Reading 1
Jer 3:14-17
Return, rebellious children, says the LORD,
for I am your Master;
I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan,
and bring you to Zion.
I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart,
who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.
When you multiply and become fruitful in the land,
says the LORD,
They will in those days no longer say,
"The ark of the covenant of the LORD!"
They will no longer think of it, or remember it,
or miss it, or make another.
Gospel
Mt 13:18-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."
At that time they will call Jerusalem the LORD's throne;
there all nations will be gathered together
to honor the name of the LORD at Jerusalem,
and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.
Meditation: Jeremiah 3:14-17
“They will call Jerusalem the Lord’s throne.” (Jeremiah 3:17)
Jeremiah’s prophetic call came during the reign of Josiah, a reforming young king. Josiah repaired the Temple, which led to the discovery of the Book of the Law. Newly aware of how his people had broken God’s Law, Josiah tore down pagan altars all over the country. At least for a time, he seemed to be a shepherd “after God’s own heart” (Jeremiah 3:15), so Jeremiah’s early prophecies were full of hope.
The Ark of the Covenant rested at the very heart of the Temple in Jerusalem. It held the Ten Commandments and it represented God’s presence among his people. No matter what happened, the people could always come to the Temple and be sure of encountering God. It’s no wonder they treasured the Ark!
We’re not sure what happened to that ark or when it happened. It was probably destroyed by an invader, and in this passage, Jeremiah speaks as if it is already missing from the Temple. But he looks forward to a day when “they will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another” (Jeremiah 3:16). Why not? Because God will dwell in the midst of his people, enthroned in those who gather to honor his name.
This became especially important to those who were exiled to Babylon a few short years later. Far away from the ruined Temple, they discovered new dimensions to their identity as God’s people. The written word of God, dietary laws, and heartfelt prayer became much more central than they were when everyone could come to Jerusalem and find God in the Temple.
Sometimes we are shaken by alterations in life as we know it. We lose a job and have to move across the country. A loved one dies. A new pastor changes things our parish has “always” done a certain way.
In situations like these, Jeremiah gives good advice. No longer look nostalgically to the past, wishing things could be as they once were. God is doing something new. Enthrone God in the present. Worship him in the midst of his people, and let him move you forward.
“Holy Spirit, you know how difficult change is for me. I know that you are always with me. Help me to trust you and to step forward into the new life you are offering me.”
22 July 2010
22 July 2010, Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene
Reading 1
Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13
This word of the LORD came to me:
Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear!
I remember the devotion of your youth,
how you loved me as a bride,
Following me in the desert,
in a land unsown.
Sacred to the LORD was Israel,
the first fruits of his harvest;
Should any presume to partake of them,
evil would befall them, says the LORD.
When I brought you into the garden land
to eat its goodly fruits,
You entered and defiled my land,
you made my heritage loathsome.
The priests asked not,
"Where is the LORD?"
Those who dealt with the law knew me not:
the shepherds rebelled against me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal,
and went after useless idols.
Be amazed at this, O heavens,
and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD.
Two evils have my people done:
they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;
They have dug themselves cisterns,
broken cisterns, that hold no water.
Gospel
Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
"They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don't know where they put him."
Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.
And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
and saw two angels in white sitting there,
one at the head and one at the feet
where the Body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"
She said to them, "They have taken my Lord,
and I don't know where they laid him."
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,
but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?"
She thought it was the gardener and said to him,
"Sir, if you carried him away,
tell me where you laid him,
and I will take him."
Jesus said to her, "Mary!"
She turned and said to him in Hebrew,
"Rabbouni," which means Teacher.
Jesus said to her,
"Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and tell them,
'I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.'"
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples,
"I have seen the Lord,"
and then reported what he told her.
