Today's Scripture can be read at www.usccb.org/nab
As we move through life, we all encounter various "wake-up calls" that force us to evaluate our priorities and to realize deeper realites about life. Even a very elderly person will say that life is brief; this realization of life's briefness and fragility can help a person put "first things first" as one evaluates personal accomplishments and values.
God's Word shouts out this not-so-welcome reminder this week as we hear the "all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes) and we hear of the plans that are not fulfilled because of death (Luke). While this message is not easy to hear, it is a reality.
As Paul reminds us (Colossians) we are challenged to let God's love influence our perspective and our priorities.
This week we might want to think of what is important in our lives and how significant some of our actions actually are.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
"Up Close and Personal": Reflection for July 25, 2010, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Scripture can be read at www.ussccb.org/nab
It's true that it's easier to "be yourself" around people who convey a sense of acceptance and openness. We do not have to wear "masks" because we know that this person accepts us as we are.
God's Word today reminds us that we can be totally open in our relationship with God. As we get glimpses into Abraham's and Jesus' intimate moments with God (Genesis, Luke), we see that we too can be open and intimate with God.
Abraham is just so amazingly honest in his approach to God. Forget the fancy words, the right formula, the attitude of awe; Abraham knows that God is with him and already knows his heart and mind. He knows that God accepts him as he is; he has walked hand-in-hand with God.
Jesus too tells his followers that God is intimate with them, for Jesus tells his followers to pray using the intimate, childlike word "Abba" ("Da-da") instead of the formal word "Abinu" ("Father"). This approach probably caused quite a stir among some of the teachers at the time because it changed the way that some may have viewed God and their own relation to God.
God's Word, then, encourages us to remember that God is already intimately involved in our lives and challenges us to live out lives with greater awareness.
It's true that it's easier to "be yourself" around people who convey a sense of acceptance and openness. We do not have to wear "masks" because we know that this person accepts us as we are.
God's Word today reminds us that we can be totally open in our relationship with God. As we get glimpses into Abraham's and Jesus' intimate moments with God (Genesis, Luke), we see that we too can be open and intimate with God.
Abraham is just so amazingly honest in his approach to God. Forget the fancy words, the right formula, the attitude of awe; Abraham knows that God is with him and already knows his heart and mind. He knows that God accepts him as he is; he has walked hand-in-hand with God.
Jesus too tells his followers that God is intimate with them, for Jesus tells his followers to pray using the intimate, childlike word "Abba" ("Da-da") instead of the formal word "Abinu" ("Father"). This approach probably caused quite a stir among some of the teachers at the time because it changed the way that some may have viewed God and their own relation to God.
God's Word, then, encourages us to remember that God is already intimately involved in our lives and challenges us to live out lives with greater awareness.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
"Welcoming Others": Reflection for Sunday, July 18, 2010, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Scripture can be read at www.usccb.org/nab
Being welcomed to someone's home is a wonderful experience. Warm, gracious welcomes show a sense of care and respect for another while affirming the person who extends the welcome.
God's Word today shows us the significance of welcoming others and helping them feel "at home".
We see Abraham graciously welcoming the strangers (Genesis) and we see Martha and Mary welcoming Jesus and his friends (Luke)
Both stories can actually be amusing as they relate to everyday life.
While Abraham welcomes the strangers, he asks his wife Sarah to do the work! And while some preachers may talk about the importance of prayer in the figure of Mary, I do wonder how Jesus and that group of traveling companions would have felt without a good meal!
I do like the image of Mary, though, as a reminder that says "Women do not have to stay in the kitchen". Jesus shows us that roles can be shared, and that God does not hold people in roles.
So, this week one thing that God's Word shows is that God welcomes us; God wants to be "at home" with us. And then God's Word challenges us to welcome others.
God's Word can also encourage us not to limit ourselves to expected roles, and even to help out in the kitchen! We may not often think of something as mundane as being in the kitchen as an expression of God's Presence, but I do think that the Good News this week reminds us that everyday life can take on new meaning!
Being welcomed to someone's home is a wonderful experience. Warm, gracious welcomes show a sense of care and respect for another while affirming the person who extends the welcome.
God's Word today shows us the significance of welcoming others and helping them feel "at home".
We see Abraham graciously welcoming the strangers (Genesis) and we see Martha and Mary welcoming Jesus and his friends (Luke)
Both stories can actually be amusing as they relate to everyday life.
While Abraham welcomes the strangers, he asks his wife Sarah to do the work! And while some preachers may talk about the importance of prayer in the figure of Mary, I do wonder how Jesus and that group of traveling companions would have felt without a good meal!
