Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?”
Matthew 19:3
The Pharisees miss the whole point of the Presence of Jesus. Think of it: here they have the Messiah they have longed for right in their midst. They can talk to him, touch him, listen to him. Instead, they are strangled in rationalizations which prevent them from believing.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We ask for a clear and innocent faith, one not caught in the need for proofs and signs. May we hold nothing back from God in our practice of faith.
Poetry: Two Went Up Into the Temple to Pray– Richard Crashaw
Two went to pray? O rather say One went to brag, th’ other to pray:
One stands up close and treads on high, Where th’ other dares not send his eye.
One nearer to God’s altar trod, The other to the altar’s God.
Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Corinthians 15:20
We celebrate Mary because of who she is in Christ, the firstfruits of a new and redeemed Creation. Mary is the one who bore these sacred firstfruits. Mothering Christ, she mothers too the gift of our Redemption.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
We honor Mary whose simple life was translucent with faith. From that light, God took flesh and so redeemed us.
Poetry: The Assumption – Joachim Smet O.Carm
No painter ever caught the magic other going-- This was a matter of an inward growing, Simple and imperceptible as thought. It was no pageant wrought Of sounding splendor, welter of gold bars Of molten day, mad stars, Flurry of quick angels' winging, Bursts of their laughter ringing In wild bliss. The simple fact is this: Love conquered at long last. Her eager soul fled fast With a great gladness like a song Unto to her Spouse above, And her pure flesh would not be parted long For sheer love.
Music: Assumpta Est Maria
Latin Text
Assumpta est Maria in caelum, gaudent angeli, laudantes benedicunt Dominum. Gaudete et exsultate omnes recti corde. Quia hodie Maria virgo cum Christo regnat in aeternum.
Quae est ista, quae progreditur quasi aurora consurgens, pulchra ut luna, electa ut sol, terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata? Gaudete et exsultate omnes recti corde. Quia hodie Maria virgo cum Christo regnat in aeternum.
ENGLSIH TEXT Mary has been received into Heaven: the angels rejoice with praises and bless the Lord. Let all rejoice and be glad with righteous heart, for today the Virgin Mary reigns with Christ for evermore.
Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array ? Let all rejoice and be glad with righteous heart, for today the Virgin Mary reigns with Christ for evermore.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.” Matthew 17:25-27
Can you see Peter shaking the little fish until the coin popped out in his hand? Can you see his astounded face at this magical miracle? As we picture the scene, we may realize that there are miracles hidden in all Creation, in all experience if we can trust and seek the truth.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: Jesus wants to teach us too, just as he taught Peter and encouraged his faith. We need to look around our lives and to seek the hidden miracles in our daily experience. Jesus may smile at our grateful astonishment, just as he smiled at Peter.
Poetry: The Temple Tax – William Merriman
I have the taste of money in my mouth. The metallic tang covers my tongue, As my throat unslackens and unlooses Prayers, praises, verses, songs With one hand raised to the altar, And the other in my pocket.
You who drew the fish from the water And withdrew the coins of copper From its consuming, biting teeth To pay the price of entry— Kill this mammon greed, And, instead, Lord, enter me.
Music: some lovely music as you think about spiritual “fishing”
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16: 24-25
This passage from Matthew is one of the most astounding challenges Jesus gave his disciples: deny yourself, take up your cross, follow me.
What does it really mean to deny oneself? Does it mean to become a doormat or a Milquetoast? Does it suggest repressing one’s personality or ambitions? To act like a nobody?
Of course not! So many places in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures assure us that we are unique, precious, and beloved of God. God doesn’t want us not to be ourselves because that’s who we were created to be!
I think denying oneself means not getting caught in the mirror of selfishness. Instead we are called to focus on Jesus and his absolute care for all Creation, especially those who are poor, sick, outcast, and troubled. We can’t really do that if we are consumed with self-interest.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We ask for the grace to be aware, brave, and faithful enough to put the good of others first for the sake of Christ.
Poetry: As the Ruin Falls – C.S. Lewis
All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through: I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn.
Peace, re-assurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek, I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin: I talk of love --a scholar's parrot may talk Greek-- But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin.
Only that now you have taught me (but how late) my lack.
I see the chasm. And everything you are was making My heart into a bridge by which I might get back From exile, and grow man. And now the bridge is breaking.
For this I bless you as the ruin falls. The pains You give me are more precious than all other gains.
Music: Deny Yourself – Paul Melley
Deny yourself. Take up your cross . Despite the pain Despite the cost. Leave all behind and follow me. Deny yourself, be free.
For what will it profit to gain the world and lose your life? Those who would save their life will lose it. What can you give in return for your life? For those would lose their life will find it. Deny yourself.
