Tag: humility

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” | Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 25:14-30)

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one-to each according to his ability. Then he went away. “After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.'”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples a parable about fidelity to God’s gifts. The parable is familiar: one servant receives five talents; another, two talents; and a third, one talent. The first two double their master’s money, but the third buries the talent in the ground and is cast out. The one who is entrusted with God’s gifts, or talents, multiplies them by using them. When emptied of the anxiety of material possession but in the blessedness of fear of the Lord, the hands are unhindered to use God’s gifts for the needs of others. Consider the worthy wife in the first reading: “She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. . . . She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.” Jesus concludes the parable by telling his disciples, “For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Every good gift comes from God. How do we use them to the fullest, wisely and faithfully?

God, help me to be a good steward of the gifts you have given me. Let me not ask, which of the gifts you have given me can bring the greatest material or financial gain but which of them shines the brightest for the sake of your glory. Greed leads to greater greed; stewardship leads to just distribution. Make clear to me where your gifts accomplish your will. The master in the parable goes away but returns. Teach me to be vigilant for Christ’s return but not fearful of it like the servant. Supply the grace and courage necessary to be a good steward in the responsible use of my talents—the gifts you have given me so that I can one day share in your joy.

From the responsorial psalm: “Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” Lord, remain in me; keep me alert to your coming.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Will he be slow to answer them?” | Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 18:1-8)

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples about the necessity of persistent prayer. He illustrates this by telling them a parable about a widow who asked for a just decision against her adversary. The judge, Jesus says, “neither feared God nor respected any human being.” Deciding to address the widow so that she stops bothering him, the judge renders a decision for her. If the dishonest judge brings justice to the widow, how much more, Jesus tells the disciples, will God be quick to answer justly and mercifully those who call out to him day and night.

God, help me understand that in the words of Jesus you invite me to pray without ceasing for what I need. I often fail to recognize that what I believe I need is far from your will, and my hope in what I pray for begins to wane. Instead, let me trust that you know what I need even before I ask and that you are the only just judge, the one God alone who renders a just decision. Let me be unafraid of persisting in prayer and bothering you with the things I believe I need the most. Give me the grace to recognize that you provide for my needs over and above what I see as the best possible outcome. This is a matter of trust in your mercy; teach me to trust in your will for me.

From the responsorial psalm: “Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! Remember the marvels the Lord has done!” Lord, teach me to pray without becoming weary!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:26-37)

“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to the disciples about the Second Coming and Final Judgment. He relates examples from the Old Testament as a way to help them understand the coming of the Son of Man. Going about their ordinary activities, the people in Noah’s time were caught off guard at the coming destruction as were the people of Sodom at the time of Lot when his wife looked back back to see “fire and brimstone” and turned to a pillar of salt. Saints and theologians have explained Jesus’ disturbing reference to vultures gathering around the body in different ways. Is it enough to recognize that the body will be raised up at the Second Coming for eternal condemnation or eternal life with the Body of Christ?

Father in heaven, help me be aware always of the suddenness of the coming of your Son. Whether to prepare for the ultimate judgment or the end of my life, help me be ready for Christ’s return. Give me the grace to see in the created world beyond the limitations of created things the author who created all. From the Book of Wisdom, help me recall you when I get lost in the ordinariness of a day: “All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan.” Give me the courage to die to the things of this world and, for the sake of the life of the world to come, not look back.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Saint Elizabeth, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaVQ82g2C4

“The Kingdom of God is among you.” | Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:20-25)

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says that no one will be able to announce when the Kingdom of God comes and at the same time that “the Kingdom of God is among you.” He says to the disciples: “For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.” The coming of the kingdom is already here and is still to come; it is both. Because Jesus perfectly fulfilled the will of the Father in his passion, death, and resurrection, he is one with him in being beyond space and time.

Father in heaven, you are present now, always have been, and always will be—present eternally. You reign over heaven and earth now and in the Second Coming in the return of Christ. By allowing your kingdom to come in my words and actions, help me today prepare for eternal life. Jesus said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.” Give me the grace, Lord, to long for your Son in my desires and in choices I make. Help me see him today and, having prepared for his return, when he comes again.

From the Gospel acclamation: “I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord: whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.” Your word is forever, Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Your faith has saved you.”| Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:11-19)

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed.

In today’s Gospel, Luke relates the account of Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers. Although healed immediately, only one of the ten returns to Jesus to thank him and give glory to God. Luke tells us that he glorifies God in a loud voice and falls at the feet of Jesus in thanksgiving. As foreigners, and considered by Jews to be impure because of their religious practices and beliefs, Samaritans were looked on as inferior. In recognizing the miracle Jesus performed, the Samaritan gives witness to the importance of recognizing that God’s healing and unifying presence manifested in Jesus’ act of love and mercy.

Father in heaven, help me see with the eyes of faith beyond the physical limitations of sight. The leper Jesus healed came back to him glorifying you in a loud voice, an expression of his complete faith in you. Jesus said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” Give me the grace first to recognize your healing presence and also to be a witness to others in giving you thanks in your saving power.

