June 26, 2017

June 26

June 26, 2017:  Monday, 12th week, Ordinary Time

  • 'People' tie pin:  “I'll make of you a great nation; I'll give this land to your descendants" (1st reading); blessed those whose God is the Lord, who sees us all (psalm)

  • 'Clock' tie bar:  Our soul waits for the Lord,... (psalm)

  • 'Shield' pin:  ...our help and shield (psalm)
  • 'Scales of justice' tie:  As you judge, so you'll be judged... (gospel)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  ...and the measure you measure will be measured to you. (gospel)
  • 'Wood block' tie pin:  Splinter in my brother’s eye vs. beam in mine (gospel)
  • '?' tie pin: Jesus' questions:  "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye but not the beam in yours?  How can you say, ‘Let me remove that splinter’ while the beam is in your eye?  Can a blind person guide a blind person?  Won't both fall into a pit?" (gospel)
  • 'Eyeball' pin (oops, I wear this so often but forgot to pack it):  The Lord's eyes are on those who fear him (psalm); remove the beam from your eye (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

Listen

For Psalm 33
Pope Francis to tumor fighters
Your work is a useful tool of awareness and training.  We need to promote a culture of life, based on attitudes and behaviors.  You're committed to fight cancer with prevention through lifestyle, early diagnosis and rehabilitation, and social reintegration with attention to the family.  Families need to be accompanied on a path of prevention; all generations need to be involved.  We in the Church are called to serve those who suffer.  It's so important to help those on the peripheries who have to deal with a disease like cancer.  Every Christian who wants to do good is an instrument of grace.  Taking care of the sick is a wealth for society and reminds everyone how important it is to offer support, comfort, and tenderness.
Read
  • Gn 12:1-9  Lord to Abram:  “Go to a land I'll show you.  I'll make of you a great nation and bless you; all shall find blessing in you.”  Abram went as the Lord directed him, with his wife, Sarai, his brother’s son, Lot, and their possessions, setting out for Canaan, where the Lord said, “To your descendants I'll give this land.” Abram built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.
    Animate
  • Ps 33:12-13, 18-20, 22  "Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own."  From heaven the Lord looks down and sees us all, to deliver and preserve us.  We wait for the Lord, our help and shield....
  • Mt 7:1-5  “Stop judging; you'll be judged as you judge.  Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye but not the beam in yours?  Hypocrite, remove the beam; then you'll see clearly to remove the splinter.”
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Jesus isn’t telling us not to judge others but to do so lovingly for their good, not to flaunt our righteousness.  Jesus forgives sinners but scorns hypocrites who find fault only in others.  People accept judgment from loving people trying to help them.  Young people seek such guidance from their parents and teachers, and employees count on constructive feedback from their bosses.  We're subject to judgment and can be wrong; we empathize with those who struggle because we know we still struggle.

  • One Bread, One Body:  "Not yet":  As Abram passed through Canaan, God promised him his descendants would inherit it, even though the Canaanites were still living in the land then.  Abram continued south to the desert.  Joshua led the Israelites into the land, but they didn't possess it right away.  God sent hornets to drive the people out gradually lest the added responsibilities be too much.  God allowed the Canaanites to stay till the Israelites could take over.  Abram and Joshua both experienced delays.  Sometimes a delay is a result of God's kindness, and/or for others' benefit; may we patiently bear delays so others may be blessed through us.  May God use delays in our lives for good.
  • Passionist:  Abram and Sarai were called to a journey full of uncertainty.  Think about all who similarly leave their homeland, with the same uncertainty.  I can't guarantee that all will be well with them, but I can refrain from judging them....  May I be attentive to those who embark on a refugee's journey and pray that God lead them safely.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Take the log out of your eye":  Think the best of others to grow in love.  We can't see people's inner motives and intentions and don't have all the facts, we're swayed by instinct, and we react unreasonably.
"'Hypocrite,' pretender, is aptly used here, since denouncing evil is best viewed as a matter only for the upright.  We must avoid pretenders who under the guise of seeking advice censure, often moved by malice.  When you must reprove, proceed with discernment and caution.  If the fault is one you had but overcame, remember our common frailty so the correction and admonition will be with mercy.  If you've never had the fault, remember you could have.  If you have the fault, don't correct or rebuke, but bemoan your fault and induce the other to the same concern." (Augustine, Sermon on the Mount, paraphrased)
How we treat others will return to us.  The Lord sees everything, even imperfections and sins we don't see, draws us to his mercy seat, and removes the sin.  Lord, purify my heart so I may have room for charity and forbearance.  "Give us the humility that realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, and accepts rebuke.  Help us praise not criticize, sympathize not discourage, build not destroy, and think of people at their best not their worst." (Barclay)
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