Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
As I reflected on today’s first reading from St. James, Simon & Garfunkle’s epic song, The Sound of Silence came to me. Paul Simon offers a prophetic commentary on our society’s ability to listen – to listen to one another, to our inner wisdom, and to the cry of the poor. This songwriter invites us into the silence; the only space in which to truly listen. St. James calls us into this space, where listening transcends hearing and the Word is made flesh within us.
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
It happened again yesterday. My grocery list was clear. Somethings listed were given extra detail like found in a can. Clarity above and beyond, yet I still came home with two things on the list that I thought met the bill. Instead, I overlooked the details and now find myself going back to the store to get the correct product. What made matters worse was my wife had even shown me the product before I left the house.
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Have you ever been so disappointed or exasperated all you could do was just sigh?
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
A recent meal with 10 strangers around a common table in the home of an Argentinean couple came to mind when I read today’s gospel reading. Jesus recognizes the significance of food, and He also understands sharing food can be a means to bring unity and blessings. Through the sharing of food and all of our gifts, the reading today reminds us that God calls us to share our gifts with all people, so God’s love will be made known to the world.
Memorial of Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop
Have you ever wondered what God’s voice sounds like? Or you may have wondered, like me, what Jesus’ voice sounded like when he spoke and sang (surely he must have sung not only as a child, but as a mature, Jewish man). Would he have been more of a tenor, baritone or bass? When he spoke, what was it like? When he groaned as in today’s gospel story, and commanded “Ephphatha!” to the deaf man, “Be opened!”, what did it sound like?
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Fostering independence in my children can often be a daunting task. I can vividly remember how impatient I would become when my kids would insist on buckling themselves into their car seat… usually when I was running late! It was in these moments that I reminded myself that fostering independence was ultimately what I wanted for my children. Intervening too quickly to resolve their conflicts prevented them from learning. I may have been late to wherever I was heading, but witnessing the joy of their success after exhibiting a lot of persistence, reminded me how important this is as they continue to learn and grow. As adults, we also become better individuals when we learn and grow through difficult moments in our lives.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims to the crowds that the Kingdom he ushers in does not involve a ritual religiosity. The Mosaic Law prescribed strict dietary restrictions around how to clean utensils, how to wash oneself in order to be ceremonially clean, and what foods were considered acceptable and forbidden. In order to maintain one’s ritual purity, a devout person had to avoid any type of uncleanness. Here in Mark, Jesus counters accusations leveled at him; the religious leaders and many questioned his legitimacy when they observed him and his disciples behaving in ways that seemed counter to the Law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared his mission related to the Law, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes one specific example of how the Law is fulfilled in a faithful disciple. Fulfillment comes, not from avoiding defilement by adhering to ritual, but by purifying one’s heart. God looks at a person’s heart, not at their outward behavior. Any of us can act pious, our inner condition is what truly defines us and our discipleship.
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Psalmist describes how great it is to spend time in the Temple, praising and singing to God. Almost a thousand years later in today’s gospel reading, Jesus criticizes what the practice of faith has become for many: a set of actions without meaning. We in the Church are also at risk for the same sin. We have a rich tradition with some required practices and many available devotionals, prayers, and blessings of all kinds. They were designed by the Holy Spirit, Saints, and our spiritual leaders to incarnate what we believe: God is loving, just, and merciful. Jesus wants us to be transformed by the Paschal Mystery, to be dead to sin and alive in the good works of Christ. Unfortunately, it’s easy to practice without true focus on a holy life. We can come to Mass every week and miss the grace the Spirit offers through that Holy Sacrifice. We can write a small check to a charity while spending thousands on luxuries for ourselves. We can pray a rote thanksgiving prayer at mealtime and forget that we receive all good things not through our strength, but through God’s generosity.
Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin
Have you ever had the experience where you saw or met a famous person-maybe a famous sports star, movie star or some important political figure? My niece who lives in NYC said that one time at a spinning class, Kelly Ripa was on the bike right next to her. When I think about these possible chance meetings, I wonder if I would actually recognize these famous personalities. The fact that I probably have seen their pictures on the TV, movie screen, magazines or newspaper makes it easier, and I probably may even recognize their voice from hearing them speak on one of the many mediums that news is shared. This idea was brought to mind when I read today’s gospel reading and was struck by the phrase the people “immediately recognized” Jesus. Without TV, internet, movies, books, newspapers or any other form of technology these people who never had seen Jesus before recognized Him. This reading helps me to reflect on the importance of “recognizing” Christ in my life. When I recognize Him, I can go to Him and experience His love and mercy. I can also bring others to Christ, so they too may know His healing presence.
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile,” Jesus says to his apostles in today’s gospel reading (Mk 6:31). The apostles, we are told, have returned from healing the sick, expelling demons, and preaching the kingdom of God. Further, they have all, presumably, just heard the news of John the Baptist’s beheading by Herod. This is a lot!
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, we reflect on the beheading of John the Baptist. The scriptural footnotes on the USCCB website offer an enlightening observation on the similarities between the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist and the passion of Jesus:
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs
There is a part of me that wishes so badly that I had lived in Jesus’ time and had had the chance to follow him. To sit at the feet of THE teacher? That would have been incredible. But as heady as that experience would have been, the word from Jesus today would have been something of a challenge (to say the least).
Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr
A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown. Jesus was something of a rock star as he began his earthly ministry, bringing shock and awe to the multitudes by his healing miracles and prophetic teaching. To those in Nazareth, however, he was just Mary and Joseph’s boy. I can just hear the townsfolk remarking, we knew him when he was knee high . . . we watched him play with the other boys out in the street . . . we’ve seen him helping his dad in the carpenter shop . . . In his hometown, Jesus was a familiar neighbor, just one of the guys. What about us? Do we come to Jesus with a sense of awe and wonder, or with a familiarity that can sometimes hinder our faith?
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Our approach in life varies depending of course on the situations in which we find ourselves. Most people are who they are until a crisis seems to change the rules. When we look inward and truly reflect on our reality, we begin to understand we need an approach connected to something bigger than ourselves.
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
"When you're discerning something, sometimes God throws bricks, and sometimes he throws toothpicks" were the words of a man who had discerned out of the seminary and is now a husband and father. These words came to mind as I read today's gospel. The recollection was not due to discernment but to the fact that I feel like this passage has come up again and again over the years since I returned to the faith. So when it appeared in today's readings I knew immediately that it would be the focus of my reflection.
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
I recently attended a retreat where we reflected on the topic of awe and wonder. In today’s gospel story the disciples were filled with awe while on the lake with Jesus. Although Jesus is not walking the earth today, I wonder how often God’s creation and power is providing opportunity for our awe? What can we do to be more aware of these experiences in our daily lives?
Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time
“Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.” (Psalm 51:3-4) The first verse of today’s responsorial psalm, one that I usually associate with Lent, is given us today as King David’s confession and plea for God’s mercy for his sins. These are not minor sins, but those of adultery (maybe even sexual assault), deceit, and murder that we read about in today’s first reading from the second book of Samuel.
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
“Take care what you hear,” Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. To “take care” of something means to put time, energy and attention into it. The term “take care” often makes me think of taking care of a garden. Tending a garden involves giving it daily attention and focusing our energies on it. We must provide fruitful soil, remove the weeds and be attentive to its needs. A garden that is ill-planned and ignored will die. When we “take care” of something we are vowing to commit our time and energy into it, because we value it and find it important, which will then produce results, much like a bountiful harvest.
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
My friend is a gardener. He comes from a family of gardeners, and knows a lot about planting seasons, types of seeds, the effect of climate, soil quality. Their large vegetable gardens are a frequent topic of conversation among my friend, his parents, and his brother. His brother lives in Mississippi and is able to grow lush fruits and vegetables year-round with incredible yield, supplying many “farm to table” restaurants in his area. Here in Ohio, obviously, the growing seasons are more defined and specific; sowing and harvesting at the proper time and in ripe conditions becomes extremely important. Plant your garlic by All Saints Day and harvest it on the Feast of St Luke (4th of July)! The people of Jesus’ time were largely agrarian and lived according to the seasons. They knew a lot about sowing and reaping because their lives depended on it. Jesus’ parable today invites us into this realm of seeds, growing conditions, and crop yield. Let’s enter into Jesus’ parable and reflect upon the soil conditions of our souls. Our spiritual lives depend on it.
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church
Consider the last time you were at a party that was very clearly happening to celebrate God’s presence in our lives. Maybe it was a baptism, confirmation, or carefully-prepared Christmas celebration. Some weddings are also a clear celebration not only of the couple, but of God’s love for us. Whatever your memory can supply, consider that party and the party portrayed in today’s reading from Samuel.