May 25, 2015

Bede

May 25, 2015:  Monday, 8th week, Ordinary Time / Memorial Day / St. Bede...
    • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  The faithful shall pray to you in time of stress. (psalm); A man knelt before Jesus (gospel)
    • 'Commandments' tie:  "You know the commandments" (gospel)


      Listen

      When Jesus tells the rich young man he needs to sell his things, give to the poor, then follow him, the man's joy and hope vanish, because he doesn't want to give up his riches.  Attachment to riches is the beginning of all kinds of corruption:  in personal life, business, politics, and education...  Those who live attached to their own power and wealth believe they’re in heaven; closed, they have no horizon or hope.  Eventually they'll have to leave everything.
      Rich and sterile:  Riches can seduce, making us believe we're in paradise on earth.  But earthly paradise has no "horizon"; it's like a neighborhood of rich people who built walls and fences to defend their property.  Living without horizons is sterile; living without hope is sad.  Attachment to wealth makes us sad and sterile.  I say 'attachment,' not 'good administration,' because riches are for the common good.  If the Lord gives them to one person, it's so they may be used for the good of all.
      Open your hand and your horizons:  Wealth without generosity makes us believe we're powerful like God.  And in the end it takes away hope.  But Jesus indicates the right way to live:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit."  Strip off this attachment and make sure the riches the Lord has given one are for the common good.  Open your hand and heart; open up the horizon.  If you have a closed hand, your heart is also closed:  you have no horizons, you don't see others in need, and you'll end up far from God.
      Read
      • Sir 17:20-24  God provides a way back to the penitent and encourages those losing hope.  Return to him and give up sin.  How great the Lord's mercy and forgiveness!

      • Ps 32:1-2, 5-7  "Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord."  Blessed all whose fault is taken away.  I acknowledged my sin to you, and you took away my guilt.  The faithful shall pray to you in time of stress, and you'll preserve them.

      • Mk 10:17-27  Man / Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “Why do you call me good?  Only God is good.  You know the commandments....” / “I've observed them all from my youth.” / “You lack one thing:  Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you'll have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  He went away sad, for he had many possessions.  Jesus / disciples:  “How hard it is for the wealthy to enter God's Kingdom!  It's easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich person to enter God's Kingdom.” / “Then who can be saved?” / “For people it's impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
      Reflect
      • Creighton:  Jesus' conversation with the man about eternal life takes a turn when he looks with love at him.  "Sell everything and give to the poor" isn't another commandment to keep; it's the way to become free to follow Jesus.  Eternal life is loving communion starting here with following Jesus.  What gets in the way of my receiving and responding to Jesus' “look of love”?  Attachment to material possessions, fear, guilt, shame...?  May I receive that look and live in his love.
      • One Bread One Body:  "Hope-loss?"  Hope in the Lord leads to strength. A people of hope is a people of strength.  Don't let disappointments, sadness, self-centeredness, or trials get in the way of hope.  Wait on the Lord; hope in God....
        St. Bede the Venerable
      • Passionist:  Things are not evil in themselves, but attachment to them–longing or possession–can make them evil for us.  If possessions cause us to make bad choices–like not sharing with those in need, or spending too much time with toys and hobbies–or if they become an obstacle in our relationship with God, they become evil, but the end of today's gospel gives us hope:  "for God, all things are possible."
      • DailyScripture.net:  The young man had mis-placed his hope in what he possessed.  Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire, longing, will, and focus.  Giving up everything to have the Lord as our treasure is great joy.  Selling all could mean letting go of attachments, friendships, influence, job, entertainment, life style and putting God first, giving him our best.  Those generous towards God and neighbor can't outmatch God's generosity toward us.  God blesses us with freedom from fear, the power of sin, selfishness, pride, loneliness, isolation, rejection, hopelessness, despair, and disillusionment....
      The camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine; the "eye of the needle" is either literal or refers to the narrow gate travelers used when the larger gate was locked.  A normal sized man had to "lower" himself to enter that gate; a camel would have to kneel and crawl through it.  Wealth can make us falsely independent, give us false security, or lead us to hurtful desires or selfishness.  We lose what we keep but gain what we give away.  Jesus offers us treasure no money can buy and no thief can steal.  Where is my treasure?
        • Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, Carmelite nun prayed for Church reform and conversion of the world, guided her fellow sisters; see Wikipedia, Catholic Encyclopedia.
      Special greetings to and prayers for St. Bede the Venerable parish and school!

