August 7, 2016

19th Sun., Ordinary Time

August 7, 2016:  Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time


  • 'Eyeball' pin:  The Lord's eyes are on those who fear and hope in him. ps
  • 'Star' tie pin:  From Abraham came descendants as numerous as the stars 2
  • 'Heart' pin:  Where your treasure is, there will your heart be (gospel)
  • NEW 'Clock' pin:  If the master had known the hour when the thief was coming... (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

Listen

  • Face to faith/ Patti [but please pronounce it 'reecreates'] (2nd reading)
Pope Francis
Angelus:  In today's Gospel Jesus tells the disciples to work for the kingdom of God and store up treasure in heaven, then goes on to relate three vigilance-themed parables about the Second Coming.  The unexpected return of the Master, the thief in the night, and the behavior of the steward in the wake of his Master’s departure all point us to the need for watchfulness, awareness, and attention to our duty and tireless solicitude for others in charity, as we await the Lord.  Jesus reminds us that the expectation of heaven doesn't dispense us from our responsibility to work for a more just and habitable world.  Our hope of possessing the Kingdom encourages us to improve conditions here, especially those of the weakest.
At Archbishop's residence:  Friday we remember Jesus' death.  So many are suffering:  the sick, those at war, the homeless, the hungry, those with doubts, the unhappy....  Jesus suffers in sick children; there's no answer to why...  And how much pain and cruelty we cause!  Even today we torture people and wage war.  Jesus came to take us on his shoulders.  We pray for all the Jesuses in the world:  the hungry, the thirsty, doubters, the sick, the burdened, tortured people, prisoners treated like animals....  We all have the weight of our sins, but Jesus loves us!....
Read
  • Wis 18:6-9  Our ancestors knew about passover in advance and so had courage.  Your people awaited salvation.  In punishing our adversaries you glorified us.
  • Ps 33:1, 12, 18-22  "Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own."  The Lord looks on those who fear and hope in him, to deliver and preserve them.  We wait....

  • Heb 11:1-2, 8-19  Faith is the realization of hope, the evidence of things unseen.  By faith Abraham obeyedhe went out, received power to generate, and produced countless descendants.  Many died in faith without having received what was promised, but they saw it from afar; they desired the heavenly homeland God prepared for them.  By faith Abraham offered up Isaac, reasoning that God could raise the dead....
  • Lk 12:32-48  “Fear no more; your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.   Sell your belongings and give alms.  Provide indestructible treasure in heaven; your heart will be where your treasure is.  Be like servants ready to open the door when the master knocks; blessed the ones he finds vigilant.   Be prepared; the Son of Man will come when you don't expect him.  The master will put the faithful steward in charge of his servants.  A servant who knows his master's will but doesn't act in accord with it shall be beaten.  Much will be required of one entrusted with much, and more will be demanded of one entrusted with more.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  There has been much tragic violence recently and growing hatred towards those responsible for it.  Hatred and unforgiveness is worse than any beating; it eats away at us from the inside.  In the promised land, it'll be gone....
    • One Bread, One Body:  "Afraid to think?"  Jesus commanded us not to live in fear; it's pleased our Father to give us the kingdom.  May we not fear life or the afterlife but rather face the truth and prepare for Christ's final coming.
    • Passionist:  I’m afraid despite all the scriptural admonitions to fear not.  I'm afraid you'll laugh at me or judge me.  I'm afraid when I have to comfort a friend who suffered a loss.  “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried” (Chesterton).  God, give me the courage to try again.
    • DailyScripture.net:  "The Lord knocks.  Who will answer?"  The Lord promises that all who seek God and his kingdom won't be disappointed.  He offers us the greatest treasure possible, but we must seek it and make it ours above all else.  He tells his followers to not be anxious about life or the future but to to sell their possessions and give to those in need.  A thief or death can  take money away, but God and his kingdom can't be lost or destroyed.  If God is my treasure, I'll have joy, peace, and security forever.
    Re parable of master who returns:  House doors were usually bolted from the inside, to keep out troublemakers.  Servants who knew their master's voice were expected to be prepared to unbolt the door; no distraction, not even sleep, could be allowed to interfere.  A servant who doesn't hear the master literally shuts him out and brings shame and dishonor.  When Jesus knocks on your door,  are you ready and eager?  He knocks every day and wants you prepared.  "I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear me and open, I'll come in and we'll feast together."  Do you listen?  Do you hunger for the Lord and his kingdom? 
    Jesus adds a twist to the parable:  when the master arrives home, he serves his servants a feast fit for a king.  As Jesus was faithful and obeyed his Father even to laying down his life, we are called to be faithful and obedient to the Lord.  The Lord gives us his Spirit so we can hear the Lord and embrace his way of love. The Lord is faithful even if we fail....
      • St. Cajetan, priest, champion of the poor and sick, church reformer, founded Theatines to preach, administer sacraments, celebrate liturgy: “Don't receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament to use him as you judge best, but give yourself and let him receive you in this Sacrament, so that he ... may do to and through you what he wills” (letter to Elisabeth Porto).  See Catholic Encyclopedia.
      • Bl. Nicholas Postgate, priest, martyr

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