Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin Readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Psalm 84:3, 4, 5 and 10, 11; Mark 7:1-13
Summary
Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? Regard kindly the prayer and petition of your servant, LORD, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees; and favor me with your law. (1 Kgs 8:27a, 28; PS 119:36, 29b).
The Tradition of the Elders
In our gospel portion today, Jesus is describing two distinct problems we habitually fall into:
Traditions becoming more important than relation.
Law becoming an unchanging thing, either in its intent or its application.
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.You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on (Mk 7:6-7, 13a).
Reflection
Our theology and practicum are not set in amber – as a fly trapped and frozen in time.
It is living and breathing, faithful to its source, and adjusts to the Sign of the Times.
To honor is both a verb and a noun. What we do and who we are. We are to honor the Lord and our Mothers & Fathers – i.e., all people.
Personal Reflection
May I not trap myself in the amber of my faith traditions. Rather be open to new ways of expressing the love and honor due the Lord an all persons.
Our faith journey are steps of Ascent to the Altar and to the Lord
Greetings on this the Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Readings: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10; Mark 6:53-56
Summary
They came to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant from the city of David (which is Zion). The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, the inner sanctuary of the house, the holy of holies, beneath the wings of the cherubim. There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they went forth from the land of Egypt. (1 Kgs 8:1b, 6, 9)
In our first reading today we have the Ascent. King Solomon has brought the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, to the new Temple, to provide a permanent place for the Lord to abide with them. The Ark contained the Two Stone Tablets – the Commandments – within it. The Lord then did reside within the Holy of Holies, in smoke, in presence and in the Law.
Graduale “song of the steps”
The original gradual is from the Jewish liturgical tradition. The 15 steps of the Temple correspond to the Songs of Ascent – Psalms 120-134 – where at each step a psalm was sung. The gradual nature of faith and growth. The Progressive Elaboration of the Divine life and the Human participation in that life. He has come to dwell with us. Wherever they started Judea, Galilee, Egypt or Babylon they all ascend to, arrive at, Jerusalem and the Holy Temple.
Reflection
Advance, O LORD, to your resting place, you and the ark of your majesty (PS 132:8).
After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret. People immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. They laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed (Mk 6:53, 54b-55, 56b).
This is our resting place, in the Lord.
Personal Reflection
Our faith journey is a graduale – an ascent. Step by step we move toward the Lord. We enthrone him in our hearts. We place before him our hopes and needs and all we love. And he allows us to touch his tassel and cloak that we may be healed.
Talking honestly reveals who we are, and the right path forward reveals itself.
Greetings on this the Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Readings: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Mark 6:30-34
Summary
So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right— I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for: I give you such riches and glory that among kings there will be no one like you all your days. And if you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and commandments, as David your father did, I will give you a long life. Solomon awoke; it was a dream! He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings, and gave a feast for all his servants (1 Kgs 3:11-15).
Prayer is honestly talking with and listening to the Lord
What we ask for is important. It reveals the condition of our heart. It makes clear the response of the Lord. How abundantly he desires to aid us and help us on our pilgrim journey. But our ‘Ask’ must be what our hearts are thinking (for good or ill – the truth as we see it) so that the blessing may flow and corrections (if needed) may be attained.
Reflection
What a marvelous gospel portion today: The Return of the Twelve.
Sacred Oils
The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught (Mk 6:30).
What a wonderful report they gave! Sent by Jesus to change the world and change the world they did!
And, yet, there is more divine-human cooperation ahead – for them and us.
A nice photo from Mass and my brother deacon Antonio, faithful Kathy and Fr Ray who I know now 20 years
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things (Mk 6:34). The Twelve realized they are being given a model to follow. Teach, heal and love.
Personal Reflection
May today we contribute to the Kingdom. Teach, heal and love as you can for all you can.
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs Readings: Sirach 47:2-11; Psalm 18:31, 47 and 50, 51; Mark 6:14-29
Summary
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance (see Luke 8:15).
In our sacred readings today, we have a variety of ‘heart conditions’. Not the muscle heart, the spiritual heart of the person. It is from the heart we get to the essence of the person.
