September 21 is the feast day of St. Matthew, the tax collector turned disciple. It is Matthew’s home at which Jesus and his disciples are having dinner, among, “many tax collectors and sinners” (Mt 9:10), when the following exchange occurs:
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” – Matthew 9:11-13
If you were Matthew or a dinner guest at his house and witnessed this exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees, how would you feel, and what would you make of Jesus’s words? How about if you were a Pharisee? A disciple? Envision yourself in the shoes of the different people present or groups represented.
While there can be a wide range of perspectives and experiences in earthly regards, looking beyond that, what do you see or sense as a common bond or thread between them all?
Next, take some time to remember and pray with some of your experiences of compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. What’s it like to reflect on instances in which you received mercy, as well as the ones where you exhibited mercy toward another, as originating from the heart of God, for whom nothing is impossible? Not only that, but also to consider that these instances involved your cooperation with God, through whom anything is possible?
Share with the Lord what’s on your mind and in your heart as you contemplate his words.
In the Gospel for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, St. Luke writes:
Jesus said to his disciples: “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” – Luke 16:10-13
Continuing to pray with your experiences of mercy, reflect on God’s grace and the extent to which honesty, trust, and trustworthiness, have helped or aided you toward receiving and extending compassion, kindness, and the benefit of the doubt to yourself and others. Ask the Lord to help you to see clearly your areas of growth, and to gently acknowledge, and commit to cooperation with Grace in, areas in need of conversion.
What wisdom is waiting on you today?
Closing prayer: Hallelujah! Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised. High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens his glory. Who is like the Lord our God, enthroned on high, looking down on heaven and earth? He raises the needy from the dust, lifts the poor from the ash heap, Seats them with princes, the princes of the people, Gives the childless wife a home, the joyful mother of children. Hallelujah! – Psalm 113:1-9
In the Gospel passage for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus says to his disciples,
“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” – Luke 12:51
It’s not that Jesus wants there to be division, but rather that he knows reality.
One cannot get to peace by holding fast to anything or anyone other than God. And peace, like love, when honest and true, flows through to us by the grace of God, continues with our cooperation, and connects one and all. There’s always an extension onto others.
However, when one looks to differentiate, judge, or draw hard lines, venturing or being led away from grace, the extension gets cut off. For the peace and love of God does not occur in strict isolation, or in a single caste. Similarly, it cannot be had where there is holding back, or where humility lacks.
Take some time to pray with and consider how you experience peace and love. Express to the Lord your thoughts and feelings about the experiences that come to mind.
Next, ask the Lord for guidance and insight as to the ways that what you say and do, and what you don’t say and don’t do, are or can be an extension of the peace and love that has been bestowed to you. Allow yourself time to reflect on this and to hold a conversation with Jesus.
Envision sitting together in a place of quiet solitude. Share with Jesus whatever it is that you need at this moment. Ask Jesus to reveal any blind spots that may be interfering or leading you away from cooperating with God’s grace. What holds you back?
When the conversation reaches its end, picture yourself looking into Jesus’s eyes and feeling his peace radiating throughout you. Your heart is on fire. Jesus smiles gently at you—living faith.
We are living faith, through the choices that we make.
Upon reaching the Fourth Sunday of Advent, tempted to jump ahead or enticed toward being caught up in the final material touches that accompany Christmas and holiday celebrations is not an uncommon place to find oneself. Between day-in-day-day-out responsibilities and all that comes with the holidays, it can be hard to juggle all the things that call or try to call one’s attention at this time of year. However, taking some time to consider and pray with your desire for experiencing the peace and joy of this holy season as well as God’s desire for you, and then taking even just a few moments here and there throughout the coming week(s) can make a big difference.
At this time of year, it may seem like things, whether gifts, gestures, or responses, need to big, or bigger, or not at all. Yet, looking the readings for today (Micah 5:1-4a; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Hebrews 10:5-10; and Luke 1:39-45), they are a reminder of the most important part of all—the Source of peace and joy. And perhaps they can also be seen as an invitation to take notice of the source of one’s motivation and the state of one’s heart.
From the Book of Micah, we read:
“But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah least among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.” – Micah 5:1
When thinking of a ruler or a king, it’s natural to think in terms of grandeur. And in general, it seems human nature to be attracted to that which is, in some way, big, bright, or shiny. It’s easier to notice or pay attention to things that are “in your face” so to speak. Yet, the Prince of Peace is to come from the least among Judah’s clans.
In what ways are you open to the unexpected throughout the holidays? How do you desire to receive them as well as to recognize beauty and grandeur in both the big and the smaller moments?
The response for the Psalm is:
“Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” – Psalm 80:4
Take some time to reflect on, and pray with, the ways that the Lord restores, renews, and refreshes you. As you think about the coming week and the continuing holiday season, what are the places or situations where you might feel hesitant, anxious, or less inclined toward? Invite Jesus into these spaces and allow your heart and mind to be open to the direction toward which the Lord wishes to inspire you.
In the Letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul writes:
When Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’” – Hebrews 10:5-7
And in the Gospel according to Luke, Elizabeth is described as being “filled with the Holy Spirit” as she cries out:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” – Luke 1:42-45
What are some of the ways that the Holy Spirit has guided or enlightened you along the way this year?
Remembering that Mary has come to see Elizabeth after being visited by the Angel, Gabriel, and having responded yes to God’s will, what’s it like when you contemplate how the way that Mary responds—her will embracing God’s will and the two becoming One—extends beyond her and impacts others?
How are you affected or inspired by the notion that God’s will for Mary, is also God’s will for humanity?
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. – Luke 1:38
From where chaos comes, Base passion and design, Stirring ill will, division, Seeds sowing lies. Looking, always looking, To seep and settle in.