Meditation: John 20:1-2,11-18
St. Mary Magdalene
Mary! (John 20:16)
Mary Magdalene had been plagued by demons, and Jesus healed her. With gratitude, she joined the band of women who cared for his financial needs (Luke 8:2-3) and was among those who followed him from Galilee to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55-56). Along with the twelve, she was privileged to hear his word and see his miracles every day. What’s more, while many fled in fear at the garden of Gethsemane, she stayed with him, a true disciple to the end (John 19:25).
Grief-stricken, Mary went to mourn at Jesus’ grave, out of respect and gratitude for all he had done for her. But her sorrow was turned into joy when she saw the empty tomb and then Jesus, risen from the dead! Calling her by name, Jesus freed Mary again—this time from the grief that had overcome her as she watched him die. With a single word, “Mary,” she was revived. And her reply, “Rabbouni,” Master, contained not only relief and joy but a pledge of faith in him and his gospel.
Just think: Jesus first appeared not to the priests and rulers of Israel, nor to the twelve apostles, but to a woman with a disturbed past. This was the person Jesus chose to be the first witness of the resurrection. This was the one he decided would have the honor of being the “apostle to the apostles,” the first evangelist.
God revealed himself to someone the world considered lowly and unlikely. Whatever kind of bondage Mary had suffered—whether she had been mentally ill, trapped in sin, or afflicted with a debilitating illness—it didn’t disqualify her. And neither are we disqualified, whether by past sins or current disabilities. Jesus came for just this reason, to deliver us from our sins and to fill us with the dignity of chosen and beloved children of God. He calls us each by name to share eternal life with him. He seeks to transform us, one and all, through his Holy Spirit so that we can be witnesses to his resurrection.
“Lord Jesus, you are the hope of glory! My heart rejoices at the sound of your voice. Thank you for awakening hope in me and lifting me up to new life in you.”
Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13
This word of the LORD came to me:
Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear!
I remember the devotion of your youth,
how you loved me as a bride,
Following me in the desert,
in a land unsown.
Sacred to the LORD was Israel,
the first fruits of his harvest;
Should any presume to partake of them,
evil would befall them, says the LORD.
When I brought you into the garden land
to eat its goodly fruits,
You entered and defiled my land,
you made my heritage loathsome.
The priests asked not,
"Where is the LORD?"
Those who dealt with the law knew me not:
the shepherds rebelled against me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal,
and went after useless idols.
Be amazed at this, O heavens,
and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD.
Two evils have my people done:
they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;
They have dug themselves cisterns,
broken cisterns, that hold no water.
Gospel
Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
"They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don't know where they put him."
Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.
And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
and saw two angels in white sitting there,
one at the head and one at the feet
where the Body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"
She said to them, "They have taken my Lord,
and I don't know where they laid him."
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,
but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?"
She thought it was the gardener and said to him,
"Sir, if you carried him away,
tell me where you laid him,
and I will take him."
Jesus said to her, "Mary!"
She turned and said to him in Hebrew,
"Rabbouni," which means Teacher.
Jesus said to her,
"Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and tell them,
'I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.'"
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples,
"I have seen the Lord,"
and then reported what he told her.
Meditation: John 20:1-2,11-18
St. Mary Magdalene
Mary! (John 20:16)
Mary Magdalene had been plagued by demons, and Jesus healed her. With gratitude, she joined the band of women who cared for his financial needs (Luke 8:2-3) and was among those who followed him from Galilee to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55-56). Along with the twelve, she was privileged to hear his word and see his miracles every day. What’s more, while many fled in fear at the garden of Gethsemane, she stayed with him, a true disciple to the end (John 19:25).
Grief-stricken, Mary went to mourn at Jesus’ grave, out of respect and gratitude for all he had done for her. But her sorrow was turned into joy when she saw the empty tomb and then Jesus, risen from the dead! Calling her by name, Jesus freed Mary again—this time from the grief that had overcome her as she watched him die. With a single word, “Mary,” she was revived. And her reply, “Rabbouni,” Master, contained not only relief and joy but a pledge of faith in him and his gospel.
