18th Sunday in Ordinary Time C Reflections

18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time C

Si 1: 2. 2:21-23, Ps  89:3-6,12-14,17 Rv.1, Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11,

What does a man gain for all his toil?

There is only Christ: he is everything and he is in everything.

This hoard of yours whose will it be then?

Luke 12:13-21

¹³ A man in the crowd said to him, 'Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.' ¹⁴ He said to him, 'My friend, who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?' ¹⁵ Then he said to them, 'Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for life does not consist in possessions, even when someone has more than he needs.' ¹⁶ Then he told them a parable, 'There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, ¹⁷ thought to himself, "What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops." ¹⁸ Then he said, "This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, ¹⁹ and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time." ²⁰ But God said to him, "Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?" ²¹ So it is when someone stores up treasure for himself instead of becoming rich in the sight of God.'

Live life to the full

It is said that when Alexander the Great was dying, he told his servants that they should leave his empty hands sticking out of the coffin –he was taking nothing with him. His hands were empty. The first reading gives us the same message: “a man who has laboured wisely, skilfully and successfully must leave what is his own to someone who has not toiled for it”.

What then can we build our lives on? Like the man in the Gospel and like Alexander death will rob us of everything and throw it all to someone else. Power and fame are even more illusory. We may enjoy them for a while but then they too slip through our fingers. People too are unreliable. A spouse may go off and leave us and if they are the centre of our lives then we fall to pieces. Even if they are most loving and faithful, one day there will be tears. One will have to die.

            Man’s life is tenuous at best. He can lose everything in the flash of a moment. Where then does security and peace of mind reside? Everyone wants to live life to the full. We only have one life and should make the most of it. The question is: how? You can go for money, as the rich man in today’s Gospel, power, influence, name and fame. But none of these will give you the satisfaction you long for. They are all centred on self. The paradox is that when we only see to ourselves we end up with nothing. Furthermore what we gain does not last.

Where is solid ground? On what can I build my life so that I have security till I die? Is there anything or anyone who can give me an abundant life and the courage to face the ultimate enemy death without fear? Jesus says there is. He is the rock of our life. If we build on him we will always be secure. He is the one who has conquered death and risen again to save us.

To have Jesus as an intimate friend is to enjoy security at all times and particularly at the moment of death. We will never be alone even when we have to depart from this world. “In the morning fill us with your love, we shall exult and rejoice all our days”  “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full”.

How are we to have Jesus as ‘the rock of our salvation’? We have the courage to approach him because he invites us to be his friend. Prayer is the way to respond and the way to come to know him. It is something we must do daily, allowing the Spirit to transform us. There is an invitation and the Helper is always ready. What is your response?

Father, on the sea of life may Jesus always be at my side.

Weekdays of 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Monday 26^th July 2010

GospelMt 13:31-35

 

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed

³¹ He put another parable before them, 'The kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. ³² It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air can come and shelter in its branches.' ³³ He told them another parable, 'The kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.' ³⁴ In all this Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables; indeed, he would never speak to them except in parables. ³⁵ This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: I will speak to you in parables, unfold what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.

If your heart is good soil and the Word has fallen there, though nothing may appear just now one day ‘the mustard seed’ will bear fruit in you in a way beyond all imagining.. You will become ‘like God’ (1 Jn 3:1).How can you be good soil? Get your priorities right. May Jesus be the important person in your life. Meet him day by day. Share your life with him. He was the Mustard Seed. Tell him your plans. Ask his blessing.  Ask most of all if they are his plans? Cultivate a life of dialogue with Jesus. Surrender to him in prayer and love. Remember, he treasures you. Live your life in Jesus. Just concentrate on always pleasing him. Without you knowing it you will be a leaven in other’s lives. They will be ‘lifted up’ by seeing you. Do you share each event in your day with Jesus?

Tuesday 27^th July

Mt 13:36-43

Gospel

³⁶ Then, leaving the crowds, he went to the house; and his disciples came to him and said, 'Explain to us the parable about the darnel in the field.' ³⁷ He said in reply, 'The sower of the good seed is the Son of man. ³⁸ The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the Evil One; ³⁹ the enemy who sowed it, the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels. ⁴⁰ Well then, just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time. ⁴¹ The Son of man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of falling and all who do evil, ⁴² and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. ⁴³ Then the upright will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Anyone who has ears should listen!

