One of the most beautiful aspects of our Catholic faith is the Communion of Saints.  Whether it be the Church Militant still fighting the good fight here on earth, or the Church Suffering enduring their final time of purification in Purgatory, or the Church Triumphant rejoicing with our Lord in heaven, we are all in it together.  We are one Church, united in the mysteries of the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord.

What makes this reality so beautiful is our ability to pray for one another, no matter what state of life we find ourselves in.  It is an incredible circle of love and care that won’t end until Christ comes again.

Today, we celebrate the Church Suffering.  It is a day to remember “those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.”  Since our souls must be completely cleansed before entering the heavenly banquet, many of us will be required to endure this time of purification.  Others will be permitted to undergo great hardships here on earth and be cleansed through them, with the aid of the sacraments.

Sometimes we may wonder why our loved ones are permitted to suffer but all of our earthly trials, when lived with faith, can be opportunities for purification for ourselves and others.  “Offer it up” is no longer a cliche, but rather a reminder to direct our minds and hearts to God during times of difficulty.

Today, let us pray for all the souls in purgatory, that they may soon gaze upon the glorious face of our Savior, and may they in turn pray for us, that we may one day join them in Heaven.

Tami Urcia, Diocesan Publications

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed | USCCB

The Gospel makes it pretty clear that exalting yourself is not the way into the Kingdom.  It might sound strange to hear Paul saying he expects the winner’s crown.  So why is he any different from the Pharisee in the Gospel?

The Pharisee fasted and tithed, was not greedy or adulterous, but he misses the point.  He thinks that being right with God comes from a person’s accomplishments.  He feels no need to ask for God’s mercy. Yet if he relied on that mercy, he wouldn’t boast about his good deeds.  Instead, he would ask for God’s mercy and then thank God by doing good or being generous.  In other words, he thinks that God is waiting to be bribed with good deeds so that he can be justified.  “After all,” thinks the Pharisee, “what else are good deeds for if not to make me look good?”

St. Paul, on the other hand, looks at his life as a Pharisee and is amazed that God forgave his “good works” of keeping the law and persecuting Christians.  His boasting is not about what he has done for God; it’s more about what God has done through him.

Maybe you have examples of what God has done in your life: the people God sent to love you, the talents or abilities God gave you, the times God forgave your sins.  Are you so grateful for what God has done that you want to do more for God?  Or do you go to church, put your offering in the collection, and work a booth at the parish picnic so that God will be grateful to you?   Remember that God loved St. Paul while he was still persecuting Christians, loved him enough not only to forgive him but to make him into a great apostle.  Why waste your time trying to earn that love, when you could be doing whatever, you can to thank God for it?

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives a clever example of why we are to persevere in praying, even if we think the prayer is not being heard. The crooked judge just wanted to get that widow off his back. So we can pray to God with even more confidence, because we know that God loves us and will answer our prayers.

St. Paul carries that theme of perseverance even further. He is not just talking about prayer here; he encourages Timothy to persevere in proclaiming God’s word as well. That command we may find more challenging than prayer. He tells Timothy (and us!) to “convince, reprimand and encourage through all patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). How can we do that?

“Convince” reminds me that our faith should be reasonable. Jesus’ command to love one another, for instance, can be taught much more convincingly by giving examples of love. A mother who hugs her child when he is hurt and encourages him when he feels lost is teaching that command in a way that will be remembered much longer than just telling him to love people.

Paul also talks about reprimanding each other. Most people find it difficult to reprimand someone they are in charge of, much less one who is equal in status. That’s where patience comes in. A reprimand can be made patiently and gently, as a sign of concern rather than authority.

Paul lastly mentions teaching. Parents can do their part by teaching the stories from the Bible, helping children to see God in creation, teaching them to pray, and being good examples of God’s love for them. If you send your children to religion classes or the parish school, do what you can to support the teachers so that what the children learn at school is practiced at home.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

This story highlights the importance of our response to God when He does touch us. We must glorify God with a loud voice, fall on our knees before Him and express our deepest gratitude. When the one leper does this, Jesus says to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” That mercy from our Lord was a mercy that touched his soul. It imparted the gift of faith and enabled this man to go forth and be healed with eternal graces.

