June 12, 2015

Sacred Heart

June 12, 2015:  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

  • 'Sacred Heart of Jesus' pin self-explanatory :-); close-up
  • 'Girl with heart' pin, 'hearts' tie and suspenders:  My heart is overwhelmed, my pity stirred (1st reading)
  • 'Blood drop' pin; red, blue, and white shirt:  Blood and water flowed out of Jesus' side (gospel); with joy you'll draw water at the fountain of salvation (canticle); color of the Sacred Heart celebration
  • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  I kneel before the Father...  (2nd reading)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  May you have strength to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth (2nd reading)
  • 'Skeleton' tie pin (disregard the decapitation):  "Not a bone will be broken" (gospel)
Listen

  • Be not afraid/ Dufford (1st reading, for "if you walk amid the burning flames...")
For the canticle
For 2nd reading
  • More, based on last year's Sacred Heart readings
  • Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9  Lord:  When Israel was a child I loved and called him.  I taught Ephraim to walk, took them in my arms, drew them with bands of love; fostered them like one who raises an infant; but they didn't know I was their healer.  I won't vent my anger, for I'm God, not man, the Holy One among you.
  • Is 12:2-6  "You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation."  God is my savior, strength, and courage; I'm confident.  Thank, praise, and acclaim the Lord; make known his glorious deeds.  Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!
Animate

  • Eph 3:8-12, 14-19  To me grace was given to preach Christ's riches, bring God's plan to light, and make God's wisdom known, according to the purpose God accomplished in Christ our Lord.  So I kneel before the Father, that he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in you through faith; that you, grounded in love, may know Christ's surpassing love and be filled with God's fullness.
  • Jn 19:31-37  The Jews asked that the legs of those crucified be broken, so soldiers came and broke the legs of the two crucified with Jesus.  But when they saw Jesus was already dead, they didn't break his, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and blood and water flowed out....
Reflect
  • Creighton:  “To love God is to let God love you.”  Today's celebration articulates the Love God has for us in Jesus Christ; it calls us to discover God as source of all love.  God is love, so whatever God does is all about love.  Love is the center of how we relate to God and God relates to us.  In honoring the Heart of Jesus we praise God, source of love, and Jesus’ giving of himself for us; it's a reminder of the centerpiece of the virtue intertwined in all events of our lives:  love.
  • One Bread One Body:  "The miracle of true love":  Blood and water flowed from Jesus' side; blood for the Eucharist, water for Baptism and eternal life.  Jesus gave us himself and eternal life right after we helped torture and kill him, showing us his love.  Lord, help me love those who don't love me or even hurt me, forgiving them and giving to them, as you lead.
    S. Cordis Iesu/ Severen
  • Passionist:  The story of today's feast began in 1673 when a nun in France, Margaret Mary Alacoque, had visions of Jesus, his heart on fire symbolizing his love for us; Jesus asked her to be his Sacred Heart apostle.  Hosea speaks of God as loving his children, drawing them to himself with bands of love, raising them to his cheeks, and stooping to feed them; the skipped verses describe say they abandoned him.  God expresses his hurt and pity and promises to curb his anger.  God’s love won't save us from consequences of rejecting it, but we can count on God to forgive us if we turn back.  Paul is overwhelmed with God's mercy and prays Christ may dwell in us through faith, so we'll be filled with Christ's love.  The blood of Jesus we drink and the waters of Baptism unite us to the new life that Jesus gives.
  • DailyScripture.net:  The soldiers' piercing Jesus' heart fulfilled "when they look on him they pierced, they'll mourn for him."  Jesus' heart was pierced for our sake; he laid down his life as the sacrifice for our sins.  To understand God’s love for us, look upon the heart pierced for us.  True love gives everything for the beloved.  God proved his love by sending us his Son who gave everything he had.  “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love....  In the cross we see God's love broken and pierced for our sake. ” (St. Augustine)  Only a broken, contrite heart can fathom God's love....
    • The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Devotion to the Sacred Heart, encouraged by mystics and promoted by saints Gertrude, Margaret Mary Alacoque, John Eudes and others, is devotion to Jesus in his human nature, in particular referring to the heart as seat of emotions.   See Wikipedia.
    • St. Onuphrius, hermit
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    June 11, 2015

