peaceonjustice

As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born June 29, St Peter and Paul Pray for us The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection June 28, 2020

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Barb Born

June 28, 2020: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Rights and Responsibilities

The demands of the common good are dependent on the social conditions of each historical period and are strictly connected to respect for and the integral promotion of the person and his fundamental rights[349]. These demands concern above all the commitment to peace, the organization of the State’s powers, a sound juridical system, the protection of the environment, and the provision of essential services to all, some of which are at the same time human rights: food, housing, work, education and access to culture, transportation, basic health care, the freedom of communication and expression, and the protection of religious freedom[350]. Nor must one forget the contribution that every nation is required in duty to make towards a true worldwide cooperation for the common good of the whole of humanity and for future generations also. (166) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings

First Reading: 2nd Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a

Psalm: 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

Second Reading: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11

Gospel Antiphone: 1st Peter 2:9

Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes: “He who climbs never stops going from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no end. He never stops desiring what he already knows.” (2015) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Psalm 89: 2-38

Matthew 10: 40-42

The new relationships of interdependence between individuals and peoples, which are de facto forms of solidarity, have to be transformed into relationships tending towards genuine ethical-social solidarity. This is a moral requirement inherent within all human relationships. Solidarity is seen therefore under two complementary aspects: that of a social principle[ 415] and that of a moral virtue.

Solidarity must be seen above all in its value as a moral virtue that determines the order of institutions. On the basis of this principle the “structures of sin” that dominate relationships between individuals and peoples must be overcome. They must be purified and transformed into structures of solidarity through the creation or appropriate modification of laws, market regulations, and juridical systems.

Solidarity is also an authentic moral virtue, not a “feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. That is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all”. Solidarity rises to the rank of fundamental social virtue since it places itself in the sphere of justice. It is a virtue directed par excellence to the common good, and is found in “a commitment to the good of one’s neighbour with the readiness, in the Gospel sense, to ‘lose oneself’ for the sake of the other instead of exploiting him, and to ‘serve him’ instead of oppressing him for one’s own advantage (cf. Mt 10:40-42, 20:25; Mk 10:42-45; Lk 22:25-27)”. (193)

Romans 6:4

Personal and social life, as well as human action in the world, is always threatened by sin. Jesus Christ, however, “by suffering for us … not only gave us an example so that we might follow in His footsteps, but He also opened up a way. If we follow this path, life and death are made holy and acquire a new meaning”. Christ’s disciple adheres, in faith and through the sacraments, to Jesus’ Paschal Mystery, so that his old self, with its evil inclinations, is crucified with Christ. As a new creation he is then enabled by grace to “walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4). This “holds true not for Christians alone but also for all people of good will in whose hearts grace is active invisibly. For since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the Paschal Mystery”. (41)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

The words of prophets make people whole, strips away inadequacies and problematic identity. Grounded in the ability to listen to cultural nuances, protocol creating systematic inferiority beyond human intellect and will. The reciprocity of giving gifts inherent from the Divine welcome of hospitality defining, seeing holiness exhibited in arranging for the basic needs of another. The protocol of Hebrew law stated the emissary of an official was to be welcomed just as the official would be welcomed. A call Jesus reminded His disciples to be cognizant of and speaks to us today. The call for living as the presence of Christ in the world. A reminder of how we present ourselves and welcome others ultimately emanates to our Creator who sent the Lord into humanity. Understanding that on a philosophical, theological and ultimately personal experience of one’s heart, we receive the reward of seeing the Divine in all we encounter, as the core of who their being entails. An identity more profound than familia labels and bonds. A message of discipleship, the call to know our ultimate identity rests in our relationship with God. The call to follow Jesus within the paradigm of the cross knowing personal priorities, satisfying personal dreams only partitions us from our true identity and seeing the true identity of others. The spiritual grasping of our cross gives us a newness of life in living for God in Christ Jesus. A faithfulness established for ever in heaven and what we strive to emulate in receiving and giving Divine hospitality to display the goodness of the Lord. A new song we sign, a melody, realizing we are called out of darkness into His wonderful light. A rejoicing steeped in justice to see those stigmatized by audacity of cultural mores to dismiss their inherent goodness and limit their influence, or even threaten their survival, beckons us to stand at open doors to hear the voice of prophets reminding us to see societal barriers falsely defining and limiting the Divine nature and potential in all. For ultimately our identity rests in the Holy One and from that profound place of peace our lives flow.

Individual Reflection: Matthew 10:37-42

A line in the Collect for July 4th says, “…grant that under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth…”. How can you help fulfill this petition and invite others to join you?

Family Reflection: 2nd Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a

In the time of pandemic, how can your family share hospitality?

Prayer

July 3rd is the Feast of St Thomas. He is portrayed initially in the Gospel as a doubter, but journeyed as a disciple to India. Reflect in thanksgiving how your doubt emerged into faith.

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born June 24, 2020. St. John the Baptist, pray for us! The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection June 21, 2020

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Barb Born

June 21,, 2020: Twelfth Sunday Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person

“…In the formulation and teaching of this social doctrine, the Church has been, and continues to be, prompted not by theoretical motivation but by pastoral concerns. She is spurred on by the repercussions that social upheavals have on people, on multitudes of men and women, on human dignity itself, in contexts where “man painstakingly searches for a better world, without working with equal zeal for the betterment of his own spirit” (Gaudium et Spes)…” (104) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13

Psalm: 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35

Second Reading: Romans 5:12-15

Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33

Catechism of the Catholic Church

It is then we must turn to the witnesses of faith: to Abraham, who “in hope. . . believed against hope”; to the Virgin Mary, who, in “her pilgrimage of faith”, walked into the “night of faith” in sharing the darkness of her son’s suffering and death; and to so many others: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”(165) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Romans 5:12