Just think: Jesus first appeared not to the priests and rulers of Israel, nor to the twelve apostles, but to a woman with a disturbed past. This was the person Jesus chose to be the first witness of the resurrection. This was the one he decided would have the honor of being the “apostle to the apostles,” the first evangelist.
God revealed himself to someone the world considered lowly and unlikely. Whatever kind of bondage Mary had suffered—whether she had been mentally ill, trapped in sin, or afflicted with a debilitating illness—it didn’t disqualify her. And neither are we disqualified, whether by past sins or current disabilities. Jesus came for just this reason, to deliver us from our sins and to fill us with the dignity of chosen and beloved children of God. He calls us each by name to share eternal life with him. He seeks to transform us, one and all, through his Holy Spirit so that we can be witnesses to his resurrection.
“Lord Jesus, you are the hope of glory! My heart rejoices at the sound of your voice. Thank you for awakening hope in me and lifting me up to new life in you.”
21 July 2010
21 July 2010, Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Jer 1:1, 4-10
The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah,
of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin.
The word of the LORD came to me thus:
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.
"Ah, Lord GOD!" I said,
AI know not how to speak; I am too young."
But the LORD answered me,
Say not, "I am too young."
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.
Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,
See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I set you
over nations and over kingdoms,
To root up and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.
Gospel
Mt 13:1-9
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
"A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
Meditation: Jeremiah 1:1,4-10
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Consider what this simple verse means. You are irreplaceable. You are one of a kind. Before he even created you, God had a purpose for your life that is different from his purpose for anyone else’s life. And in making you, he gave you all the grace and talents you need to accomplish that purpose. Yet like Jeremiah, we can protest: “I don’t know how to speak,” or “I am too young/old/busy.” The list can be endless.
Forget that list! Instead, take one step in the direction you feel God is laying before you and see where it goes. Trust him to direct you and to correct the course if you get it wrong.
Once, while praying in a decrepit church, St. Francis of Assisi heard the Lord tell him: “Rebuild my house, which is falling in ruins.” Knowing nothing about building repair, Francis collected money and hired someone to do the job. After a little correction from God, he began physically rebuilding that church himself. After some more redirection, Francis understood that he was called to take up a life of poverty and preaching so that he could bring renewal to the whole church, not just reconstruct one building. So he did end up rebuilding the house of the Lord. It just took a while to get it right.
Take that one step, and he’ll show you the next. If you feel that the Spirit wants you to pray—then start praying! Maybe later he’ll have you invite other people to join you or give you a specific direction for your prayer. But start praying now. If you have a particular love for the elderly, call a local nursing home and ask about volunteer positions. Start with what you know and let the Spirit give you further direction as you go.
Don’t let the fear of getting it “wrong” keep you from getting started! God doesn’t mind mistakes and misunderstanding. The important thing is to set out. He will provide what you lack. He will empower you and redirect you where necessary. He will take care of the details, probably in ways you can’t even imagine. Just remember that God created you for a reason. He has called you to do things that only you can accomplish!
“Holy Spirit, help me know how I am supposed to serve. Give me boldness and trust in the Father’s guidance.”
Jer 1:1, 4-10
The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah,
of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin.
The word of the LORD came to me thus:
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.
"Ah, Lord GOD!" I said,
AI know not how to speak; I am too young."
But the LORD answered me,
Say not, "I am too young."
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.
Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,
See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I set you
over nations and over kingdoms,
To root up and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.
Gospel
Mt 13:1-9
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
"A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
Meditation: Jeremiah 1:1,4-10
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Consider what this simple verse means. You are irreplaceable. You are one of a kind. Before he even created you, God had a purpose for your life that is different from his purpose for anyone else’s life. And in making you, he gave you all the grace and talents you need to accomplish that purpose. Yet like Jeremiah, we can protest: “I don’t know how to speak,” or “I am too young/old/busy.” The list can be endless.