Too often we turn to God in prayer only when we have a problem. Then, once the problem is taken care of, we pay little to no attention to our Lord. God’s role in our lives is not to fix our problems so that we can then go about our daily lives as normal. His mercy must evoke ongoing and profound gratitude. Gratitude to God is nothing other than an acknowledgement of the truth. We owe everything to God. Without Him, we are nothing. We are dead in our sins. Just one leper realized this and was blessed with the gift of faith that saved not only his body, but also his soul.

Reflect, today, upon the ways in which you turn to God in prayer. It is good to come to Him with your needs and problems. It is good to cry out “Jesus, Master! Have pity on me!”

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Respect Life Month Begins

Heavenly Father, the beauty and dignity of human life was the crowning of your creation.  You further ennobled that life when your Son became one with us in his incarnation.

Help us to realize the sacredness of human life and to respect it from the moment of conception until the last moment at death.

Give us courage to speak with truth and love and with conviction in defense of life.

Help us to extend the gentle hand of mercy and forgiveness to those who do not reverence your gift of life.

To all, grant pardon for the times we have failed to be grateful for your precious gift of life or to respect it in others. We ask this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

The Gospel of Life

Heavenly Father, the beauty and dignity of human life was the crowning of your creation.  You further ennobled that life when your Son became one with us in his incarnation.  Help us to realize the sacredness of human life and to respect it from the moment of conception until the last moment at death.

Give us courage to speak with truth and love and with conviction in defense of life.  Help us to extend the gentle hand of mercy and forgiveness to those who do not reverence your gift of life.  To all, grant pardon for the times we have failed to be grateful for your precious gift of life or to respect it in others.  We ask this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

St. John Paul II,  Evangelim Vitae,  paragraph 6

Evangelium Vitae (25 March 1995)

Today’s reading from First Timothy sounds almost like a coach getting his team ready for the big game.  This coach has much higher goals than a home run or a touchdown.  Instead of pursuing a league championship, he seeks faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  How about us?  Are we in the game or on the sidelines?  Let’s look at what Coach Paul is talking about.

Faith is a relationship with the Lord in which we imitate Jesus’ outlook on life, His teachings, and His love of God.  We struggle with his commands to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek, to forgive all wrongs, and to take up our cross each day.  As Paul would say, we are “competing well for the faith.”

We pursue love by listening to the Gospel, in which Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who was only concerned with his own comfort.  Jesus says that if we truly understood the prophets, such as the one in our first reading from Amos, we would not spend all our energy and wealth on ourselves.

As we learn to let go of our need to have everything go our way, we become more patient with people who disagree with us, or with frustrations and problems.  We learn to see God in our setbacks as well as in our successes.  Experiencing the Lord is the championship we want.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

The parable in today’s Gospel has a crooked steward who is commended by his master for being prudent, or clever, trying to protect himself.  Jesus wanted us to be just as clever in serving the Lord.  Let’s look at the first two readings and how they challenge us to do more.

The reading from Amos talks about those “who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor” (Amos 8:4).  The challenge here is to ask yourself, “What do I do for the poor?”  Most parishes have organizations to help the needy and are happy to get volunteers.  Do you ever think of praying for the poor?

Speaking of prayer, our second reading also challenges us to do more.  Paul recommends prayers for “kings and for all in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2).  It’s easy to pray for friends and family; how much time do we give to praying for government leaders and executives?  Paul reminds us that God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), sinners as well as saints, terrorists and embezzlers, atheists and agnostics.  I’ll bet you don’t spend much time praying for the “bad guys.”  Yet Jesus said, “Love your enemies.  Pray for those who hurt you”  (Matthew 5:44).  I can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone say that was their favorite Bible passage.  But if Jesus expects more from those who love him, who are we to let him down?

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

St. Paul must have understood today’s Gospel very well.  Like Jesus, he knew what being a disciple would cost.  It landed him in prison. Also like Jesus, he is not afraid to ask others to take that discipleship seriously.  And he is not ashamed to ask a favor: Would Philemon accept his runaway slave, Onesimus, back into his home?  Not just as a slave, but as a member of his family.