    Barnabas

    June 11, 2015:  St. Barnabas, Apostle

    • 'Girl with heart' pin:  Barnabas encouraged them to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart (1st reading)
    • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  Barnabas was filled with the Spirit (1st reading)
    • 'Abacus' tie pin [instructions]:  A large number of people was added to the Lord....  They taught a large number... (1st reading)
    • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  They prayed...  (1st reading)
    • 'Phone' tie bar:  In Antioch the disciples were first 'called' Christians (1st reading)
    • 'Hand' tie pin:  ...then laid hands on Barnabas and Saul...  (1st reading); the Lord's right hand won victory (psalm)
    • 'Olympics' pin:  All the ends of the earth have seen God's salvation (psalm)
    • 'Angel with trumpet' pin:  With trumpets ... sing joyfully before the Lord  (psalm)
    • 'Scales of justice' tie:  The Lord has revealed his justice (psalm); if you don't settle, you'll be handed over to judge, then guard... (gospel)
    • Red shirt for feast of apostle Barnabas
    Listen

    Pope Francis homily
    Announce the Good News through an inner journey:  Disciples who don't go out give back to others what they've received in Baptism; they're not true disciples of Jesus.  They're not missionaries; they can’t get out of themselves to bring something good to others.  Go beyond to bring the good news, but also seek the Lord inwardly every day, through prayer, or else the Gospel you share will be weak, watered down.
    A disciple of Jesus who doesn't serve others is not Christian:  Jesus wants this dual journey from his disciples.  It requires service, doing the Beatitudes and the 'protocol' on which we'll be judged, Matthew 25." These pillars “frame” evangelical service.  If you're not journeying to serve, there’s no reason for the journey.  If your life isn't for service, what's the point of Christian life?  Disciples are called to service to Jesus in the sick, the imprisoned, the hungry, the shirtless....
    Serve freely vs. the deceitfulness of riches:  "Freely you've received; freely give."  The journey of service is free,because we've received Salvation for free, without buying or deserving it.  It's sad when Christians or communities forget this and think that salvation is from riches or human power.
    Summary:  journey (sending off to announce), service (my life, like Jesus', is for others, not myself), and gratuity/freely.  Christ gives us hope that doesn't disappoint, but he makes collapse hope in a comfortable journey, selfish desires, riches, or worldly security.
    Read
    • Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3  A great number turned to the Lord.  News reached Jerusalem, and they sent Spirit- and faith-filled Barnabas, who saw God's grace, rejoiced, and encouraged them to be faithful; more were added to the Lord.  He brought Saul back to Antioch; for a year they met with the Church and taught many.  The Spirit said, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work I've called them to....”
    • Ps 98:1-6  "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power,"  done wondrous deeds, won victory, made his justice known, and remembered his kindness and faithfulness.  Sing joyful praise to the Lord with harp, trumpets, and horn!
    • Mt 5:20-26  “Unless your righteousness surpasses the scribes' and Pharisees', you won't enter the Kingdom.  “You've heard, You shall not kill, but I say, if you're angry with your brother, you'll be judged, and whoever calls someone Raqa or 'You fool' will be held accountable.  If you bring your gift to the altar, then recall your brother has something against you, leave your gift, go be reconciled with him, then return and offer your gift.  Settle with your opponent on the way to court, or he'll hand you over and you'll be thrown into prison....
    Reflect
        • Creighton:  Jesus:  “if you say Raqa [Aramaic, ~ ‘airhead’] or ‘Fool!’ you'll be held accountable” ∥ “You're not keeping the spirit of ‘Thou shalt not kill’ just because you haven't committed murder.  I challenge you to righteousness beyond the Law; don’t even cultivate an attitude that could lead to murder.  Manage your anger....”
        • One Bread One Body:  "Maximum fruit":  St. Barnabas was very fruitful for God's kingdom, risking his life to accept Paul.  He formed Antioch, the first missionary church, and had the daring and wisdom to seek out Paul to teach them.  He argued to get his cousin John Mark reinstated, and Mark went on to write his gospel.  May I hear and obey God as Barnabas did.
          St. Barnabas
        • Passionist:  Jesus presented his teaching with the authority God used to give the law to Moses, astounding the scribes and Pharisees who considered themselves the Law's arbiters and equated righteousness with outward observance of the law.  Jesus called his disciples to go beyond that to a deeper righteousness, deeper obedience of God’s laws:   remove attitudes and actions that lead to killing and other obstacles to unconditional love.  If you're angry, seek reconciliation.  If you're in a feud, settle and avoid the risk of divine judgment.  We can't proclaim the good news unless it first penetrates our hearts and leads us to keep the commandments of love and forgiveness.
        • DailyScripture.net:  God warned Cain: "Why are you angry? ...Sin is at the door, wanting you, but you must master it."  Sin starts as a seed in us; unless uprooted, it grows like a weed and chokes vine and fruit. Jesus pointed to the heart as seat of desire and choice.  Unless evil and forbidden desires are eradicated, the heart will be corrupted.  Jesus points to forbidden anger, selfish, long-lived anger that nurses a grudge.  Mercy, kindness, forbearance, love, and forgiveness are antidotes. Am I quick to reconcile?
        "May I be no one's enemy, and may I be friend of what's eternal and abides. May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly. May I love, seek, and attain only what's good.  May I wish everyone's happiness and envy no one.  May I never rejoice in the ill fortune of one who's wronged me.  When I've done or said something wrong, may I never wait for others' rebuke but always rebuke myself till I make amends.  May I win no victory that harms anyone.  May I reconcile friends who are angry with each other.  May I never fail a friend in danger.  When visiting those in grief, may I soften their pain by gentle and healing words.  May I respect myself.  May I keep tame what rages within me.  May I accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry because of circumstances.  May I never discuss the wicked and what they've done, but know good people and follow in their footsteps."  (Eusebius)
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        June 10, 2015