Reflection
In our first reading from Sirach, we are given an idealized portrait of David. Strong in battle, brave, beloved by all and the Lord. Sirach also notes that David was grateful to the Lord for his successes and was known to love the Lord. Still, David needed heart surgery and he suffered as well as others for his misdeeds. The LORD forgave him his sins (Sir 47:11a).
In our gospel portion, the heart condition is more acute.
The two texts, Herod’s Opinion of Jesus and The Death of John the Baptist, frame the serious spiritual problem of so many.
As the story is told, Herod, Herodias, her daughter, and the courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee, all suffered from the lure of power and the perversion of silencing of truth. For these, there was no repentance and no accepting of forgiveness. Only power. John the Baptist was their victim among so many others.
Personal Reflection
So what separates David from all these others?
David allows truth to change him
Herod allows truth to threaten him
It’s a list:
Repentance, accepting responsibility and restoration.
Faith, seeking forgiveness and having relation with the Lord.
We have only summaries of their lives, all of them, so we must be careful as to our analysis and (the risk of self-justification).
All evil acts are evil.
We must time and again turn back to the Lord. Healing begins the moment truth is allowed to speak.
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr Readings: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd; Mark 6:7-13
Summary
Be a man! So they went off and preached repentance. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give greatness and strength to all. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them (1 Kgs 2:2b; Mk 6:12; 1 Chr 29:12b; Mk 6:13).
Sometimes we use shorthand to say the most profound things. King David’s final words, instructing Solomon, to be a man! What did he mean to be a man?
Reflection
In our first reading today David describes being a man as one who has the fortitude, purpose and obedient alignment with the Lord God.
The Mission of the Twelve.
If your sons so conduct themselves that they walk before me in faithfulness with their whole heart and soul, there shall never be wanting someone of your line on the throne of Israel (1 Kgs 2:4bc).
In our gospel portion today, in a similar but superior way, Jesus provides the ability to change the world with fortitude and purpose.
He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits (Mk 6:7).
Personal Reflection
The Mission. We are invited into he mission of Jesus and his Twelve. not identically but proportionally and with the particular charism we all possess.
I cannot think of a better way to spend the day today.
Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Readings: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mark 6:1-6
Summary
Consequences can be severe. Failing to acknowledge and atone for actions – ever more so!
He was amazed at their lack of faith (Mk 6:6).
When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the LORD: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these sheep, what have they done? Strike me and my father’s family! So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty silver shekels. Then David built an altar to the LORD there, and sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings. The LORD granted relief to the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.(2 Sam 24:17, 24b-25).
Reflection
Thankfully we have the psalmist to reassure us! Turn to the Lord and be saved!
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took away the guilt of my sin.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you in time of stress. Though deep waters overflow, they shall not reach him.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
Personal Reflection
In our first reading David’s sin caused great distress for everyone. In our gospel portion, the same is true only in a more subtle way. So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them (Mk 6:5). Lack of faith drives us to do exaggerated things wrongly or miss on the gentleness of the divine love.
Better I listen to the psalmist. Repent, move on in faith.
Greetings on this the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
Summary
[Joseph and Mary] took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. [Simeon] took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: …for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. St Paul teaches that [Jesus came to] free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life (Lk 2:22b, 28, 30-32; Heb 2:15).
Reflection
The Presentation in the Temple is the 4th Joyful mystery of the Holy Rosary. It comes immediately after Jesus’ nativity. That makes sense, of course.
But it’s question remains even now.
Where are you taking Jesus today?
Joseph and Mary brought Jesus not only out of legal obligation, but out of love—presenting to God the very gift God had already given them. Thank you, Lord, for my child. Thank you, Lord, for my Savior. Thank you, Lord, for my freedom to live in love and not fear death but embrace the divine hope.
Personal Reflection
Perhaps today we can make a quiet promise to ourselves. To take Jesus where we are going. Don’t leave him here! Take him with you. He is the temple of God’s love. Let all see Jesus – the Simeon’s and Anna’s of the world. That God is glorified and we are made free!
’anāwîm – low in earthly possessions, rich in devotion and love
Greetings on this the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12a
He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who have observed his law; Seek justice, seek humility. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Mt 5:2-3; Zeph 2:3ab; Mt 5:12).
