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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Today’s graphic Gospel passage always sounds a bit jarring: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” Upon first reading that passage, our response might be, “What?” But upon further reflection, it strikes me that Jesus is challenging us to attend to what causes us to sin: the vices we have acquired, the temptations we do not ignore, the sinful thoughts and behaviors we entertain or in which we engage. It is also important to identify where we might be culpable in leading others astray. In all of this, Jesus is asking us to be honest with ourselves and to take the necessary steps to “cut” out of our lives the things that lead us away from the Lord, rather than allowing us to move toward him. Lest we get discouraged, we need only remember that we are not alone: We belong to Christ whose word is truth, whose precepts “give joy to the heart,” and who tells us “whoever is not against us is for us.” Like Moses in the first reading, we can ask that the Spirit descend upon us and give us strength. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Amazing feats we see on TV or read in the news can’t help but capture our imagination. Our rich Catholic faith can be a little like that: just take a look at the lives of the saints. That’s why I find the other passage in today’s Gospel so encouraging. Jesus reminds us that even the smallest things we do matter –actions to help others grow in their faith: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” As the Lord’s spirit moves us to be a prophet to others – that is, to perform deeds in his name (mighty or not-so-mighty) – we have the ability to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ in very real and concrete ways. As St. Teresa of Ávila said: “Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.” ACTIONS: Prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation by asking Jesus to help you identify what causes you to sin or drives a wedge between you and others or between you and God. Then participate in this beautiful sacrament and pray for the grace to make changes. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I have a competitive nature. As an older runner, I strive to place high in my age group (maybe even pick off runners older than I one at a time as we near the finish of a race – of course, I can neither confirm nor deny that). Oh, to be first! There is nothing inherently wrong with healthy competition. However, constantly striving to be the “best” or the “first” in other areas of life – career, parenting, even holiness – can quickly lead to frustration and burnout. As the disciples jostled for “first place,” Jesus gently but directly corrected them: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Like the Apostles, we tend to focus on our achievements as a measure of our worth, forgetting why we are here: to serve others. We can ask Jesus to help us gain the “wisdom from above” and the characteristics so beautifully described by Saint James: pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Reading today’s Gospel from Mark, I am struck by the image of Jesus embracing a child: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” Most of us picture our own children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces, or nephews. Of course we would embrace them! However, Scripture scholars point out that for Jesus, the child symbolized the anawim, a Hebrew word for the poor, the lowly, the vulnerable, the oppressed. Picture, then, not just children but those we might be less eager to immediately embrace, not just children: ragged men on the corner, immigrants at the border, the neighbor’s son with schizophrenia, prisoners or ex-convicts. Jesus challenges us not to avert our eyes but to “embrace” them – whether that means offering a cup of coffee, becoming a pen pal, stopping to chat, or finding another way to accompany them. Scholars tell us that the anawim share a total dependence upon God, something we all have in common regardless of our life’s circumstances. ACTIONS Seek “wisdom from above” at the beginning of each day. In the evening, reflect on the ways God has held you in his loving embrace through the kindness of others, moments in nature, simple pleasures. Say thank you. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I think it can be easy to romanticize faith: the post-retreat high, the inspirational homily, even the motivational wall art that pops up on Pinterest. But keeping the faith can be hard sometimes. And living it out? Even harder. Today’s readings both challenge and encourage us, as they so often do. The Letter of James pulls no punches: Faith without works is “dead.” And in today’s Gospel, right after Peter says, “You are the Christ,” Jesus tempers that Good News, telling him that even the Son of Man must suffer greatly. We who follow Jesus must also be willing to take up our cross. This is a daily challenge to choose life over death; to choose the transformative power of Jesus over sin that creeps into our lives; to make the choice to put others’ needs before our own. None of this is easy. But as the prophet Isaiah reminds us, we don’t have to do it alone; indeed, the Lord God is our help. We can choose well. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I’m inspired when the young people in our parish assist with the Sunday liturgy and do service projects in the community. As a working parent (and back when I was a “stay-at-home” mom), I tell myself, maybe someday when things slow down, I’ll do more. But honestly, I think the teens in the youth group – between work, school, and sports – are busier than I am. As we listen to today’s readings, wherever we may be in life and faith, what stands out? Is it James’ entreaty to pair faith with works? Or Jesus’ words that “whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it”? Or the prophet Isaiah’s rock-solid faith? Today’s readings give us many ways to witness to our faith in Jesus – through prayer, service, generosity, perseverance, works, and words. We can ask the Holy Spirit to show us which of these gifts we can share with others this week. ACTIONS Brainstorm new ways to witness to your faith. It could be as simple as picking up extra food for the pantry in the back of church or changing up “Grace” at dinner to add prayers for others. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Our oldest son is deaf. I vividly remember watching him notice sounds for the first time in the days after his cochlear implant was activated: the “caw” of a crow, a doorbell, the low rumble of the furnace kicking in. Our job as parents was to provide a running commentary to help him understand the meaning of each sound that so many of us take for granted: “See the birds? That is a crow!” “Your dad is home.” “The heat is coming on.” I’m reminded of those early days when I read Mark’s account of Jesus restoring hearing to the deaf man. While most of us can hear, so often we take the sounds all around us for granted or relegate them to background noise – including the Scripture we hear at Mass each week. As Bishop Robert Barron writes, “This deaf man stands for all of us who do not hear the word of God, who have grown oblivious to it.” As we listen to today’s readings, we can ask Jesus to open our ears and our hearts to the word of God. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Mark spares no detail in describing Jesus’ encounter with the deaf man who had a speech impediment. Jesus places a finger in his ear and spits, touching his tongue, then utters the word “Ephphatha! (“Be opened”) Immediately, the man can hear and speak clearly. When listening to this reading, I often focus on the man’s hearing. But Jesus also cured the man’s speech impediment, which I think indicates we’re not supposed to just hear God’s word, we are to speak to it, and speak of it. Once we allow Jesus to open our ears and hearts to the Good News, sharing it will begin to come naturally. There may still be times when our Catholic tongues feel tied, but “Be strong, fear not!” Jesus will give us the words. ACTIONS: Next time you take a drive, listen to the day’s Scripture readings. Ask Jesus to open your ears and hearts to his words and show you how best to share them with others. And most teachers would agree: The more senses we engage, the more we take in. If you have trouble following the readings at Mass, open your missalette and read along silently. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
As I began reading the Gospel for today, I initially thought, “Here we go - those hypocritical Pharisees are at it again! They are always questioning Jesus, always judging others, and always looking for ways to make themselves look ‘holier’ than everyone else.” Uh oh; then I realized that I was feeling pretty smug as I judged the Pharisees! Sadly, it can be easy for me to fall into a “Pharisee attitude,” thinking I “walk blamelessly and do justice” when really I am just deluding myself. While Jesus uses this encounter to point out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, he also calls the crowd to a greater understanding of the source of evil in their lives, “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts.” Maybe I need to hear these words, too, and examine my own thoughts and actions before judging others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT St. James provides an answer to combating the evil we discover in our hearts: “Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.” The Word, Jesus, came to us and has given us the way to free ourselves from the evil within. Our relationship with him is the key. We know we are to “be doers of the word and not hearers only.” We have the Holy Spirit to help us stay close to him and access his saving power that transforms our hearts to reflect his goodness and truth. It requires us to humbly assess and own the things we need to change; and to turn to him for guidance so that we may have nothing within us – no evil thoughts, greed, malice, envy or arrogance (etc.) – to defile us. Only then are we most free in Christ – truly free to “care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” PRAY The Daily Examen, created by St. Ignatius of Loyola, is an ideal way for growing closer to Jesus and seeking his guidance. Suggested for the day’s end, this prayerful reflection helps you recognize God’s presence in the day’s events, assess your thoughts and behavior, ask for his help in growing in goodness, and discern his plans for you. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Have you ever felt nervous in standing up for something, or in taking a position on an issue? Even when the stakes are not particularly high, like a classroom debate over an author’s meaning in her text or requesting that customer service fix a take-out order gone awry, it can be nerve-wracking for many of us to have this kind of engagement. It is especially difficult when we sense conflict. Why is that? Why do we care so much what others think of us? What about when the stakes are literally life or death? In today’s first reading, Joshua is imploring the people to decide which god they will serve, and he boldly proclaims: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” In the Gospel, some of Jesus’ disciples reject his teachings and drift back to “their former way of life.” Jesus asks the Twelve whether they, too, “want to leave.” Simon Peter responds with the rhetorical question, “Master, to whom [else] shall we go?” Like Joshua, he is bold in his own pronouncement: “You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” Today’s readings encourage and exhort us to go “all in” when it comes to discipleship. The implication is clear: it matters not what others think of us, or what attraction they might hold for us to acquiesce to them. God alone is the source of life, and the truth. He offers us a way – it’s that simple. We simply must decide to serve him. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT At times this commitment, this life of discipleship, is more difficult than other times. Faith is a personal and communal relationship with our Triune God, and just like our human relationships it requires attentiveness, and “[living] in love as Christ loved us.” Just as a spouse or roommate can annoy us – being messy, hearing the same joke over and over, and don’t get me started on who gets to control the remote! – we may get upset with God because our expectations are not met. But God is God, not “who we think God ought to be.” Therefore, today’s readings are an encouragement to remain steadfast when things are difficult, with St. Paul comparing the love of Jesus for the Church (all of us!) with the mutual love between a husband and wife. No one said it would be easy. Just as a good marriage requires communication, give-and-take, and large doses of forgiveness, so does our relationship with the Lord require prayer, confession, repentance, and thanksgiving. ACTION Place Joshua’s words on your refrigerator this week: “Decide today whom you will serve … As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Brainstorm about how each member of your household can do that. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2021 Ordinary Time
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
There are very few things in this world that are perfectly united, though many attempts have been made, think peanut butter and chocolate, Batman and Robin. But there is one example, and that is the Blessed Virgin Mary is perfectly united with Jesus’ life and redemptive work. Though fully human, she is completely without sin – she is, as we pray in echoing God’s angel, “full of grace.” Thus she shares, as we do, in Christ’s heavenly destiny but with an immediacy that we do not have. Upon her death she was instantly assumed into heavenly glory, body and soul, as the first of all the faithful who will eventually join with Christ in eternity upon death and purification. In celebrating this great Solemnity, the Church celebrates what lies ahead for those of us who imitate Mary’s total trust in God. She had complete faith in God and his promises, and is a living example of the power and generosity of our God. We can follow her lead, engaging in a life of witness (proclaiming God’s greatness) and gratitude (have a rejoicing spirit) for the sake of the world. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Sometimes, when hearing or talking about Mary’s fiat, I first see it as a “yes” in modern, human terms. “Yes, I’ll serve on that committee.” “Yes, I’ll organize that party.” “Yes, I’ll stay late to finish that project.” It doesn’t take long for our little “yesses” to turn into an adamant “Nooooooooo,” also known as burnout. Thankfully, Mary’s yes was far more than just an acquiescence to a small request – it was the commitment of her entire self to the choice God had placed before her. And she was rewarded with a special seat in heaven near her Son. In today’s Gospel, Elizabeth immediately recognizes the true meaning of Mary’s fiat: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” What can we learn from Mary’s example? We can learn trust. We don’t need to sign up for every volunteer opportunity (though volunteering is a great and worthwhile thing to do), but we can say “yes” to what God is asking of us according to the gifts and graces he has given us. Through daily prayer and seeking the intercession of Mary and Jesus, we can grow closer to the Lord and prepare ourselves for the day we meet Jesus and Mary face to face. PRAY: A lot of misunderstanding surrounds Catholic devotion to Mary. We do not worship Mary – that is reserved for God alone. Yet we do revere her and honor her unique and important role in God’s saving plan. Pray the Magnificat or the Rosary, paying close attention to their scriptural foundation and what was happening in the “stories” within those Scriptures. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2021 Ordinary Time
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
We have apps that monitor our sleep and calories, and remind us to get our steps in. Short on time? We order takeout or subscribe to a meal service. Yet, despite these modern conveniences, I would guess that most of us don’t sleep enough or consistently eat well. And we pay the price, whether in the short or long term. Enter Elijah, who had reached his limit physically and mentally. Yet after an angel provided him food and drink, Elijah found the strength to walk 40 days and 40 nights. Impressive! But that’s God for us! And in the provision of his Son, we have food and drink – bread from heaven – that not only sustains us for our journey on earth but offers the possibility of eternal life. This is our belief; this is what Jesus says to us. And that alone can give us strength, and hope, even when we’re having an “Elijah” moment. For at each and every holy Mass, Jesus invites us to the table, offering us food that not only sustains but also transforms us. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, indeed! GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Just as a good night’s sleep and proper nutrition help us function our best, the Word of God and the Eucharist, and our communal life of faith, provide the spiritual nourishment we need as we strive to be imitators of God in our daily lives, as Saint Paul says. As we partake of Christ in the Eucharist, perhaps we can say a prayer of thanksgiving and ask Jesus to help us grow in the ways of love that Paul outlined: kindness, compassion, and forgiveness toward the people we encounter. It could mean letting go of a grudge, becoming more conscious of the needs of others, listening respectfully to someone with whom we disagree, or perhaps forgiving ourselves. The Holy Spirit will guide us. REFLECT: Think about the ways the Mass transforms you. It may be something subtle – the spirit of consolation and the feeling that things are right in your world – or you may have been particularly moved by the readings, homily, music, or silent prayer. Tell someone about it! |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2021 Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
