May this glorious season dazzle and bless each of you, dear friends.
Month: September 2024
Charity
Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and Doctor of the Church
October 1, 2024
Today’s Readings: from the Mass for St. Thérèse
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/1001-memorial-therese-child-jesus.cfm
The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:1-4
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
We celebrate one of the most beautiful souls in the Communion of Saints. Let us learn from her profound wisdom lived with impeccable simplicity.
Charity gave me the key to my vocation.
I understood that the Church
being a body composed of different members,
the most essential, the most noble of all the organs
would not be wanting to her;
I understood that the Church has a heart
and that this heart is burning with love;
that it is love alone that makes the members work,
that if love were to die away
apostles would no longer preach the Gospel,
martyrs would refuse to shed their blood.
I understood that love comprises all vocations,
that love is everything,
that it embraces all times and all places
because it is eternal!
Music: Love Changes Everything – Andrew Lloyd Webber, sung by Michael Ball
Innocence
Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
September 30, 2024
Today’s Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/093024.cfm
An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest.”
Luke 9:46-48
In the Gospel both today and yesterday, the disciples are struggling with their pride and expectations. Jesus calls them to live with a mature and humble innocence.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
Our commitment to a Gospel life suffers when we become concerned with our status or importance. We ask for the humble courage to embrace a sacred innocence sustained by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord
Thought:
“Humility is the foundation
Augustine of Hippo
of all the other virtues hence,
in the soul in which
this virtue does not exist
there cannot be any other virtue
except in mere appearance.”
Music: from “Scripture to Song”
For/Against
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 29, 2024
Today’s Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092924.cfm
At that time, John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
Mark 9:38-41
The earliest disciples were learners just like we are. As they have listened and watched the power of Jesus, they have placed complete trust in him. They begin to realize that Jesus is sharing that power with them. Jesus instructs them that this realization must be handled humbly. It must not allow alienation from other believers who also carry the power of faith in Christ. If one is for Christ, they cannot be against him.
Beware the religion that turns you against another one.
Joan Chittister, OSB
It’s unlikely that it’s really religion at all.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
We seek that openness that Jesus inspires in his disciples – to recognize, encourage, hear, and consecrate all the gifts which the body of believers brings to the Church. Institutionalization can breed classism and elitism anywhere, even in our beloved Church.
Poetry: Sermons We See – Edgar Guest
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong one stays behind
Just to see if they can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
A good person teaches many, who believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with those of honor learns to hold their honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with their eloquence, I say,
I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
Music: Chrysalis – 2002 Band
Death
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
September 28, 2024
Today’s Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092824.cfm
Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
Today’s readings may strike us as grim. The Book of Ecclesiastes acknowledges our discomfort with the darkness inherent in faith. We believe because we do not know. If we knew, there would be no need for faith. But at times our believing is challenged by our life circumstances. Thus is the story of Ecclesiastes – all in life that confronts our faith.
In our Gospel, Jesus introduces the hard reality of his impending death. He challenges the faith and commitment of the disciples as the time of testing approaches.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
Acknowledging the truth of today’s readings, we choose to pray with them in the light of the Resurrection as it is so beautifully and simply stated in our Responsorial Psalm.
Poetry: from John Donne’s Holy Sonnets – Death Be Not Proud
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
Music: Cantata, BWV 31 – “The Heavens Laugh” – J.S. Bach
The heavens laugh! The earth shouts with joy
and what she bears in her bosom.
The creator lives! God most high triumphs
and is free from the bonds of death.
He who has chosen the grave for rest,
the Holiest, cannot decay.
… time …
Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest
September 27, 2024
Today’s Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092724.cfm
What advantage have workers from their toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for us to be busied about.
The Infinite One has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without our ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-11
Three thousand years ago, in the Book of Ecclesiastes, a writer called Kohelet meditated on God’s Mercy experienced over a lifetime. Like the writer, we may have done the same thing at various significant times in our lives.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
We place our lives against the timepiece pictured above. We may pray over a specific time of challenge and grace. Or we may consider the whole pattern of mercy passing slowly yet constantly through our lives, like the ticking of a steadfast clock.
