Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": June 26

June 26, 2014: Thursday, 12th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

2 Kgs 24:8-17 Jehoiachin reigned three months in Jerusalem, doing evil in God's sight. King Nebuchadnezzar's officials attacked Jerusalem, and Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar, who took him captive, carried off the treasures, and deported all Jerusalem. He deported Jehoiachin and led captive the king’s mother, wives, functionaries, and chief men. He appointed his uncle Mattaniah king, changing his name to Zedekiah.

Ps 79:1b-2-5, 8, 9 "For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us." The nations have defiled your temple, laid Jerusalem in ruins, and fed your dead servants to the birds. Will you be angry and jealous forever? May your compassion quickly come to us.

Mt 7:21-29 “Only those who do my Father's will will enter the Kingdom, Many will say, ‘Didn't we do mighty deeds in your name?,’ but I'll say, ‘I never knew you; depart, you evildoers.’ One who acts on my words is like one who built his house on rock; it stood despite rain, floods, and winds. One who doesn't act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand; rain, floods, and winds ruined it.” The crowds were astonished, for he taught with authority.

Pope Francis

Homily: The crowds followed Jesus because his teaching astonished them. Others were speaking in Jesus' day:
- Pharisees made religion into over 300 commandments, weighing people down, reducing faith to casuistry.
- Sadducees had lost the faith and made deals with political and economic powers.
- Zealots wanted to cause a revolution to free Israel from Roman occupation, but the people knew the fruit wasn't ripe and didn’t follow them.
- Essenes were good monks consecrated to God but far from the people, and the people couldn’t follow them.

None of them warmed people's hearts, but Jesus did! He approached and healed people, understood their difficulties, and spoke with sinners. He was happy to be with his people; that's why he's the Good Shepherd whose voice the sheep hear and follow, a pastor one with the Father and close to people, speaking truth with authority in their language so they loved the things of God. Ask "Do I want to follow those who quibble or talk about abstract things, faith-free negotiators, people doing destructive things not in line with the Lord, or distant contemplatives?" May the question bring us to follow Jesus and be amazed at this word.

To Vatican Observatory Galaxies course participants: You're an impressive example of dialogue and cooperation. The Church is committed to dialogue with science because faith can expand and enrich the horizons of reason (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 238). The sciences can be an effective means of promoting peace and justice. We see science as a sign of the mind's God-given potential. Share the knowledge you've acquired; few have access to it, and it opens us to questions about where we come from and are going and about the meaning of the universe. The search for answers can lead us to an encounter with the Creator, the loving Father, in whom we live, move, and have our being.

Music

Psalm 79 (Hebrew) (psalm)
Are you building on the Rock?/ Warren (lyrics, sheet music, MIDI file) (gospel)
The wise man and the foolish man/ Omley (lyrics, sheet music) (gospel)

Reflections

Creighton: Jesus' warnings are like weather warnings we may choose to ignore to avoid inconvenience. (Do we take inventory and prepare for a disaster?) Let's listen and act on God's words, live the gospel, and take refuge in the Lord.

DailyScripture.net: The foundation we build our lives on will determine how we survive upcoming trials. Our choices reveal our character; our actions, our sincerity. Make God's word your foundation so nothing will shake you.