This marvellous vision of man’s creation by God is inseparable from the tragic appearance of original sin. With a clear affirmation the Apostle Paul sums up the account of man’s fall contained in the first pages of the Bible: “Sin came into the world through one man and death through sin” (Rom 5:12). Man, against God’s prohibition, allows himself to be seduced by the serpent and stretches out his hand to the tree of life, falling prey to death. By this gesture, man tries to break through his limits as a creature, challenging God, his sole Lord and the source of his life. It is a sin of disobedience (cf. Rom 5:19) that separates man from God. (115)

Romans 5:12-21

With her social doctrine not only does the Church not stray from her mission but she is rigorously faithful to it. The redemption wrought by Christ and entrusted to the saving mission of the Church is certainly of the supernatural order. This dimension is not a delimitation of salvation but rather an integral expression of it[82]. The supernatural is not to be understood as an entity or a place that begins where the natural ends, but as the raising of the natural to a higher plane. In this way nothing of the created or the human order is foreign to or excluded from the supernatural or theological order of faith and grace, rather it is found within it, taken on and elevated by it. “In Jesus Christ the visible world which God created for man (cf. Gen 1:26-30) — the world that, when sin entered, ‘was subjected to futility’ (Rom 8:20; cf. Rom 8:19-22) — recovers again its original link with the divine source of Wisdom and Love. Indeed, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son’ (Jn 3:16). As this link was broken in the man Adam, so in the Man Christ it was reforged (cf. Rom 5:12-21)”. (64)

Romans 5:14

Christian realism sees the abysses of sin, but in the light of the hope, greater than any evil, given by Jesus Christ’s act of redemption, in which sin and death are destroyed (cf. Rom 5:18-21; 1 Cor 15:56-57): “In him God reconciled man to himself”. It is Christ, the image of God (cf. 2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15), who enlightens fully and brings to completion the image and likeness of God in man. The Word that became man in Jesus Christ has always been mankind’s life and light, the light that enlightens every person (cf. Jn 1:4,9). God desires in the one mediator Jesus Christ, his Son, the salvation of all men and women (cf. 1 Tim 2:4-5). Jesus is at the same time the Son of God and the new Adam, that is, the new man (cf. 1 Cor 15:47-49; Rom 5:14): “Christ the new Adam, in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of his love, fully reveals man to himself and brings to light his most high calling”. In him we are, by God, “predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren” (Rom 8:29). (121)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Silence is only golden in contemplation. As opting for silence when words need to be spoke makes one complicit to the message wrought in silence, but should be articulated. With maintained silence, eventually the words will come forth from someone’s mouth, for nothing remained concealed that will not eventually be revealed. For a secret is truth just waiting for light to be shed. Fear contributes to silence, woven into truth to make the complicit even more stuck in quicksand of doubting what to do. For if we value exposing darkness, the whispers of wretched details must be broadcast to reach more ears, change more hearts to open people’s eyes to see the reality of phony facades. Whether in spiritual realms, personal priorities or the working of complex corporate designs, complicity of silence only allows the unthinkable to exist. Without your voice, our voices change is impossible, healing unheard of, a denial of Gospel values. The silence to speak of what Jesus affirmed, we deny the Lord. A silent affirmation to where fear binds us, chained to injustice experientially, emotionally or ideologically. To give voice to silence may mean the loss of friends, our mind and heart is probed for our true identity as one intoned to the cause of the Lord. For our plea in supplication, Lord in your great love answer me, comes clarity and resolve to shed silence for the voice only each individual can give renascence to their particular atonal perspective. Each with one’s own eyes see the insults of silence blaspheme the poor, oppressed, abandoned to indirectly blaspheme God. Silence tarnished numerous eras of history, nations and the Church, as many people who knew the reality felt unworthy, insignificant to speak. But one voice speaking allows the crescendo of voices’ pronouncement of injustice to begin. When the zeal for the house of the Lord consumes us, silence can no longer seal lips, stop the pen or turn off keyboards, as the cause is entrusted to the Lord. What can you be silent about no more and testify to this day?

Individual Reflection: Jeremiah 20:10-13

June 24th is the nativity of John the Baptist, the last Biblical prophet in Scripture. Who are prophets that inspire you today and how can you support their voice? Share your reflection with five people.

Family Reflection: Matthew 10:26-33

Talk about healthy and unhealthy fears

Prayer: Reflect on the readings from Jeremiah, as he moved beyond silence to speak, the challenges he encountered and Jesus’s exhortation for the disciples to speak in Matthew chapter 10. Prayerfully reflect on where and how you need to speak to bring darkness to light.

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/refugee-day

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born June 16, 2020 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Corpus Christi:Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Lectionary Reflection June 14, 2020

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Barb Born

June 14, 2020: Corpus Christi: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

June 20th is World Refugee Day: Learn about the various types of refugees that the United Nations Highlight

Learn about resources and action items from USCCB Justice for Immigrants

https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/world-refugee-day/

Readings

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a

Psalm: 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 10:16-17

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as “the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.” In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.”²⁰² “This presence is called ‘real’ – by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present.” (1374)

It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament. The Church Fathers strongly affirmed the faith of the Church in the efficacy of the Word of Christ and of the action of the Holy Spirit to bring about this conversion. Thus St. John Chrysostom declares:

It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but he who was crucified for us, Christ himself. The priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their power and grace are God’s. This is my body, he says. This word transforms the things offered.²⁰⁴

And St. Ambrose says about this conversion:

Be convinced that this is not what nature has formed, but what the blessing has consecrated. The power of the blessing prevails over that of nature, because by the blessing nature itself is changed. . . . Could not Christ’s word, which can make from nothing what did not exist, change existing things into what they were not before? It is no less a feat to give things their original nature than to change their nature. (1375)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to Corpus Christi, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Psalm 147

The Old Testament presents God as the omnipotent Creator (cf. Gen 2:2; Job 38-41; Ps 104; Ps 147) who fashions man in his image and invites him to work the soil (cf. Gen 2:5-6), and cultivate and care for the garden of Eden in which he has placed him (cf. Gen 2:15). To the first human couple God entrusts the task of subduing the earth and exercising dominion over every living creature (cf. Gen 1:28). The dominion exercised by man over other living creatures, however, is not to be despotic or reckless; on the contrary he is to “cultivate and care for” (Gen 2:15) the goods created by God. These goods were not created by man, but have been received by him as a precious gift that the Creator has placed under his responsibility. Cultivating the earth means not abandoning it to itself; exercising dominion over it means taking care of it, as a wise king cares for his people and a shepherd his sheep.

