July, 2010

Thursday, July 1 (Amos 7: 10-17; Mt 9: 1-8)
The crowds missed the clue to Jesus’ identity. They were struck with awe that God had given such authority to a human. Do we miss the Jesus among us?

Friday, July 2 (Amos 8: 4-6, 9-12; Mt 9: 9-13)
If we feel ourselves wandering aimlessly, it is perhaps that we are not sincerely looking for the Word. Jesus’ invitation: “follow me” means all day, every day.

Saturday, July 3 Thomas, the Apostle (Eph 2: 19-22; Jn 20: 24-29)
This is the feast of the “doubting Thomas”. You and I must seek out other ways of believing in Jesus and being able to proclaim: “My Lord, and my God.”

Fourteenth Sunday, July 4 (Is 66:10-14c; Gal 6: 14-18; Lk 10: 1-12, 17-20)
Can people recognize the kingdom of God in our lives? Do we recognize the spirits working through us? Are we grateful for the milk of God’s comfort and the comfort he offers us? May we never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday, July 5 (Hos 2: 16-18, 21-22; Mt 9: 18-26)
Hear God say to you: “I will espouse you to me forever.” If we truly believe this, we know what the woman in the gospel discovered: “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Seek to do that today.

Tuesday, July 6 (Hos 8: 4-7, 11-13; Mt 9: 32-38)
As you read today’s gospel, you can’t help but wonder how abundant laborers would be if women were admitted to the priesthood.

Wednesday, July 7 (Hos 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12; Mt 10: 1-7)
It is time to seek the Lord by serving the lost sheep of the house of Israel. How might we do this?

Thursday, July 8 (Hos 11: 1-4, 8e-9; Mt 10: 7-15)
Do we know who our healer is? Do we realize that we, in turn, are called to cure the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse the lepers?

Friday, July 9 (Hos 14: 1-9; Mt 10: 16-23)
Reflect on the Lord’s judgment of Israel: “You have collapsed through your guilt.” But he also says that we can make straight the path to the Lord and walk without stumbling. Which do we choose?

Saturday, July 10 (Hos 14: 1-9; Mt 10: 16-23)
The gospel reminds us that nothing that is concealed will not be revealed, nor a secret not be known. You can’t hide from God.

Fifteenth Sunday, July 11 (Dt 30: 10-14; Col 1: 15-20; Lk 10: 25-37)
“Who is my neighbor?” How would we answer that? Consider who has been neighbor to you. Then, go and do likewise.

OR:

Feast of St. Benedict (Pro 2: 1-9; Mt 19: 27-29)
With Benedict and at his wise command, we pray today for the gift of discernment, the grace to LISTEN to all of life. Only then will we even recognize the hundredfold that is ours. HAPPY FEAST DAY!

Monday, July 12 (Is 1: 10-17; Mt 10: 34 – 11: 1)
“Hear the word of the Lord.” It is not an easy word to hear this day. “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.”

Tuesday, July 13 (Is 7: 1-9; Mt 11: 20-24)
Remain tranquil and do not fear. Repent in whatever you think is sackcloth and ashes.

Wednesday, July 14 ( Is 10: 5-7, 13-16; Mt 11: 25-27)
We don’t have to be wise and learned, but childlike, for the Father to hand over his wisdom. So not to fear if we think things are hidden from us.

Thursday, July 15 (Is 26: 7-9, 12, 16-19; Mt 11: 28-30)
“Come to me” Jesus says, who promises us rest, knowledge, and reminds us that his yoke is easy and his burden light.

Friday, July 16 (Is 38: 1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Mt 12: 1-8)
We have something greater than the temple. We ARE the temple of the living God! Not just when we are dying but all life long we are admonished to “set our house in order.”

Saturday, July 17 (Micah 2: 1-5; Mt 12: 14-21)
Wickedness is its own punishment as holiness is its own reward; “Here is my servant, my chosen, with whom I am well pleased,” says our God of those who seek to follow the path to holiness.

Sixteenth Sunday, July 18 (Gn 18: 1-10; Col 1: 24-28; Lk 10: 38-42)
Today’s readings are an invitation to reflect on how we welcome visitors. Maybe we impose our own ways upon them as Martha tried to do. Maybe we don’t realize that we are welcoming angels. Listen to Joan Chittister’s take on hospitality: “Come right in and spoil my well ordered life!”

Monday, July 19 (Micah 6: 1-4, 6-8; Mt 12: 38-42)
We have our sign. It is Jesus. Do we recognize and cherish that sign? Or do we weary the Lord with our failure to hear what God requires of us?

Tuesday, July 20 (Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20; Mt 12:46, 48-50)
Here we are, the sisters and brothers of Jesus! Do we recognize ourselves? Each other? Only if we recognize our common parent; the God who delights in showing clemency.

Wednesday, July 21 (Jer 1: 1, 4-10: Mt 13: 1-9)
Listen! The seed is to be sown with wild abandon! It’s not for us to worry about what takes root and what doesn’t. The Lord has put his Word into our mouths. We are to plant it!

