peaceonjustice

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.

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.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

https://smrep.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 August 7, 2019 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 10, 2018

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Barb Born

June 10, 2018: Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person

“God shows forth his almighty power by converting us from our sins and restoring us to his friendship by grace…” (277) Catechism of the Catholic Church

Readings

First Reading: Genesis 3:9-15

Psalm: 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 2nd Corinthians 4:13-5:1

Gospel: Mark 3:20-35

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The harmony in which they had found themselves, thanks to original justice, is now destroyed: the control of the soul’s spiritual faculties over the body is shattered; the union of man and woman becomes subject to tensions, their relations henceforth marked by lust and domination. Harmony with creation is broken: visible creation has become alien and hostile to man. Because of man, creation is now subject “to its bondage to decay”. Finally, the consequence explicitly foretold for this disobedience will come true: man will “return to the ground”,²⁸⁵ for out of it he was taken. Death makes its entrance into human history. (400) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Genesis 3:12

At the root of personal and social divisions, which in differing degrees offend the value and dignity of the human person, there is a wound which is present in man’s inmost self. “In the light of faith we call it sin: beginning with original sin, which all of us bear from birth as an inheritance from our first parents, to the sin which each one of us commits when we abuse our own freedom”. The consequences of sin, insofar as it is an act of separation from God, are alienation, that is, the separation of man not only from God but also from himself, from other men and from the world around him. “Man’s rupture with God leads tragically to divisions between brothers. In the description of the ‘first sin’, the rupture with Yahweh simultaneously breaks the bond of friendship that had united the human family. Thus the subsequent pages of Genesis show us the man and the woman as it were pointing an accusing finger at each other (cf. Gen. 3:12). Later we have brother hating brother and finally taking his brother’s life (cf. Gen 4:2-16). According to the Babel story, the result of sin is the shattering of the human family, already begun with the first sin and now reaching its most extreme form on the social level”[225]. Reflecting on the mystery of sin, we cannot fail to take into consideration this tragic connection between cause and effect. (116)

2nd Corinthians 5:1-2

God’s promise and Jesus Christ’s resurrection raise in Christians the well-founded hope that a new and eternal dwelling place is prepared for every human person, a new earth where justice abides (cf. 2 Cor 5:1-2; 2 Pet 3:13). “Then, with death conquered, the children of God will be raised in Christ and what was sown in weakness and corruption will be clothed in incorruptibility: charity and its works will remain and all of creation, which God made for man, will be set free from its bondage to vanity”. This hope, rather than weaken, must instead strengthen concern for the work that is needed in the present reality. (56)

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

Who do we try to blame for our transgressions. We synthetically absolve ourselves by making another a scapegoat. An attempt to mitigate punishment and guilt by sliding the burden along. At the root of our manipulation lays fear. What will people say? What trouble will this cause? Instead, we should focus on the words of the Psalmist, “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.” Our fleeing, hiding or assuming a posture of pseudo innocence should give way to unflinchingly bare the nakedness of our soul before God. Realizing the Lord hears our contrite voice with attentive ears rendering forgiveness, He clothes us with grace. Fear evaporates as trust ground our soul in the Divine. Words inaudible, but more present than our physical surroundings. Redeeming words capable of moving us beyond any inequities to a place where we do not flee God, but scurry towards His loving embrace. A profound realization that our past does not define who we are today. For only in this precious moment of time ,with acknowledgement of our frailties, we resolve to absorb grace to fill empty crevasses of discontent, arrogance and fear. God desires to talk with us, calling to our attention the goodness of creation while we attempt to defile reality in our narrow perception of God. The defining foundational question rests in resolving do we believe and live like we are forgiven. Not a trick question or multiple choice, but either yes or no. To live with fear renders a NO, while letting mercy grasp the marrow of our being reverberates a resounding YES we speak in living affirmation with overflowing thanksgiving for the glory of God. Day by day, constantly renewing us to an eternal unseen reality. Some may view this as cavalier, a lack of serious piety or downright crazy, but God wills we seek forgiveness, the blessings of peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. For in doing the will of God, we are unified as the family of God.

Individual Reflection: Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Learn about the Forgiveness Project: https://www.theforgivenessproject.com

How can you encourage forgiveness in your community to mitigate the culture of violence and scapegoating??