      Posted by at No comments:

      May 24, 2015

      Pentecost

      May 24, 2015:  Pentecost Sunday

      • 'Holy Spirit' chain: They were all filled with the Holy Spirit (1st reading); lots of other references
      • 'Earth' tie:  "Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth." (psalm)
      • 'Hearts' suspenders: "Shine within these hearts"; "Bend the stubborn heart" (sequence); love, a fruit of the Spirit (2nd reading)
      • 'Jubilee year' button:  joy, a fruit of the Spirit (2nd reading)
      • 'Key' tie pin: "when the doors were locked, Jesus came:..."  (gospel)
      • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  ..."Peace!... Receive the Holy Spirit." (gospel); peace, a fruit of the Spirit (2nd reading)
      • Red and white shirt:  red for Holy Spirit, white for (last day of the) Easter season
      Today's Guest Dressers

      Norma
      Jamie and Lori
      Lori's "Holy Spirit" chain,
      close up
      Listen


      • Envía tu Espíritu/ Hurd; caveat:  recording has the original "Sea renovada..." ("Let/may [the face of the earth] be renewed") that sounds like "Se ha renovada..." ("[The face of the earth] has been renewed") (sheet music); he shifted it an eighth note (sheet music) so it sounds right.  (Ignore the video's lyrics typos.)

      Pope Francis
      Homily:  The gift of the Holy Spirit on the eve of the Resurrection took place again at Pentecost, intensified by extraordinary signs, like a wind shaking the Upper Room, filling the Apostles' minds and hearts, giving them new strength to proclaim the Resurrection in different languages.  With them was Mary, Mother of Jesus, first disciple and Mother of the newborn Church.
      The Spirit is still at work, guiding us into truth, renewing the earth, and giving his fruits.  Jesus promised the Spirit would come guide us into the truth.  The Spirit gave the Apostles a new understanding of the truth and beauty of the Cross and Resurrection.  Once paralyzed with fear in the Upper Room, they were no longer ashamed to be Christ’s disciples.  Spirit-filled, they'd understand that Jesus' death was the ultimate expression of God’s love, a love that in the Resurrection conquers death and exalts Jesus as Lord and Redeemer. 
      The Spirit renews the earth.  The birth of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles is significantly linked to Psalm 104, a hymn of praise to the Creator.  The Holy Spirit Christ sent and the Creator Spirit who gives everything life are one and the same.  Our faith requires us to respect creation:  our “garden” isn't entrusted to us to be exploited but to be tended with respect, but that's possible only if we let the Spirit renew us, allow the Father to re-form us to the model of Christ; then we can be free and in harmony with creation and see God's glory in every creature. 
      Paul contrasts the vices of the flesh, the works of selfish people closed to God, to the fruits manifested in people who walk in the way of the Spirit, those who allow God's Spirit to break into their lives.  He appeals, “Walk by the Spirit.”  The world needs Spirit-filled people.  There are many ways to close yourself to the Spirit and so lose freedom:  selfishness, legalism, neglect of what Jesus taught, pursuing personal interests instead of serving others, and many other ways.  The world needs the courage, hope, faith, and perseverance of Christ’s followers.  The world needs the fruits of the Spirit.  The Spirit has been bestowed upon the Church and upon each of us so that we may live lives of faith and charity, sowing reconciliation and peace.  Strengthened by the Spirit and his gifts, may we battle against sin and corruption, devoting ourselves to works of justice and peace. 
      Regina Cœli recalling yesterday's beatification’s of Archbishop Romero and Sr. Irene Stefani:  Archbishop Oscar Romero, zealous pastor, example of Jesus, killed in hatred of the faith while celebrating the Eucharist, chose to be among his people, especially the poor and the oppressed, even at the cost of his life.  Consolata Missionary Sr. Irene Stefani served the Kenyan people with joy, mercy, and tender compassion.  Their heroic example inspire in us the desire to be witnesses to the Gospel with courage and self-sacrifice.
      Read
      • Acts 2:1-11  At Pentecost, a noise like a strong wind filled the house, tongues as of fire rested on each apostle, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.  Jews from every nation gathered but were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  They asked, “If they're all Galileans, how does each of us hear them in his native language?  We're from all over but hear them speaking in our own tongues of God's mighty acts.”
      • Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34  "Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth."  Lord, my God, you and your works are great!  I will be glad in the Lord.
      (Animate)
      • 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13  There are different gifts but the same Spirit, different kinds of service but the same Lord, different workings but the same God who produces them.  To each person the Spirit is manifested for some benefit.  As a body is one though it has many parts, so also Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, and we were all given one Spirit.
      • Gal 5:16-25  Live by the Spirit and you won't gratify the desire of the flesh; the flesh and the Spirit are opposed to each other.  The works of the flesh are obvious:  immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, fury, selfishness, dissensions...; if you do such things, you won't inherit the kingdom.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  If you belong to Christ Jesus, you've crucified your flesh with its passions and desires.  Let us follow the Spirit.
      • Veni, Sancte Spiritus sequence:  see music above
      • Jn 20:19-23  Jesus came:  “Peace be with you....  As the Father has sent me, so I send you....  Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them; whose sins you retain are retained.”
      Reflect
        • "Pentecost is a way of life"  —Msgr. Antonio Cacciapuoti, St. Bede pastor (tweetable)