Let us note that Jesus has left the crowds and is talking to his disciples. They are keen to understand his message. The crowds listen without understanding. From now onwards Jesus concentrates on his disciples. Are you one? Have you their interest? There are finally only two classes of people – subjects of the Kingdom and subjects of the Evil One. As Jesus is at work sowing good seed in people’s hearts, so Satan is doing the opposite. Satan sows everywhere including the Church. Peter will be called ‘Satan’. What makes a person a subject of a kingdom? Those who do evil, cause others to fall, whoever they are, are subjects of the Evil One. The ‘upright’ are members of God’s Kingdom. Where do you fit in? Are your deeds upright or evil? The incorrigible subjects of Satan will be eternally punished along with him. Now is the time to listen.

Wednesday 28^th July 2010

Mt 13:44-46

Gospel

'The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off in his joy, sells everything he owns and buys the field. ⁴⁵ 'Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; ⁴⁶ when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it

What is the treasure and what is the pearl? It is not something but Someone. The mystery is that in the Church we can find Jesus. This is not the Jesus everyone knows about. Who hasn’t heard of Jesus?  It is to find a real Person who longs for you with all his heart. It is to realise that there is a Person and he is here who loves you dearly. When you have found this Person and are consumed with a love for him, then everything changes. Nothing else matters in life but to be with him and carry out his every wish. Money, possessions, power, name and fame all become irrelevant and no more worth than dust. Even precious human beings cannot take his place. We cannot live without him. Have you found the treasure? Are you on fire to buy the pearl? Pray that you find him.

Thursday 29^th July 2010

Matthew13:47-53

'Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that is cast in the sea and brings in a haul of all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it is full, the fishermen bring it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in baskets and throw away those that are no use. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the upright, ⁵⁰ to throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. ⁵¹ 'Have you understood all these?' They said, 'Yes.' ⁵² And he said to them, 'Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom new things as well as old.' ⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables he left the district;

The sea is the world and the net is the

Church. After being cast into the sea the net is under the water and the fisherman does not know what he has in the net. There are all kinds of fish, good and bad. Likewise in the Church, there are all kinds of people. The truth will only be known at the end when the sorting is done. We may understand the end of time in different ways. For you the end of your life is the end of time. What kind of fish are you? More importantly, what kind of fish do you want to be? Only good fish can be kept. If you are a disciple you will have understood Jesus’ message and you will act on it. God speaks through the Old as well as the new Testament. We need both.

Friday 30^th July

Matthew13:54-58

Jesus comes to his ‘hometown’ – Nazareth?, Israel? The Church? You? He proclaims his Word. They think they know him. They know the labels: son of the craftsman, his mother’s name, his brother and sisters. Familiarity breeds contempt for him. But do they know him? Do you? Do they know where he comes from? His Father? His family? (12:46). It is not a matter of ‘external relationships’ with Jesus that count. Do I know his heart? Do I live in his heart? Are you willing to make the effort in faith to come to know the real Jesus?  When we live with him in faith then he becomes active in our life. A living faith in Jesus among us is the key to a vital relationship with him and to a religion beyond ritual. Do you live by his Word? Or do you look only at the externals of religion?

Saturday 31^st July 2010

Matthew 14:1-12

¹ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus ² and said to his court, 'This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.' ³ Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. ⁴ For John had told him, 'It is against the Law for you to have her.' ⁵ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. ⁶ Then, during the celebrations for Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and so delighted Herod ⁷ that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. ⁸ Prompted by her mother she said, 'Give me John the Baptist's head, here, on a dish.' ⁹ The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, ¹⁰ and sent and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹ The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. ¹² John's disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.

Jesus was a solitary figure carrying out the will of his Father among people who had no time for God. He had no power or political influence. His was to speak the truth on God’s behalf. John too his forerunner had done the same. Rebuking Herod for his public immorality he met the fate of prophets throughout Israel’s history. He was imprisoned by the king. Herodias hated him and plotted his death. Eventually she had her way and Herod killed John. Jesus realises that the same violent death awaits him if he continues doing the will of God. He will continue. The world has not changed. We to are called to do the will of God in a hostile world. His will is that we keep all his commandments, witness to Jesus as Lord and Saviour and love our neighbour in deeds. Relying on God are you doing that?

