October 20, 2015

Oct. 20

October 20, 2015:  Tuesday, 29th week, Ordinary Time



  • 'Scroll' pin:  “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, To do your will... (psalm)

  • 'Girl with heart' pin:  Your law is within my heart! (psalm)

  • '[Christmas] lights' tie:  “Light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return..." (gospel)

  • 'Cross' pin:  St. Paul of the Cross

  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

 Listen

For 1st reading
God goes out to search for each of us.  People often lack this generosity, too accustomed to weighing and rationing when we decide to donate something. Our salvation lies in this friendship between us and God.  God gives us friendship and salvation.  God gives in abundance:  “However much sin increased, grace was always greater.”  God’s love for us is without limit.
God’s heart is always open and his love boundless just like that of the father who every day looks for his wayward son's return and kisses and celebrates him upon his arrival.  God isn't petty; he gives everything.  God doesn't stay still; he watches and waits for us to convert.  God goes out to search for each us, as he says in the Parables of the lost sheep or lost coin.
There's more rejoicing in heaven for a single sinner who converts than for 100 who remain good.  It's not easy for us to understand God’s love; we do only thanks to grace.  We measure situations, and our measurements are small.  Ask the Spirit for the grace to draw closer, to understand this boundless love and desire to be embraced and kissed with it.
Read

  • Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21  Through Adam sin and death came to all, but through Jesus Christ grace, acquittal, and eternal life came to all.
  • Ps 40:7-10, 17  "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will."  You want obedience, not sacrifice.
  • Lk 12:35-38  “Light your lamps; be like servants who await their master’s return.  Blessed are those the master finds vigilant when he arrives.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  We never know what will happen or when we'll be called on; we need to be ready and vigilant.  When Jesus comes for us, we need to be able to say, “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.”
    • One Bread One Body:  "The shock of obeying God":  As powerful as sin is, Jesus' obedience is much more powerful.  Jesus' obedience even to death is the greatest act of love ever done.  To obey the Father as Jesus did is a privilege in which we enter into God's power and love.  We should be shocked the Lord chose us to serve him.  The Lord gives us constant opportunities to obey him.  May we realize the privilege of obeying God and be amazed God would ever command us to do anything.
    • DailyScripture.net:  The Lord wants us to be prepared for his coming:  today, tomorrow, when we die, and when he comes again.  Daily he knocks.  Doors were often bolted from inside to keep thieves out.  A servant was expected to be prepared to let his master in; it required a listening ear and attentive spirit blocking distractions.  Jesus' story adds a reward for those who open:  the master seats them at his table and waits on them.  God sent his Son to become a humble servant and die for our sake.  Do I listen for the Lord's call?  Am I ready to receive him and be nourished with his transforming word?  I can miss his provision if I'm distracted, even with "good things."  We're called to be faithful to the Father as Jesus was, but only the love God poured into us through the Spirit can fill us with the joy and courage to offer ourselves in service.  The Lord sets us free from fear and pride so we can love and serve as he did.  Lord, give me a servant heart and willing spirit ready to listen and obey.
    St. Paul of the Cross and more
    St. Paul of the Cross
    Around the world he's remembered yesterday, but in the US we celebrate him today so as not to displace the North American Martyrs memorial.
    • Passionists:  St. Paul of the Cross, Passionists founder:  Paul Daneo was fascinated by the Passion of Jesus Christ; he recognized in Jesus' human sufferings a divine commitment to the human family.  Paul spent his life reflecting on the meaning of God's love for us.  He participate in Jesus' sufferings through prayer, penance, self-discipline, poverty, and fasting.  He gathered companions to share this life and preached the great love revealed in Jesus' passion and death.  He became absorbed in God’s love and filled with a desire to share it.  He lived the transforming experience of giving oneself totally to a loving God.  He's an example of St. Paul's testimony that God’s wisdom and power, revealed in the Passion, is beyond our understanding.  Paul of the Cross spent his life embracing the mystery of Christ Crucified.  His compassion and commitment to the people in his life inspired them to a deeper conviction that God loved them beyond their understanding.  The love they experienced in Paul’s reflections on the Crucified Christ enriched them and deepened their commitment to living generously and faithfully.  O God, keep us centered in your love for us as revealed in the passion and death of your Son.
    • Universalis:  BB. Daudi Okelo  and Jildo Irwa, catechists, martyrs at 16 and 12.
    Posted by at

    No comments:

    Post a Comment

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)