Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest
Throughout the Gospels Jesus uses parables to help his disciples, and in turn us, to understand his teachings. In today’s Gospel Jesus focuses on two parables that he presents to help us understand the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We hear first that “the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Did you catch the way in which this person sells everything? He does this joyfully! He has found something so valuable that he holds nothing back. He sees how valuable this treasure is that he sells everything he has in order to own it, and he sells everything joyfully. When we are asked to give of what we have to help bring about God’s kingdom, is our attitude always one of joy? May we pray and work to cultivate this virtue today.
Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s reading from Matthew (13:36-43), we hear about the artful nature of growing weeds alongside our crops. This is one of only a few instances where Jesus actually takes the time and energy to break down one of his parables – a sign to us that we should listen closely (and Jesus reminds us to do this too at the end of his explanation). What should we be listening for? Well, there is quite a lot to take away from this reading, but I’ll tell you what I hear Jesus telling me when I read this passage: be careful when weeding in other people’s fields.
Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
Today God commands Jeremiah to obtain a brand new linen loincloth to wear. Now, this is odd enough. The “bottom-line” (no pun intended) it was an intimate undergarment, worn close to the skin and out of view — as personal a piece of clothing one could own. Then, Jeremiah was instructed to “go to the Euphrates and hide it there in a cleft of the rock” (Jeremiah 13:4).
Some time later, after the loincloth had had time to succumb to the elements, Jeremiah was instructed to go retrieve it. When he did, he discovered that the delicate linen fabric had rotted and decayed. The garment was useless. And that was the whole point.
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
I don’t garden much or know a lot about plants, but the little that I do know helps me better understand Jesus’ farming imagery in his parables. Whenever I weeded, I’m always surprised and amazed as to how far weeds’ roots are or how spread out they really are or how hard it can be to take them out. Sometimes I don’t know which plant is a weed and which one was intentionally planted. In today’s Gospel, Jesus used metaphors of harvest and weeding in the Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat.
Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t thought much about Mary, Jesus’ mother, as a little girl, or about her parents and how they raised her. I’m aware that Mary’s mother is St. Anne and her father is St. Joachim, and have seen some lovely images of St. Anne holding Mary on her lap, but beyond that I haven’t really thought much about Mary’s childhood.
Today the church celebrates the feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, which gives us the opportunity to reflect on their role as parents and the importance of them passing on their faith, which was a Jewish faith, to Mary. The first reading from Sirach (44:1,10-15) refers to those who live on/endure through the fruit of their virtuous lives and through their families because of God’s covenant with them.
Feast of Saint James, Apostle
Today the church celebrates the feast day of St. James. This has particular meaning for me, since back in 2016 I visited the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela (the final destination of the Camino de Santiago located in northern Spain) where the body of St. James is reposed. St. James is often pictured as a pilgrim because he is said to have traveled to Spain to share the Good News of Jesus. Like St. James, we are also pilgrims on a journey following Jesus’ lead to love and serve.
Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Our first reading today allows us into the intimate encounter between God and the prophet Jeremiah. We’re invited into God’s call on the life of this incredible prophet. What a privilege to read these words and to be part of this holy summons. It’s awe-inspiring! And . . . AND, God’s call is not for Jeremiah alone. God calls each and every one of us into ministry by virtue of our Baptism. Like Jeremiah, let us today give God our generous YES; let us respond to God’s call whatever our state in life, whatever our vocation.
Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
“God will cast our sins into the depths of the sea.” It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Yet today, many of us are often unaware of our sins. We may feel inadequate or be aware of our weakness, but we are quick to forget our sins. If we don’t know our sinfulness, it will continue to weigh us down in secret. Our Lord offers something better. The Spirit can cast light upon our sins, so that Jesus can free us from them. A good examination of conscience isn’t one that makes us feel small or pathetic; it is one that opens us to God’s uplifting, cleansing Love.
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene appears in all four Gospels. She, along with a group of other well-to-do women, Susanna and Joanna, financed the Kingdom of God movement and attended and supported Jesus from Galilee through Judea.
