The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 31, 2004
Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Ignatius Loyola, religious, priest, founder

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34
Matthew 14:1-12

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Kill the Prophet

Kill the prophet! Jeremiah is at peril of death for having delivered an unwelcome message from the Lord. His insistent warning about the reception of his message and protection of his life finally yield his safety.

Surely John the Baptist lost his life because his message was despised. “Saving face” by Herod in his moment of prideful passion cost John his head.

Jesus promises that we will die like Him when we proclaim Him. We experience this death for prophesying when the formative guidance offered is rejected by rebellious children, when the bridging of understanding is denied by spouses who reject the teachings of the Church, when a friend compromise their precious values in spite of helpful warnings, by co-workers who find the truth about their behavior contemptuous.

We too, “kill the prophet” when interiorly we deny the promptings of the Holy Spirit or our consciences, to impose our will upon the indwelling God and assert ourselves over Him. We, like Herod, decide our passions and prideful “saving of face” mean more than correcting a failure and humbly protecting the life and presence of God within. Returning to our God we must do all we can to protect and preserve His safe presence as did the repentant believers who protected Jeremiah. We must use the graces of right judgment and faith in the face of sinful selfishness and pride.

O Lord,
may we heed your Word alive in our souls
and protect your presence within us.
Let us humbly hear the correction we need
so as to live with you forever.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 30, 2004
Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 26:1-9
Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14
Matthew 13:54-58

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

It seems that all the prophets were abused at one time or another. People didn’t like to hear God’s message when it rebuked them for sin. I think that’s one of the greatest dangers in our spiritual journey--not to recognize our sinfulness. This kind of self-delusion comes when we fail to be faithful in prayer and praise of our Creator. Perhaps we miss one day, then another and another. Gradually, our laxity become habitual. Then our conscience becomes dulled, and we fail to perceive the difference from our state of soul before this laxity, and the state of our soul after paralysis has set in. Of course, there’s always the chance that God’s voice can penetrate our hearts. When it does, we awaken with a shock to our deplorable state, and, with God’s grace, do something about it.

If we don’t, we can resort to aggressive defense, and abuse the messengers of God’s warning, as did the Israelites in the time of Jeremiah--and during the earthly existence of Jesus. Who are the modern messengers? The voice the Pope and the magisterium of the Church, our Bishops, perhaps a concerned friend or spouse, even the voices of our children.

Let us beg God for the grace of never rejecting His warning voice,
no matter what His instrument.

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 29, 2004
Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Martha

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 18:1-6
Psalm 146:1-6
Luke 10:38-42

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“You Are Anxious and Worried About Many Things”

Jesus is ever so loving and gentle in his rebuke of Martha, but she needed this adjustment to the way she was going. Martha seemed to follow the standards of her time. She hurried about making the guest various things that would convey how important He was. She prepared food. She pumped water for the hand and foot washing. She uncorked and poured wine. She was sweating profusely and nowhere near the end of all of her efforts when she saw her sister Mary -- just sitting there!

“The nerve of her. Here I am doing all of this work. I alone am seeing to all of these guests and she just sits there listening to stuff she couldn’t possibly understand anyway.” So the train of thought might go. “I need help! And the Lord is here at hand!”

So she went. And Jesus says to her, “You are anxious and troubled about many things.” And when He speaks to her, He speaks to us. We who go to Him babbling in prayer, pouring out a biased recounting of all the day’s events, telling Him once again all that He already knows.

And He says to us, “Take it easy. Stop worrying and hurrying about the world. Listen to Me.”

Listen.

Take time to sit down and hear Jesus as He speaks.

Remember Samuel in the Old Testament and follow him--the statement to the Lord is not “Listen Lord, your servant is speaking,” but rather, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” And if we’re listening, what we’ll hear will dispel all fear, all worry, all hurry.

Service must grow from hearing the Lord. If it doesn’t, we become complainers, whiners, people who are constantly on someone else’s case because they’re not doing as we would want them to. Service flows out of a heart overflowing with the Word of God. We need a heart like Martha’s--dedicated to service. AND we need to choose Mary’s better part, so that our service comes from an overwhelming, constantly outpouring love of God.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 15:10; 16-21
Psalm 59:2-4, 10-11, 17-18
Matthew 13:44-46

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

The reign of God is like a buried treasure. . . (Matthew 13:44)

To gain anything of value takes time and effort. Earning a college degree, building a happy marriage, raising children, developing a career, even growing old gracefully -- none of these happen by accident. They must be sought after, require hard work, and attained through sacrifices. We’re not as apt to value other things costing us nothing. Receiving too much too cheaply, causes our holding nothing in esteem.