Family Reflection: Mark 3:20-35

Learn about integrating Peace Builders into your school: http://www.peacebuilders.com

Prayer: Dialogue in prayer this week about TRUST

Blogs to Visit:

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.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

https://smrep.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 May 30, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection February 12, 2017

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Barb Born

February 12, 2017: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Call to Family Community and Participation

Love is at the Service of Others
The next word that Paul uses is chrestéuetai. The word is used only here in the entire Bible. It is derived from chrestós: a good person, one who shows his goodness by his deeds. Here, in strict parallelism with the preceding verb, it serves as a complement. Paul wants to make it clear that “patience” is not a completely passive attitude, but one accompanied by activity, by a dynamic and creative interaction with others. The word indicates that love bene ts and helps others. For this reason it is translated as “kind”; love is ever ready to be of assistance. (93)

Throughout the text, it is clear that Paul wants to stress that love is more than a mere feel- ing. Rather, it should be understood along the lines of the Hebrew verb “to love”; it is “to do good”. As Saint Ignatius of Loyola said, “Love is shown more by deeds than by words”.106 It thus shows its fruitfulness and allows us to ex- perience the happiness of giving, the nobility and grandeur of spending ourselves unstinting- ly, without asking to be repaid, purely for the pleasure of giving and serving. (94)

From Amores Laetitia, Pope Francis
Readings
First Reading: Sirach 15:15-20
Psalm: 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
Second Reading: 1st Corinthian 2:6-10
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37

Catechism of the Catholic Church
The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy Spirit, rather than from fear; a law of grace, because it confers the strength of grace to act, by means of faith and the sacraments; a law of freedom, because it sets us free from the ritual and juridical observances of the Old Law, inclines us to act spontaneously by the prompting of charity and, finally, lets us pass from the condition of a servant who “does not know what his master is doing” to that of a friend of Christ – “For all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” – or even to the status of son and heir. (1972)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Sirach 15:14
Man can turn to good only in freedom, which God has given to him as one of the highest signs of his image: “For God has willed that man remain ‘under the control of his own decisions’ (Sir 15:14), so that he can seek his Creator spontaneously, and come freely to utter and blissful perfection through loyalty to Him. Hence man’s dignity demands that he act according to a knowing and free choice that is personally motivated and prompted from within, neither under blind internal impulse nor by mere external pressure”.
Man rightly appreciates freedom and strives for it passionately: rightly does he desire and must form and guide, by his own free initiative, his personal and social life, accepting personal responsibility for it. In fact, freedom not only allows man suitably to modify the state of things outside of himself, but it also determines the growth of his being as a person through choices consistent with the true good. In this way man generates himself, he is father of his own being, he constructs the social order. (135)

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

What leads us to spewing superlatives Raqa, blockhead, you fool against a sister, brother or segment of society? Have we forgotten we have journeyed to the altar of the Lord? Do we erase from our minds the spirit of the commandments? Never going beyond the mere letter of the law, do we evade the depth of love? For faith is embedded not in broad utterances of legalism, but precise acts of charity and demeanor rooted in love. Acting out of our love for God, we lovingly respect the dignity of others. This comes from our free choice of life giving service over the death of trust, congeniality and respect. Desiring to manifest good in the world, translating to rippling waves of refreshment of the common good over the evil of a society unholy, like a piece of Swiss cheese with random holes of exclusion, ridicule and possession. Choices we make of our own choosing, we only impose on ourselves the consequences. Blessedness following the blameless path, we walk in the way of the Lord. A journey into the mystery of God, not explainable many times in precise phrases. Exploring God’s design, not half-heartedly with a narrow focus drafted for convenience and comfort, genuine faith cascades from the passion of our whole heart. As with our free will choosing between life and death, good and evil, we must opt how we use the Divine infusion of passion in our heart. We might segregate it for pleasure, knowledge, praise, service or the work of justice, seeking a balance.

Jesus’ fulfillment of the law and teaching of the prophets offers a broader perspective than the final, absolute, concrete, definitive action of killing, divorce, adultery or false oaths. We must examine our lives in the incremental steps taken towards actions of finality. To pause and with eyes of faith, we must intervene with a spirit of reconciliation to derail physical, and verbal thoughts and actions of violence towards others and all creation. Reconciliation tapping on love, a desire for wholeness in our lives and world and ultimately with our God.

Individual Reflection: Matthew 5:17-37
Prayerfully reflect on five issues where you need to practice reconciliation in your life. Select one item to address this week.

