Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
As humans, we have a tendency to categorize people into groups of “us” and “them.” Likely an evolutionary development for survival, our modern brains continue with that tendency to divide people into those categories of those that we belong to, thereby feeling safe and protected by (“us”), and those that we don’t belong to, deemed potentially unsafe and feared and therefore rejected or even attacked (“them”). This seems to pervade much of our social/societal interactions even in today’s “civilized” world, including within our own religion and church(es). Today’s gospel reading from Luke seems to reflect this same sort of tendency.
Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Today we hear the Book of the Prophet Malachi (450-400 BCE), one of the twelve Minor Prophets. His is the last book of the Old Testament and he himself the last of the Old Testament prophets. Minor or Major? The Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Minor Prophets (“minor” because they are shorter) are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
Wednesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
There is something so lovable about Jonah. He is so…human! A prophet, called to do something he’d rather not do. A prophet called to reach out to a people he’d rather let be. God is persistent, though. And we meet Jonah today after he’s been in the belly of the whale, wrestling with his call, spit upon shore to do the thing he’d rather not do. He has been faithful and has preached repentance to the people of Ninevah. He has been successful in God’s eyes. The people of Ninevah have repented. You would think that he would be rejoicing! But, no!
Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
In today’s Gospel we meet Jesus’ encounter at the home of his dear friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mary and Martha embody two key dimensions of our prayer life - contemplation (pondering, reflection) and action (expressing our faith in actions of service, care and justice).
Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Our two readings today (Jonah & Luke) initially do not appear to have much in common. Upon further reflection they both narrow in on the dangers of tribalism which is currently running amuck and threatening the stability and unity of our land.
Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi
Turning to the disciples in private, he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Luke 10:23)
Our reading for today invites us to think through some challenging questions about seeing, hearing, and knowing. The verses quoted above remind us that it matters whether we see. And it highlights the point that just because something is available for us to see—may even be right in front of us—does not mean that we see it. Or, we might actually see something but pay no attention to it. In other words, Jesus is telling us, not all “seeing” really sees. Likewise, not all “hearing” really hears.
Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Can you imagine today’s leaders, people in positions of great power, especially on the national level, publicly praying this prayer with utmost humility?: “Justice is with the Lord, our God; and we today are flushed with shame…that we, with our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and with our ancestors, have sinned in the Lord’s sight and disobeyed him.” (Baruch 1:15-17) Can you imagine?! I hardly can.
Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels
I have the privilege of being both a mother and a grandmother. Over the years, I have had opportunities to love and guide children as they develop. During these times, I have shared numerous instructions based on my love and concern for the child’s health, safety and personal growth. Eat your healthy food, do not run into the street, and be respectful or others are only a few of the directives that I have given. The little ones who were being instructed initially might be resistant, but most of the time when they realize that there is a deep love that is grounding these words, they learn to trust and follow the guidance given.
Memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Jesus is on the move today, as he often is. I am struck by the first passerby, not yet a disciple, calling to Jesus, “I will follow you where you go.” I hear in this unprompted declaration of discipleship an enthusiasm and a whole-hearted commitment.
Jesus’ response to this unprompted declaration of committed discipleship feels at first like a wet blanket thrown on his enthusiasm: “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." But I am reminded that Jesus also points us to birds and flowers to remind us not to worry, “Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds!” (Luke 12:24).
Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Today’s readings seem to contrast each other. In the first reading from Zechariah, people from all nations who speak different languages were seeking God in Jerusalem. The Gentiles (non Jews) identified the Jewish people as the ones who knew God first and saw them as key in their search for God. On the other hand, in the Gospel, Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him in Samaria to see how the people there would welcome him. The Samaritans rejected Jesus. Consequently, James and John asked Jesus if they should ask God to destroy them. Jesus replied no and they proceeded to the next village. Despite their differences, these readings are connected to each other. Similar to the first reading, the Samaritans eventually receive the Gospel with joy as the Acts of the Apostles recount Philip’s time in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8). Both the Gentiles in Zechariah and the Samaritans in Luke needed more time to accept God.
Feasts of Saints Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels
Michael, row the boat ashore. Halleluiah!
Michael, row the boat ashore. Hallelujah!
Jordan River is deep and wide. Hallelujah!
I’ve got a home on the other side. Hallelujah!
The trumpets sound the Jubilee. Hallelujah!
The trumpets sound for you and me. Hallelujah!
Today the church throughout the world celebrates Michaelmas, honoring the three principal archangels: Michael (Who is like God?), Gabriel (God is my strength), and Raphael (God heals). They are the only angels (from the Greek aggelos meaning messenger) mentioned by name in the Bible. Gabriel is found in Daniel & Luke. Raphael is featured in Tobit and Enoch.
Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul
Chapter nine of Luke’s Gospel presents Jesus giving his Apostles a share in his mission of healing and teaching. Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah marks a turning point in the Gospel, as Jesus then begins to predict his Passion. As the Son of Man, he must suffer and die. All who wish to follow him must also take up their cross. We witness in Luke’s Gospel the disciples struggling to understand who Jesus is and to grasp his mission. We, too, often struggle to comprehend and enter in. Luke masterfully helps us to recognize Jesus as both the suffering Son of Man and the glorious Son of God. All who would follow him must embrace him in the fullness of his identity. Today, let us pray that our eyes and ears might be opened more and more to better understand our Lord and for a willing spirit to follow him.
Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
“Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the Lord of hosts.”
When was the last time you felt discouraged at work, unable to see the fruit of your labor? You prayed for just a little growth—only to see a meager harvest appear, despite your careful sowing and faithful tending. You remained hopeful, believed, prayed, and yet…the results fell short of your expectations.
Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
What makes people successful? Sociologists spend years examining this question. The common characteristic was not hard work, nor practical or people skills. The one factor that transcends all the rest was putting first things first. The successful person has the habit of doing the things those who lag behind don't like to do. They don't like doing them either, necessarily. But their distaste is overshadowed by their determination.
Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
When I read today’s Gospel two main ideas come to mind. First, I find myself reflecting on the disciples James and John and how easy it is to fall into the same patterns as them. Additionally, I find this gospel helps to remind me of Christ’s unending patience – both with his disciples and with us.
Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
Today is the first full day of autumn and Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It’s a new season, and for our Jewish brothers and sisters, a new year. Our short Gospel tells us that Mary and Jesus’ relatives come to see him but can’t really get to him because of the crowd. When alerted, Jesus notes that those closest to him are those who “hear the word of God and act on it.” While this might seem a slight to his mother and blood relatives, Jesus is emphasizing that true relationship with him is linked to listening to, hearing and acting according to God’s word.
Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine,
Let it shine, Let it shine.
—Black spiritual and an anthem of the civil rights movement
"No one lights a lamp, conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, they place it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.” - Today’s Gospel acclamation verse.
Memorial of St. Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
The question that Jesus puts before us is a tough one. We are among those on the path. And we are very fortunate to be on that path. It’s important to be aware that not everyone has that privilege. But to be on the path, to have heard the Word of God, even to understand it is not enough. And that takes us to Jesus’s question: Is your soil rich?
Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
“Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women…who provided for them out of their resources.” This verse from today’s short gospel passage from Luke (8:1-3) gives us a peek into Jesus’ inclusiveness, traveling with women, along with the twelve named male apostles, as he went about ministering and preaching. We get a somewhat rare glimpse into the importance of women in Jesus’ ministry as Luke identifies several by name and also adds the detail, “many others” who were supporting and “providing for” Jesus and his followers. Who were these women?
Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Pope Leo just canonized two young men as saints. Oftentimes, when we look at the saints, we see people who are so special and holy that they exist in a realm that is beyond our reach. In today’s reading from St. Paul, he reminds Timothy not to neglect “the gift you have.” Each one of us has been given the gift of who we are in Christ, and when we become this “true self” and live from this place, we bring God’s presence to the world and become holy people of God.