June 12

June 12, 2014:  Thursday, 10th Week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• 1 Kgs 18:41-46  Elijah, “There's the sound of a heavy rain...  A tiny cloud is rising.  Go tell Ahab, ‘ leave before the rain stops you.’”  The sky darkened, heavy rain fell, Ahab made for Jezreel, and God's hand was on Elijah.
• Ps 65:10-13  "It is right to praise you in Zion, O God."  You have watered and enriched the land...

• Mt 5:20-26  “Unless your righteousness surpasses the scribes', you won't enter the Kingdom.  Your ancestors heard, "You shall not kill," but I tell you, whoever is angry will be liable to judgment.  If you bring your gift to the altar and recall your brother has anything against you, leave your gift, be reconciled, then return and offer your gift.  Settle with your opponent quickly, or else you'll be imprisoned till you've paid the last penny.”

Pope Francis

• Homily:  Jesus tells us we must love our neighbor, but not like the Pharisees whose attitude wasn't love but indifference.  Criteria:

• Realism:  If you have something against another, look for a solution, a way to get along.  It won't be ideal, but compromise is real and good.  The effort to reach an arrangement is good.  We must make deals:  I take a step, you take one, and there's peace, even if imperfect.  We must compromise to stop hate and strife.

• Coherence:  To speak ill of someone is to kill with gossip, calumny, or defamation.  Jesus warns:  The one who calls his brother stupid is killing him; the act is rooted in hate.  ‘Not killing’ means not even insulting.  Insult comes from hatred; if you don't hate, don't kill or insult.

• Fraternity rooted in sonship:  We mustn't kill our brother; we have the same Father.  I can't go to the Father if I don't have peace with my brother.

If you have a holier-than-thou attitude like the scribes or aren't at peace with your brother, you can't talk to the Father.  Ask for the grace to move forward in peace among ourselves, with compromises, with coherence, and in a spirit of fraternity.

Music

• Let there be peace on earth/ Jackson, Miller (gospel)
• Song of reconciliation/ Ashton; lyrics (gospel)
• The reconciliation song/ Chapman; lyrics (gospel)
• Prayer of St. Francis/ Temple:  typical, brighter, meditative, saxy (Vanacore's version?) [but it's not St. Francis's text] (gospel)
• The seed that falls on good ground/ Celoni (psalm)
• Don't forget Holy Spirit music for this Octave of Pentecost!

Reflections

• Creighton:  We live in an age of anger.  We need to let go and be peacemakers.  The way to God is through loving others.  The origin of "reconcile" is "bring together again."

• One Bread One Body:  As Elijah's servant had to look repeatedly for a cloud, it can take us a long time to see even a little of God's action.  Persevere; a small cloud is rising.

• DailyScripture.net:  The antidote to anger and rage is of love and forgiveness.  Only God's love and grace can set us free.

"May I be no one's enemy, and may I be the friend of what is eternal and abides.  May I never quarrel with those nearest me, and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly.  May I love, seek, and attain only what is good.  May I wish for everyone's happiness and envy no one.  May I never rejoice in the ill fortune of one who has wronged me.  When I've done or said something wrong, may I... rebuke myself till I make amends.  May I win no victory that harms me or my opponent.  May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another.  May I never fail a friend in danger.  When visiting those in grief, may I be able by gentle and healing words to soften their pain.  May I respect myself.  May I always keep tame that which rages within me.  May I accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of circumstances.  May I never discuss the wicked and what they've done but know good people and follow in their steps." (Eusebius, Prayer to practice the Golden Rule) 

• Passionist:   Be alert, study the horizon, see where God may be leading us, forgive, and let go of anger.

• Universalis:  St. Onuphrius, hermit

• Sacred Space

Apparel

• "Chariot" tie pin:  Ahab mounted his chariot... (1st reading)
• "Hand" tie pin:  ...but the Lord's hand was on Elijah; cloud is size of a hand (1st reading)
• "Grain" pin:  "You have prepared the grain" (psalm)
• "Harmony" tie, "Peace sign" tie bar:  make peace (gospel)
• "Hearts" suspenders:  love your neighbor (gospel/homily)
• "Penny [pincher]" tie pin:  "You won't be released till you've paid the last penny.” (gospel)
• Green shirt:  Ordinary Time (season)

Dress your life!