        June 10

        June 10, 2015:  Wednesday, 10th week, Ordinary Time

        • 'J' tie bar (10th letter, like י):  "not the smallest letter will pass from the law..."; Jesus is fulfillment of Law and Prophets (gospel); the 'letter' brings death,... (1st reading)
        • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  ...but the Spirit gives life (1st reading)
        • 'Stone' tie pin:  The ministry of the Spirit will be more glorious than the ministry of death carved on stone  (1st reading)
        • 'Phone' tie bar:  They called on the Lord, and he answered (psalm)
        • Tie with 'clouds':  The Lord spoke from the pillar of cloud (psalm)
        • 'Tablet' pin:  I came to fulfill, not abolish, the law...  (gospel) ['clouds' tie trumped 'commandments' tie]



        Listen
        Illness affects everyone, and when someone in our family is sick, we feel it even more deeply.  And often the family must take the lead in caring for one another.  Jesus healed people many times in the gospel, always close to them; he put healing first, taking priority over the law.  Later, he sent his disciples to do the same, giving them power to heal:  the ability to be close to and care for the sick, touching their deepest wounds and bringing them peace.  It's our duty to help, console, lift up, be close to, and pray for the sick.
        Though sickness gives rise to difficulties, it can be a moment of grace that makes family bonds grow stronger. Teach children to be close to the sick.  Without compassion and sympathy for others, we can become “anesthetized,” and unable to deal with our own suffering.  Christian families are never alone in times of sickness.  Thank God for beautiful experiences of fraternity in the Church that help families get through times of sorrow and suffering; they're God's caresses.
        Read
          Yodh (animate)
        • 2 Cor 3:4-11  We have confidence through Christ toward God, who's qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, one of the spirit who gives life.  The ministry of the Spirit will be glorious....
        • Ps 99:5-9  "Holy is the Lord our God."  Extol and worship the Lord.  Many called upon him, he answered, and they heard the law he gave.
        • Mt 5:17-19  “I came to fulfill, not abolish, the law and prophets; not the smallest part will pass from the law.  If you break even a small commandment and teach others to do so, you'll be called least in the Kingdom, but if you obey and teach the commandments, you'll be called greatest.”
        Reflect
        • Yodh (Yud), the "smallest letter" of the Hebrew alphabet, is the first letter of God's Name; its top spur is "the smallest part of a letter" (Mt 5:18).  Not the smallest letter or part will disappear from the Word.  God uses the small to demonstrate his power.  More
          • Creighton:  Both readings speak of justice and abounding in glory. I can only serve God and others by responding to God's truth and living love.  Only with God's grace and my response is it possible to “abound in righteousness and glory.”
          • One Bread One Body:  "Teach the Old Testament" ("the Law and the Prophets"):  Peter preached from the OT on the day of Pentecost, and 3,000 received the Spirit; "the ministry of the Spirit" began by the preaching of the ministry of the law.  Jesus' Transfiguration featured the Law (Moses) and Prophets (Elijah); when Jesus was transfigured, he fulfilled the old covenant.  Jesus changed the hearts of the disciples en route to Emmaus by opening the Scriptures (then just the OT) to them, beginning with Moses and the prophets, interpreting every passage that referred to him.  Jesus said the OT is more likely to change a hard heart than sight of a man risen from the dead.
            Tetragrammaton (YHWH)
            starting with Yodh
            (remember Hebrew is right-to-left)
          • Passionist:  Laws keep order and are necessary; they reflect our values, beliefs, relationships, and world; they uphold our moral code, promote dignity and respect, and command and deserve obedience.  But human-created laws are imperfect and need to be updated in light of new understandings.  Even laws from scripture are imperfect:  we don't obey all the laws from the Pentateuch, and women don't cover their heads in church.  Jesus broke laws regularly (eating with sinners, healing on the Sabbath...); he didn't demand blind obedience but critical examination, with the fulfillment of God’s laws of mercy and justice as primary considerations.  With Jesus as model, may we pray, cooperate, be attentive to the Spirit, engaged with those affected, and open-minded so we may discern carefully how and when to revise or make laws, especially now that many are calling for revisions.
          • DailyScripture.net:  "The law" referred to the 10 commandments, the Pentateuch/Torah, and the whole teaching or way of life God gave his people; Jews also used it to describe oral or scribal law, to which scribes added more than God intended.  Jesus loved the law but condemned scribal law for its additional burdens.  God's law, flowing from his love and goodness, is of grace, love, and freedom.  Jesus taught us reverence and respect for God's law.  God gives us the grace, help, and strength to love, forgive, think, judge, and act as he does.  The Holy Spirit writes God's law on our hearts, helps us in our weakness, strengthens us in temptation, and transforms us into the likeness of Christ....
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          June 9, 2015

