Tag: Jesus

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Growing in Love and Holiness

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Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
Responsorial: Psalm 103 1-4, 8, 10, 12-13
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022320.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

In today’s readings, Jesus continues to challenge the people about what fulfilling the Law means. Fulfilling the Law doesn’t mean doing the absolute minimum or following the pagans who subscribe to retributive justice, like an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. In Leviticus, we hear that God holds the people to a higher standard of conduct. “Be holy for, I the LORD your God am holy,” (Leviticus 19:2). And so, doing just the minimum isn’t gonna cut it.

Jesus explains that to be holy like God is to strive to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, (Matthew 5:48). What does that mean? That means we need to imitate the perfect love of our heavenly Father, who himself is love, (1 John 4:8).

Let’s look at what that means from the perspective of a married couple. Think about a story you’ve read or a movie or a show which was set in feudal times where there was an arranged marriage planned between an older lord and a young lady. Maybe this was done for some political or monetary advantage right. Well this is probably the dramatic setting of the story that will be resolved by a knight in shining armor who comes along to save the fair maiden. Right? Why? Because this idea of a marriage without love or romance is so depressing.

And a couple cannot grow in love unless that love is challenged by the stuff – the messiness of everyday life. It’s only through a couple growing in love and patience and kindness that they can to one another and, “I screwed up,” “I’m sorry,” and, “I forgive you.” Does that make sense?

Jesus tells us that image of growth in love should be applied not just to our spouses, but by all believers, to everyone all the time everywhere. It’s not enough to subscribe to the idea of an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth. That’s what it means to grow in love and holiness – what it means to emulate the Father.

That’s what St. Paul is talking about in his letter to the Corinthians. It seems like the church there is on the verge of splitting. It seems like the church is being pulled apart by different factions. Boy does that sound familiar. It sounds like our countries and even the Church itself are on the verge of being pulled apart by different factions in our own age. And we risk being pulled apart if we can’t look across the aisle with the love and the compassion of God.

Now these readings which challenge us to grow in love and holiness are particularly important this weekend. Why? Because we’re about to start our Lenten journeys and part of the exercise of Lent is to challenge ourselves to grow. Lent is a great opportunity to do what so many businesses do: pause and do some strategic planning. It’s a time to reflect on what’s worked, what hasn’t worked and what they need to do in the future. Each of us is challenged during Lent to look at our past year honestly – with a critical eye. What did we do this last year? What did we do well? Where did we go wrong? What do I need to change in my life that what will help me grow?

How do I do this? I can grow with the power of the Holy Spirit, and with the strength I draw from the sacraments. As I reflect on my life, I can bring to the Sacrament of Reconciliation those sins or root causes of sin in my life that are preventing me from growing or that are damaging my relationship with God. That leads us to our Lenten sacrifice.

A Lenten sacrifice should challenge us to grow spiritually. Let me suggest that what that can’t be is giving up chocolate. Let’s say you’re the type of person who kicks the dog or bites your sister, or maybe you bite the dog or kick your sister. How will giving up a piece of chocolate like a Dairy Milk help you overcome a sinful pattern in your lives? I don’t think it will. We need to dig deeper and figure out what will challenge me to grow in holiness.

Maybe this year you could go to mass every Sunday? Or maybe you could go to adoration for one hour every month? Maybe you could set aside a little time to pray – I mean really pray to Jesus. What I mean by that is sitting down and just trying to have a conversation with him. You can start out by saying you don’t know what you’re doing or if he’s listening – that’s okay – but just opening yourself up a little to talk with Jesus could be a start. But if we are going to grow in love and holiness, we have to start somewhere.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I would like you to reflect on the following two questions.

  1. What are the things in my life that are preventing me from growing in love and holiness?
  2. What is my Lenten sacrifice going to be?

I think doing our homework will help prepare us for Lent so that we can grow in the love and holiness of God. Do you got it? Do you get it? Then go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

  1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
  3. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
  4. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Jesus, Lord of the world, 450
  2. Church as temple of the Holy Spirit, 797
  3. Purgatory, 1030-32
  4. Christian perfection, 1693, 2013
  5. Love of enemies, 2303, 2844

Resources:

  1. Learn more about being a Christian steward: http://usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/stewardship/index.cfm

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 79
Mass Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022320.cfm
First Reading Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
The LORD said to Moses,
“Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them:
Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.

