Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
Our Gospel passage begins with some ‘dude’ who has shown up wanting Jesus to take care of his problems. Just imagine the scene: Jesus is walking through the crowd, perhaps hundreds of people around him, and this person gets loud enough to draw all the attention to him and asks Jesus to get his brother in line. We don’t know the tone of this person’s voice when he asked Jesus the question. Perhaps he was being serious, and was really focused on getting his inheritance. Maybe he was poor and needed the money. Maybe he was already rich and wanted more. Perhaps he was serious but spoke to Jesus with a joking demeanor. Jesus seems to respond with humor as well, practically saying, ‘hey, take care of it yourself. It’s not my problem.’ But Jesus does not let the discussion end there. He uses this occasion to teach a very important point about earthly riches. No doubt this man was very concerned about his worldly condition. He wanted to be secure. While this is not wrong in and of itself, it could be if it is not properly ordered. Jesus takes time to teach us how to order our riches and possessions. Those of us who make money and earthly security our passion will eventually be wasting our time, for one day we will die. Many people spend their entire waking moments working on their net worth. They go to school to get a high paying job, they constantly monitor their bank accounts, and by their actions they show that financial gain is the most important thing they achieve. This is not the Christian vision of life. While it is important to handle our money wisely, provide for our families, and contribute to society with a good job, our real purpose in life is to get to heaven. Many people work and work as if money was their god. Jesus, the Living God, calls us to work for heaven, the treasure that will last forever. What makes it difficult is that God is not clearly visible to us, yet on earth, we have access to signs and symbols of His presence. Yet those signs and symbols, with the help of the Church, can be clearly seen. We know that everything in this world is passing; we know that one day we will die; we know that Jesus lived on this earth, died and was resurrected. Now we are invited to make a response this. Jesus invites us to make this response to Him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because of this response, our lives should look different than most people. Storing up riches in heaven will cause us to evaluate every decision we make and will challenge us to a healthy detachment of the things of this world. This detachment requires us to be brutally honest with ourselves. Am I too greedy? Can I do without the material things I enjoy? Would I ever let riches and material possessions get in the way of my love for Jesus? Let us ask God for the grace to abandon ourselves completely to Him, and ask Him for the strength to be courageous – so we can have the guts to get rid of anything that keeps us from Him.
Reading 1
Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
1:2 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! 2:21 Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and yet to another who has not labored over it, he must leave property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune. 22 For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? 23 All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This also is vanity.
Reading 2
Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
1 Brothers and sisters: If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. 9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.
Gospel
Luke 12:13-21
13 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” 14 He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” 15 Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. 17 He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods 19 and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ 21 Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”
Read Luke 12 13-21
• After Jesus’ response, how do you think the man who asked Jesus to settle his dispute with his brother felt?
• How would you describe the rich man in the parable?
• After dying, how would the local paper describe him in the obituaries?
*a tireless worker *foolish *a success story *enterprising
• God’s response to the rich man was so harsh because God is?
1. intolerant of self-indulgent people
2. Compassionate toward poor people
3. Down on rich people
4. jealous of other “gods”
• What is Jesus saying in this story?
1. People who try to be a financial success are motivated by greed.
2. It’s OK to be successful, but remember your highest priority.
3. To really prepare for the future look beyond finances.
4. When you think you have it made, think again.
5. You can’t take it with you
6. Life is short, so get all the gusto you can.
7. Material things provide the greatest test of our spiritual devotion.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Advertising is dedicated to making us believe the opposite of verse 15. What differences in lifestyle result from believing Jesus versus advertisements?
2. Playing the rich fool is so easy in today’s world. What are some things you need to remember today in order not to be foolish (things the rich man forgot)? are not rich in what matters to God.”
3. How do you think the person who questioned Jesus felt after Jesus’ parable? Describe.
4. What are the many ways society pressures us to pursue money over God? Describe.
5. How important is financial security in your life right now? How well do you think you are doing at storing up treasures in heaven, as opposed to treasures on earth? Describe.
Lord, thank you for being so real to me and for revealing your wonderful love to us. There are people in our lives who don’t know you, some who even resist your call. Yet we know how much you love them and how much you want them to know your love. Lord, please put in our minds the names of people you would like us to reach with your love. And, Lord, with those names, we ask you to give us wisdom about how to “fertilize” their hearts so they may bear abundant fruit. Amen
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Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
"How goes your Prayer life?" Readings for Sunday for July 25th, 2010
"How goes your Prayer life?"
In this Sunday's Gospel (Luke 11:1-13) Jesus tells us how to pray, and the importance of not giving up, never give up. Be Persistent with God!
"What am I supposed to pray? What do I say? God already knows it all. What's the point?"
The point is communication. Imagine if every time you went on a date with a person, that person didn't say a word. You wouldn't be dating that person too long! That's because a relationship goes nowhere if there's no communication, no effort made. Same with God. You've got to spend time together, and you've got to talk.