In the Gospel, Jesus talks about the cost of discipleship.  Paul takes that a step further—he reminds us to accept that cost freely.  He could have ordered his friend to free the slave.  Instead of giving an order, he called Philemon to respond to his request freely.  Perhaps we can learn from that example.

Like Paul, when Jesus commands us to love one another, he leaves us free to accept that challenge.   Remember, he always says, “Love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34).  Jesus was never compelled to cure anyone or forgive their sins.  Yet how often do we go to church because we were told we have to?  Do we volunteer for the picnic only because the pastor twists our arm?

We can live life just doing what we have to.  Or when Jesus offers us a new motive—love for God because God loves us—we can choose to follow him freely.  Let us ask the Spirit to fill us with the freedom to love.

Tom Schmidt

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

While the first reading from Sirach and the Gospel focus on humility, with a surprise reversal of the humble being exalted, the reading from Hebrews surprises us in a different way. The author uses apocalyptic imagery to show how much the relationship between God and humanity has changed. He starts with images of fire, storms, and trumpet blasts—images that may remind you of an erupting volcano. Even God’s words brought fear and trembling.

It may not be surprising that God is beyond human comprehension, but Hebrews says no. God doesn’t want to be so far beyond us that we only approach in fear. Using more images from the end-time, the author gives us a picture of the baptized partying with angels and all the just who have died. And of course God is the host. Let’s look at some of those images to see how our relationship with the Lord has grown.

The heavenly Jerusalem reminds us that the Church is our home—not just your parish church building but the whole community of faith. How “at home” are you with your fellow parishioners? A church community can be a place to support those who are sick or jobless or depressed. It is also a place to be supported, to see God’s love in action. The angels in Hebrews may be a symbol of that support.

The “firstborn” and “spirits of the just” could remind us of those who went before us and now rest in the Lord. They had their own struggles in life, and now live in glory. They help us to keep our true goal in mind, eternal life.

Jesus came to show us how much God loves us and how close God can be. When he shed his blood on the cross (the final sign in our reading), he renewed the covenant with God’s people. We accept that gift not just by a verbal statement of faith, but by a life lived as Jesus showed us, in love of God and our neighbor.

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Don’t you love it when the underdog wins?  When the Cardinals beat the Yankees for the championship or the Blues beat the Redwings, or the Rams beat anyone?  Even when I watch a game with no St. Louis teams playing, I still like to root for the underdog.  That is what I like about today’s Gospel: the last will be first and the first will be last.

Some say that Jesus was talking about the leaders of the Jews, the scribes and Pharisees.  These refused to follow Jesus, while ordinary Jews who did not feel threatened by Jesus’ teaching became disciples.

In a way, you can understand why the leaders rejected Jesus.  They made a nice living out of the offerings made by ordinary Jews.  And who could argue with them?  They worked for God.   How dare Jesus say that they would be cast out, while people from the rest of the world would enter the Kingdom of God!

And how about us? Remember that the Gospel was not written for non-believers.  Are we threatened by Jesus’ message?  Just as the scribes and Pharisees considered themselves important in God’s eyes because of their office, do we consider ourselves “saved” because we call ourselves Christians?  Are we generous to the poor, or just to our friends?  Do we follow our consciences, or do we follow the crowd?

Entry into the Kingdom of God is not a fashion statement.  We don’t get there by looking good.  We are invited by Jesus to be last on earth so we can be first in the Kingdom.

style=”padding-left: 200px;”>Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Jesus said in today’s Gospel, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” He is anxious for the whole world to experience the fire of the Holy Spirit, not just two thousand years ago, but today as well.

When we are blazing with the Holy Spirit, we can change the world. But first, we must be transformed by that fire. We can live a good life without being transformed, but we cannot set the world on fire. We cannot help others be transformed by God’s grace. It must begin with us.