Mary M knew what it meant to be healed and delivered from a place of darkness. Luke tells us that seven demons were expelled from her. Courageously she broke through the barriers of Middle Eastern culture as one of his disciples, sitting, as it were, at the rabbi’s feet. Generous and faithful, she followed Jesus intimately.
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
We are particularly reminded today of God’s loving dedication to the poor and the outcasts. In today’s first reading, the prophet Micah warns the people of Judah that God will allow them to be destroyed by their enemies because of their greed. The rich people of Judah have used their power to take land and houses away from the poor. Not only was this a form of manipulation of other Jews, but it manipulated the law which mandated certain practices—such as forgiveness of debts and land redistribution—precisely to mitigate such greed from creating an unjust situation. When conquered by their enemies, the Jews will no longer have the power which they have abused.
Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Two Fridays ago, we read the gospel from the ninth chapter of Matthew where, just like today, Jesus references Hosea 6:6 during a confrontation with the Pharisees, “If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath” (Mt 12:7-8). Conversations about rules, choices, and consequences are a common occurrence in our household as our children process and attempt to understand the why behind our decisions and expectations. Our kids challenge us to really have thoughtful and intentional rules. They don’t always agree with the standards we set, but if we can show them the purpose or have examples to cite from prior results or lived experiences, it helps them comprehend the meaning.
Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Can you believe what Jesus says to us in today’s passage from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 11:28-30) — that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light? What? How can that be true? He bore the weight of all human sin. He was arrested, tortured, and crucified. What is easy or light about any of that? And yet he says it is. He also invites us to take his yoke upon us.
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel Jesus praises God for revealing his truths to the childlike, while keeping them hidden from the wise and learned. Is Jesus saying that we should not better ourselves, get an education or grow our brains? Not quite. What I think Jesus is telling us is to get out of our own way. He is reminding us that faith is not something that we need to overthink. We can approach our faith and approach our father in the same way a child approaches their parent.
To call someone childlike we are saying they are innocent, simple, trusting, direct and candid. Children typically do not analyze and overthink every situation. How often has overthinking stood in the way of your faith journey?
Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Today’s memorial is Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the patroness of the Carmelite Order, begun by Christian hermits in the Holy Land. Mount Carmel was the place where Elijah both showed God’s power by calling down fire and heard God reveal Godself in the tiny whisper. The Carmelites built a chapel there in honor of Mary with the feast being observed since the late 14th century.
Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
I have not come to bring peace, but the sword. - Matthew 10:34
Today we hear another one of those “difficult sayings” of Jesus. Jesus, rebuker of Peter for drawing his sword. Jesus, admonisher of those who live by the sword. Jesus, whose nativity inspired heavenly hosts over Bethlehem to sing of “peace on earth.”
So what’s up with that? If we struggle with this image we are in good company. So have saints and scholars for centuries. So do preachers and teachers and people-in-the-pew in 2024. It just seems so extraordinarily out of character.
Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. (Matthew 10:26)
To help me reflect on today’s readings, I read the footnotes of my Bible. It said, “The concealed and secret coming of the kingdom is to be proclaimed by them, and no fear must be allowed to deter them from that proclamation.” Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often preached about the coming of the Reign of God. He cured the sick; called the poor, those who mourn, the humble, and the peacemakers blessed; told parables about the kingdom of God being like a small mustard seed or yeast; and taught about forgiveness and discipleship as carrying one’s cross, loving God, and loving one’s neighbor including enemies. He did all these things to show that the Reign of God is a kingdom full of love, mercy, and justice for all, not just those we like or think are deemed worthy of our love. Jesus calls his disciples to proclaim this Gospel and to not be afraid to do so.
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.” (Psalm 51:17)
This last verse of today’s responsorial psalm (from which the refrain comes) is one that is prayed at the start of morning prayer throughout the world. I started praying morning prayer more regularly since first subscribing to the Benedictine liturgical publication “Give Us This Day” a few years ago.
Memorial of Saint Benedict, abbot
I have the privilege of helping with the Children’s Liturgy of the Word on Sundays. There are times when the discussion of the readings leads to insights from the children. At a recent gathering, the children shared that it was easier to do something that was not a good decision than to do the action that they knew was the better choice. If we think about the honesty of these young disciples, we would agree that living the teachings of Jesus is not always easy. St. Benedict, whose feast we celebrate today, offers us some practices to help us to follow Christ.