Of all those things that we are called on to do in a lifetime, the most valuable and difficult to gain is the forming of lasting, loving relationships. Too few realize that the reign of God, His most precious gift to humanity that He desires us to seek and find, is His love given to us in the Person of Jesus Christ. It is Christ in His self-sacrificing act who has shown us how much God loves us; and in so doing, He’s also showing that it’s in our giving of self to others that we stand to make the greatest gains in this life.

In today’s Gospel, those who found God’s treasure, sold all they had of this life’s goods so that they might bring God’s reign of love, joy, peace, justice and truth into a world starved for want of Him.

O generous Redeemer,
grant us the grace
to forfeit the perishable goods of this world
that we may open our hearts
to receive your true, eternal treasure. Amen.

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Tuesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 14:17-22
Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13
Matthew 13:36-43

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Sometimes in life things are so clear that you don’t need to become philosophical or complicated about them. The readings for today are that clear.

The first reading is like reading an article from today’s daily newspaper. There is great sadness among the people over wars, hunger and poverty. The people question God on why this is happening,and then recall the sins of the past. They challenge God in prayer that He not break His covenant with them.

The response to this in the gospel reading is very direct. Christ reminds His children to be good, that we are the “good seeds”, but that those who sin, or cause others to sin, are the “bad seeds” and will, in time, be collected by His angels and perish for all eternity. How much more direct could He be? To elaborate on this message only seems to delete its strength.

“For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.” (Psalm 79)

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 26, 2004
Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture from Monday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 13:1-11
Deuteronomy 32:18-21
Matthew 13:31-35

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

In today’s Gospel we hear of Jesus the prophet. He uses the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast to show how just a very small beginning results in a huge finish.

Nothing could be further from the truth! It all started with Jesus, God Himself--but in our lowly form. Then there were the twelve, then a few hundred. Three years later there were several thousand converted. The apostle Paul spread the Good News outside Palestine and a few more were saved. Peter took the Gospel to Rome while the other Apostles took it to the far corners of the known world. Centuries later missionaries brought the Word to the new world and it continues to this day.

One man started it. (Granted, He was God!) And the Holy Spirit continued it. Now there are over one billion who gladly proclaim they are Christian, saved by His blood and recipients of the gift of eternity.

- Don Claunch, SFO

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 25, 2004
The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8
Colossians 2:14-14
Luke 11:1-03

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today’s First reading is the bold querying of God by Abraham. Over and over Abraham asks God to define more precisely the limits of His forbearance with sinful mankind. Like most scripture stories the writing style of this reading does not provide us with an answer in absolute terms, but rather portrays for us the generous nature of God.

Often that seems to make people uneasy, that they can’t pin God down and know without a doubt exactly what His words and actions in Holy Scripture mean. When that is the case, we have to ask ourselves why we need such absolute answers. Is it because faith requires it or because our lack of faith desires it?

The answer to the spiritual questions we propose to ourselves may help us recognize the basis of our actions, the strength of our convictions and most importantly our need for God’s grace. Don’t be surprised or discouraged however if your search for answers begins to sound like the dialogue we hear between Abraham and God in today’s reading from the Book of Genesis--there is more--read on!

Though in this life we’ll never fully know the mind and heart of God, we do have great reassurances that all we need to know will be given to us: “Seek, knock, ask,” Jesus says, and “it will be given unto you.”

O, Jesus, Splendor of the Father’s glory,
enliven my heart with love,
strengthen my actions with faith
and give me perseverance to the end.
Amen.

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 24, 2004
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Sharbel Makhluf, priest

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 7:1-11
Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Matthew 13:24-30

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“This is the Temple of the Lord!”

We may wonder with awe at the gift the temple of our souls are. Jeremiah is told by the Soul Dweller, the Lord, to “stand at the gate of the house of the Lord and there proclaim His message.” We too hear this Word at the gate of our souls. When we enter to pray, to worship the Lord, He commands us to reform our ways and deeds so He may remain with us in this place made holy by His presence. He reminds us not to deceive ourselves and declare this is the temple of the Lord!”

He says. “Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds...and no longer follow strange gods to your own harm, will I remain with you in this place...”

God is the perfect good and will not abide where there is evil. The temple of our souls must be a fit dwelling and may be made so by frequent reception of the Eucharist which cleanses the contrite soul of venial sin. The sacrament of Reconciliation removes mortal and all sin. Our communion with our Lord requires a constant fiat, the “I do” of beloveds. He always remains. It is we who must return to welcome the Lord “to this place forever.”