What might that look like? It could be a miraculous moment like Paul being knocked down and hearing the voice of God (Acts 9). More common is a gradual movement of God that opens our eyes so we can see the world differently. Scripture comes alive and has more meaning. We see the most difficult people in our lives with compassion and charity. We notice crude language and immorality around us and reject it. We confidently talk about our faith and what God is doing in us, for us, and through us. Worship has meaning and is no longer an obligation, but a hunger. We desire holiness and virtue. We are filled with supernatural joy and peace and others notice. That’s transformation and it is thrilling!

When you are transformed, the people you live with may not be so thrilled. They stay the same and wonder what’s wrong with you. Some might ignore your transformation. Others will avoid you or reject you. Still others will argue with you about it. In the same Gospel passage, Jesus tells us that He will bring division. If you suddenly reject worldly values and success, your spouse may not be happy about that. Your parents might worry that you won’t be able to support your family. Your kids might not like the new restrictions you set on technology. There is conflict, accusation, rejection, complaining, threats, and sometimes separation. Jesus warned us.

Division is caused by Satan, not Jesus. He wants all people to be saved. He wants to open our minds to the truth, but some don’t want to hear it. Does that mean we should stifle the Holy Spirit? Never! We have to love God more. We have to pray and fast for those who have not yet been transformed. We have to ask the Holy Spirit to give us holy boldness and prudence.

We can and should ask for more fire. God is always willing to give more. Are you willing to receive it? Be open to the blazing fire of the Spirit. Your transformation will help others open their hearts, minds and souls to God as well.

By Colleen Orchanian, Diocesan Publications

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about being prepared, using the parable of the servants waiting for their master’s return from a wedding.  Parables usually have a surprise twist, and this one is no exception.  Jesus pictures the master coming back at a late hour and finding the servants ready for him.  The master is so pleased that he begins to wait on the servants—he serves them a meal. (I can almost hear the disciples saying, “No way!”)

Perhaps Peter was thinking, “Surely, we will be prepared when Jesus comes again.  He must be talking about the rest of the people.”  To answer Peter’s question, Jesus warns that the servant who knew his duties would be punished more than one who was ignorant of those expectations.  Peter and the disciples should have seen themselves as the servants who knew what was expected.

That warning is one for us to also hear.  We may look down on non-Christians or wonder if they will get to heaven.  But the Lord doesn’t expect as much from those who don’t know God. Instead of judging them, we would be better off looking at ourselves.  Am I serious about my faith, serious enough to show it in my actions?  Has my good example ever brought a non-believer to the Church?

There are examples of this even in your own parish.  If you have been in the parish for many years, you could be expected to notice a newcomer more readily.  How do you welcome them? “So how much does Jesus expect of me?”  The answer could be in how well you know Jesus.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

The second reading from the Letter to the Colossians goes well with the first reading and the Gospel.  Those passages warn about how useless material wealth will be when we die.  St. Paul continues this warning by reminding us that we have already died with Christ in baptism and risen to new life.  To live this new life we must put to death whatever tendencies keep us from Christ.

Wealth can be a gift from God.  The abuse is not necessarily in the possession of wealth.  More likely, we abuse wealth in the way we attain it.  How does that happen?  I can give an obvious answer, such as robbing a bank.  Instead, do I work a full day for my pay, or do I spend a lot of time visiting with other employees or texting my friends?  Am I honest with my customers, charging only for work I have done?

As for using our wealth, we usually think of family first.  Do we spoil our kids, so they can “have the things I couldn’t afford when I was young”?  Or do we teach them to work for what they get?  Do we teach our children to be generous to others?

Notice that Paul goes deeper, pointing out the thoughts and desires that lead to a life centered on wealth.  In baptism, we put to death passion and greed, tendencies that push us to own more or to control another person.  Paul uses the image of taking off these vices as if they were clothing and putting on a new self that shows Christ in us.  We begin to see Christ in others, for as Paul says, “Christ is all and in all” (Colossians 3:11).

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Jesus talks about praying for whatever we need with faith and confidence, but he ends by asking, “How much more with the Father . . . give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 1:13).  Is he saying there are limits to what we can ask for?

