Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Summary of the Gospel
Ever struggle with thinking you never make mistakes? A look at this reading and you'll find that God calls us to not hide anything from Him. In this Gospel, Jesus finds Himself passing through Jericho. Somehow the townspeople knew He was coming through, and one of them, Zacchaeus, wanted to see Jesus. Zacchaeus was having a conversion of heart, for his job as a tax collector had made him an enemy of many: Zacchaeus had become famous for taking money from others, to the point where he had profited greatly from it. All we know is that Zacchaeus just wanted to see Jesus, but Jesus made an effort to find Zacchaeus and call him by name. What Jesus does here with Zacchaeus, He does with each of us - call us by name. We do not know how Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name, but He did, and He asked to stay at Zacchaeus' house. This of course caused scandal with those who knew Zacchaeus, for staying in someone's house meant that you put yourself in league with that person, that you associated yourself with that person and their beliefs. Jesus was making a conscious decision to put Himself on the level of a sinner so that person would rise to holiness. When he came face-to-face with Jesus, Zacchaeus had a complete change of heart, and wanted to reconcile and make up for the wrong he had done in the past. Zacchaeus' desire not only to seek forgiveness, but to do penance to make up for the effects of his sin, showed Jesus that he was truly sorry for his sin. This act of righteousness on Zacchaeus' part is what prompted Jesus to say that salvation has come to Zacchaeus' house: To be a true descendant of Abraham is not a physical reality, but a spiritual one, a reality in which we put our faith in God and trust that He will bring the best out of everything, including our sins. Zacchaeus is a model to us of the importance of tying up lose ends. If we have wronged others, or sinned against God in any way, Jesus invites us to make up completely for the wrong we do. Better that we take care of our sin in this life than God takes care of it for us in the next! Many times we choose not to admit our mistakes because of pride. This pride can be spiritually deadly, because God cannot work if we don't admit our need for Him. The best way you and I can handle our sin is to admit it, confess it, and make up for it. Jesus gives us this opportunity in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you have been away from the Sacrament for a while, make it a point to visit Jesus there. He wants you to be completely free from sin, but the only way that happens is if you take Him up on His offer. May we have the grace to be completely humble before God, admitting our need for His help in all things, especially overcoming our sin.
Reading 1 Wisdom 11:22-12:2
Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook people's sins that they may repent. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things! Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!
Reading 2 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Brothers and sisters: We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.
We ask you, brothers and sisters, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.
Gospel Luke 19:1-10
At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think that the crowd was grumbling about Jesus wanting to stay with Zacchaeus? What kinds of people are looked down upon today, in our culture, as 'sinners'? How do you think Jesus would reach out to them? How can you reach out to them as Jesus?
2. Describe an experience of reconciliation in your life: What kind of joy and peace did it bring?
3. Describe how Jesus has sought you out in your life. List three ways from your life in which Jesus has touched you and called you by name.
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, October 30, 2010
Readings for Sunday October 24, 2010
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
Ever think that you have all the right answers and that you’ve got things down pat? Better think again. In this passage from St. Luke, Jesus addresses the sin of self-righteousness that is, thinking that we can, on our own power, be right before God. To illustrate this, Jesus pits a Pharisee, a religious leader of His day, against a tax collector, a person hated by many because he constantly took and stole money from the people. To the listener of Jesus’ time, there would be no question that the Pharisee was more respected than the tax collector. The idea that Jesus would be criticizing a Pharisee shows that He was not bound by the cultural standards of the day. We see that the Pharisee singled himself out as being holier than anyone else because of what he did. He didn’t maintain that his holiness was from God, but was rather a result of his disciplined practices. The tax collector realized the enormity of his sin, and knew that God would really have to love him if he could be loved at all. The tax collector shows us the most basic attitude toward God: Lord, have mercy on me! Mercy is at the center of God’s heart and is the deepest expression of God’s love. Mercy is love shown to us even when we don’t deserve it. We are God’s creatures, and on our own, we don’t deserve God’ love. Yet God loves us so much that He would literally die for us, even though we have been unfaithful to Him. Understanding and experiencing God’s mercy is the first step of the spiritual life, even more important than any religious practices we have. Many people today live their life thinking that their religious practice will save them. Religious practices, including going to Mass and saying our prayers, is essential, but we have to approach them with faith in Christ. Many parishes today struggle because people attend Mass just because they’ve always been Catholic, and they would feel guilty if they didn’t attend Mass on Sunday. Jesus wants us to attend Mass because we love Him and want to be with Him, not so we can punch-in our spiritual time clock. We are challenged with this Gospel to take our eyes off ourselves and focus solely on God’s great love for us. This Gospel reminds us that God’s love is stronger than anything we can ever experience, and if we place our trust in Him, and humble ourselves before Him, He will bless us greatly. May we have the grace to want God’s love more than anything else in our lives.
