Tag: love

“The Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” | Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi | 10.4.23

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 9:57-62)

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

Jesus encounters people who desire to follow him. To each, he responds in a way that makes them question their sincerity. The response to the man who asks first to bury his father is without question harsh. Whether the man’s father had just passed away or he wanted to wait until his father’s death and burial to commit to discipleship is not clear. Yet, Jesus radically rearranges human spiritual priorities, placing family obligations behind worship of God and proclaiming his kingdom. Another person requests to bid farewell to their family before following Jesus, but Jesus warns against looking back and emphasizes the need for wholehearted dedication to the Kingdom of God. As Jesus does his Father’s will by proclaiming the Kingdom of God, the urgency for us to do the same is indisputable. In doing that, nothing is lost in choices that follow.

Father in heaven, you are present in apparent absence, present always and everywhere in heaven and earth. While foxes have dens and birds have nests, whoever would follow Jesus has not even a place to rest his head. Yet, you are present daily, every second of the day. In the face of death, Lord God of hosts, you are there. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Jesus said to the man with family at home: “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Lord, give me the grace to understand what Jesus teaches about spiritual priorities. Help me recognize your presence, Lord, and always put you first.

From the Gospel acclamation: “I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” Saint Francis, 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.

“Jesus turned and rebuked them.” | Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 9:51-56)

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.

As Luke tells us that Jesus “resolutely determined” to travel to Jerusalem, the first reading from the prophet Zechariah makes clear why Jesus made that his intention before his passion, death, and resurrection: God came to be with his people. Speaking through Zechariah, the LORD says: “Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD.” But the people in a Samaritan village would not welcome him. Faced with rejection, James and John, the Sons of Thunder, ask Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven. But Jesus came to serve and die on the cross for many; he does not force the fulfillment of his mission on the Samaritans. Luke tells us: “Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.”

God, as the psalmist says, you are with us and invite all of us to implore your favor. Jesus teaches me through his rebuke of James and John. Your invitation to be with you isn’t accomplished as worldly power would accomplish it, through force. Instead, Jesus journeys to another village to find his way to Jerusalem. He finds another way to accomplish your will by dying on the cross. Luke doesn’t say what words of rebuke Jesus spoke to James and John. Was it a silent rebuke—eyes on them—as he led them to seek another way, to learn through mercy the way to their eternal home? Lord, help me today be resolutely determined to recognize and do your will.

From the responsorial psalm: “They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled: ‘This man was born there.’ And all shall sing, in their festive dance: ‘My home is within you.’ God is with 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.

“. . . unless you turn and become like children.” | Memorial of the Guardian Angels

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:1-5, 10)

Jesus said to the disciples: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”

Jesus teaches the importance of humility, simplicity, and care for the vulnerable in the kingdom of heaven. All of us are called to embrace trust and humility and to value and protect the most vulnerable in society. Consider what Jesus is really saying when he refers to little ones as a “child such as this”; that is, all of us—every person. Jesus refers to the love of his Father in being childlike and receiving children in his name as a way of receiving him. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones,” Jesus says, “for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” To become like children and to receive the childlike in Jesus’ name—how far can one take that to heart?

Father in heaven, help me understand what Jesus is saying in today’s Gospel. To be childlike in faith challenges my sense of self-reliance and status that have developed in maturity. Find a way through to my hardness of heart in receiving your love and in turn caring for others. Give me the grace today to trust you with a childlike heart, recognizing with joy that my guardian angel always looks upon your face. In that, let me take delight in recalling throughout the day that I am never apart from you for even a second.

From the first reading from the prophet Zechariah: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun, and from the land of the setting sun. I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.” Guardian angel, be ever present to help and guide 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.

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 21:28-32)

“What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.”

Jesus addresses the chief priests and elders of the people through a parable about two sons. The first son initially refuses to work but later changes his mind and goes to work. The second son agrees to work but does not go. Jesus asks which of the two sons did their father’s will, and the chief priests and elders reply that it was the first son. By asking this, Jesus calls attention to their actions, saying that tax collectors and prostitutes, who initially did not believe in John the Baptist, are entering the kingdom of God before them because they did not change their minds and believe in his call for repentance. Today how does the need for repentance draw both the self-righteous and sinners to receive God’s mercy?