“Be careful what you ask for,” the saying warns.  Just because we want something doesn’t mean it will be good for us.  But if we have enough faith to pray for something, we probably will not pray for anything evil.   What is Jesus really saying?  He is giving us two lessons about prayer.

First, he assures us that God does hear our prayers and answers them.  Many people take “ask and you shall receive” so literally that they expect God to do their bidding no matter what they want.  But God is free to do what is best for us, free to answer some prayers with a no when what we seek is against God’s will.  Maybe our first prayer should be to ask God to show us what we really need.

That leads us to the second lesson: prayer changes us, not God.  If we truly pray as Jesus prayed, we would say, “Not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).  It’s not easy to change our minds about what we want or need.  To change our desires from selfish to holy takes a lot of power, the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was raised from the dead by that power and we will be, too (Romans 8:11).  When Jesus promises that the Father will give the Spirit to us for asking, the Spirit is both the source of and the answer to our prayers.  Let us ask the Spirit to empower us to desire and pray for what we really need.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

There’s a different pace to a summer Sunday, especially on those days when we dream of air conditioning and wave any available paper to stir the air.  Yet we persist in gathering, even with so many breaks from the usual routines.  We distance ourselves not only from routines, but from schedules and familiar well-worn paths.  These are playful days and contemplative days.  We see long-lost friends and visit almost-forgotten places.  We have more leisure than any people before in the history of the world, and we need it because our lives are so care-worn and tiring.  More of us walk barefoot and look up at the stars or dip our toes in the lake or sea, sing around campfires, read novels on the beach, and eat comfort food with our fingers.  We see how beautiful life can be, and are more aware than usual of how God is always breaking in with signs of love.

In Genesis today, Abraham and Sarah practice hospitality to their visitors, who turn out to be God dropping in.  During the summer months, God practices hospitality in return, inviting us into a season of celebration.  Keeping Sunday holy is a good habit to cultivate in these days when our spirits are especially receptive to God’s deep desire for us to know divine love.

James Field, Diocesan Publications

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

As the saying goes, ignorance of the law is no excuse. That is what Moses is telling the people in the first reading.  The laws of God are not difficult to understand.   Anyone with a conscience should be able to live with them.

By the time of Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees had added many more laws.  The scholar who questioned Jesus about eternal life knew what was important: loving God with all your being and loving your neighbor as yourself.  If he had stopped there, he would have been all right.  But by asking “Who is my neighbor?” he implied that there are limits to love.

Even today, we find people making excuses for not doing what God asks of us.  We judge people who need help, saying they choose to be poor or homeless.  We sign our kids up for so many sports that we don’t even go to church on Sundays.  Before you start beating yourself up with guilt, remember that God expects us to take care of our families, to spend time with our children, and even to take time to rest and relax.  If we are willing to look at our lives and bring them to God, asking for guidance, we are making the first steps to keep God’s law of love.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

There seems to be a lot of rejoicing in today’s readings.  Isaiah talks about rejoicing with Jerusalem.  The Gospel shows the disciples rejoicing when they came back from visiting towns to tell about the Kingdom.  St. Paul is happy to be suffering for Christ.  What is the reason for such joy?

The readings make clear that it is not a result of our efforts. Isaiah writes that “the Lord’s power shall be known to his servants” (Isaiah 66:14).  Jesus tells his disciples not to rejoice that they cast out demons, but “because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).  In other words, we are to rejoice over all the Lord has done for us, not what we have done for him.

Does that sound like false humility?  No, when we do anything for others, we can honestly say that God does the real work.  Knowing that frees us from expecting everyone to be happy and from assuming that everything we do for others will be successful.  Instead of being discouraged when we seem to fail, we can trust that God’s plan is working in ways we just can’t see.

St. Paul has a similar theme in the second reading.  You would think he would be proud of all the converts he made or the people he cured.  He boasts only about his suffering because that is how he is most like Jesus.  He sees all of his accomplishments as the work of God.  All three readings remind us that what changes our lives and changes the world is not how hard we work or how holy we are; what really makes the difference is how much God loves us.  That is the real reason to rejoice.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070625.cfm

As if his own life, his teachings about God’s love, his miracles, his death and resurrection were not enough, Jesus told us something about God that we never would have imagined: There are three Persons in one God.  It is also something we cannot completely comprehend.  Instead of trying to explain it, let’s look at what it means for us believers.

