My computer ran into some problems so I'll be posting new reflections once I get that hammered out.
Have a Blessed Day!
-Joseph
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Ninth Tuesday of Ordinary Time
I called to my wife and said: “Where did this goat come from? Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners; we have no right to eat stolen food!” She said to me, “It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages.” Yet I would not believe her, and told her to give it back to its owners. I became very angry with her over this. So she retorted: “Where are your charitable deeds now? Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!”
How quickly we can fall from grace! Tobit, who does so much good for others goes blind and spends years being taken care of by others. Just as he was charitable, so others are treating him with charity. And yet, he becomes suspicious of his wife and instead of dwelling on all the good she has done him, he casts doubt upon her character. He has become like those who mocked him, but worse. He has moved past indifference to envy and self-righteousness. How many of us fall into the same traps and temptations. We see evils in other’s charitable deeds. We see what others have and think they have no right to it. We can build up a treasure house of good works, but spoil them all by casting dispersions on others or not trusting them when they have give us reason to trust.
Have we ever blamed someone for something or thought ill of them and been proven wrong? Have we blinded ourselves with envy and pride? How can we cure our blindness and see others through loving eyes?
O Lord, open our eyes so that we might be charitable in thought, word, and deed.
Amen.
How quickly we can fall from grace! Tobit, who does so much good for others goes blind and spends years being taken care of by others. Just as he was charitable, so others are treating him with charity. And yet, he becomes suspicious of his wife and instead of dwelling on all the good she has done him, he casts doubt upon her character. He has become like those who mocked him, but worse. He has moved past indifference to envy and self-righteousness. How many of us fall into the same traps and temptations. We see evils in other’s charitable deeds. We see what others have and think they have no right to it. We can build up a treasure house of good works, but spoil them all by casting dispersions on others or not trusting them when they have give us reason to trust.
Have we ever blamed someone for something or thought ill of them and been proven wrong? Have we blinded ourselves with envy and pride? How can we cure our blindness and see others through loving eyes?
O Lord, open our eyes so that we might be charitable in thought, word, and deed.
Amen.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
And I wept. Then at sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried him. The neighbors mocked me, saying to one another: “He is still not afraid! Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing; yet now that he has scarcely escaped, here he is again burying the dead!”
It takes courage to risk your reputation, well-being, or life to do what is right. This is what Tobit did and it is what we are called to do. Just as he went against the king and gave alms to the poor and burial to the dead. He knew it might cost him everything he owned and loved, but he would not sacrifice what was right for an easier life. His neighbors mocked him for doing good. They chose indifference to charity. They chose self-interest over love of neighbor. They refused to bury the dead or give alms out of fear... and it is their loss. They have their lives backward. They do evil and avoid good. But Tobit shows us the way to live. To be not afraid of doing what is right, even if it costs us everything in this world. For if we do good no matter what stands in our way, then we shall have our reward in heaven and our lives shall be secure forever.
Are we courageous when it comes to doing the right thing in face of opposition? Are we willing to suffer in order to know, love, and serve God and His children? How can we become more charitable to all?
O Lord, grant us hearts that will give your love to others without counting the cost.
Amen.
It takes courage to risk your reputation, well-being, or life to do what is right. This is what Tobit did and it is what we are called to do. Just as he went against the king and gave alms to the poor and burial to the dead. He knew it might cost him everything he owned and loved, but he would not sacrifice what was right for an easier life. His neighbors mocked him for doing good. They chose indifference to charity. They chose self-interest over love of neighbor. They refused to bury the dead or give alms out of fear... and it is their loss. They have their lives backward. They do evil and avoid good. But Tobit shows us the way to live. To be not afraid of doing what is right, even if it costs us everything in this world. For if we do good no matter what stands in our way, then we shall have our reward in heaven and our lives shall be secure forever.
Are we courageous when it comes to doing the right thing in face of opposition? Are we willing to suffer in order to know, love, and serve God and His children? How can we become more charitable to all?
O Lord, grant us hearts that will give your love to others without counting the cost.
Amen.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Pentecost Sunday
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Although we might understand the role of God the Father as our Creator and Patriarch and Jesus, the Son of God, as our Savior and Teacher... we don’t always appreciated the role of the Holy Spirit. We know we have been given the Holy Spirit by the Father through Christ, but do not fully comprehend what His Divine Mission is. We hear the words Advocate and Sanctifier, but do not quite understand how central the Holy Spirit is to our lives, especially if we wish to answer God’s call for us to become saints. As our Advocate, the Holy Spirit is called to our side, to remind us of all that God has done for us, is doing for us, and will do for us. He reminds us that God is always with us, will never abandon us, and will uphold us in times of trial. As our Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit inspires our consciences, reminds us of the teachings of Christ, and gives us every gift of grace that we need to fulfill our calling as Christians. In light of this, we should make it a point to not only pray to God our Father and Jesus His Beloved Son, but also to the Holy Spirit... the Spirit of Truth and the Love.
Do we seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and works? How can we remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit is always with us, waiting for us to turn to Him? Are we willing to listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to sanctify us?
O Lord, send us your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Although we might understand the role of God the Father as our Creator and Patriarch and Jesus, the Son of God, as our Savior and Teacher... we don’t always appreciated the role of the Holy Spirit. We know we have been given the Holy Spirit by the Father through Christ, but do not fully comprehend what His Divine Mission is. We hear the words Advocate and Sanctifier, but do not quite understand how central the Holy Spirit is to our lives, especially if we wish to answer God’s call for us to become saints. As our Advocate, the Holy Spirit is called to our side, to remind us of all that God has done for us, is doing for us, and will do for us. He reminds us that God is always with us, will never abandon us, and will uphold us in times of trial. As our Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit inspires our consciences, reminds us of the teachings of Christ, and gives us every gift of grace that we need to fulfill our calling as Christians. In light of this, we should make it a point to not only pray to God our Father and Jesus His Beloved Son, but also to the Holy Spirit... the Spirit of Truth and the Love.
