Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
A couple weeks ago, I reflected upon legacy and invited us to consider the legacy we wish to leave. Today, my reflection flows in a similar vein. Let’s prayerfully consider how others see us now, and what fruits of discipleship are evident in our lives. Perhaps it’s a good day to ask the Lord to help us grow in areas in which we desire greater fruitfulness. Thanks be to God that we are not left alone in these efforts, but we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and help us!
Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
When I was in 6th grade, I found myself in a new school. I didn’t know anyone, and the class bully found me to be an easy target. I noticed he never bothered me when I was around the biggest kid in the class, Brian, who towered over everyone else. So, I made sure I got to know Brian, and we became pretty good friends.
Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
I have two confessions during this reflection. One might make me a mean Dad and the other makes me a pretty awful recruiter. They both have to do with the word “No.” I want to reflect on that word because of the scene that takes place in the Gospel today and our need to handle the word “no” properly.
Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
In today’s first reading, St. Paul calls the Thessalonians to live a tranquil life. I am certain that there were disagreements, enmity and divisions in the early Church, and yet Paul believes that Christians are called to live in love and peace. Although it seems difficult to imagine, I believe that we are called to live a tranquil life even today. To rise above the tumult of our daily lives, God calls us to use our talents and then place the rest in God’s Hands. It is God who supplies the peace that we long to enjoy.
Memorial of Saint Monica
Do you know about Goofus and Gallant? They’re characters in a little educational comic in Highlights children’s magazine. I remember them from when I was a child, as well as from when my children were still children, and I learned from Wikipidea that they’ve been around since the 1940s. In case you aren’t familiar (and haven’t guessed), Goofus is the one who does things the “wrong” way, while Gallant is the one who does things the “right” way, every time. Believe it or not, this is what came to mind as I reflected on today’s gospel reading of The Parable of the Ten Virgins.
Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s gospel, Jesus urges his followers to stay awake and be prepared for their master’s return. This is an especially challenging command for us today. We get prepared for something we believe will happen; if it doesn’t, we lament that our preparation was a waste. We see waiting as passive, but we see preparation as active. Being ready and then not doing anything seems silly. Wouldn’t it be better to move on to the next task on our list? Or better yet, be ‘done’ for the day and enjoy a cold drink?
Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading moves me to pray for Fr. Satish and our entire Parish Staff. After praying this scripture from 1 Thessalonians, I invite you to pray with me the Prayer for Priests, published by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. As we pray for Fr. Satish and all priests throughout the world, let us fold into that prayer our IC Parish Staff. As our first reading states, they all do indeed work night and day to proclaim to us by their preaching, teaching, and ministry, the Gospel of God. My reflection today is simple, it’s a call to prayer.
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
The last words of today’s gospel are like the teasers at the end of an episode of your favorite show. Jesus says Nathanael will see “greater things than this.” Jesus is anticipating a common human desire. “What’s next?” we ask. Something amazing is happening now, so what does the future hold? Will it be even greater? It happened to Jesus a lot. He would be preaching and healing people, and someone would ask for a sign… as if all the healings weren’t enough! Humans have a capacity to normalize the amazing things that happen all around us, just because they happen a few times in a row. Here, Jesus is baiting Nathanael, and us. You’ll see something greater.
Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Two years ago, my friends and I lost an important member of our group to a heart attack. In reminiscing with one of the guys we came to a conclusion, our friend derived so much of his happiness in seeing others happy. His joy flourished in the presence of others’ joy. It is this character strength that I’m reminded of today.
Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
Jesus Christ is an intense dude. Well dude might not be the best word, but I think you catch my drift. However, we can diminish His intensity in a flurry of tweet sized one liners from the Gospels. While those one-liners are valid, I want to refocus on the intensity of Christ and why it is important.
Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
A few years back, my brother shared with me the phrase, I am third. I don’t know the specific origins of the statement; however, it does get at the heart of Jesus’ message in the gospel today. “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Mt 22:37-39) God first, others second, I am third.
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
I love writing these reflections. That’s partly because I have a thing for Bibles. Even when I was very young—in junior high—and not going to church (my parents stopped taking us to church when I was in elementary school), I had a Bible and loved it. My grandmother gave it to me. It was one of those red-letter Bibles. I don’t recall the translation. But I remember that its cover was green. I read it. Or tried to read it. But a lot of the time—no, most of the time—I didn’t have a clue what it was trying to tell me.
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Our readings offer a fable and a parable today, powerful literary devices designed to capture our attention and bring conviction to our lives. I’m moved to reflect upon the themes of humility and integrity. As the Gospel acclamation proclaims, The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart. Let’s allow God’s Word to read us and change us as we read the life-giving Word.
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
If I ever meet someone who claims to be an angel of the Lord coming to give me an impossible-sounding mission, my first thought will probably be, “either I’m crazy, or this guy is…” So, we can hardly blame Gideon for wondering if the person standing before him was really an angel. After all, Gideon was from the biggest loser in a family of losers: “My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.” How could such a wimp take care of the biggest problem in the whole Kingdom of Israel at the time, the Midianites?
Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
I've taken on more house projects in the past few months than I did in the entire year that we were renting. In doing so I have noticed that once I begin a project I can be overwhelmed with my desire to "do it right." I want the perfect tools and I want to make everything just right, even if no one else would notice. In some instances I think I am taking healthy pride in my work, at other times I'm going too far, which Bess sometimes challenges me on by reminding me that at some point the goal is just to get the project done!
Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
When my husband and I read and reflect on scripture, we often comment that our understanding of the text is limited because we see through our current day vision. Today’s scripture reading describes the momentous occasion when the Israelites have arrived at the promised land, and Joshua calls them to recommit to serving the LORD as they begin this new life. We are also called to serve God today with our lives. What does serving God mean for us today, and how can we put this service into action in our daily lives?
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
I will confess that I find today’s gospel reading to be difficult; one that part of me wanted to avoid reflecting on today, but was repeatedly drawn back to. It is a touchy subject: divorce. Not one to be taken lightly. I have never gone through a divorce, but I know many people who have, some about whom I care deeply. There are those who have divorced by choice, but many more by the choice of their spouse or by circumstances (such as abuse) that led them to make that very difficult decision. How many couples enter into marriage with the intention of divorcing? Very, very few, I suspect.
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s gospel, Peter asks Jesus how many times one should forgive. Peter thought seven times seemed like quite a lot, yet he is surprised by Jesus’ response that one should forgive seventy-seven times. Of course, Jesus is not indicating that we should calculate carefully the times and cut off the forgiving at 77! In the ancient world, seven was a perfect number, and so Jesus is kind of taking Peter’s number to infinity, as is even clearer in some translations which render Jesus’ words as “seventy times seven times.” To drive home his point, Jesus offers a parable about the two servants in debt. The one who had a huge debt to the king was forgiven. However, he then refused to forgive the relatively small debt of a fellow servant. When the king found about this, he handed the unforgiving servant over to torturers until he could pay back the whole of his original debt.
Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin
Who are the people in your life, or the saints to whom you look, whose legacy you admire? Who are the people who have helped to shape your life? How are you shaping others, and how do you hope to be remembered? Today is a great day to reflect upon our legacy. I pray we each might be inspired to walk in greater intentionality around our calling and the way we live our lives.
Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Have you ever played a game of ‘catch’ or ‘fetch’ with a person or dog? Consider what happens; something is thrown and returned, over and over again. What’s the point? The point is the cycle. Back and forth, over and over, it’s fun and something good is happening. This is how generosity works for the Christian. God gives to us, we give to one-another, and we give back to God. Around and around, over and over. Is it fun for you? What Paul says is important; Jesus does not simply command giving. He does not require a guilty giver or someone who gives out of their sense of responsibility or duty or ego. Even though we have a responsibility to be good stewards, the goal is higher: the Lord loves a cheerful giver. A lot of people say give until it hurts, and for good reason. Jesus and many after Him have given their lives, and this is a painful thing. But the point is not the hurting; it’s the love and cheer that motivates us to give what was first given to us.