October 22, 2014

JP2

October 22:  Wed., 29th week, Ordinary Time / Pope St. John Paul II

  • 'Owl' tie pin:  "God gave me grace to bring God's plan to light so that God's wisdom might be made known" (1st reading)
  • Blue shirt:  "You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation." (psalm)
  • 'Clock' tie:  "If the master had known the hour the thief was coming, he wouldn't have let his house be broken into." "The Son will come at an hour you don't expect." (gospel)
  • Green (suspenders):  season of Ordinary Time
Listen

Pope Francis Audience

 God showed Ezekiel dry bones brought to life by the spirit (Ez 37).  This is the Church, masterpiece of the Spirit who gives us new life in Christ and brings us together into one body, one communion of love, to support each other.  The Church is the Body of Christ!  In Baptism, Christ welcomes us into the mystery of his love, raises us with him as new creatures, makes us part of him, and unites us with each other, members of the same body.  Let's remember the Lord made us the body that can't be snatched from him and that he covers with his passion—and respond by sharing his love.  Division, jealousy, misunderstanding, and marginalization shatter and dismember the Church.  Jealousy grows, fills the heart with bitterness, and disrupts the community; war begins in the heart.  Paul's practical advice:  appreciate and thank God for others' gifts.  Participate in the suffering of the poor and needy, express gratitude, and don't consider yourself superior.  No one's superior; when we start to think ourselves as superior, we should remember our sins...

 Read
  • Eph 3:2-12  God’s grace was given to me for your benefit.  The Spirit revealed the mystery of Christ not made known to other generations.  Gentiles are members of the same Body and partners in the promise.  God gave me grace to preach Christ and bring to light God's plan so God's wisdom might be made known.  In Christ we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith.
Wordle: Readings 10-22-14
  • Is 12:2-4bcd, 5-6  "You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation."  God is my savior, my strength, my courage.  Acclaim him;great in your midst is the Holy One!
  • Lk 12:39-48  “If the master had known when the thief was coming, he wouldn't have let his house be broken into.  Be prepared; the Son will come when you don't expect.  When a master finds a faithful and prudent steward, he'll put him in charge, but the servant who knew his master’s will but didn't act in accord with it will be beaten.  Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and more will be demanded of the one entrusted with more.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  When we're open the presence of Jesus in our lives, when we feel his care, support, strength, courage, wisdom, joy, and love, we feel like sharing these gifts with others.  When we feel loved by others, we want to share that love, and rarely feels like a burden.  We could listen better, reach out to someone having a hard time, pray for people, give an extra hug, talk with God throughout the day, share our faith...  Pray for the grace to feel God’s love, then share it.
    Pope St. John Paul II
    • One Bread One Body:  We who've heard the message of salvation must all serve the Lord, but we're not God's employees but children and friends....
    • Passionist:  Anxiety over the end of the world dates back to the first century and continues.  Jesus:  don't take a chance on salvation.  Focus on today's life and responsibilities; anxiety about the future absents ourselves from today and weighs us down.  Living a compassionate, caring, virtuous life now will make us ready."
    • DailyScripture.net:  The Lord expects us to guard his gifts.  We can deceive ourselves by putting things off, but the Lord comes at unexpected times to draw and strengthen us.
    • Universalis:  Pope St. John Paul II, Vatican II participant, made pastoral visits worldwide, promulgated Catechism and new Code of Canon Law....
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    October 21, 2014

    Oct. 21

    October 21, 2014:  Tuesday, 29th week, Ordinary Time

    • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  Christ is our peace (1st reading); God proclaims peace (psalm)
    • 'Stone' tie pin:  You're members of God's house, with Christ as capstone. (1st reading)
    • 'Musical notes' tie may not explicitly fit the readings, but my wife just found it for me at a thrift shop (where most of my stuff comes from).  I thought I might make the connection between [musical] harmony and peace (1st reading and canticle), but the music manuscript on the tie doesn't have any harmony...
    Listen

