waters above the heavens

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, Martyr and His Companions, Martyrs (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Daniel 2:31-45 Daniel 3:57-61 Luke 21:5-11

Daniel 3:60  All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

This one struck me.  Many say that the waters above the heavens fell during the flood of Noah.  It is interesting the the scriptures make reference to the waters above the heavens, here, well after the flood.  It just strikes me how mysterious and eternal God is and how deserving of our praise.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to not think I know more than I do.  Help me to always remember that you are God and I am not.

Amen

Blessed are you, O Lord

Monday, November 23, 2009 Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, Priest, Martyr (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20 Daniel 3:52-56 Luke 21:1-4

Daniel 3:52  "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

In this week of thanksgiving I am moved to simply reflect on who God is and what he has done.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly see the greatness of you name, your word, your love and your grace.

Amen

she is a reflection of eternal light

Thursday, November 12, 2009 St. Josaphat, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Wisdom 7:22 -- 8:1 Psalm 119:89-91, 130, 135, 175 Luke 17:20-25

Wisdom 7:26  For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness

I think it is easy to forget about God’s wisdom.  We are all too often concerned with his judgment and grace.  But, in these days when we are technically minded and we think that we are smarter than we have ever been, God’s wisdom is something that we should consider.  In order to know God and talk with God we must use the language of God, and that is wisdom.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek and to trust in your Wisdom.

Amen

We are unworthy servants

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 St. Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Wisdom 2:23 -- 3:9 Psalm 34:2-3, 16-19 Luke 17:7-10

Luke 17:10  So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

In this day and age many people have a sense of entitlement, they think that somehow they are owed something.  God is the creator and we are his creation.  If we are to have some rights, then it is God that gives them to us according to His good pleasure.  We are to do what we are called to do and be grateful that God has given us the ability to do that.  We must always remember who we are and who God is.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to keep my place in mind, that you are my creator, savior and sustainer. 

Amen

they believed the scripture

Monday, November 9, 2009 The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17 John 2:13-22

John 2:22  When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

We spend a lot of time debating the meaning of Biblical prophecy and the meaning of things that have not happened yet, but the disciples remembered what Jesus said after he was risen and that helped them to believe.  Sometimes we have to just take things in and when the time comes we will better understand the meaning of them.  The key is to trust that God is the one who makes all these things happen.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to trust that you are the one that causes all these things to happen for our benefit.

Amen

to make excuses

Tuesday, November 3, 2009  St. Martin de Porres, Religious (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 12:5-16 Psalm 131:1-3 Luke 14:15-24

Luke 14:18  But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, `I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.'

We all have excuses that we use from time to time when there is something that we would rather do or not do.  When Jesus calls us are we willing to put away our personal ambitions or comforts? Are we willing to go to his banquet?  You have to wonder what is so great about the lives of these people that they would not accept the invitation of the King.  Wouldn’t that be a great party with great food and entertainment?  Do we settle for the lowly lives that we lead instead of the life the King calls us to?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to answer your invitation.  Help me to see that life at your banquet is far better than anything that I have.

Amen

I am the resurrection

Monday, November 2, 2009 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

First Reading: Psalm Second Reading:: Gospel: Wisdom 3:1-9 Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-9, 13-14 Romans 5:5-11 John 11:17-27

John 11:25  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

I don’t know if we really get this sometimes.  We talk about resurrection and say we believe it, but do we really?  Do we live as though we will be raised form the dead?  Martha believed that Lazarus would be raised in the last day, but could she really believe that Jesus could do it here and now?  Did she even really believe in the resurrection then?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly believe in you as the resurrection and the life, and help me to live as though I truly believe it.

Amen

God who justifies

Thursday, October 29, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 8:31-39 Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31 Luke 13:31-35

Romans 8:33  Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies;

I think we often forget this point.  We fear the people and circumstances of this world, forgetting that it is God who is the one who judges and justifies.  It is by God that we even have our breath.  There is nothing that anybody can do to us that God can’t undo or defend.  We must trust him.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always trust you no matter how dark the road looks.

Amen

redemption of our bodies

Tuesday, October 27, 2009  Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 8:18-25 Psalm 126:1-6 Luke 13:18-21

Romans 8:23  and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Jesus was raised from the dead and came in the flesh, that is a body.  This is a required belief of the Christian faith, that Jesus came in the flesh.  Here Paul talks about the redemption of our “bodies”.  Not just our souls.  We must believe, even though we can’t see it, the redemption of our bodies.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to believe in the miracles that you do especially the redemption of our bodies.