        • Creighton:  In fear, Jesus' followers hid, awaiting cries for bloodshed; they felt they'd failed him.  But when the wind came, their spirits ignited, amazing words poured forth, and life displaced fear.  In misery, Jesus' companions clung to each other; God’s spirit made them one, and they received new life.  In desolation we're rigid and alone, but when we reach out, the spirit finds us, and the breath of life returns.  Intent on self-sufficiency, I can distance myself from sources of life.  Our world can separate us:  being consumed with career, school, disappointments, plans…, but in friendship, prayer, conversation, struggle for justice, and service, the notion that we're one body begins to ring true, and the spirit of unity surprises us....
        • One Bread One Body:  "Submarine":   We're baptized/immersed in the Spirit; we're under and stay under the waters.  It's a new life.  Ironically, being under the waters is the only way we can really breathe, but we're tempted to come up to breathe the polluted air of the world and the flesh, but we must resist the temptation and stay immersed.  Take the plunge!
        • Passionist:  We can't stay alive for more than three minutes without breathing!  We take about 16 breaths per minute, using about two gallons of air.  The Holy Spirit in Hebrew and Greek means 'wind' or 'breath.'  We depend on the Spirit like the air we breathe.  The Spirit is the “breath of life”!  The Spirit is the source of our spiritual life.  There are some 400 references to the Spirit in the New Testament.  In Greek the Spirit is called zōopoieō, 'life maker.'  May the “divine breath” recreate us in Christ's image.
          The Descent of the Holy Ghost/ Titian
        • DailyScripture.net:  As Jesus was anointed with the Spirit at the beginning of his ministry, so too we need the Spirit to carry out the mission Jesus entrusts to us and to live in love, peace, and joy.  The Spirit helps us in our weakness and enables us to grow in freedom.
        St. Basil the Great on the Spirit's role in our lives:  "The Spirit restores paradise to us and the way to heaven and adoption as God's children; he instills confidence that we may call God Father and grants us grace to be children of the light and to enjoy eternal glory.  He bestows blessings in this world and the next; for we may contemplate now in faith the promised things we'll someday enjoy.  If this is the foretaste, what must the reality be?  If these are the first fruits, what must be the harvest?" (De Spiritu Sancto)
        • “Pentecost” comes from Greek πεντηκοστή (pentekoste), “fiftieth”; it's tied to the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), 7 × 7 days (a 'week of weeks') after the 2nd day of Passover.  Passover celebrates the freeing of the Jews from slavery; Shavuot celebrates their becoming God’s holy people by receiving and accepting the Law; and the counting of the days symbolises yearning for the Law.  Shavuot, a pilgrimage festival, was a good time for the Spirit to come and inspire preaching to all nations.  Easter freed us from slavery; Pentecost gave us the Spirit to make us Church.
        Posted by at No comments:

        May 23, 2015

        May 23

        May 23, 2015:  Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter




        • 'Eyeball' pin:  "The Lord's eyes behold mankind.  The upright shall see his face." (psalm)
        • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  Pentecost novena, Paul "wearing chains" (1st reading)
        • White on T-shirt and socks:  Easter season
        • Red T-shirt:  Pentecost novena
        Listen


