The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Amos 5:14-15, 21-24
Psalm 50:7-13, 16-17
Matthew 8:28-34

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Why do you recite my statutes...and cast my words behind you?”
- Psalm 50:17

Today’s readings illustrate a statement made by Matthew Henry in his commentary on Scripture: “It is not knowledge but love that distinguishes saints from devils.” Amos observes that although the Israelites had knowledge of the law, they none the less disobeyed it. Sin thrives within those guided by self-interest; they may be fluent in speaking God’s word, but they hate the self-denial and discipline it requires.

In our Gospel Christ casts out demons from two men. The demons’ recognition of Jesus as the Son of God made them fear that this meant an end to their influence on earth and being cast into hell. They asked to be allowed to enter into a nearby large herd of swine; for if they were to stop hurting men’s souls, they could still do harm to their property. It is interesting to note that though the Gadarenes were Jews, they were raising swine, an animal considered unclean and unfit for human consumption.

We witness the entire herd destroyed by drowning and know that God allows such loss only for wise and holy ends. Unfortunately, the Gadarenes did not get this message; they should have rejoiced over the man’s healing and realized God was visiting them, offering them a new life. Instead, in their greed and covetousness, they rid themselves of Jesus, chose swine over salvation. We too might ask ourselves, what in our lives are we preferring in place of Christ and His salvation.

Loving Redeemer,
Source and Giver of Life,
make us to reject this world’s goods
and hunger for that which leads us
to salvation in Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, June 29, 2004
   Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
   The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, apostles

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
   Acts 12:1-11
   Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
   2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
   Matthew 16:13-19

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today the liturgy recognizes two of the great pillars of the Church. It's interesting that we celebrate these feasts together. Despite their differences, there are similarities in these two men. Most especially we note their frailties, their ability to turn to God for help and forgiveness, and their willingness to follow Him to the point of shedding their blood.

Sometimes well meaning individuals become spiritually paralyzed once they recognize their weaknesses and frailties. They cling to these inabilities as an excuse for inertia instead of using them as an opportunity to become a living vessel for Christ, a vessel He can fill with His merciful cleansing Love to be poured out for others. Peter and Paul both understood this clearly and used their weaknesses as a means for spiritual empowerment.

Christ lovingly referred to Peter as "a rock" on which He would build His Church. Each of us also, through our baptism, are commissioned to be "rocks" upon which the Church can be built. We're the "living stones" that continue from generation to generation throughout time. With the enthusiasm of saints Peter and Paul, let's spread the Good News today!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
  (jmurphy at utica dot edu)

20040628

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, June 28, 2004
   Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
   St. Irenaeus, bishop, martyr

Scripture from Monday's Liturgy of the Word:
   Amos 2:6-10, 13-16
   Psalm 50:16-23
   Matthew 8:18-22

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Whenever I hear or read today's Gospel passage I can't help but think how blunt Jesus was at times.

"The foxes have lairs, the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head," and "...let the dead bury their dead" both sound a bit rude, don't they?

But further reflection on the words of the Lord reveal otherwise. Jesus came to bring us the truth. It is a simple fact that following Jesus meant a total sacrifice--telling the disciples this was not rude, just the plain truth. This truth came with much more. It came with love.

Anyone who is a parent can tell you that teaching others the truth is not always easy, pleasant or "nice." Raising a child sometimes calls for parents to be blunt and to the point. It does a child no good to have parents who sugar-coat everything, just as it would have done the disciples no good had Jesus done the same thing.

Sometimes your faith is a bit much? Don't worry, you're not alone. The Lord Himself has said it would be this way. He told us that very plainly. He has also promised His never-ending love which will see us through all difficulties.

- Don Claunch, SFO

20060627

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, June 27, 2004
   The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Sunday's Liturgy of the Word:
   1 Kings 19:16, 19-21
   Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
   Galatians 5:1, 13-18
   Luke 9:51-62

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's readings we get an idea of what discipleship requires - an unequivocal decision to follow Jesus. How often have we said, "Yes" to Christ's call only to lapse into our own self-centeredness, turning away from God's will to follow our own instead? It seems to be the revolving door of our lives to be filled with fervor and determination one moment and to slump into lukewarm mediocrity the next.