Thursday, July 22 Mary Magdalene (Song 3: 1-4; Jn 20: 1-2, 11-18)
Like Mary Magdalene we have to seek our beloved. We must listen as he calls our name and understand that we do not have to cling to him because he will never let go of us!

Friday, July 23 (Jer 3: 14-17; Mt 13: 18-23)
We are to be the Arc of the Covenant, the throne of the Lord, bearing fruit in great abundance. Do you recognize yourself?

Saturday, July 24 (Jer 7; 1-11; Mt 13: 24-30)
It is not enough just to hear the Word. We must amend our ways and let God live with us. Then we will be the wheat that is gathered into the barn of eternal life.

Seventeenth Sunday, July 25 (Gn 18: 20-32; Col 2: 6-14; Lk 11: 1-13)
Paul tells us to live lives rooted in faith. We see two great examples of that in our readings today. It took a lot of faith (to say nothing of nerve) for Abraham to keep bargaining with God. But that’s what works! “Ask, search, knock.”

Monday, July 26 Sts Joachim and Anne (Jer 13: 1-11; Mt 13: 31-35)
Like these saints, our generativity allows others to bring the Word to birth. Happy are we when faith allows us to see our lives in this perspective.

Tuesday, July 27 (Jer 14: 17-22; Mt 13: 36-43)
It is not hard to identify with Jeremiah, given the present state of our world and our church. But Jesus still desires that we sow the seed of truth, praying, with him “Let anyone with ears listen!”

Wednesday, July 28 (Jer 15: 10, 16-21; Mt 13: 44-46)
Utter what is precious and serve as the mouth of God! That’s the promise of the kingdom of heaven, the treasure hidden in the field, the fine pearls. May we discover this spiritual richness.

Thursday, July 29 Martha, Mary and Lazarus (I Jn 4: 7-16; Lk 10: 38-42)
May the Spirit of God direct us so that we may know when to be Mary and when to be Martha.

Friday, July 30 (Jer 26: 1-9; Mt 13: 54-58)
Check your faith today. Can Jesus do powerful things in and through you? That’s the “test.”

Saturday, July 31 (Jer 26: 11-16, 24; Mt 14: 1-12)
Sometimes following the Lord costs your head. “Be a prophet at your own risk,” is the Spirit’s warning.

AUGUST, 2010

Eighteenth Sunday, Aug 1 (Eccl 1: 2, 2: 21-23; Col 3: 1-5, 9-11; Lk 12: 13-21)
Today’s readings present us with a difficult question: How to be “rich toward God?” Our first reading points out something we all grow to understand. “So much of our toil is useless.” But Paul has the answer: “Seek the things that are above!” Our riches are to be found as we seek Jesus in Word, in Sacrament and in one another.

Monday, Aug 2 (Jer 28: 1-17; Mt 14: 13-21)
If we are honest and truthful with others and give them whatever is ours to give, many will be nourished.

Tuesday, Aug 3 (Jer 30: 1-2, 12-15, 16-22: Mt 14: 22-36)
“No matter what,” our God says, “You shall be my people and I shall be your God.” But we must bring faith to our efforts as we walk on the waters of life and touch the Jesus who is present to us in others.

Wednesday, Aug 4 (Jer 31: 1-7; Mt 15: 21-28)
“I have loved you with an everlasting love,” says our God. That is our faith: may we always be as strong as the Canaanite woman!

Thursday, Aug 5 (Jer 31: 31-34; Mt 16: 13-23)
The New Covenant is written on our hearts. So, we know who Jesus is: the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. May we live so as to show that we know!

Friday, Aug 6, The Transfiguration (Dan 7: 9-10, 13-14; Lk 9: 28-36)
Hear God say to you: “You are my chosen!” And then live as God’s chosen that others may find Jesus in you. “We will do well,” says Paul, “to be attentive to this prophetic message.”

Saturday, Aug 7 (Heb 1: 12- 2: 4; Mt 17: 14-20)
The vision will come; watch for it! But be sure to watch from a position of faith that you may really see!

Aug 8, Nineteenth Sunday (Wis 18: 6-9; Heb 11: 1-2, 8-19; Lk 12: 32-48)
“Be dressed for action,” Jesus says. We are not to be afraid even when our faith is tested. It is at those times that we must hear with the ears of our heart the comforting words of Psalm 33: “Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own!”

Monday, Aug 9 (Ez 1:2-5, 24-28; Mt 17: 22-27)
It is true that the glory of the Lord is overwhelming. But at times we “fall on our face” because we feel betrayed by life. But Jesus promises resurrection.

Tuesday, Aug 10, St. Lawrence (2 Cor 9: 6-10; Jn 12: 24-26)
Jesus also promises that when the grain of wheat dies (as in fall on your face) it will bear much fruit! So it is that we can sow joyfully and with abandon.