In our house, we know we’ve got a situation when we run out of bread. It’s the staff of life, yes, but also the stuff that makes toast, goes with soup or salad, and smells so good when we bake it ourselves. So perhaps some of us can relate to the Israelites in the first reading as they “grumbled against Moses and Aaron,” before the Lord promised to “rain down bread from heaven for [them].” On a deeper level, perhaps we also truly understand the importance of what Jesus tells his disciples in today’s Gospel: that the bread from heaven which the Father gives will not only satisfy their physical hunger, but give life to the world. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Just as the disciples heartily responded “give us this bread always,” today’s readings encourage us to long not only for all good gifts from the Father, but specifically for that one, unique gift of the Son whose nourishment to us in the Eucharist transforms us and “gives life to the world.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Like many Catholics, I attended Mass online for much of 2020 and the first half of 2021. Initially, it seemed like enough, and I was immensely grateful for the opportunity to hear the Word of God, see the Lord in the Eucharist, and to receive him spiritually. However, as we began to return to church this past spring, I truly felt the enormity of what I had been missing: receiving the Eucharist, and doing so within a community. As we hear Christ’s words in the bread of life discourse over the next few Sundays, the magnitude of God’s gracious gift should become ever more apparent. When we receive the Eucharist at Mass, we partake in the body and blood of Jesus, sharing in the divine banquet that leads us to everlasting life, and drawing closer to Jesus and to one another in the process. Nourished by his presence within us, we can then go out and share the bread of life with others. What that looks like will differ for each of us, but ultimately it is all for the purpose of accomplishing the works of God: believing in the One he sent and giving witness to that belief in all we say and do. ACTION: Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians admonishes his listeners to “put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” As we begin each day this week, we can pray for the grace to “put on a new self” and let go of those things that get in the way of our own holiness. |
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SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021 Ordinary Time
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I once saw Tony Melendez, a musician born without arms, play his guitar for the pope – with his feet – and I knew I had witnessed something exceptional, something extraordinary. We may be feeling the same way about some of the Olympic performances taking place right now. But however amazed Tony Melendez or an Olympic medal performance might make us feel, it is hard to imagine what it must have been like to experience Jesus taking a few barley loaves and fish, blessing them, and somehow feeding more than 5,000 people. How Great Thou Art, indeed! Participating in this miracle was life-changing for those who realized what Jesus had done. They were convinced, on the spot, that Jesus was a prophet, and were ready to carry him away as a king. But Jesus did not come to be an earthly king, he came to give his life for us, that we might have life with him in abundance. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT One boy gives up his lunch and Jesus feeds thousands – and there were twelve wicker baskets with fragments left over! Think of how God can multiply our gifts. Perhaps there are times we fail to share what we have, thinking it is too small to make a difference; thinking that what we bring to feed others can’t possibly be worth anything. Sure, what usually happens with us isn’t on a scale like today’s Gospel passage, and our offering may not be “Olympic” in nature. But in sharing our gifts as Jesus calls us to – to love our neighbor and to do “small things with great love” as St. Teresa of Calcutta is purported to have said – there is no such thing as a gift or talent too small. Ask the Holy Spirit for fortitude as you strive to share your gifts. ACTION: Perhaps it’s time to contact someone who has been on your mind lately. A seemingly small gesture of concern may be just the support they need right now. With the help of the Holy Spirit, perhaps you may be a source of affirmation for them, providing a catalyst that helps them discern their path more clearly. |
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SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021 Ordinary Time
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Portrayals of Jesus as a shepherd who cares for sheep often depict him carrying a sheep on his shoulders or holding a lamb in his arms. Those images are a source of great comfort, as is today’s psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” But they don’t quite capture just what hard work being a shepherd involves: tending to the flock in all kinds of weather, when the pastures are anything but verdant; waking in the wee hours to care for ewes and newborn lambs; watching some thrive and others die; not to mention being the poster child for the oft-quoted “smell of sheep.” The crowd in today’s Gospel lacked such a shepherd to tend and care for them, and thus “[Jesus’] heart was moved with pity for them.” There are times when circumstances and events can trick us into thinking that an earthly power or perfectly-principled worldview will save us. That is when we need the Lord as our shepherd the most. Only he can save us; only he has saved us. So, in those times when we may feel lost, we can bring it all to Jesus in prayer. He is the Shepherd who knows what we need. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I don’t know about you, but I rarely miss a meal. When I do, I get cranky. And I don’t like crowds of any kind outside of Wrigley Field. So imagine how exhausted Jesus and the disciples must have felt when, because crowds followed them day and night, they had “no opportunity even to eat.” Even when they tried to get away and rest awhile, a vast crowd appeared. Rather than turn away, however, Jesus began to teach them – for they were hurting and in need of his care. Today’s Gospel encourages us to be shepherds to one another, keeping others close. Pope Francis said it well during Holy Week 2013: “Following Jesus means learning to come out of ourselves … to be the first to take a step toward our brothers and our sisters, especially those who are the most distant, those who are forgotten, those who are most in need of understanding, comfort and help.” As we ourselves have been led by the Shepherd, we reach out to others who are in need of care. ACCOMPANY: Find ways, large or small, to “tend the flock” of your family, parish, workplace or community: Write a note to a person who is grieving, invite a quiet co-worker to lunch, provide a listening ear to children or aging parents, introduce yourself to a newcomer at your parish. |
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SUNDAY, JULY 11, 2021 Ordinary Time
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I don’t know about you, but even for the quickest of errands I don’t like to leave my house without my smartphone. Nor would I go on a road trip without my trusty mini-Diet Coke and a snack or two. So I’m struck by what Jesus tells the Apostles when he sends them on their mission to share the Good News: “He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” While it may be hard for us to imagine striking out with only the sandals on our feet, to me this reading is more about what the Apostles did have than what they went without: They had a companion (Jesus sent them two by two) and the spiritual blessings Saint Paul refers to, including a relationship with Jesus and absolute trust in him. Today’s readings remind us to set aside distractions and spend time deepening our relationship with Jesus through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and participating in the sacramental life of the Church. In doing so, we, too, can join in the mission of the early disciples by giving our lives to Jesus and sharing his message with others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I find the phrase “the new evangelization” somewhat ironic. After all, evangelization is not new, it goes back to the earliest days of the Church, which wouldn’t exist had it not been for the disciples. The “new” part reminds us that we today also share in this mission. The U.S. Catholic bishops describe it succinctly: “The New Evangelization calls each of us to deepen our faith, believe in the Gospel message and go forth to proclaim the Gospel.” This call is both simple, and challenging, but we don’t have to be perfect. After all, just as God called Amos, a humble shepherd, and Jesus called the Twelve, a motley group of fishermen, he calls us. Like them, our first “task” isn’t a task at all – it is placing God and our relationship with Jesus at the center of our lives. Only then can we effectively share the Gospel with others, inviting our brothers and sisters to a life in Christ – to become part of God’s adopted family. WITNESS: At the end of Sunday Mass, we often hear the words: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” As we are sent forth, let us ask God to show us how we can share the Gospel with others during the week ahead. Then pay attention to where the Spirit leads us in answering our prayer. |
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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 Ordinary Time
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I’m struck by phrases in today’s first and second readings: The prophet Ezekiel is told that those to whom he will be sent are “hard of face and obstinate of heart”; and Saint Paul aptly describes a “thorn in the flesh” as having been given to him. He even refers to this thorn as “an angel of Satan.” These are descriptive images! So, I wondered, What do these images look like in practice? The Gospel gives us a clear example: those who grew up with Jesus refuse to see him as a prophet. At one time in my life, I might have said to myself: “Wow, I can’t believe people of his own time would reject Jesus!” However, as I grow older, I’m conscious not only of more physical aches and pains, but the “thorn in the flesh” of patterns I’m not particularly proud of – cynicism, pessimism, even hard-heartedness and a closed mind. The “they” in today’s readings hits closer to home and strikes me more as “we” than it used to. And yet, as Saint Paul reminds us, we can bring our imperfections to God and pray for grace to give us strength in our weakness, hearts open to God’s love, and ears ready to hear the Gospel and be transformed by Jesus. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT When Jesus returned to his hometown, he was not exactly greeted like a “hometown hero.” His contemporaries could see him only as a carpenter, and not the Messiah: “So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” We know that Jesus went on to perform the mightiest of deeds – dying and rising from the dead. And yet, even today, he would be “amazed at our lack of faith.” Today’s Gospel and the other readings encourage us to do a check-up of our spiritual health and pray for the grace to continue to grow in faith. We can also pray for others who may be questioning or have lost their faith, inviting them to consider coming to church with us or simply offering to pray with and for them. REFELCT: For a more intentional look at whatever thorns might be in your side, and what weaknesses those contribute to, consider doing a retreat. Attend an in-person retreat at a local retreat house, or look into online options for a guided retreat at home. |
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SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021 Ordinary Time
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” It’s likely we’ve heard and seen Jesus’ reassuring words or even shared them with others. When I read the story of Jairus and his daughter, I thought of a man with whom I spoke recently. As his lungs failed him during a bout with coronavirus, doctors advised him to say good-bye to his wife and daughters before they placed him on a ventilator. “I was expecting to wake up in heaven,” he said, recalling the moment not as one of fear or panic, but of deep peace. In today’s Gospel passage, Jairus had that kind of “fearless faith” as well, placing his daughter’s life wholly in Jesus’ hands even as others in the crowd ridiculed him. When we pray or ask for God’s healing, we can’t know the outcome. But we can pray for the gifts of faith and courage, placing our lives in God’s loving hands. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT When I was a child, my aunt would always encourage us to make the sign of the cross when we passed an ambulance or accident scene. In her concern for the strangers at the side of the road, my aunt was giving us a lesson in compassion, which stands in marked contrast to the crowds who ridiculed Jairus as he desperately sought help for his daughter. The Church has a rich tradition of intercessory prayer, encouraging us to pray for the needs of others. Today’s readings remind me that we can share our faith by praying for others who are sick, dying, grieving, or struggling in some way. Likewise, we can ask others to pray for us, trusting that God will hear our prayers. PRAY: Do you ever offer to pray for someone and then completely forget? Try writing each person’s name on a Post-it and placing it on your bedside table. Other ideas: Pray the Rosary while driving or exercising, devoting a decade to each person; include prayers for others when you say Grace before meals; as soon as you offer to pray for someone, drop everything and do it! |
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SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
A number of editorials, blog posts, and other commentaries of late have declared “languishing” as the “mood,” or dominant emotion, of 2021. This is not depression, but rather a series of emotions that wear away at our sense of purpose and belonging. Those who languish experience apathy and a lack of motivation, all while participating in the daily activities of life. Yes, I said to myself, that’s it exactly! After the craziness of these last 15 months … I think these writers are on to something! Therefore, I am particularly moved by God’s providence and grace in providing an antidote to the emptiness of languishing in today’s Scriptures. In the second reading, Paul writes with such urgency that “the love of Christ impels us” to live not for ourselves, but for the sake of Christ who died for all. The word “impel” differs from “compel,” because it implies a strong moral force from within. And in the Gospel, we see that for Christians, that inner force springs from faith, a faith that can endure both the violent squalls of life and the sense of being adrift that we can’t always put our finger on. Like Paul, our faith impels us to refocus our lives on our love of Christ and others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT It occurs to me that we Catholics have myriad opportunities to avail ourselves of those graces, and to strengthen our faith. Languishing can be replaced with flourishing, and a recapturing of the knowledge of who we belong to: the Lord. Praying for others during Mass, reading and discussing a spiritual book with a friend, volunteering at a soup kitchen or shelter, offering to help drive refugees or senior citizens to medical appointments, or participating in a young (or older) adult parish activity – these are all actions that empty us of apathy and fill us with gratitude. The pandemic has been tragic, and terrifying, and life-altering. But God remains steadfast. We will face our share of storms, but we can rest assured that Jesus is our anchor as we move forward in faith. PRAY: Feeling blah? Re-read Paul’s letter (2 Cor 5:14-17) and ask God to help you remember that you are God’s beloved – with dignity, value, and purpose. Trust that “whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” |
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SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 Ordinary Time
