August 16, 2016

Aug. 16

August 16, 2016:  Tuesday, 20th week, Ordinary Time



  • 'Blood drop' pin, 'skeleton' tie pin:  "You'll be a bloodied corpse" (1st reading)
  • Tie with playing cards:  "I deal death and give life" (canticle)
  • 'Rock' tie pin:  “How could one man rout 1,000...  unless it was because their Rock sold them....?" (canticle)
  • 'Heart' pin:  "You're haughty of heart" (1st reading)
  • 'Owl' tie pin:  "You're wiser than Daniel" (1st reading)
  • Gold- and silver-colored accoutrements:  "You've put gold and silver into your treasuries." (1st reading)
  • 'Sword' tie pin:  "They'll draw their swords and run them through you" (1st reading)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  "They said, 'Our hand, not the Lord, won the victory'"; "close at hand is their disaster" (canticle)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
This would fit the gospel
(100+ camel ties)


This too
(but Bern didn't find either one
in a thrift shop)



 Listen
  • I won't link to R-rated Schadenfreude from Avenue Q, but it does speak of the don'ts of today's Amoris Laetitia capsule.
Pope Francis Amoris Laetitia capsule:  Love rejoices with others
χαίρει ἐπὶτῇ ἀδικίᾳ is about negativity deep in the heart, the toxic attitude of those who rejoice at seeing injustice done to others; συνχαίρει δὲτῇ ἀληθείᾳ expresses its opposite:  “it rejoices in the right.”  We rejoice at others' good when we see their dignity and value their abilities and good works. This is impossible for those who always compare and compete and rejoice in others' failures.
A loving person who can do good for others, or sees others are happy, lives happily and gives God glory; “God loves a cheerful giver.”  Our Lord appreciates those who find joy in others' happiness.  If we focus on our own needs instead of rejoicing in others' well-being, we condemn ourselves to joylessness; “it's more blessed to give than to receive.”  In the family, a member to whom something good happens should know others will be there to celebrate. (IV:109-110)
Read
  • Ez 28:1-10  Lord to Ezekiel:  "Tell the prince of Tyre that I say, 'You're wise and have made riches for yourself but have grown haughty, saying you're a god; therefore I'll bring barbarous foreigners to thrust you down to die.  Will you say you're a god before your murderers?  No; you are man handed over to those who will slay you.'"
    Seriously?
  • Dt 32:26-28, 30, 35cd-36ab  "It is I who deal death and give life."  “How could one man rout a thousand, unless the Lord delivered them up?”  The Lord shall do justice for his people, having pity on his servants.
  • Mt 19:23-30  “It will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom; it's easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye.” Disciples, astonished / Jesus:  “Then who can be saved?” / “For men it's impossible, but for God all is possible.”  Peter / Jesus:  “We've given up everything and followed you.  What's in store for us?” / “When the Son is seated on his throne, you'll sit on thrones, judging the tribes of Israel.  Everyone who's given up houses, siblings, parents, children, or land for my sake will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life.  Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  Ezekiel prophesied the destruction of the prince whose pride caused him to think of himself as God.  Today's readings remind us what to expect if we rely on our own works and build up treasure for ourselves.  Putting myself first can separate me from God; prIde is the sIn most likely to keep us from needing a Savior.  It's inside us, waiting for a chance to belittle others' struggles or to take credit without thanking the One from whom all blessings flow.  When am I more focused on what others might think?  God's opinion is more important.  Even though prIde is lying in wait, we can walk boldly and not forget God.  God knows our hearts and needs.  Only when the Spirit humbles us can we overcome prIde, the first step in seeing others' needs.  Our richness is in God.  Thank God when instead of criticizing others you can help them....
    • Passionist:  Material things can capture us and call us to live on the fringe of what's really of value.  The prince gloats over his wisdom, riches, even god-ness.  The gospel goes on, “it'll be hard the rich to enter the Kingdom.”  Some rich people are detached from material things and try to be generous stewards of the Lord's gifts.  Reverently acknowledge your emptiness and need for Jesus, and you won't get stuck to your riches.
    • DailyScripture.net:  "Who can enter the kingdom?"  Jesus wasn't opposed to wealth or the wealthy; many of his friends were well-to-do.  "Better is a poor man who walks in integrity than a perverse rich man." "Don't wear yourself out to get rich."  The camel was regarded as the largest animal; the "needle's eye" could be interpreted literally or could describe the city's narrow, low gate used by travelers when the larger gate was locked; people had to "lower" themselves to enter.  A camel would have to kneel to crawl through it.  Until we kneel before the Lord and acknowledge our dependence on him, we won't find peace, security, or happiness.
    "Even if you possess plenty, you're still poor.  You abound in possessions but need eternal things.  You listen to a beggar's needs but are yourself a beggar of God.  What you do with those who beg from you is what God will do with his beggar.  You're filled and empty.  Fill your neighbor, and God will fill you." (Augustine, Sermon 56,9)
    Wealth can make us falsely independent or lead to hurtful desires and selfishness; look at the rich man who refused to help poor Lazarus.  Only those who trust and depend on God and share with those in need will find peace, security, happiness, and everlasting life and joy.  We lose what we keep and gain what we give away.  Is my treasure God and his kingdom?
      • Roch (Rock, Rocco), model worker of mercy
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