July 28, 2013: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Care for God’s Creation
“We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of God’s creation. Care for the earth is a duty of our faith and a sign of our concern for all people. We should strive to live simply to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We have a moral obligation to protect the planet on which we live—to respect God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for human beings, especially children at their most vulnerable stages of development…”(54) Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship USCCB
Readings
First Reading: Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm: 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8
Second Reading: Colossians 2:12-14
Gospel: Luke 11:1-13
Catechism of the Catholic Church
“The acts of faith, hope, and charity enjoined by the first commandment are accompanied in prayer. Lifting up the mind toward God is an expression of our adoration of God: prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petition. Prayer is an indispensable condition for being able to obey God’s commandments. (We) ought to pray and not lose heart.” (2098) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Luke 11:11-13
“…The Lord puts nature at the service of his plan of redemption. He asks his disciples to look at things, at the seasons and at people with the trust of children who know they will never be abandoned by a provident Father. Far from being enslaved by things, the disciples of Jesus must know how to use them in order to bring about sharing and brotherhood.” (453)
For the complete text read:
Reflection
The disciples saw Jesus praying. The words he taught them to pray were the words He lived by. He reverenced and loved the Father. Jesus’ teachings and actions harkened the Kingdom of God grounded on justice, peace, joy and love. He fed 5000 to quench their physical hunger with bread and fish. With the simplicity of bread and wine, He initiated the spiritual feast of the Eucharistic table. In totality, He forgives sins. Jesus endured His final earthly test with an exclamation of hope. In our lives, do the words we pray reverberate in pious hollowness or do our lives utter sincere attempts to honor God? Do we strive to articulate the Kingdom of God by letting power sift through our hands and in that emptiness become servants? Do we acknowledge our needs are simple basic necessities personified by many hands contributing to mold our daily bread or do we live in the realm of entitlement for a filet mignon and cheesecake lifestyle? Can we forgive beyond polite platitudes, to not let wrongs gnaw on relationships in families and society, but let forgiveness heal? Does the hope and joy of eternity permeate the fabric of our daily lives to dispel fear? Jesus’ life was a prayer. Will we live our lives as a prayer, knowing in persistent seeking we will find the words of our prayers etch the substance of our souls with His promise, kindness and truth that invites us to trust and if we ask an offering of the Holy Spirit.
Individual Reflection: Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8
Consider starting a Just Faith program at your parish. In a recent survey of Just Faith graduates within eight months of finishing the program, 96 percent feel their relationship with God has deepened, 95 percent have an increased understanding of the relationship between faith and action and 98 percent are committed to involvement in social ministry activities. Learn more at:
Family Reflection: Luke 11:1-13
Each day this week, recite the Our Father together. Briefly stop at the end of each stanza and have every family member share how they lived the stanza that day.
Blogs to Visit:
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born July 12, 2013 The Reflection maybe used for parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns
