June 22, 2015

June 22

June 22, 2015:  Monday, 12th week, Ordinary Time

See 12 connections between the picture and today?
Legend below
Listen
Pope Francis
Laudato Sí walkthrough, chap. 4:  "Integral Ecology":  We propose integral ecology, an ecology that respects our place as human beings in the world and our relationship with our surroundings.  Nature isn't separate from us or a mere setting we live in.   This perspective brings the ecology of institutions into play; our institutions' health affects the environment and quality of life.  Every violation of solidarity and civic friendship harms the environment.
Environmental problems aren't separate from human, family, and work contexts, and how individuals relate to themselves; we're faced with one complex crisis both social and environmental.
Ecology is inseparable from the common good but must be understood concretely.  Today, when injustice abounds and so many are deprived of human rights and considered expendable, commitment to the common good is making choices based on a preferential option for the poor; caring for the poor is also the best way to leave a sustainable world.
Integral ecology also involves everyday life.  People show admirable creativity and generosity in alleviating adverse effects of their surroundings and learning to live productively amid disorder, but authentic development requires improving the quality of life:  public space, housing, transport, etc..  We must also accept our bodies as God’s gift in order to welcome and accept the world as his gift and our common home; if we think we have absolute power over our bodies, we may start to think we have absolute power over creation.
Read

  • Gn 12:1-9  Lord to Abram:  “Go to a land I'll show you.  I'll make of you a great nation and bless you; all shall find blessing in you.”  Abram went as the Lord directed him, with his wife, Sarai, his brother’s son, Lot, and their possessions, setting out for Canaan, where the Lord said, “To your descendants I'll give this land.”  Abram built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.
    Animate
  • Ps 33:12-13, 18-20, 22  "Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own."  From heaven the Lord looks down and sees us all, to deliver and preserve us.  We wait for the Lord, our help and shield....
  • Mt 7:1-5  “Stop judging; as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure you measure will be measured to you.  Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye but not the beam in yours?  How can you say, ‘Let me remove that splinter,’ while the beam is in your eye?  Hypocrite!  Remove the beam; then you'll see clearly to remove the splinter.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  God called Abram to leave house and land to begin a new life, and we now share in his blessing.  If the Lord looks down and sees us all as people chosen for his inheritance, he must accept different kinds of faith.  Jesus says we can’t be the ones to judge others.  The Bible allows for varied interpretations of God's call, but Jesus expects us to seek truth and try to help others see truth.  We can begin through self-examination....
    St. Thomas More
    • One Bread One Body:  "Judgment daze?"  We must not judge people's character and motives, pronounce verdicts, or sentence them....
    • Passionist:  God asked Abram to move his family; it's a wonder Abram did since he was respected in his community, successful, comfortable, secure,  and was, no doubt, and looking forward to living his life in the environment he'd created.  Could I let go of my familiar world to respond to God’s call?  God invites all of us to a place far different from where we are.  Recent gospels tell us not to judge others, to go the extra mile, offer the other cheek, hand over our cloak, love our enemies, pray for our persecutors, and store up treasures in heaven not earth; that's far from our usual world.  Abram risked all and won all.  God was faithful and fulfilled his promises.  May I have the courage to follow Jesus wherever he leads.
    • DailyScripture.net:  Think the best of others to grow in love.  We can't see people's inner motives and intentions and don't have all the facts, we're swayed by instinct, and we react unreasonably.
    St. John Fisher
    "'Hypocrite is aptly used here, since denouncing of evil is best viewed as a matter only for upright persons. When the wicked engage in it, they hide their real selves behind a mask while portraying another's character through it.  'Hypocrite' signifies pretender.  We must avoid those meddlesome pretenders who under the guise of seeking advice censure all kinds of vices; they're often moved by hatred and malice.  Rather, when necessity compels one to reprove another, we ought to proceed with discernment and caution.  Consider whether the other fault is one we've never had or one we've overcome.  If we've never had the fault, remember we could have. If we have and are rid of it now, remember our common frailty, so mercy lead us to correction and admonition.  This way, whether admonition occasions amendment or worsening of the person, we'll be safe through singleness of eye.  But if we find we ourselves have the same fault, let us neither correct nor rebuke but rather bemoan the fault ourselves and induce the person similarly, without asking him to submit to our correction." (St. Augustine, Sermon on the Mount, 2.19.64, paraphrased)
    How we treat others will return to us.  The Lord sees everything, even imperfections and sins of the heart we don't see.  Like a gentle father and a skillful doctor, he draws us to his seat of mercy and removes the sin in our hearts.  Lord, purify my heart so I may have room for charity and forbearance....
    Prayer for enemies:  Almighty God, have mercy on ...., and on all that bear me evil will, and wish me harm, and their faults and mine by such tender, merciful means as your wisdom can devise; amend and redress and make us saved souls in heaven together, where we may live and love with you and your saints, for the passion of our sweet Savior Christ.  Lord, give me patience in tribulation and grace in everything, to conform my will to yours, that I may truly say, “Your will be done on earth as in heaven.”  Give me the grace to labor for what I pray for.  –St. Thomas More
        St. Paulinus of Nola
      • Thomas More, lawyer, reformer, author of Utopia, depicting a society regulated by natural virtues, impartial judge, martyr, “the king’s good servant, but God’s first.”   “May we in heaven merrily all meet together to everlasting salvation.”  See Catholic Encyclopedia.
      • John Fisher, bishop, martyr:  "I condemn no one's conscience: their conscience may save them, and mine must save me.  "We should remember... to treat opponents as if they were acting in good faith, even if they seem to us to be acting out of spite or self-interest."  See Catholic Encyclopedia.
    Dress legend
    • 'People' tie pin:  “I'll make of you a great nation; I'll give this land to your descendents." (1st reading); blessed those whose God is the Lord, who sees us all (psalm)
    • 'Eyeball' pin:  The Lord's eyes are on those who fear him (psalm); remove the beam from your eye (gospel)
    • 'Clock' tie bar:  Our soul waits for the Lord... (psalm)
    • 'Shield' pin:  ...our help and shield (psalm)
    • 'Scales of justice' tie:  Thomas More, lawyer (saint of the day); As you judge, so you'll be judged... (gospel)
    • 'Ruler' tie bar:  ...and the measure you measure will be measured to you. (gospel)
    • 'Wood block' and '?' tie pins:  Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye but not the beam in yours? (gospel)
    • Green in shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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