don’t you just love New Year’s? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance – a quote from the movie Forest Gump.

As we approach Laetare Sunday, Rejoice Sunday, (we wear Rose colored clerical stoles, chasubles and dalmatics) it is to remind us that in the midst of the WORK of renewal there is the HOPE ASSURED of Success. Dives (the Rich Man) did not put his trust in the Lord.

Blessed are those who trust in the LORD; the LORD will be their trust (Jer 17:7).

The Work

The Lord knows the difficulty of the work. His entire mission on earth both in Galilee and in Jerusalem was the divine work of reconciliation and restoration. He had the desert experience, the temptations, the abuse, the betrayal and the disregard. He knows also the core problem. Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing (MK 10:21).

More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds (Jer 17:9-10).

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Who can understand the heart of the rich man in this parable? How can he live this way and yet we know he isn’t an historical story but rather he is us. Dives is everyone.

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side (LK 16:19-23).

Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead (LK 16:31).

Building Trust – a two part program

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance (LK 8:15). Blessed are they who hope in the Lord (PS 40:5a).

The first psalm of all the psalms and the first verse of all the psalm verses stands as the trust builder.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers. Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy; and on his law he meditates day and night (PS 1:1-2).

We can choose these things and allow the blessed effects happen! Act, Support, Align.

  1. Do not walk (act) in the counsel of the wicked (wisdom of evil).
  2. Do not stand with (support) the way of sinners (think of evil).
  3. Do not sit with (align) in the company of scoffers (faithless).

Focus instead on the holy things.

  1. Do good.
  2. Plan good.
  3. Align with the good.

Everybody gets a second chance.

Personal Reflection

Remember how the Lord saved his people. Remember the 40 years in the desert. Remember the Gospel (the Good News of Jesus Christ). Remember and live.

I led you for forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes did not fall from you in tatters nor your sandals from your feet; [nor did your feet swell these forty years Duet 8:4b] it was not bread that you ate (Manna), nor wine or beer that you drank (water from a stone) —so that you might know that I, the LORD, am your God (Duet 29:4-5).

Trust.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032025.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Teamwork

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent

communication is communion

Greetings on this the Friday of the First Week of Lent
Readings: Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8; Matthew 5:20-26

Summary of Teamwork

The Prophet Ezekiel captures the teamwork necessary to become righteous. Our Job: Cast away your sins and create for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. The Lord’s Job: I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit. It is the mystery of the divine logic. We must choose right living, work for right living and be right living even as the Lord provides the divine aid to choose right living, work for right living and be right living.

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 18:31).

I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).

Reflection on the Psalm

Again the Psalmist brings us clarity of the issue, teamwork: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? To which we must find trust. I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word. For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption (PS 130:5, 7).

Change is a team effort

Jesus puts the question to its very core. Half-truth v truth. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors (incomplete)… But I say to you (complete). The list below is dealt with in the conclusion of the teaching of Jesus: going to court – i.e., judgment. So his teaching has two levels: (a) the effects of our errors and (b) the shared responsibility of our errors.

The ‘a’

  1. whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment (i.e., shunning).
  2. whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin (i.e., law).
  3. whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna (i.e., hell).

The ‘b’

In a plot twist much like the Jonah story of Wednesday, Jesus gives us the the truth of our blindness and guilt even as we accursed another (the ‘b’).

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny (Mt 5:23-26)”.

Who is guiltless before the Lord? Nobody. Who should we be merciful to? Everyone.

Prescription

The Lord’s Work

  • Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication (PS 130: 2).
  • But with you is forgiveness (PS 130: 4).
  • I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word (PS 130: 5).
  • For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption (PS 130: 7).

My Work

  • Let my ears be attentive to the supplication of others.
  • Let me be forgiving.
  • Let me learn to trust people again.
  • Let me be kind and help restore proper order among men.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031425.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Lent Reflection: Acting on Jesus’ Commandments

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
The Law of the Lord

Greetings on this the Monday of the First Week of Lent
Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15; Matthew 25:31-46

Summary

In today’s gospel portion we encounter an excellent and poor response to the needs of others. The consequences are significant, both for the person in need and those who act or fail to act.

Good Samaritan – Eyes that can see

Response A to the question: When did we see you?

Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs? (Matt 25:44).

What is blocking your eyesight?

Response B to the question: When did we see you?

Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? (Matt 25:37-39).

Which was the Righteous response, A or B?

Perhaps you see no difference with your eyes?

The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye (PS 19:9b).

The answer is B. Why?, just from this we can make that guess?

Their answer contains resolutions, solutions and action.

Hungry -> Feed.
Thirsty -> Drink.
Stranger -> Welcome.
Naked -> Clothe.
Ill -> Visit.
Prison -> Visit.