In the Creator’s plan, created realities, which are good in themselves, exist for man’s use. The wonder of the mystery of man’s grandeur makes the psalmist exclaim: “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him little less than god, and crown him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet” (Ps 8:5-7). (255)

Psalm 147:14

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Partaking of the one cup of blessing and one bread requires sharing. The need to not be greedy, selfish or personally possessive. A place of welcome for all to join in unity beyond economic status, ethnicity or gender. A social expression of belief manifesting in personal transformation, if we believe the affirmation of our Amen and allow the Eucharist to make us Eucharistic people. Fed by the spiritual food, where we will hunger no more, life takes on new perspectives, priorities change. For eating the bread of life gives life within, that cannot stay contained. A food reenforced by the Word, every word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord. A true food and true drink not needing enrichment from worldly grandeur, personal agendas or additives of exclusivity. An expression of unity for those rooted in belief of the communal table and with the Lord. The infinity of a bond abiding in His presence as His presence is in us giving us life each day and infinity of eternity. A constant reminder that even in exile, God’s providence guides our path, seeks our faithfulness and provides substance to free us from oppressive reigns present in our world and our lives. For the Eucharist is not a symbol, but the Lord’s real presences, body, blood, soul and divinity and though we are many, partaking makes us the Body of Christ.

Individual Reflection:

June 19th is the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and June 20th is the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Reflect upon the synergy of Jesus and Mary in salvation history and your life of faith:

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/story-of-the-sacred-heart/

https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/l/litany-of-the-immaculate-heart-of-mary.php

Family Reflection:

How has your family sustained living as Eucharistic people, with closed parishes and livestream masses?

Prayer: While your parish may not be offering adoration now, visit this website and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. Each day this week, select a different parish from around the globe and reflect on our unity as the Body of Christ:

https://virtualadoration.home.blog

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-day-against-child-labour

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born June 11, 2020 MB RIP The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Most Holy Trinity Lectionary Reflection June 7, 2020

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Barb Born

June 7, 2020: The Most Holy Trinity

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

June 12th is the World Day Against Child Labor

Almost one in ten of all children worldwide are in child labour. While the number of children in child labour has declined by 94 million since 2000, the rate of reduction slowed by two-thirds in recent years. Target 8.7 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals calls for an end to child labour in all its forms by 2025. How can the world community get firmly on track toward eliminating child labour?

Readings

First Reading: Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9

Psalm: Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55

Second Reading: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-13

Gospel: John 3:16-18

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the “hierarchy of the truths of faith”. The whole history of salvation is identical with the history of the way and the means by which the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reveals himself to men “and reconciles and unites with himself those who turn away from sin”. (234)

The Trinity is a mystery of faith in the strict sense, one of the “mysteries that are hidden in God, which can never be known unless they are revealed by God”.To be sure, God has left traces of his Trinitarian being in his work of creation and in his Revelation throughout the Old Testament. But his inmost Being as Holy Trinity is a mystery that is inaccessible to reason alone or even to Israel’s faith before the Incarnation of God’s Son and the sending of the Holy Spirit. (237)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to The Most Holy Trinity, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

John 3:16

To the people of our time, her traveling companions, the Church also offers her social doctrine. In fact, when the Church “fulfills her mission of proclaiming the Gospel, she bears witness to man, in the name of Christ, to his dignity and his vocation to the communion of persons. She teaches him the demands of justice and peace in conformity with divine wisdom”[3]. This doctrine has its own profound unity, which flows from Faith in a whole and complete salvation, from Hope in a fullness of justice, and from Love which makes all mankind truly brothers and sisters in Christ: it is the expression of God’s love for the world, which he so loved “that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16). The new law of love embraces the entire human family and knows no limits, since the proclamation of the salvation wrought by Christ extends “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). (3)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

God gave His only Son out of love for the world. An unfathomable abundance of love or do we chose to portray God in puny graces, stern acclamations, authoritarian mandates? Having a distant relationship, we define by our inability to live perfectly, with ideals, placed on pedestals, only negates God’s love. Ideology, theology demonizing people, with harsh, stereotype, name tags displays no essence of God’s love for the world. The cooperation with evil, by looking at labels of separation, instead of God given attributes of goodness. For to distance, cordon off sectors of society from our lives, Church, communities and humanity judges in the limitations of the human mind. The lack of failing to emulate God by living as children of God and ascend to a plane of thinking prioritizing love over judgement. A realm distanced from God, who sent His Son not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved by belief. A word of the heart, belief can be humanly transformed into a spiritual litmus test with check boxes instead of childlike sincerity. A place where people corral themselves by creating an expanse of parameters. Where they feel they must be perfect before starting a relationship with an initial step of belief growing in friendship with God. To realize mercy and graciousness are attributes of the Divine desiring us to grasp His kindness and fidelity. But do we walk around burdened by carrying stone tablets, weighting our self down, creating distractions, slowing our movement towards God, as we envision with fear His obsession with laws. Laws never understood outside of love. For only in the reciprocity of love will we see, understand and act as the Lord desires us to live. To follow commandments out of fear and piety negates the meaning of our relationship with the Trinity. The essence of Three as One desiring union with us in love. Fear is toxic in our relationship with the Trinity, to limit spiritual communication. A proverbial shield oppressing a meaningful bond to smother rejoicing, erase peace. Attributes we need to affirm in our lives and support in others. Carrying the yoke that is easy, lifting the burdens of others with encouragement, when we put our hope in the Lord by what we fix in our heart when we realize God’s love for us. When we cease to worship false gods, as the words of the prophet Daniel describes, in dismissing false gods of physical properties displaying monetary abundance, fake ideologies, obsessive piety or self satisfying emotions not rooted in the Trinity, many seem like a fiery furnace with contradictions, cultural tugs, leadership examples defying Divine reason. But grounded in love by belief in God, the Creator, Jesus, our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit, the Consoler, we only return the love in praise with all creation. A witness to others we are rescued from despair by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and our fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

Individual Reflection:

Reflect on the litany of praise in the third chapter of Daniel and write your own litany of praise. Write it on parchment like paper, place in a frame and hang on a wall as a reminder to always praise the Most Holy Trinity.

