Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Lost and Found

 

September 12, 2010 Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 15: 1-10 The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. "Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Introductory Prayer Lord Jesus, I believe that you came into this world to redeem sinners. I hope in you, and in your power to transform my soul, by your grace, from sinfulness to holiness. Lord, I love you and offer you the longings of my heart to put you truly first in my life. I want to love you with all my mind, heart, soul and strength. Petition Lord, save me from my sinful habits and help me grow in virtue. 1. “This Man Welcomes Sinners and Eats with Them” Jesus is willing to sit down and share a meal with me. In other words, my Lord and Redeemer overlooks my unworthiness in order to speak with me. This attracts my attention. I know my guilt yet I do not feel judged, and so I draw near and listen to him. In so many of my misguided actions, I have sought personal benefits which I do not deserve. I accept, even demand favors from those around me, while hypocritically not respecting their needs or the common good. Often there is no difference between my lifestyle and that of a “tax collector” or “sinner.” Still, Jesus is willing to lower himself and share a meal at my table, despite the criticism and rebuke he receives on my account. I can connect with him at his level, since he has lowered himself to mine, in order to lift me up. 2. “Rejoice with Me Because I Have Found My Lost Sheep” For Christ, every soul has value. Every soul has been created through him, in God’s image and likeness. No sin, while this time of mercy lasts, can escape the reach of the Redeemer’s infinite love. Christ has shed his blood and passed through death in order to save those souls who have died in their sins, and he restores them to life. All that I have to do is hear his shepherd’s voice that calls out to me and finds me where I am. I need only to let myself be found, let him take me up in his arms, let him dispel my darkness and fear by the warmth of his love, and let him return me to the fold. 3. “Rejoice with Me Because I Have Found The Coin That I Lost” In Christ, there is communion. No Christian is left to stand alone. God’s grace in a soul radiates out to others. This is one of the most beautiful fruits wrought by Christ’s redemption: A soul is brought into union with his Mystical Body. Communion between the members of Christ’s Body produces joy, and I am meant to proclaim it. In the same way that others rejoice whenever the light of God’s grace shines in my soul through good works (Cf. Matthew 5:16), so too, I should lift praise to God whenever I discover his goodness in others. “Jesus himself called his disciples after his Resurrection: ‘Go and tell my brethren.’ We are brethren not by nature, but by the gift of grace, because that adoptive filiation gains us a real share in the life of the only Son, which was fully revealed in his Resurrection.” Conversation with Christ Lord, you do not judge or discriminate against me, so long as I am willing to listen to your voice and respond to your promptings. Please continue to grant me your merciful grace, so that your call to holiness will triumph in the life of my soul. Let me rejoice with others. Resolution Today I will consciously choose to exercise a virtue that will help me break one of my sinful habits. Challenge Today, consciously choose to exercise a virtue that will help you break one of your sinful habits. Catholic.net

 

 

 

THE WORD: Know the Tree by Its Fruits

September 11, 2010

Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 6:43-49

Jesus said to his disciples: "A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed."

Introductory Prayer

Lord, here I am again spending time in prayer. I am going to meditate on your word. I do not want to be one of those people who cries out “Lord, Lord” but never does what you say. You know too well how weak I am, how many times I have trusted in my own strength and left you to one side. I come to you today in humility to ask for your light and your grace.
 

Petition

Lord, help me to build my life on a firm foundation.

1. Good Fruit from a Good Tree

How will we know what lies deep down in our souls? We will know from the kind of fruit we produce. If our lives are examples of charity, faith, patience and honesty, we know that our soul is healthy and strong. If our lives are examples of anger, envy, lust, selfishness or laziness, then we know that there is a weak and sickly soul inside. If we want to change, we cannot simply try to change the appearances – to put on a nice face or pretend to be a good person. Sooner or later the mask will fall, because it is only hiding something rotten inside. We must change from within, go deep down to the root of our defects, heal our soul in the sacrament of penance, and work to build a life of virtue from the very foundation.

2. False Security

When the sun is shining and all is calm, a house built on a weak foundation seems very strong and sturdy. It is hard to believe that it will not withstand the force of rain, wind and floods. We sometimes have a false security in our lives when all is going well. When there are no big temptations, when the trials and difficulties of life are small and easily overcome, we can convince ourselves that we are on solid ground. We can be lulled into thinking that our spiritual life is strong and that we will never fall into sin as we have in the past. We must be careful and very objective because this may be a false security.

3. The Test

The true test of the foundation comes when the rain starts, the wind blows and the floodwaters rise. The test of our spiritual lives comes with temptations, difficulties, disappointments and trials. If we have built our spiritual lives on a firm foundation of virtue, self-denial and union with God, it does not matter how hard the floods come down against us: We will stand firm. We must keep in mind that in the moment of the flood we will not be able to go out to fix the foundation. It will be too late. We must work on building a strong foundation while the sun is shining so we will be ready for the test. We must act on the words of Christ now, in this moment, while there still is time.

Conversation with Christ

Lord, do not let me be lulled into a false sense of security just because my life is not so difficult in this moment. I want to be ready for the test. I want to be ready when the floods come. Help me to work today to strengthen the foundation of my spiritual life. Help me to grow in virtue.

Resolution

I will concentrate today on practicing one virtue that I know I need to work on.

Challenge

Concentrate today on practicing one virtue that you know you need to work on.







Father Daniel Polzer
Catholic.net

Bkg. by LovingHim
Christian Backgrounds

THE WORD: Prayer and Action

September 7, 2010 Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Luke 6: 12-19 Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all. Introductory Prayer God the Father, thank you for the gift of creation, including my own life. God the Son, thank you for redeeming me at the price of your own Body and Blood. God the Holy Spirit, thank you for being the sweet guest of my soul, enlightening my mind, strengthening my spirit and kindling the fire of your love in my heart. Petition Call me to you, Lord Jesus, and remind me of my personal mission. 1. A Place and a Time for Prayer Frequently the Gospel tells me that Jesus prayed to his Father. What was his prayer like? First, he sought out a place that is appropriate for praying. Secondly, he dedicated a significant amount of time to prayer. I can see him climbing a mountain in order to spend an entire night in prayer. I can certainly learn from my Lord’s example. Imitating him, my prayer life can be enriched. 2. A Special Calling Perhaps Jesus’ prayer is a bit longer than usual on this occasion. When there is an important decision to be made, he consults his Father to know his will. He does not improvise when calling twelve of his followers to be his apostles, his “sent ones,” his representatives. When Jesus calls me to do a special mission for his Kingdom, he also ensures that it accords with the eternal plan of the Father. 3. A Channel for God’s Grace Having spent the night in prayer, Jesus has prepared himself to give generously of himself the following day. United to his Father, the source of all good, his actions channel this goodness towards those who are enslaved to evil spirits or in need of divine healing. Of course, Jesus is God, and he has that power in himself by his own right. However, he wants to give me an example of how to be a branch united to the vine, in order to produce fruit that will last. Conversation with Christ   Lord, I do not know how to pray as I ought. Teach me how to pray: to prepare a place and to set aside some time exclusively for prayer. So often I act without praying, relying only on my own ingenuity and intelligence. Make me see that I need your wisdom. Help me to ensure, through prayer, that my actions are conformed to your will. Resolution I will strive to offer at least one spontaneous prayer to God today, amid the activities of my daily life. Challenge Offer at least one spontaneous prayer to God today. Father Patrick Butler, LC Catholic.net

 

THE WORD: Do Good, Always and Everywhere

September 6, 2010
Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
 





Luke 6: 6-11

On a certain Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up and stand before us." And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Looking around at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.



Introductory Prayer

God the Father, thank you for the gift of creation, including my own life. God the Son, thank you for redeeming me at the price of your own Body and Blood. God the Holy Spirit, thank you for being the sweet guest of my soul, enlightening my mind, strengthening my spirit, and kindling the fire of your love in my heart.



Petition

Lord, make me a magnanimous, great-hearted person, one who always desires the good of others.

1. Teaching and Doing
When Jesus speaks, he convinces those of good will who are present. The people commented that Jesus spoke convincingly, not like the Pharisees. That’s because Jesus preached only what he was willing to put into practice himself. He practices what he preaches. This is my Teacher and Master, who speaks of compassion and shows it. This is he who lowers himself to washing his followers’ feet at the Last Supper because he wants me to do the same.

2. Doing Good, Regardless of What Others Think
Jesus is omniscient, knowing even what others are thinking. He often chides the Pharisees, because he sees their nitpicking and pettiness. They are guides of the people, yet they stand aloof from their needs and constrain the people to follow many rules that they themselves do not fulfill. Jesus sees a person in need whom he can help. Although he sees around him many critics scrutinizing his words and actions, nothing will keep him from doing this good deed. When I feel the weight of others’ eyes upon me, can I still practice charity regardless of what they think?