Poetry: XC Domine, refugium – Malcolm Suite
In this poem, Guite refers to a poem by Philip Larkin which may be read here: https://allpoetry.com/Cut-Grass
XC Domine, refugium
Malcolm Guite
A cosy comforter, a lucky charm?
Not with this psalmist, for he praises God
From everlasting ages, in his psalm.
A God of refuge –yes – and yet a God
Who knows the death that comes before each birth,
Who sees each generation die, a God
Before whom all the ages of the earth
Are like a passing day, like the cut grass
In Larkin’s limpid verse: ‘brief is the breath
Mown stalks exhale’. So we and all things pass,
And God endures beyond us. Yet he cares
For our brief lives, his loving tenderness
Extends to all his creatures, our swift years
Are precious in his sight. In Christ he shares
Our grief and he will wipe away our tears.
Music: There Is A Season – Tom Kendzia
Every
Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
September 26, 2024
Today’s Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092624.cfm
Lord, you have been our refuge
from one generation to another.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the land and the earth were born,
from age to age you are God.
You turn us back to the dust and say,
“Go back, O child of earth.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are like yesterday when it is past
and like a watch in the night….
…. Satisfy us by your loving-kindness
in the morning;
so shall we rejoice and be glad
all the days of our life.
Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us
and the years in which we suffered adversity.
Show your servants your works *
and your splendor to their children.
May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us;
prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.
Psalm 90:1-4;14-17
Our beautiful Responsorial Psalm today allows us to reflect on our grateful past and our hopeful future. God’s mercy is with every person in every age of our lives.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
We ponder this infinite blessing so that we can open our hearts to its amazing grace.
Poetry: On Thy Wondrous Works I Will Meditate – Mary Oliver
Every morning I want to kneel down on the golden
cloth of the sand and say
some kind of musical thanks for
the world that is happening again—another day—
from the shawl of wind coming out of the
west to the firm green
flesh of the melon lately sliced open and
eaten, its chill and ample body
flavored with mercy. I want
to be worthy of—what? Glory? Yes, unimaginable glory.
O Lord of melons, of mercy, though I am
not ready, nor worthy, I am climbing toward you.
Music: Psalm 90 – Marty Goetz
Shoulders Day 2024
Associate Marge Koons took great photos of our Shoulders Day gathering. This is an event to honor and be with those sisters on whose shoulders we stand. God gave us a beautiful day. It was wonderful to see everyone there. (The pictures are in two separate videos.)
I thought some of you would enjoy seeing them.
Before you view videos, you may want to listen to the beautiful song “Standing on the Shoulders”. Click the litte white arrowhead on the left below.
Nothing
Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
September 25, 2024
Today’s Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092524.cfm
Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.
Luke 9:1-6
That’s what Jesus said – NOTHING – “Take nothing for the journey”! Within their coming journey, everything already awaited his disciples. He asked them to empty the box of their acquired possessions so that they could see through to heaven.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
I picture myself when I go on a journey of a week or two. Almost always, I carry at least one suitcase I never need. Instead, I have dragged a bag full of inessentials through most of Europe and the U.S.! We carry so much with us we do not need – both materially and spiritually.
Whenever I read this Gospel, I am reminded of a verse from Janis Joplin’s smash hit song of 1971, “Me and Bobby McGee”. Janis was a tortured soul but a magnificent artist. Her song captured the transitory nature of anything we try to possess in life
The line I love is this – take it for whatever truth it can offer you:
Freedom’s just another word
for nothing left to lose.
Poetry: On Freedom – Hafiz
We have not come here to take prisoners,
But to surrender ever more deeply
To freedom and joy.We have not come into this exquisite world
To hold ourselves hostage from love.Run my dear,
From anything
That may not strengthen
Your precious budding wings.Run like hell my dear,
From anyone likely
To put a sharp knife
Into the sacred, tender vision
Of your beautiful heart.We have a duty to befriend
Those aspects of obedience
That stand outside of our house
And shout to our reason
“O please, O please,
Come out and play.”For we have not come here to take prisoners
Or to confine our wondrous spirits,But to experience ever and ever more deeply
Our divine courage, freedom and
Light!
Music: Me and Bobby McGee – written by Kris Kristofferson, sung by Janis Joplin
Lavish Mercy 