Wednesday July 1, 2009 0f the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis 21: 5, 8-20a Pslam 34: 7-8, 10-13 Matthew 8: 28-34
Response: “ The Lord hears the cry of the poor!”
Abraham was a viral specimen ! Hagar, the Egyptian slave of Sarah bore him a son, Ishmael, at age 86. Then 14 years later when he was 100 years old he conceived Isaac to Sarah. We may find these difficult to believe but we have had a 90 year old man, Strom Thurmond, of So. Carolina impregnate his young wife and she bore him a son. In the story related today, when Sarah found she was indeed pregnant, she coerced her husband into sending Hagar and Ishmael into exile not wanting to share Isaac’s heritage with anyone else.
Hagar obeyed Sarah but thought she would die in the desert when the water ran out. However, God had promised her son would also be the patriarch of a huge nation. He pointed out a well to her so she was able to replenish her water supply and save her son.
God accomplished His mission in ways we might not understand but we do not have His perspective knowing what is coming!
To reiterate, God hears the cry of the poor. Hagar and her son cried for help and God heard and replied. If we have the faith, He hears and responds to our pleas. Try Him!
Jesus went to an area which was obviously gentile. Jews wouldn’t have swine! The demon knew Jesus very well as a Deity. Therefore, he begged not to be just extricated from the cave where he could terrify the people; but, to send him into the herd of swine! Acquiescing to the demons wish, Jesus complied causing a stampede of the swine into the lake to drown.
The demons which attack us aren’t as blatant as then. They subtly inveigle their way into our confidence and before we know it if, we aren’t steadfast in our compliance with God’s will, we end up drowning in misery.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday June 30, 2009
Tuesday June 30, 2009 The First martyrs of The Catholic Church
Readings: Genesis 19: 15-29 Psalm 26: 2-3, 9-12 Matthew 24: 4-13
Response: “O Lord, Your mercy is before our eyes.
This story of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction follows after Abraham implored God to spare the cities of the plain if only ten good men could be found. Failing, Lot, his wife and two daughters were led safely out of the town and urged to flee to the hills. Lot was old and offered he was too weak to travel very far so he asked the angel to allow them to go to a nearby city named Zoar. They were warned not to look back on the destruction God rained down but curiosity got the best of Lot’s wife. She turned to look back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters made it to Zoar .
Scholars are not sure where the area destroyed was exactly. The traditional area is at the southwest of the Dead Sea where there is evidence of mounds of salt as far as the eye can see.
We may conjecture as to the cause of the destruction by God. Some say the debauchery of the townsfolk wanting to have intercourse with the men visiting Lot was such an abomination,; others say the abuse of the tradition of hospitality was abridged, an unforgivable sin in the culture of the time.
Our society leans more and more in favor of same sex coupling and other diversions from God’s, plan for man and woman. Are we in for some devastating disaster?
The psalmist implores the Lord for His test of fidelity to His direction. He does what the Law says religiously and doesn’t deserve the punishment meted out by God on a sinful generation.
Before concluding his Gospel with the examples of charity desired by God, He warns us there will be attempts to dissuade them from the path of righteousness. We are to be the example to others and ourselves of the correct way and stick to it.
With warnings of many disasters to befall the human system, Jesus will go on to direct us in the way He would want us to be Him to others in Chapter 25.
If you do what God wants and put your own ideas to the side, you will experience the words of Christ, “ The righteous will enter into eternal life!”
Readings: Genesis 19: 15-29 Psalm 26: 2-3, 9-12 Matthew 24: 4-13
Response: “O Lord, Your mercy is before our eyes.
This story of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction follows after Abraham implored God to spare the cities of the plain if only ten good men could be found. Failing, Lot, his wife and two daughters were led safely out of the town and urged to flee to the hills. Lot was old and offered he was too weak to travel very far so he asked the angel to allow them to go to a nearby city named Zoar. They were warned not to look back on the destruction God rained down but curiosity got the best of Lot’s wife. She turned to look back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters made it to Zoar .
Scholars are not sure where the area destroyed was exactly. The traditional area is at the southwest of the Dead Sea where there is evidence of mounds of salt as far as the eye can see.