Forget that list! Instead, take one step in the direction you feel God is laying before you and see where it goes. Trust him to direct you and to correct the course if you get it wrong.
Once, while praying in a decrepit church, St. Francis of Assisi heard the Lord tell him: “Rebuild my house, which is falling in ruins.” Knowing nothing about building repair, Francis collected money and hired someone to do the job. After a little correction from God, he began physically rebuilding that church himself. After some more redirection, Francis understood that he was called to take up a life of poverty and preaching so that he could bring renewal to the whole church, not just reconstruct one building. So he did end up rebuilding the house of the Lord. It just took a while to get it right.
Take that one step, and he’ll show you the next. If you feel that the Spirit wants you to pray—then start praying! Maybe later he’ll have you invite other people to join you or give you a specific direction for your prayer. But start praying now. If you have a particular love for the elderly, call a local nursing home and ask about volunteer positions. Start with what you know and let the Spirit give you further direction as you go.
Don’t let the fear of getting it “wrong” keep you from getting started! God doesn’t mind mistakes and misunderstanding. The important thing is to set out. He will provide what you lack. He will empower you and redirect you where necessary. He will take care of the details, probably in ways you can’t even imagine. Just remember that God created you for a reason. He has called you to do things that only you can accomplish!
“Holy Spirit, help me know how I am supposed to serve. Give me boldness and trust in the Father’s guidance.”
20 July 2010
20 July 2010, Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Mi 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea
all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.
Gospel
Mt 12:46-50
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you."
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Meditation: Matthew 12:46-50
“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” (Mathew 12:48)
Doesn’t it seem out of character for Jesus to dismiss his family so easily and associate himself with virtual strangers instead? What do you think Mary and the others thought when they heard him say these words?
Of course Jesus loved his family. Of course Mary held a special place in his heart. But here, as he was preaching and teaching, he decided to make an important point—and he emphasized that point by exaggerating it. Although it sounds extreme to us, Jesus’ audience most likely understood that he wasn’t really disowning his family. In a culture built so much on storytelling and oral tradition, exaggeration would have been quite common. Think, for instance, about another one of Jesus’ sayings: “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away” (Matthew 18:8). Everyone knew he wasn’t telling them to maim themselves. He was just telling them how serious sin is.
So what does it mean that Jesus considers anyone who follows him to be in his family? Think about what an ideal family looks like. Families stick together in good and bad times. They are quick to forgive and slow to judge. They are loyal to each other and are always looking out for each other’s well-being. There is love and acceptance, as well as a desire for everyone to succeed.
This is what you can expect from Jesus. He has established a connection with you that is thick as blood. He is more than a confidant or a close friend. He is your brother. If we are willing to go out of our way for our family, imagine how much more Jesus will do for us!
No earthly family is perfect, but Jesus is. He loves you and wants to help you in any way he can. He wants to see you become the man or woman of God that he knows you can be. All he asks is that you try your best to follow him. Remember: He has all the resources in the universe to help you reach your goal. And that’s no exaggeration!
“Thank you, Lord, for being so faithful to me. Give me the grace to trust in your provision. Jesus, I delight in being part of your family!”
Mi 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea
all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.
Gospel
Mt 12:46-50
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you."
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Meditation: Matthew 12:46-50
“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” (Mathew 12:48)
Doesn’t it seem out of character for Jesus to dismiss his family so easily and associate himself with virtual strangers instead? What do you think Mary and the others thought when they heard him say these words?
Of course Jesus loved his family. Of course Mary held a special place in his heart. But here, as he was preaching and teaching, he decided to make an important point—and he emphasized that point by exaggerating it. Although it sounds extreme to us, Jesus’ audience most likely understood that he wasn’t really disowning his family. In a culture built so much on storytelling and oral tradition, exaggeration would have been quite common. Think, for instance, about another one of Jesus’ sayings: “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away” (Matthew 18:8). Everyone knew he wasn’t telling them to maim themselves. He was just telling them how serious sin is.