Reading 1 Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.
Reading 2 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance. At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Luke 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Discussion Questions:
1. Jesus addressed this parable ‘to those who were convinced of their own righteousness’. How do you think they reacted once Jesus was finished?
2. What can you do in your life to keep your pride in check? How can you better humble yourself before God on a daily basis?
3. Share a time in your life when humbling yourself brought you a great blessing.
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
Ever think that you have all the right answers and that you’ve got things down pat? Better think again. In this passage from St. Luke, Jesus addresses the sin of self-righteousness that is, thinking that we can, on our own power, be right before God. To illustrate this, Jesus pits a Pharisee, a religious leader of His day, against a tax collector, a person hated by many because he constantly took and stole money from the people. To the listener of Jesus’ time, there would be no question that the Pharisee was more respected than the tax collector. The idea that Jesus would be criticizing a Pharisee shows that He was not bound by the cultural standards of the day. We see that the Pharisee singled himself out as being holier than anyone else because of what he did. He didn’t maintain that his holiness was from God, but was rather a result of his disciplined practices. The tax collector realized the enormity of his sin, and knew that God would really have to love him if he could be loved at all. The tax collector shows us the most basic attitude toward God: Lord, have mercy on me! Mercy is at the center of God’s heart and is the deepest expression of God’s love. Mercy is love shown to us even when we don’t deserve it. We are God’s creatures, and on our own, we don’t deserve God’ love. Yet God loves us so much that He would literally die for us, even though we have been unfaithful to Him. Understanding and experiencing God’s mercy is the first step of the spiritual life, even more important than any religious practices we have. Many people today live their life thinking that their religious practice will save them. Religious practices, including going to Mass and saying our prayers, is essential, but we have to approach them with faith in Christ. Many parishes today struggle because people attend Mass just because they’ve always been Catholic, and they would feel guilty if they didn’t attend Mass on Sunday. Jesus wants us to attend Mass because we love Him and want to be with Him, not so we can punch-in our spiritual time clock. We are challenged with this Gospel to take our eyes off ourselves and focus solely on God’s great love for us. This Gospel reminds us that God’s love is stronger than anything we can ever experience, and if we place our trust in Him, and humble ourselves before Him, He will bless us greatly. May we have the grace to want God’s love more than anything else in our lives.
Reading 1 Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.
Reading 2 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance. At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Luke 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Discussion Questions:
1. Jesus addressed this parable ‘to those who were convinced of their own righteousness’. How do you think they reacted once Jesus was finished?
2. What can you do in your life to keep your pride in check? How can you better humble yourself before God on a daily basis?
3. Share a time in your life when humbling yourself brought you a great blessing.
Readings for Sunday October 17, 2010
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
You’ve heard the expression, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’. Would this describe your faith in Christ? Our Gospel this Sunday is a challenge to be consistent and determined in our relationship with Jesus. Jesus uses the parable of the dishonest judge to show us the importance of having persistent faith and prayer. The judge is called ‘dishonest’ because he fears neither God nor man – He is not motivated by justice, but by his personal convenience. In one of his cases, he is faced with an unrelenting and (to him an) annoying widow who wants the judge to deliver a decision in her favor. Her nagging drives the judge to the point of giving her the favor of the verdict - all so he doesn’t have to deal with her anymore. Jesus makes the point that if a dishonest judge will listen to persistent arguments, God will listen to our constant prayers to
Him. Many times we want to fall away from our faith when the going gets tough, yet God desires us to love Him above all things at all times. God always hears us, He knows our deepest desires and sufferings, and He longs to heal us and bring good to our lives. What makes it difficult for us is that we expect God to be like our local ‘Burger King’: We want to have it our way, and we want it now. This assumes that we know what is best for ourselves, which is rarely the case. God knows what is best for us and always gives us what we need, not just to survive today, but ultimately He gives us the grace, day in and day out, to get to heaven when we die. We are often focused on the little picture (what do I need to get done today?), while God is focused on both the little and big (what do I need to do so I can get to heaven when I die?) pictures. Our life is a test, an opportunity to love God even though we can’t clearly see Him. This is how our love for Him is tested. Will we be so committed to Him that, even though we don’t see Him clearly, we will love Him more than anything else? The challenge that Jesus leaves us in this Gospel reading is to always be ready, to always have faith that He is in control. He will give us what we need when we need it, no matter how bad life gets – let us have the grace to never forget to ask Him for His blessings.
