August 25, 2014: Monday, 21st week, Ordinary Time
Readings
- 2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12 Thank God for you; your faith and love are growing. We boast of and pray for you....
- Ps 96:1-5 "Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations." Sing to the Lord: great, praiseworthy, awesome....
- Mt 23:13-22 Jesus: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, blind guides. You lock the Kingdom, neither entering nor allowing others to enter. You work hard to make a convert then make him a child of Gehenna. You say, ‘Swearing by the temple means nothing, but swearing by the temple's gold is binding.’ What's greater, the gold or the temple that made it sacred? You say, ‘Swearing by the altar means nothing, swearing by the gift on the altar is binding.’ What's greater, the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?...
- Mr. Big Stuff/ Knight, a song for the hypocrites Jesus warns (gospel)
- Proclaim his marvelous deeds/ Fishel (lyrics/chords, publisher page) (psalm)
- Proclaim his marvelous deeds/ 'SundayPsalm Bob' (psalm)
- Alas for you/ Schwartz, from Godspell (movie version) (2011 revival) (gospel)
- USCCB Video Reflection: The USCCB has a page dedicated for reflections. here's a video on the Gospel.
- One Bread One Body: Big companies wouldn't put their name on a rundown, grimy building for fear of disgracing their name. As Christians, we're a building "that displays Jesus' name to all. Jesus loves us even when we're grimy, but as his ambassadors, we want to exalt and glorify his name by our holy, joyful lives. What will people see when they look at you?
- Passionist: The Gospel took root and bore fruit in Thessalonica even though Paul had to leave the city early. Today, world news isn't good news. Human and Gospel values are being challenged. May God bless us with steadfastness, faith, and wisdom!
- DailyScripture.net: Jesus warned the religious leaders they were shutting the door of God's kingdom on themselves and others; 'woe' expresses sorrowful pity, concern, grief, and sadness. He was angry because they didn't listen to God and they misled the people instead of teaching them God's ways. They required unnecessary, burdensome rules which obscured love of God and neighbor, and they preferred their idea of religion to God's, shutting the door of their hearts. If we close our ears to Jesus, we shut our door too....
- Universalis: Saint Louis, king at 12, father of 11, lover of the poor, Sorbonne founder, friend of Thomas Aquinas. See Catholic Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. St. Joseph of Calasanz, priest, founded Piarist Order to educate youth; see Catholic Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Apparel
For this section, I figured the appropriate attire would be that of a religious.
Lead by example; who else should one mimic other than Jesus Christ? "Do not be afraid" is found over 300 times in the Bible, which to me, means that we need to let go and let God. The first reading reminds me yet again to have faith in God, while the Gospel tells me not to put anything else before God but to trust, to have faith that money, popularity, or anything else will not do me as much good as God can. It's probably the hardest yet the easiest thing to do. Although a it seems to be paradoxical, the reality is, letting go and letting God will always lead to happiness because it will lead you away from yourself and all that hold you back. #letgo #letgod
About the guest blogger
My name is Emanuel and I am a man who wears many hats: I teach an RCIA for children, I am now a substitute Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. I have two jobs, one being my own small screen printing business and the other working for the Catholic Church. I have recently married the woman of my dreams. I have tried my best to follow God and trust that he is guiding me (now us) in the right direction.
Thank you all for reading and God bless!
—Manny
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