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Many years ago, I met someone whose attentive hospitality cast a seed in me that took root and enabled me to grow as a disciple of Jesus. At the meetings I attended with her, Sister Bridget would immediately greet everyone with a smile, outstretched hand, and, “Hello, I’m Sister Bridget; what’s your name?” You couldn’t help but feel at ease with her warm greeting, but it didn’t end there. Throughout the encounter, she remained just as positive and as completely present as she had in the beginning. Just like the parable of the man scattering seed in today’s Gospel, Sister Bridget didn’t know how the seed of God’s word would grow as she sowed it in her unique, joyful way. To her, maybe her graciousness was the smallest gesture. But the Lord allowed it to sprout and grow, yielding fruit and a bountiful harvest. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Today’s Gospel verse within the Alleluia proclaims, “The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.” By our baptism, we are called to continue the work of Christ, sowing the word of God in our world. This may seem an intimidating expectation for all of us who doubt that we have the expertise to “sow” God’s word. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the crowds that the kingdom of God is like the smallest of seeds, that once sown, becomes the largest of plants. If we believe in Christ and “aspire to please him,” God can use our smallest gestures to sow his word in the world. We may not see how our small acts of kindness accomplish this. But if we scatter these “seeds” out of love for God, we can trust they will take root, grow abundantly, and call others to “come to him [and] live forever.” INVITE: What “seeds” of welcome can you scatter among those you encounter? Make your “random acts of kindness” regular, intentional acts that express God’s love. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux said: “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love." |
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SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 Ordinary Time
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
It takes only a few moments of holding one’s breath to realize how desperately we need oxygen to survive. If only we were always as cognizant and mindful of the importance of the Eucharist for the same reason! I, for one, confess to approaching the altar with fervent belief in the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ, but also at times doing so while distracted or not fully appreciative of the gift being given to me. But today’s solemnity is a powerful reminder not to take the Eucharist for granted. It is the Church’s formal and official homage to Jesus Christ who, “with his own blood” obtained for us eternal redemption. St. Thomas Aquinas offers this description of how wonderful, precious, and important the Eucharist is with the following words: “The only-begotten Son of God, wishing to enable us to share in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that by becoming man he might make us gods.” (Opusc. 57, 1-4) Like the disciples on the night of the Last Supper, we, too, receive the body and blood of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine. He dwells within us, intercedes for us, and through grace he transforms us. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Spending time with our Lord at Eucharistic adoration is a profound opportunity to open our hearts to him. Just as we know that we cannot love others well if we don’t love ourselves, likewise we cannot share the love of Christ with others well if we don’t take time to allow Christ to enter our hearts and our lives. By taking the time to talk to Jesus and listen, we can, in turn, witness to his love to others. We can use this time to pray for a specific person, seek help with a personal dilemma, or ask the Lord to show us where we need repentance and conversion in our own lives so as to be more like him. The more we are conformed to Christ, the better we can bring Christ to the world. STUDY: Draw closer to the Lord through meditation on the meaning of the Eucharist by reading these “basic questions and answers” about the Real Presence: www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/the-real-presence-faqs. |
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SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
The first thing that came to mind when hearing the readings for this feast was the song, How Can I Keep from Singing? Moses’ words attest to the wonders of God and his continual care and “championing” for us. This all-powerful God chose us to be his own; he created us in love and desires for us to be with him forever. He loves us enough to have become one of us – to live and breathe and suffer as one of us! While on earth as Jesus Christ, he showed us, in healing and forgiving, the depth of his merciful and unconditional love. Through the Son we are made adopted children of God, co-heirs with Christ to the promises of the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit is sent to remain with us – always – demonstrating the steadfastness and faithfulness of God to his people and drawing others to the Father’s love. And we, members of the Body of Christ, are commissioned to go “and make disciples of all nations,” that all may be given the pathway to the Kingdom. With all this Good News, how can we keep from singing? GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT “When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.” These words jumped out at me from today’s Gospel. After all the Apostles had witnessed, even after their encounters with Jesus following his resurrection, they doubted. That is, until Jesus reassured them that “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Then, look out! Once empowered by the Spirit, the disciples no longer doubt. In readings from the Acts of the Apostles throughout the Easter season, we have heard how the Apostles are transformed into bold and relentless preachers and leaders, healers and miracle workers, by their belief in the power of the Holy Spirit. And they can’t suppress the joy they know in believing the Good News. We were made for this joy, and for sharing it as the earliest disciples did. Given all that God has done for us, how can we not? STUDY: Read Scripture verses or hymns that rejoice in God’s love and bring you joy. (Phil 4:4-9 is a good start). Pray the Act of Faith to reaffirm your belief in the Trinity. Be a joyful Christian! |
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SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021
Pentecost Sunday Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
“Come, Holy Spirit!” On Pentecost Sunday, which we celebrate 50 days after Easter, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The readings use the language of the senses to describe the powerful presence of the Spirit: A breath, a mighty wind, tongues of fire, a cacophony of languages somehow understood by all. Jesus sends the Spirit upon each of us as well. And while we may not experience the Holy Spirit with our physical senses, I bet each one of us has sensed the Spirit’s presence at different times in life: a homily that deeply resonated, a sense of awe at God’s creation, a “moral compass” that guided us toward what is right, or when we found the words to console a friend in crisis or vice versa. Just as the Spirit transformed the disciples and emboldened them to build up the Church by carrying on Jesus’ mission, we, too, can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and strengthen us to be a force for love and unity in our families, parishes, and communities. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples out to continue his ministry, assuring them of the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide them. We, too, have been given the gifts of the Holy Spirit and commissioned to use them to build up the Church. Well before we learned about concepts such as “emotional intelligence” or skills tests, Saint Paul assured the Corinthians that there are many different gifts and ministries, but the same Spirit. Our gifts may even change as we move from one chapter of life to another. For example, high school and college students may help lead retreats or participate in service projects, young adults may build a parish website or lead a Bible study, those who are homebound may offer to pray for others in their parish. For followers of Christ, the only option not on the table is becoming complacent. As we move from the Easter season to “Ordinary Time,” let’s invite the Holy Spirit to show us how to be “extra-ordinary” in our discipleship in the coming days and weeks. Then follow through. PRAY: Do you sometimes get the Monday blahs? Try starting the day with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance (and some pep in our step!) as we begin the week: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. |
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SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: “Why are you standing there looking at the sky?” the Apostles are asked. Well, hello! The risen Jesus, who had once again walked among the Apostles, “was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.” Of course the disciples would look up, to gaze once more upon the Son of God whom they loved. Today’s feast reminds us, however, that to look for Jesus is not to stand around looking up, but to engage with others in the world in which he remains present. Even as he sits “at the right hand of God,” Jesus dwells among and within us. For God is not some distant figure, but One who desires to walk alongside us in the person of his Son, Jesus, and give us the gift of the Holy Spirit as our help and advocate. Even in times when we experience doubt, complacency, or simply feel distant from God, Jesus is at our side. Once we open our hearts to his presence, we cannot help but share the Good News of God’s love in our families, workplaces, and everyday encounters with others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT So much information comes to us every day, in all forms of media, there are now even shortcuts to the shortcuts for grasping the content. My personal favorite is the abbreviation, “TL; DR” which means, “too long, didn’t read.” Some might claim that we are dumbing down our culture with this type of shorthand notation, or we could argue that clear, concise, and straightforward is simply best. And that is what Jesus gives us today in his one commandment: “Love one another as I love you.” He offers commentary for the commandment and gives reasons for why he is telling it to us, but the crux of it cannot be missed: love one another. It is a commandment both simple, yet complex; easy, yet at times exponentially difficult to live. So Jesus provides the key to fulfilling it by saying, “remain in my love” [emphasis mine]. Faithfulness to a sacramental life and participation in communal living give us the grace to remain in that love – which in turn transforms and enables us to share that love with others. PRAY: To honor the celebration of Mother’s Day, pray the Rosary today for the intentions of our mothers, for those who have been motherly influences to us, and for those who long to be mothers. |
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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021
Sixth Sunday of Easter Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I have 20/15 vision. I can see things in the distance as well as close up. But that doesn’t mean I can see everything perfectly. Because of a difference in how each eye focuses, I can’t find those hidden images in “magic eye” posters, and forget trying to watch a 3D movie! Seeing all things perfectly is not something many of us could claim, including Peter. And yet, with God’s help, he understands a vision God gave to him: “In truth,” Peter says, “I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation, whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” Through God’s mercy and Jesus’ redemptive cross, the kingdom of God has been prepared for all peoples. God’s saving power has been revealed. With faith, and the help of the Holy Spirit in living out the commandments, we can fix our eyes on Christ – the revelation of God’s love who came into the world that we might have life through him. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT So much information comes to us every day, in all forms of media, there are now even shortcuts to the shortcuts for grasping the content. My personal favorite is the abbreviation, “TL; DR” which means, “too long, didn’t read.” Some might claim that we are dumbing down our culture with this type of shorthand notation, or we could argue that clear, concise, and straightforward is simply best. And that is what Jesus gives us today in his one commandment: “Love one another as I love you.” He offers commentary for the commandment and gives reasons for why he is telling it to us, but the crux of it cannot be missed: love one another. It is a commandment both simple, yet complex; easy, yet at times exponentially difficult to live. So Jesus provides the key to fulfilling it by saying, “remain in my love” [emphasis mine]. Faithfulness to a sacramental life and participation in communal living give us the grace to remain in that love – which in turn transforms and enables us to share that love with others. PRAY: To honor the celebration of Mother’s Day, pray the Rosary today for the intentions of our mothers, for those who have been motherly influences to us, and for those who long to be mothers. |
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SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021
Fifth Sunday of Easter Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Today’s readings are at once challenging and reassuring. Challenging, because we are to remain in Christ, by “[keeping] his commandments and [doing] what pleases him”; and reassuring, because we know that the Holy Spirit is with us and we can “have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask.” As Jesus says to us, “I am the vine, you are the branches … without me you can do nothing.” Through the Eucharist, the sacraments of the Church, Sacred Scripture, and in belonging to a faith community, God gives us many ways to grow closer to Jesus, and to direct our life toward him. In the pruning of sinful habits from our lives and building us up, through grace, to walk in the fear of the Lord, God transforms our hearts so that we remain in him, and he in us. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to speak out boldly in the name of the Lord. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Just as the new life and growth of springtime is already very visible in many parts of the United States, today’s first reading describes a kind of springtime in the Church. Even as Saul faced multiple death threats, he continued to boldly proclaim the Good News. “The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.” Today, many Christians around the world face persecution for their beliefs or live in cities or countries where violence, poverty, or hunger threaten their lives. We, too, face challenges and hardships. Life is not easy! Let us find “consolation” in the Holy Spirit and build up the Church and one another through prayer, generosity, and friendship. PRAY: Consider spending an hour with Jesus in Eucharistic adoration. Find a small way to build up the Church beyond your family and parish by praying for Christians in other parts of the world. |
EASTER SUNDAY
Acts 10:34a, 37-43 | Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8 | Jn 20:1-9
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I have happy memories when I think about all the Easter celebrations I experienced as a child. Easter baskets with nicer-than-usual chocolate; indoor Easter egg hunts – check under the lampshade! – and wearing the best of our Sunday best to Mass. I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything, but writing this reflection reminds me that our modern-day celebrations and traditions don’t come close to truly capturing the gamut of emotions the disciples must have felt on that first day of the week. From the fear, despair and confusion they initially experienced, to the joy that would have enveloped them when they realized what the empty tomb meant: Jesus had risen! The beloved disciple entered the empty tomb of Christ in today’s Gospel, “and he saw and believed.” As Christians, I think we sometimes take this foundation of our faith for granted. And so I pray for a renewed sense of awe at the stunning reality: to “see and believe” that God so loved us that he gave his only Son, who died and rose so that we, too, might live forever in God’s love.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
Some days I wake up with particular joy or anticipation: “Today we are going on vacation!” Or, “Today my son graduates from college.” It is a wonderful feeling, and one that helps me jump – OK, roll a little faster – out of bed. If we take to heart the psalmist’s message today, we see that this is how God intends for us to awaken every day: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” God is the author of our life, and on this Easter Sunday, we celebrate the gift of eternal life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In today’s first reading, Peter relates how the disciples were commissioned to share the Good News of Christ’s resurrection. His words remind us that the story of Easter cannot and should not be contained. Instead, we are called to witness that “everyone who believes in [Jesus] will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” That is good news worth sharing, whether on our social media feed, or with our loved ones and those we encounter each day.
