October 20, 2017

Oct. 20

October 20, 2017:  Friday, 28th week, Ordinary Time

See a dozen connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

  • Rom 4:1-8  Abraham had no reason to boast; he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.  David also declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.
  • Ps 32:1b-2, 5, 11  "I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation."  I acknowledged my sin to you, and you took away my guilt.
  • Lk 12:1-7  “Beware the Pharisees' leaven, hypocrisy.  There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, no secret that won't be known.  What you said in darkness will be heard in the light; what you whispered will be proclaimed on the housetops.  Don't fear those who can only kill the body; fear the one who can cast into Gehenna.  Sparrows are sold for small coins, but God notices them all; even the hairs of your head have been counted.  Fear not; you're worth more than many sparrows.”
Reflect
  • Creighton:  "May Your kindness be on us who hope in you":  Paul cites Abraham as one who hoped in God; he believed in the one "who justifies the ungodly." Sinners can't justify themselves; only one who trusts in God can be justified.  Good works are important, but only God can forgive my sins. "I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation." To experience this, we must acknowledge our sins, hope in the Lord, strive to be without guile, rejoice in the Lord, and live justly.  Today's gospel is a rebuke to hypocrites who hide their sin, thinking God is not onto them.  God knows our hearts and can bring everything to light.  If God notices the sparrows, how could he forget us?
    St. Paul of the Cross
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Know Jesus; no fear":  "You didn't receive a spirit of slavery leading you into fear, but one of adoption."  Satan tries to enslave us through fear of death, but we can claim Jesus' victory by accepting the grace to fear the Lord, fear hell, have faith in Jesus, and love everyone.  "Don't fear those who can only kill the body."  "Fear nothing"; God, who commands us not to fear 365 times in Scripture, gives us the grace to keep his commands.  "Don't live in fear, little flock; it's pleased your Father to give you the kingdom."
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Don't fear those who kill the body":  To the Jews leaven was a sign of evil; fermentation was associated with decay, smelly decomposition.  The Pharisees wanted everyone to recognize they were pious Jews because they scrupulously performed their religious duties, but Jesus turned the table on them by declaring outward appearance doesn't always match the heart.  'Hypocrite' means actor, one who pretends.  Hypocrisy thrives on making a good appearance and masking what they want to hide.  God's light exposes our evil and sin, transforms us, and enables us to overcome hatred, pride, and pretense with love, humility, integrity, and truthfulness.  God gives grace to enable us to overcome the leaven of our insincerity and hypocrisy.  Fear can lead us to panic and flight or spur us to faith and action.  Fear of God, reverence for the One who made and sustains us, is the antidote to fear of losing one's life.  The greatest loss we can experience is loss of our soul and life; healthy fear of God leads to spiritual maturity, wisdom, and right judgment and frees us from pride, deceit, and cowardice....
Bl. Daudi Okelo
Bl. Jildo Irwa
Today's saints, from Universalis and beyond
  • St. Paul of the Cross, priest, Passionists founder, fascinated from youth with Jesus' Passion, recognized in it God's commitment to the human family, participated in Christ's sufferings through prayer, penance, self-discipline, and poverty, preached the love revealed in Jesus' passion and death, shared that love with everyone he met, serving the poor and sick.  Lord, keep us centered in your love for us....  More

    Dress legend
    • Flesh-colored suspenders:  Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh (1st reading)
    • 'Eyeball' pin:  In God's sight, Abraham was not justified by his works (1st reading)
    • 'Heart' pin:  Exult, you upright of heart (psalm)
    • 'Feet' pin:  People were trampling one another underfoot (gospel)
    • 'Street light' tie bar:  What you've said in darkness will be heard in the light (gospel)
    • Tie with closed doors and housetops:  "What you've whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on housetops." (gospel)
    • 'Gun' pin:  "Don't fear those who can do no more than kill the body" (gospel)
    • 'Bird' tie pin, 'penny' tie bar:  "Aren't 5 sparrows sold for 2 small coins?  You're worth more than a flock of sparrows." (gospel)
    • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
    Special greetings to and prayers for the community

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