Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The prophet Amos was famous for many reasons.
Of all the prophetic books, Amos was first. As such he laid the groundwork for the writing prophets that followed him. He is famous for being from Judah (the southern kingdom) yet he prophesied in Israel (the northern kingdom). He is famous because of his humility — he did not fancy himself as learned or suave. In his simplicity his message hit home where the vast majority lived. He was famous because he wasn’t trained as a prophet nor was he from the upper class. He is famous because his gruff unfiltered message resonates with us still.
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
A pastor, a prophet, a community organizer, Martin Luther King, Jr was steeped in the scriptures and knew the current reality is not God’s desire for the world. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, he laments, with great specificity, the racism of his day. We could easily add to that list in our own day. He speaks God’s word from the prophet Amos, “We cannot be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” King paints a dream that is drawn from God’s dream for us. After naming his dream he reminds us again, this is God’s dream, pulling from the prophet Isaiah, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”
Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Does the word of God ever catch you off guard? The place and time of Amos was a time not unlike our own; overall a prosperous time, punctuated by various natural and political disasters. According to Amos, the lesson of all those calamities was to return to God and follow the commandments. Yet, we are no doubt surprised by the threats and curses embedded in Amos’s prophesy. I certainly was. In our present time, what do we take from a fiery prophet?
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
And Peter was imprisoned, bound with chains. Acts 12:5
Like tyrannical narcissists who fancy themselves as god-like throughout the human story, Herod thought he was in control of history itself, or at least as far as Caesar permitted him. Claiming God like powers, he believed that he could stamp out a new strange branch of Judaism—the followers of a crucified messiah. Already he had martyred James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John. But he did not realize he was opposing the will of the one true God.
Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Stories like the one we encounter in the passage from Matthew today sure make faith seem simple. All you have to do is believe the right thing and say the right thing. If you can do those two things, then you’ve got faith, and Jesus is singing your praises. Right?
Somehow it doesn’t seem as easy as that.
Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading (2 Kings 25:1-12) is about the destruction of Jerusalem (including the temple) and exile of the people from their land. The Responsorial Psalm that follows begins with the familiar verses, “By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps….how could we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land?” (137:1,2,4)
Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, those listening to Jesus speak are “astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority not as their scribes.” (Mt: 7 29) What did these people see and hear that gave them such insights, and do we have open ears and hearts to hear the same?
Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
“You, child, shall be called prophet of the Most High.” On this feast of the birth of John the Baptist this gospel acclamation points us directly to John’s identity and role. It also points us to our identity and role. First, like all of us, John is a child of God. You and I, every human being, is a child of God. Take a moment and soak that in for yourself. You are a beloved child of God. The people closest to you, those far away, those you love, and those who drive you crazy - each a beloved child of God. It’s easy to read quickly over this, “sure,” you say, “I know that.” It is one thing to know this in our heads. It is an entirely different thing to feel this in our hearts, our bodies, in the depth of our being. Again, I say, let it soak in, “you are a beloved child of God.”
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us what his disciples are to do: go through the narrow gate. What does that mean? Looking at the previous sentences in this passage, Jesus tells us to revere what is holy and to treat others as we would want to be treated. Basically, love God and love our neighbors. If you’ve been to Mass and heard the Gospel and other readings every Sunday, this might not come as a surprise.
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
In 1966, as an impressional 12 year old boy, I went with my grandmother, aunt (Sister Mary Edward, SIW), and cousins to see the newly released film, “A Man For All Seasons.” My aunt, a Sister of the Incarnate Word, was serving, at the time, as principal of St. Thomas More School in Parma, Ohio.
The play and film concerned the struggle of Thomas More, chancellor of England and revered throughout Europe as a man of much wit and conscience, over the 1534 Act of Succession recognizing Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. Henry had sought an annulment from Pope Clement VII to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Ann Boleyn. When the pope wouldn’t grant it, Henry made himself “pope.”
Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
One of the positive outcomes of the pandemic is that many people have turned to the great outdoors and nature to find refuge. Today in the gospel reading, Jesus tells His disciples that there is much we can learn through the world around us. The birds and the flowers are dressed in beautiful array and are provided all of what they need from God’s loving providence. Jesus encourages us to grow in our faith and trust in God’s love for all that we need.
Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
I live near a university. At the end of every academic year, students move out of their dorms, apartments, and houses. I’m always amazed by the sheer volume of belongings they bring out. Many of those items end up in the Goodwill trucks that come onto campus or in nearby dumpsters. That time of year also prompts me to review what I own and donate things I no longer need. Today’s Gospel reminds me of this annual event. Jesus tells his disciples, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). His words challenge us to look at what we store up and to consider what we truly treasure.
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
“Our Father, who art in heaven…”
Today's Gospel features Matthew’s version of the Lord’s Prayer.
The opening words of the Lord’s Prayer have become so familiar that we often speak them without a thought. Or worse yet, the old saying that “familiarity brings contempt” might be applicable. In other words, we are so familiar with the text that the words come to lose their meaning. This is not an uncommon thing for human beings.
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Be Bold! A quick internet search of this common contemporary imperative reveals books, podcasts, dance initiatives, scholarships, and more. Elisha certainly showed boldness in the first reading for today. When the prophet Elijah tells him to stay behind, Elisha responds to the great prophet, “No, I will not leave you.” Speaking up to the great prophet is certainly an act of boldness, and a public one at that, since 50 guild prophets are also following Elijah.
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
We have VERY challenging readings today. In 1 Kings, Ahab and Jezebel get their comeuppance for stealing the ancestral land of Naboth whom we heard about yesterday. From the beginning of this reading, we learn whose side God takes as He sends the prophet Elijah to “the vineyard of Naboth” to confront Ahab. Then for several verses we hear Elijah foretell God’s awful plans for Ahab and Jezebel and their family. The summary statement that Ahab had made himself “completely abominable” lands heavily. But then we get the end of the story. When Ahab sincerely repents, God notices and takes a step back from the horrors that were prophesied. This shows us that no matter how we have “given ourselves up to doing evil,” repentance is possible and will be noticed by God.
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
“When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to them as well.” - Matthew 5:39b.
Bullying seems to be in vogue these days. From the highest echelons of American power to its lowest citizen. Dehumanizing-name-calling hardly gets in the way anymore of whether someone approves or disapproves of another.
Turn the other cheek? It is essential that, as we read/hear the scriptures, we place them in the context of the time and place from which they came. Knowing the particular literary form is also absolutely essential so as to not misinterpret what the inspired writers intended.
Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
“I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me, God.”
“I do.”
These phrases—so familiar, so simply stated, so easily deciphered. And so easily misunderstood. Not as to their meaning. But as to their significance.
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
True to my Celtic roots (although not 100% Irish, I have Irish ancestors on both sides), some years ago I was drawn to read J. Philip Newell’s book, Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality. One of the things I remember about the book is the reference to the image of the beloved disciple John leaning against Jesus at the Last Supper. Newell explains that in contemplative Celtic spirituality this is the image for the practice of “listening for the heartbeat of God.”
Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle
Each of us has been given a name at birth. In most western cultures we are given a family name or surname that identifies us with a certain family. Surnames in some cases were used to describe the profession (e.g. Eisenhauer- iron worker), the place where the family was from (Washington- someone from the town of Wassa), or even a relationship (my maiden name Broderick means a “descendant of Bruadar”.) We are also given a “first name” or forename in our society. These names are usually chosen to honor a previous relative (e.g. naming someone after a great grandma) or may even be based on naming them after a saint. Recently, I have talked with 2 expectant couples as they grapple with the task of finding the name which best captures the spirit of their soon to be son or daughter. Our names in some way communicate to others our families of origin, our ethnicity, but mostly over time they help identify who we are- this unique person in the world and our relationships to others.
Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
When I met my husband, who was a math major in college, he was part of the Missouri Club. This club, dedicated to math tutoring, was named after the “show me state.” While some people love math, others struggle not just to understand the laws of math, but especially to know when and how to apply them. A “simple” thing like order of operations - whether to add or multiply first and how parentheses work in math can be tricky. And my husband assures me that even 2+2 does not always equal four, depending on what base you’re in…what does that even mean?! Show me, don’t tell me!