September 3, 2017: Twenty second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Call to Family, Community and Participation
“Some of you said: this system can no longer be endured. We must change it; we must put human dignity again at the center and on that pillar build the alternative social structures we need. It must be done with courage, but also with intelligence, with tenacity but without fanaticism, with passion but without violence. And among us all, addressing the conflicts without being trapped in them, always seeking to resolve the tensions to reach a higher plane of unity, peace and justice.”
Pope Francis, October 28, 2014
From: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/index.cfm
Readings
First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9
Psalm: 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Second Reading: Roans 12:1-2
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods. “Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow. Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. They shall see God.(2547)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the, Twenty second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: No references this week
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
Without God, our lives lack living water, leaving us lifeless and parched. Lifeless without vitality to live life with purpose. Parched like earth cracking, peeling back to let life flow through but unable to return goodness. Our thirsting for God emulates in our soul, the deepest longings unattainable, unanswerable from compilation of material possessions. The searching leads to an uncontainable font of God’s power and glory manifest as mercy, a balm to sooth our yearnings. The richness of a banquet with definable choices our soul clings to with praise. For God provides in abundance the way we feel His presence, see His face to know we are loved beyond a quantifiable sum. But how often do we become an obstacle to ourselves embracing God, while God never tires of embracing us. Do we trifle with obsession over culture wars, the nuances of the day in fashion, music or hairstyles instead of gravitating to renew our minds so we are holy and pleasing to God? Then we can live in the world with kindness and mercy instead of revealing in disdain by building walls of division over this age’s culture to sever paths of dialogue. For to discern the will of God, what is good, pleasing and perfect abandons hate for love, neglect for compassion, absolutes for mercy and vengeance for peace. The filter of rational cerebral thinking moves to allow God to open the eyes of our heart. A place where we know the essence of hope implicit in our call to no longer live our lives without God. Where we lose our life as we thought it should be formatted to surrender into the Lord’s way, we experience the paradox of finding our life. Jesus found that by surrendering into the Father by way of the cross, we too have a cross to carry. If it seems heavy, awkward, a stigma, the wood has splinters, it’s not perfect since the wood is cracked, we must ask ourselves are we living without allowing God to fashion, view our cross while we are parched and lifeless in disbelief or do we live with the Lord’s promise that He will come with His angles and Father’s glory to repay everyone according to their conduct? So what seemed like a cost of serving God, acting justly, caring mercifully, costs us nothing eternally, for we will be repaid . And we know in God’s generosity that means being repaid awesomely beyond belief.
Individual Reflection: Romans 12:1-2
As our Church reflects on the Day Prayer for Peace and of Racial Justice in Our Communities, what can you do to encourage dialogue about racial injustice at your parish and broader community? https://togoforth.org/2016/08/18/5-ways-you-can-cultivate-peace-and-work-for-racial-justice/
How can the example of St Peter Claver (His feast day is September 9th) help us to cease racial strife and renew our minds with what is good, pleasing and perfect to direct our actions in respect for all people as children of God?
Family Reflection: Matthew 16:21-27
In this season of creation what will your family do to better care for God’s creation? How will you encourage your parish to better understand that caring for God’s creation is a precept of our face? Help support your parish to include this insert in your parish bulletin and post on the parish website:
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/upload/WDPCC-Bulletin-Insert-Final.pdf
Offer to lead the after Mass prayer opportunity each week to celebrate this season:
http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/resource/finding-god-in-the-wilderness-season-of-creation-prayer-service-series-2017
Prayer:
PRAYER FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Let us pray . . .
O Lord our God, in your mercy and kindness, no thought of ours is left unnoticed, no desire or
concern ignored.
You have proven that blessings abound when we fall on our knees in prayer,
and so we turn to you in our hour of need.
Surrounded by violence and
cries for justice, we hear your voice telling us what is
required . . .
“Only to do justice and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8).
Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others.
Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism
so that we may seek peace and justice in our
communities.
Strengthen our hearts so that they beat only to the rhythm of your holy will.
Flood our path with your light as we walk humbly toward a future
filled with encounter and unity.
Be with us, O Lord, in our efforts, for only by the prompting of your grace
can we progress toward virtue.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/16-056-prayer-for-peace-prayer-card.pdf
Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
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.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
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.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
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 August 26, 2017 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.