September 2, 2017

Sept. 2

September 2, 2017:  Saturday, 21st week, Ordinary Time
Dedication of the  Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

See ten connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
For the gospel

For anniversary of our Cathedral's dedication
Pope Francis
For Astana Expo Day of the Holy See:  We need to reflect on how to use energy wisely; it's critical to our world and society.  Our welfare needs to be viewed in integral terms, not just as economic prosperity or capacity for consumption.  We must ensure energy is used to improve human flourishing.
Making sure energy resources don't fall prey to unscrupulous financial speculation or become a source of conflict requires broad and frank dialogue.  “Future energy” isn't just about researchers, technicians, and investors; it's a challenge to the worlds of culture, politics, education, and religion.  I hope the different religions will take part in the dialogue, for they have meaningful insights and enduring power.  Ethical principles can appear in different guises and languages” (Laudato Si, 199).   Discover the inspiration and criteria that foster perseverance in bettering relations and living together.
The way we use energy is a sign of how well we care for the world and our fellow human beings.  We're doing our job well only if our generation and use of energy are sustainable and grounded in solidarity.  Justice, peace, and our dignity are at stake.  May the Creator bless our common efforts....
To Korean Council of Religious Leaders:  We can't walk the journey of life by ourselves; we need others and God.  The Church has tirelessly embarked upon the path of dialogue, especially with followers of other religions. Interreligious dialogue directed towards the common good and peace is precious and pleasing to God.  To bear fruit, it must be both open and respectful:  warm, sincere, advanced by persons walking together with esteem and honesty, respecting life, physical integrity and freedom of conscience, religion, thought, and expression, laying the foundations to build peace.  The world asks us to work together for answers and commitment to human dignity, fighting hunger and poverty, rejecting violence, supporting the family and the economy, and witnessing to hope.
We must undertake the journey with humility and perseverance, rolling up our sleeves, sowing hope of a future where humanity becomes more human and we reject war and implore greater harmony.  Religious leaders must initiate, promote, and work for peace and the welfare and reconciliation of all.  May our mindfulness of the friendship and the good things we've received from each other strengthen us to advance together, with God's help.
Read

  • 1 Thes 4:9-11  Love one another even more.  Aspire to tranquil life.  Mind your own affairs.  Work with your own hands.
  • Mt 25:14-30  “A man entrusted his possessions to servants left then returned to find two doubled their money and one buried his.  To the doublers:  ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.  Since you were faithful in small matters, I'll give you great responsibilities.  Come, share your master’s joy.’  To the other:  ‘You wicked, lazy servant!  You should at least have put my money in the bank to earn interest!  Everyone who has will grow rich, but those who don't will lose the little they have.  Take his money and throw him outside...’”
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Bishop Robert Barron shares that 'talent' in today's parable is a weight measurement, so the master’s talents represent the “weight” of God’s mercy.  When we extend the mercy we receive from God to others it grows, just as the two faithful servants show.  God's love and mercy have no limits or qualifications.  The Trinity shows this in God’s creation, in Jesus’ human example, and in the Spirit’s continued accompaniment and inspiration of the Church.  On the cross Jesus asked his Father to forgive those who crucified him.  Father, give us the grace to imitate your Son and show the radical love and mercy our our faith calls us to.

  • One Bread, One Body:  "Come, share your master's joy!"  Some saints have felt the isolation of being given more responsibility and then apparently being abandoned by God, but they persevered in serving the Lord faithfully. Jesus asks us to be faithful, even if it seems he's gone away.  The 'secret':  "Come, share your Master's joy!" Come to him in the Eucharist, Eucharistic adoration, and prayer.  Fix your eyes on him, not the responsibilities. Rejoice!
  • Passionist:  1st reading:  The citizens, Jewish and Christian, had given Paul grief on his preaching campaign, but later Paul hears they recognized their indebtedness to the gospel and each other.  He singles out their charity and makes clear it's their duty to carry it out.
The Texas floods are being called a natural disaster, but the heroism of many who have to confronted it is supernatural, a modern example of foot-washing and loving like Jesus.  Today's parable might have seemed to be about prudent risk-taking versus fear to risk at all.  We usually conclude that Christians must trade on their true treasure, salvation in Christ.  When we live and share the gospel, it's multiplied in those who come to believe, but if we keep our faith out of our daily life, we render it as fruitless as the buried talent.  The post-Harvey flooding has challenged many to love their neighbor; the talents of love and compassion are being multiplied and will enrich our communities for generations. 
BTW calling Harvey’s a natural disaster implies nature is to blame for the flooding, but the consequences of such an event arise from human decisions, not nature:  where and what to build, what to pave, how much groundwater to extract, where people choose to live.  May we learn the challenging lessons from God's word and God’s gift of creation.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "The master will settle his account with them":  Wealthy merchants often had to travel and leave the business to others to handle till they returned.  Jesus' story tells us the Master trusts his servants, rewards the faithful, and punishes the idle.  Each servant was faithful to a point, though the one who buried the money was irresponsible; money can grow in circulation, not in the ground like seeds.  The Lord entrusts his subjects with gifts, with grace and wisdom to use them fittingly, and lets us choose how to use them.  As the parable shows, God honors those who use their gifts for doing good.  No one can stand still for long in the Christian life.  We get more or lose what we have; we advance towards God or slip back.
Dress legend
  • 'Money' tie:  The master gave 5, 2, and 1 talents to his servants... (gospel)
  • 'Heart' pin:  Love one another (1st reading)
  • 'Hands' pin:  Work with your own hands (1st reading); the Lord's right hand has won victory; let the rivers clap their hands (psalm)
  • 'Alps' tie pin:  Let the mountains shout for joy (psalm)
  • 'Musical note' tie pin:  Sing to the Lord (psalm)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  The Lord comes to 'rule' with justice (psalm)
  • Green and white shirt:  Green for Ordinary Time, white for Our Lady of the Angels
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