Come, take up your cross and daily follow me and you will have rich reward in heaven. Those who have left their home and family for his sake inherit one hundred fold, inherit eternal life. Deny yourself.
What can you give in return for your life? For those who would lose their life, lose their life will find it Deny yourself
Lord, you reveal the depth of your life and your love in your everlasting covenant. Strengthen the faith we share, fill our work with your love, and bring all of us to grace, to the grace you promise.
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.” Exodus 16:11-12
In both our readings, God recognizes physical hunger and ties it to spiritual strength.
In our Gospel, Jesus makes the connection clear. He tells his followers:
“For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
No matter how much we are “fed”, we will never be satisfied until our nurture blesses the rest of the world as well as ourselves.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We ask to be more aware of, grateful for, and generous with the blessings we have received.
Poetry: Bread – Richard Levine
Each night, in a space he’d make between waking and purpose, my grandfather donned his one suit, in our still dark house, and drove through Brooklyn’s deserted streets following trolley tracks to the bakery.
There he’d change into white linen work clothes and cap, and in the absence of women, his hands were both loving, well into dawn and throughout the day— kneading, rolling out, shaping
each astonishing moment of yeasty predictability in that windowless world lit by slightly swaying naked bulbs, where the shadows staggered, woozy with the aromatic warmth of the work.
Then, the suit and drive, again. At our table, graced by a loaf that steamed when we sliced it, softened the butter and leavened the very air we’d breathe, he’d count us blessed.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.
Encapsulating today’s Gospel, our Responsorial Psalm delivers the clear message that Christ sows the Word of God in our hearts. Will that Divine Seed be overwhelmed by selfish weeds? Or will it thrive? The answer comes with very high stakes – eternal life.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We pray for a fertile soul, open to God’s Word, vibrant with the Gospel of Christ.
Poetry:May we raise children who love the unloved things – Nicolette Sowder
May we raise children who love the unloved things – the dandelion, the worms & spiderlings. Children who sense the rose needs the thorn & run into rainswept days the same way they turn towards sun…
And when they’re grown & someone has to speak for those who have no voice may they draw upon that wilder bond, those days of tending tender things and be the ones.
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” John 11:19-22
Jesus needed and had friends, just like we do. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were that kind of close friends. Jesus could hang out at their house, be comfortable at their table. They loved when he visited, bustling about to tidy the house and make him a special meal. They could sit with him for the afternoon in the comfortable silence between close friends. And could expect him to share their joys and sorrows.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: Jesus wants to be that kind of friend with us – sharing presence, refreshment, a quiet comfort, a lively conversation. He wants to share our ups and downs and in-betweens.He wants us to love him as he loves us.
Poetry: Malcolm Guite – The Anointing at Bethany
Come close with Mary, Martha, Lazarus so close the candles stir with their soft breath and kindle heart and soul to flame within us, lit by these mysteries of life and death. For beauty now begins the final movement in quietness and intimate encounter. The alabaster jar of precious ointment is broken open for the world’s true Lover. The whole room richly fills to feast the senses with all the yearning such a fragrance brings. The heart is mourning but the spirit dances, here at the very center of all things, here at the meeting place of love and loss, we all foresee, and see beyond the cross.
Music: Pour My Love on You by Craig and Dean Phillips
Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. John 6:10-13
Today’s readings are about being fed – not only in a physical sense, but also in a spiritual sense. Jesus’s miracle with the loaves and fishes fed a lot of hungry people, but it more importantly opened their eyes to his power to redeem them. It gave them hope, the spiritual food for which we all hunger.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We realize that the same Lavish Mercy which fed those on the ancient hillside feeds and transforms us throughout our lives. As Paul indicates in the second reading, it makes us one in the infinite abundance of God’s grace and call.
May we therefore “live in a manner worthy of the call we have received.”
Poetry: When a Little Was Enough – Irene Zimmerman, OSF
“Send the people away from this deserted place to find food and lodgings,” the twelve urged Jesus, “for the day is advanced and it is almost evening.”
Jesus looked at the crowd (there were about five thousand) and looked at his disciples, still excited and tired from their first mission journey.
What had they learned from the villagers of Galilee who shared bread and sheltered them from cold night winds? What had they learned of human coldness on the way?
He remembered the pain in his mother’s voice as she told of his birth night when they found no room in all of Bethlehem, House of Bread.
“You give them something to eat!” he said.
“We have only five loaves and two fish!” they protested. “How can we feed so many with so little?” He understood their incredulity.
They had yet to learn that a little was enough when it was all they had— that God could turn these very stones to bread.