Father in heaven, help me respond to you. Help my yes mean yes and my no mean no. You are always present, waiting for me to come back to you. In their judgment of sinners, the chief priests and elders failed to recognize their own need for repentance and your mercy. Give me the grace of humility, of acknowledging that I cannot know the hearts of others as you know them. Through the sacrament of reconciliation, even when I have turned away from you, I have the means of acknowledging my sins in genuine contrition, to turn away from sin, and firmly resolve with the help of your grace to sin no more and do your will. Thank you, Lord, for your abundant mercy!

From the responsorial psalm: “Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your love are from of old. The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD. Remember your mercies, O 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.

Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 9:43b-45)

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Jesus performs miraculous works among the people, causing astonishment among them and the disciples. When he speaks to the disciples, Jesus explains that he will be betrayed. Although the disciples do not comprehend his words—perhaps fearful of hearing unnerving details—they were afraid to ask him to tell them more about the saying “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” Jesus asks that the disciples pay attention to him and hear his words. Yet, what they are afraid to learn more about is the beginning of Christ’s suffering and death, the means of reconciling humanity to God through his death and resurrection. What particular message is there in the Gospel, the word of God, that alarms and causes anxiety? Whatever it is, God’s love is there within it.

God, help me understand that you work in ways I fail to comprehend. In the first reading, you say to Zechariah through an angel: “But I will be for [Jerusalem] an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst. . . . See, I am coming to dwell among you.” You are always present, Lord, encircling me even when I look ahead and believe there is reason to fear. Again, in the responsorial psalm, you turn mourning into joy and gladden the sorrowful. “The Lord will guard us a shepherd guards his flock.” In yesterday’s reading, Jesus said to Nathanael, indicating the glory of your heavenly kingdom: “You will see greater things than this.” Give me a resolute heart, Lord, to pay attention to your word and trust in your love.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” Saint Jerome, 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

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 1:47-51)

Jesus answered and said to Nathanael, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Jesus meets Nathanael and acknowledges his sincere character. “Here is a true child of Israel,” Jesus says. “There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael is surprised by Jesus’ insight about him and recognizes Him as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus assures Nathanael that he will see even greater things through the Son of Man—the angels of God ascending and descending on him. Nathanael is at first impressed with what Jesus is able to see about him. “How do you know me?” he asks Jesus. What Nathanael is able to recognize about Jesus’ divinity is strictly limited to earthly knowledge. Jesus invites Nathanael to see with the eyes of faith, to see as the prophet Daniel sees: “[God’s] dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.”

Father in heaven, you see me as I am and not as I see myself or others. Yet, it is not your will that we are limited to seeing only appearances and physical reality. Help me see as Jesus desired Nathanael to see—beyond outward appearances and into the mystery of your divine presence that suffuses every ordinary moment of the day and that the angels witness unceasingly. That requires faith, the kind of faith Nathanael had when he exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Lord, grant me the grace of quiet, unshaken faith in your dominion, your glory, and your kingship. I believe; help my unbelief!

From the responsorial psalm: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.” Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, guide and defend 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.

Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 9:7-9)

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

In today’s Gospel, Herod had heard about Jesus and was puzzled by the various rumors going around. Had John come back to life? Had Elijah or one of the ancient prophets appeared? But Herod knows that he had already beheaded John, so he wondered who this Jesus was. As Luke tells us, Herod was unable to understand Jesus’ divinity and his miraculous works, so he kept trying to see him. Based on one’s religious upbringing or individual experiences, puzzlement and speculation exist today about Jesus—who he is and what his mission was. Elsewhere in the Gospel, is it any wonder that Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

God, help me understand that at times little distance exists between Herod’s perception of you and mine. When I am unable to see you in the course of a day, I tend toward perplexity and modern-day skepticism. Who is this Jesus, and what is this I hear about him? When I am not able to see you, Lord, what particular obstacle is in my way? When the one, ultimate explanation of causes doesn’t satisfy—that you alone are God—and instead I find myself searching among signs pointing to signs, come to my aid. Give me the grace, Lord, to hear your voice and come back to you with my whole heart. I have known your love; keep me in your care. As the responsorial refrain says, “The Lord takes delight in his people.”