          June 9

          June 9, 2015:  Tuesday, 10th week, Ordinary Time

          Zoom to Jesus...
          • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  God put his seal on us and gave us the Spirit (1st reading) [Too bad I don't have a 'seal' tie pin]
          • 'Jesus' pin:  "Lord, let your face shine on me." (psalm)
          • 'Precious feet' pin:  Steady my footsteps... (psalm)
          • '[Christmas] lights' tie, white in shirt:  "You are the light of the world."  Shine before others, as lighted lamps set high to give light to all. (gospel)
          • Green in shirt, tie, suspenders, socks:  Ordinary Time season
          Listen


          Pope Francis homily
          Our Christian identity is a long journey from ambiguity to faith we can bear daily witness to.  We're sinners and fall down, but with God’s strength we can get up again and continue.  God has anointed us, put his seal upon us, and given us the Spirit.  We're not people who follow a particular philosophy but rather who remain faithful to our God-given identity as anointed ones who let the Spirit in.  The beauty of this identity can be seen through our witness, but the witness can be weakened:
          • by moving from concrete faith to an insipid religion of prayers and ideas, like the Gnostics', tempted to avoid the Cross and content to seek God through ethereal spirituality
          • by searching for "novelty" in our Christian identity, forgetting we're anointed and given the Spirit.  Don't ask "Where are the visionaries who can tell us what message Our Lady will be sending this afternoon?"
          • by moral and human “worldliness” and the desire to broaden the boundaries of Christian conscience.  Don't be salt that loses its flavor.
          God has led us to the certainties of the Incarnation and our Redemption.  This is our identity; ask the Lord for the grace to bear witness to this truth.

          • 2 Cor 1:18-22  As Jesus Christ's word wasn't "yes" and "no" but "yes," so ours to you is "yes."  God gives us security with you and gave us the Spirit.
          • Ps 119:129-133, 135  "Lord, let your face shine on me."  Your decrees are wonderful; I observe them.  Your word sheds light and gives understanding; I yearn for it. Turn to me, steady my steps, and teach me.
          • Mt 5:13-16  “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its taste, it's no longer good for anything.  You are the light of the world. When they light a lamp, they set it on a stand to give light to all. Shine your light so others may see your good deeds and glorify Father.”
          Reflect

          • Creighton:  'Light' has many meanings:  We "see the light" (understand), "come out of darkness into the light" (clarify meaning), and light is associated with good, purity, warmth, and comfort.  Light dispels literal and symbolic darkness.  God enlightens us, bringing us out of darkness.  We shine brightest when focused on loving and serving others.  Jesus charges us to share the light we've been given, using it to reflect our good deeds.
          • One Bread One Body:  "Through Him":  At the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, we hear, "Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, almighty Father, forever and ever" and respond "Amen," sending our Amen through Jesus to the Father in the Spirit.  And the Father shares his life with us through, with, and in Jesus in the Spirit....
          • Passionist:  "May our good works be seen":  Each beatitude brings us into contact with God and others in real life situations.  God has united us with Jesus, we're sealed, anointed, and given the Holy Spirit, who gives us strength to live the Beatitudes. We share joy as we follow Christ.  The Spirit enables us to make God's Kingdom alive and present.  May the Spirit help us to be the salt, the light, and the city ablaze.  May we work with the Spirit to renew the face of the earth.
            St. Ephrem the Syrian
          • DailyScripture.net:  Salt was valuable in the ancient world, used for trading, giving flavor, preserving food, and intensify heat; Jesus used salt to describe the transforming effect of God's work in us.  As salt produces rich flavor in food, we are "salt" for society. The Lord wants to work in and through us to spread the rich flavor of God's kingdom of justice, peace, and joy.  We must preserve our savor through virtue and rejection of sin.
            Lamps enable people to see and work in the dark and avoid stumbling.  Light was also understood as symbol of God's inner beauty, truth, and goodness.  In his light we see light.  God's word is a lamp that guides our steps. God illumines our darkness but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace.  Just as natural light illumines darkness and enables us to see, so Christ's light shines in believers' hearts and enables us to see God's kingdom.  May we bear Christ's light so others may see the truth....
              • Columba, abbot, poet, scribe, spiritual guide, creation lover
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            June 8, 2015