O Lord, may we return and remain faithful in You, always. Amen

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 23, 2004
Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Bridget of Sweden, religious

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 3:14-17
Jeremiah 31:10-13
Matthew 13:18-23

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

In the first reading, Jeremiah is exhorting the Israelites to fidelity, even though they are in captivity. And if God has punished them for their sins, it is from care for them. God will eventually send them new shepherds who will nourish them with richer food. And even though their sacred Ark of the Covenant has been removed from their midst, there will come a day when they will no longer yearn for or depend upon the Ark, but will have a new Tabernacle (a reference surely, to the Christ, and the Food which He will provide).

In the Gospel, Jesus warns of the difficulties in providing growth for the seed of His Word. At the same time, we are the seed-bearers, and must be on guard for all those distractions and obstacles which prevent the seed from taking root in our hearts and souls. Nevertheless, His grace is sufficient for us.

Question: Do I yearn for the Bread of Life as my true food? And do I nourish the seed of God’s Word, in order that it may grow? What soil do I provide? How good a gardener will I be today?

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 22, 2004
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Mary Magdalene

Scripture from Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
Matthew 13:1-9

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Whom are you looking for?"

The stone was rolled away and He was not there.

Where had they taken Him? Who would have done such a thing?

What is left but to weep when you can't even visit and honor the grave site of the one you loved? What further can be visited upon you?

And then people start asking you things? Why do you weep? Well, why do you suppose? And not once but twice--you're asked the same thing? Why do I weep? Someone has taken the body of the Lord and hidden Him away.

And then the gardner, the one tending this place comes and asks. "Whom are you looking for?"

"If you've taken Him. . ."

"Mary. . ."

Jesus comes to us and we do not see Him. Jesus touches us, and we do not know it. Jesus speaks our name, and suddenly our eyes open.

Listen. Listen for your name--it is always on His lips. He is asking you to look and to see Him in the faces of the poor, of those who need help, of those who hurt, of those who do not yet know Him. See Him and welcome Him and invite Him to come forth. And you will draw from them the Jesus that is present within them, waiting for the chance, waiting for the door to open just a little.

Listen! Do you hear Him speak your name? If not, listen harder! He calls us.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, doctor of the Church

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17
Matthew 13:1-9

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Part of God’s Seed Finally Landed on Good Soil. . . (Matthew 13:8)

Today’s readings remind us that life is a succession of people and events through which God attempts to impart His life to us and through us to others. Christ’s parable shows this to be a difficult and often painful process, for sin-hardened, stony hearts and minds do not allow God’s seeds of love and truth to take hold and become deeply rooted to bring forth a harvest of God’s goodness.

If this is our state, God resorts to cultivating our ground with a plow that digs deeply into our hardened soil, overturning it. He pries out and discards the rocks and finally discs it to break up the clods into fine, porous soil able to receive His seed and allow water and fertilizer to permeate it to nourish His seed’s growth. We know from Scripture and personal experience that God employs attention-getting and persuasive measures. He leaves no “stone” unturned in His efforts to guide us to salvation.

As in Jeremiah’s case, our lack of trust in God causes our trying to escape His call, making excuses because we wrongly think that we alone must do the task to which He has called us. Jeremiah learned that God had chosen and prepared him from the womb to be imbued by His Spirit, to speak His life-giving words to His people. We will learn like Jeremiah that in God’s service we are to be brave and unselfish, willing to suffer the world’s hatred for His sake. People may kill our reputation or our body, but they cannot do harm to our immortal souls.

Father God,
break down all barriers
that prevent Your filling our hearts
with Your life.
Enable us to bring into this world
a harvest of Your light and Your love.
Amen.

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Apollinarius, bishop, martyr

Scripture from Tuesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Psalm 85:2-8
Matthew 12:46-50

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Each of us make up the spiritual body of Christ on earth. We are one body -- each contributing to the whole. In this way we’re all brothers and sisters, part of Christ’s spiritual family. It can be easy to forget this in our every day lives, where we’re accustomed to building walls between ourselves and others. We create a sense of separation where really there isn’t any separation; we’re all one, but different expressions of the glory of God.

When we strive to win or come out ahead in our relationships with others at the expense of others -- we too lose. When we make someone feel deflated, discouraged, insecure, we are in effect damaging ourselves. When we see ourselves as totally separate from the world around us, then we’re suffering from a false illusion.

Today, let’s remember that we’re all bound together in Christ. In that knowledge let us act in love to everyone we encounter today. When we help someone to win, we win!

- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 19, 2004
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Monday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Micah 6:1-4,6-8
Psalm 50
Matthew 12:38-42

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Just the other night a local pastor was relating a story to me about one of the members of his congregation. It seems that the elderly woman made plans to travel to Florida from here in Wyoming at quite a large expense to see a popular evangelist whose ministry consists of, among other things, miraculous healings. Her justification to her pastor for going was that if only she could see the evangelist in person she may be healed of the many health problems that came with her age and that if she could only see these miracles occur that it would be a sign of the great power of Christ. The woman made the trip and came home complaining to the pastor that the crowd was so large that she did not even get close to the evangelist and she was unable to see any miracles because her view was blocked by the many people there. She commented to the pastor that she doubted the power of God to do anything for her.

Now, I relate this story not as a commentary on healing ministries, evangelists or anything of the like, but rather to show that today is not really any different than 2000 years ago. Our Lord showed many wondrous signs of His power and who He was. Many of these signs consisted of what Paul called the gifts of the Spirit, such as miracles, healings, discernment etc. The Pharisees had seen (or at least heard of) many of these. And so have we!

So why are we still eager for a sign? Are we too a part of the “evil and unfaithful age?” St. James said “every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights.” Yes, and we should welcome and seek all these great gifts and signs. But remember, we have seen all these and have seen the greatest sign as Christ foretold: “so will the Son of Man spend three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth,” and we are witnesses to His resurrection. Have you been seeking some sign or some manifestation of the Spiritual gifts to such an extent that you sometimes fail to see the greatest of all? If so, take some time and put all this aside for awhile as you realize there is no further need for a sign. For it is because of the greatest sign that we are able to be with Him today.

Christ is risen. Alleluia!

- Don Claunch, SFO

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 18, 2004
The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 18:1-10
Psalm 15:2-15
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today is the very familiar Gospel reading about Martha and Mary - the prototype for the tension between the active and contemplative lives. Because it “seems” that Jesus has endorsed the latter over the former, many fail to realize the importance of “good works” in addition to prayer. To do so, would be to take just a few words from one Gospel while completely ignoring all the other words and examples that Jesus gave us regarding being responsive to the needs of others.

If we look carefully at what Jesus said without first expecting that this is going to be a comparison between active and contemplative activity we will see that Jesus says a very important thing that is often overlooked. That is, that the better portion that Mary has chosen will not be denied her. That doesn’t mean that the “better portion” is the “only” portion. It doesn’t mean she is exempted altogether from being helpful, but that she will not be deprived of her heart’s desire to seek the Lord in prayer; and indeed, she wasn’t.

So we shouldn’t worry if conversation with the Lord is our best portion of life. God will provide us with ample time and opportunities to encounter Him. He is, after all, the Lord of time. If we place our hearts in their rightful spot - seated like Mary at the foot of Jesus, He will give us the time to do it all - pray and perform good works.

Who knows, maybe Mary did all the “dishes” at the end of meal and Martha had her time at the Lord’s feet.

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 17, 2004
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Micah 2:1-5
Psalm 10:1-4, 7-8, 14
Matthew 12:14-21

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Silence is Violence Against Ourselves.

The threat of violence does not silence the Word. The threats against Jesus compel Him rather to withdraw from His public appearance in the streets to a prudent spot where He heals and proclaims to those who seek Him. Those who will to be healed in body and soul, find Him.

Do we see today how the Word proclaimed is met with a violence of refutation? Do we see that it is silenced before the momentum of immoral and evil social norms? What sense do we find in the carefully legislated ban on praying the Word while profanity, violence and pornography are common fare for conversation, advertising, video games, family-time television and all venues for “entertainment”?

The Gospel hearkens back to Isaiah reminding us that God proclaims “behold ... my beloved...my Spirit upon Him...will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.” The favored who refuse the Word will not to hear Him. Their violence in silencing their hope is a self destructive violence. “He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.” Yet the Word is not silent at all. He is there with those who seek Him. He is our All in all. The streets of our daily media, social constructs, political arenas and moral landscapes often oppose and silence the Word. We find Him where we seek to be cured, forgiven, healed and holy.

Lord, may we always find You,
our hope in the forgiveness of our sins.
May we behold You as beloved
in the street of our daily thoughts, words and deeds.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 16, 2004
Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22
Isaiah 38:10-12, 16
Matthew 12:1-8

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Our readings today clearly emphasize God’s mercy--first to King Hezekiah, who has begged the Lord with bitter tears to change His mind(!) about the king’s certain death. To the amazement of all, God does change His mind, and causes the sun to reverse its shadow on the Temple steps as a sign. Even God’s absolute Will is affected by His Mercy!

An event like this astonishes and humbles us. How often have we wept bitterly enough for our sins? How often have we confidently besought the mercy of the Lord?

In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims the priority of Mercy over Sacrifice. “It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice” are shocking words to a ritualist or a legalist. Of course, God wants sacrifice--but even the Sacrifice of the Cross was interrupted by a successful plea for mercy by the Good Thief. How many times have irritating judgment and even condemnation marred participation at holy Mass? O Lord, I am sorry. I beg forgiveness, that you may be merciful in the face of my many faults.

