Aug 31 - 22 Sunday in Ordinary time

Jeremiah 20:7-9
If Jeremiah lived in today's world - I am sure he would be saying much the same thing!  When we share the love of God to those around us - we are mocked and made fun of!  The movie recently released on DVD God is NOT Dead is a perfect example!    The society we live in seems to not need God at all.  He is irrelevant. Soccer, baseball, football, extracurricular activities, money, fun, internet - so many of these things have become more important than God to most of us.   So when we proclaim the love of God burning in our hearts to a world who is not only deaf to Him, but resistant to Him - we are rejected!    But I am like Jeremiah...I try to keep it inside - so that I won't be seen as a "Jesus Freak" - but it becomes like a fire burning in my heart and I cannot contain it - I must share the Good News - because it has brought so much joy to my life - I have to share!


Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
My Soul is Thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
How beautiful is this Psalm!  You are my help, in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy!
My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me!


Romans 12:1-2
Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

Just reflect on that one line for a week.....where in your life are you putting the world above God?
I have done this many times in my journey.   This reflection is very revealing and not often very comforting.  The world is such a "fun" place to be in, right?!!  There are so many distractions and things to chase after!
But none of them bring "lasting" peace, love and joy.    And that is what our heart yearns for.

Did you ever watch Sesame Street?  When my children were little - I was addicted, I loved it!  But someone pointed out how they change the subject and the topic every few minutes - to keep the children's attention.
Our children have grown up with that same brain-attention span....we just can't seem to spend longer than a short time on anyone thing.  I call it multi-tasking and am very adept at it.  Actually, I am quite proud of my ability to multitask!  However.....when it comes to worldly things versus Godly things, I am not so proud of it.  My goal is to spend more time on Godly things and less time on worldly things.

Some of the ways I do this is by reading scripture, spending time in silence, saying the rosary, going to daily mass, reading great devotionals - trying to get God's perspective into my brain!  I want to form my brain to God's thoughts, not the world's thoughts.   But since I have been molded by the world for so long, it is taking time.

But, I know John the Baptist's prayer - "less of me, Lord - More of You" - and giving God more and more of my time - (even if it's not all at once) - I am on the right track!

I want to do the will of God - what is good and pleasing and perfect to God - not what I think is good and  pleasing and perfect.  There is a difference....and I am not God.

Matthew 16:21-27
I love Peter!  He and I are like soul mates.  One day I think I have this discipleship thing all worked out and then BOOM - I stick my foot in my mouth!   I hear Jesus saying "Get behind me, Satan!"  You are thinking NOT as God does, but as human beings do!  (just as I was saying above!!!)

The two lines I reflect on the most in this gospel recently are:  You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do and What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life"

Am I doing things to please people?  or to please God?

If I please people and I die - what is the end result?   There might be lots of people at my funeral and people will think what a wonderful person I was.....but where will my soul be?

If I please God - what is the end result?  - Entrance into HEAVEN!!!!  That's where I want to be.
I want to hear God say at the pearly gates - Well done, good and faithful servant, Welcome Home!

What do you want at the end of your life?  Then let's be transformed by God's beautiful Word and the Eucharist!   Take advantage of confession - and be refreshed and renewed!!!

Have a blessed week!

Aug 24 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading Isaiah 22:19-23

In the first reading, God is speaking to Shebna, an official in the king's palace. Shebna has been more concerned with building up his own power than in serving God. He exercises his authority over others rather than for them. So he will be replaced by Eliakim, who will hold the "key of the House of David on his shoulder." This key is a symbol of authority that comes from God. A good leader places his or her trust in the Lord. (Sadlier)

What "keys" have you been given to exercise authority, at home, at school, in your parish or neighborhood? What ways will you try to serve, lead, and influence others in order to further God's kingdom here on earth?

Responsorial psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6-8

These are the words that touched my heart this week: 

I will give thanks to your name,
because of your kindness and your truth:
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.

Sometimes, being a leader is often challenging and overwhelming...yet I know that God is in control.  

2nd Reading Romans 11:33-36

Sometimes I cannot figure God out....I am confused on the direction that God is leading me...this scripture is so beautiful!  It is not about me understanding him at all....it is about me giving Glory to Him - who is the creator of all things and knows the ultimate reason for everything....'I trust in you, Jesus!"

For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given the Lord anything
that he may be repaid?
For from him and through him and for him are all things. 
To him be glory forever. Amen.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

Who do you say that Jesus is?  Peter got it right (in this gospel - next week he blows it!).  However, this week, Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom and builds His church on Peter the Rock.  Our whole church hierarchy is built on this.  Again, it is a great question.   Who do you say that Jesus is?

I say He is my redeemer, my friend, my God!  I do trust in Him, even though I do not understand fully what or why things happen the way they do.  

May God take all the Glory!   I am the handmaiden of the Lord!  

Have a blessed week!

Nancy

August 17 - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading:  Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

Responsorial Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
2nd Reading: Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

The First Reading is an encouraging reading for me!  I know God is faithful.  I am not living my faith to be a robot.  It actually brings me life every day.   But this reading also assures me that if I keep trying to live the faith and find joy in my relationship with God, He will be faithful and bring me to Him in the end!
"I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer!"  Doesn't that sound wonderful?!?