Wednesday, Aug 11 (Ez 9: 1-7, 10: 18-22; Mt 18: 15-20)
Jesus preaches reconciliation, a different “side” of God than the picture we get in Ezekiel. Be attentive to the compassion of God so that you won’t need to be fearful of his anger, seems to be the insight today.

Thursday, Aug 12 (Ez 12: 1-12; Mt 18: 21-19: 1)
We, like Ezekiel, live in a rebellious world. It is for us to be a sign of God’s merciful forgiveness.

Friday, Aug 13 (Ez 16: 1-15, 60, 63; Mt 19: 3-12)
Whatever our ancestry or childhood experiences God says to us, “Live! And grow up…” May we embrace the meaning and the challenge of growing up.

Saturday, Aug 14 (Ez 18: 1-10, 13, 30-32; Mt 19: 13-15)
“Get yourself a new heart and a new spirit.” How do we go about that? By becoming the little ones that Jesus calls to himself and blesses.

Aug 15. Assumption of Mary (Rev 11: 19, 12: 1-6, 10; 1 Cor 15: 20-27; Lk 1: 39-56)
Like Elizabeth and Mary we are asked to make room for God in our lives so to be open to recognize Jesus and to birth him for those we encounter in everyday, circumstances, We, too, are to be great signs of God’s loving presence!

Monday, Aug 16 (Ez 24: 15-24; Mt 19: 16-22)
Does the Word of the Lord come to you? Indeed, it does! Be open to hear. Be open to embrace its call. Do not go away sad because it is too hard.

Tuesday, Aug 17 (Ez 26:1-10; Mt 19: 23-30)
What makes us so rich that it is hard to enter the Kingdom of God’s Word? Fullness. If we are full of self, full of anger, full of pride, full of self-pity, we are too rich, too stuffed with self, to welcome the Word.

Wednesday, Aug 18 (Ez 34: 1-11; Mt 20: 1-16)
Ezekiel has a consoling word from God today, “I, myself, will search for my sheep and seek them out.” But be warned, the last found might get the same as the first. But it is not for us judge.

Thursday, Aug 19 (Ez 36: 23-28; Mt 22: 1-14)
Question for the day: How does God display his holiness through me? By making me ready for the wedding! And what part do I play? I must live out of the new heart and the new spirit that is given to me each day!

Friday, Aug 20 (Ez 37: 1-14; Mt 22: 34-40)
How do our spiritual bones get dry? As we fail to live the two great commandments. However, God can and does revitalize dry bones!!

Saturday, Aug 21 (Ez 43: 1-7; Mt 23: 1-12)
Our humility is based on the awesome truth that the soles of OUR feet mark the place where our God lives!
Aug 22, Twenty-first Sunday (Is 66: 18-21; Heb 12: 5-7, 11-13; Lk 13: 22-30)
“I know your works and your thoughts,” and I also know about your drooping hands and weak knees. Will you be saved? Of course! Just accept my gift of healing!

Monday, Aug 23 (2 Thes 1: 1-5, 11-12; Mt 23: 13-22)
Let us give thanks that our faith is growing. May we never be blind guides or hypocrites!

Tuesday, Aug 24 St. Bartholomew (Rev 21: 9-14; Jn 45-51)
It is thought that the Nathaniel of the gospel was Bartholomew. But all we know for sure is that we celebrate today, a man who gave himself to the preaching of the Gospel. May the same be said for each of us.

Wednesday, Aug 25 (2 Thes 3: 6-10, 16-18; Mt 23: 27-32)
Paul prays for us today: “May the Lord of peace give you peace at all times.” But that peace will not be ours if we only look good on the outside.

Thursday, Aug 26 (1 Cor 1: 1-9;Mt 24: 42-51)
God is faithful! We, in our turn, must be faithful and wise followers.

Friday, Aug 27, St. Monica (1 Cor 1: 17-25; Mt 25: 1-13)
Today’s readings are about being foolish and wise. In the gospel the foolish lose out. But Paul tells us that the wisdom of the wise will be destroyed and we will be saved through each other’s foolishness. Good news for those of us who tend to forget to get the oil before it runs out!

Saturday, Aug 28, St. Augustine (1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 25: 14-30)
God chooses what is foolish. So he chose Augustine. And so he chose us! A warning: Once chosen, do not bury your treasure!

Aug 29, Twenty-second Sunday (Sir 3:17-20, 28-29; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24; Lk 14:1, 7-14)
Whom do you invite into your heart? The poor? The crippled? The lame? The blind? And is your motive that God may reveal his secrets to you?

Monday, Aug 30 (1 Cor 2: 1-5; Lk 4: 16-30)
As the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus, that same Spirit is upon us, IF we come to our daily responsibilities in weakness and even in fear and much trembling. It is such an attitude of heart that makes of us a living demonstration of the Spirit!

Tuesday, Aug 31 (1 Cor 2: 10b-16; Lk 4: 31-37)
We are given the Spirit that we may know the gifts bestowed on us by God. Such knowledge gives us the ability to speak and act with the power of God.

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