Do we seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and works? How can we remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit is always with us, waiting for us to turn to Him? Are we willing to listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to sanctify us?
O Lord, send us your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
After coming to Rome, Paul continues his mission to proclaim the Good News and teach others about Jesus Christ. He doesn't let his house arrest stop him from doing God's Will. He could have grown anxious at being denied his freedom for two years. He could have wondered why he was being put through such a trial. He could've turned bitter and denied others a chance to learn about Jesus. But he understood that walking the path God had prepared for him was the greatest freedom there is. He knew that the trials he was facing were ones that would lead him and others closer to God. He chose to walk the narrow path to Heaven no matter that cost.
How can we be as courageous as Paul in our mission of proclaiming the Good News? Are we willing to choose the true freedom of following Jesus over the false freedom of choosing ourselves above all? Do we pray to God for the strength to walk the narrow path to Heaven over the wide road to Hell?
O Lord, make us courageous in following the path you have prepared for us.
Amen.
After coming to Rome, Paul continues his mission to proclaim the Good News and teach others about Jesus Christ. He doesn't let his house arrest stop him from doing God's Will. He could have grown anxious at being denied his freedom for two years. He could have wondered why he was being put through such a trial. He could've turned bitter and denied others a chance to learn about Jesus. But he understood that walking the path God had prepared for him was the greatest freedom there is. He knew that the trials he was facing were ones that would lead him and others closer to God. He chose to walk the narrow path to Heaven no matter that cost.
How can we be as courageous as Paul in our mission of proclaiming the Good News? Are we willing to choose the true freedom of following Jesus over the false freedom of choosing ourselves above all? Do we pray to God for the strength to walk the narrow path to Heaven over the wide road to Hell?
O Lord, make us courageous in following the path you have prepared for us.
Amen.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.
Paul didn’t have to go to Rome. He chose to go because he knew it was God’s Will. He understood that by choosing to go to Rome he would be sacrificing his liberty and his life. However, he did so willingly because he wanted to bear witness to the Good News in Rome before the Emperor even though it would mean his death. Through this action, Paul shows us what it means to be a Christian and put God before all else. Paul could have complained that he was being forced to go to Rome when he had done so much already for God. He could have resisted the idea of going to Rome, thinking he was too important to spreading the word. He could have made any number of arguments against going to his death, but he didn’t. Instead, he accepted God’s Will and let God lead him where he needed to be. We should all be so willing and humble to let God lead us, sometimes where we do not want to go.
What is God asking us to do? Are we willing to leave behind all we know and go to where God is leading us? Are we willing to suffer and sacrifice in order to do God’s Will?
O Lord, lead us to where we need to be.
Amen.
Paul didn’t have to go to Rome. He chose to go because he knew it was God’s Will. He understood that by choosing to go to Rome he would be sacrificing his liberty and his life. However, he did so willingly because he wanted to bear witness to the Good News in Rome before the Emperor even though it would mean his death. Through this action, Paul shows us what it means to be a Christian and put God before all else. Paul could have complained that he was being forced to go to Rome when he had done so much already for God. He could have resisted the idea of going to Rome, thinking he was too important to spreading the word. He could have made any number of arguments against going to his death, but he didn’t. Instead, he accepted God’s Will and let God lead him where he needed to be. We should all be so willing and humble to let God lead us, sometimes where we do not want to go.
What is God asking us to do? Are we willing to leave behind all we know and go to where God is leading us? Are we willing to suffer and sacrifice in order to do God’s Will?
O Lord, lead us to where we need to be.
Amen.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
God doesn’t leave us out to dry. He doesn’t abandon us. He is always with us no matter where we go or what trials we face. He gives us every grace we need to overcome the obstacles in our way, to keep the faith, to remain hopeful, and to love Him and others with all our hearts. Because of this, we should all take courage. God is with us in good times and bad. He is especially at our side when we bear witness to Him and suffer for it. He sees in our willingness to be persecuted for His sake a reflection of Himself, of His Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. It is when we imitate Christ that we bear the best witness to God’s Love and Mercy and live up to our calling to be good and faithful sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
Are we courageous in our faith? How can we bear a better witness to God’s Divine Plan? In what ways can we more perfectly imitate Christ, who is the Perfect Witness to the Good News?
O Lord, grant us the courage we need to bear witness to your cause.
Amen.
God doesn’t leave us out to dry. He doesn’t abandon us. He is always with us no matter where we go or what trials we face. He gives us every grace we need to overcome the obstacles in our way, to keep the faith, to remain hopeful, and to love Him and others with all our hearts. Because of this, we should all take courage. God is with us in good times and bad. He is especially at our side when we bear witness to Him and suffer for it. He sees in our willingness to be persecuted for His sake a reflection of Himself, of His Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. It is when we imitate Christ that we bear the best witness to God’s Love and Mercy and live up to our calling to be good and faithful sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
Are we courageous in our faith? How can we bear a better witness to God’s Divine Plan? In what ways can we more perfectly imitate Christ, who is the Perfect Witness to the Good News?
O Lord, grant us the courage we need to bear witness to your cause.
Amen.
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