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Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Lectionary Reflection April 13, 2014

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Barb Born
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April 13, 2014: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

 

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

“We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be.  Loving our neighbor has global dimensions and requires us to eradicate racism and address the extreme poverty and disease plaguing so much of the world.  Solidarity also includes the Scriptural call to welcome the stranger among us— including immigrants seeking work, a safe home, education  for their children and a decent life for their families.  In light of the Gospel’s invitation to be peacemakers, our commitment to solidarity with our neighbors—at home and abroad—also demands that we promote peace and pursue justice in a world marred by terrible violence and conflict…” (53)  Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, USCCB

 

Readings

Entrance: Matthew 21:1-11

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

Psalm: 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“…Jesus conquers the Daughter of Zion, a figure of his Church, neither by ruse nor by violence, but by the humility that bears witness to the truth.  And so the subjects of his kingdom on that day are children and God’s poor, who acclaim him as had the angels when they announced him to the shepherds.  Their acclamation, ‘Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD, is taken up by the Church in the ‘Sanctus’ of the Eucharistic liturgy that introduces the memorial of the Lord’s Passover.” (559)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Cycle A

 

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Matthew 27: 45 and 51

The entrance of Jesus Christ into the history of the world reaches its culmination in the Paschal Mystery, where nature itself takes part in the drama of the rejection of the Son of God and in the victory of his Resurrection (cf. Mt 27:45,51, 28:2). Crossing through death and grafting onto it the new splendour of the Resurrection, Jesus inaugurates a new world in which everything is subjected to him (cf. 1 Cor 15:20-28) and he creates anew those relationships of order and harmony that sin had destroyed. Knowledge of the imbalances existing between man and nature should be accompanied by an awareness that in Jesus the reconciliation of man and the world with God — such that every human being, aware of divine love, can find anew the peace that was lost — has been brought about. “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). Nature, which was created in the  Word is, by the same Word made flesh, reconciled to God and given new peace (cf. Col 1:15-20). (454)

 

 

Philippians 2:8

The unsurpassed apex of the perspective indicated here is the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the New Man, who is one with humanity even to the point of “death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). In him it is always possible to recognize the living sign of that measureless and transcendent love ofGod-with-us, who takes on the infirmities of his people, walks with them, saves them and makes them one[423]. In him and thanks to him, life in society too, despite all its contradictions and ambiguities, can be rediscovered as a place of life and hope, in that it is a sign of grace that is continuously offered to all and because it is an invitation to ever higher and more involved forms of sharing.

Jesus of Nazareth makes the connection between solidarity and charity shine brightly before all, illuminating the entire meaning of this connection[424]: “In the light of faith, solidarity seeks to go beyond itself, to take on the specifically Christian dimensions of total gratuity, forgiveness and reconciliation. One’s neighbour is then not only a human being with his or her own rights and a fundamental equality with everyone else, but becomes the living image of God the Father, redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and placed under the permanent action of the Holy Spirit. One’s neighbour must therefore be loved, even if an enemy, with the same love with which the Lord loves him or her; and for that person’s sake one must be ready for sacrifice, even the ultimate one: to lay down one’s life for the brethren (cf. 1 Jn 3:16)”[425]. (196)

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

Judas Iscariot went looking to betray Jesus, by asking the chief priests what they were willing to pay to hand him over.  He was paid thirty pieces of silver, the price for a slave (Exodus 21:32), to betray Jesus.  Did this not accentuate that Jesus, though the Son of God, humbled himself to the lowest societal rung?  Was Judas becoming a slave to betrayal and violence by accepting the money? Did this not speak to the authority’s lack of understanding of Jesus as a liberator?  Did this not show how conspiring evil is rooted in self-serving avarice? So many symbolic story lines embedded in the connotation of a slave.

 

The disciples experienced the first Eucharist, the bread of Jesus’ body, the cup, shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.  A forgiveness they would need as their faith would be shaken and they drifted into sleep.  A slumber from the reality of an evening, steeped with eternal consequences that only appeared as darkness to obscure the light of hope for them.

 

Jesus did not flee the culture of violence, a large crowd seeking control with piercing swords and bruising clubs sent by the authorities seeking to retain power. He did not repay violence with violence, by telling a companion to  put the sword back into the sheath, for all who take the sword will parish by the sword.  They perceived and treated him like a robber, for he challenged the status quo to rob it of its crafting dominance that oppressed with legality over reason.  Struggling to live without physical self- defense, in a culture perpetuating fear, the disciples absorbed into the fear and fled.

 

The chief priests and entire Sanhedrin, in statements, condemned themselves with interpretations of blasphemy.  Peter remained curious, keeping within reach of the spectacle, but chose to hide his true identity behind righteous cursing absolving association.  But attempting to deny reality could only flicker a prophetic stanza to be snuffed out by the winds of truth touching human hearts.  Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken.  He went from the scene of the charade and wept bitterly.  Judas, the first to tangle with evil, seeing the eventual reality of his actions, deeply realized what he had done to acknowledge his sin of betraying innocence.  The story continues all the way to the cross, with irony, condemnation, infused with violence towards innocence.  Is the rest of the story difficult to read, for our lives are paradoxically woven into its words.  But we have the benefit of hindsight to know the rest of the story that continues today.  We must choose to partner with violence, evil of silencing innocence and profiting through those motives or realizing the freedom and forgiveness of the Eucharist and the cross to LIVE like we BELIEVE.  Knowing we have not been abandoned by God, to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.  Today, people continue experiencing crucifixion.  In faith, not fear, we must not let them singularly face false acquisitions, but in the hope of the cross bring light into darkness.