    Pope Francis homily

    Pope Francis at daily Mass
    The first service the Master performs for Christians is to give them an identity.  Christ came to give us citizenship, belonging, and a name, turning us into one by his blood.  When we're not in peace with others, there's a dividing wall, but Jesus offers to break it down.  If we're divided, we're enemies, not friends, but he's reconciled us all in God.  We've been changed from people on the street to fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.  We're to await Him, like servants their master.  If you close your door to Jesus, you don't let him go forward with his work of peace and community.  He gives us a name and makes us God's children.  We need to adopt an attitude of hope, knowing the Lord will come.  He must find us as friends living in peace, not divided.  How do I await Jesus?  Do I have faith he'll come?  Is my heart open?

     Read
      Click for animation
    • Eph 2:12-22  You were once without Christ, alienated from Israel, strangers to the covenants, without hope, and without God, but now in Christ you're near.  He broke down the dividing wall of enmity and established peace.  Through him we have access to the Father.  You're no longer strangers or sojourners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's house, with Christ as capstone.  Through him the structure is held together and you're being built into a dwelling place of God.
    • Ps 85:9ab-14  "The Lord speaks of peace to his people."  Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss; truth, justice, and salvation shall come.
    • Lk 12:35-38  “Be like servants awaiting their master’s return, ready to open when he knocks.  Blessed are they; the master will wait on them...
    Reflect
      • Creighton:  We fast-paced people don't like to be told to be patient.  God has started tearing down walls that keep us apart.  Where have I experienced God recently?  What have been moments of joy and consolation, light and inspiration?  When have I felt the others' care and support of others?
      • One Bread One Body:  Jesus broke down the "dividing wall of enmity" (lit. "dividing wall of the barrier").  We all experience the pain of separation, e.g. troubled family relationships, prison, discrimination.  Bring the wall to Jesus who breaks walls down and is praying we become one.
        (Tee hee)
      • Passionist:  Paul recalls to the Ephesian converts their non-believing origins and their newfound unity with believers through Christ's death that eliminated the dividing wall.  The gospel, about the master returning to find his servants ready, is along the same lines:  despite the distance between master (center) and servants (margin), the master brings his servants into mainline household affairs and even waits on them, disregarding any wall of separation others honored.  Both changes arose from those at the center.
      • DailyScripture.net:   If Jesus knocked on your door today, would you be ready?  Servants had to recognize their master's voice and unlock the door; they needed to be attentive and block out distractions.  Jesus became a servant for our sake.  Do you listen for God's call?  We can miss his provision if we're distracted....
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      October 20, 2014

      Oct. 20

      October 20, 2014:  Monday, 29th week, Ordinary Time

      • 'Ruler' suspenders:  "You once lived following the 'ruler' of the power of the air." (1st reading)
      • 'Sheep' tie bar:  "We're God's people, the flock he tends." (psalm)
      • 'Wheat' pin:  "I'll build larger barns to store my grain..." (gospel)
      • I didn't wear my 'money' tie so as not to mislead interviewees, but it fits the rich man parable (gospel)




         Listen

          Pope Francis Sunday homily

          To give God what belongs to God calls for acknowledging God alone is Lord, mastering fear of God’s surprises, being docile and devoted, and working for his Kingdom.  It's where our true strength and hope are found.  'Synod' means 'journeying together.'  Thank God for the Synod's work; may the Spirit continue to guide it over the next year.  Thanks to Pope Paul VI, whom I beatify today, for establishing the Synod and witnessing love for Christ and his Church.

