Greetings on this the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: Ez 17:22-24; Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16; 2 Cor 5:6-10; Mk 4:26-34
Parables are seeds of hope
Parables are like the seeds in the gospel portion today. Once you hear or read a parable it works in ways we do not completely understand.
It is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”
Kingdom is as a good tree
The kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
Reflection
Our first reading today is the promise of restoration and return having suffered the conquest of Israel by Nebuchadnezzar and losing both Jehoiachin and Zedekiah, the last Kings of Judah. The Lord will overcome these setback of men and restore a kingdom of peace. Ezekiel is a retrospective prophet. He considers the Mosaic and Davidic covenants, their meaning and purposes, as a way to encounter the then current times and the then current future. His optimism is based on a considered retrospective of the history of Israel.
Reaching out to all of us, Jesus offers parables to achieve the same end in us the ordinary folks. To develop a retrospective view of our lives. How has the Lord helped us in days gone by? Have things turned out better or worse than my greatest fears? Parables are puzzles, yes, but with a teaching purpose. To allow deeper thoughts and longer reflection of the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord.
Personal Reflection
Writing you with the discomfort of the flu does not make it more difficult to praise God. Rather it allows for retrospective deepening of the ancient and sacred promises. We get sick, sure. We usually recover, yes! And ultimately return to the Lord at the end of our days. Whatever the outcome there is love. In this life I choose to sit under the Olive tree of friendship. In this life I choose the the mustard tree for my safety.
I’m going to let the seeds of faith, hope and love grow within me. How it works I do not know. But work it does. Jesus reveals to us in private the same as he did the disciples. Only for us the “in private” is the interior of our hearts.
I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
Responsorial
Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
Second Reading
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
Gospel Acclamation
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.
Gospel
Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
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These 33 affirmations are specifically for women. Your spiritual journey is of the feminine genius of God. I sit in silent wonder and amazement of the love of God that comes from women. However, I fall short of recognizing your person, your dignity and your autonomy.
These reflections are a sort of list. A catalog, if you will, of the qualities that set you as glorious expressions of the Lord. Read them, in sequence, one each day for 33 days.
The reality is ordinary life and life events may be weighing you down. There is a need to be reminded of your amazing personhood. You know these things. I want to affirm them about you. It helps us both. For you realizing all joy and potential. For me proper awe of you.
Take this 33 day journey of affirmation. I am but a man but not without senses and appreciation. Allow this male voice to affirm your true interior voice about the wonder of your person.
Day 1
Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth (PS 128:8).
Affirmation: I affirm you are not alone. You are most precious to the Lord. Your help has come, is coming, and will always come from the Lord. I affirm you are worthy of all gifts from God because you are made of the image and likeness of God and he desires it so.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 2
You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know (PS 139:13-14).
Affirmation: I affirm you are known. At times you may feel invisible or tangential or unimportant. But that is not the case. The Lord is delighted in you and in your person.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 3
You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing (PS 145:16).
Affirmation: I affirm that you have the open hand of the Lord presented to you. He knows your deepest desires. He offers all for you. All is for you.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 4
My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, Let me see your face, let me hear your voice, For your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” (Song of Songs 2:14).
Affirmation: I affirm you deserve a love coo from all of us. No harshness, no demands, no threats, and no judgement. Only encouragement to trust and allow yourself to be seen and heard. No more oppressive secrets!
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 5
Yet your desire and longing will be for your husband, And he will rule [with authority] over you and be responsible for you (Amplified version). Eve gave birth to a son whom she called Seth. “God has granted me another offspring in place of Abel,” she said, “because Cain killed him.” (Gen 3:16, 4:25b).
Affirmation: I affirm the deep attribute of the genius of woman is peace, harmony and family. We may poo poo these things but it is a gift directly from the hand of God. Remember the last words of Adam was to accuse his wife. The last words of Eve was gratitude for Seth. Adam betrayed. Cain slayed. Seth, through Eve, was the hope of the future.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 6
But Ruth said, “Do not press me to go back and abandon you! Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God (Ruth 1:16).
Affirmation: I affirm you are loved by many and they want to help. We walk with you. We will not abandon you. Accept this love.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 7
May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands! (PS 90:17).
Affirmation: I affirm your efforts to be good and make good things happen for your family. Know, with certainty, the Lord desires to prosper the work of your hands!