We may conjecture as to the cause of the destruction by God. Some say the debauchery of the townsfolk wanting to have intercourse with the men visiting Lot was such an abomination,; others say the abuse of the tradition of hospitality was abridged, an unforgivable sin in the culture of the time.
Our society leans more and more in favor of same sex coupling and other diversions from God’s, plan for man and woman. Are we in for some devastating disaster?
The psalmist implores the Lord for His test of fidelity to His direction. He does what the Law says religiously and doesn’t deserve the punishment meted out by God on a sinful generation.
Before concluding his Gospel with the examples of charity desired by God, He warns us there will be attempts to dissuade them from the path of righteousness. We are to be the example to others and ourselves of the correct way and stick to it.
With warnings of many disasters to befall the human system, Jesus will go on to direct us in the way He would want us to be Him to others in Chapter 25.
If you do what God wants and put your own ideas to the side, you will experience the words of Christ, “ The righteous will enter into eternal life!”
Monday June 29, 2009 Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul
Readings for Morning Mass:
ACTS 12: 1-11 Psalm 34: 2-9 2Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16: 13-19
Respone: "The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear Him!"
King Herod Aggripa,one of Herod the Great's sons, ruled in Judea after his dad died. He was a ruthless leader and is suspected of being the infamous killer of the first martyrs of the Church. In addition, the Jews hated him. So, to curry favor with the Jewswhom he ruled, he decided to crush the movement begun by Christ and continuing through the efforts of His Apostles. So, he had James, the brother of John Zebbedee, beheaded and had Peter arrested to bring him to trial and probable execution.
Peter was shackled and thrown into the deepest part of a prison and secured by guards beside and around him to prevent followers from rescuing him.
During his imprisonment, while he was sleeping betweentwo guards, an earthquake ensued and the shackles fell from the wall. He was free! However, because of the sleeping guards he hesitated to skeddadle until the angel of the Lord lead him past the guards and the locked gates which miraculously open of them selves as Peter and the angel approached.
This is a lesson of how God will rescue us from the perils of a sinful generation. We're not tied to a wall but we're intimidated by the mores of our society. If we prayerfully ask for His direction in our lives, He will remove our shackles and provide the courage to go against the grain of society at large and follow Him.
The psalm response affirms God's concern for our safety. He will rescue those who fear Him. He is always there if only we impolore His grace to get through the days and nights without offending Him.
Paul's adopted son, Timothy, is the recipient of two letter from his mentor Paul.
Knowing he is about to die for the Faith, Paul exhorts Tim to oimitate him. Keep the Faith, finish the race, be ever perserverent! These are the same benchwords to encourage us to stay until the last lap in our lives. By doing so we will be accepted into the arms of Jesus when the race is over!
As a prelude to His taking His message to the rest of the world, Jesus symbolically enters into pagan territory to establish His Church. When He asked for an idea of what the people thought of Him many suggestions popped into the minds of the followers. "One of the many prophets returned to life"
However, moved by the Spirit of God, good ole Peter proclaimed Him to be the Only Son of God the Father. This is what prompted Jesus to rename Simon, "Peter", Rock as an additional symbol of the foundation of His Church. We are the beneficiaries of the imposition of authority on Peter to preach His Chufch to the ends of the earth!
ACTS 12: 1-11 Psalm 34: 2-9 2Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16: 13-19
Respone: "The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear Him!"
King Herod Aggripa,one of Herod the Great's sons, ruled in Judea after his dad died. He was a ruthless leader and is suspected of being the infamous killer of the first martyrs of the Church. In addition, the Jews hated him. So, to curry favor with the Jewswhom he ruled, he decided to crush the movement begun by Christ and continuing through the efforts of His Apostles. So, he had James, the brother of John Zebbedee, beheaded and had Peter arrested to bring him to trial and probable execution.
Peter was shackled and thrown into the deepest part of a prison and secured by guards beside and around him to prevent followers from rescuing him.
During his imprisonment, while he was sleeping betweentwo guards, an earthquake ensued and the shackles fell from the wall. He was free! However, because of the sleeping guards he hesitated to skeddadle until the angel of the Lord lead him past the guards and the locked gates which miraculously open of them selves as Peter and the angel approached.