If it wasn't for God's mercy, we'd certainly have reason to despair. Yet, even the story of Elisha reminds us that when we discover we've turned away, but repent and start out anew, God is there waiting and ready to accept us back again--perhaps even with a "double portion" of His goodness

We may spend our whole lives in some stage of this cyclic ebb and flow of devotion. But the point is we must be determined to keep Gods' grace operational in our lives by frequent reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, by time for daily quiet prayer, by uplifting spiritual reading and good practices that help us develop habits of responsiveness to the needs of others.

Our fallen nature is just that -- fallen! If we expect to "stay" redeemed we must constantly drop the yokes that bind us in order to answer again and again the never-ending relentless call of Jesus to "Come, follow Me."

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
  (drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

20040626

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, June 26, 2004
   Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
   Lamentations 2:2,10-14, 18-19
   Psalm 74:1-7, 20-21
   Matthew 8:5-17

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Who Can Heal You?" (Lamentations 2:13)

The downfall of an anguished nation in sin elicits a very soulful reflection. The fall is attributed to those entrusted with forming souls. "Your prophets had for you false and specious visions; they did not lay bare your guilt, to avert your fate; they beheld for you in vision false and misleading portents." (Lamentations 2:14)

Baptized "priests, prophets and kings," we examine our duty as "prophets" with those souls entrusted to us for formation. Do we pray, and with courage "proclaim the precepts of the Lord, all of them true?" Our intentions, attitudes and countenance become The Way that forms those around us. We also evangelize that which conforms to fallen human nature, revealing the grace-filled mystery Who achieves healing, salvation, peace. It is often the verbal re-presentation of an intention or action that brings in courage meant to guide, console, strengthen and inspire.

As a parent I share with my child my duty before God to present truthful teaching and guidance that often conflicts with her preferences, her peers and the permissive indulgences of many other parents. She listens to this despised "lone voice, crying in the desert" because I ask for the Word to be heard so as to avert judgment for not having imparted it to her. I remind my child it is her choice what she does with this. We are collaborators in our mutual salvation, mine to offer her formation--and hers to permit the Word to be proclaimed.

- Mary Williams
  (wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, June 25, 2004
Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Kings 25:1-12
Psalm 137:1-6
Matthew 8:1-4

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today’s readings speak of the consequences of infidelity to the duties of our state in life. Zedekiah, was the last descendent of David to rule over Judah, the southern Kingdom. Because of his reliance on pagan nations to save his people, rather than to trust in the one God and fidelity to the covenant, Jerusalem was destroyed, was dismantled, and its people scattered into slavery. He is the one man responsible for the misery of many thousands after him.

In the same way, our actions affect all those in our care--one man falls asleep at the wheel, and many people are killed or injured such as in that Staten Island ferry accident a few months ago. The father of a family is unfaithful to his wife and children, and the family collapses. The damage done is incalculable; it keeps on multiplying through financial, spiritual, emotional, and physical harm. “No man is an island...”

When we are faithful, the whole Body of Christ benefits. When we sin, the loss affects all the Body of Christ. Acknowledging our responsibilities, let us yield our lives to the power and mercy of God.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, June 24, 2004
Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 139:1-3,13-15
Acts 13:22-26
Luke 1:57-66,80

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“What, then, will this child be?”

Oh, what a question. And isn’t it the question we all ask when we look at our own children? But this great child was from conception accompanied by signs and wonders that shocked the whole community--the muteness of Zechariah, the greeting of his Cousin, the return to speech of Zechariah.

He was to be a prodigy--one who comes in the spirit of Elijah. No one quite understood what was meant by this. It seems they had vague notions of a reincarnation of Elijah. But no, as Elijah had faced Ahab and his Jezebel, St. John the Baptist had his Herod, Herodias, and Salome. And he faced them bravely speaking always the truth because he lived in the Lord.

Now, let us consider our own case. Each of us is a child of the Lord. When people look upon us shouldn’t they ask, “What then will this child be?” Shouldn’t they see in us the light of the Father, as they saw it in John the Baptist? We do not all have Herods, but we will all greet Jesus. And our greeting should be such that all the observing world will see Him and worship Him. We needn’t make a big splash -- after all, relatively few people knew of the prodigy of St. John the Baptist; however, those who knew it could not remain unmoved. So let it be with all those around us. Let us be heralds of the Lord, announcing His presence, His coming, and His salvation to all.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3
Psalm 119:33-37,40
Matthew 7:15-20

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Beware of false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but who underneath are ravenous wolves on the prowl.” (Matthew 7:15)

Today’s readings center on the importance of preserving and obeying God’s truths based upon His love and expressed in His law. The law defines how we are to relate to one another, if we are to live in the love God constantly pours out upon us. Problems and conflicts arise when sinful minds tamper with God’s truths because their sinful hearts have rejected, remained closed to the selfless, self-giving love in which God calls us to live. How we exercise our free will can either make or break humanity.