From where chaos spreads, Human passions and designs, From what we, as masters, embrace, What we give into, And what we withstand.
From where peace comes, Divine passion and design. Love weaving in and out, Through time and space. Ushering good tidings, Encouraging good will.
From where peace spreads, Human passions and designs, From what we, as servants, embrace, What we give into, And what we withstand.
“Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.” – Albert Schweitzer
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. – James 3:16-18
As a young person, August was synonymous with some last hurrahs and the winding down of what we considered summer; the passage of time between the ending of one school year and the beginning of another. The readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time offer an opportunity to consider more deeply, where God is in the in-between moments.
In the First Reading (Ex 16:2-4, 12-15), the Israelites are in between leaving Egypt and arriving to the Promised Land. They express feeling even more destitute than they did as slaves, complaining about the lack of provisions.
“Would that we had died at the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!” – The Israelites to Moses and Aaron, Ex 16:3
Oftentimes, the in-between moments can feel worse than the known moments that precede or follow them. God is aware of the complaints of the people as well as the position that Moses and Aaron are in, and God responds by meeting all of their needs (those of the people as well as Moses and Aaron), and thus helping them to hang on and continue the journey. How do you express your needs in prayer? And how has God provided for you in times when perhaps you felt like you couldn’t take more of whatever you may have been experiencing or felt stuck in between?
Looking to the Psalm (Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54), we are called to remember and to share the stories of God’s faithfulness.
What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, We will declare to the generation to come the glorious deeds of the Lord and his strength and the wonders that he wrought. – v. 3-4
It is our belief in God and our experiences of the Divine which strengthen and increase our faith. By recalling and sharing these experiences, we not only help to pass along faith and tradition, but also to build awareness and gratitude in ourselves and of those who journey alongside us, in terms of the personal ways in which God works, and the depth of God’s care and love for creation.
The response for the psalm is, “The Lord gave them bread from heaven.” (v. 24b). The people did not know what manna was and it is described as “fine flakes on the ground” (Ex 16:15). Take some time to reflect on what has been your bread from heaven—ways in which God has provided for you that perhaps you didn’t initially recognize, or were unexpected and/or different from what you thought you needed.
In the Second Reading (Eph 4:17,20-24), St. Paul exhorts the people:
“you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds;” – v. 17
This is a key component to faith. That is the fact that, along the way in seeking to find and fulfill one’s purpose, human reasoning alone is not enough. For the human mind alone, cannot fully comprehend or discern what is best. The only way, as St. Paul says is to be renewed in Christ:
“…be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” (v. 23-24)
Recall a time when you felt stuck or challenged by a situation. What happened and how did your faith come into play? How might you be renewed in Christ regarding a situation you’re facing now?
Turning to the Gospel for the 18th Week in Ordinary Time (Jn 6:24-35), we are told about the crowds going out to find Jesus when they realize he is no longer in their midst. They end up finding him across the sea, and Jesus says to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” – v. 26-27
Jesus is referring to the crowd’s experience of eating their fill when he multiplied the loaves of bread and fish (Jn 6:1-15) and calling them, and us, to consider, or examine, what satisfies us, what is it that we are seeking, and to what lengths or degree do we go (or have we gone) to find or obtain it. Take some time to consider this in the light of what is currently going on in your life and in the world. What are you seeking and to what extent? How does this differ from or fit in with the past? How is God present to you in this process, and what comes to mind when thinking about it as an in-between moment?
Love is the bridge between you and everything. – Rumi
On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ also known as Corpus Christi, the Collect (opening prayer) is: “O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption.”
Spend some time reflecting on this prayer and on the Sacrament of the Eucharist. What does it mean to you and how has it impacted you? Remember how you have experienced the fruits of the Lord’s redemption. What wonders has the Lord worked in your life? Take a few moments to express gratitude for these experiences and the awareness of them.
In the hymn One Bread, One Body, the lyrics direct us to mindfulness of our call, one and all, to unity as God’s people (the church):
One bread, one body, one Lord of all One cup of blessing which we bless And we, though many, throughout the Earth We are one body in this one Lord – John Foley, SJ (excerpt from One Bread, One Body)
Recall a time(s) when you have experienced unity and the fruits of the Lord’s redemption with others? In what ways have you witnessed the hand of the Lord? Give thanks for these times of common ground and the remembrance of them.
What hopes and desires do you have at this moment for awareness and unity in your life? your community? your country? and the world? Share these with the Lord. Ask the Lord for the grace to further appreciate and be inspired by experiences of the outpouring of His love.
Pray for one and all to have an open heart and mind to the well-being of all creation, and above all, to draw closer to God so as to embody (to speak and act in accord with) God’s desires as expressed through the example of Jesus.
How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. – Psalm 116:12-13
Breaking, broke, broken, Rescued, healed, awoken, Ever taken with your Way. For the sake of all, It’s all the same. No one more than the other, Each onto its own, But gathered in Your name.
Your grace O Lord, The longing of our hearts. Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani. At times, perhaps, We think we know, Yet thinking doesn’t make it so.
Your grace O Lord, The longing of our hearts. We feel one way or another, Sometimes many ways at once, Yet feeling doesn’t make it so.
Your grace O Lord, The longing of our hearts. With us, within us, Always within reach.
Your grace O Lord, Makes known your Way, The desire in our hearts, Yours and ours together, Rising up, makes it so.
On this 4th Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, the readings invite us to consider the depth of God’s steadfastness and love. Focusing on the second reading, take some time to reflect on the qualities of God (rich in mercy, great love, etc.).
Brothers and sisters: God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —, raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. – Ephesians 2:4-10
How do you experience these qualities in your life? In your relationship with God and others, where do you give? and where do you withhold? Take some time to ponder being God’s handiwork.
“You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.” The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.” – Kahlil Gibran
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