Imagine it happening this way- "Johnny met Jenny, and, after they dated a few months, Johnny told her he loved her. After a while, though, Johnny hardly ever called or saw Jenny anymore. He ignored her- except for about an hour a week when he showed up at her house, mumbled a few words, and then go on his way. Is it any wonder Johnny and Jenny's relationship didn't last?"
Well, you just read a perfect example of the relationship a lot of us have with God. God calls us, writes us (this book is his ultimate love letter), and even visits us. Too often our response is showing up at God's house once a week, mumbling a few responses, and then running out as soon as the final song starts.
Real love can only happen when people spend time together, people who are in love share their hopes and dreams, their pains and sorrows, and they desire to be in each other’s presence.
Next time you pray open the door to your heart and ask God to be your lifetime friend—now and forever.
How do I pray? There are many ways to pray, and none is "the best" way. All forms of prayer are communication- talking and listening, a two way street. You could even sing it if your gutsy enough. (What boy or girl doesn't like a song sang to him or her, no matter how bad it sounds?)
Then you can thank God, just start thinking of things you are thankful for. You won't believe how long the list will be once you get into it!
Praying is also telling God we're sorry for the sinful things we've done. Sometimes it's begging and pleading for something we really need. Sometimes we say" God, where are you? Why didn't you answer my prayer? Don't keep me hanging like this!"
We can feel neglected when we don't get the results we want. But God always answers our prayers—sometimes with "Yes," sometimes with "no way," and sometimes with "Maybe later. It's not the right time yet." None of us like to hear "no," and most of us hate waiting around for an answer. But God knows what's best for us, and when it's best for us. That means that we will spend many days wondering if God has heard our prayer. Just as you are about to give up you may hear "Friend, your prayers have been heard."
Just remember… Be Persistent! God has big ears!
IHN tommyk
Readings for Sunday for July 25th, 2010 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Genesis 18:20-32
20 In those days, the LORD said: “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave, 21 that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out.”22 While Abraham’s visitors walked on farther toward Sodom, the LORD remained standing before Abraham. 23 Then Abraham drew nearer and said: “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? 24 Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?” 26 The LORD replied, “If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Abraham spoke up again: “See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes! 28 What if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?” He answered, “I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there.” 29 But Abraham persisted, saying “What if only forty are found there?” He replied, “I will forbear doing it for the sake of the forty.” 30 Then Abraham said, “Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on. What if only thirty are found there?” He replied, “I will forbear doing it if I can find but thirty there.” 31 Still Abraham went on, “Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?” The LORD answered, “I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty.” 32 But he still persisted: “Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?” He replied, “For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. When you were a child and wanted something from your parents, how did you try to persuade them?
2. What impresses you most about God in this story?
His confiding in Abraham? His judgment? His mercy?
3. What impresses you most about Abraham in this story?
his Boldness? his Compassion? his influence on God?
4. When did you last see God answer your prayer by meeting a specific need in your life?
Reading II Colossians 2:12-14
12 Brothers and sisters: You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him
through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; 14 obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us,
he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.
Question for Discussion:
1. What experiences does the believer share with Christ?
Gospel Luke 11:1-13
1 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread 4 and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” 5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ 7 and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 9 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Questions for Discussion:
1. In Jesus’ model prayer (vv 2-4) what two concerns related to God come first? Why? What personal concerns then follow?
2. How do prayer and forgiveness relate?
3. Reading over the ‘Our Father’ prayer, what lines from it stand out for you? Why?
4. Isn’t it astounding that Jesus tells us to go ahead and wear God out with our requests?
5. If someone said that they found the ‘Our Father’ boring because of repetition, how would you encourage them to say it in a way that has meaning? Describe.
6. Describe your prayer life. How often do you pray? Would you consider it quality time with God? What could you do to better improve it?
In this Sunday's Gospel (Luke 11:1-13) Jesus tells us how to pray, and the importance of not giving up, never give up. Be Persistent with God!
"What am I supposed to pray? What do I say? God already knows it all. What's the point?"
The point is communication. Imagine if every time you went on a date with a person, that person didn't say a word. You wouldn't be dating that person too long! That's because a relationship goes nowhere if there's no communication, no effort made. Same with God. You've got to spend time together, and you've got to talk.
Imagine it happening this way- "Johnny met Jenny, and, after they dated a few months, Johnny told her he loved her. After a while, though, Johnny hardly ever called or saw Jenny anymore. He ignored her- except for about an hour a week when he showed up at her house, mumbled a few words, and then go on his way. Is it any wonder Johnny and Jenny's relationship didn't last?"
Well, you just read a perfect example of the relationship a lot of us have with God. God calls us, writes us (this book is his ultimate love letter), and even visits us. Too often our response is showing up at God's house once a week, mumbling a few responses, and then running out as soon as the final song starts.
