7/31/12

Word for the Weekend: August 5


Image: LifeSong


This first weekend in August brings us to the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

(Recall that in this stretch of the Sunday scriptures in Year B, the lectionary sets aside Mark for five weeks and offers us passages from the "Bread of Life Discourse" in John's gospel.)


"Bread from heaven" is the image that connects the story of manna in the desert (in today's first lesson from Exodus) with Jesus naming himself as the bread of life in the gospel pericope from John.


The second reading is from Ephesians and invites us to put away our old selves and our former ways of life and to put on a new person, created in God's grace. Wouldn't that be great to be able to "take off" our old selves and bad habits as if we were taking off a coat and putting on a new coat of goodness and truth? That's Ephesians' invitation this week.

Check here for the scripture texts and background material on them and here for tips to help children prepare to hear the Word this weekend.


 

   
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A prayer for frustrated Catholics




On the sidebar here (look for the red votive candle) there's a link to a Prayer for Frustrated Catholics, written by James Martin, SJ.

"Frustrated" would be one of many adjectives I'd use to describe my faith experience, although it's not the chief or most important descriptor of my Catholic life.

(So, what is the best descriptor of my Catholic life?  That would be: grateful!  How about you?  What one word best describes your life as a Catholic?)

If frustration is part of your Catholic experience, you might find Fr. Martin's prayer helpful.  In addition to the text format at the sidebar link, it's now available in the video above.


 

   
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A midday prayer...





Lord,
whether this is a day I've been dreading
or a day I've looked forward to,
may it be a day I look back on
in peace...



 

   
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Jack Palance and Ignatian Spirituality


Today is the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

One of the blogs listed on my sidebar, Hearts on Fire, is written by Fr. Paul Wharton, an old friend from my days at Notre Dame and a priest of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

Paul recently returned from a 30 day retreat and posted an interesting vignette from his month of prayer, How Jack Palance came to my rescue during my 30 day retreat.

Enjoy!



 

   
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7/30/12

A midday prayer...




Lord,
does ever a day go by
that you don't stir in my soul,
drop hints here and there
and call me to pray?

You've stirred, hinted and called me, Lord:
what am I waiting for?



 

     
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7/29/12

Monday Morning Offering - 202


Image: George Mendoza

 Good morning, good God!

O Lord, there are so many good people in my life:
so many caring, loving, generous, selfless folks
who give of themselves for others
as naturally as the rest of us breathe in and out...

Some folks, Lord, seem born to give:
   always ready to pitch in, to help out, to volunteer,
   to step up to the plate and to go the extra mile,
never counting the cost to themselves,
   sharing graciously with others...

I offer you my thanks, Lord,
for those who are the first to say yes, cheerfully so,
and the last to go home, making sure all is done
and that all is done well…

Just this past week, Lord, so many good people
touched my days with their generous spirit,
lightened my load with their helping hands
and were there by my side
just when I needed them…

I offer you my thanks, Lord,
for those who are always there,
who find and make the time to serve the needs of others,
so many of whom might never know who:
   volunteered and came to the meetings to make the plans,
   wrote the emails, made the calls,
   readied the handouts, did the work, arrived an hour early,
   opened the doors, turned on the lights, made the coffee,
   set up the chairs, set the tables, prepared the refreshments,
   handled the problems, heard the complaints, took the grief
and stayed an extra hour to clean up the mess
left by those they just served…

I lift up my prayer, Lord, for those who offer
generous hours of gracious care, patient listening,
broad shoulders, understanding eyes, strong arms,
skillful hands and a heart that’s open all day long,
no matter how heavy its own burdens and cares…

I offer you my thanks, Lord, 
for those who work and help and volunteer
   in parishes and schools, in neighborhoods and towns,
   in food pantries and soup kitchens,
   in hospitals, nursing homes and senior centers,
   in sports and scouts and children's groups...

I offer you my thanks, Lord,
   for all who in so many ways reach out 
      to those who are alone, in need and in trouble...

I offer you my prayer, Lord,
for those who do the thankless tasks
and seek no thanks themselves:
   keep them in my mind and heart
   that I never presume upon their kindness
   nor take their generous spirit for granted...

Some folks, Lord, seem born to give
but all of us are called to give
as generously as those who freely so fully 
of their time, their gifts,
of the treasure of their talents…

As I am served by others, Lord,
make me their servant, too:
called to give, to share with all
from all you’ve given me…

As others cross my path this week,
make me mindful of their needs
and all the ways that I might offer them
my heart, my hand, my help
to make it through another day…

I offer you my thanks, Lord,
for the caring, loving, selfless folks
who lighten my load, share my burdens
and reveal in their generous love
the love you have for all…

Amen.

