Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": Anthony of Padua

Readings

1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16 Lord to Elijah at Horeb cave: “Stand on the mountain; the Lord will be passing by.” The Lord wasn't in the wind, earthquake, or fire but in a tiny whispering sound. Elijah, face hidden: “I've been zealous for the Lord, but Israel has forsaken your covenant and killed your prophets. I alone am left, and they seek to kill me.” Lord: “Return to the desert and anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha.”

Ps 27:7-9c, 13-14 "I long to see your face, O Lord." I seek you; hear and answer my call. I believe I'll see the Lord's bounty. Wait for the Lord with courage.

Mt 5:27-32 “You've heard, 'You shall not commit adultery,' but I say, all who look at a woman with lust have already committed it. If your eye or hand causes you to sin, get rid of it. You've heard, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce,' but I say, whoever divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery...”

Pope Francis

Homily: Elijah's story is the model of our experience: we may be courageous opponents of idolatry then become afraid and depressed. If we're faithful, God balances these extremes. The Lord was in the breeze's whisper (beautiful original: ‘thread of silent sound’); he'd prepared Elijah to discern, then gave him a mission. When he wants to give us a mission, he prepares us to do it well; he prepares us in trial, obedience, and perseverance. More important than Elijah's encounter was the journey by which he arrived at the mission. When the Lord gives a mission, he has us enter into a process of purification, discernment, obedience, and prayer; fidelity is allowing him to lead us. With God's help, Elijah overcame his fear of Queen Jezebel. May the Lord allow us to prepare and to bear witness to Jesus.

For World Cup opening: May this World Cup be a festival of solidarity. Sports aren't only entertaining; they communicate values and help build peaceful and fraternal coexistence. The sporting spirit teaches the need for discipline, effort, and sacrifice to achieve excellence and grow in virtue. Soccer can and should help form a "culture of encounter," leading to peace and teaching the value of fair play and teamwork.

Music

Reflections

Creighton: Sin isn't just the external, the physical, what others see, but our internal driving forces/motivations. Let's pray to find the roots of our shortcomings, weaknesses, and sins, then pray and work to be more loving and so to yield good.

DailyScripture.net: Jesus used forceful language to urge us to choose life; we must be ready to part with anything that causes us to sin and leads to spiritual death. Jesus warns us of our responsibility not to set a stumbling block for another, e.g. by bad example that could lead another to sin. Through the Holy Spirit, God writes his law on our hearts and gives us power to live it.

Passionist: Jesus reminds us that the fulfillment of the Law will be through the Reigning of God. Jesus' preaching, teachings, and life make the Reign visible and orients us toward it. Its values are justice, peace and the integrity of Creation.

Universalis: St. Antony of Padua, Augustinian monk, Franciscan friar, missionary to Africa, preacher, priest, doctor of the Church.

Apparel

"Sword" tie pin: The children of Israel put your prophets to the sword. (1st reading)

"Clock" tie bar: Wait for the Lord with courage (psalm)
"Eyeball" tie pin: I'll see the bounty of the Lord (psalm); If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out...; Everyone who looks at a woman with lust... (gospel)
"Hand" tie pin: If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off... (gospel)

Tie with cars: Elijah's journey to his mission, ours of preparation for mission (pope homily)
"Medical" pin: St. Anthony of Padua, 'doctor' of the Church
White/green in shirt: color of day/season

Dress your life!

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"