Reflection for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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What!?!
…no pillow either?

As they were going along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.”

For the very poor of the East, in ancient times as now, the “bed” was and is, as a rule, the bare ground; and the bedclothes, the gown or “outer garment,” worn during the day. When one was on a journey, or watching his flock by night as a shepherd, such a “bed” was the most natural, and often a stone would serve as a pillow. Over time the use of a mat on the floor as a bed, with or without covering, became more common. At first it was literally laid on the main floor of the home in some convenient place near the wall; but later it was put on an elevation, either a raised part of the floor, or a bedstead, which gave rise to the expression “going up to the bed.” With later development, “beds” came to be built on supports and constructed in different forms. This fact is reflected in the variety of names given the “bed” in Hebrew and related languages. The pillow was likely formed of sheep’s fleece or goat’s skin with a stuffing of cotton.

These beds and pillows are a far cry from what we have today. We can get adjustable beds, harder or softer beds, memory-foam beds and pillows – and beds of all sizes. We likely have a favorite pillow and hopefully we like our beds.

Jesus’ reference to no bed or pillow may have seemed odd to the person pledging to follow Jesus because he knew that preachers like Jesus had no bed. It seems equally odd to us. Do we have to sleep without a pillow for Jesus?

No. Jesus isn’t telling us to grab a rock for a pillow or sleep on the ground. What He is calling for is a life of total commitment. Jesus, who lived the life of an iterant preacher, had no place to lay His head. Rather, He lived and modeled the total commitment we are to have. He was the Shepherd, on His journey for us, following the Father’s will, showing us the way we must go, the life we must lead.

To follow Jesus requires that we make a conscious and consistent effort to live the life He calls us to live. Does it involve sacrifice in the present for His promised eternal reward? Certainly!

Jesus points out that thoughts of material things or present day rewards from following Him lead us “nowhere.” Instead we have to be people following His journey into eternity, life forever. We too must be shepherds, out in the fields and roads day and night living up to Jesus’ teaching, leading others to Him.

When we get in bed and grab our pillows let us commit again and again to Him.

Soup on Sunday, this Sunday at 11:30am

Please come and join us for Soup on Sunday, this Sunday, June 30th, from 11:30am till 1:30pm. Soup on Sunday is always free and open to all. Enjoy soup, sandwiches, special food for kids, dessert, coffee, and more. Soup on Sunday is held at Holy Name of Jesus in our parish hall located at 1040 Pearl St., Schenectady (CDTA Route 353 – Pearl Street stop).

Soup on Sunday Flyer 3

Jesus, Bread of Life
BLESS OUR ADVOCACY AND OUR COMMITMENT

As your love has called us
LET US PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE

As your love has held us
LET US ACT WITH COURAGE

As your love has blessed us
LET US UNITE WITH HOPE
THAT NO ONE MAY GO HUNGRY.
AMEN

Prayer (c) Kathy Galloway, Christian Aid

Bible Study for the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
  • 6/23 – James 4:6 – Lord Jesus, grant me forgiveness for my sins of pride. By Your grace free me from pride and open me to all of Your wonderful graces.
  • 6/24 – Romans 5:2 – Lord, I rejoice in the hope You have given me through Your grace. Strengthen my faith.
  • 6/25 – Colossians 1:6 – Lord, I rejoice in Your sacrifice through which I have come to know Your grace. Grant that all I do will bring many to faith in You and bear much fruit.
  • 6/26 – Romans 7:4 – Lord, thank You for freeing me from the Law which cannot save; for granting me the grace to come to faith by which I am saved. I belong to You, a branch in Your vine. Prune me so that I may bear fruit.
  • 6/27 – John 15:4 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may always abide in You. Do not cast me out from Your presence and Your life giving grace.
  • 6/28 – Acts 14:26 – Lord, You commended me to carry Your word and to witness to You before all people. By Your grace help me to do Your will.
  • 6/29 – 2 Corinthians 9:8 – Lord God, thank You for all the blessings You have given me in abundance. Grant that I may share abundantly in every good work.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, I thank You for grace and the changes You have brought to my life through grace. Grant that I may freely share Your gift.

Reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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The road
…taken or untaken.

On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.

Zechariah prophesies about Jesus’ suffering and death, not as a prophecy for the purpose of sadness and regret, but for the purpose of motivating people to understand what that suffering and death would purchase.

In his time the people could choose to confront the mourning to come by wallowing in that mourning without seeing a way out, or they could choose to see the hope to come, the salvation that was around the corner – only 500 years away.

Thus says the LORD: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace.

Jesus gave His all, His life to pour out God’s graces on us, in fact on everyone. It is, as the catechism describes:

Grace is God’s help. Grace is a gift God gives us through all that Jesus Christ did for our salvation.

God doesn’t just want to offer us grace; He freely does offer us His grace – and we are free to choose it.

Zechariah is talking about two options. Since we live after Jesus’ coming and His opening of grace, we can accept and take advantage on all Jesus did, of what the Father offers us. We can choose to accept and bathe away our weakness, mourning and sin in the fountain of those graces poured out. Graces open to us:

On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.

We can choose to be cleansed of sin and live His way, or we can simply choose not to accept, relish, and be changed by His gift of grace. We can choose to live as we are in mourning and sadness.

Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken comes to mind. But, it really isn’t a choice between two equally decent possibilities. Living a life that accepts God’s grace, the life Jesus laid out for us, is the better choice. It is the choice that frees us from sin that makes us clean, that is full and that has endless – eternal – possibility.

The disciples were confronted with a question. “Who do the crowds say that I am?” and “…who do you say that I am?” They had an opportunity to stick with the road the crowds had taken or they could accept the other road, the untaken road of grace that would give them new insight. They chose the untaken road and recognized God. Then they went and shared that grace. It is up to us, the road chosen, and the road we lead others to choose. Choose to see and to share the hope we have in Jesus.

Bible Study for the 11th Week in Ordinary Time and Father’s Day
  • 6/16 – Ephesians 5:25 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may love my wife, my children, my family, my community, and Your Holy Church as You love.
  • 6/17 – Colossians 3:19-21 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may never sow discord or discouragement but rather choose love in all my relationships so to life up all I meet.
  • 6/18 – Psalm 119:105 – Lord Jesus, guide me by Your Holy Word and grant that I may be a light to others in modeling and sharing Your word.
  • 6/19 – Matthew 6:9 – Our Father, Who art in heaven hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give me this day my daily bread, and forgive me my trespasses, as I forgive those who trespass against me; and lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. Amen.
  • 6/20 – Romans 8:15 – Father, grant that I may act and speak as Your adopted son. Give me Your strength to be a man of faith and witness to You.
  • 6/21 – Luke 11:13 – Heavenly Father, grant me Your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, fill me with Your gifts so I may do my Father’s will.
  • 6/22 – John 14:2 – Father, I seek eternal life in Your house. Grant that by my faith, and the works that flow from faith, I may come to eternal life.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, I thank and praise You for my dad who led me to You and taught me Your ways.

Reflection for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

fatherson

My children must be
…righteous before the Lord.

We acknowledge that what makes a man righteous is not obedience to the Law, but faith in Jesus Christ.

What is righteousness? It is an attribute implying that a person’s actions are justified, that the person has been “judged” or “reckoned” as leading a life that is pleasing to God. Some of the attributes of righteousness are being upright, just, straight, innocent, true, and sincere.

The Jewish teachers instructed that righteousness was equivalent to following the Law very strictly. The Jewish people have to work at righteousness by carrying out tasks.

St. Paul shows us that righteousness is more than mere acts, even if they are right acts. It comes from faith. Faith in Jesus leads us to performing right and proper acts, but those actions do not come first. Rather those acts derive from faith.

Jesus offers us the salvation He has won for us. Belief and faith in His coming, life, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming provides the benefits of that salvation. In our act of faith in Him, in the waters of regeneration, in accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our membership in the community of faith we are changed to a people who do for the right reason, Jesus.

As changed people we walk in faith and have – already own – what has been won for us through God’s righteousness.

The good and righteous fathers among us have instilled this lesson in us. We are most aware of this when we consider WHY we do what we do.

Our dads showed us the way to go – teaching that we must do things for the right reason. That reason should never be simple adherence to a law or rule. Simple obedience out of fear, or just because, is never a good enough reason. We have to look and consider more deeply the “why” behind what we do.

As those with faith in Jesus Christ we do right, not because society says so or imposes penalties for doing wrong, but because doing right flows from faith. By faith we understand, by faith we live, by faith we walk in His footsteps. We are a people whose first instinct is to love, to do right, to live with integrity, to forgive – all coming from faith.

Simon the leper didn’t get the kind of righteousness faith demands. He wondered why Jesus showed love toward the sinful woman who was anointing His feet. Simon relied on the law in determining what should be done (while forgetting the laws of hospitality). Jesus showed him that her faith was the way to righteousness.
Let our lives and our reasons for doing be based on faith; pleasing to God, pleasing as precious ointment.