(Click here for an archive of Monday Morning Offerings)


 

     
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A midday prayer...




This is the day the Lord has made!

(What have I made of this day thus far?
What's this day making of me?
What will I make of the rest of my day?)

Help me rejoice and be glad in this day, Lord!



   
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UPDATED: Collect for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Image source

UPDATE: A reader asked for a look at the translation of the same prayer as it was found in the Sacramentary in use up until November 2011.  I've provided that text in the combox on this post.

Just in case you're wondering exactly what it was to which you gave your "Amen" at the beginning of Mass this weekend, here's the text for your prayerful review:

O God, protector of those who hope in you,
without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy,
bestow in abundance your mercy upon us
and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide,
we may use the good things that pass
in such a way as to hold fast even now
to those that ever endure.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.


 

   
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7/28/12

Praying 10 minutes today: SUNDAY 7/29


Find a quiet time and place to pray... take a few deep breaths...
be still... and know that God is near...



A word to reflect on:   
The Lord numbers all the stars
   and calls each of them by name...
- Psalm 147






(Before moving on to the reflection below,
   spend some quiet time with the scripture verse above...)

Lord, if you know all the stars
   and call each of them by name
then surely you know each of your sons and daughters
   and surely you know me...

You know me, Lord, better than anyone else
   and you know me better than I know myself...

From before all time you knew me, Lord:
   you knew who my parents would be,
   you knew the day of my birth,
   you knew my blood type and the color of my eyes,
      the shape of my head, my ears, my nose 
         and the look of my face...
From before all time you knew me, Lord
   and you loved me even then...

You know every thought I'll have before I have it.
You know where my mind will go before I begin to think.
You know which of my thoughts I don't want you to know
   and the thoughts I try to keep from myself.
You know best thoughts and my worst thoughts,
  my pipe dreams and my serious plans. 
Even while I'm sleeping you know my mind:   
   you know my dreams - and you understand them!
And you know my nightmares, Lord,
   and the fears I carry from sleep to the light of day...

You know my schemes and designs, 
  and the thoughts I'm embarrassed to acknowledge before you.
You know my loves and you know my lust,
   my generosity and my greed,
      my selfish and my selfless sides...

You know my strengths and my weaknesses,
   my good deeds and my sins,
      my true resolve and my half-baked promises...

You know the truth of who I am, Lord,
   and you know the lies I tell myself and others
      and the lies I try to tell you...

You know every broken piece of my life
   and how much I need your mending hand,
      your healing help...

You know where I've been, Lord,
   and how I've followed and failed in walking your path.
You know where I belong, you know where I am,
   you know what I'm doing here, 
      for weal or for woe.
And you know where I'm going,
   though that's something of a mystery yet to me...

You know that I love you, Lord,
   and you know when and how and why 
      I love you less than I ought.
Yet you love me, Lord, and never fail
   to call my heart to greater, deeper love of you,
      of my neighbor and of myself...

You know me inside-out and try as I might,
   there's no hiding from your watchful eye, 
      no running from your arms' reach.
There's no escaping your strong arm's embrace
   no matter how I struggle, thinking like a fool,
      I might do better on my own...

You know and call the stars by name, Lord,
   but there's so much more to know of us, your own,
      and so much more to love in every heart you've made...

In the quiet of my prayer, Lord, call me by name:
   let my heart hear your voice 
      and let me know your love...

And as I learn your love, so shape my heart
   to know you and love you in return...

In the stillness, Lord, teach me:
   to love as I am loved,
   to desire to know you as I am known,
   to find my joy in you who know me and love me still...
            
To ponder and pray over...
There is nothing about me unknown to God...
There is nothing within me hidden from God...
There is nothing ahead of me outside God's loving care...
What will I ask of the Lord today?
From this prayer time, what word or phrase will I keep with me
   to carry through the rest of my day?
(After you spend some time with these questions,
   pray the reflection above one more time...)


Here are some tips for praying 10 minutes a day.  If you find these daily prayer reminders helpful, please let me know - and share them with others.  You'll find an archive of these daily posts here.

 
 
   
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Leftovers from Jesus' picnic!






Homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Scriptures for today's Mass)

Audio for homily


If only this happened today – in our own times.
Can you imagine  --
if there were 5,000 families on a mountainside listening to Jesus,
how many people would whip out their iPhones
to record the miracle and put it on YouTube
and then we could find out then how he did it
– not even so much how – but what he did.

Were there suddenly baskets of bread and fish all over the place?
Did bread and fish rain down from the heavens?
What great video this would make!

The scripture doesn’t give us these details,
doesn’t focus at all on how it happened
but the scriptures today do draw our attention
to how much happened,
how much food there was.

Imagine how much bread and fish you’d need
to feed 5,000 families.

And there was food left over, too – enough to fill 12 baskets.
So much food!
Too much food!
Food to spare and take home and share...

The miracle is mysterious, but the message is simple.
Jesus comes to feed our hearts’ hunger for peace:
peace with God, peace with our neighbor and peace with ourselves.
And there is no end to the nourishment Jesus has to offer us:
there’s enough for everyone,
with no one left out,
with much to spare.

But it could be, at least for some of us,
it could be that we believe in the miracle
but not so much that there’s enough for everyone,
that no one is left out,
that there’s enough for all.

I wonder...
Have there been times in your life and in mine,
when we’ve found ourselves at the end of the line, or so it seemed,
looking around at all the others the Lord has fed
and asking, "Is there anything left for me?"

And if someone has then told us there’s more than enough to go around,
have you and I looked for those 12 extra basketsful
and been unable to find them?

Has it seemed that everyone else got there before us?

Being spiritually hungry is a painful burden in itself
but finding oneself alone and hungry,
hungry for God’s love and presence and help,
that can be the loneliest place of all.

There are times when we go hungry for God’s peace,
thought it comes in abundance,
but comes in shapes and forms we didn’t expect or ask for or look for.

And there are times we find ourselves alone,
having left the mountainside and gone off by ourselves,
leaving behind so many who are ready to share with us
the abundant nourishment of their company and their love.

There is more than enough for all,
and the Lord feeds all who come to be fed with his peace.

We don’t know how the miracle was accomplished
but we do know two things:
it began with a boy with five loaves and two fish;
and it ended with the disciples’ clean-up crew,
going around with baskets, picking up the leftovers.

It’s the Lord who provides,
drawing from what we already have;
and we share in how he feeds us
by gathering up and sharing with one another
the abundance of what we receive.

As we gather at the Lord’s table this afternoon,
some are at peace and well-nourished, spiritually,
and others are hungry and alone.

In the Eucharist, as on the mountainside in the gospel,
the Lord is here to nourish us all of us,
to nourish us with more than enough
because that’s what he has to give us,
that’s what he has to nourish the hungers of all our hearts -
and there is more than enough here for all of us.

As he laid down his life on the Cross
and shares it now in the sacrament of the altar,
so does he call us, each of us to break and pour out ourselves
nourishing one another with the life with which we’re fed.

 

     
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A midday prayer...



When I'm in the dumpster, Lord,
   or just down in the dumps,
      I pray you'll be there with your ladder...

And when my friends are down and out
   and need my help today,
     let me be your ladder for them...
   

 

   
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Praying 10 minutes a day: SATURDAY 7/28


Find a quiet time and place to pray... take a few deep breaths...
be still... and know that God is near...


A word to reflect on:   
You set up mountains by your might.
You still the roaring of the seas,
   the roaring of the waves,
      the tumult of the peoples...
-Psalm 65





(Before moving on to the reflection below,
   spend some quiet time with the scripture verse above...)

Lord, the scriptures tell me how powerful you are:
   you put the mountains in their place;
   with only a word you quiet the ocean's roar;
      and at your glance
         the sea's roiling waves grow calm...
   you speak peace in your people's hearts
      and still the turmoil and tumult of nations...

Be powerful in my life, Lord,
   when I'm too weak, too small to do on my own 
      what you ask and require of me,
      what my responsibilities demand of me,
      what I want want and need to do
         to become the person you made me to be...

Will you move the mountains in my way?
Will you put them in their place?  clear a path for me?
Will you show me a valley of safe passage
   through the range of heights and peaks that loom before me?
You set up the mountains by your might, Lord,
   let them not stand, a barrier, between us...

With but a word will you quiet the ocean of confusion
   roaring through my mind and in my thoughts?
Will you hush the rush of noise distracting me
   from prayer, from peace, from your presence at my side?

With only a glance will you calm the waves that rock my boat
   and threaten my voyage through my life's straights? 
Will you smooth the seas capsizing my craft
   and extend your hand to pull me from the depths?