            June 8

            June 8, 2015:  Monday, 10th week, Ordinary Time

            • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  Peace to you from God (1st reading); Blessed the peacemakers (gospel)
            • 'Eyeball' pin:  Taste and see the Lord's goodness (today's and Sunday's psalms)
            • 'Jubilee year' button:  Look to him and be radiant with joy  (psalm); rejoice (gospel)
            • 'Angel' pin:  The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear God (psalm)
            • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
            Listen
            Pope Francis Angelus
            The solemnity of Corpus Domini encourages us serve, love, and forgive, and to imitate what we celebrate in the liturgy.  Christ, who nourishes us in the Eucharist, is the same Christ we meet in everyday life:  in the poor person who holds out his hand, the suffering person who implores help, one who asks us to be there and awaits our welcome, the child who knows nothing about Jesus, every human being, even the smallest and most defenseless.  Recognize and promote children’s rights; many children who don't have freedom to play or go to school end up exploited as cheap labor.
            Read
            • 2 Cor 1:1-7  Grace and peace from our Father and the Lord Jesus.  Blessed be God, Father of compassion, who encourages us in our afflictions, so we may encourage the afflicted.  As Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so does our encouragement overflow.  If we're afflicted, it's for your encouragement and salvation; if we're encouraged, it's for your encouragement, so you may be able to endure suffering.  Our hope for you is firm....
            • Ps 34:2-9  "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."  I will always praise the Lord.  Glorify the Lord with me.  He answered and saved me.  Look to him and be radiant with joy.  Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed those who take refuge in him.
            • Mt 5:1-12  Jesus taught his disciples:  “Blessed the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for justice, the merciful, the clean of heart, peacemakers, those persecuted for justice's sake, and those insulted because of me; theirs is the Kingdom, they'll be comforted, inherit the land, be satisfied, be shown mercy, be called God's children.  Rejoice; your reward will be great in heaven.”
            Reflect
              • Creighton:  God sees our life, knows us, and wants to bless us.  It's OK to ask God to bless me as well as to bless others.
              • One Bread One Body:  "The secret to happiness":  Jesus says happiness is choosing to be poor vs. rich, sorrowing in repentance, becoming lowly, hungering for justice, giving others a break, having Jesus rather than everything, dying for enemies vs. killing them, and being insulted vs. popular.  Many think Jesus is a fool since the "secret of happiness" seems a way to misery, but his followers know otherwise....
              St. Jacques Berthieu, S.J.
              • Passionist:  Today Paul blesses God and Jesus blesses people. Their lives weren't easy, but they chose to bless, telling us that if we turn to God, we can have courage to bless. When I suffer, to whom do I turn?  Do I bless or curse God and others?  I have a choice.
              • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus says we can live a happy life by living the beatitudes.  The beatitudes respond to our God-given desire for happiness, teaching us the goal of God's kingdom, the vision of God, and the joy of the Lord; they confront us with daily choices. "Let nothing disturb or frighten you; all things pass.  God never changes.... God alone suffices" (St. Teresa of Avila).  Is God enough for me?
              The beatitudes contradict the world's understanding of happiness, but poverty of spirit finds joy in possessing God as treasure, spiritual hunger seeks nourishment in God, and sorrow and mourning over wasted life lead to joyful freedom from guilt.  Jesus promises his the joys to come will exceed today's hardships.  "No one can live without joy.  That's why a person deprived of spiritual joy goes after carnal pleasures" (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Do I hunger and thirst for God alone?
                • St. Jacques Berthieu, Jesuit priest, Madagascar missionary, martyr
                • St. William of York, bishop
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