WITNESS: Happy Easter! Perhaps visit the graveside of a loved one, and take the opportunity to talk about life after death. Say a special prayer of thanks at your Easter meal. And remember to smile in the direction of new faces at Mass today!
APRIL 3, 2021
HOLY SATURDAY
HOLY SATURDAY
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion By Vatican News staff reporter
Pope at Audience: The Cross of Christ, a beacon of hope
In his Catechesis during the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis looks ahead to the Easter Triduum and the celebration of the saving mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
On the eve of the Easter Triduum, Pope Francis, during his Wednesday General Audience focused on these central days of the Liturgical year, celebrating the mystery of the Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection. A new commandment of loveLooking ahead to Holy Thursday and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Pope recalled Christ’s washing the disciples’ feet, His new commandment of love, and His institution of the Eucharist as the abiding memorial of the sacrifice of His body and blood for the salvation of all. Adoration of the CrossTurning his attention to Good Friday, Pope Francis said, in the intensity of the rite of Liturgical action, we will be presented with the Crucifix to adore. By adoring the Cross, we will relive the journey of the innocent Lamb sacrificed for our salvation.” On that day, he continued, “We will carry in our minds and hearts the sufferings of the sick, the poor, the rejected of this world; we will remember the "sacrificed lambs", innocent victims of wars, dictatorships, daily violence, abortions.” “Before the image of the crucified God,” the Pope underlined, “we will bring in prayer the many, the too many who are crucified in our time, who can only receive from Him the comfort and the meaning of their suffering.” “Ever since Jesus took upon himself the wounds of humanity and death itself,” said Pope Francis, “God's love has irrigated these deserts of ours, he has enlightened our darkness.” Speaking off the cuff, the Pope asked, Why is the world in darkness? He answered by saying that we live in a world beset by wars, a world where children are starving and lack education. Many people take drugs in order to feel a little better. It's a catastrophe, it's a desert,” he said. There are small islands, the Pope explained; these are the people of God “who keep in their hearts the desire to be better. But let's face it: in this Calvary of death, it is Jesus who suffers in his disciples.” Pope Francis went to say that by Christ’s wounds we have been healed, and by his death we have all been regenerated. Thanks to him, abandoned on the cross, “no-one will ever again be alone in the darkness of death,” he said. More>>> |
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HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
Thursday of the Lord's Supper By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
Cardinal Re at Mass of Lord's Supper: 'Eucharist is the life and center of the Church'
Cardinal Re reflects on Our Lord’s gift of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and His sacrifice of Himself for humanity, during his homily at the Mass "In Coena Domini" ("of the Lord's Supper") at the beginning of the Easter Triduum. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presided over the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday in St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgy, known as In Coena Domini or Mass "of the Lord's Supper," commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist. During the homily, the dean of the College of Cardinals recalled the Lord’s great discourse to His disciples on the day before He made an offering of Himself to the Father for our salvation. "He loved them to the end"Cardinal Re highlighted that this Eucharist Celebration, charged with an extraordinary intensity of thought, makes us relive that evening when Christ, surrounded by His Apostles in the Cenacle, instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood, and entrusted them with the commandment of fraternal love. Holy Thursday, therefore, “reminds us of how much we have been loved,” the Cardinal explained. The Son of God gave us Himself – His Body and His Blood – the totality of His Person for our redemption. In so doing, “He loved them to the end,” Cardinal Re noted, quoting the Gospel. Jesus loved them to the point of dying an ignominious death on the Cross on Good Friday in a sign of love in the extreme – “the highest and unsurpassable degree of His capacity to love.” Precious gift of the EucharistCardinal Re went on to underline that the gift of the Sacrament of the Eucharist can only be explained because “Christ loved us and wanted to be near every one of us forever, even to the end of the world.” This precious gift, he noted, “is the gift through which Christ walks with us as light, as strength, as nourishment, as help in all the days of our history.” Moreover, the Second Vatican Council says that the liturgy “is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the font from which all her power flows"; and describes "the Eucharistic sacrifice" as “the fount and apex of the whole Christian life.” More>>> |
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SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
From early childhood, I remember Palm Sunday – there was a kind of excitement about receiving the fresh palms, followed by the somber reading of the Passion. The contrast strikes me: While the palms, in ancient times, symbolized goodness and victory, hope and triumph, the account of Jesus’ suffering and death reminds us of the price he paid for our redemption. Jesus knew that we can’t have one without the other. It is the paradox of the cross: Jesus gave his life so that we might live. For many, the past year has been like one long Good Friday, filled with discouragement, suffering, and loss. As we reflect on Jesus’ passion, the palms we carry home remain a sign of hope; we know now how the story will end. As we place our palms in a special place, let us say a prayer of thanks to Jesus and ask for the grace to renew our faith and trust in God as we enter Holy Week. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT There is a richness in the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil that are both humbling and uplifting. This time period, known as the Sacred Triduum (Latin for “three days”) is the official end of Lent, and the summit of the liturgical year. As a society, we give far more attention to the buildup and celebration of Christmas – which is not to deny its importance, of course! – and so sometimes the Triduum is not as familiar to people in both its meaning and importance. Yet, it is during these days that we most intentionally remember and celebrate the gift of our redemption; we liturgically embrace the paschal mystery of Christ: dying he destroyed our death, and rising he restored our life. We have faced a difficult year together, and we rely on each other for prayer. As we continue through this Holy Week, perhaps we can accompany each other by attending the services with one another, or at least setting aside complementary prayer time on our own. PRAY: A local Eagle Scout built a beautiful outdoor Stations of the Cross at a college campus near us. Visit your parish or outdoor stations and reflect on each one. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has excellent resources for praying the stations: www.usccb.org. |
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SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2021
Fifth Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Recent news warned of a shortage of seeds this spring, as home gardeners carry on a hobby borne of the coronavirus pandemic. Even those of us not exactly known for our green thumbs jumped in, seeing home gardens as a way not only to stock our pantries, but to sow hope during a time of isolation and, for too many, mourning. In today’s readings, we are reminded of an even larger hope – one that transcends optimism and feeling, and is centered in the theological virtue of Hope. God holds us close even on the most challenging of days. We see this in Jeremiah’s prophecy of a new covenant, where all shall know God and our sins will be washed away. And today’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus, like the grain of wheat, dies so that we may have new life. As we plant our seeds this spring, we will undoubtedly remember the people and things we have lost. Yet, as shoots break through with the warmth of spring, we can be reminded of Jesus, the source of all hope, and his promise that “I will draw everyone to myself.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT As we approach Holy Week, the Gospel prepares us by reminding us that Jesus, like a grain of wheat, must die so that we may have new life: “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” I don’t think that John is telling us to wallow in sadness or live joyless lives. Instead, perhaps he is encouraging us to “lose” those things that are not life-giving and instead focus on what draws us closer to Jesus – such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Perhaps as we continue our Lenten journey, we can identify the obstacles that get between us and Jesus, or that divide our families and communities. By letting those go, we free ourselves to be more like Christ, and to share the Good News of God’s great love for us with others. ACTION: Buy a packet of seeds (if you can find one). Plant seeds in memory of loved ones who may have died this past year, or in remembrance of any type of loss you or your loved ones may have suffered. Offer prayers of thanksgiving for Jesus, the source of our hope. |
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SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2021
Fourth Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: We all have mementoes that we treasure – a handmade Mother’s Day card, a delicate glass sculpture inherited from a relative, perhaps a fine piece of woodwork or beautifully woven quilt. We treasure them because they remind us of someone we love. Now, think about that we are God’s “handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance”! Our God, rich in mercy, rich in love, treasures us so much that he created each of us in his image and gives each of us grace – a pure, free gift. As we look in the mirror, we may be tempted to see only our imperfections. But Paul reminds us that if we look at ourselves the way God does and accept the gift of his love and grace, and cooperate with it working in us, we can live in Christ in the here and now, by extending love and mercy to others, and in eternity, in God’s loving embrace. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Reading the news and social media, the phrase in today’s Gospel that “people preferred darkness to light” seems as true now as it was in John’s time. Sinfulness and evil still cause great harm in our societies. The good news is that it is also as true for us as it was then that God sent his only Son, “not … to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Clearly, the world is a work in progress. We are a work in progress. Yet today’s readings remind us that we can choose light over darkness by accepting the gift of faith and grace that our patient and merciful God bestows on us. It doesn’t mean that we should turn off the news or avoid necessary conflict, but instead do our part to bring light to the situations we encounter. We know the kingdom of God won’t be built in a day, or even a millennium, but we take a step toward building the Kingdom when we allow God’s light to enter our hearts and then share that light with others through our witness, words, and prayer. GIVE: Choose light! Respond to a troubling event in your community or state by seeking a concrete way to help – donate to a local Catholic Charities or relief organization, or call your parish and see if you can organize a donation drive or put a message in the bulletin asking for help from generous parishioners. |
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SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2021
Third Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
We have rules in our house. Every family does. “No back talk. Do your chores. Bedtime. Curfews. Respect one another. Be kind.” Rules bring order out of chaos, forge a shared identity, and set standards to which everyone is held. Not surprisingly, life in God’s family has rules, too. Hence the Ten Commandments, which we hear today. They begin with these words: “I, the Lord, am your God.” If we miss that line, we miss the point of the rules – of the law. God’s law is about God’s love. Through his laws, God taught the Israelites a new way to live based on God’s values: humility, justice, love, sacrifice, simplicity, kindness, and mercy – values they rarely saw when enslaved in Egypt. This Lent, we give thanks to God for the law of love and we pray to grow in this love, and be strengthened in virtue. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Today’s Gospel reminds me of the time my older son once helped his younger brother understand the rules of a game we were playing. He did so by showing his own cards, which meant he would lose that round. While not done under the same circumstances, or with the same anger with which Jesus cleansed the temple, my older son did what he did for the same reason and with the same effect: love. When Jesus cleansed the temple, he did so out of love: love for God the Father, and love for those being exploited by the marketers. We have an opportunity this Lent to witness to this same love of Christ by putting the needs of others first. Sure, our kids demand our time, energy, and resources. Our spouses and parents sometimes do, too. To follow Christ means to choose to sacrifice for others with love, not simply because it has to be done. Christ infused the world with love through his sacrifice. We have the opportunity to be Christ today when we make our sacrifices out of love. ACTIONS: Read the Ten Commandments this week and imagine God giving you all the wisdom you could ever want in those rules. Think about the chaos those rules have protected you from in your life. Imagine telling your loved ones how to find happiness by following the way God guarantees will lead to joy. (Read John 3:16) |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021