This is a lesson of how God will rescue us from the perils of a sinful generation. We're not tied to a wall but we're intimidated by the mores of our society. If we prayerfully ask for His direction in our lives, He will remove our shackles and provide the courage to go against the grain of society at large and follow Him.
The psalm response affirms God's concern for our safety. He will rescue those who fear Him. He is always there if only we impolore His grace to get through the days and nights without offending Him.
Paul's adopted son, Timothy, is the recipient of two letter from his mentor Paul.
Knowing he is about to die for the Faith, Paul exhorts Tim to oimitate him. Keep the Faith, finish the race, be ever perserverent! These are the same benchwords to encourage us to stay until the last lap in our lives. By doing so we will be accepted into the arms of Jesus when the race is over!
As a prelude to His taking His message to the rest of the world, Jesus symbolically enters into pagan territory to establish His Church. When He asked for an idea of what the people thought of Him many suggestions popped into the minds of the followers. "One of the many prophets returned to life"
However, moved by the Spirit of God, good ole Peter proclaimed Him to be the Only Son of God the Father. This is what prompted Jesus to rename Simon, "Peter", Rock as an additional symbol of the foundation of His Church. We are the beneficiaries of the imposition of authority on Peter to preach His Chufch to the ends of the earth!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
June 29, 2009
Monday June 29, 2009 of the 13th Week of Ordinary Time
Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
Scripture Readings: ACTS 3; 1-10 Psalm 19: 2-5 Galatians 1: 11-20 John 21: 15-19
Psalm Response: “Their message goes out to all the earth.”
On this feast, we recognize the power of the two Apostles who formed the nucleus of the New Way for Jews and Gentiles.
The first reading details the first recorded miracle of the Apostles. Healing a cripple who was unable to stand for 40 years, in the view of Jews entering the Temple where he had begged gave them an inkling of the power of the word of Jesus. Peter and John invoked His name when they encouraged the man to get off his duff and walk around.
We can only imagine the awe (fear) overcoming the visitors and regular patrons of the Temple. It was a manifestation of Christ’s power distributed to the Apostles.
All of the Apostles were given the order to heal in Christ’s name. However, few are recorded in the Scriptures. Suffice to say, this was an example of the divine attributes present in His Apostles because of His granting it to them.
We are also given the same power. Unfortunately, we want to feel it is of our own doing and not the Faith which Christ says is the ingredient necessary to effect healing.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians is one of the benchmarks for Paul’s take on salvation through Faith. Paul points out, he wasn’t one of the original Apostles and only came to know Christ through the extraordinary vision he had of Christ on the way to Damascus.
He didn’t even consult with the Apostles until he had meditated on his personal experience with Christ for about three years. During the time he was mulling over in his mind the teaching he was to impart to the gentiles we can be sure he received other revelations to confirm he wasn’t going bananas before he went to his missionary journeys.
We need to begin, if we haven’t already, to learn, what are the real teachings of the Church? By doing so and asking of our pastors and confessors to clarify any areas of misunderstanding, we will be better able to answer queries from interested parties why we are so sure of the faith we have been granted by God.
Peter may have been chagrined at Christ’s persistence in asking him about his love for Him. Tradition has noted, the tri-part questioning was to offset his triple denial and to reestablish Peter’s leadership over Christ’s Church.
As we offer our Thanksgiving today it would be well to recognize Peter and Paul’s contribution to our faith and its solidity. Nothing has changed from the beginning if onereally investigate the origin of our Faith.
As a recent convert said to me, “How can an intelligent educated person deny our Faith”.
I can’t answer that one!
Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
Scripture Readings: ACTS 3; 1-10 Psalm 19: 2-5 Galatians 1: 11-20 John 21: 15-19
Psalm Response: “Their message goes out to all the earth.”
On this feast, we recognize the power of the two Apostles who formed the nucleus of the New Way for Jews and Gentiles.
The first reading details the first recorded miracle of the Apostles. Healing a cripple who was unable to stand for 40 years, in the view of Jews entering the Temple where he had begged gave them an inkling of the power of the word of Jesus. Peter and John invoked His name when they encouraged the man to get off his duff and walk around.
