June 17

June 17, 2015:  Wednesday, 11th week, Ordinary Time

Look

• 'Plant' pin: as you so, so shall you reap (1st reading) 

• 'Penny' button:  Paul's fundraising (1st reading)

• 'Lights' tie:  Light shines through darkness for the upright (psalm)

• 'Hand' tie pin:  When you give, don't let your left hand know what you right is doing (gospel)

• 'Kneeling person' behind tie bar:  When you pray, go inside, close the door, and pray in secret...  (gospel) [making the most of wardrobe malfunction; kneeling person broke off its chain]

• Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

Pope Francis audience

Everyone has to deal with the painful death of loved ones.  Jesus has compassion on those who mourn; his presence with the widow at Na’in assures us he's with us in our loss.  Through faith in him, in his resurrection and presence, we can face our loss, “the sting of death,” make sense of it, and have confidence that death isn't the last word.  May we, with Christlike tenderness and compassion, know how to be close and console families suffering loss and be witnesses to the love Christ revealed through his cross and resurrection, a love stronger than death.  Thank God for our faith, the only adequate response to our deepest needs in the face of the death of a loved one.

Roamin' Catholic Report for DISC 2015 opening Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral 

Readings were well proclaimed, but I was hoping we'd sing the responsorial psalm. 

Bishop Herzog's homily, "Jesus raised the bar," was excellent. 

Music ministry:  We were blessed to have composer Josh Blakesley at the piano and co-songleader Michelle next to him.  (Unfortunately the they were far left, so it was hard to make eye contact.)

• Let your love come down/ Blakesley
• Here I am to worship/ Hughes (ended during bridge)
  
• One bread, one body/ Foley
• Holy God, we praise thy name/ Franz
• Mass parts from Mass of Restoration/ Blakesley, McCullough, compatible especially with first two hymns; alleluia was sung sans verse

More Roamin' Catholic reports

Read

• 2 Cor 9:6-11  If you sow sparingly, you'll reap sparingly; if you sow bountifully you'll reap bountifully.  God loves a cheerful giver and will give you all you need.  The one who supplies seed and bread will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness....

• Ps 112:1bc-4, 9  "Blessed those who fear the Lord" and delight in his commands.  Light shines through darkness for those who are gracious, merciful, and just and give generously to the poor.

• Mt 6:1-6, 16-18  When you give alms, pray, or fast, don't make sure everyone sees like a hypocrite.  Do it in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

Reflect

• Creighton:  By focusing on others we put our problems in perspective.  Ignatius taught us to pray for generosity.  A community that gives usually finds ways to give more, but giving also carries a danger of braggadocio....

• One Bread One Body:  "Zoning changes":  We have "comfort zones" for work, relationships, prayer, study, service, etc.; if we cross a boundary, we enter into a "discomfort zone" and risk burnout and stunted growth in holiness.  If we cross out of that zone, we enter a zone of mystery of joy in crucified love to extend ourselves....

• DailyScripture.net:  Jews considered prayer, fasting, and almsgiving the cardinal works of the religious life.  Do you pray, fast, and give alms to draw attention to yourself, or to give glory to God?  True piety is loving devotion to God, an attitude of awe, reverence, worship and obedience, a gift and work of the Spirit that enables us to devote our lives to God.  The reward is communion with the Father, fullness of life, happiness, love and joy.  "When I'm united to you, there will be no more sorrows or trials; full of you, my life will be complete." (St. Augustine, Confessions)  The Lord renews us with hearts of love and compassion so we may serve him and others with generous hearts.

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