So what does it mean that Jesus considers anyone who follows him to be in his family? Think about what an ideal family looks like. Families stick together in good and bad times. They are quick to forgive and slow to judge. They are loyal to each other and are always looking out for each other’s well-being. There is love and acceptance, as well as a desire for everyone to succeed.
This is what you can expect from Jesus. He has established a connection with you that is thick as blood. He is more than a confidant or a close friend. He is your brother. If we are willing to go out of our way for our family, imagine how much more Jesus will do for us!
No earthly family is perfect, but Jesus is. He loves you and wants to help you in any way he can. He wants to see you become the man or woman of God that he knows you can be. All he asks is that you try your best to follow him. Remember: He has all the resources in the universe to help you reach your goal. And that’s no exaggeration!
“Thank you, Lord, for being so faithful to me. Give me the grace to trust in your provision. Jesus, I delight in being part of your family!”
19 July 2010
19 July 2010,Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Mi 6:1-4, 6-8
Hear what the LORD says:
Arise, present your plea before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice!
Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD,
pay attention, O foundations of the earth!
For the LORD has a plea against his people,
and he enters into trial with Israel.
O my people, what have I done to you,
or how have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
from the place of slavery I released you;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow before God most high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with myriad streams of oil?
Shall I give my first-born for my crime,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
You have been told, O man, what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do the right and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Gospel
Mt 12:38-42
Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."
He said to them in reply,
"An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,
but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights,
so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth
three days and three nights.
At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;
and there is something greater than Jonah here.
At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and there is something greater than Solomon here."
Meditation: Matthew 12:38-42
“We wish to see a sign from you.” (Matthew 12:38)
We might be tempted to feel a little smug when we think about the scribes and Pharisees who were hounding Jesus. How could they possibly have missed seeing the truth about him? He gave them a greater sign than Jonah. He was greater than the wise King Solomon! Surely we would have been more discerning! Why were their spiritual senses so dull?
What blinded the Pharisees is something that can afflict us even today: familiarity. They had seen “prophets” come and go. They knew Jesus as the son of a small-town tradesman and a wandering preacher from Galilee, and that’s all they could see him as. As a result, they didn’t expect anything more from Jesus. Their assumptions about him were set early, and there was no need to change what they considered to be true about his “type.” Just keep putting pressure on him to prove himself, they thought, and he would eventually back down or be proven false.
How about us? We may have been going to church all our lives. Perhaps we are used to seeing crucifixes at home or at church, and we can recite Bible stories from years of hearing them. We’ve been doing this so long that we think we know how Catholicism “works,” and by extension, how Jesus works. But when was the last time you gave him the chance to surprise you? Or even more to the point, when was the last time you took a chance and stepped out of the boat to join him on top of the lake?
In prayer today, ask Jesus to show you something new about who he is or the life he has called you to. Or try opening your Bible and re-reading a familiar parable, looking for the surprise that was revealed to the people in the story. At Mass, let Jesus take your breath away with the beauty of the eucharistic prayer. Keep your eyes open as you interact with family and friends today: How is Jesus showing himself to you through them? Let Jesus increase your faith. Let him deepen your confidence in those things you cannot see but are still very real.
“Jesus, I don’t want to be blind to you! Give me a glimpse behind the veil. Open my eyes and heart, Lord, to your revelation.”
Mi 6:1-4, 6-8
Hear what the LORD says:
Arise, present your plea before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice!
Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD,
pay attention, O foundations of the earth!
For the LORD has a plea against his people,
and he enters into trial with Israel.
O my people, what have I done to you,
or how have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
from the place of slavery I released you;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow before God most high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with myriad streams of oil?
Shall I give my first-born for my crime,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
You have been told, O man, what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do the right and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Gospel
Mt 12:38-42
Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."