Family Reflection: Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
Over several weeks, read, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, (paragraphs 2052 thru 2557) the in depth reflection on the Ten Commandments. After reviewing each section talk of how Jesus’ coming to fulfill the law and voices of the prophets amplifies in love the meaning of each commandment.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P6W.HTM

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Help us to understand the power of reconciliation for bringing to fulfillment your precepts. May we pause when we feel the compulsion to charge ahead. May we listen, when we have a desire to speak. May we watch, when we feel we must act. Help us to realize haste can perpetuate violence of thoughts and actions, leading to a severing of dialogue. We trust in the Divine infusion of passion in our hearts and help us to use this gift with a balanced spirit to enrich our faith and serve your kingdom. May our focus stay rooted in love for You that we manifest in love for others.. Jesus, thank you for your teachings and always let them be written in our hearts., In Your dear name we pray, 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.
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 February 6, 2017 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection September 4, 2016

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Barb Born

September 4, 2016: Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The solemn proclamation of human rights is contradicted by a painful reality of violations, wars and violence of every kind, in the first place, genocides and mass deportations, the spreading on a virtual worldwide dimension of ever new forms of slavery such as trafficking in human beings, child soldiers, the exploitation of workers, illegal drug trafficking, prostitution. “Even in countries with democratic forms of government, these rights are not always fully respected”.

Unfortunately, there is a gap between the “letter” and the “spirit” of human rights, which can often be attributed to a merely formal recognition of these rights. The Church’s social doctrine, in consideration of the privilege accorded by the Gospel to the poor, repeats over and over that “the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others” and that an excessive affirmation of equality “can give rise to an individualism in which each one claims his own rights without wishing to be answerable for the common good”. (158) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings

First Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18b

Psalm: 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17

Second Reading: Philemon 9-10, 12-17

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” On the mountain of the Transfiguration, the Father commands: “Listen to him!” Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes and the norm of the new law: “Love one another as I have loved you.” This love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example. (459)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C

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

Do we live faith as misers, eking by with minimalistic commitment? A faith of convenience, attending mass if no other worldly obligations preclude, disciples only in our comfort zone, looking for opportunities of charity with the click of a donate button on our computer, putting our cross in a U-Haul instead of holding the sacred journey in our hands. When we prioritize family relationships, earthly endeavors and causes over our commitment to God, we trivialize faith. Our discipleship is a façade of piety.

As Jesus addressed the great crowds following him, he wanted them to know faith is not a lark, but a profound paradox. Living in the world, but detached from the absorption of ownership, control and manipulation of our possessions to glorify our self-worth in a cocky arrogance of striving towards a pedestal laden with false expectations. Jesus is upfront and tells us true discipleship takes us to a new horizon of calculating our journey of life. He asks us to consider the costs far removed from the sum total on a calculator, to the unquantifiable emotional and spiritual costs that may separate us from desires and expectations of family and friends, impose us to the ridicule of society and cause us to surrender in battles of dominance. Discipleship leaves us humble, surrendering and open to the balm of spiritual grace. A process of gaining wisdom of the heart over cerebral knowledge. Forlorn looks vanish, for we receive God’s kindness leading to a spirit of joy and gladness under the gracious care of the Lord our God. Realizing the fragility of life, we live with divine strength to trust not doubt, hope not despair, love not hate. Our family, friends and endeavors resonate with new meaning framed in the context of discipleship. For in prioritizing faith, life gains a deeper, more profound meaning woven with God’s, not our design. We profess faith not with hollow platitudes, but by the way we live our lives.

Individual Reflection: Philemon 9-10-12-17

Read Philemon, the plea to free a slave, a plea for mercy.

September 9^th is the Feast Day of St Peter Claver, a Jesuit missionary , who cared for the spiritual and physical needs of South American slaves in the 1600’s. How can we be inspired by his work to address modern day slavery, human trafficking? Read about the SHEPHERD program of the USCCB:

http://www.usccb.org/about/anti-trafficking-program/become-a-shepherd-tool-kit.cfm

Learn more about the issue of human trafficking:

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/global-report-on-trafficking-in-persons.html

Family Reflection: Philemon 9-10, 12-17

What fair trade products will your family purchase this week to help diminish the potential of human trafficking in our world? Learn more about fair trade at: http://www.crsfairtrade.org/

Prayer: For the victims of slavery and human trafficking: https://www.chausa.org/prayers/prayer-library/general-prayers-and-prayer-services/healing-and-health/a-prayer-for-victims-of-human-trafficking

A Prayer for the End of Human Trafficking
As shared by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J.