From the Gospel acclamation: “I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” Lord Jesus Christ, let me live in your truth!

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.

“Take nothing for the journey.” | Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 9:1-6)

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends out the Twelve to do what he has shown them to do through his words and actions: proclaim the good news and heal the sick. As he sends them out, Jesus gives the apostles power and authority over demons and illnesses. At the same time, he tells them the means to remain within the Kingdom of God even as they proclaim it. “Take nothing for the journey,” he says, and then lays out for them specific details. Just as Jesus proclaimed the Gospel and cured diseases, he sends the Twelve out to do the same, showing them how to sustain themselves along the way by trusting in his Father’s care and remaining in it.

Father in heaven, the words of Jesus your Son are clear: “take nothing for the journey.” When I consider how it is possible to live in the complete trust of your providential care, I realize how far I am from that. I have everything I need; I lack no thing. To the extent that I am able to detach from many things and from plentiful food, how would I see your power and authority to do your will take shape in me? It’s a question I don’t often ask. Lord, give me the grace during the day’s journey to give up something, to make a small sacrifice, for the sake of consciously coming into your presence. Then, help me call to mind, that strengthened by you, you will place in my way something I can do to proclaim your word, heal some hurt or illness, or bring before you someone who especially needs your love.

From the responsorial psalm: “He scourges and then has mercy; he casts down to the depths of the nether world, and he brings up from the great abyss. No one can escape his hand. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.” Saint Vincent de Paul, 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.

Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 8:19-21)

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Today’s Gospel picks up where yesterday’s left off. After Luke relates Jesus’ parable of the lamp, he describes a time when Jesus had before him a great crowd. Someone tells him that his mother and his brothers, or brethren, stand outside, unable to get to him. Jesus’ reply to him seems brusque. Yet, before him at that moment were people intent on hearing the word of God. No one else supported Jesus’ mission and fulfillment as the Messiah as much as Mary did, so how is it possible that Jesus was rejecting Mary and his brethren? A central message of the Gospel is unity, as Jesus prays in John’s Gospel, “so that they may all be one.” Rather than pointing out divisions among those who come to hear him, Jesus has in Mary and the brethren members of a spiritual family united in God.

God, deepen in me the desire to hear your word and act on it. Through your grace, help me see beyond superficial divisions within relationships and nurture unity among people I encounter by acting on your word—your word, which alone is the source of all unity in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Luke says that Mary was unable to join Jesus because of the crowd. Teach me what I need to take to heart: whether I am aware of it, you always take initiative to make your nearness known. In obedience to your word and your Church, Lord, I become your adopted son, confident in your presence.

From the responsorial psalm: “I rejoiced because they said to me, ‘We will go up to the house of the LORD.’ And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” Lord, guide me in your ways today; teach me to observe your word.

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.

Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 8:16-18)

Jesus said to the crowd: “For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes what it is like to live in the light of the Gospel and give witness to it. He uses the analogy of a lamp, which is not concealed under a bed but placed on a lampstand so that anyone entering a room may see the light. Living in God’s light is the same way, and Jesus emphasizes that nothing remains hidden forever. What is hidden becomes visible; what is secret comes to light. How is it then that to anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who lacks, even what seems in one’s possession is taken away? In the podcast Catechism in a Year, Father Mike Schmitz describes God’s gifts, that everything we have comes from him. “It’s quite possible,” Father Mike says, “that the only thing that I can point to in this entire world and say, ‘that’s mine,’ is my sin.”

God, help me understand today’s Gospel. To live in your light is to gain more; to cling to sin and keep it hidden, is to lose even the little knowledge of you that I believe I have. There is more here to consider than a few minutes of prayer can unpack. Give me the grace to listen to your word and respond to it and the courage to bring the light of the Gospel to places where truth remains hidden or obscured. Despite my failings and shadow side of sin, let me be a means of letting your superabundant grace shine through in bringing the light of Christ to others.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

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.