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 8
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear (1 Jn 4:18).
Affirmation: When traumatized by others, fear is a natural result. Fear can invade every part of your psyche and even sink into your bones. But fear is powerless by the effects of love. I affirm, the Love of God, given for you, drives out – literally pushes fear away and out of every crevice and crevasse where it hides within you. Let perfect love remove this trauma.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 9
May your mercy, LORD, be upon us; as we put our hope in you (PS 33:22).
Affirmation: The world would like nothing more than to weigh you down with doubt and self-loathing. It is in the mercy of God that this is not our future. Our hope is in the Lord and his mercy soothes our hearts. I affirm this loving balm is yours, mercy and hope. Let your dreams flow!
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 10
Blessed be the LORD, who has heard the sound of my pleading. The LORD is my strength and my shield, in whom my heart trusts. I am helped, so my heart rejoices; with my song I praise him (PS 28:6-7).
Affirmation: I affirm, when you look closely, the Lord has heard your prayers, the Lord has strengthened you and shields you from all manner of harm. Courage, daughter, courage!
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 11
Like a merchant fleet, she secures her provisions from afar (Pv 31:14).
Affirmation: I affirm you work so hard to provide for your family. You seek, high and low, far and wide, for the soothing remedies and joyful moments.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 12
She picks out a field and acquires it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard (pv 31:16).
Affirmation: I affirm your choices. We must make choices all the time. You picked, you acquired and you make fruitful from that which you have. You are self-directed, as you should be.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 13
She girds herself with strength; she exerts her arms with vigor (Pv 31:17).
Affirmation: I affirm as you self-direct, you strengthen yourself, build confidence in yourself and work with renewed vigor and strength. You are girt, surrounded, secure and prepared to master your life.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 14
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come (Pv 31:25).
Affirmation: I affirm your dignity comes from God and in that strength you build strength. Soon, if not already, difficulties recede as the joy and laughter of life becomes your constant companion.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 15
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her (Pv 31:28).
Affirmation: Children often delay their thanksgiving until later in life. I’m sorry that happens. But you rest assured, in the final analysis, you will be praised for your love and hard work. I affirm your children, spouse and all who know you will express awe in your personhood and praise you.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 16
She opens her mouth in wisdom; kindly instruction is on her tongue (Pv 31:26).
Affirmation: How often you bite your lip! So many things could have been said, even ‘should’ have been said but you chose wisdom, kindness. Your speaking-tongue is not a lash of punishment but a source of renewal.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 17
When I say, “My foot is slipping,” your mercy, LORD, holds me up. When cares increase within me, your comfort gives me joy (PS 94:18-19).
Affirmation: I affirm the Lord is present for you, helps you when you slip, and His comfort seems more real when the times are more difficult. His mercy is always present but we are more aware under duress.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 18
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you (Jn 16:21-22).
Affirmation: My favorite. I reflect on this so much in awe. Pain becomes an echo without sound in the presence of new life. I affirm your joy of Motherhood shall never pass from you and always be present for you.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 19
Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Gen 1:26a-27).
Affirmation: This Old Testament passage expressed the worth of human beings who have value in themselves (NABRE commentary). There is no separation of you from God. Life may feel that way but there is no distance between you and God.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 20
Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a pure heart (1 PTR 1:22).
Affirmation: I affirm love is strong in you. The obedience of truth and love is mocked by the world. You go right on loving! Intensely. Purely. Allow the gravitas of love to overcome the world.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 21
To the LORD who spoke to her she gave a name, saying, “You are God who sees me”; she meant, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after he saw me?” (Gen 16:13).
Affirmation: I affirm in you the twin message of this sacred Scripture. God sees me as God is my protection – he understands all my needs. It also means I live in the presence of God. Hagar was the first to name God: El-ro’i at the place of Beer-lahai-roi (the well of the living sight).
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 22
So she put the child down under one of the bushes, and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away; for she said to herself, “I cannot watch the child die.” As she sat opposite him, she wept aloud. God heard the boy’s voice, and God’s angel called to Hagar from heaven: “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not fear; God has heard the boy’s voice in this plight of his. Get up, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink (Gen 21:15-19).
Affirmation: I affirm you are like Hagar, wise to hand over your child to the Lord. However the difficulty comes, the solution is surrender. Let the boy drink of life. Be at peace.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 23
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home (Jn 19:27).