Bible Study for the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
  • 6/9 – Hebrews 11:1 – Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me faith and hope. Grant me even stronger faith, assurance in Your promises, and the conviction to proclaim what I believe without seeing.
  • 6/10 – Psalm 27:4-5 – Lord, throughout my days sustain me in the hope of shelter in times of trouble. Lift me up over adversity. Bring me to Your heavenly kingdom.
  • 6/11 – Romans 15:13 – Lord God, fill me with joy and peace in believing. Grant that I may abound in hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
  • 6/12 – Romans 15:4 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may be diligent in studying Your word and carrying it out. Help me to see the hope that is ever before me.
  • 6/13 – Romans 12:12 – Lord Jesus, I rejoice in the hope You have provided. Grant that through that hope I may be patient in suffering and persevering in prayer.
  • 6/14 – Romans 8:24-25 – Lord Jesus, You declared blessed those who believe without seeing. Grant that I may not place my belief, trust, and hope in the worldly things I see, but rather in Your promised kingdom which cannot be seen.
  • 6/15 – 1 Corinthians 15:19 – Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise of eternal life. Grant that I may never place my hope in the present day, but rather keep my vision on everlasting life in You.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of hope. Grant me confidence in Your goodness and promises.

Reflection for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Widow of Nain

Stop crying
…and see hope.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

Remember learning the Act of Hope? It is one of those basic prayers we all learned as children perhaps from our parents or in catechism class: O my God, relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Today we see all of this in action. Elijah begs God for mercy upon the widow at Zarephath whose son has died.

Elijah had been a guest in her house for a long time. She and her son were dying of starvation when Elijah arrived, yet she gave him the last of what she had and from that point forward her barrel did not go empty – they were all able to eat for many days. After the famine is over her son got sick and died. After all she did she is pushed to the end of her rope and doubts.

Even though she had witnessed a miracle, and had been fed by the hand of the Lord, there is that moment of weakness and doubt. Yet God does not abandon her, He listens to Elijah’s pleading bringing her son back to life. Then she remembers her faith and the mercy of the Lord.

The lesson is that even though we lack consistent faith God does not forsake us. We always have the promise of hope.

St. Paul is recounting the fact that he had been a cruel jerk toward Christians. He tells the Galatians that at the height of his power and cruelty Jesus touched him, redeemed him, and trusted him with His message.

The lesson is that even though we sin and fall, even if we fall to the depths of depravity, God does not forsake us. He continually calls us back to His way and sends His grace to motivate us to change. We have the hope of forgiveness and redemption.

Two thousand years ago a funeral procession made its way toward the gates of Nain. The crowd was devastated: they had lost a son. His mom, a widow grieved. There was hopelessness. At the gates Jesus notices this grieving. He “was moved with pity for her,” and responded with compassion. He looked her in the eye, and says, “Do not weep.” God has “visited his people,” and was ready to save her and her son.

The lesson is that there is no hopelessness. We have tremendous hope because Jesus has the power not only to heal, but to raise. God continues to surprise us with His hope. Jesus returns to us every day with reason for hope.

Bible Study for the Octave of Corpus Christi
  • 6/2 – John 6:51 – Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your Body and Blood which build me into Your likeness and bring me eternal life.
  • 6/3 – Hebrews 10:19-20 – Lord Jesus, You destroyed the curtain that separated all from You, tearing it from top to bottom. I praise and thank You for allowing me into Your life giving presence.
  • 6/4 – 1 Corinthians 10:17 – Lord Jesus, in Your Body and Blood You draw us all together. Break down the self-imposed barriers that separate Christians and draw all to Your one table.
  • 6/5 – Psalm 116:13 – Lord, in the one cup we proclaim Your death and await Your coming again. Thank You for allowing us to call You by Your Holy Name, and to approach Your Holy Mysteries.
  • 6/6 – Philippians 3:10-11 – Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of regeneration by which I have come to know You and the power of Your resurrection. Give me a share of Your sufferings so that i may become more like You and gain the promise of resurrection.
  • 6/7 – 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 – Lord Jesus, give me clear vision to recall my sins, confess them worthily, and make amends so that I may approach Your Body and Blood without blame and partake to my salvation.
  • 6/8 – 1 Corinthians 10:21 – Lord Jesus, make me singleminded, give me focus so that I may reject the ways of the world and live only to know, love, and serve You.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, come into my life, make me one with You in the Eucharistic bread.