          Synod corner

          Closing address of Pope Francis:  Thanks to the Lord and to the bishops, relators, auditors, assessors, delegates, transcribers, consultors, translators, and all who worked with fidelity and dedication.  We lived “Synod,” a path of “journey together.”  There were moments of running fast and fatigue, consolation and desolation, tensions and temptations (to inflexibility to the God of surprises, to deceptive mercy that binds wounds before treating them, to come down from the Cross to please people, to not guard the deposit of faith, to ignore reality...).  Don't let temptation discourage you; even Jesus was tempted.  We never questioned the truths of the Sacrament of marriage.  We rolled up our sleeves to pour oil and wine on wounds.  We don't judge or categorize people.  We seek to be faithful to Christ and open to the needy and penitent.  We see and want to encourage the fallen.  Many imagined a disputatious Church, but the Spirit guides us even through rough seas; we have to live through it with interior peace.  Our task is to serve.  We have a year to mature, discern, and find concrete solutions to families' difficulties and challenges; may the Lord guide us...

          Press conference:  We admire and are grateful for your witness of fidelity, faith, hope, and love.  We recognize the challenge to remain faithful.  Weak faith, indifference to values, individualism, impoverished relationships, and stress leave their mark, and crises can be confronted in haste and without courage to sacrifice and forgive.  Failures lead to situations where the Christian choice isn't obvious.  We admire families enduring suffering with courage, faith, and love, seeing the suffering Christ and giving.  Many forces weaken human dignity:  economic system difficulties, poverty, persecution, war, oppression, violence, exploitation, trafficking, abuse....  We call on governments and organizations to promote the rights of the family.  Thanks to our pastors, lay faithful, and all who accompany families and care for their wounds.

           Light and grace shine from encounters between spouses.  The love of man and woman teaches us that each needs the other.  The encounter begins with courtship and is realized in the sacrament where God sets his seal, presence, and grace. The path includes sexual relationship, tenderness, intimacy, and beauty capable of lasting beyond youth.  Conjugal love that lays life down for the beloved is a most beautiful, and common, miracle.  Love spreads through generativity, not only procreation but also baptism, catechesis, education, and offering life, affection, and values.  Families can become a sign for all.  The journey can have hardships and falls, but God accompanies us; families experience God in affection, dialogue, family prayer, listening to God's Word, and educating children in the faith.  The family is a domestic Church that expands to become the Church.  Charity to the poor, needy, lonely, sick, strangers, and families in crisis expresses communion.  We've reflected on how to accompany the divorced and remarried and on their participation in the sacraments because the Eucharist sums up the threads of communion with God and neighbor at the table where God gives himself to us.  Concluding prayer

           Synod Fathers' message:  Married life is a miracle, relationships are complex, and the Christian choice is not always the obvious one.  Lights and shadows are in every heart and home.  We aim to offer consolation and encouragement, to give hope to families in difficult situations while promoting family life's riches and beauty.  Our message touches the challenges of marital breakdown, sickness, bereavement, poverty, unemployment, conflict, persecution, and exploitation.  We call on governments and organizations to promote the rights of the family.  We need to be a house with open doors to welcome people in every situation.  Family values are being threatened.  We don't have all the answers, but we're committed to finding pastoral approaches based on Scripture, tradition, and openness.  We have disagreements, but so did the first disciples...
          More storage?
          Click for animation

