July 3, 2011: 14h Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10
Psalm: 145
Second Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Zechariah 9:9-10 paragraphs 378 and 491
Romans 8:9, 11-13 paragraphs 38 and 522
Lent, The Triduum, Easter, Pentecost and now Ordinary Time. Can faith ever be ordinary when the Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who bow down. He cam meekly riding unarmed on a colt to banish chariots of war and the warriors’ armaments to proclaim peace in a dominion reaching from sea to sea to the ends of the earth. He comes today, in Spirit, mercifully with great kindness and goodness to all that part from being burdened as debtors to the flesh. To live, means taking His yoke and learning from Him the way of peace. For we only find rest when the turmoil from learned plotting to seize a strategic economic or social advantage mold into meekness. With meekness inherent in our disposition, we mourn with the poor and vulnerable, but resentment and vengeance ceases to prevail in our spirit. Our modalities for systemic change root themselves in non-violent actions of compassion to inherent evil. Rest will prevail, for the burden of maintaining a proactive, assertive posture dulls the mind to gifts of creation and seeing the interconnectedness of humanity. The yoke, the Lord’s Word, becomes easy for a humble heart to carry as the stress compiled from competitive self interest vanishes into the mirage of past hollow beliefs.
Individual Reflection: Matthew 11:25-30
Plan to participate on First Fridays for Food Security. On the First Friday of each month till May 6, 2012, eat only what is allocated by the USDA modified Thrifty Food Plan as a form of fasting and solidarity with those experiencing food insecurity.
Family Reflection: Psalm 145
During summer at your parish, organize a weekly fruit and vegetable exchange, so when people have excess produce form their garden they bring it on Sunday to share with others.
The reflection may be reproduced for use in parish bulletins ,newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns.
