October 22, 2017

Oct. 21

October 21, 2017:  Saturday, 28th week, Ordinary Time




  • 'I ♥ my dad' tie:  Abraham believed he'd become the father of many nations (1st reading)
  • 'Angel' pin:  If you acknowledge me, the Son will acknowledge you before God's angels (gospel)
  • 'Dove' pin:  One who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit won't be forgiven; the Spirit will teach you what to say (gospel)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  When they take you before 'rulers,' don't worry what to say... (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
Listen
For Psalm 105


Read

  • Rom 4:13, 16-18  It was through righteousness coming from faith that the promise was made to Abraham that he would inherit the world.  It depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to those who follow in faith.  He believed he'd become the father of many nations:  "Thus shall your descendants be."
  • Ps 105:6-9, 42-43  "The Lord remembers his covenant for ever."  The Lord, is our God; his judgments prevail.  He led forth his people with joy.
  • Lk 12:8-12  Everyone who acknowledges/denies me before others, the Son of Man will acknowledge/deny before God's angels.   When they take you before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, don't worry about your defense; the Holy Spirit will teach you.
Reflect
    St. John of Bridlington
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Heirs apparent":  The Lord promised Abraham the world.  In Jesus, we're greater than Abraham; we have the nations for an inheritance and possess the ends of the earth.  As heirs, we must be the light of the world and salt of the earth and make disciples of all nations, for the Lord wants everyone saved.  We renew the earth through the Spirit's power.  We're catholic (universal) and missionary.  We should desire the evangelization of the world as Jesus does.
  • Passionist:  If Abraham was to be the father of many nations, the members of that family would need to be like him, but their oneness with him depends on their faith.  Faith opens us to God’s love.  Jesus tells us the only sin that can't be forgiven is closing the heart to God’s grace.  The flow of God’s Spirit makes us one with God.  Because of our intimacy with Jesus, he can speak through us by the Spirit who dwells in us.  Faith makes us a channel of God's power and love; our challenge is to let it flow.  If we keep it for ourselves, it'll stagnate instead of giving life.  The more we let it flow, the more we become a channel to God’s blessings to others.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "The Holy Spirit will teach you what to say":  Jesus assures his disciples the Spirit will give them what they need but warns them that it's possible to reject God's grace.  Blasphemy is uttering words of hatred, reproach, or defiance against God; Jesus spoke about blasphemy against the Spirit right after the scribes and Pharisees attributed his miracles to the devil.  If someone stays closed to God, at some point they may not recognize God even when he makes himself known to them.  God's mercy has no limits, but we can refuse to ask for and accept pardon and help,  God gives grace and help to all who call on him, but pride, stubbornness, sin, and despair can lead us to give up....  Hope in God is a gift from Jesus Christ who won for us new life and freedom.  The Spirit enables us to live as God's children.

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