Tag: Social Justice

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:

1. Repentance, accepting responsibility and restoration.
2. 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.

We have a heart condition that needs healing.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020626.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020526.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020426.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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

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Summary

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.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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:

1. The forgiving nature of the Lord.
2. 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).

1. 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).

2. 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.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29; Psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14; Mark 4:21-25

Summary

The Parable of the Lamp

“Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. (Mk 4:23-24a).

Reflection

You should hear but take care what you hear.

“Filters” is the word we use today to describe the gap between what is spoken and what is actually received—between meaning and mere sound.

This is the center of the parable (take care).

• A lamp is used to illuminate – so that nothing is hidden.
• But the decision to illuminate – The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you (Mk 4:24b).
• The effects are about what is illuminated – from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away (Mk 4:25).

Personal Reflection

It is so tempting to shed light on another’s mistakes. But Jesus warns that light is intended for the curative and restorative purpose. Take care of what you shine your light on – and for that matter – what you lamp is fueled by. Till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob (PS 132:5) – to dwell within me to fuel my lamp.

Light is meant for healing, not humiliation.
Take care what you shine your light on—and take care what fuels your lamp.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-17; Psalm 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30; Mark 4:1-20

Summary

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” (Mk 4:13, 9).

Reflection

In the Parable of the Sower Jesus uses the then current-day farming method of “broadcasting seed” as a way to describe the difficulty of ministry under the various circumstances of people’s faith condition. The seed which contains its own instructions on germination can only be successful if it is received well by the soil. When not well received by the soil, its end is bleak and dismal.

A great deal is made of the difference in the plain meaning of the parable to the people and the detailed explanation to the Twelve.

To the Twelve

He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’” (Mk 4:11-12, x-ref Isa 6:9-10).

Jesus is basically begging us/them to read Isaiah 6 and enter into the story of the Sending of Isaiah. In that historical encounter we have the answer to both groups.

Jesus does what Isaiah was sent to begin, but now in his own person. The Twelve share his mission. The mission is how to reach those who are unable to accept the word with a fruitful outcome. The mystery is given to them so they can enter the struggle of ministry, not avoid it. How do we break through?

• They hear – but lost instantly.
• They hear – but cannot sustain.
• They hear – but choke on worldly anxiety.

These are the problem points that ministry must address.

To the People

I’m not saying try harder! I’m saying relax deeply in the presence of the Lord.

Forever I will maintain my love for him; my covenant with him stands firm (PS 89:29)

For the people Jesus is begging them: Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear. Do you have ears? He wants them to go deeper. Isaiah describes a period of desolation. The leadership in particular have dull ears and closed eyes. In many ways the people are in the desolation as in the past: empty houses (My House), diaspora and faithless leadership.

Personal Reflection

Whew! That is a lot. The take-away is that Jesus is reaching everyone exactly as to their situation. Ministers without a good problem domain. People without clarity of leadership. Hearts living out a form of desolation without even knowing it.

Life does not have to remain that way.
The soil can change.
Ears can open.
Fruit can grow.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Mark 3:31-35

Summary

Lift up your heads, O gates;
be lifted, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may enter.
(PS 24:7)

Commentary on this psalm verse from the NABRE: Lift up your heads, O gates … you ancient portals: the literal meaning would involve disassembly of the gates, since the portcullis (a gate that moves up and down) was unknown in the ancient world.

Reflection

Jesus is doing something new. So new that the gates of the heart must be taken apart and rebuilt to be higher and greater to allow the King of Glory to enter!

In our sacred readings today, Jesus proposes the simplest and most profoundly loving answer imaginable.

“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”
But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mk 3:32-35)

Personal Reflection

Today, let us all think about redesigning the gates to our hearts. Is it too small, too narrow, too closed?

Jesus offers us a new way. A desire to do a home remodel project!!

Lift higher your hearts and make room for the family God is forming.

Become brother, sister and mother of the Lord Jesus!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry