Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Two words you rarely hear in the same sentence are “Jesus” and “indignant.” Yet there they are, right next to each other in today's gospel (Mk 10:14). Now, I can be indignant sometimes and that usually means I need a nap or I know that I'm wrong; but Jesus getting indignant is a different story. I have a sneaking suspicion that he has a little more justification than general grumpiness or pride. In today's gospel, this indignation stems from the direct actions of his disciples as they rebuked people, presumably parents, for bringing children to Christ. Beyond that though, I think he expected them to know better because of what they were just taught in the previous passage.
Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
In our era of Facebook, the concept of "friends" is interesting to ponder. Some people on Facebook "friend" anyone who requests a friendship with them; others are much more guarded, and "friend" only people who they really know well, because of privacy concerns. Either way, more than one cultural commentator has said that social networking seems to be changing the way we see our relationships with each other. We generally have looser connections with each other, but we have connections to more people. I think it is somewhat strange, actually, that I know more about what a good friend from my high school days who lives in another state is doing this morning than I do about my next door neighbors.
Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr
"Who do you say that I am?" In our gospel Jesus asks this question of his disciples. I would like to take a moment and challenge each of us to sit with this question as well. Imagine yourself face to face with Christ. Maybe you imagine you're in your living room, in your favorite coffee shop, in a chapel, in your car. Wherever you are - it is you and Christ and he looks you in the eye and he asks you this question - "who do you say that I am?"
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. God’s glory is constantly being shown to us. Sometimes our eyes or minds are not always attuned to the wonder God has placed before us. Or perhaps we recognize the beauty but we do not attribute that grandeur as coming from God.
Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings
One of the themes we encounter in today's readings is the theme of trial.We have many trials throughout our lives. All of us suffer. One of the messages of the Cross is that such trials need not be fruitless, but can be transformed through Jesus' suffering love.
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
I recently read an article in the Dayton Daily News entitled “Some couples want to leave God off wedding guest list.” According to the author, in the state of Ohio a wedding celebrant must be ordained in a religion. Some individuals are pursuing a change in legislation that would allow people without any religious affiliation to perform a wedding. One couple promoting this idea stated that if God had been mentioned as part of their ceremony, it would betray how they live their lives- without a belief in God or any type of religious practice.
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
The text book that I used to teach Religion 101 at the University of Dayton had a Chapter in it entitled, “Breaking the Cycle.” The author, Dr. Dennis Doyle, cites an example of how his eight year old and his six year old got into it one day while playing basketball. The eight year old made his shot, and then, just for fun tossed up a quick practice shot, which he did not make. The six-year old did not see the first shot but saw the practice shot that his brother did not make. The argument led to the older brother hitting the younger one with the ball. The younger one ran into the house screaming. Dr. Doyle was aware of the sibling rivalry that existed between the two. After much talking and conversations and after much going back the forth, aware that he was not making much progress, he finally asked his children this question, “… And who is going to break the cycle?”
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
I have a bad habit, well several bad habits, but one in particular came to mind when I read today’s Gospel. Remarkably, I can take the simplest of things and over complicate them into muddled messes. I’m sure others can attest to this. Maybe they have experienced it in the midst of a planning session when I have proposed a convoluted solution and upon noticing confused looks around me, timidly offer, “Maybe I’m overthinking all of this.” We can all do this with the Lord as well.
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
"Let us build the city of God! May our tears be turned into dancing!" This may be one of your favorite hymns that we sing. It is a catchy tune with a beautiful image of all of us working with and for God's city- the time when there will be no tears and weeping, the time when we shall all be together praising God.
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading, we conclude the great flood epic of Noah and his family. The Earth and all the people in it have just endured a destructive reset. God’s relationship with humanity and all of creation is starting over, beginning with a promise that God won’t do it again. Our relationship with the Lord is the most definitive element of who we are. What is God telling us in today’s reading about who we are?
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The readings speak to us today of God’s extraordinary power, God’s generosity and how we need to be grateful for God’s accomplishments. The story of the flood and Noah continues in the readings today. The rain has stopped, but the journey is nowhere near complete. Noah sends forth a bird three weeks in a row to find out if it’s possible to download his cargo. The first week the dove returns, the second the dove returns with an olive leaf. The third time the dove does not return at all, signaling Noah that the land was dry enough leave the ark.
Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop
A little bit can go a long way. At least that’s one “moral” I take away from today’s Gospel reading. When the disciples realize they only have one loaf of bread in their boat, it seems as though they become discouraged as if they don’t have enough to feed each of them. However, Jesus reminds them of the times where many were fed with a small amount of bread and there were always fragments left over.
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
I was fortunate enough to accompany my husband to a conference in Florida a few weeks ago and there was sunshine every single day! The gray skies have really gotten to me this winter. I even thought about buying one of those special lights that is supposed to alleviate the symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) this winter. I know the sun is up there, even in Ohio, but sometimes I just want proof and reassurance. I figure it's a common, even reasonable way of thinking this time of year. But today's Gospel reminded me that sometimes there are things right in front of me that I fail to see because I so frequently resort to my own limited vision which gets in the way of my seeing what is real.
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I was reminded of a parable as I reflected on read this weekend’s readings. There was a little boy who had a nasty habit. He would catch butterflies and hold them in his little fist. He would then go about the village posing a question to people, which they could never get right. Extending his fist toward them he would ask if the butterfly was dead or alive. If someone said that the butterfly was alive, he would let the butterfly go free; but if someone said that it was alive, he would crush it in his fist and prove them wrong. One day, a wise man visited the village. The boy approached the wise man as if to claim another victim through his nasty game. The boy stretched out his hand toward the old man and said, "Sir, if you are as wise as everyone believes you to be, please tell me whether the butterfly in my hand is dead or alive.” The wise man was unperturbed. He looked calmly into the boy's eyes. “Son,” he said, “the choice is in your hands.”
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Psalm ends with the words, “Have pity on your servants!” In the Gospel we see that petition answered by Christ as he tells the disciples, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd.” And Genesis gives us some sense of the need for that pity as we see the curses of the Fall described. In all of this we see revealed to us, Jesus as the curse breaker.
Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin
There was a time in my life (my teenage years) when I was "sure" I would not get married, for a variety of reasons. Marriage seemed too scary because of its long-term commitment; marriage meant I would have to think about another person besides myself and that seemed difficult; marriage seemed too "adult." When I eventually meet someone and decide to marry, I remember having a conversation with a friend about a week before the wedding. I told my friend it was still difficult to imagine being married - the largeness and longevity of the expectations of marriage seemed overwhelming. To this day, I remember her answer word for word: "But Jana, you can imagine being married to Joel, right?" In that instant, all my fears went away and I felt at peace. My perception of marriage changed. Marriage, as an abstract institution, was indeed scary. But marriage to a specific person, the specific person that I knew and loved - that I could see.
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings
Upon reading today's gospel I find myself drawn to this mother and her deep faith. As a mother I can relate to how she must be feeling - she will stop at nothing to help her daughter, to free her from this demon. And her search for healing and freedom, for both she and her daughter, leads her directly to Jesus.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Almost every culture has creation stories. The reading from Genesis today begins our second creation story. This inspired story looks at the act of all creation as it relates to humanity. What is so powerful from the reading’s imagery is that the original sculptor, God, forms a creature from the earth and breaths life into the unanimated form. Thus humanity came into existence. This breath of life may be understood as the Holy Spirit. It also might be seen as a scriptural reference for God infusing humanity with a soul.
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading is the end of the first creation narrative in Genesis. It’s the one with the long list of the six days of creation, which we usually hear at the Easter vigil. Genesis 1 always reminds me of a television show which was on a few years ago called Planet Earth. It presented all of the world’s ecosystems and showed so many creatures in great detail. It’s a beautiful series, and a great reminder of the beauty of the earth. It’s remarkable that the ancient peoples who composed Genesis had a similar imagination of their world! They knew that their world was beautiful and that it was created by God. More than that, they knew that God had given the world to humans to care for it.
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
My husband Tom and I recently returned from a medical service trip to Nicaragua. We accompanied a group of UD students to the village of La Corneta where we provided medical care to people from the village and surrounding area. When I read today’s gospel, I was reminded that as disciples of Christ each one of us is called to bring the healing touch of compassion to every person we encounter. To be a healer you need more than medicines, lab tests, or a degree. A listening ear, an attentive presence, and a compassionate heart are essential to bring wholeness to another through the touch of God.