Tag: Jesus Christ

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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.”

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Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of Israelites looking at the manna on the ground

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
Responsorial: Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
Reading 2: Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
Gospel: John 6:24-35

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080121.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!

In today’s first reading from Exodus, the Israelites didn’t recognize God’s providence. “What is this?” they asked when they saw the manna (Exodus 16:15). They didn’t even know how to describe it. That’s why they called it hoarfrost. You see, they were so fixed on their complaint. And they lamented what they lost. God’s providence came out of left field.

It’s pretty similar to what we hear in today’s Gospel. Jesus tells the disciples who are following him, “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” (John 6:26). He goes on to tell them, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (John 6:27).

Light is starting to dawn on marble heads. So, they asked him for a sign – as if they hadn’t seen many signs like multiplying loaves and fish wasn’t enough, let alone all the healings they witnessed or heard about! They had the gall to ask Jesus for yet another sign!

What’s going on?

Well, they had a problem, you see, and they had in their minds the only plausible solution – a political solution. Israel was occupied by Rome and they understood Scripture to say that the Savior would free them from Roman occupation. It never occurred to them, that God would provide for their needs in a completely different way.

Undoubtedly Jesus’s words seemed so cryptic. We now know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. We know that Jesus – not only historical Jesus, but Jesus present in the Eucharist – sustains us, nourishes us, and encourages us to stay the course despite the problems and obstacles that we face in our lives. That’s huge! But it also points to a reality of God’s providence. The Lord will provide, but can I see it? Do I see with the eyes of faith? Can I understand that God’s help may look different than what I envision?

You see, if I believe that the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus – if I believe that I am saved by the blood of Christ Jesus, then is any problem insurmountable? Yes, I might have problems in my life, but because I am a disciple of Jesus – because I am saved, my problem is not a crisis. It’s just a problem, not unlike a puzzle to be solved. The fate of my life – my destiny doesn’t rest in the answer to most of the problems that I face in my life.

Why? Because I live my life in the light of faith. Jesus is the path. There is no other way – period.

But that doesn’t mean that God leaves us to our own devices. No, God listens to our prayers and the Lord provides! But can I recognize the help God may have given me in someone else? Maybe that person I tried to brush off was actually an answer to a prayer – only I didn’t see it. Or, maybe I am the answer to someone else’s prayer. But I’m too busy to stop and visit with someone who bumps into me at the store. Maybe an opportunity for a hug, or opportunity to listen, or an opportunity to pray with someone is just what God was trying to provide. If I’m too caught up in myself and my “problems” I might miss God’s grace.

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? And you know what? It is! The journey to which we are called and our prayer life is much simpler than we realize. We like to complicate things. Because we like to complicate things, we think the answers should be complicated. Resist.

Just by my attitude, my willingness to persevere, my willingness to negotiate whatever maze is presented can uncomplicate my life and maybe those around me. If I walk with Christ Jesus – if I walk with the gift of the Eucharist, then I’m better able to avail myself of all God’s gifts and blessings. I’m better able to see as we heard in our psalm that the Lord has given us bread from heaven!

Homework! Blessed by the gifts of the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to prayerfully reflect on the following two questions.
First, when have I felt the grace of God’s gifts in my life?
Second, in what way am I a gift to other people?

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. Manna and Quail from Heaven. 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. Obstacles to knowing God: 37
2. Necessity of faith: 161
3. Symbols of the Holy Spirit: 698
4. Christ prefigured by the manna: 1094
5. Eucharistic signs of bread and wine: 1333-36
6. Conversion of the baptized: 1427-33
7. The new life in Christ: 1691-96
8. Catechesis: 1697-98
9. Culpable ignorance: 1791-92
10. Proliferation of sin: 1865-69

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080121.cfm
Lectionary: 113

Reading 1
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
The Israelites said to them,
“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!”

Then the LORD said to Moses,
“I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.
Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;
thus will I test them,
to see whether they follow my instructions or not.

“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.
Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh,
and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread,
so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God.”

In the evening quail came up and covered the camp.
In the morning a dew lay all about the camp,
and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert
were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground.
On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, “What is this?”
for they did not know what it was.
But Moses told them,
“This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.”

Responsorial
Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
R. (24b) The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
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.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
He commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained manna upon them for food
and gave them heavenly bread.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
Man ate the bread of angels,
food he sent them in abundance.
And he brought them to his holy land,
to the mountains his right hand had won.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Reading 2
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
Brothers and sisters:
I declare and testify in the Lord
that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do,
in the futility of their minds;
that is not how you learned Christ,
assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him,
as truth is in Jesus,
that you should put away the old self of your former way of life,
corrupted through deceitful desires,
and 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.

Alleluia
Matthew 4:4b
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 6:24-35
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
“Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered them and said,
“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.”
So they said to him,
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
So they said to him,
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do?
Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
So Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.”

So they said to him,
“Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of a city street filled with many people

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Responsorial: Psalm 23:1-6
Reading 2: Ephesians 2:13-18
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071821.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!

Our readings are packed with so much meaning. This is where a good Bible study comes in – to get behind the text and learn the connections between different readings. But when we hear the Gospel proclaimed and then listen to a homily, our task is to stand in front of the text in the here and now.

Why?

Because Jesus is speaking to us today – right here, right now. Yes, the history and the connections are fascinating and even spiritually fruitful. But the question remains, “What am I supposed to do right now? What do I do with this information?”

In the spirit of lectio divina which Pope Benedict says should always end with actio or action, we should consider how the Word of God invites us to make our lives a gift of charity or love for others.

So, with that understanding, let’s look at our Gospel today.

Remember, last week Jesus sent the disciples out two-by-two. In today’s Gospel, the disciples are returning. They’re telling Jesus all about their journeys. Jesus says to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while,” (Mark 6:31).

Now, this is a super wildly important point. Our lives – at least in the West and most especially in the United States – are always very busy. Our lives are so filled with things to do, places to go, and people to see. We seldom make time to rest in the presence of Jesus.

Hopefully, the pandemic helped us learn that we cannot go back to life as usual. Some things in our lives must change.

Why?

Look at it this way. The greatest weapons that the Enemy has in his possession are fear and doubt. Now, the Enemy will seldom say to you or me, “skip church today, or you don’t have time to pray today.” That’s a sort of direct assault and that’s really not the Enemy’s m.o..

What the Enemy will say is, “Isn’t this a perfect opportunity to put in a few extra hours? It’s nearly time for a raise or the boss is thinking about retention bonuses.” Or, “you know, if your child joins that extra club, then your child will be in a better position for a scholarship.” And there are many variations of those themes, I assure you!

Now, these ideas that Enemy whispers don’t sound threatening, so what’s the harm? The harm is that we find ourselves stuck on a sort of hamster wheel, running as fast as we can, but not getting anywhere.

We end up feeling so exhausted that we have no time for anyone – not even for ourselves! And that’s the tragedy in our lives that contrasts with today’s Gospel. You see, Jesus isn’t inviting you and me to work 60+ hours per week only to ignore our health and wellbeing, or ignore our relationships with our family and friends.

No, in today’s Gospel, Jesus looks out to the crowd following them and experiences pity because they are like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34). You see, the purpose of our work is to build up the Kingdom of God. That means ministering to those who are following us like our spouses or our children or our friends. God did not create you and me for Wall Street. God created you and me for the Kingdom.

How will you respond to God’s invitation to minister to the sheep? That leads us to homework! Nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, how often do you rest in the presence of Jesus every day?
Second, how do you spend time with the people around you – your family and friends?

I think doing our homework will help us become the disciples Christ Jesus calls us 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!

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 on deacon rudy’s notes as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Artist unknown. Busy city street. JPG

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
3. Williams, Peter S. Ephesians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Trinitarian communion and the Church: 238, 747
2. The Good Shepherd: 754
3. The Church as the sacrament of unity: 775
4. The Chruch as the one People of God: 781
5. The New Law of freedom: 1972
6. Rest: 2184
7. Christ the source of peace: 2302-5
8. Witness and workers for peace and justice: 2437-2442

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071821.cfm
Lectionary: 107

Reading 1
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
    when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
as king he shall reign and govern wisely,
    he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
    Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
    “The LORD our justice.”

Responsorial
Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading 2
Ephesians 2:13-18
Brothers and sisters:
In Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, he who made both one
and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God,
in one body, through the cross,
putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Alleluia
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 6:30-34
The apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.