Will you still the turmoil that troubles my mind and heart,
   that shakes my confidence in you, in others -- in myself?
Will you speak your peace deep within my soul
   and give me grace to trust in your strong arm?

Will you show your power in my life, Lord?
Will you move, powerfully, in my life today?
Will you open my eyes and help me see  
   where you are, how you move, what you do?

In this time of prayer, Lord,
   let me know the safe path you mark for me to walk;
   let me hear a peaceful word to soothe my thoughts;
   let me know the calm your presence always brings...

In the stillness of these moments, Lord,
   give me a taste of the peace you offer
      night and day, day in and day out;
give my soul a hunger for your word
   and a thirst for your holy wisdom...

In my time with you in prayer, Lord,
   move with power in my heart
and let your strong arm and gentle hand
   support and guide me through the troubles of my day..
  
To ponder and pray over...
What's in my way today?  
What mountains make my path difficult?
What roars within my heart and mind? 
What peace and quiet do I long for?
What rocks my boat and threatens my journey?
How do I need the powerful help of the Lord - today?
What will I ask of the Lord today?
From this prayer time, what word or phrase will I keep with me
   to carry through the rest of my day?

(After you spend some time with these questions,
   pray the reflection above one more time...)

Here are some tips for praying 10 minutes a day.  If you find these daily prayer reminders helpful, please let me know - and share them with others.  You'll find an archive of these daily posts here.

 
 
   
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7/27/12

Ready for this Sunday's fish fry?

Image source


There's still time to look over Sunday's scriptures to be prepared to hear them proclaimed at Mass.

The texts, some brief commentary on them and hints for helping kids prepare to hear these readings can all be found at this earlier post.


 

     
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A midday prayer...




Lord, you surprised me twice today
   and for that I thank you!
Forgive me if, in my hurry,
   there were other gifts from you
      I missed along the way...


 

     
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Praying 10 minutes today: FRIDAY 7/27


Find a quiet time and place to pray... take a few deep breaths...
be still... and know that God is near...


 A word to reflect on:   
Have mercy on me, O God,
   in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion
   wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
   and of my sin cleanse me...
- Psalm 51



 (Before moving on to the reflection below,
   spend some quiet time with the scripture verse above...)

You know all my sins, Lord:
  even before I'm tempted, before I fail,
you know the plans and choices
    my heart will make...

Yet when I've failed and I deny it,
   when I've sinned and try to hide it,
even then, and still, you are my God,
   always ready to forgive,
      offering me your loving mercy
         even when I least deserve it...

Time and time again, Lord,
   I've failed to act according to your word
      and followed, instead, my own will and whim;
   I've failed to choose what your law commands,
       and instead, I've chosen what pleases me;
   I've failed to live in the light of your love
     and instead, I've walked a dark and lonely path...

Even then, Lord, you've not forgotten or abandoned me:
   you've invited me to trust, again and again,
      in your mercy and your pardon
         and the promise of your peace...

In your deep and wide compassion you never fail, Lord,
   to wipe out my offenses,
      to wash me from my guilt,
         to cleanse me of my sins...

So remind me, Lord, before I sin,
   before I even think to make a sinful choice,
      remind me of your word 
         that calls me to your law;
      remind me of your wisdom 
         that reveals the path of grace,
      remind me of your will 
         that I should live by your commands...

As far as the east is from the west, Lord,
  so far do you put my sins away from me:
in your goodness then, help me distance myself
   from anyone or anything that might draw me from your side...

Erase my sins from my heart, Lord,
   especially the ones that haunt and tempt me
      to mistrust your mercy and your pardon...

Help me abandon and put away my sinful thoughts
   and break the habits that trap me,
      the ones I find so hard to leave behind...

Thoroughly wash me of my guilt, Lord:
   let no memories chain and keep me a prisoner
      to my own past...

Wash away my guilt and cleanse my heart
   of any trace of my past wrongs:
with my heart reconciled and renewed
   refresh me with your grace that I might walk again
      the path you've set for me...

In your great compassion, Lord, forgive my sins
   and grant me the mercy I need to forgive those
      who have offended me...

In the quiet of my prayer, Lord,
   let me hide neither from my failings
      nor from the healing help of your strong arm...

In the stillness of my prayer, Lord,
   open my heart and help me trust that even in my sins:
      you love me, you forgive me
         and you call me to be yours...

Help me see and know, how and when, I fail today,
   and before the sun goes down,
      call me to call upon your mercy, Lord,
         and to rejoice in your pardon and peace...
 
