Oct. 3

October 3, 2017:  Tuesday, 26th year, Ordinary Time

• 'International flags' tie:  Ten of every nationality shall take hold (1st reading)

• 'Alps' tie pin:  The Lord's foundation on the holy mountains (psalm)

• 'Musical note' tie pin:  All shall sing (psalm) (You thought it was for "They shall note," didn't you :-)

• 'Fire' pin:  "Do you want us to call down fire to consume them?" (gospel)

• 'Car' tie pin:  Journeying to villages en route to Jerusalem (gospel)

• OneLife LA button:  Respect Life Month

• 'Blood drop' pin:  Sussex martyrs' memorial

• Green in shirt:  Ordinary Time season

Listen

• In the day of the Lord/ Ridge:  sheet music (1st reading)

• Shout, for the blessed Jesus reigns (Shout, for the great Redeemer reigns)/ Beddome:  lyrics+ (same tune as Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates:  TRURO) (1st reading)

• Send down the fire/ Haugen:  gospel- and OBOB reflection-inspired

• Psalm 87 - My Jerusalem/ Silver

Pope Francis homily

Accepting his Father's will, Jesus determined to journey to Jerusalem and told the disciples.  At Gethsemane he asked the Father to "remove the cup,..." but he submitted to the Father’s will.  Jesus was alone in his decision because no one understood; the only one God sent to strengthen and comfort him in the garden was an angel.  Sometimes the disciples didn't understand Jesus or didn't want to out of fear; other times they hid the truth, let other things distract them, or looked for an alibi.  

The Father wants determination and obedience from us too and will wait with infinite patience.  Think about Jesus who loved us so much and walked alone towards the cross, and thank him for his obedience and courage.  Speak to him, acknowledging all he's done for you and his patience in tolerating our sins and failures.  See him walking with determination towards Jerusalem and ask for the courage to follow him.

Read

• Zec 8:20-23  Many will say, “Let us seek the Lord.”  Many shall implore the Lord, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard God is with you.”

• Ps 87:1b-7  "God is with us."  The Lord loves Zion.  Glorious things are said of you, City of God!  All shall sing, “My home is within you.”

• Lk 9:51-56  Jesus, determined to journey to Jerusalem, entered a Samaritan village, but they wouldn't welcome him because of where he was headed.  James and John:  "Shall we call down fire to consume them?" / "No!"  They moved on.

Reflect

• Fr. Gerardo Galaviz homily video:  Don't let anger drive you.  Don't try to force people to think like you.  Move on....

• Creighton:  "Be not the first by whom the new are tried, nor yet the last to lay the old aside” (Pope, Essay on Criticism) seems to encourage a middle course, but Christ calls for complete adherence, faith, and hope, nothing less.  But Jesus reprimands James and John for their extreme approach.  We need to pray for those we disagree with and live charitably with those we think we can condemn, treat others gently, and do what we can to change them by love, which can also change us.  This calls for humility and patience, becoming instruments of peace, and leaving the outcome to God.

• One Bread, One Body:  "Get fired up":  Elijah called down fire three times.  The apostles thought they should too.  They did need fire, but not to destroy the Samaritans but rather their own sin.  On the first Christian Pentecost, fire came down from heaven and purified Jesus' disciples, who went forth to make disciples.  Fire is attractive but destructive.  We need to call Fire down to destroy our sins. Then this destructive fire will become attractive. Because of God's fire in us, people will say, "Let us go with you, for... God is with you."  Until God sends the final fire, may God's fire burn in us and his light shine from us.

• Passionist:  Do people want to go with you because they know God is with you?  Are they drawn to you because of your love, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion?  The more we become like Jesus, the more others will want to know what makes us different.  May we be ready to share the hope we're called to and love others into God’s family....

• DailyScripture.net:  Jesus faced rejection and abuse to reconcile us with God and one another.  Christian love, following Jesus' example, seeks the highest good of friend and enemy alike.  "Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?" (Lincoln)  How do I treat those who cause me trouble?

Today's saints, from Universalis

• Martyrs of Sussex:  10 English martyrs, 4 lay and 6 priests over 140+ years:  John Rugge, Thomas Percy, Thomas Pylcher, Henry Webley, Edward Shelley, Ralph Crockett, Edward James, George Gervase, Thomas Bullaker, William Howard.

• St. Thomas Cantilupe, bishop

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