Second Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Oh, the gloom! The view out my window on a typical Michigan winter day can be described as “grayscale monochrome,” a technical term for black-and-white photographs. Fortunately, the sun peeks out on occasion, providing a lovely sunrise or sunset that can lift my mood and remind me that spring will come. If such an ordinary thing can provide hope, imagine what the Transfiguration provided for the disciples who witnessed it? “His clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” And even though they were so terrified, the voice of God came from a cloud, conveying comfort and truth: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” The disciples did not know what lay ahead, but this vision of Jesus and the Father’s presence in their midst would give them hope and foretell Jesus’ glorious resurrection. As we continue on our Lenten journey, we can turn to God, who will one day transfigure us in the same way Christ was, to strengthen us through the gray days ahead. And St. Paul’s powerful words that “God is for us” add solace and encouragement. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT As Catholics, we are likely very familiar with the four Gospels, but I have to say I can’t get enough of Paul’s letters. Like a good coach, Paul encourages us to dig deep and trust God. In today’s reading, he reminds the Romans that God loves us so much that he did not spare his own Son. I’m struck by his assurance that Jesus not only died and was raised for us, but “indeed intercedes for us.” Lent is an ideal time to turn to Jesus in prayer, asking that he give us the grace to grow in faith and turn away from sin. At the same time, we can offer intercessory prayer for others, just as we do at every Mass. Perhaps as we continue our Lenten journey, we can make an extra effort to pray for the needs of other people: Those we know personally, such as friends and family members; and those whom we do not know, such as government leaders or Christians experiencing persecution in other countries. PRAY: I find that I often make prayer all about me! Yet, as the Church teaches, “in intercession, those who pray look ‘not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others,’ even to the point of praying for those who do them harm.” (CCC 2635) One way to practice intercessory prayer is to make a list and pray for the people and intentions on it once a day. For those of us who regularly pray the rosary, another practice might be to dedicate each decade to an individual in need of prayer. |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021
First Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Even amid the forced slowdown of a pandemic, distractions abound: Netflix bingeing, online shopping, even positive pursuits like home organizing and personal fitness. I confess I indulge in all of these (except for home organizing). Lent challenges me to let go of the unnecessary distractions and dare to make friends with solitude, which can be a daunting proposition because it means keeping company with my own thoughts. Jesus, our human and divine Savior, faced the desert and was tempted by Satan. But he also emerged from the desert, and announced himself and the Gospel to the people of Galilee. He goes on to accept his death on a cross for the sake of our salvation, the fulfillment of the covenant between God and his people. As we enter Lent, as we enter our desert, we pray for the fortitude to forego temptation, opening our hearts to God’s will for us, and ready to proclaim it to the world. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT What are you doing for Lent this year? I ask our kids that every Ash Wednesday around the dinner table, and one or more of us often scramble for a plan. “Umm … candy! I’ll give up candy except Snickers.” “No Netflix!” Or we take the “do good” route: “I’ll pray more.” “I’ll help with chores.” “I’ll volunteer or donate to charity.” All good things. Whatever “the plan,” however, today’s Gospel challenges me to be quiet and listen. While a plan gives us accountability and can lead to growth, sometimes less truly can be more. This year, I’d like to spend less time planning and more time listening for God’s voice in the silence, which I find personally challenging. For others, the desert may look quite different. However we decide to approach Lent, let us pray that these 40 days bring us closer to God and our lives more in line with his will for us. PRAY: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” The verse before today’s Gospel caught my attention. What can I pare away from my daily life to make room for the word of God? For those of us whose minds tend to wander when praying silently, perhaps listening to the daily readings can be a good way to start or end the day. |
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FEBRUARY 17, 2021
ASH WEDNESDAY Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2021,
February 12, 2021 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem” (Mt 20:18). Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love. Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Jesus revealed to his disciples the deepest meaning of his mission when he told them of his passion, death and resurrection, in fulfilment of the Father’s will. He then called the disciples to share in this mission for the salvation of the world. In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. At the Easter vigil, we will renew our baptismal promises and experience rebirth as new men and women by the working of the Holy Spirit. This Lenten journey, like the entire pilgrimage of the Christian life, is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of Christ. Fasting, prayer and almsgiving, as preached by Jesus (cf. Mt 6:1-18), enable and express our conversion. The path of poverty and self-denial (fasting), concern and loving care for the poor (almsgiving), and childlike dialogue with the Father (prayer) make it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope and effective charity. 1. Faith calls us to accept the truth and testify to it before God and all our brothers and sisters. In this Lenten season, accepting and living the truth revealed in Christ means, first of all, opening our hearts to God’s word, which the Church passes on from generation to generation. This truth is not an abstract concept reserved for a chosen intelligent few. Instead, it is a message that all of us can receive and understand thanks to the wisdom of a heart open to the grandeur of God, who loves us even before we are aware of it. Christ himself is this truth. By taking on our humanity, even to its very limits, he has made himself the way – demanding, yet open to all – that leads to the fullness of life. Fasting, experienced as a form of self-denial, helps those who undertake it in simplicity of heart to rediscover God’s gift and to recognize that, created in his image and likeness, we find our fulfilment in him. In embracing the experience of poverty, those who fast make themselves poor with the poor and accumulate the treasure of a love both received and shared. In this way, fasting helps us to love God and our neighbour, inasmuch as love, as Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches, is a movement outwards that focuses our attention on others and considers them as one with ourselves (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 93). Lent is a time for believing, for welcoming God into our lives and allowing him to “make his dwelling” among us (cf. Jn 14:23). Fasting involves being freed from all that weighs us down – like consumerism or an excess of information, whether true or false – in order to open the doors of our hearts to the One who comes to us, poor in all things, yet “full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14): the Son of God our Saviour. More >>> |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
While leprosy as found in Biblical times is now rare and very treatable, it is not hard to imagine the tragic consequences it had on those who were affected. They suffered physically, but also socially and emotionally: Levitical priests declared lepers unclean, banishing them from the religious community. Jesus, as he did so often, would upend these conventions in his encounter with the leper in today’s Gospel. “Moved with pity,” Jesus healed him, telling him to return to the local priest for readmittance to the community. Jesus’ model of compassion for the man is meant for us to embody. Modern culture continues to stigmatize people perceived as different – those suffering from depression and other mental illnesses, the homeless, perhaps those who struggle with cognitive disabilities – shunning them in different ways from full participation in community. To imitate Christ, as Paul alludes, is to have compassion for the needs of others – to “be moved with pity.” Let us pray for the grace to put on the mind and heart of Christ, and dignify the presence of all our brothers and sisters in our community. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I admit I was taken aback by today’s Old Testament reading: Not only were lepers banished from the religious community, but they had to announce themselves by crying out “Unclean, unclean!” Jesus changed all that. He healed the leper, encouraging him to return to the priest for readmittance. I am struck by how the leper approached Jesus. He did not demand a cure, but asked, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Although it is unlikely that any of us in the developed world will experience leprosy, we ourselves or people we know may carry inner struggles that have led to separation from the Church or a sense of isolation. In our humanity, we do not have the power to heal these maladies on our own. Instead, let us come to Jesus as the leper does, asking him, if he wills it, to heal us and our wounded world. Let us pray with confidence, knowing that Jesus in his compassion can and will make us clean and whole. REFLECT: Who are today’s lepers? What are the inner struggles or wounds that may keep us from fully participating in our parish community or have left us estranged from members of our own family? Bring these before Jesus in your own words. Call a family member you have fallen out of touch with. Invite a person who has left the Church to lunch and listen with compassion. |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I remember taking my oldest son on a tour of a technical theater program at a state university. He had been considering an IT field – he’s everyone’s go-to whenever a technical issue arises. The theater professor said, “Enroll in our program only if you can’t do anything else.” The implication was clear: Choose this field if you love it so much you can’t imagine pursuing a different career. My son tried a more practical direction, but ultimately came back to theater, where he thrived! I thought of this story when listening to Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians: He preached the Gospel because he had to – excuse the double negative, but he could not “not” share the Good News with everyone he met! Once he encountered Jesus, he willingly devoted his life to sharing the story of love and salvation to all those who he encountered – the weak and the powerful, rich and poor, saints and sinners. Let us pray that God helps us recapture the wonder the crowds must have felt in Jesus’ presence – wonder that compels us to share the Good News, too. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Wherever you happen to live, imagine “the whole town gathered at the door.” Even in the smallest of villages, that would be a big deal! So it was with Jesus, where crowds seemed to follow him wherever he went, wanting to catch a glimpse of this carpenter’s son who cured the sick and drove out demons. When the disciples found him off by himself, praying, and told him “everyone is looking for you,” Jesus tells them they need to move on to nearby villages. I sense an urgency in Mark’s account of Jesus’ movements, showing Jesus as compelled to reach as many people as possible during his public ministry. As I hear this, I think how easy it is for us Catholics to remain in our comfort zones – whether a favorite pew, the same core group of “parish friends,” or even sticking with one ministry or one Mass time. But, as Jesus shows us, preaching the Good News – witnessing to the power of God in our lives – means we cannot stand idly by. We must share this news. WITNESS: What if we tried to emulate Jesus, albeit in a small way, by reaching beyond our “circles” to greet someone new at our parish, volunteer for the first time or in a different way, or – yes – sit in a different spot! In doing so, we can challenge ourselves to “stretch” a bit and welcome others into our world. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
When was the last time you were “astonished” and “amazed”? Parents might point to the birth of their child. Space enthusiasts might recall Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. Perhaps we felt that sense of amazement the first time we saw the Grand Canyon or another natural wonder. For the people of Capernaum, Jesus had that effect. He taught with authority. He commanded an unclean spirit. In our modern society with the constant bombardment of news and social media, it can be easy to become numb to the wonder that surrounds us. Perhaps we think we’ve seen it all. Even Jesus and the words that turned ordinary people into extraordinary disciples of the early Church can be something we take for granted or only think about for 20 minutes on Sunday. Our Gospel challenges us to quiet the noise, and Paul encourages us to seek “adherence to the Lord without distraction.” Let us pray that the Lord rekindles our faith, so that we may hear his words again as if for the first time and engage ourselves anew in living according to his teachings. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT It is very hard to keep exciting news to ourselves. We have an innate desire to share important information and extraordinary events with those whom we love. It could be the call to parents to announce an engagement. Or perhaps telling a friend that you have landed a job or been accepted to college. While these milestones are significant, they pale in comparison to what Jesus has done for us. Through him, we have experienced God’s love, mercy, and redemption, not to mention the direction and means to attain a good life: on earth and with him forever in heaven. Why not share that Good News as well? We don’t have to stand on a street corner to be effective. We can simply let our faith lives enter our conversations, just as our work and other interests do. It could be as simple as, “our priest said something Sunday that really stuck with me,” or “I just finished a remarkable book about Dorothy Day.” As we begin to talk about our faith and listen to others share their insights, we not only grow closer to one another, but can grow in faith together. WITNESS: Today’s psalm struck a chord: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Next Sunday, make a conscious effort to listen to the readings and music with an open heart (and ears). If something strikes you, consider sharing that with others – be it around the dinner table, on a walk with friends, or during a video call. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
