Tag: Christian

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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

a picture of the word as for me and my house we will serve the Lord

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Mass readings

Reading 1: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
Responsorial: Psalm 34:2-3, 16-21
Reading 2: Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32
Gospel: John 6:60-69

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082221.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

Today’s Gospel was difficult for Jesus’ followers to hear. And it is difficult for many Catholics to hear. Right before today’s reading, Jesus says that his disciples must eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. Jesus is the Bread of Life.

What’s so striking is that many of his disciples left him and returned to their ways (John 6:66). Were they freaked out by what they thought was cannibalism? Were they hoping for an earthly king who’d drive out the Romans? The bottom line is that they didn’t hear what they liked, so they left.

What is it that Jesus offers us?

Jesus laid down his life, and he continually gives himself in the Eucharist to you and me. Why? Because he loves us. That’s what St. Paul is getting at in our second reading. That’s the kind of selfless love we should have for one another.

At its core, this is a simple Jesus. Jesus says believe. He will say during the last supper that we must do this and remember (Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). It’s a simple message. Jesus gives us the Church and he gives us the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus not because the Church says so, but because Jesus tells us so in the Gospel.

You see, we don’t need to seek God in dreams or ideas or delusions of grandeur and of power. Just as we encounter Jesus in his humanity and accept the truth of his Word, so too must we look with love and compassion to the real men and women we encounter every day.

The Eucharist nourishes us and sustains us so that we can carry on in the face of so much strife and turmoil in our world – so much individualism and consumerism that clouds the mind and confuses judgment. The Eucharist sustains us through it all so that we can boldly say like Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, do I believe that the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus? If I don’t what is standing in my way?
Second, how do I show the love Jesus has for me to all the people around me?

I think doing our homework will help us live as authentic disciples of Christ Jesus! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

Thank you for listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Artist unknown. JPG.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
2. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Husband and wife as equals: 369, 1605
2. The Church as the bride of Christ: 757, 772-73, 796
3. The Church as bride of Christ: 773, 796
4. Respect for one’s own body and that of others: 1004
5. God’s utter fidelity and love: 1061-65
6. For the baptized: 1269
7. Signs of bread and wine: 1336
8. Christian marriage: 1602, 1612-17, 1624
9. One flesh: 1605
10. Sin and domination in marriage: 1606-8
11. Self-denial in marriage: 1615
12. Sacramental marriage, the Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit: 1621-24, 1627
13. For the sacramentally married: 1642
14. Family members equal in dignity: 2203
15. Conjugal love: 2360-65
16. Voluntary humility: 2546
17. The Lord’s Prayer: 2765-66

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082221.cfm
Lectionary: 122

Reading 1
Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem,
summoning their elders, their leaders,
their judges, and their officers.
When they stood in ranks before God,
Joshua addressed all the people:
“If it does not please you to serve the LORD,
decide today whom you will serve,
the gods your fathers served beyond the River
or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling.
As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

But the people answered,
“Far be it from us to forsake the LORD
for the service of other gods.
For it was the LORD, our God,
who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,
out of a state of slavery.
He performed those great miracles before our very eyes
and protected us along our entire journey
and among the peoples through whom we passed.
Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

Responsorial
Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21
R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
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.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Many are the troubles of the just one,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him;
he watches over all his bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2
Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32
Brothers and sisters:
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.
For the husband is head of his wife
just as Christ is head of the church,
he himself the savior of the body.
As the church is subordinate to Christ,
so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

OR:

Brothers and sisters:
Live in love, as Christ loved us.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

Alleluia
John 6:63c, 68c
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 6:60-69
Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, “Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending
to where he was before?
It is the spirit that gives life,
while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe.”
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said,
“For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father.”

As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer accompanied him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

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The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

painting by fra agnelico called the visitation featuring mary visiting elizabeth and two servants

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Responsorial: Psalm 45:10-12, 16
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081521-Day.cfm https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

This weekend marks the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And our readings this weekend celebrate Mary’s excellent example as Jesus’ first disciple. Mary serves as an excellent role model for all of us who struggle with living out our faith as disciples in our everyday lives.

In the Gospel, Elizabeth tells Mary, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:45)

Gosh, there are so many examples in the world around us where that demonstrate a lack of belief in Jesus’ words. I’m not just talking about the shocking number of Catholics who no longer believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Although that’s a biggie. I’m talking about politics and the pandemic.

If we believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, I think a lot less hot air would be shared in this world! Don’t get me wrong, we should be engaged in what is happening around us. But people talk as if politics is the very heart of their being. My brothers and sisters, Mary reminds us that our hope is not in government. Our hope is in Christ alone. Government is a tool.

Another line that pops out at me from the Gospel is, “Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste…” (Luke 1:39).

Now here’s Mary. She’s pregnant but runs off “in haste” to see her cousin. Why “haste?” Why did she leave with such urgency and speed?

While we don’t know the specific reasons – we can only speculate – Mary gives us yet another example about our lives as disciples.

Mary has Jesus within her, yet, Jesus is not a gift exclusively for Mary. Mary carries Jesus with her into the world sharing of herself, and by proxy, sharing Jesus with everyone she encounters, in this case, Elizabeth.

As a Catholic, I have the distinct honor and privilege to receive Jesus in the Eucharist every single day! Yes, the Eucharist should nourish us, but the Eucharist is not meant for our benefit alone. Like Mary, we need to go out into the world and bring the gift of Jesus Christ with us. We should bring Jesus with us everywhere we go in-person and online.