Family Reflection: John 3:16-18

Use resources from Embrace Race to promote racial understanding in your children

https://www.embracerace.org

Prayer:

June 13th is the feast day of St Anthony of Padua. He continually had new experiences in his life requiring surrender. Pray about what God is asking you to surrender to the providence of God. St Anthony, Pray for us.

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-anthony-of-padua/

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born June 4, 2020 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Pentecost Sunday Lectionary Reflection May 31, 2020

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Barb Born

May 31, 2020: Pentecost Sunday

Catholic Social Teaching:

“God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34; cf. Rom 2:11; Gal 2:6; Eph 6:9), since all people have the same dignity as creatures made in his image and likeness[281]. The Incarnation of the Son of God shows the equality of all people with regard to dignity: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28; cf. Rom 10:12; 1 Cor 12:13, Col 3:11).

Since something of the glory of God shines on the face of every person, the dignity of every person before God is the basis of the dignity of man before other men. Moreover, this is the ultimate foundation of the radical equality and brotherhood among all people, regardless of their race, nation, sex, origin, culture, or class. (144) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

Psalm: 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

Gospel: John 20:19-23

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is brought to completion in the Church, which is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. This joint mission henceforth brings Christ’s faithful to share in his communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection. He makes present the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist, in order to reconcile them, to bring them into communion with God, that they may “bear much fruit.” (737) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to Pentecost Sunday, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Psalm 104

Psalm 104:24

The relationship of man with the world is a constitutive part of his human identity. This relationship is in turn the result of another still deeper relationship between man and God. The Lord has made the human person to be a partner with him in dialogue. Only in dialogue with God does the human being find his truth, from which he draws inspiration and norms to make plans for the future of the world, which is the garden that God has given him to keep and till (cf. Gen 2: 15). Not even sin could remove this duty, although it weighed down this exalted work with pain and suffering (cf. Gen 3:17-19).

Creation is always an object of praise in Israel’s prayer: “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all” (Ps 104:24). Salvation is perceived as a new creation that re-establishes that harmony and potential for growth that sin had compromised: “I create new heavens and a new earth” (Is 65:17) — says the Lord — in which “the wilderness becomes a fruitful field … and righteousness [will] abide in the fruitful field … My people will abide in a peaceful habitation” (Is 32:1518). (452)

John 20: 19, 21, 26

Acts 2:5-11

Professionals in the field of media are not the only people with ethical duties. Those who make use of the media also have obligations. Media operators who try to meet their responsibilities deserve audiences who are aware of their own responsibilities. The first duty of media users is to be discerning and selective. Parents, families and the Church have precise responsibilities they cannot renounce. For those who work, in various capacities, in the area of social communications, the warning of St. Paul rings out loud and clear: “Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another … Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:25, 29). Serving the human person through the building up of a human community based on solidarity, justice and love, and spreading the truth about human life and its final fulfilment in God remain at the heart of ethics in the media[1178]. In the light of faith, human communication can be seen as a journey from Babel to Pentecost, or rather, as the personal and social commitment to overcome the collapse of communication (cf. Gen 11:4-8), opening people to the gift of tongues (cf. Acts 2:5-11), to communication as restored by the power of the Spirit sent by the Son. (562)

Acts 2:6

The Lord Jesus is the prototype and foundation of the new humanity. In him, the true “likeness of God” (2 Cor 4:4), man — who is created in the image of God — finds his fulfilment. In the definitive witness of love that God has made manifest in the cross of Christ, all the barriers of enmity have already been torn down (cf. Eph 2:12-18), and for those who live a new life in Christ, racial and cultural differences are no longer causes of division (cf. Rom 10:12; Gal 3:26-28; Col 3:11).

Thanks to the Spirit, the Church is aware of the divine plan of unity that involves the entire human race (cf. Acts 17:26), a plan destined to reunite in the mystery of salvation wrought under the saving Lordship of Christ (cf. Eph 1:8-10) all of created reality, which is fragmented and scattered. From the day of Pentecost, when the Resurrection is announced to diverse peoples, each of whom understand it in their own language (cf. Acts 2:6), the Church fulfils her mission of restoring and bearing witness to the unity lost at Babel. Due to this ecclesial ministry, the human family is called to rediscover its unity and recognize the richness of its differences, in order to attain “full unity in Christ”.

(431)

1st Corinthians 12:13

See under Catholic Social Teaching above

(144)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Receive: To take or come into possession of, to take in, hold, to permit to enter, welcome, greet

A word Jesus used to impart the Holy Spirit on the disciples, as He breathed on them. A breath of new life grounded in a greeting of peace, in a setting behind locked doors. Jesus offering an invitation for the apostles to shed fear, get out into the world and be instruments of forgiveness. Do we vision the Holy Spirit as words in the creed recited with rhetorical precision or do we consciously receive the Holy Spirit? An experience the Catechism (paragraph 2003) defines as grace, the first and foremost gift that justifies and sanctifies us to enable us to collaborate with the Divine. An adventure to speak the languages of the world. A personal understanding and offering accompaniment in the native experiences magnifying the mighty acts of God. The journey we take rooted in the proclamation of our soul that “Jesus is Lord”. Belief that sent out with God’s Spirit, we participate in renewing the face of the earth. A process creating us in God’s design in relationship with all of God’s creatures and creation. A gladness in knowing we are woven into the Divine with a partnership of trust in the flow of the Holy Spirit. Let us not shrink from where the Holy Spirit draws us into the world, but respond to the call. The movement of prophetic voices acclaiming the Gospel infused with courage, layered with patience to understand, listen and at times wait in anticipation. Allowing the wholeness of God to define our faith in a quest for holiness engaged in the world while leaving behind constant isolating introspection. A freedom in knowing we all sit in the same room of humanity, no matter the physical and emotional barriers we might try to erect to distance ourselves from one another. For our openness brings us to a place of living by the Spirit’s prompting and as we pause in our day, our lives we resolutely know of the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Something the apostles knew in their ministries after they departed the room they were gathered in and we know two millenniums later.