I do like the image of Mary, though, as a reminder that says "Women do not have to stay in the kitchen". Jesus shows us that roles can be shared, and that God does not hold people in roles.
So, this week one thing that God's Word shows is that God welcomes us; God wants to be "at home" with us. And then God's Word challenges us to welcome others.
God's Word can also encourage us not to limit ourselves to expected roles, and even to help out in the kitchen! We may not often think of something as mundane as being in the kitchen as an expression of God's Presence, but I do think that the Good News this week reminds us that everyday life can take on new meaning!
Friday, July 9, 2010
"It's Simple - We Are All Connected": Reflection for July 11,2010, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Scripture can be read at www.usccb.org/nab
Life can really be simpler than we often think. In our search for meaning or our desire to find our place in the world we may go far and wide; yet we often return to the place where we began. Indeed, as God's Word reminds us today, "God's Word is close at hand... already in our hearts and minds.." (Deuteronomy)
Becoming aware of God's Presence within us and within others can be a challenge. And trying to live out that awareness in eveyday life, often especially with those who are "close at hand", can also be a challenge.
As we try to "love our neighbor as ourself" (Luke) we often realize how our lives need to change.
God's Word can encourage us with the reminder of God's loving presence while it challenges us to let our lives show God's love.
To Think About: Do I try to remember God's Presence within me - and within others?
Is there someone - including myself- that I might treat differently if I believed in God's Presence within that person?
How do I respond to people who are in need?
To Do: When you look into a mirror, remind yourself that God is present within you.
Remind yourself that God is present in others by consciously seeing one person as a temple of God. Can you do this everyday this week?
Notice someone you might usually ignore by treating that person with a little extra respect or kindness.
Do some "Good Samaritan" random acts of kindness this week.
To Pray: Hear Jesus saying to you ," (Insert your name), I am with you always."
Life can really be simpler than we often think. In our search for meaning or our desire to find our place in the world we may go far and wide; yet we often return to the place where we began. Indeed, as God's Word reminds us today, "God's Word is close at hand... already in our hearts and minds.." (Deuteronomy)
Becoming aware of God's Presence within us and within others can be a challenge. And trying to live out that awareness in eveyday life, often especially with those who are "close at hand", can also be a challenge.
As we try to "love our neighbor as ourself" (Luke) we often realize how our lives need to change.
God's Word can encourage us with the reminder of God's loving presence while it challenges us to let our lives show God's love.
To Think About: Do I try to remember God's Presence within me - and within others?
Is there someone - including myself- that I might treat differently if I believed in God's Presence within that person?
How do I respond to people who are in need?
To Do: When you look into a mirror, remind yourself that God is present within you.
Remind yourself that God is present in others by consciously seeing one person as a temple of God. Can you do this everyday this week?
Notice someone you might usually ignore by treating that person with a little extra respect or kindness.
Do some "Good Samaritan" random acts of kindness this week.
To Pray: Hear Jesus saying to you ," (Insert your name), I am with you always."
Friday, July 2, 2010
"The Gift of Life": Reflection for July 4,2010, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Scripture can be read at www.usccb.org/nab.
I can't remember the last time that July 4 occurred on a Sunday, but I am really struck with an awareness of the way that God's Word relates to the heart of today's national observance. As we take time to appreciate our blessings as a nation and acknowledge its failures and needs, I think that we can also appreciate our need for God.
While the prophet Isaiah speaks of Jerusalem (Isaiah)- a blessed but flawed city- we might also think of our country.
I can't remember the last time that July 4 occurred on a Sunday, but I am really struck with an awareness of the way that God's Word relates to the heart of today's national observance. As we take time to appreciate our blessings as a nation and acknowledge its failures and needs, I think that we can also appreciate our need for God.
While the prophet Isaiah speaks of Jerusalem (Isaiah)- a blessed but flawed city- we might also think of our country.
And as we sing "Let all the earth cry out with joy to God" (Psalm 66- Responsorial) we can think of our country and of all who seek to live in freedom.
Finally, as we hear of those who helped bring the Good News of God's Love to others as disciples of Jesus (Luke), we can also think of those who have worked and continue to work for human dignity and freedom throughout the world.
God's Word can call us to new awareness as it challenges us to "just Do IT!
To think about: Do I take freedom and blessings for granted?
Do I work to continue the foundations on which this country was built?
Do I pray for this country and for all people in the world?
Do I try to extend the blessings I experience to others?
To do: Notice your freedoms and blessings; name them and tell your children or grandchildren about them.
Do something to help bring the freedom or blessings that you experience to others.
To pray: Pray for our country: "God bless America, land that I love"! and for the world: "This is my prayer, O God of all the nations, a prayer for peace."
Next week: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)