On first hearing, Jonah’s warning to the city of Nineveh seems a bit extreme for my modern ears: Get your act together in 40 days or your city will be destroyed! Yet, rather than panic or rail against him, the people believed and turned away from evil. We hear a similar theme in Mark’s Gospel: “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Listening to the readings today, I hear these words not as a threat but as an invitation to get our lives back on track. We may not don sackcloth like the people of Nineveh, but we may need to fast from the distractions and skewed priorities that prevent us from loving God and one another. With the psalmist, we pray, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I never understood why the middle-school track coach had my son, the shortest kid on the team, run hurdles. I’d shut my eyes and cringe a bit when he’d approach each one, occasionally catching his toe but fearlessly pressing forward. Sometimes the Christian life can feel that way – while I’ve never tried hurdles, I’m known to trip on the slightest crack in a sidewalk. Likewise, I often trip up on the path to becoming a better person – blurting out unkind words, spending more time online shopping than praying … well, I won’t make you cringe by oversharing my “sin list.” In today’s readings, the Lord invites us to repent – to turn away from bad habits and choices. By turning to the Lord, we can overcome the obstacles that hold us back from living our Gospel values and sharing them with others through the witness of our lives. INVITE: Through the sacrament of reconciliation, the Church offers us a standing invitation to experience God’s unconditional love and mercy. Whether you go regularly or it’s been awhile, consider participating in the sacrament and inviting others to do the same. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Have you ever seen The Good Place? While clearly not theologically accurate, it is a thought-provoking Netflix comedy that focuses on four good but flawed characters who meet in the afterlife. I can relate to the character of Chidi, who strives to live a moral life but is crippled by indecisiveness. Do I buy the brown shoes or the black ones? Should I order the salad or the salmon? And I still can’t decide on a career! So I’m amazed at John and the disciples in today’s Gospel. John immediately recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God. Hearing this, do the disciples ask for a second opinion or draw up a pros and cons list? Nope. They follow him. They recognize the Messiah and act. Their response of faith challenges me to think less and do more, to worry less and pray more. We may not see Jesus in his human form walking by, but we can see his image in others, and hear him through the Scriptures and at Mass. Let us pray for the grace to respond wholeheartedly. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Everyone loves an invitation, though perhaps we’ve forgotten what those are like during these months of pandemic. Today’s readings remind me that, pandemic notwithstanding, we all have a standing invitation from God; it’s up to us to respond. When Samuel heard God’s voice in the night, he listened. In today’s responsorial psalm, we hear, “Here I am Lord; I come to do your will.” And the Gospel tells us how the disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus. Through prayer, we, too can listen for God’s voice and respond. And, just as Eli realized God was calling Samuel and John encouraged the disciples, we can accompany others. By sharing our experience and inviting others to share the way Jesus has spoken to them, we can encourage one another as we seek to turn our lives over to God. STUDY: Many of us slow down a bit during these wintry months after the holidays. Why not use our “down time” to listen to God’s word, not only by attending Mass in-person or online, but through popular apps like iMissal and Word on Fire. Invite friends to do the same and then hold each other accountable by initiating an online group to discuss each week's readings. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 First Week in Ordinary Time
The Baptism of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Those of us who are parents or godparents remember fondly the day of our child or godchild’s baptism. I remember feeling the warmth from the congregation and from extended family and friends as they joined us in welcoming our beloved infant into Christ’s Church. The smell of the chrism from the anointing of his head with oil, and the sound of the flowing waters served as visceral reminders of our precious child’s birth into new, divine life with Jesus. Today, as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we give thanks to Jesus, who at his baptism immersed himself into the enormous weight of humanity’s sinfulness [while of course remaining sinless himself]. Marking the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus’ baptism is the foundation for our own, inviting us to become God’s own sons and daughters “in whom he is well pleased.” Just as the Spirit descended upon Jesus and anointed him, the Spirit descends on us at our baptism, empowering us to follow Jesus’ example and build up the kingdom of God. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Water and oil are two of the symbols of baptism, a third is the white garment [sometimes a bib placed over a small child] worn by the one being baptized. I know of a pastoral associate who embroiders the name and date of baptism on the white garments of every child or infant baptized at her large parish. As we read in the catechism, “The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has ‘put on Christ,’ has risen with Christ.” (1243) Gratitude is the proper disposition to thinking about our baptism, and the ones who brought us to it. How might our lives be different, and richer, if each morning, as we dress for the day, we pray in gratitude for the ability, and what it means, to, “put on Christ” in our daily lives? ACT: Express gratitude. Are your parents and godparents still alive? If so, call them or send a card thanking them for their presence at your baptism, and assure them of your prayers. If they are not alive, perhaps think of one or two people who have been there for you in your life as instruments of God’s grace. And then extend your gratitude to them. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2021
The Epiphany of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
The Christmas tree has become a fire hazard, shedding needles everywhere. The kids have cast aside their new toys. Perhaps we’ve overspent this holiday season and are vaguely anxious about the bills. The bookmark in our Advent devotional is stuck at Dec. 9, and we’ve already blown a couple New Year’s resolutions. And yet, the words of prophet Isaiah shake us out of our doldrums: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you … Raise your eyes and look about.” Freed from the busyness of the holiday season, we get a kind of do-over. Even on the grayest of winter days, Christ’s light breaks through in this new year and presents new opportunities to open ourselves to the activity of the Holy Spirit acting in our lives. Let us pray for the grace to recognize it. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I love the feast of the Epiphany because I went into labor with my oldest son that night; he came into the world on a rainy, blustery Monday morning in 1998. I remember the joy my healthy baby boy brought to me and my husband, his grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins. Imagine the joy the Wise Men must have felt when they followed that star and saw baby Jesus for the first time! They praised the Christ Child with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. God still dwells among us today, and the Light of Christ beckons us all to follow it. As we bless our homes this Epiphany and pray, “May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love,” let us witness to God’s presence in our homes and in our hearts by offering Christ our very own gifts – of our lives and our abiding faith in him. PRAY The Blessing of the Home and Household: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.” |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Remember when COVID-19 first either forced us together or apart last spring? For most people, this meant a radical change in our family’s usual circumstances. Perhaps we’ve had too much togetherness? Or we’ve been kept apart? Whatever our experience, the Feast of the Holy Family in the midst of the Christmas season is a poignant reminder that families are the bedrock of our faith; a domestic Church; the primary transmitter of the faith. Jesus, God’s promise fulfilled for us, both fully human and fully divine, was born into a human family. We are to imitate the Holy Family through sacrificial love for one another. Sirach speaks of the honor and respect that children and parents must have for one another. And while we are not divine, we can celebrate the Divine presence in our midst, as Simeon did in today’s Gospel, when he said: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I like to joke that at times, lately, it seems that our family is “apart together.” My husband takes the family-room sectional, my teen sons hunker down in their rooms, and I grab the swivel chair in the living room. And so we instituted “Forced Family Fun” Sundays, albeit with mixed success. Yet, these activities make a difference. They remind us how to be family. Today, as we honor the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, let us take a moment to remember that all families are called to be holy. Families are meant to be refuges of unity and peacefulness in an imperfect, sometimes harsh world. As members of a family, we are called to be patient and kind with one another. Let us pray for the grace to emulate the Holy Family. Like us, they certainly faced their challenges and disappointments, and yet they listened to God’s voice in their lives and followed his will. Pray to Mary and St. Joseph for their intercession, and trust in the presence of God in your family. STUDY: Extra-credit opportunity! The Church gives us several options for the readings for the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Quiet your mind and heart and read them all. See what insights the Holy Spirit may have in store for you and your family. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: During Advent, we await the One who is perfect grace, light, and joy. The Christ Child’s arrival during a time when darkness has been increasing each day, and our anticipation of that arrival, emphasize his salvific role. For if even the smallest light is a glimmer of hope in the night, how much more is Christ’s perfect and all-consuming light a life-saving flare in the darkness of sin and death. As we hear the angel Gabriel say of Christ, in his visitation to Mary: “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High … and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Emmanuel, God with us, is the reason for our hope, and the reason for our joy. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I don’t know about you, but despite my best intentions, I have been known to get a little swallowed up in the commercialism of Christmas. But this last week of Advent feels like a chance to reorder my mind and heart. One way to do this is by focusing on the “O Antiphons,” prayed during the Church’s evening prayer from December 17-23. Each antiphon begins with the word “O,” and is followed by a title for the Messiah, found in Scripture, and a petition for him to come and save his people. Although this may sound overly complicated, you most likely know of these without realizing it: they have been transposed into the verses of the hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Today’s first reading speaks of David, who thought he could build a place for God to dwell, but he can't. Instead, for us, whom God created and fashioned in his own image, God created a dwelling for his Son, so that he might enter into our human history as one of us; and in doing so, dwell among us and within us forever. Come, Lord Jesus. INVITE: When lighting the final candle on your Advent wreath, invite your family to help you make the prayer interactive. Focus on the lesser-known verses of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, such as the one below – it is an ancient prayer still very relevant today. O King of the Nations O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of humankind; O bid our sad divisions cease, And be for us our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020
Third Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
The prophet’s words in the Book of Isaiah are bursting with hope: “The Lord ... has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord.” As we enter the third week of Advent, these words may resonate more deeply for many of us as we look back on 2020. We know that for many of the world’s people, struggle can be an everyday reality; however, after this year marked by pandemic, mourning, racial injustice, and mounting unemployment, the prophet’s hope-filled words may hit home more acutely. Regardless of what 2020 has been like for us, Advent is a reminder that we have reason for hope: in Emmanuel, God with us. Let us prepare our hearts and our minds for Christ’s coming through prayer, confident that the Lord will fulfill the promises of the prophet. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Light! Here in the Midwest in December we don’t see nearly enough of it. Every year I consider purchasing a “happy lamp” and vow to “up” my Vitamin D intake. Perhaps that’s why I was taken by the line in today’s Gospel describing John the Baptist: “He came … to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” As predicted by John the Baptist and the prophet, Christ came to dwell among us, and remains within us through the Eucharist and the working of the Holy Spirit. We, like John the Baptist, can “testify to the light” by sharing Christ’s presence through our witness to others. WITNESS Last week we focused on making God’s kindness visible through our words and actions toward the people with whom we live and interact regularly; this week, let our witness focus on testifying to the light in our digital presence and encounters. Make your words be those that foster hope and promise rather than incite division. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020
Second Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