Individual Reflection: John 20:19-23

Invite someone to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Family Reflection: Acts 2:1-11

Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. Celebrate by making a special cake.

Prayer:

Silently reflect on the words, Veni Sancte Spiritus, Come Holy Spirit, and be receptive to the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

http://www.humandevelopment.va/content/dam/sviluppoumano/documenti/LAUDATO%20SI’%20Special%20Anniversary%20Year%20Plans.pdf

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born May 27, 2020 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Ascension of the Lord and Seventh Sunday of Easter Lectionary Reflection May 24, 2020

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Barb Born

May 24, 2020: The Ascension of the Lord / Seventh Sunday of Easter

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

How will you promote peace instead of glorifying war on Memorial Day?

Peace is a value and a universal duty founded on a rational and moral order of society that has its roots in God himself, “the first source of being, the essential truth and the supreme good”. Peace is not merely the absence of war, nor can it be reduced solely to the maintenance of a balance of power between enemies. Rather it is founded on a correct understanding of the human person and requires the establishment of an order based on justice and charity.

Peace is the fruit of justice, (cf. Is 32:17) understood in the broad sense as the respect for the equilibrium of every dimension of the human person. Peace is threatened when man is not given all that is due him as a human person, when his dignity is not respected and when civil life is not directed to the common good. The defence and promotion of human rights is essential for the building up of a peaceful society and the integral development of individuals, peoples and nations.

Peace is also the fruit of love. “True and lasting peace is more a matter of love than of justice, because the function of justice is merely to do away with obstacles to peace: the injury done or the damage caused. Peace itself, however, is an act and results only from love”. (494) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings

The Ascension of the Lord

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11

Psalm: 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

Seventh Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 1:12-14

Psalm: 27:1, 4, 7-8

Second Reading: 1st Peter 4:13-16

Gospel: John 17:1-11a

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” The lifting up of Jesus on the cross signifies and announces his lifting up by his Ascension into heaven, and indeed begins it. Jesus Christ, the one priest of the new and eternal Covenant, “entered, not into a sanctuary made by human hands. . . but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” There Christ permanently exercises his priesthood, for he “always lives to make intercession” for “those who draw near to God through him”.As “high priest of the good things to come” he is the center and the principal actor of the liturgy that honors the Father in heaven. (662) The Ascension of the Lord

Jesus fulfilled the work of the Father completely; his prayer, like his sacrifice, extends until the end of time. The prayer of this hour fills the end-times and carries them toward their consummation. Jesus, the Son to whom the Father has given all things, has given himself wholly back to the Father, yet expresses himself with a sovereign freedom by virtue of the power the Father has given him over all flesh. The Son, who made himself Servant, is Lord, the Pantocrator. Our high priest who prays for us is also the one who prays in us and the God who hears our prayer. (2749) Seventh Sunday of Easter

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Ascension of the Lord / Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Matthew 28:19-20

God, in Christ, redeems not only the individual person but also the social relations existing between men. As the Apostle Paul teaches, life in Christ makes the human person’s identity and social sense — with their concrete consequences on the historical and social planes — emerge fully and in a new manner: “For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ” (Gal 3:26-28). In this perspective, Church communities, brought together by the message of Jesus Christ and gathered in the Holy Spirit round the Risen Lord (cf. Mt 18:20, 28:19-20; Lk 24:46-49), offer themselves as places of communion, witness and mission, and as catalysts for the redemption and transformation of social relationships. (52)

John 17:3

The new reality that Jesus Christ gives us is not grafted onto human nature nor is it added from outside: it is rather that reality of communion with the Trinitarian God to which men and women have always been oriented in the depths of their being, thanks to their creaturely likeness to God. But this is also a reality that people cannot attain by their own forces alone. Through the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, in whom this reality of communion has already been brought about in a singular manner, men and women are received as children of God (cf. Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:4-7). By means of Christ, we share in the nature of God, who gives us infinitely more “than all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20). What mankind has already received is nothing more than a token or a “guarantee” (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:14) of what it will receive in its fullness only in the presence of God, seen “face to face” (1 Cor 13:12), that is, a guarantee of eternal life: “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3). (122)