He said to them in reply,
"An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,
but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights,
so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth
three days and three nights.
At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;
and there is something greater than Jonah here.
At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and there is something greater than Solomon here."
Meditation: Matthew 12:38-42
“We wish to see a sign from you.” (Matthew 12:38)
We might be tempted to feel a little smug when we think about the scribes and Pharisees who were hounding Jesus. How could they possibly have missed seeing the truth about him? He gave them a greater sign than Jonah. He was greater than the wise King Solomon! Surely we would have been more discerning! Why were their spiritual senses so dull?
What blinded the Pharisees is something that can afflict us even today: familiarity. They had seen “prophets” come and go. They knew Jesus as the son of a small-town tradesman and a wandering preacher from Galilee, and that’s all they could see him as. As a result, they didn’t expect anything more from Jesus. Their assumptions about him were set early, and there was no need to change what they considered to be true about his “type.” Just keep putting pressure on him to prove himself, they thought, and he would eventually back down or be proven false.
How about us? We may have been going to church all our lives. Perhaps we are used to seeing crucifixes at home or at church, and we can recite Bible stories from years of hearing them. We’ve been doing this so long that we think we know how Catholicism “works,” and by extension, how Jesus works. But when was the last time you gave him the chance to surprise you? Or even more to the point, when was the last time you took a chance and stepped out of the boat to join him on top of the lake?
In prayer today, ask Jesus to show you something new about who he is or the life he has called you to. Or try opening your Bible and re-reading a familiar parable, looking for the surprise that was revealed to the people in the story. At Mass, let Jesus take your breath away with the beauty of the eucharistic prayer. Keep your eyes open as you interact with family and friends today: How is Jesus showing himself to you through them? Let Jesus increase your faith. Let him deepen your confidence in those things you cannot see but are still very real.
“Jesus, I don’t want to be blind to you! Give me a glimpse behind the veil. Open my eyes and heart, Lord, to your revelation.”
18 July 2010
18 July 2010, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Gn 18:1-10a
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre,
as he sat in the entrance of his tent,
while the day was growing hot.
Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby.
When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;
and bowing to the ground, he said:
"Sir, if I may ask you this favor,
please do not go on past your servant.
Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,
and then rest yourselves under the tree.
Now that you have come this close to your servant,
let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;
and afterward you may go on your way."
The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."
Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,
"Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls."
He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,
and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
Then Abraham got some curds and milk,
as well as the steer that had been prepared,
and set these before the three men;
and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?"
He replied, "There in the tent."
One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year,
and Sarah will then have a son."
Reading 2
Col 1:24-28
Brothers and sisters:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his body, which is the church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God's stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Gospel
Lk 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
"Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply,
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her."
Meditation: Luke 10:38-42
“Martha, Martha …” (Luke 10:41)
What a classic example of how closeness with God trumps religious activity! We all can see how Martha was focused on doing things for Jesus: cooking, cleaning, and making Jesus comfortable. Obviously, she couldn’t see that Jesus cared more about sharing a conversation than sharing a perfect meal.
But didn’t James tell us that anyone who listens to the word of God and doesn’t do what it says is like someone who gazes into a mirror and then immediately forgets what he looks like (James 1:22-24)? Perhaps Martha was onto something after all. Yes, she was a bit too preoccupied with the demands of hospitality, but maybe she was just trying her best to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer. Maybe she understood that you can’t have real communion with God without service.
This message certainly applies to our relationship with God, but it also applies to our relationships with one another. Scripture tells us to “serve one another through love” (Galatians 5:13), to “strive for peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14), and to use our God-given gifts to take care of each other (1 Peter 4:10). We don’t grow in love for each other simply by talking, after all. We grow by doing things for each other!
Jesus didn’t rebuke Martha for being a servant. That would contradict so much of his teaching—and so much of his own example. No, he wanted her to see that she had allowed anxiety and stress to control her more than simplicity and love. He wanted her to see that she lost her temper because she had lost her perspective.