The poor (’anāwîm) – (ah-nah-WEEM) in Hebrew at its root means ‘bow down’, without material wealth, holding a low social stature and/or oppressed and at the same time profoundly and faithfully dependent upon the Lord (the “faithful remnant”).
Reflection
In our sacred readings today, we have Matthew’s Beatitudes as his first teaching of the people. At the head of the Beatitudes is the blessed poor (the ’anāwîm). It is fair to say this first of the nine beatitudes holds a special and superior place. To wit, trusting in God is both because we have to in our material poverty and we must in our spiritual poverty.
Knowing this and accepting/adopting this perspective is the gateway to the remaining beatitudes and the life of fulfillment that comes from a life of right relation. St Paul gives us a deeper view of our poverty.
Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God (1 Cor 1:26-29).
Paul is not slandering us! He is centering us. Even if you have money, even if you were born to nobility, even if you are strong in the world, he says, we are all unable to boast before God.
What DO we have?
We have God our Father who sustains us
The Lord keeps faith forever, The Lord secures justice for the oppressed, The Lord gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord raises up those who are bowed down. The Lord protects strangers. The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains.
(PS 146:6-7, 8, 9)
We have our Lord, Jesus Christ, who redeems us
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor 1:30-31).
God has hidden us, rested us in the Christ, his Son. There is our vault of all good – right relation, being made holy and being redeemed from our mistakes.
If we must boast, then boast your Lord of Salvation!
Personal Reflection
The first beatitude does not ask me to become poor. It asks me to admit that I already am.
To be poor in spirit is not to despise what I have, but to stop pretending it is enough.
Blessed are those who no longer rely on themselves to be complete— for the Kingdom of Heaven is already open to them.
In a few moments we, the ah-nah-WEEM, enter into the Eucharist celebration from our poverty and our confidence in the Lord.
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest Readings: 2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17; Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17; Mark 4:35-41
Summary
The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, Nathan said: “Judge this case for me! (2 Sam 12:1A).
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mk 4:36-38)
Reflection
Today’s sacred readings are so very powerful in contrast and in similarities.
The Similarity
Dealing with the truth.
David and Nathan
David having been caught in a ‘case to be judged’, finds himself judging rightly against the murderous acts he himself ordered. Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan answered David: “For his part, the LORD has removed your sin. You shall not die (2 Sam 12:7, 13).
In modern times people deflect, deny, excuse and self-justify. Not David. He was confronted the truth with truth: I have sinned. The consequences are difficult – they usually are – but the confession is purgation.
The Disciplines and Jesus
They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” (Mk 4:38b-41).
God’s mercy does not deny the storm—but it refuses to abandon those caught within it.
In modern times people double down on the accusations and discount the very things they see with their own eyes – but the confession is growth.
Personal Reflection
Judge this case for me!
Do we wish to sit in denial and accusation? Or is it better for us to seek mercy for the things we do wrong and for a stronger faith?
Sycamore tree – just pretend it is the mustard tree
Greetings on this the Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6a, 6bcd-7, 10-11; Mark 4:26-34
Summary
When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David’s army fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died. But in the sight of the LORD what David had done was evil. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (2 Sam 11:17, 27; PS 51:3-4)).
Reflection
When we sin, we create victims. In some cases, as in today’s first reading, more than we ever intended. It is a devastating reality of sin. But the nature of the divine love is not abandon us or our victims in the mistake but recreate our lives as branches of the mustard tree.
The Church pairs this disaster of David’s decision with two more powerful, counter-realities:
The forgiving nature of the Lord.
The logic of the Kingdom.
He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God (Mk 4:26a).
If a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and 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 (Mk 4:26b-29).
The kingdom grows even when we make the mistake of working against it! The scattered seed does its work – its destiny – to bring divine peace. Let the seed be planted. within us, our community our country.
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 (Mk 4:32).
This seed, becomes the safe haven for all who rest under or upon its branches. And its grace, food and shade, extends far and wide as all good things do.
Personal Reflection
We should ever discuss mistakes without discussing forgiveness. Not to treat it as an antacid tablet. But as a reframing of life of mistakes as the lesser alternative to a life of rest. Let the seed of holiness take root within us and we experience forgiveness and become a branch of the tree that brings rest and food.
