October 16, 2017

Oct. 16

October 16, 2017:  Monday, 28th week, Ordinary Time

See about ten connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

Read
  • Rom 1:1-7  Paul, slave of Christ, called to be an Apostle, to God's beloved in Rome, called to belong to Christ and be holy, grace and peace from our Father and the Lord Jesus.  Jesus descended from David but was established as Son of God in power through resurrection from the dead.  Through him we've received the grace to bring about the obedience of faith among the Gentiles.
  • Ps 98:1bcde, 2-4  "The Lord has made known his salvation," wonders, victory, justice, kindness, and faithfulness.  Sing to the Lord a new song!
  • Lk 11:29-32  “This evil generation seeks a sign, but only the sign of Jonah will be given it.  As Jonah became a sign, so too the Son of Man.  The queen of the south will condemn you, because she came to hear Solomon's wisdom, and something greater than Solomon is here.  The Ninevites will condemn you, because they repented at Jonah's preaching, and something greater than Jonah is here.”
Pope Francis to UN FAO

Governments should work together to end the conflicts and climate change-related disasters that force people to migrate, but some are distancing themselves from the effort.
Negligence and greed over limited resources harm the planet and its most vulnerable people, forcing many to abandon their homes.  We can't leave to others the responsibility to change how resources are used.
Climate change has triggered conflicts, floods, and droughts that have increased the number of the chronically hungry.  Population control is a false solution to hunger and malnutrition.  We need better to manage the earth’s resources and prevent waste.  We need international cooperation based on love, fraternity, and solidarity that responds to the needs of the poor.  Pity gives emergency aid, but love inspires a just social order.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Jesus said his generation was evil and faithless.  They looked for a sign, but Jesus himself was the sign.  The "sign of Jonah" he refers to is odd; Jonah was a reluctant hero:  he tried to run from his duty, and even after he did it, he didn't appreciate the outcome.  But as Jonah was in the whale for three days, so Jesus will be in the earth for three days; and as the Ninevites repented, so will people at the judgment.  If people converted for Jonah, who had to be forced into action, how much more will people convert for Jesus the fulfillment of all....
    The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon
    (Poynter)
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Called and loved by name:  Paul was conscious he was called to be an apostle and writing to those called to belong to Christ and called to holiness.  Being called was so important to the early Church that the word we translate 'church' (ekklesia) comes from 'call (kaleo) out of (ek).'  They considered themselves to be the elect, the chosen, called to a special love of the Lord.  We may not feel specially chosen because we know God loves everyone, but the Lord can indeed love everyone with a personal, individualized love.  He made each of us unique and knows us better than we ourselves.  He calls, knows, and loves each by name; he's numbered our hairs and counted our tears; he cares about our comings and goings.  May we answer his call and live in his love.
  • Passionist:  We want to see results from our efforts.  How do we know we're making progress in prayer?  We are if it's bearing fruit when we encounter the sign of Jonah in our life.  When hurled into the sea, Jonah spent time in the fish's belly before being spit onto shore:  death and resurrection.  If we die to ourselves and selfish desires, the life of Spirit is taking hold.
    Not this "sign of Jonah" :-)
  • DailyScripture.net:  "This evil generation seeks a sign":  When religious leaders demanded a sign from Jesus, he warned them to avert disaster.  Jews demanded "signs" from messengers to authenticate their claims.  They pressed Jesus to prove his claim to be God's sign.  The Ninevites recognized God's warning via Jonah and repented.  The Queen of Sheba recognized God's wisdom in Solomon. Jonah was God's sign and his message was God's message for the Ninevites, but the religious leaders didn't accept the signs before their eyes:  John the Baptist and Jesus.  Simeon had prophesied that Jesus was "destined for the falling and rising of many... and a sign that will be opposed...."  Jesus confirmed his message with miracles in preparation for his resurrection.  Jesus came to set us free.  He pours his love into our hearts that we may understand his will for us and follow him.  God shows us where we need his grace and help, calls us to seek him with repentance, humility, and honesty, and will transform us if we allow him to work in our lives.
  • Fr. Chris Bazyouros homily podcast: "Something greater":  God has called all to salvation and invites us to share his work.  The Church needs to live, breathe, move, and announce salvation along the way as a constant companion reflecting Jesus' presence and love, so that all may be open to experience Christ....
Today's saints, thanks to Universalis
  • Hedwig, mother of 7, helper of the poor and sick
Dress legend
  • 'Dove' pin:  Jesus was established as Son of God according to the Spirit (1st reading)
  • 'Clef' tie pin:  Sing to the Lord a new song (psalm)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  The Lord's right hand has won victory (psalm)
  • "I can do all things..." tie (yesterday's 2nd reading)
  • 'Crown' tie bar, 'owl' tie pin:  "The queen of the south came to hear Solomon's wisdom" (gospel)
  • 'Whale' tie pin:  "At Jonah's preaching Nineveh repented" (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

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