 Jesus was a solitary figure carrying out the will of his Father among people who had no time for God. He had no power or political influence. His was to speak the truth on God’s behalf. John too his forerunner had done the same. Rebuking Herod for his public immorality he met the fate of prophets throughout Israel’s history. He was imprisoned by the king. Herodias hated him and plotted his death. Eventually she had her way and Herod killed John. Jesus realises that the same violent death awaits him if he continues doing the will of God. He will continue. The world has not changed. We to are called to do the will of God in a hostile world. His will is that we keep all his commandments, witness to Jesus as Lord and Saviour and love our neighbour in deeds. Relying on God are you doing that?

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time C Reflections

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time C

Genesis 18:20-32, Psalm 137:1-3, 6-8, Rv.3, Colossians 2:12-14,

I am bold to speak, I who am dust and ashes.

On the day I called, you answered me O God.

He has brought you to live with him. He has forgiven us all our sins.

Lord teach us to pray.

Luke 11:1-13.

¹ Now it happened that he was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.' ² He said to them, 'When you pray, this is what to say: Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come; ³ give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, ⁴ for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.' ⁵ He also said to them, 'Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, "My friend, lend me three loaves, ⁶ because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him;" ⁷ and the man answers from inside the house, "Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up to give it to you." ⁸ I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it to him for friendship's sake, persistence will make him get up and give his friend all he wants. ⁹ 'So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened. ¹¹ What father among you, if his son asked for a fish, would hand him a snake? ¹² Or if he asked for an egg, hand him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'

Our Father who is in heaven

“No one knows the Father except the Son.” How many people are afraid of God! We even say: ‘I will put the fear of God into you’ and we mean “I will make you do what you are told out of fear of a worse punishment’.

Jesus came to tell us what God is like. He is our ‘Father’ – fortunately not like any father we know on earth even the best. We use the word ‘father’ because we have no other word. We come from Him. He is our Creator. He is a Creator who loves each of his creatures. He loved us so much that He was willing to send His only Son to live among us and allow him to die for us. Our God is not one who looks out to punish us for our sins. Rather he allows his own Son to die on the cross instead of us. When you look at Jesus hanging on the cross, you see the true God of the universe. He gives himself to us till he can give no more. Now he hangs by the nails, dead and limp. He is a mighty God who is helpless because his love refuses to force or threaten. He only appeals. His dead body is the Father’s appeal to us to come home. What is the welcome for us if we return? Jesus described his Father’s welcome in the parable of the lost son: while he was a long way off his father saw him. He was moved with compassion and running out he fell on his neck and kissed him. Then he called his servants and said: bring out the best robe, put a ring on his fingers and shoes on his feet and let us make a banquet for my son. This is our Father to whom Jesus invites us to pray.

We like small children are ignorant of how to pray and what to pray for. Like a child we may beg for a snake or a scorpion when our Father knows we need a fish or an egg. Our Father knows what we really need and will always provide for his children who rely upon him. He will give them the greatest gift he can: His Holy Spirit. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God then we will lack nothing.

God told us: I will never forget you, see I have written your name on the palms of my hand. Paul tells us he knew you and chose you before the universe came into being. Jesus told us: your heavenly Father knows you need food and clothing and he wants to give you these and his Kingdom as well.

How do you see God? Have you discovered the true God whom Jesus revealed to us? Like a small child do you have complete trust in your loving Father-God to provide everything you need?

Father, grant that through your only Son Jesus I may come to know you.

Weekdays of 16th week in Ordinary Time

The Way to Know Jesus

 

We get to know Jesus through the Gospels. We read a part of a Gospel, understand it and then discover through prayer God's message for us.

Jesus is a real Person. We can get to know him but like everything worth doing we have to work at it. It is through faith not sight.

First we have to give time each day. Without giving time each day we shouldn't expect any results.

Second, we need silence and solitude so that we can enter into 'the cave of our hearts'.

Third, we need to pray that God's Holy Spirit come upon us.When his Spirit comes upon us, he will lead us . The Spirit is the key.

