July, 2008

Tuesday 7/1 (Am 3: 1-8, 4: 11-12; Mt 8: 23-27) Why are we terrified? Lack of faith? Or maybe it’s just that we fail to recall all the good things God has done for us in our past. Reflect today on all the ways God has rescued you over the years.

Wednesday 7/2 (Am 5: 14-15, 21-24; Mt 8: 28-34) Why did they beg Jesus to leave? All they could think about was the money lost. This is a good day to reflect on our priorities.

Thursday 7/3 Thomas the Apostle (Eph 2: 19-22; Jn 20: 24-29) We are part of the structure that is God’s church, the people of God. So it is that we have seen the wounds of the Incarnate Jesus and touched them. But have we recognized Jesus in that woundedness? Can we say before the mystery of one another, “My Lord and My God?”

Friday 7/4 Independence Day (Is 57: 15-19; Eph 2: 13-18; Jn 14: 23-29) Jesus is the peace between us, breaking down all that divides us, as individuals, church. community, families, state. Let us pray for contrite hearts open to receive God’s healing grace.

Saturday 7/5 (Am 9: 11-15; Mt 9: 14-17) Is it not possible that we are trying to put the new wine of Vatican II into the old wineskins of institutional church? Even so, God promises to “bring about the restoration of my people.”

Sunday 7/6 Fourteenth Sunday (Zec 9: 9-10; Rom 8:9, 11-13; Mt 11: 25-30) Do you hear the promise of rest? Do you believe it? Have you experienced it? Live by the Spirit and you will. So, rejoice and relax!

Monday 7/7 (Hos 2: 16-18, 21-22; Mt 9: 18-26) All it took was Jesus’ touch. And that is just as true today. Ask yourself how Jesus touches you. Do you let your self be allured by him?

Tuesday 7/8 (Hos 8: 4-7, 11-13; Mt 9: 32-38) Why don’t we see the good Jesus does? Maybe we just don’t look for it. Is the Lord pleased with our offerings?

Wednesday 7/9 (Hos 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12; Mt 10: 1-7) Jesus sends out those he has chosen to cure the folks. We are God’s chosen. But we won’t succeed if our hearts are false.

Thursday 7/10 (Hos 11:1-4, 8-9; Mt 10: 7-15) As we go, our lives should proclaim that the kingdom of God is present. And if they don’t? God will not let us be destroyed. His mercy is always there for us.

Friday 7/11 St Benedict, founder and abbot (Pro 2 1-9; Mt 19: 27-29) With Benedict and at his command, we ask today for the gift of discernment, the grace to LISTEN. Only then will we be able to recognize the hundredfold that is ours. (Happy Feast Day to all Benedictines!)

Saturday 7/12 St John Gualberti, abbot (Is 6:1-8; Mt 10: 24-33) “What I say to you in the darkness…” That applies to our own personal darkness. Jesus not only speaks through it, he wants us to share our learnings. Let us say with Isaiah , “Here I am, send me.”

Sunday 7/13 Fifteenth Sunday (Is 55: 10-11; Rom 8: 18-23; Mt 13: 1-23) “Blessed are your eyes, because they see, and blessed are your ears because they hear.” We know for sure that the Word is sown in our lives and that we are the first fruits of the Spirit. Rejoice!

Monday 7/14 Kateri Tekawitha (Is 1:10-17; Mt 10: 34-11: 1) We like to say that we don’t do things for rewards. Jesus knows better and promises rewards for what seem to be insignificant actions. “Hear the word of the Lord…Listen to the instruction of our God.” The rewards will follow!

Tuesday 7/15 Bonaventure, bishop and doctor (Is 7: 1-9; Mt 11: 20-24) Do we grow from the mighty deeds of the Lord worked in us? We are reminded that unless our faith is firm we shall not be strong.

Wednesday 7/16 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Is 10: 5-7, 13-16; Mt 11: 25-27) May we be among those to whom the hidden things are revealed,

Thursday 7/17 (Is 26; 7-9, 12, 16-19; Mt 11: 28-30) “Come to me…my yoke is easy and my burden light.” No promise that there will not be a burden. But it will be bearable. And not only that, our darkness will give birth to new light!

Friday 7/18 (Is 38: 1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Mt 12: 1-8) This is the law vs the need Gospel. It’s quite clear where Jesus stands! God hears the prayer and sees the tears of the poor. May we too.

Saturday 7/19 (Micah 2: 1-5; Mt 12: 14-21) Even folks plotting to put Jesus to death did not keep him from helping and healing. May we be good to others even when they turn against us. God will provide their punishment.

Sunday 7/20 Sixteenth Sunday (Wis 12: 13, 16-19; Rom 8: 26-27; Mt 13: 24-43) We have ears so we had better hear Jesus’ explanations of the parables. Not to fear. Paul assures us that the Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. And the first reading tells us we are given good ground for hope.

Monday 7/21 (Mi 6: 1-4, 6-8; Mt 12: 38-42) God asks that we do right, love goodness and walk humbly before God. Live this way and you won’t be asking for signs!

Tuesday 7/22 Mary Magdalene, disciple of the Lord (Sg 3: 1-4, Jn 20: 1-2, 11-18) What would you do if Jesus called you by name? In fact that happens whenever anyone calls your name! Answer as a disciple of the Lord.

Wednesday 7/23 (Jer 1:1, 4-10; Mt 13: 1-9) Once again we are told to use our ears to hear the Word. And to go to whomever we are sent and speak the Word we have heard.

Thursday 7/24 (Jer 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Mt 13: 10-17) Many long to see and hear what we do but they don’t get to. How grateful are you for the knowledge that is yours? May we never forsake the source of living water that is ours.

Friday 7/25 James, apostle (2 Cor 4: 7-15; Mt 20: 20-28) We, too, come to serve not to be served. Our weakness is how we come to understand that the power operative in us is from God.

Saturday 7/26 Joachim and Ann, parents of Mary (Jer 7: 1-11; Mt 13: 24-30) The evil one sews the bad seed in our lives. And also puts thoughts of safety into our heads when we have done wrong. Let us not give in to such temptations.

Sunday 7/27 Seventeenth Sunday (I Kgs 3: 5, 7-12; Rom 8: 28-30; Mt 13: 44-52) Are we willing to give all for what is the best? Can we remember that all things work together for good? Can we ask only for discernment and not all the other goods possible? Tough questions but important ones.

Monday 7/28 (Jer 13: 1-11; Mt 13: 31-35) The kingdom starts small but grows big. Only, however, if we are to build it cling to our God.

Tuesday 7/29 Martha, Mary and Lazarus, hosts of the Lord (I Jn 4: 7-16; Lk 10: 38-42) What is the better part? In all situations and circumstances to be hosts of the Lord!

Wednesday 7/30 Peter Chrysologus bishop and doctor (Jer 15: 10, 16-21; Mt 13: 44-46) Go find the pearl in your life and treasure it!.. Jeremiah did just that, “When I found your words, I devoured them, they became my joy and the happiness of my heart!”

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