God of freedom, beauty and truth
we believe that your deepest desire,
your most powerful energy,
is that all creation might know abundant life.

We raise our voices in anguished prayer
for our sisters and brothers,
women and girls, men and boys,
who are modern day slaves;
They are your beloved daughters and sons,
exploited sexually or forced to work
because of human violence and greed.

Fill us with your holy anger and your sacred passion
that those who are trafficked might know healing and justice;
that traffickers will come to repentance and conversion;
that all of us might live in such a way
that others are not made to pay the price
for our comfort and convenience.

Hasten the coming of the day when all people
and our precious Earth itself
will be treated, not as a commodity,
but as radiant images of your freedom, beauty and truth.
Amen. May it be so.

Blogs to Visit:

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.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

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 August 25, 2016 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection July 26, 2015

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Barb Born

July 26, 2015: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

“The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home…” (13)

Laudato Si, Pope Francis

Readings

First Reading: 2^nd Kings 4:42-44

Psalm: 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18

Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

Gospel: John 6:1-15

Catechism of the Catholic Church

From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God’s gifts and the diversity of those who receive them. Within the unity of the People of God, a multiplicity of peoples and cultures is gathered together. Among the Church’s members, there are different gifts, offices, conditions, and ways of life. “Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions.” The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church’s unity. Yet sin and the burden of its consequences constantly threaten the gift of unity. and so the Apostle has to exhort Christians to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (814)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Seventeenth Sunday of 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

Living by faith puts us in improbable situations. Jobs we did not expect. Ministries where we lacked competence. Friendships that seemed an odd match. But these situations did not happen by chance. God placed us there, called us. And guided by the Holy Spirit, we followed that path to nurture our trust in God. Trust to realize our human limitations and expectations could never thwart God’s ability to proclaim prophetic ways. Jesus took the barley loves in His hands, gave thanks and distributed food for the five thousand. Everyone was satisfied and the leftovers surpassed the initial quantity of food. Jesus did not just pray and distance himself from those in need. He offered hospitality with attentiveness to those gathered. On our faith journey, we must be grounded in prayer, but not let a life of devotion grasp away our call to trust God. Prayer without action, prayer without hospitality, prayer without trust languishes only as a conversation, a pious façade to posture behind, while people are physically and spiritually hungry. All God’s works we should give thanks for, by freely being the hands and feet of the Lord, graciously serving to reveal the glory of God’s kingdom in every living thing. Will we partake in the call rooted in justice and holiness? Will we ask questions of justice so voices resonate with hope, not silenced by intimidation? Will we grasp God’s holy abundance in our hands, give thanks and freely share the goodness, realizing we are one body united through our one Father of all? Only with trust can we ask those questions. Only with trust can we move beyond prayerful platitudes to serve as we have been called.

Individual Reflection: John 6:1-15

Familiarize yourself with Bread for the World’s 2015 Hunger Report. Consider starting a group to reflect on the document’s study guide resources: http://hungerreport.org/2015/

Family Reflection: 2^nd Kings 4:42-44

As a family, make a tasty loaf of bread and share it with people in need.

Prayer

God may we always remember you provide us bread, physically and spiritually. Help us to trust in your ways, so we move beyond the conversation of prayer to the grace of service. So we see the world face to face, in the diversity of your kingdom unified by our one hope. Help us to be attentive to resources that can be shared, hospitality that can be offered, fragments of abundance that offer hope towards new horizons. We pray in thanksgiving, in your Son’s dear name, Amen.

Blogs to Visit:

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.

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

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, July 17, 2015 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection February 1, 2015

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Barb Born

February 1, 2015: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity
“…Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it and end up resentful, angry and listless. That .is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.” (2)
The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis

Readings
First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm:95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Catechism of the Catholic Church
Christ’s whole earthly life – his words and deeds, his silences and sufferings, indeed his manner of being and speaking – is Revelation of the Father. Jesus can say: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”, and the Father can say: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Because our Lord became man in order to do his Father’s will, even the least characteristics of his mysteries manifest “God’s love. . . among us”. (516)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fourth 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
We each have our Maribah, where we have quarreled with God. A sign post with a different name, but the same destination of distance from the Divine. Other times we sidestep spiritual dialogue, venture to our Massah and with actions of our own design test God’s graces. We each worship in our own Capernaum, entering holy ground. Are we astonished by Jesus’ teaching, to let the wow of simplicity and trust reveal He is the Holy One of God? For he comes not to destroy, but heal us, only if today and every day we hear His voice in the whisper of our conscience, the silence of our heart. His words makes our hearts supple, so as to not to harden and crack with despair. It allows us to bow down in worship beyond a gesture of respectful reverence, to philosophically give credence to the Lord’s way. Many times countercultural in scope:

To respect the least, not the powerful
Live as sheep, not individuals
Fear not, instead of hate mongering
Blessings for peacemakers, not from the status of balance sheets
Come follow Him, not stay in our same place of material or ideological comfort sustained by false gods
Blessings for the meek, not the righteous
Blessings from being poor in spirit, not arrogant
(adapted from Communion antiphon)

Individual Reflection: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
Share with your parish community Bread for the World’s Lenten Prayers for Hungry People, available to download or table tent style to place on dining tables or elsewhere around the parish campus
http://www.bread.org/help/church/worship/lent/

Family Reflection: Mark 1:21-28
Have each family member share which teaching of Jesus astonishes them the most. How is it challenging? Do you seek healing to live it or do you venture to your Meribah or Massah?
.

Prayer
Lord, when we journey to our Maribah or Massah, help us to see the folly of such treks. Help us root faith in worship at our Capernaum, to hear your teachings and let healing free our hearts from harshness. Then may we joyfully acclaim your ways by accentuating goodness in our demeanor and actions, asking questions to precipitate hopeful change, always with a spirit of thanksgiving, for we have seen your works.

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

By Barb Born, January 24, 2015 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection September 15, 2013

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Barb Born

September 15, 2013” Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

“Biblical justice is the goal we strive for. This rich biblical understanding portrays a just society as one marked by the fullness of love, compassion, holiness and peace…” (68) Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy, USCCB

Readings

First Reading: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14

Psalm: 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19

Second Reading: 1^st Timothy 1:12-17

Gospel: Luke 15:1-32 (Long Form), Luke 15:1-10 (Short Form)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God’s mercy to sinners. The angel announced to Joseph: ‘You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ The same is true of the Eucharist, the sacrament of redemption: ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (1846) From the Introduction to the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Daily Roman Missal

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Psalm 51:4

“The principle of the universal destination of goods also applies to water, considered in the Sacred Scriptures as a symbol of purification and of life. “As a gift from God, water is a vital element essential to survival; thus, everyone has a right to it.” Satisfying the needs of all, especially those who live in poverty, must guide the use of water and the services connected with it. Inadequate access to safe drinking water affects the well-being of a huge number of people and is often the cause of disease, suffering, conflicts, poverty and even death. For a suitable solution to this problem, it “must be set in context in order to establish moral criteria based precisely on the value of life and the respect for the rights and dignity of all human beings.” (484)

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Reflection

Ninety-nine sheep, left in the desert, had confidence they would be nurtured, even though they were vulnerable to attack by jackals and wolves. They didn’t wander away looking for food of their choosing, but knew only food provided by the shepherd could satisfy them. Seeking shade was not a priority, for they needed to be in the world as the shepherd was in the world. They didn’t bolt for the mirage of a luxury farm with large barns and individual stalls with HD-TV and lined with premium hay. The ninety-nine sheep knew the shepherd had their interest at heart. The shepherd was trusted and they responded with loyalty. It was no surprise to them when the shepherd came back with a colleague riding securely on his shoulders. The lost sheep had not been berated or endured a long chase by a sheep herding dog, for the shepherd came himself to gently assimilate the lost sheep into the community. A joyful expression was etched on the shepherd’s face as he shared with friends the story of divine providence in locating the lost sheep. The ninety-nine sheep wiggled their ears and refrained from exclamations of bah, bah, for they had no disdain towards the lost sheep, since they knew the shepherd would do the same for them.

We have all experienced the love and grace of Jesus, our shepherd. So will our parishes celebrate and rejoice with all who walk thru the doors, knowing we need all to be a community and not a country club? Or does you parish have an air of entitlement that just welcomes the holy in their sight, so people with a blemish are judged by past wanderings and segregated to a pew on the street of life? Knowing we all have wandered from the shepherd, this week how will you invite others to be part of the flock that trusts the shepherd?

Individual Reflection: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19 and Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (484)

Learn about the work of Dig Deep Water to establish water equity:

http://digdeepwater.org/

Family Reflection: Luke 15:1-32

Have each family member write a parable or draw a picture of how they experience the love and grace of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

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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.

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