           Read
          • Eph 2:1-10  You were dead in your sins, following the wishes of the flesh like we did.  But God brought us to life with Christ and seated us in heaven to show his grace and kindness.  You've been saved through faith, not works; it's God's gift.  We're created in Christ for good works.
          • Ps 100:1b-3, 4-5  "The Lord made us, we belong to him."  Sing to and serve the Lord God who made us.  He is good, kind, and faithful.
          • Lk 12:13-21  "Guard against greed; life isn't possessions.  Rich man without space to store harvest / God:  'I'll build larger barns to store my goods, then say, “You're set!"' / ‘Fool, tonight your life will be demanded of you.  Whose will your stuff be then?’  If you store treasure for yourself but aren't rich in what matters to God, it'll be like that for you."
          Reflect
            • Creighton:  The rich landowner was saving for a rainy day!  We too seek security and can forget the harvest isn't ours.  Paul:  it's not what we've done for God but what God's done for us. Planning can give a false sense of autonomy vs. dependence on God and others.  Whose we are matters more than what we have:  "the Lord made us, we belong to him."
            • DailyScripture.net:  St. Augustine:  Greed wants to divide; love, to gather.  “Guard against greed” means “fill yourselves with love.”  He said, “Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me”; we, “Tell him he may have my inheritance.” (Sermon 265.9; see also Sermon 57)  Jesus faults the rich man for his selfishness, not his hard work or ability to acquire wealth.  In giving we receive; those rich towards God are rewarded.  St. Cyril of Alexandria:  Life isn't from possessions.  Those rich toward God are blessed and have hope:  they love virtue, are content with what they have, share with the poor, comfort the sorrowful, lay up treasure in heaven, and will be repaid with interest.(Commentary on Luke, Homily 89)  Where's my treasure?
            • Universalis:  BB. Daudi Okelo, Jildo Irwa, Ugandan catechists, martyred at 16 and 12
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            October 19, 2014

            29th Sun., Ordinary Time

            October 19, 2014:  29th Sunday in Ordinary Time — Guest post

            Listen

            • Turn to me/ Foley (1st reading, not just for Lent)
            Read
            • Is 45:1, 4-6  I have called you by name.  I am the Lord; there is no other....
            • Ps 96:1, 3-5, 7-10  "Give the Lord glory and honor."  Sing the Lord a new song.  The Lord is great, awesome, and just.  Enter his courts, worship, and tremble....
            • 1 Thes 1:1-5  We give God thanks for you, remember your faith, love, and hope, and how you were chosen.  Our gospel came in word, power, the Spirit, and with conviction.
            • Mt 22:15-21  Pharisees, trying to trap him / Jesus:  "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar?" / "You hypocrites, whose image is on the coin?" / "Caesar's." / "Then pay Caesar what belongs to him, and God what belongs to God."
            Reflect

             When I heard today's Gospel, I jokingly wanted to give all of my earthly possessions back to Caesar, but since I was in Mass, I knew stripping everything away might not be what Jesus had in mind.  After reflecting further, here's what I landed on:
            1. There's something to be said about how the Pharisees' disciples came to their question. They rambled on and on about Jesus teaching the way to God through truths; calling him teacher, and sounding like allies.  Jesus saw right through that.  A good Jew, Jesus saw they were trying to trap him:  if he said yes, he'd be seen as pro-Rome and no friend of Jews who didn't care for Roman soldiers in their midst, but if he said no, Rome would see him as a threat since he'd be promoting tax evasion.
            1. Giving Caesar what's his means paying taxes and being a good citizen, but one can give to God at the same time.
            Putting money in the collection plate, paying taxes, feeding our families, donating to local charities all make us good citizens and good Christians.  After all, we're asked to give our time, talent, and treasure as often as we can (and can even receive a good tax break doing so).  Next month we'll be asked to vote for or against propositions and candidates; let's be good citizens and good Christians by voting in line with our values.
            Let's pray for wisdom for us and all voters, that our choices be for the good of God's kingdom.  Let's also pray for those with less, that through our generosity, there may be fewer on the streets and without food and water.
            • Creighton:  Give God what's God's, "the glory due his name”:  acknowledge our poverty and frailty and that all is gift!  “Caesars” come and go; God is greater.
            • One Bread One Body:  Mission-minded?  Ask today (World Mission Sunday), what's your relationship to the world?  Give Jesus to the nations, for He belongs to them and we to Him.  "Make disciples" and "tell his glory among the nations."
            • Passionist:  When we become aware that God knows us and calls us by name, we feel and act differently. We feel important, valued, and worthwhile and act as if life is meaningful and our lives count.  Paul reminded the Thessalonians they received the Gospel with the Spirit's power, are loved, and are chosen by God to carry out the Gospel.  Jesus reminds us to never forget we belong to God.  Once we become aware we belong to God, we'll know what belongs to Caesar (earthly existence) and what belongs to God.  Wealth is to share with those in need, fame enables us to spread Gospel values, and social standing is an opportunity to give witness to God's way of life.
            • DailyScripture.net:  Give everyone their due; "owe nothing, except to love one another."  We, "stamped"(as a coin) with God's image and likeness, belong to God and should present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God.  "Lord, because you made me, I owe you my love; because you redeemed me, I owe you myself; because you have promised so much, I owe you my being....  Make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding.  I owe you more than my self but have no more, and by myself I cannot render it to you.  Draw me to you in the fullness of love.  I am yours by creation; make me yours in love."  (St. Anselm)
            God bless you all