 

Individual Reflection: Matthew 26:14-27:66

What organization do you support that assists people crucified today, socially, culturally or economically?  Share their work with ten friends to raise awareness of the conditions.

 

Family Reflection: Philippians 2:6-11

During the Triduum, from Holy Thursday evening through Easter, fast from unnecessary electronic communication and television to retain an essence of sacredness and reflection.

 

Prayer

Lord, as you confronted violence in the world, may we be your hands and voices of peace.  Help us to always absorb the gift of Eucharist and share the blessings.  Illuminate darkness in our lives and our world, so we see ruse of fallacies.  Give us courage to not live focused on self-serving greed, but prioritize service, as we trust your providence for our daily bread. Thank you for journeying to the cross and not slinking from the will of the Father, to offer us hope.  In your dear name Jesus, Amen

 

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.

 

Involvement Opportunities

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

 

By Barb Born    March 29, 2014  The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern

 

 

Posted in Bulletin Reflections, Family Reflection, Individual Reflection on Lectionary Readings, Lectionary Reflections, Lectionary Resources, Prayer, Religion, Social Justice, Social Justice Lectionary Reflections based on Catholic Social Teaching, Social Justice Lectionary Resources, Uncategorized | Tagged Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, hope, Palm Sunday, peace, solidarity, Son of God, violence | Leave a reply

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection January 19, 2014

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Barb Born
Reply

January 19, 2014:  Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Catholic Social Teaching: Call to Family, Community and Participation

“The sacredness and dignity of human life exists not in isolation, but affirmed through individuals growing in community and seeking together the well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.”

From:   https://cst74life.wordpress.com/

 

Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

Psalm: 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 1:1-3

Gospel: John 1:29-34

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“…As the Spirit of truth will also do, John ‘came to bear witness to the light’.  In John’s sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels. “he on whom you see the Spirit descend and remains, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.  And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God…Behold the Lamb of God.” (719)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the 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

Holiness is not the qualification for an exclusive club, with limited membership, but for all, everywhere—to the ends of the earth—who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Sacrifices or offerings are not desired responses, when we know the Lord stoops toward us, for He desires our ears be attentive to His precepts.  With God’s law of love permeating to the crevices of our heart, the prescribed response is we announce God’s justice in the vast assembly, without restraining our lips.  This shall be our delight, for in knowing God’s and the Lord’s peace, a new song crescendos from our mouth.

How do we come to do the Lord’s will?  You come with you experiences, as you waited for the Lord.  How did those experiences mold your heart, fuel your passion for justice and modulate your perceptions?  You come with the knowledge that God is now your strength, not predicated on the quantity of offerings you may labor to set before Him. How does this freedom unburden your soul to speak God’s justice?  You come knowing the Lord takes away the sins of the world.  How will you articulate this forgiveness in the world?  You come with assurance that Jesus is the Son of God.  How will you exemplify His passion for peace?  Coming to do God’s will, we transition from our agenda to God’s design.  It is not about how much we can do seeking financial or meritorious acclamations, but simply doing what God places in our hearts.  And to realize that might be attentively, lovingly and compassionately dealing with injustice faced by one, solidarity person that crosses our path.  Coming to do the Lord’s will is about caring in ways we previously thought unimaginable, on issues we once ignored and realize this is not a sacrifice—only a blessing.  

 

Individual Reflection: Psalm 40, 2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

As we pause to remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, where do you see injustice in your family, parish or community?  How might you be a voice to raise awareness and address this injustice?

 

Family Reflection: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

As a family, attend a memorial service, vigil or community celebration remembering the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Prayer

Lord thank you for making our ears attentive to your call.  Always make us open to do your will.  Erase timidity from our speech and actions, as we proclaim your justice.  May we praise you with a new song that expounds from our joy of experiencing your love and the gift of salvation.  Be with those mired in the abyss of injustice. Help us to affirm their dignity, as part of the human family.  Temper our desire to judge and strengthen our efforts to affirm the strength of our diversity. We pray in our Savior’s dear name Amen.  

 

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.

 

Involvement Opportunities

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

 

By Barb Born   December 30, 2013  The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern

 

Posted in Bulletin Reflections, Family Reflection, Individual Reflection on Lectionary Readings, Lectionary Reflections, Lectionary Resources, Prayer, Religion, Social Justice, Social Justice Lectionary Reflections based on Catholic Social Teaching, Social Justice Lectionary Resources, Social Justice Prayer, Uncategorized | Tagged baptizing, come to do God's will, holiness, justice, offerings, peace, sacrifices, Son of God | Leave a reply

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