Ephesians 1:22-23

Faith in Jesus Christ makes it possible to have a correct understanding of social development, in the context of an integral and solidary humanism. In this regard, the contribution of theological reflection offered by the Church’s social Magisterium is very useful: “Faith in Christ the Redeemer, while it illuminates from within the nature of development, also guides us in the task of collaboration. In the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, we read that Christ is ‘the firstborn of all creation,’ and that ‘all things were created through him’ and for him (Col 1:15-16). In fact, ‘all things hold together in him’, since ‘in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things’ (v. 20). A part of this divine plan, which begins from eternity in Christ, the perfect ‘image’ of the Father, and which culminates in him, ‘the firstborn from the dead’ (v. 15-18), in our own history, marked by our personal and collective effort to raise up the human condition and to overcome the obstacles which are continually arising along our way. It thus prepares us to share in the fullness which ‘dwells in the Lord’ and which he communicates ‘to his body, which is the Church’ (v. 18; cf. Eph 1:22-23). At the same time sin, which is always attempting to trap us and which jeopardizes our human achievements, is conquered and redeemed by the ‘reconciliation’ accomplished by Christ (cf. Col 1:20)”. (327)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Luke reiterates his first book dealt with all Jesus did and taught in speaking about the kingdom of God. A kingdom extending beyond messianic prophecy to one empowered by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Rooted in the foundation of the Holy City and spreading to the ends of the earth. Not the narrowness of nationalism, but the expanse of inclusion. A mission strengthened in the unity of baptism to Jesus and one another. An experience of not imposing, but teaching what Jesus commanded. An opportunity to share the beauty of the Gospel rich in love of all, spreading mercy to heal, forgiveness to reconcile, compassion to care. Even with first hand encounters, the disciples approached the mountain to worship, but still shrouded in doubt. As with us, probably not doubting Jesus, but lingering doubt in themselves to continue what Jesus entrusted them to do. For they had not experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. And we must clear our minds of doubt by stepping aside from choreographing, plotting, strategizing and planning our discipleship like making a movie or writing a business plan and surrender to the movements of the Holy Spirit. A freedom of going forth not attempting to meet our expectations, but experiencing with awe Divine expectations for the kingdom of God. An experience of setting aside the prioritizing cognitive analysis to viewing life with heartfelt intent rendering hope of discipleship’s call. A place of not sitting with folded hands in a prayerful posture or forever gazing at the Tabernacle. For as the angels prompted the apostles to stop looking at the sky, we too must move beyond the solace of prayer to act as living disciples. As Jesus acknowledges His desire that we are in the world, not retracted in isolated cells, hunkered down fearful of the culture, peoples around us. A call to gathered around a shared table, women and men, all strivers and seekers to follow the Lord’s call, live His vision. For teaching is sharing not muscling the infinite gift we have in our hearts. Something we can give away and never have a diminished level. As the Holy Spirit allows us to operate from a paradigm of spiritual abundance and not like having to check a gas gauge on a car, we can go forth to the ends of the earth always fully spiritually fueled. If we live with trust. Metaphorically, the places we would never venture to on our own volition. Maybe across town, into another culture, starting a new ministry. All places of the unknown in our heart, most likely daunting in human terms, but as living tabernacles, Jesus calls us forth empowered by the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Individual Reflection:Matthew 18:16-20

How will you engage your ministry, parish and diocese in observance of Laudato Sí year?

Family Reflection: Ephesians 1:17-23

How will your family us Catholic Relief Services Leading the Way Action Calendar?

https://www.crs.org/get-involved/lead-way

Prayer: What is your prayer to Jesus to live as His disciple?

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

https://laudatosiweek.org

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born May 22, 2020 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Sixth Sunday of Easter Lectionary Reflection May 17, 2020

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Barb Born

May 17, 2020: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Catholic Social Teaching: Care for God’s Creation

Celebrate Laudato Sí Week

Readings

First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Psalm: 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Second Reading: 1st Peter 3:15-18 or 1st Peter 4:13-16

Gospel: John 14:15-21 or John 17:1-11a

*When the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on what would be the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the second reading and Gospel from the Seventh Sunday of Easter may be read on the Sixth Sunday of Easter*

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Because the Holy Spirit is the anointing of Christ, it is Christ who, as the head of the Body, pours out the Spirit among his members to nourish, heal, and organize them in their mutual functions, to give them life, send them to bear witness, and associate them to his self-offering to the Father and to his intercession for the whole world. Through the Church’s sacraments, Christ communicates his Holy and sanctifying Spirit to the members of his Body. (739) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

John 14:16, 20

The documents referred to here constitute the milestones of the path travelled by the Church’s social doctrine from the time of Pope Leo XIII to our own day. This brief summary would become much longer if we considered all the interventions motivated, other than by a specific theme, by “the pastoral concern to present to the entire Christian community and to all men of good will the fundamental principles, universal criteria and guidelines suitable for suggesting basic choices and coherent practice for every concrete situation”.

In the formulation and teaching of this social doctrine, the Church has been, and continues to be, prompted not by theoretical motivation but by pastoral concerns. She is spurred on by the repercussions that social upheavals have on people, on multitudes of men and women, on human dignity itself, in contexts where “man painstakingly searches for a better world, without working with equal zeal for the betterment of his own spirit”. For these reasons, this social doctrine has arisen and developed an “updated doctrinal ‘corpus’ … [that] builds up gradually, as the Church, in the fullness of the word revealed by Christ Jesus and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 14:16,26; 16:13-15), reads events as they unfold in the course of history”.(104)

John 14:21, 23-24

The Church has the right to be a teacher for mankind, a teacher of the truth of faith: the truth not only of dogmas but also of the morals whose source lies in human nature itself and in the Gospel. The word of the Gospel, in fact, is not only to be heard but is also to be observed and put into practice (cf. Mt 7:24; Lk 6:46-47; Jn 14:21,23-24; Jas 1:22). Consistency in behavior shows what one truly believes and is not limited only to things strictly church-related or spiritual but involves men and women in the entirety of their life experience and in the context of all their responsibilities. However worldly these responsibilities may be, their subject remains man, that is, the human being whom God calls, by means of the Church, to participate in his gift of salvation.