One thing it shows is that God wants to be known by us.  In ancient times, people would expect their gods to be mysterious and hidden.  Many cultures thought that you could control a spirit or god if you knew its name.  God sees us not as a threat, but as beloved children.  Just as a couple falling in love wants to know everything about each other, so God wants to be known by those whom God loves.  That leads to my second point.

The Trinity also shows us that “God is love” (1 John 4:16) because the three Persons are united in one God.  God calls us to be united in love with God and with each other.  Remember that God knows us perfectly and still loves us.  Yet knowing our weaknesses and sins does not hurt God’s love for us.  On the contrary, our weaknesses allow God to help us by forgiving sins or inspiring someone to come to our assistance.  We may not be able to grasp the full meaning of the Holy Trinity, but knowing that God shares this with faithful people helps us to love God even more.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity | USCCB

Mental healthcare professionals will tell you that constantly looking back on the past leads to depression and constantly looking toward the future causes anxiety.  God’s grace is not in the future.  God’s grace is not in the past. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present” (Bill Keane).

What moment do we find ourselves in right now?  We are on the cusp of the holy season of Lent.  We are standing on the edge of the precipice, looking at the spiritual disciplines that lie before us, getting ready to sink or swim.
Our second reading says: “When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: Death is swallowed up in victory.”  What exactly does that mean?  We must allow ourselves to be changed, to be transformed.  We who were once corruptible, must now flee from sinfulness.  We who were once dead in our sins can be brought to everlasting life in Christ’s forgiveness.

And who is the victor over death?  It is Christ who swallows it up through His death.  God could simply say the word and we would all be saved, but He chose to send His Son and He chose to require our cooperation.  “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.”

And so it was that God Almighty sent the most unfathomable present to us here and now, our very own Teacher.  His grace is with us in this moment, leading, guiding and loving.  Let us receive this gift and open our hearts to all the lessons and graces He has in store for us today.

Tami Urcia, Diocesan Publications

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

We find ourselves in the midst of a short, seven-and-a-half-week stint of Ordinary Time.  It can seem like we are somewhat lost in time – no longer in the Christmas season and not yet in the throes of Lent.  How can we not grow stagnant in our walk of faith during this time?

A friend once told me that Ordinary Time was his favorite season of all.  He shared that, just as the liturgical color green indicates, Ordinary Time is a season of growth.  As we muddle through the mundane, tackle the trivial and battle the boredom, we are invited to continue blossoming and blooming.

In today’s first reading, Saul finds himself in a jealous rage and wishes to extinguish David, while David’s men encourage him to obliterate Saul.  But when afforded the opportunity to retaliate, he refused to lay a finger on the Lord’s anointed one.  He acquiesced to God rather than anger.

Jesus puts the actions of David into words, saying: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you… Do to others as you would have them do to you…and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.”  Sounds selfless and saintly and… super hard.  To act in a way that gains no reward, not even a tiny bit of dopamine, sounds just horrible.

Yet we live for the promise of a different kind of reward together: “Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Highest… gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing…”  So let us shake off the ordinariness of this time and dive into the growth, so that our heavenly reward may be overflowing.

Tami Urcia, Diocesan Publications

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In Luke’s version of the Beatitudes, he has only four blessings and he adds four woes.  Did you notice that all the things that we work forty or more hours a week to give to our family are considered “woes”?  So is Jesus saying we should not have savings for the future, food for the kids, a happy, safe environment, or a good reputation?

I suspect that the disciples and the others listening to Jesus wondered the same thing.  The values of this world are not necessarily the values of God’s Kingdom.  Jesus himself is the extreme example of reversing worldly values: His death was not a tragic ending, but the saving action that brought us forgiveness and new life in the Resurrection.

So how do we experience the blessings of the poor, the hungry, the mourning, or the unpopular?  Do we have the faith to let go of self-reliance and to trust in Jesus?  How much money does it take to meet the needs of our family?  Are we really helping our children if we give them anything they want?  We buy them nice clothing; do we teach them to see Jesus in others?  How can we say this is all too idealistic, and still claim to believe in the Resurrection?

