June 10, 2021

June 10

June 10, 2021:  Thursday, 10th week, Ordinary Time


Listen
For gospel
Pope Francis

Combat Central American challenges:  Solidarity takes on special significance during this pandemic crisis.  The crisis reminds everyone that people are like dust, but precious dust in the eyes of God who made us one human family.  Nations are called to attend to all, including the smallest and most vulnerable. 

Social conditions have deteriorated, eroding the family.  People are uprooted and orphaned, in difficult situations such as domestic violence, gangs, femicide, drug trafficking, and sexual exploitation.  Border closures leave people stranded; displacement and human trafficking make people vulnerable.  We need a common commitment to put the person and human dignity at the center.  Migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees must be guaranteed safety and basic services.  Policies must protect our common home, alleviate the impact of environmental catastrophes, and safeguard land, housing, and work, the fundamental areas of integral human development.

Human trafficking must be prevented through family support and education,  Victims' safety must be ensured, their privacy protected, and safe accommodation and social and psychological assistance provided.  Today's educational crisis is worsened by restrictions and isolations that expose inequalities and increase the risk of the vulnerable falling into trafficking networks.

Children and women deserve special attention.  Education must promote equality and respect.  Women , the source of life, are offended, beaten, raped, and forced into prostitution and abortion.  Violence against women desecrates God, born of a woman.

We must work towards inclusive societies that welcome everyone and recognize and accept all dimensions of their identity, including the spiritual.  Efforts must transcend national borders and promote love of neighbor; multilateral cooperation can promote the common good and attend to causes of displacement.

To seminarians:  Imagine the seminary as the Holy Family where Jesus was welcomed, cared for, and formed.  May seminarians learn more from their formators’ lives than from their words, as Jesus was formed in the school of Joseph's "creative courage". May they learn docility from formators' obedience, industriousness from their dedication, generosity from their witness of sobriety and availability, and fatherhood from their affection.  Ask for docility; no one can mature without it.

The Church asks seminarians to follow the example of Jesus who let himself be docilely educated by Joseph.  In Nazareth the Son of God himself learned about humanity and closeness from his parents.  Communication is more than social media; only transformation through the Word of God enables us to communicate words of life.  From the gospel, learn about Jesus' humanity and see examples of faith passed on.  Expand the boundaries of your heart to the world.

Regarding the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions of formation:  Don't distance yourself from your humanity; open up to your formators, and fight interior falsehood.  Let prayer be an opportunity for personal encounter with God, in dialogue and trust.  May your studies help you enter into, not fear, contemporary culture and thought.  Pastoral formation should encourage you to go out enthusiastically to meet people.  You're priests to serve God's People, to care for the wounds, especially of the poor.  Availability for others is proof of your yes to God.  Talk with your professors, formators, and spiritual directors about these dimensions.  Look for those with wisdom to teach how to solve pastoral problems.  Know the names of your faithful; they're a treasure....

  • 2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6  When Moses is read, a veil lies over the Israelites' hearts, but when you turn to the Lord, the veil is removed.  Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there's freedom.  We who gaze on the Lord's glory are transformed into his image.  We preach Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for his sake.  God has shone in us to bring his glory to light.
  • Ps 85:9ab, 10-14  "The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land."  God proclaims peace to his people.   His salvation is near to those who fear him.  Kindness and truth shall meet, justice and peace kiss....
  • Mt 5:20-26  “Unless your righteousness surpasses the scribes', you won't enter the Kingdom.  Your ancestors heard, "You shall not kill," but I tell you, whoever is angry will be liable to judgment.  If you bring your gift to the altar and recall your brother has anything against you, leave your gift, be reconciled, then return and offer your gift.  Settle with your opponent quickly, or else you'll be imprisoned till you've paid the last penny.”
"Justice and peace kissing" gallery
Justice and peace/ Giaquinto