Men and women must respond to the gift of salvation not with a partial, abstract or merely verbal acceptance, but with the whole of their lives — in every relationship that defines life — so as not to neglect anything, leaving it in a profane and worldly realm where it is irrelevant or foreign to salvation. For this reason the Church’s social doctrine is not a privilege for her, nor a digression, a convenience or interference: it is her right to proclaim the Gospel in the context of society, to make the liberating word of the Gospel resound in the complex worlds of production, labor, business, finance, trade, politics, law, culture, social communications, where men and women live. (70)

John 17:3

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

We share our faith not by domination, in your face, listen to me, chapter and verse proclaimed with rhetorically precision, but the gentleness and persuasion inherent from the reason for our hope. The essence of faith that nourishes our soul, puts our faith in stride with the rhythm of life. Our acknowledgement of believing in the Lord by how we live our life. The blessings of finding spiritual contentment only by doing good to creation, others and ourselves. Anything else leaves us feeling maligned from the Gospel’s call to love God and neighbor, care for the least among us while we live attached to the true vine. The resiliency from being pruned and bud on a branch attached to the vine, so the Lord’s joy flows in us with complete exhilaration. A witness not layered with intellectual eloquence, but unquestionable conduct. No opportunity for others to discredit, defame or malign one’s actions. At times, there may seem like a cavern of distance, disassociation from the world, but we must always trust God as the ultimate source of our love and the indwelling affirmation leading us to God. Any shame directed by the world only layers pseudo properties of maliciousness, unfounded despair and guilt. Easily dismissed by our ultimate infinity with God that Christ leads us to through the cross. For our transgressions rooted in the world fail to label our identity, for our true self comes from being a Christian. Where we are brought to life in the Spirit, from the Advocate who always abides in us. Pondering truth, to discern the goodness we are called to from the realization that Christ is in the Father, He is in us and we are in Him, never leaves us orphans in the world. A possession of His commandments, observed out of love, not fear, to the Lord and His Father. From our baptism of water and the Spirit, we sing praise to the glory of His name with heartfelt devotion in these days of Easter joy, for all He has done for us. The expression of eternal life knowing the one, true God and the One He sent. Jesus Christ, who we glorify by accomplishing the work He gives us to do. For the Lord revealed the Divine to us, as we belong to the Divine and everything we have belongs to God. We believe He sent Jesus, who returned to the Father. Our Lord who prays for us to live in God’s grace even as we are in the world.

Individual Reflection: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Read about the challenges of water in Ethiopia

https://www.youtube.com/user/CatholicRelief/featured

Family Reflection: 1st Peter 3:15-18

How does your family support the message of this video while practicing “safer at home” restrictions?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwumwV6m2xA&feature=youtu.be

Prayer: Share Laudato Sí week prayer:

English: https://laudatosiweek.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CARD-EN.png

Spanish: https://laudatosiweek.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CARD-EN.png

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-isidore-the-farmer/

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born May 13, 2020. Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us ! The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Fifth Sunday of Easter Lectionary Reflection May 10, 2020

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Barb Born

May 10, 2020: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

May 15ht is the memorial for St Isidore, a farmworker. He faithfully attended daily mass and spent time before the Blessed Sacrament. Along with his wife, also a saint, helped their neighbors and worked with people living in need. May St Isidore be a model for our lives, as living stones.

https://catholicrurallife.org/resources/spiritual/isidore-and-maria-patron-saints-of-farmers/

Readings

First Reading: Acts 6:1-7

Psalm: 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

Second Reading: 1st Peter 2:4-9

Gospel: John 14:1-12

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church “a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.” The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. The faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation, in Christ’s mission as priest, prophet, and king. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are “consecrated to be . . . a holy priesthood.” (1546) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

John 14:6

The Church moves further into the Third Millennium of the Christian era as a pilgrim people, guided by Christ, the “great Shepherd” (Heb 13:20). He is the “Holy Door” (cf. Jn 10:9) through which we passed during the Great Jubilee of the year 2000[1]. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6): contemplating the Lord’s face, we confirm our faith and our hope in him, the one Saviour and goal of history.

The Church continues to speak to all people and all nations, for it is only in the name of Christ that salvation is given to men and women. Salvation, which the Lord Jesus obtained “at a price” (1 Cor 6:20; cf. 1 Pet 1:18-19), is achieved in the new life that awaits the righteous after death, but it also permeates this world in the realities of the economy and labour, of technology and communications, of society and politics, of the international community and the relations among cultures and peoples. “Jesus came to bring integral salvation, one which embraces the whole person and all mankind, and opens up the wondrous prospect of divine filiation”. (1)

Fostering a social and political culture inspired by the Gospel must be an area of particular importance for the lay faithful. Recent history has shown the weakness and radical failure of commonly held cultural perspectives that prevailed for a long time, especially on the social and political levels. In this area, particularly in the decades following the Second World War, Catholics in different countries have been involved at high levels, which shows with ever greater clarity today the consistency of their inspiration and of their heritage of values. The social and political involvement of Catholics, in fact, has never been limited to the mere transformation of structures, because this involvement takes place at the foundations of a culture that receives and listens to the reasoning made by faith and morality, including them as the basis and goal of concrete planning. When this awareness is lacking, Catholics themselves are condemned to cultural dispersion and their proposals are rendered insufficient and limited. An urgent priority today is also found in the need to present the patrimony of Catholic tradition, its values and content, and the entire spiritual, intellectual and moral heritage of Catholicism, in culturally up-to-date terms. Faith in Jesus Christ, who described himself as “the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6), prompts Christians to commit themselves with firm and ever new resolve to building a social and political culture inspired by the Gospel. (555)

John 14:9

The benevolence and mercy that inspire God’s actions and provide the key for understanding them become so very much closer to man that they take on the traits of the man Jesus, the Word made flesh. In the Gospel of Saint Luke, Jesus describes his messianic ministry with the words of Isaiah which recall the prophetic significance of the jubilee: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk 4:18-19; cf. Is 61:1-2). Jesus therefore places himself on the frontline of fulfillment, not only because he fulfills what was promised and what was awaited by Israel, but also in the deeper sense that in him the decisive event of the history of God with mankind is fulfilled. He proclaims: “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). Jesus, in other words, is the tangible and definitive manifestation of how God acts towards men and women. (28)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