Fourth, we must realise that Jesus is present deep within us. We need to make contact with him. We are to sit quietly in his presence. See yourself as "The prodigal son returned", "The tax collector in the Temple", "Mary at his feet" or any other person in the Gospel who meets Jesus.. To help you concentrate your mind and heart on him, you can recite a word or phrase (no more than seven syllables) such as "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus". "Jesus, my Saviour", "Jesus, I sit before you", "Jesus, my Lord & my God" .

At first try ten minutes every day, sitting quietly and comfortably all alone. Do this sincerely every day without fail and over the weeks and months you will notice a difference and people will notice a difference in you too. The more generous you are, the more you will be able to receive. Jesus will be at work in you and create a spring of peace within you. The secret is not effort but fidelity to it day by day.

Monday 19th July 2010

Mt 12:38-42

Gospel

The Son of man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights

First century tomb in Palestine

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. 'Master,' they said, 'we should like to see a sign from you.' ³⁹ He replied, 'It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah remained in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. ⁴¹ On Judgement Day the men of Nineveh will appear against this generation and they will be its condemnation, because when Jonah preached they repented; and look, there is something greater than Jonah here. ⁴² On Judgement Day the Queen of the South will appear against this generation and be its condemnation, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look, there is something greater than Solomon here

Jesus calls his generation an ‘adulterous generation’.  Like an unfaithful spouse who pretends to be loyal, yet at the same time has another lover so Jesus’ opponents appear so religious. They go through the externals of religion scrupulously. Yet their heart is far from God and they have another love, their own egos. Jesus sees through their hypocrisy. The only sign will be his resurrection brought about by their murdering of him. Even that sign will be rejected. How do we stand? Is our religion sincere and from the heart? Have you opened yourself to Jesus? Do you accept him not just as founder, and great person but as Saviour and friend who is here and close to you. Jesus calls you too, just as he appealed to the scribes and Pharisees. He is as here today as he was then. What is your response to him? What is your stand?

Tuesday 20^th July 2010

Mt 12:46-50

Gospel

⁴⁶ He was  still speaking to the crowds when suddenly his mother and his brothers were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him. ⁴⁸ But to the man who told him this Jesus replied, 'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?' ⁴⁹ And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother

Jesus has been rejected by the towns where he preached and worked so many miracles, then by the scribes and the Pharisees who even want to kill him. He has chosen his disciples. They too will be rejected. Now his mother and brothers are standing outside – they are not part of the crowd listening to his Word. They are anxious to speak to him. Jesus doesn’t reject them but his position is clear. He is from above. He doesn’t belong to this world. His family is his Father’s. Those who accept him and do the will of his Father are members of his family. His earthly family is outside. They come in if they do his Father’s will. Luke tells us his mother is first: “I am the handmaid of the Lord”. Where does your loyalty rest?  Are you a member of his family? How close are you to Jesus?

Wednesday 21^st July 2010

Mt 13:1-9

Gospel

That same day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, ² but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the shore, ³ and he told them many things in parables. He said, 'Listen, a sower went out to sow. ⁴ As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. ⁵ Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up at once, because there was no depth of earth; ⁶ but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. ⁷ Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸ Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹ Anyone who has ears should listen!'

Jesus teaches the crowds in parables. On the surface parables are interesting stories but there is a deeper message for those who think.. Jesus begins his teaching with the sower. The remarkable thing is the seed. It can produce a hundredfold. That is an unbelievable crop. A hundred bags for every bag sown. Some seed falls here and there. It is to be expected. But the seed that falls on the land prepared for it produces a great harvest. Even thirty grains to one is very good.  The Word of Jesus can produce in us unbelievable results if we accept it. The sower doesn’t just sow once. Sowing time comes round again and again. We can always open ourselves to his Word. Are you ready to allow it to fall in your heart? Are you ready to receive it with all your heart? Do you want a hundredfold crop?

Thursday 22^nd July 2010 Feast of Mary Magdalen special readings

Matthew 13:10-17

These words are to be understood in the light of the parable of the sower. The Word is capable of producing a hundredfold but it needs good soil. Who receives the Word like that? Even disciples do not all receive it in the same way. The crowds show some interest but their hearts are closed to his Word, to repentance and becoming his disciples. God calls them but their hearts are coarse. They are bored if Jesus speaks directly. So he tells them parables. But who wants to know the Truth and be committed disciples? It is the same today. Who wants to give up their egos and open themselves fully to Jesus?   Do you want Jesus to enter into your life so that you refuse him nothing? Do you want him to be the dominant person in your life, close and intimate? How much harvest do you want?

Reflection for the Feast of Mary Magdalene

John 20:1-2, 11-18

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb ² and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,' she said, 'and we don't know where they have put him.'

But Mary was standing outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, as she wept, she stooped to look inside, ¹² and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. ¹³ They said, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' 'They have taken my Lord away,' she replied, 'and I don't know where they have put him.' ¹⁴ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not realise that it was Jesus. ¹⁵ Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?' Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.' ¹⁶ Jesus said, 'Mary!' She turned round then and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabbuni!' -- which means Master. ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' ¹⁸ So Mary of Magdala told the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord,' and that he had said these things to her

Mary’s focus is Jesus. She goes to the tomb looking for Jesus. The tomb is empty and she runs to tell the apostles. She returns to the tomb. Where else to go? That was the last place she had seen Jesus. There was no point in going home. At a loss she stays there weeping. She looks into the tomb. There are two angels. She doesn’t notice them so focussed is she on Jesus. She talks to them as if they are ordinary people and had been there all the time. Her interest is Jesus. Then she sees Jesus but does not recognise him until he speaks to her. She falls at his feet. But Jesus sends her on a mission. She goes at once and says to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”. Is this not the story of everyone who loves Jesus? Is it yours today?

Friday 23^rd July 2010

Mathew 13:18-23

'So pay attention to the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the Evil One comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the seed sown on the edge of the path. ²⁰ The seed sown on patches of rock is someone who hears the word and welcomes it at once with joy. ²¹ But such a person has no root deep down and does not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, at once he falls away. ²² The seed sown in thorns is someone who hears the word, but the worry of the world and the lure of riches choke the word and so it produces nothing. ²³ And the seed sown in rich soil is someone who hears the word and understands it; this is the one who yields a harvest and produces now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.'

Jesus stresses that we must understand the Word. It is not enough to simply hear it. The harvest comes to the ones who hear and understand and so are able to receive it into their hearts. The hearing of the Word is critical for us. We cannot sit on the fence regarding Jesus. We have to respond with acceptance or rejection. Those who for one reason or another do not receive Him wholeheartedly reject him and those who do receive him receive him in varying degrees. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us a new heart (Ez.36) and is our Teacher. Our response to Jesus depends on our surrender and cooperation with the Spirit. To open ourselves to the Spirit is to allow the Word to produce a harvest. Total surrender to the Spirit will produce a hundredfold.  Do you live in the Spirit? How far have you surrendered?

Saturday 24th July 2010

Mathew 13:24-30

He put another parable before them, 'The kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. ²⁶ When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, then the darnel appeared as well. ²⁷ The owner's labourers went to him and said, "Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?" ²⁸ He said to them, "Some enemy has done this." And the labourers said, "Do you want us to go and weed it out?" ²⁹ But he said, "No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. ³⁰ Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn."

When God made the world he saw that it was very good. The Church too is the Bride of Christ. This is the seed. It is perfect and capable of producing a perfect crop. But when we look at the world and see the Church we observe something different. Why? There is an enemy. He tried to destroy the Seed itself when the Word walked this earth. Jesus was too much for him and do what he could he never lured Jesus away from God’s love. Having failed with the Seed, he attacks the field. Darnel, imitation wheat, is everywhere. We don’t know who’s who? We don’t even know ourselves. Today we are so faithful but tomorrow? Who can guarantee that? Jesus is a patient farmer. He doesn’t want to lose any of us. Fortunately in real life ‘darnel’ can become wheat before the final harvest. What are you?

 

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time C Reflections

16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time C

Genesis 18:1-10, Psalm 14: 2-5. Rv. 1. Colossians  1: 24-28, Luke 10:38-42

My Lord, I beg you, kindly do not pass your servant by.

Lord who shall dwell on your holy mountain?

The mystery is Christ among you, the hope of your glory.

Mary sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him.

³⁸ In the course of their journey he came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. ⁴⁰ Now Martha, who was distracted with all the serving, came to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.' ⁴¹ But the Lord answered, 'Martha, Martha,' he said, 'you worry and fret about so many things, ⁴² and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her.

Make your home with Jesus.

Martha welcomed Jesus into her house. She was busy preparing a meal for her guest. She is distracted and agitated and complains to the Lord Jesus about her sister who is quietly sitting at his feet and listening to everything he is saying. ’Do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do all the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me’ Though Jesus speaks gently ‘Martha, Martha’, he does indeed rebuke her.  His rebuke is not because she is working to prepare the meal. It is because she is agitated and worried.

As disciples like Martha we too should invite Jesus into our lives. Our place is at the feet of Jesus. There we listen to all he says. Our prayer is to listen to him. At the feet of Jesus we will receive peace and become absorbed in love for him. From his feet we will rise and go and work, doing the work he wants us to do, in the way he wants us to do it and for his greater glory.  We will always experience his presence throughout the day and he will be with us as we work. Let it be working in the kitchen or washing the clothes, work in the fields or in the factory, we will do it because he wants us to do it and we will do it for him. We will do it, then, with all our heart and soul. This is to be his disciple. Being in his hands we will always enjoy his peace and doing it for him we make it our prayer. This is the high road to sanctity.

Jesus has a habit of turning up in unlikely disguises as Yahweh did for Abraham. Let us remember that he said, whoever receives this little child in my name receives me and whatever you did to the least of my brethren you did to me. We have an opportunity then to serve Jesus in a concrete way every day. Do you recognize him?

But Jesus is not our guest. He is actually our host. He says: ‘make your home in me’ and he welcomes us into his house. If we want to live with Jesus we should live as the psalmist tells us. Let us act with justice, speak the truth from our heart and not talk lies about our neighbour. Let us do no harm to anyone but honour those especially who love the Lord. Let us keep our word, let us not be a loan shark strangling our brother and never let us ever take a bribe. If we live like this we can make our home in Jesus and live in his peace.   

Father, may I have the faith to sit daily at the feet of Jesus, listen to his Word and then do his work.

Weekdays of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Reflections

The Way to Know Jesus
 

We get to know Jesus through the Gospels. We read a part of a Gospel, understand it and then discover through prayer God's message for us.

Jesus is a real Person. We can get to know him but like everything worth doing we have to work at it.

First we have to give time each day. Without giving time each day we shouldn't expect any results.

Second, we need silence and solitude so that we can enter into 'the cave of our hearts'.

Third, we need to pray that God's Holy Spirit come upon us.When his Spirit comes upon us, he will lead us .

Fourth, we must realise that Jesus is present deep within us. We need to make contact with him. We are to sit quietly in his presence. To help you concentrate your mind and heart on him, you can recite a word or phrase (no more than seven syllables) such as "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus". "Jesus, my Saviour", "Jesus, I sit before you", "Jesus, my Lord & my God" .

At first try ten minutes every day, sitting quietly and comfortably all alone. Do this sincerely every day without fail and over the weeks and months you will notice a difference and people will notice a difference in you too. The more generous you are, the more you will be able to receive. Jesus will be at work in you and create a spring of peace within you. The secret is not effort but fidelity to it day by day.

Monday July 12^th 2010

Matthew 10:34-11:1

Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me

'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to set son against father, daughter against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law; ³⁶ a person's enemies will be the members of his own household. ³⁷ 'No one who prefers father or mother to me is worthy of me. No one who prefers son or daughter to me is worthy of me. ³⁸ Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. ⁴⁰ 'Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ 'Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will have a prophet's reward; and anyone who welcomes an upright person because he is upright will have the reward of an upright person. ⁴² 'If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not go without his reward.'

¹ When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

Jesus gives peace in our hearts and in the community but causes deep divisions in the world. Jesus’ love is so great that he wants us in our totality. He too is the only one who fills our heart with the joy we all long for. He desires our wholehearted and faithful response to his love. When we give our heart to him in love we are indeed able to love everyone as he loves them. But no one, not even the closest, can ask us to do what displeases to him. Our love for him will always refuse their request. Hence the division and the sword that he brings into our lives. We cannot be unfaithful to his love even at the cost of our life. But even to lose everything for his sake is no loss. We have him and he is everything. How do you love him?

Tuesday 13^th July 2010

Matthew 11:20-24

Then he began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent. ²¹ 'Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² Still, I tell you that it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on Judgement Day than for you. ²³ And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be raised as high as heaven? You shall be flung down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing yet. ²⁴ Still, I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on Judgement Day than for you.'

There will be a day of judgement. The secrets of men’s hearts will be revealed. Have we been sincere in the decisions we have made? Have we loved everyone? We can be no more than fully sincere with love. Everyone who has acted according to the truth as he knows it will stand without fear. Our judge is just. He declares what we are. The worst rebuke of Jesus is reserved for Capernaum where Jesus ‘made his home’. ‘When someone is given a great deal, a great deal will be demanded of that person.” (Luke12:48). In the Church Jesus has made his home. We are weak and rightly fear the judgement. Are we just nominal disciples? Let us now come close to Jesus in our prayer. Daily sit at his feet with our weakness and sinfulness. If we are sincere, his mercy will heal us. Do you rely on Jesus?

Wednesday 14^th July 2010

Matthew 11:25-27

At that time Jesus exclaimed, 'I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. ²⁷ Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

To reveal the Father is not just to tell us about him. That is great enough – that he is our Father, a God of compassion and love who delights in his children and wants to share everything he is and has with us. To reveal the Father is to introduce us to the Father, to bring us close to him so that we call on him as Abba – Daddy. He wants us to experience his Father as Someone close and loving, on whom we can rely and so live without worry or anxiety. He wants us to relax knowing that he will provide for us in every way. All we need to do is respond to him with all our hearts and live according to his love and justice. Then he can be Father to us and we will rejoice in being his children. Have you experienced God as Abba?

Thursday 15^th July 2010

'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'

The demands of Jesus are  heavy for ordinary mortals. He demands that we take up our cross and follow him. It is a crucifixion of the longings of the human heart. Then what makes his yoke easy and his burden light? Once we know Jesus, have tasted how good the Lord is and love him, then everything changes. Through his grace, it is love for him that makes his burden light. We rest and rejoice in his friendship knowing that everything is well and everything will be well. Our love for him urges us to come closer to him and to become like him in everything.  Though the God of the Universe he has become a human being to invite us to share life with him in intimate friendship. Have you penetrated the silence and darkness of faith to find rest in his embrace? He waits to give you life.

Friday 16^th July 2010

Matthew 12:1-8

The Pharisees loved the Law. Its observance was their distinguishing mark. The Sabbath was a crucial element in their observation of the Law. In Exodus this Law is very simple, “You shall keep my Sabbaths”.(Ex.31:13). This was clarified with my subsidiary laws. The conflict arises with Jesus’ disagreement with the interpretation of the Pharisees. For Jesus the supreme Law is the ‘Law of love’ – God wants mercy. They interpret what the disciples are doing as reaping and harvesting and so forbidden. Jesus says it is not. He gives the example of David and his followers ‘breaking the Law’ and of the Temple priests too. He claims to be equal with David and greater than the Temple and further Lord of the Sabbath which is a claim to be equal with God. For them Jesus is a dangerous radical. Do you follow the Law of love in the face of opposition?

Saturday 17^th July 2010

Matthew 12:`14-21

¹⁴ At this the Pharisees went out and began to plot against him, discussing how to destroy him. ¹⁵ Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all ¹⁶ but warned them not to make him known. ¹⁷ This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ¹⁸ Look! My servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul delights, I will send my Spirit upon him, and he will present judgement to the nations; ¹⁹ he will not brawl or cry out, his voice is not heard in the streets, ²⁰ he will not break the crushed reed, or snuff the faltering wick, ²¹ until he has made judgement victorious; in him the nations will put their hope.

Jesus has taught us not to resist the evil one. The Pharisees want to kill him. Jesus knows this. His response is to withdraw and reduce his publicity by ordering silence. He does not cease from his work of mercy. He continues to reveal God’s love by healing ‘them all’. This is God’s response to man’s evil intent. It is to show more love. He wants to overcome evil with good. Jesus is the manifestation of the invisible God full of God’s Spirit. God’s judgement is to continue to show mercy. He wants to make us his beloved children. He proclaimed this of Jesus at the Jordan with today’s words of Isaiah. Through Jesus he wants to proclaim it of everyone he has created. What is your response to Jesus? Wholehearted love? Hate? Lack of interest? Whatever, He will continue to love you. Are you the manifestation of Jesus?