Psalm 85/ Swanson

The kiss of peace and justice/ de la Hyre

Justitia et pax osculantur/ Dell'Orto
Reflect
  • Word of the day:  Raqa (rēqā’ or rēqâ, Aramaic, from gospel):  probably 'blockhead' or 'imbecile,' a term of abuse.
  • Creighton:  I've associated “glory” with beauty, spectacle, power, courage, or accomplishment, not holiness, but 'glory' and 'holiness' have the same root.  Authentic glory reflects God's holiness. After receiving the Law, Moses was so radiant with glory, no one could look on him; he eventually had to wear a veil because he'd seen God face to face.  Paul insists that if God's law, written in stone for those trapped in sin, is glorious, then how much more Christ's living presence.  The baptized share in that presence and so bear that glory.  Our inner life and our ministry are radiant with God’s Spirit!  If I pray to see the glory of serving Christ, love will radiate from me and I'll attract others to the Good News.   Pope Francis insists we must live in joy and hope, the glory God gives us to bring others to love and forgiveness.  May we know our own glory is unimportant and let God’s glory be revealed.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "His burden is light."  As we bask in the Lord’s glory and worship with unveiled faces, we're clothed in God’s light, covered with God’s glory like Moses.  In this sense, his burden is light; his glory is the light reflecting from the face of God.  Jesus shines in your heart so you make God's glory known.  When you're filled with the Spirit, it's easy to radiate God’s love and attract people to Christ.  If you grow weary of always being "on," look only to Jesus for relief.  If you've hidden your light, come to Jesus for refreshment...
  • Passionist:  Forgiveness is one of most important things people need to give and receive when they're dying (Dr. Ira Byock).  Forgiveness and reconciliation differ:  reconciliation is mutual; each party admits wrongdoing, repents, and asks forgiveness, and both forgive and work to repair the relationship and rebuild trust.  Reconciliation isn’t always possible.  But forgiveness can be unilateral:  I can forgive even if the other person isn’t sorry.  Forgiveness doesn’t condone the wrong, doesn’t pretend it didn’t hurt, and doesn’t mean I give up pursuing justice.  Forgiveness frees me from being imprisoned by someone else’s actions; it releases their hold over my emotions, sleep, appetite, and life. I let go of the need for revenge or hate; I reclaim my power, free my heart, and allow the Spirit to flow through me.  Even after forgiving, old hurts can resurface, and I need to reaffirm the forgiveness.  Whom do I need to forgive?...
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Be reconciled...":  God warned Cain:  Why are you angry?  Sin is at the door, but you must master it.  Sin grows as a seed in our heart and chokes us if not uprooted.  Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples.  Jesus:  unless evil desires are eradicated, we'll be corrupted.  He points to forbidden anger, selfish, long-lived anger that nurses grudges.  The antidote is mercy, kindness, and forbearance from a loving, forgiving heart.  In the cross we see the supreme example of love and forgiveness.  Only God's love and grace can free us from the tyranny of pride and revenge.  Am I quick to be reconciled?  Through the Spirit may we overcome evil with good, hatred with kindness, and injury with pardon.
May I be no one's enemy; may I be the friend of what's eternal.  May I never quarrel: and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly.  May I love, seek, and attain only what's good.  May I wish for the happiness of all and envy none.  May I never rejoice in the ill fortune of one who's wronged me.  When I've done or said what's wrong, may I never wait for others' rebuke but rebuke myself and make amends.  May I win no victory that harms my opponent or me.  May I reconcile friends who are angry with each other.  May I never fail a friend in danger.  May I soften the pain of those in grief.  May I respect myself.  May I keep tame what rages within me.  May I be gentle, never angry with people because of circumstances.  May I never discuss who's wicked and what they've done, but know good people and follow in their footsteps.  (Eusebius)

Dress legend

  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  The Lord proclaims peace; justice and peace shall kiss (psalm); make peace (gospel)
  • 'Dove' pin:  Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there's freedom (1st reading)
  • 'Jesus' pin:  We preach Jesus Christ as Lord (1st reading)
  • 'Street light' tie bar:  God who said, Let light shine... (1st reading)
  • 'Hearts' suspenders:  ...has shone in our hearts... (1st reading); love your neighbor (gospel)
  • 'Joker' tie:  Whoever says, 'You fool' will be liable to Gehenna (gospel)
  • Joker-trumped 'scales of justice' tie: If you're not reconciled, your opponent will hand you over to the judge... (gospel); justice and peace shall kiss (psalm)
  • Penny in change purse (I forgot my 'penny' button):  "You won't be released till you've paid the last penny.” (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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