         Pope Francis
        To Cardinal Turkson, Justice and Peace Council President, for Conference on Women:  Many work to defend and promote life and combat poverty, enslavement and injustices that women experience.  In the West, women can experience discrimination in the workplace, be forced to choose between work and family, and suffer from domestic violence.  In developing countries, women bear heavy burdens, traveling to get water, dying in childbirth, being kidnapped for sexual exploitation, forced into marriages, or denied the right to life.
        Life issues are intrinsically connected to social questions.  When we defend life, we do so each life–from conception to natural death–may be dignified, free from hunger, poverty, violence, and persecution.  The Church maintains the link between life ethics and social ethics, aware that society lacks solid foundations when, it asserts values of human dignity, justice, and peace but tolerates the devaluation and violation of life, especially among the weak.
        Be guided by the spirit of humanity and compassion in the service of your neighbor.  May your work be professionally competent, non self-interested but generous, so you'll manifest the gifts women have to offer, encouraging others to promote sensitivity, understanding, and dialogue to settle conflicts, heal wounds, nurture life, embody mercy and tenderness, and bring reconciliation and unity; it's all part of the “feminine genius” our society needs so badly.
        Read
        • Acts 28:16-20, 30-31  Paul to Jewish leaders:  “I've done nothing against our people or customs but was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner.  The Jews objected to their releasing me, so I appealed.  I wanted to speak with you because I'm chained because of the hope of Israel.”  He remained for two years, receiving all who came and proclaiming the Kingdom and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.
        • Ps 11:4, 5, 7  "The just will gaze on your face, O Lord."  The Lord is just; his throne is in heaven.  His eyes behold mankind, searching the just and the wicked.
        • Jn 21:20-25  When Peter asked Jesus about the disciple following whom Jesus loved, Jesus said, “What concern is it of yours if I want him to remain until I come?  You follow me.”  If everything else Jesus did was to be written individually, I don't think the world could hold the books.
        Reflect
          • Creighton:  The Holy Spirit preserves our faith, hope, and love.  God who sent his Son also gives us the Spirit that we might live in freedom.  Today's gospel is the end of John’s account of Jesus’ being the Light.  For John, believing is seeing the “signs,” and discipleship is believing and living beyond them.  With the coming of the Spirit we're given faith, ability to see Jesus and hear his call.  We, like Peter, want assurances and more “signs” to make believing easier, but God gives us just the right amount.  Look back at the “signs” and follow him forward.
          • Passionist:  Peter is probably trying to compare himself with John.  Checking to see what others have that we don’t isn't our purpose as disciples. If we follow Jesus, when we ask “What about them?” we should mean “How can I help them?”  May we ask how our choices affect others.
          • DailyScripture.net:  When Peter asked about John's role, Jesus retorted, "What's that to you?  Follow me!"  Jesus called them both but gave each a different mission. / "Books can't exhaust the person and work of Jesus Christ." His power is inexhaustible, his grace is limitless, his wisdom unfathomable, his triumphs innumerable, his love unquenchable; we can't say enough about his power, majesty, and glory.
          "May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love."  (Absorbeat, prayed by St. Francis of Assisi)
          Posted by at No comments:

          May 22, 2015

          May 22

          May 22, 2015:  Friday, Seventh Week of Easter



          • 'Angel' pin:  "Bless the Lord, all you his angels." (gospel)
          • 'Hearts' suspenders:  “Simon, do you love me?” (gospel)
          • 'Sheep,' 'lamb' tie bars:  "Tend my sheep"; “Feed my lambs.” (gospel)
          • 'Scales of justice' tie:  It's not Roman practice to hand over the accused before they have an opportunity to defend themselves. (1st reading)
          • 'Crown' tie bar:  The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. (psalm)
          • White and red in shirt:  white for Easter season, red for "by what kind of death [Peter] would glorify God." (gospel)
          Listen