We can only imagine the awe (fear) overcoming the visitors and regular patrons of the Temple. It was a manifestation of Christ’s power distributed to the Apostles.
All of the Apostles were given the order to heal in Christ’s name. However, few are recorded in the Scriptures. Suffice to say, this was an example of the divine attributes present in His Apostles because of His granting it to them.
We are also given the same power. Unfortunately, we want to feel it is of our own doing and not the Faith which Christ says is the ingredient necessary to effect healing.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians is one of the benchmarks for Paul’s take on salvation through Faith. Paul points out, he wasn’t one of the original Apostles and only came to know Christ through the extraordinary vision he had of Christ on the way to Damascus.
He didn’t even consult with the Apostles until he had meditated on his personal experience with Christ for about three years. During the time he was mulling over in his mind the teaching he was to impart to the gentiles we can be sure he received other revelations to confirm he wasn’t going bananas before he went to his missionary journeys.
We need to begin, if we haven’t already, to learn, what are the real teachings of the Church? By doing so and asking of our pastors and confessors to clarify any areas of misunderstanding, we will be better able to answer queries from interested parties why we are so sure of the faith we have been granted by God.
Peter may have been chagrined at Christ’s persistence in asking him about his love for Him. Tradition has noted, the tri-part questioning was to offset his triple denial and to reestablish Peter’s leadership over Christ’s Church.
As we offer our Thanksgiving today it would be well to recognize Peter and Paul’s contribution to our faith and its solidity. Nothing has changed from the beginning if onereally investigate the origin of our Faith.
As a recent convert said to me, “How can an intelligent educated person deny our Faith”.
I can’t answer that one!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sunday June 28, 2009 the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Date: Sunday June 28, 2009, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24 Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13
2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15 Mark 5: 21-43
The words, in the Book of Wisdom, read today are missing from the KJV and most Bibles, except Catholic and Orthodox. In the New Testament, the writers of the Gospels and Paul refer to the Wisdom literature, by direct quote or context, as Scripture. (Matt.
5:34,6:12,6:14,7:2,11,29,21:16,26:68) (Sir.23:9, 28:2,28:1-5,Wis.12:22,Sir.51:26,Wis.10:21, 2:19)
In fact, the Scripture, at the time of Jesus, among the Pharisees and Essenes, was generally known as the Septuagint. All the Wisdom literature, including Tobit, Judith,Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, I & II Maccabees were included as Scripture.
The books were compiled and translated into Greek to satisfy and complete the library at Alexandria, Egypt by Jewish Scribes as requested by King Ptolemy, in about the year 285BC.
When the Canon of Scripture, including the 27 books of the New Testament was decided, in 395 AC, in Hippo, North Africa, many other texts were considered. However, the Fathers of the Church agreed to keep all 46 of the Hebrew Scripture and 27 of the New Testament writings. Every Catholic Bible, therefore, contains these 73 books.
The writer of Wisdom concludes God did not create a sinful humanity but in the image of His own nature. Our free will permits us to choose not to do God's Will but sin becomes actual at the urging of the prince of Darkness and sin. The implication, of our likeness to God as imperishable, is the reward for a virtuous living, is life after mortal death. Those who choose a wayward existence, unrepentant, choose eternal death, often called Hell.
Psalm 30 reminds us God is responsible for our being brought up from the abode of the dead (the nether world). It is His Will, alone, which keeps us from the suffering because of His absence in our lives. Therefore, we must thank and praise Him, incessantly, because we do not deserve His forgiveness. Thank Him also for not remembering our offenses against Him.
Paul urges us, through the teachings in 2 Corinthians to exercise our love by supplying the needs of others. Each of us has the opportunity and the obligation to provide, in some way, the needs of those in need.
Whether it be consolation, material or spiritual aid, our abundance of any, requires the distribution to all.
We show our love for Jesus by our love for our fellow beings. Reading the full text of Mark 5: 21-43, gives us an opportunity to witness an example of Christ's love for His people. The synagogue official, aware of Christ's extraordinary power to heal, came with faith to ask for his child's sake.