Affirmation: I affirm, Mother, your person has the attention of the entire Church. Jesus himself will not leave his Mother, any Mother, alone and without aid. Yet, even more deeply, done so in the unity of family. Do not fear for your children. You will always have a beautify place in the home of the heart of your children. Behold, your Son. Behold, you are Mother.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 24
With all vigilance guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life (Pv 4:23).
Affirmation: Even as you progress in these affirmations the temptation to return to Stinkin’ Thinkin’ is very strong. It takes effort to reject the negative echoes bouncing around in the mind and bruising the heart. No to all that. I affirm your efforts to guard your heart. Flee from the devil and this enticement. Instead restore the natural creation of your hormones from healthy sources of thought and actions. Pray and stay.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 25
Instead you should say, “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.” (Jas 4:15).
Affirmation: Plan, consider options and make decisions. This is your right. In all this planning and consideration, conditio Jacobaea, ‘If the Lord wills it’, is not a statement of resignation and futility but of fruitfulness and abundance. I affirm you plan, consider and make the best decisions you can. Now rest in these decisions. Especially in regards to children. Allow the will of the Lord to bless your fruitfulness and abundance.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 26
“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Saint Francis of Assisi.
Affirmation: Saint Francis of Assisi took the commandment of love to degrees I can only imagine. But I affirm in you that you are on a path similar to his. The Salting of Fire, which Jesus promised, is working in you. Francis gives you today this simple advice. “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 27
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 (Jas 5:10-11a).After he had prayed for his friends… Thus the LORD blessed the later days of Job more than his earlier ones. After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren. Then Job died, old and full of years. (Job 42:10b, 12a, 16-17).
Affirmation: I affirm you have experienced many hardships and need to be very patient with so many in your life. Pray for them. The Lord knows and will restore to you all that is good.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 28
Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Ptr 4:8).
Affirmation: I affirm your loving heart for all those in your life. It is clear you have allowed your love to be intense even as others bruise and harm. Your love is not wasted! Forgiveness comes and reconciliation is an eventuality. Don’t seek bruises but if they come, love through them.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 29
Sisters: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but 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 (Rom 8:14-16)
Affirmation: Be freed from all fear. I affirm you are favored by the Lord.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 30
Jesus, looking at him, loved him. For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God. (MK 10:21, 27).
Affirmation: I affirm you attempt the impossible every day. Managing a household and children day in and day out is not easy. From the gospel message remember, Jesus looks at you, loves you, and calls you into the divine-human friendship. In that friendship all things are possible.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 31
Live your life in mutual charity … for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.Aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands.(1 Thes 4:9-11)
Affirmation: Being triggered is an instinctive response. I affirm you try to live your life in mutual charity even when some attempt to trigger you as if for amusement.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 32
Behold, you desire true sincerity; and secretly you teach me wisdom (PS 51:8)
Affirmation: I affirm your sincerity. Sincerity is the beginning of wisdom. Continue to ask your questions and wisdom will blossom within you.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Day 33
But the LORD said to Samuel: Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The LORD looks into the heart (1 Sam 16:7).
Affirmation: Empowered by grace and healed with mercy, I affirm your future and your right to look in the heart of all you have business with or personal relationships. Choose wisely.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Concluding Reflection and Prayer
Artwork: Lemasle, Louis-Nicolas “Relevailles De La Duchesse De Berry Dans L’église De Vernouillet “, 1788-1876.
These thirty-three days are similar to the thirty-three years of Jesus incarnate. Each day brings a new awareness and trust that you matter, your efforts are remembered and your personhood is restored in the life of Christ.
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy (LK 1:44). Like the Blessed Mother, when the sound of your greetings reach my ears, the ‘infant’ in me leaps for Joy. Have confidence in your feminine genius, a whole gift of God.
Let us pray.
Almighty everlasting God, who by means of the blessed Virgin Mary’s childbearing has given every Christian mother joy, even in her pains of bringing forth her child; look kindly on this servant of yours who has come in gladness to your holy dwelling to offer her thanks. And grant that after this life, through the merits and prayers of that same blessed Mary, she and her child may be deemed worthy of attaining the happiness of everlasting life; through Christ our Lord.
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.
Deacon Gerry Palermo 