          Pope Francis homily
          Jesus gave Peter three kinds of looks:  choosing, forgiveness, and mission:
          Andrew told his brother Peter they'd found the Messiah and took him to see Jesus, who looked and said, “You're Simon.  You'll be called Peter (Cephas).”  Peter was enthusiastic after that first look from Jesus and wanted to follow him.
          The night before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter disowned him three times, and when Jesus looked straight at him, Peter wept bitterly.  His enthusiasm about following Jesus had turned to grief because he'd sinned, denying he knew him.  Jesus' look changed Peter’s heart, more than before.  The first change was being given a new name and calling; the second was a gaze that changed his heart, converting it to love.
          The third look Jesus gave Peter was one of mission when he asked for confirmation Peter loved him and urged him to feed his sheep.  Peter was hurt when Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said, "Lord, You know I love you."  Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep."  The first, a look of choosing, with the enthusiasm of following Jesus; the second, a look of repentance after he'd disowned Jesus; this third, one of mission.
          What look is Jesus giving me today?  A call?  A pardon?  A mission?  Jesus is looking at each of us with love.  He asks, forgives, and calls.  "Lord, fix your gaze on me and tell me what I must do:  how I must repent, what courage I need to go on the path You created."
          Read
          • Acts 25:13b-21  Festus referred Paul’s case to the king:  “The chief priests and elders demanded his condemnation.  They only had issues with him about their religion and about 'Jesus.'  I asked if he were willing to stand trial in Jerusalem, Paul appealed to the Emperor, and I ordered him held until I could send him.”
          • Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab  "The Lord has established his throne in heaven."  Bless the Lord, and forget not his benefits:  His kindness is surpassing.  He put our transgressions far from us.  His kingdom rules over all.
          • Jn 21:15-19  Jesus / Simon Peter:  “Do you love me more than these?” / “Yes; you know I love you.” / “Feed my lambs.” / “Do you love me?” / “Yes; you know I love you.” / “Tend my sheep.” / “Do you love me?” / (distressed he asked a third time) “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” / “Feed my sheep.  When you were younger, you used to go where you wanted; but when you grow old, someone else will lead you where you don't want to go.”  (He signified by what kind of death he'd glorify God.)  “Follow me.”
          Reflect
          • Greek words for love:  ἔρως (passionate, sensual eros), φιλία (philia, friendship, affection); ἀγάπη (selfless, sacrificial, unconditional agape)  In today's gospel, Jesus asked twice whether Peter agape-loved him, and Peter responded he philia-loved him; then he asked whether he philia-loved him, and he said yes.  Peter had professed his love before, then betrayed him; now he humbly offered philia (not agape) and Jesus accepted it.  Jesus encounters us where and how we are.
            • Creighton:  Peter who denied Jesus three times around a charcoal fire now affirms his love for Jesus around another one, and Jesus tells him to feed and tend his sheep and tells him he'll die as Jesus did and glorify God.
            • One Bread One Body:  "Ready or not?"  "Am I ready to receive the Holy Spirit?  Am I ready to receive and to help others receive new Pentecosts?"  If we see signs of unselfishness in our lives, if we're more concerned about feeding the sheep than feeding ourselves, and if we're willing to go where others lead us, we probably are ready.  If we die to ourselves, we can live in the Spirit.
            • Passionist:  After betraying Jesus three times, Peter returned to fishing; today he surrenders, professing his love, and is forgiven and rehabilitated.  The Holy Spirit moved in Paul's and Peter's lives to bring about unexpected, wondrous, and lasting fruit.  When the Lord stirs things up in my life, am I open to the Spirit?
            • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus spoke about God's unquenchable, unconditional, unmerited, unlimited, unchanging, unbreakable love, freely given, freely received.  God's love heals, transforms, and frees us; it draws us to him and compels us to give him our best:  gifts, time, resources, allegiance, life.  Love is the personal choice of giving myself to others for their sake.  Fear, sin, pride, indifference, disbelief, or loss of hope and trust in God's promises and mercy can quench our love....
            "Late have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient and so new.  Late have I loved you!  You shone your Self upon me to drive away my blindness.  You breathed your fragrance upon me and in astonishment I drew my breath; now I pant for you!  I tasted you, and now I hunger and thirst for you. You touched me! and I burn to live within your peace." (St. Augustine, Confessions 10:27).
            • Universalis:  St. Rita of Cascia, married at 12, endured husband's insults and infidelities, helped convert him, reconciled family with his murderers, entered convent, remained all her life.  Honored as patroness of impossible or lost causes.
            Posted by at No comments:

            May 21, 2015

            May 21

            May 21, 2015:  Thursday, Seventh Week of Easter




            • 'Angel' pin:  "Suppose an angel has spoken to him..." (1st reading)
            • 'Cups' tie:  "Lord, my portion and cup" (psalm)
            • 'Hand' tie pin:  "With the Lord at my right hand I shall not be disturbed." (psalm)
            • 'Girl with heart' pin:  "my heart is glad" (psalm)
            • 'Eyeball' tie pin:  Jesus lifted his eyes toward heaven... (gospel)
            • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  ...and prayed (gospel)
            • 'Children holding hands' pin:  "May they all be one" (gospel)
            • White and red shirt:  white for Easter season, red for Pentecost novena
            Listen

            The price of unity:  Jesus didn't pray just for his disciples but also for those who would believe in Him "through their word."  Jesus prayed, and prays, to the Father for me!  And the Father sees his wounds, the price he paid for us.
            The faces of division:  Jesus prays "for the unity of his people, the Church."  He knows the spirit of the world is one of division, war, envy, jealousy, even in families, communities, dioceses, and the whole Church; it's the great temptation, and it leads to gossiping, labelling, and pigeonholing people.  We must be one, as Jesus and the Father are one.  Our challenge is to not let the spirit of division, the father of lies, come between us.  Everyone is different, but we must live in unity.  Jesus prays that we be one, one being; we really need that prayer.
            Grace, not "glue":  The unity Jesus calls us to is a grace and a struggle to be won; we have to make room for the Spirit, so we're transformed into one being.  Jesus advises:  "Abide in me" and asks for the grace that we remain in him.  Here's why:  "I want those you gave me to be with me where I am":  that they remain with me.
            Read
            • Acts 22:30; 23:6-11  Paul before the Sanhedrin:  “I'm a Pharisee on trial for hope in the resurrection.”  The ensuing Pharisees/Sadducees dispute was so serious that the commander had Paul rescued and taken to the compound.  Lord:  “As you've borne witness in Jerusalem, so must you in Rome.”
            • Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11  "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope."  I'm glad you won't abandon me but will show me the path to life and joy.
            • Jn 17:20-26  Jesus prayed:  “May they all be one as you, Father, and I are.  I've given them the glory you gave me, so they may be brought to perfection as one, and all may know you sent me and loved them.  I made and will make you known to the world so that your love, and I, may be in them.”
            Reflect
            • Creighton:  We need to acknowledge God's great love for us.  Jesus prays he can help people see how much they are loved and how to see God in all things.  May I connect with God in me and in those I see and not waste energy on today's frustrations.  Paul had to be rescued because it was feared he would be injured for proclaiming what he believed. The Lord told Paul to take courage and keep bearing witness.  My battles within myself are essential if I am to find God in all things.  "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope" that I may feel connected to others and to myself and that I feel and live God's love of God.
            • Passionist:  Jesus left behind a motley group of followers, but they offered a cohesive pattern of faith in the person of Jesus, like how a quilt formed from distinct cloths can be a masterpiece.  Jesus prayed for their harmony and unity and had confidence in their success.  Later, the apostles spread out, exhibiting harmony of purpose, but Paul used disharmony to advance Jesus' message by instigating an argument between Pharisees and Sadducees over the resurrection.  The same factors play out in our time; consider SS. Christopher Magallanes and his companions' support of a Mexican Christian movement against an anti-Catholic government, or Blessed (5/23) Oscar Romero, assassinated for opposing persecution of the church that supported the poor and disenfranchised.
            • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus' life was full of prayer, blessing, and gratitude. He prayed for his disciples, especially when they were in need or danger.  Jesus' priestly prayer, prayed at the Last Supper, reveals his heart; it focused on the love and unity he desired for all believers.  The unity of Jesus with the Father is one of mutual love, service, and honor, and oneness of mind, heart, and spirit.  Jesus calls us to unity with one another.  Jesus’ prayer shows his love and trust for his disciples; he gave them the task of spreading his name even though he knew they'd abandon him.  Jesus continues as high priest and intercessor for us at the Father's right hand.  May we make him known and loved by all.  May all who profess Jesus as Lord grow in love and unity.
            Posted by at No comments:
            Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)