For kids, the weeks before Christmas seem to drag on forever; for many adults, they zip by way too fast (“Second week of Advent, already? Oh my!”). Fortunately for us, God is outside of time – he does not experience the temporal moments as we do. “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day,” Peter writes. “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard ‘delay,’ but he is patient with you.” Just as we have the Advent season to prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, God gives us ample time to repent of our sins and grow in “holiness and devotion” as we prepare for his Second Coming. During this rich liturgical season of Advent, let us help prepare the way of the Lord through our words and actions. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Preparation. Preparedness. We use these words in Advent to mark our patient waiting for Jesus to come into our world. But while we are waiting, it is fitting to remember Peter’s question in the second reading: “What sort of persons ought you to be?” That is not simply an Advent question. And the answer is relevant to all days and times of life: Conduct yourselves with “holiness and devotion.” Right living and loving God and neighbor never go out of style. They are the answer to everything. Make wise choices. And, like John the Baptist, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” And perhaps one day, we can be transformed into the people God created us to be. WITNESS Today’s psalmist prays: “Lord, let us see your kindness.” This Advent, be conscientious about your everyday interactions with the people around you, making God’s kindness visible and known to them. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Sometimes I grow nostalgic for the laid-back Advents of my childhood: making a list for Santa, digging into the perforated cardboard Advent calendar for chocolate for breakfast, and lighting the Advent wreath (fire!) each Sunday. We all know, however, that the season can quickly become usurped by things to do – shopping, family, cleaning, etc. Today’s readings remind us that this is not what Advent is about. The tone in our Scriptures which begin the Advent season is not subtle. Isaiah asks God to return, to “rend the heavens and come down” – to save and deliver his people. The psalm is equally adamant: “Lord, make us turn to you.” We, as a Church, are waiting for the fullness of the Kingdom on earth, and we must prepare. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I’m a cradle Catholic, but for me, Advent was always about waiting to celebrate the birth of Christ. I love pulling out the Nativity scene and lighting the candles each week leading to the celebration of Christ’s birth. Only in recent years have I grown in awareness of the dual meaning of Advent – that we Christians also are waiting for Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. I admit, it’s always seemed to me something far into the future and perhaps not applicable to my lifetime here on earth. However, as Jesus reminds us in the Gospel, “You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.” And while this is true, it not something to fear, but something to prepare for and look forward to! We wait in joyful hope, asking for the grace to remain faithful to our baptism and to live in a way that makes Christ’s presence known to others. STUDY Remember the pre-pandemic holidays? Chances are, you’ve got some extra time on your hands this season. Why not use it to take a deeper dive into Advent this year, by participating in an online Bible study or reading and praying with the Scriptures each day of Advent. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2020
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Ez 34:11-12, 15-17 | 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28 | Mt 25:31-46
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE Today, we acknowledge and celebrate Christ the King. It’s hard to put this royal image together with today’s Gospel passage, where Jesus is not asking to be treated like a king, but rather instructing us to perform merciful deeds for the least of his brothers and sisters. Yet it is the perfect follow-on to the previous three Sundays’ Scriptures, where Jesus tells us what it means to live a life of holiness, preparation, and faithful investment in the Kingdom. Now we see what awaits those of us who turn over our lives to him, seeing the face of Jesus in the least among us – the poor, the imprisoned, the thirsty, the stranger. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I confess that judgment day readings scare me a little. Some days I behave more like a “goat” than a “sheep.” Side note: After a deep dive into the Internet (did you know that sheep have 54 chromosomes and goats have 60?), I’ve concluded that Jesus isn’t talking about farm animals here. He’s talking about us humans and the choices we make or don’t make through sins of omission. The list seems endless if I focus on all the things I could be doing to help others each and every day. Yet, rather than getting caught up in fear or guilt, today’s readings encourage me, and remind me, that Jesus has told us what we need to do to be counted as “sheep” on the last day. ACTIONS: • Choose one corporal work of mercy today and act on it. What does it look like to “visit the sick”? Donate blood; make food for someone who isn’t feeling well; check in on an elderly neighbor. • Do you know some “sheep” – people who radiate faith and kindness to others? Just as you might network with a professional in your field, invite that person out for coffee. Ask them about their faith and how it inspires them in their daily lives. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Prv 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31 | 1 Thes 5: 1-6 | Mt 25:14-30
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I’m bemused by the servant in today’s Gospel who basically buries the single talent that was entrusted to him. (A talent was an ancient measuring unit of weight for silver and gold.) Meanwhile, the other two wisely invested the talents entrusted to them, and doubled their money. Building on last week’s Gospel which showed those who were prepared to meet the bridegroom were invited into the wedding feast, this parable challenges us to realize that the invitation to the feast is the beginning, not the end. We are not to rest comfortably with what we have been given – the gift of faith – but to invest in the Kingdom, and to build on that gift of faith. For example, we may have a palpable experience of God’s presence at a retreat or through Eucharistic adoration. However, if that goes no further than being buried as a memory or feel-good experience, we are no better than the wicked, lazy servant. Faith is a gift intended to be put into practice and shared. When we invest in it through the sacraments, serving others, and reading the Scriptures, our faith will continue to grow. PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT So, I’m a bit of a hoarder. I cling to mementoes of days past, whether it’s my son’s first plastic Playskool vacuum (sold at a garage sale by my husband, but that’s another story), a book given to me by a friend, or a treasured letter. I admit I relate to the servant who buried his money for fear he’d lose it. Sometimes I think I cling to memories – relationships and experiences that are important to me – and fail to invest in what makes those memories valuable. A similar dynamic can happen with our faith and our friendship with Jesus. We can go through the motions without giving it much thought. Today’s Gospel challenges us to seek opportunities to grow in our faith and “make new memories” with Jesus – to invest in building the kingdom of God, whether that’s inviting a friend to Mass, returning to the Eucharist ourselves, or spending more time with Scripture. By putting our faith into action in this way, we cannot only grow in our faith, but invite others to come along with us on the journey. ENCOUNTER Find a Eucharistic adoration chapel near you and spend some time with Christ. Thank Jesus for the blessings in your life. Bring him your needs. Ask Jesus to give you his grace that you might grow in union with him. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Wis 6:12-16 | 1 Thes 4:13-18 or 4:13-14 | Mt 25:1-13
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Google is a mixed blessing for me. One time, it helped me figure out I had a medical emergency and needed to get to the ER pronto! But a glance at my search history reveals that 99 out of 100 times that I’m searching for wisdom of some sort, I’m searching for things like “meatless Monday recipes,” “best long-run shoes,” or “living room paint colors” (plus 12 variations on each theme). This recognition came to mind when I listened to the words of our first reading. “She [Wisdom] is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” Hearing this reminds me to spend less time Googling and more time searching for what really matters – God’s love, goodness, and wisdom. The Gospel story of the virgins keeping vigil for the bridegroom expands on this, for it is the wise who are most prepared to sustain their watch. PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Like many people, I have a bookshelf full of self-help books – guides to parenting, figuring out the color of my parachute, various diets, the magic of “tidying up.” Today’s readings have me wondering whether these well-meaning efforts to become “the best version of myself,” or plumb the meaning of life, miss the point. After all, as today’s readings remind us, the source of all wisdom is right before us, in the person of Jesus. We don’t have to have all the answers, we just need to know where to look, and to have the patience and wherewithal to be prepared to receive it. By studying the Scripture and opening our eyes to the presence of God in others and even in the challenges we face, we can grow closer to Jesus and be ready to meet the bridegroom when he comes. REFLECT Read and pray today’s responsorial psalm. (Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020
SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Rv 7:2-4, 9-14 | 1 Jn 3:1-3 | Mt 5:1-12A
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
In journalism school, a professor admonished future reporters: “Show, don’t tell.” In other words, don’t start a story with a generality such as: “It was a nice day.” Instead, be specific: “The sun shone through the clouds and the air had a hint of the first snow.” This Sunday, we hear Jesus not only tell us, but show us through the poetic language of the beatitudes what holiness looks like. As if that weren’t enough, we celebrate All Saints’ Day, honoring those holy men and women (known and unknown) in heaven whose lives exemplified the beatitudes. Jesus and the saints remind us that we cannot do it alone; we need God’s help to live “blessed” lives. With God’s grace, we, too, can aspire to holiness and sainthood. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT In his apostolic letter on the call to holiness, Pope Francis reminds us that the beatitudes are not simply platitudes. “Let us allow his words to unsettle us, to challenge us and to demand a real change in the way we live,” he writes. “Otherwise, holiness will remain no more than an empty word.” (Gaudete et Exsultate 66) He points out that we cannot do it alone, but only with the help of the Holy Spirit, who can free us from those stumbling blocks that may hold us back. Strengthened through prayer and the Eucharist, the road to holiness begins by putting one step in front of another – whether that means reordering our priorities, being more patient with our children, friends, or spouse — or aspiring to be what Pope Francis calls the saints next door: “Those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence.” (GE 7) REFLECT Read the section on the beatitudes in Chapter 3 of Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis’ 2018 apostolic letter on the call to holiness. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us become the saints “next door” to those we encounter in our daily lives. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Ex 22:20-26 | 1 Thes 1:5C-10 | Mt 22:34-40
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
In today’s Gospel, Jesus has just silenced one group of religious leaders, the Sadducees (which seems to be quite a feat, if we look at their behavior in the Scripture!) and is now speaking to another group of religious leaders, the Pharisees. Jesus says that the greatest commandment in all the law is actually two: love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul; and love your neighbor as yourself. These two groups of religious leaders like to test him a lot, and while I might want to tell people like them to take a hike, Jesus never does. He always speaks the truth to them, in love, even if he is frustrated with their behavior. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Sometimes it’s hard to see how three particular readings fit together on a Sunday, but I was struck by how well these do. The first reading, listing ways that we should not behave, can easily be summed up as: love your neighbor as yourself. We all are, or have been, some form of what the Lord mentions: an outsider (alien), vulnerable (widow/orphan), in financial need (loan recipient), or requiring some other assistance (needing a cloak). How do we want others to treat us in those times? Then we should behave the same. It seems like the Thessalonians understood this, for Paul praises them for being a model for other believers. They have a reputation for being truly loving; of turning to God from idols, and serving him. We can be discouraged by our human failings, as all of us living in lockdown/quarantine these recent months know. It may not take much to set us off. But this is where God’s grace can help us to speak truth in love, and be a model for those around us. ACTIONS Reflect on any obstacles to truly loving God with full heart, mind, and soul. Then think creatively about how to love God, and in turn others. • How I can love God with my whole heart? After spending time in prayer, write down how you see God in your family and friends. And then go tell them! • How I can love God with my whole mind? Use “online time” to engage with a faith-related website such as Bishop Barron’s wordonfire.org, or follow Pope Francis on Twitter. • How I can love God with my soul? Pray the litany of humility. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2020
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Is 45:1, 4-6 | 1 Thes 1:1-5B | Mt 22:15-21
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I took up distance running some years ago, thanks largely to a group of friends who encouraged me along the way. We’d share the peaks and valleys of our lives as we tackled rolling hills. Those long runs come to mind when I hear Paul give thanks to the Thessalonians for having “endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul here speaks of hope in Jesus – a hope that has the risen Christ as its foundation, and is central to the Christian life. When I think of what lies at the end of a long run, such as water and blissful rest, and how grateful I am for these simple pleasures, I cannot help but rejoice in the hope that St. Paul refers to today. Our catechism makes it clear: “We firmly believe, and hence we hope that, just as Christ is truly risen from the dead and lives forever, so after death the righteous will live forever with the risen Christ and he will raise them up on the last day.” (989) GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT During a particularly challenging time, I confided in a close friend over the phone. She didn’t just offer to pray for me, she actually prayed with me on that phone call. I don’t recall her exact words, but she called on Jesus to help me trust that God would see me through. So often, it can be hard to find the words to encourage others in their faith. When that happens, why not bring Jesus into the conversation? It may seem awkward at first, but offering to pray with another person in real time can be a powerful witness and encouragement. As Christians, we don’t rely on “hoping” that everything will work out in the end; instead, we know that our hope is in Christ Jesus. As the catechism says: “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness.” (1817) It doesn’t get much more direct than that. Reflect on what “hope” looks like for us as Christians. And then tell a friend about it. DID YOU KNOW? The source of our second reading today, the First Letter from Paul to the Thessalonians, contains the earliest mention within Christian literature of the three theological virtues: “faith, hope and love.” Reread today’s passage, and then read 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8. In prayer, we can ask God to help us grow in all three virtues and show us ways to share them with others. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Is 25:6-10A | Phil 4:12-14, 19-20 | Mt 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I would guess we’ve all experienced lean times along with better times. Ramen noodles and boxed mac and cheese in college, fine dining with “rich food and choice wines” once we got real jobs, then back to pizza and beer when balancing school tuition, car payments, and kids’ growing feet. Paul has seen it all and much worse; after all, he is writing from a prison cell! Yet, rather than focus on his own troubles, he expresses gratitude for the support of the Philippians and assures them that God will provide. Paul is not writing about food, fine wine, or financial security, but the “glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” No matter our circumstances, we, too, can trust that God will give us what we need. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Imagine Paul, stuck in a prison cell – hungry, thirsty, and probably in pain. And yet he seeks to bolster the Philippian Church, assuring them, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me,” and thanking them: “Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.” What a powerful faith, and a witness to gratitude of God’s gifts – including the gift of people who love us. I’ve been fortunate to have met people who, facing a chronic disease, the loss of a loved one, or physical challenges, still seem to be looking out for everyone else. Nearly to a person, they say they draw on their faith – and I’ve had the rare opportunity to hear their stories as an editor for a Catholic magazine. They inspire me to keep talking to God every day, so when that next challenge comes – and it will – I, too, can turn to my faith for strength. And it doesn’t stop there. By our example, we can accompany those around us as they carry their burdens, assuring them that they don’t face their trials alone. PRAY St. Paul says: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Keep a gratitude journal and write down the ways God has provided for you. Thank God, and then reach out and thank the people who have supported you when things got tough. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Is 5:1-7 | Phil 4:6-9 | Mt 21:33-43
