August 1, 2017

Alphonsus

August 1, 2017:  St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor

  • 'Clocks' suspenders:  Moses stayed with the Lord 40 days and 40 nights (1st reading)
  • 'Scales' tie:  "The Lord secures justice and the rights of all the oppressed" (psalm) [trumped 'clouds' tie I wore twice last week]
  • 'Angel' pin:  "The harvesters are angels" (gospel)
  • 'Fire' pin:  Angels will throw evildoers into the fiery furnace (gospel)
  • White shirt:  Color of St. Alphonsus day
  • Oops:  forgot my 'sun' pin for "the just shall shine like the sun" (gospel)
Listen

For Psalm 103 (also fits 1st reading)
Pope Francis to Aparecida youth
In the midst of uncertainties, insecurities, and the precariousness created by unjust situations, be certain that Mary, a sign of hope, will impel you with missionary drive.  She knows your difficulties.  Her motherly care helps you know you're not alone.  May she transform the ‘nets’ of your lives—friendship, social networks, material and virtual—often divided, into missionary communities, going out into the world as light and leaven for a more just and fraternal society.  Don't fear taking risks and working to build a new society, imbuing people with the force of the Gospel!
Fight corruption; don't let it seduce you!  Trusting in the Lord, and under Mary’s mantle, you can rediscover the creativity and strength of working for a culture of unity and creating new paradigms to guide the life of Brazil.  May the Mother of Aparecida, who knew how to embrace God's call and go forth to those in need, guide you....
Read

  • Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28  Moses pitched the meeting tent outside the camp.  When Moses went to it, the people rose and watched.  While the Lord spoke with Moses, a column of cloud came down, and people rose to worship.  The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, then returned to the camp, but his assistant Joshua stayed in the tent.  Moses, bowing in worship:  “If I find favor with you, come with us, pardon our wickedness, and receive us as your own.”  Moses stayed 40 days and nights, without eating or drinking, and he wrote down the words of the commandments.
  • Ps 103:6-13  "The Lord is kind and merciful."  The Lord secures justice.  He made known his ways to Moses and the Israelites.  He doesn't deal with us according to our sins, so surpassing his kindness.  He has compassion as a father has on his children.
  • Mt 13:36-43  Disciples/Jesus:  “Explain the parable of the weeds in the field.” / “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom, the weeds the Evil One's children, the enemy the Devil, the harvest the end of the age, and the harvesters angels.  As weeds are collected and burned, so the Son will send his angels to throw into the furnace all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.  Then the just will shine in the Kingdom.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  "Out of the Weeds":  For years people came to the meeting tent to consult the Lord.  When Moses entered the tent, the idolatrous throng prayed.  With mercy the Lord answered with mercy, “Come back to me.”  Moses asks, “Stay with us.”  God listened, calling Moses “my intimate friend.”  In the tent is the yearning face of God, who reaches out to find us, whose words guide us, who forgives the contrite.
    The master gardener doesn't uproot the weeds; goodness lurks in their midst.  Like the garden, we're mixed bags.   Lord, visit this garden, help us to know what to water, and prepare us for harvest.
      St. Alphonsus Liguori
    • One Bread, One Body:  "Field of dreams?"  The field, a treasure, is the world, full of people Jesus loves; he gave all to purchase it.  Jesus treasures us, and his heart is where his treasure lies.  God-with-us made his dwelling among us when we were weeds.  Like a wheat grain, he died to bear the fruit of changed lives, to change sinful weeds to wheat.  Since he died for us when we were sinners, why should we get upset in a world full of sinners?  Lord, thank you for loving us when we were sinful.  Give us your heart so we may treasure sinners as you do.  Help us die to ourselves and work so that at least some might be transformed and saved.
    • Passionist:  Jesus says, “The field is the world,” not the Christian community.  We live in a world of “wheat and weeds” where we must labor.  We're not asked to focus solely on the church but to go out to the world.  Pope Francis commented that many interpret “Behold I stand at the door and knock” to mean Jesus is knocking on our door to get in, but he thinks of Jesus knocking to get out!  We should be missionary disciples....
    • DailyScripture.net:  "The just will shine like the sun...":   Jesus teaches us patience lest we judge before the proper time.  He also warns of an enemy who seeks to destroy the good seed before it bears fruit.  We must stand guard lest evil take root in and corrupt us. "Sow an act and you reap a habit.  Sow a habit and you reap a character.  Sow a character and you reap a destiny" (Reade?)  We'll reap what we've sowed....
        Posted by at

        No comments:

        Post a Comment

        Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)