Reading 1 Ex 17:8-13
In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, "Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’hands, however, grew tired;
so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Reading 2 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
Gospel Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Discussion Questions
1. Describe the persistence of the widow in as much detail as possible. What do you think the judge was thinking about her, and why would her pressure have made him give in to her demands? Why would he even care about her enough to take her pressure seriously?
2. Was Jesus wrong or lying when, at the end of the Gospel, He used the word ‘speedily’? Doesn’t it seem, at times, like God answers our prayers and requests too slowly? Give an example from your life when you thought God acted too slowly? What do you think Jesus meant by using the word ‘speedily’?
3. What’s your common reaction when the going gets tough? Do you dig your heals in for the long haul, or do you leave the situation and do something else? Describe a situation that shows this? In the future, how can you be more steadfast with God?
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
You’ve heard the expression, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’. Would this describe your faith in Christ? Our Gospel this Sunday is a challenge to be consistent and determined in our relationship with Jesus. Jesus uses the parable of the dishonest judge to show us the importance of having persistent faith and prayer. The judge is called ‘dishonest’ because he fears neither God nor man – He is not motivated by justice, but by his personal convenience. In one of his cases, he is faced with an unrelenting and (to him an) annoying widow who wants the judge to deliver a decision in her favor. Her nagging drives the judge to the point of giving her the favor of the verdict - all so he doesn’t have to deal with her anymore. Jesus makes the point that if a dishonest judge will listen to persistent arguments, God will listen to our constant prayers to
Him. Many times we want to fall away from our faith when the going gets tough, yet God desires us to love Him above all things at all times. God always hears us, He knows our deepest desires and sufferings, and He longs to heal us and bring good to our lives. What makes it difficult for us is that we expect God to be like our local ‘Burger King’: We want to have it our way, and we want it now. This assumes that we know what is best for ourselves, which is rarely the case. God knows what is best for us and always gives us what we need, not just to survive today, but ultimately He gives us the grace, day in and day out, to get to heaven when we die. We are often focused on the little picture (what do I need to get done today?), while God is focused on both the little and big (what do I need to do so I can get to heaven when I die?) pictures. Our life is a test, an opportunity to love God even though we can’t clearly see Him. This is how our love for Him is tested. Will we be so committed to Him that, even though we don’t see Him clearly, we will love Him more than anything else? The challenge that Jesus leaves us in this Gospel reading is to always be ready, to always have faith that He is in control. He will give us what we need when we need it, no matter how bad life gets – let us have the grace to never forget to ask Him for His blessings.
Reading 1 Ex 17:8-13
In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, "Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’hands, however, grew tired;
so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Reading 2 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
Gospel Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Discussion Questions
1. Describe the persistence of the widow in as much detail as possible. What do you think the judge was thinking about her, and why would her pressure have made him give in to her demands? Why would he even care about her enough to take her pressure seriously?
2. Was Jesus wrong or lying when, at the end of the Gospel, He used the word ‘speedily’? Doesn’t it seem, at times, like God answers our prayers and requests too slowly? Give an example from your life when you thought God acted too slowly? What do you think Jesus meant by using the word ‘speedily’?
3. What’s your common reaction when the going gets tough? Do you dig your heals in for the long haul, or do you leave the situation and do something else? Describe a situation that shows this? In the future, how can you be more steadfast with God?
Saturday, October 9, 2010
“Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17:19)
Readings for Sunday October 10th 2010
What an exciting statement! Out of the ten who first asked Jesus for healing, this fellow was the only one whom Jesus praised. What was it that set him apart? Let’s look at the way he overcame three barriers, all of which can speak to us today.
The first barrier was physical: his illness of leprosy, which was considered to be highly contagious. The second barrier was cultural: He was a Samaritan, whom the Jews looked down upon as unworthy of God’s favor. And the third barrier was spiritual: the temptation to take his healing and run with it, without coming back to thank Jesus for performing such a miracle in his life.
Just as this fellow’s leprosy caused a barrier between himself and his family, so too does sin prevent us from being brothers and sisters. Sin creates barriers and division. It isolates us and makes us focus on ourselves and not on the needs and the love of those around us.
Culturally, this man saw that Jesus’ message and his power were meant for everyone, not just Jesus’ kinsfolk, the Jews. Just as Jews looked down on Samaritans, so too did many Samaritans consider their Jewish neighbors to be inferior to them. But this fellow was so moved by his healing that he came back and humbly thanked and praised Jesus for this miracle. Similarly, when we are healed by God’s grace, our prejudices against other people begin to melt away.
You can almost hear Jesus saying: “How can this Samaritan fellow, this foreigner with the strange accent and the unorthodox spirituality, be the only one who came back to me? Why didn’t they all come?” Jesus asks us the same question: “Will you come to me, or have you forgotten me? Will you let me help you overcome your barriers?”
“Lord, wipe away every sin and tear down every barrier. Unite us all in you. Let nothing divide us. We will never forget what you have done for us.”
The Word among Us
Reading 1 2 Kings 5:14-17
Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy. Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant."
Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;" and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused. Naaman said: "If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the LORD."
Question for Reflection
In this reading, Naaman, an army commander from Aram, is healed through the prophet Elisha. Why do you believe his healing caused Naaman to turn from false gods to the true God and Lord? Do you believe that God still heals today? Why or why not? Share any times you were healed by God or witnessed God’s healing. What impact did it have on you?
Reading 2 2 Timothy 2:8-13
Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
Question for Reflection
In the second reading, we hear these words: “But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:12-13). What do you think these words mean? How do they apply to you personally?
Gospel Luke17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."
Question for Reflection
In the Gospel, why do you believe only one of the ten lepers who were healed glorified God and came back to praise and thank Jesus? How often do you spend time in prayer praising and thanking God for the many blessings you have received from him? Why not take some time now to do this, especially for saving you from sin and eternal separation from God.
The meditation ends with these words: “Jesus asks us the same question: ‘Will you come to me, or have you forgotten me?’” How would you answer this question?
What an exciting statement! Out of the ten who first asked Jesus for healing, this fellow was the only one whom Jesus praised. What was it that set him apart? Let’s look at the way he overcame three barriers, all of which can speak to us today.
The first barrier was physical: his illness of leprosy, which was considered to be highly contagious. The second barrier was cultural: He was a Samaritan, whom the Jews looked down upon as unworthy of God’s favor. And the third barrier was spiritual: the temptation to take his healing and run with it, without coming back to thank Jesus for performing such a miracle in his life.
Just as this fellow’s leprosy caused a barrier between himself and his family, so too does sin prevent us from being brothers and sisters. Sin creates barriers and division. It isolates us and makes us focus on ourselves and not on the needs and the love of those around us.
Culturally, this man saw that Jesus’ message and his power were meant for everyone, not just Jesus’ kinsfolk, the Jews. Just as Jews looked down on Samaritans, so too did many Samaritans consider their Jewish neighbors to be inferior to them. But this fellow was so moved by his healing that he came back and humbly thanked and praised Jesus for this miracle. Similarly, when we are healed by God’s grace, our prejudices against other people begin to melt away.
You can almost hear Jesus saying: “How can this Samaritan fellow, this foreigner with the strange accent and the unorthodox spirituality, be the only one who came back to me? Why didn’t they all come?” Jesus asks us the same question: “Will you come to me, or have you forgotten me? Will you let me help you overcome your barriers?”
“Lord, wipe away every sin and tear down every barrier. Unite us all in you. Let nothing divide us. We will never forget what you have done for us.”
The Word among Us
Reading 1 2 Kings 5:14-17
Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy. Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant."
Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;" and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused. Naaman said: "If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the LORD."
Question for Reflection
In this reading, Naaman, an army commander from Aram, is healed through the prophet Elisha. Why do you believe his healing caused Naaman to turn from false gods to the true God and Lord? Do you believe that God still heals today? Why or why not? Share any times you were healed by God or witnessed God’s healing. What impact did it have on you?
Reading 2 2 Timothy 2:8-13
Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
Question for Reflection
In the second reading, we hear these words: “But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:12-13). What do you think these words mean? How do they apply to you personally?
Gospel Luke17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."
Question for Reflection
In the Gospel, why do you believe only one of the ten lepers who were healed glorified God and came back to praise and thank Jesus? How often do you spend time in prayer praising and thanking God for the many blessings you have received from him? Why not take some time now to do this, especially for saving you from sin and eternal separation from God.
The meditation ends with these words: “Jesus asks us the same question: ‘Will you come to me, or have you forgotten me?’” How would you answer this question?
Friday, October 1, 2010
Readings for Sunday October 3, 2010
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
God’s in Charge . . . . You’re Free!
It’s very predictable. When you talk with a group of high school students and ask, who would like more freedom from parents? Most hands shoot up.
It’s normal for teens to thirst for freedom, just like its normal for parents to get nervous about granting it. But this week’s Gospel is all about freedom- the freedom that comes when you realize that Gods in charge and you’re not.
Our culture is very competitive. Who will get the best grades? Who will win the game? Who will look the best? It’s easy for life to become nothing but one long final exam where success means everything. And that’s when life becomes pretty meaningless. Jesus offers us so much by reminding us that we’re God’s servants. But how’s that better? After all, who wants to be a servant when they grow up? It’s better because it frees us. God’s in charge. We can’t solve the world’s problems. That’s God’s job. So don’t worry about being a successful Christian. God ask you only to faithfully do what you can, remembering that God’s love doesn’t depend on your success.
We’re free. We’re free to take risk for our faith because we don’t need to worry about success. Many of the teens we know can inspire us by their willingness. “What have I got to lose?” as they sign up for different mission trips and other service projects. And the more you risk things for God, the Master, the more you’ll get what the Apostles wanted in this week’s Gospel: more faith.
What a gift God has given us by taking charge. In a world where you might feel responsible for so much, enjoy the freedom that comes from being God’s servant.
Fr Corey Brost
Reading 1 Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
2 How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not intervene. 3 Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and clamorous discord. 2:2 Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. 3 For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. 4 The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.
Reading 2 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
6 Beloved: I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.
13 Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
14 Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.
Gospel Luke 17:5-10
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." 6 The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? 8 Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? 9 Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
10 So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
Does your fear of failure ever stop you from taking risk for your faith?
God’s in Charge . . . . You’re Free!
It’s very predictable. When you talk with a group of high school students and ask, who would like more freedom from parents? Most hands shoot up.
It’s normal for teens to thirst for freedom, just like its normal for parents to get nervous about granting it. But this week’s Gospel is all about freedom- the freedom that comes when you realize that Gods in charge and you’re not.
Our culture is very competitive. Who will get the best grades? Who will win the game? Who will look the best? It’s easy for life to become nothing but one long final exam where success means everything. And that’s when life becomes pretty meaningless. Jesus offers us so much by reminding us that we’re God’s servants. But how’s that better? After all, who wants to be a servant when they grow up? It’s better because it frees us. God’s in charge. We can’t solve the world’s problems. That’s God’s job. So don’t worry about being a successful Christian. God ask you only to faithfully do what you can, remembering that God’s love doesn’t depend on your success.
We’re free. We’re free to take risk for our faith because we don’t need to worry about success. Many of the teens we know can inspire us by their willingness. “What have I got to lose?” as they sign up for different mission trips and other service projects. And the more you risk things for God, the Master, the more you’ll get what the Apostles wanted in this week’s Gospel: more faith.
What a gift God has given us by taking charge. In a world where you might feel responsible for so much, enjoy the freedom that comes from being God’s servant.
Fr Corey Brost
Reading 1 Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
2 How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not intervene. 3 Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and clamorous discord. 2:2 Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. 3 For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. 4 The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.
Reading 2 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
6 Beloved: I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.
13 Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
14 Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.
Gospel Luke 17:5-10
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." 6 The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? 8 Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? 9 Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
10 So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
Does your fear of failure ever stop you from taking risk for your faith?
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