“You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart.
Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen,
do not incur sin because of him.
Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the LORD.”

Responsorial
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Brothers and sisters:
Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person;
for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

Let no one deceive himself.
If any one among you considers himself wise in this age,
let him become a fool, so as to become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God,
for it is written:
God catches the wise in their own ruses,
and again:
The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are vain.

So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you,
Paul or Apollos or Cephas,
or the world or life or death,
or the present or the future:
all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.

Alleluia
John 2:5
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand over your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of a hill overlooking water and two people far in the distance on top of hill

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10
Responsorial: Psalm 112:4-9
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Brothers and sisters, we’ve talked a lot about discipleship. But today’s readings, help us understand what it means to live a life of discipleship. Look at the first reading, for example, from Isaiah. The people have returned from captivity and they’re trying to rebuild their lives, their nation, their capital and in particular, the temple, which is the center of Jewish faith and worship.

Earlier in the book of Isaiah he addresses forms of inauthentic worship. So, now the people are rebuilding the temple to restart Jewish cultic ritual, but Isaiah cautions them. He says to them that proof of authentic worship is by the way the people live their lives, like sharing their bread with the hungry, or sheltering the oppressed and homeless, and clothing the naked.

In other words, authentic faith life is not about ticking a box on your calendar, showing up for mass, then rushing out the door to get a great seat at the restaurant. Isaiah is telling us that authentic praise and worship begins with an internal conversion. If you treat the people around, especially the marginalized with generosity, then you will be light in the darkness.

We hear a similar metaphor in today’s Gospel. True discipleship has to be about – it has to begin with real, internal conversion. And the proof of our conversion is that way we engage the world around us. Our light will shine in the darkness if we try to live authentically – when we walk the walk.

Jesus also describes the disciple as salt of the earth. Salt not only flavors food, but it’s a preservative, right? So, living a life of discipleship challenges the way things are and helps preserve goodness in the world. That sounds nice and it’s certainly a noble pursuit, but I think it can be very difficult in today’s culture where we define success as money, privilege, and power to live out our faith. I think it can be difficult for the Christian to reconcile our faith with the way we work. It’s just business, right?

First, helping the marginalized – feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked – begins by treating every person we encounter, especially those we work with and those who work for us, with respect – by not trying to cheat them or take advantage of them for the sake of quarterly earnings. If someone accepts employment in good faith, but your profitability strategy hinges on laying them off before Christmas or after they turn fifty, then that is an exploitative practice and a sinful injustice. It’s the opposite of being a light set on a lampstand.

Ok, so does that mean we need to show up for work with our Bibles and our catechisms, or get an advanced degree in theology so that we’re ready to debate with leaders and shareholders? No, of course not. St. Paul gives us some insight into how we could begin in today’s second reading.

Now he’s going to build on what he’s telling us in the second reading next week, but this week he says you don’t need to come with some big compendium of faith under your arm. We show up in humility and we trust in God. Paul shows up before the Corinthians in weakness and fear and much trembling. But he put his faith in the scandal of the cross and stood before the people. He calls it scandalous because Jesus had to be crucified and die on it.

Putting our faith in Christ Jesus who was scandalized for our sake and allowing ourselves to feel a little uncomfortable regardless whether people will see us as foolish is a willing sacrifice we make as his disciples. Because in the end, it’s not about us – it’s not about whether you or I feel comfortable or uncomfortable. It’s about Jesus. We try by our actions, our words, the very way we live our lives, to facilitate an encounter between someone – anyone – and Jesus Christ. That’s it. We trust that encounter to the Holy Spirit, and we get out of the way.

Homework! After receiving Christ in the Word proclaimed and, in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.

  1. You are the light of the World. How can I bring light and truth into my interactions with others?
  2. Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. How does the way I live reflect what I believe?

Our homework this week is a good exercise for us as disciples. Do you got it? Do you get it? The go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

  1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
  3. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Christian beatitude, 1716, 1720
  2. Poor in spirit, 544, 2546
  3. Pure in heart, 2518
  4. Peacemakers, 2305, 2330
  5. Heaven, 326
  6. Christ, center of catechesis, 426

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 73
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020920.cfm
First Reading
Isaiah 58:7-10
Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

Responsorial
Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (4a) The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.