The official was looking for a simple healing. What he received was the resurrection of his daughter from death, which the people though was final.
When we see ourselves sinking in the quagmire of death, we need to affirm our faith in Jesus. He can do anything, provided our faith is strong and not wavering.
The woman, who touched the tassel of His garment and was immediately healed, was desperate. For twelve years, the doctors tried what they knew to heal her. The only thing they did for sure was deplete her bank account, Broke, she did the only thing left to her.
Isn't that what we do?
We wait until we're spiritually bankrupt before we reach out for the only straw we can clutch at.
Instead, reach out now!
Don't wait until your strength is gone
He will respond to your call!
Why not respond to His?
Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24 Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13
2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15 Mark 5: 21-43
The words, in the Book of Wisdom, read today are missing from the KJV and most Bibles, except Catholic and Orthodox. In the New Testament, the writers of the Gospels and Paul refer to the Wisdom literature, by direct quote or context, as Scripture. (Matt.
5:34,6:12,6:14,7:2,11,29,21:16,26:68) (Sir.23:9, 28:2,28:1-5,Wis.12:22,Sir.51:26,Wis.10:21, 2:19)
In fact, the Scripture, at the time of Jesus, among the Pharisees and Essenes, was generally known as the Septuagint. All the Wisdom literature, including Tobit, Judith,Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, I & II Maccabees were included as Scripture.
The books were compiled and translated into Greek to satisfy and complete the library at Alexandria, Egypt by Jewish Scribes as requested by King Ptolemy, in about the year 285BC.
When the Canon of Scripture, including the 27 books of the New Testament was decided, in 395 AC, in Hippo, North Africa, many other texts were considered. However, the Fathers of the Church agreed to keep all 46 of the Hebrew Scripture and 27 of the New Testament writings. Every Catholic Bible, therefore, contains these 73 books.
The writer of Wisdom concludes God did not create a sinful humanity but in the image of His own nature. Our free will permits us to choose not to do God's Will but sin becomes actual at the urging of the prince of Darkness and sin. The implication, of our likeness to God as imperishable, is the reward for a virtuous living, is life after mortal death. Those who choose a wayward existence, unrepentant, choose eternal death, often called Hell.
Psalm 30 reminds us God is responsible for our being brought up from the abode of the dead (the nether world). It is His Will, alone, which keeps us from the suffering because of His absence in our lives. Therefore, we must thank and praise Him, incessantly, because we do not deserve His forgiveness. Thank Him also for not remembering our offenses against Him.
Paul urges us, through the teachings in 2 Corinthians to exercise our love by supplying the needs of others. Each of us has the opportunity and the obligation to provide, in some way, the needs of those in need.
Whether it be consolation, material or spiritual aid, our abundance of any, requires the distribution to all.
We show our love for Jesus by our love for our fellow beings. Reading the full text of Mark 5: 21-43, gives us an opportunity to witness an example of Christ's love for His people. The synagogue official, aware of Christ's extraordinary power to heal, came with faith to ask for his child's sake.
The official was looking for a simple healing. What he received was the resurrection of his daughter from death, which the people though was final.
When we see ourselves sinking in the quagmire of death, we need to affirm our faith in Jesus. He can do anything, provided our faith is strong and not wavering.
The woman, who touched the tassel of His garment and was immediately healed, was desperate. For twelve years, the doctors tried what they knew to heal her. The only thing they did for sure was deplete her bank account, Broke, she did the only thing left to her.
Isn't that what we do?
We wait until we're spiritually bankrupt before we reach out for the only straw we can clutch at.
Instead, reach out now!
Don't wait until your strength is gone
He will respond to your call!
Why not respond to His?
Saturday June 27, 2009
Saturday June 27, 2009 of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings” Genesis 18: 1-15 Psalm Luke 1: 46-55 Matthew 8: 5-17
Response: “The Lord has remembered His mercy”
The continuing saga of our father in faith, Abraham, we see an additional reference to the three persons in one God, in the first verses. When Abraham recognized the deity of the images before him, he naturally bowed low to show his adoration and homage.
The meal Abraham prepared would feed a mob but it didn’t deter him from his heritage of hospitality. God approved of his offering and dined with him and his family.