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. May the spirit of Elijah, and the spirit of St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Therese of the Child Jesus permeate, renew, and give joy to all Carmelites, and particularly to the Secular Carmelites who inspire this meditation service.

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 15, 2004
Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Bonaventure, religious, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19
Psalm 102:12-21
Matthew 11:28-30

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“For My Yoke Is Easy. . . “

“Come to Me all who are burdened.” With what burdens are we borne down? We’re trapped under the huge burden of apparent freedom. This freedom is, without Christ, slavery to sin. We’re completely engulfed in ourselves--our base, unrenewed selves, a slow, deadly poison.

But Jesus tells us to come to Him with all of these burdens--our sorrows, our disappointments, our anger, our frustration, our slavery to all that is not good. He will yoke us in the team. This sounds like exchanging one form of slavery for another. But it is not. The yoke of Jesus is true freedom from slavery to sin and self.

Learn from Jesus who is meek and humble of heart. He doesn’t aspire to the great things of this world, but the great things of the world to come. His eyes are set firmly on the goal of pleasing His Father; and this pleasure comes at the cost of total real freedom. Jesus isn’t subject to sin and was only subject to death because He chose to undergo it for the entire world. We too shall be free of sin and free of the real death--not the transition from this life to the next, but the separation from God that marks a true death.

Come to Jesus. Choose life, choose freedom, choose hope, choose love. These are the choices before us. Say with Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-26
Psalm 94:5-10, 14-15
Matthew 11:25-27

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

What you have hidden from the learned and clever
you have revealed to merest children. (Matthew 11:25)

Reading the above quotation, we may think God purposely hides the truth from some, discriminating against intellectuals while showing favor to the simple. In truth, God is “an equal opportunity employer.” We who call ourselves Christian should realize that in a very real sense we are God’s salespeople, those to whom He has entrusted His most costly and precious product--Christ’s salvation. Unless others see the good effects this product has had in our lives, we will alienate any potential seekers of it.

Why does God entrust Himself to “merest children” more so than to the “learned and clever?” Christ knows children’s minds are more innocent and therefore open to new ideas, anxious to learn and share information. In contrast the sophisticates and intelligentsia are often afflicted by the disease of pride, see themselves as superior and surely in no need of salvation. They feel equal to solving all man’s problems, not requiring assistance from God, for reality to them does not extend beyond what they can perceive with their five senses.

Choosing to limit themselves only to what they can encompass with their finite minds, they remain closed to a love they cannot comprehend. Truth also dies within them as they exclude themselves from knowing God; and rejecting also the treasure of Christ’s salvation, they render themselves useless to others and unemployable by God.

O, Glorious Lord,
guide us to the light of truth
and imbue us with Your love,
that we may help to raise a fallen world
to new life in You. Amen

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Henry

Scripture from Tuesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 7:1-9
Psalm 48:2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6, 7-8
Matthew 11:20-24

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

The themes for the reading of today can be a bit disconcerting as the emphasis is on upholding “the city”, meaning the reference to Jerusalem (The Church). The readings do not say that God will uphold us for ever. On the contrary, there is the warning in the first reading that “Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm.” We’re taught that faith is a gift, one that needs to be nourished by us, the recipient. One might ask the question on how to nourish one’s faith.

First, we can frequently thank God for this most precious gift--acknowledge the gift to ourselves and others, as opposed to placing it in the backroom of our being, only to be called upon in emergencies.

We need to uphold the teachings of the Church regarding the obligations of attending Mass, receiving the sacrament of penance, and the many other teachings. We might find good materials to enhance our understanding of our faith on an intellectual level, and of course we need to pray. Our belief system will eventually, with prayer and effort, permeate our very being. We have become the son’s and daughters of God through our baptism. Because of the love that flows from our firm beliefs, we join in the mission of Christ, to perform what we know as the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

The gospel of Matthew discusses a theme that we’re apt to forget in our busy lives, that of repentance. Many of us believe that we have had a good day if we get through it without committing sin. Christ is asking more of us than that. Many of us, even though showered with numerous gifts and blessings from God, still continue to sin. God is reminding us in the reading that repentance is a necessity. There are many ways to repent, the first step however is to acknowledge to ourselves that we are in need of repentance.

These are fairly short readings, but packed full of ‘homework’...or ‘soulwork’!

Earthly time is short....eternity very long, so let’s begin that ‘soulwork’ now!