I don’t expect everyone to go around saying “woe is me.”  Some of the happiest people are those who live simple lives of faith and trust in God.  When we learn to trust the Lord and love one another, we not only can see Jesus in the poor or the lonely, he can also be seen in us.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

For a humble guy, St. Paul really tells it like it is.  Paul lists those witnesses who actually saw the risen Jesus, last and least of these being Paul himself.  Now we are used to thinking of Paul as one of the greatest apostles, even though we know he once persecuted Christians.   You might think he is being overly humble, like someone fishing for a compliment.  No, Paul is only interested in making sure the Corinthians understand just how much God has done.

Besides being “born abnormally” (1 Corinthians 15:8), that is, coming to follow Christ in such an unusual way, he felt unworthy because of so many Christians he hurt before his conversion.  Yet he turns that unworthiness into an example of how much God has done through him.  He can say that he worked harder than any other apostle because of God’s grace, not Paul’s strength.

In today’s Gospel, Peter has a similar experience.  He was a fisherman who knew his business and knew that some days, the fish just weren’t there.  When they caught enough fish to fill both boats, he realized that his pride was sinful.  He was unworthy to receive such bounty from the Lord.  And yet Jesus tells him that “you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10).

How many of us are like Peter and Paul, thinking we know just what our place in the world is, relying on our own strengths to do our jobs?  They found Jesus calling them to a much more challenging life.  Do we have the courage to listen to God’s call to serve?

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is not only the first miracle in John’s Gospel—it is also John’s first mention of Jesus’ mother.  I used to find it odd that he addressed her as “Woman.”  But in that time the word was more respectful; it could even be affectionate.  Jesus does help as his mother requested, but he does so in a way that is a lesson about God’s love.

You have probably heard how the Jewish people in Jesus’ time performed purification rituals before eating anything.  The cleansings were a sign that they wanted to be like God, completely free from sin.  Eventually, it came to mean that you could not approach God until you cleansed yourself.  Jesus could have made the wine in bottles or wineskins.  But he used the “six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings” (John 2:6).  That meant that once they were full of wine, no one could wash themselves from the jars.  I wonder how many Pharisees flipped out when they saw that.

The point of this is that no one can cleanse themselves.  We don’t purify ourselves in order to come to God—we come to God to be purified.  God is the only one who can make us holy.  God offers this to sinners, especially because sinners who know they need forgiveness are the only ones to receive it.  God never forces mercy on anyone.  It is offered to those who ask for it. the amount of wine symbolizes the extent of God’s mercy.  As there was now more than enough wine for the wedding, God has more than enough mercy for those who need it.  Wine is also a symbol of joy in the Old Testament.  There is no greater joy than knowing that you have been forgiven by the Lord.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Jesus confirms that there will be an end.

Nothing will remain but His words will not pass away.

It requires that we keep all things in perspective.

It is now near the end of the liturgical year.  We should take time to remember what the Gospel has taught us.

Will we take some time to reflect on what we have heard and experienced?

Since we do not know when, are we ready now?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111421.cfm

I always thought it took a lot of nerve for Elijah to beg that poor woman for a meal. . It would be easier to understand if we heard the verse before this reading begins: God tells the prophet that he has “commanded a widow…to feed you.” (1Kgs 17:9)

Now the widow was not aware of this command. But she does as Elijah asked. That took even more faith than Elijah showed. She shows us that we are obeying God’s commands when we trust him. Most of those commands come not from a vision, but from someone’s cry for help.

I wonder how many good people have passed up a chance to do God’s will because they didn’t hear directly from God what to do. When you hear that a tornado destroyed a nearby neighborhood, do you hear God asking you to help? Do you hear God’s voice when you read in the bulletin that the food pantry is running low?

And if you do hear God calling in these examples, how do you respond? Do you have the faith of the woman whose few cents were all that she had. It takes a lot of courage to trust God completely. Do you have what it takes?