“Have the crowd sit down in groups of fifty,” he said. Jesus took the food and looked up to heaven. He blessed it, broke it, gave it to the disciples to distribute to the new-formed churches.
Afterwards, when everyone was satisfied, the twelve filled twelve baskets of bread left over— as faith stirred like yeast within them.
Music: I Am – by Finding Favor
While you were sleeping While the whole world was dreaming I never left your side And I can promise I won’t be leaving
I watch you breathing And I hear you singing I feel your heart beat and I know every pain That you’re feeling
And I am the comfort when you are afraid I am the refuge when you call my name I was, I’ll be, I am
I know you’re broken You’re busted wide open You’ve fallen to pieces and you feel there’s nothing left You can hope in
But I’ll hold you together We’ll stand the weather Cause I paid the price for you And I won’t let you go, no never
And I am the comfort when you are afraid I am the refuge when you call my name I was, I’ll be, I am
And I am the future, and I am the past I am the first and I am the last I was, I’ll be, I am
I am the Father, I am the Son I am the Spirit, I am the One I was, I’ll be, I am
And I wore the thorns and I took the nails I am love, and love never fails I was, I’ll be, I am I am, I am, I am
But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Matthew 13:23
How appropriate, on this feast of Anne and Joachim, that the Gospel describes the abundant yield of love and fidelity. Those virtues in Anne and Joachim shaped the heart of Mary as the Vessel of God.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We gratefully remember those in our own lives who helped shape us by their faith, guardianship, and generosity – parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, trusted mentors, generous friends.
Poetry: The Splendor Falls – Alfred Lord Tennyson
The splendor falls on castle walls And snowy summits old in story; The long light shakes across the lakes, And the wild cataract leaps in glory. Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying, Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying.
O, hark, O, hear! how thin and clear, And thinner, clearer, farther going! O, sweet and far from cliff and scar The horns of Elfland faintly blowing! Blow, let us hear the purple glens replying, Blow, bugles; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying.
O love, they die in yon rich sky, They faint on hill or field or river; Our echoes roll from soul to soul, And grow forever and forever. Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying, And answer, echoes, answer, dying, dying, dying.
I found a reference to this poem in a lovely reflection by Franciscan Sister Kathleen Murphy which you may read here:
Chorus: We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us. They are giving us their courage, and they say we are glad you’re in this world.
May the strength of the ancestors encircle you. May the strength of the ancestors encircle you. And may this strength stay with you your whole life through. May the strength of the ancestors encircle you.
We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us. They are giving us their courage, and they say we are glad you’re in this world.
Refrain: May you have all your choices. May you have all your voices. May your wisdom now be heard. They say we are glad you’re in this world.
May the trust of the ancestors be healing you. (2x) And may this trust stay with you your whole life through. May the trust of the ancestors be healing you.
We are lifting up our vision to the ones who will come after. We are sending them our courage, as they wait to come into this world.
Refrain: May you have all your choices. May you have all your voices. May your wisdom now be heard. They say we are glad you’re in this world.
The Bride says: On my bed at night I sought him whom my heart loves– I sought him but I did not find him. I will rise then and go about the city; in the streets and crossings I will seek Him whom my heart loves. I sought him but I did not find him. The watchmen came upon me, as they made their rounds of the city: Have you seen him whom my heart loves? I had hardly left them when I found him whom my heart loves. Song of Songs 3:1-48
This exquisite poem from the Song of Songs captures the spirit of Mary Magdalen who, throughout her life, sought a deep and transformative relationship with God.
When she anointed his feet, when she relentlessly sought him at the tomb, Mary longed for the Presence of Jesus. When she found Him whom she had sought, this premier Apostle of the Resurrection preached the first Easter news to her companions.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
We honor Mary Magdalen, so long mischaracterized in Church history. We ask to be inspired by her deep love of Jesus and resolute desire to be united with him.
Poetry: The Magdalen, a Garden, and This – Kathleen O’Toole
She who is known by myth and association as sinful, penitent, voluptuous perhaps… but faithful to the last and then beyond.
A disciple for sure, confused often with Mary, sister of Lazarus, or the woman caught in adultery, or she who angered the men
by anointing Jesus with expensive oils. She was the one from whom he cast out seven demons-she’s named in that account.
Strip all else away and we know only that she was grateful, that she found her way to the cross, and that she returned
to the tomb, to the garden nearby, and there, weeping at her loss, was recognized, became known in the tender invocation
of her name. Mary: breathed by one whom she mistook for the gardener, he who in an instant brought her back to herself-
gave her in two syllables a life beloved, gave me the only sure thing I’ll believe of heaven, that if it be, it will consist
in this: the one unmistakable rendering of your name.
Music: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth – G. F. Handel
Lavish Mercy 