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Have you ever had that feeling that all is right with the world? Perhaps it’s the cool breeze on a crisp fall day, holding a newborn baby for the first time, or watching your friends or family enjoying each other’s company around the dinner table. These are grace-filled moments that bring to mind St. Paul’s words today which speak of “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” It can be all too easy to lose sight of them amid the stresses of daily life and a news feed dominated by negativity and catastrophic events. Paul, never one to shy away from taking a stand, is not asking us to bury our heads in the sand, however. His Letter to the Philippians encourages us to “have no anxiety at all,” and turn our thoughts to “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious.” In doing so, we can not only counter the negativity, but persevere in faith as we confront the challenges of 2020. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Paul goes on to say, in that same reading: “Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.” I think Paul just offered us the secret to a happy life! Allow this passage to speak to you today. Allow God’s peace to permeate your heart and calm the unrest that can so easily creep in these days. And then pray that you can be the true, honorable, and gracious presence in another’s life. Send this passage to a friend who may be hurting in some way, and invite him/her to think of a time recently when they felt the presence of God, the peace of God, in their life. And then offer to accompany them in their struggles – walk beside them and encourage them to “think about these things” that are excellent or worthy of praise. PRAY Focus on the encouragement of St. Paul’s words today and pray Psalms 100, 136, and 148. Pray these sacred hymns of praise and thanksgiving, and then suggest that you pray them together with your friend. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Ez 18:25-28 | Phil 2:1-11 or 2:1-5 | Mt 21:28-32
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I’ve always had a bit of a recalcitrant streak. Ask me to do something, and I’ll happily oblige. Order me to do something, and I’ll set my jaw. So, I can relate to the first son’s knee-jerk reply when told (not asked) to work in the vineyard. “I will not.” Yet, despite this initial reaction, the first son obeyed his father’s command. He “changed his mind and went.” I didn’t see it at first, but this parable is not about a clash of wills but obedience – not blind obedience, but choosing to turn over our lives to the will of the Father. The longer version of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians illustrates this beautifully, challenging us to imitate Jesus: “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” As human beings, we have the freedom to choose to place God’s will and the needs of others before our own. It doesn’t mean being a doormat, but rather having a healthy humility and willingness to “change our minds (and hearts)” to better conform to the example of Jesus. As the catechism reminds us in this gem about obedience: “The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just.” (1733) GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Have you ever kicked a bad habit, such as eating too many sweets, falling down the social media rabbit hole, or failure to floss? I’ve occasionally pulled it off (well, for a few days anyway), but I find it’s much tougher to change habits of my mind and heart. In today’s Gospel, the first son changes his mind, and his heart. This is what Jesus asks of us as well: a change of heart and mind toward love and obedience, wherever it is needed in our lives. For starters, it could mean taking a few moments to pray for guidance each morning before jumping full-speed ahead into our personal agenda. We can ask God to show us how to align our lives more closely with his will for us – through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and reflecting on areas in our lives that need an overhaul. Our “yes” to working in the vineyard begins by attending to what God has shown us, and leads us to even greater freedom in Christ. PRAY Need a spiritual jump-start? Pray the Daily Examen, an ancient practice from St. Ignatius Loyola of peacefully reflecting on the events of the day in order to detect the presence of God’s Spirit and discern his will for you. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Is 55:6-9 | Phil 1:20C-24; 27A | Mt 20:1-16A
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Today’s parable about the workers in the vineyard reminds me of a popular paraphrase of a famous Theodore Roosevelt quote, “Envy is the thief of joy.” No matter how much or how little we have, we can find someone who appears better off or happier, or appears to have received more than they deserve. Take, for example, the vineyard workers in today’s Gospel. Those who arrived first for work were upset and envious, because the last to arrive were the first to be paid – and they were paid the same wages as those who had been first to arrive. Envy robbed the all-day workers of joy: joy in a job well-done and being paid the just wage due to them; joy in celebrating the generosity of the landowner, and of living in the kingdom of heaven begun here on earth, content with and grateful for everything God has provided for each one of us. Although envy may indeed be the thief of joy, joy can be ours when we appreciate what we have and quit comparing ourselves to others. It also frees us to share our gifts and truly walk with others through the ups and downs of our lives as we work together in God’s vineyard. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Today’s parable has me thinking: When I feel envious of another’s good fortune (sparkling clean house, teenaged boys who smile for photos), perhaps one way to counter that would be to talk through those feelings with God: “Help me be content with what I have. Thank you for the ways you have blessed my friends and me, and for the people in my life who hold me up in good times and bad.” Just as the landowner was generous with the laborers, and God is immensely generous with us, let us make an effort this week to be generous in sharing the gifts in our lives with others. When we radiate gratitude and joy in our daily lives as Jesus’ disciples, and let the Holy Spirit work through us in leading others to him, our witness to others will bear much fruit. ACTION Make a list of the gifts in our lives: Health, family, sparkly new earrings, a shiny lawn mower, you name it. Next, choose a “gift” you can share with others, and be specific: “I will make a card for Grandma today.” “I will donate (fill in the blank) to the food and clothing pantry on Monday.” “I will volunteer to be a greeter at Mass every other Sunday.” |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE Ez 33:7-9 | Rom 13:8-10 | Mt 18:15-20
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Pop quiz: What’s the Seventh Commandment? Can you recite the other nine? At first glance, Paul’s Letter to the Romans seems like an easy out. The commandments, he writes, “are summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Easy-peasy, right? Well, in this case the devil is not in the details, but in the totality. Most days, loving one’s neighbor as yourself is harder than following the letter of the law. It means putting others first in a culture where rugged individualism is rewarded. In an everyday way, it means letting the person with four items and 23 coupons go in front of us at the grocery store, listening with an open mind to those with whom we disagree, or driving our parent to the doctor’s office on a day we had hoped to attend our daughter’s basketball game. When those situations come up, we know we don’t have to go it alone. After all, God loved us first. As we move into the week ahead, we can ask God in prayer to open our hearts and minds to the needs of others, and help us love better by serving them, even when it’s hard. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Who doesn’t love a romantic comedy? (Well, I can name four men of varying ages in my household.) Paul might have been one of them. His Letter to the Romans is more head than heart, grounded in rock-solid logic: “Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” The line reminds me of one of the most famous tenets of the Hippocratic Oath: “First, do no harm.” Surely, on some days, “doing no evil” or “doing no harm” may feel like enough. But as Christians, we can do so much more. I’m reminded of a generous couple who would pray together each morning asking God to show them how they could best help others. They understood the message of today’s Gospel, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Knowing that Jesus was at their side, they prepared to face whatever the day brought them. Is there someone this week you can accompany on their faith journey, or invite to join you in Christian service? PRAY By starting the day with a simple prayer like this: “God, show me how I can serve others today,” or “God, open my heart to the needs around me,” we may be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities to grow in love that we encounter. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE Jer 20:7-9 | Rom 12:1-2 | Mt 16:21-27
ROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I missed baseball this past spring and early summer. Perhaps it’s because I am a Cubs fan, but I’m amazed at how humbling the game can be. It’s not uncommon to see yesterday’s MVP strike out with the bases loaded or an ace relief pitcher blow a save. I wonder if that’s how Peter felt when Jesus rebuked him. In last week’s Gospel, Peter recognizes Jesus as the Son of the Living God. Jesus blesses him and tells him, “Upon this rock I will build my Church.” However, today, after Jesus tells the disciples that he must suffer and die, Peter argues with him. Jesus knocks Peter down a few notches when he calls the would-be rock “an obstacle.” But the winning line here is: “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Imagine how incomprehensible it was to Peter that Jesus would suffer, die, and rise on the third day. Like Peter, we will have days when we “get it right” and feel in sync with Jesus, and days when we feel like we’re chasing the ball in the sun, and yesterday’s peace and certainty seem out of reach. In both instances, Jesus reminds us that God really does know best. Whether we’re at the top of our game or struggling, it’s reassuring to know that God is our rock – and has a plan. GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE GO: Sometimes my prayers get pretty specific. Please make the chemo obliterate my friend’s cancer. Help my husband find a job. Show my son which career path he should choose and help him succeed. When I’m not making God an oncologist, recruiter, or career counselor, I am known to ask him to be a divine meteorologist (Please no rain tomorrow, thank you!). There is nothing wrong with asking for what we desire, or need. But today’s Gospel alerts us of the temptation to tell God how to be God. For Peter, it was saying, “Surely you need not suffer and die.” Jesus reminds Peter, and us, that we don’t know how best to accomplish our salvation. God does. And so, in our prayers and our approach to life, we can ask for God’s healing and help, but we also need to trust in God’s plan and understand that his answers may not be what we have in mind. PRAY/REFLECT: It’s OK to bring God our to-do list! I’m reminded, however, of a spiritual director who suggested I try to talk less and listen more. It may mean carving out some quiet time each time we pray. Another way to give ourselves over to God’s wisdom is by simply reciting the Our Father and paying close attention to the words: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” |
Grow+Go Introduction
This week, we are introducing Grow+Go, content designed to help parishioners understand what it means to be an evangelizing disciple of Christ. Using the Sunday Scriptures as the basis for reflection, Grow+Go offers insight into how we can all more fully GROW as disciples and then GO evangelize, fulfilling Christ's Great Commission to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) The concept behind the weekly series is to make discipleship and evangelization simple, concrete and relatable. Look for Grow+Go in our weekly bulletin and on our parish website.
This week, we are introducing Grow+Go, content designed to help parishioners understand what it means to be an evangelizing disciple of Christ. Using the Sunday Scriptures as the basis for reflection, Grow+Go offers insight into how we can all more fully GROW as disciples and then GO evangelize, fulfilling Christ's Great Commission to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) The concept behind the weekly series is to make discipleship and evangelization simple, concrete and relatable. Look for Grow+Go in our weekly bulletin and on our parish website.
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