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

According to Jesus, the first commandment is to love God with heart, mind, soul, and strength.  This is usually taken to mean loving God with your whole being.  But it wouldn’t hurt to look at the modern meanings of those words to see how we can apply them.

The heart is the symbol of our desires and love.   To love God with all your heart can mean recognizing God as the one source of your life. That means you love God above everything and everyone. How many of us can say we would rather spend time with God, than with our friends, family, or loved ones?

To love God with all your mind can mean that you never stop thinking of God.  You can ask God to help you any time you decide, whether it is what to watch next on TV, or what to do for a living.  The better you know God, the more likely you will hear God in your decisions.  You can get to know God through the scriptures and other spiritual readings.

If the soul is the center of your spiritual life, then loving God with all your soul can remind you to listen to God when you pray.  You might remember how annoying it can be to converse with someone who does all the talking.  At first, it is easy, but eventually, you get nervous because you have things you would like to say.   Think of that when you pray; give God a chance to put in a few words, too.

Finally, to love God with all your strength can mean you put as much energy into loving God as you do with exercising, doing your day job, cleaning the house, or mowing the lawn.  Remember that no matter how hard you work for the Lord, God loves you even more than you love Him.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm

When you think of Jesus, what do you think was his job?  Healer of the sick, the lame and the blind, as in today’s gospel?  The second reading from Hebrews reminds us of his main duty: It calls him a High Priest.  He would offer the most important sacrifices and so appeal to God for forgiveness of the peoples’ sins.

The high priest offered sacrifice for his own sins, as well as the peoples’.  While Jesus did not sin, he experienced temptations just as we do and so can intercede for us as one who knows what it is like to be tempted.  If you ever wonder if you deserve to be forgiven, remember that Jesus died for all sinners, deserving or not.  Like the high priest, Jesus also brings our prayers to his Father and shows us the Father’s love.

Our baptism gives us a share in that priesthood.  You don’t have to be ordained to pray for your friends and family.  When you listen to a friend who is hurting, or forgive someone who hurts you, you are blessing them with God’s love.  When you encourage them to have faith and trust in the Lord, you are bringing them to God.  You are sharing in the priesthood of Christ.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Though Mark’s gospel does not have the washing of the disciples’ feet found in the gospel of John, today’s passage has a similar message.  While James and John seem to be close friends of Jesus, they obviously have not learned what it means to follow him.  Jesus doesn’t promise worldly glory, but he does promise a share in his suffering.  Imagine their surprise when he told them that the greatest of them would be the ones who served the rest.

They probably did not know what Jesus meant about their being baptized in death as Jesus would.  But then how many people today know that leadership is a form of service?  Whether you are head of a family, or of a nation, you were given that authority by God.  And God expects leaders to direct those under them and inspire and encourage them to do better.

This connection of leadership and service is all-inclusive. A manager is called to help his employees do their jobs better, not by badgering, but by giving the support they need. Military leaders must support their troops with respect and discipline. God specially calls Church leaders to service their flock: to protect the weakest members, to give an example of Jesus’ love to all, and to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in both clergy and laity. Anyone who lives a life of loving service can be “greatest” in the Kingdom of God.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

The first reading is supposed to remind us of Solomon, choosing wisdom over wealth or power.  In the scriptures, wisdom means doing God’s will in all things.  As Jesus tried to tell the man in the gospel, knowing and doing God’s will is more precious than wealth, or even family!

So if wisdom is that good, why do so few seek it?  Most of us have no problem doing God’s will, as long as it is the same as ours.  Or we do God’s will if it is painless and convenient. Sometimes we are like that man in the gospel, desiring wisdom but not willing to pay for it.

Maybe our problem is that we don’t trust God enough.  The first reading, after praising wisdom more than health, wealth, and beauty, ends with a promise of “countless riches” while Jesus promises that the one who gives up everything will receive “a hundred times more.”  Because the rich man left in sorrow, he missed the punch line.

I can think of two ways to interpret that promise.  One is that the more we give up for the love of the Lord, the more we get back. The other is finding that what truly makes us happy is knowing we are loved by God and responding with love for others.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB