All "Fluff" and No "Stuff"? Reflection for Sunday, August 30, 2009 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 4: 1-8; James 1: 17 -18, 21b-22, 27 ( This is really being selective); Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (See above comment!)



Scripture for today's readings can be found at http://www.usccb.org.nab/

"You can't judge a book by its cover" is an old adage that, like many old adages, contains a great deal of truth. Most of us can probably think of a time when we've been surprised by someone's actions that were quite contrary - for better or for worse - to our expectations. Indeed, things might not have been what they appeared to be; our judgement was definitely inaccurate!

God's Word today reminds us of this truth and also challenges us to have the "cover" of our own "life's book" match the content of that book. I thought of this as I entitled this week's reflection, for sometimes we all can be a bit like cotton-candy: all "fluff" and no "stuff".

In the Letter of James the simple phrase "Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves"(22) comes right to the point! But the amazing , almost jaw- dropping words of accusation in Mark that are addressed to the Pharisees leave no room for doubt that appearances count for nothing with Jesus. What is within makes the difference in how one lives!

So once again God's Word calls us to align our inner spirit with God's Spirit and then to put that Spirit into action in our everyday lives.

To Think About:

Am I generally judgmental or accepting of people?

Do I make judgments based on exterior elements like appearances, housing, clothing, job titles?

Am I or my family overly concerned about outward appearances?

Do I "put my money where my mouth is", having my actions match my words?

To Do:

Notice your prejudices and the reasons that you might prejudge someone. Awareness is a good first step toward change.

Talk to someone you might usually ignore; even a "Good Morning" or a "Thanks" can be good.

Encourage your child to see beyond stereotypes, even as you notice your own language about people.

Look for ways to contribute to a greater cause where you may meet different people.

To Pray: "We will walk with each other.. we will work with each other...: ( "They'll Know We Are Christians" )

Next week: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 35: 4 - 7a; James 2: 1-5; Mark 7: 31-37

What Is Your Choice? Reflection for Sunday, August 23, 2009, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Joshua 24: 1-18 (bits and pieces of the section);Ephesians 5 : 21 - 32 or (I hope!) Ephesians 5: 2, 25 -32; John 6: 60 - 69


Scripture for today's readings can be found at www.usccb.org/nab.


The poet Robert Frost wrote of the significance of choices: "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood...I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference" ("The Road Not Taken").

Indeed, some choices seem to have been ones that have "made all the difference" in our lives, for they have provided the framework and direction for many of our life's details.

God's Word today reminds us of the significance of our choices and the way that these choices touch our lives.

In the first reading from the Book of Joshua, we hear of the ancient Israelites choosing to follow the One God.
In the passage from John's Gospel, we hear of those who chose to leave Jesus and those who chose to stay with Him.
And in the Letter to the Ephesians we hear of the significance of our relationships, particularly the relationship between spouses. (Hopefully most lectors will proclaim the shorter version, since the longer version carries the infamous admonition "wives be subject to your husbands" - a line that has certainly provided a framework for abuse over the years.)

God's Word today can strengthen us as we become more aware of our everyday choices and try to let those choices influence the way that we live.

To Think About:

What have been some significant choices I have made on my life's road?

What influences my choices: media, peers, society's expectations, the message of Jesus?

Do I give my child the opportunity to make age-appropriate choices?

Do I try to listen to God's presence within me when I make a choice or ask for God's guidance?

Do I trust that God can make something good come from a choice that I have made, even one that I regret?

To Do:

Choose a relationship or a situation where you can choose to act as one who is trying to follow Jesus.

Notice how everyday choices in the way that you use your time, talents and energy shape your life.

Give your child the opportunity to make age-appropriate choices, and let your child experience some of the natural consequences that follow some choices.

Ask God to guide you in a choice that you are making or a situation that you are experiencing.

To Pray: "Open my ears, Lord, help me to hear Your voice; open my heart,Lord,help me to love."

Next week: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Deuteronomy 4: 1-8; James 1: 17-18, 21-27; Mark 7: 1-23

How Wise Are You? Reflection for Sunday, August 16, 2009: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Proverbs 9: 1-6; Ephesians 5: 15-20; John 6: 51-58
Scripture can be found at www.usccb.org/nab

There can a big difference between being wise and being smart. We may kow people who are intelligent and well-versed in some area of expertise. We may,in fact, consider ourselves among them.
We may also know some very smart people who are not too wise, whose lives show that they are actually very foolish. Media seems to be flooded with stories of some of these people. Of course, there may have been times when we had to admit that we, too, were among this number!
Unlike knowledge, one does not learn wisdom by taking a course or reading a book, though these actions may help one become wiser. And while one may hope that a person become wiser with age, this is not always the case!
Wise people often see life in unexpected ways, and sometimes seeing beyond the obvious and valuing what others may consider insignificant or unimportant.
God's Word today reminds us to consider how we view life and to see how our view compares with God's view (Proverbs, John). This Word then calls us to live our values in everyday life (Ephesians) by making wise choices that can help others.
Next week: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Joshua 24: 1-18; Ephesians 5: 21-32; John 6: 60-69

Pauses That Refresh and Renew: Reflection for August 9, 2009

Pauses That Refresh and Renew: Reflection for 19TH Sunday in Ordinary Time: 1Kings 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6: 41-51

Scripture can be found at www.usccb.org/nab



We may all have had times when it seemed that there was no time for rest because of situations in our lives. In addition to the actual time involved at these times, most of us probably carried the situation into the rest of our lives too. The burdens then became even heavier!



In reflecting on God's Word for today, I thought of the importance of taking time to find daily "R&R". The Elijah story certainly can "hit home" for many who have experienced difficulties. We may even have said as Elijah did, "This is enough, O Lord". We feel that we cannot continue on our own.

In fact, at these times we may experence the very same draining emotions that are mentioned in Ephesians: "bitterness, fury, anger, shouting."

Jesus reminds us of the importance of believing in God's Presence with us, the Bread of Life(John). This belief can make a difference in our daily lives, helping us move through difficulites to a renewed vision of a situation and strengthening us to continue our life's walk. As we are strengthened and renewed, we can then reach out to others who are experiencing difficulties in their own journey.

To Think About: Do I increase the size of my burdens by continuing to talk about them, worry about them, or remember them?
Have I tried to turn over my burdens to God - not just once a day, but whenever they surface? Do I try to find moments of peace and connection to God by breathing slowly and by remembering that I am not alone?
Do I encourage my child to find ways to deal with problems in practical ways?
Do I remember to affirm my own efforts to move toward greater awareness as I change my attitude or behavior?
Have I ever noticed the difference that a "Thank You" or a word of appreciation can make in
helping strengthen someone or dispel some "bitterness, anger, fury, shouting"?
Do I "taste and see the goodness of the Lord" (Psalm 34:1) in my daily life? Can it make a difference if I do "taste and see"?

To Do: Notice something good every day and then see how often you can notice something good in yourself, in another, in the world. This one action can make a difference in our awareness and in our behavior.

To Pray: "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord".

Next Week: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Proverbs 9: 1-6; Ephesians 5: 15-20; John 6: 51-58

A Note from Lucille: I have reflections that I've compiled over the years that I had planned to edit for use on this blog. However, I seem to have lost the file when our computer died. I hope I find it soon!