October 27, 2017

Oct. 27

October 27, 2017:  Friday, 29th week, Ordinary Time

See 10 connections with today?
Legend below

Listen
Pope Francis
On dignity of work:  Many people in Scripture are defined by the work they do:  farmers, fishermen, administrators....  God calls us through our jobs to put our skills at the service of the common good.
But some work humiliates, degrades, or exploits people:  slavery, arms trade, black market, jobs with no security....  Many live in fear of losing their jobs; such precariousness kills their dignity and damages their health, families, and society.  Some work in dangerous or unhealthy conditions.  Some are unemployed or underemployed and losing hope.  The global economic system is focused on consumerism, not human dignity or protecting the environment, but this is as dangerous as trying to ride a bike with flat tires!
There are signs of hope:  some seek to create better working conditions and more trusting, respectful workplace relationships.  Technological innovations must be put to the service of people.

With International Space Station 
Expedition 53 crew:  Astronaut Nespoli:  "I'm perplexed at humankind’s role, but I feel our main objective is to enrich the knowledge around us.  The more we know, the more we realize we don’t.  We help fill in gaps and reveal mysteries."  Cosmonaut Ryazansky:  "I'm helping open technology frontiers."  Cmdr. Bresnik:  "You can't serve on the space station and not be touched to your soul.  The earth has no borders; one fragile atmosphere protects billions of people."
Pope Francis:  "We need collaboration, and there's no better example than the space station; it shows people from diverse backgrounds can join to solve the world's problems.  The totality is greater than the sum of its parts."  NASA coverage and video
Read
  • Rom 7:18-25a  Good does not dwell in my flesh; I do the evil I don't want, not the good I want.  When I want to do right, evil is at hand.  Though I delight in God's law, there's a principle at war in me taking me captive to sin.  Who will deliver me?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • Ps 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94  "Lord, teach me your statutes."  You are good and bountiful; let your kindness comfort me.  Let your compassion give me life.  I'm yours; save me, for I've sought your lifegiving precepts.
  • Lk 12:54-59  “Hypocrites!  You can interpret the appearance of earth and sky; why don't you interpret the times?  Settle before you go with your opponent before a magistrate, or else you'll be turned over to judge, constable, and jailer and stay till you've paid the last penny.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Today's psalm extols “wisdom and knowledge,” without which we couldn't decide between right and wrong.  It proceeds to trust, the bedrock of our relationship, then kindness and compassion.  It highlights the importance of the law, which molds our interactions with everyone....
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Jesus, our Life":  We should center our time and life on Jesus, our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and God.  May we love and worship him and tell everyone who he is and what he's done.
  • Passionist:  Jesus was trying to get the crowds to realize something was happening, but they didn't get it.  If today he were trying to tell us God's Kingdom is at hand, could he get us to put our phones down long enough to recognize him much less listen?  Even miracles weren't enough to get the crowds to heed Jesus’ call.  If we observe the signs, we'll gasp for mercy in a world of violence, hate, greed, and selfishness.  Why can't we hear and respond to his invitation amid the troubling signs of our times?  Think about the gift of God's Kingdom.  “Stop worrying.  Unbelievers run after things.  Your Father knows what you need.  Seek out instead his kingship over you, and the rest will follow in turn.”  Lord, help me to not live in fear but to turn toward you and accept your Kingdom with open arms.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Heed the warning signs":  It's critical that seafarers and farmers spot weather conditions for safe travel and planting, and today we make efforts to spot natural dangers to warn people about them.   If we're to avert spiritual and moral disaster, we need to discern spiritual and moral climate too.  The Lord offers us transformation in his kingdom of justice, peace, and joy, but we can miss it....
Dress legend
  • Flesh-colored suspenders:  Good doesn't dwell in my 'flesh' (1st reading)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  The willing is ready at 'hand,' but doing the good is not....  When I want to do right, evil is at 'hand' (1st reading); the judge will 'hand' you over (gospel)
  • 'Celebrate teaching' pin:  "Lord, teach me..." (psalm)
  • 'Owl' tie pin: "...wisdom and knowledge" (psalm)
  • 'Signs' tie:  Read the signs... (gospel)
  • 'Clock'  pin:  ...of the times (gospel)
  • 'Penny' button:  Settle on the way to court, or else you won't be released till you've paid the last penny (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

No comments:

Post a Comment