August 12, 2018: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity
August 14th is the memorial of St Maximilian Kolbe, the Franciscan priest, who as a prisoner in Auschwitz exchanged his life for a man with a family “He is remembered for his prophetic words, Hatred is not a creative force. Only love is a creative power.” From Daily Roman Missal August 14th, Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
Readings
First Reading: 1st Kings 19:4-8
Psalm: 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Ephesians 4:30-5:2
Gospel: John 6:41-51
Catechism of the Catholic Church
There is no surer pledge or dearer sign of this great hope in the new heavens and new earth “in which righteousness dwells,” than the Eucharist. Every time this mystery is celebrated, “the work of our redemption is carried on” and we “break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ.” (1405) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
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
On our journey of life we must eat and drink of spiritual food on our perpetual journey to the mountain of God. If we never take the first spiritual nibble to awaken our spiritual taste buds we will never know the goodness of the Lord. Once experienced, we bless the Lord at all times, praise flows from our mouths and works pleasing to the Lord flow from our hands to collectively extol his name. What ever fears occupied our conscience, change, abandonment by family or friends, leaving behind spatial desires, the Lord delivers us from them. The Lord does not drag or reel us in, but only through the free will of our searching does the face of Jesus greet us, the arms of Jesus embrace us and as we look to him we are only radiant with joy knowing the bread from heaven gives eternal life. But at times do we act like spiritual brats and grieve the Holy Spirit of God which we were sealed with at confirmation? When bitterness, angry, fury, shouting, malice and reveling permeate our dialogue kindness ceases, compassion fizzles, forgiveness never emerges from hate. Eating the Bread of Life and drinking of the Cup of Salvation and realizing we are consuming the Real Presence of Christ calls us to be imitators off. God. His beloved children, and treat others as our brothers and sisters to love as Christ loved us when he handed himself over for us. For partaking the Eucharist grounds us in love as God love, as the angel of the Lord encamps around those who believe and take refuge in the Lord. So if we partake and hate, Christ does not live in us and we do not live in Christ. Eucharist is pure gift bestowed for the life of the world. Let us not waste this Divine gift, the source and summit that defines our faith, but let its transformative presence transform our lives and world.
Individual Reflection: John 6:41-51
Discern becoming a Eucharistic minister, at your parish or for taking communion to someone unable to attend mass.
Family Reflection: Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. ” For today, the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven as the beginning and image of your Church coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people” From Daily Roman Missal, Preface to Eucharistic prayer.
Read the Mary Assumption reflection at http://marynow.wordpress.com/ and discuss how Mary’s Assumption is relevant for your family’s faith journey.
Prayer: Spend time at Eucharistic adoration or before the Blessed Sacrament this week.
Blogs to Visit:
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.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
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 July 28, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.