Amen

led by the Spirit

Monday, October 26, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 8:12-17 Psalm 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21 Luke 13:10-17

Romans 8:14  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

There is a kind of contradiction in today's readings.  On the one hand we are called to suffer with Christ.  Then Jesus rebukes the religious leaders because they are hypocrites regarding the Sabbath rules.   The key, I think, is that we are being called to follow the spirit of the law.  We understand that the Spirit is the third person of the trinity, but we must also understand that the spirit of the law is a big part of what Jesus teaches us about.  Being led by the Spirit is being led by God, but also understanding the spirit and truth in the law and not just the letter of the law.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to follow you by following the spirit of the law.

Amen

fire upon the earth

Thursday, October 22, 2009  St. Peter of Alcantara, Priest (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 6:19-23 Psalm 1:1-4, 6-6 Luke 12:49-53

Luke 12:49  "I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!

We think, and rightly so, that Jesus was this very tolerant and loving person, and that he forgives everything and everybody. But, there is plenty of evidence that Jesus has a limit to his patience as well.  He wants to get to the end of the story. Putting up with our sin is not a pleasant thing for him.  We should pay special attention to the fact that He will judge those who have not followed him faithfully.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to follow you faithfully and receive your grace and mercy.

Amen

your lamps burning

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19, 20-21 Psalm 40:7-10, 17 Luke 12:35-38

Luke 12:35  "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning,

We would prefer that our lives be easy, that we not be put to the test regarding our faith, but the scripture calls us to keep our lamps burning even into the second or third watch.  Jesus comes when the times are challenging and we need him the most.  That is the time we must be vigilant and ready for him.  Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to keep the faith especially in the dark times when you may come to me.

Amen

but for ours also

onday, October 19, 2009 Saints Isaac Jogues and John de Brébeuf, Priests, Martyrs and  Their Companions (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 4:20-25 St. Luke 1:69-75 Luke 12:13-21

Romans 4:24  but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him that raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,

We like the idea that we too receive the credit for righteousness through faith, just as Abraham did. But, have we considered just what Abraham did?  Are we willing to kill our only child if asked to by God?  Do we trust God that much?

If we want to be like Abraham in righteousness then we must act like him in faith.

Father, help me by your Holy Sprit to trust you completely.  Help me to be willing to go and do what you ask.

Amen

Woe to you lawyers!

Thursday, October 15, 2009 St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 3:21-30 Psalm 130:1-6 Luke 11:47-54

Luke 11:52  Woe to you lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering."

I have friends that are lawyers and they are good people.  That being said, the profession lends itself to some temptations. When you think about it the law has two roles. one is to convict those who are evil and the second is to defend those who are good.  The problem is that if we are good we need no defense, so what happens is the law often defends the evil and persecutes the good.  Often times the law is just a code to wiggle out of getting the proper consequences for our behavior.  The law can just about justify anything.  That is not good in God’s sight.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to trust in you and not in the law which can lead me astray.

Amen

one such child

Monday, October 12, 2009 St. Seraphin of Montegranaro, Religious (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Psalm 98:1-4 Matthew 18:1-5

Matthew 18:5   "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me;

 

This may not look like an endorsement for infant baptism on the surface, but I think it is.  Those who deny that infant baptism is effective fail to understand what Jesus is saying here.  They rely on their intellect and their own faith to be the mechanism of their salvation.  But Jesus says that we must be as a child, and we must receive children.  That means that we must put away our pride and notion that somehow we earn the right to belong to Christ through our years of education and training.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be humble as a child and turn from my prideful ways.

Amen

how much more

Thursday, October 8, 2009  Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Malachi 3:13-20 Psalm 1:1-4, 6 Luke 11:5-13

Luke 11:13  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

We can be very arrogant sometimes.  It is hard for us to imagine anybody having more compassion than ourselves or being more generous than we are.  But this is an important step in coming to God in relationship.  We must trust that he is more generous and more compassionate than we are.  Whatever good we have in us, he has more.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always remember that whatever good I have in me you have more.

Amen

let every one turn from his evil way

Tuesday, October 6, 2009  Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Jonah 3:1-10 Psalm 130:1-4, 7-8 Luke 10:38-42

Jonah 3:8  but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them cry mightily to God; yea, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence which is in his hands

It is interesting that even the king of Nineveh knew that change was needed and that meant change in people’s behavior.  Today we hear a lot of people calling for change, but not in people's behavior.  They want to see everything else change in order to accommodate their sinful behavior.  What is needed is repentance and seeking God’s mercy.  True change in our behavior is needed in order to please God, not more government programs.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek to change who I am and what I do rather than to seek change to facilitate my sin.