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 12, 2004
Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Monday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 1:10-17
Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
Matthew 10:34--11:1

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today’s gospel reading makes me a bit uncomfortable. This is particularly true in that I find complete peace in our Lord; a peace I have not found anywhere else. The today I hear that He came not to bring peace, but division!

But as I reflect on my personal situation, I realize that what He says is true. My own father completely rejects the teachings of Christ which has caused much division in my family. My daughter once rejected Him; but due to diligent work on the part of some loving Benedictine Sisters, she has come to accept Him. This also caused significant division.

I urge you to examine your own situations. Has the presence of Christ in your life caused some divisions? Probably so. But even though this happens, rejoice in the fact that as an individual who has dedicated himself or herself to Him, you have infinite peace in Him that far outweighs all pains.

- Don Claunch, SFO

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 11, 2004
The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

How often in our lives have we made what we might call an honest mistake by not having the right information? Most of the time we feel badly that what we’ve done or said or thought was incorrect and just as frequently most of us might have said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know...”

Today’s First Reading tells us how God prepared a people who would know His expectations and not fall into wrongdoing because of ignorance, not knowing right from wrong. Never intending to make it difficult for us to be holy, He gave us straightforward commandments and sent us His Son who would teach us how to live them in their fulness. So that we might never be bereft of His encouragement and forgiveness He entrusted to us through His Church the sacraments of His love and mercy.

There can be no excuses, bending of the truth, or clever manipulation of words. We must live God’s law authentically, all the time and in every situation. It must be close, in our hearts, ready for us to carry it out.

Who is my neighbor, the lawyer said to Jesus. Who is it I must love? The answer is simple, yet massive -- “Everyone!”

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 10, 2004
Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 93:1-2, 5
Matthew 10:24-33

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Whom Shall I Send? Who Will Go for Us? (Isaiah 6:8)

The ember of purification taken from the altar of the cross purges our sinfulness. We hear what Isaiah heard, “See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin is purged.” (Isaiah 6:7) Our Lord then questions, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Will our reply be as generous as the purging we have received? Will we answer with the same voice as Isaiah, “Here I am, send me!”

Surely we know that our fiat leads to our cross. Jesus reminds us that if we desire to become like Him, we’ll do as He did, go where He wants to be known. He continually calls us to proclaim Him as we pray and share readily the faith. Let us encourage one another to continue in the face of loss or hardship--to give our time to bless our spouse, a child, a bewildered soul, to work carefully, blessing God and others.

Our cross is any lack of faith that tempts us to fear ridicule or rejection from those who prefer a different voice than Truth. Jesus reminds us that denying Him by failing to proclaim Him is a denial of our own selves before the Father.

O Lord,
grace us not to fear the suffering that passes;
but rather the suffering of eternal separation.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 9, 2004
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, and companions, martyrs

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 14:2-10
Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17
Matthew 10:16-23

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

After all the severe warnings in prior Hosea, today’s readings are a soothing ointment. How incredible, that after all the infidelity of Israel, the Lord is now eager to welcome them back, erasing their sins as though they had never occurred! The mercy of the Lord confuses and embarrasses us, as it must have embarrassed the Israelites.

Do we respond with firm assurance that our sins are really wiped out? Or do we carry them as weights that slow down our joyful determination to serve the Lord even more faithfully, beginning right now? Courage and joy should always accompany repentance as a sign that we are truly grateful for such a merciful God.

As the Gospel warns, we’ll need all the courage we can muster to endure the persecution that’s bound to accompany the committed follower of Truth. And, if we’re not on the firing line, there are thousands in this world who are. They are the ones who need our support through prayer and the encouragement of personal contact, e-mail, and letters to the editors of newspapers and journals.

Resolutions are effective when accompanied by action. There’s so little time left for many of us!

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 8, 2004
Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16
Matthew 10:7-15

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Cure the Sick, Raise the Dead. . .”

The kingdom of God is at hand.

Right here. Right now. And we’re the ones called to proclaim it. And our proclamation must be more than words. Jesus gives us the specifics--heal the sick, raise the dead.

Raise the dead? How do we do that? Through Him and through the ability to recognize the dead. The dead are not merely those who are lifeless, but those who live without knowing Him. In speaking to one young man who wished to follow Him, but who first wished to bury his father, Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead.”

When we live as though Jesus were not, whether we like to admit it or not, we are dead--lifeless hulks. Some of us are sick as well--sick with the sickness that is unto death--sin. Now, priests have been given the specific job of “healing” sin through the Sacrament of Reconciliation; however, we start the process by alerting people to what constitutes sin. It is far too easy to be blind. We are called to open eyes--through our words and through our actions.

And most important of all, we need to remember that it is all done through Him. We take neither silver nor gold, we supply little for the journey except the will. And He will see to it that we go where we’re needed and we accomplish what is in His will.