Real love can only happen when people spend time together, people who are in love share their hopes and dreams, their pains and sorrows, and they desire to be in each other’s presence.
Next time you pray open the door to your heart and ask God to be your lifetime friend—now and forever.
How do I pray? There are many ways to pray, and none is "the best" way. All forms of prayer are communication- talking and listening, a two way street. You could even sing it if your gutsy enough. (What boy or girl doesn't like a song sang to him or her, no matter how bad it sounds?)
Then you can thank God, just start thinking of things you are thankful for. You won't believe how long the list will be once you get into it!
Praying is also telling God we're sorry for the sinful things we've done. Sometimes it's begging and pleading for something we really need. Sometimes we say" God, where are you? Why didn't you answer my prayer? Don't keep me hanging like this!"
We can feel neglected when we don't get the results we want. But God always answers our prayers—sometimes with "Yes," sometimes with "no way," and sometimes with "Maybe later. It's not the right time yet." None of us like to hear "no," and most of us hate waiting around for an answer. But God knows what's best for us, and when it's best for us. That means that we will spend many days wondering if God has heard our prayer. Just as you are about to give up you may hear "Friend, your prayers have been heard."
Just remember… Be Persistent! God has big ears!
IHN tommyk
Readings for Sunday for July 25th, 2010 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Genesis 18:20-32
20 In those days, the LORD said: “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave, 21 that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out.”22 While Abraham’s visitors walked on farther toward Sodom, the LORD remained standing before Abraham. 23 Then Abraham drew nearer and said: “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? 24 Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?” 26 The LORD replied, “If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Abraham spoke up again: “See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes! 28 What if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?” He answered, “I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there.” 29 But Abraham persisted, saying “What if only forty are found there?” He replied, “I will forbear doing it for the sake of the forty.” 30 Then Abraham said, “Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on. What if only thirty are found there?” He replied, “I will forbear doing it if I can find but thirty there.” 31 Still Abraham went on, “Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?” The LORD answered, “I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty.” 32 But he still persisted: “Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?” He replied, “For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. When you were a child and wanted something from your parents, how did you try to persuade them?
2. What impresses you most about God in this story?
His confiding in Abraham? His judgment? His mercy?
3. What impresses you most about Abraham in this story?
his Boldness? his Compassion? his influence on God?
4. When did you last see God answer your prayer by meeting a specific need in your life?
Reading II Colossians 2:12-14
12 Brothers and sisters: You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him
through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; 14 obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us,
he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.
Question for Discussion:
1. What experiences does the believer share with Christ?
Gospel Luke 11:1-13
1 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread 4 and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” 5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ 7 and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 9 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Questions for Discussion:
1. In Jesus’ model prayer (vv 2-4) what two concerns related to God come first? Why? What personal concerns then follow?
2. How do prayer and forgiveness relate?
3. Reading over the ‘Our Father’ prayer, what lines from it stand out for you? Why?
4. Isn’t it astounding that Jesus tells us to go ahead and wear God out with our requests?
5. If someone said that they found the ‘Our Father’ boring because of repetition, how would you encourage them to say it in a way that has meaning? Describe.
6. Describe your prayer life. How often do you pray? Would you consider it quality time with God? What could you do to better improve it?
Monday, July 19, 2010
Mary and Martha
Readings for Sunday July 18th, 2010 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
This Sunday's Gospel reading is from the Gospel of St. Luke and it brings to us a lesson on discipleship. Jesus tells us do not be anxious or worried about to many things, He says, "There is need of only one thing" and that is to listen to what Jesus has to say and it will never be taken away from you.
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who almost immediately after Jesus' arrival sat at His feet and listened to his word.
But Martha who was overwhelmed with all the work that needed to be done, came to Jesus and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her that she has to help me.
And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things, but only one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good thing, which will not be taken away from her.
I am sure that many of us can relate our own life experience to this story. Martha is the perfect host, can you imagine her now in her kitchen stirring a pot with a big wooden spoon, her hands and face white from the flour used to bake bread. Can you see her moving quickly from pot to pot—the potatoes are boiling over, the meat dish is overdone in the oven, the table still needs to be set and to make matters worse, Mary has invited more guests for dinner. So when Martha walks out into the front room looking for some help and support from her sister, what is Mary doing? Well, to Martha she isn't doing much. Mary is sitting on the floor engaged in conversation with the guests.
We would like to think that they are catching up on important events in their lives, sharing stories, possibly even some local gossip. In short, they are talking about the essential matters in life. Issues dealing with faith, hope and love.
Now can you picture the situation coming to a head as Martha goes barging into the front room wondering why in the world her sister isn't helping her in the kitchen. But what is interesting here, is that Martha does not direct her remarks to Mary, but to Jesus. In this Gospel story it's appears that Martha's anger is not directed towards her sister Mary, but rather she scolds Jesus. "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her that she help me." By her words, she implies that all this extra work she must do is somehow his fault and in a way she tells him off by saying, "Don't you care that I am stuck in the kitchen doing everything by myself? Tell Mary to help."
Now Jesus on many occasions has had to deal with issues involving manipulation, quickly realizes that Martha is trying to get him to take sides. And how does he reply?
Martha, Martha, you are too busy with all your cooking and all your preparations—you have too many things on your plate, but Mary has chosen to sit and talk with me. Long after this meal is over, she will carry the memories of this time we spent together.
We don't know whether Martha suddenly realized that Jesus was right, took off her apron and entered into the conversation; or whether she took on a major martyr attitude and slunk back into the kitchen being resentful and feeling sorry for herself.
What an important instruction this story is. How many of us are like Martha? Running around trying to keep the house clean, all the party preparations must be perfect, making sure everyone has there favorite foods?
How quickly do we become angry or jealous of those who seem to have found the time to relax, to visit, to talk with one another about their shared hopes, shared dreams and shared visions for what this troubled world might be. How many of us become resentful and feel like we are "stuck" doing all the things no one else will do?
It is in this spirit that I write this email. My wish for all of us is that we would all try to behave more like Mary and a little less like Martha. How I wish we could spend more time listening to each other, really listening and hearing the stories of joy, of pain, and of hope. All too soon even the most elegant meal is just leftovers. But the time we spend with friends and loved ones, our families, and our friends—this time is precious. This is the good thing that cannot be taken away.
What things are the most important to you?
My hope for all of you is that we will individually and as a group reflect on these important questions and rather than get all caught up in the work that needs to be done let us be concerned with the important issues in our lives—the important things like family, friends, service and that cannot be taken away from us.
Reading 1
Genesis 18:1-10a
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: "Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way." The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."
Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, "Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls." He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before the three men; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?" He replied, "There in the tent." One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son."
Reading II
Colossians 1:24-28
Brothers and sisters:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Gospel
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."
IHN
tommyk
Isaiah 41;10
"Compassion is your Pain in my Heart"
This Sunday's Gospel reading is from the Gospel of St. Luke and it brings to us a lesson on discipleship. Jesus tells us do not be anxious or worried about to many things, He says, "There is need of only one thing" and that is to listen to what Jesus has to say and it will never be taken away from you.
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who almost immediately after Jesus' arrival sat at His feet and listened to his word.
But Martha who was overwhelmed with all the work that needed to be done, came to Jesus and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her that she has to help me.
And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things, but only one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good thing, which will not be taken away from her.
I am sure that many of us can relate our own life experience to this story. Martha is the perfect host, can you imagine her now in her kitchen stirring a pot with a big wooden spoon, her hands and face white from the flour used to bake bread. Can you see her moving quickly from pot to pot—the potatoes are boiling over, the meat dish is overdone in the oven, the table still needs to be set and to make matters worse, Mary has invited more guests for dinner. So when Martha walks out into the front room looking for some help and support from her sister, what is Mary doing? Well, to Martha she isn't doing much. Mary is sitting on the floor engaged in conversation with the guests.
We would like to think that they are catching up on important events in their lives, sharing stories, possibly even some local gossip. In short, they are talking about the essential matters in life. Issues dealing with faith, hope and love.
Now can you picture the situation coming to a head as Martha goes barging into the front room wondering why in the world her sister isn't helping her in the kitchen. But what is interesting here, is that Martha does not direct her remarks to Mary, but to Jesus. In this Gospel story it's appears that Martha's anger is not directed towards her sister Mary, but rather she scolds Jesus. "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her that she help me." By her words, she implies that all this extra work she must do is somehow his fault and in a way she tells him off by saying, "Don't you care that I am stuck in the kitchen doing everything by myself? Tell Mary to help."
Now Jesus on many occasions has had to deal with issues involving manipulation, quickly realizes that Martha is trying to get him to take sides. And how does he reply?
Martha, Martha, you are too busy with all your cooking and all your preparations—you have too many things on your plate, but Mary has chosen to sit and talk with me. Long after this meal is over, she will carry the memories of this time we spent together.
We don't know whether Martha suddenly realized that Jesus was right, took off her apron and entered into the conversation; or whether she took on a major martyr attitude and slunk back into the kitchen being resentful and feeling sorry for herself.
What an important instruction this story is. How many of us are like Martha? Running around trying to keep the house clean, all the party preparations must be perfect, making sure everyone has there favorite foods?
How quickly do we become angry or jealous of those who seem to have found the time to relax, to visit, to talk with one another about their shared hopes, shared dreams and shared visions for what this troubled world might be. How many of us become resentful and feel like we are "stuck" doing all the things no one else will do?