Alleluia
John 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

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Presentation of the Lord

drawing of a baby being held in two hands

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
Responsorial: Psalm 24:7-10
Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Today we celebrate the presentation of the Lord. There are so many interesting things about today’s readings as a whole. Truly the interconnectedness among Malachi, the Psalm, Hebrews and Luke is fascinating. Even taken individually, each of the readings has so much meaning. And today’s Gospel has greatly influenced the life of the Church. For example, Luke’s description of Jesus as the light for the nations has inspired candlelight processions before mass, what we call Candlemas. And Simeon’s song of praise in the Gospel that begins, “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace …” that song of praise is prayed by the Church in Night Prayer every night, “…so that like Simeon, the faithful may end their days and their lives in God’s peace.” <1> Night Prayer is part of the Liturgy of the Hours or the Daily Office.

Ok, so my point is that there’s a lot of ground for you to explore on you own. But for today’s reflection, I would like us to focus on Simeon and Anna just for a bit. Luke describes them both as elderly, and they’re both waiting. Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that he would live to see the Messiah. And Anna, Luke gives us a rather detailed introduction for her. We know she has spent the vast majority of her life praying and fasting at the Temple. We don’t know if she was also told to wait, nonetheless she has maintained this constant vigil almost for her entire life.

Now I suggest to you that to wait for so long is a sign of great faith. They believed in God and accepted God’s plan for their lives and they waited. What amazing faith!

Ok, here is one of the dangers of reading or listening to Scripture. We might come to the readings at mass passively – just going with the flow – and we might think to ourselves, “Well that was a nice story.” And when we do that, we miss out on the ways that the Holy Spirit is trying to guide us.

You see, so often in our Western culture, and perhaps more specifically in the United States I think, we want what we want when we want it. Right? If I want a double pumpkin spice latte with a dash of cinnamon and dash of nutmeg, then that’s what I want – and oh by the way, I want it now! I mean, that’s just an example. You get my point, right?

But it’s not about our latte. Oh no, before our latte even hits the counter, we’re on to the next thing. Maybe it’s a text message we’re responding to or maybe we’re scrolling through social media, or maybe we’re posting a status update. “Looking forward to the best cup of coffee ever! Heart emoji, thumbs up emoji, smiley face emoji.” But even in that update, we’re not in the present – we’re looking forward to the future. We can’t sit still and just be right here, right now.

Today’s Gospel suggests that what you want – what you believe you are being called to do or to see or to experience – will happen in God’s time, not your time. And that means you might need to wait an awful long time – maybe years and years. What do you think about that idea? I suspect that many of my over-achieving type AAA personality friends cringe when they hear me say that. Wait! For years! For what I want?!? Are you kidding me?!?

My brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel invites us to be open to the possibility that we might need to slow down before we can speed up – that if we are indeed the people of faith we say we are, then we might need to wait or to at least slow down for things to unfold in God’s time.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and by the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions this week.

  1. When was the last time I sat down quietly and prayed to Jesus – and I mean just sit and speak to Jesus as I would any friend?
  2. What am I waiting for God to do? What are my sources of hope?

I think doing our homework will help us as disciples to slow down in order to speed up. Do you got it? Do you get it? Then go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Citations:
<1> Pablo T. Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018), 71.

References:

  1. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018.
  2. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2016.
  3. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Jesus’ circumcision, 527
  2. Presentation of Jesus, 529
  3. Consolation of Israel, 711
  4. Sign of contradiction, 575, 587
  5. Jesus and the temple, 583
  6. Mary’s ordeal, 149
  7. Satan’s power, 407
  8. Jesus’ love for us, 609
  9. Jesus’ atoning death, 615, 1992

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Lectionary: 524
Mass Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020220.cfm
First Reading
Malachi 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord GOD:
Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me;
And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner’s fire,
or like the fuller’s lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem
will please the LORD,
as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Responsorial
Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Second Reading
Hebrews 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.

Alleluia
Luke 2:32
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Luke 2:22-40 OR 2:22-32
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
–and you yourself a sword will pierce–
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

or

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”