Amen

to justify himself

Monday, October 5, 2009  St. Faustina, Virgin (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Jonah 1:1 -- 2:2, 11 Jonah 2:3-5, 8 Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10:29  But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

The first thing to note here is that his man was a teacher of the law.  The law is all about setting boundaries.  It is not a guide to anywhere.  It can not lead us to God or salvation.  But, we often want to justify ourselves by the law, but since the law is not a guide this makes no sense.  Jesus calls this teacher of the law to a higher place by telling him to show mercy.  The law does not show mercy.  Mercy is from the heart.  The man must think with his heart and not just the law.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to think with my heart and to show mercy to my brothers.  Help me to not rely on the law.

Amen

more tolerable on that day for Sodom

Thursday, October 1, 2009 St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Nehemiah 8:1-12 Psalm 19:8-11 Luke 10:1-12

Luke 10:12  I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

We all know what happened to Sodom.  It got torched.  Today we are wrestling with the same sins and temptations that Sodom did.  But today the Kingdom of God has come near.  Today we have no excuse.  Are we doomed to a fate worse than Sodom.  This must be made known.  We have to take our faith seriously.  It isn’t some fable that we can put back on the shelf.  It is real and true.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to know you are real and your word is true.  Help me to keep the faith.

Amen

you will see

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14  or Revelation 12:7-12 Psalm 138:1-5 John 1:47-51

John 1:51  And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

There are many signs and wonders in Jesus’ ministry.  Today we get a sense of his divinity.  We are impressed with the things that defy our explanation.  We are intrigued by them and in awe.  But Jesus focuses Nathanael on his divinity, on who Jesus truly is.  The signs and wonders must have a point.  Jesus doesn’t do them simply to impress us, but rather to tell us who he is, the Son of God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always remember that you are the Son of God and not just a magician.

Amen

Do not forbid him

Monday, September 28, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Zechariah 8:1-8 Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23 Luke 9:46-50

Luke 9:50  But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you."

As Christians we spend a lot of time and energy trying to distinguish who are the true  Christians and who are not.  We want to be part of the true Christian church and keep  those who are not out.  We don’t want to be confused with them. But Jesus says that if they are not against us the are for us.  What makes us true Christians is not our doctrine alone, nor our works alone, but all this combined with God’s grace.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to love all the brethren, to not try to put myself above others but to humbly seek your grace.

Amen

I may appear in my glory

Thursday, September 24, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Haggai 1:1-8 Psalm 149:1-6, 9 Luke 9:7-9

Haggai 1:8  Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the LORD.

There has been a movement to make churches, or houses of worship less spectacular.  People worship in old grocery stores and gymnasiums etc..  They think that somehow they are more faithful if they don’t make the place appear to be special.  But why wouldn’t we want to make God’s house better?  It would seem to me that we would want to make it glorious. I think that many of these people take more care for their own houses than they do for God’s house.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to work to make everything that is your better especially those things that reflect your glory to others like your houses of worship

Amen

those who are sick

Monday, September 21, 2009 St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 Psalm 19:2-5 Matthew 9:9-13

Matthew 9:12  But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

 

There are two extremes that fall short of this.  In the church  there is the tendency to demand righteousness and not have mercy and in the culture of the day there is a tendency to not acknowledge that anything is sin and therefore not have need of being helped.

The homosexual debate in the ELCA is an example where people no longer call sin sin.  There is no need for forgiveness.  We must have mercy, but before we can do that we must understand what is is.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to know what sin is and then to repent from it and forgive those who do as well.

Amen

when he comes in his glory

Thursday, September 17, 2009 The Sacred Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Galatians 6:14-18 Galatians 2:16, 20; Philippians 1:20-21 Luke 9:23-26

Luke 9:26  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

 

Today in America we have become ashamed of Jesus Christ.  We no longer stand for what he has taught us and for what he has done for us.  We are given over to humanistic morality and laws. But, our hope is that He will come again and then things will be made right.  But, if it is to be made right for us we must not be ashamed of him now.  Even though the rest of the world is walking away from Jesus we must walk with him.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to keep my faith in you and not give into the ways of this world.

Amen

Although he was a Son

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Hebrews 5:7-9 Psalm 31:2-6, 15-16, 20 John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35

Hebrews 5:8  Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;

Even though he was a Son he learned through what he suffered.  We try so hard to avoid all suffering that I wonder if we ever really learn anything.  If Jesus, the Son of God did not put himself above suffering why do we think that we have the right and how do we think that we will be changed?

Father, help me to learn through my suffering, yet I still cry out to you.

Amen

as Moses lifted up the serpent

Monday, September 14, 2009 Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel: Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38 Philippians 2:6-11 John 3:13-17

John 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,

The idea is that they had to believe that it would make a difference if they looked at the serpent.  If we don’t really believe we will not truly look to Jesus in our trouble.  To truly look to him means to trust that he is there and loves us no matter what is happening or how bad things appear.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always trust that you are there.

Amen

as you wish

Thursday, September 10, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Colossians 3:12-17 Psalm 150:1-6 Luke 6:27-38

Luke 6:31  And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.

I don’t often think about how I would have others treat me, but maybe I should.  It isn’t because I don’t care, but it may be because I will realize how selfish my own feelings towards others are.  Reflection is a good thing to do because it help to give perspective.  As long as we  all keep focusing on our “goals” we never see where we are ourselves.  I believe this verse is  a call to reflection.  Then when we see the truth about ourselves we will more likely be willing to show mercy to others.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to know how needy I am of mercy and grace and then to be willing and able to be merciful to others.

Amen

the rest of his brethren

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Micah 5:1-4  or Romans 8:28-30 Psalm 13:6 Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23  or 1:18-23

Micah 5:3  Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in travail has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel.

We often hear the debate about whether we are Israel or if only the Jews are Israel.  It seems to me form this text we can see clearly that Israel is all those who belong to the Lord.  We will all be brought together by Christ.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to see that all people are potentially your children.  Help me to love as you love.

Amen

we toiled all night

Thursday, September 3, 2009 St. Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Colossians 1:9-14 Psalm 98:2-6 Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:5  And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."

We have toiled!  At least that is our story and we are sticking to it.  We tend to think that if we could not do it it can’t be done.  We fail to realize that there is much more to this reality then we perceive and that Jesus has access to the abundance.  How often do we not trust in the Lord because we don’t see the possibility?  Based on our perception of reality we think it is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to trust that as creator and sustainer of all, you can do anything, even the things that we can’t even imagine.

Amen

When people say

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11 Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 Luke 4:31-37

1 Thessalonians 5:3  When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape.

Where do we put our trust and hope for a better life?  Do we put it on politics, or government, or wealth?  People will promise us all these things if we just let them be in charge of our lives.  This is very similar to when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness.  “If you bow down and worship me” he says, all this can be yours.  But of course we know that is not the case.  Yet today many fall prey to the same temptation.  Peace and security, health care, wealth, the American dream…  You can have it all if you only elect me and vote for me and let me control your life.

We need to put our hope and trust in Jesus Christ and not in sinful men.  Our security and wealth is not in this life, but in eternity to come.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to keep my eyes on your riches and kingdom and not trade them for this worlds promises.

Amen

they took no oil with

Monday, August 31, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 11-13 Matthew 25:1-13

Matthew 25:3  For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;

This is an interesting notion.  Why would you bring a lamp with no oil?  If you don’t have any oil you can’t light the lamp.  So, what good is the lamp?

The question when it comes to doing right, or being righteous, is do we really believe in God?  If we did, then we should always be willing to do what he asks.  The ten virgins didn’t really expect that the bride groom was coming.  When we don’t really expect Christ to be present, we too may be lax in our righteousness.  Do we really believe?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly believe and to do what is right in your sight.

Amen

the city had twelve foundations

Monday, August 24, 2009 St. Bartholomew, Apostle (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Revelation 21:9-14 Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18 John 1:45-51

Revelation 21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The city here is Jerusalem that comes down from Heaven.  That is not the physical Jerusalem.  It is referred to as the Bride of Christ, that is the Church.  And the foundation for this city, the Church, is the 12 Apostles.  I don’t see any mention of scripture here, though we have the word and witness of the Apostles through the scriptures.  But it it the men that Jesus chose and taught and sent out with power that are the foundation of the church.  I think in some sense that is true to day as well.  It isn’t the one who can expound scripture, but the one that is called by Jesus and sent out with his power.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to not get hung up on interpretations but to hear your call and answer.

Amen

On these two commandments

Friday, August 21, 2009 St. Pius X, Pope (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22 Psalm 146:5-10 Matthew 22:34-40

Matthew 22:40  On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."

This is most likely something that we forget too often.  We get very interested in the law and the prophets.  It is interesting and challenging to read and talk about what we should and shouldn’t do, but if we do not have complete love for God and for our neighbor, then all the should and should not’s are meaningless. God must be at the center of everything we do and we must remember that we are not alone, but we share this life with others who are also God’s creation.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be able to love you completely and to love others as myself.

Amen

a custom in Israel

Thursday, August 20, 2009 St. Bernard, Abbot, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Judges 11:29-39 Psalm 40:5, 7-10 Matthew 22:1-14

Judges 11:39  And at the end of two months, she returned to her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had made. She had never known a man. And it became a custom in Israel

This at first glance is a very troubling story.  The tendency is to do one of two things.  Either we look at this with our value system and misinterpret the significance of what is going on here, or we misread it and do not understand what is being said in the first place.

Scholars think that Jephthah’s daughter was not killed, but it is really about her remaining a virgin that is the issue.  Being the only child means that the family line stops there.  This is a much bigger deal then than we would think it is now.   But even if she was killed, didn’t Abraham attempt to kill his only son?  Didn’t God give his only son?  Would this be inconsistent with Gods modality?  Would we be willing to give something so dear for our salvation?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to value what you give for me and to have a heart that would give anything in return.

Amen

first will be last

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Judges 6:11-24 Psalm 85:9, 11-14 Matthew 19:23-30

Matthew 19:30  But many that are first will be last, and the last first

Even today we make judgments according to earthly success.  Whether it is peace or justice or whatever, we assume that results is the measure of what we do.  God seems to think that why we do what we do is more important though.  Are our motives pure?  Do we truly trust that God is there and will lead us and protect us?  I think many of our social political issues today aren’t so much ideology as they are selfish ambition.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly trust that you are with me and keep me from having impure motives.

Amen

they mingled with the nations

Monday, August 17, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Judges 2:11-19 Psalm 106:34-37, 39-40, 43-44 Matthew 19:16-22

Psalms 106:35  but they mingled with the nations and learned to do as they did.

Today we have this notion that we have to be like other countries.  Why can’t we here in America be more like European countries?  We fail to recognize the blessings that God has given us, that we have known and celebrated in the past.  Today we have a sense of entitlement that leads us to turn away from what God has done for us.  We are becomong more and more like the culture that Jesus came to save us from.  This is true in the churches as well.  As we try to attract more people we think that we have to do the things that those people do to get them to come.  But if we do what they do, then what are we saving them to?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to hear your words and see your gifts and know that you love me and that I can take comfort in that without looking to others.

Amen

I command you

Friday, August 14, 2009 St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest, Martyr (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 John 3:13-18 Psalm 116:10-13, 16-17 John 15:12-17

John 15:17  This I command you, to love one another

It is popular today to say that works or deeds are not necessary for salvation, but only that we ask Jesus into our hearts.  Well, I am not sure how you do that without works.  But here Jesus clearly gives a command.  And if I am not mistaken to disobey Jesus’ command would be sin and that would lead to death.  So at the bare minimum we must at least desire to do good works and make our best effort.  This is what we are supposed to do. If we don’t do this then I don’t think we can say we are saved.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to love my brother and do good works.  This is what you have given me to do, help me do it.

Amen

as I had mercy on you

Thursday, August 13, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17 Psalm 114:1-6 Matthew 18:21 -- 19:1

Matthew 18:33  and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'

This sounds like an easy one.  Of course the man should have had mercy on his fellow servant.  But do we?  It sounds easy, but I would dare to say that most of us, though we have been shown great mercy and grace, are not willing to give that same mercy to our brothers.  Rather we tend to hang on to what we got and look out for ourselves. 

Father, help  me by your Holy Spirit to show mercy on my brother and to always remember what you have done for me.

Amen

tell it to the church

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Psalm 66:1-3, 5, 8, 16-17 Matthew 18:15-20

Matthew 18:17  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

There is a lot going on in this verse.  First, there seems to be a definite hierarchy described in the path of accountability, the Church being the highest.  Second, Jesus is talking specifically to “his” disciples.  That means when he talks about them agreeing or two or three gathered in his name, it is not clear that this is intended to be for the general public.  When you couple this with the story of Moses in the Old Testament reading we see that Joshua was given authority through Moses.

The question for us is are we willing to accept others as authorities in our lives?  Yes, I know we do, but we accept those whom we choose.  Are we willing to accept someone that God chooses?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be willing to follow your commands and those whom you send to be ministers of your Word.

Amen

treasure in earthen vessels

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 St. Clare of Assisi, Virgin, Foundress of II Order (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22 or 2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18 Psalm 45:11-12, 14-16 John 15:4-10

2 Corinthians 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.

I happen to think this is a reference to the Eucharist, the cup of wine.  It is the Body of Christ that we carry in our mortal bodies. This is not a scientific question, but a question of commitment.  When we partake in Communion we are vowing to follow Jesus and obey him even to death.  We are sharing in his death and therefore in his resurrection.  It is our hope and our life.  It is unseen and therefore foolishness to those who are perishing.  But to us it is the power of God for salvation.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to obey and follow Jesus no matter what comes my way.

Amen