It is in this spirit that I write this email. My wish for all of us is that we would all try to behave more like Mary and a little less like Martha. How I wish we could spend more time listening to each other, really listening and hearing the stories of joy, of pain, and of hope. All too soon even the most elegant meal is just leftovers. But the time we spend with friends and loved ones, our families, and our friends—this time is precious. This is the good thing that cannot be taken away.
What things are the most important to you?
My hope for all of you is that we will individually and as a group reflect on these important questions and rather than get all caught up in the work that needs to be done let us be concerned with the important issues in our lives—the important things like family, friends, service and that cannot be taken away from us.
Reading 1
Genesis 18:1-10a
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: "Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way." The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."
Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, "Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls." He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before the three men; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?" He replied, "There in the tent." One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son."
Reading II
Colossians 1:24-28
Brothers and sisters:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Gospel
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."
IHN
tommyk
Isaiah 41;10
"Compassion is your Pain in my Heart"
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Readings for Sunday July 11th, 2010 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
As I was reading next Sunday’s Gospel I was reminded of an article (NY Daily News) I read shortly after 9/11/2001. It reminded me of the religious bigotry that existed following that terrible day; the same bigotry that caused so much hatred in Jesus’ time was/is alive and well. What did Jesus say about it? This Sunday’s Gospel tells it all.
WTC HERO'S HALF ARAB & ALL AMERICAN
BY DENIS HAMILL
Tuesday, April 9th 2002, 1:64AM
The Middle East gets worse. And as I read the screeds of pundits, hear talk radio rants and watch TV cable news in these troubling days, I worry about the dangerous anti-Arab sentiment poisoning the media and the citizenry.
Assaulted by anti-Arab political rhetoric, one-sided Mideast reporting and general Arab-bashing, I am reminded of an Arab-Irish American firefighter I interviewed days after Sept 11.
Charlie Kawas' story got lost in the shuffle as reporters and columnists fought for space in the glut of stories.
Kawas sipped his morning coffee in his home in upstate Leeds on Sept. 11 and watched live as the second plane smashed into the twin towers.
Retired from the FDNY since June after 22 years on the job, this Brooklyn-born and -raised ex-Marine grabbed his old firefighting gear, jumped into his car and sped south.
"I drove at 85 and 90 mph, passing through checkpoints by flashing my old badge and ID," said Kawas, who is half Syrian-American and half Irish-American, and as all-American as any New Yorker you'll ever meet.
"I knew that my brother firefighters might be lost. I feared cops like my brother Paul, a retired NYPD emergency service cop, might be trapped. I knew hundreds of fellow Americans would be lost."
When Kawas arrived at Ground Zero some 90 minutes later, he was stunned.
"Worst job I'd ever seen," he said. "A war zone."
And as he dug for missing friends in the steaming ruins of the first American battlefield of the first war of the new century, his Celtic and Arabic blood began to boil.
"We've been taking too much crap - the embassies, the Cole, the last Trade Center bombing," he said. "I'm so P.O.ed that if they'd take me back I'd reup in the Marines tonight and take a plane, bus, train, boat or camel and head right over there to the desert. Right behind 10 million other Americans."
Back on old turf
By the end of the dark day, Kawas returned to his old Brooklyn neighborhood of Windsor Terrace and entered crowded Farrell's Bar.
He was told that about six regulars from this one tavern were feared missing, including Farrell's bartender and FDNY Capt. Vinny Brunton, whom he later learned was killed.
The barroom was a microcosm of the vast American wake. Kawas ordered a beer, stood at attention and formed his hand into a kazoo and bleated a rendition of "God Bless America," that hushed the raucous bar.
When Kawas was done, tough teary men burst into applause. Emotions ran high - cops, firefighters, sanitmen, hardhats - itching for revenge.
"If anyone has an American flag, fly it high," Kawas told me then. "My father was of Syrian heritage, born in this country, an American, a decorated soldier in the American Army. There's 10 kids in my family. Every one a patriotic American.
"I have another brother who was in the Marines. One in the Air Force. So I'm an American before I'm anything else."
But Kawas has no patience for ignoramuses who blindly point the fingers of hate at all Arabs, hardworking, taxpaying, law-abiding New Yorkers like himself.
"What angers me is when a friggin' idiot in a bar or on the street retaliates against all Arabs, because when they do that they are doing exactly what these terrorist SOBs did to us," Kawas said.
"If people want to beat up Arab cab drivers, attack their stores, harass their women, they are a disgrace to the United States of America that I love. That's un-American. I'll fight them, too."
Spared from indignities
He's asked if he ever received any anti-Irish backlash in the wake of Timothy McVeigh's monstrous act in Oklahoma City.
"Of course not," Kawas said. "And I'm half Irish. But by their thinking, you can blame me for everything the PLO and IRA ever did. In the USMC and the FDNY I worked with every ethnic group on the planet. Great people, good friends."
For weeks following Sept. 11 Kawas volunteered at Ground Zero, rummaging through a blizzard of dust, poisoned air, jungles of mangled steel and the rain-soaked remains of pulverized human beings, some of whom were his friends.
"It was sheer horror," he said. "But the most encouraging thing was all the American flags flying, the ironworkers busting their butts, the cops, the Fire Department, truck drivers, the military, nurses, doctors, Red Cross, civilians - all working as one. As Americans.
"And we all wanted somebody's --- for this. I don't give a damn what nationality he is, he did it to America."
As the Middle East rages, and dangerous anti-Arab xenophobia mounts, remember that when you bash all Arabs, you're also bashing outstanding Americans like Charlie Kawas.
Denis Hamill Email: dhamill@edit.nydailynews.com
Reading 1 Deuteronomy 30:10-14
10 Moses said to the people: “If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul. 11 “For this command which I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. 12 It is not up in the sky, that you should say, ‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ 13 Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ 14 No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.”
Reading II Colossians 1:15-20
15 Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Gospel Luke 10:25-37
25 There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 27 He said in reply, You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 He replied to him, “You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live.” 29 But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 33 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. 34 He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ 36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 37 He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
This reading from Luke makes us take a deeper look at the life and message of Jesus, here we are confronted with the question who is our neighbor, but after reading this parable, who would you say is your neighbor?
• Any one in need
• Those you have a reasonable hope of being able to help
• Those you are most afraid of helping
• Everyone-even my enemies
Have you ever been helped by a stranger? What happened?
With whom do you identify most in this parable right now?
• the legal expert- always asking the tough questions
• Jesus- under great pressure to say or do the right thing
• The mugging victim- bruised and bleeding
• The Good Samaritan- fulfilled by passing on God’s love
• The innkeeper- constantly being asked to take care of someone else’s needs
What risky thing is Jesus calling you to do with your life? What would it cost you?
• Loss of time
• Loss of energy
• Financial sacrifice
• Strain on your relationships
• Strain on your emotions
Who has been a Good Samaritan to you in your life?
How can you be a Good Samaritan to someone this week? IHN, tommy
WTC HERO'S HALF ARAB & ALL AMERICAN
BY DENIS HAMILL
Tuesday, April 9th 2002, 1:64AM
The Middle East gets worse. And as I read the screeds of pundits, hear talk radio rants and watch TV cable news in these troubling days, I worry about the dangerous anti-Arab sentiment poisoning the media and the citizenry.
Assaulted by anti-Arab political rhetoric, one-sided Mideast reporting and general Arab-bashing, I am reminded of an Arab-Irish American firefighter I interviewed days after Sept 11.
Charlie Kawas' story got lost in the shuffle as reporters and columnists fought for space in the glut of stories.
Kawas sipped his morning coffee in his home in upstate Leeds on Sept. 11 and watched live as the second plane smashed into the twin towers.
Retired from the FDNY since June after 22 years on the job, this Brooklyn-born and -raised ex-Marine grabbed his old firefighting gear, jumped into his car and sped south.
"I drove at 85 and 90 mph, passing through checkpoints by flashing my old badge and ID," said Kawas, who is half Syrian-American and half Irish-American, and as all-American as any New Yorker you'll ever meet.
"I knew that my brother firefighters might be lost. I feared cops like my brother Paul, a retired NYPD emergency service cop, might be trapped. I knew hundreds of fellow Americans would be lost."
When Kawas arrived at Ground Zero some 90 minutes later, he was stunned.
"Worst job I'd ever seen," he said. "A war zone."
And as he dug for missing friends in the steaming ruins of the first American battlefield of the first war of the new century, his Celtic and Arabic blood began to boil.
"We've been taking too much crap - the embassies, the Cole, the last Trade Center bombing," he said. "I'm so P.O.ed that if they'd take me back I'd reup in the Marines tonight and take a plane, bus, train, boat or camel and head right over there to the desert. Right behind 10 million other Americans."
Back on old turf
By the end of the dark day, Kawas returned to his old Brooklyn neighborhood of Windsor Terrace and entered crowded Farrell's Bar.
He was told that about six regulars from this one tavern were feared missing, including Farrell's bartender and FDNY Capt. Vinny Brunton, whom he later learned was killed.
The barroom was a microcosm of the vast American wake. Kawas ordered a beer, stood at attention and formed his hand into a kazoo and bleated a rendition of "God Bless America," that hushed the raucous bar.
When Kawas was done, tough teary men burst into applause. Emotions ran high - cops, firefighters, sanitmen, hardhats - itching for revenge.
"If anyone has an American flag, fly it high," Kawas told me then. "My father was of Syrian heritage, born in this country, an American, a decorated soldier in the American Army. There's 10 kids in my family. Every one a patriotic American.
"I have another brother who was in the Marines. One in the Air Force. So I'm an American before I'm anything else."
But Kawas has no patience for ignoramuses who blindly point the fingers of hate at all Arabs, hardworking, taxpaying, law-abiding New Yorkers like himself.
"What angers me is when a friggin' idiot in a bar or on the street retaliates against all Arabs, because when they do that they are doing exactly what these terrorist SOBs did to us," Kawas said.
"If people want to beat up Arab cab drivers, attack their stores, harass their women, they are a disgrace to the United States of America that I love. That's un-American. I'll fight them, too."
Spared from indignities
He's asked if he ever received any anti-Irish backlash in the wake of Timothy McVeigh's monstrous act in Oklahoma City.
"Of course not," Kawas said. "And I'm half Irish. But by their thinking, you can blame me for everything the PLO and IRA ever did. In the USMC and the FDNY I worked with every ethnic group on the planet. Great people, good friends."
For weeks following Sept. 11 Kawas volunteered at Ground Zero, rummaging through a blizzard of dust, poisoned air, jungles of mangled steel and the rain-soaked remains of pulverized human beings, some of whom were his friends.
"It was sheer horror," he said. "But the most encouraging thing was all the American flags flying, the ironworkers busting their butts, the cops, the Fire Department, truck drivers, the military, nurses, doctors, Red Cross, civilians - all working as one. As Americans.
"And we all wanted somebody's --- for this. I don't give a damn what nationality he is, he did it to America."
As the Middle East rages, and dangerous anti-Arab xenophobia mounts, remember that when you bash all Arabs, you're also bashing outstanding Americans like Charlie Kawas.
Denis Hamill Email: dhamill@edit.nydailynews.com
Reading 1 Deuteronomy 30:10-14
10 Moses said to the people: “If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul. 11 “For this command which I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. 12 It is not up in the sky, that you should say, ‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ 13 Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ 14 No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.”
Reading II Colossians 1:15-20
15 Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Gospel Luke 10:25-37
25 There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 27 He said in reply, You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 He replied to him, “You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live.” 29 But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 33 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. 34 He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ 36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 37 He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
This reading from Luke makes us take a deeper look at the life and message of Jesus, here we are confronted with the question who is our neighbor, but after reading this parable, who would you say is your neighbor?
• Any one in need
• Those you have a reasonable hope of being able to help
• Those you are most afraid of helping
• Everyone-even my enemies
Have you ever been helped by a stranger? What happened?
With whom do you identify most in this parable right now?
• the legal expert- always asking the tough questions
• Jesus- under great pressure to say or do the right thing
• The mugging victim- bruised and bleeding
• The Good Samaritan- fulfilled by passing on God’s love
• The innkeeper- constantly being asked to take care of someone else’s needs
What risky thing is Jesus calling you to do with your life? What would it cost you?
• Loss of time
• Loss of energy
• Financial sacrifice
• Strain on your relationships
• Strain on your emotions
Who has been a Good Samaritan to you in your life?
How can you be a Good Samaritan to someone this week? IHN, tommy
Readings for Sunday July 4th, 2010 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Summary
Ever wonder why Jesus delegates His work when, as the Second Person of the Trinity, He could just do everything Himself? In this Gospel reading, Jesus tags seventy-two of His closest buddies to do a little reconnaissance work for Him in the field. (Some Scripture translations have Jesus picking only seventy for this mission. Bonus question: Who else, in the Old Testament, picked out seventy men to work for him? If you can’t find it on your own, see Numbers 11:24-25.) Notice how the text says seventy-two ‘others’, meaning not the Twelve.
We don’t know exactly who these people are, but we do see that Jesus is sending them out ahead of Himself as part of His plan to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus sends them out with nothing, no money, no luggage, no shoes, no credit card. Why would Jesus ask the seventy-two to do this? Because He is testing the ‘soil’, checking out which places are most receptive to His Word and message. His message, that we should be living completely for the Kingdom, is a radical message that calls for total commitment. By sending the seventy-two out with nothing, Jesus is finding out who is ready to support His followers and hear His message and who isn’t ready to hear it.
By sending the seventy-two out, Jesus is also incorporating others to help Him. Jesus doesn’t need the seventy-two: He is divine, and doesn’t need anyone to help Him. Rather, Jesus chooses others to help Him with His ministry as a way of getting them involved with the plan. Jesus’ ministry isn’t only about Him: It’s also about Him enlisting others to be mediators of His mission. Just as Jesus used the seventy-two to help Him, Jesus calls you and me to work with Him. All of us have a vocation in life, a ‘job’ that we are called to do in order to help bring Christ to the world. This call is made to each one of us individually. It is key for all of us, as followers of Jesus, to never downplay the importance of our purpose in life.
God has things in store for us to do that only we are called to do. We exist on earth to help God spread His love to the world – and there is no ‘backup plan’ to us. We are essential in God’s plan of salvation. Let’s take a look at an example: The Blessed Virgin Mary. We have no evidence that, if Mary had said ‘no’, God had a back-up plan. As far as we know, if Mary had said ‘no’ to God, then Jesus would not have come to earth, and heaven would not be open to us. While you and I are not as important as Mary to the equation of salvation, God still has called each one of us to be a key player in His plan. Perhaps our ‘yes’ to God will touch one person in such a way that, without our ‘yes’, that person would have gone down the wrong path.
If that was the case, would you say ‘yes’ to God, even though you couldn’t see the fruit of your effort? Would you say ‘yes’ to God even if it was only going to benefit one person? Would you say ‘yes’ to God, and be so abandoned to Him, that you would do whatever He asked of you because you knew it was right? If you say ‘yes’ to God, then rejoice and be happy. He will bless you beyond anything else in your life, and your name will be written among the names in heaven.
www.ymcentral.com
Reading 1 Isaiah 66:10-14c
10 Thus says the LORD: Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her! 11 Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! 12 For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; 13 as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort. 14 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD’s power shall be known to his servants.
Reading II Galatians 6:14-18
14 Brothers and sisters: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Gospel Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9
1 At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8 Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9 cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ 10 Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’
Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. 12 I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”
17 The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” 18 Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.”
1. What do you think the seventy-two were thinking when Jesus told them to go out with absolutely nothing? Describe.
2. Have you thought of your life being a ‘vocation’ of service to God? Why? Why not? If so, what is your vocation in life? How do you experience Christ in the calling?
3. How can you better allow Christ to shape your vocation and calling in life?
Ever wonder why Jesus delegates His work when, as the Second Person of the Trinity, He could just do everything Himself? In this Gospel reading, Jesus tags seventy-two of His closest buddies to do a little reconnaissance work for Him in the field. (Some Scripture translations have Jesus picking only seventy for this mission. Bonus question: Who else, in the Old Testament, picked out seventy men to work for him? If you can’t find it on your own, see Numbers 11:24-25.) Notice how the text says seventy-two ‘others’, meaning not the Twelve.
We don’t know exactly who these people are, but we do see that Jesus is sending them out ahead of Himself as part of His plan to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus sends them out with nothing, no money, no luggage, no shoes, no credit card. Why would Jesus ask the seventy-two to do this? Because He is testing the ‘soil’, checking out which places are most receptive to His Word and message. His message, that we should be living completely for the Kingdom, is a radical message that calls for total commitment. By sending the seventy-two out with nothing, Jesus is finding out who is ready to support His followers and hear His message and who isn’t ready to hear it.
By sending the seventy-two out, Jesus is also incorporating others to help Him. Jesus doesn’t need the seventy-two: He is divine, and doesn’t need anyone to help Him. Rather, Jesus chooses others to help Him with His ministry as a way of getting them involved with the plan. Jesus’ ministry isn’t only about Him: It’s also about Him enlisting others to be mediators of His mission. Just as Jesus used the seventy-two to help Him, Jesus calls you and me to work with Him. All of us have a vocation in life, a ‘job’ that we are called to do in order to help bring Christ to the world. This call is made to each one of us individually. It is key for all of us, as followers of Jesus, to never downplay the importance of our purpose in life.
God has things in store for us to do that only we are called to do. We exist on earth to help God spread His love to the world – and there is no ‘backup plan’ to us. We are essential in God’s plan of salvation. Let’s take a look at an example: The Blessed Virgin Mary. We have no evidence that, if Mary had said ‘no’, God had a back-up plan. As far as we know, if Mary had said ‘no’ to God, then Jesus would not have come to earth, and heaven would not be open to us. While you and I are not as important as Mary to the equation of salvation, God still has called each one of us to be a key player in His plan. Perhaps our ‘yes’ to God will touch one person in such a way that, without our ‘yes’, that person would have gone down the wrong path.
If that was the case, would you say ‘yes’ to God, even though you couldn’t see the fruit of your effort? Would you say ‘yes’ to God even if it was only going to benefit one person? Would you say ‘yes’ to God, and be so abandoned to Him, that you would do whatever He asked of you because you knew it was right? If you say ‘yes’ to God, then rejoice and be happy. He will bless you beyond anything else in your life, and your name will be written among the names in heaven.
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Reading 1 Isaiah 66:10-14c
10 Thus says the LORD: Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her! 11 Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! 12 For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; 13 as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort. 14 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD’s power shall be known to his servants.
Reading II Galatians 6:14-18
14 Brothers and sisters: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Gospel Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9
1 At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8 Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9 cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ 10 Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’
Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. 12 I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”
17 The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” 18 Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.”
1. What do you think the seventy-two were thinking when Jesus told them to go out with absolutely nothing? Describe.
2. Have you thought of your life being a ‘vocation’ of service to God? Why? Why not? If so, what is your vocation in life? How do you experience Christ in the calling?
3. How can you better allow Christ to shape your vocation and calling in life?
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