To ponder and pray over...
Which of my failings, my sins, tempt me to try to hide them
   from myself?  from my God?
Do I trust that when the Lord forgives me, 
   my sins are washed clean?
I'm called to forgive others as the Lord forgives me:
   how am I doing?
What will I ask of the Lord today?
From this prayer time, what word or phrase will I keep with me
   to carry through the rest of my day?

(After you spend some time with these questions,
   pray the reflection above one more time...)

NOTE: In this daily series there have been two other posts on verses from Psalm 51: here and here.

Here are some tips for praying 10 minutes a day.  If you find these daily prayer reminders helpful, please let me know - and share them with others.  You'll find an archive of these daily posts here.

 
 
   
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7/25/12

July 26: Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim


























On the liturgical calendar tomorrow (July 26) is the feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne: parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grandparents of Jesus and St. Joseph's in-laws. (That's all of them above!) 

Yes, Jesus had grandparents and Joachim and Anne are fitting patron saints for our own grandparents - and for our in-laws, too. The scriptures tell us nothing of Mary's parents but legend and tradition assign them the names this day celebrates.

It was in the womb of her mother, Anne, that Mary was immaculately conceived. Although many Catholics are confused on this point, the Immaculate Conception refers to Mary's conception in Anne's womb, not Jesus' conception in Mary's womb.

I have a particular affection for St. Anne and her holy family for several reasons. When I was a child I visited the shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre, just outside of Quebec city in Canada.

My first assignment after ordination (1973) was to St. Ann Parish in the Wollaston section of Quincy. The people of there warmly welcomed a newly ordained priest who made plenty of mistakes in his first years in ministry.  After five years in Wollaston, I went to study and work at the University of Notre Dame, returning in 1978 to begin nine years of campus ministry at Northeastern University and Emerson College at St. Ann University Parish in the Back Bay. Having been assigned to two parishes under the patronage of St. Anne, interrupted by four years at the University named for Anne's daughter, Our Lady, I was not surprised to be assigned in 1991 to St. Joseph Parish in Medway, named after Mary's husband.

From there I was assigned to another parish under Mary's watchful care, Our Lady Help of Christians, and then to Holy Family, a parish named after Mary, Joseph and Jesus! No small coincidence: St. Bernard Church is named for a saint who had a particular devotion to Mary and to whom is attributed the beautiful prayer, the Memorare.

The icon above, Whole Holy Family, is by Bro. Michael McGrath depicting Anne and Joachim, Mary and Joseph, the Christ Child, the Holy Spirit and a couple of pets from the Holy Household!


James Martin, SJ has reposted a meditation on a mosaic of Ann and Joachim found in the chapel of Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. The artist is another Jesuit: Marko Rupnik.

Martin's comment on the intimacy the couple shares in Rupnik's work put me in mind of Gioto's Anne and Joachim, here:


Martin points out, "How rare it is in a Christian setting to see a couple portrayed in such a clear demonstration of physical affection."  How sad that even depictions of a chaste embrace shared by a married couple seldom find artistic expression.

In searching for images for this feast day, I was disappointed in how few are the portrayals of Anne and Joachim with their grandson, the Christ. There are some instances of Anne and Joachim with Mary in her childhood but it seems to me that at least on occasion, Mary and Joseph might have asked these sainted grandparents to babysit!

Perhaps an artist out there might muse on these possibilities...

Over at Work of the People, Diana Macalintal has a wonderful prayer for children to pray for their grandparents - especially appropriate on this Feast of Jesus' grandparents, Anne and Joachim.


The beautiful sculpture above is by Timothy Schmalz and depicts Anne and Joachim embracing the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

A Child's Prayer for Grandparents

Dear God, please bless my grandparents.
Thank you for the life they gave my parents
and for the life they give to me.

For the ways they helped me and made me strong, I give thanks.
For the ways they love me no matter what, I rejoice.
For the ways they have paved the road
that leads me here, I am grateful.

Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life.
Let them find peace and rest from their work.
Let them be healed of every sickness and pain.
And let them see with their own eyes
the glory of your Son, Jesus,
in the love of their children and grandchildren.

Bless them always until they come to rest in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Copyright © 2005, Diana Macalintal

Happy feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne to you all!



 

   
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Some sabbath rest...

Image source

A reminder: no posts on Thursdays

A midday prayer...



An amazing grace, Lord:
I finally make some time to pray
(though I'm not sure what to say
or how to say it)
and then I realize you're delighted
simply because I showed up...

