Connections between today's Bible readings, clothing, music, life...; a challenge to dress our own lives (Col 3:12-14)
November 7, 2016
Nov. 7
November 7, 2016: Monday, 32nd week, Ordinary Time
'Children's faces around the earth' tie: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. The earth is the Lord's (psalm) Don't cause little ones to sin (gospel)
'Mountain' pin: "Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord?..." (psalm)
'Hands' and 'heart' pins: ...One with sinless hands and clean heart (psalm)
'Stone' tie pin: Better for one that a millstone be put around his neck than he cause little ones to sin (gospel)
'Tree' pin: If you had mustard seed-sized faith, you'd tell the tree to move and it would (gospel)
Look it up/ Presley, Orrall: country song with verse about how hard it is for us to forgive ("forgiveness... It's what Jesus has in store for you, but I don't...") This Bailey and Lowe cover avoids the original's bad language. Lyrics+ (gospel)
Pope Francis
To RENATE re human trafficking: One of the most troubling wounds in the world is trade in human beings, modern slavery, a crime against humanity, violating the God-given dignity of so many. Public consciousness needs to be raised, and efforts of governments, the judiciary, law enforcement, and social workers need to be coordinated better.
The work of advocacy, education, and coordination is challenged by indifference and even complicity; many tend to look the other way when economic interests and crime networks are at play. Thanks for your efforts to raise awareness and for your faithful witness to the Gospel of mercy, demonstrated in your commitment to recovering and rehabilitating victims. Your activity reminds us of “the enormous and often silent efforts made by religious congregations” to care for those wounded in their dignity and scarred by their experiences; I think especially of women's distinctive contribution in accompanying women and children on a personal journey of healing and reintegration.
Ti 1:1-9Titus, I left you so that you might set right what remained to be done and appoint presbyters: blameless, married only once, with believing children not licentious or rebellious. A bishop must be blameless, not arrogant, irritable, aggressive, greedy, or a drunkard, but hospitable, good, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message, both to exhort and to refute opponents.
Ps 24:1b-4ab, 5-6"Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face." The Lord’s are the world and those who dwell in it. Those with clean hearts, God will reward.
Lk 17:1-6“Better for you to have a millstone around your neck and be thrown into the sea than to cause little ones to sin. Rebuke sinners; forgive those who repent. If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you'd say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey.”
Reflect
Creighton: "The mustard seed of mercy": The Year of Mercy ends a week from Sunday, but mercy goes on to surprise us when we expect criticism and reproach. Our daily dealings don't prepare us for profligate love, but mercy grows more powerful than all desire to strike the sinner down. As we read Paul's list of qualities of those called to serve as bishops, we stumble to the ballot box to select candidates, seeking the common good and healing of divisions....
One Bread, One Body: "Scandal-less": People listen to us partly because of what we say and mostly because of our credibility and integrity. The devil tries to promote scandal in the Church to ruin our credibility and so impede communicating the Gospel. To keep scandal, hypocrisy, and sin to a minimum, we should do what we can so our leaders are irreproachable, encourage people to follow sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it, be on guard, repent, avoid gossip, apologize, correct, forgive, and pray. Some messengers of the Gospel have concealed Jesus' truth and love instead of revealing it. May we help restore the Church's credibility, integrity, and effectiveness in evangelization.
DailyScripture.net: "Increase our faith": Two forces are at work in our lives: temptation to sin, and faith to overcome obstacles to loving God and others. The Greek for temptation (scandalon) is like 'scandal,' originally meaning trap or stumbling block causing one to fall. Scripture warns us about the enticement to go astray: "Keep me from the trap they've laid for me!" "In one who loves and lives in the light there's no cause for stumbling." Jews considered it unforgivable to teach another to sin and so to set a sin train in motion. Jesus warns his disciples not to set any stumbling blocks by giving offense or bad example; he also demonstrates that faith can overcome obstacles and temptation. What appears impossible is possible to those who believe in God's power. God expects more than we can do by ourselves, but the Holy Spirit helps us grow strong in faith, persevere in hope, and endure in love. Our joy and privilege is to follow the Lord and serve with his love and goodness....
The work of advocacy, education, and coordination is challenged by indifference and even complicity; many tend to look the other way when economic interests and crime networks are at play. Thanks for your efforts to raise awareness and for your faithful witness to the Gospel of mercy, demonstrated in your commitment to recovering and rehabilitating victims. Your activity reminds us of “the enormous and often silent efforts made by religious congregations” to care for those wounded in their dignity and scarred by their experiences; I think especially of women's distinctive contribution in accompanying women and children on a personal journey of healing and reintegration.
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