            Manny






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            October 18, 2014

            Luke

            October 18, 2014:  St. Luke, Evangelist








            Listen
            • 2 Tm 4:10-17b  Demas, Crescens, and Titus deserted me; only Luke is with me.  At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf; may it not be held against them!  But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed.
            • Ps 145:10-13, 17-18  " Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom."  You are just, holy, and near, and your Kingdom endures.
            • Lk 10:1-9  Jesus appointed and sent 72 disciples:  “The harvest is abundant but laborers few; ask the harvest master to send laborers.  Go; I send you like lambs among wolves.  Carry no money bag, sack, or sandals.  Cure the sick, and say, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”
            Reflect

             Friends are such an important part of the journey!  Over the years, I have discovered the gift and blessing of walking with friends that inspire and guide through their wisdom, commitment, humility, love, and faith.  I cherish those relationships founded in truth and fidelity that liberate you to move beyond fear into a life of ministry that often requires sacrifice and encounters resistance. Letting go of plans and careers that seem more certain and secure to embrace a path that is unknowable at the onset and demands an inner strength must be supported by relationships that nurture the resolve to continue through the storms.

            It encourages me to know that Luke and Paul encountered on their way, a friendship that empowered them to continue to answer their own calling.  What would our Church look like without the Gospel of Luke, Acts, and all of the Pauline works? Paul and Luke followed their path and shared with humanity the good news of God's love and mercy bringing us the hope offered through Jesus Christ!  I imagine that at some point on their journey they faced defining moments.

            I will lift up my eyes by Tony Alonso offers pilgrims on the journey an anthem to move beyond fear and dare to walk where God may lead.  Often, my journey finds me on the freeways of Los Angeles and I pray this song as I am driving. It's a lovely duet that only God will ever hear! I am lifted from my fears and doubts as I listen to my dear friend share his prayer and conviction that we follow the path set before us with great trust in God.

            Recently, I have returned to full time ministry work and I have been blessed with colleagues that are generous of heart.  The following prayer is one we have prayed in the San Gabriel Pastoral Regional office.  The prayer reflects the spirit of Paul in 2 Timothy and calls us to humbly seek to be selfless and welcome the peace of Jesus to into our lives.

            I offer a special prayer for the San Gabriel Regional Congress, "ABUNDANT LOVE" happening right now.

             Prayer in Union with Jesus

            Lord Jesus,
            grant me the grace to empty myself
            and be filled with your love, peace,

            patience, compassion, mercy,
            forgiveness, and understanding.
            Let every beat of my heart
            and every breath that I breathe be for you.
            Let every word that I speak
            be reflective of you.
            Let every glance I give be a mirror of you.
            Let every hand I touch feel your gentle care.
            Let every step I take be on your path toward Your light.
            Let every word of praise I may receive
            be directed to you in humble thanksgiving.
            Let every angry word
            said to me or against me
            be returned with words of love and mercy
            not anger and revenge.
            Let every desire I have be for you.
            Let my will conform to yours.
            Touch every cell of my body, Lord,
            and make me the person, the servant, you want me to be.  Amen.
              • Creighton:  Luke's discipleship led him to spread the Good News he received.  2 steps to evangelization from today's readings:  (1) Open yourself to a relationship with God:  “Your friends make your Kingdom known.”  Be friends with God, or there's nothing to “make known.”  Teach with faith, not about it.  (2) Build healthy relationships:  Jesus asked his disciples to trust, offer peace, accept hospitality, build a strong relationship with a household, and heal the sick. Only then can they say “The Kingdom is at hand” and be heard.  The 1st, practical, reading shows everything isn't profound.
              • One Bread One Body:  "Catholic Workers"  Work; over 4 billion don't know Jesus Christ, and almost 2 billion need to grow in holiness.  Luke gave up a good job as doctor...
              • Passionist:  Our age is one of journeys; we usually make preparations, know our itinerary, and have a home to return to.  Jesus sent his disciples to unknown places, but their ‘home' is in him, and he prepared them for a radical, open-ended mission.  They're encouraged to foster peace and be stable and committed, not flit between places or people, so the kingdom can grow.  Healing is central to missionary presence; we can heal by kindness, respect, encouragement, support, and forgiveness.  There are dangers, and we may feel powerless, but Jesus asks us to stand firm.
              • DailyScripture.net:  The harvest Jesus had in mind was not only the gathering of Israel, but all nations.  Be a sower of God's word of peace and mercy; speak and witness in God's name.  Jesus gave instructions about how to minister.  Do I witness to Gospel truth and joy by word and example?
              • Universalis:  Luke was a Greek doctor who converted to Christianity.  He was a companion of Paul and wrote his gospel in accord with his teaching.  He wrote Acts to narrates early Church history.  He explained Jewish customs and words to Gentile readers.
              Once again, I have been asked to guest blog for Jim as he enjoys some time away.  Thank you for graciously entertaining my contribution.
              Humbly offered,

               Yvonne Huitron

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              October 17, 2014

              Ignatius of Antioch

              October 17, 2014:  St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

              • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  In him you were sealed with the Holy Spirit (weekday 1st reading)
              • Tie with closed doors and housetops:  "What you've whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops." (weekday gospel)
              • 'Bird' tie pin:  "You're worth more than a flock of sparrows.” (weekday gospel)
              • Crucifix:  redemption in Christ Jesus, savior, whom God set forth as an expiation, by his blood (weekday 1st reading, feast 1st reading)
              • 'Wheat' pin:  "unless a grain of wheat dies..." (feast gospel); St. Ignatius, wheat of Christ (feast)
              • 'Lion' pin:  St. Ignatius ground by beasts (feast)
              • Red shirt and suspenders:  martyrdom of St. Ignatius
              Listen

              For weekday psalm
              For weekday gospel
              Pope Francis homily


               Paul told the Ephesian Christians that in believing in the Gospel they received the seal of the Spirit, through which God chose us and gave us a way of life, an identity.  The Holy Spirit has sealed our hearts and walks with us and is a down payment on our inheritance.  Heaven begins with the Spirit; we're already living in Heaven, eternity, because the Spirit sealed us.  But having the pledge of Heaven doesn't keep us from slipping; we can dull our identity down, be lukewarm, like Christians who go to Mass but live like pagans, or pretending to be Christian but not acting like one—the hypocrisy Jesus condemns.  A Christian life lived according to Spirit-created identity shows "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."  his is our path to Heaven, our road.  Ask for grace to be careful with this seal, our Christian identity.

               Synod corner

               Christ-centered focus on family (small-group reflections on mid-term Relatio) :  The vision of the world and family must pass through the lens of the Gospel and encourage conversion.  Stress the positive message of the Gospel of the family, marriage as sacrament, gift from God; encourage faithful couples.  Mention adoption, biotechnology, spread of culture via the internet, and importance of pro-family policies.  Pay attention to the presence of the elderly within families and to families in poverty.  Emphasize families' role in evangelization.  The Church should welcome everyone, but don't use confusing language.  Promote “spiritual communion.”  Re Eucharist for the divorced and remarried:  keep status quo, or open up communication based on compassion and mercy?  Divorced persons who haven't remarried are often heroic witnesses of fidelity.  Accelerate annulment procedures.  Children are gifts from God, not burdens.  Emphasize Matrimony/Baptism link.  Accompany homosexuals pastorally, protecting their dignity, without implying approval of their way of life.  Reflect more on Mary and the Holy Family, model for families.