Before I share an article about politics or the pandemic online, as someone who has Jesus within, I should ask myself if my example will draw people to Jesus or away from Jesus. Before I complain about our Church leaders – about the Pope or the Bishop – I should ask myself if my comments will draw people toward Jesus or push them away. Before I viscously ridicule any elected official regardless of their politics, I need to ask myself if my words shine the light of Christ or spread the darkness of doubt.

That is a lot to consider. How can we, following Mary’s example, share Jesus in haste? That leads us to homework! Feeling the presence of Christ within us as we listen to the Word and receive the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions. First, do a self-assessment. Do you believe that the way you’ve discussed politics, the pandemic or even the Church are examples of sharing Jesus with others? Second, as you consider Christ within, what grace should you ask Jesus for to help you?

I think doing our homework will help us live as authentic disciples of Christ Jesus! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Public domain. Fra Angelico. Visitation. 1433-1434. JPG.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Mary’s faith: 148, 273
2. Mary, the New Eve, assumed into heaven: 411, 966-71, 974-5, 2853
3. Promise to Abraham: 422, 706
4. Mary, Mother of God: 495
5. John the Baptist: 523
6. Visitation: 717
7. Mary, eschatological icon of the Church: 773, 829, 967, 972
8. Marian devotion: 971
9. Magnificat and Hail Mary: 2097, 2619, 2622, 2675-77
10. At prayer with Mary: 2673-9

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081521-Day.cfm
Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 622

Reading 1
Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed One.”

Responsorial
Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16
R. (10bc) The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for “he subjected everything under his feet.”

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Mary is taken up to heaven;
a chorus of angels exults.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Luke 1:39-56
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“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.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
    my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
    for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
    the Almighty has done great things for me
    and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
    in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
    and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
    and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
    the promise he made to our fathers,
    to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.

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Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

a picture of many cards with different colors with the question mark printed on them

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: 1 Kings 19:4-8
Responsorial: Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Reading 2: Ephesians 4:30-5:2
Gospel: John 6:41-51

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080821.cfm
www.deaconrudysnotes.org

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

I apologize for posting so late these last couple of months. Now that we’re stateside, I’ve got to develop a better routine!

You know this week’s readings are so interesting to me. Of course, we’re talking about the Eucharist, but through these readings which point to the Eucharist, what is Jesus asking of each one of us? Now that is an interesting question!

How many of us listen to the second reading from Ephesians and think to ourselves how much that sounds like our world – bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling! Add to that the various weather calamities and social and political unrest. Honestly, it’s exhausting to listen to the news or even listen to some of our friends and families drone on!

I’m sure there are many people who at some point feel like Elijah from our first reading – beg the Lord to let us die! Or at least, find some secluded place to help us unplug from the world.

Or maybe we’ve experienced self-doubt. After hearing the words in today’s Gospel – the people whispering behind Jesus’ back asking who does he think he is (John 6:42) – might make us hesitate. If they could talk behind Jesus’ back, couldn’t they talk behind my back too?

Maybe we’ve even experienced that from our own family and friends. Maybe as we try to develop a prayer life, our own family says who are you to do that? Maybe a friend or a sibling says, weren’t you the guy who used to do this? Or didn’t you just last year do that?

How can we live as disciples if we are so filled with doubt?

But that’s not what discipleship is all about. We are called to follow Jesus’ command to go out into the world. How many times, I wonder, has the Lord sent me an angel who, like with Elijah, encouraged me to get up and to keep moving?

Is it easy? Of course not! Whoever said the way of the disciple was supposed to be easy? But here’s an important point – perhaps the most important point: Jesus gives Himself in the Eucharist. The Eucharist can sustain us! And that makes sense, doesn’t it? If you believe, and I mean if you really believe that the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, then it should change you! I should change all of us!

We come to Mass to be nourished for the journey. We pray and actively discern those that God sends us to help us. And we go out in the world bringing a message of hope. We act, as St. Paul tells us, by sharing kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and love. We are called to be imitators of Jesus who faced his persecutors come what may.

And so, nourished by the Eucharist and the Word of God, we engage the world. And that leads us to homework! I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions. First, have you ever felt unsure about sharing your faith or speaking out against injustice? Second, the next time you engage Scripture or you receive the Eucharist, I encourage you to pray that God nourishes you for the journey so that you can spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by the way you live your life and with the words you use.

I think doing our homework will help us be the intentional disciples we are called to be! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Artist Unknown. Doubt. JPG.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
2. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Faith: 153-55
2. Christ’s sacrifice effective through love: 616
3. Signs of the institution of the Eucharist: 1333-40
4. The Eucharist as sacrificial memorial and Christ’s presence: 1362-78
5. Fruits of Holy Communion: 1391-98
6. Adoption as children transforms us: 1694, 1709
7. Anger: 2302-3
8. Sealed with the Spirit: 1274, 1296
9. Forgiveness: 2842-45

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080821.cfm
Lectionary: 116

Reading 1
1 Kings 19:4-8
Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert,
until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it.
He prayed for death saying:
“This is enough, O LORD!
Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree,
but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat.
Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake
and a jug of water.
After he ate and drank, he lay down again,
but the angel of the LORD came back a second time,
touched him, and ordered,
“Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!”
He got up, ate, and drank;
then strengthened by that food,
he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

Responsorial
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
Let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2
Ephesians 4:30—5:2
Brothers and sisters:
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.
All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling
must be removed from you, along with all malice.
And be kind to one another, compassionate,
forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,
as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us
as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Alleluia
John 6:51
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 6:41-51
The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said,
“I am the bread that came down from heaven, ”
and they said,
“Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph?
Do we not know his father and mother?
Then how can he say,
‘I have come down from heaven’?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Stop murmuring among yourselves.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”