July 16, 2018

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

July 16, 2018:
Monday, 15th week, Ordinary Time
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

See a dozen connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
  • Is 1:10-17  Lord to Sodom and Gomorrah:  I loathe your offerings and festivals.  Your hands are bloody!  Wash yourselves clean!  Cease doing evil; learn to do good.  Make justice your aim:  redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
  • Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23 "To the upright I will show the saving power of God."  Why do you profess my covenant with your mouth but cast my words behind you?  I'll correct you.  Those who offer a sacrifice of praise glorify me; I'll save all who go the right way.
  • Mt 10:34-11:1  “I came to bring the sword, not peace, setting family members against each other.  If you love others more than me or don't take up your cross and follow me, you're not worthy of me.  If you lose your life for my sake, you'll find it.  Whoever receives you receives me and him who sent me.  Whoever gives a cup of water to a disciple will be rewarded....”
Reflect
  • Creighton:  "Chaos!"  Wait:  Jesus not bringing peace?  If you follow Jesus, you're likely to find yourself in opposition to those near and dear to you.  Jesus, raised in the knowledge of Moses and the prophets, is himself prophet, new Moses, New Creation, and Hope, but he speaks of what it may take and what might happen to bring about the Reign of God.
As Jesus is sending his apostles forth, he's essentially telling them to expect chaos, judgment, and hope.  Carrying out the mission may take force, but Jesus seemed open to the force of dialogue with those who disagreed, challenged, and threatened him and his message. He responded nonviolently and imaginatively with the sword of words, parables, or actions (feeding the hungry...). Others who do will receive a prophet’s, or disciple’s, reward.
We live in a time of chaos and divisions to be repaired and transformed through nonviolent openness, dialogue, and discernment, and works of mercy.  Attempting to change through signing petitions and voting are deeds that give voice.  Letting go of things can let our hopes become real; letting go of selfish behaviors enables discovery of the true self and a God who desires a relationship, peace, and life for all....
    Our Lady of Mount Carmel
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Nothing but the cross":  We Christians follow Jesus, who saved us through suffering; he came to earth to pay the price for our salvation and reconcile us to God.  Jesus suffered horribly in the flesh, was humiliated and scorned as a criminal, and died a disgraceful death, bearing a cross meant for a murderer.  We must take up our cross daily, deny ourselves, and follow in his steps.  We can't on our own, but through baptism we become sharers in God's nature and can embrace the cross as Jesus did and so discover who we are.  Jesus understands if we falter; he fell while carrying his cross.  Heavy as the cross is, he wants us to know the joy of sharing his sufferings. Avoid anything that leads you away from his cross.
  • Passionist:  Will we continue to stand with Christ as we face life's challenges such as family who balk at challenges to the status quo?  Will we meet challenges with love, forgiveness, generosity and peace?  When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John, James and John were mending their nets with their father but dropped everything to leave immediately.  The disciples become steeped in their intimate relationship with Christ, over family ties.  Jesus knows how easy it can be to lose sight in the face of rejection.  Jesus enters each situation before and with us; we need only to change our heart and ways

  • DailyScripture.net:  "I came to bring a sword, not peace":  Jesus came to bring a 'sword' to cut through our core to expose our corruption.  God's word is a sword that divides soul and spirit, discerning thoughts and intentions, with power to free us from whatever binds us to sin and deception so we may live as God's children.  Jesus said following him would be costly.  Great calls inevitably cause division between those who accept and reject them.  The love of God compels us to put God first in our lives and show charity for others.  Any kindness shown, any help given will be rewarded....
    Dress legend
    • 'Blood drop' pin:  "Your hands are full of blood" (1st reading)
    • 'Calf' pin, 'lamb' tie bar:  "In the blood of calves, lambs, and goats I find no pleasure" (1st reading)
    • 'Eyeball' tie pin:  "Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes" (1st reading); "I'll correct you by drawing them up before your eyes." (psalm)
    • 'No peace' button:  "I came not to bring peace..." (gospel)
    • 'Sword' tie pin:  "...but the sword" (gospel)
    • 'Abacus' tie pin:  "...but division."  (gospel, other translations)
    • 'Cross' pin:  "Whoever doesn't take up his cross and follow me isn't worthy of me" (gospel)
    • 'Cups' tie:  "Whoever gives a cup of water to one of these will be rewarded" (gospel)
    • Blue in shirt:  Cup of water (gospel)
    • Green suspenders:  Ordinary Time season
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