Jesus wants to speak to us just as he spoke to Martha. He wants to invite us to sit with him and receive his abundant love. At the same time, he wants to give us energy for the work he’s called us to. May we all eat the Bread of Life and then go out and give away what God has given us!
“Lord, thank you for calling me into your service! I delight in serving you because I love you.”
Gn 18:1-10a
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre,
as he sat in the entrance of his tent,
while the day was growing hot.
Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby.
When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;
and bowing to the ground, he said:
"Sir, if I may ask you this favor,
please do not go on past your servant.
Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,
and then rest yourselves under the tree.
Now that you have come this close to your servant,
let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;
and afterward you may go on your way."
The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."
Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,
"Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls."
He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,
and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
Then Abraham got some curds and milk,
as well as the steer that had been prepared,
and set these before the three men;
and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?"
He replied, "There in the tent."
One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year,
and Sarah will then have a son."
Reading 2
Col 1:24-28
Brothers and sisters:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his body, which is the church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God's stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Gospel
Lk 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
"Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply,
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her."
Meditation: Luke 10:38-42
“Martha, Martha …” (Luke 10:41)
What a classic example of how closeness with God trumps religious activity! We all can see how Martha was focused on doing things for Jesus: cooking, cleaning, and making Jesus comfortable. Obviously, she couldn’t see that Jesus cared more about sharing a conversation than sharing a perfect meal.
But didn’t James tell us that anyone who listens to the word of God and doesn’t do what it says is like someone who gazes into a mirror and then immediately forgets what he looks like (James 1:22-24)? Perhaps Martha was onto something after all. Yes, she was a bit too preoccupied with the demands of hospitality, but maybe she was just trying her best to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer. Maybe she understood that you can’t have real communion with God without service.
This message certainly applies to our relationship with God, but it also applies to our relationships with one another. Scripture tells us to “serve one another through love” (Galatians 5:13), to “strive for peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14), and to use our God-given gifts to take care of each other (1 Peter 4:10). We don’t grow in love for each other simply by talking, after all. We grow by doing things for each other!
Jesus didn’t rebuke Martha for being a servant. That would contradict so much of his teaching—and so much of his own example. No, he wanted her to see that she had allowed anxiety and stress to control her more than simplicity and love. He wanted her to see that she lost her temper because she had lost her perspective.
Jesus wants to speak to us just as he spoke to Martha. He wants to invite us to sit with him and receive his abundant love. At the same time, he wants to give us energy for the work he’s called us to. May we all eat the Bread of Life and then go out and give away what God has given us!
“Lord, thank you for calling me into your service! I delight in serving you because I love you.”
17 July 2010
17 July 2010, Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Mi 2:1-5
Woe to those who plan iniquity,
and work out evil on their couches;
In the morning light they accomplish it
when it lies within their power.
They covet fields, and seize them;
houses, and they take them;
They cheat an owner of his house,
a man of his inheritance.
Therefore thus says the LORD:
Behold, I am planning against this race an evil
from which you shall not withdraw your necks;
Nor shall you walk with head high,
for it will be a time of evil.
On that day a satire shall be sung over you,
and there shall be a plaintive chant:
"Our ruin is complete,
our fields are portioned out among our captors,
The fields of my people are measured out,
and no one can get them back!"
Thus you shall have no one
to mark out boundaries by lot
in the assembly of the LORD.
Gospel
Mt 12:14-21
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
Meditation: Matthew 12:14-21
“The Pharisees went out and took counsel against him to put him to death.” (Matthew 12:14)
There’s a sense of foreboding in today’s readings, as if dark clouds are gathering on the horizon. The prophet Micah predicts a “time of evil” for the people of Israel (Micah 2:3). And after seeing Jesus heal a man on the Sabbath, some Pharisees begin talking about how to get him killed (Matthew 12:14).