From the responsorial psalm: “In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Christ, have mercy on us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaVQ82g2C4

“We have done what we were obliged to do.” | Tuesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:7-10)

Jesus said to the Apostles: “So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to respond to the request of the Apostles: “Increase our faith.” Taking the request of the apostles into account along with today’s message, Jesus emphasizes the means of increasing faith: forgiveness and obedience. Forgiveness frees us to serve others in humility and obedience. The demands of discipleship call for dutiful service not for the sake of reward but in obedience to the Lord’s commands. Forgiveness is a form of detachment from obstacles that prevent us from recognizing and doing God’s will.

Father in heaven, hear my prayer. In forgiving others I know that I am doing as Jesus commands. Yet, I fail to do that so often on so many levels. Help me dwell on my inability and weakness as a way to recognize my dependence on you for genuine forgiveness. The gift you give me is one that I immediately give away in letting go of even the little injuries that tend to fester and do harm. Help me recall the words of the Our Father today in obedience to your kingdom and in forgiving the trespasses of others.

From the responsorial psalm: “When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. I will bless the Lord at all times.” Let my soul glory, Lord, in you alone.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Which of you . . . does not first sit down and calculate the cost?” | Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 14:25-33)

Jesus turned and addressed the crowds: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?”

Jesus sets down the conditions for discipleship in sharply defined terms, laying on the line the complete dedication necessary in carrying one’s own cross. Using two earthly images, he compares discipleship to one who calculates the cost of building a tower and to a king assessing whether he has enough troops to win a battle. In both cases, the cost must be calculated and a decision made one way or another: to engage or to withdraw. The terms for discipleship, Jesus says, are this: “In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” In the first reading, Saint Paul describes this commitment in terms of sacrificial love, writing, “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Father in heaven, help me understand what is at stake and what resources I have when I sit down to calculate the cost of discipleship. When Jesus says I must “hate” my brothers and sisters for the sake of following him, that’s not meant to be taken literally but to emphasize complete devotion to him and abandonment of all possessions. Still, this seems impossible; I need your grace for this, Lord—to love one another and to renounce the spirit of this world. In sizing up what seems to be impossible on our own, Saint Ignatius suggests that the only true way to calculate the cost is not to count at all but instead completely trust in you. He puts it this way: “Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give, and not to count the cost.” Teach me to do your will, Lord, and let me trust that you will supply everything I need.

From the responsorial psalm: “Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.” Help me be gracious, Lord, as you are gracious!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Make people come in that my home may be filled.” | Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 14:15-24)

Jesus said: “Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled.'”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable while dining at the house of a Pharisee. He responds to a guest’s comment about the blessedness of those who will eat in the kingdom of God. In the parable, Jesus tells how people respond differently to a man’s invitation to others to dine at his banquet. Each one is preoccupied with worldly distractions and excuse themselves from the invitation. So the man sends out his servant to invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. The man in the parable represents God, and the great banquet symbolizes the kingdom of God. But the ones first invited excuse themselves from attending. What reason in the world is there to reject the blessings God gives to those he invites to his kingdom?

Father in heaven, help me understand the meaning of today’s Gospel, especially the last words of the man in the parable: “For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.” How clear is your Son in this, the Eucharistic invitation to “eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood.” Give me the grace, Lord, to say yes to your invitation to the true food and true drink of the Eucharist. Whenever I have the ability to attend Mass during the week, let me hear and respond to your invitation to dine in the Kingdom of God.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.” Lord, let me trust in your mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Blessed indeed will you be.” | Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 14:12-14)

Jesus said: “Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel to a leading Pharisee who invited him to dine at his home. He tells him not to invite those close to him in case they might invite him back and as a result have repayment. In telling the Pharisee to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, Jesus instructs him in the means of resurrection to eternal life with the Father. Three times Jesus mentions the notion of repayment in reference to its flow. Who does the Pharisee host, and what is expected in return? In what many forms does fear of repayment bind, and what does Jesus teach about hospitality and the flow of currency that leads to the banquet of eternal life?

Father in heaven, I don’t often see and am not accustomed to seeing the broken and destitute people Jesus names in the Gospel. Yet it is exactly those who are to be invited to the banquet. Jesus holds true to his word in that he invites the same to his banquet at every celebration of the Mass. In receiving the Eucharist, as I approach the body and blood of Christ before the altar, I become the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. In that sacrament I recognize my dependence on you for every good gift and invite the Holy Spirit to do what is necessary so that I become the body and blood of Christ that I consume. Give me the grace, Lord, to be Christlike to the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame in whatever guise I encounter them. And help me begin to see that they are right before me every day. “For the LORD hears the poor,” the psalmist writes, “and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”

From the responsorial psalm: “But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. Lord, in your great love, answer me.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaVQ82g2C4

“For they preach but they do not practice.” | Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 23:1-12)

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.”

Jesus speaks to both the crowds and the disciples about following God’s word and keeping a covenant with him. In the first reading, the Lord says, “Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us?” Yet, the Pharisees take the word of God and make it into a kind of prison of false piety performed to be seen and calling for honor. In the second reading, Saint Paul sets an example of what humility looks like as it is practiced in faith: “We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. . . . You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” To quiet and still the soul to find peace in the Lord—what does that take?

Father in heaven, quiet my soul in the midst of this day to be able to see you present as the day unfolds. Open my eyes to see you in a way that comes not from busying myself with conspicuous achievements but in quietly serving others and working to unburden them. Place before me the work that brings to light the Gospel and gives glory to your name. Give me the grace, Lord, to bear your word and make you known in sharing my very self with others.

From the responsorial psalm: “O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.