               Towards consensus over difficult family/relationship issues:  Highlight witness of sacrificial, loving families.  Make sure our words are welcoming and from the heart and our outreach is rooted in Scripture and Church teaching.  Clarify that the annulment process is free.  Don't forget families who show love through adoption.
              Respect:  Media have depicted bitter conflict between 'traditional' and 'reform-minded' bishops, but discussion has been open and sincere.  Reform is development of doctrine in light of new challenges.  Pastoral conversion requires going out of churches and into streets, treating all with respect and welcome.  Look first at persons, not sexual orientation; welcome is basic human and Christian behavior.  Respect for every person isn't respect for every behavior, but we seek positive seeds of truth in every situation:  don't peer behind bedroom doors but embrace love found in living rooms.

               St. Ignatius of Antioch
              Universalis profile:  2nd bishop of Antioch after St. Peter; wrote letters about Christ, Church structure, and Christian life.  Arrested, sentenced to death, thrown to wild beasts in the arena; described soldiers escorting him as like “ten leopards, who when they are kindly treated only behave worse.”See Wikipedia, Catholic Encyclopedia.
              Today's patristic reading is the famous excerpt from his letter to the Romans; look below "I am God's wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals." Here's the whole letter, context, and more, also from Universalis.
              Read
              Weekday
              • Eph 1:11-14  In Christ we were chosen, destined in accord with God's purpose, so we might exist for his praise.  In him you who heard and believed were sealed with the Spirit, the first installment of our inheritance.
                Wordle: Readings 10-17-14 weekday
              • Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13  "Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own."  Exult in the Lord; give thanks on harp and lyre.  God's word is upright, his works trustworthy.  He is just and kind.
              • 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.”
              Memorial
              Wordle: Readings 10-17-14 Ignatius

              • Phil 3:17-4:1  Imitate me; stand firm.  We're citizens of heaven; Christ will change our body to conform with his.
              • Ps 34:2-9  "The Lord delivered me from all my fears."  Praise God always.  Look to him; be radiant.  He saved me, saves all who fear him.  Taste and see Lord's goodness; take refuge.
              • Jn 12:24-26  If a wheat grain dies, it produces fruit; otherwise it's just a grain.  If you love life, lose it.  To serve me, follow me; Father will honor you.

              Reflect
              • Creighton:  Did Jesus call the Pharisees’ hypocrisy leaven because it spread through their lives and message?  His saying that all will be revealed sheds light on the dangers of hypocrisy:  the truth always emerges.  "Even your hairs have been counted" expresses how much God cares for me how aware he is of my needs.
              • One Bread One Body:  "Father, Son, and Down payment":  the Spirit is the Pledge of our inheritance, the down Payment against redemption.  By the Spirit we experience God's love, become empowered, receive freedom, and are transformed into God's image and likeness; these experiences confirm God will do what he promised (Jos 23:14).
                Guest dressers:
                thanks, Silvia and Fr. Ed!
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              • Passionist:  After Jesus denounced the Pharisees and scholars for restricting God's love, he comforts and reassures his disciples of God's great love.  How do I surrender to God's will?  How do I praise?
              • DailyScripture.net:  Leaven was a sign of evil; fermentation was associated with decay. Jesus turned the table on the Pharisees by declaring outward appearance doesn't always match the heart.  'Hypocrite' (?p????t??) = 'actor,' one who pretends to be what they're not.  Hypocrisy thrives appearance and masking, but God's light exposes and transforms evil so we can love and be humble and true.
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