Response A is unrighteous. It is a short summary of needs and only a vague reference to the action of ‘minister’ to your needs, whatever that may mean. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like (Jas 1:23-24).

Reflection

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another.

Personal Reflection

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy (LV 19:1-2).

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does (Jas 1:22-25).

Today’s Goal

  • Let me be a doer of the word. Let me not forget what I look like and what the needs of others are – and just walk away!
  • Rather embrace the persons in their true needs. You don’t see the need if you cannot imagine a solution you can provide.
  • Pick an item from the list to try and do today:
    • Hungry -> Feed.
    • Thirsty -> Drink.
    • Stranger -> Welcome.
    • Naked -> Clothe.
    • Ill -> Visit.
    • Prison -> Visit.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031025.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Understanding Divine Virtues Through Jesus’ Temptation

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Lent
Jesus Temptation

The Temptation of Jesus

Greetings on this the First Sunday of Lent
Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13

Summary

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil (LK 4:1-2a).

  1. It is written, One does not live on bread alone.
  2. It is written, You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.
  3. It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.

Reflection

It is remarkable that even Jesus had to face the Tempter even after being filled with the Holy Spirit. Somehow it is unsettling to me. Yet the fact is the Church is filled with the Holy Spirit after Pentecost and she surely has to deal with these same temptations.

These temptations have a centering theme of obedience to the Father as a mark of true sonship and rebellion being the option offered by the Tempter. Yet the temptations correlate perfectly to the Divine Virtues.

The Divine Virtues

  1. Faith the Lord will provide for body and soul as he revealed to Moses and through Jesus.
  2. Love in return to love.
  3. Hope in the course of our life without fail.

Faith, hope and love are the divine virtues.

Our Old Testament reading today puts the question of trust (faith) to the evidence.

When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; and bringing us into this country (Duet 26:6-9).

Trust in the revealed love for Moses and his people. And you.

Our second reading echos the same with: For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom 10:13).
Our psalmist has us repeat as as to remember: Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble (PS 91:15b).

Personal Reflection

On this the First Sunday of Lent, let us all remember the promises made to Moses and to all. The Lord is with you, good times and bad.

More Traditional Reflection

For a more traditional reflection click here: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/03/06/what-faithful-looks-like/

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030925.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Reflecting on Inner Morality: A Call to Action

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Breathe

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17; Psalm 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30; Mark 7:14-23

Summary

“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.
From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Reflection

Our first reading today speaks to the wonder of creation. We know we are from the earth and star dust. Yet the mysterious part of us, called the soul and spirit, has no biological or chemical explanation except as mechanics not purpose.

Yes, there is a purpose.

The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground
and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,
and so man became a living being.

We are from the Earth, the Stars and from the very breath of the Living God.

Personal Reflection

In our gospel portion today, Jesus wants us to own our mistakes. Fee up, as it were. Because like any medicine, identifying and owning the problem is the first step to a solution. It’s a long list!

  1. evil thoughts,
  2. unchastity,
  3. theft,
  4. murder,
  5. adultery,
  6. greed,
  7. malice,
  8. deceit,
  9. licentiousness,
  10. envy,
  11. blasphemy,
  12. arrogance,
  13. folly.

What is stronger

The LORD God formed man … and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being. The breath of God is stronger than all our faults.

BREATHE! And EXHALE!

Exhale the bad – into the latrine!

May these evils leave us and never return!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021225.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Understanding the Forest for the Trees

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic

Forest because of the Trees

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis 1:20—2:4a; Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Mark 7:1-13

The Tradition of the Elders.

This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
Some details not needed – especially about others

Sometimes our traditions substitute for the presence of the Lord. We push Him aside for these good but inferior things. Our inferior motives are to push away the Lord, and control others.

Forest for the Trees

Sometimes we miss the forest for the trees (blocking our view). It’s the irony. The forest is the trees. The trees are the gift that make the forest. You are the gift that makes the Church. People first. Tradition second.

The Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.

A subordinate reality to the presence of Jesus. Missing the point, focusing on the secondary and trivial.

You nullify the word of God
in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.
And you do many such things.

So intense can our traditions be that we go so far as to nullify the word of God.

The Forest

God created man in his image;
in the divine image he created him;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying:
"Be fertile and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it.

Personal Reflection on the Forest

It is easy to make our own idols wrapped in the ornamentation of the Church. It’s tragic but easy to do. But the Book of Genesis reminds us that God made the heavens and the earth. God made all living things. God made us in his image and called to his likeness.

Our prayer should be like the Alleluia verse today.

Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees;
And favor me with your law.

Amen.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry