June 10, 2017: Saturday, 9th week, Ordinary Time
- Gold-colored accessories: Better to give alms than store up gold (1st reading)
- 'Hand' tie pin: No one can escape his hand (canticle)
- 'Silverware' tie bar: Don't be like scribes who accept places of honor at banquets (gospel)
- 'Angel' pin: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels..." (1st reading)
- 'Coin' button: Poor widow put in two small coins, her livelihood (gospel)
- Green shirt: Ordinary Time season
Listen
- If you belong to me/ Hurd: with lyrics (gospel)
Pope Francis
Friday homily: The 1st reading is a passage where you understand how the Lord carries forward people's histories and lives, including ours. Tobit and Sarah lived through good and bad times. Passing through the bad times, both wanted to die. But Sarah thought, "If I hang myself, I'll make my parents suffer" so stopped and prayed, and Tobit said, "But this is my life; let's go ahead" and also prayed. Both were patient with their pains and hoped God would listen and help. We've all had bad times, though may not as bad as theirs. Never forget that prayer, patience, and hope save us in moments of darkness, pain, and difficulty.
Their stories also have bright moments: After the test, the Lord came close and saved them. They were beautiful, authentic moments. And what did they do? They thanked God, broadening their hearts with prayers of thanks.
Ask whether in your life you discerned what was happening in your soul. Were you aware that the bad moments ware crosses and you had to pray, have patience, and have at least some hope? Don't fall into vanity; the Lord is always beside us when we turn to him in prayer and thank him for the joy he's given us. Through discernment Sarah realized she shouldn't hang herself, and Tobit realized he had to wait, pray, and hope. Ask for the grace to discern what happens in our bad times, how to go on, what happens in the beautiful moments, and to not be misled by vanity.
To Scholas Occurrentes: Financial support for education has eroded, and only the elite can afford an education; this excludes many young boys and girls. Education isn't about knowing things or taking lessons but using three lingos: of the head, heart, and hands. This means learning so you can think about what you feel and do, feel what you think and do, and do what you feel and think: unity within yourself.
Globalization is good, but there's the danger of understanding it as a billiard ball, where every point is equidistant from the center, and personal characteristics are cancelled out. You conform, or you don’t exist! But true globalization is like a many-faced polyhedron where we strive for unity while each person keeps their uniqueness and richness.
You have it within yourself to discover your own path, especially through solidarity with others. A life not shared with others is just for the museum!
- Tb 12:1, 5-15, 20 Raphael: God's works are to be declared, made known, and praised. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you. Prayer and fasting are good, almsgiving with righteousness even better. Almsgiving saves you from death, expiates sin, and gives you a full life. I presented your prayers to God. I was sent to put you to the test, and God commissioned me to heal you and Sarah. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels.... Praise God.
- Tb 13:2, 6efgh, 7-8 "Blessed be God, who lives for ever," scourges then has mercy, casts down then raises up. Consider what he's done for you.
- Mk 12:38-44 Jesus: “Beware of the scribes, who go around in robes who accept seats of honor and recite long prayers while devouring widows' houses.” He observed how the rich put large sums into the treasury while a poor widow put in two small coins. “This poor widow put in more than all the others; they contributed from their surplus, but she contributed all she had, her livelihood.”
Reflect
- Creighton: I evaluate achievements primarily on external criteria, but in today's gospel Jesus gives different criteria. He comments on the Jews in line to contribute to the temple treasury and on a poor widow: “This poor widow has put in more than the others. They contributed from their surplus, but she, from her poverty, contributed all she had.” He measures with the internal criteria of love and self-sacrifice. How do my criteria relate to his?
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| St. Raphael icon |
- One Bread, One Body: "Praise God with full voice": The archangel Raphael visited Tobit and Tobiah and praised God from his heart: "Thanks, praise, and glory to God! Acknowledge all he's done for you, by blessing and extolling him. Honor and proclaim God's deeds; don't be slack with your praise. Thank him every day; praise him with song." May we bring our praises of God to a new level. Like the poor widow, may we give Jesus our all when praising him. May God's praises be in our throats. With every breath praise the Lord!
- Help create a culture of encounter: pray the National Migration Week novena
- Passionist: The widow in today's gospel quietly and generously gave everything she had, looking to serve, to make a difference, not for praise or recognition. Unseen sacrifices and the character behind them count, keeping priorities straight, focusing on what's really important. May we give of ourselves, love and live with our whole being, and keep relationships at the core, with the help of the One who created and sustains us.
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| Widow's Mite/ Christensen |
- DailyScripture.net: "This poor widow has put in more than the rest": Jesus warned against desire for prominence (vs. selfless service), desire for recognition (vs. promoting others' good through service and love), using your position for personal gain. Relate to God and others with love, honor, and respect; you'll be freed to give liberally to God and neighbor. Love spends lavishly. Jesus praised the poor widow over the rich; real giving is from the heart. The cost to the giver means more than the amount. What I have may look small, but if I put it at the Lord's disposal, God can work beyond our imagination.
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