In the banter during the meal, God revealed His plan to have His will completed in Sarah’s pregnancy to produce the heir to the promise in a son, Isaac.
On hearing the prospect, and knowing her age and the probability, Sarah laughed emulating her husband, who had laughed before at the prediction.
They were an old couple by anyone’s standard but God’s. Aware she had passed the term of her cycle of production of ovum, she, like us, were skeptical.
Ever get in an inscrutable frame of mind with no escape and prospects dim? Almost everyone would immediately call upon their God to do something, usually, all the while, filled with doubt but still hoping.
Sarah was thrilled at the prospect but antsy about how this was to take place.
Her question, “Am I still to experience sexual pleasure? This wasn’t in the sense we might attribute to the question but as a hope to produce progeny for her husband and become a whole woman! Hebrew woman felt it was a curse not to be able to conceive!
Compare that with our generation where pregnancy becomes a burden, not a gift from God and an easily corrected mistake. For shame!
Luke’s expression of our mother Mary’s Magnificat alludes to the attitude we should take when a detour from our plans becomes a reality. According to Tradition, Mary had vowed to remain chaste even in the marriage arranged for her by her parents, she wished to serve God alone. However, when His angel announced her conception, she immediately supplanted her will for the Will of God as the angel proclaimed.
The gospel story of the faith of the gentile Roman Centurion has been repeated by us in the prelude to receiving our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament until Vatican II when the words were changed. I prefer the old way personally. However, as a faithful Catholic, I adhere to the teaching office of the Church which states in its dogmatic constitution on the Church, mandates, “No one, not even a priest, can change one word in the Rubrics of the Mass”.
The faith of the Centurion is rewarded when his servant is healed remotely just as his faith had stated. Peter’s mother-in-law also was healed by Christ with just the touch of His hand.
We may not be in His physical presence to receive personal healing but His presence is always there when we receive Him in the Eucharist. The healing will come about in Christ’s way and time, if, you have the faith of the Centurion too!
Scripture Readings” Genesis 18: 1-15 Psalm Luke 1: 46-55 Matthew 8: 5-17
Response: “The Lord has remembered His mercy”
The continuing saga of our father in faith, Abraham, we see an additional reference to the three persons in one God, in the first verses. When Abraham recognized the deity of the images before him, he naturally bowed low to show his adoration and homage.
The meal Abraham prepared would feed a mob but it didn’t deter him from his heritage of hospitality. God approved of his offering and dined with him and his family.
In the banter during the meal, God revealed His plan to have His will completed in Sarah’s pregnancy to produce the heir to the promise in a son, Isaac.
On hearing the prospect, and knowing her age and the probability, Sarah laughed emulating her husband, who had laughed before at the prediction.
They were an old couple by anyone’s standard but God’s. Aware she had passed the term of her cycle of production of ovum, she, like us, were skeptical.
Ever get in an inscrutable frame of mind with no escape and prospects dim? Almost everyone would immediately call upon their God to do something, usually, all the while, filled with doubt but still hoping.
Sarah was thrilled at the prospect but antsy about how this was to take place.
Her question, “Am I still to experience sexual pleasure? This wasn’t in the sense we might attribute to the question but as a hope to produce progeny for her husband and become a whole woman! Hebrew woman felt it was a curse not to be able to conceive!
Compare that with our generation where pregnancy becomes a burden, not a gift from God and an easily corrected mistake. For shame!
Luke’s expression of our mother Mary’s Magnificat alludes to the attitude we should take when a detour from our plans becomes a reality. According to Tradition, Mary had vowed to remain chaste even in the marriage arranged for her by her parents, she wished to serve God alone. However, when His angel announced her conception, she immediately supplanted her will for the Will of God as the angel proclaimed.
The gospel story of the faith of the gentile Roman Centurion has been repeated by us in the prelude to receiving our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament until Vatican II when the words were changed. I prefer the old way personally. However, as a faithful Catholic, I adhere to the teaching office of the Church which states in its dogmatic constitution on the Church, mandates, “No one, not even a priest, can change one word in the Rubrics of the Mass”.
The faith of the Centurion is rewarded when his servant is healed remotely just as his faith had stated. Peter’s mother-in-law also was healed by Christ with just the touch of His hand.
We may not be in His physical presence to receive personal healing but His presence is always there when we receive Him in the Eucharist. The healing will come about in Christ’s way and time, if, you have the faith of the Centurion too!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Friday June 26, 2009
Friday June 26, 2009 of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings: Genesis 17: 1, 9-10, 15-22 Psalm 128: 1-5 Matthew 8: 1-4
Psalm Response: “See how the Lord blesses those who fear Him”
When we read this episode in the life of Abram, there are several points of theology made clear in the script.
First, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham. We wonder what the significance of adding “AH” to Abram’s name might be. Both Abram and Abraham mean “the father of many nations” in the Hebrew from which it is taken.(ab-hamo). Further, God places an extraordinary blessing on those whom He changes their name. Sarai becomes Sarah;
Jacob becomes Israel; Simon becomes Peter are the most significant.
Suffices to say, the promise of a son who will generate nations seemed improbable to both Sarah and Abraham due to their age at 100 and 90 as possible candidates for conception. We however, forget Who’s in charge. Age make no difference to God. As Scripture says, God can create followers from strewn rocks if He wanted to.
So the laughter of Sarah and Abraham coincidently becomes the name of their son, Isaac.
We are the subjects of God. He’s in charge. When ever we decide to allow Him to be the instigator of our heritage, blessings will multiply as did those to Abraham and Sarah.
The response engenders awe. We do not fear the Lord in the sense of “Afraid” but rather, knowing He knows what is best for us we crater to His will and become vassals, as we should.
Jesus finishes His mountaintop discourses, with such power, the throngs recognize He is more than just a prophet. They do Him homage and a leper pleads for healing. Jesus touches Him; heals the scourge and sends him to the Priests to offer the typical gift at the Altar of God in accordance to the traditions in place at the time.
Christ shows us the way when we are to become like Him to His people. To touch a leper, under the law subjected the toucher to unclean status, requiring the toucher to be subject to being made clean. However, Christ’s touch cleanses the leper therefore He need not be contaminated.
We need to recognize the power of prayer in the healing process when medicine and doctors seem to fail. It is the power of God. Use it!
Scripture Readings: Genesis 17: 1, 9-10, 15-22 Psalm 128: 1-5 Matthew 8: 1-4
Psalm Response: “See how the Lord blesses those who fear Him”
When we read this episode in the life of Abram, there are several points of theology made clear in the script.
First, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham. We wonder what the significance of adding “AH” to Abram’s name might be. Both Abram and Abraham mean “the father of many nations” in the Hebrew from which it is taken.(ab-hamo). Further, God places an extraordinary blessing on those whom He changes their name. Sarai becomes Sarah;
Jacob becomes Israel; Simon becomes Peter are the most significant.
Suffices to say, the promise of a son who will generate nations seemed improbable to both Sarah and Abraham due to their age at 100 and 90 as possible candidates for conception. We however, forget Who’s in charge. Age make no difference to God. As Scripture says, God can create followers from strewn rocks if He wanted to.
So the laughter of Sarah and Abraham coincidently becomes the name of their son, Isaac.
We are the subjects of God. He’s in charge. When ever we decide to allow Him to be the instigator of our heritage, blessings will multiply as did those to Abraham and Sarah.
The response engenders awe. We do not fear the Lord in the sense of “Afraid” but rather, knowing He knows what is best for us we crater to His will and become vassals, as we should.
Jesus finishes His mountaintop discourses, with such power, the throngs recognize He is more than just a prophet. They do Him homage and a leper pleads for healing. Jesus touches Him; heals the scourge and sends him to the Priests to offer the typical gift at the Altar of God in accordance to the traditions in place at the time.
Christ shows us the way when we are to become like Him to His people. To touch a leper, under the law subjected the toucher to unclean status, requiring the toucher to be subject to being made clean. However, Christ’s touch cleanses the leper therefore He need not be contaminated.
We need to recognize the power of prayer in the healing process when medicine and doctors seem to fail. It is the power of God. Use it!
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