How do we make ourselves a living stone? The stones the Lord asks us to become in following His example as the cornerstone. Big stones, round stones, oblong stones, jagged stones, cracked stones, stones with varying hues, porous stones, stones infused with various elements, stones formed by heat, molded by pressure. Stones as a metaphor, but the physical reality of our lives. Extensive differences, a wealth of diversity, asked by the Lord to come together and build His house. For each stone’s uniqueness is precisely why they are needed, to fill a void, act as support, bridge a gap. Without each stone, the house of the Lord is incomplete in building a spiritual house here and now and the Father’s house for eternity, complete with many dwelling places to accommodate the array of stones. Without realizing each stone has a place, people stumble or fall from feeling inadequate, unimportant, disconnected from the Lord. The lack of trusting in His words that He is the way, the truth and the life for all humanity and instead relying on themselves or gods molded by human hands. The refusal of the personal invitation from knowing Jesus to know the Father and the blessing from the Trinity’s indwelling in our lives. The place where God, our Creator, knows us better than we know ourselves, where Jesus works thru us to manifest His presence in the world and the Holy Spirit enflames faith. For as Jesus went to the Father, He did not leave His apostles and all future generations to flounder in a spiritual abyss, but acclaims the exhortation to do the works He did and even greater. Whatever type stone we are in the Lord’s house, we place our trust in Him by giving thanks, doing works grounded in justice, kindness and the right for He delivers us from spiritual death and preserves us when we hunger and thirst for His ways. Jesus, the perfection of love, trusts us to do His work. As He is faithful 24/7, we must let that love reverberate back to Him by our faithfulness 24/7. For living as His disciples, each as a living, unique stone, must be more than a token of acknowledging faith, but let ourselves, called out of darkness into His wonderful light, be built into His spiritual house.

Individual Reflection: Acts 6:1-7

This Scripture passage talks about the institution of deacons in the Church. Learn about the role of women as deacons in the early Church and in supporting tradition in our Church, the call to reinstate women deacons to serve our Church today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4xsw6Lbt-k

Family Reflection:

May 13th is the memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. As a family pray the rosary to celebrate this day.

Prayer: Prayerfully watch the video of The Way, The Truth and The Life song by Bob Hurd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fvwd9Y6xlg

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

http://www.mygoodshepherd.org/dj/index.htm

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born May 1, 2020, St Joseph, The Worker Pray for us. The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Fourth Sunday of Easter Lectionary Reflection May 3, 2020

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Barb Born

May 3, 2020: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Read how a parish lives their mission….by direct service, empowerment, education and advocacy

http://www.mygoodshepherd.org/ministries_humanconcerns.html

Readings

First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Psalm: 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Second Reading: 1st Peter 2:20b-25

Gospel: John 10:1-10

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“The Church is, accordingly, a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ. It is also the flock of which God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd, and whose sheep, even though governed by human shepherds, are unfailingly nourished and led by Christ himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of Shepherds, who gave his life for his sheep.(754)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

John 10:1-10

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Short cuts may seem an easy option, but produce resounding problems in the long run. Taking a short cut one easily gets lost. The GPS may fail, as the batteries become depleted, it’s not always easy to read a compass accurately, or lots of trees turn into a staggering maze with no visibly clear path to the destination. Short cuts, maybe jumping over a fence, mean you are proceeding where you probably should not go, stepping on fragile animal habitat, squishing flowers to snuff out life, wearing a path into lush landscape just for your self interest of saving a few steps or a few minutes of your time. Short cuts can generate hostility for trespassing on another’s turf, acting arrogant if other’s don’t matter or even dismissing a friendship. Short cuts also don’t work in seeking a true and meaningful relationship with Jesus, our Shepherd. For the Lord desires a sincere friendship with us, not just an occasional spiritual text with a cute emoji, checking in at our convenience, going into robo mode to fulfill minimal spiritual obligations and personally label ourselves as believers. Jesus cares so much for us, as our Shepherd, that He desires to give all of Himself and seeks we treasure the grace of His abundant blessings that entails. For Jesus does not treat us as generic humans, but calls each of us by name. He leads us and opens the gate of the sheepfold, walking ahead of us to peruse the terrain in leading us to verdant pastures and restful spiritual waters to refresh our souls. Our guide, Jesus, guides us on right paths. Always at our side to encourage and give us courage from anointing with the oil of chrism and overflowing gifts of the Holy Spirit, if we dwell in the house of the Lord by living in the serenity of the sheepfold. For we know we are forgiven of our sins by our repentance and baptism and His act of love for us on the cross. All placated on grace, manifest as gift, for we recognize His voice of truth. Untarnished by nuances of ideology skewed to exclude, lurking as strangers, thieves and robbers, attempting to claim the Church as their own possession cannot steal and destroy what multitudes gathered as Church find by following Jesus in having life and having it more abundantly by not taking short cuts in embracing the way, truth and life of the Shepherd.

Individual Reflection: 1st Peter 2:20b-25

Share this diocesan video about the need to address climate change and encourage the diocese where you reside to become involved in this global movement, as shepherds in the Church encourage care for God’s creation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUFrfZ-chJI&feature=youtu.be

Family Reflection: John 10:1-10

What cultural references does your family have of Jesus as Shepherd? How do cultures portray Jesus as the Good Shepherd?

Prayer: https://www.crs.org/resource-center/prayer-good-shepherd

Prayer to the Good Shepherd

Lord of the 23rd Psalm,

I have known death,

and you have refreshed my soul.

I have known fear,

and you have comforted me.

I have known hunger,

and you have set a feast before me.

In the darkest valley

no calamity of humankind or nature has separated us.

Teach me to walk as you walk

Beside those in mourning

so that they will know joy,

Beside those in fear

that they will know comfort,

Beside those in hunger

that they will feast until their cup overflows.

As your goodness and love follow me,

May mine follow my neighbor

That the threat of the worst terrors

May turn to the knowledge of the comforts of

the house of the Lord,

Where you have invited us to dwell forever.

And so let me strive to help build on earth

What you have promised us in heaven.

In the face of all calamity, present and yet to come,

Let me lead my neighbor beside quiet waters,

The quiet waters of the Good Shepherd.

AMEN

Blogs to Visit:

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.