3. Saving Life
There is a culture of death and a culture of life in this Gospel. The judgments of the Pharisees make them critical of Jesus to the point that they become enraged. Eventually, they will plot to kill Jesus. They couldn’t care less about the plight of the man Jesus heals. Jesus speaks the words of life in the synagogue. He enriches life through healing. I must learn from Jesus how to be a beacon of light and life amid the divisive culture of egoism and death that surrounds me.



Conversation with Christ

Lord, you can read my heart, as you read the hearts of the Pharisees. I also have a tendency to be critical and not always constructive. Make my heart be more like yours, desiring good, and being generous despite the criticisms that might come my way.



Resolution

I will strive to perceive the needs of another person today, someone in particular. Then, I will seek to do what I can to help that person, if possible in a way that does not draw attention to myself.



Challenge

Strive to recognize the needs of another person today.







Father Patrick Butler, LC
Catholic.net


♥ ♥ ♥

Bkg. Courtesy of Aalie
Christian Backgrounds

Sonntags-Evangelium nach Lukas- u. Kommentar 05.09.10

Evangelium nach Lukas 14,25-33.

Viele Menschen begleiteten ihn; da wandte er sich an sie und sagte: Wenn jemand zu mir kommt und nicht Vater und Mutter, Frau und Kinder, Brüder und Schwestern, ja sogar sein Leben gering achtet, dann kann er nicht mein Jünger sein. Wer nicht sein Kreuz trägt und mir nachfolgt, der kann nicht mein Jünger sein. Wenn einer von euch einen Turm bauen will, setzt er sich dann nicht zuerst hin und rechnet, ob seine Mittel für das ganze Vorhaben ausreichen? Sonst könnte es geschehen, daß er das Fundament gelegt hat, dann aber den Bau nicht fertigstellen kann. Und alle, die es sehen, würden ihn verspotten und sagen: Der da hat einen Bau begonnen und konnte ihn nicht zu Ende führen. Oder wenn ein König gegen einen anderen in den Krieg zieht, setzt er sich dann nicht zuerst hin und überlegt, ob er sich mit seinen zehntausend Mann dem entgegenstellen kann, der mit zwanzigtausend gegen ihn anrückt? Kann er es nicht, dann schickt er eine Gesandtschaft, solange der andere noch weit weg ist, und bittet um Frieden. Darum kann keiner von euch mein Jünger sein, wenn er nicht auf seinen ganzen Besitz verzichtet. 

Auszug aus der liturgischen Übersetzung der Bibel 

*************************

Kommentar des heutigen Evangeliums 

Hl. Johannes Kassian (um 360 - 435), Klostergründer in Marseille 

Konferenzen, I, 6-7 

Gott unseren wahren Schatz anbieten

Einige, die beträchtliches Vermögen, enorme Gold- und Silbermengen und herrliche Landgüter verachtet haben, um Christus nachzufolgen, haben sich nachher von einem Radiermesser, von einer Ahle, von einer Nadel, von einer Schreibfeder ergreifen lassen... Nachdem sie alle ihre Reichtümer aus Liebe zu Christus verteilt haben, lassen sie sich von ihrer alten Leidenschaft zurückhalten und geben sich mit Nichtigkeiten ab, schnell zum Zorn bereit, wenn es sie zu verteidigen gilt. Weil sie nicht die Liebe besitzen, von der der hl. Paulus spricht, wurde ihr Leben mit Unfruchtbarkeit geschlagen. Der selige Apostel hat dieses Unglück vorhergesehen: «Und wenn ich meine ganze Habe verschenkte zur Nahrung für die Armen und meinen Leib den Flammen übergäbe, aber die Liebe nicht habe, nützt es mir nichts.» (vgl. 1 Kor 13,3). Das ist ein sicherer Beweis dafür, dass man nicht in einem Handschlag vollkommen wird einzig durch den Verzicht auf jeden Reichtum und die Verachtung von Ehren, wenn man nicht auch jene Liebe übt, deren verschiedene Seiten der Apostel beschreibt.
Sie kann jedoch nur in der Reinheit des Herzens gedeihen. Denn wenn man auch die Lust, den Zorn und die Zügellosigkeit verwirft, sich nicht an der Ungerechtigkeit freut, das Böse nicht nachträgt und vieles andere mehr (vgl. 1 Kor 13,4-5), was ist das anderes, als Gott ohne Unterbrechung ein vollkommenes und reines Herz darzubieten und es vor jeder Leidenschaft unversehrt zu bewahren? Die Reinheit des Herzens also ist es, die wir als letztes Ziel unserer Taten und unserer Wünsche ansehen.

**********************