Morally speaking today’s world is fragmented. I, me, my, mine are our favored words. The Commandments are a simple, non-sectarian plan for living in love--honoring one anothers’ person, property, dignity, spouse, integrity and rights. But foolishly, human perversity rejects them as being only religious tenets and restrictive of freedom rather than a universal blueprint for building peace and maintaining world order.

Christ shows us the power and selflessness of God’s love being lived in human flesh. As creatures made in God’s image, we are to emulate this same love. Many will come bearing lies, “rotten fruit,” but relatively few will see the corruption that can taint the entire basketful. Our ignorance of His Word, His love and truth, has blinded us.

O Author of all Goodness,
fill us with a desire for You.
Open our hearts to Christ
and fill us to overflowing with His blessed Life.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Sts. John Fisher, bishop, martyr and Thomas More, martyr
St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-36
Psalm 48
Matthew 7:6,12-14

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today’s scripture reminds us that the gate to damnation is wide, the road is easy and many choose to travel it. Conversely we’re told that we should enter the narrow gate if we expect to gain true happiness. All of this is prefaced by the admonition to treat others as we would have them treat us.

How interesting that we observe so often all the opposite behavior out there in the cruel, cruel world. Yet, we’re frequently reminded by Jesus himself, that he who denies himself and takes up the Cross will gain life everlasting.

That sure sounds to me like a lot of hard and laborious work. Yet, I’ve never heard of a glum saint. I had noticed how much Mother Theresa, burdened as she was by so much sorrow, still radiated joy and cheerfulness - a great hope in the resurrected and loving Jesus.

If we are sad and disappointed with the way life treats us, perhaps it’s a sign that we’re keeping too much to ourselves and aren’t giving enough of our gifts to others. The happiest people I know are those who have given everything to help others.

- Joachim, OCDS

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, June 21, 2004
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious

Scripture from Monday’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Kings 17:5-8,13-15,18
Psalm 60:3-5,12-13
Matthew 7:1-5

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Human vision is a funny thing: we can see the microscopic speck in another’s eye but not the huge chunk in our own. So, when we get something in our own eye what do we do? Well, one choice is to look into a mirror and fish out whatever is in there, or we can get a friend to look in there and get it out for us. Either way, we’re unable to see it for ourselves without some kind of help.

Now it’s obvious that Jesus wasn’t talking about the actual eye in today’s Gospel. But rather He was saying that we shouldn’t point out others’ minor faults when we ourselves have a very large one. We are to “remove the plank in our own eye first; then we’ll see clearly to take the speck from our brother’s eye.” But if we’re unable to see our major faults so we can remove them in order to help our brother, then how do we get the “plank” out of our own eye?

Why not carry our Lord’s analogy a step further and do a self- examination or get some outside help? Personally, I’ve been very blessed with a wife who has had to drag some fairly large timbers from my eye a time or two. But she does so without condemnation and in a Christian spirit of love. I’m also fortunate to have a special confessor who undertakes the same task in a similar loving fashion.

So, when you find yourself spotting the speck in your brother’s eye very easily, don’t think it’s because there’s nothing in yours. Chances are there’s a plank in there you can’t see. Seek help from those who can lovingly remove the plank from your eye, then set out to help your brother or spend some time in self-examination. Our Lord promises that we won’t be judged if we stop passing judgment.

- Don Claunch, SFO

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, June 20, 2004
The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1
Psalm 63:2-6,8-9
Galatians 3:26-29
Luke 9:18-24

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today in the little overview which preceeds today’s Gospel, the Roman Missal says that Jesus was praying in seclusion and then points out how integral prayer was for Jesus and how it accompanied Him and preceeded important decisions and activities in His life.

What is significant is that Holy Scripture shows us that Jesus prayed often and for the most part sought solitude when He prayed.

For those who long for greater friendship with God, let us do the same - let us often seek the Lord's company in prayer and let us do all we can to approach Him with undistracted minds, and undisturbed senses. Let us go away to a place of solitude where the Lord of heaven can be reached. Let us go within, where through Baptism, the Trinity is pleased to dwell.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, June 19, 2004
Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Chronicles 24:17-25
Psalm 89:4-5,29-340
Luke 2:41-51

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

We Know Where to Find Him

“I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48) These words of Mary are often our words in the bewilderment of life’s challenges. Surely we find Him within us--tabernacles that we are of His Eucharistic communion. Surely we see Him in the monstranced souls of His faithful. Surely we hear His Holy Spirit in the whispers of our soulful turnings, the longing within us.

Yet, there are the moments we fear we that we lose Him. Looking anxiously, we can’t seem to find Him. He gently reminds us, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)

Ah, yes, He is there, as St. Julian of Norwich consoles, “Our good Lord reigns in man’s soul. Out of this honorable throne He will never rise or depart without end.”

Jesus taught us to pray for the reign of His kingdom. “Thy kingdom come.” O my King and Lord, reign in Thy Father’s house, enthroned in the heaven of my soul.

“Thy will be done.” O Lord, may I obediently do Your will in the earth of my temporal duties, spoken from Your heaven within me.

“Give us this day our daily bread” -- O Lord I hunger for You, Word incarnate in my soul; the Son who shows us the Father and creates the place wherein He dwells.

Yes, we know where to find Him. “I must be in my Father’s house.”

Thank you Lord for remaining with us always.

Amen

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, June 18, 2004

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 34:11-16
Psalm 23:1-6
Romans 5:5-11
Luke 15:3-7

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

As a young seminarian, I often spent weekends at the summer camp of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. At the end of prayer, the priest presider would say, “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised!” The priests and brothers would respond immediately, “May He always be praised.” How sweet to me now are those memories of devotion to the Sacred Heart by that community whose inspiration was the incredible love of the Sacred Heart. And to these I recall the hundreds of times I would hear my mother singing in the midst of her household duties, that beautiful hymn to the Sacred Heart, “Like a strong and raging fire...”

The joyful inspiration of Jesus’ love is at the very center--rather, is itself the strong magnet which draws the young and aspiring hearts to give themselves totally to the service of this sweet Master!

“Incredible” - “unbelievable” - “foolish” are the adjectives springing from minds too cold and logical to understand this heart-sick God whose role as Shepherd suggests always a solicitous and tender lover, passionate and unlimited in His seeking out the foolish and the lost. He is so unmindful of our condition, brushing aside our sins and betrayals, presuming the best of us. How we blush for shame as He draws us to His Sacred Heart, setting our own hearts on fire with desire for Him. Let us turn to Him with eager hope for his arms enfolding us. Let us beg His forgiveness for our blindness, our coldness, and our indifference as we pray:

O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I have asked you for many favors,
but I plead for this one.
Take it and place it in your own most Sacred Heart,
and when the Eternal Father sees it,
covered with the mantle of His Most Precious Blood,
He cannot refuse it.
It is not my prayer but Yours! Amen.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

20040617

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, June 17, 2004
   Thursday of the Eleventh Week of Easter

Scripture from Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word:
   Sirach 48:1-14
   Psalm 97:1-7
   Matthew 6:7-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Your Father Knows What You Need Before You Ask Him. . ."

And yet, He nevertheless urgently desires your conversation about them. Our Father in heaven knows all of our needs far more intimately than we know ourselves. One of the chief purposes of prayer is to grow to the point that we can begin to recognize those needs and differentiate them from our desires.

We often confuse what we need with what we want. We live in a society confused by consumerism and by the drive to possess more and acquire more. Our actual needs are far simpler than we think and it is for this reason that Jesus taught us to pray the "Our Father." Each line of this prayer is directed toward God in a way that opens the soul to His perfect love and communication.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

What better way to start than by calling Him who is all Holiness, Holy! How could we better prepare ourselves to hear and to love Him. And that is our primary need. Our primary need is to fulfill the service God has determined for us since before the beginning of time--to participate in His foreordained will for the salvation of souls. He has predestined us to greatness and to Glory in Him, so how can any mere human desire come close to this Desire of Ages?

So remember, Our Father in Heaven knows not only our needs, but our desires and those things we think we need. He will deliver such of those as fits within His Will, but He will see to it that all of our needs will be met. It's up to us to open our eyes and see what exactly our needs are.

- JuandelaCruz
  (sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

20040616

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, June 16, 2004
  Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word:
  2 Kings 2:1,6-14
  Psalm 31:20-21,24
  Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. (see Matt. 6:18)

Scripture reveals that the motivations behind our words and actions are of primary importance in our worship of and service to God. Are we acting out of love for Him or are our hearts and minds fastened on self? Are we trying to enhance our personal image to God and fellow humans or are we forgetful of self and desirous only of giving glory to God. Today's readings reveal our Lord's views on these issues.

Elisha's asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit may appear to be a grandiose, self-seeking request, one winning him prominence and admiration. However, God knew it was Elisha's love for Him and His people that motivated his request, that the Spirit working through him could bring God's blessings upon them all. God's gifts to an individual are given for the good of everyone whose life he touches.

Christ warns against the flaunting of religious practices, of worshipping in a way that draws attention to us instead of to the Author and Lover of all that is. Surface goodness will not win us a place in heaven; God measures only His love and truth that exists in the depths of our beings. Salvation is the product of our hearts and minds being transformed in the image of His Son, the Incarnation of God's goodness.

Blessed Father, help us see that the only true good we can do must spring from the living waters flowing constantly from Your heart to ours. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds
 (mlbocko at borg dot com)

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Tuesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 21:17-29
Psalm 51:3-6,11,16
Matthew 5:43-48

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

So often these days we hear people commenting in negative ways about conditions in the world. With our ‘human’ eyes we see indecency in dress, foulness of language, lack of general respect, problems in families and the list goes on and on. The challenges of the age seem endless if we are to take our responsibilities of building up the kingdom of God in a serious manner. How much can we do? We look for easy answers.

The gospel of today says it all with the timeless reminder to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

Each time period in history has its respective challenges and this same solution has always been there and will always be effective in God’s time. Even Christ on His deathbed of the Cross prayed for His enemies. Let us remember to follow that example and to continue our roles as we continue the mission of Christ, the same mission He was given by His Father.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

20040614

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, June 14, 2004
   Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Monday's Liturgy of the Word:
   1 Kings 21:1-16
   Psalm 5:2-3,7
   Matthew 5:38-42

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

I must admit that of all Christ's teachings I struggle the most with His teaching in today's gospel. The idea of turning the other cheek always sounds good in theory, but in practice it's a different story.

When I hear of mass murderers I automatically think they should be sent straight to the electric chair. When I hear of rapists I think the same should be done to them. When I hear of churches being burned I think we should burn the property of the arsonist. Likewise, thieves should have all their property taken away, terrorists should be terrorized and batterers should be beaten. These are my first responses.

But then I use a little trick I learned. I reflect, just briefly, on the story of the woman about to be stoned for committing adultery and upon the words of our Lord when he had finished dismissing her accusers: "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more." My God does not condemn, so neither should I.

Easy? No, definitely not. But I have the perfect example to follow in my Lord Jesus Christ.

Don Claunch, SFO

20040613

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, June 13, 2004

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Scripture from Sunday¹s Liturgy of the Word:
   Genesis 14:18-20
   Psalm 110:1-4
   1 Corinthians 11:23-26
   Luke 9:11-175

A reflection on today¹s Sacred Scripture:

Today is the beautiful solemnity of Corpus Christi--the Body of Christ--when we commemorate again in a special way, the great gift of the Eucharist. What a mystery of love that Jesus so longed to remain present with us, that He gave us His very Self hidden in the ordinary appearance of bread and wine!

The scope of the mystery has been the subject of many saints¹ writings and prayers as they tried to capture in words of praise and instruction, some understanding that the very essence and totality of Jesus is contained in such common elements. The splendor of such a reality is not only humbling, but strengthening. Humbling that God should come to me a sinner, and strengthening in that if He chooses to come, He must love me very much.

The extent of that love is never more clear to me than when in the funeral rite we¹re reminded that the faithfully departed ate and drank at the table of the Lord, believing in the promise of eternal life. The authenticity of that promise is reiterated over and over again as in the midst of sadness we hear the words, ³Anyone who eats my Body and drinks my Blood will live forever.²

Powerful, strengthening, hope-filled words from Jesus, who proved Himself trustworthy and fulfilled for our sake, all He ever promised!

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
  (drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

20040612

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, June 12, 2004
Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 19:19-21
Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-10
Matthew 5:33-37

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning...”

Elijah’s call as prophet is our call also. It is a call to obedience, it is a call to courage. It is a call to reliance on God and alliance to God’s Holy will.

When we place all of our trust in God, we are trusting He who created the universe. Surely, He can feed us.

Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Listen to the words of the Lord, and be humble. Ask God the way, and it will be shown. Ask God how you can help, and you too will be fed by ravens, and even stranger creatures.

Praise God, for He gives his creation power to serve Him.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

____________________

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

20040611

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, June 11, 2004
 Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
 St. Barnabas, apostle

Scripture from Friday's Liturgy of the Word:
 Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3
 Psalm 98:1-6
 Matthew 5:27-32

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

If I were given the choice of which apostle to meet personally, I think I'd choose Barnabas. While not strictly one of the twelve, he was most definitely a key player in the story of the early Church. His name means "son of encouragement", and that's exactly what he did--promoting Paul, insisting that he was trustworthy, encouraging the Christians at Antioch, traveling with Paul on an arduous missionary journey.

Barnabas quite evidently had a precious and special gift of easing difficult situations, and of picking up people's drooping spirits. Yes, I would definitely like to meet Barnabas.

The next best thing to meeting Barnabas would be to imitate his virtues. I find that people need encouragement. There is too much depression in people's hearts these days. We need to encourage them and love them, really work at pulling them out of the "dumps." Mother Teresa of Calcutta gave as part of her spiritual advice, "Never, never, never give in to discouragement."

Lord, help me to put on a cheery smile, help me to utter a cheery word, help my heart to be filled with joy even in the face of sickness, pain, and heartbreak. In so doing, I will be another Barnabas, building the kingdom in my neighborhood.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, June 10, 2004
Thursday of the Tenth Week of Easter

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 18:41-46
Psalm 65:10-13
Matthew 5:20-26

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“It is better for you to lose one of your members. . .”

Let’s start by saying that I don’t think Jesus expected anyone to go to the extremes he suggests in this passage. The language he was using is a figure of speech called hyperbole in which the most extreme expression is used to emphasize the importance of what is being said. And what is being said here is one of the most important things in life.

Absolutely nothing should be allowed to come between a person and God. Nothing. Not one thing. God is the only eternal, permanent, meaningful thing in existence. Without God, life is purposeless, colorless, and dire. Without God, life is tasteless and all of our joys are as dust.

Too often we try to stuff up the empty spaces inside with created things. These things are good in themselves, very good indeed. They come as the beneficent gifts of a perfect creator--they cannot be anything but good. God blesses us with these goods.

But we are called to see past the gift to the giver. What Jesus tells us here is that when something gets in the way of seeing God, we should remove the obstacle. If our eye strays, we should bring it back into line, because no matter how beautiful a woman (or a man) she (or he) is not worth our soul and the vision of God. No matter how valuable and lovely a work of art, it cannot begin to capture the beauty of the beatific vision.

In this passage Jesus calls us to detachment from the things of the world. He calls us to mortification of the flesh so that we learn this detachment. Nothing whatsoever has nearly the same importance as our loving Father God, and we need to learn to order all things to their proper end--eternal life with our glorious God and Father.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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20040609

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Ephrem, deacon, doctor of the Church

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 18:20-39
Psalm 16:1-2,4-5,8,11
Matthew 5:17-19

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Not the smallest letter of the law ...shall be done away with
until it all comes true. (see Matthew 5:18)

Throughout salvation history God has given the world “signs” showing through His chosen people that He, the One true God, brings salvation--unity in His love and truth to a sin-fragmented world. In our first reading Elijah’s loving faith and prayer to God proved that Baal’s priests worshipped an idol, a mere human invention. Israel’s God converted these unbelievers through a powerful sign--sending down a fierce fire consuming the sacrifice offered to Him by Elijah, reducing to dust even the altar and water surrounding it.

However, God’s definitive sign of His sovereignty and boundless love was given to us in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, God Incarnate and the means to our salvation. What did Jesus mean when He said He came to “fulfill” the law? We must first understand that God’s law actually expresses the truths inherent in His very Essence which is Love; the two are inseparable. Jesus came to translate this into reality. He first fulfilled the law by living it perfectly in His human body; then, in our flesh, He won God’s forgiveness for us by putting man’s sin to death on the cross, and finally, in rising, He offered us new life. Forgiveness, salvation and resurrection are ours if by faith in Christ we too die to our sin and live in God’s self-giving love--that is, through grace, live in obedience to his law.

O Most generous Lord,
pour Your grace upon us
that we may be enabled to live perfectly in Your truth
made known to us in Your love. Amen

- Marie Bocko, ocds
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 17:7-16
Psalm 4
Matthew 5:13-16

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

For those who have Faith it is important to bring that Faith to an unbelieving world. This does not necessarily mean standing in the streets proclaiming the Good News to all who pass by--in today's world actions often speak louder than words and it is how we live our life that will attract others to the Faith we profess.

We are all attracted to light--we all want light so when we meet someone who has the light of Christ in them, something in us is drawn to It--we want to be part of that Light.

Today let us be the light in the darkness that surrounds us. Let our thoughts and actions be Christlike that we may bring peace and healing to ourselves and to all we encounter.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, June 7, 2004
Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Monday's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 17:1-6
Psalm 121:1-8
Matthew 5:1-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Beatitudes...

...according to our secular world now in the third millennium:

Blessed are the rich: they shall reign on earth.

Blessed are you if you never feel sorrow and compassion; you will accumulate more and more through your greed.

Blessed are the powerful; they will subdue the lowly and take what little they have.

Blessed are those who never thirst or hunger: they will never have to share in the pains of those less fortunate.

Blessed are those who show no mercy; they will be the captains of industry overseeing massive layoffs and cutbacks at the worker's expense.

Blessed are those who hate peace: they will reap fortunes in arms sales.

Blessed are those who persecute the holy ones; they will create a politically correct world.

Blessed are those who persecute, insult and slander the followers of Jesus Christ.

Rejoice! Your reward on earth will be great.

And this is exactly the problem with our secular world: it seeks reward here on earth. Jesus teaches us to store up rewards in heaven that never perish and that we will have for eternity. The world teaches us to store up treasures on earth that can perish overnight and send us to eternal death.

Which choice will we make today?

- Don Claunch, sfo

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, June 6, 2004

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Scripture from Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Proverbs 8:22-31
Psalm 8:4-9
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity, a sublime mystery of our faith. Human understanding has no way of fathoming such creative love and unity manifested in One God in Three Divine Persons and yet it seems our nature is always striving, always searching for that kind of love and oneness.

Often we seek it in other persons and sometimes find a glimpse of it within the context of loving human relationships. At other times we may experience it in a brief connectedness with the created realities of the world; and yet all these experiences are brief and leave us longing for a permanent place where love and unity reside.

Often this becomes the motivating force of our lives - the reason why we do and choose the things we do. Frequently, it leads to frustration and sadness because, as an old song laments, we search for love in all the wrong places.

Today let us be reminded that the right place to find permanent love and belonging - a sense of wonder and awe that will never end resides in the heart of where we were created - in the heart of the Father, manifested in the human flesh of Jesus and poured out on the world by the Holy Spirit, in the Holy Trinity

Let us remember the words of St. Augustine. who said:
“My heart is restless O my God until it rests in Thee.”

And where are Thee, O Lord?

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, OCD would tell us:
“My Three, my Three deep inside of me.”

~ Donna Marie Teresa of the Blessed Trinity, OCDS

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, June 5, 2004
St. Boniface, bishop, martyr

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Timothy 4:1-8
Psalm 71:8-9,14-17,22
Mark 12:38-44

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

It Appears To Be So Little

St. Paul charges us before God to give the gift of The Word:

“...proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.”

And:

“...be self possessed in all circumstances;
put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist;
fulfill your ministry.” (Timothy 4:2,5)

Our daily duties and encounters with others lead us where God intends to bestow His gift of Self, The Word. Each duty we unite to Him is transformed into what blesses and magnifies Him to others. Our encouragement, instruction, understanding and blessing reveal Him to each soul we encounter.

He creates us to long for His appearance. Remaining in Him empty of self and humbly obedient in our filial love of Him allows Him to be apparent through us.

St. Paul reminds us that each day the race to present Him is in front of us. Our journey to bless souls to God lies always in the field God gives us to labor. For these are the souls in the soil of our little day which need the sowing, cultivating and harvesting He desires.

We resemble two small coins beside His omnipotent love. Yet this self-giving is what He loves.

Lord, may we give You the “all” of our humble lives
which appear as so little before Your glory.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, June 4, 2004
Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Timothy 3:10-17
Psalm 119:157,160-161,165-166,168
Mark 12:35-37

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

God is infinitely more than our eyes can see or our minds imagine.

We’re so limited, while He is so limitless; and only when the Holy Spirit enlightens us, do we begin to catch even the faintest glimpse of Him. Such mere glimpses are enough to leave us in rightful awe.

“How Great Thou Art!” ... yet, how unaware we are of You!

You, O Lord, are moving so powerfully amongst us, yet we are blinded by your perfect Light. Most Holy Spirit bless our eyes, that we may see You; whisper in our ears Your Perfect Truth. We struggle so vainly without You - take our hands and lead us. Surely but one touch from You will melt our hearts and inflame us with a burning desire to see Your Face --- and marvel at It’s reflection in each other.

Amen!

- Nancy Collingwood

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, June 3, 2004
St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14
Mark 12:28-34

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Shemat Yisrael

Today Jesus prays the ancient prayer of Israel, the Shemat Yisrael.

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

This prayer is still spoken at nearly every temple ceremony in the Jewish Faith. This is the central pillar of the law and the prophets.

Last week I wrote about being one in God. This week Jesus tells us how. We must be single-minded. Single-minded is not to be confused with narrow-minded. Single-minded is directed toward a single goal and does not allow the distractions of the world to persuade it to other avenues. It dismisses those things that are irrelevant and it fights those things that are obstacles. Single-mindedness with respect to God is a great virtue.

Loving God is our end and our goal. To achieve it, we must spend all that we are in loving Him. Often this means forgoing what we would rather do and doing what He would have us do. We must completely dedicate ourselves to His life and His love. To do this we love Him.

But it is important to remember that love without works is a dead love. What are the works of the love of the Lord? Jesus told us elsewhere, “If you love me, you will keep my commands.” And chief among these is the second point that Jesus makes, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In other words, allow your love to move into the world and transform it, one person at a time. Allow your love of God to shine through and to be so attractive to your neighbor that they are drawn to the glory of God. Stop thinking about yourself and how you cannot do, and start looking at the One who loves you, because through Him, all things are possible. By His strength you can love what you would not love on your own. When we love God, a natural fall-out of that love is a demonstration of love to the people He loves so dearly. When we truly love God, we cannot help but to become His love in the world.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Saints Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs

Scripture from Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Timothy 1:1-3,6-12
Psalm 123:1-2
Mark 12:18-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“He is God of the living, not the dead.” (Mark 12:27)

Today’s readings address a problem perennially afflicting Christianity, the “watering down” of its more difficult truths to make them easier, more self-pleasing. St. Paul tells his disciple Timothy not to be shy nor tentative in his teaching, that he shouldn’t be intimidated by people’s grumbling over the beliefs and demands of the Faith. Christ’s disciples will be criticized when presenting the Gospel without compromise, but still they must guard God’s treasures and not submit to pleasing selfish human desires.

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, a continuing spiritual life after physical death. They tried ridiculing Jesus’ teaching on this with this situation and question: A woman, frequently widowed, married 7 brothers consecutively to raise up an heir to his name; whose wife will she be in heaven? Jesus’ reply silences them and also brings hope and joy to all human hearts. He reveals that in the afterlife we will be spiritual beings like the angels and asserts that although Abraham, Isaac and Jacob died in the flesh, God still remains their God; for He is the God of the living, not God of the dead. Unlike the Sadducees who lived only for the present moment, we can anticipate eternal joy in God’s presence.

Ever-living God,
from the depths of our hearts
we thank You for the opportunity
of eternally discovering with You
the treasures of Your love and truth.
Amen

- Marie Bocko, ocds
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, June 1, 2004
St. Justin, martyr

Scripture from Tuesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Peter 3:12-15,17-18
Psalm 90:2-4,10,14,16
Mark 12:13-17

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

The first reading for today is very reassuring. Though it bears the warning that we be on guard in this life, so that we are not taken down the wrong path by others, it does mention that we should “be at peace.” In other words we need to work towards a greater understanding of our faith, but still not to the point of becoming fearful.

One of the greatest means to do so is brought out in the gospel of the day. There is an attempt made to trap Christ as regard His allegiance, and we know His famous statement about giving Caesar his due, and God His due. The gospel emphasizes that we need to base our lives on truth, not on what other people think, or think of us. This is a significant challenge given the culture of today, but the main way that we can maintain our peace and integrity.

It is a curious reality that these readings are chosen by the Church for the memorial of St. Justin. He was a philosopher and writer, who wrote many works in defense of religion. We speak of being at peace, and yet this man lost his life for his beliefs and actions. We also know that God always gives sufficient grace to face the trials in our lives. Let us be open to that grace and still maintain our integrity and peace no matter what the circumstances!

St. Justin, pray for us.

- Joan of Jesus, ocds
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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