Today’s gospel reading recounts the story of Jesus sending the apostles to proclaim that the “kingdom is at hand.” He tells them not to take any money, extra clothes or provisions, and to rely on others for their needs. What a challenging job to do! Although there are no details to describe the apostles’ travels, I could imagine that they found these stipulations to be difficult and at times they did not succeed. How were they able to keep on trying? Was it the great love of Jesus and their devotion to him?
As written in the first reading from Hosea, God’s love continues to forgive and call as back even when we turn away. There are saints who have developed ways that help us make a return to the Lord. Today is the feast day of St. Benedict of Nursia who wrote The Rule to help direct the monasteries of his time. Even though St. Benedict lived long ago, he still offers sound advice for us today as we attempt to navigate the difficulties of serving the Lord. The Rule includes five practices that we can use in our own lives:
Prayer- for the those living in monasteries this would revolve around the Liturgy of the Hours and other types of private prayer ( e.g. Lectio Divina) Prayer for us could be saying the rosary, private prayer, attending Mass, or through the course of the day taking a short break to “turn to the Lord” with thanks and praise.
Work- Work is something we all do in our daily lives. Even those who may not be employed outside of the home, perform tasks that help the community, family, or creation. St. Benedict stresses that work gives dignity and value to individuals. If we do our work being mindful that our work is a part of God’s call to us, then even the smallest chore can be holy.
Study- St. Benedict instructs that those following his Rule should read scripture or other texts to deepen their spiritual lives. Even in our busy days, taking time to read the daily Mass readings can be a way to help us stay grounded in God’s truth.
Hospitality- Although we might think of this as welcoming people into our homes, this idea of hospitality from St. Benedict goes further, since it implies that we welcome others into our lives and see them as Christ among us. This includes the stranger and those on the periphery as well as those people within our own household.
Renewal- The Rule of St. Benedict stresses the importance of taking time to rest (e.g. keeping the Sabbath) as well as finding ways to seek and find God in our daily lives (this could be taking a hike or painting or some other form of recreation.) Even when we are enjoying time away from the routine, St. Benedict wants to remind us that God should still be at our center.
(http://www.benedictfriend.org/the-rule.html)
Although I do not live in a monastery, I find the Rule of St. Benedict provides helpful practices that make the challenges of being a disciple a little easier. When I take time to pray, read scripture, work with love, offer compassion and hospitality to others, and even use my times of recreation to remember God, I believe that I will be more deeply planted in God’s love. Following Christ is challenging, but these spiritual practices make it easier to find the Way.
Loving God, your love for us is great even when we turn away. We want to grow in our love for you as we follow Jesus, but we often struggle. Send your Spirit to give us the wisdom, courage and grace, so we can live holy lives. May the practices of St. Benedict bring us closer to you and your love. We pray this in Christ’s name AMEN.
-Marylynn Herchline
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
“. . . [I believe] in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church . . .” We make this bold affirmation each time we proclaim the Nicene Creed. As you recite the Creed each Sunday during Mass, do you focus on the words? Do you make a conscious intellectual ascent to the truths it contains? Do you exercise your will freely in joining your voice and your heart with that of the Church? Or has it become a rote recitation, something you can rattle off while daydreaming or allowing your mind to become distracted by your preoccupations? I begin this reflection with that challenge because I believe it’s important to enter deeply and intentionally into each moment of the Mass, actively exercising our role in the priesthood of all believers. Today’s Gospel prompted me to focus on the Apostles and what it means that we are an “apostolic Church.” Securely planted on this foundation, may we, like them, be bold witnesses, proclaiming by our lives “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
His (Jesus) heart was moved with pity…because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.
Today’s readings invite us to emulate Jesus’ heart - one that senses the needs of others and is moved to change and respond. Unlike the idols the psalmist describes as unable to see, hear, or feel, Jesus invites us into an intimate relationship with his own heart. We are called to be deeply moved and to bring his tender heart to others as we respond to their needs with the care of a shepherd for their sheep.