Surrender. Surrender to Jesus Christ and start to internalize the healing He won for us on the Cross. And as we are healed, we can lead others to healing. They will see us as a sign of hope--we will be marked as God’s precious children and we’ll be a light in the world. A light that is the light of God shining through us.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Psalm 105:2-7
Matthew 10:1-74

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand. (see Matthew 10:7)

Human behavior is pervaded by ironies, the Jews’ no less than the rest of this world’s population. God had revealed Himself to them, protected them in strife, blessed them and taught them to live a life of love and truth so that His “chosen” could make Him known to all other peoples.

Ironically, they didn’t obey the One True God, the author and lover of life, by failing to live in piety and justice; yet they sought God to give them an earthly king. It didn’t occur to them that God desired to first establish His spiritual kingdom to firmly rule over His people; for only then would there be hope of the Jews establishing a nation, opening a new field and seeding the new kingdom to grow an abundant crop of God’s goodness and so feed the entire world.

Jesus, God’s Incarnate Word came to this earth, to the Israelites, to establish this kingdom to be ruled by God’s Spirit, the Sanctifier of humanity. He would cleanse, heal, comfort and teach God’s people His absolute truth and empower them to live in His love with Him and one another.

In today’s Gospel He proclaims the establishment of His kingdom and delegates all His authority to the Apostles, that they may shepherd first the lost sheep of Israel. Christ places a staggering responsibility on those called to preach and teach in His name. Success is assured to those who sincerely love God and His truth, who follow the virtues learned as they obeyed the Spirit’s promptings, and who through prayer developed a deep knowledge of, and an intimacy with, Christ.

O Blessed Sanctifier,
open our hearts ever more widely
to receive Christ as our only Lord and King,
that we may become living witnesses to God’s Holy Word.
Amen.

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 6, 2004
   Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
   Saint Maria Goretti, vigin, martyr

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
   Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13
   Psalm 115:3-10
   2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
   Matthew 9:32-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Harvest Is Abundant But The Laborers Are Few.... (Matthew 9:37)

Being called to a Christian life is a very special vocation. Those of us who are called to this life have received a great grace but also a great responsibility...

Dom Helder Camara who was once archbishop of northeast Brazil, said that "When we are called it isn't because we deserve to be. When the Lord fixes his choice, this isn't to reward merit, nor is it to confer an honour. It's to call that person to serve more strenuously than others, in His name. He calls Philip, he calls Andrew. They aren't better than the others, they are answerable for more. They receive more: living for three years with Christ. But for this tremendous grace they are answerable to the whole human race forever." (The Gospel with Dom Helder Camara - Darton, Longman and Todd 1986)

Today let us reflect on the great graces we receive through our Faith in Jesus and how we can share our Faith for the love and benefit of others.

- Cliodhna Doyle
  (clia at cliadoyle dot com)

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 5, 2004
   Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
   St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, priest

Scripture from Monday's Liturgy of the Word:
   Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22
   Psalm 145:2-9
   Matthew 9:18-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The desert is an important place to God's people. In fact, in scripture, the desert is mentioned no fewer than 380 times. Some of the more familiar happenings in the desert include Israel's flight from Egypt, Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones returning to life, Jesus' forty day fast and temptation and the flight of the woman into the desert in John's Book of Revelation.

Indeed, the desert seems to be a place where God's people find Him and where He influences His people the most. This was true in the Bible and later with the desert fathers and countless saints.

Does this mean that to find God and have Him work great things in us that we must travel to a desert perhaps hundreds or thousands of miles away? Not necessarily! We can each have our own desert right where we live to meet God. For those who live in the city it may be in a park or in a quiet room where one can go without being disturbed. For many it can be at an established retreat house. For some it may actually be in the desert. Here in Wyoming my "desert" is just south of my home in some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

The point is that to meet God in an intimate way we must devote our whole selves entirely to Him, without the distractions of the everyday world. Perhaps for only a few minutes each day - perhaps for days at a time. The length of time varies for each individual.

Seek out your desert now, and marvel and rejoice at the wonders God will reveal to you!

- Don Claunch, SFO

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 4, 2004
   The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Sunday's Liturgy of the Word:
   Isaiah 66:10-14
   Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20
   Galatians 6:14-18
   Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel the newly commissioned disciples returned in "jubilation" from their first missionary activities and spoke about the new power that the Lord had granted them. From a purely human perspective their response was understandable -- they were enjoying themselves.