Responsorial Psalm follows - O God, let all the nations praise you!  I do want to praise God!  Our God is so GREAT!!!!  He does have pity on us.  He rules us with equity (actually - more than fair in my humble opinion!) So, let the ends of the earth know and love him!  Praise Him!

The 2nd Reading God's mercy is so great!  Even in my disobedience, He still calls me and has mercy on me! and He wants the same for everyone!

The Gospel is also an inspiration to me!  The persistence and tenacity of the woman to believe so much in Jesus, that even when he tries to ignore her and send her away - she stays in his face and challenges Him.
Because of her great face, Jesus gave her what she wanted!   I want to remember that in my prayer!  Persistence.  Never give up.  Even if I don't see results.  God will answer my prayer.  I have faith that He will.  I will not be discouraged or sent on my way!  I believe!  I am encouraged that God listens to us!

What a great God we have!  let us Praise Him and never stop!  What is your deepest desire?  Take it to God.  Have faith that He will answer you!

Have a blessed Week!

Aug 10 - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading
1 Kings 19:9a,11-13a

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 85:9-14
 

Second Reading
Romans 9:1-5
 Paul speaks of the blessings that have come to the Israelites.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 14:22-33
 

1st Reading - Our God created the Universe.  Created us.  Created everything.  When I read scripture and He walks with Adam side by side - talking with Him, I feel a little jealous.  Wouldn't it be great to be able to have a "real" conversation with God?  One that you can actually "hear"?  Not just imagine?

In the 1st Reading, God tells Elijah to go outside because the Lord will be walking by.   Where will He be?  In the strong wind?  No!   In the mighty earthquake?  No!  In the fire?  No!  

He was found in the tiny whisper!   How much silence do you have in your life?  I remember my first 5 day silent retreat - I thought I would go crazy!  I had my music to listen to, books to read, I was texting (not talking!) to my family!  I had a hard time sitting still in the silence.  It took me 3 1/2 days to be still and enjoy the silence.  Where are you God?  I don't hear you!    I don't remember hearing anything that whole week.  But I actually began to feel some peace.

The 2nd time I went on the 5 day silent retreat, it was much easier to jump right in.  And now, I find I love the silence.  I turn off the noise in my life.  No music.  No noise at all.  Just silence.  Do I hear God's voice?  Yes!  

It is His presence I feel more clearly.  It is His direction I feel more clearly.  It is His peace I feel.

Be still and Know that I am God.  

In the Psalm today, when I reflected, this verse spoke to me.

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;  justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.

This is what I seek...This is what I pray for!  

The Gospel is one of my favorites -

After having fed the 5000, now the disciples see Jesus walking on water and think they see a GHOST!!!

But Jesus reassures them! “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 

I love this line!  I repeat it over and over and over and over!  When I am afraid.  Knowing that when I think I am seeing a monster under my bed - in the people who are against me - I know that my Jesus is there with me.   I stick out my had like Peter!  “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 

Jesus simply says, “Come.”     So, I walk out onto the water.  And just like Peter, I am fine as long as I keep my eyes on Jesus....but the SECOND I look at the Monster, the waves, the problem....I sink into the storm, I begin drowning, I panic, I freak out!   Jesus, Save me!!!!    He holds out His hand and says to me again and again and again “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”     Then He calms the storm around me.

I try keeping my eyes on Jesus, but the monsters and storms are so big and the world is so distracting.  This is my journey.   Listen to the whisper of God to guide me in this life, "keep your eyes on me!  I know the way, I will be with you always!"

August 3 - 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

1st Reading - Isaiah 55:1-3
Psalm 145
2nd Reading - Romans 8:35, 37-39
Gospel -Matthew 14:13-21

Have you ever been in real need?  Really hungry?  Really scared?  Really lost?  Who did you turn to?
Do you have family you can trust and that always take care of you?

Today's readings tell us of a God who is there for us when we are in need.
The responsorial  Psalm is so reassuring to me, as well as 1st and 2nd readings.  They tell me that God wants me to come to Him when I am need.  That He is gracious, merciful - He will answer all who call upon him in truth.

R/ (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, 
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R/ The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
and you give them their food in due season;
you open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
R/ The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R/ The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

I have been in trouble - due to terrible sin - It was all my fault.  I hated putting my tail between my legs to go for help.  My parents rejected me.  My friends rejected me.  Why would i think that God would accept me?  

It was a dark time for me.  I was totally alone and lost.  Yet, somehow - God led me out of the darkness and I ended up back in His arms and reconciled with Him and with my family and friends.  Yes, there was pain - yes, it took a long time (I am a very stubborn person), but God was gracious and merciful and helped me find hope, helped me realize my fault, helped me to admit my fault and helped me to reconcile.

He makes all things new.   He loves us always.  In the 2nd reading - Romans 8:35, 37-39
Brothers and sisters:
What will separate us from the love of Christ? 
Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? 
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
through him who loved us. 
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor present things, nor future things,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs - even if we are stubborn and lost!  He looks at us with Pity and wants to cure us, heal us, feed us, take care of us,  Look out for us!   How blessed are we? 

Blessings,
Nancy