It’s a good thing we know how the story ends. Micah prophesies later that the Messiah will come and “shepherd his flock” (Micah 5:3). And Matthew tells us that all this, even the Pharisees’ plotting, was part of God’s grand plan of salvation (Matthew 12:20).
We too are living in days of uncertainty, and many of us can feel as if dark clouds are gathering. We may feel that a culture of life is giving way to a culture of death. We may be experiencing financial difficulties, failing health, or wounded relationships. Sometimes, just reading the newspaper can leave us unsettled or anxious.
And yet for Christians, this is the reality: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Jesus is the light, and through him, sin and death have already been defeated. Because God has already won the victory, we can be victorious as well. Do you believe this? Remember: The paradox of the cross is that victories can look like defeats. Those watching Jesus dying on the cross certainly would have had difficulty believing that he had just saved the world!
We need to cling to hope at all times, and especially when things seem darkest. We need to learn how to stand firmly on the truth of our faith. God is on our side. He will never abandon us. He is always with us!
If you find yourself lacking in hope, ask God to give you more. You may as well get as much as you can now, when you need it. It won’t be of much use to you in heaven. After all, that’s where all of our hopes and dreams will be fulfilled. So ask now, and your generous Father will pour it out!
“Jesus, you are the light of the world. Fill me with such hope that I never doubt your power and presence, even in the darkness. Jesus, I trust in you.”
Mi 2:1-5
Woe to those who plan iniquity,
and work out evil on their couches;
In the morning light they accomplish it
when it lies within their power.
They covet fields, and seize them;
houses, and they take them;
They cheat an owner of his house,
a man of his inheritance.
Therefore thus says the LORD:
Behold, I am planning against this race an evil
from which you shall not withdraw your necks;
Nor shall you walk with head high,
for it will be a time of evil.
On that day a satire shall be sung over you,
and there shall be a plaintive chant:
"Our ruin is complete,
our fields are portioned out among our captors,
The fields of my people are measured out,
and no one can get them back!"
Thus you shall have no one
to mark out boundaries by lot
in the assembly of the LORD.
Gospel
Mt 12:14-21
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
Meditation: Matthew 12:14-21
“The Pharisees went out and took counsel against him to put him to death.” (Matthew 12:14)
There’s a sense of foreboding in today’s readings, as if dark clouds are gathering on the horizon. The prophet Micah predicts a “time of evil” for the people of Israel (Micah 2:3). And after seeing Jesus heal a man on the Sabbath, some Pharisees begin talking about how to get him killed (Matthew 12:14).
It’s a good thing we know how the story ends. Micah prophesies later that the Messiah will come and “shepherd his flock” (Micah 5:3). And Matthew tells us that all this, even the Pharisees’ plotting, was part of God’s grand plan of salvation (Matthew 12:20).
We too are living in days of uncertainty, and many of us can feel as if dark clouds are gathering. We may feel that a culture of life is giving way to a culture of death. We may be experiencing financial difficulties, failing health, or wounded relationships. Sometimes, just reading the newspaper can leave us unsettled or anxious.
And yet for Christians, this is the reality: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Jesus is the light, and through him, sin and death have already been defeated. Because God has already won the victory, we can be victorious as well. Do you believe this? Remember: The paradox of the cross is that victories can look like defeats. Those watching Jesus dying on the cross certainly would have had difficulty believing that he had just saved the world!
We need to cling to hope at all times, and especially when things seem darkest. We need to learn how to stand firmly on the truth of our faith. God is on our side. He will never abandon us. He is always with us!
If you find yourself lacking in hope, ask God to give you more. You may as well get as much as you can now, when you need it. It won’t be of much use to you in heaven. After all, that’s where all of our hopes and dreams will be fulfilled. So ask now, and your generous Father will pour it out!
“Jesus, you are the light of the world. Fill me with such hope that I never doubt your power and presence, even in the darkness. Jesus, I trust in you.”
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