Jesus uses the moment to teach them and us a very important lesson: not to get distracted with what is superficial, but to keep focused on the agenda that God placed before them (and us). And what, is it that God desires? What is the ultimate will of God for us? Jesus says it so beautifully, "That your names are inscribed in heaven." There's no other goal so great or worthy of all our endeavors--than our salvation. If we keep that goal ever before us and evaluate all our activities in light of it, we'll have the proper perspective about life, the goods of the world and our relationship with them.

Perhaps that is why the words of contrition after the Sacrament of Reconciliation bring such pain to our hearts - because we realize that our sinfulness merits the "loss of heaven and the pains of hell." Further cause for tears, is that we recognize that we've offended God who is all good and worthy of all our love. Finally, tears of joy may flow when we hear the word of absolution and know that God has forgiven our sinful transgressions and has allowed us once again to seek so as to gain our greatest goal, the greatest prize - everlasting life with Him in heaven.

Let the song of the psalmist keep us focused, on track, truly joyful:

               One thing I ask,
                   this alone I seek,
                   to dwell in the house of the Lord
                   all my days.

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

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 3, 2004
   Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
   St. Thomas, apsotle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
   Ephesians 2:19-22
   Psalm 117:1-2
   John 20:24-29

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"A Dwelling Place of God in the Spirit"

St. Paul reminds us that Jesus, as capstone, "holds the structure together" and "grows us into a temple sacred in the Lord." Paul characterizes our faith journey from sin as estranged and nomadic souls who have been brought home through salvation to the "household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets." Yes, we're "a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

We're sent forth into the world to share this Good News which has reformed and rebuilt us into the "dwelling place of God in the Spirit" where wandering souls may find refuge in Him. We build up in others the structure of the temple of the Lord, the dwelling place of God in the Spirit through the sharing of faith in Jesus and the life begotten through His holy Church. Jesus is the capstone, the ever-revealing Word through scripture, doctrine and sacraments continued through apostolic succession. This is the unity that Paul illuminates through Christ Himself, "Through Him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred to the Lord."

Lord, build us into temples that allow You to be about your Father's work of redemption through us. Reveal Yourself to us through the Word of scripture and the sacraments. Let us see our foundation as a sure one with the apostolic succession you continue through our pope, bishops and clergy today. May we build up the Body of Christ.

- Mary Williams
  (wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 2, 2004
   Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Friday's Liturgy of the Word:
   Amos 8:4-6, 9-12
   Psalm 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131
   Matthew 9:9-13

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

There is no room for smugness in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. Indeed, we must work out our salvation in fear and trembling. Especially because of our Baptism into death to sin, and our Confirmation in the Spirit of Truth. In today's readings, the righteous Chosen are "blasted" by an angry God (Amos), while the hated and despised tax collector, Matthew, is chosen to be one of the Twelve!

For those of us who pride ourselves on "doing it right", we need to daily examine our consciences for our behavior in the area of justice to the poor and marginalized, prayer for our enemies, and humility in the ways we walk before God.

This has nothing to do with living in light and joy, gratitude and love for God and for our neighbor. It gives us no excuse to be gloomy saints, bereft of a sense of humor or words of encouragement and hope. From another point of view, humility and awareness of our own shortcomings have everything to do with joy. It is precisely because of our reliance on God's grace, counsel, and strength, that we can afford to be joy-filled. It is because of our love that we need to be strict with ourselves and lenient in judging others.

God is always surprising us with the Gospel of His Son. He challenges us daily to live it more consistently, alert to the opportunities for acting as Jesus would have us act.

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

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 1, 2004
   Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
   Blessed Junipero Serra, priest, religious

Scripture from Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word:
   Amos 7:10-17
   Psalm 19:8-11
   Matthew 9:1-8

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Rise, Pick Up Your Stretcher, and Go Home. . ."

In one way or another, we're all crippled. Some of us are crippled and held immobile by fear, some by pride, some by avarice, by lust, gluttony, or greed. Some are so self-centered they don't even recognize the objective existence of a world outside of themselves.

In every case, it is sin that holds us bound. Sin is the superglue of the supernatural world. Once it is part of you, you're stuck on the path, unable to move--paralyzed.

Jesus comes to each of us and forgives sin, dissolves the block that keeps us in place. But we tend to stay where we are anyway until He tells us we're free to go. And tell us He does--by sending to us the people we are to help.

Our free life in Him is the life of stretcher bearers. When we're mobile, we carry others to Him to be released, and when we're paralyzed we count on others to bring us to His healing touch. There is no one who hasn't experienced the paralysis of sin, and some of us indulge periodically--like the Jews when wandering through the desert--we look back on our captivity with longing. But Jesus breaks that as well. If we're willing, He'll heal us and use us to make the Kingdom a kingdom of those who serve rather than those who wait in sin and fear.

- JuandelaCruz
  (sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)