- MMO 103


 

   
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John bumps Mark for 5 weeks!




In year B of the lectionary's 3 year rotation (A-Matthew, B-Mark, C-Luke), St. John bumps St. Mark for a 5 week stretch (the 17th through the 21st Sundays).

The fourth gospel doesn't have its own place in the three year rotation but John does appear 70 times in the other three years (mostly in the seasons of Lent and Easter): 30 times in year B and about 20 times each in years A and C.

The 5 weeks of John in year B begin with this week's story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Jn 6:1-15).  The following four Sundays include what's known as the "Bread of Life discourse" (Jn 6:22-69).  Keep in mind that John's account of the last supper  tells the story of the washing of feet (Jn 13) but does not mention the bread and wine of the Eucharist.  This lengthy section of John 6 is John's contribution to our scriptural basis for Eucharistic theology. 

This weekend, July 29, brings us to the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The scriptures offer us more than enough to eat both in the lesson from Second Kings and in the gospel from John.  Sandwiched between these two stories of feeding a multitude comes a passage from Ephesians on the source and importance of our unity as Christians, sharing one faith, one Lord, one baptism and one Father of us all.

The scriptures for the day can be found here along with background material on these texts. There's a young boy in the gospel story and you may be bringing a young girl or boy to Mass this weekend. If that's the case, look here for help in preparing them to hear the Word.

Image source

 

     
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Sauvignon blanc: to tell the truth...




Recently I've been ordering this Sterling Sauvignon Blanc.

I do like the wine, but I wondered a few nights ago whether it's the taste I enjoy or just the opportunity to say Sauvignon Blanc...













 
   
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7/24/12

Praying 10 minutes today: WEDNESDAY 7/25


Find a quiet time and place to pray... take a few deep breaths...
be still... and know that God is near...



A word to reflect on:   
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
   that we may shout for joy and gladness
      all our days...
- Psalm 90





(Before moving on to the reflection below,
   spend some quiet time with the scripture verse above...)
  
Wake me before the alarm clock rings
and rouse me to a new day, rain or shine;
fill me at daybreak with your kindness, Lord,
and let the sun rise in my heart...

Even in my dreams, Lord, fill me with your peace
and calm my soul before the dawn's first light;
before my eyes are open, when I'm still half asleep,
stir my mind to thoughts of how this day's your gift to me...

If clouds above or clouds within should tempt my heart 
to doubt if you are with me, at my side:
shake me wide awake and pierce the mist
that veils and hides your face...

At daybreak fill me with your kindness
and give my heart a day's supply of hope and trust;
let my first thoughts be of your name, Lord,
my first words give praise to you for this day's light...

At daybreak, fill me with your Spirit's gifts
to help me face whatever comes my way
and give me strength and faith in you 
and in your promise to be with me every step along my path...

At daybreak, fill me with the grit I need
to face whatever I might fear or hide from:
remind me that I'm not alone, that with you, Lord,
and by your side I need not be afraid...

At daybreak, pull me from my bed and set me on my feet:
shower me with grace until I'm wide-eyed, braced 
and ready for a brand new day, a day I've never known,
the day that you have readied for my soul...

At daybreak, Lord, fill me with your kindness
and lead me to the joy and gladness this day holds:
help me find the peace that this day brings,
let no trace of your love fail to catch my eye... 

Fill me at daybreak with your kindness,
   that I may shout for joy and gladness all my days...

Help me trust that you are with me through the night,
that you are there long before I wake,
keeping careful vigil for my rest and sleep and dreams...
In the quiet of my prayer, Lord, 
waken my soul to your face
and open my heart to your kindness and your love...
In the stillness, refresh my trust in your presence
and waken me to rise and walk with confidence
with you at my side and in my heart...

When worries and sleepless nights drain me of my peace,
fill me with your kindness, Lord, with your gifts, your grace
and all I need to live this day and find my joy in you... 

To ponder and pray over...
What in my heart keeps me from facing a new day with joy?
What help do I need from the Lord as I begin a new day?
With what might I ask the Lord to fill my heart - today?
What will I ask of the Lord today?
From this prayer time, what word or phrase will I keep with me
   to carry through the rest of my day?

(After you spend some time with these questions,
   pray the reflection above one more time...)

Here are some tips for praying 10 minutes a day.  If you find these daily prayer reminders helpful, please let me know - and share them with others.  You'll find an archive of these daily posts here.

 
 
   
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